This week we're featuring a striking photo taken by Cyndi Edwards of a sunrise Mud Lake in Polk City.
An actor who was told to get out of NYC when the pandemic hit returned to Florida and franchised a garage and pressure-washing business.
Instead of students choosing among three learning options, as they did last year, the 2021-2022 school year will have in-person or virtual.
The unemployment rate in Polk County is higher than the Florida average.
For the Next Week, You Can Join the Best Online Summer Camp in Town and enjoy 25% OFF Tuition
Patch has your complete guide to Fourth of July fireworks shows, parades and other celebrations in and around Lakeland.
A Winter Haven man faces charges following a battery incident when authorities found disturbing images of children in his possession.
A Polk County EMT worker and two other Lakeland residents face multiple charges relating to the U.S. Capitol attacks Jan. 6.
Nationally, applications for financial aid are down this year.
Lakeland has a new millionaire after a $5 investment at a local store turned a lucky resident into a lottery winner.
Sheriff Grady Judd says he is not using "kid gloves" with Pinellas County juveniles accused of multiple illegal activities in Polk.
A 50-year-old man who had spent about a day out of jail after serving 30 days now faces charges of aggravated assault on an officer.
This is how the Lakeland area compares to Florida for coronavirus vaccinations.
A Polk County man accused of fleeing to Mexico in 2007 to avoid trial for manslaughter was arrested in Mexico Monday and sent to the U.S.
A dog got into a fight with a raccoon Wednesday, June 16, in Polk City, authorities said. The raccoon tested positive for rabies afterward.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office is hiring for school crossing guard positions in several locations.
A suspect who drives a motorcycle has been accused of stealing Ronald McDonald boxes from Tampa Bay and Lakeland locations. Do you know him?
A California man will be extradited to the Polk County Jail after detectives arrested him on charges of sharing sexual images with a child.
The Winter Haven Police Department has issued an arrest warrant for 39-year-old Elijah Cox, Sr., who is accused of injuring a victim.
A man is charged with murder in the execution-style death of a Bartow man. Police said the victim bought drugs from the accused shooter.
A Lakeland diner expressed frustration with being short-staffed on a sign that also blamed it on government handouts. This upset locals.
Home prices are up more than 10 percent in the Lakeland area since the pandemic began.
A suspect accused of killing a man that worked on his car in his driveway was indicted Friday by the Polk County Grand Jury.
A driver lost control of her car when it took the SR-570 exit Saturday morning, and crashed into a Road Ranger that was parked on the side.
If you drink water from the tap, refrain from doing that for the next 48 hours due to a boil water notice. Drink bottled water instead.
A Clearwater elementary school teacher faces a DUI charge after police found her slumped over in her car in Auburndale Friday morning.
Undercover detectives with the Polk County Sheriff's Office arrested two men Tuesday with charges of indecent exposure at local parks.
Drivers experienced delays on both sides of Interstate-4 Thursday morning during the commute to work because of a crash blocking traffic.
A Lakeland church's youth pastor is accused of driving one of his youth group members to a local motel for sex, police said.
The Polk County School board voted unanimously Tuesday night to lift mask requirements for students during the upcoming school year.
The Winter Haven Police Department asks anyone who knows the whereabouts of a missing Winter Haven woman to contact authorities.
Deputies have charged two teens with first degree murder in the shooting death of a Bartow teen. Two suspects are still at large.
Polk County's unemployment rate is higher than the Florida average.
A jealous boyfriend under the influence of cocaine shot and killed the mother of his four kids following a family gathering, police said.
Duke Energy and Coca-Cola found multiple child porn images on a former employee's work-issued laptop and flash drives, Polk deputies said.
Publish a photo of pops on the Lakeland Patch for Father’s Day 2021 to share your favorite father-son or father-daughter moments.
Teachers, students, and their families can receive a vaccine dose in June at two Polk schools that are hosting a pop-up vaccination clinic.
The Polk County Public Schools District will honor two recent high school graduates who had perfect attendance every school year.
A Lakeland man faces an attempted first degree murder charge after police accused him of shooting a male victim Wednesday night.