1.12.23 PLCO

MICHELLE CACERES STAFF WRITER

Several dozen people showed up at Plant City High School’s cafeteria Monday night as officials om Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) continue to gather feedback from the community on draft boundary scenarios, engage with families, staff and ommunity to address questions and concerns and re-share three draft

scenarios that balance school utilization throughout the county.

Computers were set up and logged into a Website where parents could type in their home address and learn what changes, if any, would impact their students in each of the three scenarios. Physical maps of the scenarios were also displayed. Parents could also leave feedback about the scenarios.

These community engagement meetings follow an existing conditions study, conducted by a consultant team led by WXY Studio, found that 93 schools were underutilized (at less than 80 percent capacity), 70 schools were well utilized (between 80 and 95 percent capacity) and 53 schools were over utilized (at more than 95% capacity).

NEW EAGLE SCOUT SOARS IN PLANT CITY ALEX CHAZARES

MICHELLE CACERES STAFF WRITER

When Plant City resident Alex Chazares watched as his older brother, Eryk, was recognized at his Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremony in 2020, the 12-year-old boy scout made the decision to follow in his footsteps. “I knew that I wanted to be like him and slowly started to gain momentum towards becoming an Eagle Scout,” he said.

That goal was achieved last week, when the Eagle Scout badge was pinned to his scout shirt at his own Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremony. His brother conducted the ceremony.

Chazares, now 15 and a sophomore at Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School in Tampa, vividly recalls attending his fist scout meeting with Troop 89 that meets in Valrico. “I didn’t have a scout uniform so I just attended the meeting in an Avengers shirt,” he joked. The super-hero shirt may have been foreshadowing the breakneck speed at which he completed his goal, earning the Eagle rank in roughly three years.

This Sat., Jan. 14 at 6 p.m., the Charlie Grimes & Family Agricultural Center will come to life as dozens of young ladies between the ages of fie and 15 compete in the 2023 Florida Strawberry Festival Junior Royalty Pageant. A winner, fist maid and three court members will be selected from each of four age groups: Baronesses (fie- to six-year-olds), Duchesses (seven- to nine-year-olds), Princesses (10- to 12-year-olds) and Queens (13- to 15-year-olds). Contestants will be judged on personality, overall appearance and natural beauty and smile. Come on out to root for your favorite!

RECEIVES EAGLE BADGE AND NECKERCHIEF AT COURT OF HONOR.

MICHELLE

Eagle Scout Eryk Chazares (left) poses with his brother, new Eagle Scout Alex Chazares.

FEMA DISASTER ASSISTANCE APPLICATION DEADLINE APPROACHING

More than $4.4 billion in federal grants, disaster loans and flood insuance payments have been provided to the state of Florida and to households affected by Hurricane Ian. But time is running out for Hurricane Ian survivors to apply for disaster assistance. If your primary residence is in one of the 26 counties designated for federal disaster assistance and you incurred storm-related loss or damage caused by Hurricane Ian, you have until Jan. 12, 2023 to complete your application.

Survivors who have insurance are encouraged to file a claim or disaster-caused damage before they apply for FEMA assistance. You do not need to wait for your insurance settlement to submit a disaster assistance application. FEMA may provide financial asistance to eligible survivors who have uninsured or underinsured disaster-caused damage or loss.

Apply online at disasterassistance.gov or call 800-621-3362. Assistance is available in most languages. Calls are answered every day from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET. Survivors can also register at any Disaster Recovery Center operating throughout Florida’s disaster-damaged counties.

The Jan. 12 deadline also applies to applications for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private

property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private nonprofit oganizations, homeowners and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property.

FEMA’s Housing Assistance and Other Needs Assistance grants for medical, dental, and funeral expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants referred to SBA must complete and submit an SBA loan application to be considered for additional forms of disaster assistance. Applicants who do not qualify for an SBA loan may be referred back to FEMA to be considered for aid under the Other Needs Assistance provision. The SBA Disaster Customer Service Center’s number is 800-659-2955. Help is also available by email at disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or by visiting www. sba.gov.

Businesses that have not yet submitted an SBA disaster business loan application, may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s website at disasterloanassistance.sba.gov.

Disaster loan information and application forms can be obtained from the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or by email at disastercustomerservice@ sba.gov.

The filing dadline to return applications for physical property damage is Jan. 12, 2023 and the deadline to return economic injury applications is June 29, 2023. For the latest information on Florida’s recovery from Hurricane Ian and Nicole, visit flordadisaster.org/info and fema.gov.

PLANT CITY MAIN STREET TO HOST FRIDAY NIGHT FLICKS

Join Plant City Main Street on the second Friday of the month in 2023, starting in March, as they debut a brand new event for 2023 called Friday Night Flicks.

Shop and dine in our Plant City’s historic downtown from 5 to 9 p.m. and catch a free feature film that the whole amily can enjoy at 7 p.m.

Bring your chairs and blankets to the big screen at Evers Street and J Arden Mays Blvd and enjoy a memorable night under the stars, with a few special meetand-greet surprises planned for the future.

The fist event will take place on March 10 where the movie Peter Rabbit will be playing.

Plant City resident Cody White already has the event scheduled on his calendar. “Pirates are our thing, we go to the Gas-

parilla parades, but we also just enjoying being a part of the Plant City community,” he said.

White and his family moved here in 2021 from Sand Springs, Oklahoma, which has a population of 20,000. “We feel closer to Plant City than we ever did back in Oklahoma because at every event you just have a small-town feel and everyone is so friendly,” said White.

Visit www.plantcitymainstreet.org or its Facebook page at Plant City Main Street to learn more.

HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH

WELCOMES MOBILE FOOD PANTRY

Hope Lutheran Church will once again host their mobile food pantry in the church parking lot, 2001 N. Park Rd., on Thursday, Jan. 19 and will begin distributing food to those in need at 6 p.m., running until the supplies are distributed.

MICHELLE CACERES STAFF WRITER

Forty years ago, in 1983, then-President Ronald Regan signed the King holiday bill into law, opening the door to make Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday a federal holiday. While King was officially born on Jan. 15, 1929 in Atlanta, the holiday in his honor is held every year on the third Monday in January.

In Plant City, The Improvement League of Plant City and GFWC Woman’s Club of Plant City are pulling out all the stops by hosting its 37th annual Plant Plant Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Cultural Arts Festival to remember the man who led the civil rights movement using a combination of impassioned speeches and nonviolent protests to fight segregation and achieve civil rights advances for AfricanAmericans. This year’s theme is “Excellence Through Education: College-Military-Vocational” as the contributions, opportunities and individuals who broke barriers as African-Americans are highlighted.

President of the Improvement League of Plant City William Thomas Jr. said King’s message was that all men (and women) are created equally and all cultures can be respectful of their differences, work together and fellowship together, a concept in harmony with the city’s vision plan. “Plant City is a place where we can ALL come together to live, work and play,” he said.

For GFWC Woman’s Club member Karen Griggsby, celebrating King’s birth is an annual tradition and holds a special place in her heart. “In our turbulent times we must focus on Dr. King’s message of love and non-violence not just in January but every day,” she said. “We have to live his vision, his dream, for all of us to get along, see no color and have a respect for each other as human beings.”

For more information about Plant City’s MLK events visit www.plantcitymlkfestival.com.

MLK EVENTS INCLUDE:

Fri., Jan. 13, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Sadye Gibbs Martin Community Center Opening Ceremony

The Opening Ceremony will commemorate the launch of the festival and will include a brief program, featuring keynote speaker Reverend Maxie Miller of New City Church of Plant City and presentations by Lincoln Elementary Magnet School’s music department and Marshall Middle Magnet IB World School’s Gentlemen’s Quest club.

Sat., Jan. 14, 11:30 a.m. -7 p.m. Downtown Plant City

37th Annual Plant City Black N Brown Expo, MLK Parade & Battle of the Drumlines Competition

The MLK Parade, which starts at 1 p.m., will include a number of floats, six marching bands, Tampa Bay Posse Corvette Club and Improvement League float led by Grand Parade Marshal Karen Chambers, retired Colonel U.S. Army and member of the National Association of the Buffalo Soldiers. The parade will meander down a 1.4 mile section of West Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

The MLK Battle of the Drumlines competition, sponsored by Suncoast Credit Union, begins immediately following the parade at the Sadye Gibbs Martin Community Center.

Sun., Jan. 15, 7:30 a.m. - 9 a.m., Trinkle Center @ Plant City Community College Campus

Plant City MLK Leadership Breakfast

Eat breakfast catered by Steph’s Southern Soul Food Restaurant while listening to keynote speaker Mr. Otis Cleat, FAMU Board of Trustee and President of Pacific Railroad. Community Champion awards will also be distributed. Tickets cost $45 (table sponsorships start at $500). Call (813)704-5800 or (813) 757-6760 or visit the Bing Rooming House Museum at 205 South Allen Street for tickets.

Sun., Jan. 15, 4 p.m., Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 604 West Ball Street

Plant City MLK Gospel Fest

Be blown away by the musical talent of Georgia Mass Choir, an American gospel music choir from Macon, Georgia that performed in “A Preacher’s Wife” starring Whitney Houston. Tickets cost $20 per person. Contact Reverend Frederick Brinson for advance ticket information at (813) 650-4104.

Mon., Jan. 16, 10:30 a.m. - noon, Bing Rooming House Museum 5th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration Hosted by the GFWC Woman’s Club of Plant City, this event will feature opening remarks by Mayor Nate Kilton and guest speaker Mr. Keith Worth, who performs a rendition of King’s “I Have A Dream” speech. Light refreshments will be served.

Sat., Jan. 21, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Sadie Gibbs Martin Community Center Health, Fitness and Wellness Fair Learn how to live a healthier lifestyle at this health fair and take a 2k walk through historic Lincoln Park a.k.a. “The Bottom”.

Now until Feb. 28 Plant City African-American Historic Trail Selfie Tour

Participants can take on the treasure hunt challenge and scour the Plant City area taking selfies with more than 30 people, places and things that have African-American historic significance. Visit www.plantcitymlkfestival.com/MLKSelfieTour for details and listings.

DECEMBER 30

DOOR JAMMED

3000 block of Via Sienna Dr.

Criminal mischief: An officer met with the victim at the listed location in reference to damage done to their garage door.

SITTING IDLY BY

1800 block of W. Ball St.

DUI: An officer responded to the residence at the listed location in reference to a truck that was parked in front of the residence. One individual was subsequently arrested for DUI and transported to Orient Road Jail.

DECEMBER 31

TURNED IN

800 block of N. Gordon St.

Warrant arrest: An officer responded to a residence at the listed location in reference to a subject that wished to turn themselves in for a warrant. Upon arrival, contact was made with the individual who was learned to have an outstanding warrant through Hillsborough County for failure to appear. The warrant was confirmed and the individual as transferred to Orient Road Jail without incident.

JANUARY 2

NO MORE CHANCES

3500 block of W. Baker St. Trespassing: An officer responded to a business at the listed location after the owner reported that an individual who was previously trespassed was on the property. One individual was subsequently arrested and transported to Orient Road Jail without incident.

WINDOW PAINS

1600 block of James L. Redman Pkwy.

Criminal mischief: An officer met with the owner of the property at the listed location who stated that a window on the north side of the property was broken.

KEEP ON TRUCKIN’

500 block of Lindsay Anne Ct. Stolen vehicle: An officer responded to the residence at the listed location and made contact with the victim who advised that their Ford F150 was stolen.

BAD MOVES

3200 block of S. Nortjhview Rd. Aggravated assault on a LEO with a deadly weapon: Two officers were dispacted to a seperate location in reference to a suspicious person. One individual was subsequently arrested and transported to Orient Road Jail.

JANUARY 3

DIALED IN

2600 block of Thonotosassa Rd. Fraud: An officer was dispatched to a business at the listed location in reference to a victim that was scammed over the phone.

JANUARY 4

OPEN DOOR POLICY

1900 block of N. Lime St. Residential burglary: An officer responded to a residence at the listed location in reference to an open door being discovered by the homeowner.

BYECYCLE

300 block of Sugar Creek Dr. Petit theft: An officer responded to the residence at the listed location in reference to a delayed theft of a bicycle.

JANUARY 5

CLEAN PLATES

4300 block of W. Hwy. 574 Petit theft: An officer met with the victim who reported that an unknown subject removed the dealer’s plate from a vehicle on the lot the night before.

BAD BILLING

1 Police Pl. Counterfeit bills: An officer responded to the Plant City Police Department in reference to a delayed counterfeit bill/fraud complaint.

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HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS HOLDS PUBLIC MEETINGS ABOUT PROPOSED SCHOOL BOUNDARY CHANGES

MICHELLE CACERES STAFF WRITER

When creating the proposed boundary options, feeder patterns (keeping the same students together throughout their education journey as much as possible), community stability, distance to school and financial efficiey were considered. “We have to be fically responsible and efficient with ou dollars,” said HCPS Chief of Operations Chris Farkas, who said that when he put his own address he discovered that in two of the scenarios his son would get moved to a different school. “My wife is not a happy camper,” he said.

It is estimated that, depending on which scenario is approved by the School Board, between 11,000 - 24,000 students throughout the county would be rezoned to different schools, impacting between 96 and 123 schools. While several schools would be repurposed

Later this month the project team will develop a final et of boundary scenarios for School Board’s further deliberation, which is expected to approve one of the scenarios, or a hybrid of them, in the near future. Boundary changes are expected to take effect for the 2023-2024 school year.

When Bell Creek Preserve resident Bob Flaherty moved from New York last July, he paid a premium to buy a house within Newsome High School’s boundaries because he thought its culture would be good fit or his daughter, who would be starting tenth grade. Like any concerned parent moving to a new place, he worried his daughter would have trouble making friends but she tried out for the school’s cheerleading squad, made the team and has acclimated well.

Then he found out the schools was planning to redraw school boundaries. In all three scenarios proposed she’d have to relocate

to a different school. Scenarios one and two would mean a move to Sumner High School. Scenario three means a move to Riverview High School.

“Logically, I get it because my daughter tells me that when she walks through the second floor hallays it’s hard to move it’s so crowded but I work from home and can work anywhere and I chose this area for Newsome,” he said. “Her education matters and this is the closest things we could find o what she’s accustomed to in New York and that’s why this is so hard.”

He’s hoping they’ll be able to make some exceptions. “I’ll drive her to school myself if I have to,” he said. “I can’t uproot her life again.”

Farkas said that some students may be grandfathered (exempt from boundary changes) but that those decisions are made by the School Board. “Historically if students are entering their final ear at a school they’re chosen to be grandfathered in,” he said.

Parents weren’t the only people who attended the meeting with concerns. One teacher who preferred to remain anonymous, said it’s not just students being affected but staff oo. “If a school loses 100 students that’s three or four teachers that would lose their jobs at that school,” she said. “You’d have other staff displaed as well.”

While Farkas assured attendees that displaced principals, teachers and other staff would be reassigned to other schools, she’s worried a change could affect her. “I chose the school I’m working at because it’s close to my home,” she said.

Four more in-person meetings are scheduled for this week. Engage with HCPS staff on Jan. 12 from 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. at Gaither and Sickles High Schools or Jan. 13 at Wharton and Bloomingdale’s High School. For more information about the three boundary scenarios visit www.hcps-boundary.org.

ALEX CHAZARES IS PLANT CITY’S NEWEST EAGLE SCOUT HIS ACHIEVEMENT RECOGNIZED

AT COURT OF HONOR CEREMONY.

MICHELLE CACERES STAFF WRITER

The Eagle Scout rank isn’t a participation trophy. The performance-based achievement has high standards that not every scout will earn. Only about six percent of all scouts earn Eagle.

What does it take to become an Eagle Scout? The short answer is time and hard work. However, the process for becoming an Eagle Scout fist starts with becoming a Boy Scout, available to 11-year-olds or graduates of the fifth gade. Then, the scout must progress through all the ranks: Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and then finally agle Scout.

The fist few ranks up to First Class teach outdoor skills, leadership, fist aid, and physical fitnss, as well as encouraging participation in troop activities other than meetings. For Star and Life ranks, a scout must earn several merit badges, most of which are required to be an Eagle Scout, and actively serve in leadership positions in the troop and have six or more hours of service for both Star and Life rank. Lastly, the rank of Eagle requires 21 total merit badges, a Troop leadership position and completion of the Eagle Scout service project. The last requirement is the Eagle Board of Review, which is when the scout, the adults of the troop and a council representative come together to ask questions about the scout’s experiences and what their future plans are with scouting. For his project, Chazares, with the help of is cross country team, installed markers alongside the trails of Sydney Dover Trails Park in April 2022. “We’d practice for meets in the park and we’d always get lost,” he said.

Chazares shared some of the challenges of working toward his Eagle, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Instead of meeting in-person we had a lot of Zoom meetings and packets we had to complete and it started to feel like school,” he said.

Coming out of the pandemic, he looked forward to summer camp at Camp Woodruff in Geogia, where he could devote time and energy to working on the required merit badges. Even that had it’s challenges. “There was a High Adventure trip for the older boys with white water rafting and so much fun but I had to stay behind and work on merit badges,” he said.

Scoutmaster Randy Bagby is proud of Chazares’ achievement. “It’s exciting to see him finish and arn the Eagle rank,” he said. “We have three other scouts in the pipeline working toward the goal and it’s nice for them to see the reward for all the hard work.”

During the ceremony, Chazares thanked his troop leaders and everyone that helped him reach his goal and recognized the positive impact scouting will have in his future endeavors. “Earning my Eagle has prepared me for any challenge I’ll face in my life and also taught me how to be a leader,” he said.

Chazares is now devoting some of his free time to other pursuits. He has written two books sold on Amazon: “Ticket to Disaster”, released in 2020 and “Gateway to Disaster”, released in 2022. Even though he’s now focused on other things, he plans to continue in the program and help other scouts succeed in their scouting journeys.

For more information about scouting visit www.scouting.org.

PLANT CITY KIDS ADVANCE IN ELKS LODGE HOOP SHOOT

TAYLOR JENKINS STAFF WRITER

After the Plant City Elks Lodge held the local iteration of Elks National’s annual Hoop Shoot Free Throw Contest in November, five winners representing Plant City made their way to Lake Placid, Fla. for the competition’s district round.

In the hoop shoot, both male and female participants across three different age groups — ranging from eight to 13 years old — each got their opportunity to shoot 25 free throws, with four of the five Plant City hopefuls taking first place, and one finishing second.

Here are the results from Plant City locals at last week’s District Hoop Shoot: Girls 10-11: Kara Ouzts, 1st, 15/25

Girls 12-13: Addison Desmarais, 1st, 19/25

Boys 9-10: Joshua Kadasele, 2nd, 7/25 Boys 10-11 Liam Demontmollin, 1st, 14/25

Boys 12-13: Angel Ortiz, 1st, 18/25

The four winners will advance to the Midway Safe Harbor Center in Sanford for the State Regional round on Jan. 21. After Sanford, any kids that win and continue even further will make their way to the Florida Elks Youth Camp in Umatilla for the State Championship round and then potentially on to Valdosta for the Regional round with a chance to advance to the National Champi-

onship on April 22 at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, home to DePaul University’s basketball program and the Chicago Sky of the Women’s National Basketball Association.

“The Plant City Elks took their hoop shoot program to districts this past week where we had five of the six age groups represented and four of our kids will now be moving on to the state regionals, it was amazing,” Plant City Elks member George Domedion said. “The kids were all there, the Elks got them and their families a room, we stayed over the night before and all had breakfast together. Then we had the hoop shoot where they hosted a luncheon and an award ceremony after, it was just a great day to be an Elk and great to see the joy on those kids faces when they won. One of our kids even came in second place but he was still just so glad to be there and that’s what it’s all about. We’re there to have fun and build the kids up and I think we accomplished that.”

In 2022, Plant City native Braden Smith was crowned national champion in the Boys 12-13 year old age group representing an Elks Lodge in Marietta, Ga. and earning the honor of having his name and picture enshrined as a part of a brand new digital exhibit in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass.

FOLLOWING THEIR SUCCESS AT THE DISTRICT COMPETITION, FOUR PLANT CITY KIDS WILL ADVANCE TO THE STATE REGIONAL ROUND IN UMATILLA.

2023 FLORIDA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL QUEEN’S SCHOLARSHIP PAGEANT APPROACHES

Twenty-four young ladies will compete at the Strawberry Festival grounds to be crowned for 2023.

MICHELLE CACERES STAFF WRITER

The 24 contestants in the 2023 Florida Strawberry Festival Queen’s Scholarship Pageant will vie for the coveted title of Strawberry Festival Queen on Sat., Jan 21 beginning at 6 p.m. at the Charlie Grimes & Family Agricultural Center located at 2508 West Oak Avenue. Organized by the Plant City Lions Club, the pageant will feature five facets of competition: a personal interview, on-stage

speaking, casual wear, evening wear and an impromptu question. Whichever local beauty is crowned, this year’s winner and her court will make more than 80 appearances as they represent the Florida Strawberry Festival and Plant City community. Tickets for the pageant are $15 each and can be purchased at www.plantcitylions. org.

KAYLEE JADE WATSON Sumner High School Junior

DAUGHTER OF Meagan and Kyle Watson

REAGAN MICHELLE BROWNLEE Seffner Chritian Academy Senior

DAUGHTER OF Carmen and Dennis Brownlee

KENNEDIE ELLE CLINTON Durant High School Junior

DAUGHTER OF Michelle and Michael Engle

BAILEY ANN BROCK Plant City High School Senior

DAUGHTER OF Tiffany Dupree and Billy Brock

MORGAN KAYLIANA BRAKE Homeschooled (Hybrid) Senior

DAUGHTER OF Victoria and Beau Brake

GRACIE ASHLYN GARNER Homeschool/Plant City High School Junior and Dually Enrolled at Hillsborough Community College

DAUGHTER OF Deanna and James Garner

ADDISON REID RABURN Strawberry Crest High School Senior

DAUGHTER OF Christie and Edward Raburn

EMMYLOU ELIZABETH VARNUM Lakeland Christian School Senior

DAUGHTER OF Sherry and Conrad Varnum

Kenley Connell

FE JACQUELYN RAMIREZ

Plant City High School Junior DAUGHTER OF Celia and Antonio Ramirez

DAYANARA BENITEZ-BALTAZAR

Plant City High School Senior and Dually enrolled in Hillsborough Community College

DAUGHTER OF Yuridia Baltazar and Jesus Benitez

GABRIELLE ELIZABETH HOWELL Durant High School Junior

DAUGHTER OF Kim and Jerry Howell

GRACE ELIZABETH PAGLIARO Lakeland Christian School Junior

DAUGHTER OF Kathie and Stephen Pagliaro

JAZELYNN F RUCOBA Hillsborough Community College Sophomore

DAUGHTER OF Maria Fuentes and Jaime Rucoba

NATALEE GUEVARA Plant City High School Junior

DAUGHTER OF Griselda and Baldomaro Guevara

KALEIGH ANN SALMON Plant City High School Junior and dually enrolled at Hillsborough Community College

DAUGHTER OF Donna and Fred Salmon

KENDALL AUSTIN DONALDSON Plant City High School Senior

DAUGHTER OF Lisa Westmiller

HAILEY LANEE PIPPIN

Plant City High School Senior

DAUGHTER OF Julie and Michael Pippin

MARIANA GUTIERREZ Hillsborough Community College Freshman

DAUGHTER OF Lorena and Elias Gutierrez

DA’ ONAH JISSELLE NOWELLS Plant City High School Junior and dually enrolled in Hillsborough Community College

DAUGHTER OF Dana and Anthony holmes

JOSEPHINA MONADORA MEJIA Plant City High School Senior

DAUGHTER OF Susan and Kyle Carmack

YESENIA CARRANZA

Plant City High School Senior

DAUGHTER OF Amalia and Antonio Carranza

PAIGE MADISON ZARECOR Plant City High School Senior

DAUGHTER OF Jessica Taylor and Joseph Taylor

JAIDA PAIGE DAVIS Plant City High School Junior

DAUGHTER OF Natasha and Nathan Davis

CARSON RENEE BUTTRAM Strawberry Crest High School Junior

DAUGHTER OF Rebecca Buttram and Jai Buttram

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

NICK BROWN’S COMMENTS ON MICHELLE CACERES 11/17/22 OBSERVER ARTICLE ON WALDEN LAKE DEVELOPMENT

The subject article included much misleading information from Mary Ellen Collins of Martin Communications, representing Walden Lake LLC (WLLLC). As SAVE WALDEN LAKE Intervenor, I’ll set the record straight at Planning Board hearings scheduled for January 31 and February 8 at the Trinkle Center!

While Ms. Collins liked the quote, “plans are things that change,” she would probably not want to see, “A Planned Development is not designed to change.” It is intended to stay the same – to inform would-be residents exactly what they’re buying into. Over 30 years of orderly Citybacked community growth according to WCI’s masterful plan, undone by a dangerous, poorly-detailed comic-book cartoon I don’t think so!

Approval of WLLLC’s proposed development would constitute an outrageous betrayal of resident’s trust in the City.

Here’s a quote I like, “An iceberg sank the mighty Titanic. WLLLC’s previous development design was like an iceberg, with apartments and commercial units towering above the water line. However, Walden Lake, like the Titanic, is threatened, not from above, but by the highlydestructive mass that remains below the waterline.”

SAVE WALDEN LAKE representatives are present at the lakeside park every Saturday from 9 to 11 AM to meet with residents. Over 600 household-heads have signed our petition to deny WLLLC’s rezoning application.

Walden Lake residents turned out in droves for rezone hearings a year ago. The upcoming hearings will attract even larger resident opposition, and, once again, the Board will learn of the developers repeated failures to meet City requirements. Procurement 101 tells us what to do with a non-compliant proposal I hope there’s room in the Board’s wastebasket!

Nick Brown

TAYLOR JENKINS SPORTS WRITER

Throughout their opening stretch to the regular season, Plant City was able to race out to a 9-2 record with their only losses coming at the hands of a razor thin season-opening contest against 12-1 Newsome and 13-2 Winter Haven. In their wins, each game was decided by double digits with the exception of a 63-57 overtime victory over 11-4 Sumner. As schools headed into their winter break and regular seasons came to a halt, center Elijah Dawson was named Hillsborough County Player of the Week by Prime Time Preps following his 24-point double-double against Hillsborough heading into tournament play. Plant City took part in the Nature Coast Christmas Tournament, hosted by Nature Coast High School in Brooksville, where they added two more strong wins over Land O’ Lakes and Williston before falling in the championship game to Brecksville-Broadview Heights, a public high school from Brecksville, Ohio. As the tournament came to a close, Dawson and guard Damian Jones were both named to the Nature Coast Christmas Tournament all-tournament team.

Returning to regular season play, the Raiders faced off against Wiregrass Ranch last Saturday in the 12th annual Ulrich Family Classic and escaped with an 82-80 overtime win as Dawson (27 points, 17 rebounds) and guard Michael Bell (13 points, 10 rebounds) both posted double-doubles in the contest. Behind Dawson and Bell, Jones added 23 points with a team-high seven assists.

Plant City then made their way to Carrollwood on Tuesday as they faced the Gaither Cowboys, pulling away in the second half to claim a 65-58 win and move to 12-4 on the season.

Gaither opened the scoring to take a 2-0 lead early, getting a defensive stop and making pass after pass on a lengthy possession their next trip down the court. Plant City was eventually able to get a stop of their own as Dawson gathered the loose ball and ran the court for an easy layup in transition and the Raiders’ first points of the contest. The Cowboys scored the next five points to take a 7-2 lead but a tough inside bucket from Dawson and a three from sophomore guard Seth Hogan brought the score back even at 7-7. Dawson added another bucket to give the Raiders a 9-7 lead and Plant City held the slight advantage heading into the second after a slow-scoring first quarter.

Despite another slow start to the second quarter, the game began to heat up as both teams battled point-for-point throughout the period. After Gaither tied the game at 9-9 on

a layup to open the scoring in the second, Plant City’s junior guard Leroy Lucas came up with a steal and converted the bucket himself on the other end to take the lead back. Two straight buckets from Gaither put them back ahead 13-11 but the Raiders quickly responded as Lucas drove the lane on their next possession, kicking the ball out to a wide open freshman Devonte Howard for three, putting Plant City up 14-13. A layup for the Cowboys and a free throw from junior Malachi Morris tied the game at 15-15 momentarily, but Gaither pulled ahead once again as a missed three was gathered in the paint and put back up for the 17-15 lead. At 18-16 following a converted free throw from each squad, Plant City took their biggest lead of the night to that point with threes on back-to-back possessions, giving the Raiders a 24-18 advantage, ultimately taking a 24-20 lead into halftime.

Throughout much of the third quarter Plant City battled to hold on to their slim lead, if only by a thin margin. As the Raiders continued to hit shots to keep themselves ahead, Gaither continued to battle back and repeatedly brought the game back within one possession. After Gaither pulled back within three late in the quarter, cutting the Plant City lead to 36-33, Bell answered with a layup to made it 38-33. Gaither once again responded to make it 38-35 and Dawson finished a tough inside bucket at the rim to kick off a Plant City run. Leading 40-35, Taylor Teeden drove the lane on the Raiders next possession and kicked the ball out to junior Chase Dexter in the corner who attacked the basket and finished an acrobatic reverse layup. Then a steal and score in transition gave the Raiders another quick score, followed by another steal into a midrange jumper from Hogan to give Plant City a double digit lead at 46-35, leading to a 48-38 advantage heading into the game’s final quarter.

Despite a tough battle from Gaither, trailing 57-42 at one point in the fourth before fighting all the way back to make it a six-point game at 62-56 with under one minute remaining, the Raiders were eventually able to hold off the Cowboys’ rally to escape with a 65-58 win as Dawson and Jones once again led Plant City’s scoring with 19 and 16 points, respectively.

Across town, Durant’s recent skid throughout regular season and tournament play continued with a 64-55 loss to King High School on Tuesday. Despite a 7-0 start to the year, the Cougars found themselves at 9-5 as they made their way across town to face the Raiders at Plant City High School on Wednesday night.

While the basketball game between Plant City and Durant was played on Wednesday, the game took place after the Plant City Observer had gone to press. Further coverage will be provided.

Taylor Jenkins is the Sports Writer at the Plant City Observer. Email: tjenkins@ plantcityobserver.com.

TAYLOR JENKINS SPORTS WRITER

The Otis M. Andrews Sports Complex in Plant City played host to a Plant City area soccer reunion this past weekend, where nearly 30 former soccer players from the Plant City Parks & Rec league, Plant City Lancers club team and Plant City High School took the field for an opportunity to come together and all get out on the field together again. In addition to the players themselves, some knowing each other for over 30 years as they return home for the event, many brought out their significant others and children to cheer from the sidelines and take part in the sunny Saturday of fun.

Laid out on display across a table beside

“I was fortunate enough to play college soccer and being in college you not only get teammates from across the country but from across the world,” Jason said. “So a couple of my teammates live in England and suggested that we get some people from Webber together and we did it, probably 15 people showed up, and that was my lightbulb moment. I said that we could do the thing because so many of us live within an hour of each other, so I reached out to Jack, I reached out to Jason and they were all on board and it went from there. It was another one of those situations where we said, there’s no reason why we can’t get together.”

The game was “officiated” by Sam Singletary, a long-time staple in Plant City youth sports as he first became involved with the Plant City Parks and Recreation Departthe high school, played for the Lancers club team, anyone from the generation from before us or the generation after us, let’s just get out there and kick it around. Some of us live here and see each other but some of us don’t, I live in Orlando and I just talked to a woman this morning that lives in Brooksville, but we all grew up here. We tried to get together two times per year and we did that once but that turned out to be a lot to put together, so we did it for two years and then COVID hit us for the last couple of years so I think everyone was itching to come back out again. Some people play, some people don’t, but it’s a great time. Some people bring their kids out and they

play and that’s just that next generation coming up and that’s just all we wanted to do, to get together and see each other and have some fun.”

Taylor Jenkins is the Sports Writer at the Plant City Observer. Email: tjenkins@ plantcityobserver.com.

DECEMBER 2022 Real Estate Transactions

“HAPPY NEW YEAR.” 2022 is history and in the books. What’s in store for real estate this coming year? One thing for certain the Federal Reserve has a tight pulse on the Fed rates, more likely to increase a couple of more times this year, which in turn will trickle down to the supply of money for lending institutions. The mortgage rates in 2022 started the year off in the low 3’s to peak in the 7’s about six weeks ago. This past week the mortgage rate averaged 6.48 percent.

As we look at the Plant City Housing Date from Dec. 2022, our market area sold 75 homes for the month and 989 for the year. That concluded the year down 9.6 percent from the previous year-end numbers. The housing inventory has increased in months supply from 0.7 to 2.16, still considerably less than the 3-4 months average supply needed for a normal market time period. This will continue to put pressure on ADOM, average days on market, which we finished the ear with an ADOM of 23 days compared to 17 for the previous year. Sellers will need to get accustomed to longer days on market before contract agreement.

The last six months of the year we saw small steady declines in the average selling prices from the peak in May/June. Last month was no exception, the average selling price in December was $340,315 bringing the year-end average to $358,749 which accounted for a 22 percent increase over 2021 year-to-date average. Comparing the median prices monthover-month data, December finished with a median sales price of $335,000, which was 2.2 percent less than in November and brought the year-end median price to $339,074, which is still about 21 percent increase over the prior year.

So, what about the coming year? 2023, supply and demand constraints will affect many facets of the market conditions. The Federal Reserve still may have a couple more interest hikes in store, the mortgage rate increases will stall and start retreating by the end of the year and you will see those rates again in the fies. Housing inventory will not hit an equilibrium supply this year. Buyers on the sidelines will be accumulating more funds towards their down payments readying themselves for their purchase decision time frame.

Housing prices will see slight appreciation in prices, single digit growth while all these things are setting up for another real estate boom in 2024.

If you are in the market to buy or sell your home, seek an experienced professional Realtor® to assist you in this transaction process. There are too many consequences, going it alone without proper representation. If you have any questions, want a market value analysis of your home, or see what’s available to purchase, please reach out.

Lastly, if you purchased a home in 2022, do not forget to apply for your homestead exemption by March 1st with the property appraiser office, it may decrease your property tax basis by $50,000.

M Crawford Crawford Group

SALES SNAPSHOT

The following residential properties were a sample listed as sold on the Greater Tampa Realtors Association MLS in December 2022 for the Plant City Market Area.

The home at 5616 Paul Buchman Hwy sold December 27 for $150,000. Built in 2003, it has 5 bedrooms, 2.5 bath and 2356 square feet of living area.

The home at 2302 Maki Rd, Unit 71 sold December 28 for $175,000. Built in 1987 it has 2 bedrooms, 1.5 bath and 896 square feet of living area.

The home at 1605 Hughes Dr sold December 22 for $250,000. Built in 1975, it has 4 bedrooms, 2 bath and 1220 square feet of living area.

The home at 1860 Greenwood Valley Dr sold December 9 for $260,000. Built in 2014, it has 2 bedrooms, 2.5 bath and 1572 square feet of living area.

The home at 2643 Eagle Greens Dr sold December 12 for $279,900. Built in 2000, it has 2 bedrooms, 2 bath and 1236 square feet of living area.

The home at 2227 Bruton Rd sold December 20 for $300,000. Built in 1988, it has 4 bedrooms, 2 bath and 1782 square feet of living area.

The home at 4313 Platt Rd sold December 2 for $320,000. Built in 1976, it has 5 bedrooms, 3.5 baths and 2260 square feet of living area.

The home at 1809 Sagebrush Rd sold December 22 for $340,000. Built in 1986, it has 4 bedrooms, 2 baths and 2192 square feet of living area.

The home 2870 Sam Allen Rd sold December 23 for $350,000. Built in 1965, it has 4 bedrooms, 2 baths and 1317 square feet of living area.

The home at 3341 San Moise Pl sold December 22 for $365,000. Built in 2015, it has 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths and 2505 square feet of living area.

The home at 4111 Kipling Ave sold December 1 for $399,900. Built in 1989, it has 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and 2286 square feet of living area.

The home at 1709 Via Palermo St sold December 9 for $415,500. Built in 2015, it has 5 bedrooms, 3.5 baths and 3198 square feet of living area.

The home at 2710 Clubhouse Dr sold December 9 for $500,000. Built in 1993, it has 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and 2270 square feet of living area.

The home at 5102 Five Acre Rd sold December 15 for $535,000. Built in 1985, it has 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths and 1943 square feet of living area.

The home at 4211 Cork Rd sold December 16 for $932,500. Built in 1959, it has 5 bedrooms, 3 bath and 3779 square feet of living area.

Local December 2022 sales and trend information courtesy of The Crawford Group.

Data pulled from GTAR MLS as of 1/5/23 for the Plant City market area.

“Bruton Memorial Library. I’m sure people know about it but don’t think they know that it’s much much more than books! Free printing, art and wellness classes, garden seeds, etc.” - Laura Schmidt

“Strawberry Hut.” - Leslie Ivory

“Sweet Missions Cafe & Bakery.” - Skipper Rodgers

“Plant City Entertainment, Inc. Community theater at its best!” - Vic Hamilton

“While it’s not exactly hidden, Brooklyn Bridge is pretty great in the morning and pretty great for a lunch Cuban.”

- Timothy Moon

“I love the Whistle Stop.” - Sara Jackson Cross

“Norma’s downtown.” - Tom Riethmaier

“I don’t think they are “hidden”, but definitely my favorites in town.. Norma’s, Raok, Sweet Missions, Brewer Park, McIntosh Preserve, Krazy Kup.” - Jackie Brazil

“Mcintosh Preserve.” - Brian Reed

“Linda’s Crab Shack.” - Josh Tyson

“Dark Horse Music.” - Renee Mayernik

“Wishing Well Barn.” - Linda Cook Hawkins

“KOA yoga studio.” - Sandra Michelle Howard Liess

“Plant City Photo Archives & History Center.” - Ed Verner

“The Flo Go Shop.” - Miguel Gabriel

Courtesy of the Plant City Photo Archive

Willard H. Darnell Jr.

Willard H. Darnell Jr., 78, of Plant City, born on May 19, 1944 in Signal Mountain, Tenn., entered into eternal rest on Dec. 31, 2022.

Expressions of condolence at www.HopewellFuneral. com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Rose Marie Sanders

Rose Marie Sanders, 82, of Plant City, born on Oct. 24, 1940 in Gaston County, N.C., entered into eternal rest on Jan. 2, 2023. She was a strong woman of faith, and a retired bookkeeper.

Expressions of condolences at www.HopewellFuneral. com. HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Royce Phillips

Royce Phillips, 81, of Dover, Fla., born in Jackson County, Ala. on March 16, 1941, entered into eternal rest on Dec. 30, 2022.

Expressions of condolence at www.HopewellFuneral.com.

Austin Snow

Austin Snow, 69, passed away on Jan. 5, 2023. Services will be held privately by the family.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www. haught.care. HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

BEST BET

SATURDAY, JANUARY 14

37TH ANNUAL MLK PARADE

1 to 3 p.m. at the corner of Wheeler St. and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Plant City’s MLK Parade is one of the largest celebrations of its kind across the state of Florida, filled with dazling flats, marching bands, drill teams, churches, sororities, the Tampa Bay Posse Corvette club and the Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle club. The parade is free for all to enjoy and will begin in downtown Plant City, proceeding east on MLK Blvd. before ending at the Sadye Gibbs Martin Community Center, 302 S. Maryland Ave. The festival will serve as a start to the Dr. MLK Cultural Arts Festival. For more information on the parade or the festival, visit www.plantcitymlkfestival.com.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 14

OPEN MIC NIGHT

7 to 8:30 p.m. at 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd. Open Mic Night is back at Krazy Kup. Join them for a fun night where you get to be the star of the show. Come out, strut your stuff and show everyone what you’ve got.

COACH BAG BINGO

6 to 9 p.m. at 1263 Kingsway Rd. Coach Bag Bingo will benefit Bies 4 Christ, a non-profit that povides donated bicycles to the needy, veterans, underprivileged children and seniors while also ministering to the their spiritual needs. Tickets to the event will cost $50 each and include 10 rounds of bingo, food, drinks, raffle pres, a 50/50 raffle and0 chances to win a brand new Coach bag. For more information or to register for the event, visit www. bikes4christ.com.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 20

BEGINNING RUMBA CHOREOGRAPHED BALLROOM DANCE LESSONS

10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 4401 Promenade Blvd. Head down to the Strawberry Square Dance Center for Beginning Rumba Choreographed Ballroom Dance Lessons. No experience is required and each lesson will cost $7 per person, per lesson. For more information or to register, text Cindy at 864-723-6965

THURSDAY, JANUARY 26

CHAMBER GALA 2023

6 to 9 p.m. at 1206 N. Park Rd. The Trinkle Center at HCC’s Plant City campus will play host to the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce’s 2023 Gala. The event will welcome a new Board of Directors and Chair of the Board, Wesley Joyner, and celebrate the winners of the 2023 Best of Plant City Awards. RSVP is required and admission costs $125 per person, with the reception and cocktail hour beginning a 6 p.m., followed by dinner, the main program and awards ceremony at 7 p.m. In accordance with the 80’s theme, 80’s outfis are highly-encouraged, or semi-formal attire if not. Award voting will open Jan. 5 and run through Jan. 13. Sponsorship opportunities are also available at price points of $600, $900 and $1,200. For more information on sponsorship opportunities, reach out by phone at 813-754-3707 or by email at Matthew@ PlantCity.org.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 17

BEGINNING MODERN WESTERN SQUARE DANCE LESSONS

6:30 to 8 p.m. at 4401 Promenade Blvd. Head down to the Strawberry Square Dance Center for Beginning Modern Western Square Dance Lessons, starting on Tuesdays in January. No experience is required and the fist lesson is free, with each additional lesson costing $7. For more information or to register, call Cherylene at 770-825-6513 or the Strawberry Square Dance Center at 813-752-0491.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18

FREE ASSISTANCE FOR MILITARY VETERANS

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Federal, state and local opportunities are constantly changing. If you’ve served any time in the military, retired or non-retention, and would like to review your benefis please take advantage of free assistance at the Bing House Museum, 205 Allen St., every Wednesday. Walk-ins welcomed or call 813-704-5800 to set a specific time.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19

CRAFTING WITH JESSICA SMITH

5:30 to 6:30 at 302 W. McLendon St. Make your way to the Bruton Memorial Library for a night of crafting with guest host Jessica Smith. Registration is open and required for all in attendance. For more information, or to register, visit www.plantcitygov.com/library/page/programs-events.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 21

STRAWBERRY CLASSIC CRUISE-IN

3 to 6:30 p.m. at 102 N. Palmer St. The Plant City Strawberry Classic Cruise-In is back on Saturday, Jan. 21, rain or shine. Cars and trucks manufactured in or before 1996 can register for free starting at 3 p.m. Live music by DJ John Paul Gasca.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25

MOBILE FOOD PANTRY

8 a.m. at 702 E. Alsobrook St., Suite H. The United Food Bank of Plant City will be hosting their mobile pantry later this month. The event is open to everyone on a fist come, fist serve basis and will be held behind their building. For more information, call the United Food Bank of Plant City office at 813-764-0625 ext. 5.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 27

LAST FRIDAY IN DOWNTOWN

5 to 9 p.m. at 110 N. Collins St. The Last Friday in Downtown Food Truck Rally is held with a new theme each month. There will be live music, market vendors and food trucks. The event is family and pet friendly and all are recommended to bring chairs and blankets. January’s theme will be Pirates and Princesses!

FORECAST

THURSDAY, JAN 12

High: 79 Low: 59

Chance of rain: 5%

FRIDAY, JAN 13

High: 66 Low: 40 Chance of rain: 70%

SATURDAY, JAN 14

High: 55 Low: 35 Chance of rain: 1%

SUNDAY, JAN 15

High: 63 Low: 43 Chance of rain: 5%

MONDAY, JAN 16

High: 72 Low: 52

Chance of rain: 7%

Sunrise Sunset

Thursday, Jan 12 7:21a 5:52p

Friday, Jan 13 7:21a 5:53p

Saturday, Jan 14 7:20a 5:54p

Sunday, Jan 15 7:20a 5:54p

Monday, Jan 16 7:20a 5:55p

Tuesday, Jan 17 7:20a 5:56p

Wednesday, Jan 18 7:20a 5:57p

LAST WEEK: 0.43 in.

YEAR TO DATE: 0.43 in.

MONTH TO DATE: 0.43 in.

JAN. AVERAGE: 3.00 in.

“We provide compassionate care for you and your family.”

It’s

It’s

not just an ID badge.

a badge of honor.

At South Florida Baptist Hospital, the team members who wear this badge give you high-quality care in a comfortable atmosphere. Our wide range of specialty services includes comprehensive orthopedic care, sports medicine services and total joint replacement procedures. We have a comprehensive gynecology program that offers a variety of women’s services, and our weight loss surgery program meets nationally recognized standards. And if surgery is required, we have surgeons who are experts in minimally invasive robotic surgical procedures, which means shorter hospital stays and smaller incisions that reduce the risk of infection. All of this means you get outstanding, compassionate care right here in Plant City. Learn more: SouthFloridaBaptist.org