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Pace Road widening project

Pace Road widening project

Polk County, FL -- Starting this Sunday, April 10, Florida's Turnpike Enterprise announced lane closures and construction/maintenance projects in Central Florida.

Florida's Turnpike is notifying motorists to watch for slow moving traffic, and lane closures and traffic shifts next week near the Eastern Mainline Toll Plaza while they work on the Polk Parkway Pace Road Interchange

A SunPass-only lane is being added to the southbound side of the plaza and motorists should be alert for traffic shifts through the plaza. 

Woman charged in 2010 traffic death

Woman charged in 2010 traffic death

Winter Haven, FL -- The sheriff's office has charged a Lakeland woman with DUI Manslaughter in the traffic death last October of an 84-year-old Mulberry woman.


Audrey Yutzy, 40, who moved to Lakeland from Mulberry after the crash, was arrested after the FDLE returned lab results that showed she had a blood alcohol content of 0.159, nearly twice the legal limit.

Apply for loans to help with recent storm damage

Apply for loans to help with recent storm damage

Polk County, FL -- Polk County homeowners and businesses are eligible to apply for low-interest loans to repair damage sustained during the severe weather that impacted the area on March 31.

Polk is included in the disaster declarations resulting from the severe storms, flooding and tornadoes.

Residents who own their own homes, businesses or small agricultural cooperatives located in the disaster area, and who are victims of the disaster may be eligible for financial assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Three types of disaster loans are available:

Annual Chili Cook Off benefits American Red Cross

Annual Chili Cook Off benefits American Red Cross

Lakeland, FL -- The Lakeland Fire Department is teaming up with the Flying Tigers on Thursday, April 14 at Joker Marchant Stadium for the 2nd Annual "Chili Cook-Off".


This year the Flying Tigers are hosting a very fun evening to raise money and awareness for the American Red Cross. Tickets are only $10.00 with proceeds benefitting the American Red Cross Polk and Highlands County Chapter


Kids 3 and under are free; ages 4-12, ticket price is $9.00. 

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Green Celebration honors Earth Day!

Green Celebration honors Earth Day!

Lakeland, FL -- Green Celebration honors Earth Day's 41st Anniversary with a concert & showcase.

There will be live music along with a variety of exhibits promoting green living initiatives that are taking place in our community.

Bring your family and friends and enjoy an evening filled with environmental stewardship, music, food and fun!

Hundreds line up to adopt dogs seized from Lakeland home

Hundreds line up to adopt dogs seized from Lakeland home

Winter Haven, FL -- Hours before the doors even opened, about 75 people were waiting in line this morning to adopt some of the animals seized from a Lakeland home last month.

Photo Gallery: Miranda Trail dog adoption

The Polk County Animal Shelter hosted an adoption event to find homes for about 85 to 90 dogs and about 25 cats. In all, about 400 people showed up to check them out.

Woman gets 60 years for child porn

LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) -- A central Florida woman has been sentenced to 60 years in prison for making child pornography for her boyfriend.

A Polk County judge sentenced 35-year-old Jodi Vinson on Friday. She was convicted in February of 40 criminal counts, including taking pornographic photographs of two female relatives who were 7 and 10 years old.

The Lakeland woman and her boyfriend, 30-year-old Ricky Bailey, were arrested in September 2009. Vinson's attorney argued that Bailey forced her to take the pictures and threatened to kill her if she didn't.

Bailey is awaiting his trial on multiple criminal charges.