Bartow teen arrested after school officials warn against TikTok ‘bathroom challenge’
Police in Bartow say they have arrested a 15-year-old who vandalized a school bathroom while participating in a so-called TikTok challenge.
Police in Bartow say they have arrested a 15-year-old who vandalized a school bathroom while participating in a so-called TikTok challenge.
Fortune 500 company coming to Florida Polytechnic University expected to have benefits beyond the school
International Flavors and Fragrances just agreed to set up an operation at Florida Polytechnic University, which will benefit students and staff and may act as a catalyst to attract other companies.
International Flavors and Fragrances just agreed to set up an operation at Florida Polytechnic University, which will benefit students and staff and may act as a catalyst to attract other companies.
Auburndale High teacher dies at Lakeland hospital after contracting COVID-19
An Auburndale High School science teacher has died after contracting COVID-19. D’Anthony Dorsey was just 24 years old and a life-long athlete.
An Auburndale High School science teacher has died after contracting COVID-19. D’Anthony Dorsey was just 24 years old and a life-long athlete.
Family, colleagues pray for Polk teacher hospitalized with COVID-19
“I wish the governor could see my son on a ventilator and explain to me why he thinks my son doesn’t deserve to be protected while he teaches,” his mother offered.
“I wish the governor could see my son on a ventilator and explain to me why he thinks my son doesn’t deserve to be protected while he teaches,” his mother offered.
Polk County ceremony to honor lives lost on 9/11, in Afghanistan
Polk County veterans will hold a ceremony honoring the lives lost on September 11th and in the 20 years of war that followed.
Polk County veterans will hold a ceremony honoring the lives lost on September 11th and in the 20 years of war that followed.
‘Totally evil’: Sheriff Judd asks for donations to help Lakeland family randomly targeted by murder suspect
Polk detectives said they learned the suspect happened to pass by one of the victims, who was maintaining their lawn on Saturday, and that was the first encounter he ever had with the family.
Polk detectives said they learned the suspect happened to pass by one of the victims, who was maintaining their lawn on Saturday, and that was the first encounter he ever had with the family.
Veteran says it’s unlikely PTSD caused former Marine to kill 4 in Polk massacre
Bryan Riley said he was on meth and struggling with post-traumatic-stress disorder when he killed four people, but a veteran who runs a non-profit dedicated to PTSD says it is unlikely that’s what caused Riley to commit the quadruple murder.
Bryan Riley said he was on meth and struggling with post-traumatic-stress disorder when he killed four people, but a veteran who runs a non-profit dedicated to PTSD says it is unlikely that’s what caused Riley to commit the quadruple murder.
Gov. DeSantis proposes legislation to recruit out-of-state officers, retain talent in Florida
Governor Ron DeSantis announced his push for next year's legislative session to create a three-part incentive to help recruit law enforcement officers from across the country and keep young talent in the state.
Governor Ron DeSantis announced his push for next year's legislative session to create a three-part incentive to help recruit law enforcement officers from across the country and keep young talent in the state.
11-year-old girl survived gunman's massacre of her family by playing dead, Sheriff Grady Judd says
Sheriff Grady Judd says the 11-year-old girl who was the sole survivor of the massacre that killed four of her family members survived the mass shooting by playing dead, despite being shot multiple times.
Sheriff Grady Judd says the 11-year-old girl who was the sole survivor of the massacre that killed four of her family members survived the mass shooting by playing dead, despite being shot multiple times.
Polk politicians push to promote ivermectin as COVID-19 drug, despite medical advice
Even though the drug ivermectin is not approved by the FDA for use against COVID-19, a growing number of people are taking it. Now some Polk County commissioners want the governor to endorse it as an alternative therapy.
Even though the drug ivermectin is not approved by the FDA for use against COVID-19, a growing number of people are taking it. Now some Polk County commissioners want the governor to endorse it as an alternative therapy.
Man steals backpack from deceased motorcycle crash victim, Polk deputies say
Deputies said the suspect was a passenger in the car that collided with the motorcycle. When investigators arrived, they spotted the man walking away with a backpack that belonged to the motorcyclist, who died in the crash.
Deputies said the suspect was a passenger in the car that collided with the motorcycle. When investigators arrived, they spotted the man walking away with a backpack that belonged to the motorcyclist, who died in the crash.
11-year-old girl shot in Polk Co. rampage is resilient and recovering, family says
The family of the 11-year-old girl – the only survivor of Sunday's deadly shooting rampage in Polk County that left four people dead – says the girl was shot multiple times and is continuing to recover at Tampa General Hospital.
The family of the 11-year-old girl – the only survivor of Sunday's deadly shooting rampage in Polk County that left four people dead – says the girl was shot multiple times and is continuing to recover at Tampa General Hospital.
Judge denies bond for ex-Marine accused of murdering 4, including mother and her baby
A horrific shooting in Polk County left four people dead, including a mother and her young infant. An 11-year-old girl was also injured by the suspect, a former Marine who was denied bond by a Polk County judge on Monday morning.
A horrific shooting in Polk County left four people dead, including a mother and her young infant. An 11-year-old girl was also injured by the suspect, a former Marine who was denied bond by a Polk County judge on Monday morning.
Sheriff: ‘Survivalist’ on meth kills 4, including infant, fires at deputies before surrendering
Four people were killed, including an infant, and an 11-year-old girl was injured by a self-described survivalist on meth early Sunday morning, according to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.
Four people were killed, including an infant, and an 11-year-old girl was injured by a self-described survivalist on meth early Sunday morning, according to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.
Lakeland unplugs 40-year-old coal-burning power plant
Lakeland is closing one chapter and opening another. The city is getting rid of Unit 3 at the MacIntosh Power Plant.
Lakeland is closing one chapter and opening another. The city is getting rid of Unit 3 at the MacIntosh Power Plant.
Therapy dog helps students at Southeastern University cope with stress
The college fall semester is underway and one out-of-state addition to the faculty staff at Southeastern University has all of the students vying for a spot in her class.
The college fall semester is underway and one out-of-state addition to the faculty staff at Southeastern University has all of the students vying for a spot in her class.
‘When is this going to stop?’ Driver shortage has many school bus drivers taking on extra routes, shifts
Finding drivers has always been difficult, but with COVID-19, it has gotten even harder. Along with stretching to cover unfilled positions, drivers now have to pick up the routes of fellow workers who are sick or quarantined.
Finding drivers has always been difficult, but with COVID-19, it has gotten even harder. Along with stretching to cover unfilled positions, drivers now have to pick up the routes of fellow workers who are sick or quarantined.
Central Florida hospitals add portable morgues to handle COVID-19 deaths
Lakeland Regional Health, like many other Tampa Bay area hospitals, is bringing in mobile coolers because their morgues are near or at capacity due to COVID-19.
Lakeland Regional Health, like many other Tampa Bay area hospitals, is bringing in mobile coolers because their morgues are near or at capacity due to COVID-19.
6,000-home development will double population of 'small town' Lake Wales
Lake Wales is getting bigger – much bigger. The population is expected to double because of a new development project.
Lake Wales is getting bigger – much bigger. The population is expected to double because of a new development project.
Community gathers to remember Polk County deputy who died from COVID-19
One week after his death, loved ones, friends and colleagues paid their final respects to a Polk County deputy who died following weeks of battling COVID-19.
One week after his death, loved ones, friends and colleagues paid their final respects to a Polk County deputy who died following weeks of battling COVID-19.