Bartow News

Detectives arrested and charged five suspects Wednesday and Thursday for allegedly beating up a Lake Wales teen and his father, the Polk County Sheriff's Office reported.

PHOTO BY CATHY PALMER Work clearing the right of way at U.S. Highway 17 just north of Bartow is evident to travelers as they drive past what will be the entrance to the new four-lane Ernest Smith Boulevard.

The 2012 Class is the third class to be fully funded by the American Legion Post No.

Though city commissioners took no official direction, it appears that at the moment roads that need some work now may not be done in the next year.

Students and adults will be paying a little more for lunch in Polk County public schools during the 2012-13 school year.

A muck fire caused by a lightning strike outside Davenport has caused a burning smell throughout Polk County, officials with the Florida Fire Service said this week.

PHOTO BY AL PALMER Brianna Graham, a server at the Stanford Inn in Bartow, exchanged her apron for a paint roller as she helped Becky Grainger get the new Stanford on Main restaurant ready for opening.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office Animal Control Section confirmed Wednesday, May 16, the sixth positive rabies case in Polk County this year, with four having been spotted in the eastern part of the county.

Land use, high-tech research and development and nutrition education are the three top priorities on the Florida Department of Agriculture's agenda for coming years, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam told Polk County Tiger Bay Club members Monday.

Maeda was awarded the achievement scholarship and service leadership award. Joshua, son of Shinobu Maeda and Kathryn Maeda, is a student at Summerlin Academy and involved in lacrosse.

For garbage collection in Bartow: No garbage pickup on Monday, May 28. Those who have their garbage picked up on Monday will have their garbage collected on Tuesday.

Polk County Sheriff's detectives are seeking the public's help in locating 18-year-old Austen Owens of 6901 Maggy Drive in Bartow, and 18-year-old Jarred Register of 6788 Lake Buffum Road in Fort Meade.

Animal Control Director Daryl Scott is advising Highlands County citizens to be aware that several cases of rabies have been reported in Polk County.

Avid runners and those just wanting to get healthy can also help area youth by participating in the inaugural Carillon Classic 5K Run/Walk. With rolling hills and Bok Tower as a backdrop, runners and walkers will navigate through the gardens while listening to the carillon music play.

Two downtown Bartow businesses are teaming up for a day-long skateboard competition, food and music event on Saturday, May 26.

In the effort to increase business growth in Polk County, and after hearing from six people who have taken advantage of not having to pay impact fees the last two years, Polk County Commissioners approved an 18-month extension of a moratorium on the fees.

Friday the Bartow Public Library celebrated its 115th birthday. While the library has only been in its current location for 14 years, we have been serving this community for a lot longer.

PHOTO BY PEGGY KEHOE Joyce Bentley has a Spirit of Bartow smile as she accepts her plaque from Dr.

Polk County, Florida - Since the beginning of the year, the Polk County Sheriff's office has arrested 24 men for lewd acts in public parks.

But that's not all - 115 years ago the library actually began. On May 19, 1897, a collection of books was placed in a room above the Polk County National Bank, thereby creating the first library reading room in Bartow.