02.15.24 PLCO by Plant City Observer

FREE • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2024

VOLUME 11, NO. 34

CITY COMMISSION GIVES CITY MANAGER GREEN LIGHT TO SPEARHEAD MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL PROJECT Commissioners hope to bring additional agencies to the table to address flooding issues affecting rural residents. MICHELLE CACERES STAFF WRITER

During Monday night’s commission meeting, Commissioner Sparkman spoke up about the flooding concerns facing local residents living near the Itchepackesassa Creek, Blackwater Creek and Wiggins Prairie Mitigation Bank. “There’s been a lot of talk, the people in the area of Charlie Taylor Road and all that flooding, we saw those devastating pictures and by good faith we need to support them,” he said.

YOUNG EAGLES SOAR AT PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES

MORE THAN 110 YOUTH EXPERIENCED THE MAGIC OF FLIGHT AT THE ANNUAL EVENT. Brother Jacob and Ryan Price, who also took a Young MICHELLE CACERES STAFF WRITER

For McKenna Endres, being able to take her second Young Eagles flight at Planes, Trains and Automobiles last weekend was an experience she’ll never forget. “The pilot was so nice and even allowed me to do takeoff so that was really exciting,” she said. The experience was another confirmation of her goal: to obtain her pilot’s license and join the Air Force. “I’m so glad I got to experience this,” said Endres.

Eagle flight, were mesmerized by the instrument panel and the view of the ground from the large windows. “It was pretty cool to get up there and just see more than you would on a commercial flight,” said Ryan. The event hosted 110 youth who were able to take a Young Eagles flight, a program that started in 1992 with Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA)-member pilots volunteering time to fly kids age 8-17 to introduce them to the world of flight.

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Sparkman was referring to January’s six hour-long commission meeting, when residents expressed concerns that an industrial project on Swindell Road would increase flooding in the already flood-prone area

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PLANT CITY CELEBRATES BLACK HERITAGE THE KICKOFF EVENT FOR THE 21ST ANNUAL PLANT CITY BLACK HERITAGE CELEBRATION SERVES AS A REMINDER OF THE ENDURING LEGACY OF BLACK HERITAGE.

In a night filled with laughter, recognition and the savory aroma of soul food, the 21st Annual Black Heritage Gala illuminated the rich tapestry of African American culture showcasing the contributions of individuals in the arts and honoring community leaders who have made a lasting impact. Hosted at HCC’s Trinkle Center, the gala unfolded as a celebration of resilience, creativity and unity, with attendees gathering to honor the achievements of their

peers and pay homage to the legacy of black heritage. At the heart of the event was a lineup of talented performers, which included Tampa-based songstress Lena Morisseau, who sang “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” often referred to as “The Black National Anthem,” and Vanessa Williams’ “Save the Best for Last.” The keynote speaker was DeWayne Hill, whose witty humor and crafty magic tricks elicited roars of laughter from the audience.

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NEWS

PLANT CITY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2024

CITY COMMISSION RECOGNIZES 2024 FLORIDA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL ROYALTY

Caring just for YOU. Your kids are special, and they deserve the very best — especially when it comes to their health. That’s why our friendly, compassionate, and skilled pediatricians are here to help you start the year off healthy! With sameday appointments, individualized care, and a welcoming atmosphere, Dr. Humam Alabsi and his team at our Plant City location make booking visits for your kids easy and convenient.

Our Pediatric Doctor: Humam Alabsi, MD Pediatrics

The latest high school rankings from U.S. News & World Report have been announced and Strawberry Crest High School was ranked in the top 200 in Florida, coming in at #102. Rankings are based on six key elements that contribute to student success: College Readiness, Math and Reading Proficiency, Math and Reading Performance, Underserved Student Performance, College Curriculum Breadth and Graduation Rate. “Our students are graduating from our high schools prepared with the skills and knowledge they need to be successful,” said Hillsborough County Public Schools Superintendent Van Ayres.

than being part of a child’s

The Supervisor of Elections staff will load and send a truck to the post office on Thurs., Feb. 15 with more than 48,000 Vote By Mail ballots for the 2024 Republican Presidential Preference Primary Election. The ballots will be delivered to registered Republicans who have already requested Vote By Mail ballots for this election. Hillsborough County voters who are registered with the Republican Party by Feb. 20 can continue to request mail ballots for this election through Mar. 7 by visiting VoteHillsborough.gov or calling (813) 744-5900.

and wellness.”

Ready to make this their healthiest year yet? Call 863.284.5000 to book with Dr. Alabsi today!

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Our Location: Plant City High School

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STRAWBERRY CREST HIGH SCHOOL EARNS TOP NATIONAL RANKING

THE BALLOTS ARE COMING!

growth journey into thriving

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This week’s city commission meeting was made extra sweet as it honored the 2024 Florida Strawberry Festival Queen Annistyn Faith Griffin and court and Junior Royalty Queen Brooke Sidnei Browning and court with proclamations, the highest honor that can be bestowed upon its citizens. The proclamation congratulates the young women on their reign as they represent the community at various parades and events during this year.

“Nothing is more enriching

FLORIDA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL APPSOLUTELY ECSTATIC ABOUT NEW MOBILE APP

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Your Health. Our Promise. myLRH.org/Plant-City

Easily plan and customize your visit to the Florida Strawberry Festival using its new mobile app, with features that help festival goers with tickets, food, events, parking, and more. Download now from the App Store or Google Play. MILEE HASTING NAMED MISS ORLANDO’S TEEN 2024 The Super Bowl wasn’t the only competition held last Sunday. Even before both teams took the field in Las Vegas, the 2024 Miss Orlando Scholarship Competition was underway at the Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center in Orlando and at the end of the event, Plant City’s own Milee Hasting was crowned Miss Orlando’s Teen. For the talent portion of the pageant, Hasting took a page out of Miss America

Madison Marsh’s playbook and performed a monologue that she also wrote titled “The Farm Girl Who Dreamed Big.” “I don’t dance or sing and when Miss America won with a monologue I knew I could share my speaking talent so that’s what I did,” she said. She was nervous standing on stage, listening to the third then second place winners being announced. When her name was called as the winner, she broke down in tears. “It was the best moment,” she said. “It’s great knowing I’m able to break some standards when it comes to doing a monologue as my talent and being able to talk about my passion which is agriculture.” Later that evening, as she was watching the Super Bowl with family and friends, she heard a friend remark “the pageant was her Super Bowl.” Hasting, a junior at Strawberry Crest, also shared her platform, which is “Sow Sisters: Empowering Women and Cultivating Change One Seed at a Time.” “My platform is about breaking down barriers in the agriculture industry and proving to women that you can wear a crown and talk about agriculture at the same time,” she said. The pageant is a preliminary to the Miss Florida’s Teen and Miss America’s Teen competitions. She will compete in Miss Florida’s Teen pageant in June.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2024

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COURTNEY PAAT NAMED 2024 OUTSTANDING CITIZEN OF THE YEAR MICHELLE CACERES STAFF WRITER

When Sate Farm agent Courtney Paat was lured to the TECO Expo Hall for the 65th Annual Outstanding Citizen of the Year awards ceremony, she had no idea that when the winner was announced, she’d be taking the stage as the 2024 Outstanding Citizen of the Year. “I was told our honoree hates surprises so whoever was involved in tricking that person here today look out,” joked Rick Lott, last year’s winner who introduced Paat as this year’s winner. Every year, the community comes together at this event, hosted by the Kiwanis Club to honor one resident who has made a significant, positive impact on the city. They must have a strong character, a humble spirit and carry the virtues of Plant City in their bones. When speaking about Paat’s achievements, Lott highlighted her professional and civic accomplishments, including regularly being a top percentage of high producers with State Farm, serving for 22 years as a member of the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce (many of them on its Executive Board and one year as board chair), founding two Plant City women’s organizations (Aspire PC and American Business Women’s Association) and bringing the Girl Scouts back to Plant City. He described her as extremely organized, a thoughtful and loyal friend, a good role model and a good listener.

“If she has a weakness, it’s yes-itis because she has a hard time saying no,” said Lott. “Plant City is lucky to have such a successful businessperson in our community.” Paat isn’t the first woman to receive the award. That honor was bestowed on Quintilla Geer Bruton, who was selected as Outstanding Citizen of the Year in 1961. Paat’s acceptance speech included thanks to her family and staff (cheering with pom-poms), who stood in a long line at the back of the room, arms laden with flowers and gifts, ready to offer congratulations. As she stood on stage, looking out at a room filled with servant leaders, she said it was an honor to be recognized by her peers. “Y’all know it doesn’t happen with just one person, it takes a team and I want to thank all of the people that support me,” she said. “My husband Angel puts up with all my shenanigans and commitments and always looks for ways to support me and make me look good.” It’s been important for her to be a strong role model for fellow female business owners. “I hope I make them proud,” she said. Wrapping up, she said she’d be remiss without extending an invitation to the crowd. “I do have girl scout cookies, so if you need cookies I can hook you up,” she remarked. “And Go ‘Noles.”

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COPS CORNER

PLANT CITY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2024

PLANT CITY

THIS WEEK ON COPS CORNER, PLANT CITY POLICE INVESTIGATE THEFTS, SHOPLIFTING, CRIMINAL MISCHIEF AND MORE. istock FEBRUARY 2

A CLEAN GETAWAY- Criminal Mischief 600 Block of E. Alexander Street An officer met with a woman who said her washing machine had been removed and the power cord was cut. PUSHY PLUNDERER- Theft/Battery Person over 65 years 3500 Block of W. Baker Street An officer met with employees of the business who advised that subjects entered the store and shoved an elderly employee while fleeing with stolen merchandise. NAMED- False Name to Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) Goldfiinch Drive/Thonotosassa Road An officer conducted a traffic stop on a man riding a bicycle with no lights. The person stated his name and told the officer he had no identification. He then provided another name. Rapid ID was utilized and the person’s true identify was determined (neither of the names he gave). An FCIC/NCIC check was conducted and he was found to have an outstanding warrant out of Polk County. He was arrested and transported to Orient Road Jail. SPEED RACER- Criminal Citation Issued N. Park Road/E. Cherry Street

While conducting traffic enforcement, an officer observed a vehicle traveling at 75 miles per hour in an area with a speed limit of 45 miles per hour. The driver was issued a criminal citation. SNACK ATTACK- Petit Theft/Warrant Arrest 4600 Block of State Road 574 An officer responded to the business regarding a theft of miscellaneous food items. The suspect was located across the street from the business with the stolen food still in his possession. A FCIC/NCIC check was conducted and the suspect had an outstanding warrant out of HIllsborough County Sheriff’s Office. The man was transported to Orient Road Jail.

FEBRUARY 3 NICE PURSE- Criminal Citation W. Baker Street/N. Alexander Street An officer was conducting a traffic enforcement when he observed a vehicle with an equipment violation. The driver of the vehicle did not have a drivers license, only a Mexican ID card. The driver was issued a citation.

FEBRUARY 4 CARTED OFF- Theft (Delayed) An officer met with the store manager

Observer Publisher / Karen Berry KBerry@PlantCityObserver.com

who advised that approximately $150 worth of merchandise had been stolen when a female left with a full cart.

FEBRUARY 5 FLAGGED- Criminal Mischief 3000 Block of Sydney Road An officer responded to the business, where an employee said someone had removed and damaged the Israeli flag that was hanging on a flagpole in front of the business.

Managing Editor / Sarah Holt SHolt@PlantCityObserver.com Staff Writer / Michelle Caceres michelle@plantcityobserver.com Sports Writer / Dylan Tice dtice@plantcityobserver.com Advertising Graphic Designer / Juan Alvarez Circulation/ Office Manager / Linda Lancaster LLancaster@PlantCityObserver.com

GUN GONE- Vehicle Burglary 500 Block of W. Ball Street Officers responded to the apartment complex, where a victim advised that his firearm, a black Bersa 9mm handgun, was missing from his vehicle.

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FEBRUARY 6

Advertising / Karen Berry kberry@plantcityobserver.com

HEAVY LIFTING- Residential Burglary 4000 Block of Capri Coast Drive An officer responded to the residence and met with the Lennar site manager, who reported a GE stove, refrigerator, washer and dryer were stolen. He later advised that a second home had the same brand and type of appliances stolen as well. MORE HEAVY LIFTING- Retail Theft 2600 Block of James L. Redman Parkway An officer met with employees in loss prevention, who reported $767 in kitchen appliances were stolen. NAP- Felony Petit Theft Arrest 900 Block of East Tomlin Street An officer responded to the area in reference to a male lying on the sidewalk. Upon arrival, it was learned the man had an active PC-pickup for felony petit theft. He was placed under arrest for the listed charge and transported to Orient Road Jail.

Call (813) 704-6850

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The Plant City Observer is published once weekly, on Thursdays. The Plant City Observer also can be found in many commercial locations throughout Plant City and at our office, 110 E. Reynolds St., Suite 100B. If you wish to discontinue home delivery or if you wish to suspend home delivery temporarily, call Linda Lancaster at 704-6850.

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We want to hear from you. Let us know about your events, celebrations and achievements. To contact us, send your information via: Email: Sarah Holt, SHolt@ PlantCityObserver.com. Mail: The Plant City Observer, 110 E. Reynolds St., Suite 100B, Plant City, FL 33563

FEBRUARY 8 TOOL TIME- Theft 600 Block of S. Frontage Road An officer responded to the business and met with the project manager of a roofing company, who stated an unknown person stole two welders, 12 magnets and two extension cords from the job site valued at $19,600. THIRSTY THIEF- Shoplifting/Theft 2800 Block of James L. Redman Parkway Officers met with loss prevention employees, who said a person entered the store and took two flashlights and a bottle of Coke and then exited the building without paying for them. TRICKY TRESPASSER- Trespass After Warning/Possession of Drug Paraphernalia Arrest 600 Block of Ruth Street Officers discovered a man in the yard of a residence that has been condemned by the city. The owner of residence previously agreed to a trespass of the individual, who was placed under arrest for Trespass After Warning. He was additionally charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2024

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CITY COMMISSIONERS PLEDGE ACTION AFTER RESIDENTS SPEAK UP ABOUT FLOODING ISSUES City Manager Bill McDaniel takes reigns to include state agencies and legislators in discussions.

PREMIERE CINEMAS WELCOMES CITY POINTE CHURCH ITS FIRST SERVICE AT THE NEW LOCATION WILL BE SUN., MARCH 3.

MICHELLE CACERES STAFF WRITER

“I think it will be in the best interest of Plant City and people that may eventually be Plant Citians,” he said. “Let’s do our part to rectify the problem.” He made a motion to give autonomy to the city manager and his staff to spearhead the issue, taking a leadership role for the city to get the necessary agencies involved and rally and support for the issue. For other city commissioners, the issue was also in the forefront of their thoughts. Some had already reached out to Hillsborough County Commissioner Michael Owen. “None of us had talked about this but I’ve been thinking long and hard about it as well and had talked with the city manager today and brought up this topic with him,” said Mayor Nate Kilton. Other commissioners, mentioning that the same issue was on their minds, expressed agreement. “I think it’s great we’ve all been thinking about it, hopefully we can do something about it,” said Commissioner Jason Jones. During public comment, John Haney, who lives in the affected area, spoke up in favor of the motion. “I want to thank you for bringing this to the forefront and making this a priority for the city,” he said. “You have my full and complete support.” The motion unanimously passed with a vote of five to zero.

Mayor Kilton was quick to manage expectations because it’s a regional issue and impacts Hillsborough and Polk counties and also involves state and federal jurisdictions. “This is going to be a heavy lift and we can’t solve this problem in Plant City,” he said. “We need to lead the charge on it, we’ll do our part to get everybody to come together on it.” City Manager Bill McDaniel will wade through the “waters” of jurisdictions, from county governments to Southwest Florida Water Management District to the Environmental Protection Commission. “We need to get a lot of players involved to identify what is really going on here,” he said. “There’s a lot to be looked at but we owe it to everyone in that area to work on this problem.”

After six years of calling First Baptist Church Plant City’s downtown location at 503 N. Palmer St. home, City Pointe Church will be moving its worship services to the Plant City Premiere theatre at 220 W. Alexander St. The first service will be held at the new location on Sun., Mar. 3 at 10 a.m., where the worship experience’s message won’t change but it’s method will, which will feature state-of-the-art sound and acoustics, plush seating and an atmosphere that will make every Sunday an unforgettable celebration of Jesus. “It was always the intent for us to have our own space,” said the Elders and trustees at City Pointe Church, that moved into the downtown location six years ago that it has shared with Plant City Christian Academy. “This partnership with Premiere Cinemas is turning out to be more than we could have ever anticipated, we definitely see God’s hand in it.” Indeed, every Sunday morning the theatre’s digital graphics will light up with City Pointe Church’s logo, welcoming worshippers to a modern church experience in a comfortable and casual environment as it teaches the community “to know who Jesus is, live as Jesus says and do as Jesus does in Plant City as it is in Heaven.” Premiere’s largest theatre, number

eight, will play host to the main sanctuary while the children’s service will be held in auditorium number seven. Theatre Manager Marcus Beaufils is happy to welcome City Point Church to the cinema, which has made recent upgrades to better serve its customers, including becoming ADA complaint by providing effective communication to patrons who are deaf, hard of hearing or blind. “All auditoriums are available for everybody,” he said. He cannot wait to open the doors on that first Sunday morning and have people sit in his beautiful sanctuary of cinema. “Going to church and going to the movies is similar because we come together as strangers and leave different,” he said. With eight screens, there’s plenty of room for the church to grow, which the Elders and Trustees hope will happen as the church reaches more people with its statement of beliefs, “In essentials, unity, In non-essentials, liberty. In everything, love.” “We anticipate there is going to be increased attendance and we’re going to grow,” said the Elders and Trustees. “We’re already planning to eventually have two services to accommodate growth, which we welcome.” For more information about City Pointe Church and to RSVP for Sun., Mar. 3, visit citypointechurch.com. For more information about Premiere Cinemas visit pccmovies.com.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2024

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CELEBRATING BLACK HERITAGE: GALA SHOWCASES AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY, HONORS COMMUNITY LEADERS AND SERVES SOULFUL FARE The gala recognized individuals who made significant contributions to the community. MICHELLE CACERES STAFF WRITER

HCC President Martin Clay also shared a message with the audience, his words a message of reflection and hope. “Let’s honor the past, celebrate the present and envision a future where every individual is valued, respected and empowered to thrive,” he said. Since 2003, the Plant City Black Heritage Celebration, Inc. has sought to enrich and educate the community on the contributions of African-American culture through the weekend-long Black Heritage Celebration. Adding a flavorful touch to the festivities, the gala chairperson, Sharon Moody, personally prepared a sumptuous feast for the hundreds of guests in attendance. Drawing on cherished family recipes and culinary traditions passed down through generations, Moody crafted a menu that included soul-stirring classics such as pigs’ feet, collard greens, rice and cornbread. Maurice “Mo” Billington, the event’s master of ceremony, joked that Moody easily persuaded him to volunteer at the event in exchange for some of her home cooking. “I’m working tonight for a pan of pigs’ feet,” he said. In addition to the gala, last weekend’s events included a jazz festival, gospel concert and youth summit, where future generations learned about the contributions of those who came before them and the importance of becoming a generation who makes a positive impact on society. “We are the caretakers of our culture,” said Moody.

AWARD RECIPIENTS INCLUDED: The Heritage Award recipient is Bernice McDaniel, a dedicated servant of God who at 93 still uses her cooking and sewing skills to serve others in the community. In fact, her lemon pound cake was one of the desserts served at the gala. The Lifetime Achievement Award recipients Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Michael E. Cook, United States Army Reserves and his wife, Colonel (Ret.) Cynthia E. Cook, United States Army Reserves. Both honorably served their country in leadership positions, their myriad of awards and decorations a testament to their love of country and their community service is a testament to their love of community. The Community Service Award recipient is Theodore “Ted” Alex, who has worked closely with Unity in the Community to help the residents of Plant City. The Humanitarian Award recipient is Retha Mae Cooper, a lifelong resident of Plant City who serves as director of the Mt. Olive Baptist Church Food Pantry and attends the Plant City Police Department’s community meetings.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2024

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PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES INSIRES NEXT GENERATION OF AVIATORS MICHELLE CACERES STAFF WRITER

EAA member Rich Powers said the flights, which lasted between 20 and 30 minutes, are meant to foster the spirit of aviation in youth. “The flights really put smiles on their faces and gets them interested in flying in a way that’s approachable and who knows, maybe they’ll have a career in it,” he said. For event organizer and City Commissioner Jason Jones, the fun, affordable family event, in its twelfth year, exposes youth to the aviation industry. “What we’ve learned is we’ve taught kids a career path in aviation that was not intended on day one but here in year 12 we’ve learned that happened,” he said. Those success stories include a youth that took a Young Eagles flight at Plant City Airport and then went on to become a pilot for Delta Airlines. “We’ve also had young men and woman who have taken flights at this airport, gone on to get their pilot’s license and are now flying for the Air Force,” said Jones. “Youth are the next generation and if we can provide them a career path that’s even better.” Thousands of people attended the event, which featured displays and interactive exhibits of the wonders of the aviation, automobile and train industries. Jones is excited that this year, he is kicking off a scholarship fund which will help youth who want to get into aviation but face a financial hardship. For more information about the Young Eagles program visit eaa. org.

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2024

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PLANT CITY FUTBALL CLUB HOSTS STRAWBERRY CLASSIC

Teams throughout Florida and as far as Michigan will be competing at this weekend’s tournament.

MICHELLE CACERES STAFF WRITER

The Plant City Futbol Club, also known as the Lancers, is set to host the 2024 Plant City Strawberry Classic this Presidents Day weekend at the Otis M. Andrews Complex and Ellis Methvin Park, where 120 soccer teams from as far as Michigan will compete to see which teams come out on top. More than 3,000 visitors a day are expected to descend on Plant City to watch the games. “We actually had 186 teams submit applications to play but we ran out of field space and can only accommodate 120 but that is a 20 percent increase from last year,” said Club President Jacob Hughes.

The Lancers, who have been the city’s competitive soccer team for 45 years, have seen its roster increase by 15 percent this year to almost 250 players and boasts two defending state champion teams and three regional Elks Soccer Shoot champions. Hughes, who said the team is grateful for the relationship the team has with city leaders, considers his club a graduate program to the rec league. “A lot of our players start playing in Plant City’s rec league and even our coaches are volunteer coaches in the rec league,” he said. The Lancers have tryouts every May. “Plant City is such a connected community that if there’s a family out here supporting rec soccer, they probably have cousins and uncles and brothers and sisters in our Lancers program,” he said.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2024

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Sixteen year old Lydia Leon, a center midfielder on the Lancer’s U17 girls’ team, who’ll be playing in this weekend’s tournament, said even though she plays on her high school soccer team, she also likes the drive of her Lancers team. “I like to be in competitive soccer because the girls on the team have a passion for the sport and are all striving to play at a higher level,” she said. “They push me to my limits, it’s just very nice to go to tournaments and win because it boosts my confidence,” She started playing soccer in Plant City’s rec league at age seven, following the path forged by several family members. “Later my dad encouraged me to get me into competitive soccer,” she said. She loves the large cheering squad of family members that show up and support her and the team during games. “I feel the love because they’re coming out to watch me play,” she said. In addition to helping improve her skills, she said Lancer practices are always a great stress reliever. “If something goes

wrong outside of soccer I can always come to soccer and my mind is off of it and I get to kick a ball hard,” she said. As a nonprofit organization, Hughes said the Lancers strive to keep costs down for players and their families. “Bigger corporate style clubs make athletes pay $2,000 and up and we keep our registration fees a third or a quarter of that,” he said. “We’re under $600 this year and like to say we’re bringing affordable, competitive soccer to our community.” He said this weekend’s tournament will come down to style against style, player against player as he instills the warrior spirit in his players. “The warrior spirit isn’t necessarily the winning spirit because we want players to have resiliency,” he said. “If you just teach players how to win then they can’t handle the loss but if you teach them how to be a warrior, then they can handle the loss.” A lesson applicable on and off the field. For more information about the Lancers visit plantcityfc.com.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

SPORTS

Sienna Smith

By Dylan Tice | Photo Courtesy of Faye Lee Sienna is a Senior at Strawberry Crest High School and she is a member of the Strawberry Crest Cheer team that just won a National title for the Small Co-Ed Division. Join us as we interview the 4 time State Champion! How long have you been Cheerleading? I have been Cheerleading ever since I was 8 years old, so 10 years in total! How confident were you and the team going into Nationals? We have worked extremely hard this year mentally and physically and I just knew everyone was confident each day we went out there because we all wanted to hit so badly and everyone trusted each other to do their jobs so that made all of us confident in not only ourselves but each other. How nerve-wracking is it when the announcers are revealing where the teams finished in the competition?

I wasn’t that nervous because we knew that we did our best we possibly could on finals day and that no matter what place we got we were happy with what we put out on the floor. I had a feeling all weekend we would be taking home a gold medal and white jacket, and I just knew walking into awards that this was our year and we would get the win. Do you have a favorite memory of cheering throughout your time at Crest? I have quite a few favorite memories but walking off of the national’s mat, hitting our routine, was the best feeling in the world knowing we all put everything out there and I was ending my senior year with a great hit with my cheer family. Hugging everyone after the pyramid hit was by far the greatest memory I’ll carry forever. What's your favorite thing about the coaching staff at Crest for cheer? My favorite thing about our coaching staff is that no matter

how hard it gets or whatever bumps we have in the road they always believed in us and pushed us to be the best of the best. Coach Loveny is the best coach I ever had. She is the best of the best and she is what makes our team great, not only is she a great coach but she loves us like her own kids and always supports us through everything. Without her, we would not have gotten this far. She truly is our biggest supporter! Do you have any pre-game rituals before a comp or game day? On comp days we listen to our music to get hype before heading to warm-ups, after warm-ups Coach says a prayer for us then we give a team talk, huddle, and do our break, and we all have handshakes with specific teammates before heading into the mat, we sing parts of our songs that get us locked in and then we know we are ready to kill it!

Are you planning on cheering in college? I’m not planning on cheering in college. What were your favorite songs to get you hyped before game day or cheer comp? My favorite songs to listen to get hype with the team before comps are Crank That, Hotel Room Service, Moment for Life, We Ready, and Turn My Swag On. If you're not cheerleading, what are you doing in your free time? When I’m not cheering, I hang out with friends or sleep usually

try to rest my body as much as possible! If you could advise someone looking to better themselves at cheering, what would it be? If I could give advice to someone looking to better themself cheering it would be to never ever stop trying to improve and be better, there’s always a point in the season where it gets really hard but no matter what, keep pushing yourself to be better and better no matter how hard it gets. Always have an end goal and a drive that pushes you to keep moving forward. Never give up and never get complacent or comfortable!

DURANT TOPS PLANT CITY IN DISTRICT GAME Durant and Plant City faced off for a 2nd time this season, but this time in the district semi-finals. DYLAN TICE SPORTS WRITER

The game started with the Raiders stealing the ball from the Cougars on the opening possession, but they missed the 3 to start the game. The first basket of the game went to Matthew Suarez, who backed the Raiders defender into the paint for the score. Isaac Correa and Jamin Andrews then exchanged blocks on back-to-back possessions, setting the tone early on in this game that it was going to be tough to score. The leading scorers for both teams got involved as Gavin Tinsley got to the free throw line for Plant City and converted both layups, but then Austin White hit a contested 3 for the Cougars. The Raiders turned it over on a 10-second violation, but Jamin Andrews bailed out the defense with his second block of the game. Michael Bell went to the free throw line for the Raiders, and he hit both. Wylde Correa scored his first basket of the game with a nice hustle play by grabbing the offensive rebound and getting the putback. Malachi Morris hit the midrange shot for the Raiders and then he followed it up with a floater on the very next Raiders possession. Jamin Andrews continued wreaking havoc on defense, this time stealing it and getting the fastbreak layup. Austin White then put matters into his own hands by getting to the free throw line and following up with a step-back, regaining the lead for the Cougars. The Raiders fought fire with fire as Malachi Morris and Michael Bell hit a pair of 3’s for the Raiders, forcing Durant to call a timeout. At this point, the Raiders were up 16-13 with 1:54 remaining in the first quarter. Fresh off the timeout, Wylde Correa kept disrupting on the offensive glass, getting another putback for the Cougars. Jamin Andrews followed with his own putback for the Raiders on the next possession. Austin White ended the first quarter by getting fouled from deep as

time expired and he went 2-3 from the line so at the end of the first, the Raiders were ahead 18-17. Jamin Andrews started the second quarter with the Raiders by getting the putback. Then the Correa brothers for Durant made back-to-back baskets as they both attacked the paint at ease on these possessions. After multiple possessions of no scoring, Jamin Andrews put a stop to the drought, hitting a mid-range shot near the free-throw line for the Raiders. Juan Lopez caught the Raiders slipping on defense as he attacked the paint before they got back, getting a relatively easy layup. The Raiders turned it over and called a timeout. Durant was leading 23-22 at this point in the game. Fresh off the timeout, both schools turn it over and you could tell that every point mattered. Michael Bell found Leroy Lucas with a nice pass through traffic and Lucas hit the pull-up for the Raiders. The momentum changed at this point in the game when Gavin Tinsley pump faked the baseline 3 and dunked in traffic on the Cougars, then followed up with a steal and easy layup for the Raiders. The hometown crowd went off at this very moment, letting Durant’s team and crowd know all about what just unfolded. Some more turnovers happened for both teams, but the half ended with a 3 by Juan Lopez for the Cougars. At the half, the Raiders were on top 28-26. The second half was exactly what the Cougars needed. The Raiders turned it over and missed shots on their first four possessions, but meanwhile, Durant scored five points straight thanks to one free throw from Caden Bokor and then Juan Lopez and Isaac Correa attacking the paint. After their slowest start to any quarter at this point, the Raiders finally scored with Jamin Andrews making the reverse layup. For context, that was the Raider’s first basket in the third and there was 2:56 remaining at that point. A timeout was called and in a similar fashion in this game,

both teams turned it over after the small break. After the Raiders turned it over, Juan Lopez got the fastbreak layup for the Cougars. They followed up with another layup, this time by Wylde Correa. The attacking of the paint continued as Austin White threaded it into the paint again for Wylde Correa for back-to-back layups. An injury timeout for Plant City was called with 34.5 seconds left in the quarter and Creighton Long checked in and immediately made an impact, hitting the 3 for the Raiders. At the end of the third, Durant was ahead 39-33, outscoring the Raiders 13-5 in the quarter. The energy for the fourth quarter was unreal as both crowds were making chants at each other. The Cougars started with the ball but quickly turned it over with an offensive foul. Leroy Lucas drove to the paint, drawing the foul, and hit 1-2 free throws. Then Lucas stole the ball and took it down the court for a nice layup in transition for the Raiders. Wylde Correa stayed hot for the Cougars, getting another offensive rebound and putback. Lucas stayed hot for the Raiders, attacking the paint and scoring, which made five straight for him in the fourth quarter. Lucas’s heater forced the Cougars to call a timeout and they were up 41-38 with 6:22 left in the game. Juan Lopez responded and hit a tough layup for the Cougars, splitting between two Raiders defenders. Gavin Tinsley got involved again and headed to the freethrow line, making both for the Raiders. Lopez once again made another layup for the Cougars and the Raiders struggled protecting the paint in this game. The Raiders turned it over on the inbound play and a timeout was called, with the Cougars up 45-40 with 4:45 left. Wylde Correa resumed the Cougars’ game plan of attacking the paint, this time hitting the reverse layup. Gavin Tinsley got involved with an offensive rebound and putback for the Raiders, but it didn’t matter as the Cougars scored six more points in a row in

the paint on the Raiders.

The Cougars went on to win the game with a final score of 56-45. Box Score: Cougars: Wylde Correa: 18 Points, 10 Rebounds, 3 Assists, 4 Blocks Juan Lopez: 15 Points, 2 Rebounds, 6 Assists, 2 Steals, 1 Block Austin White: 9 Points, 6 Rebounds, 7 Assists, 2 Steals, 1 Block Isaac Correa: 8 Points, 6 Rebounds, 7 Assists, 3 Blocks Caden Bokor: 4 Points, 3 Rebounds, 1 Assist Ajani Peavy: 2 Points, 3 Rebounds, 1 Block Raiders: Jamin Andrews: 10 Points, 6 Rebounds, 3 Steals, 2 Blocks Gavin Tinsley: 10 Points, 15 Rebounds, 1 Assist, 3 Steals Leroy Lucas: 9 Points, 1 Rebound, 4 Assists, 3 Steals Malachi Morris: 7 Points Michael Bell: 6 Points, 6 Rebounds, 3 Assists, 1 Steal, 1 Block *Durant went on to compete against Winter Haven in the 7A District 9 Championship but lost 84-63. Both Durant and Plant City have a game tonight 2/15 as the Cougars face off against the North Port Bobcats and the Raiders go against the Plant Panthers for the first round of playoffs. Good luck to the local teams!

PLANT CITY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2024

PlantCityObserver.com

STRAWBERRY CREST HIGH SCHOOL CHEERLEADING TEAM DEFIES EXPECTATIONS, WINS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Photos courtesy of Melissa Alfonso

MICHELLE CACERES STAFF WRITER

Strawberry Crest High School’s competitive cheerleading team flipped, twirled and spun their way to a national championship win this weekend after it competed against 32 other top contenders in Orlando at the Universal Cheer Association’s national championships in the Small Varsity Coed Division 1. While the team of 18 girls and two boys is no stranger at the competition (they competed in eight of the last ten national competitions and won a national championship in 2020), the team defied the odds because this was a rebuilding year and half of its team members had never cheered for Strawberry Crest. One of the boys had never set foot on a competitive floor and had to put in extra effort to match his seasoned teammate Hayden Johns, who made the USA Junior Olympic Cheer Team, move for move.

They delivered a near-perfect performance that earned a raw score of 90.9 out of 100 possible points, beating out rival Blackman High School, who were the reigning champions (having won first place for the last three years) by a mere 0.4 points, who lost points because of an error. “They’re very good and very tough to beat but like I tell my team all the time, the team that handles the pressure wins,” said Head Coach Loveny Savarino, who has been a cheer coach at Strawberry Crest for 13 years. There were three rounds of competition: preliminary (broke up into two brackets), semi-finals and finals. The first day, in the preliminary bracket, Blackman was one of the teams they were up against. Strawberry Crest placed second in their bracket but Blackman won first, allowing them to bypass the semi-final round and earning them a free pass straight to the finals.

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Savarino called that a blessing. The weekend before they competed in states and, to make sure they could score as many points as possible, changed their music and brand new routine with only three days to practice it. “Competing in the semi-final round gave us a chance to do our routine in front of the crowd,” she said. After placing first in the semifinal round and going into the final round on Sunday, the team was practicing up to the last minute, taking the judge’s score sheets and making changing as suggested. “It was at that point we told the team that it’s not the most talented team that wins championships, it’s the talented team that performs well under pressure that wins championships,” she said. “You don’t have to be the best team, you just have to be the best team that day performing under pressure.” The final day, as ESPN cameras surrounded the arena, Savarino encouraged

the team of 24 (20 who compete) to ignore the cameras and go out there and do their job. “I told them to trust themselves, trust their teammates and have faith that it was going to go their way,” she said. “They walked out there and under that amount of pressure they performed to the best of their ability.” While they were performing, Savarino could hear the audience, which included parents, alumni and school administrators, screaming and chanting for the team. “It was electrifying, it was crazy, they blew the roof off of that place,” she said. Senior Sienna Smith, who has been on the team for four years, said the win was a perfect end to her cheer career. She doesn’t plan on cheering in college. “This achievement took a lot of practice, determination and patience,” she said. “The will to want to put in the work this year really helped us reach our goal.”

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2024

PlantCityObserver.com

AROUND TOWN

CoupleAROUND Finds Love in 90’sSPONSOR Chat Room YOUR TOWN Years before people connected on dating apps like Match and Tinder, in 1998, 18-year-old Tina Marie Polson (then Lezcano) connected with Micheal Polson in a chat room. Before the introduction of TikTok and smartphones, people chatted with strangers in chat rooms on AOL and AIM on clunky computers. Chatrooms were places you could virtually go to virtually interact with other people by choosing from one of many categories and enter a chatroom to find other like-minded people. “We met in a chat room for cowboys and cowgirls because we both liked country music,” said Tina Marie, who lived in Tampa at the time while Polson lived in Brandon. To send Polson a photo of herself, she went to Kinko’s (now FedEx Office) to scan a picture she could email to him. He sent her a photo too.

Even though they were both hesitant to meet in person, curiosity got the best of them and, in June 1998, they met in person. “I remember that moment like it was yesterday, standing there in front of the movie theater, heart racing, butterflies in my stomach,” she said. “He had this smile that just melted me, and he literally had me from hello.” Driving away that night, she knew he was the love of her life. On Feb. 9, they celebrated their 22nd wedding anniversary, although in an untraditional way since Tina Marie has COVID and is in quarantine. “He still managed to sneak some flowers and cake into my room,” she said. “Life may not have always taken us down easy roads, but I am so very lucky to have had my best friend by my side through it all.”

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Carolyn Rosalie Prevette, 88, of Plant City, Fla., born on May 31, 1935, entered into eternal rest on Feb. 6, 2024. Expressions of condolences at www.HopewellFuneral.com.

Debbie Crow

Debbie Crow, 68, of Plant City, Fla., born on Feb. 26, 1955, entered into eternal rest on Feb. 4, 2024. Expressions of condolences at www.HopewellFuneral.com.

Anne Claville Wheeler Anne Claville Wheeler, 87, of Seffner, Fla., born on Sept. 15, 1936, in Sarasota, Fla., entered into eternal rest on Feb. 3, 2024. Expressions of condolences at www.HopewellFuneral.com.

community

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Neila M Medeiros, age Victoria “Vickie” Elaine Ramiro Garnelo Muñoz, 48, of Plant City, Fla., Brannon, age 66, went 92, of Plant City, Fla., born passed away on Feb. 4, home to be with her heavon Jan. 26, 1932, entered 2024. Neila was born on enly father on Feb. 5, 2024. into eternal rest on Feb. 9, Oct. 8,we’re 1975. Vickie was born on June 11, 2024. dedicated to helping families create a W E ’ R E P R O U D TO S E RV E our community unique and meaningfuland memorial that truly 1957. with personal, compassionate care since 1896. Fond memories Expressions of condocelebrates the life it represents. As your Dignity Memorial professionals, expressions sympathy memories and lences at www.HopewellFuwe’re dedicated to helping families create a W E ’ R Eof PRO U D TO S E RV E our community Fond > 100% Service Guarantee > Nationalwith Plan Transferability unique and meaningful memorial that truly personal, care since 1896. may be> The shared atcompassionate www. expressions neral.com. > Bereavement Travel Assistance Helpline® celebrates theof lifesympathy it represents. As Compassion your Dignity Memorial professionals, WellsMemorial.com for the may be shared at www. > 100% Service Guarantee > National Plan Transferability R family. > Bereavement Travel Assistance > The Compassion Helpline® Medeiros WellsMemorial.com for the Proudly supporting the Plant City Strawberry Festival. Brannon R family.

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Ramiro Garnelo Neila Taking careMof Muñoz Medeiros each other is what

James “Jim” Walter Wolf James “Jim” Walter Wolf, 57, of Riverview, Fla., born on June 2, 1966, in Long Island, New York, entered into eternal rest on Feb. 7, 2024. Expressions of condolences at www.HopewellFuneral.com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

OBITUARIES

Carolyn Rosalie Prevette

PLANT CITY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2024

PlantCityObserver.com

Proudly supporting the Plant City Strawberry Festival.

WELLSMEMORIAL.COM Curtis Richard Taking care of Hooker Mary Patrick Wells MeMorial & event Center

WELLSMEMORIAL.COM

each other is what PlanT CiTy

813-752-1111 WellsMemorial.com Wells MeMorial & event Center Curtis Richard Hooker, Mary Patrick, age 83, PlanT CiTy born on Feb. 24, 1973, in of Plant City, Fla., passed 813-752-1111 WellsMemorial.com Plant City, Fla., returned to away on Feb. 12, 2024. his maker on Feb. 8, 2024, Mary was born on Aug. 11, in the same beloved town. 1940. Online condolences can Fond memories and we’re dedicated to helping families create a W E ’ R E P R O U D TO S E RV E our community unique and meaningful memorial that truly with www.haught. personal, compassionate care sinceexpressions 1896. be made at of sympathy celebrates the life it represents. As your Dignity Memorial professionals, care. may be shared at www. > 100% Service Guarantee > National Plan Transferability > The Compassion Helpline® > Bereavement Travel Assistance WellsMemorial.com for the Patrick R family.

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10/27/15 10:42 AM

is all about.

M2313_4832_Wells_PNT_Comm_7-25x9-75_C.indd 1

10/27/15 10:42 AM

Proudly supporting the Plant City Strawberry Festival.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Trenton “Trent” Charlene Christina Adams West Charlene Christina Adams, 43, of Apollo Beach, Fla., born on Aug. 17, 1980, in Plant City, Fla., entered into eternal rest on Feb. 7, 2024. Expressions of condolences at www.HopewellFuneral.com.

Trenton “Trent” West, 55, of Plant City, Fla., born in Tampa on Dec. 12, 1968, entered into eternal rest on Feb. 6, 2024. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral. com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM

WELLSMEMORIAL.COM Wells MeMorial & event Center PlanT CiTy

813-752-1111 WellsMemorial.com M2313_4832_Wells_PNT_Comm_7-25x9-75_C.indd 1

ALL OBITUARIES ARE SUBMITTED AND EDITED BY FAMILIES OR FUNERAL HOMES

10/27/15 10:42 AM

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YOUR CALENDAR

PLANT CITY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2024

BEST BET SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17 ANNUAL STRAWBERRY CLASSIC SOCCER TOURNAMENTvzvSat., Feb. 17 and Sun., Feb. 18 starting at 8 a.m. at Otis M. Andrews and Ellis Methvin Parks, 2602 E. Cherry St. The Plant City Futbol Club, a.k.a. Lancers, are hosting their annual Strawberry Classic. Come join the more than 3,000 expected visitors for a day outdoors supporting Plant City’s premier youth soccer club competing against other teams from across the state. Free and open to the public.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15

HOPE LUTHERAN MOBILE FOOD PANTRY

6 p.m. at Hope Lutheran Church, 2001 N. Park Rd. Hope Lutheran Church will once again hold their mobile food pantry in the church parking lot. The pantry will begin distributing food to those in need at 6 p.m. until the supplies are distributed. Anyone in need of grocery assistance is encouraged to join them as they work to eliminate food insecurity in the community. No identification required. For additional information, contact the church office at (813) 752-4622. BLUEGRASS WITH LARRY CORDLE & MARK “BRINK” BRINKMAN 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Krazy Kup Enjoy the music of Larry Cordle, a Grammy award-winning singer/songwriter, and Mark “Brink” Brinkman, a songwriter who has numerous number one songs in bluegrass, gospel and Americana music. Tickets are $25 per person. SOCIAL DANCE NIGHT 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Strawberry Square Dance Center, 4401 Promenade Blvd. No experience necessary. Cost is $7 per person. Email Cindy at tomandcindybunn@gmail.com for more details.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24

ACHIEVE PLANT CITY’S ANNUAL WINE TASTING AND CASINO NIGHT 6 p.m. at Trinkle Center, 1206 N. Park Rd. Let the good times roll, Mardi Gras-style, at Achieve Plant City’s Seventh Annual Wine Tasting and Casino Night fundraiser. Bring your Krewe to celebrate Achieve’s 12 years of accomplishments and revel in musical entertainment, casino games, auctions, food and beverages and fun. For more information or tickets visit achieveplantcity.org.

ST. MARY’S COMMUNITY CHURCH INDOOR YARD SALE 7 a.m. to noon at St. Mary’s Community Church Annex, 904 E. Renfro St. Snag a deal on gently-used clothing, household goods, toys and more at this community yard sale. This event will be held rain or shine. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.

PLANT CITY STRAWBERRY CLASSIC CRUISE-IN 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at 102 N. Palmer St. The Plant City Strawberry Classic Cruise-In is back on Sat., Feb. 17, rain or shine. Register your cars and trucks of all makes, models and years for free starting at 3 p.m. Free show with Award of Excellence trophies. Live music by DJ John Paul Gasca.

PLANT CITY AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORIC BUS TOUR Plant City is home to more than 25 landmarks, structures and businesses relating to African American history. The three-hour bus tour will take guests to the various sites. Tickets are $30 per person (lunch served afterwards). Seating is limited. For more information call (813) 704-5800.

MATT HAYES 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Krazy Kup Enjoy an evening with an eclectic blend of music, from faith-based to rock.

BLUEGRASS NIGHT WITH RICHARD SMITH

7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Krazy Kup Fingerpicking champion Richard Smith forged a career as a solo artist, performing all over the USA, Canada and Europe, Australia and Brazil, releasing solo records, duet and ensemble records and now performs at Krazy Kup for an evening of music in the loft. Tickets are $25 per person. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 29 OPEN HOUSE 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Plant City City Hall, 302 Reynolds St. Plant City! LEAP into the open house to discuss the proposed updates to the Preferred Future Land Use Scenario Map for the Northeast Master Plan. The evaluation and update of the Preferred Land Use Scenario Map is essential to reflect the current economic and environmental factors and keep pace with the emergence of new development trends and shifts in market demand. For more information visit planhillsborough.org/ne-plant-city-areamaster-plan/.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23 LAST FRIDAY IN DOWNTOWN 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at McCall Park, 100 N. Collins St. Come and be part of a Pokemonthemed night at this month’s Last Friday event! Experience live music at McCall Park, explore the Main Street Kids zone, take a thrilling ride on the extreme gyrosphere, participate in a scavenger hunt, explore the expanded exhibitor market and savor delicious food throughout the evening. Don’t forget to dress up- costumes are highly encouraged! Numerous downtown businesses will stay open late, providing you with the perfect opportunity to shop and support local establishments. Plan your visit to downtown for Last Friday and create lasting memories for the whole family!

To have your event included in our calendar, visit the calendar section of our website at www.PlantCityObserver.com

2024

Events Calendar JANUARY

26th - Last Friday: Pirates & Princesses McCall Park 5pm - 9pm

FEBRUARY 23rd - Last Friday: Pokemon McCall Park 5pm-9pm

AUGUST

JULY 26th - Last Friday: Witches & Wizards McCall Park 5pm-9pm

SEPTEMBER 7th - Farmer’s Market McCall Park 10am - 3pm

30th - Last Friday: Superheroes & Villans McCall Park 5pm - 9pm

OCTOBER 25th - Last Friday: Nightmare on Main Street McCall Park 5pm - 9pm

28th - 3rd Annual Oktoberfest McCall Park 3pm - 10pm

MARCH

29th - Last Friday: “Zootastic” Expedition Wildlife McCall Park 5pm - 9pm

APRIL 13th - Sample the City McCall Park 4pm - 8pm 26th - Last Friday: Galaxy Wars McCall Park 5pm - 9pm

NOVEMBER 14th - Volunteer Appreciation Dinner Location TBD 6:30pm - 8pm 30th - Small Business Season Kickoff McCall Park 5pm - 9pm

DECEMBER

13th - Sip & Shop Art Walk Santa Letters McCall Park 5pm - 9pm

MAY

31st - Last Friday: Anime McCall Park 5pm - 9pm

CARPETS

31st - Strawberry Drop: A New Year’s Celebration 7pm - 12:30am

STEAM CLEANED

3 ROOMS $90

JUNE

28th - Last Friday: 80's Neon Night McCall Park 5pm - 9pm

Emergency 24-Hour Service

WATER REMOVAL

Includes Hallway cleaned Free

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Proud Sponsor

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Carpet Repairs Carpet Restoration & Dyeing Minimum Service job $70.00

Storm Water, A/C Leaks,

Broken Pipes, Toilet Overflow, etc

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TILE & GROUT STEAM CLEANED 50 cents per Sq.Ft.

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2024

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I LOVE PLANT CITY

FORECAST THURSDAY, FEB 15

SUNRISE/SUNSET Sunrise Sunset Thursday, Feb 15

7:06a

6:19p

Friday, Feb 16

7:05a

6:20p

Saturday, Feb 17

7:04a

6:21p

Sunday, Feb 18

7:03a

6:21p

FRIDAY, FEB 16

Monday, Feb 19

7:03a

6:22p

Tuesday, Feb 20

7:02a

6:23p

High: 79 Low: 61 Chance of rain: 8%

Wednesday, Feb 21

7:01a

6:23p

High: 79 Low: 56 Chance of rain: 8%

MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, FEB 17 High: 69 Low: 55 Chance of rain: 79%

SUNDAY, FEB 18 High: 61 Low: 50 Chance of rain: 87%

MONDAY, FEB 19 Todd Flemister shared this photo of a nice fire he lit in his yard to keep the chill off.

ONLINE

High: 71 Low: 50 Chance of rain: 24%

Across 1 Taper or fade 5 Many 9 Charcuterie board selection 13 Invocation syllables 14 Tropical evergreen 16 Chanel scent 17 Something heard around Chicago, literally? 19 Like AOL software, originally 20 EDM instrument 21 Bug 23 Digital thermometer? 24 Acorn producer 26 Hurdle before spring break, literally?

28 Baby __ 32 Inflexible 33 One of 28 Monopoly cards 34 Dermatologist's concern 37 Overalls material 39 Brooding sort 40 Passport or Pilot, e.g., literally? 42 Scooby-__ 43 Locked account? 45 Snowballs or paintballs 46 "Yeah, try again" 47 Regional plant life 49 Cup holder site 51 Frog that carries fertilized eggs on its back, literally? 54 NYC member of "The

Squad" in Congress 55 Frozen over 56 48-Down song with the line "But when I call, you never seem to be home" 58 Shake __ 62 Snatches 64 Reason to buy a sports car, for some, literally? 66 Grasp 67 Sign into law 68 Gas lighting? 69 Hot 70 Transcript stats 71 Lip Down 1 Crow's cacophony

2 Heed 3 Setting of the graphic novel "Persepolis" 4 Bit of info 5 The "A" of LGBTQIA+, for short 6 Scott who turns into Ant-Man 7 Valence electrons, often 8 Have a trying experience? 9 Green prefix 10 "I'm not even here" 11 Squeezeboxes 12 Internet hookup 15 Mammal that uses kelp as a blanket 18 Crust 22 Rust 25 Fuzzy fruit 27 Grow old 28 Adult __ 29 "Suit yourself!" 30 Shark cage? 31 Ingenuity org. 35 Coquito liquor 36 Rating for "Euphoria," briefly 38 No longer relevant 40 Cab alternative 41 First name in the Harlem Renaissance 44 Piglet pal 46 Tide pool sights 48 56-Across singer 50 Zen garden growth 51 Boneless appetizer 52 Hurl 53 Yosemite peak freeclimbed by Emily Harrington, familiarly 57 Black-and-white predator 59 Well offshore 60 Corp. bean counters 61 "Steak House" dressing brand 63 Chicago WNBA team 65 "__ my pleasure!"

Feb. 16 1st Qtr.

Feb.. 24

Full

Mar. 3 3rd Qtr.

RAINFALL LAST WEEK:

Mar. 9 New

MONTH TO DATE:

0.44 in.

0.92 in.

YEAR TO DATE:

FEB. AVERAGE:

4.90 in.

2.33 in.

STRAWBERRIES Shipping point: Florida $18.00-$20.00

Source: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture

WEATHER

Send your photo submissions to staff writer Michelle Caceres at michelle@plantcityobserver. com or hashtag #iloveplantcity on Instagram for @igersplantcity to feature.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2024

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