Criminal trio arrested after decades of heists, stealing tens of millions in jewelry and cash
A coordinated trio of criminals has been targeting jewelry stores in Hernando County and across Florida for more than eight years, making off with about $16 million in gold, silver, jewels, and gems. They are experienced thieves whose histories of stealthy burglaries go back decades.
A coordinated trio of criminals has been targeting jewelry stores in Hernando County and across Florida for more than eight years, making off with about $16 million in gold, silver, jewels, and gems. They are experienced thieves whose histories of stealthy burglaries go back decades.
The first GreenWise Market from Publix — built from scratch — opens in Lakeland
Publix is opening its first built-from-scratch GreenWise Market in Lakeland.
Publix is opening its first built-from-scratch GreenWise Market in Lakeland.
124 arrested by Polk County detectives during ‘Operation Santa’s Naughty List’
More than 100 people are facing charges after the latest undercover operation targeting human trafficking in Polk County. Investigators are colorfully calling it, “Operation Santa’s Naughty List.”
More than 100 people are facing charges after the latest undercover operation targeting human trafficking in Polk County. Investigators are colorfully calling it, “Operation Santa’s Naughty List.”
Elderly couple passes away following Mulberry house fire
Firefighters in Polk County said two people were pulled from a house fire, but they later succumbed to their injuries.
Firefighters in Polk County said two people were pulled from a house fire, but they later succumbed to their injuries.
Dover organization re-purposes bikes for people in need
Bikes for Christ collects slightly used bikes and money to fix them up. They're hoping to donate 300 this year.
Bikes for Christ collects slightly used bikes and money to fix them up. They're hoping to donate 300 this year.
Lakeland police officer being laid to rest
Memorial services will be held for a Lakeland police officer, who passed away while on-duty last week.
Memorial services will be held for a Lakeland police officer, who passed away while on-duty last week.
Brothers practice ping-pong hundreds of miles apart thanks to robotic pitching machine
When Joseph went to college, his little brother was bummed to lose his ping pong partner but Joseph's experience with robotics changed everything.
When Joseph went to college, his little brother was bummed to lose his ping pong partner but Joseph's experience with robotics changed everything.
Codes present obstacles to rebuilding Kathleen church damaged by hurricane
After a tornado ripped through Kathleen and hit Mount Tabor Baptist Church, church leaders thought they wouldn’t have to worry about anything other than re-building costs.
After a tornado ripped through Kathleen and hit Mount Tabor Baptist Church, church leaders thought they wouldn’t have to worry about anything other than re-building costs.
Polk man leaves boy on side of road because he 'thinks that he is gay'
Police in Haines City arrested a man after they said he left a boy on the side of the road at night.
Police in Haines City arrested a man after they said he left a boy on the side of the road at night.
Lakeland hopes cushion of cash will help land airlines
Lakeland Linder International Airport is making a pitch to commercial carriers, one they hope will be nearly impossible to pass up: Start flying out of Lakeland, and we’ll act as your financial safety net.
Lakeland Linder International Airport is making a pitch to commercial carriers, one they hope will be nearly impossible to pass up: Start flying out of Lakeland, and we’ll act as your financial safety net.
Polk County detectives remove $9.5 million worth of drugs in undercover operations across multiple states
A visibly frustrated sheriff announced the arrest of seven people – three of which were illegal immigrants – after 5 kilos of heroin and 130 pounds of meth were seized.
A visibly frustrated sheriff announced the arrest of seven people – three of which were illegal immigrants – after 5 kilos of heroin and 130 pounds of meth were seized.
Deputy-involved shooting has counselors warning about holiday depression
From the outside looking in, everything seemed relatively OK. However, according to Polk County deputies, 60-year-old Kenneth Layton was fighting a battle he didn't feel like he would win.
From the outside looking in, everything seemed relatively OK. However, according to Polk County deputies, 60-year-old Kenneth Layton was fighting a battle he didn't feel like he would win.
Polk deputy forced to shoot, kill 'distraught' widower, sheriff says
A 60-year-old Polk County man was “exceptionally distraught,” possibly over the death of his wife, when he forced a Polk deputy to shoot him Friday morning, Sheriff Grady Judd said.
A 60-year-old Polk County man was “exceptionally distraught,” possibly over the death of his wife, when he forced a Polk deputy to shoot him Friday morning, Sheriff Grady Judd said.
Church pays off $1.62-million of medical debt for families
“We found out that there’s over $3 million in deferred medical debt in our city,” said Access Church’s lead pastor Jason Burns. "This $3 million is owned by people who live at less than half of the federal poverty line.”
“We found out that there’s over $3 million in deferred medical debt in our city,” said Access Church’s lead pastor Jason Burns. "This $3 million is owned by people who live at less than half of the federal poverty line.”
Volunteers deliver hundreds of meals to Polk seniors, along with some holiday cheer
Thanksgiving may be tomorrow for most of us, but the holiday came early for an incredible number of seniors in Polk County. Volunteers spent the afternoon delivering Thanksgiving dinners to folks who might not have one otherwise.
Thanksgiving may be tomorrow for most of us, but the holiday came early for an incredible number of seniors in Polk County. Volunteers spent the afternoon delivering Thanksgiving dinners to folks who might not have one otherwise.
Driver who crashed into Fort Meade legislator's office was high, deputies say
At 8 a.m. Tuesday, on the day constituents make appointments to discuss issues and causes with State Representative Melony Bell at her office on Broadway Avenue in Fort Meade, a city worker veered off the road and through the front door of Bell’s office.
At 8 a.m. Tuesday, on the day constituents make appointments to discuss issues and causes with State Representative Melony Bell at her office on Broadway Avenue in Fort Meade, a city worker veered off the road and through the front door of Bell’s office.
Polk teen spends 7 days camping on top of semi, raises $10K for charity
A 14-year-old boy and his dad have been living on top of a semi truck in Polk County for seven days – and it’s all for a good cause.
A 14-year-old boy and his dad have been living on top of a semi truck in Polk County for seven days – and it’s all for a good cause.
Development boom brings thousands of residents, customers to downtown Lakeland
Two new apartment complexes and an office building are in the works in downtown Lakeland and will bring with them a tidal wave of new residents.
Two new apartment complexes and an office building are in the works in downtown Lakeland and will bring with them a tidal wave of new residents.
Man shot while trying to fight his way into home during custody handoff: sheriff
A father was shot during a custody exchange after he became tried to fight his way into the home of his ex-girlfriend's partner, who is referred to as the victim, according to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.
A father was shot during a custody exchange after he became tried to fight his way into the home of his ex-girlfriend's partner, who is referred to as the victim, according to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.
Father of 2-year-old boy shot, killed during custody handoff
Sheriff Grady Judd says investigators are still trying to piece the entire sequence of events together. It started with a 911 call from the eventual shooting victim – the boy's father – saying he was having “problems” with the exchange of custody.
Sheriff Grady Judd says investigators are still trying to piece the entire sequence of events together. It started with a 911 call from the eventual shooting victim – the boy's father – saying he was having “problems” with the exchange of custody.