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.
Polk County deputies investigating shooting that left 19-year-old dead
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting that left a 19-year-old dead.
Bartow ends grace period for overdue electric bills
Last month, as a result of soaring unemployment because of COVID-19, the city of Bartow gave residents who were having a hard time paying their electric bill a grace period. That grace period came to an end Monday.
Two Polk County jail inmates charged with murder of another inmate
The Polk County Sheriff's Office has charged two inmates, Brett Crosby, 20, and Christopher Jackson, 41, with first-degree murder for their assault of another inmate at the South County jail in Frostproof.
Bartow police investigating after body found in burned car
Bartow police are investigating after the Bartow Fire Department discovered a body inside of a vehicle in the 1200 block of US HWY 17 N., according to the Bartow Police Department.
Polk County teen sentenced to life in prison for raping toddler
A Polk County judge imposed the sentence Friday on 19-year-old Thomas James Johnson.
Polk County Sheriff's Office: Pedestrian killed after being hit by patrol car
Thomas Morrison, 44, was hit and killed Tuesday night after walking in front of a Polk County deputy’s car, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Mud lovers flock to Bartow for Jeepin' with Judd event
The weather is not great, but that is not stopping Jeep lovers from looking forward to a great weekend doing their thing.
Florida couple dead after plane crashes into neighborhood near Bartow Airport
A single-engine plane crashed into a neighborhood just off property of the Bartow Executive Airport.
'Blessed to be Bartow:' Polk cheerleading squad lands rare triple crown
Their stunts will make your jaw drop. Their skilled routine is the result of an entire year's work and sacrifice. And it all paid off: One Polk County cheerleading squad is celebrating their biggest victory ever.
Bartow rings in the new year with its annual Christmas tree burn
There is no ball drop, not even a countdown. In one Polk County city, the new year is welcomed by torching old pine trees. The annual Christmas tree burn has been held in Bartow since 1936.
Students' petition asks Polk County schools to add full-time counselors
Two Bartow High School students are petitioning Polk County Schools to hire full-time counselors for every school.
Bartow golfer hits hole-in-one on 100th birthday
Herbert Dixon just celebrated his 100th birthday. His keys to a long life: No smoking, no drinking, and church on Sunday.
Bartow students walk up more than 100 flights of stairs to honor victims of 9/11
Two Polk County students have paid tribute to the victims of the Sept. 11 terror attacks by walking up over 100 flights of stairs in their memory.