Teen girl arrested for "science project gone bad"

Submitted by Melanie Michael, Morning Anchor/Reporter

Wednesday, May 1st, 2013, 1:32pm

BARTOW, Florida - No one ever expected to see a mug shot from 16-year-old Kiera Wilmot.

The teenager is known among staff for her exemplary record at Bartow High School and her status as a good student.

"She is a good kid," said principal Ron Pritchard. "She has never been in trouble before. Ever."

All of that changed on Monday morning.

The teen is accused of mixing household chemicals in a tiny 8-ounce water bottle, causing the top to pop off, followed by billowing smoke in an small explosion.

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Clouds and rain back in the forecast today

Submitted by Bobby Deskins on Wednesday, May 1st, 9:21 am

Clouds and a few sprinkles are have rolled in this morning, but more rain is headed this way later today. The unsettled weather continues into Friday before we gradually see decreasing rain chances through Sunday.

Wednesday A 60 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. East winds 10-15 mph. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

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Trial begins in Bartow murder case from 1996

Submitted by Eric Glasser, Anchor/Reporter

Tuesday, April 30th, 2013, 6:44pm

Bartow, FL-- It took 17 years to get to this day, but trial is underway for a man accused in the 1996 murder of a Bartow man.

Tommy Eugene Smith was 37-years-old and a nursing supervisor at Lakeland Regional Medical Center when his body was found during the early evening hours of Oct. 11, 1996.

Smith's body was found in an orange grove off Edison and Old Berkley roads, near Auburndale. He'd been shot twice in the head and once in the neck.

Smith was last seen on Oct. 10, leaving his home around 8 p.m. in his Jeep.

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Story time Wednesday morning at the Bartow Library

Submitted by Eric Glasser, Anchor/Reporter

Tuesday, April 30th, 2013, 6:32pm

Bartow, FL -- Once upon a time... there was an awesome way for parents to spend a Wednesday morning with their kids!

It's Story Time - an specially designed for children between three and five-years-old.

The Bartow Public Library wants to encourage reading by getting even the youngest bookworms into the groove.

The "Read and Grow With Us!" Preschool story time features stories, finger plays, music and films!

It's scheduled for Wednesday, May 1st between 10:00 a.m. and 10:30 at the Bartow Public Library located at 2150 S. Broadway Ave.

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MONEY MONDAY: Alonso High's cash goes to A-team bash!

Submitted by Taylor Katz, Web Producer, 10 News In Your Neighborhood

Tuesday, April 30th, 2013, 12:23am

Tampa, Florida-- We've been telling you how we found almost $100,000 for a local school system that was just sitting in a state unclaimed cash and property account- $3,000 of which was for Alonso High School.

Alonso Parents wanted to know how they would spend the money, so we followed up with Principal Louie Diaz to get the scoop.

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Polk County Public Schools lists commencement

Submitted by Taylor Katz, Web Producer, 10 News In Your Neighborhood

Sunday, April 28th, 2013, 7:55am

Polk County Public Schools lists commencement

Polk County, Florida-- The 2013 graduation season is here, and as this year’s graduates prepare to take the next step towards future goals, family members, friends, and members of the community will want to share in their excitement.

Students who earned their diplomas will be honored at various graduation ceremonies in May and June, and Polk Public Schools reps have made it easy to see which schools' events are scheduled for when.

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Live in Polk County? May is the time to save at Legoland Florida

Submitted by Grayson Kamm, Multi-Media Journalist

Saturday, April 27th, 2013, 9:37am

Live in Polk County? May is the time to save at Legoland Florida

Winter Haven, Florida -- Splash and play for a lot less at Legoland Florida during some weekends in May if you live in Polk County.

During Polk County Residents' Days at the theme park, you can buy up to six tickets in advance for just $25. The tickets get you admission to both Legoland Florida and the Legoland Water Park.

Plus, a portion of each ticket sold goes toward helping children in Polk County.

Here are more details, including the valid dates and limitations, provided by Legoland Florida:

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