Florida SWAT Association holds first active shooter conference at Florida Southern College
Law enforcement officers from across the state have gathered at Florida Southern College for realistic tactical training drills. The exercises mark the first-ever conference hosted by the Florida SWAT Association to prepare teams for high-stakes emergencies.
Law enforcement officers from across the state have gathered at Florida Southern College for realistic tactical training drills. The exercises mark the first-ever conference hosted by the Florida SWAT Association to prepare teams for high-stakes emergencies.
Lakeland man accused of crashing into ambulance and bolting found sleeping on couch: PCSO
A Lakeland man is facing charges after deputies say he was involved in a hit-and-run crash with an ambulance.
A Lakeland man is facing charges after deputies say he was involved in a hit-and-run crash with an ambulance.
Woman arrested in connection with Easter death of 85-year-old man at Auburndale mobile home park
Auburndale police arrested a woman after an 85-year-old man was killed at a local mobile home park.
Auburndale police arrested a woman after an 85-year-old man was killed at a local mobile home park.
State-of-the-art firefighter training center in Polk County features largest burn tower in the nation
Polk County Fire Rescue members can now train at their first-ever dedicated campus designed to simulate real-world emergencies. The state-of-the-art facility opened Tuesday in Winter Haven to support one of the busiest emergency organizations in Florida.
Polk County Fire Rescue members can now train at their first-ever dedicated campus designed to simulate real-world emergencies. The state-of-the-art facility opened Tuesday in Winter Haven to support one of the busiest emergency organizations in Florida.
Airbnb guests visiting Polk County accused of stealing from Wawa: ‘Fooled around and found out’
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd says a group of 15, including three juveniles, who were staying at a Davenport Airbnb came to the area ‘on vacation and will leave on probation’ after he says they stole items from a Davenport Wawa.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd says a group of 15, including three juveniles, who were staying at a Davenport Airbnb came to the area ‘on vacation and will leave on probation’ after he says they stole items from a Davenport Wawa.
Lakeland police urge 'Red, White, and Kaboom' visitors to prepare for extreme heat
Downtown Lakeland will transform into a massive celebration Friday as city officials prepare for up to 50,000 visitors at the annual Red, White, and Kaboom event.
Downtown Lakeland will transform into a massive celebration Friday as city officials prepare for up to 50,000 visitors at the annual Red, White, and Kaboom event.
Publix releases new limited-edition ice cream for summer
Publix has launched three limited-edition ice cream and frozen yogurt flavors to help shoppers cool down during the hot summer months.
Publix has launched three limited-edition ice cream and frozen yogurt flavors to help shoppers cool down during the hot summer months.
Winter Haven native crowned Miss Florida 2026 in Lakeland
A Winter Haven native is Florida's newest titleholder after Alexandra de Roos was crowned Miss Florida 2026 Saturday night at the RP Funding Center's Youkey Theatre in Lakeland.
A Winter Haven native is Florida's newest titleholder after Alexandra de Roos was crowned Miss Florida 2026 Saturday night at the RP Funding Center's Youkey Theatre in Lakeland.
One dead, another critical after bicycle and scooter head-on collision
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a crash that left one person dead and another with critical injuries.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a crash that left one person dead and another with critical injuries.
Polk County jail nurse arrested on cocaine charges during Winter Haven traffic stop: ‘No longer trusted’
A contracted jail nurse is experiencing things from the other side of the bars after Winter Haven police say he had cocaine during a recent traffic stop.
A contracted jail nurse is experiencing things from the other side of the bars after Winter Haven police say he had cocaine during a recent traffic stop.
Polk County traffic stop leads to discovery of dead dog, 5 starving pets: PCSO
A Davenport woman already in jail on traffic charges faces multiple counts of animal cruelty after a relative discovered a dead dog and five starving pets at her home on Thursday, according to authorities.
A Davenport woman already in jail on traffic charges faces multiple counts of animal cruelty after a relative discovered a dead dog and five starving pets at her home on Thursday, according to authorities.
Florida school testing: DeSantis announces majority of students hit grade level benchmarks
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Friday that a majority of Florida students are meeting or exceeding grade-level benchmarks under the state's progress-monitoring testing framework.
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Friday that a majority of Florida students are meeting or exceeding grade-level benchmarks under the state's progress-monitoring testing framework.
Man injured in stabbing near Auburndale, deputies searching for suspects: PCSO
An investigation is underway after a man was injured Friday in an early morning stabbing near Auburndale, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
An investigation is underway after a man was injured Friday in an early morning stabbing near Auburndale, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
Orlando Health Watson Clinic Lakeland Highlands Hospital to open in south Lakeland in July
A new 550,000-square-foot hospital will open in Lakeland on July 8, marking the first healthcare facility of its kind to open in the city in more than a century.
A new 550,000-square-foot hospital will open in Lakeland on July 8, marking the first healthcare facility of its kind to open in the city in more than a century.
Haines City data center project stalled by water capacity shortage
A proposed data center project in Haines City has been stalled because the fast-growing city does not have enough water to supply the facility.
A proposed data center project in Haines City has been stalled because the fast-growing city does not have enough water to supply the facility.
Polk County man and suspect hiding after deadly hit-and-run arrested: PCSO
Two men were arrested after a monthslong investigation traced a deadly hit-and-run crash back to a home near Polk City where the suspect was lying low, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
Two men were arrested after a monthslong investigation traced a deadly hit-and-run crash back to a home near Polk City where the suspect was lying low, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
Grassroots group launches Fort Meade recall petition targeting 3 city officials over AI data center project
A political battle is heating up in Polk County as a local watchdog group seeks to oust three city leaders following the controversial approval of a massive artificial intelligence data center. The group accuses the officials of compromising public trust and failing to prioritize residents.
A political battle is heating up in Polk County as a local watchdog group seeks to oust three city leaders following the controversial approval of a massive artificial intelligence data center. The group accuses the officials of compromising public trust and failing to prioritize residents.
Polk County training facility: New Bartow center honors fallen deputy, K9 partner
The Polk County Sheriff's Office unveiled a specialized training center in Bartow designed to prepare K9's and their handlers for high-stakes field operations.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office unveiled a specialized training center in Bartow designed to prepare K9's and their handlers for high-stakes field operations.
Facebook photo of duct-taped dog leads to animal cruelty arrest, rescue of several animals: PCSO
A Facebook photo circulating online of a dog with duct tape wrapped around its muzzle led to a massive animal rescue operation and the arrest of an Auburndale woman.
A Facebook photo circulating online of a dog with duct tape wrapped around its muzzle led to a massive animal rescue operation and the arrest of an Auburndale woman.
Calvin Coolidge's historic visit still felt at Bok Tower Gardens
Even though it isn't close to Washington D.C., Florida has been home to plenty of presidential history during our nation's first 250 years.
Even though it isn't close to Washington D.C., Florida has been home to plenty of presidential history during our nation's first 250 years.