11.10.17 PCTO

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PLANT CITY TIMES &

Observer

TCYFCC playoffs kick off Saturday.

SEE PAGE 12.

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

VOLUME 5, NO. 19

FREE

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2017

Waters at the helm Jane Waters is the new interim executive director of Historic Plant City Main Street following the October departure of Karen Thompson.

YOUR TOWN

DANIEL FIGUEROA IV STAFF WRITER

It started about six weeks ago. Just before she headed to Daytona for Biketoberfest, Jane Waters got a call from Ronni Wood, the coordinator for Florida’s Main Street program, telling her an opportunity might be opening up in Plant City. Three weeks later, Historic Plant City Main Street,

the city’s young organization aimed at revitalizing and preserving Historic Downtown, had a new captain at its helm, its second since March. “She is the perfect fit for the job,” former executive director Karen Thompson said. “With her years of experience, her passion and drive for community greatness and her love of arts, Main Street hit the Executive Director lottery.”

Lizzette Sarria, president of the Main Street board of directors, said Thompson’s departure to lead the Lake Wales Main Street program came as a surprise. They had just laid organizational framework and she feared the organization would lose momentum. Wood, she said, recommended Waters straight away and the board agreed to bring her on as an interim director, reevaluating the

options at the end of the year. “She came across strong,” Sarria said. “Her references were strong her resume was strong. I thought she would be someone who could really hit the ground running.” Like Thompson, Waters comes to Plant City from Polk County where she was heavily involved in commuSEE WATERS PAGE 4

Supporting freedom The Woman’s Club of Plant City is tackling human trafficking in a campaign that partners with a group that uses bras to provide a business opportunity for rescued victims.

Breanne Williams

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Plant City decorates for the holidays

F

atima was twelve years old when both of her parents

Plant City is starting to ring in the holiday cheer. Lights and decorations are being put up across town. Many parks, streets and the historic downtown area will receive holiday decor.

died, leaving her in charge

of three younger siblings. With nowhere left to turn, the child was forced into prostitution to keep her family alive. While on the streets of Mozambique she met a man who took her and

Local deals for veterans

her siblings in. However, he refused to help her financially

FREE CAR WASH FOR VETERANS Octopus Car Wash is offering a free car wash for veterans on Saturday, Nov. 11 as a thank you for their service. Octopus Car wash is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is located at 1503 S. Collins Street. For more information call 813754-0777. FREE BRONZE CAR WASH TO ALL VETERANS Walden Lake Car Wash & Service Center is offering free bronze car wash to all veterans on Saturday, Nov. 11 as a thank you for “serving our country and protecting our freedoms.” Bronze car washes include an exterior wash and towel try, rims, dashboard, windows and mirrors cleaning, the interior vacuumed and an air freshener. Walden Lake Car Wash is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 1414 S. Alexander St. OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE Nationwide Outback Steakhouses are offering a free Bloomin’ Onion and a beverage to all active, retired military and veterans on Nov. 11. You must have valid identification. IHOP All active duty and retired veterans are invited to come and enjoy free Red, White and Blue pancakes on Friday, Nov. 10.

so she continued living as a prostitute while also serving as his “wife.” She left him severely bruised, broken and with two more children relying on her. Courtesy of Free the Girls

Women partnered with Free the Girls use donated bras to start their own businesses.

SEE BRA PAGE 3

Crest students walk out of class Students staged a protest to show support for their teachers after they were denied a pay raise. TONY MARRERO TAMPA BAY TIMES

They came from advanced placement history and physics, math and English, chemistry and culinary arts. Facing certain punishment, about 15 students at Strawberry Crest High School walked out of their first period classes on Tuesday to protest the

Hillsborough school district’s decision to deny scheduled pay raises for teachers this year. Several had already been given inschool suspension forms by the time they walked under a brilliant blue sky to the school’s front gate. Nearly all wore black in solidarity. “It’s technically skipping, but at the same time it’s kind of worth it because these teachers are losing money,” said Amber Hatton, a 15-year-old sophomore who helped organize the walkout and left English class at 7:45 a.m. “We’re giving up our time for them so they can have support. They give us so SEE WALK OUT PAGE 3

Tampa Bay Times

About 15 students walked out of first period on Tuesday and gathered at the school's entrance to protest the Hillsborough School District's decision to deny teachers a scheduled pay raise.


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