A Polk County man was fatally shot by deputies after making threats to kill himself and his wife on her birthday, according to Sheriff Grady Judd.

A 29-year-old Haines City woman was killed in a crash with a tractor-trailer in Polk County, according to Florida Highway Patrol.

A Polk County woman won a $1 million prize playing the Florida Lottery’s $5 million Triple Match scratch-off game.

A three-vehicle crash near Haines City killed a woman and left two other people with serious injuries, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

A 17-year-old boy who allegedly reached for a gun in a stolen vehicle Friday night is in critical condition after being shot by a Haines City police officer, according to the city’s police chief and Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.

David Griffin resigned immediately from the Haines City police department after his arrest.

A Haines City police officer was caught on Saturday working with a woman to rip off a Walmart, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

Police said they received a tip about the relationship between the teacher and a student at Haines City High School.

A Winter Haven man got lucky when he bought a Florida Lottery scratch-off from a Haines City store.

A man accused of beating his former girlfriend and then severely beating another man who tried to intervene was arrested in Lake County, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

A 71-year-old Haines City woman was killed in a hit-and-run crash in Orange County on Sunday morning, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

A 41-year-old Haines City man riding a bicycle died Saturday night after being struck by a car on State Road 17 in Polk County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

A pediatric care facility for special needs children with locations across Central Florida has temporarily suspended operations following the hospitalization of two immediate family members, a spokesperson said in a statement on Monday.

A 28-year old Haines City man died after a crash on Sunday evening, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

A Haines City man suffered critical injuries and another man is dead after they attempted to cross a section of Colonial Drive in Orange County on Friday night and were struck by a sedan, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Three men were arrested in the fatal shooting of a 26-year-old in unincorporated Haines City, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

The fatal shooting of a 17-year-old in Haines City last week is believed to be connected to another shooting that occurred minutes earlier that same day, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

Two men were arrested Sunday after one stole approximately $5,800 worth of plywood, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

One man was killed and another was injured in a shooting at a bar near Haines City, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

A 44-year-old Orlando man was killed when his pickup slammed into the side of a tractor-trailer at the intersection of U.S. 27 and RWS Ranch Road in Polk County.

The Haines City police officer is accused of breaking into a woman's hotel room during a birthday weekend and sexually assaulting her.

A woman from Kissimmee faces charges after she wrote checks from her employer to her husband and herself, according to Haines City police.

Haines City police say a couple drove straight at an officer, rammed two patrol vehicles and broke into a Florida mayor’s home while trying to evade authorities.

Deputies are asking for the public’s help searching for a missing 82-year-old woman with dementia who last seen in the Haines City area.

HAINES CITY, Fla. – A former Haines City High School coach and teacher is accused of sexually battering a female student while they were both inside his classroom’s closet on at least 10 different occasions, according to the Haines City Police Department. Authorities said they obtained videos that showed Ricks and the girl together at Halloween Horror Nights in October 2020 and kissing inside of Ricks’ classroom. Records show Ricks was hired at Haines City High School on Aug. 31, 2020 and resigned on Saturday. “This case of grooming serves as a reminder for parents to remain vigilant about who their children are around,” Haines City Police Chief Jim Elensky said in a news release. “We appreciate the hard work of our detectives and the cooperation we received from Haines City High School, Polk County Schools and the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office throughout the investigation.

The Haines City Police Department said about 30 rounds were fired during the shooting, which occurred before 9 p.m. in the area of North 15th Street. Oscar Lee Hendrix Jr., 36, of Haines City, was killed and two other men and a woman were injured, records show. On Friday, Haines City Police Chief Jim Elensky spoke alongside the victim’s father, Oscar Hendrix Sr., in an effort to encourage any potential witnesses to step forward. Elensky called the shooting a tragedy that should hit home for every Haines City resident. Anyone with any information about the fatal shooting is asked to call the Haines City Police Department at 863-421-3636 or Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-8477 (TIPS).

HAINES CITY, Fla. – A Central Florida firefighter’s mission to “catch 'em all” ended with him stealing $165 worth of Pokémon cards from Walmart, according to the Haines City Police Department. Records show he took the barcode stickers from lower-priced Pokémon cards and placed them on more valuable packs then took them to the self-checkout. A loss prevention officer confronted Strickland before he could leave the store and then called police, according to a news release. Authorities said Strickland planned to “flip” the cards to make extra money because he’s been struggling financially. “Help is a phone call away,” Haines City Police Chief Jim Elensky said.

HAINES CITY, Fla. – A 26-year-old man has been accused of stealing a bulldozer from a Florida construction site, driving it into a neighborhood and knocking down campaign signs for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, according to authorities and homeowners. The man took the bulldozer in Haines City on Saturday and repeatedly destroyed Biden signs in full view of people who live in the neighborhood, witnesses said. James Blight was charged with grand theft auto and trespassing, according to the Haines City Police Department. Former Vice Mayor Adam Burgess lives in the central Florida neighborhood, which he said is predominantly Black. “This man came onto my property, took the two Joe Biden signs I had in my yard and then came back with a bulldozer to run down my fence,” Burgess told Bay News 9.

HAINES CITY, Fla. At least one man is injured following a shooting outside a bar in Haines City, according to the Polk County Sheriffs Office. Deputies said the shooting took place around 3 a.m. Tuesday in the parking lot outside Rosies Bar located at 33224 Highway 27. According to the sheriffs office, the man was taken to a nearby hospital to be treated for serious injuries from a gunshot wound. Details about what led up to the shooting or any possible suspects have not been released and the investigation is ongoing, according to the sheriffs office. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226 TIPS (8477).

HAINES CITY, Fla. A mother caught a Winter Haven man in the act as he tried to film under her 9-year-old daughters dress at a Polk County Walmart, according to the Haines City Police Department. When the childs mother turned away, Jonathan knelt down to the floor and tried to use his phone to film underneath the girls dress, records show. The girls mother then realized what was happening and reported the incident, according to authorities. While this is the first time hes being criminally charged for recording young girls, I can say unequivocally, given my experience, that this is not his only victim, Haines City Police Chief Jim Elensky said. Equally as important, I commend the girls mother for speaking up for her daughter.

POLK COUNTY, Fla. – Polk County authorities are investigating a double homicide, officials said. According to Polk County officials, the married couple had been deceased for some time. “Todd Jackson shot the two victims in the head as they slept at the crime scene,” officials said. Detectives arrested Jackson near his last known place of residence in the Wabash area of Lakeland on Saturday evening, officials said. He was expected to be booked into the Polk County Jail later Saturday night and had his first court appearance Sunday.

HAINES CITY, FL – Legoland Florida announced Friday when its water park will open. The new Legoland Water Park will open on May 26th. The water park will feature Lego versions of water park favorites, including a rafts built from Lego blocks and a gentle wave pool with Lego walls. The water park is an area inside of the park, requiring admission to Legoland plus an extra fee. Legoland has launched a Premium Pass that includes unlimited admission to the main park, the water park, along with free parking and other discounts.