Lakeland FL

POLK COUNTY, Fla. — If you were planning a backyard fireworks display to celebrate the New Year, you’ll need to change your plans. Polk County Fire Rescue has issued a reminder that the county-wide burn ban remains in full effect, and it strictly prohibits personal-use fireworks. While residents...

FinanceBuzz analyzed 180 cities across the U.S. Which are the most affordable? Here are seven cities in Florida where the median monthly rent is under $1,500.

The interregnum between Christmas and New Year's Day is a weird one in my profession. The expectation is that you’ll finally have some real time off, but it’s actually incredibly short, or seems so, as you prep for the coming semester. You may teach many of the same classes year after year, but for a lot of us, it’s...

Lake Wales junior swimmer Marcos Cabrera smiled as he looked back at his start in swimming. “My mom’s my coach and it was kind of just like one day she decided to put me in a suit and put me in a pool,” he said. “And I guess it just went from there.” It wasn’t exactly love at first swim. “I hated swimming,” Cabrera...

The median home in Polk County listed for $339,900 in November, slightly down from the previous month's $340,000, an analysis of data from Realtor.com shows . Compared to November 2024, the median home list price slightly decreased from $343,000. The statistics in this article only pertain to houses listed for sale...

LAKELAND ― Around the world, folks everywhere find their own ways to ring in the New Year. And across Polk County, New Year’s Eve and Day will ignite with festivities from Lakeland to Winter Haven to Haines City and others. So, if you’re looking for some ideas on how to ring in 2026 without leaving Polk County, here...

The defensive tackle becomes the fourth Husky to agree to a postseason event.

A 21-year-old was arrested for driving 62 MPH over the speed limit in Central Florida. A Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputy recently observed a black Lexus IS250 going very fast on US 27 in the Waverly area. A radar check of the Lexus showed it to be traveling at 122 MPH in a 60 MPH zone, more than twice the limit.

Lakeland’s comfort food leans Southern and sunshine-bright—fried catfish and hushpuppies, biscuit-forward breakfasts, creamy casseroles, and barbecue that perfumes the air. These local favorites deliver hearty plates with a friendly, small-city vibe. Fred’s Market Restaurant. Fred’s does Florida meat-and-three with...

WINTER HAVEN, Florida — A Haines City man spent Christmas morning in custody after authorities say he broke into a Winter Haven fire station, took a shower, changed clothes, rummaged through offices, and later appeared wearing Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd’s signature cowboy hat, which had been stolen from a...