Deputies arrest teenage brothers wanted in connection to body found in orange grove

Brothers Jojo Lobato, 19, and Angel Lobato, 18, of Lake Wales, were arrested Saturday night in Lake Wales thanks to a tip regarding their location, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. 

U.S. Marshals arrest New York fugitive in Polk County

Raymond Jackson, 22, was arrested Friday in Lakeland after he allegedly fled to Florida from New York, where he was indicted for second-degree murder.

Polk deputies searching for 2 teenage brothers possibly connected to murder victim found in orange grove

Horstman says Jo Jo Labato, 19, and his brother Angel, 18, are on the run after stealing the car of Danne Frazier. Frazier’s body was found earlier this week in a Lake Wales orange grove.

PCSO: Lake Wales man committed crimes with child to ‘toughen him up’

Ernest McKnight III, 36, was arrested Thursday after deputies say he committed a series of crimes over several days, some in the company of an eight-year-old child.

Former Lakeland commissioner, husband identified as murder victims

Lakeland police detectives said the two victims in Tuesday's murder investigation were identified as a former Lakeland city commissioner and her husband.

Tropical Storm Eta information: Polk County

Ongoing updates from Polk County as Tropical Storm Eta impacts Florida.

Polk sheriff: 4 teens charged with attempted murder for intentionally running over woman with van

Investigators said 18-year-old Elijah Stansell brought three friends -- ages 14, 15 and 16 -- to the home to "handle" an ongoing romantic dispute with the victim's teenage son. They ended up running her down, leaving her in critical condition.

Concerned about cost of housing, Polk plans to build affordable homes

Polk County is kicking off a new program to help low- and moderate-income residents become homeowners. The county plans to start by building two homes in Davenport and two in Lakeland and sell them for less than $130,000.

Circle B offers quiet spot to catch the sunrise -- if you don't mind the gators

The Circle B Bar Reserve may be known best for its famous resident, ‘Humpback’ the alligator. But there’s a lot more to see at the Lakeland park aside from the giant gators.

Polk County suspect arrested in shooting that left 1 dead, 1 injured

A woman was killed, and another was injured, during a weekend shooting in Polk County. On Monday, deputies said they arrested a suspect.

PCSO: Woman killed by train in Polk County

Sandra Locke, 44, was killed Saturday night after being struck by a train, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.  

Lake Wales man arrested for DUI following fatal crash

Charles Goodman, 22, of Lake Wales was killed Friday evening in a crash in unincorporated Lake Wales, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

Winter Haven man charged in Rose Motel double homicide

Winter Haven Police have charged Beloni Petitfrere, 38, of Winter Haven, in the October 13 double homicide at the Rose Motel. 

Neighbors concerned about plan to sell Polk's last dairy farm to developers

After being a dairyman all his life, owner Mike Carey finally wants to move on. He was already struggling with the rising cost of grain and lagging milk prices. Then last year, a tornado hit the dairy, ripping off roofs and trashing several buildings.

Polk firefighter tried to steal $165 worth of Pokemon cards, police say

According to police, staff at a Haines City Walmart spotted Joel C.V. Strickland switching barcodes on higher-priced packs of cards with those on lower-priced packs, which he then took to the self-checkout.

I-4 lanes reopen after overturned truck blocked traffic near Lakeland

The scene is at mile marker 28, which is west of the city. The Florida Highway Patrol says a truck and travel trailer overturned there.

Lakeland holds first fundraiser for the arts since pandemic began

Money raised from Lakeland’s ‘Art and Wine Walk’ event will go to projects sponsored by local organizations that support the arts.

Polk County man turns to music to help wife recover from COVID-19

Videos of a Polk County man singing to his wife while she was hospitalized with COVID-19 are getting worldwide attention.