15 Kathleen High School students arrested after rowdy protest
It was a rough start to the week at Kathleen High School in Lakeland. Hundreds of students protested outside the school, and as tensions escalated, law enforcement was called in to keep the calm.
It was a rough start to the week at Kathleen High School in Lakeland. Hundreds of students protested outside the school, and as tensions escalated, law enforcement was called in to keep the calm.
Polk sheriff: Lakeland man attacked deputy while being arrested for girlfriend's murder
A Lakeland man is accused of murdering his girlfriend and burying her body, then attacking a Polk deputy who tried to arrest him.
A Lakeland man is accused of murdering his girlfriend and burying her body, then attacking a Polk deputy who tried to arrest him.
Polk school cafeteria worker charged with murder, accused of stabbing boyfriend to death
A Polk County Schools employee is charged with murder after police say she stabbed her boyfriend to death in their apartment.
A Polk County Schools employee is charged with murder after police say she stabbed her boyfriend to death in their apartment.
Polk leaders hope Camp Margaritaville makes county a tourist destination
Those looking to get away to Margaritaville soon won’t have to drive to the Keys to get the island vibes.
Those looking to get away to Margaritaville soon won’t have to drive to the Keys to get the island vibes.
Beloved Celebration deacon dies from COVID-19
The pandemic has claimed the life of a respected deacon and fixture in the Tampa Bay and Orlando communities. Larry Migliorato’s ministry spanned through Polk and Osceola Counties, where he cared for the sick, hungry, homebound and homeless.
The pandemic has claimed the life of a respected deacon and fixture in the Tampa Bay and Orlando communities. Larry Migliorato’s ministry spanned through Polk and Osceola Counties, where he cared for the sick, hungry, homebound and homeless.
Giant rattlesnake released onto ranch after terrorizing Polk County chickens
Dustin Hooper, the owner of All Creatures Wildlife Control, dropped everything when he received a call from a frazzled Polk County woman saying a five-and-half-foot rattlesnake got into her chicken coop.
Dustin Hooper, the owner of All Creatures Wildlife Control, dropped everything when he received a call from a frazzled Polk County woman saying a five-and-half-foot rattlesnake got into her chicken coop.
Polk woman scrambles to find ECMO machine as husband fights for his life
Kassandra Figueroa is a desperate woman. She is on a mission to find something that is very scarce – an apparatus called an ECMO – to save her husband’s life.
Kassandra Figueroa is a desperate woman. She is on a mission to find something that is very scarce – an apparatus called an ECMO – to save her husband’s life.
Two killed in I-4 crash in Polk County were not wearing seat belts, troopers say
Florida Highway Patrol troopers say a crash on Interstate 4 in Polk County lead to the deaths of two people and left one person critically injured.
Florida Highway Patrol troopers say a crash on Interstate 4 in Polk County lead to the deaths of two people and left one person critically injured.
Tempers flare around Winter Haven after popular Lake Eloise rope swing vanishes
A war of words is escalating over a tree. Not just any old tree – the so-called rope swing tree on Lake Eloise. It has been there for as far back as anyone can remember.
A war of words is escalating over a tree. Not just any old tree – the so-called rope swing tree on Lake Eloise. It has been there for as far back as anyone can remember.
Polk County school nurse dies of COVID-19 hours after teacher succumbed to the virus
Cindee Kasey, 58, a Polk County school nurse, died from COVID-19 on Wednesday, at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center.
Cindee Kasey, 58, a Polk County school nurse, died from COVID-19 on Wednesday, at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center.
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.