3.28.19 PLCO

Plant City Observer YO UR HOMETO WN. YO UR NEWSPAP ER .

YOUR HOMETOWN. YOUR NEWSPAPER FREE

VOLUME 6, NO. 39

ALCOHOL ORDINANCE ENTERS FINAL HEARING

During the first of two public hearings regarding amending Plant City’s alcohol ordinance, the public remained silent. The decision is entering its final hearing on April 8. SEE PAGE 9

•

THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2019

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

The Sadye Gibbs Martin Auditorium nearly reached capacity Monday evening as folks piled in to hear the result of several map amendments and see what would be said regarding the proposed amendment to the city’s alcohol ordinance.

Nearly 80 percent of those in attendance stated they were there to observe the public hearing for the alcohol ordinance and many privately voiced their support of the proposed change. While the alterations are small, it would allow for the sale of wine or beer in businesses that were not massive full-fledged restaurants downtown.

PCHS JROTC BRINGS THE HEAT

Courtesy Photo

The mixed color guard team incorportates “wow factors” into its routine. The team is district champions and will soon be taking its skills to state.

BREANNE WILLIAMS

Once again, Plant City High School’s JROTC students are proving they’re a force to be reckoned with.

SEE PAGE 3

STAFF WRITER

Few students show the dedication and fervent discipline of Plant City’s JROTC cadets.

This year they’ve upped the stakes by taking home the district champion title for the mixed color guard and duel

RAILFEST MEETS PRAISE FESTIVAL On April 13 the community will be flocking to RailFest and the second annual Praise in the Park On Common Ground in historic downtown Plant City.

SEE PAGE 10

exhibition teams and are turning a determined eye toward states. They hope to bring home more titles for the teams.

“We’re trying to hold our program to a different standard, especially the color guard team, it’s the best of the best here,” Adamaris Mendoza, state flag

for color guard, said. “There’s four people on our color guard team. Ivan, Danny, Angel and I helped get us sent to states.

Angel can’t come so we’re taking Christian (Rosales) to states.

There’s a lot of hard work to get there, but we’re giving it everything we have.”

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

|

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2019

NEWS BRIEFS

2

Breanne Williams

Bike with the Mayor comes back for the third time on Saturday.

The third annual Bike with the Mayor event to celebrate Florida Bicycle Month is scheduled for Saturday in conjunction with Dean’s Ride.

Mayor Rick Lott will speak to all riders at 7 a.m. at the Trinkle Center at Hillsborough Community College, then the Dean’s Ride participants will take off in three waves around 7:30 a.m. The Bike with the Mayor ride will take off around 7:45 a.m.

Bike with the Mayor is coordinated by the Plant City Parks & Recreation, Planning & Zoning and Police departments. Dean’s Ride is produced by the Plant City Family YMCA and supports the Y’s Live Strong program for cancer survivors in the Plant City community. For

more information, call 813659-4255 or visit raceroster. com/events/2019/18660/ deans-ride.

Wish Farms sponsors Florida Blueberry Festival Plant City-based grower Wish Farms announced Tuesday it is the official Grower Sponsor of the 2019 Florida Blueberry Festival.

Wish Farms will sample and sell fresh blueberries at the four-day festival this weekend. Wish is the largest grower of blueberries in Florida and expects to market nearly 4 million pounds of the berries in 2019.

The festival, previously held in Brooksville, has undergone some changes recently. It’s now based in Kissimmee, has moved from May to March and has bumped its schedule

up from two days to four days.

It is now being held at Formosa Garden’s Event Center, 3050 Formosa Garden Blvd., Kissimmee. The festival begins at 5 p.m. this evening and runs through 5 p.m. Sunday.

For more information about the festival, visit floridablueberryfestival.org.

Discount available this week for youth summer program The Plant City Recreation and Parks Department’s annual Youth Summer Program starts June 10 and runs for eight weeks through August 2.

Local kids age 5 through 15 can learn about the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) field with arts and crafts, games, sports, “discovery” activities, outdoor adventures and more.

Registration began this week and parents can reduce the cost by $10 when they sign up before next Monday.

The program costs $365 for eight weeks of activities and trips, adult supervision, shirts, transportation and more and will cost $375 for eight weeks beginning next Monday. The cost comes out to less than $10 per day per child. The total fee must be paid in full

by June 7. Payment plans are available.

The program is based out of the Planteen Recreation Center, 301 Dort St. Youth must have at least completed kindergarten to be able to participate in the camp.

Registration forms and more information are available on the program web page at plantcitygov.com/parksrec/page/summer-offerings or by e-mail at recinfo@ plantcitygov.com or by telephone at 813-659-4256.

Last weekend for Whitney Worley art exhibit Local artist Whitney Worley’s work will be showcased at Bruton Memorial Library through this weekend.

Worley, who also creates under the Bungee Monkey moniker, creates watercolor pieces with psychedelic twists and has provided 24 paintings to the library for its art wall.

Her art can also be purchased online at bungeemonkeyart. bigcartel.com.

The exhibit is open during the library’s normal hours of operation and any artists interested in being featured in the future can apply at the library.

For more information, call 813-757-9215.

FAMILY MEDICAL SPECIALISTS OF FLORIDA Michael Paul Gimness, MD Kelli Woody, MD Katherine Newman, ARNP Jennifer Zeljkovic, ARNP 1703 Thonotosassa Road, Suite A, Plant City, Florida 33563

P: 813.567.5679 | F: 813.567.5686 www.fmsflorida.com 287682-1

Bike with the Mayor, Dean’s Ride on Saturday

Courtesy photo

Wish Farms is now the official Grower Sponsor of the 2019 Florida Blueberry Festival.

292382-1

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

|

THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2019

3

PCHS JROTC BECOMES CHAMPS Plant City High School’s JROTC cadets brought home two district championships and are headed to show off their skills at state.

Courtesy Photo

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

This is the first time Danny Ramirez, commander, and Ivan Amezquita, left guard, are going to states. However, it’s the second year in a row PCHS has represented at the competition with its color guard and exhibition teams.

They won’t find out until a week before the April 13 competition at George Jenkins High in Lakeland when they’ll be scheduled to compete. The nerves are starting to creep in and the team is practicing nonstop in an attempt to obtain a perfect routine.

“There’s been moments when we’re competing and something goes wrong, we can’t let it get to us, we have to keep going,” Ramirez said. “It’s hard because I’m such a perfectionist, but the judges have complimented us on our bearings when that has happened in the past. We just shake it off, work even harder and prove ourselves the next time.”

The cadets all have adopted a “help thy neighbor” mentality and will frequently chime in and offer advice if they see something either in their own routine or even on their school’s other JROTC teams that could be improved. They also stray from the normal mindset and focus on ensuring their routine has a “wow factor” even if that means it’s more risky to accurately pull off. In color guard, one wrong move could mean drastic reductions. A tiny mistake that would be minuscule to an average observer could bump the team down several points. When districts came the PCHS students stepped into the box and gave it their all despite several of the members worrying over other competitions and Mendoza feeling physically ill.

They all agree there were small errors in the routine that caused most of them to believe they were done for. When the announcement came for second place

and Dixie Hollins was called — which the students say is routinely the best school in the area and someone they all look up to — they let out a deep breath convinced there was no way they had even placed.

When their name was called as the district champ, the reactions varied from staring with open mouths in shock to ecstatic screams.

The two champions in duel exhibition had never even participated in the competition prior to this year. Under the guidance of their peers, including Mendoza, they quickly learned the complex routine and spent countless hours drilling with the rifles. Many times they walked away with bruises, but eventually they learned to trust each other and trust their own skills.

“Last year I would stay after school and work on my homework here,” Daniela Cortez, commander, said. “I would see the team drilling in the back and flipping the rifles and I was just so in awe. I watched them participate in the Christmas parade and the Strawberry Festival parade and I just thought it was so cool so I decided to try it.”

Her partner, Lorena Correa, said they both had to start out learning the founda-

The mixed color guard team is ready to bring home a state title in the upcoming challenge.

tional knowledge of the craft before they could transition into perfecting a routine.

Because they were brand new they were striving to merely place at districts and were blown away when they heard they had come out as champions.

“I jumped up and screamed,” Correa said. “We spent so much time practicing, but I don’t think either of us thought we would actually walk away with first place.”

The students also learn to support each other every step of the way. Mendoza was on the exhibition team that went to state last year, however, she and her team decided to spend their free time teaching the younger cadets how to be the best they can be in the competition they all love. Instead of going for another championship they decided to dedicate their time for others, a mentality they say many in ROTC practice.

All seven of the students said they came to ROTC expecting to just enter a normal class and quickly realized the program was changing their lives. Some learned they had the confidence to be a leader, others gained the trust in themselves that allowed them to break out of their shell

and begin to shed their shyness. Many walked into the program feeling like they were floating through high school only to suddenly find they had a new family in their fellow cadets.

“ROTC really brings you out,” Angel Cardenas, right guard for mixed color guard, said. “I used to be really troubled.

I was very antisocial and used to never talk to anybody. You learn to see the different personalities in here and you learn to accept them and they become your family… I used to think ROTC kids were weirdos. Then I joined.”

Courtesy Photo

Lorena Correa and Daniela Cortez.

4

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

|

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2019

RESETTING LOCAL

PLANT CITY

Observer

CONTROLS ON ALCOHOL

Publisher / Karen Berry KBerry@PlantCityObserver.com Managing Editor / Sarah Holt SHolt@PlantCityObserver.com Associate Editor / Sports Editor / Justin Kline JKline@PlantCityObserver.com Staff Writer / Breanne Williams BWilliams@PlantCityObserver. com Advertising Graphic Designer / Juan Alvarez

With a final decision scheduled on April 8, our FELIX HAYNES

Plant City Commission took the first step at its March 25th meeting on resetting some of our local controls on the sale of alcohol in Plant City contained in Section 10-62 of the Plant City Code.

Using its regulatory power, in addition to modifying controls on alcohol throughout the city, the new ordinance would provide a boost for the city’s

downtown core and its long-planned downtown expansion, Midtown.

Plant City is using the time-honored regulatory power of local government to limit the direction and magnitude of development in some areas and to accelerate those factors in favored ones.

We start from the basis of our existing alcohol regulatory control ordinance. Although State 1COP and 2COP licenses allow the sale of beer or wine with or without the sale of food, there are currently no locations in Plant City operating with these licenses and the city

desires to allow businesses with 1COP and 2COP to operate within the city.

Section 10-62 currently allows restaurants and adult theatres throughout the city to be located, in a few categories of commercial zoning districts, at least 500 feet from churches, schools or public recreation areas; bars, package stores, and bottle clubs must be in those same zoning districts and at least 1,000 feet from churches, schools, day care centers or public recreation areas. In addition, restaurants must contain no less than 50 seats and derive at least 51 percent of

Universal Crossword Edited by David Steinberg March 22, 2019

their gross revenue from the sale of food.

The newly-proposed ordinance would encourage development in the Downtown Core and Midtown by allowing bonafide restaurants which meet certain criteria to sell any alcoholic beverage on their premises, including adjacent sidewalk cafes.

Those criteria include being able to serve a minimum of 100 customers, being at least 2,500 square feet, and deriving no less than 51 percent of their gross revenue from the sale of food and nonalcoholic beverages that are prepared, served, and consumed on the premises. There would be no distance requirement from churches, schools, day cares, or public recreation areas.

To take advantage of these new, less stringent criteria for the downtown core and Midtown, Rainy a restaurant wanting to serve alcoholic beverages Handbag beyond beer and wine monogram would have to be larger Election andsticker could not count takeDay out food in its gross revwords enue calculation.

Get However, a restaurants move ondowntown core or in the ___Midtown Scotia wanting to sell

only beer and wine for on-premises consumption could be smaller, not meeting the bonafide restaurant requirements, regardless of their distance from churches, schools, day cares, or public recreation areas.

Within the city but beyond the downtown core or Midtown, beer and wine for off-premises consumption only could be sold as long as it met the criteria of the zoning district. For onpremises consumption the requirement to meet the criteria of the zoning district would still apply, and restaurants and adult theaters would need to be 500 feet from any church, school, day care, or public recreation area. Bars, package stores, and bottle clubs would need to be 1,000 feet from them.

No changes in the enforcement of Section 10-62 are proposed, and anyone convicted of violating any of the ordinance’s provisions could be punished by a fine not to exceed $500 , by imprisonment not to exceed 60 days, or both.

Circulation/ Office Manager / Linda Lancaster LLancaster@PlantCityObserver. com

TO ADVERTISE Call (813) 704-6850

Advertising / Robert Verner Robert@PlantCityObserver.com

CONTACT US

The Plant City Observer is published once weekly, on Thursdays. The Plant City Observer also can be found in many commercial locations throughout Plant City and at our office, 1507 S. Alexander St., Suite 103.

If you wish to discontinue home delivery or if you wish to suspend home delivery temporarily, call Linda Lancaster at 704-6850.

SEND US YOUR NEWS

We want to hear from you. Let us know about your events, celebrations and achievements.

ACROSS 49 Civic 17 Decides 37 1 Judaism : center? to change 42 kosher :: 50 French lanes, Islam : ___ greeting maybe 45 6 Short-lived 51 Prefix with 21 Move items “binary” or across 14 Giraffe “conforming” 24 Ontario 47 cousin 52 CampaignMLB city: 15 Look down, funding grp.

Abbr.

51 as from a 53 Dandelion 25 Painting 52 Church balcony support subject seats 16 Runway 56 Never known for 54 Triangular figures 60 Ink-squirting her smile sword$ 100 18 Perch’s creatures 26 ’70s fad that 55 Lecturers’ OFF On any job 1000 place 62 “Go. Away.” hints at the needs, or more when you We’re On Top of It mention this ad.

19 Black 63 Ancient ends of 3-, informally stone Mexican 8- and 56 Frazier foe NEW ROOFS • RE-ROOFS 20 Greek H 64 Business 17-Down 57 2012 movie We’re On TILE • TILE REPAIRS We’re On Top Top of of It It 22 Bad-mouth cards?

27 Snitch on bear HOT TAR/FLAT DECKS 23 “See ya!”

65 Thumbs28 CO2 58 Capture NEW ROOFS • • RE-ROOFS SHINGLES • VENTILATION NEW ROOFS RE-ROOFS TILE TILE TILE• •REPAIRED TILEREPAIRS REPAIRS LEAKS 25 Yahoo ups molecule 59 Pal HOT HOTTAR/FLAT TAR/FLATDECKS DECKS alternative DOWN trio of Curly SHINGLES • VENTILATION 25SHINGLES Years of E•xVENTILATION rience e p LEAKS REPAIRED STATE FARM® AGENT LEAKS REPAIRED 26 Sports ___ 1 Human 29 Like some 61 Playing hard 252Y5eYaerasrsofofEExxppeerrieiennccee (jogger’s top) genus overrides to get 29 Boozy 2 “Don’t 31 DipstickLeak & Re-Roofing Specialists – WE FIX LEAKS NO ONE ELSE CAN! brunch Matter” wipe & Re-Roofing Specialists – WE FIX LEAKSNO NOONE ONE ELSE ELSE CAN! CAN! LeakLeak & Re-Roofing Specialists – WE FIX LEAKS Free Estimates • Financing Available 813.752.7202 order rapper 32 Dash 24-Hour Emergency Home | Life | Small Businesses | Retirement 24-HourService Emergency Service 30 “WhatAuto | Annuities 3 |Historic instruments 24-Hour Emergency Service 813-982-0218 Buddy &Owners Crystal Cheaves, Owners Buddy & Crystal Cheaves, now?!” torchbearer?

Buddy Crystal Cheaves, Owners 1702 S. Alexander, Plant City, 34 FL Hoppy 33563brew, www.BuddysRoofing.com Lic & # CCC1325993 • Bonded & Insured www.BuddysRoofing.com Lic # CCC1325993 • Bonded & Insured www.BuddysRoofing.com Lic # CCC1325993 • Bonded & Insured 32 Key usually 4 Challenging for short opposite “\” H.S. test This week’s Sudoku answers5 Small, in This week’s Crossword This week’s 33 Ditch PREVIOUS PUZZLEanswers ANSWER Celebrity Cipher answers 35 Viola clef rap names 36 Fresh way 6 Isle of exile to start 7 Architect 38 Mount I. M. Puzzle Solution: Everest’s 8 Crunchy country Mexican “You do have to love your kids 39 Latch dish enough to let them hate you. But (onto) 9 What a it’s the disease that’s hating you, 40 Solve, spoiler not them.” medically might spoil ~ Carol Burnett 41 By mouth 10 Soft shoes, 43 City tour for short vehicle 11 Mendes of 44 Gestures of “Hitch” gratitude 12 Bylaw, 46 “Turn on briefly 3/21 © 2019 Andrews McMeel Universal the AC!” 13 “Chances www.upuzzles.com 48 Devious ___ ...” $

BUDDY’S ROOFING BUDDY’S BUDDY’S ROOFING ROOFING

813-982-0218 813-982-0218

287477-1

288231-1

RESRIEDSEINDTENIATLIA&L & OMM ERECRICAIALL COCM

Mail: The Plant City Observer, 1507 S. Alexander St., Suite 103, Plant City, FL 33563

Facebook: Plant City Observer Instagram: @plcobserver Twitter: @PlantObserver

O

468318-1 468318-1

Tony Lee CLU, CHFC

468318-1

RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL

To contact us, send your information via: Email: Sarah Holt, SHolt@PlantCityObserver. com.

Plant City Observer

is locally owned by Ed Verner, Karen Berry, Nate Kilton and Felix Haynes The Plant City Observer is published by Plant City Media LLC.

1507 S. Alexander St., Suite 103 Plant City, FL 33563 (813) 704-6850

Publishers of the

Plant City Observer

PlantCityObserver.com ©Copyright Plant City Media LLC 2018 All Rights Reserved

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

PAVING AHEAD Plant City’s soon-to-be-paved list may be growing thanks to a massive savings in construction.

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

If you frequently commute throughout Plant City you’ll be glad to know the city is adding even more lists to its paving plan for the next fiscal year.

For the past several years the city has made it a priority to fix up the abundance of dilapidated roads throughout town. It has already had more than 40 miles of roads paved and that number is set to continue to expand as many more miles are added to the “to-do” list. In January the city agreed to pave more than 16 miles of roadway. Now thanks to a surprise saving that list looks like it may soon grow.

“I’ve been advised by our city engineer that on the paving contract we had out for the fiscal year 17-18 we have realized a roughly 20 percent savings on the project cost,” City Manager Bill McDaniel said. “That savings is going to return $859,170.92 to our paving funds. This is all the one mill (tax) so this is money that is going to be put directly into our street improvements here in the city.”

A large portion of the more than 16 miles of roadwork set to be completed this fiscal year weaves in and out of local neighborhoods, bringing the communities residents live in up to par. McDaniel and the city engineer will sit down to examine the state of all remaining roadways and determine which are the best to add to the list for repairs.

The savings came after “working with a very professional vendor” and finding the estimated thickness needed of asphalt was slightly more than what ended up actually being needed for several roadways.

Savings continued when the list commissioners were provided with in January of soon-to-bepaved roads, which was based on an engineer’s assumptions of $300,000 per mile, ended up with a new lower cost.

“I’m very pleased to report the estimate of that work has dropped from $4,851,000 to $4,347,000,” McDaniel said. “We’re looking at an additional approximately half a million there and again that’s money that’s going directly back to our paving projects. I’m working with city engineer to reevalu-

ate and see if there were more roads we could add to the list.”

There are still a few things to iron out, but McDaniel said the engineer is comfortable with the estimated numbers.

Mayor Rick Lott praised the city for the good news and said it was always nice to have an estimate come in lower than expected, rather that the usual instance where it comes back at a much higher rate.

“It’s kind of amazing because it seems like with any work we put out we build a contingency fund and the cost for construction is estimated so much that it’s hard to be safe with a 10 or 20 percent contingency plan anymore, so it’s really nice to have something go the other way 20 percent,” Lott said.

The problem the city now faces is the fact that there are few streets left in desperate need of repair that don’t have major utility issues underneath the asphalt.

McDaniel refuses to use taxpayer money to pave a street and then have to rip it up a year later when the utilities demand repairs so they’re attempting to tackle the “low hanging fruit” first.

Calling the decision “just common sense,” he said the city has utilities that are 100 years old in some areas, systems that were put down in the 1920s and 1930s.

Their time is almost up and he knows the next step is to focus on these massive utility repairs and then the corresponding repavements.

Part of that planning can already be seen in the way the city paved Alsobrook Street. The majority of the street is paved and then it comes to an abrupt stop. The sewer pipes are so old underneath they were told not to even think about driving a massive paving truck on those streets.

Roadways are a system that McDaniel said are more complex than it appears. The city is working hard to beat the clock on the major issues while also taking care of the simpler fixes with the money it already has available.

“This is good news for our community that the system we have in place is working and we are paving all the roads we said we were gong to and potentially looking at adding more streets to that list,” McDaniel said.

|

THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2019

5

6

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

|

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2019

TORQUE MAKES WAVE IN ROBOTICS

Breanne Williams

Michael Wynne of the Torque Team.

Courtesy Photo

King High School’s Torque robotics team is bringing the heat at its international competitions.

A King High School student from Plant City is helping his international robotics team score big in its international competitions.

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Michael Wynne had never pictured a future in robotics when he began to contemplate where he would go to high school.

An IB student, he had few options available for his preferred route of education and when a friend suggested he join a robotics program that only left one school in a local vicinity that could meet all of his interests. He enrolled at King High School and began to make the trek from Plant City to Tampa five days a week to pursue his new passion.

“What’s great about our robotics team is most people go in without any information on how to do stuff,” Wynne said. “We all have assigned things to do and as a team we compete with our robot. I’ve learned how to use the drill press and have picked up a variety of skills with tools.

There’s 15 students and three mentors, two of the mentors are college students… The students pretty much teach ourselves, we’re building from scratch and programing ourselves and we

kind of teach each other how to succeed.”

Each year the team, which is called Torque, is given a new objective with a detailed description of the agenda the robot will have to complete. They then have six weeks to build the bot and program it so it can perfectly complete the new course. During build season the students work more than 10 hours a week, filing time on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday to perfect their ‘bots.

Wynne said he knew “basically nothing” going into the program and yet was hooked almost immediately upon starting his freshman year. He’s a sophomore now and has fallen even more in love with the unique challenges that come from competing on the robotics team.

“I was surprised by how little time we have to build it,” Wynne said. “I’ve assumed it would take much longer to do it, but when we’re working as a team nonstop it’s really impressive how much we get done in that time. I work on the bumper, but we have the mindset that if any of us finish our part we go and help somewhere else. We learn so much that

way and we’re able to really build a lot in a short period of time.”

Once build season wraps up the teams are thrown into heavy competition. Each event is approximately three days long and whichever teams win continue to advance day by day. But unlike so many local competitions, these students aren’t just up against teams from Tampa Bay, Florida or even the entire United States. The competitions are international and there are designated districts that teams can travel to compete in.

Due to the wide range of talents each competition has monumental odds. Just a few weeks ago Torque was up against more than 60 other teams and the upcoming competition has around 65 teams confirmed to compete.

“There’s a lot of competition, but we try not to let that get to us,” Wynne said. “The hardest part of this entire process is pretty much at competition when we’re having to fix problems that emerge.

With the strict time limits you have a lot to do in a little amount of time.”

Sometimes their drive chain stops working midway through

an obstacle course. Sometimes there seems to be a glitch between the messages the driver is sending and the machine. Regardless of what pops up the team has to immediately fix the problem so the robot can continue the competition.

For a school like King, obstacles come in an entirely different form as well. Sponsors and funding continue to be a hurdle for the group and Wynne said when these massive international teams arrive they’re coming with sponsors like Disney or NASA and “every tech company you can imagine.” Because of the financial backing the programs are much larger than King can provide with teams sometimes double the size of the Tampa school.

The students are also relying almost entirely on their selftaught knowledge to carry them through the competition. The three mentors are a massive help, however, the students aren’t receiving the guidance of industry experts like many of the other teams do during build season.

“We’d love to have someone come in and work with us during build season,” Wynne said. “We’re

still a relatively new team and we’re going up against teams that are a lot older than us. They have knowledge we don’t. It would be cool if someone with engineering or mechanics or really any helpful experience could come and talk to us.”

Though the obstacles are many, the team continues to hold its own at competition. They’ve become a family at Torque and the camaraderie makes learning the niche skills all the more enjoyable.

“There’s this stereotype that you have to have a lot of knowledge and you have to want to go into robotics to join the team, but that’s just not true,” Wynne said.

“You learn so much here and it’s open to everybody. We teach you, you don’t have to know much and I promise you’ll have fun.”

Anyone interested in partnering with Torque for sponsorship or mentoring should visit torquerobotics. com. You can also call Loraine Christensen at 813-744-8333 x248 with any questions.

SUNCOAST COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS, INC. 813-653-6100

www.suncoast-chc.org

NOW OPEN Open Monday-Saturday Walk-Ins Welcome

THANK YOU PLANT CITY FOR SUPPORTING OUR GRAND OPENING!

IMPROVING THE HEALTH OF OUR COMMUNITY

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

|

THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2019

7

SHOES FOR STOVES The GFWC Woman’s Club of Plant City is on a mission to help Guatemalan families breathe cleaner air at home through its shoe collection.

JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

The sight of black soot caking the walls and ceilings of Guatemalan homes was one that stuck with Sherry Scheitler long after her first mission trip to the country last summer. It stained the walls out of necessity — the people needed to cook and all they could afford were open fire pits — but she knew something could be done.

“There’s a big need in Guatemala,” Scheitler said. “The main cause of death for children under 5 is respiratory issues and it’s all because of the smoke from the fires in their homes.”

Since Scheitler and her fellow GracePoint churchgoers left Guatemala in 2018, six clean-burning, vented stoves have been installed in homes. Now she’s hoping to help fund many more with assistance from the GFWC Woman’s Club of Plant City.

GracePoint is getting ready to send the money for 10 stoves to be purchased and installed for $150 each and the Woman’s Club is attempting to raise the money to send 10 more to Guatemala. To do so, the club has been collecting, cleaning and bagging running shoes to be sold to a nonprofit called Funds2Orgs.

With the money earned from the shoe sales, the club can fund the purchase of the stoves in the country. The group plans to collect and clean used running shoes on

April 20 at the Rugged Maniac mud run in Dade City, which Scheitler hopes will help the club raise the rest of the money it needs. After the campaign wraps up — sometime around the club’s May meeting, Scheitler hopes — the money will be sent to a ministry called Little Lambs International that installs the stoves in the homes of need.

GracePoint members have been traveling to Guatemala for the last seven years and have helped Little Lambs build and establish a campus in that time. Little Lambs primarily works with orphans, but has also branched out to help families acquire the clean-burning stoves. In 2018, Scheitler’s first year visiting the country, several families of the campus’s security personnel were among the first to receive stoves. More were given out to nearby residents after the ministry did some research and learned of people in need not far from the campus.

Scheitler will be back in Guatemala in July and plans to keep the trend going.

“I’m hoping that the week I’m there, we will install stoves in the morning and go talk to more people that might need stoves in the afternoon,” she said.

The Woman’s Club has already rounded up 68 bags, each containing 25 pairs of shoes, to be sold. That’s more than 1,700 pairs obtained since the group started collecting in October 2018.

“We’re real excited about it and just happy to be able to help,” Scheitler said.

Courtesy photo

Londa Amyot and Sherry Scheitler with Donna Paulus and Kristy Fontelera of Funds2Orgs.

Courtesy photo

The Woman’s Club has collected almost 2,000 pairs of shoes thus far.

IT’S READ EVERYWHERE Did you take the Observer with you on vacation? Send your pictures to Associate Editor Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com to be featured.

OREGON: Jill and Emma Hartsfield spent spring break in Bandon, Oregon to visit family and take in the beautiful sights of the Pacific Northwest and Lago Panguipulli. Jill and Emma Hartsfield brought the Observer on a family trip.

8

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

|

THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2019

PlantCityObserver.com

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

ITS THE FINAL COUNTDOWN

|

THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2019

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.

On April 8 Plant City commishioners will decide if the city’s alcohol ordinacne will be revised or remain in its current state.

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Several other public hearings came prior to the alcohol ordinance and when it was finally read from the dais the crowd suddenly sat up straight in their chairs. Many leaned over and began whispering to their neighbor and several took out their phones to record what was about to be said. Anticipating an onslaught of comments from the crowd, Mayor Rick Lott opened the hearing with a small suggestion to help the meeting move at an organized pace.

“This is a public hearing, anyone interested in speaking before the commission is welcome to participate,” Lott said. “After walking around and shaking a lot of your hands before the meeting started I realize most of you are here for this hearing. I’m anticipating lots of thoughts and, if you want, one person from each organization can come up to the podium and speak and then everyone in support of what was said can stand. Or we’re more than happy to listen to each and every one of you. Whatever you prefer.”

Until the ordinance is changed the only way a business can sell alcohol in Plant City is if it has a restaurant license and a floor capacity of no less than 2,500 square feet and no fewer than 100 seats. A majority percentage of the restaurant’s income would also have to come from non-alcohol sales and thus any tiny venue like a wine bar or brewery would be hard put to meet the code.

?

Changes would merely alter some of the wording, welcoming smaller businesses and loosening the regulations on what a venue had to look like to be able to sell a glass of wine.

The petition for a change was spearheaded by Plant City Main Street, who said in public meetings they hope altering the ordinance will help breathe life into downtown and one day Midtown and help transform Plant City into a “destination.”

During a Main Street meeting in January regarding the issue several businessmen in the community including Jake Austin, president of the Plant City EDC, and Jay Hollenkamp, co-manager of Cocktail Caviar and owner of a building in historic downtown, said they have had multiple businesses approach them wanting to create a microbrewery or wine bar similar to those found in Lakeland and Tampa right here in Plant City.

Without a change, however, those businesses will continue to plant their roots elsewhere.

It’s a discussion that in the past has caused quite a stir in the community, as was evident by the filled seats Monday night. However, when Lott opened the floor everyone looked around, but no one came up to the mic.

After a long pause, Lott announced the second public hearing would be held April 8 and commissioners would then take a vote on how to tackle the ordinance.

BEAR: Bear, a three-year-old Australian Shepherd, just had his birthday this week. He loves playing frisbee and taking long walks where he makes it a point to stop and smell every single blade of grass in sight. He loves chicken and Oikos Vanilla Greek yogurt and has made a family with his cat brother and sister Fredo and Maggia and his Pitbull cousin Nikko, who just recently came to stay for good at his home.

ONLINE

Follow us on social media: @PCObserver on Instgram, @PlantObserver on Twitter and Plant City Observer on Facebook.

9

10

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

|

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2019

A WEEKEND TO REMEMBER Downtown Plant City will feature a full day of family fun on April 13 as the community gathers for the beloved RailFest and the second annual Praise in the Park On Common Ground.

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Early Saturday morning guests will flock to McCall Park and the Robert W. Willaford Railroad Museum for the annual RailFest event.

The festive train-themed event always has an abundance of activities for families and even has a special appearance from H.B. Plant. Children love taking in the train cars on display and pressing their face against the glass in the museum while adults sit back and enjoy learning more about the railcars that put Plant City on the map.

There are bounce houses, goodie bags, train rides and more in honor of the special event. The museum is also debuting a new Plant City Railroad layout of its HO scale model train. A legendary auction of unique railroad items as well as community donated pieces always draws a crowd toward the end of the event and will feature the fifth annual Golden Spike Award and the third annual Little Spike Award.

FIle photo

Praise in the Park drew hundreds of attendees to the train depot and McCall Park in 2018 for an afternoon full of music, fun and worship.

Just as RailFest begins to wrap up its festivities, Praise in the Park On Common Ground will pull into the station.

“Last year we followed on the heels of RailFest and we estimated there were over a thousand people there throughout our event,” Frank Trunzo, owner of Krazy Kup and creator of Praise in the Park, said. “This year we’ve doubled in size. Our event is going to be spread over two blocks and feature around 25 performers.”

Praise in the Park kicked off last year after Trunzo had a dream to create a Christian music festival in the heart of Plant City. Despite it being the first time the city’s ever experienced an event of that caliber the seats remained filled at the stage and guests constantly flowed in and out of downtown.

This year the stakes are raised and Trunzo is partnering with Pastor Joe Kelley and the Common Ground Movement, an event that aims to unite Christian youth in the area. Now Praise in the Park

will stretch from the train depot down to the very edge of McCall Park and will even have performances at the building located at 201 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd the Trunzo’s are renovating to create their upcoming performance pizzeria.

From around 3 to 9 p.m. downtown will be filled with faithbased entertainment from all genres and attendees will be able to experience music ranging from rap to rock to traditional gospel.

Non-music performers are also slotted to showcase their talents at the event.

When you walk up to the train depot there will be a stage set up with bands showing off their skills throughout the day. While strolling down McCall Park you’ll find an acoustic or solo performer at the gazebo and another group of performers toward the end of the park at a platform managed

by Kelley. The future pizzeria will also have some high-quality bands showing off their skills

throughout the night. Woven among the performances are an abundance of activities for young and old alike. Face painters, balloon artists, stilt walkers, a life size puppet show and a staged puppet show, bounce houses and a variety of hand-picked food trucks will all be peppered throughout downtown.

There will even be a world champion magician entertaining the crowds for part of the event.

Vendors will also be lining the streets with unique merchandise for the attendees.

Praise in the Park is hoping to help the local Pregnancy Care Center. A premier LEGO Disney castle will be raffled off and tickets will run $5 each. All the proceeds will go the the Pregnancy Care Center. The food trucks are donating 10 percent of their profit to the cause. There will also be a “fun auction” at the event and attendees will be able to be part of free drawings for more than 20 gift cards.

“Our goals are lofty,” Trunzo said. “Having the caliber of entertainment we have, it’s so rare to see at a Plant City event. There’s a lot of remarkable talent in the area and we’re grateful to be able to showcase some of the hidden gems here. You always have to step back and appreciate their sincerity. They’re performing, yes, but they’re worshiping and you can see that.”

The bands are all hailing from the local proximity and Trunzo said there is a wealth of talent in the area and the local faith based community that few could ever truly fathom. The biggest concern in his book is Florida’s unpredictable weather.

The event is still in search of a few more sponsors and any interested in helping bring the massive event to life should call Trunzo at 813-789-4227 or Kelley at 813344-7361.

IF YOU GO

RAILFEST When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 13 Where: Robert W. Willaford Railroad Museum, 102 N. Palmer St. PRAISE IN THE PARK When: 3 to 9 p.m. April 13 Where: Downtown Plant City, 102 N. Palmer St.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

|

THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2019

11

CONNECTING ART TO SOCIAL CONSCIOUSNESS The Bing Rooming House Museum held a unique Mural Reveal event last week to show the community how art and activism can combine to create social consciousness.

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

An intimate crowd gathered at the Bing Rooming House Museum Friday evening to discuss three vastly different pieces of art and examine how artworks can be a stream of social consciousness.

The artworks were on display throughout the museum and three community leaders

were chosen to facilitate a conversation on each piece. Attendees then joined in with their thoughts on the artwork, transforming a routine art exhibition into a mediation on cultural divide and human rights in the U.S. “There is a desire to really leverage the Bing House,” Williams Thomas Jr., president of the Improvement League of Plant City, said. “We want to preserve, present and promote African-American History, to

bridge gaps in our community and make a connection to the younger people in Plant City. Our curators are presenting ideas of activism in the community —not exactly political, more along the lines of simply showing people we care — as well as amping up our involvement with events like Earth Day. We will be hosting at least two activities a month now at the museum.”

The Mural Reveal reception lasted from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and welcomed approximately 25 guests to the Bing House. One of the featured artworks depicted a slave ship that was drawn from one long continuous line.

Another was formatted using snapshots of diversity to show how human rights evolved in this country from segregation to the civil rights movement to desegregation and the following ripples of change we see today.

The final artwork was a mural in two distinctly different neon colors. Together it made an image, but each color also was its own unique picture.

The artists involved donated their time and efforts for the event and Thomas said it was an evening filled with thoughtful conversation and awe-inspiring art.

“It’s a museum, it’s our responsibility to present history in different formats, not just in pictures and artifacts,” Thomas said “Art is one of those other forms. It can present history and connect to generations both young and old alike. Thanks to a new wave of young folk getting involved we are now leveraging our assets to connect and tell a story in our community. It’s important to us to be able to open up, to tell a side

of Plant City’s history that many may not know about.”

This is just one of the many new and unique experiences that are going to be offered at the Bing House. Recently the group kicked off a monthly movie series.

So far they’ve watched Black Panther and Cars 2 and Thomas said many more familyfriendly films are on the way. The films also tie into deeper conversations throughout the evening and there are arts and crafts available as the film plays for young viewers to stay engaged.

Next week the organization will be hosting another first-time event for the museum. On April 4, the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s assassination, the museum will open its doors at 5:30 p.m. for a vigil in honor of the monumental American hero. Three or four representatives of the clergy are coming to lead the event, including a clergyman Thomas said walked with Dr. King.

It will be a quick and somber affair, but the hope is the Bing House will continue to offer these unique experiences for years to come.

“Right now, we’re kind of acting on the thought of, ‘why not?’” Thomas said.

“We are thinking about things to offer and whenever something sticks we decide as a group to just see how it goes. It’s our responsibility to bridge these gaps in our community so you’re going to see a lot more coming out of the museum over the next few months.”

Courtesy Photo

Left: Wellington “Afro Shades” Reyes was one of the featured artists at the event. He has partnered with the Improvement League before for events. Right: ILOPC President William Thomas Jr.

12

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

|

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2019

‘YOUTH EXPLOSION’

HONORS LEGACY OF MARIE B. ELLIS The legendary Plant City civic leader’s memory lives on with a new event.

Above: Members of the community spoke to the youth as “mentors.”

Left: The Ellis family organized the event.

pro in the game of basketball. I try to get all kids who come through me to Photos by Justin Kline look at life a little differThe first annual Youth Explosion took over Marie B. Ellis Park. ently.”

The event also featured music from local artist food, fun, games and giveaways. Bishop Bullwinkle, best-known JUSTIN KLINE Kids could play basketball on the for his viral hit “Hell 2 Da Naw SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR park’s court or on an inflatable Naw.” one nearby, won prizes and got to Lee, director of Exploring the hear testimonies from a handful Dream of our Youth, is Ellis’s hen Marie B. Ellis was alive, of community leaders and men- granddaughter. She said she and she devoted much of her tors at the event. Rudyne Lee, her family wanted to celebrate time toward making Plant Cordell Bostic, Reggie Ellis, Sar- the community and work with City a better place to live ah Governor and Sharon Moody the youth just as Ellis did, but in a every day. Now her family is spoke to the kids about topics different way. Rather than go allkeeping Ellis’s goal alive in any such as staying focused in school, in on the city’s Easter celebration, way they can — which is how being active, listening to parents which Ellis started in 1941 and the “explosion” at Marie B. Ellis and chasing their dreams. brought to the park in 1945, they Park happened from 1 p.m. to 5 “As far as me, my program is wanted to do something new and p.m. March 23. based on reaching youth through different that still held true to the The “Youth Explosion” event, a sports and entrepreneurship,” spirit of Ellis’s work. That led to joint venture between the Explor- Bostic, head of Dream Team Bas- the creation of the Youth Exploing the Dream of our Youth group ketball, said. “One thing I try to sion as a means to work with kids and Dream Team Basketball Inc., instill in them is there’s more than and help them get on the path to set out to celebrate both Ellis’s one way to go pro, whether you living a healthy, successful life. legacy and the youth of Plant become a lawyer, doctor, agent — City with an afternoon full of there’s more than one way to go

W

OMG IT’S WEDNESDAY! PLANT CITY FARM AND FLEA MARKET Highway 39 North at Sam Allen Road—1 mi. N. of I-4 Exit 21

WEDNESDAY FLEA MARKET OVER 40 ACRES . . . MORE THAN 500 VENDORS

OP EN

PM 7A M T O 1 708 W. SAM ALLEN RD. 1 MILE NORTH OF I-4 EXIT 21

287696-1

LIKE KMART WITHOUT A ROOF!

PLENTY OF FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

WWW.PLANTCITYMARKET.COM

“It takes a village to raise a child,” Lee said. “We are that village.”

Lee and Bostic want the Youth Explosion to be an annual event, something that gets bigger every

year and makes all of Plant City want to stop by for the afternoon.

“We want to grow it as large as we possibly can,” Bostic said. “We want everybody in Plant City to show up next time. We want it to be something the entire community can get behind.”

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

|

THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2019

13

REVVING UP FOR RELAY

The 2019 Relay For Life in Plant City kicks off tomorrow evening at Plant City High School.

It may be coming a full month early, but the Plant City Relay For Life is more elaborate than ever.

For the past 21 years the organization has rallied members of the community to its cause and showed thousands of survivors they are loved and supported by their town.

Plant City High School has long been the home for the event and this year the group had to shuffle a bit to ensure they could stay with its beloved host.

“It was just how it worked with the school’s calendar this year,” Bonnie Gibson, community development manager, said. “We didn’t want to move it from Plant City High School. They’ve graciously hosted us every year, everyone knows it’s at the school and we wouldn’t dream of having it anywhere else. Between proms, grad bashes and sporting events this just became the perfect weekend for it.”

Though the organizers had to throw in extra hours to compensate for hosting it in March rather than in April, Gibson said they are well on track to having a successful and impactful year. There are currently 50 teams registered, 95 survivors participating and 670 attendees signed up to walk for the event.

Last year the organization raised more than $197,000, exceeding their expectations. Due to a shorter time period to campaign the group is setting the 2019 fundraising goal at $190,000 and Gibson is confident they’ll be able to reach their pinnacle and give back that much to Relay.

In 1985, when colorectal surgeon Dr. Gordy Klatt decided to create Relay For Life to help spread awareness of the disease and

raise money for his local cancer charity, the community laced up their tennis shoes and hit a track in Tacoma, Washington.

For 24 hours straight they walked. Cancer doesn’t take a break, so neither would they. They showed their dedication to their local community and successfully raised $27,000. Since then, Relay has become one of the largest fundraising events for cancer in the entire world.

There are 19 members currently on the local Relay For Life team and Gibson said they spend the entire year organizing and planning the following year’s event. Participants and teams hit the ground running around August and in the spring the track at PCHS is filled with supporters.

This year Gibson said they heavily focused on community outreach when deciding how to promote the 2019 event.

“It has definitely been more boots on the ground, more action in the community earlier,” Gibson said. “We typically start heavily advertising and promoting the event around this time every year. But because we’re a month earlier we started much earlier. We met with Commissioner Nate Kilton and did his table talk video, we met with the Chamber and Minuteman Press and got a banner hung along downtown town. The city put signs up along several roads. We’re letting people know that Relay is here, that you’re not waiting until April anymore.”

Each year at 6 p.m. on Friday evening, the event kicks off with an opening ceremony followed by the survivor and caregiver lap, which is a lap around the track to celebrate and remember those who have

Breanne Williams

Relay For Life always kicks of with a survivor’s lap around the track at PCHS.

been affected by cancer. Gibson said the reason the organization gathers each year is because it wants that lap to be filled to capacity with survivors, to ensure that more and more people are able to come out victorious from the disease.

The survivors are then treated to a free dinner around 6:30 p.m. and at 9 p.m. the stadium falls silent for the luminaria ceremony. The lights are turned off and bags surrounding the track are lit as they take a moment to remember those no longer with us.

A slideshow of pictures of those who died from the disease plays to remind people why they are there and to offer a moment of solace for their loved ones.

Then the real feat begins. While many slowly slip away throughout the evening a dedicated group of attendees man the track all night long. There are countless fun activities and team contests throughout the evening to keep spirits high and come 6 a.m. the next morning the event winds to a close with a special ceremony.

This year Gibson said two new teams are having unique events like an obstacle course and a dodgeball cage to rev up the action on the field. With their new promoting techniques came a new wave of volunteers and Gibson said it’s refreshing to see how the event continues to evolve and reach new members in the city.

The organizers dig in deep to find new and interesting things to “pull out of a bag” throughout the night and they rely on

feedback from participants on what could change or be added.

It’s an energizing event for a great cause, Gibson said. She hopes everyone in town takes a moment to attend, even if they aren’t able to stay all evening.

“Definitely if you’re a cancer survivor, have heard the words, ‘you have cancer’ we definitely would want you to come out to the event and participate in our survivor walk,” Gibson said. “You’re the reason we are doing this event, we fight and spend so much of our time spreading awareness and raising money for research because we want you to know you are loved and we want to help future generations not have to face the same obstacles thanks to advancements in research. Relay is for everyone.

Just come to the event and enjoy. We really want people to come and support us and be there.”

IF YOU GO

Relay For Life When: 6 p.m. March 29 to 6 a.m. March 30 Where: Plant City High School, 1 Raider Place Website: relayforlife.org/plantcityfl Contact Bonnie Gibson at 813-425-0251 or email bonnie.gibson@cancer.org.

14

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

|

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2019

NECK PAIN/BACK PAIN

AUTO ACCIDENTS

ORTHOPAEDIC INJURIES

HERNIATED DISCS/STENOSIS

KYPHOPLASTY

PEDIATRIC & ADULT SCOLIOSIS

863-688-3030 www.SpineInstituteFl.com

Lakeland B:10.167”

FAILED PRIOR SPINE SURGERY ORTHOPAEDIC URGENT CARE ALL SPINE DISORDERS

Brandon

5050 S. Florida Ave. Lakeland, FL 33813

T:10.167” S:10.167”

This is more than great rates This is more savings for wherever you’re going.

Platinum Savings Account

2.10

%

Annual Percentage Yield for 12 months with new money deposits of at least $25,000 and a minimum daily account balance of $25,000 or more1

Guaranteed Fixed-Rate CD

Offers available in AR, CT, DC, FL, GA, MD, MS, NC, NJ, NY, SC, TX and VA. Portfolio by Wells Fargo® customers are eligible to receive an additional bonus interest rate on these accounts.3 1. To qualify for this offer, you must have a new or existing Platinum Savings account and enroll the account in this offer between 03/25/2019 and 05/31/2019. This offer is subject to change at any time, without notice. This offer is available only to Platinum Savings customers in the following states: AR, CT, DC, FL, GA, MD, MS, NC, NJ, NY, SC, TX and VA. In order to earn the Special Interest Rate of 2.08% (Special Rate), you must deposit $25,000 in new money (from sources outside of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., or its affiliates) to the enrolled savings account and maintain a minimum daily account balance of $25,000 throughout the term of this offer. The corresponding Annual Percentage Yield (APY) for this offer is 2.10%. The Special Rate will be applied to the enrolled savings account for a period of 12 months, starting on the date the account is enrolled in the offer. However, for any day during that 12 month period that the daily account balance is less than the $25,000 minimum, the Special Rate will not apply, and the interest rate will revert to the standard interest rate applicable to your Platinum Savings account. As of 02/15/2019, the standard interest rate and APY for a Platinum Savings account in AR, CT, DC, FL, GA, MD, MS, NC, NJ, NY, SC, TX and VA with an account balance of $0.01 and above is 0.05% (0.05% APY). Each tier shown reflects the current minimum daily collected balance required to obtain the applicable APY. Interest is compounded daily and paid monthly.

The amount of interest earned is based on the daily collected balances in the account. Upon the expiration of the 12 month promotional period, standard interest rates apply. Minimum to open a Platinum Savings account is $25. A monthly service fee of $12 applies in any month the account falls below a $3,500 minimum daily balance. Fees may reduce earnings. Interest rates are variable and subject to change without notice. Wells Fargo may limit the amount you deposit to a Platinum Savings account to an aggregate of $1 million. Offer not available to Private Banking or Wealth customers.

2. Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is effective for accounts opened between 03/25/2019 to 05/31/2019. The 11-month New Dollar CD special requires a minimum of $25,000 brought to Wells Fargo from sources outside of Wells Fargo Bank N.A., or its affiliates to earn the advertised APY. Public Funds and Wholesale accounts are not eligible for this offer. APY assumes interest remains on deposit until maturity. Interest is compounded daily. Payment of interest on CDs is based on term: For terms less than 12 months (365 days), interest may be paid monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or at maturity (the end of the term). For terms of 12 months or more, interest may be paid monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually. A fee for early withdrawal will be imposed and could reduce earnings on this account. Special Rates are applicable to the initial term of the CD only. At maturity, the Special Rate CD will automatically renew for a term of 6 months, at the interest rate and APY in effect for CDs on renewal date not subject to a Special Rate, unless the Bank has notified you otherwise. 1,2. Due to the new money requirement, accounts may only be opened at your local branch. Wells Fargo reserves the right to modify or discontinue the offer at any time without notice. Minimum new money deposit requirement of at least $25,000 is for this offer only and cannot be transferred to another account to qualify for any other consumer deposit offer. If you wish to take advantage of another consumer deposit offer requiring a minimum new money deposit, you will be required to do so with another new money deposit as stated in the offer requirements and qualifications. Offer cannot be combined with any other consumer deposit offer, except the Portfolio by Wells Fargo $500 offer, available from March 25, 2019 until May 31, 2019. Offer cannot be reproduced, purchased, sold, transferred, or traded. 3. The Portfolio by Wells Fargo program has a $30 monthly service fee, which can be avoided when you have one of the following qualifying balances: $25,000 or more in qualifying linked bank deposit accounts (checking, savings, CDs, FDIC-insured IRAs) or $50,000 or more in any combination of qualifying linked banking, brokerage (available through Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC) and credit balances (including 10% of mortgage balances, certain mortgages not eligible).

If the Portfolio by Wells Fargo relationship is terminated, the bonus interest rate on all eligible savings accounts, and discounts or fee waivers on other products and services, will discontinue and revert to the Bank’s then-current applicable rate or fee. For bonus interest rates on time accounts, this change will occur upon renewal. If the Portfolio by Wells Fargo relationship is terminated, the remaining unlinked Wells Fargo Portfolio Checking or Wells Fargo Prime Checking account will be converted to another checking product or closed. © 2019 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Deposit products offered by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLSR ID 399801

T:7.833”

Business owner?

Ask about our business savings rates.

B:7.833”

Talk to a banker for details.

Offer expires May 31, 2019.

S:7.833”

2.40

%

Annual Percentage Yield for an 11-month term with new money deposits of at least $25,0002

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

|

THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2019

15

This week on Cops Corner:

COPS CORNER

spray painting hooligans, the case of the missing jewelry, tire spending spree, saw swipers and more.

MARCH 15 TIME WAITS FOR NO ONE 2200 block of Village Park Road Burglary vehicle: This complainant told officers that on March 14 someone entered their locked vehicle and damaged the ignition switch. They then stole three wrist watches: a black Apple i-Watch valued at $409, a gold Fossil watch valued at $350 and a gold and blue Invicta watch valued at $100.

FRAUDSTER’S FAVORITE 1800 block of East Ohio Street Fraud: This victim told the police that between December 2018 and March 2019 someone made 33 fraudulent withdraws from her account.

I’M SORRY (MR.) JACKSON, YOU’RE NOT FOR REAL 2100 block of West Baker Street Fraud uttering counterfeit bills: The same day as the previous incident someone passed fake $20 and $50 bills at the Walgreens, which totaled $620 in counterfeits.

FINDING THE KEY 1700 block of James L. Redman Parkway Vehicle burglary: An employee of Metro PCS accidentally left their vehicle unlocked. Someone then came in and entered the car, taking the key fob along with keys to the Metro PCS store.

MARCH 16

FOOL ME ONCE 300 block of Waller Street Fraud: This victim received a call from an unknown male subject who claimed to be from the Social Security office.

He convinced her to provide her Social Security number and identification.

BURNING RUBBER Collins Street/East Dr. King Boulevard DUI arrest: A vehicle was observed burning out and sliding in the downtown area.

A 23-year-old man was arrested for DUI.

PAINT IT BLACK West Trapnell Road/ Magnolia Green Street Criminal Mischief (gang): A representative from the Magnolia Green subdivision told officers the front fence of the community was spray painted with black paint.

SHOPPING TERRORS 2400 block of James L. Redman Parkway Battery: This complainant told officers that while she was shopping at the business an unknown male approached her and grabbed her in the crotch over her clothing. He then left the area in a silver pick-up truck. Unfortunately, the cameras in the area were angled so the officers could not easily identify him and his actions were not caught on the video.

GRANTING PRESIDENT GRANT 400 block of North Alexander Street Fraud uttering counterfeit bills: Someone came through this CVS store and passed 20 fake $50 bills, totaling $1,000 in counterfeit money.

MARCH 17

BEER BANDITS 2200 block of North Park Road Retail theft: Officers met with staff at

this location who told them two men walked out of the business with three cases of beer.

MARCH 18 TRACKING THE TRAILER 2400 block of Procchi Street Grand theft-trailer: Crevello Electric Inc. reported someone stole a $19,000 2010 14’ Imperial Trailer from the business on March 2.

NOT SO SAFE AFTER ALL 800 block of Russell Drive Grand theft: This complainant opened her safe one day to find that more than $25,000 worth of miscellaneous jewelry had been removed.

MARCH 19 TOOL TIME 500 block of East Laura Street Vehicle burglary: An unknown subject broke out a truck window and stole two cross cut saws from a toolbox inside the vehicle.

MARCH 20 IT’S ELECTRIC 1800 block of Greenwood Valley Drive Theft: A representative of DR Horton Construction reported to police that between March 18 and 20 someone pulled 30 feet of electrical wire from the ground at a construction site. The wire was valued at $1,000 and the representative wanted the incident documented before they signed a waiver of prosecution.

PLOTTING AT THE PARK 2300 block of East Cherry Street

Vehicle burglary/criminal mischief: This victim told officers she parked on the south east corner of a parking lot and then walked into the nearby park.

One hour later she returned to discover her driver front window had been smashed and her gray Jessica Simpson wallet was removed. The wallet had multiple credit cards, debit cards and her ID.

MARCH 21 CONSTRUCTION SWEEP 2300 block of Frontage Road Burglary/theft/criminal mischief: This complainant told police during the night of March 20 someone entered an unlocked shed and removed a portable generator and a Makita Hammer drill, which were valued at $600. Then the same suspect cut the lock and entered a construction trailer, however, they did not commit a theft in the trailer.

KEEP ‘EM ROLLIN’ 1900 block of Industrial Park Drive Fraud: This complainant reported someone ordered 30 vehicle tires via telephone, which were valued at $9,000.

They paid with a stolen credit card.

DESIGNER DILEMMA 500 block of North Pennsylvania Avenue Burglary vehicle: The victim told officers that during the night of March 20 someone entered her unlocked 2000 silver Toyota 4 Runner and removed a gold Michael Kors watch, which was valued at $280. They also took a plastic Ziploc bag with $10 worth of coins and a yellow wallet that had $100 in cash inside.

16

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

|

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2019

FOCUS ON FITNESS

ANGELA FULGIERI

Disconnect to Reconnect These days, it’s hard to find someone that is not tethered to their cell phones or some type of technology.

Whether it is social media, texting or checking our work email while we’re out of the office, we feel like if we put the phone down and step away we are going to miss something.

In actuality, we are missing things because we don’t put the phone down.

I don’t know whether there are any proven health benefits from unplugging. I imagine what you choose to do instead of staying glued to the phone would make all the difference. This is what I have found since reducing my own screen time a month ago.

I am not extremely active on social media, but step one was to delete the Facebook app from my phone. At first, I would pick up my phone as habit to check

my news feed but, after realizing I now had to actually log on to see it, it wasn’t really worth the effort. After the first week, according to my phone, my screen time was reduced by 30 percent. That was eye-opening and as a busy working mom I wondered how I could get even more of my time back.

I have since made a conscious effort to look at my phone less often. I decided I don’t really need to have it with me at all times. I keep it in another room while watching TV, leave it at home while I go shopping and don’t take it on outings with my kids like to the beach or park.

It is even OK not to check my work email every few minutes.

Surprisingly, I am not missing

anything. In fact, I feel more connected to the people around me and experiences are more enjoyable because I am not distracted.

Some studies have shown screen time before bed can hinder your ability to have a good night’s rest. For me, that is true.

Bedtime was the only free time I had to look at Facebook. Instead, I’m using that time to read. Since I’ve stopped scrolling through my Facebook newsfeed before bed, I have been sleeping better.

I fall asleep earlier and wake up earlier, which gives me time to get things done before the rest of the household has even climbed out of bed. That’s a win for me.

I still like to feel connected to the friends and family I don’t see

YOUR HOME COMMUNITY

BANK Hillsboro BANK

Personal Banking Business Banking Online Banking

Smart Banking at its BEST! 509 W. Alexander Street Plant City, FL 33563 (Main Office) (813) 707- 6506 DRIVE THRU: 8:00 - 5:30 Mon.-Thurs.

8:00 - 6:00 Fri. LOBBY: 9:00 - 4:00 Mon. - Thurs.

9:00 - 6:00 Fri.

1016 Bloomingdale Ave. Valrico, FL 33596 (Brandon Office) (813) 657-8989 DRIVE THRU: 8:00 - 5:30 Mon.-Thurs.

8:00 - 6:00 Fri LOBBY: 9:00 - 4:00 Mon. - Thurs.

9:00 - 6:00 Fri.

13844 7th Street Dade City, FL (352) 470-0990 DRIVE THRU: 8:00 - 5:00 Mon. - Thurs 8:00 - 6:00 Fri LOBBY 8:30 - 4:00 Mon - Thurs 8:30 - 6:00 - Fri.

Friendly • Fast • Quality Service

Hillsboro 284972

BANK

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

hillsborobank.com

or speak to often, so I haven’t given up Facebook entirely. But simply deleting the app has made me less likely to abuse it.

Consider the time you spend away from your phone as a minivacation and use that time to reconnect with those around you or do something you enjoy.

Angela Fulgieri is the Wellness Experience Director at the Plant City YMCA. Contact her at observerfitness@gmail.com.

MARCH 28, 2019

SPORTS

Jarod Wingo pitched a complete game to help Plant City win its first Saladino Tournament title game. See Page 18

TOURNAMENTS TAKE OVER

PLANT CITY FIELDS

Several youth and collegiate sports tournaments have been and are being held here recently.

Justin Kline

Several youth baseball tournaments are taking Plant City by storm.

JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

T

his may be one of the busiest times of the year for Plant City’s sports parks.

Six youth and collegiatelevel events have been and will be hosted at Ellis-Methvin Park, the Otis M. Andrews Sports Complex, Mike Sansone Park, the Randy L. Larson Softball Four-Plex, Plant City Stadium, Snowden Park, Plant City High School and the MLK ball fields.

Fans of baseball, softball, soccer and 7-on-7 football have plenty of reasons to visit local parks soon.

Florida Premiership’s Showcase League for youth travel soccer clubs kicked off March 23 at Ellis-Methvin Park and is ongoing through March 31. The league is for boys and girls and caters to

NPL and FPL U15-U19 teams looking for additional exposure to colleges and game time in the spring. The boys played last weekend and the girls will play on Saturday and Sunday.

Florida USSSA Baseball’s War on I-4 Tournament, geared toward travel ball teams with players age 8 through 14, used just about every baseball field in town (as well as Winter Haven’s Chain O’ Lakes complex) on March 23 and 24. Eight of the nine championship games were played in Plant City ball parks.

The National Club Baseball and Softball associations returned to town for their annual Spring Training Showcase series.

Dozens of college baseball and softball club teams from all over the country come to Plant City every spring for the event, which features exhibition games and

practices at Mike Sansone Park, Plant City High School and the MLK fields. The NCBA started playing on March 2 and will continue through Friday, while the NCSA started its play March 10 and wrapped up on March 23.

This weekend will bring two more tournaments into the mix.

Global Sports Alliance Florida will host Florida Gulf Coast League play on the fields at Mike Sansone and Ellis-Methvin parks on Saturday and Sunday beginning at 9 a.m. and ending at 5 p.m. both days. The travel baseball league will host the last set of league play games in Plant City before its playoffs begin April 12.

On Saturday, Make a Play 7v7 will host a youth football tournament at Ellis-Methvin Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Make a Play is a Miami-based organization

INFORMATION Florida Premiership: https://floridapremiership.org/florida-premiership-showcase-league-2/ USSSA: http://www.usssa.com/baseball/event_gameCenter/?divisionID=1892915 NCBA: http://ncbaspringtraining.weebly.com/east-schedules--results.html NCSA: https://ncsaspringtraining.weebly.com/schedules--results.html GSA: https://baseball.sincsports.com/TTContent.aspx?tid=GSAB00193 Make a Play 7v7: http://makeaplay7v7.com/

WHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND?

that hosts national championship tournaments from the 10U level up to 15U and varsity, as well as skills camps. Some of the tournament alumni listed on its website include Atlanta Falcons wideout Calvin Ridley and Alabama wideout Jerry Jeudy.

Justin Kline

Florida Premiership soccer came to Ellis-Methvin Park.

Sports tournaments great for showing off Plant City

W

Justin Kline

The NCSA Spring Training Showcase wrapped up last weekend.

Coaches weigh in on June hoops recruiting event

The NCAA and NFHS are teaming up to plan a June basketball evaluation and recruiting event for Florida high school athletes, but not everyone’s invited.

The FHSAA released a statement Monday about the organizations’ move to develop criteria to exclude girls and non-FHSAA athletes from the event, which did not fly with the FHSAA. “In future years, it is the Association’s hope the NCAA and NFHS will invite the FHSAA into its discussions to further develop the idea and extend the opportunity provided there is equality for all student-athletes wishing to participate,” the FHSAA said in the statement.

The exclusions were also not wellreceived by area coaches.

“Fear becomes reality,” Plant City boys basketball coach Billy Teeden said on Twitter. “Where will our athletes be seen… more college coaches will have to depend on 3rd (sic) parties to get their recruiting information.”

“Yet multiple football recruiting fairs,” Strawberry Crest wrestling coach Will Terry replied. “Throughout the state.”

The FHSAA recommended the Florida Association of Basketball Coaches host the event, but that was denied.

Optimist soccer season kicks off

The 43rd season of the Plant City Recreation and Parks Department/ Optimist Youth Soccer Program started up Tuesday evening at the Otis M. Andrews Sports Complex.

This year, PCRPD reported 1,248 kids between ages 4 and 18 have registered to play on 98 teams in the league. The eight-game season runs through May 18 and does not include Easter weekend.

Tennis lessons

JUSTIN KLINE

e may not have that Sports Village on Park Road just yet, but I think we’re much closer to the original mission statement of making Plant City a “sports destination” than we were a few years ago — even without any work having started on that huge complex.

It’s not my first time writing about how cool it is that tournament organizers pick us over Tampa and Orlando, but that

Quick Hits

was almost five years ago. Quietly, but surely, this has become a much different place than it was in 2014.

I’m not saying our fields and facilities were looking rough when I first got here, but there’s so much more to offer now and the quality is mostly great. Why wouldn’t someone want to show all this off?

SEE KLINE, PAGE 18

Registration for April lessons at the Plant City Tennis Center is now open.

The center is offering lessons for singles and team players age 4 and older beginning as early as April 1.

Lessons are held in the late afternoon to early evening once to twice per week between Mondays and Thursdays. Registration closes Mar. 30 and other programs and leagues are available year-round. Open play can be scheduled during available time slots by contacting the Tennis Center.

To sign up, visit the tennis center at 120 N. Wilder Road. Lesson costs vary by class and age. For more information, call 813-707-7485 or email C. Shane Johnson at sjohnson@ plantcitygov.com.

Sign up for YMCA summer camp

The Plant City Family YMCA is accepting registrations for its new and improved summer camp program.

All Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA locations have undergone changes to their summer camp programs, bringing more fun and educational activities to the table and offering before-care and after-care activities.

Activities include swimming, science, outdoor education, nature encounters, visual arts and more. Hillsborough County Public Schools will provide free breakfast and lunch as part of the Summer Food Program.

The program runs from June 3 – August 2 and is open to all kids in the community ages 18 and under, including Y campers. To register, visit tampaymca.org/letscamp.

18

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

|

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2019

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

SPONSORED BY SPORT CLIPS

85

ed free

Tell me about that title game.

It was a good game for me and the team. The team was hitting, I was pitching good. I went 86 (miles per hour) in the first inning and went up to 90, so I feel like I was throwing good in that game.

You got two wins in the tournament and had another appearance, also pitched well in the title game. When it was all said and done and you got to look back at it, how did you feel about your performance?

I felt like I had a good Saladino Tournament. People know my name now in my junior season. I’m hoping next year, when we do it, we have the same outcome.

You’re normally the one closing games. How many times have you been in a situation like this, where you find out you have to start for once?

I haven’t started in a while. I couldn’t tell you when the last time I started was. It felt good to hop on the mound, start, throw all seven and be this guy. It feels good.

How did you get ready for the game?

I just put my headphones in, went straight down to the bullpen, me and Hunter talked about all the signs and I got the word after that. I had to get the jitters out and play two-ball before the game. I had to get loose. I’m not that kind of guy to just, like, zone out. I have to be distracted. I have to be doing stuff with the team.

JUSTIN KLINE

Sports tournaments great for showing off Plant City

Who do you try to model your game after?

My brother (Dalton Wingo), probably.

He had a good four years here. He’s playing at UCF. I’m gonna try to compete with him.

Which MLB team would you play for if you could?

Probably the Yankees or the Boston, one of those big teams. They make a lot of money, man.

What’s your proudest moment as a Raider?

This year, hitting that bomb against Brooks DeBartolo.

What’s the most fun you’ve had with these guys?

Activities that we do outside. We went to a shooting range one time. That was really fun for the team. We got together and shot clays.

What’s the best thing about playing with this group of guys?

Last year we just came out here, played, did our thing. This year, this group has a massive dedication to win.

The chemistry is good with this team.

What separates this team on the field from the past PCHS teams you’ve played on?

Justin Kline

Plant City’s parks are used almost every weekend of the year, and many of those weekends feature traveling sports tournaments.

JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Definitely winning Steinbrenner and coming into another tournament, Saladino, and winning. We’ve never done that in the past 30 years, maybe, I have no clue. It’s a big boost for us, big for our confidence.

How would you say your performance this season has been?

My hitting hasn’t been that great, but it’s heating up right now. It’ll be good for the end of the season. I’ll heat up.

When you’re on the mound, what do you think you do well?

I just compete. I just go up there and I’m not afraid of anything. I’m not afraid to throw the ball. I’m not afraid to hit someone on accident. I just go in there and I sling the ball.

The biggest thing for me might be Ellis-Methvin Park, now that it’s been completed and gets its fair share of action. I was there over the weekend for the baseball and soccer tournaments going on and with the perfect weather we had, I caught myself wishing I had nothing else to do so I could just stick around and enjoy the day there. It’s the perfect place to watch (or play) a game in Plant City, as far as I’m concerned, with the fields being in such great shape. That’s the kind of sports-friendly park any city would want to have as its crown jewel.

Really, though, you’re getting something good out of just about any sports park you visit for a tournament. The Otis M. Andrews complex is great for catching games with enough space to make sure a ton of people can be there at once and not get claustrophobic.

Mike Sansone Park is a great place to watch baseball and softball and, in my opinion, the view you can get with our signature strawberry water tower in the background is Americana at its best. The Randy L. Larson complex always looks good and, as an added bonus, has the best parking setup of the bunch.

The MLK ball fields get no complaints from me now and I can’t wait to see how

that area comes together as a whole when the community center’s completed.

I’ve traveled around for assignments enough to see what other cities have going on and I’ve got to say, we’ve really got it made out here. I hope we keep up the good work.

I don’t think we can call Plant City a “best-kept secret” of the Tampa Bay area sports world for much longer. Maybe the realization of the sports village would be the icing on the cake but, in my opinion, that cake’s just about finished baking.

Justin Kline is the Sports Editor at the Plant City Observer. Email: jkline@ plantcityobserver.com.

Any college plans?

USF and UT are both looking at me.

Chipola and Polk State are looking at me, also. I’m hoping to go to one of those. I want to stay local.

Emergency TILE & GROUT Emergency

Water 24-HR. 24-HR. Water Extractions Extractions 50c per sq.ft. Storm, Storm, Broken Pipes, Broken Pipes, etc. etc.

Steam Cleaned

CARPETS

TILE & GROUT Water Damage Restoration Fire and Smoke Damage

Steam Cleaned

Steam Cleaned

Mold Remediation

3 Rooms $85

50c per sq.ft.

Storm Damage

24/7 Emergency Services

includes Hallway cleaned free

"In The Time Of Disaster, Water Extraction 24-Hr Service | Carpet Dyeing & Repairs We react Faster"

www.AllSaintscc.com 813-986-1266 813-986-1266 www.AllSaintscc.com 813-986-1266 www.AllSaintscc.com

| Carpet Dyeing & Repairs

ntscc.com

WHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND?

813-986-1266 (813) 757-0717

287355-1

d

Jarod Wingo is usually the guy Plant City High School calls on to close out a game and get the save, but things were different in the March 23 Saladino Tournament championship game.

Wingo was tabbed to start and totally delivered, pitching all seven innings and giving up just one hit and one walk in the Raiders’ 4-1 win over Durant. The junior also struck out 10 batters in the game.

Know someone who deserves an Athlete of the Week feature? Email Justin Kline at JKline@plantcityobserver.com by the Friday before the next issue.

287396-1

S

Jarod Wingo

www.advantage-rc.com

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

Mar. 26

Mar. 22

Bloomingdale 8, Durant 6 Plant City 11, Riverview 4 Plant 4, Strawberry Crest 0

Durant 10, Admiral Farragut 0 Palm Harbor University 12, Strawberry Crest 2

Mar. 28

Mar. 23

East Bay at Durant, 7 p.m.

Wharton at Strawberry Crest, 7 p.m.

Durant 4, Tarpon Springs 0 East Lake 11, Durant 3 Durant 16, Tampa Catholic 5 Strawberry Crest 14, Dunedin 1 Robinson 5, Strawberry Crest 2 Strawberry Crest 1, Admiral Farragut 0

Mar. 29 Bloomingdale at Plant City, 7 p.m.

Mar. 30 Durant at Alonso, 10 a.m.

Apr. 2 Freedom at Durant, 7 p.m.

Strawberry Crest at Steinbrenner, 7 p.m.

Mar. 26 Durant 1, Bloomingdale 0 Plant City 1, Riverview 0 (13 innings) Strawberry Crest 18, Plant 2

Apr. 3

Mar. 28

Plant City at East Bay, 7 p.m.

East Bay at Durant, 7 p.m.

Wharton at Strawberry Crest, 7 p.m.

Apr. 4 Strawberry Crest at Freedom, 7 p.m.

Apr. 5 Plant City at Durant, 7 p.m.

Apr. 6 Plant at Plant City, 10 a.m.

Mar. 29 Bloomingdale at Plant City, 7 p.m.

Freedom at Durant, 7 p.m.

Strawberry Crest at Steinbrenner, 7 p.m.

Strawberry Crest at Newsome, 7 p.m.

Plant City at East Bay, 7 p.m.

Apr. 4

Apr. 10 Durant at Riverview, 7 p.m.

Strawberry Crest at Freedom, 7 p.m.

Apr. 5

Apr. 11 Riverview at Plant City, 7 p.m.

Wiregrass Ranch at Strawberry Crest, 7 p.m.

Apr. 12 Bloomingdale at Durant, 7 p.m.

Apr. 13 Strawberry Crest at Lennard, 10 a.m.

Apr. 2 Bloomingdale at Durant, 5/7 p.m.

Apr. 5 Sickles at Durant, 5/7 p.m.

TENNIS Mar. 28 Courtesy of Heather Hanks

Durant vs.

Plant City, 3 p.m.

Strawberry Crest vs. Lennard, 3 p.m.

Plant City at Durant, 7 p.m.

Apr. 8 Plant City at Sebring, 6 p.m.

Apr. 9 Strawberry Crest at Newsome, 7 p.m.

LACROSSE Mar. 29 Durant at Newsome, 5/7 p.m.

Plant City won its first Saladino Tournament on March 23.

JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Apr. 1 Durant vs.

Spoto, 3 p.m.

Plant City vs.

Brandon, 3 p.m.

Strawberry Crest vs. Freedom, 3 p.m.

TRACK AND FIELD Apr. 2 Durant, Plant City, Crest: at Vernon Kohrn County Championships, 1 p.m.

Apr. 8 Durant, Plant City, Crest: at District championships, 9 a.m.

FLAG FOOTBALL

Durant at Plant City, 7:30 p.m.

Strawberry Crest at East Bay, 7:30 p.m.

Apr. 1

Apr. 3 Apr. 9

The Plant City Raiders and Durant Cougars set the stage for an all-Plant City championship showdown March 22 in the Saladino Tournament.

Mar. 28 Apr. 2

19

Riverview at Durant, 7:30 p.m.

Plant City at Newsome, 7:30 p.m.

Tampa Bay Tech at Strawberry Crest, 7:30 p.m.

Apr. 4 Durant at Tampa Bay Tech, 7:30 p.m.

Bloomingdale at Plant City, 7:30 p.m.

Strawberry Crest at Newsome, 7:30 p.m.

Apr. 8 Armwood at Strawberry Crest, 7:30 p.m.

Apr. 11 Plant City at Strawberry Crest, 7:30 p.m.

At the end of the Saladino Tournament, Plant City High School was the last team left standing at Brandon High School.

The Raiders went undefeated in their run to the final round, outscoring opponents 42-10 along the way and surviving tough efforts from Riverview (a 4-3 come-from-behind win) and Leto (a 3-2 win despite a late Leto rally) in the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds, respectively.

The Durant Cougars turned out to be a pleasant surprise in the tournament, bouncing back from a 7-6 loss to Sickles in pool play to win four straight with a 4-3 win over Strawberry Crest in the quarterfinal and a 14-0 dismantling of Newsome in the semifinal round. That set up an all-Plant City finale that, like the teams’ first meeting of 2019, went in the Raiders’ favor.

Plant City won its first Saladino Tournament final with a 4-1 score over Durant, led by junior closer Jarod Wingo in a rare start. Wingo pitched a complete game and gave up only one hit and one walk while striking out 10 Cougars. Durant’s only run scored — which came up in the top of the fourth inning when Frankie Martinez drove in Arpod Zsold — didn’t count against the PCHS junior as an earned run. Mario Williams led PCHS at the plate with one hit, one RBI and one run scored, and the speedy sophomore also put up a perfect fielding percentage throughout the tournament.

The Raiders’ championship win came with some uncertainty as Wingo accidentally went over the FHSAAmandated pitch count for 16-yearolds during the game. The governing body eventually decided PCHS would have to forfeit the win.

Strawberry Crest looked strong in pool play, outscoring opponents 29-4 in the first three games. Results from the Chargers’ 8-2 win over Brandon weren’t available at press time last week, but big games at the plate for Tanner Kelley (1-for-2, three RBI, one run) and Alex Marshall (3-for-4, two runs, one RBI) paved the way for the win.

Crest went on to the quarterfinal round against Durant but couldn’t find a way to finish the rally in the late innings. Durant scored two runs in the fourth and seventh innings, respectively, and held a 4-2 lead over the Chargers going into the bottom of the seventh. Though the Cougars performed well at bat, hitting .292 on the whole with seven total hits, it was

senior pitchers Martinez and Carlos Curnow that held Crest’s previously hot offense to a .042 batting average.

SALADINO SCOREBOARD March 16 Sickles 7, Durant 6 Plant City 7, Plant 3 Strawberry Crest 11, Chamberlain 1 March 18 Durant 4, Armwood 3 Plant City 16, Blake 1 Strawberry Crest 6, Bloomingdale 1 March 19 Durant 10, Jefferson 1 March 20 Plant City 12, Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate 1 Strawberry Crest 8, Brandon 2 March 21 Durant 4, Strawberry Crest 3 Plant City 4, Riverview 3 March 22 Durant 14, Newsome 0 Plant City 3, Leto 2 March 23 Plant City 4, Durant 1

Justin Kline is the Sports Editor at the Plant City Observer.

Email: jkline@ plantcityobserver. com.

SPORTS

MAKE SALADINO FINALE

SCORES AND MORE

SOFTBALL

THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2019

PLANT CITY, DURANT

SPORTS

BASEBALL

|

20

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

|

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2019

YOUR AROUND TOWN SPONSOR AROUND TOWN

289704-1

We asked: Who do you admire the most?

“My dad, he’s a really hard working guy and takes pride in what he does. He’s a high school teacher. I’m going to school to be a teacher because I want to be like him.”

— Laura Hart, 19

“My mom. She was diagnosed with a kidney disease when I was in high school. She started taking care of herself and working out, bettering her life and being there for her kids. She keeps going and she’s very positive about it.”

— Victoria Huggins, 18

“Both of my parents. My whole life they’ve always been looking out for me. They’ve always worked and provided for the family, and always looked out for my future. They care about me.”

— Caleb Nelson, 19

“Ruth Bader Ginsburg. That’s why I wear pearls. I got the pearls the day I was sworn into the Florida Bar.” — LeesaAnn Dodds, 35

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

Donna M. Suiter, 60, of Plant City, born on Aug. 21, 1958 in Marlborough, Massachusetts, entered into eternal rest on March 19, 2019.

Expressions of condolence at www.HopewellFuneral.com.

Taking care of ach other is what

community

Eugene J. Haas

Darren Ethan Goodwald, 27, of Plant City, born on June 20, 1991 in Atlanta, Georgia, entered into eternal rest on March 24, 2019.

Expressions of condolence at www.HopewellFuneral.com.

Eugene J. Haas, 70, of Plant City, born on Sept. 29, 1948 in Temple Terrace.

Expressions of condolence at www.HopewellFuneral.com.

H. Lamar Hinson H. Lamar Hinson, 85, of Valrico, born on March 16, 1934 in Plant City, entered into eternal rest on March 24, 2019.

Expressions of condolence at www.HopewellFuneral.com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

is all about.

Batista J. Gladys Corzine Madonia Sr. to helping families we’re dedicated create a E our community

ate care since 1896. professionals,

Darren Ethan Goodwald

21

THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2019

OBITUARIES

Donna M. Suiter

|

unique and meaningful memorial that truly celebrates the life it represents.

Victor Manuel Orozco

Batista J. Madonia Sr. entered

Gladys Corzine, 84, of Plant

2019.

For more information please visit www.wellsmemorial.com.

Johnston City, Illinois, entered into eternal rest on March 21.

Expressions of condolence at www.HopewellFuneral.com.

Victor Manuel Orozco, 53 of Plant City, passed away March 19, 2019.

Services were held March 25, 2019 at Haught Funeral Home.

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

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM

e Guarantee > National PlanMarch Transferability the gates of> heaven 9 Helpline® City, born on March 12, 1935 in Travel Assistance The Compassion

R

supporting the Plant City Strawberry Festival.

Allan C. Lefler

Darwin Robart

Allan C. Lefler, 54 of Lakeland, passed away March 9, 2019.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday March 31 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Schalamar Creek Clubhouse, 4500 US Highway 92 E. Lakeland, FL 33801.

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

Darwin Robart, 78, of Plant City, passed away March 20, 2019.

Survived by son Craig, granddaughter Cheyenne and great granddaughters Grace and Autumn.

Celebration of Life Service at 3 p.m. on March 29 at Grace Point Presbyterian Church, Plant City, FL.

HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM

WELLSMEMORIAL.COM

ells MeMorial & event Center

Florist

PlanT CiTy

813-752-1111 WellsMemorial.com 10/27/15 10:42 AM

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

Historic Downtown 287464-1

YOUR COMMUNITY FUNERAL HOME AND CEMETERY. FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1971 HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

|

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2019

BEST BET

YOUR CALENDAR

22

FRIDAY, MARCH 29 RELAY FOR LIFE PLANT CITY

6 p.m. March 29 to 6 a.m. March 30.

Join the American Cancer Society and amazing community volunteers at the 21st Relay For Life event at Plant City High School, 1 Raider Place. The event is free to attend and begins with an opening ceremony, a survivor’s lap, a luminaria ceremony and more.

THURSDAY, MARCH 28 PLANT CITY TOASTMASTERS

7:30 to 9 a.m. at the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, 106 N. Evers St. Plant City Toastmasters is held every Thursday. Guests are always welcome to come join the free meeting.

SHUFFLEBOARD CLUB

10:30 a.m. Come on out to the Planteen Recreation Center, 301 Dort St., each Thursday to find out more about a new Shuffleboard Club. Topics being discussed are days of the week, times, skill levels and anything else you may want to know. The club is hosted by Anita Balch and she can be contacted at 808-722-5821 for more information.

YOUR HOSPITAL STAY AND POSTPARTUM ISSUES CLASS

6 to 8 p.m. This free class at South Florida Baptist Hospital, 301 N. Alexander St., covers hospital policies regarding hospital stay, emotional changes

and adjusting to the new parent role. Topics include: visitation, safety concerns, discharge process, postpartum blues and more. Participants may bring one guest to classes. Please bring a notepad to take notes.

Snacks will be provided. This class is held the third Thursday of every month in the ICU Conference Room, 2-South.

Registration is required so call 1-855-269-4777.

AN EVENING OF PICTURE PERFECT MEMORIES

6:30 p.m. at the Plant City Photo Archives & History Center, 106 S. Evers St. There will be a champagne reception, complimentary wine and beer, live music, a historic photo exhibit and elegant hors d’oeuvres. The program features a photo trivia quiz and a historic presentation.

Reservations are $50. Call 813754-1578 for more information.

RETRO MOVIE NIGHT: DUMBO

6:33 to 8:33 p.m. Krazy Kup, 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd., hosts a special retro movie night on the fourth Thursday of every

PLANT CITY FAMILY YMCA 1507 YMCA Pl., Plant City 813.757.6677

month. This month come on over to enjoy the family classic, “Dumbo.” Watch for fun themes and sweet movie treats each month.

FRIDAY, MARCH 29 PLANT CITY FOOD TRUCK RALLY AND FARMERS MARKET

5 p.m. The monthly food truck rally and farmers market is held in the heart of downtown Plant City, 102 N. Palmer St. There will be handcrafted items, plants, art and more along with a variety of food trucks. Local businesses remain open as well for the event.

DATE NIGHT SWING DANCE CLASS

7:30 to 9 p.m. Rapid Ballroom is hosting date night swing dance classes. Come learn West Coast Swing, Hustle, Single Swing and Jive. Classes run through March and are $15 per lesson. Contact them today at 218-256-1873 for more information.

SATURDAY, MARCH 30 SECRET KEEPER GIRL

6:30 p.m. City Pointe Church,

503 N. Palmer St., is hosting the live Secret Keeper Girl event. They’re inviting moms and daughters to go back to the Garden of Eden where they’ll discover just what a masterpiece this whole world really is, including Y-O-U. Tickets can be found at florida.thejoyfm.com.

MONDAY, APRIL 1 PLANT CITY AREA DEMOCRATIC CLUB

6 p.m. The Plant City Area Democratic Club will meet at Bruton Library, 302 McLendon St. All Democrats and interested progressives are welcome.

An analysis of the 2018 Election will be presented along with a short film.

TUESDAY, APRIL 2 SFBH AUXILIARY OPEN HOUSE

11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The South Florida Baptist Hospital Auxiliary will hold an Open House in the hospital’s Community Conference Room adjacent to Alexander’s Café. Community members are invited to stop by and learn how they can become a valuable resource and an

important part of South Florida Baptist Hospital’s family. To sign up for the Open House, community members should call 813-757-8199.

PLANT CITY LIONS CLUB

12 to 1 p.m. at Buddy Freddy’s, 1101 Goldfinch Drive. The Plant City Lions Club holds a meeting every Tuesday. For more information on membership call 813-924-3829.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3 READ WITH BONNIE THE THERAPY DOG

4 to 5 p.m. Bonnie the Therapy Dog comes to Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon St., every week for children to have the opportunity to share a book and some soft pats on the head.

You can find her on the couch in the children’s area. Reading with Bonnie can help children improve reading, communication skills and build confidence.

tampaymca.org/LetsCamp

PlantCityObserver.com

Universal Crossword

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

Edited by David Steinberg March 21, 2019

FORECAST THURSDAY, MARCH 28 High: 80 Low: 58 Chance of rain: 10%

FRIDAY, MARCH 29 High: 83 Low: 59 Chance of rain: 10%

THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2019

23

SUNRISE/SUNSET

Sunrise Sunset

Thursday, March 28

7:23a

7:44p

Friday, March 29

7:22a

7:44p

Saturday, March 30

7:21a

7:45p

Sunday, March 31

7:20a

7:45p

Monday, April 1

7:19a

7:46p

Tuesday, April 2

7:18a

7:46p

Wednesday, April 3

7:16a

7:47p

WEATHER

I LOVE PLANT CITY

ACROSS 42 Gymnast’s 18 Code44 Bicycle type 1 Subject of for two landing pad breaking org.

Attila 46 Will figures 45 Omega 19 A, in Arles 47 Advice 4 Chocolate Bandleader’s Send your photo submissionspreceder to Associate Editor23 Justin Kline at jkline@PlantCityObserver.com columnist syrup brand 46 *Elwood “Let’s go!” or hashtag #iloveplantcity on Instagram for @igersplantcity to feature.

9 Flag pin Landers P. Dowd’s 24 “Garfield” spot 48 Cowboy’s rabbit pal pooch 14 Game with lasso 50 Huge: Prefix 26 Humdrum Skip cards 49 “Rock” and 51 ___-weenie 27 “Jumbo” “roll,” for 15 Martin’s 53 Like flier two “Laugh-In” Cheerios 29 “SNL” 50 “Boo’d Up” partner 54 Any of the alumnus 16 “Remember singer Ella starred Carvey the ___!” answers, 30 Gull’s floating 52 Dr. Spengler 17 *Big Bird’s of “Ghostsome say perch mammothbusters” 58 Word before 31 ___-slapper like pal 53 Air France “bike” or (funny joke) 20 Beauty’s love airport “boat” 32 Flight 21 Cause 54 “I think,” in 59 Game for takeoff stat. of weird an email little sluggers 33 Hardly hip weather 55 Carol Brady, 60 Horatian 34 Chooses to the Bunch 22 ___ land poem 35 “___ there?”

56 “___ queen!” (dreamy 61 Black cats, 36 Vex 57 Cape state) to some 37 Stay out of Canaveral’s 23 *Calvin’s 62 Test, as ore sight locale: Abbr. tiger pal 63 Hit in a 38 Honey meas.

25 Sandwich bumper car 42 Crater with two DOWN maker spreads, 1 Take down 43 List of things Back in January, William Wicker decided to take a different kind of sunset photo to highlight some briefly a peg to discuss of the old-style street lights of Plant City. William Wicker wins this week’s I Love Plant City photo 28 Boston 2 Inbox status contest. summer hrs.

3 Margarita PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER 29 “What ___ I specification Follow us on social media: @PCObserver on Instgram, tellL you?”

4 Old Spice O N I N E @PlantObserver on Twitter and Plant City Observer 30 “Vice” star alternative Christian (That punch on5Facebook.

31 Couric or hurt!)

Holmes 6 Personal ad 33 Chewy abbr. candy 7 One of 35 *Christopher Moses’ spies s Robin’s bear 8 16 oz. ear 32 y s pal 9 ___ lazuli s e usin 38 One may 10 Actor In B end with “or Rickman else!”

11 American 39 Needing a Samoa’s scrubbing capital 40 Achy 12 Ostrich 3/20 © 2019 Andrews McMeel Universal 41 Teeth relative www.upuzzles.com expert’s deg. 13 ___ Angeles

|

MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, MARCH 30 High: 85 Low: 60 Chance of rain: 10%

SUNDAY, MARCH 31 High: 86 Low: 63 Chance of rain: 10%

STRAWBERRIES Shipping point: Central Florida $8.90-$10.90

Apr. 5 New

Apr. 18 Full

Apr. 9 First

Mar. 31 Last

RAINFALL Monday, Mar. 18

0.02

Tuesday, Mar. 19 0.34 Wednesday, Mar. 20

0.00

Thursday, Mar. 21 0.00 Friday, Mar. 22

0.00

Saturday, Mar. 23 0.00 Sunday, Mar. 24

0.00

YEAR TO DATE:

MONTH TO DATE:

2019 3.39 in.

2019 0.82 in.

2018 3.82 in.

2018 1.22 in.

GOLD & SILVER

Diamonds & Precious Gems,

3/21

“Believe It or Not” by Andrea Carla Michaels

ACROSS 1 Subject of Attila 4 Chocolate syrup brand 9 Flag pin spot 14 Game with Skip cards 15 Martin’s “Laugh-In” partner 16 “Remember the ___!”

17 *Big Bird’s mammothlike pal 20 Beauty’s love 21 Cause of weird weather 22 ___ land (dreamy state) 23 *Calvin’s tiger pal 25 Sandwich with two spreads, briefly

28 Boston summer hrs.

29 “What ___ I tell you?”

30 “Vice” star Christian 31 Couric or Holmes 33 Chewy candy 35 *Christopher Robin’s bear pal 38 One may end with “or else!”

39 Needing a scrubbing 40 Achy 41 Teeth expert’s deg.

42 Gymnast’s landing pad 45 Omega preceder 46 *Elwood P. Dowd’s rabbit pal

50 Huge; Prefix 51 ___-weenie 53 Like Cheerios 54 Any of the starred answers, some say 58 Word before “bike” or “boat” 59 Game for little sluggers 60 Horatian poem 61 Black cats, to some 62 Test, as ore 63 Hit in a bumper car DOWN 1 Take down a peg 2 Inbox status 3 Margarita specification

4 Old Spice alternative 5 (That punch hurt!)

6 Personal ad abbr.

7 One of Moses’ spies 8 16 oz.

9 ___ lazuli 10 Actor Rickman 11 American Samoa’s capital 12 Ostrich relative 13 ___ Angeles 18 Codebreaking org.

19 A, in Arles 23 Bandleader’s “Let’s go!”

24 “Garfield” pooch 26 Humdrum 27 “Jumbo” flier 29 “SNL”alumnus Carvey 30 Gull’s floating perch 31 ___-slapper (funny joke) 32 Flight takeoff stat.

33 Hardly hip 34 Chooses 35 “___ there?”

36 Vex 37 Stay out of sight 38 Honey meas.

42 Crater maker 43 List of things to discuss 44 Bicycle type for two 46 Will figures 47 Advice columnist Landers 48 Cowboy’s lasso 49 “Rock” and “roll,” for two 50 “Boo’d Up” singer Ella 52 Dr. Spengler of “Ghostbusters” 53 Air France airport 54 “I think,” in an email 55 Carol Brady, to the Bunch 56 “___ queen!”

57 Cape Canaveral’s locale; Abbr.

285826 287516-1

813.754.2360 | 1705 Jim Redman Pkwy. Plant City, 33563

24

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

|

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2019

When you’re pregnant, there are so many questions.

WHERE TO HAVE YOUR BABY shouldn’t be one of them.

Which car seat? What stroller? And oh, the discussions

extraordinary level of care during labor and delivery,

about the name. With so many questions surrounding

in a comfortable, spacious room. If you’re expecting,

a new baby, we want to give you one definitive and

or thinking about having a baby, come in and see for

easy answer. The hospital you choose. At BayCare’s

yourself. Take a tour of South Florida Baptist Hospital

South Florida Baptist Hospital, we have exceptional

and sign up for one of our free prenatal classes.

doctors and nurses to give you and your new baby an

Visit SouthFloridaBaptistMaternity.org to register.

OUR MATERNITY CENTERS:

Mease Countryside Hospital • Morton Plant Hospital • St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital • St. Joseph’s Hospital-North St. Joseph’s Hospital-South • South Florida Baptist Hospital • Winter Haven Women’s Hospital SOUTHFLORIDABAPTISTMATERNITY.ORG 18-589030-1118