Someone is swiping Ronald McDonald House charity boxes from Bay Area McDonald's
Crimestoppers of Tampa Bay says one person may be behind seven separate thefts of Ronald McDonald House charity boxes since May 26.
Sheriff: Bartow man shoots, kills father of underage girl he was dating
Polk Sheriff Grady Judd said the 31-year-old suspect got into an argument with the victim because he was dating the man's 17-year-old daughter. That argument led to a deadly shooting early Friday morning, investigators said.
Soaring cost of materials, developer fees send Polk housing prices through the roof
The cost of homes continues to soar, but the higher prices are not putting off buyers. Meanwhile, the soaring cost of materials is even further driving up the cost of new construction.
Clearwater teacher arrested for DUI in Polk County; BAC was twice the legal limit, deputies say
Officials said a Clearwater elementary school teacher is facing a DUI charge after she was arrested in Auburndale.
Floral artists create wreaths in memory of Pulse victims
Business owners, activists, and community members from across the bay area, Orlando, and Jacksonville gathered at Art Ifact Studios to put together 49 floral hearts, keepsakes, and floral wreaths to honor the victims of the Pulse Nightclub shooting; along with their families and the first responders.
‘He’s going to walk with me in my heart’: Father remembers son gunned down at Polk park during drug deal
Mo Taguri says, if it was possible, he would trade places with his son. The 17-year-old was shot and killed earlier this week when he arrived at a Polk County park to sell marijuana.
Teen cousins face murder charges in shooting of 17-year-old during drug deal at Bartow park
One day after Sheriff Grady Judd made a plea for help to find the suspects who “massacred” a high school student at a Bartow park, detectives announced two teenagers had been arrested for murder. "This was an ambush. An absolute ambush," Judd said.
'Angel' maid interrupted Lakeland youth pastor and teenage girl in hotel room, sheriff says
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said the pastor had been "informally counseling" the 17-year-old girl when he asked to see nude photographs of her. "Let me share a little counseling with Andrew here: Jesus don't like that," Judd said.
Polk County school board members votes to end face coverings policy for fall
The new Polk County superintendent and school board members are set to vote on whether to continue the district’s mask mandate.
George Jenkins High student 'massacred' at Bartow park during drug deal, sheriff says
Sheriff Grady Judd said a Lakeland high school student was 'ambushed' and killed when he arrived at a Bartow park to sell marijuana last night. Now the sheriff wants those involved to come forward, offering a $5,000 reward.
Lakeland man says mobile home park threatened eviction for pride flag
For many, the pride flag symbolizes equality, but one Lakeland man says his mobile home park won’t allow it. He says management is now warning him that if he doesn't take his flag down, he could be evicted.
Polk man arrested after former employers – Duke Energy, Coca-Cola – found child porn stored at work: sheriff
Polk County detectives said a man was laid off in 2019 from Duke Energy but he left behind a flash drive filled with child porn imagery – which wasn't discovered until nearly two years later, leading to his arrest.
3 dead in Polk County murder-suicide, sheriff's office says
Detectives in Polk County are investigating a murder-suicide in the Poinciana area that resulted in the deaths of three people on Sunday.
'I'll bury you': Lake Wales city commissioner arrested after threatening 11-year-old with gun, sheriff says
A city commissioner in Lake Wales was arrested for allegedly threatening an 11-year-old with a gun. "She said, ‘I didn’t say I was going to bury him alive, I just said I was going to bury him,’" Sheriff Grady Judd explained.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd really wants you to adopt a kitten
June is National Adopt a Shelter Cat month and Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd really wants everyone to adopt a kitten.
Lakeland landmark diner celebrates 8 decades of being a place to meet and eat
The Reececliff Family Diner, which opened in 1934, is the oldest running restaurant in Lakeland.
‘It gives you a lot of faith in humanity’: Good Samaritan helps Polk County tornado victim rebuild home
A veteran is looking forward to moving back home after a tornado that touched down in Polk County last December ripped off the roof and damaged his classic car and motorcycle.
'Low-down, no-good' ex-con caught peeping on Auburndale family, sheriff says
A Polk County man who has served time for manslaughter is now charged with voyeurism after being caught on video peeping into a 17-year-old girl's window and possibly trying to open it.
One found dead following Auburndale house fire
Polk County officials are investigating a house fire after one person was found dead.
After finding notes to girls of 'any age,' Polk pastor poses as teen to stop registered sex offender
Polk deputies say a 54-year-old man went looking for underage girls to have sex with, even leaving handwritten notes with his phone number at a Lakeland church. What he didn't expect was for the pastor to get ahold of them first.