Local News in Polk County
Community news from our local sources
Polk County 28 storiesWiden to Greater Lakeland
Daily Ridge
Published September 29Florida Rolls Out Newly Designed Driver Licenses Beginning Wednesday
Florida residents getting a new or renewed driver license will begin seeing a different design starting Wednesday. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles announced that newly designed Florida driver licenses and identification cards will begin being issued at…
Daily Ridge
Published September 29Winter Haven Approves $6.1K Commissioner Raise, $6.5K for Mayor
Winter Haven Approves $6.1K Commissioner Raise, $6.5K for Mayorby James Coulter In lieu of a 3 percent cost‑of‑living bump for all city employees, Winter Haven’s elected leaders are getting raises of $6.1 thousand for commissioners and $6.5 thousand for the mayor. At their…
Daily Ridge
Published September 28Winter Haven Reviews $377.2M Budget, Tentatively Sets 6.59 Millage Rate for FY 2027
Winter Haven Reviews $377.2M Budget, Tentatively Sets 6.59 Millage Rate for FY 2027by James Coulter As Winter Haven’s population grows, residents will see their property tax bills grow next year. On Tues., Sept. 15, 2026, Winter Haven city commissioners reviewed the upcoming…
Daily Ridge
Published September 28City Hall Parking Lots Will Be Closed September 30
City Hall parking lots will be closed Wednesday, September 30 while they mill, pave, and stripe the parking areas. City Hall will still be open during the work. Parking is available nearby, and visitors can use the sidewalks to reach offices. Need to pay your water bill? Parking…
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 22Dundee Mayor Says He Won’t Support Nearly $30,000 Pay Increase For Town Clerk Ahead Of Tonight’s Vote
By Carl Fish Dundee Mayor Joe Garrison says he will not support a proposed employment contract for Town Clerk Erica Anderson that would set her annual salary at $95,000, saying an increase of nearly $30,000 a year is too much. The Dundee Town Commission is scheduled to discuss…
Daily Ridge
Published September 16CareerSource Polk Executive Director Fired in 3–2 County Commission Vote
CareerSource Polk Executive Director Fired in 3–2 County Commission Voteby James Coulter After being temporarily removed amid allegations of mismanagement, deception, and noncompliance, Stacy Campbell‑Domineck has now been permanently removed as President and CEO of CareerSource…
FlaglerLive
Published September 16The Eagle, or At Least the Sheriff’s Bird, Has Landed at Mosquito Control After Months of Storage in Lakeland
The Flagler County Sheriff's newly acquired helicopter landed at the East Flagler Mosquito Control District Tuesday and is now permanently housed at the district's hangar. Both agencies signed an interlocal agreement outlining shared ground operations. An attempt to run Flagler…
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…
Daily Ridge
Published September 10Lakeland Commission OKs Drought Fines, Electric Savings, Uber Airport Fee and $400K Stormwater Plan
Lakeland Commission Approves Higher Drought Fines, Lower Electric Fuel Charge and New Airport Uber Fee City commissioners also approved a $400,000 stormwater planning project during Tuesday’s meeting. By Daily Ridge Staff LAKELAND, Fla. — Sept. 8, 2026 Lakeland residents could…
Daily Ridge
Published September 09Fort Meade Commissioner Matthew Taylor Sues To Stop Recall Effort
By Carl Fish The ongoing effort to recall Fort Meade City Commissioner Matthew Taylor has moved from the political arena into a Polk County courtroom. Taylor filed a lawsuit Tuesday seeking to halt the recall process and have the petition against him declared legally invalid. He…