Polk County is temporarily suspending the countywide burn ban, which went into effect on Nov. 25, 2025. The burn ban suspension will last until 11:59 p.m. on April 16, 2026. “The recent heavy rains ...

The City once again will recognize Herbert Dixon Day in Bartow, this year on April 11. Mr. Dixon, a local golfing legend, was born in 1919 in Dade City, FL, and moved to Bartow at age eight and has ...

Families in Lakeland are invited to a fun and interactive experience this month as Children’s Theater presents Snow White! Hosted at the Lakeland Public Library, this special program gives kids the ...

A suspect wanted in connection with a fatal shooting outside a Lakeland nightclub in February has now been taken into custody, marking a significant development in the case. According to the Lakeland ...

Diabetes and kidney disease are major risk factors for heart disease, yet many cases are undiagnosed. In fact, most people don’t realize their heart, kidney and metabolic health — how the body creates ...

On April 2, 2026, PCSO Cyber Crimes detectives arrested 50-year-old Christopher Burnside of Lakeland and charged him with 46 counts promoting sexual performance of a child after receipt of NCMEC ...

A crash involving a semi occurred Tuesday morning, April 7, 2026, along SR-400 in Polk County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Troopers say the incident happened around 10:10 a.m. when a semi ...

GiveWell Community Foundation (GWCF) is proud to announce a new granting milestone: since its founding in 1997, GWCF has awarded $524 million in grants to nonprofit organizations in Polk, Highlands, ...

LAKELAND – A fatal crash occurred this afternoon on the Polk Parkway near Clark Road, prompting a major emergency response from Polk County Fire Rescue and the Florida Highway Patrol. The collision ...

A man of service.” That’s how Commissioner Omar Arroyo described City Manager Jim Elensky following his unexpected retirement announcement Thursday night, an appropriate moniker that reflects a career ...