10.28.21 PLCO by Plant City Observer

FREE • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021

VOLUME 6, NO. 168

COMMISSION VOTES FOR

WALDEN LAKE MODIFICATION NEW CHANGES FOR FUTURE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

BRIAN FERNANDES STAFF WRITER

On Monday, the Plant City City Commission approved a proposal to reconstruct a new residential area of Walden Lake . It allows for the northeast and southwest corners at the intersection of Turkey Creek Road and Griffin Boulevard to have a wider right-of-way. Also, there will a straight dead-end roadway on the southeast portion of the soon-to-be residential area in

Walden Lake. This region is a part of the property that will have multiple homes being built, on 14 acres of land. The right-of-way refers to the distance across the width of a road that encompasses sidewalks, power lines and light posts. The right-of-way is typically 50 feet wide, but the City Commission allowed it to be slimmed down to 33 feet, per request.

LOCAL BANK FINALIZES A MERGER DEAL

EARLIER THIS MONTH, HILLSBORO BANK OFFICIALLY BECAME A PART OF THE BANK OF TAMPA BRIAN FERNANDES STAFF WRITER

Account holders of Hillsboro Bank may have already noticed a subtle change as the building’s outside signage reads – The Bank of Tampa. On Oct. 1, Hillsboro Bank completed a merger, making it an official part of The Bank of Tampa. The deal is an effort to better accommodate Plant City’s ever-expanding population and business industry. “It really worked out well,” said Mike Ward, former Hillsboro Bank president and current Plant City Market president for The Bank of Tampa. “We are looking forward to continuing to serve our clients with our vision for community-minded banking, as well as reach new business and families.” Bill West is the CEO of The Bank of Tampa and saw the

ON OCT. 1, HILLSBORO BANK COMPLETED A MERGER NOW MAKING IT A PART OF THE BANK OF TAMPA.

potential to branch out into other regions of Hillsborough County. He specifically identified Plant City as an important distribution center outside of major cities like Tampa and Orlando. “It’s a really nice, vibrant market that’s growing,” said West. “We needed to go see if we could get our share of that market.” Since its inception 24 years ago, Hillsboro Bank grew to become a major staple within Plant City. Its humble beginnings started by offering services in a small trailer, but gradually grew and settled its headquarters on Alexander Street, in Plant City. West acknowledged that the financial institution had “deep roots” within the city and merging would be an incentive on both sides.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021

NEWS BRIEFS

Photos courtesy of PCPRD

FAMILIES NEEDED FOR SANTA SLED FEST

REGISTRATION OPEN FOR PCPRD/ OPTIMIST YOUTH BASKETBALL

Hosted by Plant City Black Heritage and Des’ Acmes Social Club — sponsored by C&S Grocers and Plant City Kiwanis Club, among others — organizations will be giving away toys, bicycles, groceries and clothes as a part of their annual Santa Sled Festival. In addition to the resources provided, a bounce house and pictures with Santa will add to the fun to be had at the yearly festival. The event will serve more than 200 families within the Plant City community, with children ages fi e through 12, and all parents need to pre-register between 8:30 and 9 a.m. on the day of the event, with identifi ation and children present. Applications are now available for those who wish to participate in the event, scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 18 at the Sadye Gibbs Martin Community Center, 1601 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. To obtain an application, visit the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, 118 W. Reynolds St. or call (813) 453-7134, Sadye Gibbs Martin Community Center, 1601 E Dr Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, contact Dorothy Smith at (813) 255-2694 or Sharon Moody (813) 453- 7134. Applications must be received by Nov. 30.

The Plant City Parks & Recreation Department/ Optimist Youth Basketball Program is currently accepting registrations for it’s 53rd season of play. All local kids throughout six age groups — co-ed 8-9, boys 10-11, girls 10-12, boys 12-13, girls 13-15 and boys 14-16 — are eligible to participate. Age is determined as of March 3, 2022 and a birth certifi ate is required for registration. Games will be played in gyms at Tomlin Middle School or at the Sadye Gibbs Martin Community Center. The season will run from early January to the end of February, with games primarily taking place on weeknights for all age groups, and possibly Saturday mornings for the co-ed 8-9 age group. Registration costs $37 and covers all expenses, including a jersey and supplemental accident insurance. Registrations will be accepted through Wednesday, Nov. 17 at 4:30 p.m. by postal mail or in person at the Parks & Rec Department’s administrative offices, 1904 S. Park Rd. The department is also looking for coaches and referees for all age groups. Registration forms, along with more info, are available by email at recinfo@plantcitygov.com or by phone at 813659-4255.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021

COME TO PLANT CITY IF YOU DARE

PLANT CITY PROMISES MUCH FUN WITH ACTIVITIES AND DECORATIONS

What would Halloween be in Plant City without the loads of candy, diverse costumes, ornaments and spooky activities? Fortunately, that’s a question not to worry over. In the spirit of the season, all of these – and more – will be present in town. Here are a few Halloween events to highlight in Plant City, leading up to Oct. 31. PUMPKIN PATCH FUNDRAISER

At Plant City’s Wesley Centre, 202 W. Reynolds St., kids can pick up a bag filled with pumpkins, while parents offer whatever they can as a donation. The pumpkins are spread out around the playground and range in color and size. The fundraiser is open on Monday through Friday from 2p.m. to 7 p.m. And on Saturday and Sunday it’s open from 10a.m. to 7p.m. It will run until Oct. 31 and proceeds will go toward the Wesley Centre’s youth activities.

HALLOWEEN ON MAIN STREET

Of course, Downtown Plant City will be buzzing with festivities, especially at McCall Park. Halloween on Main Street will take place there, supply patrons with an array of food trucks for empty stomachs and vendors offering collectable items. Trick-or-Treaters can walk through downtown as open businesses turn empty candy bags into heavy ones. McCall Park is located at 100 N. Collins St. Adults and kids alike are encouraged to show up in costume.

SIR HENRY’S HAUNTED TRAIL

Once again, this popular Halloween event is back, located at 2837 S. Frontage Rd, in Plant City. Friends and family can walk together down three haunted trails, spanning almost a mile. There will also be an escape game, as well as laser tag. It will run every weekend from Friday to Sun-

day, until Saturday, Nov.6. On Fridays and Saturdays, it will be open from 7:30p.m. to 11p.m. On Sundays its hours will be from 7:30p.m. to 9:30p.m. General admission is $35 until Halloween evening when it will drop to $30. Tickets can only be purchased online at sirhenryshauntedtrail.com. According to its website, the event may not be suitable for children under age 12. HALLOWEEN LIP SYNK & CONSTUME KONTEST

Customers can grab a cup of coffee as they partake in Krazy Kup’s Halloween special on Oct. 30 at 7p.m. Participants can take turns in a singing competition with a chance to win $100. Entry for lip sync is $10. And attendees can show up in costume as there will be a contest for that as well. Krazy Kup is located at 101 E. J Arden Mays Blvd. in Plant City. Local residents have jumped at the opportunity to decorate their homes.

Katherine and Michael Londberg are starting for the first time what will be an annual Halloween-themed decorated home. “Halloween is my favorite time of the year, so I love it,” said Katherine. Steve Rapuzzi lives on a busy street, but that doesn’t stop drivers and pedestrians from enjoying the scenery. It has been a yearly tradition with skeletons perched up on his front porch, a skeleton head as well and another skeleton standing upright with a walker. “I always liked it when I was a little kid,” he explained. Next year he has plans to put up even more decorations. And Jim Crawford’s front lawn seems to be covered with props all over with little room to walk around. Of the many items, it includes an inflatable ghost, Frankenstein driving a coffin, a Back to the Future station wagon and a Batman bat mobile. He said he’s been in the tradition for about 20 years.

COPS CORNER

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, O CTOBER 28, 2021

PLANT CITY

Observer

This week on Cops Corner: Plant City Police investigate stolen tint, a stolen car sign

Publisher / Karen Berry KBerry@PlantCityObserver.com

and speeding motorists.

Managing Editor / Sarah Holt SHolt@PlantCityObserver.com istock

OCT. 15

SIGN, STEAL, DELIVERED

TINTIN’ AIN’T EASY 2000 block of S. County Line Rd. Theft: Officers made contact with the manager of an energy company who advised them that an employee had removed a roll of tint from the business and placed it in the back of his truck. The roll of tint was valued at $250. The manager informed officers that the company was in the process of terminating the employee and that they did not wish to pursue theft charges. A waiver of prosecution was then completed.

1800 block of James L. Redman Pkwy. Theft: Officers responded to a business after it was reported that a car sign had been stolen from the top of one of their delivery vehicles.

OCT. 16 TOO FAST, TOO CURIOUS Airport Rd. Drug investigation: Officers conducted a traffic top on a vehicle that was traveling 82 miles per hour on a road where the speed

Sports Writer / Taylor Jenkins tjenkins@plantcityobserver.com

limit was 40. The traffic top resulted in an arrest of the driver for possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving without a valid license.

OCT. 17 MISSING LICENSE 300 block of S. Frontage Rd. NVDL: Officers conducted a traffic top on a vehicle that was traveling 64 miles per hour on a road where the speed limit was 30. The suspect was then arrested for resisting arrest without violence and driving without a valid license.

OCT. 18 NO PAY, NO WAY 1800 block of James L. Redman Pkwy. Theft: Officers made contact with the manager of a business who advised them that four suspects had entered and left the store without rendering payment for $1,527.95 worth of merchandise.

OCT. 21 BYE-PHONE 4700 block of Forest Club Dr. Theft: Officers met with the victim who advised them that he had left his iPhone, valued at $1,200, on the top of his vehicle and drove to work that morning. The device could later not be located. WINDOW PAINS 300 block of S. Frontage Rd. Criminal mischief: Officers responded to a hotel at the listed location where they met with the businesses’ manager, who advised them that he had been notified f a broken outward facing window at one of the rooms.

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021

WALDEN LAKE TO SEE MORE EXPANSION IN NEAR FUTURE COMMISSION GIVES GREEN LIGHT FOR SUBDIVISION CHANGE

BRIAN FERNANDES STAFF WRITER

Being that the roadway is located within a residential area, it is considered a private road. As for the dead-end corridor, the developer proposed a roadway that extends 80 feet on the property Plant City’s engineering department and solid waste department ultimately gave the plan its blessing as well. The Plant City Planning Board initially voted 5-0 to accept the proposal, send-

ing it off to the City Commission. While it is seen as beneficial to Walden Lake by the majority, Commissioner William Dodson objects to the plan. He believes that the 33-foot roadway would be too slim. It will create a safety hazard if cars were to park on the side of the road, blocking fire trucks and ambulances. Although he voted against it, the proposal still passed at 4-1.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021

PLANT CITY BANK TAKES ON NEW LOOK

HILLSBORO BANK’S MERGER WITH THE BANK OF TAMPA IS EXPECTED TO SEE BENEFITS

BRIAN FERNANDES STAFF WRITER

However, when The Bank of Tampa initially sought out Plant City customers, it viewed Hillsboro Bank as competition. “We could go there without them and slug it out, but wouldn’t we both be stronger if we joined forces together?” West thought to himself.

Not only did Hillsboro Bank operate in Plant City, but also in Valrico and Dade City. Based on low clientele in those regions, both were sold to Citizens Bank & Trust in Lake Wales, said Ward. Due to the change, the customers of those branches will see a direct impact.

Since its opening in 1984, The Bank of Tampa has remained privately owned and is one of the largest financial institutions within the Tampa Bay area. It has also expanded its services with branches in Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Sarasota counties. And with the new merger, it now

has 12 offices with over $3 billion in assets. Hillsboro Bank clientele won’t see any difference in service, aside from the name on their checkbooks and on the front of their branch’s building. Account numbers and direct deposit information will all remain the same.

In fact, while notifications have been sent out to customers of the merger, there are those who are still learning the news, said Ward.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021

Member FDIC

The Bank of Tampa and Hillsboro Bank

Coming together to serve you Hillsboro Bank and The Bank of Tampa have come together to continue to serve the Plant City area with the same dedicated team and local approach to community banking that you have experienced for the past 22 years. We look forward to serving you as The Bank of Tampa, now and in the future. Gary L. Boothe Sam Astin, III Antonio C. Azorin Trey Mueller, DMD

Mark S. Poppell James M. Scott Michael S. Sparkman Donald K. Stine

509 W ALEXANDER ST. | PLANT CITY, FL | 33563

Mike Ward Pamela C. Warnock Nick Thurston Matthew Buzza

813.707.6506 thebankoftampa.com

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021

PLANT CITY ELKS LODGE’S GENEROUS DONATION Local Elks Lodge Granted a Sizable Check to Meals on Wheels BRIAN FERNANDES STAFF WRITER

Elks Lodge #1727 has been a vital part of Plant City for years, offering contributions that prosper the community. It’s no surprise then that this year, it once again has helped charitable organizations push their agenda forward. Last week Wednesday, the Elks Lodge presented the local Meals on Wheels with a $2,000 check. Although, it’s not the first time they’ve given a generous donation to the organization. Those who belong to Lodge #1727 usually make recommendations as to where funds should go. And often times it’s another worthy cause that they too, are involved with. “A lot of times that’s how we decide how we spend the grant,” said Shelly Carroll, grant coordinator for Lodge #1727. “We do have a grant committee that helps to decide how we’re going to [use] the funds.” However, how much of those funds are allocated, is determined on a national scale. Any given Elks Lodge belongs to a higher state and national Lodge. They present a need in their community and apply for a grant. Through a Community Impact Program, the national Elks Lodge can accept the request, issuing funds to a local club. Last year Lodge #1727 collected $7,000 for Meals on Wheels and

$5,000 for the United Food Bank & Services of Plant City. In fact, it was the only lodge in Florida to receive 100% of the funds requested the previous year, said Carroll. “Because of COVID last year, we were able to do a lot of donations for organizations that were distributing food and helping with hunger issues,” she explained. Lodge #1727 also dedicates its time and energy for other noble causes, such as awarding college scholarships. Earlier this month it held a youth basketball program. Also, in a collaboration with Plant City Main Street and the City of Plant City, Lodge #1727 will hold an event on Sunday, Nov. 14 recognizing our veterans. So far this year, it has accumulated approximately $16,000 – with the United Food Bank & Services of Plant City receiving $2,500. And there are no plans to stop this far in 2021. Lodge #1727 has requested a $7,000 grant for another organization. “We were actively looking for ways we could infuse this money into our community,” said Carroll. “I think that’s a really big milestone that little Plant City was really able to get. It’s very rewarding for our lodge.”

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Members of the Plant City Elks Lodge #1727 presented a $2,000 check to Meals on Wheels on Wednesday, Oct. 20. Members include (from left to right) Shelly Carroll, grant coordinator; John Guarino, Elks Lodge #1727 president; Sharon McKendrick, Meals on Wheels treasurer; Kathy Flemister and Jim Flemister, Meals on Wheels drivers; Judy Wise, Meals on Wheels driver.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021

OCTOBER 28, 2021

SPORTS

PLANT CITY HOLDS ON EARNS CRUCIAL DISTRICT WIN

Despite a fie ce second half comeback from Plant, Plant City held on to move to 5-3 on the season and 2-1 in district play. TAYLOR JENKINS SPORTS WRITER

Plant City bounced back on Friday night with a 31-24 win over Plant despite the absence of five starters, led by a fourtouchdown performance from running back Reggie Bush Jr. The Raiders fielded the opening kickoff and quickly moved down the field, getting across midfield on a carry from quarterback Clint Danzey and carried the rest of the way to the end zone by Bush. Parked at the Plant 11 yard line, the senior halfback took the pitch from Danzey to the right sideline and battled his way across the goal line for an early 7-0 lead. Both teams exchanged punts and Plant took over at midfield on their second drive. The Panthers worked their way down to the Plant City 20 yard line, but after failing to convert on third-and-nine, settled for a field goal to cut the deficit to 7-3. On the ensuing drive, Plant City was stonewalled inside their own territory and lined up to punt. A low snap to punter/ kicker Esteban Navarrete forced him to roll out to the right and he miraculously hit the edge and kept the drive alive as he took the carry just past the first down marker for a new set of downs. A holding penalty pushed Plant City back and after facing more than 20 yards to gain on first down, they converted another fourth down on a completion to Romello Jones. Two plays later Bush broke free up the middle for his second touchdown on the night, a 32-yard run for a 14-3 lead. Late in the first half Plant was driving and looking to cut the Plant City lead before halftime. On third-and-10 from the Plant City 34 yard line, Raiders defensive back Jermarian Jackson hauled in his second interception of the season at the 17. The turnover gave Plant City one more chance to extend their lead, taking back over with 2:48 remaining in the second quarter. After two negative plays the Raiders were facing a third-and-long when Bush hit his biggest play of the night, a touchdown run up the middle that went for over 80 yards to give Plant City a 21-3 halftime lead.

In the second half Plant came out punching. Their opening drive ended with a touchdown reception from quarterback Jack Lennon to Jaquez Kindell. The extra point was no good and Plant trailed 21-9. Plant City was quickly forced to punt from deep in their own territory and the Panthers wasted no time striking again. On the first play of their next drive, Kindell took a screen pass to the left, got a block and flew down the left sideline for his second touchdown in as many offensive plays. He followed up those two scores by hauling in the two point conversion and within a matter of minutes in the second half, Plant trailed just 21-17. Plant forced yet another Plant City punt and a long catch and run from receiver Jean Luma had once again taken the Panthers down the field in an instant, set up with first-and-goal from inside the Raiders’ five yard line. After a huge halftime deficit, momentum had fully swung back in the favor of Plant, but Plant City got a break when a false start penalty, a tackle for loss and a short completion left the Panthers facing fourth-and-goal from the six. Lennon took the snap, rolled out to his left and fired for receiver A.J. Durham but the pass was broken up by defensive back Ian Jolly and the Raiders took over on downs. “That goal line stand was great, it gave us life,” head coach James Booth said. “Ian’s a big-time player, a smart kid, a leader on the back end for him and when you need a play, you know that you can rely on him.” Plant City responded with three points for a 24-17 lead by way of a Navarrete field goal. With less than seven minutes remaining and trailing by seven, Plant was sitting just shy of midfield when Lennon fired downfield and found his favorite target in Kindell again, this time for a 52-yard game-tying touchdown and third score of the night. Plant City took back over at their own 20 with around five minutes remaining. The Raiders converted one first down, up to the 35 yard line, and that was all they would need as Bush capped his already unbelievable performance with a 65-yard touchdown, his fourth and final score of

the night, to give Plant City a 31-24 lead that their defense would hold. Bush finished the contest with 265 rushing yards and the aforementioned four touchdowns, garnering a nomination for Hillsborough County Player of the Week from Prime Time Preps. “It’s one of the best [performances] that I’ve seen,” head coach James Booth said. “Reggie’s been patient all year and a lot of teams have kind of been loading the box and daring us to throw. So this was his opportunity to really have a lighter box and he made them pay. I thought that he did a great job, ran physical, showcased the speed that he has and I think that it’s one of the top Plant City performances that I’ve seen coaching.” The win moves Plant City to 5-3 on the year, including 2-1 in district play. As the Raiders and Panthers entered the evening with matching 1-1 records in the district, Plant City was also able to crucially hold

on to their third place in the 8A District 10 standings. Around the rest of the district, Durant sits in second at 2-1 and Newsome will head to Plant City next Friday as the lone remaining undefeated team in the district at 2-0. “I thought we played a great first half and really shut them down with what they want to do, then we gave up some big plays,” Booth said. “A lot of times you need these type of games to see where your team is at and I thought that our guys did a great job of staying together, not pointing fingers, believing in each other and believing that we could win the game. It was good to see them respond that way, not get down, especially when they tied it up and we had to make a play offensively. I liked hearing the defense say, ‘we got your back, let’s go get it.’ It was good to see our guys come together and it was really just a good team win.”

PLANT CITY VS. NEWSOME PREVIEW Plant City to host another critical district matchup on Friday. TAYLOR JENKINS SPORTS WRITER

After falling 1-1 in the district with a loss to local rival Durant, Plant City narrowly escaped with a 31-24 victory over Plant last week and moved to 2-1 in district play. Despite the crucial win, the road doesn’t get any easier this Friday as the Raiders are set to host Newsome, the district’s top seed and final remaining undefeated team in league play. As the 8A District 10 standings sit right now, Newsome holds the top spot at 2-0 as Durant and Plant City both sit just behind them at

2-1. A win over Newsome would be a massive win for the Raiders, pushing them to 3-1 and second place in the district, assuming that Durant can continue their red hot season and move to 9-1 on the year with another district win of their own over Plant. Newsome enters the contest as a strong opponent for the Raiders, with their lone losses coming against Bloomingdale in overtime and an undefeated Tampa Bay Tech. They also handed Durant their only loss of the season in a statement 17-7 victory in the Alafia River Rivalry. The Wolves have allowed just 11.5 points per game while averaging 27.5 points per game, largely

coming by way of a dangerous running back tandem in senior Jason Albritton and J.C. Roque. The duo has spearheaded a Newsome offense that has totaled 20 rushing touchdowns on the year and an astounding 238.4 rushing yards per game. A win for Plant City will largely rely on the Raiders’ front seven keeping the duo under control, not allowing Newsome to control the clock and, in turn, the contest as a whole. Linebackers D.J. Haynes, Cole Highsmith and Rhet Conyers have been upperclass leaders on Plant City’s defense, pacing the team in tackles for loss and combining for 46 on the season.

It will take a herculean effort from the trio to knock off the Wolves, but the trio keeping Newsome in passing situations where they will be forced to put the ball in the air against a secondary led by Romello Jones and Ian Jolly will be the Raiders’ key to victory in their biggest game of the season thus far. “We’re going into this game next week where if we win, we could have a three-way tie in the district,” head coach James Booth said following the Raiders win over Plant. “We put ourselves in a position where we have an opportunity and that’s what we want. Last week [against Durant] was not very good, almost embar-

rassing on our end. We didn’t showcase anything so we were all really itching to get back out this week and show what we could do. I thought that our kids played hard, they played physical, they played with pride again and that was good to see. It was good to respond that way and any time you’re playing a district opponent, you’ve got to do that. So we’ve put ourselves in a position where we’re going into senior night, we’re going into Newsome, we’re going into another district game where we could potentially set ourselves up.”

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021

STRAWBERRY CREST VOLLEYBALL PLANT CITY’S COLE HIGHSMITH ADVANCES TO REGIONALS NAMED HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY Following a trip to the district fina s, the Chargers PLAYER OF THE WEEK are heading to the 6A regional tournament.

Highsmith earned the award following Plant City’s 25-15 win over Bloomingdale earlier in the month. TAYLOR JENKINS SPORTS WRITER

TAYLOR JENKINS SPORTS WRITER

After a 6-7 record in 2020, Strawberry Crest volleyball has earned their spot in the 6A regional tournament following a 13-6 record and a trip to the district finals under first-year head coach Jamee Marino. Marino is a Chargers volleyball alumna, graduating from Strawberry Crest in 2013 before continuing to play at St. Leo University in St. Leo, Florida. After her time at St. Leo, Marino had the opportunity to begin coaching with Tampa United Volleyball Academy through a former club and college coach, but jumped at the chance to rejoin her alma mater as head coach. “It’s been awesome,” Marino said. “I started playing here when the school first opened so this school means a lot to me and coming back to coach here means a lot. I’ve been super pleased with how the season’s gone so far and it’s not over.” Marino was contacted about the coaching position by her former coach at Strawberry Crest Mindy Miltner, who remains an instructor at the school. Marino says that Miltner had contacted her in the past regarding the position as well, but the timing was never quite right until now.

“This year they offered me this coaching position and I was able to make it work with my job,” Marino said. “So now I’m doing travel coaching and able to coach high school which is a different experience altogether because you get to build your program as opposed to having a travel team for a short season and saying goodbye. I get to form relationships with them and this is my first year so I’ve only just begun to form those relationships, but I’m excited for them to come back for years to come.” Strawberry Crest’s 13 wins is their highest single-season win total since going 15-9 in 2015 and four of their six regular season losses came in a single mid-season tournament. In the district playoffs, the Chargers were nearly eliminated by Wiregrass Ranch as they trailed 2-1 before rallying to win two consecutive sets to keep their season alive. In the district finals they faced the district’s top seed in Wharton, who remained undefeated in district play with a 3-1 victory over Strawberry Crest to claim the district title. Heading into the regional quarterfinals, Strawberry Crest will face No. 1 seed Mitchell High School.

Plant City linebacker/safety Cole Highsmith has been one of the Raiders’ leaders on defense this season, totaling the second-most total tackles on the team with 73 and the second-most tackles for loss with 17 while also leading the team with six sacks and five forced fumbles. Even more impressively, he’s done it all in just seven of Plant City’s eight games. But perhaps no single performance was greater than his showing in Plant City’s 25-15 win over Bloomingdale. Against the Bulls, Highsmith paced the team with 13 tackles and five tackles for loss while also racking up two sacks and his lone interception on the season. Following the contest, Highsmith was named Hillsborough County Player of the Week by Prime Time Preps, receiving 50 percent of the total votes spread across nine nominees. It’s been a busy month for Plant City area football, as far as award nominations go. Last week Durant head coach Claybo Varnum was nominated for the Buccaneers’ High School Head Coach of the Month award and running back Calub Connell was nominated for Player of the Week following the Cougars’ win over Plant City. This week, Plant City running back Reggie Bush Jr. and Durant defensive end Leo Tabakovic have garnered nominations after their respective wins.

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

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021

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We asked Plant City: What improvements would you like to see made around Plant City? “We need a playground with a splash pad, similar to what is in Zephyrhills and Lakeland.” - Brianne Cloutier “Connecting side walks and better paths for people who bike.” - Belle Castillo “Build up downtown to be thriving like Lakeland. Build more specialty restaurants and not just big chains. Trails for walking and riding bikes.” - Debbie Kuches Schroeder “Work on bringing in small bistro restaurants and some nice boutiques. It would be nice to stay in town, rather

that leave for another place to eat and shop.” - Alice Griffi “Programs to encourage more physical activity.” - Paul Gibbs “Besides the potholes in our road filled in, a proper farmers market/craft fair once a month would be lovely.” Jan Boarman “More safe places for kids to play.” Nyssa Robart “Outdoor seating areas near the restaurants.” - Zamantha Cortez iStock image

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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Owen Van DeShong, 84, of Dover, Fla., born on Aug. 30, 1937, entered into eternal rest on Oct. 16, 2021. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

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Lindsey Marie Faulk

Lindsey Marie Faulk, 20, of Bloomingdale, Fla., born in Tampa on Jan. 30, 2001, entered into eternal rest on Oct, 16, 2021. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

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Maria Elena Rodriguez Jaimes

Maria Elena Rodriguez Jaimes, 62, of Tampa, Fla., born in Altamirano, Guerrero, Mexico on Aug. 18, 1959, entered into eternal rest on Oct. 11, 2021. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

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Elfleda eters Elfleda eters, 82, of Ooltewah, Tenn., born in Plant City, Fla. on Aug. 27, 1939, entered into eternal rest on Oct. 19, 2021. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

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Carolina Jimon Carrillo Carolina Jimon Carrillo, 53, of Plant City, Fla., born in Oxtoyahualco, Guerrero, Mexico on May 27, 1968, entered into eternal rest on Oct. 21, 2021. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

Hilbert Lamar Culpepper, 88, of Brandon, Fla., passed away on Oct. 19, 2021. Funeral services were held Oct. 27, 2021 at Haught Funeral Home Chapel, 708 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Plant City, FL 33563. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.haught.care.

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Corda Hawkins Goodall

Ronnie Wingate

Corda Hawkins Goodall, 76, of Plant City, Fla., born on Dec. 9, 1944, entered into eternal rest on Oct. 21, 2021. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

Ronnie Wingate, 72, of Dover, Fla., born in Tampa on Jan. 13, 1949, entered into eternal rest on Oct. 20, 2021. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

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Hilbert Lamar Culpepper

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021

OBITUARIES

Owen Van DeShong

HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM

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ALL OBITUARIES ARE SUBMITTED AND EDITED BY FAMILIES OR FUNERAL HOMES

116 North Collins Street Plant City, FL 33563 ph: (813) 567-5735 allabloomtampa.com

YOUR CALENDAR

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021

BEST BET SUNDAY, OCT. 31 BARN-O-WEEN 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at 1710 W. State Road 60. Head down to RVR Horse Rescue for Barn-O-Ween, a spooktacular night of Trickor-Treating. The price for entry is $10 per carload and a percentage of the proceeds from the funds raised will go to the horses and their care. RVR Horse Rescue is a non-profit o ganization that harnesses the power of volunteers to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome horses that have suffered abuse, neglect or injury.

FRIDAY, OCT. 29 LAST FRIDAY IN DOWNTOWN

5 to 9 p.m. at McCall Park, 100 N. Collins St. The final ast Friday in Downtown of the year takes place this week. 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. All are recommended to bring chairs and blankets.

an escape game and laser tag in addition to live entertainment, food vendors and merchandise. Tickets must be purchased in advance and the attraction will be open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night

6 to 9:30 p.m. at 4401 Promenade Blvd. DJ Ken will be hosting the Plant City Social Dance every Saturday throughout the month of October at the Strawberry Square Dance Center. Ballroom music will be available for ballroom dancers from 6 to 6:30 and the regular dance will follow from 6:30 to 9:30. Cups and water will be available and the event’s cost is $7 per person. For more information or a chance to look at sample playlists, visit www. djkenmiller.com. SIR HENRY’S HAUNTED TRAIL 7:30 to 11 p.m. at 2837 S. Frontage Rd. Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail is an outdoor haunted trail located right here in Plant City, sure to satisfy every visitor’s Halloween and haunted house cravings. Sir Henry’s features three different haunted trails,

TRUNK OR TREAT

5 to 7 p.m. at Cork Methodist Church, 4815 W. Sam Allen Rd. Head down to Cork Methodist Church on Halloween for a fun night of food, candy and more for the whole family.

YMCA TRUNK OR TREAT

SATURDAY, OCT. 30 PLANT CITY SOCIAL DANCE

SUNDAY, OCT. 31

through Nov. 6. The hours of operation are 7:30 to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 7:30 to 9:30 on Sunday. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www. sirhenryshauntedtrail.com.

HALLOWEEN COSTUME CONTEST AND LIPSYNK 7 to 8:30 p.m. at 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd. Lip SynK is back at Krazy Kup, and this time it’s joining forces with their annual Halloween Costume Contest. Entry is $10 per entry, with a limit of 10 entries for each individual or group act. There will be a $100 cash prize for the Lip SynK winner, with additional prizes for runner up and costume contest winners. To top it off, the guest host will be comedian Nate Fleming.

3 to 4:30 p.m. at 1507 YMCA Pl. Celebrate Halloween with your fellow community members in a safe and fun environment at the Plant City YMCA this year. Trick or treaters are invited to dress up and drive through the YMCA parking lot to visit decorated trunks where candy and other goodies will be handed out. If interested in decorating a trunk or volunteering, contact Ally Larese at ally.larese@tampaymca.org or 813-757-6677.

FALL-O-WEEN

4 to 7 p.m. at Hopewell Baptist Church, 6001 S. County Rd. 39. Head down to Fall-O-Ween this Sunday, hosted by the Hopewell Baptist Church Children Ministry, where kids can enjoy food, games and a trunk or treat.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 3

are estranged from their adult children. PEAK (Parents of Estranged Adult Kids) 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 positively-influen ed activities to help cope with the situation. Meetings are the fi st Wednesday of each month. For more information, visit www.peaksupportgroup. com.

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 benefi s 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 tim .

SUNSET SOUNDS

6 to 8 p.m. at 5202 Thonotosassa Rd. Sunset Sounds is a summer music series featuring acoustic music from local artists. Head over to Keel & Curley Winery every Wednesday evening to enjoy music, food, drinks and sunshine on their patio.

SUPPORT GROUP FOR PARENTS WITH ESTRANGED FAMILIES

6:30 to 8 p.m. at GracePoint Church, 1107 Charlie Griffin d. Join other parents who

Combine & Save. Good things happen when you combine your home and auto insurance with State Farm . Like saving an average of $894.* Plus, you’ll have a good neighbor like me to help life go right. CALL ME TODAY. ®

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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FORECAST

Send your photo submissions to staff writer Taylor Jenkins at tjenkins@plantcityobserver.com or hashtag #iloveplantcity on Instagram for @igersplantcity to feature.

THURSDAY, OCT 28 High: 81 Low: 68 Chance of rain: 5%

FRIDAY, OCT 29 High: 77 Low: 62 Chance of rain: 17%

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021

SUNRISE/SUNSET

Sunrise Sunset

Thursday, Oct 28

7:37a

6:46p

Friday, Oct 29

7:38a

6:45p

Saturday, Oct 30

7:38a

6:45p

Sunday, Oct 31

7:39a

6:44p

Monday, Nov 1

7:40a

6:43p

Tuesday, Nov 2

7:40a

6:42p

Wednesday, Nov 3

7:41a

6:42p

WEATHER

I LOVE PLANT CITY

MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, OCT 30 High: 72 Low: 60 Chance of rain: 40%

SUNDAY, OCT 31 High: 76 Low: 56 Chance of rain: 11%

MONDAY, NOV 1 Shelley King took this photo of the Lucy rocket launch out of Cape Canaveral over the Walden Lake golf course in Plant City.

ONLINE

High: 79 Low: 59 Chance of rain: 6%

Nov. 4 New

Nov. 19 Full

Nov. 11 First

Oct. 28 Last

RAINFALL LAST WEEK:

MONTH TO DATE:

0.50 in.

1.93 in.

YEAR TO DATE:

OCT. AVERAGE:

45.37 in.

2.36 in.

CUCUMBER Shipping point: South Florida $16.90-$22.90

Source: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture

Your One Stop Shop For All Parties, Events & Reunions! Choice Meats • Meat Bundles • Specialty Meats • Produce • Smoke House • Groceries 617 N. Maryland Ave. • Plant City 813-752-1548 (C) 2021 TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.

Across 1 Hard to rattle 6 Easy-to-read sign 10 Two-time Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom and teammates 14 “The Metamorphosis” author 15 Big show 16 Miami Heat coach Spoelstra 17 Gather 18 Difficult olf shot? 20 Liftoff app ox. 21 Approximately 23 “__, right?!” 24 Breakfast spot for golfers?

27 Deck chair wood 28 Sports standout 32 Ophthalmology concerns 34 Dismissive sound 37 Tool that only works in water 38 Low-quality golf equipment? 42 Número pequeño 43 WNBA broadcaster 44 Fretted fiddl s 45 Easygoing folks 48 Desk set 49 Golf simulator shot? 55 State in two time zones 58 Wide variety 59 Italian diminutive suffix

60 Place to meet single golfers? 62 Soup veggies 64 Sporty Camaro 65 “That Is NOT a Good __!”: Mo Willems children’s book 66 Food pkg. info 67 Like dungeons, typically 68 Support at sea 69 Makes more bearable Down 1 Made tracks? 2 Non __: not so much, in music 3 One working a security detail, perhaps

4 Mike and __: candy 5 “Fast & Furious” staple 6 Indira Gandhi’s father 7 __ change 8 Harpo Productions CEO 9 Go-ahead 10 German chancellor since 2005 11 “The Night Circus” novelist Morgenstern 12 Record for later 13 Slant 19 Pickle herb 22 HP product 25 Nerdy type 26 Stable supply 29 Top choices 30 Fidel’s successor 31 Golf balls, e.g. 32 Salacious stuff 33 Lilliputian 34 Indian VIPs 35 Clotheshorse 36 First answer in the fi st-ever published crossword 39 Polite assent 40 All of us 41 POTUS, per Article II, Section 2 46 Payment option 47 Uncultured one 48 Soup veggie 50 __ Express: fast-food chain 51 Impulses 52 Pick up the tab 53 Dazzled 54 Formally records, as a golf score 55 “Look what __!” 56 Uber CEO Khosrowshahi 57 Oodles 61 Asset in darts 63 Mauna __

LL Wiiiams & Karen Davis OWNERS OF FELTON'S

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021

Don’t let fear stop you from getting the care you need. Don’t delay getting essential medical care. We’ve put enhanced safety measures in place to help keep you safe. COVID-19 has stopped people from doing many things. But we can’t let it stop us from getting what we need most: medical care. BayCare is helping to keep our patients safe by following guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for safety processes and cleaning procedures. This makes sure that everyone can feel secure getting the care they need. Don’t let fear of this pandemic make other health conditions worse. Learn more about how we’re keeping you safe: BayCare.org/Safety

21-1392274-0221

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