Man Arrested For Pointing Laser At PCSO Helicopter: Sheriff

The Polk County Sheriff's Office said Douglas Norris, 52, admitted to pointing the laser at the helicopter. He now faces felony charges.

Lakeland Linder International Airport Has New Interim Director

Lakeland City Manager Shawn Sherrouse has appointed Kris Hallstrand to the job. He previously served as the airport's assistant director.

Future Winter Haven School To Be Discussed At Public Meeting

Polk County Public Schools is hosting a public meeting at Chain of Lakes Elementary to talk about the boundary zone of an elementary school.

1st Rabies Case 2022 In Polk County

Owners of a dog became concerned for its health after it carried a live bat in its mouth after it found one in a Winter Haven area.

Child Porn Charges Filed Against 5 Polk County Men: Sheriff

Four suspects in Bartow and Lakeland accused of owning sexual images of children have been arrested. A fifth suspect is in China.

Publix To Remove Russian-Made Vodkas, Showing Support For Ukraine

Publix joins many U.S. businesses that have discontinued business with Russia to show support for Ukraine.

College Fair At Florida Southern To Host In-Person Event

The Polk County District College Fair will have its first ever face-to-face function since 2019 in March. Businesses will also be there.

Emergency Plan For Waste Collection In Polk County Begins

If you are unsure of which hauler resources service your home during the temporary schedule, find out on the interactive map in this story.

Haines City Police Annual Award Named For Station's 1st Black Cop

Frazier Neumon became a police officer in 1952 in Polk County making him one of the first Black officers to be hired in the area.

FL Strawberry Festival To Include New Foods, Free Entertainment

Singers, magicians, circus performers, musicians and exhibits comprise the Florida Strawberry Festival's new free entertainment lineup.

World's 1st Peppa Pig Theme Park Now Open In Winter Haven

Preschoolers can experience the famous pig, Peppa, in person at the character's first stand alone-site in Polk County near Legoland.

$6 Million Expansion Planned At Polk Museum Of Art

More than 10,000 sq. ft. of gallery, classroom and art laboratory space to be added at Lakeland's academic achievement museum in 2023.

Six Polk County Cities Preparing For April 5 Elections

If you are an unregistered voter who resides in a city within the county holding upcoming elections, voter registration deadline is soon.

Emergency Waste Plan To Serve Unincorporated Polk Homes

Residents will soon have a garbage-free zone after Polk County reached an agreement with waste hauler, FCC, to pick up uncollected trash.

Charges Upgraded To Murder After Stabbing Victim Dies: Sheriff

A Madison, Fla., man is accused by Polk County Sheriff's Office deputies of carjacking and stabbing a victim in Haines City on Friday.

Asphalt Paving Business Scam Uncovered In Winter Haven: Sheriff

Three out-of-state men are accused of finding Polk County business owners and pressuring them to buy their unregistered pavement services.

BayCare Health System: BayCare Names New Polk Region Chief Nursing Officer

After a national search, BayCare has named Kristen Smith, MSN, RN, as the new Chief Nursing Officer for BayCare Polk County hospitals. S ...

Bomb Threat Made At Curtis Building In Lakeland: Report

Employees were evacuated Wednesday morning after a person called in a bomb threat to the Curtis Peterson Building in downtown.

Missed Trash Pickups Causes Local State Of Emergency In Polk

Residents in unincorporated Polk County have experienced ongoing waste collection problems that have turned into health concerns.

Orlando Man Accused Of Having Cocaine, Trying to Hit Deputy: Cops

A Polk County Sheriff's Office K-9 apprehended a suspect in Lakeland Saturday as he tried to hide from officers following a traffic stop.

Cuban Sandwich Shop To Close, Landlord Won't Renew Lease: Report

A popular restaurant in downtown Lakeland that's been around for 36 years won't make it to see year 37 at the same location.

BayCare Health System: Bartow Regional Medical Center's Ascent To Top 100

As a nursing student in 2003, the last place Brandon Stephens expected to build a fulfilling career was Bartow Regional Medical Center. ...

Lakeland Linder International To Host Emergency Exercises

Fourteen Tampa Bay agencies will participate in the Federal Aviation Administration required practice at the Polk County airport.

Lakeland's Peloton Facility To Close, Lay Off All Workers

The in-home exercise bike, Peloton, that gained popularity and high stock prices in 2020 will lose more than 2,000 employees nationwide.

6-Year-Old Boy Dies From Head Injury After Dirt Bike Hit Him

A Bartow child who suffered a traumatic brain injury after he stepped off a school bus and was hit by a motor bike died Wednesday.

Woman Throws Barbie Doll At Walmart Worker: Report

Winter Haven police want to find a shopper who said she got an employee discount through a fictitious worker before injuring a person.

More Than $64M Issued For Flood Prevention In 8 FL Communities

Gov. Ron DeSantis told reporters in Bartow Tuesday that Polk County and Pinellas County are among areas getting drainage assistance.

Deputies Stop More Than 400 Speeding Drivers On I-4 In Polk

Officers recorded the highest speed of vehicles on the interstate at 109 mph in January. Eighteen drivers sped more than 100 mph.

BayCare Health System: Winter Haven Hospital Only Hospital In State To Offer Coronary Brachytherapy

See the latest announcement from BayCare Health System.

Thank A Polk County School Crossing Guard Friday

Sheriff Grady Judd is asking the community to show appreciation to the 130 school crossing guards employed by the sheriff's office.

Body Found After YouTubers Locate Car Linked To Missing FL Woman

Divers from a popular YouTube channel discovered a car linked to missing woman, Margaret Shupe Smith, in a retention pond in Lakeland.

Firefighter Double Deposited Work Paycheck: Polk Sheriff

A county employee faces fraud charges after he cashed a work check worth $2,772 that had been deposited a day before in his bank account

Upcoming Hazardous Waste, Electronics Disposal Event In Lakeland

Find out the types of chemical substances and electronics accepted on Saturday in the Lakeland Solid Waste parking lot here.

Man Shot 6 Times After He Tells Officer 'I Have A Gun': Sheriff

A deputy with the Polk County Sheriff's Office shot a suspect who pointed an object at him following a string of overnight car thefts.

Latest Hospital Capacity In Lakeland Area

Updated federal data shows how many hospital beds are currently filled in Polk County.

Recruitment For Poll Workers In Polk County

The Polk County Supervisor of Elections Office is hosting two upcoming meetings for residents interested in paid voting work.

Senior Affordable Auburndale Housing Available In New Complex

Polk County Housing and Neighborhood Development will soon start leasing out more than 100 units to those who meet income requirements.

Car Gun Battle Kills 1, Critically Injures 3 In Winter Haven

The Polk County Sheriff's Office has begun investigating a fatal shooting that occurred early Sunday morning between two groups of people.

At-Home COVID Tests Available To Polk County Students, Staff

Find out here where you can get an at-home COVID-19 test kit here. The school district has made the pick-up service drive-thru only.

'Swipe Left For Meth' Drug Sting Operation Nets Dealers: Sheriff

More than 60 suspects were busted on drug charges during the sheriff's office six-month undercover operation using dating apps like Grindr.