Appointment-only COVID-19 testing site opens in Lakeland
The city of Lakeland's first drive-thru testing site for COVID-19 opened Monday at the RP Funding Center.
The city of Lakeland's first drive-thru testing site for COVID-19 opened Monday at the RP Funding Center.
State correctional officer arrested, charged with BUI
A state correctional officer faces boating under the influence charges following a boating safety stop at the canal between Lakes Shipp and Lulu in Winter Haven on Saturday.
A state correctional officer faces boating under the influence charges following a boating safety stop at the canal between Lakes Shipp and Lulu in Winter Haven on Saturday.
Lakeland-based NOAA fleet to get new weather-tracking planes
NOAA, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, is adding two new eyes in the sky to its fleet hangar at Lakeland Linder International Airport.
NOAA, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, is adding two new eyes in the sky to its fleet hangar at Lakeland Linder International Airport.
Lakeland police seek coronavirus hazard pay, or at least benefits
Lakeland police say they are going far beyond the call of duty because of COVID-19, and they should be compensated extra for it.
Lakeland police say they are going far beyond the call of duty because of COVID-19, and they should be compensated extra for it.
Lakeland to open city's first COVID-19 drive-thru testing site on April 20
Residents in Lakeland won't need to travel far if they need to be tested for the coronavirus.
Residents in Lakeland won't need to travel far if they need to be tested for the coronavirus.
Stadiums light dark skies for graduating seniors in Polk County
Graduation is a major milestone, but this year most high school seniors won't walk across a stage to receive their diploma due to closures resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Graduation is a major milestone, but this year most high school seniors won't walk across a stage to receive their diploma due to closures resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Florida citrus growers lose battle against imported Chinese fruit
The United States Department of Agriculture just approved the importation of certain kinds of Chinese citrus, a move that many American growers have been fighting for years.
The United States Department of Agriculture just approved the importation of certain kinds of Chinese citrus, a move that many American growers have been fighting for years.
Florida Polytechnic University delaying spring commencement to December
Students at Florida Polytechnic University who were expected to graduate after the spring semester will have to wait a few months until their graduation ceremony.
Students at Florida Polytechnic University who were expected to graduate after the spring semester will have to wait a few months until their graduation ceremony.
Coronavirus cases on the rise in Polk nursing homes
Nursing homes and other long-term care facilities are a hotbed for the spread of COVID-19. The number of cases in Polk County's facilities has almost doubled in the last few weeks, from eight to 19.
Nursing homes and other long-term care facilities are a hotbed for the spread of COVID-19. The number of cases in Polk County's facilities has almost doubled in the last few weeks, from eight to 19.
Polk K-9 back to work after being stabbed in the head by suspect
A Polk sheriff's K-9 is back on the job just two-and-a-half weeks after being stabbed in the head by a burglary suspect.
A Polk sheriff's K-9 is back on the job just two-and-a-half weeks after being stabbed in the head by a burglary suspect.
Polk students ponder: What to do about graduation?
Like school districts across the country, Polk County recently gave high school seniors disturbing news. Graduations, as planned, are not going to happen because of COVID-19.
Like school districts across the country, Polk County recently gave high school seniors disturbing news. Graduations, as planned, are not going to happen because of COVID-19.
Polk County offering assistance for renters during pandemic
Qualified renters who have lost a job or had an impact to their income due to COVID-19 may apply for rental assistance in Polk County.
Qualified renters who have lost a job or had an impact to their income due to COVID-19 may apply for rental assistance in Polk County.
School districts in Hillsborough, Polk and Pinellas are reducing number of meal distribution days
Some school districts in the Tampa Bay-area are making changes to their meal distribution schedules based on new CDC guidelines recommending people to limit the errands they run during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Some school districts in the Tampa Bay-area are making changes to their meal distribution schedules based on new CDC guidelines recommending people to limit the errands they run during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Companies create unique ways to make money during coronavirus pandemic
It is touch-and-go for many businesses because COVID-19 has put a real dent in their income. That’s why many are coming up with creative ways to bring in quick cash to help keep them afloat.
It is touch-and-go for many businesses because COVID-19 has put a real dent in their income. That’s why many are coming up with creative ways to bring in quick cash to help keep them afloat.
Polk school officials asking for student input on graduation ceremony alternatives
Florida’s graduating seniors, and their guardians or parents, are realizing that crossing a stage to collect a diploma in May is possibly not an option under social distancing guidelines.
Florida’s graduating seniors, and their guardians or parents, are realizing that crossing a stage to collect a diploma in May is possibly not an option under social distancing guidelines.
Polk parents, students adjust to virtual learning
Countless parents just got a second job, as a teacher, because of COVID-19.
Countless parents just got a second job, as a teacher, because of COVID-19.
Polk County K-9 recovering from stabbing celebrates 6th birthday
Vise, a K-9 with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, celebrated his 6th birthday on April 2, days after he was repeatedly stabbed during an arrest.
Vise, a K-9 with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, celebrated his 6th birthday on April 2, days after he was repeatedly stabbed during an arrest.
Polk County cuts student meal distribution to three days; closes 22 sites
The Polk County School District is scaling back the amount of meals its giving to children while they're not on-campus.
The Polk County School District is scaling back the amount of meals its giving to children while they're not on-campus.
Two Polk County jail inmates charged with murder of another inmate
The Polk County Sheriff's Office has charged two inmates, Brett Crosby, 20, and Christopher Jackson, 41, with first-degree murder for their assault of another inmate at the South County jail in Frostproof.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office has charged two inmates, Brett Crosby, 20, and Christopher Jackson, 41, with first-degree murder for their assault of another inmate at the South County jail in Frostproof.
Stars of stage and screen give Winter Haven girl 'Hamilton' surprise of a lifetime
Nine-year-old Aubrey Bauman is a theater fanatic so when she found out her birthday present, a performance of "Hamilton" in Jacksonville, was postponed, she was devastated. But John Krasinski, Lin Manuel Miranda, and Emily Blunt turned it all around with one Youtube video.
Nine-year-old Aubrey Bauman is a theater fanatic so when she found out her birthday present, a performance of "Hamilton" in Jacksonville, was postponed, she was devastated. But John Krasinski, Lin Manuel Miranda, and Emily Blunt turned it all around with one Youtube video.