Monoclonal antibody treatment sites open in Polk, Manatee counties
The monoclonal antibody treatment has been approved for emergency use since November. It combats COVID-19 by mimicking a person’s immune system and is meant for anyone 12 years old and up with mild symptoms.
The monoclonal antibody treatment has been approved for emergency use since November. It combats COVID-19 by mimicking a person’s immune system and is meant for anyone 12 years old and up with mild symptoms.
Police arrest sex predator accused of exposing himself, crashing into patrol car while fleeing from officers
Leroy Towns, 61, a registered sexual predator with a criminal history, was arrested Thursday afternoon after allegedly exposing himself and then crashing into a police vehicle while trying to flee from officers.
Leroy Towns, 61, a registered sexual predator with a criminal history, was arrested Thursday afternoon after allegedly exposing himself and then crashing into a police vehicle while trying to flee from officers.
Pedestrian dies in Lakeland crash, police say
A 75-year-old woman passed away following a traffic crash in Lakeland, according to police.
A 75-year-old woman passed away following a traffic crash in Lakeland, according to police.
Peppa Pig offers sneak peek at new Winter Haven theme park
Peppa Pig, a wildly popular porcine with her own TV show and videos, showed up Thursday at what will be the Peppa Pig Theme Park in Winter Haven.
Peppa Pig, a wildly popular porcine with her own TV show and videos, showed up Thursday at what will be the Peppa Pig Theme Park in Winter Haven.
Polk fire chief: Leave 911 calls only for most serious emergencies
If you need an ambulance, you want one to arrive as quickly as possible. In Polk County, COVID-19 is causing "significant delays," according to the fire chief, who is asking residents to only call 911 for serious emergencies.
If you need an ambulance, you want one to arrive as quickly as possible. In Polk County, COVID-19 is causing "significant delays," according to the fire chief, who is asking residents to only call 911 for serious emergencies.
Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center to postpone all elective surgeries
Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center will postpone all of its non-urgent, elective surgeries, including same-day operations, beginning Monday, August 23 due to a high number of COVID-19 cases in the community and an increase in patient volume.
Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center will postpone all of its non-urgent, elective surgeries, including same-day operations, beginning Monday, August 23 due to a high number of COVID-19 cases in the community and an increase in patient volume.
COVID-19 vaccine push comes to Latino communities
A new tent popped up Friday in a Tampa Latino neighborhood, part of a national effort to get help to those disproportionally affected by the virus.
A new tent popped up Friday in a Tampa Latino neighborhood, part of a national effort to get help to those disproportionally affected by the virus.
Polk sheriff: Murder suspect, wife illegally towed vehicles belonging to 'poor, hardworking' residents
The owners of a Mulberry towing company – a husband and wife – are facing charges after illegally towing vehicles from a mobile home park, according to Polk County detectives. One of those owners was previously charged with murder.
The owners of a Mulberry towing company – a husband and wife – are facing charges after illegally towing vehicles from a mobile home park, according to Polk County detectives. One of those owners was previously charged with murder.
BayCare pauses all elective surgeries in Pinellas, Pasco and Polk as COVID-19 cases increase
BayCare will pause elective surgeries and procedures at all of its hospitals in Pinellas, Pasco and Polk counties to reserve resources for severely ill patients and their immediate needs as cases of COVID-19 rise.
BayCare will pause elective surgeries and procedures at all of its hospitals in Pinellas, Pasco and Polk counties to reserve resources for severely ill patients and their immediate needs as cases of COVID-19 rise.
President Biden recognizes Polk County teen for creating ‘Silly Sock Saturdays’ for pediatric patients
Polk County teen Zach Kirkland is one of a few people who can say they have gotten a pat on the by the President of the United States.
Polk County teen Zach Kirkland is one of a few people who can say they have gotten a pat on the by the President of the United States.
Polk County’s first day of school opens with three new public schools
Willow Oak Elementary in Mulberry is one of three new schools opening Polk County on Tuesday, along with Davenport High and Bella Citta Elementary.
Willow Oak Elementary in Mulberry is one of three new schools opening Polk County on Tuesday, along with Davenport High and Bella Citta Elementary.
Polk deputy's hand seriously injured after homemade explosive device triggers shotgun round, officials say
Polk County officials said a deputy lost two fingers when a suspect's homemade gun exploded outside a Dundee motel.
Polk County officials said a deputy lost two fingers when a suspect's homemade gun exploded outside a Dundee motel.
Lakeland nursing home makes the move to mandate vaccines
Florida is second only to Louisiana for the fewest number of nursing home workers who have been given the shot. A Lakeland nursing home is giving its staffers an ultimatum, either get vaccinated against COVID-19, or find a new job.
Florida is second only to Louisiana for the fewest number of nursing home workers who have been given the shot. A Lakeland nursing home is giving its staffers an ultimatum, either get vaccinated against COVID-19, or find a new job.
Masks will be optional for Polk County students, staff despite increased COVID-19 cases among children
Like most counties across Florida, masks will be optional for students and staff returning to school next week in Polk County, but a prominent Polk County physician says they should be mandatory.
Like most counties across Florida, masks will be optional for students and staff returning to school next week in Polk County, but a prominent Polk County physician says they should be mandatory.
8 staff members at Spessard Holland Elementary in Bartow test positive for COVID-19
Days before the students return to campus in Polk County, one elementary school reported at least eight cases of COVID-19 among its staff members.
Days before the students return to campus in Polk County, one elementary school reported at least eight cases of COVID-19 among its staff members.
COVID-19 cases double weekly in Polk County; majority are unvaccinated, health officials say
There are currently 275 patients being treated for COVID-19 at Lakeland Regional Health, which is about 100 more than the last peak. Just two weeks ago, there were only 41 patients being treated there for the virus.
There are currently 275 patients being treated for COVID-19 at Lakeland Regional Health, which is about 100 more than the last peak. Just two weeks ago, there were only 41 patients being treated there for the virus.
Despite hiring 70 foreign teachers, Polk has more than 100 open positions days before new school year
Polk County had to hire more than 700 teachers this year due to the pandemic and more people retiring, so it brought in teachers from overseas. But they are still short 130 teachers less than a week before students return to school.
Polk County had to hire more than 700 teachers this year due to the pandemic and more people retiring, so it brought in teachers from overseas. But they are still short 130 teachers less than a week before students return to school.
Florida’s first COVID-19 long-hauler clinic packed with patients, has 6-month waitlist
Watson Clinic’s COVID-19 long-haul clinic opened last fall with a handful of patients and now has more than 250 patients and a six-month waiting list.
Watson Clinic’s COVID-19 long-haul clinic opened last fall with a handful of patients and now has more than 250 patients and a six-month waiting list.
Polk deputies: Teen driver crashes after swerving to avoid hitting bird in road; passenger dies
Polk County deputies said a 17-year-old driver was trying to avoid a bird in the road when he swerved and crashed the SUV. His passenger, who was not wearing a seatbelt, died from her injuries.
Polk County deputies said a 17-year-old driver was trying to avoid a bird in the road when he swerved and crashed the SUV. His passenger, who was not wearing a seatbelt, died from her injuries.
Child playing with lighter causes apartment fire in Lakeland
Firefighters in Lakeland responded to a report of fire at an apartment building on East 1st Street Tuesday afternoon.
Firefighters in Lakeland responded to a report of fire at an apartment building on East 1st Street Tuesday afternoon.