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.

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.