Wauchula, FL

This slideshow requires JavaScript. SFSC graduated a class of eight students from its Fire Science program, 10 students from its Paramedic program, and seven students from its Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) program during an evening ceremony at the Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts on the Highlands Campus on Friday, Jan. 27.

The DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office has officially arrested attempted murder suspects 19-year-old Carlos Manuel Lopez and 13-year-old Jeavani Luna. The two individuals turned themselves in to DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office this morning around 10:27 a.m., and are now safely detained in DeSoto County Jail. The firearm used to commit the attempted murder has not been located, and if you have any details about where the firearm could be please report the information to DCSO or submit a tip to Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS.

This video is either unavailable or not supported in this browser. No compatible source was found for this media. Session ID: 2023-02-03:8592436c24f0ff18fbfc1eb4 Player Element ID: 6319689218112. On Thursday morning, the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office arrested two suspects it says were involved in the attempted murder of a man on Sunday....

The Mosaic Company has sold its Streamsong Resort golf resort in Bowling Green for $160 million to Lone Windmill LLC, a subsidiary of Kemper Sports Management. Mosaic, the phosphate mining company, had converted a former mining site 10 years go into three golf courses to develop Streamsong Resort as part of its reclamation process of former mines.

Rob “Rub” Bagby of Swamp Boys BBQ, one of the winningest competitors on the barbecue competition circuit, joins us to share his secrets for the best at-home ribs ahead of the 19th annual “Smoke on the Water”. 50 teams from across the country will compete at this weekend’s event, and proceeds will benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Polk County.

It’s that time of year to nominate a Polk County woman in the business community, whether it be a profit or non-profit business or organization, current or past. Click on the downloadable form below or clip a copy from the Feb. 1, 8 or 15 editions of the Polk County Pulse. Nominations are due Feb. 17, 2023. More details can be found on the form.

LAKE PLACID – When the DeSoto County girls basketball team bus pulled out of the school parking lot Wednesday en route to its District 4A-11 semifinal against Avon Park, Bulldogs coach Ardine Primus told the girls to “leave everything else behind and focus. Get into the zone. We are on a mission tonight.”

A Man is faced with kidnapping charges after being accused of grabbing a child at a DeSoto campground

A 43-year-old Frostproof woman was struck and killed by a car before sunrise Tuesday on U.S. 27 near Frostproof. The Polk County Sheriff's Office said Janie Barnett, 43, of Frostproof was walking along U.S. 27 near the Camp Inn Resort shortly after 6 a.m. Tuesday when a relative stopped on the east shoulder of the road to pick her up. The Sheriff's Office did not identify the relative.

WUSF Public Media and the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation have hired Eric Garwood as Executive Editor of the CNC — Community News Collaborative. This independent journalism collaboration will expand coverage of news in Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties. In a time of media deserts and eroding resources in the news industry, this will deliver free, comprehensive and impactful journalism to people living in these counties.

The person who left the baby could face child endangerment charges.

A 25-year-old Lakeland man has been charged with DUI manslaughter after a weekend traffic accident that killed another driver in Lakeland. The crash happened late Saturday night on New Tampa Highway/U.S. 92 in Lakeland. The Polk County Sheriff's Office said a 2009 Chevrolet pickup truck driven by Leonardo Barrera Zurita, 25, of Lakeland left its lane and collided with a 2004 Toyota pickup being driven in the other direction by Selestino Vega Bocanegra Mata, 51, of Lakeland.

More than four years after he allegedly gunned down five women at a bank in Sebring, a trial date has been set for Zephen Xaver.

Polk County’s Emergency Management Division is encouraging residents to participate in a statewide tornado drill that will take place at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 8. The drill is being coordinated by the National Weather Service. If actual severe weather is forecast for Feb.8, the drill will be postponed...

LAKELAND, Fla. (WWSB) - Police in Lakeland say that they believe they have found the vehicle involved in a drive-by shooting Monday that injured 11 people. Police Chief Sam Taylor held a press conference in Lakeland Tuesday on the investigation. Authorities say they found a dark blue Nissan they believe is related to the investigation.

Haines City officer Haley McDonald was named Law Enforcement Officer of the Year for medium-sized agencies by the Polk County Police Chiefs Association.

From possible new interstate lanes to local road repavings, check out this quick breakdown of recent traffic news in Lakeland, FL.

Title: DeSoto County 815 N. Mills Avenue Exterior Repairs and Maintenance. Description: The DeSoto County Board of County Commissioners’ are seeking formal Proposals from qualified firms and/or individuals to provide Exterior Repairs and Maintenance on a County owned building located at 815 N. Mills Avenue as indicated within the context of this Bid.

A 28-year-old Haines City man was killed Sunday night when he hit the rear of a tractor-trailer that was stopped at a light on U.S. 27 in Dundee. The crash happened about 9:20 p.m. just north of Dundee Road, also known as State Road 542. The Polk County Sheriff's Office said Michael Huggins, 28, of Haines City was traveling south on U.S. 27 in a 2008 Audi A6 when he approached a 2017 Volvo semi-tractor and trailer driven by Roel Avila Almaguer, 36, of Frostproof, from behind.

Carol Wynn-Green worked for the state of Florida for nearly 26 years and for Polk County Public Schools for more than 10. She was expecting to retire there. But in 2021, the 52-year-old equity and compliance analyst, whose job was to investigate allegations of inequities, began to suspect that sexism was at play within her own department. She said a male colleague with less seniority and fewer qualifications was given a 3% raise and a higher position while she and two other women in her department were left stagnant.