“You’re thinking, ‘Is this it?'”- Father and son recount ordeal they faced after boat...
CLEARWATER, Fla. — On Thanksgiving Day, a Polk County father and son said they were thankful to be alive after a 20-hour ordeal that left them stranded in the gulf. It happened after their boat capsized Monday. "You're thinking, 'Is this it?'" said Cris Harding, Sr. "And to have...
Five of the strangest small towns in the United States
America is full of quiet little towns, but some of them are anything but ordinary....
Man Arrested After Shooting Pregnant Girlfriend in Hillsborough County
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has arrested 44-year-old Eric Patterson after a violent shooting left a pregnant woman and her unborn child critically injured. On November 22, 2025, at 5:17 a.m., Brandon Regional Hospital notified deputies that a pregnant woman had been dropped off with a gunshot wound to...
Need last-minute stuff? Polk County stores that are open on Thanksgiving
You think you have everything covered for Thanksgiving Day. Turkey? Check. Stuffing? Check. Tea and soft drinks? Check. But oh no! You're out of sugar. Or you have an extra guest and you're not sure you have enough drinks. Or ouch, someone got hurt in the kitchen and you're out of Band-Aids or burn cream. Here are...
Winter Haven Enforces Immediate Burn Ban As Fire Risks Soar
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – Winter Haven Fire Chief Drew Neubrand declared a citywide burn ban on Wednesday, aligning with the restrictions issued earlier in the day by Polk County. With the region facing extremely dry conditions, officials determined that the potential for outdoor fires to spiral out of control...
Best Buy warehouse in Polk sold for nearly $50M
A Best Buy distribution center and warehouse in Polk County has been sold for $49.5 million. The seller of the property, a 650,808-square-foot single tenant facility in Polk City, is Phoenix-based Tratt Properties, though affiliates B.B. Lakeland LLC and B.B. Zion Holdings LLC. Tratt Properties, which announced the...
VIDEO: 4 teens arrested in stolen car linked to burglaries, Hillsborough deputies say
SEFFNER, Fla. (WFLA) — The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said its deputies arrested four teenagers in a stolen car linked to multiple vehicle burglaries on Nov. 19. Deputies spotted the vehicle at 1:05 p.m. after it was reported stolen out of Pasco County, HCSO said. The HCSO aviation unit, K9 unit and auto...
‘We Were Just Shopping…and Then There Were Kangaroos’: Downtown Plant City Shop Turns Heads
Shoppers come for the shirts but stay for Ace and Ginger, the pouch-riding marsupials turning a small business into a local sensation. Anna Price and Meghan Martinez thought they were simply browsing through downtown Plant City shops when they stepped into Hey Sister & Co.- until a baby kangaroo poked its head out of...
5 arrested in armed invasion of Airbnb home in Osceola County
DAVENPORT, Fla. – The sheriff’s office in Osceola County says it has arrested five people in connection with an armed home invasion at an Airbnb earlier this month. The incident happened on Nov. 5 at the home on Leader Street in the Davenport area. The Osceola County Sheriff’s...
Delectable Delights Expanding With Largest Store in Bartow
BARTOW, FL — Delectable Delights, the ice cream, candy, and toy concept created by Devra Wygant, is preparing to open its largest store yet early next year. Wygant told Business Debut the team is targeting a February opening at 75 East Main Street, Bartow, Florida 33830. This will be...

















