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Bartow police sergeant struck, injured by vehicle
Read full article: Bartow police sergeant struck, injured by vehicleA Bartow police sergeant suffered non-life-threatening injuries after being struck by a vehicle while responding to a call on Sunday evening, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
‘Rotting in the bed:’ Florida parents accused of neglecting comatose 3-year-old to death
Read full article: ‘Rotting in the bed:’ Florida parents accused of neglecting comatose 3-year-old to deathA man and woman in Polk County were arrested earlier this month after their 3-year-old child was found in “bone-chilling” condition, according to the sheriff’s office.
4 teens arrested after unlocked car burglary spree in Polk County, deputies say
Read full article: 4 teens arrested after unlocked car burglary spree in Polk County, deputies sayFour teens were arrested Monday after being accused of burglarizing 15 vehicles at three apartment complexes in unincorporated Lakeland and in Mulberry, deputies said.
Polk County deputy arrested for DUI, employment terminated, sheriff’s office says
Read full article: Polk County deputy arrested for DUI, employment terminated, sheriff’s office saysA Polk County deputy faces DUI charges after being involved in a single-vehicle crash in Bartow, according to a news release.
Polk County residents impacted by Hurricane Ian can get help at new Disaster Recovery Center
Read full article: Polk County residents impacted by Hurricane Ian can get help at new Disaster Recovery CenterA new FEMA Disaster Recovery Center opened in Polk County, giving another resource to people impacted by Hurricane Ian.
Over 100 arrested in Florida human trafficking investigation
Read full article: Over 100 arrested in Florida human trafficking investigationAuthorities say more than 100 people have been arrested in a Florida human trafficking investigation that focused on victims who might be forced into prostitution.
Bartow High School student charged after bathroom vandalized in ‘devious licks’ TikTok challenge
Read full article: Bartow High School student charged after bathroom vandalized in ‘devious licks’ TikTok challengeA 15-year-old Bartow High School student was charged after a bathroom was vandalized in a "devious licks" TikTok challenge.
1 dead dog, 2 others found ‘severely neglected’ in Polk County home, deputies say
Read full article: 1 dead dog, 2 others found ‘severely neglected’ in Polk County home, deputies sayA Polk County woman is facing animal cruelty charges after deputies found one dead dog and two others “severely” neglected in her home, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
2 teens face murder charges in shooting death of 17-year-old at park, Polk sheriff’s office says
Read full article: 2 teens face murder charges in shooting death of 17-year-old at park, Polk sheriff’s office saysPolk County deputies arrested two 16-year-olds on Tuesday for the shooting death of a 17-year-old.
Amazon driver carjacked by masked man, Polk County deputies say
Read full article: Amazon driver carjacked by masked man, Polk County deputies sayAn Amazon delivery van was recovered near the intersection of Radford Road and North Avenue in the Gordonville area of Bartow. (Image: Polk County Sheriff's Office)POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A 22-year-old man accused of carjacking an Amazon delivery driver in Polk County has been taken into custody, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said the Amazon driver did the right thing by getting out of the van. “The delivery man did the right thing by not resisting the unarmed carjacker. He just knew that an unknown man wearing a ski-mask was demanding him to get out, and that was the safest thing to do.
Florida General Election Results for Polk County on Nov. 3, 2020
Read full article: Florida General Election Results for Polk County on Nov. 3, 2020Find All Race Results HereBARTOW, Fla. – One of the key races in Polk County is the U.S. House of Representatives District 9 seat. Check out all the Polk County races, including how residents voted for president, in the list below. Check all the races in Central Florida and statewide in the dropdown menu below.
Death penalty sought for man in shooting deaths of 3 friends
Read full article: Death penalty sought for man in shooting deaths of 3 friendsThe State Attorney’s Office filed its intent to seek the death penalty for Tony “T.J.” Wiggins Jr. on Tuesday in Polk County circuit court, the Ledger reported. Wiggins was indicted by a grand jury last month in the deaths of Brandon Rollins, 28; Damion Tillman, 23; and Keven Springfield, 30. Wiggins remained in the Polk County Jail, where he's being held without bond. Wiggins’ younger brother, William Robert, told investigators during questioning that he witnessed the shootings while sitting in his brother's pickup truck, Polk County Sheriff's officials said. He said his brother accused Springfield, who was a mechanic, of taking his truck, reports said.
Grand jury indicts man in shooting deaths of 3 friends on fishing trip
Read full article: Grand jury indicts man in shooting deaths of 3 friends on fishing tripBARTOW, Fla. – A grand jury has formally charged a 26-year-old man with three counts of first-degree murder in the fatal shootings of three friends who had gathered at a Central Florida lake in July for some late night fishing. Prosecutors have 45 days to determine whether to seek the death penalty for Tony “T.J.” Wiggins Jr., following the grand jury’s findings. [RELATED: ‘Evil in the flesh:’ 2 men, 1 woman arrested after 3 friends slain on Florida fishing trip | Two brothers and young woman charged in deaths of three men on fishing trip make first court appearance | Mystery lingers after 3 beaten, killed during Florida fishing trip]He’s accused of killing Brandon Rollins, Damion Tillman and Keven Springfield. Wiggins is being held without bond at the Polk County Jail. Detectives tracked down Wiggins using evidence gathered at the scene and surveillance video.
Florida man faces 15 years for fatal punch
Read full article: Florida man faces 15 years for fatal punchBARTOW, Fla. – A Florida man faces up to 15 years in prison for fatally punching another man in the face. Travis Brian Barlow, 37, was found guilty of manslaughter last week in Polk County, the Ledger reported. Barlow went to the Lakeland home of Adam Frank Hoffman, 38, in June 2018, the sheriff's office said. Barlow was apparently angry that Hoffman had disrespected Barlow's girlfriend earlier. Barlow acknowledged to deputies that he hit Hoffman once, though other witnesses said Barlow hit the other man twice, officials said.