Florida Authorities Break Up Major Theft Organization Targeting Semi-Trailers
Six suspects have been arrested in connection with a cargo theft ring responsible for 32 cargo thefts and one vessel theft across Orange, Broward, Polk, Osceola, St. Lucie, and Volusia counties. According to James Uthmeier, the organized operation caused nearly $7.8 million in losses and targeted Florida’s commercial...
Lakeland Constituents Can Make Their Voices Heard During Canady’s Mobile Office Hours
District staff will be available from 10 a.m. to noon at the main branch of the Lakeland Public Library at 100 Lake Morton Drive. Canady will attend when her schedule allows — the current 60-day legislative session in Tallahassee prevents her from joining this week. Constituents are invited to...
Celebrate Culture & Community at Lakeland’s Black History Festival at Jackson Park
On Saturday, February 21, 2026, the City of Lakeland will kick off Black History Month celebrations with a Black History Festival at Jackson Park and the Coleman-Bush Building, located at 1104 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue in Lakeland. This free event which begins at 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., is open to all ages, and...
Major drug trafficking operations in Central Florida result in 51 arrests
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force arrested 51 suspects and seized significant quantities of narcotics during two multi-agency operations.
Polk County teacher retiring after 31 years in education
LAKELAND, Fla. — Edith Thomas has been working in Polk County Public Schools for 31 years. She started out as the school nurse at R. Bruce Wagner Elementary and then decided to become a paraeducator. She says she wanted to help children in her community. “I still enjoy what...
Polk County burn ban violators could face fines, jail time after 30+ weekend brush...
Polk County Fire responded to over 30 fires over the weekend. On Monday, authorities noted that many of them started because residents disregarded the burn ban.
‘Nightmare’ Bitcoin scheme draining millions from Floridians
A growing scheme involving a Bitcoin machine is draining millions of dollars from victims across Florida.
Plane from Marco Island Executive Airport crashes in the Everglades
Data indicates the plane last week completed trips between Marco Island and Bartow, Florida. Flight data has revealed new details about a small private plane that crashed near the Florida Everglades less than an hour after it left Marco Island Executive Airport. Authorities on Feb. 15 rescued two people after...
Polk County looking for alternative water supplies as community grows
POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Polk County leaders are looking for ways to keep up with the influx of people moving to the area. They recently approved a nearly $2-million contract for a new water well supply in the northeast part of the county. Stepping out into his backyard, Sean...
Family, friends rally around retired Polk County firefighter who lost home in blaze
BARTOW, Fla. - A family in Polk County was forced to evacuate their home last week to escape a brush fire. Since the beginning of the month, brush fires have destroyed several homes, including one belonging to a retired Polk County firefighter. Taylor Mcelroy says seeing the damage to her...

















