Polk County Sheriff’s Office announced alleged break-in in bizarre, pun-filled Facebook post featuring cartoon bears. Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent.

Ask the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and they’ll tell you identifying criminals isn’t that easy. Life for a deputy on the street may get a little easier, though, thanks to students at ...

A Florida man broke into a random house and hung out there for several days to avoid going home to his angry wife after the ...

Members of the community in Polk County are stepping up to financially support local organizations impacted by Governor Ron DeSantis' veto of all art and cultural funding earlier this summer.

A 16-year-old boy was charged with attempted first-degree murder after Polk County deputies said he ambushed a 19-year-old man he planned to fight by firing shots at him and his car.

Polk County, for example, has a permanent rate of $1.71 and supplements that with a 49.5-cent per $1,000 operations levy. Marion County will receive about $101 million in property taxes in 2025, ...

ELOISE, Fla. — A Polk County deputy is recovering after accidentally shooting herself in the leg during a dog attack, according to the sheriff's office. It happened just after 10:30 a.m. Sunday ...

Florida's $115.1 billion budget for 2025-2026, passed after a delayed legislative session, includes milions in funding for various Polk County projects. Allocations cover higher education ...

CEDARTOWN, Ga. — Two Polk County police officers are in the hospital after a violent crash during a high-speed chase Saturday night that left one patrol car in flames and both officers seriously ...

Nineteen Polk County public schools will have new principals for the 2025-2026 school year. Five principal reassignments are a result of retirements. Three high schools, one K-8 school, one ...

Under the deal, Polk County will cover 60% of construction costs and provide the land, while Bartow will utilize approximately one-fourth of the 20,000-square-foot facility.

LAKELAND, Fla. — After Polk County School Board members decided to eliminate Polk Virtual School, some Polk County families say they’re left scrambling for options for next school year. One ...