Lakeland FL

POLK COUNTY, Fla. – An early morning patrol led to the apprehension of a multi-county fugitive in Lakeland on Monday. Polk County Deputy Sheriff Annucci was on duty in the early morning hours when she received a tip that a wanted person might be at a residence on Lakewood Circle.

Whataburger will open eight restaurants across Tampa Bay by the end of 2027. The Texas-based chain breaks ground on its first spot in Largo on November 6. This expansion will bring made-to-order meals and hundreds of jobs to the area over the next two years. The first location sits at...

PINELLAS PARK, Fla. — If you're a fan of fried chicken and biscuits, you're in luck because the first Bojangles in the Tampa Bay area is opening. The North Carolina fast-food chain known for its menu of southern food staples, including its biscuits made fresh daily, is opening Tuesday off US-19 in Pinellas Park. It's...

When winter cold fronts clean up the Gulf and push clear water inside, Tampa Bay’s near-shore hard bottom turns into prime ground for hook-and-cook hogfish. These shell-crunchers roam sand patches around limestone ledges, rock piles, and old pipeline humps in 15 to 40 feet. Think stealth, scent, and a bait that stays...

Whether you're thinking about adopting a pet or simply delight in watching cute animals, you'd find a plethora of endearing pets awaiting adoption at animal shelters across and close to plant city..

Rabies case shows need for trap-neuter-vaccinate in Polk After reading the article entitled “ Two people exposed to rabies by cat in first 2025 case, Polk Sheriff’s Office reports ” [Oct. 17], I am compelled to ask the question, why is it that Sheriff Judd eschews Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return programs ? Vaccinating...

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (WFLA) — The Winter Haven Police Department said one of their officers was hospitalized after being involved in a bad crash early Sunday morning. The department said it happened at around 2:20 a.m. at the intersection of Cypress Gardens Blvd. and 1st Street South in Winter Haven. The officer, who...

Winter months are a great time to look for a small songbird called a prairie warbler in the Tampa Bay Area! A smaller number of them are here year-round, but many migrating prairie warblers will also join in and winter in Florida. The prairie warbler is an approximately five inches...

A French Bulldog puppy named King was taken during an armed burglary at a Brandon cellphone store at night. When the store owner confronted the suspects, three masked individuals left the scene. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office investigated and recovered the puppy. According to WFLA, detectives identified...

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office were investigating a shooting involving one of their deputies that occurred in Brandon on Sunday.