Former Bartow police officer now facing stalking, sexual battery charges while still behind bars: PCSO

After being arrested last week for having an inappropriate relationship with four teenage girls, investigators say a former Bartow police officer is facing more charges after an adult victim came forward.

Two kids seriously burned after coal was dumped from grill at Polk County lake

As parks all over the Tampa Bay area are getting busier this summer, one family is pleading with people to be more careful using shared amenities. It was a family vacation enjoying summer on a lake in Polk County when, in moments, two young cousins were rushed to the emergency room. 

Winter Haven women’s shelter to reopen after nonprofit steps up to buy facility from Salvation Army

A Winter Haven women and children's shelter that closed earlier this year because of lack of funding is getting a second chance. Talbot House Ministries has purchased the old Salvation Army of East Polk County's 65-year-old shelter property to revamp the inside and bring it back better than ever before.

Groups protest arrest of 16-year-old in Lakeland

Multiple groups protested the arrest of a 16-year-old outside the Lakeland Police Headquarters Saturday evening following the surfacing of an unsettling interaction between him and two Lakeland Police officers.

Police chase ends in deadly multi-vehicle crash in Lakeland

An innocent person was killed, and several others were injured when a vehicle being chased by police crashed at a Lakeland intersection, according to the Plant City Police Department. 

‘Shock factor:’ Criminal defense attorney analyzes use of force in Lakeland teen arrest video

As activists express outrage over video showing two Lakeland police officers punching a tasing a 16-year-old, legal analyst Anthony Rickman tells FOX 13 there are more factors to consider when examining the encounter.

Honey the husky improving after health problems discovered following return to shelter

A husky that was returned after an adoption event for "being boring" is getting a fresh start. Honey the Husky has garnered the attention of thousands on social media when it was shared that a Tampa family that adopted her during a Mega Adoption event returned her for not eating, drinking, or interacting.

2 killed in fiery Polk County crash involving semi-truck, box truck: PCSO

Two people were killed in a crash involving a semi-truck and a box truck in Polk County early Wednesday morning, according to authorities.

Activists allege police brutality after video shows Lakeland police hitting, tasing 16-year-old

The Lakeland Police Department is reviewing an arrest made by two of its officers. It involves a 16-year-old and the video appears to show one officer punching him in the head and another using a taser.