PLANT CITY TIMES &
Observer
Durant faces Newsome. PAGE 19
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 4, NO. 9
FREE
•
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016
CALLED
TO LEAD
Master Sgt. Dale Peterson’s dedication to the Plant City Police Department spans two decades. EMILY TOPPER STAFF WRITER
M
aster Sgt. Dale Peterson recently celebrated his 23rd year of service with the Plant City Police Department. Though he’s found his calling both as a military veteran and a law enforcement officer, the Michigan native didn’t always know his career would center around a call to protect and serve. With the United States Air Force, he wanted to work with computers or in the chapel. What he was assigned to was something much different. SEE HERO PAGE 4
Emily Topper
Master Sgt. Dale Peterson oversees numerous events in Plant City, including the Florida Strawberry Festival Youth Parade and the Christmas Parade. He also has served in the United States Air Force and as a K-9 Officer.
Never Forget
YOUR TOWN
Hopewell Baptist Church will be hosting a Hero’s Banquet for law enforcement and first responders in remembrance of Sept. 11. EMILY TOPPER STAFF WRITER
Emily Topper
As chaplain for multiple law enforcement agencies, Dr. Dan Middlebrooks wants to recognize first responders on Sunday, Sept. 11.
Sunday marks the 15th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people. In addition to a traditional Sunday service to recognize military members and law enforcement officers, Hopewell Baptist Church will be hosting a Hero’s Banquet beginning at 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11. The event will honor first responders and their immediate family members from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the Plant City Police Department, Plant City Fire Rescue, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Battalion 6 and Hillsborough County School Board
security resource officers. “We want to make sure they hear the words, ‘Thank you for what you do,’” the Rev. Dr. Daniel Middlebrooks, pastor at Hopewell Baptist Church, said. Middlebrooks is a military veteran and serves as chaplain for many law enforcement agencies throughout Plant City. “We want to do it in a tangible way. We localized it a lot more with our Plant City area responders.” This year, the church wanted to go above and beyond to let first responders know they are appreciated. “They constantly give so much to protect us,” Middlebrooks said. “This SEE HOPEWELL PAGE 4
Let’s Dance
Marshall High School Class of 1969 hosted a pre-Labor Day dance at Glover Center Saturday, Sept. 3. Class members included Nettie Durant, Rosa Jones, Cynthia Robinson, Brenda Griffin, Sandra Thomas, Marian Richardson, Minnie Johnson, Gearldine Marshall, Claude Gay, Edward McGee, Willie Thomas and Solomon McKinley.
On Sale
Plant City was hit by heavy winds from Hurricane Hermine. See the damage. PAGE 3
Help solve a mystery and raise money for the Bruton Memorial Library by attending the annual Mystery Dinner Theater. Tickets went on sale Thursday, Sept. 1. They are available for purchase at:Holiday Inn Express, Regions Bank and Bruton Memorial Library. Friends of the Bruton Memorial Library are also looking for sponsors. Contact Dodie White at dodiewhite@msn.com. This year’s show, “A Menacing Night at the Modern Museum,” will be Saturday, Oct. 1, at the John R. Trinkle Center, 1206 N. Park Road.