Lakeland FL

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – A man is back in custody after a Tuesday afternoon fender-bender spiraled into a series of felony charges and an ICE detainer. The incident began around 4:40 p.m. on February 10, 2026, when a woman flagged down Polk County deputies on Rifle Range Road, reporting that her vehicle had just been...

Lakeland police are warning residents about a slick bank-fraud scheme working local phones and computer screens, coaxing people into pulling cash from their own accounts and handing it to a so-called courier who shows up to collect it. Scammers often pretend to be teamed up with law enforcement or a bank’s fraud unit...

Some environmentalists worry that a proposed truck refueling stop could deter animals from using Florida's wildlife overpass. The development would butt up against an underpass being built just north of what will become the state's first overpass for wildlife. A hearing will be held by Polk County's development...

A Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen restaurant on Highway 27 in Polk County was ordered to discontinue operations on Jan. 20, 2026, following a routine food inspection that documented six violations, including rodent droppings in multiple locations throughout the facility, according to Florida Department of Business and...

A retired Navy SEAL who once served with SEAL Team 6 is recovering after being seriously injured in a deadly five-car crash near Lake Wales.

Brandon has evolved from a sleepy Tampa suburb into a legitimate dining destination of its own. Alongside chains and long‑time locals, newer chef‑driven spots, creative fast‑casual joints, and polished neighborhood restaurants have moved in. These five relatively new or newly buzz‑worthy places are among the best...

SUN CITY CENTER, Fla. - A Citrus Springs man was arrested after trying to make an illegal U-turn that caused a serious crash on I-75 near the Hillsborough - Manatee County line Monday afternoon. The Florida Highway Patrol said Julio Dones Rosa, 45, of Citrus Springs, was arrested for reckless...

Portions of Highway 640 and Highway 55 were shut down Tuesday afternoon while crews respond to a vegetation fire.

The Lakeland Police Department is stepping up efforts to curb crashes on city roads. It’s the decision to speed up rather than stop that Lakeland police said they are trying to prevent. The city currently has 23 red-light cameras watching busy intersections, and four more are being added. Last...

A routine drive in Winter Haven turned into a criminal case on Friday after a pickup truck went airborne over railroad tracks and hit a 34-year-old woman, according to police. The woman who was struck suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene, while the driver was promptly taken into custody. Witnesses...