‘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.
IMG Academy soccer coach arrested for DUI
Polk County deputies arrested Joshua Kiper, 38, of Plant City, early Saturday morning for DUI following a traffic stop.
Polk County deputies arrested Joshua Kiper, 38, of Plant City, early Saturday morning for DUI following a traffic stop.
PCSO: Hit-and-run driver killed after car crashes into tree, bursts into flames while fleeing the scene
Baylee Simpson, 25, of Mulberry was killed Friday afternoon after deputies say her car struck a tree and caught fire while she was fleeing the scene of a crash.
Baylee Simpson, 25, of Mulberry was killed Friday afternoon after deputies say her car struck a tree and caught fire while she was fleeing the scene of a crash.
Haines City police arrest substitute teacher accused of attacking two students
Haines City police arrested a substitute teacher accused of hitting two students at Boone Middle School.
Haines City police arrested a substitute teacher accused of hitting two students at Boone Middle School.
Hospital employee accused of stealing nearly $1,000 from COVID-19 patient
Haines City police arrested Yolanda Curtis-Deliz, 46, a certified nursing assistant, after they say she stole $920 from a COVID-19 patient’s wallet at AdventHealth Heart of Florida.
Haines City police arrested Yolanda Curtis-Deliz, 46, a certified nursing assistant, after they say she stole $920 from a COVID-19 patient’s wallet at AdventHealth Heart of Florida.
Lakeland red-light cameras can predict light-runner, extend light change to prevent crashes
The cameras can predict when a vehicle is going too fast to make it through a yellow light, and hold the green light for oncoming traffic. However, the light-runner will still receive a ticket in the mail.
The cameras can predict when a vehicle is going too fast to make it through a yellow light, and hold the green light for oncoming traffic. However, the light-runner will still receive a ticket in the mail.
77-year-old woman killed in Davenport crash, police say
An elderly woman from Davenport was killed in a crash after another driver traveled into the path of her vehicle, police said.
An elderly woman from Davenport was killed in a crash after another driver traveled into the path of her vehicle, police said.
8-year-old passenger dies after pickup truck flipped on Lakeland road, deputies say
The young grandson of a pickup truck driver was killed after the vehicle flipped Monday afternoon, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
The young grandson of a pickup truck driver was killed after the vehicle flipped Monday afternoon, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.