Lakeland FL

LAKELAND, Fla. — Talbot House Ministries in Lakeland is looking to move into a new space off Memorial Boulevard. The homeless shelter says the proposed new location has much-needed green space. But some people who live and work nearby say they’re concerned about a homeless shelter moving into their backyard.

Polk County Commissioners, County and Emergency Management officials gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of the new Special Needs Shelter Warehouse on Tuesday, July 29. By providing storage for supplies and equipment needed to support residents during emergencies, the facility will...

POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A 35-year-old Poinciana man, Robert Earl Baldwin, Jr., is facing a litany of felony charges after a shoplifting attempt at a Davenport Best Buy quickly escalated into a chaotic scene. What began as a simple misdemeanor theft of an $85 Bluetooth speaker ended with Baldwin charged with five...

Winter Haven High School has updated its dress code policy for the upcoming 2025-26 school year.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd made national news this week as he railed against Immigration and Customs Enforcement for trying to recruit his deputies.

AUBURNDALE, Fla. – A motorcyclist was killed in a crash early Saturday in Auburndale, according to police. The crash occurred around 12:41 a.m. in the westbound lanes of U.S. 92’s overpass near Magnolia Avenue and McKean Street, the Auburndale Police Department said in a news release. According to...

"To be taken to jail and to be treated like that for brown grass at my own home ... that’s horrible," Irena Green said

POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A traffic stop on Tuesday afternoon led to the arrest of a Davenport man, Justin Michael Ball, 26, adding to his extensive history with law enforcement. According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Ball was pulled over for a minor traffic violation, but his behavior during the stop quickly...

POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A Jacksonville man with a significant history of traffic violations was arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday, July 30th, after being caught driving 100 mph on I-4. Samuel Chiagoziem Opara, 25, was pulled over at approximately 1:35 PM after a PCSO deputy clocked his 2014 Ford...

Four Cuban nationals are facing serious prison time—up to a combined 832 years—after being charged in connection with a large-scale criminal theft ring operating across Florida and Texas. If convicted, they also face deportation. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister...