Polk County fire chief resigns after report details 'toxic' workplace, low morale at department
Polk County Fire Chief Hezedean Smith has resigned after reports surfaced of a toxic workplace and low morale at the fire rescue department.
Polk County Fire Chief Hezedean Smith has resigned after reports surfaced of a toxic workplace and low morale at the fire rescue department.
How is Polk County preparing for Florida's new homeless camping and sleeping law?
An anti-public camping and sleeping law will be going into effect in the state in just a few weeks.
An anti-public camping and sleeping law will be going into effect in the state in just a few weeks.
Grady Judd: Polk County man accused of shooting into neighbor’s home overdoses during SWAT standoff
A dispute between neighbors over one not lighting a cigarette for the other early Wednesday morning led to shots fired and a man dying during a standoff with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, according to Sheriff Grady Judd.
A dispute between neighbors over one not lighting a cigarette for the other early Wednesday morning led to shots fired and a man dying during a standoff with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, according to Sheriff Grady Judd.
Grady Judd says teen accused of murdering his mother also killed his father: 'Violent predator'
A 17-year-old has been arrested after deputies say he killed his mother on Sunday evening.
A 17-year-old has been arrested after deputies say he killed his mother on Sunday evening.
Major FDOT projects to improve road safety in Tampa Bay area begin
Pasco and Polk counties have some of the most dangerous highways in the state, with hundreds of crashes each year. The Florida Department of Transportation is investing millions in making roadways safer, from U.S. 19 to U.S. 98.
Pasco and Polk counties have some of the most dangerous highways in the state, with hundreds of crashes each year. The Florida Department of Transportation is investing millions in making roadways safer, from U.S. 19 to U.S. 98.
Polk County says goodbye to curbside recycling, introduces two new 'green' initiatives
Polk County is discontinuing its curbside recycling program in its unincorporated areas next month, but they are implementing a pair of 'green' initiatives they say will protect the environment.
Polk County is discontinuing its curbside recycling program in its unincorporated areas next month, but they are implementing a pair of 'green' initiatives they say will protect the environment.
Lakeland man accused of shooting neighbor to death in fatal feud: ‘How do you like me now?’
A feud between two neighbors took a deadly turn in Lakeland on Tuesday morning.
A feud between two neighbors took a deadly turn in Lakeland on Tuesday morning.
New report alleges toxic work environment, low morale at Polk County Fire Rescue
A new report is shedding light on allegations of a toxic work environment at Polk County Fire Rescue.
A new report is shedding light on allegations of a toxic work environment at Polk County Fire Rescue.
Lakeland police chief finds officers' use of force reasonable in arrest of teen seen punched, tased
After completing an internal investigation, Lakeland's Chief of Police found his officers' use of force while arresting a teenager was reasonable.
After completing an internal investigation, Lakeland's Chief of Police found his officers' use of force while arresting a teenager was reasonable.
Polk County attorney arrested for stealing more than $1.7M from client's trust, Sheriff Grady Judd says
A Polk County attorney was arrested for stealing more than $1.7 million from his client's trust and then gambling it all away.
A Polk County attorney was arrested for stealing more than $1.7 million from his client's trust and then gambling it all away.
Grady Judd: George Jenkins High student arrested for threatening mass shooting
A 16-year-old student at George Jenkins High School in Lakeland was arrested for threatening a mass shooting at a school, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said.
A 16-year-old student at George Jenkins High School in Lakeland was arrested for threatening a mass shooting at a school, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said.
Septic haulers ask Polk County commissioners for relief after waste treatment facility shuts down
Septic haulers are asking Polk County leaders for some type of relief after a major waste treatment facility shut down. They're concerned customers and the environment are going to end up paying the price.
Septic haulers are asking Polk County leaders for some type of relief after a major waste treatment facility shut down. They're concerned customers and the environment are going to end up paying the price.
Carjacking suspect leads officers on high-speed pursuit, rams 3 Bartow police cars: BPD
A man faces felony charges after Bartow police said he carjacked a driver, then led officers on a high-speed pursuit.
A man faces felony charges after Bartow police said he carjacked a driver, then led officers on a high-speed pursuit.
Antwan Glover arrested again by same officer in viral 2022 arrest, police release bodycam video
Lakeland's Chief of Police is addressing the most recent arrest of a man who was at the center of a viral arrest back in 2022. Just days ago, the same officer who was involved in that incident arrested Glover again.
Lakeland's Chief of Police is addressing the most recent arrest of a man who was at the center of a viral arrest back in 2022. Just days ago, the same officer who was involved in that incident arrested Glover again.
Missing kayaker found dead after disappearing underwater at Lake McLeod: PCSO
An 18-year-old Eagle Lake man went missing on Sunday afternoon while kayaking at Lake McLeod, according to officials.
An 18-year-old Eagle Lake man went missing on Sunday afternoon while kayaking at Lake McLeod, according to officials.
Lakeland child cancer patient surprised with Cybertruck parade: 'It makes me happy'
A 10-year-old girl in Lakeland has another fight ahead of her. She’s battling stage four cancer for the third time. Her community surprised her with her very own Taylor Swift-themed Cybertruck parade.
A 10-year-old girl in Lakeland has another fight ahead of her. She’s battling stage four cancer for the third time. Her community surprised her with her very own Taylor Swift-themed Cybertruck parade.
Officials still searching for missing 18-year-old at Lake McLeod on Monday
Multiple agencies are searching for a missing kayaker at Lake McLeod in Eagle Lake.
Multiple agencies are searching for a missing kayaker at Lake McLeod in Eagle Lake.
Parents arrested in two separate cases for leaving child in hot car in Lake Wales
The Lake Wales Police Department is investigating two separate cases of parents leaving their child in a hot car within just the last two weeks.
The Lake Wales Police Department is investigating two separate cases of parents leaving their child in a hot car within just the last two weeks.
Polk County schools renegotiate school bus camera contract after scrutiny over potential state law violation
Polk County Public Schools' Safe Stop program has come under scrutiny for potentially being out of compliance with state law.
Polk County Public Schools' Safe Stop program has come under scrutiny for potentially being out of compliance with state law.
Man shot, critically injured after fight in Lake Wales; alleged gunman arrested
A Lakes Wales man is charged with attempted first-degree murder in the shooting of another man.
A Lakes Wales man is charged with attempted first-degree murder in the shooting of another man.