Man sentenced to 20 years for hit-and-run that killed Bartow High School student weeks from graduation
The man who hit and killed a Bartow High School student weeks from graduation, then left the scene, is headed to prison after a judge handed down a 20-year sentence on Thursday.
"He's ready for the moment." — Bartow High School basketball coach talks Walter Clayton Jr., National Title
The player making all the difference for the Florida Gators is Walter Clayton Jr., a native of Lake Wales, who has led the Gators to their first title game since 2007.
Bartow commission votes to keep fluoride in drinking water
Cities across Florida are divided over whether fluoride should remain in public drinking water, as Bartow commissioners voted 3-2 Monday to keep it.
Petition calls for rejection of proposed 2,000+ home community in Bartow
A new large-scale neighborhood is being proposed off State Road 60, but some residents believe the project will not benefit an already growing county.
Bartow becomes latest Florida community to debate fluoride in water
Bartow is considering whether to remove fluoride from its water.
Bartow air traffic controller academy will work towards filling nationwide vacancies
The D.C. plane crash this week highlighted the desperate need for more air traffic controllers across the country. In Polk County, a new control tower operator academy is working towards fixing that shortfall.
Bartow man kills father, injures mom because dad wanted him to stop playing video games and get a job: PCSO
A Bartow man is dead and a woman is fighting for her life after deputies say their son shot them Saturday night and bolted.
Bartow man accused of killing father, injuring mother arrested in Orlando, PCSO says
A 23-year-old Bartow man accused of killing his father and attempting to shoot and kill his mother was arrested Sunday morning in Orlando after taking the family car there, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
Small replica warplane makes emergency landing on Polk County highway
Drivers along U.S. Highway 17 on Wednesday morning saw a small replica warplane land on the street.
Carjacking suspect leads officers on high-speed pursuit, rams 3 Bartow police cars: BPD
A man faces felony charges after Bartow police said he carjacked a driver, then led officers on a high-speed pursuit.
Peace River dangerously close to overflowing, City of Bartow to host community meeting
Hurricane Debby dropped a lot of water on Polk County and now the Peace River is dangerously close to overflowing.
City of Bartow conducting survey on proposed pool and aquatics program location options
The city of Bartow is proposing bringing back their pool and aquatics program after it was shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Former Bartow police officer now facing stalking, sexual battery charges while still behind bars: PCSO
After being arrested last week for having an inappropriate relationship with four teenage girls, investigators say a former Bartow police officer is facing more charges after an adult victim came forward.
Owner of popular brewery in Bartow killed in car crash, community devastated
The community of Bartow is grieving the loss of two people killed in a crash on Saturday.
2 killed after leaving bar in Bartow and taking 'joyride': PCSO
A man and woman died after crashing a Porsche on Saturday night, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
Bartow police officer arrested after sending video of naked teen girls to fellow officers: Sheriff Grady Judd
A police officer with the Bartow Police Department was arrested, according to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.
Davenport mother accused of beating 4-year-old adopted son denied bond in first court appearance
A Davenport mother accused of beating her adopted four-year-old son to death will remain in jail on no bond.
Bartow cracks down on unsightly properties in effort to make city cleaner, safer
The city of Bartow is cracking down on homes with overgrown lots, abandoned cars and ones that are just uninhabitable. Officials created a targeted neighborhood enforcement plan to address these code violations.
Hit-and-run driver accused in crash that killed Bartow High School student arrested at mall
A man accused of hitting and killing a Bartow High School student and leaving the scene on Wednesday morning has been arrested.
Polk County in critical need of large animal veterinarians: USDA report
According to data from the University of Florida, Polk County's cattle industry contributes more than a billion dollars to the local economy every year. However, finding enough large animal veterinarians to help care for the animals hasn't been easy.