Polk Board Revives Lake Wales Sand Mine Battle After Narrow Vote
Polk County commissioners have reopened the fight over an 856-acre non-phosphate sand mine planned near Lake Wales, voting 4-1 to accept an appeal that puts the controversial project back under county review and back in front of an already fired-up neighborhood. The move follows a de novo hearing on Tuesday,...
High speed pursuit on I-4 in Polk Count ends in PIT maneuver from FHP...
LAKELAND, Fla. (WSVN) — Florida Highway Patrol troopers performed a precision immobilization technique maneuver during a high-speed pursuit in Polk County. Authorities said the driver in Tuesday’s pursuit along Interstate 4 reached speeds of up to 107 miles per hour. Video captured the PIT maneuver in action, as...
Fight over proposed 3,900 home development
Dozens of residents in northeast Hillsborough County are pushing back against a proposed development that would bring nearly 4,000 homes to the community in Thonotosassa. FOX 13's Allie Corey reports.
Countywide Burn Ban Still in Effect in Polk County
A countywide burn ban remains in effect across Polk County, including Auburndale, Bartow, Davenport, Dundee, Fort Meade, Frostproof, Haines City, Lake Alfred, Lake Wales, Lakeland, and Winter Haven. Polk County’s Keetch-Byram Drought Index averages 514, with 57% of the county above 500, showing dry conditions. The...
Scam Targets Polk Residents With Fake Court Notices
Residents in Polk County are being warned about fake court notices that claim to come from Florida county courts or related judicial offices. These counterfeit documents allege unpaid traffic or toll violations and demand immediate payment. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) confirms...
Lakeland’s newest hospital hiring hundreds of support position
Lakeland's newest hospital will hold another job fair on March 28, this one focused on non-medical support service positions. Orlando Health Watson Clinic Lakeland Highlands, expected to open in July on Lakeland Highlands Road just south of the Polk Parkway, is looking to fill hundreds of support positions such as...
It’s always a bit bittersweet to see a local landmark like Bent’s Cycling &...
For those who spent years trusting the crew at Bent’s, the transition to Platt’s Cycles is the silver lining. David Platt, who managed Bent’s for years, has stepped up to keep that mechanical knowledge and passion for the sport alive in Lakeland. What to Know About the...
🚨 One Arrest in Polk County’s ‘Operation Pop Top’ Compliance Checks
Deputies with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office carried out compliance checks on March 25, 2026, at nine convenience stores in Winter Haven and Auburndale as part of the ongoing Operation Pop Top campaign. The program aims to stop illegal alcohol and restricted product sales to anyone under 21.
‘Extreme’ Drought Triggers New Water Limits Across Lakeland Area
Florida is in the grip of its worst drought in at least 14 years, and the effects are starting to show up in everyday ways. If you sit down at a restaurant in the coming weeks, don’t be surprised if no one brings water to the table unless you ask.
Good Grief: Lakeland Man ‘Charlie Brown’ Busted After Mid-Day Trunk Raid Ends In Bicycle...
Charles D. Miller aka 'Charlie Brown' (PCSO) LAKELAND, Fla. – A Lakeland man who goes...
