🌱 What does the state’s admission freeze mean for Bartow patients now?

Good morning Bartow! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• What does the state’s admission freeze mean for Bartow patients now?
• What maintenance mistakes did investigators uncover in Bartow’s Cessna mishap?
• How will Lake Wales’ new coach challenge Bartow’s softball dominance?

Also on today's calendar: Get Moving! and 5 more events.

Today's riddle: What kind of shoes do frogs wear? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

• Saturday: Hot; an afternoon t-storm, with a high of 97 and low of 75 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
• Sunday: Humid; a stray p.m. t-storm, temps: high: 93, low: 77.
• Monday: Humid with a stray t-storm, with a high of 91 and low of 74 degrees.

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📰 News we're reading

• State halts new admissions at Peace River Center crisis unit after patient's death (tampabay28.com) — State regulators have temporarily stopped new admissions at Peace River Center’s Crisis Stabilization Unit in Bartow after finding serious lapses in emergency care tied to a patient’s death. Existing patients and other services at the Bartow campus remain open while the facility works on corrective actions. The case is also sparking broader efforts to improve CPR and AED readiness across Polk County.
   

• NTSB Final Report: Cessna 320C The Pilot Selected The Landing Gear Down And Obs (aero-news.net) — Federal investigators have released their final report on a February 9 Cessna 320C accident at Bartow, finding that inadequate landing-gear inspection led to a gear collapse during landing. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft suffered substantial damage. The report highlights misrigged components and missed maintenance issues, underscoring safety responsibilities at and around Bartow’s airport.
   

• Lake Wales names Ruby Nugent as new head softball coach (theledger.com) — Lake Wales High has named alumna Ruby Nugent as its new head softball coach, taking over one of Polk County’s powerhouse programs just behind Bartow in championships. Nugent plans to retain much of the staff and keep longtime coach Nancy Denton involved. Her goal is to maintain Lake Wales’ tradition of success in a county where Bartow still sets the softball standard.
   

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📸 Around Bartow

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Bartow

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Monday July 27

• Country Connections Line Dancers →
  City of Bartow Civic Center, 2250 S Floral Ave, Bartow
  9:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

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Other local events

Monday July 27

• Yarn Over Broadway →
  Bartow, FL Calendar, 2150 S Broadway Ave., Bartow
  6:00 pm

Tuesday July 28

• 2026 Chamber Monthly Meeting: CPS Investment Advisors
  Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce 510 N Broadway Ave, Bartow, FL 33830
  7:30 am
• Get Moving! →
  Bartow Public Library, 2150 S Broadway Ave, Bartow
  9:30 am
• Game Night →
  Bartow, FL Calendar, 2150 S Broadway Ave., Bartow
  4:30 pm

Wednesday July 29

• Ribbon Cutting for Arise Construction
  Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce 510 N Broadway Ave, Bartow, FL 33830
  8:30 am

Thursday July 30

• Book Babies →
  Bartow, FL Calendar, 2150 S Broadway Ave., Bartow
  10:00 am
• Songs & Stories →
  Bartow Public Library, 2150 S Broadway Ave, Bartow
  11:00 am

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📣 Bartow Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Saturday July 25

• The Shop at Bok "Christmas in July" Sidewalk Sale
  Bok Tower Gardens Lake Wales, FL 33853
  9:00 am
• Surround Sound: Immersive Sound Healing Experience
  Bok Tower Gardens Lake Wales, FL 33853
  10:30 am

Sunday July 26

• Yoga in the Gardens
  Bok Tower Gardens Lake Wales, FL 33853
  9:00 am
• Cheeky Dumplin’ - Family Day →
  Painting with a Twist, 6264 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven
  12:30 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• We’ve grown pineapple for years.
  This is about the nicest one we have gotten to date: (Nextdoor South West Bartow)
• If you see this guy around please be kind.
  He's neutered, FULLY vaccinated and chipped. NO rabies and not making babies.... He looks rough because he's just learning how to be a cat without… (Nextdoor South West Bartow)

• Hut American Group, LLC posted a job opening for Team Member in Bartow. Apply here.
• Foundation Building Materials posted a job opening for Stocker in Bartow. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Bartow here.

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🗞 Nearby News

Mulberry

• 'It Ain't That Bad That I Got to Pay Somebody to Come Here.' Why a Man Who Runs 65 Owner-Operators Says Sign-On Bonuses Repel the Drivers You Actually Want. (freightwaves.com)

Winter Haven

• Inaugural Winter Haven Fire vs Police Charity Basketball Game (winterhavendaily.com)
• 544 Ituna Cir, Winter Haven, FL 33881 (zillow.com)
• The Song a Therapist Hears (centralfloridahealthnews.com)

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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: Open-toad (Thank you Harold W. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

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