Polk man accused of pointing weapon at Tire Choice employees
A Polk County man was arrested after he was spotted in Winter Haven, on an overpass, carrying what appeared to be a rifle, but it turned out to be a pellet gun, police said.
A Polk County man was arrested after he was spotted in Winter Haven, on an overpass, carrying what appeared to be a rifle, but it turned out to be a pellet gun, police said.
Business boom at Lakeland Linder airport continues
The numbers are in, and they are big. According to a recent study, Lakeland Linder International Airport has an economic impact of $1.5 billion on the area.
The numbers are in, and they are big. According to a recent study, Lakeland Linder International Airport has an economic impact of $1.5 billion on the area.
Goodwill burglary suspect arrested after trying to run away from Polk County deputy, officials say
A Lakeland man faces charges after burglarizing a Goodwill store and trying to flee from a deputy, according to the sheriff’s office.
A Lakeland man faces charges after burglarizing a Goodwill store and trying to flee from a deputy, according to the sheriff’s office.
Sun 'n Fun returns to the skies over Lakeland after last year's cancellation
After being canceled last year because of COVID-19, the Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo is being reborn. The fly-in returns next week at Lakeland Linder International Airport.
After being canceled last year because of COVID-19, the Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo is being reborn. The fly-in returns next week at Lakeland Linder International Airport.
‘OnStar is a beautiful thing’: Polk woman tries to steal vehicle from dealership during test drive, police say
Winter Haven police arrested a woman who is accused of pretending to be interested in purchasing a car, but instead drove away and never returned during a test drive.
Winter Haven police arrested a woman who is accused of pretending to be interested in purchasing a car, but instead drove away and never returned during a test drive.
Florida couple charged with $5.8-million COVID relief fraud
A Polk County couple is accused of fraudulently collecting $5.8 million in COVID-19 relief money and using it to buy a luxury car, Louis Vuitton merchandise, and more, then flaunting it on Facebook.
A Polk County couple is accused of fraudulently collecting $5.8 million in COVID-19 relief money and using it to buy a luxury car, Louis Vuitton merchandise, and more, then flaunting it on Facebook.
Polk County Sheriff's Office introduces its 'gator unit' for April Fool's Day
You've heard of law enforcement K9s -- but how about G8Rs? The Polk County Sheriff's Office is putting the "gator" in "investigator" -- at least for one day.
You've heard of law enforcement K9s -- but how about G8Rs? The Polk County Sheriff's Office is putting the "gator" in "investigator" -- at least for one day.
53 arrests in illegal street racing operation in Polk County
Fans of street racing say it’s an adrenaline rush. It may be, but police say it is illegal. Hundreds of people were reminded of that Sunday afternoon when law enforcement officers raided an event in Lakeland.
Fans of street racing say it’s an adrenaline rush. It may be, but police say it is illegal. Hundreds of people were reminded of that Sunday afternoon when law enforcement officers raided an event in Lakeland.
Employees helped smuggle tobacco products into jail, Polk sheriff says
Two former civilian employees of a Polk County detention center were arrested Tuesday for helping smuggle smokeless tobacco to an inmate on the inside.
Two former civilian employees of a Polk County detention center were arrested Tuesday for helping smuggle smokeless tobacco to an inmate on the inside.
Nursing homes begin to receive visitors as restrictions ease
For some nursing home residents and their families, it's been more than a year since they were able to see one another, face-to-face. Despite the masks, the smiles were obvious at Lake Morton Plaza Tuesday.
For some nursing home residents and their families, it's been more than a year since they were able to see one another, face-to-face. Despite the masks, the smiles were obvious at Lake Morton Plaza Tuesday.
Third Pasco family member involved in Lowe’s scam across several counties arrested, deputies say
The third suspect accused of making fraudulent transactions at Lowe’s Home Improvement stores across 11 Florida counties was arrested.
The third suspect accused of making fraudulent transactions at Lowe’s Home Improvement stores across 11 Florida counties was arrested.
22-year-old suspect indicted in two Lakeland murders from 2020
A Lakeland man has been indicted for the murders of two people from nine months ago that investigators did not immediately realize were even related.
A Lakeland man has been indicted for the murders of two people from nine months ago that investigators did not immediately realize were even related.
Pasco family made fraudulent transactions at Lowe’s stores in 11 Florida counties, deputies say
Polk County deputies say a Pasco family of three made fraudulent purchases at Lowe's stores across 11 counties. Two are behind bars, but they are still searching for one of the relatives.
Polk County deputies say a Pasco family of three made fraudulent purchases at Lowe's stores across 11 counties. Two are behind bars, but they are still searching for one of the relatives.
Two Polk County women out more than $65,000 in so-called grandma scam
The scammers call older women and tell them some version of a story about their son or grandson being in legal trouble and that they have to pay tens of thousands to clear it up.
The scammers call older women and tell them some version of a story about their son or grandson being in legal trouble and that they have to pay tens of thousands to clear it up.
‘It makes our blood boil’: 2 elderly residents in Polk County scammed out of more than $65,000
Detectives in Polk County are warning residents after two Winter Haven women, both over the age of 80, were scammed and lost thousands of dollars.
Detectives in Polk County are warning residents after two Winter Haven women, both over the age of 80, were scammed and lost thousands of dollars.
Students in 2 Bay Area counties may have had identities stolen by hackers
An unknown number of Polk and Hernando County children have become the victims of cybercrime.
An unknown number of Polk and Hernando County children have become the victims of cybercrime.
History mystery surrounds pink Lakeland home
Christopher Satterfield is in the process of renovating a more-than-100-year-old historic pink Victorian-style home in the Dixieland neighborhood of Lakeland. He says there's evidence it was built by none other than Henry B. Plant.
Christopher Satterfield is in the process of renovating a more-than-100-year-old historic pink Victorian-style home in the Dixieland neighborhood of Lakeland. He says there's evidence it was built by none other than Henry B. Plant.
3 Polk County deputies arrested after evidence-tampering investigation
Sheriff Grady Judd announced the arrest of three of his own deputies, who all face multiple felony charges over $723 that ended up missing from evidence.
Sheriff Grady Judd announced the arrest of three of his own deputies, who all face multiple felony charges over $723 that ended up missing from evidence.
Lake Wales police searching for 3 ‘armed and dangerous’ men wanted for attempted murder
The Lake Wales Police Department is searching for Derrious Bradwell, 30, of Lakes Wales, Matthew Bradwell, 25, of Bartow and Devonte Bradwell, 24, of Winter Haven after they say the three men were involved in two shootings on Thursday.
The Lake Wales Police Department is searching for Derrious Bradwell, 30, of Lakes Wales, Matthew Bradwell, 25, of Bartow and Devonte Bradwell, 24, of Winter Haven after they say the three men were involved in two shootings on Thursday.
Florida lawmakers consider reducing role of standardized tests in schools
A Polk County mother who is allowing her eighth-grader to opt-out of standardized tests isn’t alone in believing that the tests have too much weight in determining school funding, grade promotion, graduation and teacher evaluations.
A Polk County mother who is allowing her eighth-grader to opt-out of standardized tests isn’t alone in believing that the tests have too much weight in determining school funding, grade promotion, graduation and teacher evaluations.