Deaconess Harriet Bedell: Honoring a local saint on her Feast Day
Deaconess Harriet Bedell left an indelible mark on Southwest Florida history. Today marks 57 years since she passed away on Jan. 8, 1969, in Davenport, Florida. She is honored as a saint in the Episcopal Church, with her feast day observed on this date. So, it felt appropriate to take...
New details after woman mauled to death by alligator at Lake Kissimmee
OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – Months after a deadly alligator attack at Lake Kissimmee State Park, investigators have released a report detailing what exactly happened. The incident happened in May 2025 near the mouth of Tiger Creek into Lake Kissimmee in Polk County, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation...
Teen hospitalized after being hit by train in Brandon
A teenager was taken to the hospital Thursday after being hit by a train in Brandon, authorities said.
Sheriff: ‘If You Do Felonious Assaults with Two-Ton Weapons, Expect to Be Shot’
Florida’s Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd gave his opinion on the Minneapolis ICE shooting, saying, “If you do felonious assaults with two-ton weapons, expect to be shot.”. Judd posted his take on the incident in which an ICE agent shot and killed a woman who allegedly drove her...
‘Expect To Be Shot’: Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd Rips Minneapolis Mayor, Defends ICE...
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd offered a blistering assessment of the recent officer-involved shooting in Minnesota, defending the actions of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent while launching a scathing critique of Minneapolis leadership. Addressing media inquiries regarding the incident, in which an...
Suspect arrested in organized retail theft ‘booster’ operation across Tampa Bay: court records
Court records show a Tampa Bay man is under arrest in connection with what investigators describe as an organized retail theft operation spanning multiple cities across the region.
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 noted 14 live roaches (high priority) and 15 dead roaches (basic violation), mostly near a dry storage area. Another high-priority violation was for raw shell eggs stored over sauce in a walk-in...
Polk City man sentenced to 30 years for child exploitation offenses
TAMPA, Florida - A Polk City man has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for transporting child sexual abuse material, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office. James Matthew Oxley, a 53-year-old, was also sentenced to 20 years for possession of child sexual abuse material, to run...
Avelo plans growth at Lakeland Linder during airline’s reorganization
Avelo Airlines announced plans on Jan. 6 to expand its presence at Lakeland Linder International Airport as the carrier undergoes a strategic reorganization. Avelo plans to move two additional aircraft to Lakeland Linder airport and create more than 40 additional jobs. These planes will be Boeing Next-Generation...
Kittens rescued in St. Thomas flown to Tampa Bay area due to severe pet...
TAMPA, Fla. - Four kittens rescued from St. Thomas arrived at Tampa International Airport last week, thanks to a network of volunteers who turn commercial flights into lifesaving transport missions. What we know:. Volunteers with Port Richey-based Runaways Animal Rescue spent hours waiting at the airport, not for...
