🌱 Bartow teen dies in remote Polk County ATV rollover crash
Bartow, Florida Patch AM: a 4 min readHey there, Bartow! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Bartow teen dies in remote Polk County ATV rollover crash
- Bartow-born Bertha “Bert” Belford remembered by her large, loving family
Also on today's calendar: Mean Girls - Backstage Theater Bartow and 5 more events.
Today's riddle: What did the carpenter ant say when he walked into the bar? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Wednesday: A stray t-shower; not as warm, with a high of 84 and low of 68 degrees.
- Thursday: Breezy in the morning, temps: high: 84, low: 69.
- Friday: A couple of afternoon showers, with a high of 89 and low of 68 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
📰 News we're reading
• Polk County ATV crash kills 1: PCSO (fox13news.com) — A 19-year-old man from Bartow died early Sunday after his ATV rolled over at the remote River Ranch Hunt Club near Lake Wales, according to Polk County deputies. Investigators say he was riding with friends, became separated, and was later found trapped under his overturned vehicle without any safety gear, prompting renewed concern about off-road riding precautions. 
• In Loving Memory of Bertha 'Bert' Lee Belford (winterhavendaily.com) — Bartow readers are invited to remember Bertha “Bert” Lee Belford, who was born in Bartow in 1930 and passed away on May 20 at age 95. Known for her soulful cooking in Lake Hamilton, she leaves a large, loving family across Central Florida and New York who cherish her warmth, talent, and generosity.
📸 Around Bartow
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓
Upcoming Events in
Bartow
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
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Songs & Stories →
Bartow Public Library, 2150 S Broadway Ave, Bartow
11:00 am
Thursday June 4
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
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Book Babies →
Bartow, FL Calendar, 2150 S Broadway Ave., Bartow
10:00 am -
Teen Dungeons & Dragons →
Bartow, FL Calendar, 2150 S Broadway Ave., Bartow
4:00 pm -
2026 Fun Thursday-Orlando Health Watson Clinic Lakeland Highlands Hospital
Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce 510 N Broadway Ave, Bartow, FL 33830
5:00 pm -
Let's Get Crafting: Journal Jar →
Bartow, FL Calendar, 2150 S Broadway Ave., Bartow
6:00 pm -
Mean Girls - Backstage Theater Bartow →
Bartow Civic Center Beach Volleyball Court, 2250 S Floral Ave, Bartow
7:00 pm -
2026 Chamber Cruise
Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce The Royal Caribbean: Utopia of the Seas -
Get Moving! Chair Yoga →
Bartow, FL Calendar, 2150 S Broadway Ave., Bartow
9:30 am
Thursday June 4
Friday June 5
📣 Bartow Shout Outs!
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🗓 Events Nearby
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Ribbon Cutting for Florida Platinum Insurance Group
Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce 160 E Summerlin St. Suite 210 Bartow, Fl 33830
4:00 pm -
2026 Fun Thursday-Orlando Health Watson Clinic Lakeland Highlands Hospital
Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce 510 N Broadway Ave, Bartow, FL 33830
5:00 pm -
2026 Chamber Cruise
Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce The Royal Caribbean: Utopia of the Seas -
Get Moving! →
Bartow Public Library, 2150 S Broadway Ave, Bartow
9:30 am
Wednesday June 3
Thursday June 4
Friday June 5
Tuesday June 9
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
- Hello there!!
New to the Bartow area and in dire need of a massage. Suggestions please. Thanks (Nextdoor Connersville) - Give me a call or text at (352) 615-7540
We offer the following •mowing, edging , weedeating •hauling yard debris away •hauling normal trash ,furniture and any other junk away •tree… (Nextdoor Bartow Brookkyn 1130)
- Walmart posted a job opening for Front End Service Team Supervisor in Bartow. Apply here.
- Dunkin' posted a job opening for Team Member in Bartow. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Bartow here.
🗞 Nearby News
Mulberry
- Meet The Ledger's 2026 Boys Volleyball All-County Team (theledger.com)
Winter Haven
- Winter Haven Hospital Career Camp aims to build future healthcare workforce (tampabay28.com)
- Winter Haven Woman Killed in Two-Vehicle Crash on Thornhill Road Tuesday Morning (winterhavendaily.com)
- Polk County Marine veteran finds new mission in hospice care (wftv.com)
Lake Wales
- iAnthus Integrated Pest Management Technician - GrowHealthy (Lake Wales) in Lake Wales, FL (masslive.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: Is the bar tender here? (Thank you W. M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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