3.18.21 PLCO by Plant City Observer

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FREE • THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

TWO PROJECTS SET TO IMPACT THE CITY BREANNE WILLIAMS

Commissioners moved ahead to phase two of the Emergency Vehicle Traffic Preemption System in town and also approved a contract to have a new facility designed for Utilities Maintenance and Solid Waste.

STAFF WRITER

Commissioners approved two projects last week that are sure to have a large impact on residents. The first phase of a two-year plan to install a secure GPS, radio-enabled Emergency Vehicle Traffic Preemption System at key I-4 intersections was completed in September and the results of the impact of the system have encouraged commissioners

to purchase the second and final phase of equipment. Essentially the Glance Preemption System lets first responders safely cruise through intersections by altering the operation of the traffic lights when they are responding to emergency calls. The cameras that were installed in September have “reduced response times by two minutes, 90 percent of the time,” according to the city report.

“Every minute we trim off the response goes a long way toward saving lives,” City Manager Bill McDaniel said. “I think the data that we already have coming in from this first phase proves that this is a successful program.”

FESTIVAL 2021:

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

UNTIL NEXT YEAR Juan Alvarez

The annual Florida Strawberry Festival came to a close Sunday. While much had changed, in many ways the year was still filled with longstanding traditions.

Signs encouraging attendees to don their masks, hand sanitizing stations, socially distanced seating and many other alterations made this year’s Florida Strawberry Festival unlike any other. People had the chance to walk through a sanitizing tunnel, hand-washing stations saw frequent use and the grandstands housed at a much smaller crowd. The lack of headline concerts opened the door for many local bands to have their time in the spotlight. New vendors popped up to show off their homemade items while some old favorites decided to sit this year out. Yet through it all, the character of the Florida Strawberry Festival remained.

Locals in their bright red vests and face masks helped attendees find their next favorite snack or gave them directions to an upcoming show. Mr. and Miss Berry posed for photo ops near the gazebo. An abundance of strawberry shortcake was eaten and on Sunday evening one lucky winner got the news that their ticket had been drawn for a 2021 Chevrolet C8 Corvette 1LT. Kids still screamed on neon rides and adults still treated themself to corn dogs and chocolate-covered bacon. For many reasons, 2021’s festival will be one to remember. Here’s to 2022.

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

NEWS BRIEFS

Courtesy of South Florida Baptist Hospital

South Florida Baptist Hospital certified by American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation South Florida Baptist Hospital announced last week its pulmonary rehabilitation program has been nationally certified by the Chicago-based American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR). AACVPR Program Certification, which the hospital said is the only peer-reviewed accreditation process, evaluates programs “for adherence to the highest standards and guidelines developed by professionals in the field.” “We stay up to date on the latest guidelines and education to help our patients get the most out of our programs,” Stephanie Steiner, the hospital’s cardiopulmonary and vascular rehab coordinator, said in a press release. “Our ultimate goal is to be able to help our patients take care of themselves at home and prevent readmissions into the hospital. After working with us, patients graduate with the tools we have provided them, to maintain on their own.”

Courtesy of Plant City Parks and Recreation Department

Planteen playground replacement complete The playground area at the Planteen Recreation Center, 301 Dort St., finally got a much-needed overhaul. The Plant City Parks and Recreation Department announced last week the completion of its playground replacement project, which cost $68,940 and was completed under budget by Rep Services, Inc. “The 3,300 square foot ADA accessible play area provides a new playground apparatus, a six-user swing set and engineered wood fiber safety fall zone surfacing,” department director Jack Holland said in a press release. “The project replaced the former equipment, which was over 23 years old, well-worn from years of use and weathering and well beyond its expected 15-year life expectancy.”

City announces 32nd annual Easter Egg Hunt After last year’s big Easter event went fully virtual due to COVID-19, the Plant City Parks and Recreation Department is ready to get back to the great outdoors. The department announced the city’s 32nd annual Easter Egg Hunt is back on for April 3. The free event, which runs from

10 a.m. to 12 p.m. that day, will be held at the Otis M. Andrews Sports Complex, 2602 E. Cherry St. Children age 3-11 can hunt for 10,000 candy-filled eggs and special “golden eggs” with additional prizes. There will also be photo ops with the Easter Bunny, trackless trains, balloon art, Razzmatazz Entertainment and more on site. All youth will get a free hot dog and a drink. The event is sponsored by Global Sports Alliance. Those participating in the egg hunt are asked to bring their own baskets and adhere to social distancing guidelines. For more information, call 813-6594255.

Lincoln students advance in 4-H speaking contest Two students from Lincoln Elementary Magnet School are moving on in the annual 4-H Tropicana Public Speaking Contest after placing well in the first round on March 10. Fourth-grader Jovee Tkach and fifthgrader Paitlyn Davis each won their respective grade level competitions and will represent Lincoln at the district level. Tkach’s speech is titled “Life Throws You Curves: My Story of Scoliosis” and Davis’s is titled “The Cheese that Saved Me.”

Courtesy of Amaris Tkach

Guide dogs visit Solaris seniors Puppy raisers from Southeastern Guide Dogs recently visited the residents of Solaris Health Care in Plant City to spread some joy and puppy love. Residents were brought onto the lanai to have the ability to watch the puppy raiser meeting and see the basic skills training the raisers practice. Following the meeting, the raisers and pups approached a screen and the residents could say hello to the dogs. For those who couldn’t leave their rooms, the raisers and pups visited them at their windows. All the raisers prepared paw-print note cards to be delivered to the residents.

Courtesy of Southeastern Guide Dogs

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

IMPROVEMENT LEAGUE HOSTING VIRTUAL SOCIAL JUSTICE SEMINAR The community is invited to stream a virtual social justice seminar Saturday that will feature an in-depth conversation on the local social justice movement throughout the past several decades. Panelists will span multiple generations and will offer their insight on how to navigate advocating for impactful change in the community.

File photo

Bonnie Carr will moderate the panel. BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

The Improvement League of Plant City is hosting a free Social Justice Virtual Seminar this weekend that will focus on generational viewpoints of local activism. The event will kick off at 1:30 p.m. Saturday and will run until 3:30 p.m. Viewers are invited to register and then stream the event from the comfort of their own homes. The panel will be moderated by Bonnie Carr. Carr has served on a variety of committees and boards throughout Plant City including the City of Plant City’s Planning Board, the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce’s Ad Hoc committee, working for years for Hillsborough Community College and serving on the Hillsborough County’s Citizens’ Oversight Committee. SunCoast FCU, Nielsen, and WellsFargo, Hillsborough Community College and the Hillsborough Community College Foundation are sponsors of the event. The group will offer free lunch to the first 50 who register for the event. You can swing by the Bing Rooming House Museum, 205 Allen St., from 12 to 1 p.m. on Saturday to grab your free meal. Then attendees are asked to take the meal home and eat it while they log in to the virtual seminar. “This is going to be a generational conversation full of different perspectives on social justice locally and what progress we’ve made in the city over the years,” William Thomas Jr., president of the Improvement League of Plant City, said. “There’s a lot of good stories and I think our four panelists are going to have a lot of insight on the work that has been done and the work that we still need to do.” Those who wish to have their questions asked during the panel can email them to event coordinator Liesta Sykes at liestasykes1@ gmail.com. Questions will be accepted up until the morning of the event. Sykes will also be doing a giveaway during the conversation to virtual attendees. The link will be given to those who register after they’ve signed up. After the seminar ends, the video wil be posted to YouTube

and Facebook for the general public to watch. To register for the event, you should call Sykes at 813-545-1390. Thomas said the afternoon’s conversation will largely be focused on how residents can effectively build relationships with local government in regards to improving the quality of life for all areas of the city. It will focus on “three basic principles of social justice: equity, diversity and supportive environments.” Everything from quality of life to preserving historic neighborhoods to focusing on improving amenities in a community will be discussed. “When people talk about social justice it’s not just crime related, or hate crime related, it’s also about having a conversation on how to get improvements to our playgrounds, to our schools, or to ask questions like ‘Why do the first improvements to social areas go to certain neighborhoods and not others?’” Thomas said. “‘What programs are available to the entire community? What role does Parks & Rec. have in the community?’ Back in the 90s there was a big movement focused on Lincoln Park and the programs that were offered there. We also will talk about what we can do to make sure that Plant City is included in the social issues and changes and topics like housing that are being discussed in other areas of the county. It’s a conversation on how the community’s character is changing. How can we ensure that the character of those neighborhoods don’t get eradicated? All of that is social justice and we are excited to talk about what that has looked like right here in Plant City.” The Improvement League’s mission has long been to provide equal opportunities to all who call Plant City home. Thomas said the city is changing and that those changes are good and exciting in many ways. He hopes this conversation will help enlighten those in the community on how to get a seat at the table and how to fight for improvements they hold dear to their heart. This is just one of many events the Improvement League of Plant City will host over the course of

the next month. April will be a the 1914 Plant City High School people to get more vocal and more busy month for the group as it building and the Glover School. active with the great transformahosts three large events in the span “My belief has long been that tion that is underway.” of just a few weeks. The parade we’ve got to get some lights on at He added that there are many and street fest for the annual MLK night in downtown Plant City,” other ideas for Evers Street that Festival is from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thomas said. “I think Evers have been floated in the past April 3 with the parade kicking off Street is doing that and there are including transforming the alley at 1 p.m. and ending in the Sadye some great things coming to that on the street into an interactive Gibbs Martin Community Cen- area. We want to have this event space that would either be mixedter parking lot, 1601 E Dr. Martin to highlight that, to highlight the use or fully closed off. Examples Luther King Jr. Blvd. Pastor Cal- vibrancy of downtown. Falling off of what it could become feavin “PeeWee” Callins will lead the the Bone BBQ is coming out and tured images of decorative arch2021 Plant City MLK Parade as the we’ll have some great blues music ways and a variety of art projects Grand Marshal. Vendors and live playing and those new busi- and installations. Back in 2019 entertainment will carry the party nesses will hopefully all have just commissioners agreed to begin on well into the evening. opened. The Photo Archives will “exploring the concept.” The MLK Festival’s annual be open and people can check out Leadership Breakfast will be at its exhibit. Afro Shades, a local 7:30 a.m. April 11 at the Trinkle artist, will set up their memoraCenter, 1206 N. Park Road. This bilia in the Archives as well. It’ll year’s guest speaker will be Cyn- be a night for people to really thia Downing, the commandant soak in the potential of this spot of Summerlin Academy in Polk and hopefully this will encourage County. Downing is the first woman to lead the military-style school of choice and spent more than 25 years in the U.S. Army, retiring as a command sergeant major. She was the first female commandant of the Quartermaster School at Fort Lee, Va., as well as the first female deputy commandant of the NCO Academy at Fort Bliss, Texas. Scholarships will be given out to college students and community champions will be presented with awards at the breakfast. On April 24, the Improvement League of Plant City will host a new event, Blues, BBQ and Berries, on Evers Street. Originally the event was intended to be held this weekend, but since it was created with the intention to highlight the many new businesses coming to the historic street, the group felt it was best to postpone until all of the businesses have officially opened. They are hoping that will be the case by the end of April. Thomas said this is part of a “history after hours” event series they hope to highlight in Plant City. Laura Street and the Bing Rooming House are a part of Plant City’s rich history, but Thomas said they want to make sure they are helping to shine a spotlight on and support the many other historic assets in this community File photo including the Robert W. Willaford Railroad Museum, the Plant City William Thomas is one of the four panelists for the event and will discuss Photo Archives & History Center, his long and impactful history of improving the community.

COPS CORNER

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

PLANT CITY

This week on Cops Corner:

Observer

Plant City Police investigated a stolen Kia Sorrento, a gift card scam, a stolen ankle monitor, a missing wallet,

Publisher / Karen Berry KBerry@PlantCityObserver.com

missing money and more.

Managing Editor / Sarah Holt SHolt@PlantCityObserver.com Photo: iStock

MARCH 5

MARCH 6

MARCH 8

MARCH 10

LONG WAY FROM HOME

OPULENT OFFENDER

900 block of North Bracewell Drive Stolen/recovered vehicle: This complainant stated someone stole her Kia Sorrento from her home sometime during the previous night. The vehicle was found and recovered later by Bradenton Sheriff’s Office.

1410 block of Plantation Circle Fraud: This complainant stated someone used his bank account information to buy $14,000 worth of jewelry from Cartier on Feb. 14.

QUESTIONABLE MOTIVES 1300 block of East Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard Theft: Officers responded in reference to a report of a subject’s ankle monitor being stolen.

LOST AND, UNFORTUNATELY, FOUND

A SHOT IN THE DARK 500 block of East Warren Street Criminal mischief: This complainant stated his vehicle was shot sometime overnight and he believed the damage was done by a firearm. Officers could not find any evidence and the complainant signed a waiver of prosecution. GOTCHA 500 block of South Wheeler Street Warrant: Plant City Police assisted Polk County Sheriff’s Office in locating a suspect wanted for attempted murder. The male subject was found and confirmed to have an active warrant out of Polk County for attempted murder, shooting into an occupied dwelling and felon in possession of a firearm. He was taken to Orient Road Jail.

GIFT CARD GRIFT 4500 block of West Highway 574 Fraud: This complainant stated an unknown subject scammed him to get $990 in gift cards.

MARCH 7 SHOUT IT OUT LOUD 1700 block of West Reynolds Street Warrant: Officers made contact with a male subject who was verbally arguing with his girlfriend and learned he had an outstanding warrant out of Manatee County. He was arrested and taken to Orient Road Jail without incident.

ISN’T IT IRONIC 1000 block of South Collins Street Vehicle burglary: This complainant stated someone burglarized his pickup truck while it was parked at Plant City Lock & Key. The truck was left unlocked.

MARCH 9 FINDER’S FEE 2010 block of North Wheeler Street Theft: This complainant stated she dropped her wallet, which contained $2,500, while exiting her truck. When she found the wallet later, all of the money was missing.

100 block of North Magnolia Street Stolen vehicle: This complainant stated he lost the keys to his black Mercedes-Benz R350 while at the Florida Strawberry Festival. His vehicle was later discovered missing.

MARCH 11 HELPING HANDS 100 block of West Ball Street Warrant: PCPD officers assisted Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office with finding a male subject wanted for felony theft. The subject was found and tried to flee officers on foot. The warrants were confirmed, possible stolen property was obtained from a vehicle he had access to and he was taken to Orient Road Jail without incident.

Associate Editor / Sports Editor / Justin Kline JKline@PlantCityObserver.com Staff Writer / Breanne Williams BWilliams@PlantCityObserver.com Advertising Graphic Designer / Juan Alvarez Circulation/ Office Manager / Linda Lancaster LLancaster@PlantCityObserver.com

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THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

SECOND TRAFFIC PREEMPTION SYSTEM PHASE, NEW FACILITY APPROVED BY CITY COMMISSIONERS Commissioners spent some money last week when they approved the start of multiple new and impactful projects. FROM PAGE 1

BREANNE WILLIAMS

section without having to wait and deal with the panicked responses from drivers.” Traffic Operations, along with Plant City Fire Rescue, proposed the following intersections be outfitted with preemption:

tion contract. The project is anticipated to take 30 to 45 days to be completed. The report also showed that before the City commissioners also authorized GPS systems were installed, emergency McDaniel to enter into a work order with vehicles were traveling through intersecThe Lunz Group to design a new facility tions at approximately eight miles per for Utilities Maintenance and Solid Waste. hour. Once the Glance Preemption System The current building is approximately was installed, the average speed increased 1. Alexander-Walden Woods 30 years old and the city said it’s time to to 27 miles per hour. It also showed that 2. Alexander-Jim Johnson replace it. citizens’ traffic flow since September “has 3. James L. Redman-Lowes In April, The Lunz Group did an assessimproved because when an emergency 4. James L. Redman-Charlie Griffin ment of the facility to determine if there vehicle moves through traffic, preemp5. Reynolds-Wheeler were any minimum improvements or rention allows for an orderly return to normal 6. Reynolds-Evers ovations that could be done to the existing traffic patterns because side streets are 7. Reynolds-Collins building to meet the needs of the departbrought safely to a stop in their normal 8. Reynolds-Palmer ment or if it would be better to demolish it lanes of traffic.” 9. Baker-Collins and start fresh. On Aug. 24, staff reported “When you think about how it works, 10. Baker-Wheeler its findings with commissioners and recbefore we had these systems in place 11. Baker-Maryland ommended the city go ahead and demoleveryone responds to the siren as they 12. Collins-MLK ish the building to build a new 12,000 hear it,” McDaniel said. “You’ve seen it, 13. Park Road-Alsobrook square-foot facility in its place. The city I’ve seen it, it’s almost like a panic reac14. Park Road-South Frontage will execute a Consultant Work Order with tion. This system, by getting control of the 15. Park Road-Interstate 4 Lunz for $227,800, which will have the signals in the intersection, it allows drivers complete design and construction docuto not have that sudden, ‘Oh what do I Commissioners authorized the purchase ments of the new building. do’ moment. They can simply respond to of the Glance Preemption and Priority It’s estimated the complete permit the light and then the emergency vehicles System from Temple Inc. for $76,170.00 drawings and the construction documents safely weave their way through the intervia a Florida Department of Transportawill be completed within six months and STAFF WRITER

Lunz will then remain under contract through the bid and construction phase. “This more than 30-year-old metal building has just deteriorated in so many ways,” McDaniel said. “There’s ADA and code issues due to its age and just a variety of issues that need to be addressed. The building itself has already been refurbished multiple times over the years as the city has attempted to extend its life. I think it’s been refurbished as far as it can go. Plus with their services growing, they really need more space to work, something no amount of refurbishing will solve in the current facility.” McDaniel said that the plan is to build something a little larger than is currently needed so that as the city grows the Utilities Maintenance and Solid Waste departments won’t outgrow the space any time soon. It also will address issues like improving the parking and flow of work trucks that come and go to the facility. Things are just getting rolling, but McDaniel said all told he expects this to be a two-year process.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

DAPPER YOUTH GO OUT FOR ANNUAL BABY PARADE Local children walked the “runway” Saturday morning in hopes of being crowned this year’s King and Queen of the Baby Parade.

BABY PARADE MOST BEAUTIFUL 1-YEAR-OLD First: Arabella Mueller Second: Melina Jones Third: Sunny Wiggs MOST HANDSOME 1-YEAR-OLD First: Jennings Wheeler Second: Lincoln Pfoff Third: Kellan Royse

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

The sun beat down on the grandstands Saturday morning as families made last-minute adjustments to outfits and wheeled their homemade floats to the starting line for the annual Baby Parade. It’s a longstanding tradition in Plant City that never fails to draw a massive amount of support from locals. This year, more than 100 contestants were entered to compete in their age groups and the grandstands began to fill as soon as the gates opened to kick off the second to last day at the Florida Strawberry Festival. Children age 1 to 4 years old walk the “runway” with their parent and wave at the judges,. The event is ran each year by the GFWC Plant City Junior Woman’s Club. This year’s event was sponsored by BayCare. Many of the contestants stuck to this year’s theme of the festival, “All Aboard,” and donned their best railroad apparel. Some leaned in to the strawberry vibes while others wore their favorite costumes. The Strawberry Queen and Court emceed the event and within a few hours a new Queen and King of the Baby Parade were crowned.

BEST PERSONALITY 1-YEAR-OLD Carter Jones BEST COSTUME 1-YEAR-OLD First: Paisley Pearsall Second: Aspyn Moody BEST FLOAT 1-YEAR-OLD Henley Wyatt MOST BEAUTIFUL 2-YEAR-OLD First: Wrenleigh Leasure Second: Andy Waller Third: Paris Sheridan MOST HANDSOME 2-YEAR-OLD First: Daxton Valdez Second: Sawyer Keys Third: Parker Reece BEST PERSONALITY 2-YEAR-OLD First: Aaliyah Merrin Second: Annaleigh Jimenez Third: Bailey Mae Lovelace BEST COSTUME 2-YEAR-OLD First: Reagan Eagle Second: Buster Collins Third: Cole Bryant BEST FLOAT 2-YEAR-OLD First: Emma Stoneking Second: Avery Elizabeth Boston Third: Elsa Jehl MOST BEAUTIFUL 3-YEAR-OLD First: Ava Robinson Second: Claire Cannon Third: Baylin Davis

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MOST HANDSOME 3-YEAR-OLD First: Elias Fuentes Second: Jayde Pope-Dalmas Third: Kace Bernard Boles BEST PERSONALITY 3-YEAR-OLD First: Reagan Causey Second: Ava Molina Third: Cheyenne Boston BEST COSTUME 3-YEAR-OLD First: Gracelyn Mack Second: Davina Castro BEST FLOAT 3-YEAR-OLD First: Elizabeth Maisyn Jean Lawson Second: Ishabethel Gonzalez MOST BEAUTIFUL 4-YEAR-OLD First: Caydance Grace Brown Second: Olivia Valerius Third: Bailey Martz MOST HANDSOME 4-YEAR-OLD First: Mason Reece Second: Mateo Gutierrez Third: Ainsley Raciti BEST PERSONALITY 4-YEAR-OLD First: Karslyn Royse Second: Ainsley Raciti Third: Nolan Nieves BEST FLOAT 4-YEAR-OLD First: Grace Pippin Second: Maicie Armstrong Third: Callie Mann BABY PARADE COURT Queen: Caydance Grace Brown King: Mason Reece Court Members: Grace Pippin and Karslyn Royse

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

PlantCityObserver.com

SO LONG, STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL The 2021 Florida Strawberry Festival was truly one for the history books. While weekdays at the Florida Strawberry Festival had lighter crowds than normal, the weekends saw a wave of attendees pour into the festival grounds. People flocked to see the inaugural talent show, check out the highlighted bands at the grandstands, brave the Midway rides with their friends and eat as much festival food as they could stomach. The Midway itself seemed to draw its highest attendance just as the sun was beginning to set each night.

The neon glowed, beckoning all those on the property toward its exhilarating offerings. Ride attendants sanitized the rides in between uses and socially distanced their lines to ensure they were following the safety guidelines put in place by the Florida Strawberry Festival. Hand sanitizing stations were all over the grounds and guests were given a mask at the gate if they didn’t have one upon arrival.

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

2021 FLORIDA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL WINNERS RESULTS COURTESY OF THE FLORIDA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL DAIRY Ayrshire Grand Champion: Nathan Wilhite Ayrshire Reserve Grand Champion: Nicholas Hammer Brown Swiss Grand Champion: Cheyenne Sommer Brown Swiss Reserve Grand Champion: Cheyenne Sommer Guernsey Grand Champion: Austin Holcomb Guernsey Reserve Grand Champion: Kenslee Heinke Holstein Grand Champion: Austin Holcomb Holstein Reserve Grand Champion: Austin Boyd Jersey Grand Champion: Kyleigh Glenn Jersey Reserve Grand Champion: Kyleigh Glenn Ayrshire Junior Champion: Nicholas Hammer Ayrshire Reserve Junior Champion: Nicholas Hammer Brown Swiss Junior Champion: Cheyenne Sommer Brown Swiss Reserve Junior Champion: Colby Holcomb Guernsey Junior Champion: Kenslee Heinke Guernsey Reserve Junior Champion: Austin Holcomb Holstein Junior Champion: Austin Boyd Holstein Reserve Junior Champion: Colby Holcomb

Jersey Junior Champion: Avery Best Jersey Reserve Junior Champion: Avery Best Ayrshire Senior Champion: Nathan White Brown Swiss Senior Champion: Cheyenne Sommer Brown Swiss Reserve Senior Champion: Cheyenne Sommer Guernsey Senior Champion: Austin Holcomb Guernsey Reserve Senior Champion: Kenslee Heinke Holstein Senior Champion: Austin Holcomb Holstein Reserve Senior Champion: Austin Boyd Jersey Senior Champion: Kyleigh Glenn Jersey Reserve Senior Champion: Kyleigh Glenn RICHARD KAHELIN ALL-BREEDS CHAMPION AWARD Austin Holcomb PREMIER EXHIBITOR AWARD Austin Holcomb JUNIOR ALL-BREEDS BRED BY EXHIBITOR AWARD Cheyenne Sommer SENIOR ALL-BREEDS BRED BY EXHIBITOR AWARD Cheyenne Sommer

Third: Makinley Jensen

JUNIOR HERDSMAN Kenslee Heinke

SENIOR First: Ruca Rhoton Second: Bailey Polk Third: Jessica Ferreira

SENIOR HERDSMAN Abby Weisberg CHARLIE HUNTER MEMORIAL SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD Nicholas Hammer

LAMB SHOW

FLORIDA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL DAIRY SCHOLARSHIP Anna Tsemba DAIRY COSTUME BALL Funniest: Jacob Hill Prettiest: Anna Tsemba Most Original: Thomas Campoamor Most Colorful: Sarah Rogers, Makayla Watson and Anna Cook Best Overall: Clayton Raburn LAMB SHOWMANSHIP COMPETITION BEGINNER First: Adelyn Jensen Second: Reid Patino Third: Josie Clark JUNIOR First: Shelby Southerland Second: Ty Polk Third: Mackenzie Paul INTERMEDIATE First: Emma Leiss Second: Levi Sampson

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Grand Champion Black Face Ewe: Mackenzie Paul Reserve Grand Champion Black Face Ewe: Mackenzie Paul Grand Champion Black Face Ram: Chloe Dudzinski Grand Champion White Face Ewe: Emma Leiss Reserve Grand Champion White Face Ewe: Emma Leiss Grand Champion White Face Ram: Emma Leiss Reserve Grand Champion White Face Ram: William Jones Grand Champion Crossbred Ewe: Ashlyn Hudson Reserve Grand Champion Crossbred Ewe: Skyler Hancock Grand Champion Crossbred Ram: Nancy Yang Reserve Grand Champion Crossbred Ram: Samuel Potter Grand Champion Rare Breed Ewe: Keely Wells Reserve Grand Champion Rare Breed Ewe: Christopher Dudzinski Grand Champion Rare Breed Ram: Rebecca Holcomb Reserve Grand Champion Rare Breed Ram: Colby Holcomb

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Lakeland

SWINE MOSAIC YOUTH SWINE SHOW Grand Champion: Ellie Smith Reserve Grand Champion: Shyanne Wood CLASS PLACINGS Class 1 First: Rylee Davis Second: Emily Franson Third: Alainah Macki Fourth: Morgan Kersey Fifth: Lacey Merrell Sixth: Tucker Conrad Seventh: Knox McDonald Eighth: Christopher Dudzinski Ninth: Brooke Wright Tenth: Chase Durrance Class 2 First: Caris Schneider Second: Olivia Lawton Third: Gabrielle Langston Fourth: Kennedy Schrier Fifth: Eusebio AntonioMejia Sixth: Kali Daniels Seventh: Kaitlyn Boyette Eighth: Ella Connell Ninth: Ashley Walls Tenth: Lily Nance Class 3 First: Shyanne Wood Second: Gus Devane

Third: Kace Zinke Fourth: William Letner Fifth: Kylie Boyette Sixth: Madison Brewer Seventh: Peyton Douglas Eighth: Cooper Sollars Class 4 First: Cooper Davis Second: Tytan Gill Third: Mason Howard Fourth: Bryce Runkles Fifth: Kayla Hanson Sixth: Brayden Keys Seventh: Abby Weisberg Eighth: Parker Scott Class 5 First: Brielee Bedenbaugh Second: Mackenzie Paul Third: Danica Gill Fourth: Genesis Manrow Fifth: Noah McNabb Sixth: Hope Storter Seventh: Rylee Woody Eighth: Nicholas Claussen Ninth: Gehrig Graham Tenth: Alyssa Grimes Class 6 First: Ellie Smith Second: Avery Ashley Third: Bristol Bedenbaugh Fourth: Lillian Devane Fifth: Madelynn Council Sixth: Ciera Diaz Seventh: Zachary Cobb Eighth: Cameryn Smith Class 7 First: Faith Satterfield Second: Jenna Marvin Third: Joliene Reid Fourth: Rebecca Holcomb Fifth: Abigail Mullis Sixth: Olivia Ennis Seventh: Isabella Bianchi Eighth: Brodie Layton Class 8 First: Jaylynn Wood Second: Roby Runkles Third: Karoline Kmetz Fourth: Macyn Graham Fifth: Brandon Karnowski Sixth: Madison Corson Seventh: Hunter Freeman Eighth: Bennie (Ryan) Rice Ninth: Gerald-Michael Daniels Tenth: Xavier Smith Eleventh: Hardy Polk Class 9 First: Caroline Haxton Second: Hannah Perry Third: Lyla Bent Fourth: Jessie Parker Fifth: Carter Durrance Sixth: Cooper Newman Seventh: Ava Futch Eighth: Josiah Comas Ninth: Dillan Sumner SHOWMANSHIP COMPETITION SENIOR DIVISION First: Shyanne Wood Second: Avery Ashley Third: Joliene Reed INTERMEDIATE DIVISION First: Brielee Bedenbaugh Second: Jessie Parker Third: Karoline Kmetz JUNIOR DIVISION First: Jaylynn Wood Second: Ellie Smith Third: Tytan Gill POULTRY YOUTH POULTRY SHOW Grand Champion: Kenzie Vasquez Reserve Grand Champion: Addison O’Brien Opposite Sex Exhibition:

Rebecca Bush Opposite Sex Production: Ryan Haney HORTICULTURE YOUTH PLANT SHOW Grand Champion: Grace Merrell Reserve Grand Champion: Carson Buttram Woody Ornamentals: Evan Scott Foliage: Owen Baylor Hanging Baskets: Carly Steward Liners: Caden Palmer Miscellaneous: Alli Taylor Size No. 1: Logan Smith Size No. 3: Ciera Diaz Size No. 7: Lexi Ford Awards of Distinction: Avery Palmer, Cooper Davis and Payten Christie SHOEBOX FLOAT FIRST AND SECOND GRADE First: Mason Goff Second: Cade Brock Third: Rustyn Sparkman THIRD AND FOURTH GRADE First: Colton Taylor Second: Emory West Third: Rylee Sparkman FIFTH AND SIXTH GRADE First: Madison Lackore Second: Marlee Kraus Third: Carson Hattaway Fourth: Kloe Perez Fifth: Adele Szczech EXCEPTIONAL STUDENT EDUCATION First: Mrs. White’s class BABY CONTEST DECORATED DIAPER Florida Strawberry Festival Theme: Kasen Goff Most Creative: Dreamy Doctor FEATURES Biggest Eyes: Gentry Amundsen Chubbiest Cheeks: Denver Cedeno Most Hair: Avala Figueroa PRETTIEST GIRL 6 to 9 Months: Noah Keys 10 to 12 Months: Cherokee Jackson 13 to 15 Months: Aspyn Moody 16 to 18 Months: Henley Wyatt MOST HANDSOME BOY 6 to 9 Months: Barrett Beveard 10 to 12 Months: Lane Riley 13 to 15 Months: Harrison Crenshaw 16 to 18 Months: Dane Wilkerson DIAPER DERBY 6 to 8 Months: Dreamy Doctor 9 to 12 Months: Lane Riley EATING CONTESTS Amish Doughnut: John Babbitt, Eugene Ballance and Joanna Gill Strawberry Spaghetti: Cortney Greeson Strawberry Garlic Mashed Potato Pie: Jeff Perkins Strawberry Shortcake: Sammy Shiver

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

Super Mega Corn Dog: Michael Jenkins ADULT STRAWBERRY STEMMING Beatriz Pereira FFA EXHIBIT WINNERS First: Tomlin FFA Second: Turkey Creek FFA Third: Mulrennan FFA Fourth: Durant FFA Awards of Distinction: Brandon FFA, Plant City FFA and Marshall FFA REGULAR EXHIBITS Arts/Crafts First: Anita’s Country Crafts Second: Deb’s Country Classics Third: Jan’s Clay Flowers COMMERCIAL EXHIBITS First: Parkesdale Express Second: Berry Amaz’n Third: Country Homemade OUTSIDE CONCESSION First: Cookie Barn Second: Spivey’s (Armory Back) Third: Sattler’s Concession (Edwards Street) EDUCATIONAL EXHIBITS First: Hillsborough County Schools CIVIC CLUBS CATEGORY First: Chamber of Commerce Second: Transforming Life Church AGRICULTURE EXHIBITS First: Parkesdale Farms Second: Parkesdale Greenhouse Third: Florida Strawberry Growers Association NEIGHBORHOOD VILLAGE Quilting Division Grand Champions: Judy DePaul, Kathleen Peel, Claudia Ingram and Dave Allar Home Decoration Division Grand Champions: Cindy Green, Edith Wooley, Stephanie Humphrey and Carol Allar Wearing Apparel Sewn Division Grand Champions: Rachel Maddux, Wanda Cox and Deborah Condosta

Non-Sewn Wearing Apparel Division Grand Champions: Mary Spence and Vonceal Kubler Photo Scrapbooking Division Grand Champions: Debbie Coleman, Alice Ward, Caryl Kelley and Gina Recio Needlepoint, Needlework and Plastic Canvas Division Grand Champions: Mary Kovalovsky, Judy Shively and Jennifer Bennett Knitting, Crocheting, Tatting and Bobbin Lace Division Grand Champions: Gloria Fisher, Edith Wooley and Cathy Fultz Jewelry Division Grand Champions: Doloris Areias Toys and Dolls Division Grand Champions: Caryl Kelley and Mary Spence Paper Crafts Division Grand Champions: Wanda Cox, Hazel Smith, Jill Zakaroff and Stephanie Stuart Vinyl Division Grand Champions: Wanda Cox and Justine Kukwa Woodworking Division Grand Champions: John Smik and Allen Bell Food Preservation Division Grand Champions: Teri Wagner, Dovie Delapaz and Erica Hall Baking Division Grand Champions: Greg Williams, Carol O’Donnell, Nenna Lamb and Laurette Valdez Cake Decorating Division Grand Champions: Heather Howell, Kelly Burton, Jennifer Mannino and Tori Foens

PARADES GRAND PARADE BEST ANTIQUE First: Ray Clark FFA Second: Zendah Grotto Third: Historic Stage Coach

Second: Andy Waller Third: Paris Sheridan Most Handsome 2-Year-Old: First: Daxton Valdez Second: Sawyer Keys Third: Parker Reece

SPECIAL FEATURE First: Drawdy’s Dance School Second: Patrick’s Patriots Third: DA Kings

Best Personality — 2-Year-Old: First: Aaliyah Merrin Second: Annaleigh Jimenez Third: Bailey Mae Lovelace

CIVIC/CHURCH First: The Crossing Church Second: Junior Women’s Club Baby Parade Third: Zendah Grotto

Best Costume — 2-Year-Old: First: Reagan Eagle Second: Buster Collins Third: Cole Bryant

MARCHING UNIT First: Strawberry Crest Marching Chargers Second: Dowdell Middle School Band Third: Plant City High School

Best Float — 2-Year-Old: First: Emma Stoneking Second: Avery Elizabeth Boston Third: Elsa Jehl

SCHOOL CLUBS/ YOUTH SPORTS First: Strawberry Crest Calendar Girls Second: Plant City Calendar Girls Third: Independence Academy BUSINESS/COMMERCIAL First: Rough Riders Second: Tampa Bay Lightning Third: Buzz Cocktails BABY PARADE Most Beautiful 1-Year-Old: First: Arabella Mueller Second: Melina Jones Third: Sunny Wiggs Most Handsome 1-Year-Old: First: Jennings Wheeler Second: Lincoln Pfoff Third: Kellan Royse Best Personality — 1-Year-Old: Carter Jones

EAST HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT AREA 6 ART CONTEST

Best Costume — 1-Year-Old: First: Paisley Pearsall Second: Aspyn Moody

Best of Show: Sophia Hernandez Strawberry Theme: Audriana Medina Special Award: A’Nyah Downing

Best Float — 1-Year-Old: Henley Wyatt Most Beautiful 2-Year-Old: First: Wrenleigh Leasure

Most Beautiful 3-Year-Old: First: Ava Robinson Second: Claire Cannon

Third: Baylin Davis Most Handsome 3-Year-Old: First: Elias Fuentes Second: Jayde PopeDalmas Third: Kace Bernard Boles Best Personality — 3-Year-Old: First: Reagan Causey Second: Ava Molina Third: Cheyenne Boston Best Costume — 3-Year-Old: First: Gracelyn Mack Second: Davina Castro Best Float — 3-Year-Old: First: Elizabeth Maisyn Jean Lawson Second: Ishabethel Gonzalez Most Beautiful 4-Year-Old: First: Caydance Grace Brown Second: Olivia Valerius Third: Bailey Martz

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

Most Handsome 4-Year-Old: First: Mason Reece Second: Mateo Gutierrez Third: Ainsley Raciti Best Personality — 4-Year-Old: First: Karslyn Royse Second: Ainsley Raciti Third: Nolan Nieves Best Float — 4-Year-Old: First: Grace Pippin Second: Maicie Armstrong Third: Callie Mann Baby Parade Court: Queen: Caydance Grace Brown King: Mason Reece Court Members: Grace Pippin and Karslyn Royse

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

LIVE AT THE FLORIDA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL The Florida Strawberry Festival may not have had headline entertainment this year, but it still brought the heat with some first-class bands and a new talent show.

JOB FAIR / CONTRACTING OPPORTUNITIES For 20 years, Huttopia has been developping its outdoor concept, which combines nature, comfort and aesthetics in preserved natural sites, while adapting each project to the surrounding region’s culture and spirit. Huttopia is engaged in the development, construction, marketing and operation of luxury camping accomodations around the world. We currently operate North American properties in Maine, New-Hamsphire, and Quebec. We are actively looking for experienced contractors and workers to help with the construction of an upcoming property in Hillsborough County, Florida. CONTRACTING OPPORTUNITIES: -Civil Contractor (road, water and sewer, excavation) -Electrical Contractor -Residential/Commercial Building General Contractor -Plumbing Contractor -Services Supplier (Trailers, comm., tools/equipement’s rentals) POSITIONS: -Site Manager -Labor -Carpenter -Heavy Equipement Operator

COME AND MEET US! March 24- 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM Lupton’s Boggy Bottom Event Ranch At the restaurant pavilion In accordance with Florida Health recommendations, we strongly suggest wearing a face covering. Hand sanitizer will be available onsite and social distancing measures will be in place.

www.huttopia.com

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

A diverse and talented group of local musicians drew steady crowds to the Wish Farms Variety Stage each night. Socially distanced chairs and two tents spaced attendees out in front of the stage, but the community still clapped, sang along and cheered the young performers on with the same enthusiasm they often hold for the big names that rock out the stadium. Across the festival grounds, the new Florida Strawberry Festival talent show put some local musicians in the spotlight as they attempted to prove they were the

best performer around. Morgan Brake was the winner of the inaugural event. Billy McNight won the People’s Choice award. The event was broken up over the course of three nights. The first was prior to the start of the festival and contestants were narrowed down to perform in the second night of the opening week of the festival. Then Top 10 went on to the final round on March 13, the second to last night of the Florida Strawberry Festival. That evening, Brake and McNight came out on top and walked away with their plaques.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

WATCH YOUR SPEED IN CHARGER SRT HELLCAT REDEYE WIDEBODY

Courtesy of Nitish S. Rele

NITISH S. RELE

Zero to 60 in 3.6 seconds, quarter mile in 10.6 seconds and top speed at 203 mph. Impressed? You ought to be. The 6.2-liter supercharged Hemi SRT engine in the Dodge Charger boasts robust acceleration, superb handling and steering feel. Our Hellcat Redeye Widebody test-drive version is all-new for 2021. Step on the throttle and the V-8 engine blasts off 797 horsepower (yes, you read that right) at 6,300 rpm and 707 poundsfeet of torque at 4,500 rpm. Mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, the Charger is equipped with a razor-sharp electric power assist, rack-and-pinion steering. Front suspension is handled competently by an independent SLA with high upper ‘A’ arm while the rear gets a five-link independent system. Both ends have coil springs to improve ride quality and comfort. Bringing the speed demon to a halt are Brembo high-performance 15.7-inch front six-piston caliper and 13.8-inch rear four-piston caliper discs, both vented and slotted. To vary the driving experience, this version of the Charger comes in street, sport and track modes. Walk around the rear-wheel-drive vehicle and the first elements that will grab your attention are center air intake and dual heat extractors atop the bulging aluminum hood. The air-intake hood joins a daunting mail-slot honeycomb grille and Redeye logo, surrounded by quad bi-functional HID projector headlights with LED accents. Fender flares

CHARGER SRT HELLCAT Tires: 305/35ZR20 Wheelbase: 120 inches Length: 201 inches Weight: 4,610 pounds Fuel capacity: 18.5 gallons City: 12 mpg Highway: 21 mpg Base price: $69,995 Price as tested: $88,065 Web site: www.dodge.com

integrated into the front/rear fascia boost the width by 3.5 inches. That this is a race-inspired cabin is evident from the rounded 220 mph speedometer (customer preferred package option) and 7,000 tachometer gauges with fuel and temperature readings, as well as a driver information center. Lending further taste and elegance are aluminum lithographic splashes on the center stack, shifter, dash and door-switch bezels. The cabin is roomy and elegant with dual auto a/c, eight-way driver power and four-way front-passenger seats, power and flat-bottomed tilt/telescopic steering column, heated/cooled front seats with the SRT/Redeye logo, six Alpine speakers, 7.5-inch reconfigurable instrument cluster, 8.4-inch UConnect for audio, phone and navigation controls, spacious 16.5-cubic-foot trunk, distinctly designed T-handle shifter and a 60/40 rear seat. Dual front and side airbags, side curtain airbag for both rows, electronic stability and traction control, four-wheel antilock brakes with brake assist, blind spot monitor and rear-cross path detection, active head restraints, rear backup camera, tire pressure monitoring system and daytime running lights are standard. Muscle-car aficionados: do you crave that throaty exhaust growl as you turn on the ignition? Do you like to mash the pedals for a speed demon-like takeoff? Then the Charger Hellcat Redeye will fit the bill to a T.

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

CUTEST CRITTER

Do you want Plant City to see how cute your favorite pets are? Send your pictures to Staff Writer Breanne Williams at bwilliams@plantcityobserver.com to be featured.

KARAH AND DIESEL are ready to catch a leprechaun. Their mom Sarah Holt may or may not have implied that at the end of the rainbow an elusive green trickster is guarding a pot of delicious treats.

MARCH 18, 2021

SPORTS

BROOME LEADING MOREHEAD STATE INTO 2021 NCAA TOURNAMENT Plant City native Johni Broome and the Morehead State Eagles are going dancing this week.

Quick Hits

Photo courtesy of Scott Lehtola

DURANT MAKES SAHOF STATE CHAMPIONSHIP FINALE; LHSHL CHAMPIONSHIP REMATCH WITH SEMINOLE IMMINENT Whenever the 2021 SAHOF State Championship Tournament resumes play, Durant fans can look forward to watching the Cougars go for gold. Durant locked up the top seed for the semifinal round with a 6-1 win over Boca Raton on March 12, followed by a 13-1 win over Southwest Broward and a 28-2 win over Spanish River/West Boca (both on March 13). The Cougars once again had Boca Raton’s number in the March 14 semifinal, winning 12-2 in the early-morning matchup. The win put Durant in the Tier II championship game against a familiar foe: Seminole, the only other undefeated team in Tier II play. Durant and Seminole will play in a rematch of the 2021 LHSHL championship game at a time, date and Tampa-area rink to be determined. The Sharks won last month’s LHSHL championship game 4-2, though Durant nearly tied the game with a third-period rally.

Team photo courtesy of MSU Athletics; Action photo: Mark Cornelison/MSU Athletics

Morehead State freshman Johni Broome, a Plant City native who played high school hoops at Plant City and Tampa Catholic, leads the Eagles in scoring and rebounding this year. His surprise breakout season continues this week in the annual March Madness tournament, starting with Friday’s first-round matchup against the West Virginia Mountaineers. JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

There’s only one school from Kentucky that’s going to the NCAA’s national championship tournament this year, but it’s neither of the two you’re used to seeing. This year it’s the Morehead State Eagles who will represent one of America’s biggest basketball hotbeds in March Madness. It’s been 10 years since the Eagles (23-7) last won the Ohio Valley Conference and punched their ticket to the big dance. And even if you have no ties to Morehead State yourself, you do have at least one reason to root for the Eagles in this year’s tournament. One of MSU’s most impactful players on both ends of the court has been freshman forward Johni Broome, a Plant City native whose family still lives in the area. After starting his first college season strongly with OVC Freshman of the Week honors, Broome continued to put in work throughout the 29 games he played in (including 26 starts). He

currently leads the Eagles in scoring with 13.9 points per game and 404 total, exactly nine rebounds per game (88 offensive, 174 defensive) and 53 total blocks (1.8 per game) while averaging 25.6 minutes played per game. Broome saved one of his best performances for last: facing Belmont in the March 6 OVC championship game, the freshman finished with a career-high 27 points and 12 rebounds en route to the team’s 86-71 win. He was then named tournament MVP and was one of three Eagles (along with teammates DeVon Cooper and Skyelar Potter) to make the All-Tournament Team. The Eagles are now on a seven-game win streak heading into the tournament. They’re a 14 seed scheduled to start this year’s tourney with a game against (3) West Virginia (18-9) on Friday night. The Mountaineers were most recently knocked out of the Big 12 conference championship tournament by Oklahoma State, who escaped with a 72-69 win in the March 10 quarterfinal round. If you need any more encouragement to pick Broome and the Eagles to make

a run, Cinderella-style or otherwise, you don’t have to stop at the fact that MSU is playing hot and WVU is not. Back in 2011, the last time the Eagles were in the NCAA tournament, they upset (4) Louisville in the first round when Demonte Harper buried a three-pointer with 4.2 seconds left to pull MSU ahead, 62-61, and Kenneth Faried blocked Mike Marra’s shot attempt to lock up the first upset win of the 2011 tourney. Tip-off for the MSU-WVU game is scheduled for 9:50 p.m. Eastern and the game will be broadcast on truTV. The winner will play either (6) San Diego State or (11) Syracuse in the second round.

SCOREBOARD BASEBALL MAR. 5 Durant 2, Riverview 1 Plant City 5, Bloomingdale 1 Strawberry Crest 6, Plant 1 MAR. 9 Newsome 3, Durant 2 Plant City 3, Armwood 0 Strawberry Crest 7, Tampa Bay Tech 0

MAR. 10 Durant 6, Leto 1 Strawberry Crest 12, Newsome 8

MAR. 16 Durant 3, Strawberry Crest 2 Lennard 6, Plant City 5 (nine innings)

MAR. 13 Durant 2, Steinbrenner 1 Plant City 4, Gaither 0 Strawberry Crest 6, Newsome 2

SOFTBALL

MAR. 10 Newsome 9, Strawberry Crest 1

MAR. 4 East Bay 18, Plant City 3

FLAG FOOTBALL

MAR. 15 Durant 5, Lennard 3 Strawberry Crest 4, Plant City 0

MAR. 5 Bloomingdale 15, Plant City 0 Strawberry Crest 10, Tampa Bay Tech 0

MAR. 1 Durant 20, East Bay 0 Newsome 41, Plant City 0 Brandon 13, Strawberry Crest 0

MAR. 6 Strawberry Crest 7, Jefferson 6

MAR. 4 Durant 45, Strawberry Crest 0 Sumner 12, Plant City 6 MAR. 9 Armwood 20, Plant City 0 MAR. 11 Durant 20, Wharton 18

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

LOCAL TEAMS COMPETE IN SALADINO TOURNAMENT Durant, Plant City and Strawberry Crest each completed their first three Gold Division games as of press time Wednesday.

Justin Kline

Plant City’s Anthony Grasso makes contact in the Raiders’ 4-0 win over Gaither on March 13.

JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

The three Plant City-area high school baseball teams began their 2021 Saladino Tournament journey over the weekend, each looking to start their spring break vacations on a high note and head into the weekend with one of the most coveted trophies in Hillsborough County sports. Through the first three rounds of action (Wednesday’s games were not completed by press time), Durant, Plant City and Strawberry Crest could each say they at least got that strong start. After that, experiences varied. Durant had by far the best run of each squad. The Cougars opened with a 2-1 win over Steinbrenner on March 13 led by a 15-strikeout outing by pitcher Sean Hermann. They followed that with a 5-3 win over Lennard on Monday, highlighted by five dominant innings from freshman reliever Blaine Rowland, and then snagged a 3-2 win over Crest on Tuesday thanks to Austin Sewell’s walk-off RBI single. All three games were played at Cougar Path, so Wednesday night’s clash with Jesuit (hosted at Jesuit) was the first time Durant was stuck with a road game — and this one was for the tournament championship. Jesuit entered the game on an offensive tear, having outscored opponents 27-11.

Plant City cruised past Gaither, 4-0, in the March 13 opener at Plant City and got a strong performance on the mound from Adan Longoria, who struck out seven batters and gave up one hit and one walk through five innings. That was their only Saladino win through Wednesday, as Crest picked up its own 4-0 win over the Raiders in Dover on Monday and Lennard came up on the winning end of a 6-5 shootout in Plant City on Tuesday. The Raiders hosted Alonso on Wednesday night. Crest’s red-hot offense kept its foot on the gas pedal heading into the tournament, starting March 13 with a 6-2 home win over Newsome and then recording that shutout over Plant City — in which pitcher Colby Fanning flirted with a no-hitter and also scored twice — before Durant found a way to overcome the Chargers’ live bats in one of the tournament’s most exciting matchups yet. Junior Ethan Pues has been particularly consistent at the plate, picking up five hits and three RBI in nine at-bats (.555) in the first three games of the tourney. Crest hosted Wharton in Wednesday night’s third-place game, hoping to outlast the Wildcats’ own surging offense — which outscored their first two opponents 17-0 and hung in there with Jesuit in Tuesday’s 6-5 loss to the Tigers.

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

WHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND? JUSTIN KLINE MARCH MADNESS EVEN BETTER WITH A PLANT CITY CONNECTION

I’m with Dickie V on this one: it feels good to know March Madness is coming back after we had to take last year off. I love the thrill of filling out my bracket, crunching the numbers and going with educated guesses to create something I always convince myself is nearly bulletproof. I love the suspense that comes with watching the games knowing the fate of your bracket depends on a school most people have never heard of losing to your tourney champion pick, which is a roundabout way of saying I still can’t bring myself to trust Virginia. And when those lower seeds do win, whether it busts my bracket or makes me look like a psychic, I love the underdog story. As someone who dislikes pests and especially hates defenders who slap the floor, nothing in college hoops makes me happier than watching Duke get knocked out of the tournament earlier than most expect. If there’s anything disappointing about this year’s field, it’s that there’s not a clear-cut basketball villain like Duke in there to root against. It’s like pro wrestling in that every great feud is carried by a heel you love to hate. I don’t even hate when Breanne Williams wins the Observer’s bracket pool picking teams with uniforms she likes, wishing all the while that USF would make the cut one day. I want so badly to let go of my old habits and make my picks based on something that has zero statistical value, but I can’t do it. I’m jealous of anyone who can.

And this year is even better knowing that Plant City will be represented in Indiana with Johni Broome, whose Morehead State Eagles will face West Virginia tomorrow night. I love a good underdog story and I think this could be the next one. Sometimes all you need is to get hot at the right time, and Morehead getting on a seven-game win streak is exactly that. The last time I had an underdog team called the Eagles in the tournament doing well, it was Florida Gulf Coast putting in work captivating the nation with wins over Georgetown and San Diego State (whom Morehead could also run into in 2021) eight years ago. No shade to WVU, which has one of the best coaches in the sport, but I’m ready for Broome and the Eagles to put the field of 64 on notice starting Friday. I’m just hoping any of the major networks who cover the tourney don’t mention the Eagles’ top scorer and rebounder as hailing from Tampa. Anyway, here’s my bracket for this year. I have high hopes and low expectations for it. Now don’t get me wrong: I want Morehead to be the next George Mason, but my brain is telling me teams’ experience levels get way more important for advancement the further you get in the tourney. That nagging voice in my head is the reason why I have that run ending in the Sweet Sixteen. I would like for the Eagles to prove me wrong and go further than that. I’m already rooting for them now and I’ll be an even bigger fan no matter how much they bust my above listed Midwest region.

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

PlantCityObserver.com

YOUR AROUND TOWN SPONSOR AROUND TOWN

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We asked Facebook:

Who would you like to see perform at the Florida Strawberry Festival next year? “George Strait. I missed him when he came eons ago and had forgotten he was there until I saw him in one of the photos we have at the historical society.” — Shelby Bender “Brad Paisley, Gladys Knight, Reba, Band Perry, Oh, and Kenzie Wheeler” — Pam Jaudon Tehrani “Luke Combs, Lee Brice, Dan and Shay, some local artists and more female artists!” — Alyssa Largent “Intocable! Or Sólido” — Gloria Estrada “Florida Georgia Line, Need to Breathe, For King and Country” — Paul Wirth “Elevation Worship or Hillsong. Actually just love eating great food and worshipping Jesus!” — Patience Harris

“The 90’s tour again, George Strait, Vince Gill, Chris Stapleton, Morgan Wallen” — Ashley Moore

“Matchbox 20” — Kelli Harnage

“Train, Maroon 5, Jimmy Buffett” — Susan Fairchild Gray

“Tyler Childers” — Maddie Stone

“They need to have a classic weekend with older country singers. Clay Walker, Sammy Kershaw, Mark Chestnut, Don Williams and Hank Jr.” — Grant Knight “Keith Sweat was so good last year. Would love to see him again” — Emily Mundy “Anything but Country music! Born here... but let’s rock please!” — Patrick Haney “Sturgill Simpson, Charley Crockett, Pokey Lafarge, Alabama Shakes” — Kathleen Lumley

“Luke Combs” — Chris Lau

“Jack White, Eddie Vedder” — Lori Haywood “Britney Spears” — Kyle Hamilton “Cam, Kip Moore, Chris Cagle, Jo Dee Messina” — Suzanne Aubrey “Imagine Dragons” — Asif Hakeem “Lynyrd Skynyrd, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Lynyrd Skynyrd” — Robert Griffin “Brad Paisley, Reba, MercyMe, Sugarland, Kane Brown” — Brenda Gunter

Meet Your Care Team

Robert Baskin, MD

Gregg W. Gutowski, MD

Brian J. Korte, MD

Specialty: Family Medicine Education: Medical degree from the University of Alabama School of Medicine in Birmingham, Alabama.

Specialty: Family Medicine Education: Medical degree from the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida. Experience: Residency at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, Alabama.

Specialty: Family Medicine Education: Medical degree from Northeastern Ohio University in Rootstown, Ohio. Experience: Residency at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Primary Care and Sports Medicine fellowship at Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Board Certified Family Medicine

Experience: Residency at the Cardiology Research V.A. Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama. Certification: American Board of Family Medicine

Board Certified Family Medicine

Certification: American Board of Family Medicine

Clinic services include: • X-ray • DEXA scan • Ultra sound • Full lab facilities • Diabetic eye exam • Telemedicine capabilities WellMed does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in its health programs and activities. ATTENTION: If you speak English, language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you. Please call 888-781-WELL (9355). ATENCIÓN: Si habla español (Spanish), hay servicios de asistencia de idiomas, sin cargo, a su disposición. Llame al 888-781-WELL (9355). 請注意：如果您說中文 (Chinese)，我們免費為您提供語言協助服務。請致電：888-781-WELL (9355)。 20_5416_WMOPT_AD_MEETTEAM PC_FL_KH_C072320

Board Certified Family Medicine

Certification: American Board of Family Medicine

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WellMed at Plant City Family Practice Center 507 W. Alexander Street • Plant City, Florida 33563

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

Pedro Zarate Carrizales, 59, of Plant City, born in San Luis Potosi, Mexico on November 18, 1961, entered into eternal rest on February 25, 2021. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Jeffrey Reynolds

Jeffrey Reynolds, 50, of Brandon, born in Hartford, Connecticut on March 5, 1970, entered into eternal rest on March 4, 2021. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

Annie Syble Culpepper Annie Syble Culpepper, 95, of Lithia, born in Brantley, Alabama on June 22, 1925, entered into eternal rest on March 12, 2021. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Jewel Catherine Hurley Jewel Catherine Hurley, 86, of Stuart, formerly of Plant City, born on July 22, 1934, entered into eternal rest on March 11, 2021. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

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William P. Stokes William P. Stokes, 89, of Dover, born in Brantley, Alabama on November 21, 1931, entered into eternal rest on March 9, 2021. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

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Clarence Mercel Hickey Clarence Mercel Hickey, 73, of Plant City, born in Tampa on September 16, 1947, entered into eternal rest on March 14, 2021. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

Ronald L. Alderman Ronald L. Alderman, 69, of Plant City, born in Tampa on April 7, 1951, entered into eternal rest on March 14, 2021. He was a licensed FL Real Estate Broker, a Licensed FL General Real Estate Appraiser, a member of the CFE and ASA, as well as a partner of McGrath, Alderman and Associates. He was the former Hillsborough County Property Appraiser, becoming the youngest Florida constitutional officer at age 38. He is survived by wife of 46 years, Bonnie B. Alderman; children, Melissa Hardwick (Jason) and Brian Alderman, both of Plant City; grandchildren, Nathan, Noah, Maddie, Dawson and Bryce; mother, Juanita Alderman of Plant City; and brother, Michael

Alderman (Terrie) of Plant City. A funeral service will be held Saturday, March 20 at 11:00 A.M. at Hopewell Funeral Home, 6005 South County Road 39, Plant City, where the family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 A.M. For those unable to attend, the service will be live-streamed at facebook. com/HopewellFuneral. Private graveside committal at Springhead Cemetery, Lakeland. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

18, 2021 at 2:00 PM at Salem Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, 14402 Salem Church Road, Dover, FL33527. Online condolences may be left for the family at haught.care.

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Northild Gerda Kemp, 79, of Plant City, passed away on March 15, 2021. Services will be held privately. Online condolences may be left for the family at haught.care.

Nita Shaw, 88, of Plant City died on March 7, 2021. Memorial Services will be held at 2:00pm April 9, 2021 at the First United Methodist Church of Plant City, 303 N. Evers St., Plant City, FL 33563. Online condolences may be left for the family at haught.care.

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Irma Mae Proctor

is all about.

Irma Mae Proctor, 85, of Plant City, entered into eternal rest on February 22, 2021. She born onto May 2, 1935 we’re dedicated helping families create in a W E ’ RE P RO U D TO S E RV E our community was unique and meaningful memorial that truly with personal, compassionate care since 1896. Plant City. Services were held on Februcelebrates the life it represents. As your Dignity Memorial professionals, 25, 2021 at Wells Memorial Funeral > 100% Serviceary Guarantee > National Plan Transferability HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM Travel Assistance > The Compassion Helpline® > BereavementHome. Fond memories R or messages of symClifford Joseph beCity leftStrawberry at www.wellsmemorial. Proudly pathy supportingcan the Plant Festival. com. Gude ®

Clifford Joseph Gude, 74, of Valrico, passed away on March 14, 2021. A graveside service will take place Thursday, March

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THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

OBITUARIES

Pedro Zarate Carrizales

10/27/15 10:42 AM

YOUR CALENDAR

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

BEST BET SATURDAY, MARCH 20 STRAWBERRY CLASSIC CRUISE-IN

3 to 6:30 p.m. at 102 N. Palmer St. The Plant City Strawberry Classic Cruise-In is back this Saturday, 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.

THURSDAY, MARCH 18 PLANT CITY TOASTMASTERS

7:30 to 9 a.m. Join the Plant City Toastmasters for breakfast, laughs, and fun; there’s no better w ay to start your Thursday mornings. Bring a chair and a mask. The Toastmasters also offer Zoom meetings for those who can’t make it in person. Visit the Facebook page, facebook.com/ PlantCityToastmasters/, for meeting locations and information.

BATON TWIRLING CLASSES

Plant City Recreation presents Baton Twirling Classes at the Planteen Recreation Center, 301 Dort St. Classes are held every Thursday. Beginner classes are from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. and Intermediate classes are from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Your first class will be free. If you have any questions or would like more information, contact Barbara Patrick at 813-626-4554.

FRIDAY, MARCH 19 RETRO MOVIE NIGHT

7 to 8:30 p.m. Visit Krazy Kup, 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd., for Retro Movie Night. Bring the family, grab a treat from downstairs, relax and watch a new movie selection each month. This month’s feature is King Kong (1933).

SATURDAY, MARCH 20 SOIL HEALTH SERIES: AMENDING WITH COMPOST TEA VS. COMPOST EXTRACT

9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Plant City Commons Community Garden, 2001 E. Cherry St. In this workshop, Glen Roberts (aka “Garden Glen”) will explain the difference between a compost tea and a compost extract, then discuss the best methods, ingredients and recipes. This is a free workshop. RSVP to plantcitygarden@gmail.com or text Karen at 813-435-8111.

PLANT CITY SOCIAL DANCE

6 to 9:30 p.m. at Strawberry Square Dance Center, 4401 Promenade Blvd. Plant City Social Dance will have dances every Saturday night in the month of March at the Strawberry Square Dance Center. From 6 to 6:30 p.m., there will be ballroom music for ballroom dancers. The regular dance goes from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. The cost to dance is $7 per person and attendance is limited to 50 people with reservations. Call DJ Ken Miller at 863-409-7714 to reserve your spot and visit djkenmiller.com to look at sample playlists and get more information.

IMPROV NIGHT

7 to 8:30 p.m. Join Krazy Kup, 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd., for a night of interactive, side-splitting comedy. This family-friendly fun is free for everybody.

TUESDAY, MARCH 23 FAMILY BOREDOM BUSTERS WEEK 4: ‘SPRING’

Bruton Memorial library will offer takehome activity kits for families to enjoy together. This week’s theme will be “Spring” and will include puzzles, literacy activities, crafts and more! Kits will be available while supplies last.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24 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 benefits, 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. Masks are required and temperatures will be taken at the door.

pet-friendly. All are recommended to bring chairs and blankets. Visit https://plantcitymainstreet.com/ for more information.

BLUEGRASS NIGHT

7 to 8:30 p.m. Krazy Kup, 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd., will host its monthly Bluegrass Night event featuring The Sandy Back Porch Band. Tickets are $10 per person and available either in-store or on Eventbrite. Seating is limited.

SATURDAY, MARCH 27 DEAN’S RIDE

7 a.m. Dean’s Ride is an annual bicycle fundraising event. All proceeds go to the Plant City YMCA to support rehabilitation for cancer survivors. This is a family route of eight miles, plus longer routes of 20, 34 and 60 miles. This year’s event will start and finish at Keel Farms, 5202 Thonotosassa Road. Register online at https:// deansride.raceroster.com/.

THURSDAY, MARCH 25 PLANT CITY TOASTMASTERS

7:30 to 9 a.m. Join the Plant City Toastmasters for breakfast, laughs, and fun; there’s no better way to start your Thursday mornings. Bring a chair and a mask. The Toastmasters also offer Zoom meetings for those who can’t make it in person. Visit the Facebook page, facebook.com/ PlantCityToastmasters/, for meeting locations and information.

BATON TWIRLING CLASSES

FRIDAY, MARCH 26 LAST FRIDAY IN DOWNTOWN

5 to 9 p.m. at McCall Park, 100 N. Collins St. The Last Friday In Downtown Food Truck Rally with a new theme each month. There will be live music, market vendors and food trucks. The event is family and

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RILEY STRONG GOLF TOURNAMENT

1 p.m. at Summerfield Crossings Golf Course, 13050 Summerfield Blvd., Riverview. This all-ages four-man scramble tournament will also feature awards, oncourse contests for hitting shots closest to the pin or the line, team prizes, individual prize drawings, a silent auction, raffles, vendors and food trucks, kid-friendly activities and more. Attendees are required to maintain six feet of social distancing and wear a face mask. The cost to play is $125 per individual or $400 for a team of four. The deadline to register is March 19. To get a registration form or more information, call Anthony Morejon at 813-9568394 or Heather Cropper at 813-625-1507, or email rileystronggolftournament@ gmail.com.

PLANT CITY SOCIAL DANCE

SEED LIBRARY OPEN AT PCC COMMUNITY GARDEN

9 a.m. Choose or donate heirloom seeds at the Seed Library in the Plant City Commons Community Garden, 2001 E. Cherry St. This helps keep diversity in the local food system. The library is open on the second and fourth Saturdays of every month. Call (813) 435-8111 for more information.

YOGA LOVES GARDENS FRESH AIR FLOW

10:30 a.m. Plant City Commons Community Garden, 2001 E. Cherry St. Plant City Yoga shares this morning yoga session in this special plant energized space to learn and expand your yoga practice. Please bring your own yoga mat. Suggested $10 donation.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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FORECAST

Send your photo submissions to Associate Editor Justin Kline at jkline@PlantCityObserver.com or hashtag #iloveplantcity on Instagram for @igersplantcity to feature.

THURSDAY, MARCH 18 High: 87 Low: 61 Chance of rain: 12%

FRIDAY, MARCH 19 High: 73 Low: 54 Chance of rain: 9%

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

SUNRISE/SUNSET

Sunrise Sunset

Thursday, March 18

7:34a

7:39p

Friday, March 19

7:33a

7:39p

Saturday, March 20

7:32a

7:40p

Sunday, March 21

7:31a

7:41p

Monday, March 22

7:30a

7:41p

Tuesday, March 23

7:29a

7:42p

Wednesday, March 24

7:27a

7:42p

MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, MARCH 20 High: 72 Low: 53 Chance of rain: 6%

SUNDAY, MARCH 21 High: 72 Low: 52 Chance of rain: 6%

MONDAY, MARCH 22 Shirley Steele shared her photo of this morning view to Instagram (@beachkowgirl) with the #iloveplantcity hashtag.

ONLINE

High: 77 Low: 52 Chance of rain: 7%

Across 1 Turning point 6 Pagoda instruments 11 Outdo 14 Big game setting 15 No-frills type 16 “Yo, Hadrian!” 17 Where the farmer relaxed to update the books? 19 Cooper’s creation 20 Not behind 21 Long-term digs in orbit: Abbr. 22 Landscaping stones 24 Three-time Cy Young Award winner Scherzer 26 Visibility reducers

27 Story of how the spider monkey climbed the tree? 33 Asian language 34 Takes up 35 Cookware brand 36 Dethrones 38 Low digit 39 Tries 40 One with a password 41 Notably different, with “a” 43 JFK alternative 44 Obstetrician’s job, sometimes? 47 Manicurist’s tool 48 NBC skit show 49 Sad-eyed hound 51 Moody rock genre

53 Not too many 57 Hundred Acre Wood know-it-all 58 Put the fix in on Black Friday? 61 Med. scan 62 “Middlemarch” novelist 63 Mastery 64 Competition pass 65 Nicks 66 Cut back Down 1 Nickname for Haydn 2 Press 3 Cummerbund alternative 4 As scheduled

5 __ sushi: Japanese sea bream 6 April 1 array 7 Swingers on a perpetual-motion desk toy 8 “NCIS: Los Angeles” actress Long 9 Laverne and Shirley, e.g. 10 Vulgar content 11 Is arrested, in slang 12 Exceeding 13 Cello parts 18 Put the kibosh on 23 Sporty Chevy 25 Sounds of realization 26 Sophisticated, in a way, briefly 27 Take a minute 28 Ygritte portrayer on “Game of Thrones” 29 __ public 30 Cricket, for one 31 Tee size 32 Idina’s “Frozen” role 33 Vibrant, as colors 37 Cuts back 39 “His Eye Is on the Sparrow,” e.g. 41 Good for growing 42 Do a lawn job 45 Went off course 46 Yukon neighbor 49 Have a rough night at the comedy club 50 Not as planned 51 Four-award acronym 52 1969 MLB upstarts 54 Midway event 55 Redbook rival 56 Fuse 59 Sling spirits 60 Deadly biter

Apr. 11 New

Mar. 17 First

Mar. 27 Full

Apr. 7 Last

RAINFALL LAST WEEK:

MONTH TO DATE:

0.00 in.

0.48 in.

YEAR TO DATE:

MAR. AVERAGE:

04.94 in.

3.57 in.

STRAWBERRIES Shipping point: Central Florida $8.90-$12.90

Source: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture

WEATHER

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

WARNING FATIGUE AND RESTRICTED BLOOD FLOW PROCEED WITH CAUTION

Chest pressure, a squeezing sensation or chest pain. These feelings may be angina, a symptom of heart disease. Your heart comes with a warning system called angina, which happens when part of the heart doesn’t get enough blood and oxygen. Angina is a symptom of coronary artery disease (CAD), a type of heart disease that occurs when arteries that carry blood to the heart become narrowed or blocked. Although angina often feels like a pinching sensation in the chest, it can also be accompanied by sluggishness, fatigue and chest tightness. If you experience any of these symptoms, the heart experts at BayCare’s South Florida Baptist Hospital can quickly get to the cause and treat it with a procedure that’s right for you. Diagnosing and treating CAD is just one area of our expertise in heart care. Using state-of-the-art technology, our compassionate and multidisciplinary team of experts provides a suite of other advanced heart care services. From treatment options for rhythm disorders like AFib and heart attacks, care for advanced heart failure through our Heart Function Clinic, to helping you recover with cardiac rehab, South Florida Baptist Hospital is here when you and your heart need us. And we have enhanced safety measures to help keep you protected, so you can feel secure getting the care you need. Learn more and get a cardiology referral: SouthFloridaBaptistHeart.org

OUR NETWORK BayCare Behavioral Health • BayCare HomeCare • BayCare Laboratories • BayCare Medical Group BayCare Outpatient Imaging • BayCare Surgery Centers • BayCare Urgent Care

OUR HOSPITALS Bartow Regional Medical Center • BayCare Alliant Hospital • Mease Countryside Hospital • Mease Dunedin Hospital • Morton Plant Hospital Morton Plant North Bay Hospital • St. Anthony’s Hospital • St. Joseph’s Hospital • St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital • St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital St. Joseph’s Hospital-North • St. Joseph’s Hospital-South • South Florida Baptist Hospital • Winter Haven Hospital • Winter Haven Women’s Hospital

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