4 Florida first responders hospitalized after ambulance responding to call crashes into store: deputies
Four Polk County Fire Rescue members were injured after an ambulance crashed into the side of a store in Lakeland, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
Lost alligator surprises students on first day at Central Florida school, deputies say
As students at a Central Florida high school embarked on their first day back to school, they were encountered by a rather unconventional classmate – a lost alligator.
Florida teen driver going 80 mph in 45 mph zone arrested after crashing into SUV, injuring 4: FHP
Troopers have arrested a Florida teenage driver who reportedly ran off after speeding and crashing into an SUV, injuring four people in Polk County over the weekend. The crash happened after 12 a.m. Sunday at the intersection of Ronald Reagan Parkway and Pine Tree Trail.
British tourists get full Florida experience when they come face-to-face with giant alligator
A family from the United Kingdom visiting a Polk County reserve for the first time was in for a Florida-style shock when they witnessed an alligator crossing the trail less than 15 feet away from them.
Several injured after Amtrak train derails in Lakeland in crash involving semi-truck: Sheriff
An Amtrak train derailed in Lakeland, Florida on Friday evening after a crash involving a semi-truck, first responders said.
Four arrested for stealing nearly $40k worth of appliances from Polk County construction sites: Deputies
Four men have been arrested after stealing nearly $40,000 worth of appliances and building materials from construction sites in Polk County, according to authorities.
Florida man smoking meth shot, killed after opening firing on SWAT team in Polk County: sheriff
A suspect is dead after he fired shots at a Polk County SWAT team, who returned fire, killing him Thursday night, authorities said.
Grady Judd: 3 generations busted of family drug trafficking operation busted with enough fentanyl to kill 95K
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office says it seized enough fentanyl to kill nearly 100,000 people when deputies arrested 12 people in a family-run drug trafficking operation.
'It doesn't feel real': Polk County teen killed in jet ski accident on Frostproof lake
Family and friends of the 17-year-old jet skier killed in an accident on Lake Clinch in Frostproof are still processing the loss that they said feels sudden and far too soon.
Florida teen dies after being thrown off Jet Ski without life jacket: deputies
The body of a 17-year-old boy was recovered from a lake in Polk County after he apparently drowned following a Jet Ski incident, officials said.
1 person rescued after being trapped in Polk County mobile home fire
Firefighters rescued one person who was trapped in a mobile home during a fire in Polk County.
Disney employee among 8 men arrested in ‘horrific’ Polk County child pornography bust, sheriff says
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is searching for children who may have been sexually victimized after detectives arrested eight men, including a Disney employee, for child pornography.
Orlando woman drank tequila, smoked weed before causing crash that threw 2 children from vehicle: deputies
An Orlando woman who admitted to taking four shots of tequila and smoking marijuana is accused of causing multiple crashes that injured four people, including two young children who were thrown from her vehicle on Friday, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office. The children remain hospitalized in critical condition.
Man steals police car with K9 inside, crashes it after burglarizing Amscot in Winter Haven: officials
Authorities have arrested a man they said stole a police car with a K-9 inside and crashed it into multiple vehicles after burglarizing a cash advance business in Winter Haven.
Polk deputies: Mulberry driver who caused double-fatal crash was illegally in the U.S.
Polk County investigators arrested the driver involved in Tuesday's deadly crash that injured five people, including a Bartow High senior who is set to graduate this month. Officials said the suspect didn't have a valid driver's license and was in the country illegally.
Man accused of randomly stabbing Davenport RaceTrac employee less than 1 month after being released from jail
A RaceTrac employee is recovering after police say she was stabbed by a convicted felon Monday morning.
Man accused of murdering Lake Wales mother and her 3 kids shot, killed by officers at Florida motel
The man accused of murdering a Lake Wales mother and her three children was shot and killed by a law enforcement officer at a motel north of Orlando on Wednesday, according to police.
Bicyclist killed in Polk County hit and run crash: Deputies
A bicyclist was killed during a hit and run crash that happened near Winter Haven in Polk County Saturday night.
2 dead, 4 hurt in multi-vehicle crash in Four Corners area of Polk County: sheriff
Two people are dead and four others are injured after a crash in the Four Corners area of northeast Polk County.
Polk County man shoots, kills stepson before turning gun on himself following hostage situation, police say
A man and his 19-year-old stepson are dead following a hostage situation early Monday morning in Lake Wales.