02.29.24 PLCO

SPRING CLEANING? PLANT CITY SOLID WASTE DEPARTMENT CAN HELP

Are you doing some spring cleaning and have a few items such as furniture, appliances, electronics, tires (four per year at no charge) and large tree branches (cut up to length of five feet and diameter of one foot) that need to be picked up? While they won’t do the cleaning for you, you can call the Plant City Solid Waste Department to request a special pick-up of these items. Eligible items property placed on the curb will be picked up within seven business days of the request being received and should be placed more than three feet away from trash bins and other objects.

The following items cannot be picked up: construction materials, batteries, propane tanks, paint, motor oil, pesticides, herbicides, pool chemicals and other hazardous waste.

The city also has a free drop-off site for motor and cooking oil at the corner of Victoria Street and Plant Avenue, open Monday through Friday from 7:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m..

The City encourages residents to remove these items before hurricane season begins on June 1.

For more information or to schedule a pick-up, call (813) 659-4222.

HILLSBOROUGH SUPERINTENDENT PROPOSES PLAN TO INCREASE DISTRICT PAY

Hillsborough Superintendent Van Ayres proposed a draft plan this week to School Board Members to address staffing shortages in multiple departments, including bus drivers, teachers and others, by increasing employee pay. His plan details how a voter-approved millage, a property tax paid on real estate, would address these shortages by generating an estimated $177 million a year and positively impact Hillsborough County’s more than 230,000 students.

With the county’s average home value of $375,000, and appropriate homestead exemptions, the cost to an average homeowner would be $350 per year, which averages to about $1 a day.

“What keeps me up at night is that many of our students are not able to get to school on time because of a shortage of bus drivers and many students do not have high-quality teacher in their classrooms due to a number of teaching vacancies,” said Ayres. “The millage will strengthen our foundation and allow us to compete for the best teachers, support staff and administrators to ensure successful education outcomes for students.”

The proposal includes salary supplements of:

* $6,000 each year for teachers (an average 11% increase)

* $3,000 each year for support staff (an average 11% increase)

* $6,000 each year for administrators (an average 4% increase)

The change would place the pay for first-year teachers above most neighbors, and the pay for an experienced ten-year teacher above all neighboring counties, according to a new release.

Hillsborough School Board Members are scheduled to vote on April 2, on whether to place a millage referendum on the November 5 general election ballot for all voters in Hillsborough County. To pass, the millage must receive 50% +1 of the votes.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SEEKS CONTRACTORS FOR AREA CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

Hillsborough County, that has budgeted $1.6 billion for Fiscal Year ’24 for Capital Improvement Program projects, is seeking qualified firms to partner with for construction projects. Hillsborough County is seeking qualified construction companies to submit bids for upcoming projects, from sidewalk repairs and stormwater repair and replacement, to large design build projects such as the One Water Campus Program. Companies

and contractors interested in bidding for County projects should register in Bonfire, the county’s new e-procurement portal, at no coast, to participate in the bid process. The County’s website, HCFL.gov/Vendors lists current procurement bidding opportunities.

DEA HOSTS ESPORTS EVENT: ONE PILL CAN KILL “GAME OVER’ TOURNAMENT

On Sat., Mar. 2 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., viewers can watch eight teams from the Philadelphia area battle it out while game casters deliver play-by-plays and special guests present vital information about the dangers of illicit fentanyl. According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, America is in the midst of an opioid epidemic, with the national rate of teenagers overdosing TRIPLING in the past two years.

Since 97 percent of American youth, ages 12 - 17, play video games, Operation Engage Philadelphia is hosting a One Pill Can Kill “Game Over” tournament. Viewers can take a quiz for a chance to win a gaming console or accessories.

Catch the action on twitch.tv/onepillcankill.

THE ANGEL FOUNDATION JOINS THE PLANT CITY COMMUNITY

The Mission of the Angel Foundation is to partner with businesses and individuals to be a caring resource for families in our community experiencing a temporary crisis due to a life-threatening illness or catastrophic event.

Their program matches families with local businesses and individuals with available resources to help meet practical needs. The foundation will also provide financial support for families in temporary crisis to ensure they stay on the road to self-sufficiency.

In addition, the Angel Foundation FL works with charitable organizations in Hillsborough County that provide a variety of resources to meet the needs of the community. “We cannot achieve our mission without the help of our community,” Liz Brewer, CEO of the Angel Foundation, said. “Your time, talents and treasure are our greatest asset. Be part of something bigger than you by being a part of this wonderful organization.”

The Angel Foundation has been serving the Brandon community for more than, 21 years and now they are branching out to Plant City. “We found that our footprint is in the greater Brandon community and its surrounding areas,” Brewer said. “We also have gotten requests for assistance from those in need in Plant City, so we want to help in that area as well.”

Lisa Nickel is a Plant City resident and became involved with The Angel Foundation three years ago after meeting Brewer and some of her team from the foundation. “After meeting them and

learning about The Angel Foundation, it just struck me as something I wanted to be a part of, so I began to become involved with the foundation.”

Nickel will be leading the process to bring The Angel Foundation to Plant City.

“We are going to host a luncheon on March 14 at 11:30 a.m. at the Outback Restaurant here in Plant City,” Nickel said. “We are looking for different businesses from the Plant City community to come and join us for lunch. We are not asking any of the business to be given or donated. We are asking them to offer their services at a discounted price or be willing to work with our families.”

Nickel is looking for local businesses like air conditioning, automotive, restaurants, hotels and builders that would be willing to offer their services at discounted rates to help those in need in the Plant City area. “Anyone who has a business and would like to help,” Nickel said. “We are also going to reach out to local churches to see if they would like to get teams together to help The Angel Foundation as well.”

Nickel and Brewer hope The Angel Foundation will make a big impact on the Plant City community as it has in the Brandon community. “There are a lot of families in Plant City that go through catastrophic events and we want to help them,” Nickel said.

If you would like to learn more about The Angel Foundation or if you’d like to become a volunteer with the foundation, you can visit their website at www.angelfoundationfl.com or call 813-689-6889.

In a whirlwind of marinara and garlic-fused festivities, Fazoli’s, the beloved Italian-American fast-casual restaurant, is marking its two-year anniversary.

Located at 238 W. Alexander Street, Fazoli’s has been delighting patrons with its delectable array of freshly prepared pasta dishes. From classic favorites like spaghetti and meatballs to baked ziti, Fazoli’s has consistently delivered a taste of Italy with every bite.

Plant City Fazoli’s owner Rodney Keys promises to be a pasta lover’s dream, with a Florida Strawberry Festival coupon in this week’s Plant City Observer, offering customers a “Buy One Small Pasta, Get One Free” coupon, which includes spaghetti with marinara or meat sauce or fettuccine Alfredo.

Reflecting on the past two years, Keys expressed gratitude for the community’s overwhelming support. “It’s been an incredible journey,” he remarked. “We’ve been fortunate to serve our loyal guests and share our passion for Italian cuisine.This anniversary is a testament to the dedication of our hardworking team and the love of our wonderful customers.”

When he first purchased the business, he said the restaurant was closed and sales were in the tank. “We had to rebuild it,” he said.

Keys is seeing the fruits of his labors. For the last three weeks, the store has surpassed week-over-week sales records. “We have plaques in the store commemorating our trend in sales,” he said.

While happy with his sales numbers, Keys is more satisfied that his business is able to support the community. His first year in business, he donated meals to the Florida Strawberry Festival. Now, he is a regular sponsor of Burney Elementary School, has participated in events at Knights Elementary and the Plant City Black Heritage Festival, has sponsored sports teams at Plant City High School. “They’re #fueledbyFazoli’s,” he quipped. “We love the community and want to help the kids and try to say yes when peoplec all or write us about sponsorships.”

While Keys likes to help the community, the community likes to help themselves to Fazoli’s vast array of menu items. Plant City resident Brad Yocom stopped in for lunch to satisfy a spaghetti craving. He ordered the baked spaghetti with a side salad, breadsticks and a soda.

“I got the lunch special and it was $8.02 including tax, which was a little more because I got the baked spaghetti because I like that baked cheese on top,” he said. “It’s the best spaghetti in town and the price can’t be beat, you can’t go to another fast food restaurant and spend less.”

Keys encouraged residents to follow his social media presence at Fazoli’s Plant City on Facebook. “We want everyone to like us and follow us and check in when you get to our store,” he said. “When you do, you’re entitled to a free brownie or cookie.”

Fazoli’s is open Monday - Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

So here’s to Rodney Keys and Fazoli’s, raising a toast to two years of culinary excellence and community service with countless more to come. Buon anniversario, Fazoli’s!

LIBBY HOPKINS STAFF WRITER

MICHELLE CACERES STAFF WRITER

FEBRUARY 16

TOO MUCH TROUBLE— Warrant

Arrest

2700 Block of Walden Woods Drive

An officer made contact with a female in reference to her having multiple felony warrants. The officer advised dispatch to confirm the warrants, after which time the woman was taken into custody and transported to Orient Road Jail.

RAISE THE ROOF- Theft

3600 Block of Capital Reserve Drive

Officers responded to a delayed theft report, where a builder’s representative reported that 90 bundles of roofing shingles, valued at $2,700, were stolen from the property.

FEBRUARY 17

SWIPER NO SWIPING- Fraud/Theft

1600 Block of W. Ball Street

An officer met with a woman who said that unauthorized purchases were being made with her credit card.

NO FUN IN THE SUN- Vehicle Burglary

600 Block of E. Alexander Street

Officers met with a man regarding a delayed burglary report. The man stated unknown subject(s) entered his vehicle and stole two Paris of Oakley sunglasses, two iPhone chargers and a Spectrum cable box.

STICKY FINGERS- Shoplifting

2600 Block of James L. Redman Parkway

An officer responded to the business and met with Loss Prevention, in reference to shoplifting in progress. A juvenile was taken into custody but they met the criteria for the Juvenile Arrest

Avoidance Program (JAAP) and was released into the custody of a parent.

FEBRUARY 18

LIQUOR IS QUICKER- Theft

2100 Block of James L. Redman Parkway

An officer met with the store manager, who advised that three females entered the store and put eight bottles of liquor in their purses, before running out the front door and getting into a black Mercedes Benz. The total value of the products stolen is $531.19.

FEBRUARY 19

CAN’T PHONE HOME- Vehicle Burglary

600 Block of E. Alexander Street

An officer responded to the location and met with a man who reported that sometime overnight someone entered his unlocked vehicle and removed his iPhone 12 Pro Max from the center console.

BOTCHED- Stolen Vehicle Attempt

100 Block of W. Prosser Drive

An officer responded to a business and met with the manager who reported that sometime in the overnight hours someone attempted to steal the unlocked company truck by damaging the ignition.

TAKE THE MONEY AND RUN- Theft

1500 Block of S. Alexander Street

Officers responded to the business location in reference to an employee theft of $835 in cash.

CRASH- Warrant Arrest

Thonotosassa Road/West Baker Street

Officers responded to the above-listed intersection in reference to a traffic crash. Contact was made with the female passenger, who it was determined had four active Manatee County Sheriff’s Office warrants for possession of synthetic marijuana, possession of alprazolam, possession of drug paraphernalia and NVDL. The woman was arrested and transported to Orient Road Jail.

FEBRUARY 20

LIGHT LIFTING- Theft

1500 Block of S. Alexander Street

An officer responded to the business and met with the manager, who reported that two cases of Bud Light were stolen.

PAINS IN THE GLASS- Criminal Mischief

Multiple Addresses

Officers responded to three business locations where windows were broken or shattered.

CITY CONDUCTS FIRST OF TWO PUBLIC WORKSHOPS TO REVIEW IMPACT FEE INCREASE

The next public workshop will be held

A 2021 bill signed by Governor Ron DeSantis created a cap on the amount local governments can increase impact fees. The cap limits the increase to no more than 12.5% in a given year and no more than 50% over a four-year period. Because the increases exceed the limits, the city is required to provide a calculation of how it arrived at the need for the amount based on “the most recent and localized data,” and hold at least two publicly-noticed workshops dedicated to the extraordinary circumstances necessitating exceptions to the limitations. The increase must then be approved by two-thirds of the governing body.

Attendees at the sparsely-attended workshop had the opportunity to ask questions, express concerns and offer feedback on the proposed changes.

Nilgun Kamp, Principal Associate for Benesch, a professional services firm, gave a presentation about the need for the increase, citing the city’s continued growth, outdated studies, increasing costs and unfunded capacity needs as extenuating circumstances that necessitate the dramatic increases.

Proposed impact fees on new singlefamily homes (2,000-square feet) will increase from $3,950 to $8,107. Multi-family units (100 units) will see an increase from $301,192 to $576,400. For non-residential land uses, commercial properties (4,000 square-feet) will see an increase from $31,097 to $222,984. Industrial warehouses (one million square-feet) will see an increase from $458,250 to $720,000.

Kamp also pointed out that while the increases seem drastic, they’re in line with what neighboring cities and coun-

ties are charging developers. For example, the proposed residential impact fee of $8,107 will still be lower than fees charged by Lakeland ($8,627), Hillsborough- Urban ($11,663) and Hillsborough- Rural ($15,518).

Mayor Nate Kilton emphasized the importance of balancing the needs of both developers and residents, stating “I have some heartburn over the increase because of what the cost is to our developers but at the same time we have to keep up with our responsibilities to our citizens.”

There was some disagreement among commissioners as they discussed the changes to impact fees, with Commissioner Dodson preferring a staggered approach to the increase. “I don’t think it would hurt the city to do this in a couple stages, now and then in a couple of years,” he said. “Give it a couple years to sink in.”

Mayor Kilton expressed to make the

full increase now. “I’d prefer for us to get caught up and roll back if necessary,” he said.

Commissioner Dodson remained unconvinced.

Commissioner Sparkman recalled 2008 and the effects a market turndown, and budget shortfall, had on city government. “We hd to lay people off to meet our budget and that’s not fun,” he said. “That’s the reason I would support this and the community will welcome us doing the right thing and biting the bullet and doing this.”

The Plant City Observer reached out to residential homebuilders for comment about how the changes would impact business but received no comment.

The second public workshop will be held Mon., Mar. 11 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.

MICHELLE CACERES STAFF WRITER

POINT-IN-TIME COUNT REVEALS INSIGHTS INTO HOMELESSNESS

Last week, volunteers spread out across Plant City to ask those experiencing homelessness to complete a survey to learn more about the issue.

MICHELLE CACERES STAFF WRITER

Dozens of homeless citizens began lining up at the Plant City Planteen at 3 p.m.on Thurs., Feb. 22, much like they do every evening, to be served a hot meal, provided by local churches, families and service organizations, at 5 p.m.and fellowship with others experiencing homelessness.

Unlike every other day, though, on that day volunteers were on hand to conduct the Point-In-Time (PIT) Count, offering a snapshot of the scale and severity of homelessness within the city limits.

Earlier in the day, a handful of volunteers had spanned across the city, visiting a number of known sites where homeless people congregate.

One volunteer was Kimberly Kitchen, founder of Generations Renewed, a local nonprofit that provides free career training and job placement and other services. “I’ve been here the whole day since 8 a.m. and I probably counted about 20 or 25 people experiencing homelessness,” she said.

Not everyone was willing to complete the survey, which included questions about age, race, gender, military service, duration of homelessness and diagnosed medical conditions. “I still think that’s a good amount considering some people may have some type of police issue or they’re concerned about giving out their information or they just don’t trust people,” she said.

Most people were willing to share their stories with Kitchen, who is a familiar face as she works to help them break the cycle of homelessness.

“I think the story that really impacted me today was a married couple that was homeless because the husband lost his job,” she said. The family had been homeless for two months. “They had savings

but it wasn’t enough to carry them for long because of the high cost of rent and so they ended up homeless,” she said. “He just found a job so prayerfully in the next few months they’ll be back on their feet.”

Kitchen said that finding a job is crucial because when they have a job, it puts them in a position to find housing, instead of sleeping in places unfit for habitation like in parks, on church steps or in cars. So far, in the last two years, she’s worked to get seven people off Plant City’s streets. “We help them get to their greater, and sometimes it’s easier and sometimes it’s harder but we’ve never told someone we couldn’t help them,” she said.

One certainty is every person experiencing homelessness has their own story and no two are the same. While some willingly choose to live outdoors or struggle with mental health diagnoses, each have their own story about how they landed in the situation. One man, living in his car, chose to care for his beloved pet over meeting his own needs. Some hope for a better life, a life off the streets.

Antonio Byrd, Chief Operating Officer of Tampa Hillsborough Homeless Initiative (THHI), said the count was a success, helped by the dinner provided by Fred’s Market that brought homeless residents together in one place to make the count easier. “It’s important we educate people about what we’re doing to address homelessness and get more resources in Plant City by expanding service providers.”

Bryd said housing will always be an immediate concern. “Emergency shelters are single-night focused but emergency bridge housing helps move people into transitional short-term housing and then hopefully out of shelters and into homes,” he said.

Data from Plant City’s PIT Count will be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and will be used to establish the dimensions of the problem of homelessness and help policymakers and program administrators track progress toward the goal of ending homelessness. On the local level, the count helps communities plan services and programs to appropriately address local needs, measure progress in decreasing homelessness and identify strengths and gaps in a community’s current homelessness assistance system.

There are various types of sleep apnea, each with its own distinct characteristics:

We all know the joy of waking up wellrested, ready to conquer the day. However, for some, this seemingly simple pleasure remains challenging due to a condition called sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a potentially serious condition characterized by recurring pauses in breathing during sleep. If you find yourself snoring loudly and feeling persistently fatigued despite a seemingly full night’s sleep, you may have sleep apnea.

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): This is the most prevalent form, occurring when the upper airway becomes partially or entirely obstructed during sleep.

• Central Sleep Apnea (CSA): Here, the brain fails to send appropriate signals to the muscles that manage breathing.

• Mixed Sleep Apnea: This type combines elements of both obstructive and central sleep apnea.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is the most common type of sleep apnea. In normal breathing, air effortlessly flows through the nose and throat into the lungs. During wakefulness, the throat muscles maintain an open airway. In all of us, these muscles relax during sleep. Sleep apnea occurs when this natural relaxation combines with structural abnormalities of the upper airway to result in a blockage of airflow, causing a decline in oxygen levels throughout the body. People with OSA experience countless such interrup-

tions throughout the night. This can cause significant strain on the heart and lungs, potentially leading to chronic conditions such as atrial fibrillation, and almost always reduces the efficiency with which sleep produces a rested state the following day.

Fortunately, there are ways to manage OSA.

• Lifestyle Adjustments: Weight management, reduced alcohol intake, and cessation of smoking can assist in managing sleep apnea.

• CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure): A pressurized mask worn over the nose or nose and mouth during sleep maintains an open airway throughout the night.

• Oral Appliance Therapy: A specially designed mouthguard is worn at night, displacing the lower jaw and tongue forwards.

When more conservative approaches are ineffective or are not tolerated, surgical options should be considered. This includes conventional sleep surgeries such as uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) as well as newer surgical interventions involving nerve stimulation.

At Florida ENT & Allergy, an FDAapproved solution known as Inspire® Upper Airway Stimulation (UAS) is offered. This implantable treatment is designed for individuals with moderate-to-severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) who struggle with or do not consistently benefit

from Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP). Dr. Pierre Musy, an Inspire Physician of Excellence at Florida E.N.T. & Allergy, will assess your overall health and conduct a thorough airway examination to determine if Inspire® therapy is a suitable alternative to CPAP for your condition.

The process of determining the most suitable treatment option for people with OSA always involves a sleep study, which determines the type and severity of sleep apnea. For most patients, this can be done at home with a Home Sleep Test. This involves wearing a small recording device over one or two nights. The results are then evaluated by a Board-Certified Sleep Specialist. Another important part of the process is a drug-induced sleep endoscopy, which involves observing the structures of the throat, including specific areas of airway obstruction, during sleep. This is conducted by our doctors in an operating room setting with intravenous sedation and usually takes no more than five minutes.

Understanding and addressing sleep apnea is crucial for overall well-being and exploring the available treatments with proper medical guidance can significantly improve quality of life. If you have concerns about sleep apnea or any ear, nose, throat, or allergy issues, take the first step towards better health by visiting www. floridaentandallergy.com or calling (813) 879-8045 to schedule an appointment with our experienced, board-certified physicians. Your journey to restful nights

and improved health starts here.

About Florida E.N.T. & Allergy

The physicians of Florida E.N.T. & Allergy have served the Tampa Bay community for over 45 years. Our board-certified physicians and doctors of audiology have completed extensive education and clinical training as well as specialized training in their area(s) of expertise. From pediatric allergies to fitting hearing aids, our caring and experienced providers specialize in ear, nose and throat care for the entire family using comprehensive, cutting-edge technologies.

For more information about Florida E.N.T. & Allergy or to schedule an appointment to address your ear, nose, throat and/ or allergy questions, visit www.floridaentandallergy.com or call (813) 879-8045.

Burning questions like, “Is cheesecake actually pie?” are answered. COWORKERS BRING FOOD AND FUN TO THEIR WORKPLACE

LIBBY HOPKINS STAFF WRITER

Asa Lanum and her coworkers at the Home Depot Direct Fulfillment Center on Wiggins Road in Plant City love making their time at work enjoyable. “At Home Depot I am employed as a general warehouse associate, which is what most of the crew is,” Lanum said. “We each undertake a variety of roles within that from driving various material handling equipment, fork trucks, order pickers, reach truck, to loading product onto warehouse shelving to be picked and put into boxes to be sent directly to customers.”

The facility is only a few years old, but there has been a longer tradition of formal company-organized meals on the third Wednesday of every month called a “Meal in a Box,” which the company sponsors and covers the costs of the meals. “Top management briefs all the employees across all of the various shifts about the performance of the center for the previous month and year to date,” Lanum said. “There have been a few group potluck dinners for a number of months. We had a

large one at Christmas. Our top manager for the overnight shift, Virgil Cabigas, has encouraged team building through games and activities the entire time I have been there. Simple things like trivia questions while we are working to games during our breaks.”

Lanum and her coworkers decided to take their monthly meals up a notch with some fun! “It all started with a simple question,” Lanum said. “What do you like better pie or cake? Then a discussion about whether cheesecake is pie or cake, and the decision it was pie since it had a crust. Finally, what is your favorite dessert? We used all of that to set up the first dessert night buffet for the team. We had about two dozen different desserts that night at our 12:30 a.m. break. One of every kind each person said was their favorite along with vanilla and chocolate ice cream. Desserts deserve ice cream.”

After the dessert night, the next question was, “Which is better White Castle or Krystal?” “That was a heated discussion,

except for those that only knew one or the other,” Lanum said. “The only way it could be settled was with a taste off.”

Cabigas is a strong believer and proponent of team building and knows that family is stronger than team. “Team members support each other, but family always has each other’s backs,” Lanum said. “He also feels that one of the most important things families do is to break bread together. Families gather around the dinner table and share activities, concerns, values, etc. These build stronger bonds. Food and sharing helped bind their collective identity.”

So, the first team meal was White Castle brought in fresh from Orlando. “The burgers were brought in on Wednesday night before our meal as an appetizer for each of us,” Lanum said. “Since it was too close to have the White Castles and Krystals back-to-back, it evolved into the first Thursday of every month as team/family dinner. The upcoming dinner in March is Cuban sandwiches and the team just had

an anonymous taste-off to decide where to order the 40 Cuban sandwiches.”

Cabigas and Lanum hope the team can take control of the meals and make them their own. “We take time to recognize one person each week with a ‘Homer’ award and the team is taking over granting the award from the management,” Lanum said. “Our friendships are expanding beyond the realm of our work. We give each other rides back and forth to work when they are needed. I recently had one of the other people offer to come over and help me put my motorcycle back together and there is a movement for Friday morning breakfasts, which are outside of work hours.”

The work is tiring but it gets better when Lanum and her team are together to help each other. “Communications among team members to ask for and give help is greater,” Lanum said. “Can you do most of it all by yourself, yes, but having a helping hand can make a lot of difference.”

“Fred and his wife carry forward the Plant City tradition by managing the Fred’s Market Restaurant on-site at the State Farmers Market in Plant City from the early beginnings of Fred’s parents, Elton and Evelyn Johnson in 1954,” said Lyons. “We selected them to help celebrate our values, our heritage and our community.”

For Fred Johnson, the distinction is an honor for not just himself but his family. “I say the Johnson family was selected as the Grand Marshal,” he said.

In fact, Owen will be driving the Grand Marshal vehicle with Fred and Tammy in the back and none other than 96-year old Grandma Johnson in the passenger seat.

“I asked her a couple weeks ago if she wanted to ride in the car, and she’ll be riding there with her family as proud as she can be,” he said. “Mom is mom to the whole town, and it’s for me, this is for her.”

Organizers have pulled out all the stops to ensure this year’s parade is a memorable one. Following the Grand Marshals, spectators can expect to be dazzled by the parade’s 100 entries, which include lively

music from nine marching bands (Plant City, Strawberry Crest and Durant High Schools and others), 33 floats and 14 individual antique vehicle units. Mr. And Miss Berry will make an appearance.

“We have some new entries this year as well,” said Gail Lyons, President of Berry Fine Productions, who, while she did not divulge them, is sure spectators will delight in them. “I’ll just call them special features,” she said.

One of the highlights of the parade is the flurry of tossed items, from beads to candy, placed into the eager hands of onlookers. “I’ve always called the parade Plant City Mardi Gras where visitors can enjoy the celebration of our festival,” said Lyons.

Some roads along the parade route will temporarily close beginning at 10:30 a.m., including: South Evers Street from West Grant Street north to West Reynolds Street and West Reynolds Street west to West Granfield Avenue. Also, expect heavy pedestrian and festival traffic. If you don’t plan on attending the parade or the festival, try to avoid the area.

All roadways will be reopened for normal traffic by 3 p.m.

IT’S READ EVERYWHERE

Did you take the Observer with you on vacation? Send your pictures to Associate Editor Michelle Caceres at michelle@plantcityobserver.com to be featured.

ANTARTICA: Jeff Brummer and Susan Gitlin, avid Plant City Observer readers, brought the paper along on their once-in-a-lifetime trip to Antartica in January.

SPORTS

WEEK

ATHLETE OF THE

Jaida Davis

Jaida is a senior, multi-sport athlete at Plant City High School. She played basketball this year and currently plays tennis. She currently has a 6.7558 GPA, ranking her 11th in a class of 583.

How long have you been playing basketball?

I have played Basketball since I was seven years old. I originally started playing through the YMCA coed basketball league because I wanted to try something new. I was also doing gymnastics at the time, but I wanted to try a team sport. I was the only girl in the league and quickly fell in love with the game! From then I have played every year, spending hours and hours practicing, joining AAU teams, traveling to tournaments, attending countless camps, and playing all 3 years of middle school for my team, and all 4 years in high school on varsity.

How long have you been playing tennis?

I have been playing tennis for about 3 years! I started playing when a group of my friends and I went to some courts in Walden Lake and just played around. Mr Rhett Raulerson started leading lessons with us and it was al-

ways so much fun! This sparked my love for tennis and I began to play for my school.

Did you play any other sports while growing up?

I have played a variety of sports!

Growing up I did gymnastics as well as dance. I have also played flag football and softball. As I began to grow older I started playing tennis and decided that tennis and basketball were my sports!

Who’s your favorite coach of all time and why?

My favorite coach that I’ve ever had was Coach Byron, from a young age he coached me in the YMCA league and then onto a travel AAU team. He was an incredible coach that truly got to know his athletes and cared deeply about their development on and off the court. I got to play alongside his daughter as well and we began a friendship that I still cherish to this day.

I will never forget the lasting impact he had on my life and my Basketball journey.

Do you have any plans to play sports in college? If so, which ones?

I do not plan on playing any sports for college, but I would really enjoy and plan to join an

intramural or club-like team to stay active and meet new people. As far as which sports I will play, I definitely see myself doing tennis and possibly reaching out and trying something new!

Who’s your favorite athlete of all time?

My favorite athlete of all time would be Tim Tebow. In the realm of sports, there are few figures as captivating and inspiring as Tim Tebow. For me, he stands not just as an athlete but as a beacon of passion, work ethic, and unwavering faith. His remarkable journey on and off the field has left an indelible mark on countless individuals, myself included. Tebow's passion for the game of football is palpable in every play, every moment on the field. He approaches each game with an intensity and fervor that is unmatched, giving his all in pursuit of victory. His unyielding determination and drive serve as a reminder that success is not merely a product of talent, but of tireless effort and dedication. However, what truly resonates with me is Tebow's unwavering faith and his unabashed love for Jesus Christ. In a world where athletes often shy away from expressing their beliefs, Tebow

boldly proclaims his Christian faith, both on and off the field. His humility, compassion, and grace under pressure serve as a testament to the strength of his convictions and the depth of his relationship with God.

Do you have any pre-game rituals that you do to get ready for a game?

I don’t have too much of a complex ritual, but I do tend to put my earbuds in and listen to uplifting music. I also before every basketball game say a prayer during the national anthem, this is a huge part of my ritual, as I pray for protection and motivation throughout my game!

What’s one sport you’ve never really played that you wish you would have attempted to play more?

When I reflect on my childhood, I often wish I had pursued soccer. In elementary school, playing it during PE and with friends brought immense joy. Looking back, I can see myself truly enjoying the sport. There was so much thrill of chasing the ball, making passes, and scoring goals. While I played for fun, I now realize I had the potential to excel if I had committed myself. Though I regret not seizing the opportunity, I'm inspired to reignite my love for soccer and perhaps relive those cherished moments on the field.

If you’re not playing sports, what are you doing in your free time?

In my free time I enjoy spending time with friends and family, hanging out outside, going to church, and anything to do with being on the water! If I ever have a day with nothing to do, you can almost guarantee to find me in Anna Maria.

Before a game or match, what are your go-to hype songs?

Unlike most people, I don’t listen to rap music, so my “hype” music is a little different. As far as one specific song goes, before every basketball game I would listen to “Life’s Too Short” by Two Friends and FITZ. The message of the lyrics and upbeat sound make it a great hype song. It reminded me before every game that life is short and to give it my all.

PLANT CITY RAIDERS SEASON ENDS IN ELITE 8

Right off the rip, you could tell it was a tough environment to travel to as the Blue Devils gym was packed. The Blue Devils won the opening tip-off and instantly scored, attacking the paint. The Raiders’ first possession started with a turnover, but they quickly stole it back but failed to get anything going. Early on, it seemed that the Raiders’ strategy was to hold the ball for as long as possible on offense, keeping Winter Haven on their heels. Plant City ran nearly two minutes off the clock on their second possession but ended up missing the shot attempt. Winter Haven got the ball and quickly turned on the jets, getting into transition at ease and getting an easy layup. The Raiders missed on the next offensive possession as well and Winter Haven out hustled them in transition, this time getting a dunk.The score was 6-0 and the Raiders were forced to call a timeout and regroup with 4:31 left in the first. Fresh off the timeout, the Raiders turned it over and the Blue Devils extended their lead with a midrange, making it 8-0. The scoring drought stopped for the Raiders as Malachi Morris split between two defenders and got the layup. The Raiders section started to get hyped as Gavin Tinsley grabbed an offensive rebound and putback for them. Michael Bell found Jamin Andrews for the layup and the Raiders were starting to figure things out on the offensive end. Winter Haven responded with a tough floater, but Raiders guard Leroy Lucas quickly attacked the paint with a layup to tie it for the Raiders. After both teams exchanged free throw attempts on their final offensive possessions of the quarter, it was tied 11-11.

The Raiders turned it over on the opening possession of the second quarter and Winter Haven took advantage with a putback after getting an offensive rebound. Gavin Tinsley got open and slammed it for the Raiders, tying it back up. After not seeing a single 3 made in the first for either team, Winter Haven made the first one of the game with 6:21 remaining in the first half. Tinsley headed to the free throw line after getting fouled on a put-back attempt and went 1-2 from the line. It was right after that when the Blue Devils got hot and went on an impressive run. It started with a nice spin move which led them to a midrange bucket, followed by back-to-back defensive possessions with steals that led to fast break points, one even being an and-one. Both teams exchanged missed shots but then the Blue Devils defense started picking pockets again, leading to back-to-back steals for them and one of those resulted in a fast break 3-point shot for them. After the home team went on a 10-0 run, the Raiders were forced to call a timeout with 4:11 left in the half, down 2614. Leroy Lucas scored with a nice hustle play as he grabbed an offensive rebound and then quickly put up a baseline midrange. Winter Haven out-hustled the Raiders down the court as their big man got open, completing a vicious dunk. The Blue Devils then got two more steals, resulting in two dunks by their star player Isaac Celiscar. Malchi Morris hit the Raiders first 3 of the game to end the half and the Blue Devils were up 33-19. They outscored the Raiders 22-8 in the second quarter.

Winter Haven turned over the opening possession but the Raiders follow suit and the Blue Devils capitalized on it, getting a fastbreak dunk. Gavin Tinsley, doing his usual work, got the offensive rebound and

putback to get the Raiders on the board. Blue Devils continue to get out in transition quicker than the Raiders, scoring four quick points on back-to-back possessions. Michael Bell got to the free throw line for the Raiders, going 2-2 from the line. It’s negated though as Winter Haven got to the line and made both free throws. The teams started trading baskets back and forth as Jamin Andrews made a nice reverse layup, followed by a Winter Haven floater, and then Michael Bell grabbed an offensive rebound and putback. Jamin Andrews stopped the consecutive scoring, getting a block, which led to a layup by Malachi Morris. Andrews then got another block, leading to an and one by Malachi Morris, converting the free throw as well. On what felt like a change of momentum for the away Raiders, they left a wide-open Blue Devil and he hit a 3, silencing the away crowd. Gavin Tinsley made a reverse layup and then Plant City called a timeout, down 50-35 with 2:10 left in the third. Winter Haven wasted no time after the timeout, making a tough layup, but the Raiders responded as Leroy Lucas hit a spot up 3, followed by a mid-range basket for Tinsley. Malachi Morris did hit a nice 3 for the Raiders with under a minute to go, but the Blue Devils made a 3 of their own to end the quarter. Heading into the 4th, it was 56-43. The Raiders did outscore the Blue Devils in the third, but still found themselves down by double-digits.

The final quarter started with a Raiders turnover, followed by a Winter Haven baseline pull-up 3. Michael Bell got an offensive rebound and found Tinsley for a baseline shot. Winter Haven started killing the clock on offense and they still found a way to put points on the board with a layup. Leroy Lucas got sent to the free throw line after a

hard foul and went 2-2 from the line. Both offenses slowed down for a 1-2 minute span, but Gavin Tinsley got an offensive rebound and put-back for the Raiders.

The Blue Devils responded with a nice fadeaway jumper, but Tinsley stayed hot, getting an and one on a scoop layup, and making the free throw as well. A timeout was called and the Raiders trailed 65-52 with 3:12 left. Tinsley blocked Winter Haven, leading to Leroy Lucas driving to the paint and drawing the foul, going 1-2 from the line. Winter Haven got a layup in transition and then called timeout. The Raiders were down 67-53 with 2:09 remaining in the game. The final possessions of the game for the Raiders offense came from a Jamin Andrews putback, Tinsley dunk, and Lucas layup, but there simply wasn’t enough time left for the comeback. The final score was 71-59 with the Winter Haven Blue Devils advancing and eliminating the Plant City Raiders.

It was an incredible season for the Raiders as they finished the year 22-7, making the elite 8 in one of the toughest divisions in the state. 7A had THREE nationally ranked teams, including Winter Haven.

Box Score:

-Michael Bell: 4 Points, 10 Rebounds, 3 Assists, 1 Steal

-Malachi Morris: 13 Points, 1 Rebound, 1 Assist

-Gavin Tinsley: 22 Points, 10 Rebounds, 1 Steal, 2 Blocks

-Leroy Lucas: 14 Points, 3 Rebounds, 2 Assists

-Jamin Andrews: 6 Points, 8 Rebounds, 2 Assists, 3 Steals, 5 Blocks

By Dylan Tice/ Photo Credit: Photo courtesy of Cady

PLANT CITY GIRLS WRESTLING TEAM A SEASON OF FIRSTS

Junior Yardira Rivas will wrestle for Plant City High School in the individual State Championship this weekend.

MICHELLE CACERES STAFF WRITER

Plant City debuted a new high school girls wrestling team this year. Despite its modest size of just two determined athletes, juniors Yadira Rivas and Isabelle Broeders, the team defied expectations and has the awards to prove it.

Leading the charge for this fledgling team is Rivas, whose prowess on the mat in the district and regional meets earned her a spot in the individual State Championship at Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee this weekend.

“My season is not over yet and I’ll keep fighting,” said Rivas, who joined the team after seeing posters about the team and talking to Coach Olson, the wrestling coach. “It was a pretty good outcome as a first-year wrestler.”

Even though she had been involved in sports since middle school, including soccer, volleyball, flag football and basketball, from her first wrestling practice, she knew it was a different sport. “I started noticing I would get easily bruised, it doesn’t happen now but people would look at my bruises and they thought I was being abused,” she said.

As she spent countless hours prac-

ticing proper technique and moves that would allow her to pin her opponent, and her body sore and tired, one quote kept running through her mind: “Pain is just weakness leaving the body.”

“I feel like a big part of wrestling is your mindset, your technique, how fast and quick you are, and then putting it all together and stepping on the mat with confidence,” she said. “You also have to know you’re going to give it all you have even if your opponent is better than you.”

From her first match, on Dec. 2 against Newsome High School, she’s been hooked on the sport, and the adrenaline that courses through her body when she steps on the mat.

“I beat my first opponent in the right period by pinning her,” she said. “I stepped on the mat and told myself that I have to go out there and win and at that moment I couldn’t hear anything, everything became quiet and it was just me and my opponent,” she said.

Rivas, who wrestles in the 155 pound weight class, was touched when her father drove up from Miami to watch her first meet. “He was crying tears of joy but then he told me that I haven’t experience it all, that when I lose that’s when I’ll win,” she said.

Her father’s words rang true several meets later when, with a 7 to 0 record, she lost to a wrestler from Robinson High School. “She was an amazing wrestler and I realized I lost to somebody great but she gave me insight to how to become better,” she said.

Broeders, who wrestles in the 170 pound weight class and also plays varsity and club soccer, said wrestling has made her a better soccer player.

“Wrestling is hard on the body but also the mind because you have to be mentally fit to wrestle, it really tests how far you’re willing to go,” she said.

Broeders made it her mission to mimic Rivas in practices and in the weightlifting room. Before the season started, she weighed 182 pounds but is now a lean 162 pounds.

She also won her first match. “I was nervous but confident, she shot on me, I sprawled and then she got on top of me but in the end I pinned her in the first period,” said Broeders. She ended winning third place that day and ultimately made it to districts and regionals but lost in regionals, disqualifying her for state. “Next year I’ll make it for sure,” she said.

Both wrestlers are hoping more girls try out for the team next year to join the brotherhood (now sisterhood) of wrestlers.

Walking on Sunshine!! Always gets me in a good mood and dancing in the kitchen.

Robin Mitchell Godwin

Sweet Dreams (Are made of this) by the Eurythmics…

Lloyd Thomas

Berry White, Your the first, The Last, My Everything, or most of his music, great to dance to!

Linda Eady-Wiggins

The Sign from ace of base

Mirna Mimi Salazar

Lookout Weekend by Debbie Deb

Shari McCranie Stucke

The Christmas Song by Nat King Cole or Johnny Mathis!

Todd Germick

Dirt Road Anthem by Jason Aldean. Ok, any song by Jason. But DRA makes me want to get in my car and just drive.

Jo Anne

Anything blue grass.

Keith Crowe

Happy Birthday.

Andrew Hennosy

Over the Rainbow.

Sharon Marie Elizabeth

Pharrell- happy.

Diana McDowell

“Quittin’ time”

Phillip Beasley

It’s my life- bon jovi.

Shawn Keen

When we all get to Heaven!

Sally Knight Raburn

“I’ve Got Joy” by CeCe Winans. Adrienne Plyler Middlebrooks

America the Beautiful.

Linda Arnold Galloway

September by Earth, Wind & Fire. Christa Hammer

Depends on the day.

Curtis Babb

Can’t stop the feeling! Justin Timberlake!

Allison Glover

Love Shack by B-52s.

Clyde Bull Nelson

10,0000 Reasons (Bless The Lord). Kathy Barnes-Cowan

289704-1

Roxanne by the police.

Matt Elliott

Morgan Wallen-cowgirl. Or Suicide Boyz-Antarctica. Chassie Alford

Let’s get it on. Marvin Gaye. Karen Cambridge

“All god’s children got a place in the choir, some sing low and some sing higher….”

Kay Merrick Sell

Closing Time- Semisonic

Bob Norton

Tubthumping by Chumbawamba

Suzanne Penney Calder

Douglas Burkett, Sr.

Douglas Burkett, Sr., 77, of Plant City, Fla., born on Sept. 5, 1946, in Charleston, West Virginia, entered into eternal rest on Feb. 22, 2024.

Expressions of condolences at www.HopewellFuneral.com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Karen DeeAnn

Terry Mobley

Karen DeeAnn Terry

Mobley, 38, of Valrico, Fla., born on June 21, 1985, in Lakeland, Fla., entered into eternal rest on Feb. 19, 2024, after a long valiant fight with her heart and kidneys. She was a member of the Valrico Church of Christ. She graduated from Durant High School in 2003, HCC in 2006 and USF in 2013. She worked for Connett and Anagnost CPAs as a bookkeeper.

Previously she worked at the Plant City YMCA and Walmart in Plant City as

a pharmacy tech. Karen loved her family! She enjoyed spending time with her girls and husband, being a Sunday school teacher, reading, photography, gardening, camping, fishing, waterskiing, and being outside. Karen is survived by her loving husband Dawson Mobley; daughters, Katie Mobley and Riley Mobley; parents, Kenneth and Arlene Terry of Plant City; parents-inlaw, Terry Mobley of Valrico, and Diane Newsome (Emory) of Lithia; brother, Kevin Terry (Amanda) of Lithia; sister-in-law, Amanda Burchell (Mark) of Valrico; grandparents, Betty Smith of Mulberry, Billie Joe and Joyce Brown of Plant City, and many in her extended family and friends. Karen will be forever loved and missed by all that knew her! A funeral service will take place March 2, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Valrico Church of Christ, 1610 South Miller Road, where the family will receive friends at 10 a.m. Committal to follow at Hopewell Memorial Gardens, Plant City. For those unable to attend, the service will be live-streamed at https://www.valricococ. org/media2/live.

Expressions of condolences at www.HopewellFuneral.com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Patricia Ruth Edwards

On Feb. 17, 2024, at her home in The Estates at Carpenters, Lakeland, Fla., Patricia Ruth Edwards entered into eternal life. Born on May 27, 1933, in Peoria, Illinois to Ruth Alena Matthews and James H. Mann, Patt was the oldest of seven children.

She was predeceased by her husbands Richard Peterson and Robert S. Edwards, her sisters Eleanor (Cookie) Luna, Helen Scherrer, Marty Jones, her brother Elwood Lawrence Mann, daughters Robbie Ann Lea and Clare Hicks.

She is survived by her siblings Sally (Jerry) Pritchard and Bill Mann, children Barbara Morris, Lynne Ann Bisceglia (Craig), Nancy Slagle (Bill), Lynn Simeone (Damon), Kay Brown (Jim), Bobby and Brian (Annmarie) Edwards and Kathie Peterson Baerns. She is also survived by 23 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.

Linda Gale Eden, 71, of Plant City, Fla., born on Feb. 20, 1952, in Plant City, Fla., entered into eternal rest on Feb. 17, 2024.

Expressions of condolences at www.HopewellFuneral.com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

John A. Hunt

Mary Barbara O’Neal

Mary Barbara O'Neal, passed away on Feb. 25, 2024, at the age of 72, in Land O' Lakes, Fla.

A service will be held March 9, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Full Gospel Tabernacle, 2311 Sammonds Rd. Plant City, FL 33563. A funeral/ memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. Online condolences can be made at www.haught. care.

HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM

John A. Hunt, 64, of Plant City, Fla., born on Aug. 1, 1959, in Huntington, West Virginia, entered into eternal rest on Feb. 18, 2024.

Expressions of condolences at www.HopewellFuneral.com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Services were held Feb. 24, 2024, at Hopewell Funeral Home, 6005 South County Road 39 Plant City, FL 33567, followed by interment at Hopewell Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Full obituary can be found at HopewellFuneral.com.

Expressions of condolences at www.HopewellFuneral. com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

ALL OBITUARIES ARE SUBMITTED AND EDITED BY FAMILIES OR FUNERAL HOMES

Linda Gale Eden

CALENDAR

BEST BET

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 29

FLORIDA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL

Thurs., Feb. 29 - Sun., Mar. 10, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (midway hours may be different) at 303 BerryFest Pl.

Experience the fun of the Florida Strawberry Festival for 11 days and nights Feb. 29 through Mar. 10, with exhibits of agriculture, commerce, industry, livestock, fine arts, horticulture and crafts not to mention top-name entertainment, midway rides and plenty of fair food. Gate admission is $15 for adults 13 and up and $5 for kids ages 6 through 12. Children five and under are free with paid adult admission. For more information visit flstrawberryfestival.com.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 29

LEAP OF KINDNESS DAY

All day, everywhere in Plant City

Celebrate Leap of Kindness Day (the extra day we get because it’s a Leap Year) by using the day to do something kind for someone else. Find ideas on how to participate at leapofkindnessday.org.

NORTHEAST PLANT CITY MASTER

PLAN FUTURE LAND USE MAP

UPDATE OPEN HOUSE

5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Plant City City Hall, 302 W. Reynolds St.

Learn more about the proposed updates to the Preferred Future Land Use Scenario Map for the Northeast Master Plan at this open house. 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-area-master-plan/.

SATURDAY, MARCH 2

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.

SOCIAL DANCE

7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 4401 Promenade Blvd. Social Dance- lines, country partner, cha cha, waltz, rumba, and slow dancing with a DJ. Wear shoes that don’t stick to the floor (no flip flops). $7 per person. Snacks,

coffee and water provided. Call Cindy for more information at (813) 723-6965.

SUNDAY, MARCH 3

SHOW CAR APPEARANCE AT KEEL FARMS

11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Keel Farms, 5202 Thonotosassa Road

Keel Farms, the official wine partner of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding and a sponsor of Tampa native and INDY NXT by Firestone driver No. 11, Nolan Allaer, invites fans to come out and take photos with the Show Car during this event at its winery. For more information visit keelfarms.com.

MONDAY, MARCH 4

STRAWBERRY PARADE

1 p.m. at various locations throughout Downtown Plant City

More than 30,000 viewers pack the

parade route to view the beautiful floats, outstanding musical groups and uniquely distinctive floats that plunge visitors into the glamour and excitement of all things strawberry. The parade route begins on Evers Street, runs north to Reynolds Street and travels west on Reynolds Street, ending at the festival’s red parking lot.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6

SUPPORT GROUP FOR PARENTS WITH ESTRANGED FAMILY

6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at GracePoint Church, 1107 Charlie Griffin Road

Join other parents who are estranged from their adult children. Parents of Estranged Adult Kids (PEAK) group provides a safe place to listen, share and support others going through the hurt of adult family abandonment. Meetings will include group discussions, self-care and positive influenced activities to help cope with the situation. PEAK is not appropriate for abusive

relationships or mental illness. Meetings are the first Wednesday of each month. For more information, visit peaksupportgroup. com.

SATURDAY, MARCH 16

PLANT CITY STRAWBERRY CLASSIC CRUISE-IN

3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at 102 N. Palmer St. The Plant City Strawberry Classic CruiseIn is back on Sat., Mar. 16, 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.

MARK KREITZER & JON GARONBLUEGRASS

7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Krazy Kup

Mark Kreitzer is a member of the Minnesota Rock and Country Hall of Fame and has been awarded The Minnesota Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Association’s Favorite Songwriter and Favorite Multi-Instrumentalist honors as well. Jon Garon has shared the stage with John Denver’s band and many others. He is nationally-recognized as a finger style guitarist. Together they will deliver an evening of great music. Tickets are $20 per person.

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

I LOVE PLANT CITY

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FORECAST

THURSDAY, FEB 29

High: 80

Low: 65

Chance of rain: 23%

SUNRISE/SUNSET

Sunrise Sunset

Thursday, Feb 29 6:53a 6:29p

Friday, March 1 6:52a 6:29p

Saturday, March 2 6:51a 6:30p

FRIDAY, MARCH 1

High: 85

Low: 66

Chance of rain: 9%

Sunday, March 3 6:50a 6:30p

Monday, March 4 6:49a 6:31p

Tuesday, March 5 6:48a 6:32p

WEATHER

Wednesday, March 6 6:47a 6:32p

MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, MARCH 2

High: 83

Low: 65

Chance of rain: 52%

SUNDAY, MARCH 3

High: 84

Low: 65

Chance of rain: 54%

MONDAY, MARCH 4

STRAWBERRIES

High: 83

Low: 65

Shipping point: Florida $12.00-$18.00

Chance of rain: 80%

(C) 2024 TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.

Stephanie Hrenchir took a picture of a red-tailed Hawk, who seemed to be enjoying the sun’s warmth while basking on a pool enclosure at Park Place.

Source: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture

H o r m o n e / T e s t o s t e r o n e R e p l a c e m e n t T h e r a p y

I n c r e a s e l i b i d o I n c r e a s e l i b i d o

R e d u c e f a t i g u e R e d u c e f a t i g u e

I m p r o v e e n d u r a n c e I m p r o v e e n d u r a n c e

M a i n t a i n b o n e m a s s a n d d e n s i t y

M a i n t a i n b o n e m a s s a n d d e n s i t y

B u i l d a n d m a i n t a i n m u s c l e

B u i l d a n d m a i n t a i n m u s c l e

C a r d i o v a s c u l a r p r o t e c t i o n

C a r d i o v a s c u l a r p r o t e c t i o n

C o g n i t i v e c l a r i t y C o g n i t i v e c l a r i t y

& M o r e ! & M o r e !

SPRING CLEANING? PLANT CITY SOLID WASTE DEPARTMENT CAN HELP

Are you doing some spring cleaning and have a few items such as furniture, appliances, electronics, tires (four per year at no charge) and large tree branches (cut up to length of ve feet and diameter of one foot) that need to be picked up? While they won’t do the cleaning for you, you can call the Plant City Solid Waste Department to request a special pick-up of these items. Eligible items property placed on the curb will be picked up within seven business days of the request being received and should be placed more than three feet away from trash bins and other objects.

The following items cannot be picked up: construction materials, batteries, propane tanks, paint, motor oil, pesticides, herbicides, pool chemicals and other hazardous waste.

The city also has a free drop-o site for motor and cooking oil at the corner of Victoria Street and Plant Avenue, open Monday through Friday from 7:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m..

The City encourages residents to remove these items before hurricane season begins on June 1.

For more information or to schedule a pick-up, call (813) 659-4222.

HILLSBOROUGH SUPERINTENDENT PROPOSES PLAN TO INCREASE DISTRICT PAY

Hillsborough Superintendent Van Ayres proposed a draft plan this week to School Board Members to address sta ng shortages in multiple departments, including bus drivers, teachers and others, by increasing employee pay. His plan details how a voter-approved millage, a property tax paid on real estate, would address these shortages by generating an estimated $177 million a year and positively impact Hillsborough County’s more than 230,000 students.

With the county’s average home value of $375,000, and appropriate homestead exemptions, the cost to an average homeowner would be $350 per year, which averages to about $1 a day.

“What keeps me up at night is that many of our students are not able to get to school on time because of a shortage of bus drivers and many students do not have high-quality teacher in their classrooms due to a number of teaching vacancies,” said Ayres. “The millage will strengthen our foundation and allow us to compete for the best teachers, support sta and administrators to ensure successful education outcomes for students.”

The proposal includes salary supplements of:

* $6,000 each year for teachers (an average 11% increase)

* $3,000 each year for support sta (an average 11% increase)

* $6,000 each year for administrators (an average 4% increase)

The change would place the pay for rst-year teachers above most neighbors, and the pay for an experienced ten-year teacher above all neighboring counties, according to a new release.

Hillsborough School Board Members are scheduled to vote on April 2, on whether to place a millage referendum on the November 5 general election ballot for all voters in Hillsborough County. To pass, the millage must receive 50% +1 of the votes.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SEEKS CONTRACTORS FOR AREA CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

Hillsborough County, that has budgeted $1.6 billion for Fiscal Year ’24 for Capital Improvement Program projects, is seeking quali ed rms to partner with for construction projects. Hillsborough County is seeking quali ed construction companies to submit bids for upcoming projects, from sidewalk repairs and stormwater repair and replacement, to large design build projects such as the One Water Campus Program. Companies

and contractors interested in bidding for County projects should register in Bon re, the county’s new e-procurement portal, at no coast, to participate in the bid process. The County’s website, HCFL.gov/Vendors lists current procurement bidding opportunities.

DEA HOSTS ESPORTS EVENT: ONE PILL CAN KILL “GAME OVER’ TOURNAMENT

On Sat., Mar. 2 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., viewers can watch eight teams from the Philadelphia area battle it out while game casters deliver play-by-plays and special guests present vital information about the dangers of illicit fentanyl. According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, America is in the midst of an opioid epidemic, with the national rate of teenagers overdosing TRIPLING in the past two years.

Since 97 percent of American youth, ages 12 - 17, play video games, Operation Engage Philadelphia is hosting a One Pill Can Kill “Game Over” tournament. Viewers can take a quiz for a chance to win a gaming console or accessories.

Catch the action on twitch.tv/onepillcankill.

THE ANGEL FOUNDATION JOINS THE PLANT CITY COMMUNITY

The Mission of the Angel Foundation is to partner with businesses and individuals to be a caring resource for families in our community experiencing a temporary crisis due to a life-threatening illness or catastrophic event.

Their program matches families with local businesses and individuals with available resources to help meet practical needs. The foundation will also provide nancial support for families in temporary crisis to ensure they stay on the road to self-su ciency.

In addition, the Angel Foundation FL works with charitable organizations in Hillsborough County that provide a variety of resources to meet the needs of the community. “We cannot achieve our mission without the help of our community,” Liz Brewer, CEO of the Angel Foundation, said. “Your time, talents and treasure are our greatest asset. Be part of something bigger than you by being a part of this wonderful organization.”

The Angel Foundation has been serving the Brandon community for more than, 21 years and now they are branching out to Plant City. “We found that our footprint is in the greater Brandon community and its surrounding areas,” Brewer said. “We also have gotten requests for assistance from those in need in Plant City, so we want to help in that area as well.”

Lisa Nickel is a Plant City resident and became involved with The Angel Foundation three years ago after meeting Brewer and some of her team from the foundation. “After meeting them and

learning about The Angel Foundation, it just struck me as something I wanted to be a part of, so I began to become involved with the foundation.”

Nickel will be leading the process to bring The Angel Foundation to Plant City.

“We are going to host a luncheon on March 14 at 11:30 a.m. at the Outback Restaurant here in Plant City,” Nickel said. “We are looking for di erent businesses from the Plant City community to come and join us for lunch. We are not asking any of the business to be given or donated. We are asking them to o er their services at a discounted price or be willing to work with our families.”

Nickel is looking for local businesses like air conditioning, automotive, restaurants, hotels and builders that would be willing to o er their services at discounted rates to help those in need in the Plant City area. “Anyone who has a business and would like to help,” Nickel said. “We are also going to reach out to local churches to see if they would like to get teams together to help The Angel Foundation as well.”

Nickel and Brewer hope The Angel Foundation will make a big impact on the Plant City community as it has in the Brandon community. “There are a lot of families in Plant City that go through catastrophic events and we want to help them,” Nickel said.

If you would like to learn more about The Angel Foundation or if you’d like to become a volunteer with the foundation, you can visit their website at www.angelfoundation .com or call 813-689-6889.

FAZOLI’S CELEBRATES TWO YEARS OF PASTA PERFECTION

In a whirlwind of marinara and garlic-fused festivities, Fazoli’s, the beloved Italian-American fast-casual restaurant, is marking its two-year anniversary.

Located at 238 W. Alexander Street, Fazoli’s has been delighting patrons with its delectable array of freshly prepared pasta dishes. From classic favorites like spaghetti and meatballs to baked ziti, Fazoli’s has consistently delivered a taste of Italy with every bite.

Plant City Fazoli’s owner Rodney Keys promises to be a pasta lover’s dream, with a Florida Strawberry Festival coupon in this week’s Plant City Observer, o ering customers a “Buy One Small Pasta, Get One Free” coupon, which includes spaghetti with marinara or meat sauce or fettuccine Alfredo.

Re ecting on the past two years, Keys expressed gratitude for the community’s overwhelming support. “It’s been an incredible journey,” he remarked. “We’ve been fortunate to serve our loyal guests and share our passion for Italian cuisine.This anniversary is a testament to the dedication of our hardworking team and the love of our wonderful customers.”

When he rst purchased the business, he said the restaurant was closed and sales were in the tank. “We had to rebuild it,” he said.

Keys is seeing the fruits of his labors. For the last three weeks, the store has surpassed week-over-week sales records. “We have plaques in the store commemorating our trend in sales,” he said.

While happy with his sales numbers, Keys is more satis ed that his business is able to support the community. His rst year in business, he donated meals to the Florida Strawberry Festival. Now, he is a regular sponsor of Burney Elementary School, has participated in events at Knights Elementary and the Plant City Black Heritage Festival, has sponsored sports teams at Plant City High School. “They’re #fueledbyFazoli’s,” he quipped. “We love the community and want to help the kids and try to say yes when peoplec all or write us about sponsorships.”

While Keys likes to help the community, the community likes to help themselves to Fazoli’s vast array of menu items. Plant City resident Brad Yocom stopped in for lunch to satisfy a spaghetti craving. He ordered the baked spaghetti with a side salad, breadsticks and a soda.

“I got the lunch special and it was $8.02 including tax, which was a little more because I got the baked spaghetti because I like that baked cheese on top,” he said. “It’s the best spaghetti in town and the price can’t be beat, you can’t go to another fast food restaurant and spend less.”

Keys encouraged residents to follow his social media presence at Fazoli’s Plant City on Facebook. “We want everyone to like us and follow us and check in when you get to our store,” he said. “When you do, you’re entitled to a free brownie or cookie.”

Fazoli’s is open Monday - Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

So here’s to Rodney Keys and Fazoli’s, raising a toast to two years of culinary excellence and community service with countless more to come. Buon anniversario, Fazoli’s!

LIBBY HOPKINS STAFF WRITER

MICHELLE CACERES STAFF WRITER

FEBRUARY 16

TOO MUCH TROUBLE— Warrant

Arrest

2700 Block of Walden Woods Drive

An o cer made contact with a female in reference to her having multiple felony warrants. The o cer advised dispatch to con rm the warrants, after which time the woman was taken into custody and transported to Orient Road Jail.

RAISE THE ROOF- Theft

3600 Block of Capital Reserve Drive

O cers responded to a delayed theft report, where a builder’s representative reported that 90 bundles of roo ng shingles, valued at $2,700, were stolen from the property.

FEBRUARY 17

SWIPER NO SWIPING- Fraud/Theft

1600 Block of W. Ball Street

An o cer met with a woman who said that unauthorized purchases were being made with her credit card.

NO FUN IN THE SUN- Vehicle Burglary

600 Block of E. Alexander Street

O cers met with a man regarding a delayed burglary report. The man stated unknown subject(s) entered his vehicle and stole two Paris of Oakley sunglasses, two iPhone chargers and a Spectrum cable box.

STICKY FINGERS- Shoplifting

2600 Block of James L. Redman Parkway

An o cer responded to the business and met with Loss Prevention, in reference to shoplifting in progress. A juvenile was taken into custody but they met the criteria for the Juvenile Arrest

Avoidance Program (JAAP) and was released into the custody of a parent.

FEBRUARY 18

LIQUOR IS QUICKER- Theft

2100 Block of James L. Redman Parkway

An o cer met with the store manager, who advised that three females entered the store and put eight bottles of liquor in their purses, before running out the front door and getting into a black Mercedes Benz. The total value of the products stolen is $531.19.

FEBRUARY 19

CAN’T PHONE HOME- Vehicle Burglary

600 Block of E. Alexander Street

An o cer responded to the location and met with a man who reported that sometime overnight someone entered his unlocked vehicle and removed his iPhone 12 Pro Max from the center console.

BOTCHED- Stolen Vehicle Attempt

100 Block of W. Prosser Drive

An o cer responded to a business and met with the manager who reported that sometime in the overnight hours someone attempted to steal the unlocked company truck by damaging the ignition.

TAKE THE MONEY AND RUN- Theft

1500 Block of S. Alexander Street

O cers responded to the business location in reference to an employee theft of $835 in cash.

CRASH- Warrant Arrest

Thonotosassa Road/West Baker Street

O cers responded to the above-listed intersection in reference to a tra c crash. Contact was made with the female passenger, who it was determined had four active Manatee County Sheri ’s O ce warrants for possession of synthetic marijuana, possession of alprazolam, possession of drug paraphernalia and NVDL. The woman was arrested and transported to Orient Road Jail.

FEBRUARY 20

LIGHT LIFTING- Theft

1500 Block of S. Alexander Street

An o cer responded to the business and met with the manager, who reported that two cases of Bud Light were stolen.

PAINS IN THE GLASS- Criminal Mischief

Multiple Addresses

O cers responded to three business locations where windows were broken or shattered.

CITY CONDUCTS FIRST OF TWO PUBLIC WORKSHOPS TO REVIEW IMPACT FEE INCREASE

The next public workshop will be held

A 2021 bill signed by Governor Ron DeSantis created a cap on the amount local governments can increase impact fees. The cap limits the increase to no more than 12.5% in a given year and no more than 50% over a four-year period. Because the increases exceed the limits, the city is required to provide a calculation of how it arrived at the need for the amount based on “the most recent and localized data,” and hold at least two publicly-noticed workshops dedicated to the extraordinary circumstances necessitating exceptions to the limitations. The increase must then be approved by two-thirds of the governing body.

Attendees at the sparsely-attended workshop had the opportunity to ask questions, express concerns and o er feedback on the proposed changes.

Nilgun Kamp, Principal Associate for Benesch, a professional services rm, gave a presentation about the need for the increase, citing the city’s continued growth, outdated studies, increasing costs and unfunded capacity needs as extenuating circumstances that necessitate the dramatic increases.

Proposed impact fees on new singlefamily homes (2,000-square feet) will increase from $3,950 to $8,107. Multi-family units (100 units) will see an increase from $301,192 to $576,400. For non-residential land uses, commercial properties (4,000 square-feet) will see an increase from $31,097 to $222,984. Industrial warehouses (one million square-feet) will see an increase from $458,250 to $720,000.

Kamp also pointed out that while the increases seem drastic, they’re in line with what neighboring cities and coun-

ties are charging developers. For example, the proposed residential impact fee of $8,107 will still be lower than fees charged by Lakeland ($8,627), Hillsborough- Urban ($11,663) and Hillsborough- Rural ($15,518).

Mayor Nate Kilton emphasized the importance of balancing the needs of both developers and residents, stating “I have some heartburn over the increase because of what the cost is to our developers but at the same time we have to keep up with our responsibilities to our citizens.”

There was some disagreement among commissioners as they discussed the changes to impact fees, with Commissioner Dodson preferring a staggered approach to the increase. “I don’t think it would hurt the city to do this in a couple stages, now and then in a couple of years,” he said. “Give it a couple years to sink in.”

Mayor Kilton expressed to make the

full increase now. “I’d prefer for us to get caught up and roll back if necessary,” he said.

Commissioner Dodson remained unconvinced.

Commissioner Sparkman recalled 2008 and the e ects a market turndown, and budget shortfall, had on city government. “We hd to lay people o to meet our budget and that’s not fun,” he said. “That’s the reason I would support this and the community will welcome us doing the right thing and biting the bullet and doing this.”

The Plant City Observer reached out to residential homebuilders for comment about how the changes would impact business but received no comment.

The second public workshop will be held Mon., Mar. 11 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.

MICHELLE CACERES STAFF WRITER

POINT-IN-TIME COUNT REVEALS INSIGHTS INTO HOMELESSNESS

Last week, volunteers spread out across Plant City to ask those experiencing homelessness to complete a survey to learn more about the issue.

MICHELLE CACERES STAFF WRITER

Dozens of homeless citizens began lining up at the Plant City Planteen at 3 p.m.on Thurs., Feb. 22, much like they do every evening, to be served a hot meal, provided by local churches, families and service organizations, at 5 p.m.and fellowship with others experiencing homelessness.

Unlike every other day, though, on that day volunteers were on hand to conduct the Point-In-Time (PIT) Count, o ering a snapshot of the scale and severity of homelessness within the city limits.

Earlier in the day, a handful of volunteers had spanned across the city, visiting a number of known sites where homeless people congregate.

One volunteer was Kimberly Kitchen, founder of Generations Renewed, a local nonpro t that provides free career training and job placement and other services. “I’ve been here the whole day since 8 a.m. and I probably counted about 20 or 25 people experiencing homelessness,” she said.

Not everyone was willing to complete the survey, which included questions about age, race, gender, military service, duration of homelessness and diagnosed medical conditions. “I still think that’s a good amount considering some people may have some type of police issue or they’re concerned about giving out their information or they just don’t trust people,” she said.

Most people were willing to share their stories with Kitchen, who is a familiar face as she works to help them break the cycle of homelessness.

“I think the story that really impacted me today was a married couple that was homeless because the husband lost his job,” she said. The family had been homeless for two months. “They had savings

but it wasn’t enough to carry them for long because of the high cost of rent and so they ended up homeless,” she said. “He just found a job so prayerfully in the next few months they’ll be back on their feet.”

Kitchen said that nding a job is crucial because when they have a job, it puts them in a position to nd housing, instead of sleeping in places un t for habitation like in parks, on church steps or in cars. So far, in the last two years, she’s worked to get seven people o Plant City’s streets. “We help them get to their greater, and sometimes it’s easier and sometimes it’s harder but we’ve never told someone we couldn’t help them,” she said.

One certainty is every person experiencing homelessness has their own story and no two are the same. While some willingly choose to live outdoors or struggle with mental health diagnoses, each have their own story about how they landed in the situation. One man, living in his car, chose to care for his beloved pet over meeting his own needs. Some hope for a better life, a life o the streets.

Antonio Byrd, Chief Operating O cer of Tampa Hillsborough Homeless Initiative (THHI), said the count was a success, helped by the dinner provided by Fred’s Market that brought homeless residents together in one place to make the count easier. “It’s important we educate people about what we’re doing to address homelessness and get more resources in Plant City by expanding service providers.”

Bryd said housing will always be an immediate concern. “Emergency shelters are single-night focused but emergency bridge housing helps move people into transitional short-term housing and then hopefully out of shelters and into homes,” he said.

Data from Plant City’s PIT Count will be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and will be used to establish the dimensions of the problem of homelessness and help policymakers and program administrators track progress toward the goal of ending homelessness. On the local level, the count helps communities plan services and programs to appropriately address local needs, measure progress in decreasing homelessness and identify strengths and gaps in a community’s current homelessness assistance system.

There are various types of sleep apnea, each with its own distinct characteristics:

We all know the joy of waking up wellrested, ready to conquer the day. However, for some, this seemingly simple pleasure remains challenging due to a condition called sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a potentially serious condition characterized by recurring pauses in breathing during sleep. If you find yourself snoring loudly and feeling persistently fatigued despite a seemingly full night’s sleep, you may have sleep apnea.

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): This is the most prevalent form, occurring when the upper airway becomes partially or entirely obstructed during sleep.

• Central Sleep Apnea (CSA): Here, the brain fails to send appropriate signals to the muscles that manage breathing.

• Mixed Sleep Apnea: This type combines elements of both obstructive and central sleep apnea.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is the most common type of sleep apnea. In normal breathing, air effortlessly flows through the nose and throat into the lungs. During wakefulness, the throat muscles maintain an open airway. In all of us, these muscles relax during sleep. Sleep apnea occurs when this natural relaxation combines with structural abnormalities of the upper airway to result in a blockage of airflow, causing a decline in oxygen levels throughout the body. People with OSA experience countless such interrup-

tions throughout the night. This can cause significant strain on the heart and lungs, potentially leading to chronic conditions such as atrial fibrillation, and almost always reduces the efficiency with which sleep produces a rested state the following day.

Fortunately, there are ways to manage OSA.

• Lifestyle Adjustments: Weight management, reduced alcohol intake, and cessation of smoking can assist in managing sleep apnea.

• CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure): A pressurized mask worn over the nose or nose and mouth during sleep maintains an open airway throughout the night.

• Oral Appliance Therapy: A specially designed mouthguard is worn at night, displacing the lower jaw and tongue forwards.

When more conservative approaches are ineffective or are not tolerated, surgical options should be considered. This includes conventional sleep surgeries such as uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) as well as newer surgical interventions involving nerve stimulation.

At Florida ENT & Allergy, an FDAapproved solution known as Inspire® Upper Airway Stimulation (UAS) is offered. This implantable treatment is designed for individuals with moderate-to-severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) who struggle with or do not consistently benefit

from Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP). Dr. Pierre Musy, an Inspire Physician of Excellence at Florida E.N.T. & Allergy, will assess your overall health and conduct a thorough airway examination to determine if Inspire® therapy is a suitable alternative to CPAP for your condition.

The process of determining the most suitable treatment option for people with OSA always involves a sleep study, which determines the type and severity of sleep apnea. For most patients, this can be done at home with a Home Sleep Test. This involves wearing a small recording device over one or two nights. The results are then evaluated by a Board-Certified Sleep Specialist. Another important part of the process is a drug-induced sleep endoscopy, which involves observing the structures of the throat, including specific areas of airway obstruction, during sleep. This is conducted by our doctors in an operating room setting with intravenous sedation and usually takes no more than five minutes.

Understanding and addressing sleep apnea is crucial for overall well-being and exploring the available treatments with proper medical guidance can significantly improve quality of life. If you have concerns about sleep apnea or any ear, nose, throat, or allergy issues, take the first step towards better health by visiting www. floridaentandallergy.com or calling (813) 879-8045 to schedule an appointment with our experienced, board-certified physicians. Your journey to restful nights

and improved health starts here.

About Florida E.N.T. & Allergy

The physicians of Florida E.N.T. & Allergy have served the Tampa Bay community for over 45 years. Our board-certified physicians and doctors of audiology have completed extensive education and clinical training as well as specialized training in their area(s) of expertise. From pediatric allergies to fitting hearing aids, our caring and experienced providers specialize in ear, nose and throat care for the entire family using comprehensive, cutting-edge technologies.

For more information about Florida E.N.T. & Allergy or to schedule an appointment to address your ear, nose, throat and/ or allergy questions, visit www. oridaentandallergy.com or call (813) 879-8045.

Burning questions like, “Is cheesecake actually pie?” are answered. COWORKERS BRING FOOD AND FUN TO THEIR WORKPLACE

LIBBY HOPKINS STAFF WRITER

Asa Lanum and her coworkers at the Home Depot Direct Ful llment Center on Wiggins Road in Plant City love making their time at work enjoyable. “At Home Depot I am employed as a general warehouse associate, which is what most of the crew is,” Lanum said. “We each undertake a variety of roles within that from driving various material handling equipment, fork trucks, order pickers, reach truck, to loading product onto warehouse shelving to be picked and put into boxes to be sent directly to customers.”

The facility is only a few years old, but there has been a longer tradition of formal company-organized meals on the third Wednesday of every month called a “Meal in a Box,” which the company sponsors and covers the costs of the meals. “Top management briefs all the employees across all of the various shifts about the performance of the center for the previous month and year to date,” Lanum said. “There have been a few group potluck dinners for a number of months. We had a

large one at Christmas. Our top manager for the overnight shift, Virgil Cabigas, has encouraged team building through games and activities the entire time I have been there. Simple things like trivia questions while we are working to games during our breaks.”

Lanum and her coworkers decided to take their monthly meals up a notch with some fun! “It all started with a simple question,” Lanum said. “What do you like better pie or cake? Then a discussion about whether cheesecake is pie or cake, and the decision it was pie since it had a crust. Finally, what is your favorite dessert? We used all of that to set up the rst dessert night bu et for the team. We had about two dozen di erent desserts that night at our 12:30 a.m. break. One of every kind each person said was their favorite along with vanilla and chocolate ice cream. Desserts deserve ice cream.”

After the dessert night, the next question was, “Which is better White Castle or Krystal?” “That was a heated discussion,

except for those that only knew one or the other,” Lanum said. “The only way it could be settled was with a taste o .” Cabigas is a strong believer and proponent of team building and knows that family is stronger than team. “Team members support each other, but family always has each other’s backs,” Lanum said. “He also feels that one of the most important things families do is to break bread together. Families gather around the dinner table and share activities, concerns, values, etc. These build stronger bonds. Food and sharing helped bind their collective identity.”

So, the rst team meal was White Castle brought in fresh from Orlando. “The burgers were brought in on Wednesday night before our meal as an appetizer for each of us,” Lanum said. “Since it was too close to have the White Castles and Krystals back-to-back, it evolved into the rst Thursday of every month as team/family dinner. The upcoming dinner in March is Cuban sandwiches and the team just had

an anonymous taste-o to decide where to order the 40 Cuban sandwiches.”

Cabigas and Lanum hope the team can take control of the meals and make them their own. “We take time to recognize one person each week with a ‘Homer’ award and the team is taking over granting the award from the management,” Lanum said. “Our friendships are expanding beyond the realm of our work. We give each other rides back and forth to work when they are needed. I recently had one of the other people o er to come over and help me put my motorcycle back together and there is a movement for Friday morning breakfasts, which are outside of work hours.”

The work is tiring but it gets better when Lanum and her team are together to help each other. “Communications among team members to ask for and give help is greater,” Lanum said. “Can you do most of it all by yourself, yes, but having a helping hand can make a lot of di erence.”

“Fred and his wife carry forward the Plant City tradition by managing the Fred’s Market Restaurant on-site at the State Farmers Market in Plant City from the early beginnings of Fred’s parents, Elton and Evelyn Johnson in 1954,” said Lyons. “We selected them to help celebrate our values, our heritage and our community.”

For Fred Johnson, the distinction is an honor for not just himself but his family. “I say the Johnson family was selected as the Grand Marshal,” he said.

In fact, Owen will be driving the Grand Marshal vehicle with Fred and Tammy in the back and none other than 96-year old Grandma Johnson in the passenger seat.

“I asked her a couple weeks ago if she wanted to ride in the car, and she’ll be riding there with her family as proud as she can be,” he said. “Mom is mom to the whole town, and it’s for me, this is for her.”

Organizers have pulled out all the stops to ensure this year’s parade is a memorable one. Following the Grand Marshals, spectators can expect to be dazzled by the parade’s 100 entries, which include lively

music from nine marching bands (Plant City, Strawberry Crest and Durant High Schools and others), 33 oats and 14 individual antique vehicle units. Mr. And Miss Berry will make an appearance.

“We have some new entries this year as well,” said Gail Lyons, President of Berry Fine Productions, who, while she did not divulge them, is sure spectators will delight in them. “I’ll just call them special features,” she said.

One of the highlights of the parade is the urry of tossed items, from beads to candy, placed into the eager hands of onlookers. “I’ve always called the parade Plant City Mardi Gras where visitors can enjoy the celebration of our festival,” said Lyons.

Some roads along the parade route will temporarily close beginning at 10:30 a.m., including: South Evers Street from West Grant Street north to West Reynolds Street and West Reynolds Street west to West Gran eld Avenue. Also, expect heavy pedestrian and festival tra c. If you don’t plan on attending the parade or the festival, try to avoid the area.

All roadways will be reopened for normal tra c by 3 p.m.

IT’S READ EVERYWHERE

Did you take the Observer with you on vacation? Send your pictures to Associate Editor Michelle Caceres at michelle@plantcityobserver.com to be featured.

ANTARTICA: Je Brummer and Susan Gitlin, avid Plant City Observer readers, brought the paper along on their once-in-a-lifetime trip to Antartica in January.

SPORTS

WEEK

ATHLETE OF THE

Jaida Davis

Jaida is a senior, multi-sport athlete at Plant City High School. She played basketball this year and currently plays tennis. She currently has a 6.7558 GPA, ranking her 11th in a class of 583.

How long have you been playing basketball?

I have played Basketball since I was seven years old. I originally started playing through the YMCA coed basketball league because I wanted to try something new. I was also doing gymnastics at the time, but I wanted to try a team sport. I was the only girl in the league and quickly fell in love with the game! From then I have played every year, spending hours and hours practicing, joining AAU teams, traveling to tournaments, attending countless camps, and playing all 3 years of middle school for my team, and all 4 years in high school on varsity.

How long have you been playing tennis?

I have been playing tennis for about 3 years! I started playing when a group of my friends and I went to some courts in Walden Lake and just played around. Mr Rhett Raulerson started leading lessons with us and it was al-

Dylan

ways so much fun! This sparked my love for tennis and I began to play for my school.

Did you play any other sports while growing up?

I have played a variety of sports! Growing up I did gymnastics as well as dance. I have also played ag football and softball. As I began to grow older I started playing tennis and decided that tennis and basketball were my sports!

Who’s your favorite coach of all time and why?

My favorite coach that I’ve ever had was Coach Byron, from a young age he coached me in the YMCA league and then onto a travel AAU team. He was an incredible coach that truly got to know his athletes and cared deeply about their development on and o the court. I got to play alongside his daughter as well and we began a friendship that I still cherish to this day. I will never forget the lasting impact he had on my life and my Basketball journey.

Do you have any plans to play sports in college? If so, which ones?

I do not plan on playing any sports for college, but I would really enjoy and plan to join an

intramural or club-like team to stay active and meet new people. As far as which sports I will play, I de nitely see myself doing tennis and possibly reaching out and trying something new!

Who’s your favorite athlete of all time?

My favorite athlete of all time would be Tim Tebow. In the realm of sports, there are few gures as captivating and inspiring as Tim Tebow. For me, he stands not just as an athlete but as a beacon of passion, work ethic, and unwavering faith. His remarkable journey on and o the eld has left an indelible mark on countless individuals, myself included. Tebow's passion for the game of football is palpable in every play, every moment on the eld. He approaches each game with an intensity and fervor that is unmatched, giving his all in pursuit of victory. His unyielding determination and drive serve as a reminder that success is not merely a product of talent, but of tireless e ort and dedication. However, what truly resonates with me is Tebow's unwavering faith and his unabashed love for Jesus Christ. In a world where athletes often shy away from expressing their beliefs, Tebow

boldly proclaims his Christian faith, both on and o the eld. His humility, compassion, and grace under pressure serve as a testament to the strength of his convictions and the depth of his relationship with God.

Do you have any pre-game rituals that you do to get ready for a game?

I don’t have too much of a complex ritual, but I do tend to put my earbuds in and listen to uplifting music. I also before every basketball game say a prayer during the national anthem, this is a huge part of my ritual, as I pray for protection and motivation throughout my game!

What’s one sport you’ve never really played that you wish you would have attempted to play more? When I re ect on my childhood, I often wish I had pursued soccer. In elementary school, playing it during PE and with friends brought immense joy. Looking back, I can see myself truly enjoying the sport. There was so much thrill of chasing the ball, making passes, and scoring goals. While I played for fun, I now realize I had the potential to excel if I had committed myself. Though I regret not seizing the opportunity, I'm inspired to reignite my love for soccer and perhaps relive those cherished moments on the eld.

If you’re not playing sports, what are you doing in your free time?

In my free time I enjoy spending time with friends and family, hanging out outside, going to church, and anything to do with being on the water! If I ever have a day with nothing to do, you can almost guarantee to nd me in Anna Maria.

Before a game or match, what are your go-to hype songs?

Unlike most people, I don’t listen to rap music, so my “hype” music is a little di erent. As far as one speci c song goes, before every basketball game I would listen to “Life’s Too Short” by Two Friends and FITZ. The message of the lyrics and upbeat sound make it a great hype song. It reminded me before every game that life is short and to give it my all.

PLANT CITY RAIDERS SEASON ENDS IN ELITE 8

Right o the rip, you could tell it was a tough environment to travel to as the Blue Devils gym was packed. The Blue Devils won the opening tip-o and instantly scored, attacking the paint. The Raiders’ rst possession started with a turnover, but they quickly stole it back but failed to get anything going. Early on, it seemed that the Raiders’ strategy was to hold the ball for as long as possible on o ense, keeping Winter Haven on their heels. Plant City ran nearly two minutes o the clock on their second possession but ended up missing the shot attempt. Winter Haven got the ball and quickly turned on the jets, getting into transition at ease and getting an easy layup. The Raiders missed on the next o ensive possession as well and Winter Haven out hustled them in transition, this time getting a dunk.The score was 6-0 and the Raiders were forced to call a timeout and regroup with 4:31 left in the rst. Fresh o the timeout, the Raiders turned it over and the Blue Devils extended their lead with a midrange, making it 8-0. The scoring drought stopped for the Raiders as Malachi Morris split between two defenders and got the layup. The Raiders section started to get hyped as Gavin Tinsley grabbed an o ensive rebound and putback for them. Michael Bell found Jamin Andrews for the layup and the Raiders were starting to gure things out on the o ensive end. Winter Haven responded with a tough oater, but Raiders guard Leroy Lucas quickly attacked the paint with a layup to tie it for the Raiders. After both teams exchanged free throw attempts on their nal o ensive possessions of the quarter, it was tied 11-11.

The Raiders turned it over on the opening possession of the second quarter and Winter Haven took advantage with a putback after getting an o ensive rebound. Gavin Tinsley got open and slammed it for the Raiders, tying it back up. After not seeing a single 3 made in the rst for either team, Winter Haven made the rst one of the game with 6:21 remaining in the rst half. Tinsley headed to the free throw line after getting fouled on a put-back attempt and went 1-2 from the line. It was right after that when the Blue Devils got hot and went on an impressive run. It started with a nice spin move which led them to a midrange bucket, followed by back-to-back defensive possessions with steals that led to fast break points, one even being an and-one. Both teams exchanged missed shots but then the Blue Devils defense started picking pockets again, leading to back-to-back steals for them and one of those resulted in a fast break 3-point shot for them. After the home team went on a 10-0 run, the Raiders were forced to call a timeout with 4:11 left in the half, down 2614. Leroy Lucas scored with a nice hustle play as he grabbed an o ensive rebound and then quickly put up a baseline midrange. Winter Haven out-hustled the Raiders down the court as their big man got open, completing a vicious dunk. The Blue Devils then got two more steals, resulting in two dunks by their star player Isaac Celiscar. Malchi Morris hit the Raiders rst 3 of the game to end the half and the Blue Devils were up 33-19. They outscored the Raiders 22-8 in the second quarter.

Winter Haven turned over the opening possession but the Raiders follow suit and the Blue Devils capitalized on it, getting a fastbreak dunk. Gavin Tinsley, doing his usual work, got the o ensive rebound and

putback to get the Raiders on the board. Blue Devils continue to get out in transition quicker than the Raiders, scoring four quick points on back-to-back possessions. Michael Bell got to the free throw line for the Raiders, going 2-2 from the line. It’s negated though as Winter Haven got to the line and made both free throws. The teams started trading baskets back and forth as Jamin Andrews made a nice reverse layup, followed by a Winter Haven oater, and then Michael Bell grabbed an o ensive rebound and putback. Jamin Andrews stopped the consecutive scoring, getting a block, which led to a layup by Malachi Morris. Andrews then got another block, leading to an and one by Malachi Morris, converting the free throw as well. On what felt like a change of momentum for the away Raiders, they left a wide-open Blue Devil and he hit a 3, silencing the away crowd. Gavin Tinsley made a reverse layup and then Plant City called a timeout, down 50-35 with 2:10 left in the third. Winter Haven wasted no time after the timeout, making a tough layup, but the Raiders responded as Leroy Lucas hit a spot up 3, followed by a mid-range basket for Tinsley. Malachi Morris did hit a nice 3 for the Raiders with under a minute to go, but the Blue Devils made a 3 of their own to end the quarter. Heading into the 4th, it was 56-43. The Raiders did outscore the Blue Devils in the third, but still found themselves down by double-digits.

The nal quarter started with a Raiders turnover, followed by a Winter Haven baseline pull-up 3. Michael Bell got an o ensive rebound and found Tinsley for a baseline shot. Winter Haven started killing the clock on o ense and they still found a way to put points on the board with a layup. Leroy Lucas got sent to the free throw line after a

hard foul and went 2-2 from the line. Both o enses slowed down for a 1-2 minute span, but Gavin Tinsley got an o ensive rebound and put-back for the Raiders. The Blue Devils responded with a nice fadeaway jumper, but Tinsley stayed hot, getting an and one on a scoop layup, and making the free throw as well. A timeout was called and the Raiders trailed 65-52 with 3:12 left. Tinsley blocked Winter Haven, leading to Leroy Lucas driving to the paint and drawing the foul, going 1-2 from the line. Winter Haven got a layup in transition and then called timeout. The Raiders were down 67-53 with 2:09 remaining in the game. The nal possessions of the game for the Raiders o ense came from a Jamin Andrews putback, Tinsley dunk, and Lucas layup, but there simply wasn’t enough time left for the comeback. Thenal score was 71-59 with the Winter Haven Blue Devils advancing and eliminating the Plant City Raiders.

It was an incredible season for the Raiders as they nished the year 22-7, making the elite 8 in one of the toughest divisions in the state. 7A had THREE nationally ranked teams, including Winter Haven.

Box Score:

-Michael Bell: 4 Points, 10 Rebounds, 3 Assists, 1 Steal

-Malachi Morris: 13 Points, 1 Rebound, 1 Assist

-Gavin Tinsley: 22 Points, 10 Rebounds, 1 Steal, 2 Blocks

-Leroy Lucas: 14 Points, 3 Rebounds, 2 Assists

-Jamin Andrews: 6 Points, 8 Rebounds, 2 Assists, 3 Steals, 5 Blocks

By

Tice/ Photo Credit:

Photo courtesy of Cady

PLANT CITY GIRLS WRESTLING TEAM A SEASON OF FIRSTS

Junior Yardira Rivas will wrestle for Plant City High School in the individual State Championship this weekend.

MICHELLE CACERES STAFF WRITER

Plant City debuted a new high school girls wrestling team this year. Despite its modest size of just two determined athletes, juniors Yadira Rivas and Isabelle Broeders, the team de ed expectations and has the awards to prove it.

Leading the charge for this edgling team is Rivas, whose prowess on the mat in the district and regional meets earned her a spot in the individual State Championship at Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee this weekend.

“My season is not over yet and I’ll keep ghting,” said Rivas, who joined the team after seeing posters about the team and talking to Coach Olson, the wrestling coach. “It was a pretty good outcome as a rst-year wrestler.”

Even though she had been involved in sports since middle school, including soccer, volleyball, ag football and basketball, from her rst wrestling practice, she knew it was a di erent sport. “I started noticing I would get easily bruised, it doesn’t happen now but people would look at my bruises and they thought I was being abused,” she said.

As she spent countless hours prac-

ticing proper technique and moves that would allow her to pin her opponent, and her body sore and tired, one quote kept running through her mind: “Pain is just weakness leaving the body.”

“I feel like a big part of wrestling is your mindset, your technique, how fast and quick you are, and then putting it all together and stepping on the mat with con dence,” she said. “You also have to know you’re going to give it all you have even if your opponent is better than you.”

From her rst match, on Dec. 2 against Newsome High School, she’s been hooked on the sport, and the adrenaline that courses through her body when she steps on the mat.

“I beat my rst opponent in the right period by pinning her,” she said. “I stepped on the mat and told myself that I have to go out there and win and at that moment I couldn’t hear anything, everything became quiet and it was just me and my opponent,” she said.

Rivas, who wrestles in the 155 pound weight class, was touched when her father drove up from Miami to watch her rst meet. “He was crying tears of joy but then he told me that I haven’t experience it all, that when I lose that’s when I’ll win,” she said.

Her father’s words rang true several meets later when, with a 7 to 0 record, she lost to a wrestler from Robinson High School. “She was an amazing wrestler and I realized I lost to somebody great but she gave me insight to how to become better,” she said.

Broeders, who wrestles in the 170 pound weight class and also plays varsity and club soccer, said wrestling has made her a better soccer player.

“Wrestling is hard on the body but also the mind because you have to be mentally t to wrestle, it really tests how far you’re willing to go,” she said.

Broeders made it her mission to mimic Rivas in practices and in the weightlifting room. Before the season started, she weighed 182 pounds but is now a lean 162 pounds.

She also won her rst match. “I was nervous but con dent, she shot on me, I sprawled and then she got on top of me but in the end I pinned her in the rst period,” said Broeders. She ended winning third place that day and ultimately made it to districts and regionals but lost in regionals, disqualifying her for state. “Next year I’ll make it for sure,” she said.

Both wrestlers are hoping more girls try out for the team next year to join the brotherhood (now sisterhood) of wrestlers.

YOUR AROUND TOWN SPONSOR

Walking on Sunshine!! Always gets me in a good mood and dancing in the kitchen.

Robin Mitchell Godwin

Sweet Dreams (Are made of this) by the Eurythmics…

Lloyd Thomas

Berry White, Your the first, The Last, My Everything, or most of his music, great to dance to!

Linda Eady-Wiggins

The Sign from ace of base

Mirna Mimi Salazar

Lookout Weekend by Debbie Deb

Shari McCranie Stucke

The Christmas Song by Nat King Cole or Johnny Mathis!

Todd Germick

Dirt Road Anthem by Jason Aldean. Ok, any song by Jason. But DRA makes me want to get in my car and just drive.

Jo Anne

Anything blue grass.

Keith Crowe

Happy Birthday.

Andrew Hennosy

Over the Rainbow.

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Pharrell- happy.

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“Quittin’ time”

Phillip Beasley

It’s my life- bon jovi.

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When we all get to Heaven!

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“I’ve Got Joy” by CeCe Winans. Adrienne Plyler Middlebrooks

America the Beautiful.

Linda Arnold Galloway

September by Earth, Wind & Fire. Christa Hammer

Depends on the day.

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Can’t stop the feeling! Justin Timberlake!

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Love Shack by B-52s.

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10,0000 Reasons (Bless The Lord).

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Roxanne by the police.

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Morgan Wallen-cowgirl. Or Suicide Boyz-Antarctica. Chassie Alford

Let’s get it on. Marvin Gaye. Karen Cambridge

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“All god’s children got a place in the choir, some sing low and some sing higher….”

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Closing Time- Semisonic

Bob Norton

Tubthumping by Chumbawamba

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Douglas Burkett, Sr.

Douglas Burkett, Sr., 77, of Plant City, Fla., born on Sept. 5, 1946, in Charleston, West Virginia, entered into eternal rest on Feb. 22, 2024.

Expressions of condolences at www.HopewellFuneral.com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Karen DeeAnn

Terry Mobley

Karen DeeAnn Terry

Mobley, 38, of Valrico, Fla., born on June 21, 1985, in Lakeland, Fla., entered into eternal rest on Feb. 19, 2024, after a long valiant ght with her heart and kidneys. She was a member of the Valrico Church of Christ. She graduated from Durant High School in 2003, HCC in 2006 and USF in 2013. She worked for Connett and Anagnost CPAs as a bookkeeper.

Previously she worked at the Plant City YMCA and Walmart in Plant City as

a pharmacy tech. Karen loved her family! She enjoyed spending time with her girls and husband, being a Sunday school teacher, reading, photography, gardening, camping, shing, waterskiing, and being outside. Karen is survived by her loving husband Dawson Mobley; daughters, Katie Mobley and Riley Mobley; parents, Kenneth and Arlene Terry of Plant City; parents-inlaw, Terry Mobley of Valrico, and Diane Newsome (Emory) of Lithia; brother, Kevin Terry (Amanda) of Lithia; sister-in-law, Amanda Burchell (Mark) of Valrico; grandparents, Betty Smith of Mulberry, Billie Joe and Joyce Brown of Plant City, and many in her extended family and friends. Karen will be forever loved and missed by all that knew her! A funeral service will take place March 2, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Valrico Church of Christ, 1610 South Miller Road, where the family will receive friends at 10 a.m. Committal to follow at Hopewell Memorial Gardens, Plant City. For those unable to attend, the service will be live-streamed at https://www.valricococ. org/media2/live.

Expressions of condolences at www.HopewellFuneral.com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Patricia Ruth Edwards

On Feb. 17, 2024, at her home in The Estates at Carpenters, Lakeland, Fla., Patricia Ruth Edwards entered into eternal life. Born on May 27, 1933, in Peoria, Illinois to Ruth Alena Matthews and James H. Mann, Patt was the oldest of seven children.

She was predeceased by her husbands Richard Peterson and Robert S. Edwards, her sisters Eleanor (Cookie) Luna, Helen Scherrer, Marty Jones, her brother Elwood Lawrence Mann, daughters Robbie Ann Lea and Clare Hicks.

She is survived by her siblings Sally (Jerry) Pritchard and Bill Mann, children Barbara Morris, Lynne Ann Bisceglia (Craig), Nancy Slagle (Bill), Lynn Simeone (Damon), Kay Brown (Jim), Bobby and Brian (Annmarie) Edwards and Kathie Peterson Baerns. She is also survived by 23 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.

Linda Gale Eden, 71, of Plant City, Fla., born on Feb. 20, 1952, in Plant City, Fla., entered into eternal rest on Feb. 17, 2024.

Expressions of condolences at www.HopewellFuneral.com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

John A. Hunt

Mary Barbara O’Neal

Mary Barbara O'Neal, passed away on Feb. 25, 2024, at the age of 72, in Land O' Lakes, Fla.

A service will be held March 9, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Full Gospel Tabernacle, 2311 Sammonds Rd. Plant City, FL 33563. A funeral/ memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. Online condolences can be made at www.haught. care.

HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM

John A. Hunt, 64, of Plant City, Fla., born on Aug. 1, 1959, in Huntington, West Virginia, entered into eternal rest on Feb. 18, 2024.

Expressions of condolences at www.HopewellFuneral.com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Services were held Feb. 24, 2024, at Hopewell Funeral Home, 6005 South County Road 39 Plant City, FL 33567, followed by interment at Hopewell Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Full obituary can be found at HopewellFuneral.com.

Expressions of condolences at www.HopewellFuneral. com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

ALL OBITUARIES ARE SUBMITTED AND EDITED BY FAMILIES OR FUNERAL HOMES

Linda Gale Eden

CALENDAR

BEST BET

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 29

FLORIDA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL

Thurs., Feb. 29 - Sun., Mar. 10, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (midway hours may be di erent) at 303 BerryFest Pl. Experience the fun of the Florida Strawberry Festival for 11 days and nights Feb. 29 through Mar. 10, with exhibits of agriculture, commerce, industry, livestock, ne arts, horticulture and crafts not to mention top-name entertainment, midway rides and plenty of fair food. Gate admission is $15 for adults 13 and up and $5 for kids ages 6 through 12. Children ve and under are free with paid adult admission. For more information visit strawberryfestival.com.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 29

LEAP OF KINDNESS DAY

All day, everywhere in Plant City

Celebrate Leap of Kindness Day (the extra day we get because it’s a Leap Year) by using the day to do something kind for someone else. Find ideas on how to participate at leapofkindnessday.org.

NORTHEAST PLANT CITY MASTER PLAN FUTURE LAND USE MAP

UPDATE OPEN HOUSE

5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Plant City City Hall, 302 W. Reynolds St.

Learn more about the proposed updates to the Preferred Future Land Use Scenario Map for the Northeast Master Plan at this open house. The evaluation and update of the Preferred Land Use Scenario Map is essential to re ect 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-area-master-plan/.

SATURDAY, MARCH 2

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.

SOCIAL DANCE

7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 4401 Promenade Blvd. Social Dance- lines, country partner, cha cha, waltz, rumba, and slow dancing with a DJ. Wear shoes that don’t stick to the oor (no ip ops). $7 per person. Snacks,

co ee and water provided. Call Cindy for more information at (813) 723-6965.

SUNDAY, MARCH 3

SHOW

CAR APPEARANCE AT KEEL FARMS

11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Keel Farms, 5202 Thonotosassa Road

Keel Farms, the o cial wine partner of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding and a sponsor of Tampa native and INDY NXT by Firestone driver No. 11, Nolan Allaer, invites fans to come out and take photos with the Show Car during this event at its winery. For more information visit keelfarms.com.

MONDAY, MARCH 4

STRAWBERRY PARADE

1 p.m. at various locations throughout Downtown Plant City

More than 30,000 viewers pack the

parade route to view the beautiful oats, outstanding musical groups and uniquely distinctive oats that plunge visitors into the glamour and excitement of all things strawberry. The parade route begins on Evers Street, runs north to Reynolds Street and travels west on Reynolds Street, ending at the festival’s red parking lot.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6

SUPPORT GROUP FOR PARENTS WITH ESTRANGED FAMILY

6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at GracePoint Church, 1107 Charlie Gri n Road

Join other parents who are estranged from their adult children. Parents of Estranged Adult Kids (PEAK) group provides a safe place to listen, share and support others going through the hurt of adult family abandonment. Meetings will include group discussions, self-care and positive in uenced activities to help cope with the situation. PEAK is not appropriate for abusive

relationships or mental illness. Meetings are the rst Wednesday of each month. For more information, visit peaksupportgroup. com.

SATURDAY, MARCH 16

PLANT CITY STRAWBERRY CLASSIC CRUISE-IN

3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at 102 N. Palmer St.

The Plant City Strawberry Classic CruiseIn is back on Sat., Mar. 16, 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.

MARK KREITZER & JON GARONBLUEGRASS

7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Krazy Kup

Mark Kreitzer is a member of the Minnesota Rock and Country Hall of Fame and has been awarded The Minnesota Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Association’s Favorite Songwriter and Favorite Multi-Instrumentalist honors as well. Jon Garon has shared the stage with John Denver’s band and many others. He is nationally-recognized as a nger style guitarist. Together they will deliver an evening of great music. Tickets are $20 per person.

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

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THURSDAY, FEB 29

High: 80

SUNRISE/SUNSET

Low: 65

Chance of rain: 23%

FRIDAY, MARCH 1

FORECAST WEATHER

High: 85

Low: 66

Chance of rain: 9%

Tuesday, March 5 6:48a 6:32p

March 6 6:47a 6:32p

MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, MARCH 2

High: 83

Low: 65

Chance of rain: 52%

SUNDAY, MARCH 3

High: 84

Low: 65 Chance of rain: 54%

MONDAY, MARCH 4

STRAWBERRIES

High: 83 Low: 65

Shipping point: Florida $12.00-$18.00

Chance of rain: 80%

(C) 2024 TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.

Stephanie Hrenchir took a picture of a red-tailed Hawk, who seemed to be enjoying the sun’s warmth while basking on a pool enclosure at Park Place.

Source: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture