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.
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.
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.
Solid waste employee accused of illegally dumping furniture, debris in undeveloped parts of Poinciana
A Haines City man was arrested for using his employer’s work truck to haul and illegally dump garbage, according to the sheriff’s office.
A Haines City man was arrested for using his employer’s work truck to haul and illegally dump garbage, according to the sheriff’s office.
Polk deputies join call for tips about Florida man accused of assaulting Capitol police
The FBI and Polk deputies are asking for help finding a man accused of assaulting police officers during the Capitol riot.
The FBI and Polk deputies are asking for help finding a man accused of assaulting police officers during the Capitol riot.
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.
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!"
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!"
Search ongoing for suspect who stabbed man in face, Florida deputies say
Deputies said that 39-year-old Carmelo Fernandez-Lopez got into a fight with another man and stabbed him in the face.
Deputies said that 39-year-old Carmelo Fernandez-Lopez got into a fight with another man and stabbed him in the face.
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.
“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.