Candle Blamed for Fire That Forces Evacuation of Eight Apartments in Lake Wales
LAKE WALES — A family was displaced Monday night after a fire broke out at the Lake Wales Garden Apartments, located at 504 South 4th Street. According to the fire report, Lake Wales Fire Department, Polk County Fire Rescue, and Lake Wales Police Department responded around 8:12 PM to find heavy smoke and flames...
17-year-old motorcyclist dies after colliding with dump truck on I-75 near Wesley Chapel
A crash shut down all southbound lanes on Interstate 75 near Wesley Chapel on Thursday morning.
Tampa Bay restaurants offering free meals for kids as Florida faces SNAP benefit disruption
Several Tampa Bay restaurants are stepping up to support families after news that millions of Floridians could soon lose access to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Gigglewaters in Safety Harbor. Gigglewaters, a popular restaurant, bar, and screening room in Safety Harbor, announced plans to...
171 people arrested following human trafficking operation in Florida
FLORIDA — Sheriff Chad Chronister is set to announce the results of “Operation Unmasking Predators,” a recent investigation targeting human trafficking and sexual exploitation. The operation, led by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Human Trafficking Squad, Sexual Predator Unit, and Internet Predator Unit,...
‘Polk County Jussie Smollett’ Arrested After Faking Attack So He Could Move To Tampa
POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A 19-year-old Frostproof man has been arrested and charged after confessing he fabricated a story about being attacked by white men posing as law enforcement in an attempt to convince his parents to let him move to Tampa. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd referred to...
Nonprofit launches outreach hub to serve homeless community in Lakeland and more
A nonprofit known for taking its generosity to the streets of Lakeland now has a new community center. What started as a street ministry is now a full-scale community outreach hub. “We’ve built a generosity community online, and now we’re bringing it to Lakeland to make an impact locally,” said...
Lakeland clinic hopes art helps heal at its cancer & research center
Beautiful art pieces that hang on the walls of the Watson Clinic Cancer & Research Center have a bigger purpose. FOX 13's Barry Wong takes us there.
Haines City residents complain of foul odor
Homeowners in several Haines City neighborhoods have become accustomed to the unpleasant smell of sewage. It turns out the odor is coming from a nearby wastewater lift station. Carla Bayron reports.
Lakeland’s Annual Swam Roundup
The swans at Lake Morton in Lakeland are getting their annual check-up. FOX 13’s Walter Allen reports.
Organization looks to prevent fatal traffic accidents through ‘Polk Vision Zero Action Plan’
POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Polk County leaders are launching an initiative aimed at cracking down on deadly crashes. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there have been over 9,000 crashes in the county so far this year, and 75 of those were deadly. With...
