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...
Hillsborough County neighbors share concerns over large Two Rivers Ranch development at informational meeting
Dozens of residents in a rural part of Hillsborough County are pushing back against the proposed Two Rivers Ranch development that would bring nearly four-thousand homes to the community. Neighbors said the developers hosted an informational meeting on Wednesday, but only for those who live within 500 feet of the...
Proposed change to Hunt Club South housing plan under review
The Lake Wales Planning and Zoning Board will hold a public hearing on March 24, 2026 to consider a request from Lennar Homes to modify the approved Hunt Club South residential planned development located west of Hunt Brothers Road and south of Post Salter Road. The request seeks to remove a condition requiring...
Neighbors raise concerns as Polk County deputies search for teens allegedly tied to viral...
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office says at least two recent incidents involved teens kicking in front doors and running away, leaving behind damages.
