Polk County Election Day: Where, When To Vote

Polk County voters are headed to the polls on Election Day. Know what to bring and where to go here.

Daylight Saving Time Ends: What Time The Sun Sets In Lakeland

The pandemic added steam to the biannual debate over Daylight Saving Time, which will mean the sun sets earlier in Lakeland Sunday.

Early Voting In Polk Ends Sunday, Where To Drop Off Ballots

Here's your reminder of voting deadlines in Polk County for early voting, mail-in-ballots, drop off ballots and Election Day.

Woman Bites Victim's Hand, Tries To Steal Her Car: Sheriff

A woman faces multiple charges after she is accused of following a woman into a Taco Bell bathroom in Lakeland, and trying to steal her car.

Coronavirus Call Center Scheduled To Open At Polk Public Schools

A call center that will focus on coronavirus questions will soon be available to parents with children enrolled in Polk County schools.

Sheriff Searches For Polk City Circle K Robbery Suspects

The Polk County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help locating two suspects who were involved in a convenience store robbery.

Investigators Seek Shooting Suspect: Lakeland Police

The Lakeland Police Department is asking for the public's help locating a man who is accused of being involved in a Polk County shooting.

Winter Haven Residency Program Welcomes First Residents

These first-year physicians see patients at the BayCare Medical Group Family Health Center.

Polk County Elections: Congressional, State Legislature

Polk County voters have a lot on the ballot Nov. 3, including county commission seats, a referendum, congressional, and state legislature.

'Guaranteed Admissions' Program For Kathleen High Students To USF

The University of South Florida has entered a partnership with Kathleen High that guarantees college acceptance to USF for students.

Ways To Help On Make A Difference Day In Lakeland

Donating time or resources to your local food bank is recommended.

Visit Lakeland's Pumpkin Patch Before It's Too Late

For many families, this weekend is the last chance to visit a pumpkin patch in Lakeland. Do you have a favorite spot?

How To Roast Seeds After A Pumpkin Patch Visit In Lakeland

If you visited a pumpkin patch, you have carving and cooking to do. Here's our favorite seed recipe and how to preserve your pumpkin.

FWC Employee Accused Of Punching A Homeless Man: Sheriff

A 21-year-old man faces battery charges after a verbal argument with a homeless man led him to allegedly punch the victim, deputies said.

Lakeland Man Wins $1 Million In Florida Lottery

A 61-year-old man scratched his way to being rich with a 200X The Cash scratch-off game purchased in Lakeland.

Substitute Crossing Guards Needed In Winter Haven

The Polk County Sheriff's Office is recruiting substitute crossing guards to help children safely cross the street at school.

Lakeland's New City Manager Is Shawn Sherrouse: Commission

In a 6-1 vote by the Lakeland City Commission, Shawn Sherrouse will serve as the city manager, taking the place of Tony Delgado.

Polk Pastor Accused Of Exploiting Elderly Woman For $36,440

A 46-year-old pastor at Calvary First Assembly faces charges for exploiting an elderly woman with physical impairments, police said.

Haunted Jail Tour Canceled: Halloween Options, Safety Tips

A lot of Halloween events are canceled due to the coronavirus. Here's a list of safety tips if you're taking the kids to trick-or-treat.

Friend Tire enters Florida market, leases industrial space

Colliers International facilitates lease transaction for tire company’s Florida distribution center

Polk County Voter 2020 Guide: Early Voting, Vote-By-Mail

Polk County residents can vote early in person or by mail, or they can go to the polls on Nov. 3. Here's how to vote, deadlines.

Man Tied To Double Homicide Sought By Winter Haven Police

The Winter Haven Police Department is looking for a man they believe is connected to a double homicide that happened at a nearby motel.

Bicyclist In Critical Condition From Hit-And-Run In Frostproof

Deputies located a hit-and-run driver in Polk who faces charges of leaving the scene of a crash with serious bodily injury, police said.

District Wants Polk Community's Opinion For New Superintendent

The Polk County School District has opened surveys and forums to the public to learn the qualities expected from a person in this role.

Man With Machete Charges At Police, Shot Dead: Sheriff's Office

The Polk County Sheriff's Office responded to a domestic disturbance call in Frostproof that led to a deputy-involved shooting, police said.

$400,000 Worth Of Methamphetamine Trafficked Into Polk: Sheriff

The Polk County Sheriff's Office nabbed two suspects from Georgia who brought a high cash amount of narcotics into the county, police said.

Registered Sex Offenders List In Lakeland: 2020 Safety Map

Fall is a good time to take inventory of who is in your neighborhood, and where the registered sex offenders live in your Lakeland area.

Box Truck Crashes And Shuts Down SR 400: Highway Patrol

The Florida Highway Patrol closed down a portion of SR 400 after a box truck ran into a parked vehicle on the shoulder, troopers said.

'Purge Your Pills & Shred Your Stuff' Event In Winter Haven

Winter Haven police is giving the public a chance to shred confidential paper information and dispose of pills at its annual event.

How To Make Sure Your Mail-In-Ballot Is Counted In Polk County

Patch has tips to make sure your mail-in-ballot is counted, and what to do if your signature on a FL ballot is rejected.

Patch Wants To Showcase Your Lakeland Halloween, Fall Decorations

Send us your photos of painted or intricately carved pumpkins and Halloween-themed decorations to be shared with Patch readers.

Missing Lakeland Woman Found Safe: Police

A 65-year-old woman who went missing from her Lakeland home on Saturday evening has been found safe, said police.

Columbus Day Or Indigenous Peoples Day: What Lakeland Celebrates

As states and cities continue to switch from Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day, here's how we'll observe Oct. 12 in Lakeland.

Fingerprinting Services At Polk County Sheriff's Office Resume

The Polk County Sheriff's Office announced its upcoming date to begin fingerprinting services with strict coronavirus guidelines.

The Biggest Pumpkin In The Patch: Can Lakeland Beat U.S. Record?

Make your visit to the pumpkin patches around Lakeland a school field trip. What else in nature weighs 2,500-2,600 pounds?

5 Ways To Fall For Autumn In Lakeland; Pumpkin Patch, Fests

Celebrate fall by volunteering at a food bank, visiting a pumpkin patch, carving a jack-o'-lantern and baking up a storm.

Lakeland-Area Pumpkin Patch Guide, Weekend Weather Forecast

Is your family planning to visit a pumpkin patch this weekend in the Lakeland area? Here's the latest weather forecast

Lakeland Pumpkin Patch Bounty: How About From-Scratch Pie?

For your coronavirus stress baking, head to a pumpkin patch near Lakeland and make a perfect from-scratch pumpkin pie.

Substitute Crossing Guards Needed In Polk County: Sheriff

The Polk County Sheriff's Office is seeking residents in the area to fill open positions for substitute crossing guards at schools.

Fuel Spill Near Lakeland High School Causes Road Closure

Drivers on U.S. Highway 98 near Hollingsworth Road experienced delays Wednesday morning due to a fuel spill near the school, said police.