Polk County company third-largest producer of N95 masks in US

Not all N95 masks are approved by the CDC and the FDA for fluid resistance, but at Advanced Concept Innovations (ACI) in Polk County, they're churning out 2 million CDC and FDA-approved N95 masks a day.

Polk County 'Grinch' who stole family's Christmas gifts arrested, requested to go to Hillsborough jail instead

Polk detectives arrested the suspect -- called the "Grinch" by Sheriff Grady Judd -- at a hotel days after he stole gifts from under the family's Christmas tree. His family and friends apparently didn't want him to stay with them due to his 'new notoriety' as detectives searched for him, officials say.

Polk sheriff: 8 dead in 44 hours due to car crashes

Investigators say eight people were killed in the span of 44 hours in Polk County due to traffic crashes.

Too drunk to drive? Polk deputies can offer rides home as last resort during NYE festivities, sheriff says

With 8 people dead in the past 44 hours due to fatal crashes in Polk County, Sheriff Grady Judd says the agency will offer free rides home -- as a last resort -- to those who become too intoxicated during this weekend's celebrations.

Sheriff: Driver fleeing Polk deputies dies in crash, killing 2 others

The Polk County Sheriff's Office is investigating a crash that killed three people in the Haines City area, and deputies said three trauma alert patients were being flown to area hospitals via helicopter.

Polk County Bully Project helps changes perceptions of 'bully breeds'

When Angie Lorio and Shannon Medina found out Polk County Animal Control does not put pit bulls up for adoption, they founded the Polk County Bully Project, which has helped more than 1,000 'bully breed' dogs find forever homes.

Deputies: Video shows Lakeland High substitute teacher having sex with student

According to the deputies, the relationship had been going on for months but didn't come to light until a student told a school resource officer about the existence of a Snapchat video showing the two having sex.

Florida doctor helps treat long-haul COVID-19 patients, mental health symptoms

Dr. Kathleen Haggerty at the Watson Clinic in Lakeland is treating long-haul COVID patients, including those experiencing mental health symptoms.

Lakeland teen receives perfect scores on 2 AP exams

A senior at Harrison High School for the Arts is one of only a dozen students around the world to receive perfect scores on the Advanced Placement 2D and 3D Art and Design exams.

You can chop down your own Christmas tree for $10 at this Polk County park

Christmas tree prices are higher this year for a variety of reasons. But there’s one way to cut your cost and have a woodsy adventure all at the same time: How about trekking into the forest and cutting down your own tree?

LPD: 2 Lakeland officers shoot, kill man parked in I-4 construction zone after he fired first

A 61-year-old man was shot and killed early Sunday morning by two police officers who say he shot at them as he sat in a vehicle parked in a construction zone on I-4 in Lakeland.

Lakeland woman arrested for DUI after Holiday man killed in crash

Deputies in Polk County say a school secretary from Lakeland was drunk when she crashed into two vehicles along Interstate 4 on Wednesday, killing a Pasco County man.

Sheriff: Deputy was justified in killing woman armed with shovel

Polk County's sheriff is defending the actions of one of his deputies who killed a woman who was armed with a shovel, calling it a deadly weapon.