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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Polk sheriff:  17 arrested in undercover child predator sting
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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.

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.

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.

Sheriff: Man shot and killed after charging at Polk County deputy with knife

A 37-year-old man was shot and killed by a Polk County deputy, after he charged at the deputy with a knife, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Fort Meade woman arrested for 2-month-old’s death

Investigators said the 2-month-old baby had multiple head fractures and severe brain bleeding when paramedics rushed him to the hospital, where he died.

Images show Lakeland group repeatedly attacking officers during Capitol riot, FBI says

More details have been released about five Floridians charged in connection with the January 6 U.S. Capitol riot, several of whom allegedly beat officers with flagpoles and riot shields while shouting, "We didn’t come all this way just to stand here!"

Roommate of girl who died at Lakeland boarding school says medical requests were not taken seriously

“If it was like, we needed to see a doctor, you pretty much knew you were not going to. You could fill out requests but you just kinda automatically knew it was not going to happen,” the roommate told FOX 13 News.

Former students of Lakeland girls school come forward to describe conditions at facility where girl died

Former students of a Lakeland boarding school for girls are speaking out after a girl died there. Naomi Wood died in May of 2020 after weeks of stomach pains and asking to see a doctor but being denied, according to a report from the Florida Department of Children and Families.

Girl dies after being denied treatment for stomach pain while living at Lakeland children's home

A 17-year-old girl living at a boarding school for girls in Lakeland complained of stomach issues for nearly a month – but was denied professional medical treatment – before she died in May of 2020, according to reports by the Polk County medical examiner and the Florida Department of Children and Families.

Fugitive arrested in Mexico after giving fake name -- of another long-wanted fugitive

After 14 years, authorities thought they had arrested the man responsible for a drunk-driving crash that killed a Polk County couple. However, it turns out the man arrested in Mexico was the wrong guy.

‘Let’s do it’: Hospice chaplain helps Bartow man fulfill lifelong dream of flying

Day after day, John Kimball would sit on his porch and watch planes from Bartow Municipal Airport fly overhead. He's in his 80s, under hospice care, and had never flown -- until recently.