Winter Haven, birthplace of barefoot water-skiing, hosts 2025 National Championship
Competitors, both young and old, are ready to make waves on the water — on their feet. The City of Winter Haven is hosting the National Barefoot Water Ski Championships on Championship Lake this year.
Competitors, both young and old, are ready to make waves on the water — on their feet. The City of Winter Haven is hosting the National Barefoot Water Ski Championships on Championship Lake this year.
Head-on crash in Polk County critically injures driver
An early-morning crash left a man with critical injuries after Polk County deputies say he crossed into oncoming traffic and collided with a Jeep on Tuesday.
An early-morning crash left a man with critical injuries after Polk County deputies say he crossed into oncoming traffic and collided with a Jeep on Tuesday.
Florida man accused of stealing $16K in jewelry while woman recovered from surgery
A man hired to do work at a woman's home as she recovered from surgery now faces charges after Polk County deputies say he stole thousands of dollars worth of jewelry.
A man hired to do work at a woman's home as she recovered from surgery now faces charges after Polk County deputies say he stole thousands of dollars worth of jewelry.
Florida man arrested for performing lewd sexual act in front of children: WHPD
A man faces a list of charges after Winter Haven police say multiple children encountered him exposing himself and performing a lewd sexual act.
A man faces a list of charges after Winter Haven police say multiple children encountered him exposing himself and performing a lewd sexual act.
Lakeland ranks in top 10 of 100 'boomtowns' in U.S. metros
Five of the fastest-growing cities or 'boomtowns' in the country are in Florida and one of them is in Polk County.
Five of the fastest-growing cities or 'boomtowns' in the country are in Florida and one of them is in Polk County.
Driver arrested in deadly Polk County crash in the U.S. illegally: Deputies
The driver arrested in a deadly Polk County crash that happened Tuesday morning was in the U.S. illegally, according to deputies.
The driver arrested in a deadly Polk County crash that happened Tuesday morning was in the U.S. illegally, according to deputies.
Grady Judd: 8 arrested in cross-country multi-million-dollar fraud investigation
A multi-million-dollar fraud investigation that affected 235 victims nationwide has led to the arrests of eight suspects, and investigators say hundreds more suspects were involved.
A multi-million-dollar fraud investigation that affected 235 victims nationwide has led to the arrests of eight suspects, and investigators say hundreds more suspects were involved.
Polk County Boys and Girls Club receiving federal funding this year, but worried about future
The Boys and Girls Club of Polk County is worried critical federal funding may not be available in the future.
The Boys and Girls Club of Polk County is worried critical federal funding may not be available in the future.
1 killed in crash at Polk County intersection
One person died after a two-vehicle crash at an intersection early Tuesday, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
One person died after a two-vehicle crash at an intersection early Tuesday, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
Lakeland mother, son face animal cruelty charges after 8 malnourished dogs found inside home: LPD
A mother and son are facing animal cruelty charges after nearly a dozen of their dogs were found malnourished to the point one could no longer walk, according to the Lakeland Police Department.
A mother and son are facing animal cruelty charges after nearly a dozen of their dogs were found malnourished to the point one could no longer walk, according to the Lakeland Police Department.
Lakeland officer arrested for reporting false crime after unmarked patrol car window shattered: PCSO
A Lakeland police officer was arrested for falsely reporting a crime after he claimed that three juveniles threw something at his agency-issued vehicle, an unmarked Chevrolet SUV, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
A Lakeland police officer was arrested for falsely reporting a crime after he claimed that three juveniles threw something at his agency-issued vehicle, an unmarked Chevrolet SUV, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
2 dogs rescued from abusive owner heading to new home together: PCSO
Two dogs now have a new home two months after their owner was arrested for animal cruelty and abuse, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
Two dogs now have a new home two months after their owner was arrested for animal cruelty and abuse, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
Fire at Lake Wales home kills 10 dogs, 2 people hospitalized: PCFR
Ten dogs are dead after a fire broke out at a home in Lake Wales on Friday night, according to Polk County Fire Rescue.
Ten dogs are dead after a fire broke out at a home in Lake Wales on Friday night, according to Polk County Fire Rescue.
Suspect arrested months after Molotov cocktail attack on Lake Wales insurance business
Lake Wales police say they've arrested the man accused of vandalizing an insurance business earlier this year by throwing Molotov cocktails, firing a shot, and spray-painting "Civil War Trump."
Lake Wales police say they've arrested the man accused of vandalizing an insurance business earlier this year by throwing Molotov cocktails, firing a shot, and spray-painting "Civil War Trump."
Fiery head-on dump truck crash kills 1 in Polk County: PCSO
One person was killed early Friday morning after being involved in a head-on crash with a dump truck in Lake Alfred, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
One person was killed early Friday morning after being involved in a head-on crash with a dump truck in Lake Alfred, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Polk County man accused of stealing more than $130K worth of weed from cannabis dispensary
A now former employee of a cannabis dispensary in Lake Wales was arrested after police say he stole more than 21 pounds of marijuana before his shift earlier this month.
A now former employee of a cannabis dispensary in Lake Wales was arrested after police say he stole more than 21 pounds of marijuana before his shift earlier this month.
Polk mother shares tragedy of losing son in e-bike crash amid summer spike in pediatric e-bike injuries
A Polk County mother is raising awareness about the dangers of e-bikes after her son was hit and killed by a vehicle.
A Polk County mother is raising awareness about the dangers of e-bikes after her son was hit and killed by a vehicle.
'He needs to be locked away:' Grady Judd on arrest of former coach accused of sexual battery on young gymnast
A former gymnastics coach in Lakeland is under arrest after the Polk County Sheriff's Office said he admitted to detectives that he had sex twice with a girl he was coaching when she was younger than 16.
A former gymnastics coach in Lakeland is under arrest after the Polk County Sheriff's Office said he admitted to detectives that he had sex twice with a girl he was coaching when she was younger than 16.
Citrus growers still optimistic after report shows lowest production in more than a century
The 2024-2025 citrus production season ended with 14.52 million boxes of citrus, the lowest total since 13.928 million boxes were filled during the 1919-1920 season.
The 2024-2025 citrus production season ended with 14.52 million boxes of citrus, the lowest total since 13.928 million boxes were filled during the 1919-1920 season.
Toxic blue-green algae may be blooming in 3 Polk County lakes
Polk County health officials are warning that toxic blue-green algae may be present in three lakes.
Polk County health officials are warning that toxic blue-green algae may be present in three lakes.