Destructive grasshoppers invading Bay Area gardens
An invasion of mighty munchers is descending on the Bay Area as the population of Florida’s biggest and most voracious grasshopper is growing right now.
An invasion of mighty munchers is descending on the Bay Area as the population of Florida’s biggest and most voracious grasshopper is growing right now.
Bear found roaming downtown Haines City
Floridians see all kinds of wildlife, but during an evening drive for Jonathan Anglin, he was surprised to see a bear in downtown Haines City.
Floridians see all kinds of wildlife, but during an evening drive for Jonathan Anglin, he was surprised to see a bear in downtown Haines City.
Blue-green algae discovered in three Polk County lakes
Another three lakes in Polk County were added to a growing list of places with algae blooms.
Another three lakes in Polk County were added to a growing list of places with algae blooms.
Three-time PGA Tour winner dies in Polk County crash
Polk County deputies say 59-year-old Bart Bryant, three-time PGA Tour champion, died after a car rear-ended his vehicle in a construction area.
Polk County deputies say 59-year-old Bart Bryant, three-time PGA Tour champion, died after a car rear-ended his vehicle in a construction area.
Construction thefts on the rise in Polk County as it continues to grow, prices increase
Polk County continues to be one of the fastest growing areas in the country, making for more potential targets for construction thefts as more goes up across the county.
Polk County continues to be one of the fastest growing areas in the country, making for more potential targets for construction thefts as more goes up across the county.
Police: Polk paramedic punched handicapped patient in the head
Police in Bartow arrested a Polk County paramedic for felony battery after they say he put his knee on a 67-year-old handicapped patient's chest and punched the man in the head because he was being uncooperative. The victim was already being restrained by other first responders and was unable to move at the time, investigators said.
Police in Bartow arrested a Polk County paramedic for felony battery after they say he put his knee on a 67-year-old handicapped patient's chest and punched the man in the head because he was being uncooperative. The victim was already being restrained by other first responders and was unable to move at the time, investigators said.
Feds: Four Polk County men posed as law enforcement, committed armed robberies across Florida counties
Federal agents say four Polk County men were involved in a rash of armed robberies, all while pretending to be law enforcement officers.
Federal agents say four Polk County men were involved in a rash of armed robberies, all while pretending to be law enforcement officers.
Child, neighbor help grandmother, siblings escape Lakeland house fire
A 70-year-old woman and her five grandchildren safely made it out of their Lakeland home after it caught fire Friday evening.
A 70-year-old woman and her five grandchildren safely made it out of their Lakeland home after it caught fire Friday evening.
Winter Haven man disappears following family dispute
Police in Winter Haven continue to search for Jose Orlando Morales Soto, 36, who was last seen on May 20 at his home on Cambridge Drive.
Police in Winter Haven continue to search for Jose Orlando Morales Soto, 36, who was last seen on May 20 at his home on Cambridge Drive.
Lawyer for woman accused in viral McDonald's meltdown claims Sheriff Judd made mockery of client
A war of words is unfolding in Polk County over what happened at a Lakeland McDonald's a week ago.
A war of words is unfolding in Polk County over what happened at a Lakeland McDonald's a week ago.
‘I was smoking my meth pipe’: Florida man totals tractor-trailer during delivery to Publix shopping center
A tractor-trailer delivery driver is facing possession of methamphetamine charges after crashing into the back of a Publix shopping center in Haines City on Thursday afternoon.
A tractor-trailer delivery driver is facing possession of methamphetamine charges after crashing into the back of a Publix shopping center in Haines City on Thursday afternoon.
Algae bloom leads health officials to issue warning for Lake Hamilton ahead of holiday weekend
The Florida Department of Health is warning people to stay away from a recreational spot in Polk County this holiday weekend.
The Florida Department of Health is warning people to stay away from a recreational spot in Polk County this holiday weekend.
Winter Haven police officer accused of fraudulently reporting hours he didn't work
WHPD said 28-year-old Antonio Arias was arrested on grand theft and property obtained by communications fraud (valued at more than $10,000) charges. The officer has been on paid administrative leave since March 22 once the department started its criminal investigation after receiving information about special detail pay Arias received while off-duty.
WHPD said 28-year-old Antonio Arias was arrested on grand theft and property obtained by communications fraud (valued at more than $10,000) charges. The officer has been on paid administrative leave since March 22 once the department started its criminal investigation after receiving information about special detail pay Arias received while off-duty.
New NOAA research takes hurricane hunting to new heights
Researchers at the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration’s operations center in Lakeland are testing new technology that could help forecasters more accurately predict a hurricane’s movement and intensity.
Researchers at the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration’s operations center in Lakeland are testing new technology that could help forecasters more accurately predict a hurricane’s movement and intensity.
Lake Wales schools, businesses prepare for population to double over 10 years
Lake Wales is preparing for the continued wave of new residents. The city is going through a Renaissance in preparation for the population to double in the next 10 years.
Lake Wales is preparing for the continued wave of new residents. The city is going through a Renaissance in preparation for the population to double in the next 10 years.
Investigators try to identify man found dead in the woods in Haines City
Haines City police said they are trying to identify the body of a man found dead in the woods near Lily Avenue and 9th Street North.
Haines City police said they are trying to identify the body of a man found dead in the woods near Lily Avenue and 9th Street North.
Federal court allows rare severance from co-defendants for accused Capitol rioter from Florida
A Lakeland man accused in the January 6th Capitol riots, along with four co-defendants, has been granted a rare separation from the others in his case.
A Lakeland man accused in the January 6th Capitol riots, along with four co-defendants, has been granted a rare separation from the others in his case.
Former Lakeland commissioner sentenced to 3 years for deadly shooting
The former Lakeland city commissioner was sentenced to three years in prison for shooting and killing a homeless man back in 2018.
The former Lakeland city commissioner was sentenced to three years in prison for shooting and killing a homeless man back in 2018.
Runners, walkers raise money in honor of fallen officers
More than 600 people gathered Saturday morning to run or walk in the 6th annual Lakeland Police Foundation Fallen Heroes Memorial 5K.
More than 600 people gathered Saturday morning to run or walk in the 6th annual Lakeland Police Foundation Fallen Heroes Memorial 5K.
'She created a McMess': Polk County woman arrested for calling 911 over McDonald's order
The Polk County Sheriff's office arrested a woman they say called 911 and assaulted restaurant workers because her McDonald's order was wrong.
The Polk County Sheriff's office arrested a woman they say called 911 and assaulted restaurant workers because her McDonald's order was wrong.