Sheriff: Polk detectives arrest 16 people in undercover sting targeting child predators
In an undercover operation, Polk County detectives nabbed 16 men who, they say, "prey upon and travel to meet children for unlawful sexual activity."
In an undercover operation, Polk County detectives nabbed 16 men who, they say, "prey upon and travel to meet children for unlawful sexual activity."
Grocery stores packed as residents plan to stay home for the foreseeable future
If you've been to the store lately, you've seen people panic-buying. Officials are calling for this behavior to stop to ensure there is enough to go around.
If you've been to the store lately, you've seen people panic-buying. Officials are calling for this behavior to stop to ensure there is enough to go around.
Polk State College closing to students until March 29
Polk State College announced it is suspending all classes - including in-person, online, and hybrid - starting Monday, March 16 to help mitigate the spread of Covid-19.
Polk State College announced it is suspending all classes - including in-person, online, and hybrid - starting Monday, March 16 to help mitigate the spread of Covid-19.
Recycled Rides gives cancer survivor, single mother receive free cars
A cancer survivor and a single mother consider Friday the 13th a lucky day after they both received free cars from "Recycled Rides."
A cancer survivor and a single mother consider Friday the 13th a lucky day after they both received free cars from "Recycled Rides."
Who to call if you feel sick
If you feel sick, there are in-home, local, and national resources for you to get advice and medical help. Below is a list of hotlines, phone numbers, websites, and emails where you can get help in the Tampa Bay Area.
If you feel sick, there are in-home, local, and national resources for you to get advice and medical help. Below is a list of hotlines, phone numbers, websites, and emails where you can get help in the Tampa Bay Area.
Sun ‘n Fun will be postponed to May, city officials say
Lakeland city officials said the annual Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo will be postponed until May. The decision is part of an effort to halt large gatherings and slow the spread of the coronavirus in the U.S.
Lakeland city officials said the annual Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo will be postponed until May. The decision is part of an effort to halt large gatherings and slow the spread of the coronavirus in the U.S.
Polk deputies arrest UPS employee accused of stealing money from package
Deputies arrested UPS employee Michael Rowland, 34, after he allegedly learned about a large amount of cash in a package, removed it, and then repackaged it.
Deputies arrested UPS employee Michael Rowland, 34, after he allegedly learned about a large amount of cash in a package, removed it, and then repackaged it.
New College, FSU and Florida Poly, UF merger plan 'abandoned'
A short-lived, yet high-profile, fight to merge New College of Florida and Florida Polytechnic University into the University of Florida died Friday in the state House.
A short-lived, yet high-profile, fight to merge New College of Florida and Florida Polytechnic University into the University of Florida died Friday in the state House.
Deputies: Man killed sleeping Polk County couple, buried bodies in swamp
A judge denied bond for Todd Michael Jackson, 34, on Sunday. He is accused of killing Raymond and Crystal Cline as they slept in their Haines City home and enlisting his stepdaughter and her boyfriend to help bury their bodies in a swamp, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
A judge denied bond for Todd Michael Jackson, 34, on Sunday. He is accused of killing Raymond and Crystal Cline as they slept in their Haines City home and enlisting his stepdaughter and her boyfriend to help bury their bodies in a swamp, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Police: Speed played possible role crash that killed 2, critically injured 1 in Polk County
Excessive speed played a role in a three-vehicle crash in Haines City killed two people, including a nine-year-old child shortly after 10:30 p.m. Saturday night, according to the Haines City Police Department.
Excessive speed played a role in a three-vehicle crash in Haines City killed two people, including a nine-year-old child shortly after 10:30 p.m. Saturday night, according to the Haines City Police Department.
Winter Haven police searching for man who offered middle school student $20 to get in his van
Winter Haven police are searching for a man who offered a 12-year-old girl $20 to get in his van Thursday morning as she walked to school.
Winter Haven police are searching for a man who offered a 12-year-old girl $20 to get in his van Thursday morning as she walked to school.
Polk deputies arrest 3 after discovering decomposed bodies in Haines City
Polk County deputies arrested Todd Michael Jackson, 34, on two counts of first-degree murder after discovering two decomposed bodies in Haines City Friday evening.
Polk County deputies arrested Todd Michael Jackson, 34, on two counts of first-degree murder after discovering two decomposed bodies in Haines City Friday evening.
Uber driver arrested for vehicular homicide, DUI manslaughter
Uber driver Clint Fischer Jr., 27, was arrested Thursday night for his role in a car crash that killed his passenger on Jan. 8 in Haines City.
Uber driver Clint Fischer Jr., 27, was arrested Thursday night for his role in a car crash that killed his passenger on Jan. 8 in Haines City.
Swans continue to fall victim to cars around lakes Morton, Mirror
Two more swans have been killed in Lakeland this week. Both black swans were run down by cars, one by Lake Morton, the other near Lake Mirror.
Two more swans have been killed in Lakeland this week. Both black swans were run down by cars, one by Lake Morton, the other near Lake Mirror.
Lakeland man convicted of 2016 rape faces possible 30-year prison sentence
It took a jury 20 minutes Wednesday to convict a 39-year-old Lakeland man of raping a 20-year-old woman at a home in 2016.
It took a jury 20 minutes Wednesday to convict a 39-year-old Lakeland man of raping a 20-year-old woman at a home in 2016.
Frostproof crash that killed motorcyclist under investigation
Mason Chapman, 24, was killed March 4 after his motorcycle crashed into a car on Scenic Highway north of CR 630 in Frostproof, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Mason Chapman, 24, was killed March 4 after his motorcycle crashed into a car on Scenic Highway north of CR 630 in Frostproof, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Police: Winter Haven armed burglary suspect arrested after trying to escape officers several times
Winter Haven police arrested Rahsann Eaton, 33, after he allegedly broke into a woman’s home, battered her and attempted to flee from officers multiple times.
Winter Haven police arrested Rahsann Eaton, 33, after he allegedly broke into a woman’s home, battered her and attempted to flee from officers multiple times.
Lake Wales pedestrian killed in SR-60 crash
Lake Wales police responded to a deadly pedestrian crash on Tuesday.
Lake Wales police responded to a deadly pedestrian crash on Tuesday.
PCSO: Speed, alcohol led to ATV crash that killed 1
Impairment and excessive speed appeared to play a role in an ATV crash that killed a man Tuesday evening, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Impairment and excessive speed appeared to play a role in an ATV crash that killed a man Tuesday evening, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Elections officials work to minimize impact of COVID-19 concerns on voter turnout
Concerns over the spread of novel coronavirus COVID-19 have some people questioning whether to make an in-person visit to the polls for Florida's primary elections. Monday was the first day of early voting for several Florida counties, including Hillsborough and Polk.
Concerns over the spread of novel coronavirus COVID-19 have some people questioning whether to make an in-person visit to the polls for Florida's primary elections. Monday was the first day of early voting for several Florida counties, including Hillsborough and Polk.