Lakeland FL

Car washes across Tampa Bay keep running during the drought by reusing water. They save close to 100 gallons per vehicle when you stack them up against washing at home. The Southwest Florida Water Management District enacted modified phase III water shortage restrictions, which let businesses run as usual. Woodies...

A suspended driver’s license can limit access to work, daily basic needs, and make it difficult to get to court. For one week, beginning Monday, April 13, drivers can pay overdue court fines without additional collection fees, which can add about 25% to 40% to the original amount owed.

POLK COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — Polk County officials announced Thursday that they are temporarily suspending the countywide burn ban. The burn ban went into effect on Nov. 25, 2025, and will be suspended until 11:59 p.m. on April 16. According to Polk County Fire Chief Shawn Smith, recent heavy...

LAKELAND, Fla. — Polk County could hit a major milestone sooner than expected. A recent study from the University of Florida shows the population could reach a million by 2030 — years ahead of schedule. As a realtor, Thomas Pais gets a glimpse of Polk County’s growth every...

His furry face and big ears caught her eyes, and so did the fact that Charley the steer was set to be slaughtered. One Central Florida woman decided she couldn’t let that happen!

A homicide investigation is underway in Auburndale after an 85-year-old man was found dead at local mobile home park.

Representatives for the Hillsborough County Sheriff have confirmed that Maj. Troy Morgan has been terminated after an internal administrative review, adding that the decorated deputy “was found to be in violation of HCSO policy after being under the influence of alcohol while on duty.” The comments from HCSO came the morning after Creative Loafing Tampa […] The post Hillsborough sheriff says fired major was ‘under...

Following the tragic fatal mobile home fire earlier this week, the Lakeland Fire Department (LFD) and the American Red Cross have mobilized a major safety initiative to protect local residents. Rapid Response Installation. On Wednesday, April 8, 2026, teams of firefighters and volunteers canvassed neighborhoods to install free smoke alarms...

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. (WWSB) - Hillsborough County Fire Rescue and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office responded about 1:30 a.m. April 8 to an apartment complex on Swordfish Drive. HCSO said callers reported explosions. Deputies found a maintenance building fully engulfed and evacuated residents while firefighters worked to extinguish the...

Located off Memorial Boulevard (near the eastern edge of Lakeland’s city limits), Robinson’s property became a flashpoint for a debate over how to handle homelessness in Polk County. The Mission: A Private Haven. Starting several years ago, Robinson began allowing individuals experiencing homelessness to set up camp on...