Lakeland FL

A routine check on alcohol sales compliance among convenience stores in Bartow and Mulberry resulted in an arrest last week. The Polk County Sheriff's Office conducted checks as part of their ongoing Operation Pop-Top campaign, during which officers work together with an underage high school student—part of the...

Tampa police say the former Polk County deputy who no-showed his trial for DUI manslaughter earlier this year has been captured in Colombia after months on the run. Aaron Mesmer reports.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) marked National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day on Thursday by calling on residents to educate themselves on the deadly risks of the synthetic opioid. Fentanyl, a potent drug that’s often mixed into other street drugs like cocaine,...

After years of undercharging developers for growth-related costs, Lakeland is about to raise the fees it collects for things like new roads, police cars and fire stations. City commissioners voted unanimously on Monday to increase non-utility impact fees on residential and commercial construction by up to 50% over...

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. (TCN) -- Authorities recently arrested two individuals after a 42-year-old mother of two was reportedly found near a bridge with fatal stab wounds. On the night of Aug. 15, a man entered the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office and claimed to have witnessed a slaying at a residence on...

Bartow police officers will soon be wearing body-worn cameras.

Fruit drop has become one of the biggest challenges for Florida citrus growers, especially in groves hit hard by HLB. On top of the disease, recent hurricanes like Ian and Milton have made the problem worse, causing fruit to drop not just during the storm but often weeks later. Other stresses — such as drought,...

Florida hides its treasures in the most unassuming places, and Reececliff Family Diner in Lakeland might just be the state’s best-kept culinary secret. When you’re cruising through Central Florida, between the theme parks and beaches, there’s a little slice of Americana waiting with crispy, golden perfection that...

The Denny's location at 4325 S Florida Ave in Lakeland, Polk County, FL, was recently temporarily closed by the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation after an inspection on July 30, 2025, revealed five total violations, including rodent droppings found throughout the restaurant.

A former Polk County Sheriff's Deputy who left the country after being charged with multiple counts of DUI manslaughter, is now back on U.S. soil, and in jail.