The Polk County Board of County Commissioners has failed in its fundamental obligation to represent the…
Category: Local
Polk County restaurants closed by inspectors because of roaches
On Dec. 2, Shanghai Chinese Restaurant at 2344 Griffin Road in Lakeland was temporarily closed after an inspector…
Florida woman accused of unlawful sexual activity with 16-year-old boy: ‘A betrayal of trust’
A Wauchula woman is accused of having sex with a minor after the mother of a…
Another Rescue car added to Lakeland/Rockridge
To bolster Polk County Fire Rescue’s (PCFR) coverage of the north Lakeland, central Lakeland, and Polk…
Lakeland traffic stop leads to discovery of 250 grams of marijuana, thousands of dollars in cash
An Orlando man was arrested and charged in Polk County last weekend after the Florida Highway…
Trap, neuter and release? Polk Sheriff’s Office calls it a ‘terrible idea’, but are they really telling the truth?
For more than three years, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office has taken a deluge of criticism…
Update: Man dies from serious burns during incident at Haines City High School Sunday evening
A 32-year old man from Brooklyn, New York, died Monday, January 5, 2026, after suffering severe…
Marcelle Waldon sentenced to death for murders of Lakeland city commissioner, her husband in 2020
A Polk County court gave Marcelle Waldon the death penalty for the 2020 murders of Edith…
Lakeland turns to AI to spot potholes and road cracks
Sensors on city vehicles will collect daily data about pavement conditions. Lakeland will soon use real-time…
FATAL CRASH INVESTIGATION
On Sunday, January 4, 2026, at approximately 7:26 p.m., officers responded to a traffic crash in…
Lakeland City Commission Meeting on January 5, 2026
Lakeland City Commission Meeting on January 5, 2026, at 9 a.m. in the Hollingsworth Room at…
Repticon brings exotic animals and education to Lakeland
If you’re into creepy, crawly animals, there’s a convention in Lakeland for you. Snakes, spiders, reptiles, oh my!…
SPCA Florida gives specialized care to kittens burned in a house fire
On New Year’s Eve, the SPCA Florida received a call from their rescue partners in Lakeland…
Ringing in the New Year in the cutest way.
Happy New Year to you and your loved ones! At 12:06 AM, we welcomed the first…
Minute Maid Ramp Road Two Closure Postponed Due to Adjacent Roadway Improvement Project
The 39-day roadway closure scheduled to begin at 7 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 5, on Minute…
Retired Lakeland officer arrested for making threats over parking ticket at Publix
A retired law enforcement officer who spent decades working in Polk County has found himself behind…
Publix recall update: Customers urged to return products
The latest recalls by Publix—covering both Rice & Pigeon Peas and Maple Walnut Coffee Cake—underscore the importance of accurate labeling…
Stolen Motorcycle – Can you help with information?
A 2026 black Kawasaki ZX6R with Florida tag SDLP61 was stolen in the early morning hours…
‘Not in my neighborhood’: Lakeland Planning Board Blocks Talbot House Move to Memorial
Lakeland’s Planning and Zoning Board voted 4-1 on Dec. 16 to block Talbot House Ministries from relocating its homeless…
Crash with Injuries Causes Roadblock on Kathleen Rd
A vehicle crash with injuries and an active roadblock was reported late Thursday morning along the…
Is Polk County Animal Services committing unnecessary overload, torment, deprive of sustenance/shelter, or mutilate/kill animals?
Florida Statute 828.12 defines and penalizes animal cruelty, making it illegal to unnecessarily overload, torment, deprive…
West Highlands Street Roadway Closure Extended to Jan. 12
All lanes on West Highlands Street between Kings Manor Trail Court and Beech Avenue in front of the…
Polk County Fire Rescue Responds to Fatal Fire on Bendelow Drive
Polk County Fire Rescue (PCFR) crews responded to a fatal fire on Bendelow Drive in Lakeland…
School-Zone Speed Camera Installations Nearing Completion
The City of Lakeland is implementing a new automated traffic safety program, as part of the…
Brush Fire Response & Safety Reminder
Lakeland Fire Department responded to a brush fire in a wooded area near Oakbridge Boulevard and…
Detours for I-4 and SR 33 Begins January 5
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is notifying motorists of upcoming nighttime detours scheduled for January…
Speed Humps Approved for Roads in Lakeland and Mulberry
Eight Speed Humps Approved for Roads in Lakeland and Mulberry Lakeland and Mulberry residents will no…
Our Local Lakeland Police Citizens Academy Alumni Association is SIMPLY THE BEST!
At their recent monthly meeting, the LPCAAA presented generous donation checks giving in total $27,000 to…
With cold conditions forecast this week, Talbot House Ministries is offering an emergency service shelter
With cold conditions forecast this week, Talbot House Ministries is offering an emergency service shelter located at 814…
Lakeland family forced to euthanize 10 week old sick puppy adopted from Polk County Animal Control Shelter
A Lakeland family is devastated after they said they were forced to euthanize their sick puppy before Christmas.…
Polk County Burn Ban Remains in Effect Heading into the New Year
As Polk County continues experiencing unseasonably dry weather conditions, Polk County’s burn ban remains in effect.…
AdventHealth Heart of Florida, American Heart Association team up to donate CPR kit to three fire departments to help educate community members on life-saving training
The Davenport Fire Department was one of three agencies in Polk County to receive the CPR…
Search continues for Lakeland Air Force veteran who disappeared 8 years ago
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement recently marked eight years since a Lakeland Air Force veteran was last seen.…
Central Florida Woman Arrested Speeding 113 MPH on Motorcycle on I-4
A Central Florida woman was recently arrested for speeding at 113 MPH on a motorcycle on…
Polk County Officials Enact Burn Ban
As Polk County experiences unseasonably dry weather conditions due to a prolonged lack of rainfall throughout…
Scooter driver killed in Christmas Day crash with car on U.S. 27 in Davenport
A 52-year-old scooter driver was killed in a Christmas Day crash with a sedan on U.S.…
Amid Polk County burn ban, are fireworks allowed for New Year’s Eve?
While a current burn ban in Polk County includes a prohibition on lighting fireworks, the Polk…
Sexual Offenders and Predators within 5 miles of Downtown Lakeland
Sexual Offenders and Predators Search
Polk County Sheriff Adds 46 New Child Pornography Charges, Now Being Held Without Bond
Polk County Sheriff’s Office Cyber Crimes detectives arrested 39-year-old Andrew “Drew” McGaffigan of Auburndale on December…
Golf cart driver crossing US-92 dies after being stuck by car
A golf cart driver is dead after the Polk County Sheriff’s Office says he drove across US-92 at…