Man recently released from prison gets arrested again after burglary
A man who was recently released from state prison was arrested again by deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. 23-year old Stephan Rice IV completed a four-year prison sentence for grand theft motor vehicle and was released on June 12, 2025. On June 30, 2025, according to a...
Suspected shoplifter nabbed after allegedly trying to steal ribeye steaks at Walmart
A suspected shoplifter will have to appear in court after trying to steal multiple packs of ribeye steaks from Walmart. A deputy responded to Walmart, located at 550 U.S. Hwy. 27, Clermont, regarding retail theft involving 49-year-old Paul McIntyre of Davenport around 4 p.m. Friday, according to a case report from...
Flesh eating bacteria in Florida waters
Kathy Egan [email protected] Don't swim at the beach with open cuts, and don't eat raw oysters! Four people have died and at least seven others have been infected by Vibrio vulnificus, a type of flesh-eating bacteria found in salty or brackish warm water. The four deaths were reported in Bay County,...
Winter Haven bringing in more retail development
Winter Haven is experiencing explosive residential growth, but the goal is to make Winter Haven a full-service city with investments in retail, education and healthcare.
PCSO investigating fatal single-vehicle crash on I-4 in Lakeland
The Polk County Sheriff's Office is investigating a single-vehicle crash that resulted in the death of a driver in Lakeland.
Davenport murder suspect located after two days on the run
Sheriff Grady Judd is holding a press conference Friday morning regarding two recent arrests made by the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
Childhood vaccination rates continue to slide in Polk County, falling to 92.5%
Childhood vaccination rates continue to decline in Polk County and statewide. The rate of immunization by kindergarten for children in Polk County dipped to 92.5% in 2025, a decline from 92.8% the previous year, according to figures posted by the Florida Department of Health. For children across Florida, the...
8 Charged With Rioting After Group Brawl At Florida Lake Captured On Video
A group fight at a Florida lake earlier this month that left two people unconscious in front of children has resulted in riot charges against eight individuals, the Polk County Sheriffs Office announced Tuesday. On Aug. 2 around 3 p.m., deputies responded to a call about an active fight near the shoreline of Lake...
The Foolio Murder Trial Begins Next Week With Only Female Suspect Who Tried to...
The only woman charged for the 2024 murder of Florida rapper Foolio is set to stand trial next week. Jury selection for murder suspect Alicia Andrews' trial is expected to begin in Hillsborough County, Fla., on Monday (Aug. 18), according to court documents obtained by XXL on Thursday (Aug. 14). Andrews is facing...
Linemen community rallies behind Auburndale native shocked on work site in Seminole
AUBURNDALE, Fla. - Two utility contractors are fighting for their lives in the hospital after an electrical incident at a work site in Seminole Tuesday afternoon. One of these men, a young father, has roots in Polk County. What they're saying:. Ryan Pynes describes his best friend of six years,...
