Polk County

The property tax initially ran from 1995 until 2015, and provided Polk County with over $80 million it used for preserving properties.

Roads neighboring waterways throughout Polk, Highlands, Hardee and DeSoto counties require emergency repair following Hurricane Ian.

Property values are skyrocketing all across Florida, generating hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenues for local governments.

So far, two review committees have voted to keep 15 of the contested books in libraries.

Polk County Public Schools' book review committees have approved two of the books previously placed under question for students' use — The Kite Runner and Drama.

If commissioners agree to schedule the referendum and voters approve it, the tax would be levied beginning in 2023 and remain in effect for 20 years.

The committees held their first meeting Tuesday night. They consist of 34 adults including parents and community members, and 15 high school juniors and seniors.

Going forward, parents will be notified a week before these lessons and can pull their student out of discussions on certain subjects — or the whole lesson

Roy A. Stephens had hoped for a new trial based on a letter found in his wife’s cell after his Florida trial that he said was confession that she was responsible.

Gov. Ron DeSantis said this is the first of several announcements he will make regarding job growth and infrastructure.

After a lengthy discussion and public comments, Commissioner Neil Combee agreed to make changes to the draft and offer it up at a future meeting.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said the suspect, a 33-year-old from Brandon, was suffering from PTSD.