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COUNTY-BY-COUNTY GUIDE: Central Florida holiday events to get in the spirit this 2024 season
Read full article: COUNTY-BY-COUNTY GUIDE: Central Florida holiday events to get in the spirit this 2024 seasonFrom markets to festivals to drive-through displays, the options are endless when it comes to holiday fun.
Nurse accused of stealing over $140K from blind, elderly Polk County man
Read full article: Nurse accused of stealing over $140K from blind, elderly Polk County manDetectives said the nurse was originally hired as a home health nurse to take care of the victim’s wife, though the wife passed away in 2020.
Search is on for driver accused of hitting Winter Haven police sergeant’s cruiser multiple times
Read full article: Search is on for driver accused of hitting Winter Haven police sergeant’s cruiser multiple timesA sergeant for the Winter Haven Police Department has been released from the hospital after an SUV struck his patrol vehicle multiple times at a red light before taking off, according to investigators.
41K gallons of syrup, 40K pounds of bee pollen substitute donated to Florida beekeepers impacted by hurricanes
Read full article: 41K gallons of syrup, 40K pounds of bee pollen substitute donated to Florida beekeepers impacted by hurricanesA nonprofit said they helped donate nearly 10 tankers of syrup and 40,000 pounds of bee pollen substitute to Florida beekeepers impacted by hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Florida governor says he ‘never saw’ controversial state parks proposal, claims ‘left-wing group’ leaked info
Read full article: Florida governor says he ‘never saw’ controversial state parks proposal, claims ‘left-wing group’ leaked infoFlorida Gov. Ron DeSantis has distanced himself from a controversial state-level proposal to make such changes to some state parks as adding golf, pickleball and lodging.
Celebrate 20 years of Peppa Pig at Florida theme park dance party
Read full article: Celebrate 20 years of Peppa Pig at Florida theme park dance partyIn collaboration with Hasbro and Amazon, Peppa’s Dance Party will deliver engaging in-person and virtual play experiences for preschoolers and their families across the globe.
Man shot, killed in front of family by Polk deputy he rammed with car, tried to attack, sheriff says
Read full article: Man shot, killed in front of family by Polk deputy he rammed with car, tried to attack, sheriff saysA confrontation between a suspect and a Polk County deputy ended in the suspect’s death and left the deputy in the hospital, according to Sheriff Grady Judd.
Deputies find 3 more victims in Polk County child voyeur case
Read full article: Deputies find 3 more victims in Polk County child voyeur caseThree more victims have come forward and new charges have been filed against a Polk County man who was arrested last month, accused of secretly photographing a teen in his bathroom.
1 shot, killed in Winter Haven as man claims gun went off while he cleaned it, police say
Read full article: 1 shot, killed in Winter Haven as man claims gun went off while he cleaned it, police sayWinter Haven police have arrested a 20-year-old man accused of fatally shooting another man in "an act that appears to be negligence in the handling of a firearm," according to Chief David Brannan.
Polk County man accused of taking pictures of nude teen; more victims possible
Read full article: Polk County man accused of taking pictures of nude teen; more victims possibleDeputies arrested a man Wednesday who they say was taking pictures of a nude teenage girl in his bathroom, without her knowledge, and they believe there may be more victims.
Winter Haven girl, 16, seriously injured after being struck by SUV while sitting on curb, FHP says
Read full article: Winter Haven girl, 16, seriously injured after being struck by SUV while sitting on curb, FHP saysA 16-year-old girl was seriously injured when an SUV drove onto the sidewalk and struck her as she sat on a curb in Winter Haven, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Glider pilot critically injured after crashing in Winter Haven neighborhood, police say
Read full article: Glider pilot critically injured after crashing in Winter Haven neighborhood, police sayA pilot is in critical condition after their glider crashed along a Winter Haven street on Saturday afternoon.
‘Extremist’ sovereign citizen ID’d after deadly Polk County shootout with deputies
Read full article: ‘Extremist’ sovereign citizen ID’d after deadly Polk County shootout with deputiesSheriff Grady Judd held a news conference on afternoon to discuss a weekend shooting in which a “sovereign citizen” shot two deputies and then was killed when backup deputies returned fire.
Polk County sheriff announces agency’s largest-ever seizure of fentanyl; 4 arrested, 1 wanted
Read full article: Polk County sheriff announces agency’s largest-ever seizure of fentanyl; 4 arrested, 1 wantedAccording to the sheriff’s office, the investigation involved a trafficking ring bringing fentanyl from Mexico into Polk County and other parts of Florida.
‘Blow the building up:’ Threats sparks evacuation twice at Winter Haven clinic
Read full article: ‘Blow the building up:’ Threats sparks evacuation twice at Winter Haven clinicCity officials said that first responders headed to Gessler Clinic just after noon after receiving reports about smoke and haze inside the building.
Winter Haven man dies in crash with parked pickup truck, troopers say
Read full article: Winter Haven man dies in crash with parked pickup truck, troopers sayA 24-year-old Winter Haven man died in a crash with a parked pickup truck early Wednesday in Polk County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Winter Haven man faces felony charges after pointing gun at a couple at Burger King
Read full article: Winter Haven man faces felony charges after pointing gun at a couple at Burger KingA close encounter in a parking lot led to a Winter Haven man’s arrest after he was accused of pointing a gun at people in another car, according to the Winter Haven Police Department.
Man accused of trying to kill Winter Haven resident in their backyard, police say
Read full article: Man accused of trying to kill Winter Haven resident in their backyard, police sayA Dundee man accused of threatening and attempting to kill a Winter Haven resident was arrested after reportedly entering their backyard and shooting at them.
Man wanted after missing Polk County woman was murdered, sheriff says
Read full article: Man wanted after missing Polk County woman was murdered, sheriff saysAs part of the case, the sheriff’s office began searching for Hernandez’s vehicle, and it was ultimately determined that she had been murdered, Judd said.
Legoland Florida honors service members with limited-time admission, hotel offers
Read full article: Legoland Florida honors service members with limited-time admission, hotel offersAs a gesture of thanks to service members and first responders, Legoland Florida Resort is offering complimentary admission and exclusive family savings for a limited-time.
‘Motive unknown’: 1 arrested after Florida pastor’s son murdered in church parking lot
Read full article: ‘Motive unknown’: 1 arrested after Florida pastor’s son murdered in church parking lotTaquion Cotton put a woman into a chokehold while fleeing from investigators, prompting Cotton's mother to come to the woman's aid, according to the sheriff's office.
Winter Haven man faces murder charge in Hillsborough County shooting, sheriff says
Read full article: Winter Haven man faces murder charge in Hillsborough County shooting, sheriff saysA Winter Haven man arrested in Hillsborough County is accused of murder in the shooting death of another person there Saturday night, according to Sheriff Chad Chronister.
New characters to debut in Legoland Florida Resort Holidays event
Read full article: New characters to debut in Legoland Florida Resort Holidays eventThe holidays are set to return to LEGOLAND Florida Resort, delivering a festive experience that promises to delight visitors of all ages, the theme park said Thursday.
26-year-old shoots man 6 times in Winter Haven after being asked to ‘drink and chill,’ police say
Read full article: 26-year-old shoots man 6 times in Winter Haven after being asked to ‘drink and chill,’ police sayA 26-year-old shot a man six times when asked if he wanted to “drink and chill,” according to the Winter Haven Police Department.
Former Polk deputy accused in DUI crash that left woman with brain injury
Read full article: Former Polk deputy accused in DUI crash that left woman with brain injuryHe had been driving near the Winter Haven airport when he lost control of the motorcycle, causing both himself and a woman to be ejected, deputies said.
4 arrested after 15-year-old boy found dead in Polk County driveway
Read full article: 4 arrested after 15-year-old boy found dead in Polk County drivewayFour people were arrested after a 15-year-old boy was found dead in a Polk County driveway last week, according to sheriff’s officials, in a case involving drugs and an illegal gun sale.
From sensory guides to quiet rooms, LEGOLAND helps guests with autism enjoy the park
Read full article: From sensory guides to quiet rooms, LEGOLAND helps guests with autism enjoy the parkLEGOLAND Florida was the first LEGOLAND park in North America to become a Certified Autism Center and with four quiet spaces and sensory guides all over the park, they’re making it easy for families to plan a vacation and get the most out of it.
Polk County detectives investigate fatal hit-and-run crash near Winter Haven
Read full article: Polk County detectives investigate fatal hit-and-run crash near Winter HavenA bicyclist died Saturday after a hit-and-run crash at an intersection near Winter Haven, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
9-year old girl, mother help rescue drowning man from swimming pool
Read full article: 9-year old girl, mother help rescue drowning man from swimming poolA 9-year-old girl and her mother are credited with saving the life of a man who almost drowned in a community pool, according to Winter Haven police.
Report: Student was landing when 2 small planes collided
Read full article: Report: Student was landing when 2 small planes collidedA preliminary report says a student pilot was attempting to land a small plane at a central Florida airport when it collided with another small plane, sending both aircraft crashing into a lake and killing four people.
Bodies of missing boaters found in Lake Eloise, Sheriff Grady Judd says
Read full article: Bodies of missing boaters found in Lake Eloise, Sheriff Grady Judd saysPolk County Sheriff Grady Judd on Sunday held a news conference to provide new details in the search for two men who went missing on Lake Eloise the day prior and are presumed dead, as well as the circumstances that led to their disappearance.
WATCH LIVE: Polk sheriff to update search for 2 adults missing in Winter Haven lake
Read full article: WATCH LIVE: Polk sheriff to update search for 2 adults missing in Winter Haven lakeDeputies announced they are conducting a search and recovery mission for two adults on Lake Eloise in Winter Haven on Saturday.
NTSB officials release new details on what led up to Winter Haven plane crash that killed 4
Read full article: NTSB officials release new details on what led up to Winter Haven plane crash that killed 4A National Transportation Safety Board investigator said Thursday officials recovered both of the planes involved in the mid-air Winter Haven crash that killed four people, including a 19-year-old student pilot.
WATCH LIVE: NTSB to provide briefing on mid-air crash that killed 4 over Florida lake
Read full article: WATCH LIVE: NTSB to provide briefing on mid-air crash that killed 4 over Florida lakeFour people died after two small planes collided in the air Tuesday and crashed into Lake Hartridge in Winter Haven, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Motorcyclist killed in Polk County rear-end crash; Pickup truck driver sought, deputies say
Read full article: Motorcyclist killed in Polk County rear-end crash; Pickup truck driver sought, deputies sayA 28-year-old motorcyclist was killed Wednesday when he rear-ended another vehicle on U.S. 27 in Polk County, according to deputies.
Single-vehicle motorcycle crash kills Winter Haven man, sheriff’s office says
Read full article: Single-vehicle motorcycle crash kills Winter Haven man, sheriff’s office saysA single-vehicle motorcycle crash early Saturday in Cypress Gardens took the life of a 26-year-old Winter Haven man, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, which added speed likely played a factor in the wreck.
Winter Haven woman, 59, killed in hit-and-run crash near Lake Howard, FHP says
Read full article: Winter Haven woman, 59, killed in hit-and-run crash near Lake Howard, FHP saysThe Florida Highway Patrol is asking the public for information regarding a fatal hit-and-run crash Saturday evening in Winter Haven.
Florida woman points gun at driver in road rage incident near school, police say
Read full article: Florida woman points gun at driver in road rage incident near school, police sayA 25-year-old Florida woman was arrested, accused of pointing a gun at a driver during a traffic incident in Winter Haven, police said.
Winter Haven father and son arrested after shooting at woman’s car, deputies say
Read full article: Winter Haven father and son arrested after shooting at woman’s car, deputies sayA Winter Haven father and his 15-year-old son face several charges, including attempted murder, after shooting at a woman’s car near their apartment, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.