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High-Speed Crash Injures 5, Shuts Down I-4 For Hours
LAKELAND -- A car being pursued by a state trooper at more than 100 miles per hour slammed through a construction zone, leading to a crash that injured five and shut down Interstate 4 for several hours early Friday morning. The Florida Highway Patrol says a trooper spotted a blue...
Lakeland woman targeted by two scammers loses $400K: Grady Judd
LAKELAND, Fla. - A Lakeland woman is now without more than $400,000 after she was targeted by two scammers. It all started when two men called her, saying she had won the "Publisher's Clearinghouse Sweepstakes." Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said Michael Lawrence and co-defendant Max Richards told the victim...
Florida Sheriff blasts Judge Xander Orenstein over non-momentary bail
The controversy surrounding the non-monetary decisions of magisterial judge Xander Orenstein in the Pittsburgh area is getting national attention. 37-year-old Hermas Craddock was arrested Thursday evening in Polk County, Florida.
Central Florida man sentenced in Nigerian romance, money laundering scheme
WINTER GARDEN, Fla. - A Central Florida man was sentenced to two years in prison for his involvement in laundering the proceeds of Nigerian romance scans, business email compromises and other fraud schemes, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Niselio Barros Garcia Jr., in January pleaded guilty to conspiracy...
Affordable or workforce? Developer behind Winter Haven's Florence Place aims to build again
A Tampa Bay-area developer has requested a zoning change to allow it to build a new apartment complex in Southwest Winter Haven. Blue Sky Communities has requested Winter Haven officials allow a zoning change from single-family residential zoning for small lots, or R-2, to multi-family residential at a low density, or R-3 zoning. The commission had its first review of the request Monday, which will come back for a public hearing in May.
Silver Garland Awards: 14 Polk County seniors honored for special service to the community
WINTER HAVEN – Jamie Phillips said just the acknowledgement was his payout. Phillips, 17, is a senior at Winter Haven High School, where he’s one of the top players on the Blue Devils’ basketball team. He’s also the winner of a $1,000 scholarship in the Athletics category of the 2024 Silver Garland Awards, honoring high school seniors who serve the community using their talents in one of 14 categories.
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.
Drunk Florida man crashes into 6-year-old getting off school bus: Sheriff Grady Judd
POLK COUNTY, Fla. - A drunk Florida man found himself behind bars after he allegedly crashed into a 6-year-old child that was getting off a school bus in Polk County last week, according to Sheriff Grady Judd. Robert Reedy was charged with DUI, DUI with injury/damage and reckless driving after...
Freshwater fishing: If you're looking for quantity, shellcracker are the best bet in Polk
1. In Lakeland, crickets, grass shrimp and red worms have been the go-to bait for bluegill and shellcracker. Golden shiner and black-and-blue have been popular colors for bladed jigs and spinnerbaits if you’re going for bass. Also, a finesse style worm in black-and-red glitter has been working for bass, with watermelon red also popular, reports Phillips Bait and Tackle (863-666-2248).
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