'Out-of-control' murder suspect fatally shot by Polk County SWAT team, sheriff says
A quiet community in Poinciana had a "wild night" after a suspect fatally shot a man in the middle of the road. Hours later, a Polk County SWAT team fatally shot the armed suspect during an early-morning standoff, the sheriff said.
A quiet community in Poinciana had a "wild night" after a suspect fatally shot a man in the middle of the road. Hours later, a Polk County SWAT team fatally shot the armed suspect during an early-morning standoff, the sheriff said.
Two X-treme Air & Home Care technicians arrested for exploiting the elderly
Lakeland police arrested Carl Hassel, 39, and Joshua O’Neal, 33, for grand theft and exploitation of the elderly after they allegedly charged a woman in her 70s hundreds of dollars for work that was not completed.
Lakeland police arrested Carl Hassel, 39, and Joshua O’Neal, 33, for grand theft and exploitation of the elderly after they allegedly charged a woman in her 70s hundreds of dollars for work that was not completed.
Travel agent accused of scamming clients, employer out of $1.6M
A Polk County travel agent was arrested for fraud after a year-long investigation into more than a million in missing money, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
A Polk County travel agent was arrested for fraud after a year-long investigation into more than a million in missing money, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
PCSO: Davenport man arrested on 200 counts of child pornography claims he’s addicted
Joshua Johnson, 27, is facing 200 counts of enhanced possession of child pornography after detectives discovered he had nearly 700 images and videos while investigating several tips reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s CyberTip line, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Joshua Johnson, 27, is facing 200 counts of enhanced possession of child pornography after detectives discovered he had nearly 700 images and videos while investigating several tips reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s CyberTip line, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Florida couple dead after plane crashes into neighborhood near Bartow Airport
A single-engine plane crashed into a neighborhood just off property of the Bartow Executive Airport.
A single-engine plane crashed into a neighborhood just off property of the Bartow Executive Airport.
Prescribed burn planned for Polk County Thursday
Where there is smoke, there is usually fire. And there will presumably a lot of smoke coming from a prescribed burn set by Florida Forest Service starting Thursday.
Where there is smoke, there is usually fire. And there will presumably a lot of smoke coming from a prescribed burn set by Florida Forest Service starting Thursday.
This Bartow couple of 65 years has been in love since high school
After 65 years of marriage, Ken and Betty Wetherington are just as sweet on each other as the day they met. Their courtship started back in 1955 – back to when they were high school sweethearts.
After 65 years of marriage, Ken and Betty Wetherington are just as sweet on each other as the day they met. Their courtship started back in 1955 – back to when they were high school sweethearts.
'Blessed to be Bartow:' Polk cheerleading squad lands rare triple crown
Their stunts will make your jaw drop. Their skilled routine is the result of an entire year's work and sacrifice. And it all paid off: One Polk County cheerleading squad is celebrating their biggest victory ever.
Their stunts will make your jaw drop. Their skilled routine is the result of an entire year's work and sacrifice. And it all paid off: One Polk County cheerleading squad is celebrating their biggest victory ever.
Florida lawmakers propose merging Florida Poly, New College with UF, FSU
Two of Florida’s smallest public universities could merge with two of the state’s larger schools.
Two of Florida’s smallest public universities could merge with two of the state’s larger schools.
Road surveyor dies in Lakeland crash, police say
A road surveyor passed away after the driver of a pickup truck crashed into him Monday afternoon, police said.
A road surveyor passed away after the driver of a pickup truck crashed into him Monday afternoon, police said.
Lakeland mom steps in after 'crazy river otter' attacks dog, girl
A Polk County girl opened the door to help her dog escape an otter, then tried to shut the door quickly. But apparently not quickly enough. The otter squeezed in and attacked her, too.
A Polk County girl opened the door to help her dog escape an otter, then tried to shut the door quickly. But apparently not quickly enough. The otter squeezed in and attacked her, too.
Winter Haven police search for man who exposed himself to girl at bus stop
Winter Haven Police are asking for the public’s help to identify a man who exposed himself to a 12-year-old girl while she waited for her bus.
Winter Haven Police are asking for the public’s help to identify a man who exposed himself to a 12-year-old girl while she waited for her bus.
Railroad crossing dangers highlighted by video of close call in Dover
It's still not clear why a semi-truck driver drove through the safety arm at a railroad crossing in Dover Tuesday. Another driver recorded a video of the truck narrowly being missed by a speeding train.
It's still not clear why a semi-truck driver drove through the safety arm at a railroad crossing in Dover Tuesday. Another driver recorded a video of the truck narrowly being missed by a speeding train.
Downtown Lakeland has 850 more parking spots, thanks to new garage
Finding a parking spot, especially when you’re in a hurry, can be frustrating.
Finding a parking spot, especially when you’re in a hurry, can be frustrating.
Retired Polk K9 Shea passes away, sheriff's office says
The Polk County Sheriff's Office is mourning the loss of one of their retired K9s.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office is mourning the loss of one of their retired K9s.
Police: 1 arrested after shots fired at officer
Jamari Osheay Hampton, 19, was arrested early Sunday morning after a Winter Haven police officer said shots were fired in his direction.
Jamari Osheay Hampton, 19, was arrested early Sunday morning after a Winter Haven police officer said shots were fired in his direction.
Publix mechanic keeps supermarket’s iconic scales working
Publix mechanic Gene Anderson is the one and only person who fixes and refurbishes a unique Florida icon -- Publix's popular scales.
Publix mechanic Gene Anderson is the one and only person who fixes and refurbishes a unique Florida icon -- Publix's popular scales.
Third rabid raccoon leads to rabies alert extension in Polk County
The Polk County Department of Health is extending a rabies alert after discovering another rabid raccoon.
The Polk County Department of Health is extending a rabies alert after discovering another rabid raccoon.
Sex offender with warrant out for arrest flees from Polk deputies, swallows bag of meth
There was a warrant out for a Mulberry man in Polk County, who failed to register as a sex offender – and deputies finally caught up to him Wednesday.
There was a warrant out for a Mulberry man in Polk County, who failed to register as a sex offender – and deputies finally caught up to him Wednesday.
Study shows snowbirds are staying longer and spending more money
Snowbirds are flocking to Lakeland and it’s a bigger than usual invasion, which means a bigger boost for the local economy than in previous years.
Snowbirds are flocking to Lakeland and it’s a bigger than usual invasion, which means a bigger boost for the local economy than in previous years.