Whataburger opens first Tampa Bay-area location in 15 years
LARGO, Fla. — Whataburger is making its grand return to the Tampa Bay area after more than 15 years. The fan-favorite Texas burger joint opens its new location on Thursday, Feb. 12, at 10150 Ulmerton Road in Largo. The grand opening, set for 11 a.m., will feature fan-focused activities...
Highways 640, 55 shut down in Polk County for 1,216-acre fire
BARTOW, Fla., (WFLA) – Portions of Highway 640 and Highway 55 were shut down Tuesday afternoon while crews respond to a vegetation fire. According to Polk County Fire Rescue (PCFR), the fire is located at 6130 Old Homeland Road in Bartow. The Florida Forest Service (FFS) Wildfire Map states...
DHL cutting 203 Lakeland jobs as it closes distribution center
DHL Supply Chain is closing a distribution center in Lakeland and laying off 203 employees. The company announced the closure and the job cuts in a Feb. 9 letter posted to the state’s Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act database Wednesday. The job cuts will affect 166 laborers, 14...
One person dead following vehicle crash on I-75 in Florida
FLORIDA — A 28-year-old man has died following a crash on Interstate 75 after a tractor-trailer made an illegal U-turn near the Hillsborough and Manatee county line, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Troopers said the crash happened at the 235 milepost when the driver of a tractor-trailer attempted to make a...
Hillsborough County Clerk Leverages AI And Returns Millions To Taxpayers
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – When Victor Crist became Hillsborough County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller (COC) on January 7, 2025, he and his transition team began a thorough, organization-wide review and assessment. A sweeping transformation of the COC ensued, returning $1.15 million in unspent funds from the...
Polk County Police Chiefs’ Charitable Foundation: Sporting Clays Fun Shoot April 11
On Saturday, April 11, 2026, the Polk County Police Chiefs’ Charitable Foundation will hold our annual sporting clays fundraising event. The venue for this year’s shoot will be at Tenoroc Sporting Clays, located at 3755 Tenoroc Mine Rd. Lakeland, FL. The foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable entity and...
Fort Meade residents work to block potential data center; company says city would see...
FORT MEADE, Fla. — Polk County residents are working to block a potential data center from coming to Fort Meade. Data centers house large computer servers for major corporations. In June, city commissioners approved land-use and zoning changes for the facility. Since January 2026, they’ve held town halls to hear from...
Fifty Trips, One Suspect: Polk County Sheriff Hunts For Serial Shoplifter At Lakeland Publix
LAKELAND, Fla. – Polk County deputies are looking for a person of interest tied to a staggering number of thefts at a single Publix location over the course of seven months. According to investigators, the suspect managed to walk out with merchandise on fifty separate occasions at the Publix located at 4747 South...
The Secret Seafood Buffet In Florida Locals Are Keeping Off The Map
Brandon locals have been quietly enjoying one of Florida’s most impressive seafood buffets while the rest of the state remains blissfully unaware. Umi Sushi & Seafood Buffet sits along West Brandon Boulevard, serving mountains of fresh seafood, sushi, and international dishes that draw crowds daily. The secret is...
5 Polk restaurants we think deserved a spot on USA TODAY’s best list
Not a single Central Florida restaurant has earned a spot on 2026 USA TODAY Restaurants of the Year list . We have to believe that's an unfortunate oversight. The closest to Polk County is a Bradenton restaurant, Tide Tables , a waterfront seafood restaurant located in the historic commercial fishing village of...
