‘He always followed her’: Polk husband dies a few days after wife’s death; both tested positive for COVID-19
A Polk County husband and wife who were battling COVID-19 for weeks passed away just a few days apart. Both had underlying health conditions and were unvaccinated. "I have such loving and beautiful angels looking over me now," their daughter said.
A Polk County husband and wife who were battling COVID-19 for weeks passed away just a few days apart. Both had underlying health conditions and were unvaccinated. "I have such loving and beautiful angels looking over me now," their daughter said.
One dead, another injured in Polk County shooting
A woman was killed and a man was taken to the hospital in critical condition Thursday afternoon in a shooting near a Polk County park.
A woman was killed and a man was taken to the hospital in critical condition Thursday afternoon in a shooting near a Polk County park.
Polk County family devastated after mother dies, father clings to life after testing positive for COVID-19
A Polk County family is mourning the loss of their mother who recently died from COVID-19 while their father, who also has COVID-19 clings to life in the hospital.
A Polk County family is mourning the loss of their mother who recently died from COVID-19 while their father, who also has COVID-19 clings to life in the hospital.
With COVID-19 misinformation on social media, Polk sheriff stresses importance of listening to doctors
Earlier this week, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office lost one of their own to COVID-19, leading the sheriff to stress the importance of getting vaccinated.
Earlier this week, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office lost one of their own to COVID-19, leading the sheriff to stress the importance of getting vaccinated.
Police: Winter Haven man missing since August 11
Winter Haven police are searching for a 63-year-old man who left his home on August 11 and has not been seen since then.
Winter Haven police are searching for a 63-year-old man who left his home on August 11 and has not been seen since then.
Florida woman hospitalized with COVID-19 comes home to find husband dead of COVID-19
A Central Florida woman fought for her life in the hospital, survived, and thought she'd seen the worst of COVID -- until she went home and made a shocking discovery.
A Central Florida woman fought for her life in the hospital, survived, and thought she'd seen the worst of COVID -- until she went home and made a shocking discovery.
Pandemic puts new pressure on funeral homes
Many funeral homes are having a difficult time finding critical things such as cremation equipment and cold storage due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Many funeral homes are having a difficult time finding critical things such as cremation equipment and cold storage due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Parent of 12-year-old in ICU urges Polk County to take up mask mandates
The debate over masks mandates in schools was reignited Tuesday night at the Polk County school board meeting. The issue wasn't on the agenda, but parents on both sides of the issue still had a lot to say, including the father of a 12-year-old boy who is in the ICU battling COVID-19.
The debate over masks mandates in schools was reignited Tuesday night at the Polk County school board meeting. The issue wasn't on the agenda, but parents on both sides of the issue still had a lot to say, including the father of a 12-year-old boy who is in the ICU battling COVID-19.
Sheriff Grady Judd: 'Don't listen to the politicians; get your vaccine'
One of the most respected sheriffs in the entire country just came out in favor of getting vaccinated for COVID-19. Polk Sheriff Grady Judd says being vaccinated may have saved his life, but he won’t mandate it for his deputies.
One of the most respected sheriffs in the entire country just came out in favor of getting vaccinated for COVID-19. Polk Sheriff Grady Judd says being vaccinated may have saved his life, but he won’t mandate it for his deputies.
Battling cancer and unable to get vaccine, teacher dies from COVID-19 complications
Kelly Peterson was being treated for leukemia and had a compromised immune system. Her doctor decided the vaccine may be too hard on her body and suggested she wait, but despite wearing a mask, she became infected with COVID-19 and died. Her family hopes Kelly's story will inspire others to get vaccinated.
Kelly Peterson was being treated for leukemia and had a compromised immune system. Her doctor decided the vaccine may be too hard on her body and suggested she wait, but despite wearing a mask, she became infected with COVID-19 and died. Her family hopes Kelly's story will inspire others to get vaccinated.
Auburndale woman, grandson killed in Polk crash, deputies say
Polk County detectives are investigating a two-vehicle crash that led to the death of an Auburndale woman and her 13-year-old grandson.
Polk County detectives are investigating a two-vehicle crash that led to the death of an Auburndale woman and her 13-year-old grandson.
Decorated Polk County deputy dies from COVID-19
A 32-year-old Polk County deputy and a father of five has lost his ongoing battle with COVID-19, the sheriff’s office announced.
A 32-year-old Polk County deputy and a father of five has lost his ongoing battle with COVID-19, the sheriff’s office announced.
Army veteran scrambles to help interpreter escape Afghanistan
“He had great belief in America, and he was excited to work with us,” said Joe Diebold, a retired U.S. Army master sergeant. “He was always there for us, anything we asked of him.”
“He had great belief in America, and he was excited to work with us,” said Joe Diebold, a retired U.S. Army master sergeant. “He was always there for us, anything we asked of him.”
Winter Haven man speeds away from traffic stop, rams into patrol vehicles, deputies say
A Winter Haven man is facing charges after fleeing from deputies and crashing into two patrol vehicles following a neighborhood disturbance, according to the sheriff's office.
A Winter Haven man is facing charges after fleeing from deputies and crashing into two patrol vehicles following a neighborhood disturbance, according to the sheriff's office.
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.