11-year-old girl survived gunman's massacre of her family by playing dead, Sheriff Grady Judd says
Sheriff Grady Judd says the 11-year-old girl who was the sole survivor of the massacre that killed four of her family members survived the mass shooting by playing dead, despite being shot multiple times.
Sheriff Grady Judd says the 11-year-old girl who was the sole survivor of the massacre that killed four of her family members survived the mass shooting by playing dead, despite being shot multiple times.
Polk politicians push to promote ivermectin as COVID-19 drug, despite medical advice
Even though the drug ivermectin is not approved by the FDA for use against COVID-19, a growing number of people are taking it. Now some Polk County commissioners want the governor to endorse it as an alternative therapy.
Even though the drug ivermectin is not approved by the FDA for use against COVID-19, a growing number of people are taking it. Now some Polk County commissioners want the governor to endorse it as an alternative therapy.
Sheriff Judd: Lakeland shooting suspect was in Orlando days before shooting
Sheriff Grady Judd says just a few days before the killings happened in Lakeland, suspect Bryan Riley was in Orlando working security at a church.
Sheriff Grady Judd says just a few days before the killings happened in Lakeland, suspect Bryan Riley was in Orlando working security at a church.
'I'm a sick guy': Polk County man accused of murdering 4, including mother and infant, denied bond
A judge is keeping a man in jail after he’s accused of murdering four people in Lakeland.
A judge is keeping a man in jail after he’s accused of murdering four people in Lakeland.
Judge denies bond for ex-Marine accused of murdering 4, including mother and her baby
A horrific shooting in Polk County left four people dead, including a mother and her young infant. An 11-year-old girl was also injured by the suspect, a former Marine who was denied bond by a Polk County judge on Monday morning.
A horrific shooting in Polk County left four people dead, including a mother and her young infant. An 11-year-old girl was also injured by the suspect, a former Marine who was denied bond by a Polk County judge on Monday morning.
Community in shock after brutal Polk County killings
Five people were shot, four killed, including a mother and her 3-month-old son. The survivor, an 11-year-old girl, is recovering at a Tampa hospital.
Five people were shot, four killed, including a mother and her 3-month-old son. The survivor, an 11-year-old girl, is recovering at a Tampa hospital.
Sheriff: ‘Survivalist’ on meth kills 4, including infant, fires at deputies before surrendering
Four people were killed, including an infant, and an 11-year-old girl was injured by a self-described survivalist on meth early Sunday morning, according to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.
Four people were killed, including an infant, and an 11-year-old girl was injured by a self-described survivalist on meth early Sunday morning, according to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.
Community gathers to remember Polk County deputy who died from COVID-19
One week after his death, loved ones, friends and colleagues paid their final respects to a Polk County deputy who died following weeks of battling COVID-19.
One week after his death, loved ones, friends and colleagues paid their final respects to a Polk County deputy who died following weeks of battling COVID-19.
Bicycling Poinciana teen killed in crash
A 13-year-old boy was killed while riding his bike in eastern Polk County. When detectives went to his home to tell his parents, they made an emotional discovery.
A 13-year-old boy was killed while riding his bike in eastern Polk County. When detectives went to his home to tell his parents, they made an emotional discovery.
Florida woman hospitalized with COVID-19 comes home to find husband dead of COVID-19
A Central Florida woman fought for her life in the hospital, survived, and thought she'd seen the worst of COVID -- until she went home and made a shocking discovery.
A Central Florida woman fought for her life in the hospital, survived, and thought she'd seen the worst of COVID -- until she went home and made a shocking discovery.
Parent of 12-year-old in ICU urges Polk County to take up mask mandates
The debate over masks mandates in schools was reignited Tuesday night at the Polk County school board meeting. The issue wasn't on the agenda, but parents on both sides of the issue still had a lot to say, including the father of a 12-year-old boy who is in the ICU battling COVID-19.
The debate over masks mandates in schools was reignited Tuesday night at the Polk County school board meeting. The issue wasn't on the agenda, but parents on both sides of the issue still had a lot to say, including the father of a 12-year-old boy who is in the ICU battling COVID-19.
Sheriff Grady Judd: 'Don't listen to the politicians; get your vaccine'
One of the most respected sheriffs in the entire country just came out in favor of getting vaccinated for COVID-19. Polk Sheriff Grady Judd says being vaccinated may have saved his life, but he won’t mandate it for his deputies.
One of the most respected sheriffs in the entire country just came out in favor of getting vaccinated for COVID-19. Polk Sheriff Grady Judd says being vaccinated may have saved his life, but he won’t mandate it for his deputies.
Battling cancer and unable to get vaccine, teacher dies from COVID-19 complications
Kelly Peterson was being treated for leukemia and had a compromised immune system. Her doctor decided the vaccine may be too hard on her body and suggested she wait, but despite wearing a mask, she became infected with COVID-19 and died. Her family hopes Kelly's story will inspire others to get vaccinated.
Kelly Peterson was being treated for leukemia and had a compromised immune system. Her doctor decided the vaccine may be too hard on her body and suggested she wait, but despite wearing a mask, she became infected with COVID-19 and died. Her family hopes Kelly's story will inspire others to get vaccinated.
Decorated Polk County deputy dies from COVID-19
A 32-year-old Polk County deputy and a father of five has lost his ongoing battle with COVID-19, the sheriff’s office announced.
A 32-year-old Polk County deputy and a father of five has lost his ongoing battle with COVID-19, the sheriff’s office announced.
Peppa Pig offers sneak peek at new Winter Haven theme park
Peppa Pig, a wildly popular porcine with her own TV show and videos, showed up Thursday at what will be the Peppa Pig Theme Park in Winter Haven.
Peppa Pig, a wildly popular porcine with her own TV show and videos, showed up Thursday at what will be the Peppa Pig Theme Park in Winter Haven.
Polk fire chief: Leave 911 calls only for most serious emergencies
If you need an ambulance, you want one to arrive as quickly as possible. In Polk County, COVID-19 is causing "significant delays," according to the fire chief, who is asking residents to only call 911 for serious emergencies.
If you need an ambulance, you want one to arrive as quickly as possible. In Polk County, COVID-19 is causing "significant delays," according to the fire chief, who is asking residents to only call 911 for serious emergencies.
Polk sheriff: 17 arrested in undercover child predator sting
Over a dozen arrests were made after suspects thought they were on their way to meet young teenagers to have sex, but it turned out they were communicating with undercover detectives, according to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.
Over a dozen arrests were made after suspects thought they were on their way to meet young teenagers to have sex, but it turned out they were communicating with undercover detectives, according to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.
Polk sheriff: Disney employees, nurse and California man among 17 arrested in undercover child predator sting
Seventeen suspects thought they were speaking to young teens online, but it turned out they were speaking to undercover detectives across several agencies in central Florida. Among those arrested include Disney employees, a registered nurse, and a married man visiting from California, officials say.
Seventeen suspects thought they were speaking to young teens online, but it turned out they were speaking to undercover detectives across several agencies in central Florida. Among those arrested include Disney employees, a registered nurse, and a married man visiting from California, officials say.
Auburndale man wanted for murdering girlfriend, Polk County deputies say
The 20-year boyfriend of an Auburndale woman is on the run after he shot her to death in her home Monday, according to Polk County deputies.
The 20-year boyfriend of an Auburndale woman is on the run after he shot her to death in her home Monday, according to Polk County deputies.
32 charged in Polk County undercover drug trafficking investigation
Detectives in Polk County arrested more than two dozen people in a drug trafficking sting following a 16-month undercover investigation.
Detectives in Polk County arrested more than two dozen people in a drug trafficking sting following a 16-month undercover investigation.