4.23.20 PLCO by Plant City Observer

Plant City Observer

y Observer

YO UR HOMETOW N. YO UR NEWSPAP ER .

VOLUME 6, NO. 93

YOUR HOMETOWN. YOUR NEWSPAPER

YO UR NEWS PAP ER .

REOPENING: A NEW TOPIC ON EPG’S TABLE

FREE

The Hillsborough County EPG will use this afternoon’s meeting to discuss potential plans for reopening, a prompt that was first brought up in Monday’s meeting.

•

THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2020

Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) SEE PAGE 6

FIRST RESPONDERS

SHOW SUPPORT FOR SFBH STAFF JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Local first responders beat the Thursday afternoon rain to let the staff at South Florida Baptist Hospital know their hard work has not gone unnoticed. Vehicles from Plant City Police Department, Plant City Fire Rescue, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and Hillsborough County Fire Rescue met at Bryan Elementary School around 1:45 p.m. and drove to the hospital, looping through the parking lot with sirens flashing and horns honking as they waved at dozens of cheering workers standing outside the main entrance. Members of both police departments gathered together at the end of the display and HCSO deputies held up signs that read “From our frontlines to yours, thank you.” Sgt. Al Van Duyne, PCPD spokesman, said the first responders believe hospital workers like those at SFBH are heroes in the time of the novel coronavirus and that the decision to join the county sheriff and fire rescue in saluting area hospital workers Thursday was a no-brainer. “It was definitely a wonderful opportunity for us to participate,” Van Duyne said. “There’s so much we’ve heard from around the country about staff being overwhelmed.. we definitely wanted to let them know their law enforcement and fire communities appreciate them. They’re heroes, each and every one of them.”

Several law enforcement and fire rescue agencies got together last week to show South Florida Baptist Hospital some love.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2020

NEWS BRIEFS

Justin Kline

FBCPC running bi-weekly food pantry First Baptist Church of Plant City, 3309 James L. Redman Parkway, is closed to the public but still finding ways to keep its community involvement strong. The church has been operating as a “food pantry” providing pre-packaged groceries for free to anyone who stops by while supplies last. It’s made possible with much help from the Plant City community as well as local charity organizations. “We’re partnering with Feeding Tampa Bay and the Florida Baptist Children’s Home, who collectively provided over 20 pallets of meat, produce and vegetables,” Missions and Connections Pastor Adam Cunningham said. “For the upcoming food drive, our church members donated probably close to $10,000 worth of food and more than that was given in cash donations to help supplement the food boxes. Our corporate donors, such as Grimes Produce, Star Distribution Systems, Publix and Patterson Companies, Florida Potato

and Onion, have been very generous with ‘in-kind’ donations.” Basically, it’s an extension of the church’s ongoing “I Love Our City” campaign that serves people all over the Plant City community, whether it’s dropping off care packages to South Florida Baptist Hospital staff, feeding first responders or giving gifts to truckers with Gordon Food Services and Star Distribution Centers to show appreciation. In the church’s first food drive event, more than 300 families were able to get meal boxes before the church ran out of supplies and had to turn more than 300 additional cars away. This Wednesday, the church had nearly an entire wing full of food ready to go out. “We had people in the food line that drove over an hour and a half away to receive food,” Cunningham said. “It was at this point that we realized how great the need really is in the community.” Getting food at FBCPC is simple. You can arrive at the parking lot as early as 9 a.m. (food distribution starts at noon), drive up to the pick-up area and get your box. No documentation of any kind is required.

If you wish, you can also cruise through the church’s drive-through prayer lanes in English and Spanish. Cunningham said the church is currently offering the food pantry service every other Wednesday “as long as there is a need and we are able to fulfill the need.” Visit fbcpc.com for more information.

HCPS changes Grab and Go program again One week after changing its Grab and Go pick-up availability, Hillsborough County Public Schools has made yet another tweak to the program. Yesterday was the first day parents were required to present their children’s student ID numbers in order to receive food at both the Wednesday weekly pick-ups and Monday snack stops. If parents are picking up for children who are not school age or attend school outside of the district, the children’s names and birth dates must be provided. HCPS said the new measures are meant to help it track meals using “new

technology.” Visit sdhc.k12.fl.us for more information.

Graduation dates announced Hillsborough County Public Schools also announced a set of tentative graduation ceremony dates on Tuesday. The ceremonies will be held at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall as always, but everything will now take place between July 8 and 23. The following dates and times will apply for Plant City-area public high schools: Simmons Career Center — 9 a.m. Tuesday, July 14 Durant High School — 4 p.m. Thursday, July 16 Plant City High School — 8 p.m. Friday, July 17 Strawberry Crest High School — 8 p.m. Saturday, July 18

PlantCityObserver.com

Saying ‘Goodbye’

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2020

IN THE TIME OF COVID-19

In response to social distancing guidelines, local funeral homes are changing the way they work so families can get as much peace and comfort as is legally allowed.

Photos courtesy of Wells Memorial and Event Center

Alva Janette West Walden sat outside to greet guests on April 9, the date of her late husband’s visitation service. It was the first drive-through service Wells Memorial and Event Center offered in the wake of the novel coronavirus and subsequent social distancing guidelines. JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

The novel coronavirus and the social distancing guidelines that followed it have made planning funeral services trickier than they ever needed to be. How do you plan a full slate of services for the deceased when you can only have 10 or fewer people together in one gathering? It’s a question that has led many families to postpone visitations and memorial services until the “curve” of new cases flattens and social distancing guidelines are at least eased — whenever that may be. Plant City-area funeral homes have wrestled with the problem and have come to very different solutions. Wells Memorial and Event Center faced that challenge two weeks ago, but found a solution: keeping as many people as possible inside their cars. The funeral home’s carport window was the key to making the drive-through visitation happen. The family of Joel Walden, a third-generation Plant Citian,

was the first to test the funeral home’s idea for his April 9 visitation service. “When a family member came in — we can only have two come in to make arrangements and 10 at a gathering — I was brainstorming how we could do this so everyone can still see him and still bring his personal items in,” René Miller, funeral director, said. With help from the Walden family, Miller and the Wells staff worked to make sure it was as close to a traditional one as possible. While Walden himself was inside the funeral home, visible through the carport window, Wells was able to display Walden’s personal items, such as his favorite hat and his beloved banjo, outside with pictures and flowers. It was still able to play the music that would have been used under normal circumstances. Walden’s wife, Alva Janette West Walden, was seated outside next to the displays. Everyone who attended still got to sign a guest book and take a service folder. Everyone in the 35 cars that drove up still got to see Walden and pay their respects after rolling down their windows. “Everyone wants to have their

chance to say goodbye, so us being able to place him where they could see him as they drove by gave them closure and peace,” Miller said. The idea of a drive-through window at a funeral home is not one that was born of a pandemic. Memphis-based R. Bernard Funeral Services made some national headlines in 2017 when it started offering drive-through services as an alternate option, but other American drivethroughs existed in California, Illinois, Louisiana and Michigan prior to then. They have also been popular in Japan for the last few years. Otherwise, it was a rare concept just two months ago. But now that COVID-19 has affected life around the world, drive-through service options are starting to become a new norm. A CNN report from April 6, for example, highlighted a Catholic priest in the hard-hit city of Madrid, Spain, who has been blessing and praying over caskets for five minutes at a time as hearses bring them to the city’s La Almudena cemetery. More funeral homes around America are making headlines in their local papers for integrating drive-through services, just like Wells. Though the drivethrough option is by no means mandatory for families at this time, Miller said Walden’s service went well enough that the funeral home will now offer the option to all interested families. “When a family loses a loved one, if that is something they want then we are more than

happy to accommodate them for sure,” she said. Not everyone is open to the idea of drive-through services, however. In the case of Haught Funeral Home, thinking forward wasn’t the ideal way to solve the problem. Funeral Director David Wolf instead dug deeper into his playbook and settled on bringing back an older custom: longer visitation hours. Wolf has been in the business for 35 years and remembered working visitations that lasted several hours, if not an entire day. He also remembered how different the crowds were then, before time condensed the average visitation to roughly one hour. “If you’re having an hour visitation, you’re assuring yourself of one thing: everybody’s gonna be there,” Wolf said. “It’s a packed house… 35 years ago, visitations were four, five, six hours long. You’d have a stream of people. I thought that was a better option than limiting it to 10 people.” Expanding visitation hours to whatever families are comfortable with allows Haught to kill two birds with one stone. Everybody can still come throughout the day, but the spread of visitors is enough that they can stick to the 10-person limit for gatherings at any given time. There are never more than 10 people in the chapel at once, but they can also get 60 people through the building in a day and keep it properly sanitized. Technology is also coming to the forefront with area funeral homes. Haught and Hopewell Funeral Home and Memorial Garden have pivoted to video, now streaming services on Facebook Live and

filming them to be distributed to families or, in Haught’s case, also uploaded onto its website later. That not only helps ease people’s fears about going out in public during the pandemic, Wolf said, but it also allows people who otherwise couldn’t have made the trip to watch and connect. In fact, Wolf said, one recent service reached 1,100 views on Facebook. “When I saw 1,100 views on that video I was thinking, ‘my word,’” Wolf said. “If we were able to have the funeral with everybody there like we normally would, there may have been 200 people at the church that day. But 1,100 showed me there were a lot of people willing to take time out of their day to watch a 25-minute graveside service.” Dann Druen, director and co-owner of Hopewell, said his funeral home is only offering private visitations and funeral services to fall in line with the guidelines. They’re asking families to consider making arrangements by phone or through a video conference instead of coming in and are offering COVID-19 discounts to customers. “Our family’s been on these grounds since the latter half of the 1800s,” Druen said. “We opened the cemetery in ’71 and the funeral home in ‘89. Our thing is treating others how we want to be treated, so it didn’t make sense at this time to charge for streaming, video recording and everything else we had to change because of COVID.”

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2020

PLANT CITY

Observer

This week on Cops Corner: Plant City Police investigated

COPS CORNER

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

stolen drinks, a home break-in,

ELV

stolen speakers, fraudulent Cloud services and more.

Publisher / Karen Berry KBerry@PlantCityObserver.com

D U A R F

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

TO ADVERTISE Call (813) 704-6850

Advertising / Richard Brame richard@plantcityobserver.com

APRIL 10 AT-HOME SHOPPING 500 block of Walter Drive Burglary: Between April 3 and 10, entry was made into the residence at the above listed location. A BENQ 28” computer monitor, Sony Blu-Ray player, Fire HD 8 tablet, Fire Stick HK4 and a PSE AR 32” crossbow, all valued at $515, were taken from the residence.

SHINE A LIGHT 2300 block of Henderson Way Warrant arrest x3: Officers made contact with a woman who was located at the above listed location, a construction site, with an unknown man who fled the area prior to police arrival. She was wearing a lighted headlamp when located. NCIP/FCIC revealed she had three active warrants. One HCSO for FTA Petit Theft, an active Polk County Warrant for VOP trespass of a structure and a Fugitive Felony Warrant from Jefferson City, Missouri for absconded from parole supervision. Her identity and the warrants were confirmed and she was transported to Orient Road Jail without incident.

Advertising / Karen Berry kberry@plantcityobserver.com

APRIL 11

APRIL 14

A CLOUD WITH NO SILVER LINING 2900 block of Blain Acres Road Fraud: This complainant told officers she contacted a company from the internet that claimed to work for Apple and they advised her they would set up her Apple account for her. She later learned the company withdrew money from her account without her permission and that the company was not, in fact, affiliated with Apple.

QUENCH THE THIRST 2500 block of James L. Redman Parkway Criminal mischief/theft: An employee of USA Murphy reported a suspect stole drinks from the metal cabinets located on the side of the business. The cabinets were damaged in order to gain access to the merchandise. Upon presentation to the store representative, a waiver of prosecution was signed and the case was closed.

SHOTS FIRED 1200 block of West Washington Street Leaving the scene of crash, reckless driving, fleeing to APRIL 12 elude high speed and DWLSR, Criminal Mischief, Resist W/O, DROP THE BEAT Edited by David Steinberg April 26, 2020 Unlawful Trespassing, Burglary 600 block of IT’S THE WORKER, and violation of public health East Alexander Street “Git!” 34AUse a drill ACROSS 7 On account THE TOOLS emergency rule (Arrest X2): Offi-43NOT Burglary: woman told police block of East Baker of Street cers responded to the above listed441500 someone her vehicle by Some 35entered Yelp review 1 Like karaoke Felony Criminal Mischief: Offi-may unknown means location following a report of a Android unit — there was music 8 They responded to the above listed drive-by shooting occupied cers no damage the vehicle phones 36 to Word in a — and 5 Biginto ___anWolf make maps to the report of man dwelling. Two were arrested 45location once inside,counting the suspect went Skeptical 8 men Wax-coated 9 a(Facepalm) causing in damage to into for resisting without violence, and removed her about over $1,250 10 rhyme cheese Tool thrown at the trunk the front doors of the business. He criminal trespassing and burglary, speaker system, which was valued 47 Luke, to 45 Water bottle 12 Sinister a target: Var. was transported to Orient Road and both were charged with Violaat $600. She signed a waiver of Anakin capacities 13 Exasperated 11 Do a lawn without incident. tion of Public prosecution. 48Jail She shared 46 One 15 Health/Emergency “Love you, chore Rule. Both were transported to an awkward swimming bye!” 13 Reacted Orient Road Jail without incident. kiss with Luke in money 16 Lyft to seeing

Universal Crossword

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

APRIL 15

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

ELVIS HAS LEFT THE BUILDING 300 block of Abigail Road Burglary vehicle: This complainant reported that between 5 p.m. April 14 and 7 a.m. April 15, an unknown suspect entered her vehicle and removed an Elvis Presley sketch, a carton of cigarettes and $25 worth of change from her vehicle.

To contact us, send your information via: Email: Sarah Holt, SHolt@ PlantCityObserver.com. Mail: The Plant City Observer, 1507 S. Alexander St., Suite 103, Plant City, FL 33563

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

BUDDY’S ROOFING BUDDY’S

50 Salt’s formula 49 Great Lakes alternative a snake, 52 Poet with natives 17 Bill perhaps a famous 51 Bring to attachment 14 Items in a $ line that the an end 100 18 “That was decisionrhymes in 52 DollopOn OFF close!” making list any job 1000 more when you We’re On Top of It this ad. 13-, 14-, 53 Lyft ormention 19 Make out, 20 Zilch 25- and 27alternative in Britain 22 Texter’s Down hint at 54 Peaceful bird 21 Strenuous qualification NEW ROOFS • RE-ROOFS We’re On TILE • TILE REPAIRS 57 1966 title role 55 Watched effort 23 “Howdy, We’re On Top Top of of It It HOT TAR/FLAT DECKS for Michael carefully 23 Bowler’s everyone!” NEW ROOFS • • RE-ROOFS SHINGLES • VENTILATION NEW ROOFS RE-ROOFS Caine 56 ___-do-well measure24 Not digital TILE TILE TILE• •REPAIRED TILEREPAIRS REPAIRS LEAKS HOT TAR/FLAT 58 “The ___ 57 “A Wrinkle ment? 25 Pitches like HOT TAR/FLATDECKS DECKS SHINGLES • VENTILATION 25SHINGLES Years of E•xVENTILATION Who Cried in Time” 26 Way to pick a southpaw perience LEAKS LEAKSREPAIRED REPAIRED Wolf” director things up 27 Less boozy 252Y5eYaerasrsofofEExxppeerrieiennccee Mr.Like D ismost back 59 DuVernay without Pabst brew New Number pet birds 60 Molecule trying, so to 28 “You are not!” Leak & Re-Roofing Specialists – WE FIX LEAKS NO ONE ELSE CAN! New Name Leak & Re-Roofing Specialists – WE FIX LEAKSNO NOONE ONE ELSE ELSE CAN! CAN! 61 Professional Naysayer, that Rosalind speak Same Great comeback Leak & Re-Roofing Specialists – WE FIX LEAKS Free Estimates • Financing Available Service say 30 Scarf down Franklin 29 Put in some 24-Hour Emergency 24-HourService Emergency Service 24-Hour Emergency Service 62 December 31 Vital arteries studied: quality Buddy &Owners Crystal Cheaves, Owners Buddy & Crystal Cheaves, Buddy Crystal Cheaves, Owners 24 or 31 32 Measuring Abbr. thyme? Lic # CCC1325993 www.BuddysRoofing.com Lic & # CCC1325993 • Bonded & Insured Bonded &•Insured www.BuddysRoofing.com Lic #•CCC1325993 Bonded & Insured www.BuddysRoofing.com stick’s length, 63 White as often This week’s Sudoku answers a sheet This week’s Crossword This week’s PREVIOUS PUZZLEanswers ANSWER 64 Deep gulf 33 “The Master Celebrity Cipher answers 65 Common Builder” color for the author flower that Henrik this puzzle 37 Bombeck Puzzle Solution: hints at who said, “God created 66 Bright fish “Here we are, the most clever DOWN man, but I species ever to have lived. So how 1 Sink below could do is it we can destroy the only planet the horizon better” we have?” 2 2019 NCAA 38 Popular ~ Jane Goodall basketball succulent champs 39 Jotted down 3 Put the 40 Falls prey to kibosh on decay 41 Highs’ 4 Sliding ballet counterparts steps 42 100 Swiss 5 Neutral color 4/25 © 2020 Andrews McMeel Universal www.upuzzles.com rappen 6 Insert

BUDDY’S ROOFING ROOFING

468318-1 468318-1

RESRIEDSEINDTENIATLIA&L & OMM ERECRICAIALL COCM

468318-1

RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL

813-982-0218 813-982-0218 813-982-0218

287477-1

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

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2020

Message brought to you by the Tampa Bay Lightning

COVID-19 RELIEF IS AVAILABLE DO YOU OWN A SMALL BUSINESS? BETWEEN 1-500 EMPLOYEES? IS YOUR BUSINESS AT RISK? ARE YOU LAYING OFF/FURLOUGHING EMPLOYEES?

NEW PAYROLL PROTECTION PROGRAM IS AVAILABLE - Low interest loans for small businesses and NON-PROFITS - Provides cash flow assistance to help maintain payroll - Covers payroll, paid sick leave, mortgages or rent, and utility payments -

LOAN FORGIVENESS AVAILABLE HELP IS ON THE WAY CONTACT YOUR LOCAL BANK OR VISIT SBA.GOV TODAY FOR MORE INFORMATION

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2020

EPG FACED WITH PLANNING COUNTY’S ‘NEW REALITY’ AS THE COUNTRY PREPARES TO BEGIN REOPENING A conversation briefly began Monday regarding how the EPG wants to reopen Hillsborough County. That question will be revisited and looked at in-depth in this afternoon’s meeting. File photos

Above: The EPG is bracing for higher infection rates in the county. Below: Governor Ron DeSantis.

Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Despite that facts that the country and the state have contradicting claims of whether they have peaked with their COVID-19 infection numbers and many experts project a second wave to hit, the nation is beginning to reopen. Members of the Hillsborough County Emergency Policy Group briefly batted the topic around Monday afternoon before deciding they needed more data to even begin broaching the conversation. Several in-depth presentations will be given to the group this afternoon and a discussion on how and when the county can begin relaxing its restrictions will follow. “I’m really looking forward to (today’s) meeting so we can start taking about the process of opening our economy up while still keeping our public safe,” Plant City Mayor Rick Lott said to the group. “I hope we can get the information we need at the earliest date possible so we can start having this conversation.” The conversation thus far has always revolved around the concept of opening in phases. Instead of just going completely back to normal, things will slowly trickle back to the way they were before. The problem at hand is the country has not had adequate supplies to do even a fraction of the amount of tests it would take to know for sure that the numbers being collected by the Department of Health and the CDC form an accurate representation of the impact of COVID-19 in America. Governor Ron DeSantis said in a Tuesday news conference that Florida would provide the necessary testing required to

reopen the state, though he was vague on exactly how those tests would be administered, when we would see them or how much it would cost the state to pull off. “As people look at the next phase, they should understand that we’re all in on diagnostic testing, we’re all in on serological testing,” DeSantis said. “They’re both very, very important. We’ll probably have more testing sites in the next phase than in this phase because we don’t know what’s going to happen or how it’s going to pop up. We want employers to be able to send people to these places. I think that’s important.” The meeting this afternoon will determine what Hillsborough County’s immediate plan of action is. As we saw in Monday’s meeting, things are already in place to begin the process of helping prevent a second wave in the county. The website created by University of South Florida researchers that asks residents to participate in an anonymous online survey if they believe they have symptoms of COVID-19 is starting to see results. The website was created to allow researchers to know an anonymous respondent’s geographic location when they complete the survey so they will be able to create a virtual heat map of the area. Then, if there is an indication of a COVID-19 hub in one area, government leaders can focus supplies, medical aid and resources to that general location to help nip it in the bud before it spreads. Dr. Thomas Unnasch, USF health professor, told members of the EPG the goal was to use the model to predict the demands that the county would have “for hospital beds, for ICUs and for ventilators across the four-county Tampa Bay region.”

STATE FARM® AGENT

813.752.7202

1702 S. Alexander, Plant City, FL 33563

288231-1

Tony Lee CLU, CHFC

The county is also offering three new COVID-19 testing sites, including one right here in Plant City. Just like the Raymond James Stadium site, residents must schedule an appointment by calling 813-272-5900. They cannot simply show up at the site. The call center is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. The Plant City location opened yesterday and is at the Plant City Community Resource Center, 397 N. Michigan Ave. Testing will be administered for anyone who calls the number and is confirmed to have COVID-19 related symptoms. They will be given an appointment and must arrive at the specified time. Hillsborough County is expected to receive $256 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding. County commissioners will determine how to allocate the funds and the county will “encourage private matching funds and business partnerships to increase the potential investment impacts of the local stimulus dollars.” CareerSource Tampa Bay is also putting plans in place to bring the local workforce back to the table. It plans to hold a virtual town hall meeting from 3 to 4 p.m. today for local businesses. It will explore the “challenges and initiatives for restarting the Tampa economy. The meeting will also focus on some of the frequently asked questions coming into the CSTB contact center.” “CareerSource Tampa Bay will work diligently with the business community, edu-

cators and community action agencies,” CSTB CEO John Flanagan said in a news release. “We want to ensure that we, as a county and city, are ready to answer market demand for talent, post COVID-19 epidemic, and provide a system of resources and training to ensure a skilled and ready labor force.” Any business interested in participating can email their request to marketing@ careersourceTB.com. The call is limited to the first 300 requests. The EPG meeting last week also began to set the stage for another potential hurdle ahead: hurricane season. The annual season starts June 1 and experts are saying it will more than likely be a more active than normal period. Hillsborough County Office of Emergency Management Director Tim Dudley told members of the group the county was prepared to meet any challenges potential hurricanes could throw their way head on and plans for the region are “being adjusted to reflect how operations would be handled.” Tune in to today’s EPG meeting at 1:30 p.m. on the Hillsborough County’s YouTube channel or Facebook page.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

COMMISSION ROUNDUP PROJECTED ELEMENT

ORIGINAL Budget

CURRENT Budget (Base & Alt ADD)

THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2020

CHAMBER LEADERCAST ON ITS WAY DIFFERENCE Over/(Under)

Land Acquisition

75,000

20,000

(55,000)

Engineering

340,739

Survey, Geotech, Environmental

100,000

171,097

71,097

Water Main Design/Construction

1,312,500

1,535,878

223,378

Sewer Main Design/Construction

682,500

1,441,623

759,123

Pump Station

350,000

678,806

328,806

493,480

Contingency

500,00

200,000

(300,00)

Total Project Budget

3,020,000

*4,881,623

1,861,623

Courtesy photo

Alternate Bid

*TOTAL PROJECT BUDGET (BASE BID ONLY): $4,388,143 BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

The world may have been put on pause when communities braced for the impact of the spread of COVID-19, but Plant City leaders want the public to know they are still working hard to secure the city’s future. Part of that effort came during last week’s city commission meeting when commissioners agreed to solidify a contract with Dallas 1 Corporation for $4,149,787.17 to finally extend utilities out to State Road 39. In January 2019, the commission had a choice on how far it wanted to extend utilities to SR 39. Commissioners chose to go approximately 1.71 miles to Colson Road. The estimate of the project was a little over $3 million. During the project design, consideration was made to include a utilities crossing to allow service to both sides of SR 39. The city decided to present the project with a base bid and an alternate bid that would cover the different construction requirements. When the bids came back, the base bid had an apparent low bid of $3,656,307.37. The alternate bid had an apparent low bid of $493,479.80. The alternate bid comes with an addition of utility crossings to the west side of SR 39 to provide the ability to connect utilities on both sides of the road. The city stated rising construction labor costs, material costs and the contractors’ volume of work as the reasons for the bids being higher than estimated. The two bids go just over $4 million combined. The total cost increase was $1,861,623. For the SR 39 project, the commission decided to combine the $1 million currently left over from the Sam Allen Road project and $450,000 from the Water Systems Improvements for a project on Franklin

Street that was not needed at that time. They also will use $411,623 from reserves in the water/sewer fund for the remaining costs. “We did a lot of thought and checking, and in my mind I had to weigh a couple of things: What would be the impact and was it something we wanted to do?” City Manager Bill McDaniel said. “I think of it like planting a crop. If you don’t plant the seed, you won’t see the corn down the road… We need to plant the seed. We had everything in place, we had the funds to do it, so we need to invest in Plant City.” Despite COVID-19 causing many businesses to come to a screeching halt, construction has continued to flourish. McDaniel said the state and other government agencies have been looking at their capital reserves and decided now was the time to invest. Plant City is doing the same thing. He and several of the commissioners last week said it was part of the city’s overall economic strategy. There are three things that will come from the project. First are the transit jobs that come with the construction that will come from the utility expansion. Then the permanent jobs that follow with the commercial and retail spaces expected to quickly fill the area. The city then expects to see some interest in residential development near the area. Hoping to make SR 39 another County Line Road, commissioners agreed it was the right time for the project to come to life. While they admitted the odds of the vast construction and near-immediate turn around on the city’s investment like they had on County Line is more than likely not going to occur, they still believe there will be heavy interest. Now that the bid was approved, the contractor is expected to start in May and will look for a first quarter of 2021 completion date.

CBC1260170 / MRSR1611

" In the Time Of Disaster, We React Faster" Water Damage Restoration Fire and Smoke Damage Mold Remediation

813 531-8443

Storm Damage 24/7 Emergency Services

www.advantage-rc.com

Courtney Paat, chair of the board for the Chamber, made it her mission to bring Leadercast to Plant City. BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Local business leaders are invited to attend a virtual event that promises “Positive Disruption.” The Leadercast Live 2020 event will be virtually hosted by the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce for anyone in the area wishing to attend. The annual event is typically streamed across the country, but the unexpected impact of COVID-19 has caused a shift in how it will be distributed to the public. Leadercast has provided “world-class leadership events, content solutions and resources for individuals, teams and organizations across all industries to foster the growth of more leaders through their journey of becoming leaders worth following” for 20 years. Courtney Paat, chair of the board for the chamber, has attended Leadercast events hosted at the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce several times. When she became chair, she wanted to start the journey of offering access to the impactful event for local businesses. The chamber agreed last fall to host a watch party and reserved 100 tickets. Now that the stream is going completely virtual, those tickets are for access to the event rather than entrance to an in-person seminar. Business leaders, whether they are the owners or those in leadership positions with their company, will all benefit from the unique event. Speakers like Magic Johnson, Amy Jo Martin, Andy Stanley, Dr. Henry Cloud, Rahaf Horfoush and more will discuss shaking up the status quo and offer advice on driving opportunities for innovation. “The theme is positive disruption, which I find ironic because that theme was chosen at least a year ago and with where we are at right now, I think it fits in perfect with what people are needing,” Paat said. “I expect the speakers and the program will specifically speak to that need. There

will more than likely be a lot of information shared about adapting to change, looking for the silver lining through all of this and figuring out in the environment we are in now how to make the most of it and move forward as a business.” Paat called Leadercast “inspirational and motivational” and said the fact people can now go through the chamber to access the event from the comfort of their own homes or offices means even more will be able to plug in to the day of growth and education. Typically the guest speakers flock to Atlanta to a packed stadium and do a full day of teaching alongside Stanley, who hosts the event. The event is broadcast to its host locations and tickets are sold for those who attend there as well. Rather than cancel the event, the entire group decided to push forward and adapt. This year, the speakers will talk from their own homes and share their advice and insight to anyone with an access ticket. Sophia Hyde, community relations manager, said the event offers those who sign up the opportunity to learn from “leadership experts on how to purposefully interrupt organizational functions to bring new energy, ideas, processes and success to your team.” Hyde also said the tickets come with digital journals for attendees to print off and use during the event. The chamber was looking for ways to further education opportunities for its members, so they believed this was a perfect fit. Paat said though no one could anticipate where they are now, they believe this is the perfect time for businesses to invest in themselves and seek further growth for their companies. Tickets are $69 for chamber members and $89 for non-members. If you “attend” without going through the chamber, tickets begin at $169 with a $11.95 fee. The chamber also has sponsorship opportunities available for those who would like to purchase bulk tickets and wish to get an even greater discount. The event will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 7. For more information, call the Chamber at 813-754-3707. You can learn more about the event at live.leadercast. com.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2020

A NEW SLICE OF LIFE

PlantCityObserver.com

At a time where everyone’s routine has been thrown out the window, at least one thing has stayed consistent: Ali Sobh and the Hungry Howie’s on Alexander Street are still keeping Plant City fed. JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Back in March, shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic led to his restaurant shutting down its buffet and dine-in options, Ali Sobh told the Plant City Observer it would be “a cold day in hell before someone in Plant City goes hungry as long as I’m here.” The temperature down there must still be in the high hundreds, as Sobh and the Hungry Howie’s at 208 N. Alexander St. haven’t stopped living up to the restaurant owner’s bold statement. Sobh’s restaurant, like many pizzerias that deliver, has not been dealt a crippling blow by the novel coronavirus. He was prepared for the loss of his buffet to government regulations and noticed, even in mid-March, delivery and carryout orders were increasing in both frequency and size. That Hungry Howie’s didn’t need to change much to adapt to these changing times, and the fact it didn’t require a major overhaul likely helped the staff with its latest mission — helping others. For many residents, that looks like special deals and discounts. On March 16, Sobh announced on social media parents could bring in their children from that day through March 20 to get a free junior pizza and that customers age 55 and up would have their delivery charges waived so they wouldn’t have to leave the comfort of their own homes. It also looks like pizzas delivered free of charge to local businesses, essential workers and others affected by the pandemic. Hungry Howie’s has donated its food to police officers, workers at South Florida Baptist Hospital, to Plant City High School employees working on the Grab and Go program and residents at Grace Manor at Hunters Creek, and Sobh has also started surprising local businesses like Winn-

Dixie, WellMed, CVS, Publix, Star Distribution and many more with free lunches on Fridays. “I’m a big surprise guy,” Sobh said. “I like surprising people just to see the reaction. I decided to do it every Friday because it’s my favorite day of the week and the day where most businesses have the most employees. You’re the most staffed right before the weekend. I decided to do so many businesses because most of the companies I go to aren’t strangers. It’s a way to say thank you because they supported us during the good times, so we’ll support you doing the bad times.” Sobh said by last Friday, his staff made more than 250 pizzas for these businesses and essential workers. By his own estimates — assuming one pizza feeds three people — that’s fed approximately 750 people around town. That’s also not including the salads, breadsticks and other options that have come with the free pizzas. People can nominate businesses to get hooked up with a free lunch on social media, such as the @hungryhowiespc Instagram, by messaging Sobh directly. Helping hungry Plant Citians in need has become a trademark of Sobh’s and of his restaurant in recent years. The restaurant also made an impact during dark times in 2017 as one of two pizzerias, along with neighboring ABC Pizza, that stayed open during and directly after Hurricane Irma passed through Plant City. Even though the restaurant’s warehouse flooded during the storm, they still fed hundreds of people with whatever fresh food they had on hand those days. Though no one is sure when society can go back to normal again, Sobh is determined to keep Plant City from going hungry for as long as he and his staff are able. “As long as I’m able to stay afloat,” Sobh said, “I’ll continue to do it.”

Photos: Instagram (@hungryhowiespc)

The Alexander Street Hungry Howie’s has gone above and beyond to help workers and businesses in Plant City have one less thing to worry about: going hungry.

FRESHEST MEAT & LOWEST PRICES IN TOWN!

DRIVE SAFE & SAVE.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR THIS WEEK’S SAVINGS

PLANT CITY Baker St. olds

Reyn

St.

I help safe drivers save up to 14%.

When you don’t have car accidents, you cost less to insure. I can help you save up to 14% off your premium. And that’s just for starters. Call me ﬁrst to get the discounts you deserve.

Feola Insurance Agency 813-752-2556 1003 S. Collins St. a026519@allstate.com

Lakeland

287497-1

Visit FeltonsMarket.com

Sam Allen Rd.

County Line Rd.

CHOICE MEATS • PRODUCE • GROCERIES

WALKER PLAZA 617 N. Maryland Ave., Plant City (813) 752-1548

Park Rd.

Felton’s Market

Maryland Ave.

289695-1

Mon-Sat 7am - 9pm | Sundays 7am - 8pm At Felton’s we offer a complete line of fresh meat and produce. You’ll ﬁnd only the best quality meats at bargain prices. Whether it be that special occasion dinner, or you are planning a large party, call or stop by today. No matter what your needs, Felton’s is sure to have the ﬁnest, most tender meat and tasty produce anywhere.

Discounts are subject to terms, conditions and availability. Actual savings will vary. Allstate Fire and Casualty Insurance Co.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2019

Message brought to you by the Tampa Bay Lightning

COVID-19 RELIEF IS AVAILABLE UNEMPLOYED? LOST YOUR JOB? FURLOUGHED? QUARANTINED? UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THOSE - Laid off, furloughed, or sent home without pay due to COVID-19 response - Quarantined by a medical professional or government agency - Home caring for an immediate family member diagnosed with COVID-19 -

AN ADDITIONAL $600/WEEK FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED HELP IS ON THE WAY

VISIT FLORIDAJOBS.ORG TO APPLY FOR BENEFITS

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2020

BORED? LOOK TO A BOOK

Life often makes taking the time to do something relaxing like reading a good book impossible. Take advantage of your time in social isolation and recapture your love of literature.

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

There is no better form of escapism than that of cracking open the spine of a wellworn book and delving into a world far away from the one in which you live. In times of solitude, there are countless adventures to mentally embark upon. Thanks to the advancement of technology, you can pick something up without ever leaving your couch. The Hillsborough County library system lets anyone with a library card access a massive database of ebooks at hcplc.org/books/ebooks. Kindles or online reading services like the Apple Books app on iPhones, Nook or even Audible, if you want someone to read the story to you, have streamlined the process. If you can’t get to a brick and mortar store, fear not: you still can track down nearly any book you’d like. Everyone’s literary tastes are different but the diverse list that follows is filled with some classics and a few tales you’ve probably never heard of before. Turn off Netflix and pick up a book. You may find in its pages a world you’ll revisit for years to come. READING FOR CHILDREN

What better time to get your child hooked on reading than when they literally cannot leave their house? Some of my fondest memories growing up revolve around one storybook or another that I lugged around with me on vacations, to sporting events and occasionally — though I am embarrassed to say — to church services. If you want to slip into a world that will capture a piece of your very soul and keep

it safe and sound for the rest of your life, like its own little Horcrux, there are a few literary classics you cannot miss. J.K. Rowling caused millions of young readers to be filled with an aching homesickness every September 1 with the creation of the Harry Potter series. The books develop in complexity and range as the protagonist ages. It’s more than likely cliche at this point to recommend Harry Potter to a generation of kids whose parents have been waving sticks around like wands since they were children, but it’s a risk I dare not take as an avid fan. As far as world-building goes, however, another writer from across the pond has excelled in creating a universe that lingers for a lifetime in the memories of all the children who grew up reading his series. Brian Jacques took the age-old craft of using animals to softly examine intricate issues and turned it on its head. Jacques wove tales of morality and the purpose of a meaningful existence in such depth and complexity that many adults continue to return time and again to the Redwall series. It’s difficult to explain to those who haven’t mentally walked the shaded paths of the Mossflower Woods toward Redwall Abbey where they were served hotroot soup and a fizzy cup of strawberry cordial. Mice, hedgehogs, birds, badgers, rats, foxes, hares, snakes and even the occasional whale are some of the many creatures that make up Jacques’ world. The simple creatures embody the classic trope of good versus evil and prove that if you’re willing to fight for what’s right, those with loyal hearts and pure intentions will always prevail. It’s bizarre, but the fandom for the books is immense for a reason. Of course, other classics like “The Little Prince” and “A Little Princess” are stories

WHO IS YOUR HERO?

that have continued to win the hearts of readers for generations. Sometimes hype is a solid indicator of worth. In both of the above mentioned cases, that sentiment rings true. The lessons taught in both novels are ones I find myself reflecting on to this day. And they’re items from my childhood I take with me wherever I move in life. If you haven’t caught on yet, I have always been captivated by fairy tales. Anything by Grimms, Hans Christian Andersen, Perrault, Marie-Catherine d’Aulnoy or Joseph Jacobs was read until the covers fell off. I can still quote excerpts of Arabian Nights, am on my third copy of Fairy Tales from Around the World and have gifted more collections of Nigerian folktales than is probably considered normal. Recently, a man named Jason Porath embarked upon a mission to change the way stories are told. His book, “Rejected Princesses,” blends truth and myth in a way that has kept me returning night after night. Porath’s book features satires of “history’s boldest heroines, hellions and heretics.” Each story is rated and given warning tags so the reader knows the recommended maturity level, which is how old one should be before reading, and what heavy topics are within. The artwork is gorgeous and the stories are filled with the level of action and adventure most girls only ever get to experience through the tales of princes and knights. It’s the fairy tale of the future and he’s writing it about women from all walks of life throughout all realms of history. Inside are stories of warrior queens, villains, revolutionaries, spies, soldiers and more. Rebel preachers? Check. Princess turned pirate? Check. A woman who was named “The Fiancee of Danger?” Check.

The Plant City Observer is accepting names/photos of our true “Community Heroes” in order to recognize them for being at risk while serving our basic needs during this Coronavirus pandemic. Medical personnel, drive-thru servers, bank tellers, truck drivers, mechanics, grocery cashiers, food deliverers, etc. Names of heroes can be sent on Facebook or emailed to Sarah Holt at sholt@ plantcityobserver.com. Thank you for your help!

“Rejected Princesses” is heavily researched, wittily written and has stories that will appeal to people of all ages. Find it, order it and enjoy the tales for decades to come. READING FOR ADULTS STORIES THAT STAY WITH YOU

If escapism is the name of the game, two stories jump to the forefront of my mind, though neither are in any way “modern literature.” Don Quixote is a brick. It’s an adventure that will take days, if not weeks, to get through. The main character is mentally unsound but you root for him every step of the way. Chivalry will never die as long as people continue to pick up Miguel de Cervantes’ book. When the world appears to be falling apart, there’s no better dose of idealism and comfort than what can be found riding alongside Quixote and Sancho. J.R.R. Tolkien was a man who molded the way humanity dreams. “The Lord of the Rings” series fills readers with more gut-wrenching sadness and unexpected tendrils of hope than any other book written in the history of mankind. It is inarguably the greatest literary series of all time. I will die on this hill. Send your objections to bwilliams@plantcityobserver.com. I have hundreds of quotes in my arsenal and run on very little sleep. “Do what you will; but I will hinder it, if I may.” If fantasy isn’t your cup of tea, however, there are other excellent books to pass the endless hours spent sitting on your couch. Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie tells the story of a young Nigerian woman who immigrates to the United

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

States to attend college. Adichie tackles so many complex themes in such a poignant way you can’t help but keep reading. Characters are what Adichie has always done best and this book is no exception. “Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens has topped The New York Times Fiction Best Sellers of 2019 and the The New York Times Fiction Best Sellers of 2020 for a combined 30 non-consecutive weeks. There’s a reason for that impressive feat. It’s both a murder mystery and a coming-of-age tale while it also leans into its deep roots planted in the landscape of North Carolina. It’s a book most can’t put down, so brew a strong pot of coffee and dive in. Patricia Highsmith is known for creating the famous works “The Talented Mr. Ripley” and “Strangers on a Train,” but it is her book “The Price of Salt” that I find myself returning to at least twice a year. It tells the story of a young woman named Therese Belivet who is working at a department store in Manhattan when she meets the captivating and mysterious Carol Aird. Her life is forever changed and she finds herself on a road trip across the country with the woman she is just beginning to truly understand. The book was adapted into a film retitled “Carol” that was directed by Todd Haynes, starred Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara and was released in 2015. CLASS IS IN SESSION

Sometimes escaping isn’t enough. If your brain wants a workout, pretend you’re back in school and learn something new. Brian Greene takes complex astronomical concepts and theories and breaks them down into easily digestible chunks in “The Fabric of the Cosmos.” Don’t be intimidated by string theory or theoretical physics — Greene has your back. Read carefully, take your time and soon you’ll further fall in love with the mystery and vastness of the universe. “Black Ink: Literary Legends on the Peril, Power, and Pleasure of Reading and Writing” is one of those books that once you

$85

ed free

mon Type.” Hanks channels his obsession with typewriters, his humorous wit and his uncanny ability to expose to the common thread of humanity lying within us all to create a collection of 17 stories that will warm the heart. Of course, you should also consider dusting off some of our old favorites if you’re searching for a moment of comfort in this wearying time. Sink back into the heat of a New Orleans summer with “The Witching Hour” by Anne Rice. Walk through the halls of Longbourn with the Bennet family in Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice.” Enjoy a darker, far more adult take on the stories of your youth with books by Gregory Maguire or Christina Henry.

Pema Chödrön’s “When Things Fall Apart” examines how spirituality and personal growth can help you overcome any of life’s difficulties. Instead of running away, Pema Chödrön teaches to move toward painful circumstances to open your heart in a way you had never dreamed of. If anything, it will help you mentally cope through the anxiety of not knowing what tomorrow will bring. It may seem odd to suggest a writing guide as a book to soothe the soul, but “Bird by Bird” by Anne Lamott does just that. Yes, it’s about writing, but it’s also an analytical look on life itself. Using anecdotes from her own journey, Lamott lays the groundwork for what it means to be a writer. My professor gave me this book at my graduation and when I first flipped through it, I expected to pick up some quick writing tips and then move on. Instead I was sucked into a story so poetic I would often have to stop and let certain lines sink in. I re-read it every year and have recommended it to more people than I can count. If you love Tom Hanks — and let’s be honest, who doesn’t? — you’ll love his collection of short stories called “Uncom-

CARPETS

TILE & GROUT

3 Rooms $85

50c per sq.ft.

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

Steam Cleaned

3/4/20 & 3/18/20 Keiser- Lakeland 231-1865-LL-PCO-Difference-CJ-5x6-SSBurst Plant City Observer 5x6 SJB 2/21/20

Steam Cleaned

includes Hallway cleaned free

Water Extraction 24-Hr Service | Carpet Dyeing & Repairs

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

| Carpet Dyeing & Repairs

ntscc.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2020

813-986-1266

MAKE A DIFFERENCE with a degree in Criminal Justice Additional legal degree programs available: • Crime Scene Technology • Homeland Security • Legal Studies • Paralegal Studies Degree programs and delivery format vary by campus

888.588.7604

KeiserUniversity.edu

KEISER

UNIVERSITY Associate I Bachelor’s I Master’s I Doctoral

Keiser University is a private, not-for-profit university

287682-1

BOOKS FOR TRYING TIMES

287396-1

find, you wonder how you ever managed to live without it. The book is a collection of more than 250 years of history of black literature in America ranging from Frederick Douglass to Ta-Nehisi Coates. Using just 25 powerful essays, “Black Ink” paints a picture of perseverance and the captivating diversity of black thought in America throughout its complex and haunting history. If you want to read about something you’ve probably been following in the news, check out Ronan Farrow’s “Catch and Kill.” Farrow shares the challenges he faced to track down and shine a light on Harvey Weinstein’s decades of abuse of women. There is even a podcast now hosted by Farrow to go along with the book. It’s a great peek behind the curtain and adds even more weight to the heavy accusations.

APRIL 23, 2020

SPORTS

FHSAA CANCELS REMAINDER OF 2019-20 SPRING SEASON

The state’s governing body for high school sports made the announcement Monday afternoon. JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

There will be no more sports for Florida high schools this semester, the FHSAA announced shortly after noon Monday. One day after Governor Ron DeSantis announced schools statewide would remain closed through the end of the 2019-20 school year, the FHSAA decided to follow suit. “The safety of our student-athletes, coaches, officials, and fans is our top priority,” the FHSAA said in a press release. “With the evolving threat of the coronavirus (COVID-19), we must ensure that we do not contribute to the spread of this illness. We are deeply saddened for our student-athletes who have seen their seasons and/or high school careers end so abruptly. Our association knows the impact and role high school athletics play in the lives of so many and will continue to work towards the betterment of high school sports. We know this is a trying time, but the health and safety of all is of utmost importance to this Association.” The association previously considered extending the spring season through June 30, but that was dependent on schools reopening May 3. The FHSAA announced in March it was anticipating the possibility of this shutdown and “working diligently to create a plan” for granting additional eligibility for students who have not been able to play spring sports. Monday’s press release said the association ultimately decided against granting extra eligibility after input from the Florida Department of Education and “review of the Florida Statutes and FHSAA Bylaws,” specifically citing three bylaws relevant to the decision-making process: Bylaw 9.4.7 – Student Must be an Undergraduate: • In accordance with FHSAA Bylaw 9.4.7, a student must be an undergraduate: 9.4.7 Student Must be an Undergraduate. A student must not have completed the terminal grade of high school in the secondary education system of the U.S. or any other country. The terminal grade of the student is based on the graduation requirements of the country the stu-

dent last attended school, including the completion of the GED or its equivalent. • Florida Statute 1003.4282(6) outlines the requirements necessary for a student to be considered a graduate of high school. Once a student has met these requirements, he/she is no longer eligible to participate. Bylaw 9.5.1 – Limit of Eligibility: • In accordance with FHSAA Bylaw 9.5.1, a high school student (grades 9-12) is limited to eight (8) consecutive semesters of eligibility: 9.5.1 High School Student Has Eight Semesters of Eligibility. A student is limited to eight consecutive semesters of eligibility beginning with semester he/she begins ninth grade for the first time. This does not imply that the student has eight semesters of participation. After eight consecutive semesters, the student is permanently ineligible. • If a student enters a 9th semester of high school, he/she is no longer eligible to participate. Bylaw 9.5.2 – Limit of Eligibility (grades 6th, 7th and 8th): • In accordance with FHSAA Bylaw 9.5.2, a middle school student (grades 6-8) is limited to one (1) year of eligibility in each grade level: 9.5.2 A 6th, 7th or 8th Grade Student Has 1-Year Limit of Eligibility in Each Grade. A 6th, 7th or 8th grade student may participate during their first year in each grade level. A 6th, 7th or 8th grade student who repeats a grade will not be eligible during the grade being repeated. Schools do have the option to appeal an ineligible ruling or determination on a student’s behalf according to FHSAA Bylaw 10.4.1, however. With spring sports canceled, the FHSAA said it now hopes to get back on track in time for the start of the 2020-21 school year with no more COVID-related interruptions. Area athletes and coaches were universally disappointed to see the season end like this, even if they weren’t all shocked. They’ve already had conversations about it and knew the shutdown was highly plausible. Plant City High School’s track and field teams, for example, recently had this talk in a big Zoom video meeting and took DeSantis’s weekend decision to keep schools closed as a sign of things yet to come.

PC STADIUM FATE UNCERTAIN AS XFL FILES BANKRUPTCY

QUICK HITS

The XFL created many questions when it unexpectedly shut itself down last week, and its future only became more uncertain when it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Here’s one of those questions: what happens with Plant City Stadium now? Since it has never been a public-use stadium, it’s a situation in limbo at the moment. The Tampa Bay Vipers had a twoyear contract with the City of Plant City and Alpha Entertainment, Inc. fully funded

“It’s a bummer,” PCHS track coach Drew Martucci said. “I really feel for the seniors. Any coach would say you never want to see a senior lose out on those opportunities. We had a few that were probably state bound this season and now they won’t get the opportunity.” Durant baseball catcher Coleton Brogden, a senior, said the reality of the decision hadn’t fully sunk in for him on Monday but expected it to hit eventually. “It’s definitely upsetting, very upsetting not having a senior night, not having all your friends at your games anymore, not being able to go to prom this year, not having my signing day, not being able to hang out with the boys… it’s a little upsetting,” Brogden said. “But as one door closes, I guess another one opens. We’ll just see what goes on.” Many teams took to their social media accounts to share the news and honor their seniors. Strawberry Crest baseball coach Eric Beattie, for example, wrote a heartfelt letter to his group of five seniors and posted it on the @baseball_crest Twitter account as a thread roughly two hours after the FHSAA went public with the decision. “I love you guys and I have total peace knowing you’re gonna crush the life in front of you,” Beattie wrote.

stadium and facility renovations, but the team has essentially been dissolved with all personnel laid off. If the XFL is sold to a new entity and the Vipers are brought back, City Manager Bill McDaniel said, negotiations would most likely have to restart to strike a new deal if the team expresses interest in returning to Plant City. The stadium now has overhauled locker rooms, equipment, offices and classrooms and could feasibly host another professional sports team in a similar capacity if needed, as the Vipers have proven. But McDaniel said it will be a while before anyone knows

SENIOR SHOUT-OUTS: Back in March, the Plant City Observer issued a call-out for readers to tell us about their favorite senior athletes so we can give them the shout-outs they deserve in case they had then just played their last high school games ever and didn’t know it. Now that their high school careers officially are done too soon, we believe it’s even more important to salute the kids. Are you the proud parent of any graduating athlete(s) who have poured their blood, sweat and tears into their sport? Are you the coach of a team or individual athletes you couldn’t be more proud of after so many years helping them grow as athletes and people? Are you a teacher or other school faculty member who has seen hard work in the classroom pay off in addition to on-field work? Sports Editor Justin Kline wants to hear from you. Email jkline@plantcityobserver.com with your senior(s) of choice.

what the future will hold for the former home of the Vipers, the International Softball Federation and the Cincinnati Reds. “To be honest, I’m not even thinking about that yet,” McDaniel said. “One, we’re all called up to deal with COVID right now. Second, this is still very much pending, but all of Alpha and the XFL’s equipment is still in there. We have weeks in front of us dealing with (the bankruptcy) and when we get there, when see what happens, that’s when we’ll start evaluating what will be done with that building.”

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2020

YOUR AROUND TOWN SPONSOR AROUND TOWN

289704-1

We asked Facebook: With many states now considering phases of reopening, when would you feel safe or at least OK with Florida going back to work and school as usual? “Nature, including parks, beaches etc., should be open now. People need sunshine, fresh air and exercise. Businesses should open as soon they choose. They can implement the appropriate safety measures that their particular business requires.” — Elizabeth Zarycki

“Mid-May with some stipulations. Social distancing whenever possible, encourage wearing masks (or staying home) if severely immunocompromised.” — Gwen Hendricks

“Things need to start opening soon, but I’m higher risk so probably June 1 for me.”

“It needs to reopen, but in phases just as suggested. We can’t go back to ‘normal’ right off the bat. We could be back right there we left off if we go back to full capacity at places. Starting with half capacity at restaurants, and then slowly moving back up to full.” — Bentley Rae

“Counties should decide with common sense. If people can work from home, they should. Limit seating at restaurants, etc., keep washing hands and wear a mask if your health may be compromised…schools should wait to return until next school year (August). Kids can’t social distance in school. — Karol Sistrunk

“Florida should be on phased reopening, get people to take precautions like wearing a mask. Keeping social distance. Restaurant should not open their dining rooms yet at least for two more weeks.”

“The problem we face is being a tourist state. When Florida opens up all the visitors come back, so we need a different plan in reopening.” — Makeba Knighten

— Mirtha La Rosa

— Caitlyn Sharits

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

“Now! People need to go back to work. But have limitations. Only so many people in restaurants, continue proper hygiene, continue social distancing and encourage masks. Encourage those who are high-risk to stay home except for essentials. And open testing to every single person. That way you know who is positive and they can self-isolate.” — Shelly Roberts-Woods

“There is no right answer to this, however I feel for the businesses...they need to re-open so they can go back to employ the people that were either laid off or hurting due to being closed.” — Graciela M. Gonzalez

“Anyone willing to reopen all businesses and go back to our daily routines without a vaccine is willfully endangering their lives and the lives of their families. Schools are closed for the rest of the school year and this will also negatively affect families, especially single-parent families. The infection rate and mortality rate will be completely different than during quarantine. I will not endanger my family nor my community until a cure is found. It is insane to take your chance with this virus.” — Mara Samantha Bourque

“Reopening Florida is sentencing millions to an untimely death.” — Ally Clements

OBITUARIES

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2020

John Earle Barker John Earle Barker, 74 of Clermont, met his Savior and Lord on Saturday, April 11, 2020, after an extended illness. John was born in Plant City, Florida the son of the late Earle and Elizabeth Barker. John was dearly loved by his family, friends, and the hundreds of students he coached in high school baseball and football through his long and successful coaching career in Georgia and North Carolina. John is survived by his loving wife Lou Ann Barker of Clermont, two daughters, Kim and Clay Taylor of Hickory, NC; Debbie and Tracy Conner of Myrtle Beach, SC and three grandchildren. John was also survived by a sister Ruby Jean Redman of Plant City, FL and three nieces and their spouses all of Plant City, Pam and Bud Bowden, Susan and David Sullivan and Jeannie and Andy Knotts. John graduated from Plant City High School in 1963 and then went on to play college football at Western Carolina University graduating in 1967. Immediately he started teaching and coaching football and baseball until retirement in 2001. John was a devoted member of First Baptist Church of

Clermont and an avid volunteer with the AARP Tax Foundation. The family will hold a celebration of life service at a later date. Memorials in John’s memory can be made to: Cornerstone Hospice (Foundation for the Mike Conley House) of Clermont, FL. https://cornerstonehospice. org/

Frank R. Kimbro Frank R. Kimbro, 83, passed away Tuesday, April 21, 2020, at home in Sun City Center. Frank was born in Caswell County, North Carolina. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Moffitt Cancer Center, moffitt. org and/or LifePath Hospice, chaptershealth.org. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

David R. Green

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Patricia; brother Herbert (Tiffany) Green; half-sister Lavonne (Charlie) Blondy; daughter Christina (Harold) Marcum; daughter Roselee Exum; step-son Jeffery (Bernadette) Martens and stepdaughter Kimberly MartensGascon; ten grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Memorial Services will be determined at a later date. David’s remains will be buried in the Green family plot in San Saba, Texas.

David R. Green, 79, of Plant City, passed away on April 11, 2020 following a long illness. He is preceded in death by parents LeRoy and Mabel D. Green and his first wife Carol (Wheeler) Green. David was born in San Angelo, Texas on February 27, 1941. After graduating from Lubbock High School in 1959 he joined the Navy and served as an Aircraft-Engine Mechanic until his honorable discharge in 1963, after which he moved to Florida where he worked as a Ramp Service Employee for Eastern Air Lines for twentyfive years and later for the Plant City Police Department as Evidence Technician before retiring. Shirley Jean Cornell He was an avid wood carver, model boat builder and shortShirley Jean Cornell, 83, of Plant story writer. Many will fondly City, entered into Heaven’s Gates remember him for baking on April 14, 2020. we’re dedicated to helping families create a W E ’ R E P R O U D TO S E RV E our community delicious cheese cakes and She was born on March 31, unique and meaningful memorial that truly with personal, compassionate care since 1896. life it represents. As your Dignity Memorial professionals, pecan pies which he distributed 1937 incelebrates PlanttheCity to Johnnie H. > 100% Service Guarantee > National Plan to friends, neighbors and city and Charlsie E.Transferability Boswell Preston. > The Compassion Helpline® > Bereavement Travel Assistance employees. Condolences may be shared As a member of Grace Com- forR the family at www.wellsmeProudly supportingmorial.com. the Plant City Strawberry Festival. munion Fellowship he served as deacon until developing dementia.

Taking care of each other is what

community

is all about.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

WELLSMEMORIAL.COM Wells MeMorial & event Center PlanT CiTy

813-752-1111 WellsMemorial.com M2313_4832_Wells_PNT_Comm_7-25x9-75_C.indd 1

10/27/15 10:42 AM

ALL OBITUARIES ARE SUBMITTED AND EDITED BY FAMILIES OR FUNERAL HOMES

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

Alpha John Loetscher Alpha John Loetscher, 78, of Brooksville, passed away on April 18, 2020. Drive up services will be held Thursday, April 23, 2020 with a visitation from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and services to follow at 11:00 a.m. at Beulah Baptist Church, 5300 Beulah Church Road Lithia, FL 33547. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.haught.care.

HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM

Universal Crossword Edited by David Steinberg April 25, 2020 PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

I LOVE PLANT CITY

4/25

FORECAST THURSDAY, APRIL 23 High: 94 Low: 75 Chance of rain: 10%

FRIDAY, APRIL 24 High: 83 Low: 72 Chance of rain: 60%

High: 85 Low: 71 Chance of rain: 60%

SUNDAY, APRIL 26 High: 86 Low: 62 Chance of rain: 20%

TOMATOES

Shipping point: Central Florida $13.95-$15.95

27 British school whose students are all teens 28 With 38-Across, 47-Across member? 31 Forbidden 34 Litter box user 37 Not bright, as a color 38 See 28-Across 39 Store window sign 40 2 letters, on a phone 41 Patriot Ethan 42 With 55-Across, 47-Across member? 43 Civil rights grp. 45 Like the morning grass, often 47 ’60s group that had three women, with “The”

51 Grows wearisome 54 Pseudonym of sorts 55 See 42-Across 58 Web address starter 59 Web site? 60 Big name in froyo 61 Nest eggs, for short 62 Game to play with a dog 63 Grove part 64 Prohibit 65 Steeple topper, often 66 “... lend me your ___” DOWN 1 Cute dinosaur sound 2 Audibly 3 Swahili’s language group 4 Make a monarch 5 Attempts, with “at”

6 Decorated, as a cupcake 7 “Peer Gynt” composer 8 Painter Rousseau 9 Montgomery-to-Miami dir. 10 15x NBA All-Star with the Spurs 11 None of the above 12 Corp. shake-up 15 “The Hobbit” hobbit 20 ___ ghanoush 21 On the subject of 24 Bright, as a color 26 Catchall abbr. 28 Water tester, briefly? 29 Scientific workplace 30 Yosemite monolith 32 2, for some toddlers 33 Cream or Cake 35 Comedian Wong 36 Black or green drink 38 Former “Project Runway” host Heidi 39 Dairy-free coffeehouse order 41 They’re heady and hearty 42 Dog-paddled, maybe 44 Game with a hard eight bet (also note this clue’s number!) 46 Long time periods 47 Hindu honorific 48 Uber49 Organic compound 50 ___ voce (quietly) 52 Stretchy material 53 Far from wasted 56 Muscle jerks 57 Some breads or whiskeys 59 Sports org. hidden in “decaf coffee”

SUNRISE/SUNSET

Sunrise Sunset

Thursday, April 23

6:55a

7:59p

Friday, April 24

6:54a

7:59p

Saturday, April 25

6:53a

8:00p

Sunday, April 26

6:52a

8:00p

Monday, April 27

6:51a

8:01p

Tuesday, April 28

6:50a

8:01p

Wednesday, April 29

6:49a

8:02p

MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, APRIL 25

See You in Court by Peter A. Collins

ACROSS 1 Broccoli ___ 5 Some Weather Channel extremes 10 Ontario MLB city: Abbr. 13 Hollywood’s Alda or Arkin 14 Land measures 15 Quick meal 16 “I ___ let you down!” 17 Paris divider 18 Texter’s “I’d say ...” 19 With 23-Across, 47-Across member? 21 Birch relative 22 Head-covering garment 23 See 19-Across 25 High-pitched woodwind

THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2020

May 22 New

Apr. 27 First

May 6 Full

Apr. 18 Last

RAINFALL Monday, April 13

0.00

Tuesday, April 14 0.04 Wednesday, April 15

0.24

Thursday, April 16 0.15 Friday, April 17

0.00

Saturday, April 18 0.66 Sunday, April 19

0.00

YEAR TO DATE:

MONTH TO DATE:

2020 04.25 in.

2020 1.40 in.

2019 04.50 in.

2019 0.89 in.

WEATHER

39 Dairy-free ACROSS 43 Civil rights 11 None of coffeehouse 1 Broccoli ___ grp. the above order 5 Some 45 Like the 12 Corp. 41 They’re Weather morning shake-up heady and Channel grass, often 15 “The Hobbit” hearty 47 ’60s group Editor Justin hobbit Sendextremes your photo submissions to Associate Kline at jkline@PlantCityObserver.com 42 Dog-paddled, 10 Ontario MLB that had 20 ___ ghanoush or hashtag #iloveplantcity onthree Instagram for @igersplantcity city: Abbr. maybe women, 21 On theto feature. 13 Hollywood’s 44 Game with with “The” subject of Alda or Arkin a hard eight 51 Grows 24 Bright, as 14 Land bet (also note wearisome a color this clue’s measures 54 Pseudonym 26 Catchall 15 Quick meal number!) of sorts abbr. 16 “I ___ let you 46 Long time 55 See 28 Water tester, down!” periods 42-Across briefly? 17 Paris divider 47 Hindu 58 Web address 29 Scientific 18 Texter’s honorific starter workplace “I’d say ...” 48 Uber59 Web site? 30 Yosemite 19 With 49 Organic 60 Big name in monolith 23-Across, compound froyo 32 2, for 47-Across 50 ___ voce 61 Nest eggs, some member? (quietly) for short toddlers 21 Birch relative 52 Stretchy 62 Game to play 33 Cream or 22 Headmaterial with a dog Cake covering 53 Far from 63 Grove part 35 Comedian garment wasted 64 Prohibit Wong 23 See 56 Muscle jerks 65 Steeple 36 Black or 19-Across 57 Some breads topper, often green drink 25 High-pitched or whiskeys 66 “... lend me 38 Former woodwind 59 Sports org. your ___” “Project 27 British school hidden in DOWN Runway” whose “decaf coffee” 1 Cute host Heidi students are dinosaur all teens sound PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER 28 With 2 Audibly This38-Across, family of ducks resident Dan Hooyman spotted made its way across a golf course, soaking up 3 Swahili’s the sun. 47-Across language member? group us on social media: @PCObserver on Instgram, ON L I N E Follow 31 Forbidden 4 Make a on Twitter and Plant City Observer @PlantObserver 34 Litter box user on Facebook. monarch 37 Not bright, 5 Attempts, as a color with “at” 38 See 6 Decorated, 28-Across as a cupcake 39 Store window 7 “Peer Gynt” sign composer 40 2 letters, on 8 Painter a phone Rousseau 41 Patriot Ethan 9 Montgomery42 With to-Miami dir. 55-Across, 10 15x NBA All4/24 © 2020 Andrews McMeel Universal 47-Across Star with www.upuzzles.com member? the Spurs

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2020

PlantCityObserver.com