Officer holds 'free hugs' sign during peaceful protests in Polk County
During a peaceful protest in Polk County Monday, officers held signs saying "free hugs" and "don't blame all for actions of few."
During a peaceful protest in Polk County Monday, officers held signs saying "free hugs" and "don't blame all for actions of few."
Sheriff issues overnight curfew for Polk County
Citing “serious incidents” in Lakeland, Sheriff Grady Judd has issued a countywide curfew for Polk County tonight, starting at 10 p.m.
Citing “serious incidents” in Lakeland, Sheriff Grady Judd has issued a countywide curfew for Polk County tonight, starting at 10 p.m.
Polk County Sheriff’s office seeking public’s help in fatal hit-and-run investigation
The Polk County Sheriff's Office Traffic Unit is asking for information surrounding a hit-and-run crash that killed Scott Andrew Matthies, 36, around 4:45 a.m. Saturday morning on the entrance to Interstate 4 eastbound from U.S. Highway 27.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office Traffic Unit is asking for information surrounding a hit-and-run crash that killed Scott Andrew Matthies, 36, around 4:45 a.m. Saturday morning on the entrance to Interstate 4 eastbound from U.S. Highway 27.
Bok Tower’s Blanchard Carillon Fellow may make career out of unique instrument
Tampa-native Wade Fitzgerald is this year's Blanchard Carillon Fellow at Bok Tower Gardens and will play five live concerts a week through July 17.
Tampa-native Wade Fitzgerald is this year's Blanchard Carillon Fellow at Bok Tower Gardens and will play five live concerts a week through July 17.
Detectives: Bartow woman accused of murdering 4-month-old baby says she was 'overwhelmed' in life
A 4-month-old child had a fractured skull and multiple bruises at the time of her death, leading to the arrest of a Bartow woman, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
A 4-month-old child had a fractured skull and multiple bruises at the time of her death, leading to the arrest of a Bartow woman, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
Lakeland couple battling COVID-19 set to be released from hospital after plasma infusion
A Lakeland couple battling COVID-19 is finally feeling some relief after receiving a plasma infusion as part of a nationwide trial to see if transfusions can help treat coronavirus patients.
A Lakeland couple battling COVID-19 is finally feeling some relief after receiving a plasma infusion as part of a nationwide trial to see if transfusions can help treat coronavirus patients.
Polk County deputies search for four suspects in Haines City robbery
Deputies in Polk County are searching for four young men accused of robbing a convenience store in Haines City.
Deputies in Polk County are searching for four young men accused of robbing a convenience store in Haines City.
Lakeland's oldest private school announces closure, citing drop in enrollment
Lakeland’s oldest private school is closing. Late last week, the Diocese of Orlando sent an email to the parents of kids who go to St. Joseph's Academy in Lakeland.
Lakeland’s oldest private school is closing. Late last week, the Diocese of Orlando sent an email to the parents of kids who go to St. Joseph's Academy in Lakeland.
Lakeland teen plays personal 'violin-o-grams' for veterans on Memorial Day
Bill Hallbritter didn’t have to leave his house to commemorate Memorial Day Monday.
Bill Hallbritter didn’t have to leave his house to commemorate Memorial Day Monday.
ATV rolls over, kills 8-year-old driving solo without a helmet, Polk deputies say
An 8-year-old boy was killed in an ATV crash in the River Ranch area Saturday, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
An 8-year-old boy was killed in an ATV crash in the River Ranch area Saturday, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
Polk charity staves off hunger for migrant families
Their hands have spent countless hours plucking strawberries, squash and other fruits and vegetables that would eventually end up on the plates and in the stomachs of people they will never meet.
Their hands have spent countless hours plucking strawberries, squash and other fruits and vegetables that would eventually end up on the plates and in the stomachs of people they will never meet.
Despite coronavirus pandemic, boaters expected to hit the water Memorial Day weekend
Memorial Day weekend is one of the biggest boating holidays of the year and despite the coronavirus pandemic, people are expected to head for the water.
Memorial Day weekend is one of the biggest boating holidays of the year and despite the coronavirus pandemic, people are expected to head for the water.
State approves Legoland Florida's plans to reopen on June 1
The announcement came Friday morning, a couple of days after Winter Haven and Polk County officials approved of the theme park's plans for a safe reopening.
The announcement came Friday morning, a couple of days after Winter Haven and Polk County officials approved of the theme park's plans for a safe reopening.
Winter Haven couple in the zone ahead of appearance on Fox's 'Ultimate Tag'
A couple from Winter Haven is set to appear on Fox’s new show "Ultimate Tag," hosted by NFL superstar JJ Watt and his brothers. The show gives the age-old game of tag a parkour twist.
A couple from Winter Haven is set to appear on Fox’s new show "Ultimate Tag," hosted by NFL superstar JJ Watt and his brothers. The show gives the age-old game of tag a parkour twist.
Over 70 face charges in Polk County’s first street-level wiretap on drug trafficking
A months-long wiretap investigation focusing on illegal drug trafficking led to charges against 74 suspects, detectives in Polk County announced Wednesday.
A months-long wiretap investigation focusing on illegal drug trafficking led to charges against 74 suspects, detectives in Polk County announced Wednesday.
Mulberry grassroots church helps migrant farmworkers left destitute by pandemic
It is a weekly ritual at the First Assembly of God of Mulberry; around noon every Tuesday and Thursday, a dozen volunteers descend on the church's kitchen and start to cook.
It is a weekly ritual at the First Assembly of God of Mulberry; around noon every Tuesday and Thursday, a dozen volunteers descend on the church's kitchen and start to cook.
Winter Haven man shot walking through intersection; shooter on the run
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is looking for the person who shot and killed a man as he walked through the intersection of 40th Street NW and Atkins Drive just after midnight Sunday, May 17.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is looking for the person who shot and killed a man as he walked through the intersection of 40th Street NW and Atkins Drive just after midnight Sunday, May 17.
Lakeland City Hall reopens for business, with modifications
Lakeland’s city hall re-opened on Monday, as the governor’s plan to fully reopen the state took the next step forward.
Lakeland’s city hall re-opened on Monday, as the governor’s plan to fully reopen the state took the next step forward.
After 2 scandals, Polk County School District enacts harassment policy
After two sexual harassment scandals in five years, one Florida county's school board has voted to prohibit supervisors and employees from having any kind of romantic relationship.
After two sexual harassment scandals in five years, one Florida county's school board has voted to prohibit supervisors and employees from having any kind of romantic relationship.
Safari Wilderness offers drive-through tours for lockdown-weary animal lovers
Safari Wilderness is offering you an opportunity to meet exotic animals nose to nose, enjoy the wide-open spaces and stay at a safe distance from other people to avoid the coronavirus.
Safari Wilderness is offering you an opportunity to meet exotic animals nose to nose, enjoy the wide-open spaces and stay at a safe distance from other people to avoid the coronavirus.