Polk County Pulse

Polk County residents, gear up for Sun 'n Fun kicking off tomorrow through April 19th!

• Thrilling air shows daily from 1pm: Thunderbirds, F-22...

Key updates on the leadership transition shaping Polk County's education future:

• Search began Monday; applications due April 29 via Myers McRae.
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Polk County's transport and trades sectors are buzzing with flexible, well-paying openings—perfect for local residents seeking work.

• Delivery...

Heartfelt farewell to Barbara Jane Sebring, who passed April 9 after a brief illness.

• Community pillar: Moved to Lake Wales in 1973; volunteered...

Davenport Fire Department invites public submissions to name their new fire rescue boat through Friday, April 17. Three finalists will go to public...

A pre-dawn crash in growing Loughman highlights traffic risks:

• Hit-and-run at Ronald Reagan Parkway and Lake Wilson Road left one driver with minor...

Polk County's new pilot slashes transportation hurdles to justice:

• Common issue: Indigent clients (over 27,000 last year) miss court due to no car,...

Public Safety Alerts

• 🔥 Third Rabies Case in Bartow: The Polk County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the third rabies case of 2026 involving a...

Key alert for Polk residents: Coastal exodus post-Hurricane Ian boosts inland areas like ours due to skyrocketing SW FL premiums—Florida's $8,292...

Tampa Bay forecast predicts temperatures in the high 80s, climbing to the 90s, with no chance of rain for the following days. Polk residents should brace for intensifying dry conditions.

Third 2026 rabies case confirmed in Polk County: Brazilian free-tailed bat found in Bartow home near family's cat on April 8 (cat quarantined as...

Roadway tragedy on State Road 574: 17-year-old killed, 40-year-old injured in hit-and-run.

• 40-year-old veered into oncoming lane for near head-on...

Interconnected projects are reshaping Lake Wales:

• Mobility upgrades: Sidewalks, ADA ramps, landscaped rain gardens on resurfaced streets for safer...

Public Health & Safety

• 🔥 Third Rabies Case Confirmed in Bartow: A Brazilian free-tailed bat tested positive for rabies on April 8 in Bartow...

Polk families: Blueberry Festival today (10am-3pm) at Keel Farms – every Sat/Sun in April (no Easter)!

• U-Pick blueberries & shortcake eating...

Rabies risk rising in Polk – third case confirmed this year in a Brazilian free-tailed bat found in a Bartow home on April 8.

Key actions for...

Polk County lifters triumphed at districts in Lakeland:

• Haines City clinched Olympic title (64 pts), Ridge took traditional (52 pts).
• Winter...

• Patsy Ann Powell, lifelong Eagle Lake resident, remembered
• Irene G. Burke of Lake Wales honored in loving memory
• 2nd Annual Polk County Fair Housing Event set for April 21—mark your calendar for community awareness

Polk County's maintenance sector has new openings for all skill levels, from repairs to cleaning.

• Junior Maintenance Tech: Sealed Air in Lake...

Lake Wales Police Department mourns retired K-9 Thor, celebrating his service to Polk County communities.

• Born in Slovakia, joined LWPD in 2016...