LATEST NEWS
Polk County trash-collection fees projected to rise more than 63% in October
The trash collection and disposal fee for Polk County residents will jump 63.35% in the first of five years of increases, according to presentations to the county commissioners. Dale Henderson, the county's waste and recycling director, gave a presentation at the April 12 agenda review showing that by 2029, the...
Wanting to sell liquor on Sundays, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits gets annexed into Winter Haven
WINTER HAVEN — There will be a new place to purchase beer and liquor on Sunday in Winter Haven. ABC Fine Wine & Spirits was officially annexed into the City of Winter Haven by a 4-0 vote of city commissioners on Monday night. Commissioner L. Tracy Mercer was absent from the commission meeting.
Freshman Vasconez leads Bartow girls to region tennis finals; 3 Polk boys teams advance
BARTOW — Bartow finished as the district runner-up last season then lost to Wiregrass Ranch in the regional semifinals and returned No. 1 singles player Bhavya Pinapala, but head coach Lindsay Hanger thought her squad had the chance to be even better this season. The Yellow Jackets were bolstered...
Inside squalid Florida home of hoarder accused of abusing 30 cats in ‘unlivable’ environment
Florida police have arrested a woman on nearly 30 charges of animal cruelty after responding to reports of animal neglect and hoarding. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office found the home of Catherine Briley, 66, in disarray on Wednesday with more than 30 animals roaming free. Toxic ammonia levels were also discovered at the home in Lakeland. After entering her residence with respirators on, authorities found five dead cats, 27 live cats and one dog. The cats, which were found dead in a closet, likely died of starvation, officials said.“The home, inside and out, is also what I would call...
Williston man arrested after being part of an organized fraud scheme
BRONSON, Fla. (WCJB) - Levy County Sheriff’s deputies teamed up with Polk County deputies to arrest a man from Williston they say a part of an organized fraud scheme. Deputies arrested Tavaries Norris, 42, after they say he and two other men defrauded victims out of $20,000. Deputies searched...
Lakeland finds source of foul odor in city's southwest. Now cleanup begins
LAKELAND — After more than a month of hunting, Lakeland officials have identified the source of a foul odor reported by Southwest residents. Now it's got a messy cleanup ahead. Lakeland's Wastewater Management Division identified a wastewater force main break in remote wetlands about 1,500 feet northeast of 5001 Gateway Boulevard. The...
Central Florida Health Care gets a shot in the arm with money to expand Polk clinics
Central Florida Health Care is expanding its clinics by square footage and services offered as indigent health care demand rises in Polk County. The Polk County Commission approved a $3 million contract with CFHC on March 5 for the health care provider to build a new community health center on the current three-acre site in Dundee. The Lakeland facility also gained $3 million in a separate contract approved the same day by the board.
FHSAA 1A boys weightlifting championships: Palatka’s Foster, Smith finish Top 10 twice
It was a tough day for the seven county boys weightlifters at the Florida High School Athletic Association 1A championship Saturday at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland. Ishmael Foster and Roy Smith…
Bay Area company makes 'candied jalapeños' in Lake Wales
LAKE WALES, Fla. - Mr. Jalep’s Gourmet Candied Jalapeños, a product from the company Unique Eatz, are made in Lake Wales. "That’s my goal is turn people who don’t like jalapeños into jalapeño-lovers," said owner, Traci Vicari. She blanches her jalapeños in a candied...
Car crashes into Haines City home, sparks fire
HAINES CITY, Fla. — A car crashed into a home in Haines City before bursting into flames and catching the house on fire, according to the city's fire department. The driver responsible is now facing charges, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said. It happened just before 2 a.m. Saturday...
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.