Lakeland FL

POLK COUNTY, Fla. – Polk County deputies took 33-year-old Joseph Andrew Olavarria into custody early Thursday morning, following the discovery of an active felony warrant from neighboring Hillsborough County. The arrest occurred at approximately 1:30 a.m. at a residence in the Oakwood Knoll neighborhood, located in...

A new Hispanic bakery and restaurant is preparing to open its doors in Winter Haven. Called Davila Bakery & Restaurant, it will open at 213 E Central Ave, Unit C, according to submitted plan review documents, in one of the buildings situated between Second and Third Streets Northeast. Chef Yoleida,...

A Lakeland tax preparer will serve nearly five years in federal prison and must pay back $12.9 million after pleading guilty to crimes including filing 458 false tax returns. Jeffrey Dixon, whose age was not disclosed, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven to four years and nine months in prison for...

Whataburger announced it is officially opening its first restaurant in the Tampa Bay area on Feb. 12, as the company continues to expand across the state.

For 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘀, the Polk County Board of County Commissioners has received 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗻 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘆—𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗻 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱’𝘀 𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁— describing conditions and practices at Sheriff Grady...

What started as a celebration for Legacy Christian Academy’s championship-winning team quickly turned into heartbreak.

When people think of movies filmed in Florida, places like Miami beaches or the skyline of Tampa usually come to mind. But tucked between strawberry fields and quiet neighborhoods, Plant City has quietly played host to film crews, actors, and cameras, proving that small-town charm can be just as cinematic.

Nearly 24 hours after a Union County double-homicide suspect was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot following a standoff on Interstate 75 near Paynes Prairie, authorities released the name of the suspect and one of the victims. The suspect was identified as 47‑year‑old Jason Eric Holton of Lake...

Starting Friday, Feb. 6, Florida will offer driver license exams in just English, raising questions and concern from both officials and advocates. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles made the announcement last week. "Language translation services will no longer be permitted for knowledge or...

A suspect who is in the country illegally from Turkey was arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office after fleeing from a Sheriff's deputy in a Corvette and then concealing himself inside drywall in a motel room. On Tuesday, February 3, 2026, Ege Bilgin, DOB 9/18/1992, was driving erratically...