Florida issuing relief funds for residents in hard-hit counties to help pay insurance deductibles
Millions of dollars will be allocated from the state to housing partners in six counties, including DeSoto, Hardee, and Sarasota, to help residents pay their home insurance deductibles.
Volunteer organization helps Polk, Hardee residents whose homes were damaged during Hurricane Ian
A national volunteer organization is coming to the rescue for families in Fort Meade whose homes have been damaged by Hurricane Ian.
Man charged for killing witness planning on testifying against him in attempted murder trial, FDLE announces
Florida investigators said Marlon Burgess was arrested for killing a witness who was planning on testifying against him in an attempted murder trial. The 20-year-old victim had survived being shot by Burgess in 2019, and was getting ready to testify when he was found dead, FDLE said.
Wauchula great ape sanctuary hunkered down as Hurricane Ian barreled across Florida
When Hurricane Ian barreled through Florida a couple of weeks ago, it wasn't just people and their pets hunkering down for dear life. Sixty-nine great apes and nearly two dozen caretakers rode out the storm at their sanctuary in Wauchula.
FHP: 2 bodies found in Hardee County after SUV swept away in floodwaters
Authorities say two people were found dead in Hardee County after an SUV was swept away by floodwaters in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian.
FHP trooper rescued from Hardee County floodwaters; patrol car pulled out by crane
A Florida Highway Patrol trooper had to be rescued from rising floodwater caused by Hurricane Ian, as the storm barreled through the state last week.
Rescue efforts underway in Wauchula after Hurricane Ian caused Peace River to overflow
Parts of Hardee County remained underwater Friday, as homeowners tried to salvage whatever they could.
Hardee County public schools closed until further notice
Schools in Hardee County are closed indefinitely in the wake of Hurricane Ian.
Florida linemen working 24/7; Hardee County is 99% without power — highest among all 67 counties
Linemen are working overtime to restore electricity to those impacted by Hurricane Ian. Hardee County has the highest number of power outages – 99%.
Parts of Wauchula underwater in aftermath of Hurricane Ian
Parts of the Wauchula area were underwater Thursday after Hurricane Ian dumped rain on an already-saturated Hardee County, Florida.
Wauchula apartment catches fire after power pole falls on top of building
An apartment building in Wauchula caught on fire, burning more than 15 units to the ground Wednesday evening.
Hardee County teen found safe following Missing Child Alert
A Hardee County teen who was the subject of a statewide Missing Child Alert has been safely located. No additional details were reported.
Take a tour of Zolfo Springs Classic Caladiums flower farm
A Bay Area farm filled with acres of colorful flowers is giving the public a front-row seat to everything caladium next week.
‘Everybody gonna die’: Florida juvenile arrested after allegedly making school shooting threat on Snapchat
A Florida minor accused of threatening to shoot up a school on social media has been arrested.
Alligator bites 13-year-old in Hardee County
A teenager was hospitalized after she was bitten by an alligator in Hardee County.
FHP: Man dies after car goes airborne, flips upside down in Mosaic retention pond
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating after a Wauchula man was killed in a vehicle crash on Mosaic property in Hardee County Saturday morning.
Red Flag Warning issued as fire risk increases around Tampa Bay
Dry air and moderate to high winds are stoking concerns that brush fires could become a problem in Bay Area counties Wednesday.
FWC officer finds two alligators hanging from SUV window at Hardee County accident scene
FWC officers responded to a report of a bizarre car accident involving "two people and two alligators." When officers arrived, they found the two gators hanging from the window of an SUV that had been involved in a crash.
Hardee County arena to be transformed into Bethlehem, recreating the first Christmas
Wauchula may only have 5,000 residents, but a live nativity production by Power and Light Productions is expected to bring three times that many people to Hardee County’s Cattleman's Arena.
Deputies: Hardee man held 3 people hostage, attacked deputies with hatchet
The sheriff's office said the man attacked two deputies with a hatchet before others stopped him. When investigators went into the home, they found three hostages covered in blood. Records show the suspect was just released from prison three months ago after serving 25 years for murder.