4.20.23 PLCO

PLANT CITY WORKS TO ENSURE CITY’S WATER INDEPENDENCE

Work continues on McIntosh Preserve Integrated Water Master Plan.

From lawn sprinklers to kitchen faucets, shower heads to washing machines, Floridians depend on a reliable, highquality and safe water supply. Even though

it’s a state saturated with the substance (according to Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) Florida contains approximately 20 percent of all the wetlands in the United States), ensuring a potable water supply for its growing population is a top priority for government officia.

According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), until 1980, surface water was the largest source of fresh water in Florida. After 1980, ground water became the largest source of fresh water in Florida. In the future, ground water withdrawals are expected to level off as this source reaches its sustainable limit.

1914 HIGH SCHOOL A PIECE OF PLANT CITY HISTORY

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE HISTORIC BUILDING AT AN APRIL 24 PUBLIC MEETING.

Demand is expected to continue to grow over the next 20 years as Florida’s population increases. Alternative water supplies are needed.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

CITY SEEKS PUBLIC INPUT ON NEW COMMUNITY PARK

CHECK OUT THREE DIFFERENT CONCEPTUAL PLANS AND SHARE FEEDBACK TO ASSIST OFFICIALS WITH SELECTING THE BEST LAYOUT.

MICHELLE CACERES STAFF WRITER

CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

Worried about fitting an appointment into your busy schedule? Our Plant City location makes booking visits easy for the whole family.

Need an appointment soon? We are accepting new patients and offer same-day appointments.

To make an appointment, please call:

• 863.284.5000 for Primary Care or Pediatrics

• 863.284.5115 for Rheumatology

PCPD INVESTIGATING I-4 SHOOTING THAT LEFT ONE DEAD/ONE INJUREDPLANT CITY

Police Department (PCPD) is investigating a homicide after a shooting on Eastbound I-4 before exit 23 on Tuesday, April 18 that left one person dead and another in critical condition.

Police said a man called 911 just after at 9 p.m. and told telecommunicators that he and a female passenger had been shot at while on the Interstate. The caller then said that he had stopped his vehicle at Plant City Fire Rescue (PCFR) Station #3, located at 1704 N. Park Road.

PCFR personnel performed fist-aid to both victims at the fie station but the female passenger sustained a fatal injury to her upper torso. She died at the station. The man, who also sustained upper body trauma, was transported to an area hospital where he is currently listed in critical condition.

Before being taken to the hospital, the male victim told police that the shooter was male, driving a silver or gray Toyota Prius with non-tinted windows. Before the shooting incident, he said the driver appeared to be driving recklessly and showed signs of road rage towards the victim for unknown reasons.

After the shooting incident, the Prius continued eastbound on I-4.

Police said the shooting is believed to be an isolated incident. PCPD is investing the incident as a homicide. Anyone with information about the incident or the Toyota Prius is asked to contact Sergeant Baker at (813) 707-2271 or Detective Cowart at (813) 707-2270.

PLANT CITY FIRE RESCUE WELCOMES TWO NEW HIRES

country craziness that puts the “fun” in funeral. Dates and showtimes are Friday, April 28 and Saturday, April 29 and Friday, May 5 and Saturday, May 6 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, April 30 and Sunday, May 7 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $23 for adults, $18 for seniors (60+) and students and $16 for members/groups (10+). An opening night special of 2 tickets for $35 is available online or at the door, if available. For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.plantcityentertainment.com.

PREVENT THE SPREAD OF MOSQUITOES AND FIGHT THE BITE

The Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County is urging residents and visitors to protect against mosquito bites as weather gets hotter and wetter. Preventing bites reduces the risk of a person getting infected with mosquito-borne disease, known as an arbovirus. Measures to take that reduce the risk include:

„ Mosquito Bite Prevention: Use repellant on bare skin; DEET at 20% to 30% concentration works well for most people when used according to label directions. Don’t apply to infants.

„ Drain water from outside areas, including garbage cans, house gutters, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys and flwerpots, to reduce the number of places mosquitos can lay their eggs and breed.

„ Discard old tires, bottles, pots, broken appliances and other items not being used.

„ Empty and clean birdbaths and any pet water bowls at least twice a week.

„ Protect boats and vehicles from rain with tarps that do not accumulate water.

„ Maintain swimming pools in good condition and keep chlorinated. Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use.

LOCAL ORATORICAL CONTEST WINNERS ADVANCE AT SOUTHWEST REGIONAL COMPETITION

Plant City Fire Rescue welcomes new recruits Hayley Duckson and Jose Perez. Both employees are fiefighers/EMTs and have completed their two-week orientation program. They’re hitting the streets to respond to emergency incidents and provide an exceptional level of service to citizens.

HOPE LUTHERAN HOSTS YARD SALE

On Saturday, April 22, the combined Anglo and Hispanic congregations of Hope Lutheran Church, located at 2001 North Park Road, will host a gigantic yard sale in their main parking lot from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Numerous household items and clothing will be for sale. “This event will one again be an opportunity for our congregations to reach out into our community with all proceeds of the yard sale benefitingHope’s Hispanic Ministry,” said Hope’s Hispanic Ministry Pastor, Reverend John Cabos. For more information, contact Hope Lutheran Church at 813-752-4622.

PLANT

PRESENTS DEARLY DEPARTED

Plant City Optimist Club Oratorical Contest representatives Kyleigh Elliott and Kenley Connell won fist and second place respectively at the Southwest Regional Competition on Saturday, April 15, beating out two extremely proficient oators from St. Petersburg. Contestants presented four to fie minute orations. The theme of this year’s contest is “Discovering the Optimism within Me”. Elliott and Connell now advance to the North Florida District Finals on Saturday, April 29 in Bushnell, where Plant City club representatives have won fist place nine times since 2001, including Jacob Raburn, Caycee Hampton, Nathan Carson, Amanda Williamson, Kylie Feaster, Jesse Bingham, Emma Poole, Caroline Brummer and Katelyn Yarbrough. Up for grabs are college scholarships for fist place ($2.500), second place ($2,500) and third place ($1,000).

“Our two ladies were very strong in the competition, that only gets more difficult from here,” said Plant City Oratorical Contest chairman Doris Robbins. “I’m sure they will improve even more and represent Plant City well at the North Florida District competition.”

CITY ENTERTAINMENT

Tickets are on sale for Plant City Entertainment’s production of Dearly Departed, a Southern-fried comedy of caskets and

CITY TO SHARE DETAILS ABOUT HISTORIC BUILDING AT PUBLIC MEETING

Meeting set for Monday, April 24 at 5 p.m.

MICHELLE CACERES STAFF WRITER

Once a bustling high school that taught Plant City’s rising generations of leaders, the 1914 High School Community Center, a piece of the city’s history that over the years has fallen into disrepair, will be at the center of a discussion at a special commission meeting on Monday, April 24 at 5 p.m. at City Hall to discuss the status of the building.

Built in 1914 on a design by Tampa-based architect Willis R. Biggers for $40,000, the 42,066 square foot three-story modified Geogian Revival-style brick building with two large white columned porticoes on the east and west facades, sitting at 605 North Collins Street, operated as Plant City High School until 1955. It later became Tomlin Junior High School.

In 1975, Hillsborough County School Board deeded the building to the City of Plant City. It is currently occupied by The East Hillsborough Historical Society (EHHS), established in 1974 with the mission of preserving Plant City’s history. The building is home to a local history museum, genealogical archives center and the H.B. Plant Railroad Historical Society. The museum’s fist exhibits were created by a group of retired educators who donated items that connected the dots of Plant City’s local history.

The building has been used for neighborhood programs and events, meetings, reunions and wedding receptions. Earl Stanley, the King of Bluegrass, performed in the auditorium. The movie “My Girl” was filmed at the ormer school. The Woman’s Club of Plant City was officiall organized on January 29, 1922 in the building’s auditorium. In 1981, the building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Between 1989 and 1999, the City of Plant City had an onsite employee who served as a historic site administrator, who focused on the physical asset of the building with grant writing and historic preservation/rehabilitation projects. The position was supported by then City Manager Nettie Mae Berry Draughon, who was an alumni of the 1914 Plant City High School and also a member of the board of directors of EHHS.

For EHHS President Shelby Bender, the building has particular signifiance. She walked its halls as a seventh and eight grade student (she was Shelby Roberson) from 1966 to 1968, when it was Tomlin Junior High School. “It was such a great experience because we were able to make new friends who came from all the neighborhood elementary schools,” she said. “There were over 900 students here and it was our fist experience of having different teachers for each subject.”

She recalled the Physical Education and Band rooms were located on the west side of Wheeler Street. The girls walked down the alley between nearby homes and the boys used the sidewalk. A traffic light helped themafely cross the street.

“I have fond memories of my teachers and those good times came full circle when I joined

the East Hillsborough Historical Society and worked side-by-side with some of the ladies who had been my teachers, Ms. Carolyn Hodges who taught geography and Mrs. Beryle Buchman Wolff who aught English and Miss Sara Copeland who taught girls physical education,” she said. “As a matter of fact, Ms. Copeland is still an active volunteer with the Society and we enjoyed visiting this year for strawberry stemming as we prepped the strawberries for our strawberry shortcake booth at the Florida Strawberry Festival.”

In addition to Bender, her future husband was also a student at Tomlin while she was there, her mother and husband’s parents attended the school and his grandmother was a teacher there.

“Our family feels a connection to the 1914,” she said. “I look forward to many more years of working to preserve and share the history of our community.”

The building’s future remains uncertain. The task of restoring the building to its former glory would be gargantuan though not impossible. In 2021, Universal Engineering Sciences, retained by the city to provide an objective assessment of the condition of the building, reported that the building is in poor condition and would require $7.7 million or more to make necessary repairs to bring it to fair to good condition to allow future occupation of the building. They also cautioned in the report that these costs could increase 50 - 100 percent due to unforeseen conditions, material cost increases and other factors.

Engineers noted signs of signifiant and widespread water intrusion through exterior walls, especially around windows, decayed wood-framed roof rafters and floor joits, termite damage to ceiling joists and roof rafter members and trusses, loose exterior bricks, exterior stair-stepped cracks in brick walls, missing mortar in joints, active roof leaks, decayed wooden window frames, rotted exterior wood columns, plaster walls deterioration and the need to upgrade the cast iron plumbing piping and electrical components. The roof, according to the report last replaced in 1979 and covered in Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TP), is in poor condition. Inspection of the building also identified 21 maerials suspected of containing asbestos fibes, which means future renovation or demolition activities will be regulated by the Florida Environmental Protection Agency and other government entities.

Despite the condition of the structure, historic buildings like the 1914 High School Community Center are tangible links to our past, they tell a story and keep memories alive. Members of the community are encouraged to attend the meeting to discuss the building’s fate.

“The 1914 HSB is a public asset and, as with any other public asset, members of the community are always welcome to share their views,” said City Manager Bill McDaniel.

COPS CORNER

MOPED, MO PROBLEMS

4600 block of SR 574

DWLS arrest: An officer conducted a traffi stop at the listed location in reference to a moped rider traveling down Turkey Creek Rd. with no eye protection. The individual was subsequently placed under arrest for felony driving with knowledge of a suspended license and transported to Orient Road Jail without incident.

BREAKING BARRIERS

2600 block of James L. Redman Pkwy. Burglary/battery: An officer made contact with the victim at the listed location who reported that an unknown subject struck him through his open vehicle window.

TRAILER TRASHED

500 block of N. County Line Rd. Stolen vehicle: An officer met with the victim at the listed location who stated that their semi truck and trailer were stolen.

APRIL 8

istockGAS GUZZLER

2900 block of James L. Redman Pkwy. Gas theft: An officer met with the complainant at the listed location who reported the theft of an estimated 909 gallons of diesel fuel.

CAR GAZING

700 block of S. Collins St. Stolen vehicle recovery: An officer responded to a business at the listed location in reference to a suspicious vehicle. The vehicles subsequently discovered to be stolen out of Broward County.

APRIL 9

BREAKING BAD

2600 block of James L. Redman Pkwy. Business burglary: An officer responded to a business at the listed location in reference to a report of an unknown subject breaking into the business while it was closed. One individual was subsequently arrested for burglary and theft and transported to Orient Road Jail without incident.

O

Publisher / Karen Berry KBerry@PlantCityObserver.com

Managing Editor / Sarah Holt SHolt@PlantCityObserver.com

Sports Writer / Taylor Jenkins tjenkins@plantcityobserver.com

StaffWriter / Michelle Caceres michelle@plantcityobserver.com

Advertising Graphic Designer / Juan Alvarez

GUN GONE

2300 block of N. Walden Pl.

Vehicle burglary: An officer met with the victim at the listed location who reported a handgun stolen from their vehicle.

APRIL 10

WET AND WILD

2400 block of James L. Redman Pkwy. Attempted burglary: An officer responded to the listed location in reference to a subject attempting to throw water on an employee at the business.

APRIL 11

YOU’LL NEVER CATCH ME, COPPER

3500 block of Golden Wheat Ln.

Residential burglary: An officer met with the complainant at the listed location who reported that unknown suspected entered the home under construction, removing $600 worth of copper tubing and two 16-foot step ladders.

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

TO ADVERTISE Call (813) 704-6850

Advertising / Gail Lions gail@plantcityobserver.com

Advertising / Karen Berry kberry@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, 110 E. Reynolds St., Suite 100B.

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.

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

Mail: The Plant City Observer, 110 E. Reynolds St., Suite 100B, Plant City, FL 33563

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MCINTOSH PRESERVE INTEGRATED WATER MASTER PLAN MOVES FORWARD

Part of the project entails expanding a section of McIntosh Preserve.

MICHELLE CACERES STAFF WRITER

The City of Plant City’s main water source is groundwater pumped from the Floridan Aquifer located beneath the city. Water is withdrawn through four deep wells with depths from 746 to 1,203 feet located within city limits and sent to one of four treatment plants for chemical disinfection addition prior to entering the City’s distribution system. A fifth ater treatment plant is currently in the construction phase. In 2022, an average of 6.75 million gallons of water was produced for Plant City customers each day. In addition, a water reclamation facility treats up to 10 million gallons per day of discharged water from homes, business and industries to advanced standards that allow public access irrigation utilizing the treated reclaimed water and also augmentation of Itchepackesassa Creek through a surface water discharge permit.

Plant City is committed to producing, safe, healthy and aesthetically pleasing drinking water for current and future generations. Starting in 2020, the City Commission approved a State legislative appropriation of $6.35 million to fund the McIntosh Preserve Integrated Water Master Plan suite of integrated projects, which includes the initial phase of the Potable Reuse (PR) project and the Wetland Expansion project.

The initial phase of the PR project located at the One Water Demonstration Facility at 1500 West Victoria Street is nearing its conclusion. The 12-month pilot sampling program is evaluating the feasibility of developing a new potable water supply by treating reclaimed water using multiple advanced treatment processes, including a membrane filtation system, a reverse osmosis system and an ultraviolet advanced oxidation process system. The quality of the water is evaluated coming into and leaving the treatment system. Results are promising.

“Altogether, over 5,000 treated water samples have been analyzed and every single sample has been in compliance with existing regulations, health guidelines and aesthetic limits for drinking water,” said Hazen and Sawyer Engineer

Carlyn Higgins, Ph.D., P.E. “These water quality data are being used to verify treatment selection, operational protocols, and monitoring needs for reliable production of a high quality water supply for the City for many years to come.”

The project’s final eport is expected to be finalied in September.

The second part of the project, the McIntosh Preserve Wetland Expansion project, is an expansion and restoration of a stormwater wetland treatment system (SWWTS) in the eastern portion of the 363-acre McIntosh Preserve, located at 775 East Knights Griffinoad, that receives and holds stormwater from the City’s stormwater canal system. The expanded wetland system will utilize the City’s highly-treated reclaimed water to hydrate the wetland plants and take advantage of naturally occurring recharge through sand soil to the Floridan aquifer. The project is expected to mitigate localized flooding and iprove stormwater quality via expanded wetland treatment systems. To reduce the costs of transporting excavated dirt off-site, a 45-foot high ADA-compliant hill will be built to provide the public access to view the wetlands and will also include walking trails and an observation platform. A boardwalk will provide access through wetlands for monitoring and viewing purposes. The project is in the final dsign phase.

According to US Water Alliance, no matter where we live, or what we do, water connects everyone. In all its forms, water has value- water in our lakes, seas, rivers, streams, drinking water, wastewater and stormwater and can be optimized to build strong economies, vibrant communities and healthy environments.

“The City is committed to ensuring water security and quality for our residents,” said City Manager Bill McDaniel. “The City’s efforts today are intended to secure the community’s future water needs and to ensure the best possible environmental resource management for generations to come.”

“It’s our water, it’s our future,” said Utilities Operations Chief Operator Patrick Murphy.

For more information about the water supply visit www.plantcitygov.com.

FLORIDA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL NOMINATED FOR 58TH ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS FAIR/RODEO OF THE YEAR

The Academy of Country Music announced nominations for the 58th Annual Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards and the Florida Strawberry Festival has been selected as one of fie nominees in the Fair/Rodeo of the Year category.

Other nominees for this industry award include: Auburn Rodeo in Opelika, Alabama, Cheyenne Frontier Days in Cheyenne, Wyoming, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in Houston, Texas and Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, Iowa.

“We are incredibly honored to have been nominated for this award, our fellow nominees are outstanding events, and it’s a privilege to be in this group,” said Florida

Strawberry Festival President Paul Davis. “Thanks, once again, to our patrons for making the Florida Strawberry Festival a nationally-recognized event.”

The award is presented to an outstanding fair/rodeo where artists received market value compensation for their performance. The fair/rodeo must have included a minimum of one country music artist as a headliner. Last year, the Florida Strawberry Festival hosted several country music artists, including The Oak Ridge Boys, Lady A, Home Free, Chicks with Hits, John Anderson, Kenzie Wheeler, Zach Williams, Lee Greenwood, Jake Owen, Gene Watson, Cole Swindell, The Bellamy Brothers and Sam Hunt.

The winner will be determined by a vote of ACM members classified in theArtist/ Musician/Producer/Engineer, Venue, Manager, Talent Agent, Talent Buyer/Promoter membership category.

The winner will be announced and celebrated at its annual ACM Honors event, which will take place at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on August 23. Last year’s winner was San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo.

“The Academy of Country Music is excited to celebrate the Florida Strawberry Festival as one of our nominees for ACM Fair/Rodeo of the Year,” Academy of Country Music CEO Damon Whiteside said. “Plant City does an amazing job support-

ing Country Music artists throughout the year, and we hope those in Plant City will proudly celebrate this recognition as well as tune in to Country Music’s Party of the Year, the ACM Awards, on May 11 on Prime Video.”

Established in 1966, the ACM Awards is the longest-running country music awards show. This year’s show is hosted by country music icons Dolly Parton and Garth Brooks.

For more information about the ACM visit www.acmcountry.com. For more information about the Florida Strawberry Festival visit www.fltrawberryfestival.com.

MICHELLE CACERES STAFF WRITER

CITY SEEKS PUBLIC INPUT ON

NEW

COMMUNITY PARK

CHECK OUT THREE DIFFERENT CONCEPTUAL PLANS AND SHARE FEEDBACK TO ASSIST OFFICIALS WITH SELECTING THE BEST LAYOUT.

The City of Plant City is developing the city-owned site at 502 East Young Street into a new community park and is seeking public input as part of its planning process. A public meeting will be held on Thursday, April 27 from 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. at the City Commission Chambers at City Hall, located at 302 West Reynolds Street. City Manager Bill McDaniel will offer brief remarks about the project at 6 p.m.

The City has retained consultancy WSP Environment and Infrastructure, Inc., whose staff has pepared three conceptual plans (A, B and C) for the new community park.

The park will provide services and amenities ranging from a splash pad with aquatic play features, a playground, a skate park and outdoor fitnss equipment. Also included are picnic shelters for family and friends to gather, restrooms, landscaped walking trails with benches and a pond with an illuminated fountain. Two paved parking lots and sidewalks will provide easy access to park facilities.

The meeting will be conducted in an open-house format and consist of a slideshow, displays and images showing the proposed improvements. Engineering Department Assistant City Engineer for Capital Projects Tatyana Austin, Parks & Recreation Director Julie Garretson and WSP representatives will be available to discuss and answer questions.

“We encourage Plant City residents to come to the public meeting and provide input,” said Assistant City Manager Jack Holland. “We want to ensure the community participates in the park’s design.

After a concept is selected, architects will finalie the selected Conceptual Plan, develop construction plans and secure the required permits to start construction on the project.

The project will be constructed in multiple phases. Phase One, funded with $2 million, will comprise of the splash park, playground, bathrooms and associated parking lot.

For more information about this project, attend the public meeting or contact Austin at 813-659-4200 ext. 4132.

MICHELLE CACERES STAFF WRITER

PLANES, TRAINS & AUTOMOBILES INSPIRES AVIATION CAREER FOR HIGH SCHOOL TEEN

The event is flying into Plant City Airport this weekend for its 11th year.

Plant City resident Matt Dean attended Planes, Trains & Automobiles in 2018 when he was 15-years old and the experience changed the trajectory of his life.

“I was just getting into aviation, learned that Plant City had an airport and signed up for a Young Eagles fligh,” said Dean, now 19.

Young Eagles discovery flighs, conducted by local Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) chapters, give youth ages eight - 17 their fist free ride in an airplane with the sole mission of introducing kids to the world of aviation.

Dean recalls that fist fligh. “It was my fist time in a single-engine propeller airplane, a red and white Cessna 210,” he said.

He recalls being a little nervous as the pilot went through an emergency briefing but that feeling disappeared as the plane lifted off the gound. “It was an amazing experience, like I was in a dream,” he said. “I knew what I wanted to do with my life.”

Two years later, he would fly his first solo flight withAtlas Aviation and later earn a private pilot license. While Dean still loves soaring high above the ground in planes, his true calling is aircraft maintenance. “I joined the Lakeland Aero Club and while I still love to fly or fun, I love to work on them,” he said. “My goal is to work for Frontier Airlines as a mechanic.”

He’s currently interning at the club as a mechanic and hoping to start T Black Aviation’s Airframe & Powerplant certifiation program in June.

Dean will also be one of the pilots offering Young Eagles discovery flighs at this year’s Planes, Trains & Automobiles event, held Saturday, April 22 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. He hopes he can inspire other youth to learn more about aviation. I want them to enjoy the experience like I did and really get them motivated to get their pilot license or have a career in aviation,” said Dean.

For event founder and Plant City Commissioner Jason Jones, hearing Dean’s story is the reason he started Planes, Trains & Automobiles. “That’s why I love

doing this event, hearing about the kids who’ve gotten connected with and fall in love with aviation makes it all worthwhile,” said Jones.

In addition to the numerous aircraft on display, visitors can enjoy a car show, an operating model train exhibit, radiocontrolled aircraft displays and demonstrations, fist-responder vehicles and personnel, hands-on stations for kids, including STEM education exhibits and flight simulaors from the Aerospace Center for Excellence, Scout merit badge opportunities, a pinewood derby, dozens of vendors, food trucks and more. A major LEGO display is scheduled featuring all modes of transportation.

“The key to this event is we’ll have something for everybody, this is a fun family event,” said Jones.

Proceeds from the event will fund aviation scholarship programs (for flight training, mechanic and professional career education) for local youth.

Ticket pricing is $7.25 online in advance or $10 at the gate. Children 10 and under are free. Parking is free but

$20 VIP parking is available to purchase online. To sign a youth up for one of a limited number of Young Eagles free flighs visit https://youngeaglesday. org/?yedetail&event=83wwuNxNh. Flights will be conducted as available with regard to weather and other considerations. For more information about Planes, Trains & Automobiles or to purchase tickets visit https://www.mytbaa.org/PTA.

MICHELLE CACERES STAFF WRITER

FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL PROGRAMS OFFER RESOURCES FOR HOMELESS

According to Tampa Hillsborough Homeless Initiative’s Point-In-Time Count conducted in February, there were more than 1,500 homeless people living outdoors, in shelters or in transitional housing in Hillsborough County in 2022, a 4.2% increase from 2020. Increased costs of housing contribute to the growing number.

“In Hillsborough County, Florida on any given night, only .1% of the population is experiencing homelessness,” said Tampa Hillsborough Homeless Initiative CEO Antoinette Hayes-Triplett. Plant City residents having difficuy paying rent, are about to be evicted or have been evicted or are currently homeless have valuable resources available to help with housing, healthcare or food access needs.

HOUSING RESOURCES

When at risk of being homeless, your priority is finding omewhere safe to stay. Five resources that may be able to help with homelessness include:

• Youth between the ages of 16-22 can apply for the Transitional Living Program for Youth (TLP), run by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The TLP provides eligible youth with stable and safe living options for up to 21 months, and support services. To find the center closest to you, call 1-800-6214000.

• 211 is a nationwide resource available 24/7 to help people get connected to local services. They can help find housing programs, shelters, food banks, and more. To learn more about your local hotline, visit the 211 website or call 2-1-1.

• If you suffer from mental illness and are facing homelessness, the Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homeless-

ness (PATH) may be able to help. PATH can help with substance abuse issues, housing services, and finding moe resources in your area. To find the clsest PATH program, visit the PATH website or HUD’s Resource Locator.

• The Homeless Shelter Directory, at www.homelessshelterdirectory.org, has a list of homeless shelters. The closest homeless shelters are Lighthouse Ministries- Men’s Gospel Rescue Mission in Lakeland and Talbot House Ministries of Lakeland.

HEALTHCARE ASSISTANCE

Healthcare can be hard to access if homeless. The following resources can help people get the care they need:

• The Health Resources Service Administration has information about health clinics that provide services to individuals and families that cannot afford care. Local health clinics include Plant City Family Care, Tom Lee Community Health Center and Suncoast Mobile Medical Bus. For more information visit www.hrsa.gov.

• The National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics helps sponsor a network of clinics across the nation that help those who cannot afford healthcare and medicine. Their website has a map of health providers that offer free or low-cost care. Visit www.nafcclinics.org for more information.

FOOD AND NUTRITION ACCESS

People may be eligible for the following food assistance programs if at risk of homelessness or are currently homeless:

• The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides nutrition benefis to low-income individuals and families that are used at stores to purchase food. Even if someone doesn’t have a permanent address or if they live in a shelter, access to SNAP is available. To

check eligibility and apply for benefis, visit www.myflamilies.com.

• Feeding America has a food bank locator that can help individuals and families find the clsest food bank to visit for free food distributions. Locally, the United Food Bank of Plant City offers food assistance. For more information about their programs call (813) 764-0625.

• The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) can help families get food, nutrition information and healthcare assistance if eligible. WIC supports the health of lowincome women, infants, and children up to age fie who are at nutritional risk. For more information visit www.benefis.gov.

RESOURCES FOR VETERANS

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has programs to help homeless veterans and their families. The Homeless Veterans Assistance Center can help

veterans and their families find housing employment and health and mental health services. An application isn’t necessary to use the assistance center. Call the center at 877-424-3838 or visit the Veterans Crisis Line website to chat online with an agent. Both options are available 24 hours a day.

The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans also has a directory of service providers for veterans experiencing homelessness. For more information about this program visit www.nchv.org.

FIND MORE BENEFITS

An easy-to-use Benefit Finder is vailable at www.benefis.org to help find other government benefis. The questionnaire takes approximately 10 - 30 minutes to complete and will then give a list of government benefis with links to the agencies' websites.

MICHELLE CACERES STAFF WRITER

THAILAND: Kookai Jones and Anh Ngoc brought copies of the Plant City Observer with them on their trip to Thailand.

INDIVIDUALISM VERSUS THE COMMON GOOD

bourd’s solution is to turn from individualism and place more emphasis on the common good.

There may be some national truth in Weissbourd’s view, as we struggle with our country’s polarized population. However, as I read the article, I put on my Plant City glasses, and I considered whether Weissbourd’s national truth applies here.

I concluded that Weissbourd’s conclusion doesn’t apply here in Plant City.

As individuals and in our businesses, non-profis, and governmental bodies, in the two decades-plus that I have worked here, we strived for advancement. As individuals, we work hard to be more effective, as owners, employees, and parents.

individuality with the common good. As I have observed our community for nearly 25 years that sense has been confirmed I think about my Observer partners Ed Verner and Nate Kilton. I think about great community leaders who are no longer with us: utilities executive Danny Wilkes, realtor Doug Gibbs, and banker Bob Tanner. All individuals who advanced themselves and their businesses well. But they also found a way to combine their individual efforts to build the common good.

The current problems of America could be solved, according to an internet article from Time magazine’s Richard Weissbourd, if we would de-emphasize individualism and look to the common good.

Weissbourd credits Alexis de Toqueville for his finding after he toured the country in the early 1800’s, that a unique feature of our then-new country was our emphasis on individualism and self-advancement. Much of our success as a country for the last 200 years can be credited to the emphasis we put on those values.

Despite our success, Weissbourd says our individualism has caused us to become lonely, selfish and aomized, to withdraw from other Americans. Religious and social participation have declined, and workplaces have become more focused on profit than on emplyee solidarity. Weiss-

Consider our successes in recruiting major new businesses like City Furniture and starting new organizations like the Plant City EDC and Plant City Main Street. Think about all the fine people who hve earned our Citizen of the Year award and our YMCA Strong Leader award over the years. Remember the fund-raising successes of Unity in the Community, South Florida Baptist Hospital, Plant City YMCA, the Plant City Food Bank, the Plant City Campus of HCC, and Plant City Rotary. We have prospered as individuals and businesses, as we have built in community.

None of those organizational successes would have been possible without the drive of so many citizens in Plant City to do a good job individually—and then to apply it to the common good. A great example is our ten-term city commissioner Mike Sparkman. During those ten terms Mike built a very successful oil business, and at the same time he put together many of our community’s most successful projects.

When I came to Plant City in 1999, I quickly got a sense of how well we blended

Mr.Weissbourd, we’ve solved your problem in Plant City. You’ll feel better if you come here and spend some time observing how we live. We’ll show you how to blend individuality and the common good.

2023 MAZDA CX-50 A RIDE MADE FOR OUTDOOR ENTHUSIASTS!

Toyota Manufacturing plant in Alabama, its standard and enhanced all-wheel drive is purpose-built for the active and outdoor lifestyle. Under the hood sits a 2.5-liter twin-scroll turbocharger that puts out 227 horsepower @ 5000 rpm and 310 pounds-feet of torque @ 2000 rpm. It is mated to a 6-speed auto gearbox. The ride is equipped with the direct-injection Skyactiv, which uses a torque boost via a high compression ratio to raise fuel economy.

Just a little over a year ago, we test drove the CX-50 in and around the California seaside wonder, i.e. Santa Barbara. The Mazda tackled the rigors of a planned off-road track made up of steep

slopes and sharp downhills with ease. The off-road mode (apart from sport and tow), part of Mi-Drive, provided plenty of punch and control to hold the compact SUV in check and on course!

Recently, we drove the CX-50 at home in the Tampa Bay area. Built at the Mazda

It may convey a square and rugged silhouette but also boasts a sporty image with eagle-eyed adaptive LED headlights surrounding a matte-finish grille with the Mazda insignia. Lower, wider and longer than the CX-5, the small SUV delivers a confident, fun-to-drive feel, especially if you are going off the beaten track. Pleasing to the eye is a 7-inch TFT instrument cluster of analog speedometer, tachometer, fuel/temp and driver information center. The 10.25-inch infotainment display screen for navigation, phone and audio is simple to use via a commander control knob. Our top-level Premium Plus arrived with standard dual auto a/c, leather seats, shifter and steering column, push-button start, panoramic moon roof, cooled/heated front seats, paddle shifters, metallic-finish trim, eight-way power driver and six-way front-passenger seats, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities and a 12-speaker Bose sound system. Head and legroom are adequate for adults and, best of all, is the 60/40 split rear seat, which folds flat via a lever release in the trunk. A rooftop tent, bike/luggage/kayak carriers, cargo box, outdoor backpack, crossbars and surfboard attachment are some options. Included are dual front and side airbags, side curtain airbag, front knee airbags, dynamic stability and traction controls, four-wheel antilock brakes, hill launch assist, blind spot monitor,

lane-keep assist and departure warning, rear-cross traffic alert, front/rear parking sensors/crumple zones and stabilizer bars, rearview camera, three-point safety belts for all, tire pressure monitoring system and daytime running lights. The G-Vectoring Control Plus (enables driver to handle emergency situations or untoward road conditions with more accurate steering inputs) comes at no extra cost. And the i-ACTIV AWD works along with G-Vectoring to control torque distribution between front/rear wheels.

With hybrid and electrified trims to follow, the CX-50 shows promise amid the compact crossover field of three million annual sales. Its energetic performance, muscular stance, top-notch interior and exceptional off-road talent will leave a lasting impression with potential buyers.

CX-50 (PREM PLUS, AWD)

Tires: 245/45R20

Wheelbase: 110.8 inches

Length: 185.8 inches

Width: 75.6 inches

Height: 63.9 inches

Suspension: MacPherson strut front, torsion beam rear

Steering: power rack and pinion

Fuel capacity: 15.8 gallons

City: 23 mpg

Highway: 29 mpg

Weight: 3,970 pounds

Base price: $42,300

Price as tested: $43,970

Web site: www.mazdausa.com

Nitish S. Rele operates motoringtampabay. com and Khaas Baat, and was an automotive editor/columnist for the Tampa Tribune. Email him at motoringtampabay@gmail.com.

With a projected 2023 population close to 40,000, Plant City is the 75th largest city in the state. Nonetheless, city leaders are to be commended for the plethora of public parks and athletic fields vailable here.

Baseball diamonds and soccer fields abound and an entire tennis complex is available at Mike Sansone Park. Beyond these places for competition the city also provides peaceful park water views for quiet contemplation.

As our Parks and Recreation Department valiantly tries to provide for all interests, it may be overlooking a sport that has caught fie in recent years –Pickleball. This distant cousin to tennis has found favor with all ages and currently has millions of devotees around the country. But, not-so-much here in our fair city. Our

tennis complex is tennis only and we have no outdoor pickleball courts constructed or planned. We do have indoor court set ups at Sadye Gibbs Martin Center and the local YMCA.

Teresa Sessions of the YMCA says although membership is required, “we have a great group of folks that play here and are always looking to welcome new folks.” Sadye Gibbs Martin Center also has a public Pickleball court which sees a good contingent of players in the morning before slowing down in the afternoons according to staff

Our city leaders may want to look into putting in a couple of courts or some enterprising local businessperson might want to build a facility. Pickleball courts rent out at about $30 per hour and balls and racquets are extra. They have proven successful in other areas.

Public courts are available in Lakeland at Lake Parker Park and Woodlake Park while the Kelly Recreation Complex charges a fee.

CUTEST CRITTER

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CLAIRE: Laura Christie sent us this photo of her pup Claire. Once a struggling stray, Clairs is now a happy and loyal companion for her loving family.

PAUL LINDSEY GUEST WRITER

SPORTS

DURANT BASEBALL EXACTS REVENGE ON NEWSOME

After following up Saladino Tournament play with a season-high six-game win streak, Durant baseball ultimately saw that win streak end as they fell to 10-2 on the year with a 9-4 loss to Newsome on March 28. Setting up yet another crucial battle among two of the top teams in a loaded 7A District 6 group that also features 16-5 Winter Haven, 14-6 Haines City and 12-6 Strawberry Crest, Durant responded to the loss with three consecutive wins over Bloomingdale, East Bay and Riverview before getting their revenge last Friday with a 3-1 win over Newsome — moving to 14-3 on the year.

“It was tough because we had already beaten them three times in a row since last year and a fourth time is just about impossible,” Durant head coach Butch Valdes said. “(Newsome starter) Evan Dempsey is one hell of pitcher so we knew that it would be a battle. We kind of prepared a little bit differently for this one, we went out there with Blaine Rowland and we needed this one for sure.”

Entering the night at 2-0 on the year, allowing just two earned runs while striking out 33 hitters across 24.1 innings, junior Blaine Rowland took the mound for the Cougars. In similar fashion to his first nine appearances of the year, Rowland started strong with a perfect first inning in which he coaxed a pair of ground balls and a fly

Quick Hits

PLANT CITY KID NAMED ELKS

NATIONAL SOCCER SHOOT CHAMPION

Plant City native Thiago Pena was named national champion in the Elks Lodge National Soccer Shoot earlier this month

The Elks National Soccer Shoot competition is an annual contest where kids from around the country are able to showcase their talents through contests that test their skill levels, with fi e different age groups included for both boys and girls.

The Soccer Shoot consists of two different contests based on the age group of the participants. For those in the U-8 age group, the event features a “Five Goal Contest” that includes a series of fie goals at which the participants aim, decreasing in size from 48 inches to 17 inches. For the four older age groups ranging from U-10 to U-16, the event features a “Grid Goal Contest” in which participants shoot at a full-size goal that is sectioned off, with different point totals awarded for different sections. In the Grid Goal Contest, participants rotate throughout three different

out to right field. After a strikeout and a line out to center opened the bottom of the frame, the Cougars put a pair of runners on as junior Noah Morales reached on an error and Rowland drew a walk. The duo moved up to second and third on a double steal, but a strikeout ended the early threat.

Rowland notched his first strikeout of the game in the top of the second inning, followed by a pair of fly outs to mark another easy 1-2-3 inning, but the Cougars were only able to muster one baserunner on a two-out base hit to left field from senior Aidan Welsh before another inning-ending strikeout wrapped up a scoreless second.

After Newsome’s leadoff hitter in the third quickly fell into an 0-2 hole, he punched a soft liner down the right field line that quickly put the Wolves’ first baserunner into scoring position with no outs. A ground out to second base would move him over to third and with the infield in, a hard chopper to the left side slipped into left field between third base and shortstop to drive in the run and give Newsome a 1-0 lead. Despite conceding the score, Rowland bounced back to retire the next two hitters.

Leadoff hitter Nick April-Gath opened the bottom of the third with a base hit, followed by a double ripped into right center by senior catcher Dylan LaPointe, quickly giving Durant two runners in scoring position with no outs. Back-to-back strikeouts left Newsome just one out away from escaping the jam, but a passed ball allowed April-Gath

rounds where they take fie shots, resulting in 15 shots total, and the highest-scoring athlete advances.

After advancing through the local, district and Central Florida regional round, remaining competitors made their way to Umatilla, Fla. for the southeastern regional round — featuring kids from Florida, South Carolina and Georgia across all fie age groups. All scores from the southeastern regional area are then sent to Elks National where their scores are tabulated and national champions are determined, with Pena’s score of 38 earning him the national championship for the U-8 age group.

PLANT CITY NATIVE TO JOIN THE MARTIAL ARTS MASTERS HALL OF FAME

Plant City native Rudy Rogers will join the Martial Arts Masters Hall of Fame at the Masters of Martial Arts Expo in Atlantic City, N.J. on June 10.

Rogers was raised in Plant City by Sadye Gibbs Martin, the fist female mayor of Plant City and the fist African-American elected mayor of a major city in the state of Florida. At 16, Rogers moved to Denver, Colorado where he attended Manual High School. After graduating, Rogers ran track

to come across and score to knot the contest up at 1-1 after three.

Both offenses were then sat down quietly in the fourth and Rowland worked through the top of the fifth with ease before Durant jumped out to their first lead of the contest in the bottom of the fifth. After a flyout marked the first out of the frame, April-Gath reached first on his second hit of the contest — a single up the middle. LaPointe then reached on a walk and a ground ball to shortstop from Morales was misplayed, allowing April-Gath to score all the way from second as LaPointe and Morales each reached safely. A double steal attempt left Morales as the Cougars’ lone baserunner at second as Newsome’s catcher nabbed Durant’s courtesy runner for LaPointe at third for the second out of the inning, but a spinning ground ball off the end of the bat from Rowland leaked past the Wolves’ first baseman and into right field for an RBI single to give Durant a 3-1 lead after five.

Offenses were once again quiet in the sixth and Newsome stepped up for their last chance to mount a comeback in the top of the seventh. After a lineup to left field and a ground out to second the Cougars were just one out away from sealing the crucial victory, but a walk put a runner on for Newsome and brought the tying run to the plate. Despite pressure building, Rowland was able to induce a ground ball to first base and shut the door on Newsome for a 3-1 victory.

and field at Northastern Junior College, transferred to Arkansas State for a semester and ran track and field finished his bachelor’s degree in health and physical education with a minor in biological science at Colorado State University and ultimately earned a master’s degree in therapeutic counseling from the University of Colorado.

While he fist began practicing martial arts in high school, he began to really take it seriously in 1976 after completing his service in the U.S. Navy. Rogers moved between Colorado and California for several years, continuing to practice and teach karate before relocating back to Plant City in 1999 and opening his own open-air dojo at his house, teaching Goju Gung Fu karate through his Nisei Karate Federation.

Happening on June 10, Rogers’ induction will coincidentally also fall on his 77th birthday.

PLANT CITY TRACK & FIELD RECORDS SEVERAL TOP-5 FINISHES AT HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIPS

Plant City’s Track & Field team made their way to the Hillsborough County Championships on April 12 where sev-

Despite just five total hits for Durant’s offense, the Cougars were able to move to 14-3 on the year with yet another stellar start from Rowland — a night in which he allowed just one earned run, four walks and three hits while striking out four across seven innings in the complete game effort.

“Blaine had a good night tonight because when he pitched he had to battle,” Durant head coach Butch Valdes said. “He wasn’t as crisp as he normally is but again, now you can see what kind of athlete he is and he battled through it. Four walks, I think only four strikeouts or something like that which is not a typical night for him, but he only gave up one run. He battled through it, he did well, he pitched well, it’s what we expect from him. It’s huge. Being able to battle like that is what I expect out of him because he’s that type of athlete. He’s always been that type of kid and that’s why he’s up there on the hill and leading the squad right now.”

Following the win over Newsome, Durant turned right around and moved to 15-3 with a 3-2 win over Sumner. The Cougars will return to action on Thursday as they host crosstown rival Strawberry Crest.

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

eral members of both the boys and girls squads recorded top-5 finishs.

On the boys side, junior Trae’Veon Smith — fresh off f setting Plant City High School records in the 100 meters and 200 meters — finished first in the 200 meters, senior Noah Defrancesco finished fifth i the 800 meters, junior Jordan Futch fiished fifth in the 400 hudles, junior Zekiah Polk finished ourth in the high jump and senior Keyshaun Brinson finished ourth in the triple jump.

And for the girls, senior Erica Holloman finished fifth in the00 meters and junior Makayla Holmes finished fifth in the lon jump. Just outside of top-5 finishs, junior Jazlyn Torres finished sixth in the dicus and senior Alyssa Stahl finished sixth in javelin.

At the Raiders’ strongest discipline, both the boys and girls recorded strong finishs in relay events as the boys 4x100 relay team finished thid and their 4x400 relay team finished ourth while the girls 4x100 relay team finished econd.

TAYLOR JENKINS SPORTS WRITER

After falling to the Wolves earlier in the season, the Cougars punched back with a 3-1 win last week.

BIG INNING PUSHES STRAWBERRY CREST PAST ARMWOOD

on the season.

After a 5-3 loss to Gaither on March 30, Strawberry Crest baseball fell to 8-6 on the year with a run that featured four losses over their previous seven contests, facing what seemed to be a mountainous climb if the Chargers hoped to recreate something similar to their 2022 season in which they rattled off a 20-9 record en route to their fourth consecutive district title and a trip to the regional finals.

But since that loss the Chargers have been red hot, currently riding a five-game win streak that continued with a 9-3 victory over Armwood on Tuesday to put Crest at 13-6 on the season.

Hitting first as the visiting team, Crest senior Jace Raburn opened the contest with a walk but was ultimately caught attempting to steal second for the first out of the inning. A line out to center and a strikeout ended the Chargers’ top of the first quietly and junior Brayden Dicerb took the mound for the bottom half of the frame.

A consistent presence on the bump for Crest, Dicerb entered his second start of the season with 19.1 innings pitched across

13 appearances — nearly all coming in relief

— where he had notched 19 strikeouts and just six earned runs on the year. And despite a leadoff walk putting a runner on quickly for Armwood, the runner ultimately moving to second on a passed ball, Dicerb worked through the first with ease as he recorded a strikeout and induced a pair of fly outs to end the frame.

A pair of baserunners courtesy of hit by pitch in the top of the second and a single and stolen base from freshman Reuben Vasquez in the top of the third gave the Chargers runners in scoring position over the next two innings, but they were unable to capitalize as Dicerb, in turn, kept Armwood off the board through three.

In the top of the fourth, Strawberry Crest broke the game open with timely hits, strong at bats and exceedingly smart baserunning. After a fly out opened the inning, senior Zach Redner reached safely with a base hit up the middle. Freshman Dillon Knight then reached on a hit by pitch and senior Eli Vickers drew a four-pitch walk to load the bases. After a long at bat from freshman Toby Highsmith — taking the count full — he ultimately drew a walk of his own to push Redner across and give the Chargers a 1-0 lead.

Senior Ray Allen Vazquez followed the walk up by ripping a line drive right at the Armwood third baseman, deflecting off his arm and toward shortstop as Knight crossed the plate and all runners were able to advance safely. After freshman Raymond Llanes worked the count full in the next at bat, he earned a walk on a passed ball and not only did Vickers score from third, but each trail runner ran hard to move up a base as well as the catcher retrieved the loose ball — seeing courtesy runner Nico Cappucci score from second to give the Chargers a 4-0 lead as Llanes and Ray Allen Vasquez took second and third, respectively. Reuben Vasquez rolled over a ground ball right back to the pitcher in the ensuing at bat but the Chargers baserunning took advantage once again as Ray Allen Vasquez broke for home, beating the throw and giving Crest a 5-0 lead. Amongst the chaos, Reuben Vasquez made a break for second as the play at the plate unfolded and ultimately ended up in a rundown between first and second when Llanes took off for home looking to score, sliding in safely in his own play at the plate to put the Chargers up 6-0 while Reuben Vasquez consequently advanced to second safely on the throw. A strikeout marked the

second out of the inning and a slow, spinning ground ball to first was misplayed by Armwood, allowing Reuben Vasquez to score all the way from second to cap off the Chargers’ seven-run inning.

Following a leadoff single in the bottom of the fourth, Dicerb retired the next three Armwood hitters in order to end his night after four scoreless innings —moving his earned run average down to just 1.80 on the year.

The Chargers tacked on two more runs with an RBI single from Llanes and a sac fly from Redner in the fifth while Redner, Akhil Nimmala and Damien Lariz worked through the final three innings in relief to complete the 9-3 victory for the Chargers and move them to 13-6 on the season.

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

TAYLOR JENKINS SPORTS WRITER

A seven-run inning broke the game open for the Chargers as they moved to 13-6

We asked Plant City: If you could add one thing to Plant City, what would it be?

“Water park or a mall.” - Danielle Patisaul

“Target, Steak & Shake and Olive Garden.” - Missy Stanford

“A Celebration Station or Dave and Buster’s.” - Brandy Hill

“A good seafood restaurant.”

- Teresa Fulghum

“First Watch!” - Savannah Kitzis

“Target and a Crunch gym.” - Samantha Hamilton

“A farm-to-table restaurant, a cafe that uses local food from the farms and it would be great if it had a playground/outdoor venue for music.” - Lindsey Hanson

“A town center.” - Woody Ayers

“Dinner options in our downtown.” - Cody Lenz

“Home Depot.” - Suzanne Penney Calder

“A waterpark for all ages.” - Veronica Leonard-Cannon

“Skating rink.” - Melissa Harvey Allen

“Whole Foods.” - Renee Navalta-Newton

“Chicken Salad Chick.” - Christina Danielle Higgs

“Chipotle.” - Stephanie Ramirez Hanna

“Definiely Target and somewhere healthy to eat, like a Fresh Kitchen or something.”

- Haley Riley

“Harbor Freight.” - Zack Presnell

“Something similar to The Joinery in Lakeland, small eating venues with variety.”

- Nancy Jo Crist

“Bowling,” - Jyl Barber

“Skating rink for the kids in Plant City, our kids seem to be left out. Things for families to do that aren’t alcohol related.”

- Janet Surrency

“Mini golf, bowling or Target.” - Kevin Cortez

YOUR AROUND TOWN SPONSOR

“A really trendy brewery.” - Chase Price

“Golf course!” - Tammy Woodall

“Affordable housing, pool to go swimming, Celebration Station, amusement park, Red Lobster.” - Deborah Kendrick

“A good Thai restaurant. We had one in town that was really good but they closed. Although I am not happy about all the extra traffic and buding everywhere so I would be fine without buiding on more. Would love a nice tea room since the one downtown closed.”

- Nicole Lambert Bargeron

“Another bowling alley but bigger than the original one we had that they took down. Big enough for lots of families and guests with theme nights and cosmic bowling. A Target or Walmart Market with only groceries.” - Andrea Becker

“Schools and road to handle all the folks moving in.” - Kay Howard

“A Golf Course, Trader Joe’s, Grain & Berry, Cooper’s Hawk, Green Lemon and a Fresh Kitchen. I can keep on going!” - Dena Martin

“Water Stations Playground! Cracker Barrel, Olive Garden, Einstein Bagels… the list goes on!” - Ronda Dennis Kyler

More restaurants. I love Brick House and Wooden Spoon but neither are open at night.” - K.A. Kryszczak

“I would love to take the train from Plant City to Tampa or Orlando, I have seen the Amtrak passing by but never stops in our town. Connectivity would allow our town to bloom even more, having visitors from others towns spend the day here for events or even help locals get jobs in neighboring towns.” - Clarisa Sanchez Acosta

“Home Depot, Texas Roadhouse, Bojangles’.” - Nikki Murphy

“A non-chain, sit down, date night type restaurant.” - Amada Graziani Trejbrowski

PlantCityObserver.com

Christine ‘Chris’ Odom

Christine “Chris” Odom, 85, of Plant City, born on Aug. 30, 1937, in Enterprise, Ala., entered into eternal rest on April 10, 2023.

Expressions of condolences at www.HopewellFuneral.com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Geneva Kaye Ammerman

Geneva Kaye Ammerman, 58, of Plant City, born on June 11, 1964, in Lawton, Oklahoma, entered into eternal rest on April 9, 2023. Expressions of condolences at www.HopewellFuneral.com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Michael ONeal Spradley Sr.

Michael ONeal Spradley Sr., 56, of Lakeland, Fla., born on March 9, 1967, in Bartow, entered into eternal rest on April 12, 2023.

Expressions of condolences at www.HopewellFuneral. com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Elder John T. Lewis

Elder John T. Lewis, 86, of Plant City, born on Sept. 30, 1936, entered into eternal rest on April 12, 2023.

Expressions of condolences at www.HopewellFuneral.com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Dora A. Soto

Dora A. Soto, 86, of Lithia, born on Aug. 6, 1936, in Hatillo, Puerto Rico, entered into eternal rest on April 11, 2023.

Expressions of condolences at www.HopewellFuneral.com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Janet Baker Rollyson

Janet Baker Rollyson, 77, of Plant City, Fla., born in Chattanooga, Tenn. on April 21, 1945, entered into eternal rest on April 16, 2023.

Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral. com.

Nicole Lynn See

Nicole Lynn See, 50, passed away on April 16, 2023.

Friends and family will be received April 24, 2023 from 1 to 2 p.m. at Landmark Baptist Ministries, 6021 Williams Road Seffne, FL 33584. A Funeral Service will follow at 2 p.m.

Williamae ‘Mae’ Matthews

Williamae “Mae” Matthews, 87, of Plant City, born on Jan. 18, 1936 in McKenzie, Ala., entered into eternal rest on April 16, 2023.

Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral. com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

ALL OBITUARIES ARE SUBMITTED AND EDITED BY FAMILIES OR FUNERAL HOMES

Online condolences can be made at www.haught. care.

HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM

BEST BET

SATURDAY, APRIL 22

PLANES, TRAINS & AUTOMOBILES

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 4007 Airport Rd. Make your way to the Plant City Airport for Planes, Trains & Automobiles, an event that will feature car and airplane shows, model train layouts, RC aircraft and drone demos, kids’ activities, scout badging, fist responder vehicles, food trucks and more. Tickets are $7.25 in advance online or $10 at the gate. Children 10 and under are free.

THURSDAY, APRIL 20

originated from years of bluegrass experience. Admission is $15 and tickets can be purchased at www.eventbrite.com. Seating is limited.

SATURDAY, APRIL 22

DEA PRESCRIPTION DRUG TAKEBACK

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 2302 James L. Redman Pkwy. The Hillsborough County Anti Drug Alliance, in partnership with the DEA, will be holding a drug take-back event this week — an opportunity for local residents to safely dispose of unused, unnecessary or expired prescription medications. Plant City’s take-back location will be the CVS on James L. Redman Pkwy. For more information on the DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day and to find other ollection locations, visit www.deadiversion. usdoj.gov.

EARTH DAY TREE PLANTING

LAST FRIDAY IN DOWNTOWN

GracePoint Church. For more information, visit www.peaksupportgroup.com

SATURDAY, MAY 6

BLUEGRASS JAM

6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd. This is an open invitation for local Bluegrass musicians and fans to come to the Krazy Kup loft and jam, clap hands, stomp feet and enjoy! Krazy Kup holds their Bluegrass JAM on the fist Saturday of every month.

SATURDAY, MAY 13

OPEN MIC NIGHT

TOP GOLF TOURNAMENT

6 to 9 p.m. at 10690 Palm River Rd. Join Plant City Main Street for a festive evening under the stars with their highly-anticipated Top Golf Tournament, an opportunity to enjoy Top Golf as well as a dinner buffet and open bar served in a private VIP room. With the opportunity to walk away with some amazing gifts and prizes, Plant City Main Street welcomes you to invite your friends, family and fellow business owners for a night of fun as the city comes together to help strengthen Main Streets efforts in Historic Downtown Plant City. for more information, or to register, visit www. plantcitymainstreet.com.

BLUEGRASS NIGHT WITH SOUTHERN EXPRESS

7 to 8:30 p.m. at 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd.

Make your way down to Krazy Kup for a special Bluegrass Night featuring Southern Express, a Central Florida band that

10:30 a.m. at the corner of Thomas St. and Herring St. The Plant City Area Democrats will be holding an Earth Day Tree Planting event and all are invited to come out and celebrate Earth Day! The event will take place on Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m. at the Bruton Memorial Library’s Imagination Garden.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26

FREE ASSISTANCE FOR MILITARY VETERANS

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

5 to 9 p.m. at 110 N. Collins St. The Last Friday in Downtown Food Truck Rally is held with a new theme each month. There will be live music, an expanded exhibitor market, a bounce house, a scavenger hunt, food trucks and more. The event is family and pet friendly and all are recommended to bring chairs and blankets. April’s theme is Star Wars!

WEDNESDAY, MAY 3

SUPPORT GROUP FOR PARENTS WITH ESTRANGED FAMILY

6:30 to 8 p.m. at 1107 Charlie Griffind. Join other parents who are estranged from their adult children. PEAK (Parents of Estranged Adult Kids) group provides a safe place to listen, share and support others going through the hurt of adult family abandonment. Meetings will include group discussions, self-care and positive inflenced activities to help cope with the situation. PEAK is not appropriate for abusive relationships or mental illness. Meetings are the fist Wednesday of each month at

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

To have your event included in our calendar, visit the calendar section of our website at www.PlantCityObserver.com

fillingSpacesareupfast. Don’tmissout!startsSummerCamp May30th!

FRIDAY, APRIL 28

I LOVE PLANT CITY

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

FORECAST

THURSDAY, APRIL 20

High: 89

Low: 63

Chance of rain: 6%

FRIDAY, APRIL 21

High: 89

Low: 65

Chance of rain: 24%

SATURDAY, APRIL 22

High: 89

Low: 66

Chance of rain: 13%

SUNDAY, APRIL 23

High: 89

Low: 62

SUNRISE/SUNSET

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MOON PHASES

MONDAY, APRIL 24 of rain: 34%

BLUEBERRY

Shipping point: Central/North Florida $17.00-$46.00

Richard Kessler caught a photo of the sun rising over Midway Road and Charlie Taylor Road in Plant City.

Source: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture