Penny Smith is well-known throughout the South Shore community, but she's especially popular this time of year. ...more

January 14, 2009

The state insurance commissioner has again denied State Farm Florida's proposed 47 percent rate increase for property coverage against hurricanes and other perils. ...more

January 12, 2009

Polk County deputies arrested a fifth person Saturday in a shooting that left a 12-year-old bystander wounded in the leg. ...more

January 5, 2009

Polk County deputies arrested a fifth person Saturday in connection with a shooting that left a 12-year-old bystander wounded in the leg. ...more

January 4, 2009

A body was found inside a car that was engulfed in flames from a single-car accident in Lake Wales this morning, the Polk County Sheriff's Office reports. ...more

January 3, 2009

WHAT'S IN: •Budget Cuts. Lawmakers in both chambers now anticipate cutting recurring costs by roughly $1 billion. That likely means cutting into health, education and public safety and other vital services, which could trigger layoffs and jeopardize the welfare of some of Florida's neediest residents. ...more

January 3, 2009

Winter Haven police are looking for anyone who saw a pedestrian fatally struck crossing First Street South near Avenue A Southwest on New Year's Eve. ...more

January 2, 2009

The Coast Guard was searching for a cruise ship employee who fell overboard from the Carnival Sensation about 20 miles east of Vero Beach early Thursday. ...more

January 2, 2009

The Coast Guard is searching the waters off Florida for a cruise ship employee who reportedly fell overboard. ...more

January 1, 2009

An investigation into the shooting of a 12-year-old Winter Haven boy has yielded four arrests. The boy was shot in the leg Monday afternoon as he and a friend unintentionally walked near two groups of people that were arguing, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said. Caleb Brown was taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center and is home recuperating, deputies said today. ...more

December 31, 2008