Yesterday, March 11, 2026, marked a historic milestone at Lakeland Linder International Airport with...
While the Polk Veterans Council has been conducting these missions since 2015, this specific trip was dedicated entirely to women veterans, honoring their unique contributions to the U.S. Armed Forces. The group behind the flight said that the mission took about two years to plan and took about $200,000 in...
As of mid-March 2026, Janard Dominic Childs remains at large and is the subject...
An arrest warrant was issued for Childs, 34, following a fatal shooting on February 22, 2026, outside the Jade Fox Lounge on Lakeland Highlands Road. He is wanted on charges of Second-Degree Murder, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, and Tampering with Physical Evidence. Incident Details. Location: Jade...
Florida woman arrested after more than 30 malnourished dogs found on Mulberry property: Investigators
MULBERRY, Fla. - A Florida woman is behind bars after more than 30 underweight dogs found in bad condition were seized from a Mulberry property nearly a month ago. The Polk County Sheriff's Office said Jennifer Flott was arrested on multiple charges, including six counts of torment, deprive, mutilate or kill any...
Tampa Bay area shops saving fabric hunters after JOANN closures: ‘Mighty in a little,...
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - A big corporation can often put the small shops out of business, but when JOANN Fabrics and Crafts closed its doors for good across the country last year, it allowed small businesses to fill that gap for crafters and sewers. Local perspective:. Stitch by stitch, the...
Smoke OFF the Water check presentation held in Polk County
On Wednesday, March 11, 2026, a check presentation took place from Southern Charities Group, Inc. for the 2026 Smoke OFF the Water event. The Humane Society of Polk County expressed gratitude for being a recipient of the event’s proceeds, which support its no-kill animal care mission.
Dover Teen Busted After Gun Triggers Strawberry Crest High Scare
A routine day at Strawberry Crest High School in Dover turned tense when staff and a school resource deputy intervened after spotting what they described as suspicious behavior by a 15-year-old student. Deputies say that student had brought a firearm onto campus on Monday, then bolted from the school before law...
Farm Fresh, Family First: The Fancy Farms Market Journey
Just a mile from Lakeland city limits and tucked between industrial warehouses, you might not expect to find a u-pick farm and market. Yet that’s right where fresh flavors and family tradition thrive. Fancy Farms Market, born from four generations of Florida strawberry farmers, offers a profound farm-to-table...
Six Arrested After Lake Wales Hit-And-Run Probe Uncovers Illegal Landfill And Drugs
Charles Stewart and Mya Bass (PCSO) POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A hit-and-run investigation in Lake...
Fugitive Apprehended After Standoff At Lakeland Mobile Home Park
A warrant service on Tuesday evening at a Lakeland mobile home park resulted in two arrests after the inhabitants originally refused to cooperate with law officers. On March 10, 2026, at around 5:30 p.m., Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies came at M&M Park, located at 5800 New Tampa Highway, to look for Patricia...
Deadly driver caught after hitting 2 small children and fleeing, Polk sheriff says
POLK COUNTY, Fla. – After a small child was killed by a hit-and-run driver this week, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd announced that the suspect has finally been caught. In a release, deputies said that the driver — now identified as Victoria Johnson, 30 — struck two young children outside of a church on Wednesday...
