News across Polk County
Daily Ridge
Published September 25Polk County High School Football Week 6 Preview
By Ethan Jones With another week of high school football officially in the books, it is time to turn our attention toward Week 6, and once again, there is plenty to be excited about around Polk County. Last week gave us a little bit of everything, including some predictions that…
WMNF 88.5
Published September 25The Scoop: Fri. Sep. 25, 2026, Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF
Curtis Wilkie Beasley is scheduled to be Florida's 16th execution this Tuesday for the 1995 murder of Carolyn Monfort in Polk County
Katherine Piela
Katherine Piela, 80, of Mulberry, passed away peacefully, Thursday, September 10, 2026, at Mulberry Health. She was born in Lafayette on May 27, 1946, to ... [FULL STORY] The post Katherine Piela first appeared on Clinton County Daily News .
Daily Ridge
Published September 25Two Winter Haven Residents Killed in Three-Vehicle Crash on K-Ville Avenue in Auburndale
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide Investigations Unit responded to investigate a traffic fatality on Thursday, September 24, 2026, around 12:50 p.m. on CR 542 (K-Ville Ave) and Jimmy Lee Road in Auburndale. Three vehicles were involved in the crash: A 2006 gray…
Daily Ridge
Published September 25Three Killed After Car And Dump Truck Collide On SR 60 Near Lake Wales
Three people died as a result of a two-vehicle crash near Lake Wales early Thursday morning, September 24, 2026. Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched at about 4:22 am to State Road 60 at Acuff Road, after a two-vehicle crash was reported there. Upon the…
Daily Ridge
Published September 24Live Music in Winter Haven This Weekend
If you’re looking for live music in Winter Haven this weekend, several local venues have performances scheduled Thursday through Sunday, September 24-27. Thursday, September 24 Friday, September 25 Saturday, September 26 Sunday, September 27 Whether you’re looking for a…
Daily Ridge
Published September 24Lakeland Motorcyclist Dies After Single-Vehicle Crash in Kathleen
A motorcyclist who was involved in a single-vehicle crash in Kathleen on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, later passed away at the hospital. Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the crash on Kathleen Road at 1stAvenue NW on Wednesday at around 1:40 pm.…
Daily Ridge
Published September 24Polk School Bus Employees Accused of Spraying Disabled 15-Year-Old With Disinfectant To ‘Teach Him A Lesson
New details released by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office allege two Polk County Public Schools transportation employees repeatedly sprayed a 15-year-old disabled student with disinfectant while he was riding a school bus. Bus driver Jeffrey Larson, 65, and bus attendant William…
Daily Ridge
Published September 24Homeland Heritage Park Hosting Moonlit Legends Cryptids Expo
Polk County Parks and Rec – Enter a world where legends come to life! Come learn and experience the lore associated with local and national myths and legendary creatures-all under the moonlight amongst the beautiful grounds of Homeland Heritage Park. Enjoy monster-themed…
Daily Ridge
Published September 23Auburndale Police Department Celebrates Retirement of Pat O’Neal After More Than 25 Years of Service
A retirement party was held to celebrate the Auburndale Police Department’s very own Pat O’Neal! Pat began his career with APD as a Public Safety Aide and became someone his colleagues could always count on. In April 2000, he transferred to Code Enforcement, where he spent more…
Daily Ridge
Published September 23One Movie Later: Coyote vs. Acme Is the Must‑See Film Warner Bros. Tried to Bury
One Movie Later: Coyote vs. Acme Is the Must‑See Film Warner Bros. Tried to Bury by James Coulter Coyote vs. Acme arrives with a backstory almost as looney as its Looney Tunes protagonist. Warner Bros. famously shelved the finished film for a tax write‑off, sparking a wave of…
Florida Weekly (Fort Myers)
Published September 23From unheralded to baseball greatness
Chris Sale arrived at Florida Gulf Coast University as an unheralded and skinny left-handed pitcher out of Lakeland. The nation’s elite college programs weren’t interested in the Lakeland High ace. But FGCU coach Dave Tollett saw something. He saw potential. That potential…