Bradenton Sarasota Drigg

By SUZIE SCHOTTELKOTTE THE LEDGER BARTOW Bartow native Leo Longworth said he's always known his great-grandfather ranked among the entrepreneurs of his generation in the city's early history. But Longworth did not discover the depth of his ancestor's contributions until the community's Neighborhood Improvement Corp. dug into his background.

By SUZIE SCHOTTELKOTTE THE LEDGER Bartow native Leo Longworth said he's always known his great-grandfather ranked among the entrepreneurs of his generation in the city's early history.

By Suzie Schottelkotte THE LEDGER BARTOW William Taft was in the White House, the country had only 47 states and no one had heard of refrigeration or telephones in June 1909, when Polk County residents threw a little party in Bartow.

By SUZIE SCHOTTELKOTTE THE LEDGER BARTOW | Residents along historic East Church Street in Bartow are about to get a clear view of the sky. For now, it's still cluttered with power lines, but not for long.

By SUZIE SCHOTTELKOTTE THE LEDGER BARTOW | Brandon Greisman testified Tuesday that he can't recall all the events of Dec. 13, 2007, but he said he's certain about who shot him in the face. "He's sitting right there," he said, pointing to murder defendant Leon Davis. "He was a lot heavier then."

By SUZIE SCHOTTELKOTTE THE LEDGER BARTOW | Armed with the state's blessing, Clear Springs managers stand poised to start building the proposed 18,000-acre development along Bartow's eastern and southern borders.

By SUZIE SCHOTTELKOTTE THE LEDGER BARTOW | Armed with the state's blessing, Clear Springs managers stand poised to start building the proposed 18,000-acre development along Bartow's eastern and southern borders.

By SUZIE SCHOTTELKOTTE THE LEDGER BARTOW | Mayor Adrian Jackson said he heard few surprises Monday night during a citizens' summit on the city of Bartow's future. "Residents want to preserve our history and hometown charm, but they want to bring in more restaurants and entertainment," he said.

By SUZIE SCHOTTELKOTTE THE LEDGER BARTOW Nearly 600 children went home with a toy in Bartow on Wednesday during the community's annual toy drive.