Emergency trash collection plan put in place for Polk County
Uncollected trash has been piling up in parts of unincorporated Polk County, but officials say a plan is now in place and residents will soon see improvements of their waste collection services.
Bartow 6-year-old dies after being hit by dirt bike
6-year-old Mikey Almeida, was crossing Summerlin Street when he was hit by an 18-year-old riding a dirt bike. Mikey has now died of his injuries and the bike's driver is still hospitalized.
Bartow honors groundbreaking golfer who's still giving back
A Bartow man never thought he would live to see the day that he would get such a prestigious accolade bestowed upon him. At 102, local golf icon Herbert Dixon just had the driving range at the Bartow Golf Course named after him.
Missing Bartow teen with autism found safe, police say
Bartow police say they are searching for a 15-year-old boy who has autism and went missing on Thursday.
Bartow police look for shooter who targeted motorist
Police in Bartow are hoping you can help them track down the motorist who fired into another car early Saturday morning.
Bartow's historic cigar factory can't be saved, city decides
After standing for 100 years, it looks like the old cigar factory in Bartow is finally coming to the end of the road.
New video prompts judge to give bond to tow yard owner accused in shooting death
An accused murderer got a chance to get out of jail after being there for more than four months.
Bartow teen arrested after school officials warn against TikTok ‘bathroom challenge’
Police in Bartow say they have arrested a 15-year-old who vandalized a school bathroom while participating in a so-called TikTok challenge.
Man steals backpack from deceased motorcycle crash victim, Polk deputies say
Deputies said the suspect was a passenger in the car that collided with the motorcycle. When investigators arrived, they spotted the man walking away with a backpack that belonged to the motorcyclist, who died in the crash.
‘Let’s do it’: Hospice chaplain helps Bartow man fulfill lifelong dream of flying
Day after day, John Kimball would sit on his porch and watch planes from Bartow Municipal Airport fly overhead. He's in his 80s, under hospice care, and had never flown -- until recently.
‘He’s going to walk with me in my heart’: Father remembers son gunned down at Polk park during drug deal
Mo Taguri says, if it was possible, he would trade places with his son. The 17-year-old was shot and killed earlier this week when he arrived at a Polk County park to sell marijuana.
Seafood served up fresh at Bartow's local fishing hole
Catfish Country in Bartow has been in owner William Houvardas’ family for 22 years. He says the restaurant survives on loyal locals, as well as customers from the surrounding area.
County Road 640 reopens south of Bartow as crews surround brush fire
A brush fire that closed roads in Polk County overnight is now mostly contained, firefighters say.
Polk County Youth Fair limiting attendance due to COVID-19
The Youth Fair has been a Polk County tradition for more than 70 years. This year, however, it is anything but traditional because of COVID-19.
‘This suspect is the worst of the worst’: 70-year-old man charged with sexual battery on a child
Bartow police arrested Donnie K. Worley, 70, for sexual battery and lewd molestation of a victim under the age of 12.
Suspect charged with kidnapping after carjacking vehicle with 3 kids inside; 2nd suspect at large
A man is in jail and another man on the run after an armed carjacking a mother and her three children in Bartow Sunday night.
Families welcome chance to see loved ones in nursing homes, despite restrictions
Loved ones are now allowed to visit their relatives in nursing homes, which ends a very long wait.
Possible human remains located in Bartow, police say
Police in Bartow are investigating whether human remains were discovered Monday.
Hardee County Sheriff's Office asking for help locating missing, endangered woman
The Hardee County Sheriff’s Office says they have located a missing woman who was last seen in Bartow Friday evening.
Bartow police arrest 2 for first-degree attempted murder
Bartow police arrested Cheyanne Prentice, 24 and Elvin Brea, 25 on first-degree attempted murder charges after they allegedly shot someone in the area of Indica Court and Parker Street on July 10.