Fire guts Winter Haven restaurant; cooking oil accident blamed
Popular Winter Haven restaurant Floridino’s Italian Kitchen is closed after fire ripped through the building as employees prepared to open Sunday morning.
Popular Winter Haven restaurant Floridino’s Italian Kitchen is closed after fire ripped through the building as employees prepared to open Sunday morning.
PCSO: 2 teens arrested for shooting 3 kids with pellet gun, capturing it on cell phone video
Jordan Hawes, 18, and a 17-year-old male have been arrested after deputies say the pair drove around a Polk County park and shot three children with a pellet gun.
Jordan Hawes, 18, and a 17-year-old male have been arrested after deputies say the pair drove around a Polk County park and shot three children with a pellet gun.
County Road 640 reopens south of Bartow as crews surround brush fire
A brush fire that closed roads in Polk County overnight is now mostly contained, firefighters say.
A brush fire that closed roads in Polk County overnight is now mostly contained, firefighters say.
Residents escape injury as fire destroys Lakeland apartments
It was around 7:30 a.m. when crews responded to the blaze along North Florida Avenue. They say everyone inside the single-story multi-unit building was able to evacuate on their own.
It was around 7:30 a.m. when crews responded to the blaze along North Florida Avenue. They say everyone inside the single-story multi-unit building was able to evacuate on their own.
‘It was life-changing': Polk County deputy releases rehabilitated bald eagle back into the wild
A three-and-a-half-year-old female bald eagle who was found injured was released back into the wild at the Polk County Sheriff’s office on Friday.
A three-and-a-half-year-old female bald eagle who was found injured was released back into the wild at the Polk County Sheriff’s office on Friday.
Staff shortage hits Polk preschools, daycares as parents head back to the office
When the pandemic hit last year, parents began working remotely. As the number of kids dropped in class, daycare centers and preschools laid off employees. Now that parents are going back to work, centers are getting their little ones back.
When the pandemic hit last year, parents began working remotely. As the number of kids dropped in class, daycare centers and preschools laid off employees. Now that parents are going back to work, centers are getting their little ones back.
Deported mom returning to her Florida family
The wife of a veteran deported from the United States three years ago could soon be returning home to her family in Central Florida.
The wife of a veteran deported from the United States three years ago could soon be returning home to her family in Central Florida.
‘Mastermind’ behind largest meth seizure in Polk history was operating from federal prison, sheriff says
A major drug bust led deputies to 120 gallons of liquid meth being transported in buckets by suspects from Georgia to Florida, overseen by a "mastermind" who ran the operation from federal prison, officials said Thursday.
A major drug bust led deputies to 120 gallons of liquid meth being transported in buckets by suspects from Georgia to Florida, overseen by a "mastermind" who ran the operation from federal prison, officials said Thursday.
Novavax seeks children 12-17 for paid COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial
Novavax Inc. is awaiting approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for emergency use authorization of its COVID-19 vaccine. In Central Florida, the company is starting paid clinical trials in DeLand and Lakeland to see how effective the same vaccine is on teenagers.
Novavax Inc. is awaiting approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for emergency use authorization of its COVID-19 vaccine. In Central Florida, the company is starting paid clinical trials in DeLand and Lakeland to see how effective the same vaccine is on teenagers.
No appointment necessary for Polk County COVID-19 vaccinations
Polk County residents no longer have to wait for their appointment to get a COVID-19 shot at a Health Department vaccination site. From now on, it is first-come, first-served.
Polk County residents no longer have to wait for their appointment to get a COVID-19 shot at a Health Department vaccination site. From now on, it is first-come, first-served.
'It's a pretty scary thing': Possible tornado touched down in Polk County
A possible tornado touched down in Polk County Sunday. A Winter Haven home had its roof completely torn off as severe winds ripped through the area.
A possible tornado touched down in Polk County Sunday. A Winter Haven home had its roof completely torn off as severe winds ripped through the area.
Lakeland man beat child to death for urinating on couch, police say
Police arrested Alegray Jones, 30, after they say he killed his girlfriend’s two-year-old son while she was at work on Friday.
Police arrested Alegray Jones, 30, after they say he killed his girlfriend’s two-year-old son while she was at work on Friday.
Florida couple charged with $5.8-million COVID relief fraud
A Polk County couple is accused of fraudulently collecting $5.8 million in COVID-19 relief money and using it to buy a luxury car, Louis Vuitton merchandise, and more, then flaunting it on Facebook.
A Polk County couple is accused of fraudulently collecting $5.8 million in COVID-19 relief money and using it to buy a luxury car, Louis Vuitton merchandise, and more, then flaunting it on Facebook.
Police: Missing Florida teen could be with older man, may visit campgrounds
Police said that if the two of them are together, they may show up at nearby campgrounds.
Police said that if the two of them are together, they may show up at nearby campgrounds.
3 Polk County deputies arrested after evidence-tampering investigation
Sheriff Grady Judd announced the arrest of three of his own deputies, who all face multiple felony charges over $723 that ended up missing from evidence.
Sheriff Grady Judd announced the arrest of three of his own deputies, who all face multiple felony charges over $723 that ended up missing from evidence.
Semi plows into Polk County deputy's cruiser, injuring deputy, FHP trooper on I-4
A semi-truck driver veered off the road on Interstate 4, hitting patrol cars with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Highway Patrol Friday evening.
A semi-truck driver veered off the road on Interstate 4, hitting patrol cars with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Highway Patrol Friday evening.
CARES Act money helping with job training
Some of the money approved in last year's CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act is still being spent in Central Florida. Polk County is using it to fast-track training for jobs that desperately need to be filled.
Some of the money approved in last year's CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act is still being spent in Central Florida. Polk County is using it to fast-track training for jobs that desperately need to be filled.
Polk deputies arrest woman accused of spraying store employees with chemical while shoplifting
A Tampa woman is behind bars in Polk County after deputies said she went on a shoplifting spree, then sprayed store employees with a chemical while trying to get away.
A Tampa woman is behind bars in Polk County after deputies said she went on a shoplifting spree, then sprayed store employees with a chemical while trying to get away.
Lakeland woman accused in Capitol Riot
Officials recently arrested Corinne Lee Montoni, 31, of Lakeland, who they say was involved in the riots. She was charged with tampering or destruction of records and documents, entering a restricted building, and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds, according to federal court records.
Officials recently arrested Corinne Lee Montoni, 31, of Lakeland, who they say was involved in the riots. She was charged with tampering or destruction of records and documents, entering a restricted building, and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds, according to federal court records.
Officer shoots, kills man who shot woman in front of police at Lakeland community
The Lakeland Police Department confirmed that there was an officer-involved shooting at Quarry Rock Road and Cobblestone Landing Townhomes.
The Lakeland Police Department confirmed that there was an officer-involved shooting at Quarry Rock Road and Cobblestone Landing Townhomes.