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May 2016 C E L E B R A T I N G
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Y E A R S
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Volume 11, Issue 5 Ph: 657-2418 P U B L I S H I N G
P O S I T I V E
C O M M U N I T Y
N E W S
Fallen Deputies Honored During Sheriff’s Office Annual Memorial
Bet A Buck And Support Center Place At New Fundraising Extravaganza
Each year, ficed his Sheriff David own life by Gee and the taking the Hillsborough impact in County the crash. Sheriff’s Office While gathers for a reflecting solemn cereon the loss mony honoring of deputy local deputies Kotfila, who laid down Wilson their lives in drew attenthe line of duty. tion to the The day reason for reserved for the occathe emotionally sion. charged occa“It is sion saw a our charge large crowd of Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputies guard the memori- to honor al wreath presented by Sheriff David Gee during the family and and to annual Fallen Heroes Memorial held earlier this month. friends paying never forget their respects at the Sheriff’s Memorial the spirit of service and sacrifice made by and Fallen Heroes Wall outside the sherall these officers,” Wilson said. “Deputy iff's office headquarters in Ybor City held Kotfila will be in our hearts forever. His earlier this month. name is now etched in this wall forever so With the recent loss of Deputy John that his legacy and contribution to R. Kotfila, Jr., the Sheriff’s Office had to mankind will not be forgotten.” add another name to the list of deputies During the memorial service, Kotfila who were killed in the line of duty, raising Jr. was memorialized with a special plate the number to 16 since 1874, when on the fallen heroes wall. Deputy Richard Roach was shot and Gee was pleased to see so many in killed at his home in the suburbs of attendance and thanked the community Tampa. His murder has never been for their support of the Sheriff’s Office. solved. “This was a great ceremony as it The memorial service began with a pays tribute to a lot of heroes who speech from former FOX 13 anchor John deserve it,” Gee said. “This Wall of Wilson, followed by a special tribute Heroes Memorial is a sacred place for us. including a memorial wreath presented by We want to thank the community for their Sheriff Gee in honor of each of the 16 support. People need to know and underdeputies. stand the sacrifices of what these In March Deputy Kotfila was hit and deputies and law enforcement members killed by a drunk, wrong way driver on the are doing.” Selmon Expressway. A crash witness to For more information, visit the accident said that the deputy sacriwww.hcso.tampa.fl.us.
Rodriguez said of the new event, “At Center Place, we are always trying to think outside the box and have something different for our community to participate, have fun and raise money for the arts.” So gather up a group of your friends and get a table and join Center Place for a great night of fun. This is an event that is perfect for both women and men. There is limited seating, so pick up your tickets or make a reservation today. Funds raised at the event will help provide art programs, classes and special activities for both children and adults. Rodriguez said, “This Join Dawn Galia at Center Place’s new fundraiser Bet A is our 40th year of providBuck Charity Auction For The Arts on Friday, June 3. ing easy access to the arts Center Place will hold a fundraiser, in our community. Supporting Center Bet A Buck Charity Auction For The Arts, Place, which is a non-profit art center, on Friday, June 3 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at helps us to keep the cost of our proCenter Place located at 619 Vonderburg grams and classes at a price that is Dr. in Brandon. This is a fun and inexaffordable for everyone.” pensive way to support the arts and win For more information, visit www.cenprizes at the same time. Auction items terplacebrandon.org or call 685-8888. have been donated by local businesses. Lisa Rodriguez, director of marketing for Center Place, explained, “For a In This donation of $20, you get an auction padIssue dle, finger foods and complimentary wine and beer. Where else can you go NATIONAL BIKE MONTH.......................PG 8 on a Friday night and get all of this and the chance to win items like Busch CAR SHOW......................................... PG 12 Gardens passes, tickets to The Improv HONORARY MAYOR RACE...................PG 15 and Side Splitters, signed Tampa Bay Bucs football, golf foursomes, Sea World HOA HOT TOPICS................................ PG 17 passes, salon and restaurant gift cards CHALKLINES........................................ PG 31 and more?” Additional paddles can be rented for $5 each. SPORTS CONNECTION................. PGS 32‐33 When you arrive at the event, you ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT..................PG 34 “rent” your paddle. The paddle gives you the right to bid on items. When an item READ MORE LOCAL NEWS ONLINE comes up, you put $1, $2 or $3 in the www.ospreyobserver.com bucket. The amount you put in depends on the value of the auctioned item.
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Photo courtesy of Bloomingdale High School
Members of the Bloomingdale High School flag football team raise the 2016 Class 2A District 6 Championship trophy after defeating Plant City 20-7 and claiming the title for the third straight year. See the full story on page 32 in this edition.
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