Restaurant Inspections: Rodent Poop In Peppers

State inspectors temporarily shut down seven restaurants in the Tampa Bay area last week.

The Shops and Streets are Open for July First Friday

The streets will remain open during July's First Friday festivities in Downtown Lakeland, which means all the fun, plus more parking.

Miss Florida 2017 To Be Crowned In Lakeland

The Miss Florida Pageant is the regional qualifier for the Miss America Pageant.

Joker Marchant, LECOM Finalists In Best of the Ballparks 2017

Fans have until June 19 to vote for the Flying Tigers’ or Marauders' stadiums in the Baseball Digest survey.

Former Juvenile Justice Worker Arrested For Alleged Molestation

The 41-year-old from Orlando is accused of inappropriately touching a girl under 12, Polk Co. officials said. (Breaking)

Polk County School Bus Driver Charged In Sexual Battery

A man whose arrest was announced by Hillsborough deputies Tuesday also worked as a Polk County school bus driver, authorities say.

July Exhibitions & Events at Polk Museum of Art

Here's a rundown of exhibitions & events at the Polk Museum of Art at Florida Southern College in July.

Gas Leak Forces Lakeland Evacuation

The Lakeland Fire Department is evacuating residents near East Palm Drive due to a gas leak.

Downtown Lakeland Partnership Hosts Miss Florida Meet & Greet

Meet the contestants competing to become the next Miss Florida during a Meet & Greet in Downtown Lakeland on June 24.

Merry Leon Shopping Event Returns to Downtown Lakeland

Downtown Lakeland merchants celebrate the six-month countdown to Christmas with a shopping event designed to boost sales

Roaches In A Bucket, Kayak Caper, Dangerous States

Arachnophobia, man named Trigger shot, free food for dads and other stories from Florida Patch.

Legoland Offers Father’s Day Freebie

Legoland is celebrating Father’s Day by offering dads a deal that gets them into the theme park at no cost.

Polk County Plane Crash Pilot ID’d

The pilot whose plane crashed into a Bartow church’s parking lot Sunday has been identified.

Plane Crashes Into Bartow Church’s Parking Lot

One man was injured and six vehicles damaged when a plane crashed into a Polk County church’s parking lot Sunday afternoon.

17 Florida Companies Make Fortune 500 2017 List

The annual Fortune 500 list is out, ranking the biggest companies across America, including 17 from Florida.

Polk County Set To Lift Burn Ban

Polk County is expected to lift its burn ban this week.

Man Stuffs Pants With 15 Quarts Of Pennzoil, DVDs: Video

A Lakeland man’s alleged attempt to shoplift 15 quarts of motor oil and 30 movies backfired.

Enjoy Summer’s Best BBQ at TooJay’s

New made-from-scratch BBQ Chicken Sandwich, BBQ Chicken Salad and BBQ Burger available through September 17

NHL All-Stars, Chipotle Data Breach, Rabies Alert

Hurricane season ‘extremes,’ Sunshine State scores for job seekers, miscarriage certificates and other stories from Florida Patch.

Florida Canine Flu Cases Rise, Outbreak Traced To 2 Dog Shows

University of Florida officials say the state’s first outbreak of the ‘dog flu’ has been traced to two recent shows.

Trauma Therapist Terrorized 2 Kids, Mom: Deputies

A Polk County therapist faces child abuse, battery and molestation charges after deputies say she terrorized a Frostproof family.

Psychic Arrested, Craigslist Trap, Iowa Hit List: Weird Florida

Thief gets away on riding lawn mower, gator causes crash and other stories from Florida Patch.

2 Arrested In Lakeland Man’s Murder

Polk County Sheriff’s deputies have announced the arrest of two men in connection with Preston Burnett’s death.

RP Funding Inks Naming Deal For Lakeland Center

The Lakeland Center has a new name after a deal was inked with RP Funding.

Sex With Minors, Prostitution Sting Nets 39 Arrests

Polk County deputies say some of those arrested in a recent operation thought they were meeting minors to ‘take their virginity.'

Firefighters Dive In To Rescue Injured Owl

Polk County firefighters went above and beyond to bail out an injured owl on Monday.

Polk Museum of Art’s Summer Hours Begin June 1

Summer hours of operation at the Polk Museum of Art begin June 1 and end on Labor Day.

Downtown Lakeland Partnership Seeks Executive Director Applicants

Want to play an integral role in promoting businesses in Downtown Lakeland? Send resumes for the DLP executive director position.

Lakeland Brush Fire Under Control, Roads Open

Roads have reopened near the George Jenkins Boulevard overpass following a brush fire.

Body Found Floating In Mulberry Pond

The discovery of a man’s body in a Mulberry retention pond Tuesday is under investigation by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

Arson, Katy Perry On Tour, Fatal Fall

Shooting at country club, burglary suspect caught napping, Wow House and other stories from Florida Patch.

Highland Homes Recognized as One of Nation’s Top Home Builders

Florida home builder ranked No. 80 by BUILDER Magazine and No. 124 by Professional Builder

FL Poly, Fulbright Canada Open Exchange, Research Programs

This partnership creates study abroad programs, research exchanges, and teaching opportunities at Florida Poly for Fulbright Scholars.

Publix Ties For ‘America’s Favorite’ Grocery Store Honors

Publix tied for first-place honors in a survey meant to reveal America’s favorite grocery retailers.

Lakeland Man's Murder Prompts $5,000 Reward Offer

The Wednesday discovery of a Lakeland man's body in woods near an old golf course has sparked a homicide investigation.

4 Tampa Bay Area Companies Rank Among America’s Best Employers: Forbes

Forbes has released its annual list of the best employers in the country. See which Tampa Bay firms made the grade.

Man Possibly Impaled On Stolen Knife Identified

A 53-year-old Lakeland man has been identified as the person who died following a shoplifting incident in Plant City.

Boxer Shorts, Crazy Cash Register, Stolen Wi-Fi

Reptilian traffic jam, dead-end turn, hot pursuit of a zebra and other stories from Florida Patch.

Hit-And-Run Zebra, World Record, Scam Alert

Tree crushes grandma’s car, deputy accused of squashing evidence, why people drive drunk and other stories from Florida Patch.

Lakeland Man, 25, Killed In Hardee County Crash

A 25-year-old Lakeland motorcyclist was killed in a Wednesday crash in Hardee County.