2-year-old girl dies on her birthday after being struck by Tesla near Winter Haven driveway
Read full article: 2-year-old girl dies on her birthday after being struck by Tesla near Winter Haven drivewayAccording to the Winter Haven Police Department, the girl was playing near the driveway when the Tesla began backing into the driveway, hitting the child.
‘Out of control:’ This threat is looming over Florida’s future, expert says
Read full article: ‘Out of control:’ This threat is looming over Florida’s future, expert saysWhile the threat of a recession seems to have abated, there’s another danger looming over Florida’s future, UCF economist Sean Snaith announced in his latest forecast.
FHP: Winter Haven police vehicle struck by speeding car while responding to call
Read full article: FHP: Winter Haven police vehicle struck by speeding car while responding to callA Winter Haven police vehicle was struck by a speeding car while an officer was responding to a call, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Legoland Florida’s holiday celebration returns with LEGO Santa, shows, and fireworks
Read full article: Legoland Florida’s holiday celebration returns with LEGO Santa, shows, and fireworksOn select dates in December, families can enjoy a festive wonderland filled with twinkling lights, interactive entertainment, and holiday-themed LEGO décor, all included with park admission.
Legoland Florida reopens expanded LEGO shop with personalized minifigure station, mosaic maker
Read full article: Legoland Florida reopens expanded LEGO shop with personalized minifigure station, mosaic makerThe new LEGO store has grown by 2,000 square feet and now features more than 700 different LEGO sets and over 1,200 unique products for fans of all ages.
Legoland Florida’s Brick-or-Treat event designed for kids’ first Halloween memories
Read full article: Legoland Florida’s Brick-or-Treat event designed for kids’ first Halloween memoriesLegoland Florida is designed to be a child’s first theme park, and its Brick-or-Treat event aims to be a child’s first Halloween experience.
Nearly 250 arrests in Polk County ‘Fool Around and Find Out — Again’ sting, sheriff says
Read full article: Nearly 250 arrests in Polk County ‘Fool Around and Find Out — Again’ sting, sheriff saysIn a release, deputies said that the undercover investigation focused on human trafficking, child predators and illegal immigration.
Polk County 16-year-old faces charges for making phone threats against 2 high schools
Read full article: Polk County 16-year-old faces charges for making phone threats against 2 high schoolsA Winter Haven High School sophomore was arrested after making phone threats to two different schools, according to a news release.
Attempted murder suspect on the run for 2 years arrested, Winter Haven police say
Read full article: Attempted murder suspect on the run for 2 years arrested, Winter Haven police sayAfter more than two years on the run, an attempted murder suspect was taken into custody, according to the Winter Haven Police Department.
8 arrested in $8.8M scheme targeting hundreds across US, Florida sheriff says
Read full article: 8 arrested in $8.8M scheme targeting hundreds across US, Florida sheriff saysPolk County Sheriff Grady Judd will join Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and other officials to discuss the arrests of eight people in a multimillion-dollar fraud case.
Study reveals the least educated city in Florida. Here’s what that means
Read full article: Study reveals the least educated city in Florida. Here’s what that meansTo figure out which places were considered the “most educated,” researchers looked at factors like degree holders, local school quality, and nearby learning opportunities.
Juneteenth events happening in Central Florida. Here’s where
Read full article: Juneteenth events happening in Central Florida. Here’s whereJuneteenth, a federal holiday that commemorates when the last slaves in the United States learned they were free, is June 19, but there are plenty of festivities scheduled throughout the week.
Polk County deputy shoots at ‘gang member’ after hectic crash
Read full article: Polk County deputy shoots at ‘gang member’ after hectic crashA deputy fired his weapon at a “documented gang member” after the suspect crashed his vehicle into multiple law enforcement vehicles, injuring one deputy before the man crashed into another vehicle, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Winter Haven man accused of sex acts with 15-year-old girl he picked up at bus stop, police say
Read full article: Winter Haven man accused of sex acts with 15-year-old girl he picked up at bus stop, police sayA 20-year-old man arrested in Winter Haven is accused of lewd acts with a 15-year-old girl he picked up from a bus stop multiple times, police said.
‘Fool Around and Find Out:’ Polk sheriff discusses 255 arrests in undercover operation
Read full article: ‘Fool Around and Find Out:’ Polk sheriff discusses 255 arrests in undercover operationPolk County Sheriff Grady Judd held a news conference to discuss the arrests of 225 people in an undercover investigation named “Fool Around and Find Out.”
Meet the newest little piggy at Peppa Pig Theme Park Florida this summer
Read full article: Meet the newest little piggy at Peppa Pig Theme Park Florida this summerBeginning this summer, fans will have the opportunity to meet the newest little piggy in person at Peppa Pig Theme Park locations, including Florida.
Florida Gov. DeSantis takes jabs at New York over fleeing residents. Is he right?
Read full article: Florida Gov. DeSantis takes jabs at New York over fleeing residents. Is he right?Earlier this week during a Winter Haven news conference, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis made several jabs at states like California and New York.
‘Just eliminate it entirely:’ Florida Gov. DeSantis vows to axe rent, property taxes
Read full article: ‘Just eliminate it entirely:’ Florida Gov. DeSantis vows to axe rent, property taxesOn Monday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis pledged to eliminate business rent taxes as he touted the state's economic success.
SEA LIFE Florida to open at this Central Florida theme park. See where
Read full article: SEA LIFE Florida to open at this Central Florida theme park. See whereFeaturing 25 interactive exhibits including a main ocean display with a “Theme Park Under the Sea” design, the aquarium will be having its grand opening in May.
Crazy video: Jeep Gladiator rams into vehicle in Winter Haven hit-and-run crash
Read full article: Crazy video: Jeep Gladiator rams into vehicle in Winter Haven hit-and-run crashThe Winter Haven Police Department is searching for a Jeep Gladiator that was caught on video ramming into a vehicle in a neighborhood earlier this month before driving off.
Legoland offers free kids’ tickets with Toys for Tots donation Sunday
Read full article: Legoland offers free kids’ tickets with Toys for Tots donation SundayLegoland Florida is teaming up with Coca-Cola to get more gifts for children in need this Christmas, and on Sunday that means free tickets for kids into the park.
Merlin Entertainments announces ticket sale for Legoland Florida
Read full article: Merlin Entertainments announces ticket sale for Legoland FloridaThe kickoff to the Christmas shopping season is a week away, but before Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Floridians can take advantage of more theme park ticket deals.
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.