Good morning Bartow! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Get Moving! Chair Yoga and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: When geese fly, one side is longer than the other. do you know why that is ? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. 11 New Restaurants Opening Across Florida [Sept 15, 2026] (businessdebut.com) — Bartow is getting a new nonprofit food truck restaurant, Flavor Nation, opening soon at 1105 S Holland Parkway, Suite D, with indoor seating and a mission to create work opportunities for people who need them. The concept is part of a statewide wave of new eateries, but this one is rooted in Bartow and aims to blend dining with community support.
2. Yellow Jackets Swarm Bloodhounds, Defense ends Auburndale's Perfect Start — Auburndale (dailyridge.com) — Bartow High's Yellow Jackets snapped Auburndale's dominant, undefeated start with a gritty 14-8 home win, powered by a strong rushing attack and tough defense. The victory moves Bartow to 1-0 in district play, extends their home winning streak to three, and sets them up with momentum heading into a bye week before facing Sebring.
3. 2026 Extra Yard for Teachers: USF honors local educators (usf.edu) — Bartow residents can cheer on Elizabeth Heaton of International Baccalaureate at Bartow High School, who is being honored as Polk County's Teacher of the Year during USF's Extra Yard for Teachers celebration. She's recognized alongside standout educators from across Tampa Bay, with surprise classroom funding and on-field recognition at an upcoming USF Bulls football game.
4. Second day of trial for suspect in triple Frostproof murder (wfla.com) — In Bartow's courthouse, jurors are hearing the capital murder trial of Tony "TJ" Wiggins, accused in the 2020 triple killing of three friends in Frostproof. Testimony on the second day included emotional witnesses, surveillance video from a nearby store, and a medical examiner confirming all three victims died from gunshot wounds inflicted by another person.
5. 53 2026CA 4423 2018 White BMW (midfloridanewspapers.com) — Residents should know that a forfeiture case involving a 2018 white BMW and $1,300 in cash is proceeding through the Polk County Circuit Court, with filings directed to the courthouse in Bartow. Anyone claiming an interest in the seized property must file a sworn claim with the Bartow clerk within 20 days of the last publication date or risk losing their rights by default.
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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: because there are more geese on that side (Thank you jo L. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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