🌱 How did Bartow Regional stack up in new hospital safety grades?
Bartow, Florida Patch AM: a 4 min readHello again Bartow! We’re bringing you the latest town highlights. Don’t miss out, keep going! ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- How did Bartow Regional stack up in new hospital safety grades?
- How Bartow training may launch America’s youngest air traffic controller
- Which Bartow native made Polk County’s all-time football greats list?
Today's riddle: what do you call a rabbit with fleas? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
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Find a T-Mobile store near Bartow.
- Wednesday: A p.m. t-storm in spots, with a high of 88 and low of 68 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Thursday: Mostly sunny and less humid, temps: high: 91, low: 66.
- Friday: Plenty of sun, with a high of 93 and low of 70 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Here's how Polk County hospitals placed in latest safety rankings (theledger.com) — Bartow Regional Medical Center has earned three straight “A” grades for patient safety from the Leapfrog Group, putting it among Polk County’s top performers. The report, released May 6, also details how Winter Haven and Lakeland hospitals fared, helping local residents compare safety records when choosing care. 
• Lithia 18-year-old could become youngest certified air traffic controller in the US (fox13news.com) — Bartow Executive Airport and Traviss Technical College are helping launch an 18-year-old Lithia resident toward possibly becoming the nation’s youngest certified air traffic controller. Training at Bartow, she’s entering a field facing serious staffing shortages and hopes to start work at a smaller Northwest airport before advancing to a larger FAA facility.
• Here are the top 10 football players from Polk County (theledger.com) — A Bartow native, Ken Riley, is highlighted among Polk County’s all-time great football players, recognized for his Hall of Fame NFL career after starring at Union Academy. The feature ranks standout athletes from across the county and invites readers to weigh in on who deserves top-10 status.
📸 Around Bartow
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🗓
Upcoming Events in
Bartow
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
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Book Babies →
Bartow, FL Calendar, 2150 S Broadway Ave., Bartow
10:00 am -
Songs & Stories →
Bartow, FL Calendar, 2150 S Broadway Ave., Bartow
11:00 am -
Dungeons & Dragons at the Library →
Bartow, FL Calendar, 2150 S Broadway Ave., Bartow
5:30 pm -
Get Moving! Chair Yoga →
Bartow, FL Calendar, 2150 S Broadway Ave., Bartow
9:30 am -
Paws to Read →
Bartow, FL Calendar, 2150 S Broadway Ave., Bartow
10:00 am -
Once Upon a Cuento →
Bartow, FL Calendar, 2150 S Broadway Ave., Bartow
11:00 am -
Architectural Tour at Polk County History Center
Polk County History Center, 100 East Main Street, Bartow
11:00 am -
Country Connections Line Dancers →
Bartow, FL Calendar, 2250 S. Floral Ave., Bartow
9:00 am
Thursday May 14
Friday May 15
Saturday May 16
Monday May 18
📣 Bartow Shout Outs!
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🗓 Events Nearby
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2026 Professional Growth Class: Public Speaking
Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce, 510 N Broadway Ave, Bartow
8:00 am -
CareerSource Polk Recruitment Event
CareerSource Polk, 309 N Ingraham Ave, Lakeland
9:00 am -
Revive Fitness & Recovery Center Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting
Revive Fitness, 658 FL-60 suite 620, Lake Wales
12:00 pm -
Spring Fling Family Dance →
The Barn at Lazy P Ranch, 1081 Homeland-Garfield Rd, Bartow
6:00 pm
Thursday May 14
Friday May 15
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- I live in the Lake subdivision.
I need some help with my lawn and my doors, carpentry and outside painting. Also moving beds on the inside. I need someone strong (Nextdoor South West Bartow)
- Bealls, Inc. - Burkes Outlet posted a job opening for bealls Store Associate in Bartow. Apply here.
- East Coast Migrant Head Start Project posted a job opening for Maintenance-Custodial Worker in Bartow. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Bartow here.
🗞 Nearby News
Winter Haven
- Winter Haven's South Lake Howard Nature Park Continues Transformation — Featured (dailyridge.com)
- Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team Show Set for May 16 in Winter Haven (winterhavendaily.com)
- Tremendous 10 poll for May 4-May 9, presented by Central Florida Behavioral Health (theledger.com)
Lake Wales
- 10 Historic Spots In Florida Where You'll Learn More Than Any Textbook Could Teach (everafterinthewoods.com)
- Free museum entry for military families this summer (orlandoonthecheap.com)
Ok Bartow! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Bugs Bunny ! (Thank you bruce A. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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