Polk County school leaders consider banning 16 books due to 'potentially inappropriate' content
The Polk County School district has removed 16 books from all public schools and is now forming committees to determine whether the works should be banned permanently.
The Polk County School district has removed 16 books from all public schools and is now forming committees to determine whether the works should be banned permanently.
Exclusive Lake Wales retreat sees second life as faith-based rehabilitation center for recovering addicts
Chalet Suzanne, once an exclusive hideaway in Lake Wales for the rich and famous, has re-opened with a completely new mission.
Chalet Suzanne, once an exclusive hideaway in Lake Wales for the rich and famous, has re-opened with a completely new mission.
'You can’t die and burn in hell fast enough': Son of 1981 rape, murder victim confronts suspect in court
Linda Slaten was killed in 1981. Nearly 40 years later, Joseph Mills was charged with her rape and murder. Now, he's finally pleading guilty to keep himself off death row.
Linda Slaten was killed in 1981. Nearly 40 years later, Joseph Mills was charged with her rape and murder. Now, he's finally pleading guilty to keep himself off death row.
Bartow 6-year-old dies after being hit by dirt bike
6-year-old Mikey Almeida, was crossing Summerlin Street when he was hit by an 18-year-old riding a dirt bike. Mikey has now died of his injuries and the bike's driver is still hospitalized.
6-year-old Mikey Almeida, was crossing Summerlin Street when he was hit by an 18-year-old riding a dirt bike. Mikey has now died of his injuries and the bike's driver is still hospitalized.
Polk County deputies searching for armed robbery suspect
Deputies in Polk County are searching for a suspect involved in an armed robbery at a Davenport hotel.
Deputies in Polk County are searching for a suspect involved in an armed robbery at a Davenport hotel.
Winter Haven suspect throws Barbie doll at Walmart employee after attempting to shoplift, police say
Winter Haven police are trying to search for a woman who tried to exit a Walmart store with a cart full of unpaid items but was stopped by several employees. At one point, she throws a Barbie doll box at one of the workers.
Winter Haven police are trying to search for a woman who tried to exit a Walmart store with a cart full of unpaid items but was stopped by several employees. At one point, she throws a Barbie doll box at one of the workers.
Lakeland to celebrate 65 years since Queen Elizabeth II gifted city with swans
On Tuesday morning under overcast skies, city officials and swan lovers gathered on the shores of Lake Morton to commemorate a momentous event 65 years ago when the original pair of swans arrived in Lakeland from England, a gift from Queen Elizabeth II.
On Tuesday morning under overcast skies, city officials and swan lovers gathered on the shores of Lake Morton to commemorate a momentous event 65 years ago when the original pair of swans arrived in Lakeland from England, a gift from Queen Elizabeth II.
Fort Meade to receive $6.1 million grant for wastewater improvements
Florida will be providing millions of dollars for infrastructure improvements in communities that are affected by hurricanes – including right in Fort Meade.
Florida will be providing millions of dollars for infrastructure improvements in communities that are affected by hurricanes – including right in Fort Meade.
Polk County pushes for $14.5 million state-of-the-art firefighter training facility in wake of fatal fire
A new firefighter training center, in the works for more than three years, appears to be getting closer to becoming reality.
A new firefighter training center, in the works for more than three years, appears to be getting closer to becoming reality.
Manhunt leads to arrest of Winter Haven attempted murder suspect
Haines City police arrested Lemuel Johnson Jr., 36, after they say he tried to run over an officer who pulled him over.
Haines City police arrested Lemuel Johnson Jr., 36, after they say he tried to run over an officer who pulled him over.
Accused Lakeland Capitol rioter may be first of hundreds arrested to go to jury trial
A year after a Lakeland group of four men and one woman was allegedly seen on surveillance video storming the U.S. Capitol, one of the defendants wants to take his chances with a jury trial.
A year after a Lakeland group of four men and one woman was allegedly seen on surveillance video storming the U.S. Capitol, one of the defendants wants to take his chances with a jury trial.
Body believed to be missing Lakeland woman found inside Polk retention pond
Polk County deputies say YouTubers helped find a submerged vehicle in a retention pond on Wednesday, which belonged to a Lakeland woman who went missing ten months ago.
Polk County deputies say YouTubers helped find a submerged vehicle in a retention pond on Wednesday, which belonged to a Lakeland woman who went missing ten months ago.
Polk County firefighter arrested after double depositing paycheck to pay for bills, vacation, deputies say
Deputies arrested a Polk County firefighter on fraud charges after they say he electronically deposited his payroll check into his bank account, then tried to cash the check at an Amscot store.
Deputies arrested a Polk County firefighter on fraud charges after they say he electronically deposited his payroll check into his bank account, then tried to cash the check at an Amscot store.
'Wild' car theft suspect shot by Polk deputy after claiming to be armed with gun, sheriff says
A suspect was shot by a Polk County deputy early Tuesday morning.
A suspect was shot by a Polk County deputy early Tuesday morning.
1 dead, 4 critically injured following 'running gun battle' in Winter Haven, deputies say
One person is dead and four others are injured in what the Polk County Sheriff’s Office is calling a "running gun battle" in Winter Haven last night.
One person is dead and four others are injured in what the Polk County Sheriff’s Office is calling a "running gun battle" in Winter Haven last night.
Dog climbed onto fence it was tied to in Polk City to avoid frigid ground
On one of the coldest nights of the year, a dog was left tied to a fence overnight on a property in rural Polk City. She was rescued just in time, but now deputies want to know who left her there and wrote 'take care of me' on her collar.
On one of the coldest nights of the year, a dog was left tied to a fence overnight on a property in rural Polk City. She was rescued just in time, but now deputies want to know who left her there and wrote 'take care of me' on her collar.
Polk County detectives arrest 60 in 'Swipe Left for Meth' undercover sting
Polk County detectives had their eye on dating apps, monitoring the sale of illegal drugs in an undercover operation that led to dozens of arrests.
Polk County detectives had their eye on dating apps, monitoring the sale of illegal drugs in an undercover operation that led to dozens of arrests.
'Little towns, big hearts': Polk community turns steer auction into fundraiser for family who lost son
Todd Donley was a 17-year-old with dreams of heading to Ole Miss and joining their baseball team. His life was cut short after a crash, which occurred weeks before the Polk County Youth Fair. His loved ones entered his steer into the annual auction, and the community turned it into a fundraiser for the family.
Todd Donley was a 17-year-old with dreams of heading to Ole Miss and joining their baseball team. His life was cut short after a crash, which occurred weeks before the Polk County Youth Fair. His loved ones entered his steer into the annual auction, and the community turned it into a fundraiser for the family.
Lake Wales population predicted to triple in next 10 years
The city of Lake Wales was once a sleepy little town, but now is getting ready for 8,500 new homes, scheduled to be built in as little as the next 10 years.
The city of Lake Wales was once a sleepy little town, but now is getting ready for 8,500 new homes, scheduled to be built in as little as the next 10 years.
Bouquets made in Winter Haven last years longer than traditional flowers
A florist in Winter Haven is making stunning bouquets that will last so much longer than ones you pick up at the store, you might not believe they're real.
A florist in Winter Haven is making stunning bouquets that will last so much longer than ones you pick up at the store, you might not believe they're real.