Winter Haven police warn of chocolate bars laced with hallucinogenic mushrooms
Winter Haven police are warning parents of hallucinogenic mushrooms that come in the form of a chocolate bar. The police chief said 10 of the bars were found during a bust at a suspected meth den.
Relative arrested in shooting death of Winter Haven man at Fourth of July party
More than a month after a Winter Haven father of two was shot and killed at a pop-up Fourth of July block party, police said the man who pulled the trigger is the victim's uncle. But not all family members are convinced that investigators have the right suspect.
Polk County looks overseas as it struggles to fill open teacher positions
From the moment students stepped into Shenese Bonner’s class at Denison Middle School, they knew something was up.
'Wake for Warriors' combat veterans gear up for wake surf competition
Members of “Wake for Warriors” will be competing this weekend at the Nautique Wake Surf Nationals on Lake Silver in Winter Haven.
Man calls 911, confesses to killing Polk County family member, sheriff says
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a domestic-related homicide in southeast Winter Haven.
Unsolved: Winter Haven police canvas neighborhood where shooting at Fourth of July party killed father of 2
A father of two was fatally shot while attending a large impromptu block party in Winter Haven. The killer is still out there and police are hoping the right person steps forward to help them identify a suspect.
Eight-year-old daughter of Polk County EMT saves woman having seizure in Winter Haven
Paisley Varner, 8, saved her father's girlfriend who was having a seizure. The third-grader pushed the emergency button on her phone to call for help.
Search continues for suspect accused of killing Winter Haven father at Independence Day celebration
Family and friends of a Winter Haven man shot and killed on the Fourth of July are begging for answers.
Winter Haven neighbor rescues man from burning home; elderly woman found dead inside
Inside a Winter Haven neighborhood, a neighbor spotted flames coming from a mobile home and tried to save its two occupants. Only one person made it out alive, officials said.
Investigators search for woman who may have information on deadly Winter Haven shooting
Investigators said they are trying to identify a woman who may have information related to a deadly shooting in Winter Haven on the Fourth of July.
'Get on the Water' program helps young girls build water-skiing skills, self-confidence
Summer is about having fun, and for 10 young girls, it's a time to learn a new sport on the water. USA Water Ski is helping them do just that with its “Get on the Water” program.
1 dead, 2 injured in July 4th shooting in Winter Haven, police say
Police are investigating a shooting on July 4th that left one person dead and two others injured in Winter Haven.
Deputies: Suspect shot after pulling hand gun on two detectives in Polk County
A suspect who pulled a handgun on two detectives was shot and rushed to the hospital Thursday afternoon, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office. Deputies are now investigating the deputy-involved shooting that happened in the Wahneta area of unincorporated Winter Haven.
Winter Haven pregnancy center vandalized after supreme court overturned abortion rights
Almost two dozen volunteers from Winter Haven Worship Center arrived with paint and brushes in hand at the LifeChoice Pregnancy Center Monday morning to undo damage done over the weekend.
Winter Haven police arrest 3, confiscate enough fentanyl to potentially kill 1,600 people
A potentially lethal amount of fentanyl has been taken off the street after police received tips about drug sales taking place at a Winter Haven home.
Winter Haven man disappears following family dispute
Police in Winter Haven continue to search for Jose Orlando Morales Soto, 36, who was last seen on May 20 at his home on Cambridge Drive.
Winter Haven police officer accused of fraudulently reporting hours he didn't work
WHPD said 28-year-old Antonio Arias was arrested on grand theft and property obtained by communications fraud (valued at more than $10,000) charges. The officer has been on paid administrative leave since March 22 once the department started its criminal investigation after receiving information about special detail pay Arias received while off-duty.
Winter Haven man arrested for fatally shooting victim at apartment, police say
A Winter Haven man was arrested for murder after claiming self-defense, but witnesses said he chased after the shooting victim, according to police.
Sheriff: 'Violent... dangerous... bad man' arrested for murder in Polk campground
Polk County deputies arrested a man described as "violent" and "dangerous," who they say killed another man who was "pleasuring himself" while in a public area.
Family who lost twins in childbirth help March for Dimes cause
A Winter Haven family is channeling their sadness into helping others. Brittany and Joshua Chaney lost their twin girls during childbirth and are sharing their story and raising money for the March for Dimes, to help make a difference in the fight to save the lives of premature babies.