Heartland for Children in Bartow looks for more foster parents as need grows urgent
Foster care agencies, including Heartland for Children in Bartow, are desperately looking for more foster parents.
Some residents still without power in Peace River Village after Hurricane Ian
Power has been restored for the vast majority of Floridians after Hurricane Ian, but it has not for many people who live in Peace River Village on SR 60 in Bartow, which is still flooded.
Faith community call for more for more diversion, fewer first-time offender arrests in Polk County
PEACE members chanted, held signs and prayed. They said too many first-time offenders are arrested for committing minor crimes. Instead, they want a lot more people to be put into a diversion program.
New IV manufacturer breaks ground in Bartow
The City of Bartow is making a name for itself in the health and technology world. A new company that manufactures medical equipment will be breaking ground there next month.
Bartow man drowns after boat capsizes in Mulberry pond, Polk deputies say
A Bartow man drowned Wednesday after a small boat capsized in a Mulberry pond. The man he was with attempted to save him but was unsuccessful.
40-year-old son recently discovers dad was one of the famous smokejumpers of WWII
Jerome Corbett was forty years old before he figured out that his dad was one of the famous smokejumpers, a member of the Triple Nickels in World War II.
Police: Polk paramedic punched handicapped patient in the head
Police in Bartow arrested a Polk County paramedic for felony battery after they say he put his knee on a 67-year-old handicapped patient's chest and punched the man in the head because he was being uncooperative. The victim was already being restrained by other first responders and was unable to move at the time, investigators said.
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.