Families, unable to afford rising rents, move into Polk County motels

Fancy Osborne's budget is tight these days. Her landlord evicted her, her fiancé, and their 2-year-old daughter and they now live in a motel in Winter Haven, along with the families of 40 other children.

Last dairy in Polk County may close following October tornado

The last dairy in Polk County may close after getting slammed by a tornado that swept through the Lakeland area in October.

Watch: Trick-or-treater puts candy in empty bowl outside Lakeland home

Parents encourage their kids to be polite while trick-or-treating on Halloween, but the parents of one Lakeland child can be proud of her considerate nature.

Haunted Davenport restaurant makes employees 'uneasy,' owner says

The specter of Halloween comes but once a year, for most of us, but the owners of a Davenport restaurant say they are always in the presence of things that go bump in the night.

Polk County baby featured on national spina bifida billboards

She's just over a year old and already making a difference. Little Ava Reyes of Polk County was diagnosed with spina bifida before she was born.

Train hits flatbed trailer at Lakeland crossing

According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the crash happened around 1:30 p.m. on tracks adjacent to Combee Road North at U.S. Hwy 92 East.

Lakeland Electric engineer faked credentials, pretended to be mayor in email, detectives say

Fake transcripts and fake credentials were enough to land a man a job at Lakeland Electric for six years until he was up for a promotion and ended up in jail - charged with fraud.

Lakeland interim fire chief made official at swearing-in

Polk Fire Rescue officially has a new leader. Robert Weech was sworn-in Wednesday as the chief during a ceremony at Polk State Center for Public Safety.

Polk sheriff confirms cyberbullying investigation involving Meghan Markle, half-sister Samantha

The Polk County Sheriff's Office confirmed it's conducting an investigation into cyberbullying connected to Samantha Markle and her half-sister, Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle.

Rally draws Trump supporters, opponents to Haines City

President Trump's supporters held a rally in downtown Haines City to kick off a new campaign called “Stop the Madness.” As part of the campaign, the Republican National Committee has developed a website that uses the same slogan. 

Polk deputies: Man turned in lost purse, but not cash

It’s not quite taking candy from a baby, but deputies in Polk County say a man may have helped himself to some cash that a toddler dropped inside a grocery store. Now they are hoping you can identify him.

Two years after deadly Lake Wales hit-and-run, still no arrests

It's been two heartbreaking years of waiting and wondering for a Polk County family. October 28, 2017, a driver hit and killed 56-year-old Leonard Wimberly, Jr. as he was riding a bike on a Lake Wales road. 

Sensors can predict red light-runners; delay green light for cross traffic

Impatient and reckless drivers blowing through red lights kill hundreds of people each year. The difference between life and death can be less than a second.

Kathleen students won't have to make up tornado days

Monday was a big day at Kathleen Middle School in Polk County. Kids went back to class for the first time since a tornado hit their school.

Driver charged with DUI after deadly ATV crash

A Plant City woman is under arrest after she allegedly crashed her ATV while drunk in Polk County, killing her passenger.

Friends, family pay touching tribute after teen's sudden death

The sudden death of a Polk County teenager has rocked the community.  Now, Bartow is coming together to help his family through the tragedy.

Community of Kathleen works to get back to normal a week after a tornado

It’s been more than a week since a tornado touched down in Kathleen, and the Polk County community has been working to get back to normal ever since.