Local News in Polk County
Community news from our local sources
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Daily Ridge
Published September 14Monstropolis Under Construction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Monstropolis Under Construction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios by James Coulter Get ready to scream for excitement! Because monsters are expected to arrive real soon at Walt Disney World now that a new Monsters, Inc.-themed land is being constructed. Monstropolis Under…
Daily Ridge
Published September 14DeSantis Breaks Ground on Major New Archery Center at Tenoroc in Polk County
By Carl Fish Polk County, Florida – Gov. Ron DeSantis was in Polk County Monday to break ground on a new Florida Archery Center at the Tenoroc Public Use Area near Lakeland, a project envisioned as a major destination for competitive archery in Florida. DeSantis announced the…
Daily Ridge
Published September 14Driver Applying Deodorant Crashes on Polk Parkway, Truck Ends Up Atop Concrete Barrier
POLK COUNTY, Fla. – An unusual case of distracted driving left a pickup truck perched atop a concrete barrier along the Polk Parkway Sunday morning, but fortunately no one was injured. According to Florida Highway Patrol Sgt. Steve Gaskins, the crash happened around 7 a.m.…
Daily Ridge
Published September 14103rd AED Placed at Gary’s Oyster Bar as Pay-It-Forward Donation
Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation has reached another milestone with the placement of its 103rd automated external defibrillator (AED), this time at Gary’s Oyster Bar. The AED was placed on August 31 as a Pay-It-Forward donation from Brian Beilke with Stone Up Services & Masonry,…
Daily Ridge
Published September 12Eighteen Year Old Motorcyclist Killed On Hwy 98
The PCSO Traffic Homicide Investigations Unit is investigating a two‑vehicle crash that resulted in one fatality. The crash occurred on Friday, September 11, 2026, at approximately 3:24 p.m. at the intersection of Hancock Ave and Hwy 98 S in Highland City. According to evidence…
Daily Ridge
Published September 11Detectives Say Lakeland Woman’s Ring Was Consistent With Injuries Found On 3-Month-Old Baby
On Thursday, September 10, 2026, PCSO deputies arrested 42-year-old Jessica Vlasac of Lakeland, charging her with aggravated child abuse (F1) resulting in the death of a 3-month-old infant who was in her care. According to the affidavit, at approximately 11:58 p.m. on Sunday,…
Daily Ridge
Published September 11Lake Wales Considers Purchasing $65K in Equipment for Fleet Maintenance Operations
Lake Wales Considers Purchasing $65K in Equipment for Fleet Maintenance Operationsby James Coulter As the City takes on responsibility for maintaining and repairing its vehicle fleet from the County, Lake Wales city commissioners will consider purchasing the necessary equipment.…
Daily Ridge
Published September 11Economic Development, Airport, and Historic Stuart House Discussed for Next Year’s Lake Wales Budget
Economic Development, Airport, and Historic Stuart House Discussed for Next Year’s Lake Wales Budget by James Coulter A new economic development director position, the city’s airport, and the Historic Stuart House were several key areas of discussion during a review of the city’s…
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Published September 11Polk County teacher salary
Polk County School Board vote on increasing classroom teacher salary.
Daily Ridge
Published September 11Polk County Football Preview Week 4
By Ethan Jones: With another week of action-packed football, we are now moving fast through the season as we head into Week 4. The early-season excitement is still there, but the stakes are beginning to rise. Teams have a better idea of who they are and what they need to improve…
Daily Ridge
Published September 11City of Winter Haven Announces Sign Ups for Sunset Kayak Eco-Tour
Kayak tours are back for the Fall! Tickets open now for a sunset tour on Lake Jessie on Wednesday, September 16th from 5 to 7pm. Meeting at Jack Brown’s Sea Plane Base. All kayaking events are pending weather, participants will be updated on cancellations via mobile and email…
Daily Ridge
Published September 11PCSO Arrests 57 Individuals in August for DUI
Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested 57 people for Driving Under the Influence of alcohol and/or drugs last month. One of the drivers arrested picked up his 3rd DUI. Of these arrests, 13 of them were involved in traffic crashes. Two of those involved in crashes had a…