Rabid stray cat attacks 5 people, 1 puppy in Lakeland: PCAC

A rabid stray cat terrorized a north Lakeland neighborhood, biting five people and attacking a puppy before dying under a home, according to reports from Polk County Animal Control.

Clearwater Beach ‘teen takeover’ shooting suspect arrested

A 16-year-old boy accused of shooting another teenager multiple times during a ‘teen takeover' on Clearwater Beach on Sunday has been arrested. 

Missing Florida teen found in sex offender’s closet in Polk County: Sheriff

A missing teenage girl has been recovered, and a registered sex offender has been arrested after she was discovered in a sex offender’s closet in Polk County.

Major Cody Khork to return home to Polk County Wednesday, community prepares to honor fallen soldier

A solemn homecoming is planned for Wednesday, March 18, for U.S. Army Reserve Major Cody A. Khork, 35, the Polk County servicemember killed in the line of duty while serving in the Middle East. 

Sheriff Grady Judd blasts media reports that he criticizes federal mass deportation efforts: 'Simply not true'

After media reports surfaced stating that Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd and members of the State Immigration Enforcement Council criticized the federal government's mass deportation efforts during a meeting on Monday, Judd held one of his famous press conferences to set the record straight. 

Polk County woman used meth before hit-and-run crash that killed 1 child, critically injured another: PCSO

A Winter Haven woman accused in a deadly hit-and-run crash told investigators she used methamphetamine moments before getting behind the wheel Wednesday night despite having a suspended license due to a previous DUI arrest. 

Suspected driver in custody after child killed, another critically injured in Polk County hit-and-run crash

The suspected driver accused of hitting two young children outside a church Wednesday evening, killing an 8-year-old boy and leaving another 10-year-old fighting for his life, has been arrested. 

Family of fallen Army Capt. Cody Khork launches ROTC scholarship at Florida Southern College

Before he was a captain serving his country overseas, Cody Khork was a student at Florida Southern College. He was a political science major, a fraternity brother, and a young man defined by a deep-seated heart for service.

Polk County substitute teacher accused of lewd and lascivious conduct

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a substitute teacher after multiple students at two middle schools alleged inappropriate conduct.

Lakeland cleaning lady accused of ‘cleaning out’ more customers and pawning their stolen jewelry

A Facebook post from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office about a cleaning lady who was accused of stealing thousands of dollars of jewelry from a customer’s home led her to be re-arrested after another customer saw the post online, searched her home and realized her $2500 ring was missing.