4.7.22 PLCO by Plant City Observer

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VOLUME 6, NO. 191

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THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2022

REPAVED ROADS ON THE WAY PLANS TO RECONSTRUCT SR 60 AND I-4 TO COME 2022, 2023.

BRIAN FERNANDES STAFF WRITER

There is constantly roadwork occurring in Plant City to better accommodate motorists and pedestrians. There are several projects to reconstruct roadways with some sooner to come then others.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

PLANT CITY LIONS CLUB

HEALTH EDUCATION TO BE PRESENTED AT RESOURCE CENTER PC Community Resource Center will offer an open house on health

PRESENTS DONATION TO WILLIS PETERS EXCEPTIONAL CENTER

BRIAN FERNANDES STAFF WRITER

The annual fundraiser to benefit the school raised over $24,000. CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

All are welcome to come out to the Healthy Living Open House and learn how to better maintain one’s own well-being on April 16. The free event will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Plant City Community Resource Center at 307 N. Michigan Ave. in Plant City. There will be about 10 vendors available to offer information on staying fi , including BayCare Health Systems and the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County. The open house will also offer free screenings, vaccinations, a food pantry, kids’ activities, prize giveaways and more. The Plant City Community Resource Center is one of three sites in Hillsborough County to offer the Healthy Living Program. The free program was created to assist members of the Hillsborough County Health Care Plan, as well as

the county’s residents and employees. All three sites have an exercise room that holds group, one-on-one classes and virtual classes are available as well. They also offer educational classes and events such as: • Heart healthy classes • Diabetes prevention and management program • Cancer education and prevention classes • Weight loss programs • Healthy cooking classes • Group walking classes • Quarterly health screenings • Nutritional counseling • Dental incentives Those interested can join by showing a driver’s license or state ID, emailing HealthyLiving@HCFLGov.net, and calling Health Care Customer Service Line at (813) 272-5040. The Plant City Community Resource Center is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays through Fridays and can be contacted at (813) 272-5220.

NEWS BRIEFS

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2022

Cub Scout Pack 734 looking for new Cub Scouts

The Plant City area’s local Cub Scout Pack 734 is open to new members! The pack started in 1965 and generally draws their members from the Northeastern side of Hillsborough County, including Cork, Knight, Bailey, Walden Lake and Springhead Elementary Schools, in addition to kids who are homeschooled or attend other schools throughout Hillsborough and Polk County. Pack 734 is a part of the Timucua District that includes eastern and southern Hillsborough County with over 70 units and 2,000 members. The Cub Scout program includes kids from kindergarten through fifth g ade, both boys and girls, divided by grade level into dens. The COVID-19 pandemic saw the pack decrease in participation but they’re excited to start building their numbers back up, welcoming new members at any time. The scouting program typically runs throughout the school year and while Pack 734 does take breaks throughout the summer, they do have outings during summer break to keep kids involved and busy. The pack has weekly den meetings, typically on Monday evenings at Cork Methodist Church, 4815 W. Sam Allen St., and hold monthly Pack meetings on Mondays as well where the kids receive awards and merit badges. Along with den meetings, Pack 734 has pack campouts, council campouts, participates in service projects and teaches kids outdoor skills from swimming, camping, canoeing, hiking and fi st aid. New members can visit at any den or pack meeting, taking place from 6:30 to 730p.m. on Mondays, or contact the pack for more information at www.Pack734.info

Plant City Main Street to host Night Out in Downtown “Spring” into downtown and visit many of the local small businesses that will stay open late for Plant City Main Street’s Night Out in Downtown. Sip, shop, eat and discover many of the local businesses that will be participating, with some offering specials. For more information visit www. plantcitymainstreet.org.

HERE YOU CAN SEE A LIST OF PARTICIPATING BUSINESSES: • Brick City Bricks • Tubtreats Bath & Body • Krazy Kup • The Mercantile • The Side Quest • Three Hands Mead Co. • Yerb Labs • The Tipsy Bookwork • Roots Tap Room & Wine Bar • Mr. Sebas • The Crafted Butterfl • And More!

Now caring for you in Plant City! We welcome the opportunity to become the medical home for your entire family at our new Plant City location (511 West Alexander St), offering Primary Care, Pediatrics and Rheumatology. From everyday sniffles to more serious health concerns, we’re here for you. To make an appointment, please call:

• 863.284.5000 for Primary Care or Pediatrics • 863.284.5115 for Rheumatology

Our Doctors: Humam Alabsi, MD Pediatrics

863.284.5000

Sandra Rodriguez Fernandez, MD Internal Med. Primary Care

863.284.5000

Durkhani Mahboob, MD

Adriana Moncayo, MD

863.284.5115

Rheumatology

Your Health. Our Promise. myLRH.org/LRHPG

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2022

STUDIO CELEBRATES FOUR YEARS OF MAKING MUSIC BACK POCKET RECORDING STUDIO HELPS ARTISTS PURSUE THEIR DREAMS

BRIAN FERNANDES STAFF WRITER

Under the helm of Kaylee and David Cunningham, Back Pocket Recording Studio has come along way since opening and now it is celebrating its fourth anniversary. Kaylee opened the studio in April 2018 after returning home to Plant City from college. Several months later, her husband David teamed up alongside her in handling the daily operations. Initially, the studio was used exclusively for artists to record their music. Over time it has not only become a hub for creating music, but voice over demos and podcasting. There’s also a room specifi ally for piano lessons. “I’m really happy the way things turned out,” David said. “It’s been really great, and just to see how much we’ve grown in the studio, grown in ourselves in the past four years.” That growth also came with going through the COVID-19 pandemic, when many establishments had to close down, including Back Pocket. “We got blessed because we were able to do some remote work,” David said. Artists had to either email their work or use Dropbox, which took some adjusting to seeing that they were used to performing live, in person. The couple was prepared financially with avings, to withstand the monetary loss that many others had faced during the pandemic.

“We were super fortunate enough to have an emergency fund to be able to pay all of our bills through COVID and that was honestly a blessing,” Kaylee said. “Business was doing so good before COVID, we were able to make it through and not have any debt or owe any money.” To this day, they are mindful of those who want to be extra cautious, wiping down all equipment and will wear masks if requested. With the multi-use studio, there are options for artists and podcasting, even if there are those who want to do both. Back Pocket has also gained and caters to various age demographics. “It’s so cool, because music really does bring people together,” Kaylee said. We’ll have a bunch of elderly people then the very next client is like a young rapper. People just meet and we’re all in the music field ogether, so that’s just a common ground for people to talk about.” Those seasoned in age, have taken advantage by finally recording songs that they wrote lyrics to, but never put a tune with. The couple has also seen a rise in older folks pursuing voice over work that act out classic cartoon characters. Back Pocket has come a long way from what was once barren blue walls and blue carpet, to now having a furnished lobby, a padded recording booth, and a vast array of equipment and instrumentation. Aside from the piano and switch board, they will use

instruments like a guitar to help produce the right sound that an artist is looking for. They also help in writing lyrics if the musician is having writers’ block. “My degree – part of it is in song writing, so I’ve been fortunate enough to sit under really smart professors and know some of the tips and tricks,” Kaylee said. “I’ve had some students win local competitions. I had a student go to American Idol. You just never know. There’s a lot of talented people out there. “As far as singing, I’ve had a lot of people that are very serious about it, that want to make it a career. When you’re really fortunate as a teacher, you get the people who are really serious about the craft. You can coach them and guide them.” An unpleasant experience with instructors inspired Kaylee to be compassionate toward her students. She took that negative period in her schooling and decided to channel it into something positive. She started learning how to play the piano at age four and how to sing at 14. The couple had already worked on professional music, recording in studios before thinking of owning one themselves. David received a degree in audio production and toured with rock bands. Kaylee received a degree in commercial music at Liberty University in Virginia. The couple had to exercise faith to operate a studio in Plant

City as opposed to a major city, they said. After college, Kaylee had the opportunity to work in New York, Chicago, or Texas, but she said that God was calling her home. They don’t regret choosing their hometown, right between Orlando and Tampa. Their location is a great launching pad for voice actors and music artists who can find p osperous work afterwards, David noted. “We’re not far from Disney,” he said. “Orlando’s not too far and they do a lot of that kind of stuff. This could may be the starting point for some people, and they can move on.” Back Pocket has received assistance from other studios, showing that there can be comradery instead of competitiveness. Some of the clients who start recording for the fi st time at Back Pocket, can get anxious but Kaylee and David try to reassure them that there’s no pressure. “It should be less stressful in the studio because you have more chances to do something right,” Kaylee said. “If you make a mistake, we can do it again.” They want their clients to feel comfortable so they can perform at their best, and that warm atmosphere is what attracts people to the studio, Kaylee added. It’s therapeutic for the artists, and even for the couple when they want to get away from any of the stresses of life. At this point, they have worked with many artists, producing music genres such as reggae,

jazz, Latin, rock, country, R&B, hip hop, pop, gospel, classical and bluegrass. And they are looking forward to producing funk music as well. Kaylee writes her own songs about love and breakups. She also produced one in commemoration of her late grandfather. The couple teamed up with a local engineer to produce a short Christmas album ahead of the holiday season. As they pass their four-year mark, they have future plans for the studio as well as themselves. “I really want to start traveling, even if it’s a couple days a week… and doing shows,” Kaylee said. “I’m trying to build up my songs. I feel like when you’re doing it, you bring a level of knowledge to people. The reason I can tell people how to distribute their music online is because I’ve done it. “I also would like to eventually, when we get to this point, hire on another engineer to work with” They would also like to expand the studio and branch out into different cities. “We have good enough experience, but we have plenty of time for more, plenty of room to grow,” David said. For more information or to book a session, contact Kaylee or David at (813) 756-6501 or by emailing Kaylee@BPRStudio.com or David@BPRStudio.com.

KIDS GEAR-UP FOR ANOTHER EGG HUNT EASTER EGG HUNT MAKES A RETURN TO KEEP YOUTH ACTIVE OUTDOORS

BRIAN FERNANDES STAFF WRITER

Once again, it’s time for kids to stock up their baskets at the 33rd City-Wide Easter Egg Hunt, on Saturday, April 16. This free event is open to those ages 3 to 11 and will be held at the Otis M. Andrews Sports Complex at 2402, E. Cherry St., in Plant City. The egg hunt will begin at 10 a.m. and participants are asked to bring their own baskets. The youth will be divided into the following age groups: 3-4; 5-6; 7-8; 9-11. Two special golden eggs will be hidden in each egg nest, and the finde s will be able to turn them in for a large Easter basket after the hunt. Each nest has group leaders who will assist the youth and provide eggs to those with none. No adults are allowed in the nest. Only youth participants and event staff a e allowed in the nest during the hunt.

Children should be instructed to meet parents back at the nest perimeter after the hunt. If you have children in multiple nests, lost children will be escorted to the stage area if not picked up after the hunt. Pre-hunt entertainment starts at 10 a.m. and activities after the hunt will be available with a $5 bunny band. Such amenities include balloon art, a trackless train ride, air brushing, infla ables, and a chance to take a photo with the Easter bunny. And those age 12 and under can receive a free hot dog and drink courtesy of the Plant City Optimist Club. All youth are ensured to receive eggs. For more information, contact the Parks and Recreation Department by calling 813-659-4255 or by emailing RecInfo@PlantCityGov.com.

Courtesy of the City of Plant City It’s time for kids to search high and low for those eggs at the 33rd City-Wide Easter Egg Hunt on, Saturday, April 16.

COPS CORNER

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2022

PLANT CITY

This week on Cops

Observer

Corner: Plant City Police investigate an outstanding warrant, a missing firearm and a istock

fake gold necklace.

Publisher / Karen Berry KBerry@PlantCityObserver.com Managing Editor / Sarah Holt SHolt@PlantCityObserver.com Sports Writer / Taylor Jenkins tjenkins@plantcityobserver.com Staff Writer / Brian Fernandes bfernandes@plantcityobserver.com Advertising Graphic Designer / Juan Alvarez Circulation/ Office Manager / Linda Lancaster LLancaster@PlantCityObserver.com

MARCH 25 UNEXPECTED DISCOVERY 2900 block of James L. Redman Pkwy. Warrant arrest: Officers came into contact with the suspect in reference to a disturbance. The suspect was subsequently found to have an outstanding Pinellas County warrant for driving with a suspended license, carrying a bond of $1,013. The suspect was then arrested and transported to Orient Road Jail.

MARCH 26 THE MISSING PIECE 2900 block of Barret Ave. Residential burglary: Officers made contact with the complainant who stated that he had found the door to his home ajar on March 18 and reported that a fi earm was missing.

MARCH 28

VERY ALARMING 100 block of W. Prosser Dr. Criminal mischief: Officers responded to a business at the listed location in reference to a glass break alarm. The suspect was placed under arrest for felony criminal mischief and subsequently transported to Orient Road Jail without incident.

NOT A GOLD STANDARD 1700 block of S. Alexander St. Fraud: Officers met with the owner of a business at the listed location who reported being sold a fake gold necklace. TURNED AROUND

MARCH 27 PAINT PROBLEM 900 block of W. Alsobrook St. Residential burglary: An officer met with the complainant who advised them that entry was made into a residence under construction and that paint was poured onto the brand new floo ing and cabinets.

W. Reynolds St. / N. Wheeler St. DUI: Officers conducted a traffi stop in reference to a vehicle that was traveling the wrong way. The suspect was subsequently arrested for DUI.

MARCH 29 GETTING SCHOOLED 1200 block of E. Renfro St. Warrant arrest: Officers met with the suspect who jumped the perimeter fence onto school

property and refused to leave. An FCIC/NCIC check revealed that he also had a warrant outstanding out of Hillsborough County. The suspect was then taken into custody and transported to Orient Road Jail without incident. CARD SHARK 1000 block of Whitehurst Rd. Fraud: Officers met with the victim at the Plant City Police Department who advised them of unauthorized charges made on her credit card.

TO ADVERTISE Call (813) 704-6850

Advertising / Richard Brame richard@plantcityobserver.com Advertising / Karen Berry kberry@plantcityobserver.com

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.

MARCH 31 HOLES IN THE STORY E. MLK Blvd. Shooting: Officers responded to a separate location and met with the victim who advised them that his vehicle had been shot.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2022

ROADWAYS TO UNDERGO RECOCONSTRUCTION MORE CORRIDORS WILL BE REPAVED FOR SAFER TRANSPORTATION BRIAN FERNANDES STAFF WRITER

Here are those to look out for in the future. • Repaving State Road 39 (James L. Redman Parkway) from its intersections at Charlie Griffin Road to Alexander Street. The annual pavement ratings indicated that the pavement had reached a deficient condition and resurfacing was required, according to the Florida Department of Transportation. It also calls for adding a right turn lane on southbound James L. Redman Parkway onto westbound Alexander Street. The existing right turn lane from Alexander Street onto southbound James L. Redman Parkway will also be widened. To do so, FDOT is purchasing the right of way from the property on the northwest corner of the intersection in order to construct the proposed right turn lane. The existing lane widths will remain the same. Lane closures are currently planned from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m., pending discussion with construction. There are no planned detours. The stretch is less than a mile long and is currently in the design phase. The design cost will be $107,000. The construction start date is unknown at the moment, but the project is estimated to take about a year. • Repaving Interstate 4 from east of McIntosh Road to County Line Road.

McIntosh Road (Exit 14) to County Line Road (Exit 25) runs across Dover, Mango, Plant City, and Seffner, in eastern Hillsborough County. The project is in the design phase, with a design cost of $3 million. Construction is anticipated to begin in the fall of 2023. • Repaving State Road 60 from east of Clarence Gordon Road to the Polk County line, spanning 3.4 miles. Sidewalks will also be added along State Road 60 as well. This is currently in the design phase with a cost of $900,000. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2023. • Interstate 4 improvement at State Road 566 (Thonotosassa Road) at Exit 19. Thonotosassa Road will be widened under the interstate from two to four lanes between the ramps. Also, a new northbound to eastbound right turn lane onto I-4 will be added. A traffic signal will be added at the base of the off ramp from westbound I-4. This project is in design phase, costing $329,034 and construction is expected to begin in 2024. • Interstate 4 interchange improvement at Branch Forbes Road at Exit 17. This project will extend the northbound and southbound left turn lanes on Branch Forbes Road that are approaching the interstate. Also, new traffic signals will be added on Branch Forbes Road at the base of both the eastbound and westbound off ramps.

And a right turn lane will be added to the eastbound off ramp from I-4. The design cost will be $651,509 and construction is anticipated to begin in 2024. • Interstate lighting upgrades along Interstate 75 and Interstate 4. With this project, highway lighting will be upgraded to LED lights at the following locations: • I-75 at Gibsonton Drive • I-75 at U.S. 301 • I-75 between State Road 676 (Causeway Blvd.) and State Road 618 (Selmon Expressway) • I-4 at Park Road This will run across not only Plant City, but Brandon, Gibsonton, Riverview and Tampa. The design cost will be $176,000 and construction is anticipated to begin in 2025.

Construction is expected to begin this year to repave James L. Redman Parkway from its intersections at Charlie Griffin oad to Alexander Street.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2022

NEW HUB FOR OCCASIONS IN DOVER FORMER BARN RENOVATED INTO CEREMONY HALL

BRIAN FERNANDES STAFF WRITER

When Jennie and Kenny Ellis purchased their new home in Dover, little did they know that the adjacent barn on their property would become a popular hub for the public to use for celebration. The couple moved to the quiet, rustic farmland about a year and a half ago. It was a drastic change from the busy city life they lived previously in Lakeland. Upon the acres of land, was an eightstall horse barn that was left unoccupied. While others may have seen it as an opportune way to house more horses, they envisioned the potential for it to be something more. That concept would eventually become Bethany Oaks Farm – a venue to host special occasions, such as birthdays, weddings, or anniversaries. “I think the original thought was to repurpose it and use it for events and parties for us and our friends. Just a place for family events,” Kenny said. The individual stalls that once divided the barn were dismantled to create an open space and new floors had to be built. “We basically took all the interior stall wood and bars out and then had to pour concrete down the whole side,” Kenny said. There are two open entryways on either end of the venue with open, but decorated windows along both sides of the walls. With a flatscreen T.V. perched above it, one entryway has a stage where live performances can take place. Eight round tables surrounded with chairs also add to a welcoming and social atmo-

sphere. Several fans were installed along the ceiling as well as overhead lights and a restroom has been built near one of the entrances. They set up antiques and crafts, purchasing some things from yard sales. “I just pick things up and redo them and put them in here,” Jennie said. Friends also added to the décor by contributing different items and furnishings. The inside is decorated with mirrors, wooden tables, candles, a windmill, a birdhouse, as well as miniature statues of cherubs and owls. There are also old-fashioned items that are nostalgic such as a watering can for flowers, a small refrigerator, a suitcase, typewriter, books, and a small portable fan. After a while, they came up with the idea of making it inclusive to the public as rented space. “It’s fun to be able to offer that to people,” Jennie said. “We thought it was a cool idea that this could be something that we would just have for the community.” It has been operational for a year now. This past holiday season, the staff at Robinson Elementary School, and their families, held a Christmas party there. Birthday parties and fun events for non-profit organizations have also been hosted at the venue. The open field on the farmland also is a benefit as there is sufficient space for parking and room for kids to play and enjoy nature. Jennie and Kenny also have their own

goats and much wildlife can be observed In April, she plans on holding a function from the field. where these young women will speak While the couple wants the occupants before an audience about their struggles to set up the venue as they see fit, there and the empowerment of women. are also guidelines to follow. In fact, Jennie is a photographer who “We have contracts,” Jennie said. “We takes photos of those she counsels. do allow alcohol, but you have to have She will have large portraits of them on a bartender that we approve of, who display during the event. is the only one who can serve, so that As more occasions take place, Jennie there’s accountability. So, we have a lot and Kenny look forward to having many of checks and balances put in place for pleasant memories occur in the Bethany everyone’s sake.” Oaks Farm for all those who enter. There have been events where there For any information or to book a date, weren’t enough accommodations due email BethanyOaksInfo@gmail.com or to overcrowding. As a result, Jennie and by calling Jennie Ellis at (863) 860-5084. Kenny have to let the event planners know ahead of time that there is a certain capacity that can’t be exceeded. The couple also takes advantage of the venue as they have their own weekly get-togethers. Kenny is a pastor and every Sunday church members congregate under the former barn for services. There is one event planned that Jennie especially is looking forward to. She counsels young ladies, motivating them to overcome current or past issues they may be facing and helping them Jennie and Kenny Ellis renovated the barn on their property into a ceremonial grow as individuals. hall open to the public.plac.

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2022

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THURSDAY, APRIL7, 2022

Fundraiser helps Willis Peters Exceptional Center provide supplies and opportunities to students

The annual fundraiser to benefit the chool raised over $24,000.

TAYLOR JENKINS STAFF WRITER

Several members of the Plant City Lions Club headed out to the Willis Peters Exceptional Center on Tuesday where they enjoyed lunch with several staff membe s and a tour of the facility before presenting the school with a check for $24,249. Willis Peters Exceptional Center is part of the Hillsborough County Public School system and serves students age three through 22 with severe intellectual disabilities, limited cognitive functioning or other disabilities such as deafness and visual, language, speech and physical impairments. And while the center typically operates with a student body of around 75 students, they are currently around 60 as they rebound from a drop in enrollment during the COVID-19 pandemic. The money was raised from a fundraiser held each year during the Florida Strawberry Festival where the Wells Memorial and Event Center allows their land to be used for parking throughout the festival, organized and worked by volunteers, with

all the proceeds going toward the center. In previous years the school itself had managed the event, however liability issues posed a problem this year leading to the Lions Club and their team of volunteers spearheading the efforts. “This is really huge,” Lions Club president Jim Sparks said. “It’s over $24,000 that goes directly to the school for their programs, to help the kids directly, and they’re doing a lot of great things here. It was a great thing and we’re just really happy to be involved with it. Nearly all activities across campus are provided through the funds raised, including materials, behavior incentives, communication devices, cooking supplies, travel funds if they’re taking trips away from the school and more. “I could go on and on about the needs of our students and the extra expenses of what they need,” ESE Specialist Rebecca Nance said. “For education, for social opportunities, for inclusion opportunities, for physical or mobility opportunities. So this fundraising really helps to provide for all of that. Every extra thing that we do on

our campus essentially comes from this fundraising, from the fun holiday celebrations to a student who may have specific behaviors where we can’t figu e out what’s what and just need to trial multiple things — be it different sensory tools or different things to sit on to give input or even just the clothing that they’re wearing is bothering them and we need to try things that aren’t irritating to them. A lot of it is trial and error and those things cost money.” Students attend traditional classes through primary and secondary school and once they have surpassed those levels at 18 years old, they move on to the transition program where the focus begins a shift to vocational training and career prep training, if they’re able, until they age out of the center at 22 years old. In addition, the center has two classrooms with full kitchen setups as well as washers, dryers and vacuums to help assist students learn independent at-home skills. “Our staff truly do sn’t get the recognition that they deserve on any level,” Nance added. “Be it their salary, awards, public recognition, whatever, they’re absolutely

amazing. They come every day completely refreshed and reset from whatever happened the day before. We face a variety of challenges but do not let it stop us at all from celebrating every amazing accomplishment that our students do day in and day out. Most of the success that our school and our students have is due to our amazingly dedicated, selfl ss, wonderful staff. They’re fantastic.” But this donation is far from a standalone effort to serve WPEC as the Plant City Lions Club has long been a supporter the center, raising $127,000 between their own club, the Lions International Foundation, Unity in the Community and several local businesses to erect a sunshade over the center’s playground as well as awnings and fans around the school in 2018. The Lions are one of the oldest and most prolific civic g oups In Plant City, celebrating the local club’s 90th anniversary in 2019, well-known for their work in the community in an effort to better the lives of others through their motto of, “We Serve.”

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THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2022

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THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2022

Company Hauls Away a Messy Situation New machine flattens waste and takes it away BRIAN FERNANDES STAFF WRITER

Businesses in town will now have more room capacity in their dumpsters to throw their waste into courtesy of the new Smash My Trash truck. Smash My Trash is a company that builds and distributes garbage trucks made to crush and flat en items that take up space inside of 20, 30, and 40yard dumpsters usually found outside establishments or on construction sites. Tim Hunt and his wife Lindsey are local owners of the company that serve Lakeland, Winter Haven, and now Plant City.They’ve already began operating in town, with growing clientele. “This is one of the fastest growing franchises in the country right now,” Hunt said. On March 31, the company had a ribbon cutting ceremony for its new Plant City branch. Hunt showcased the truck and how

it operates. The truck has a flatbed that is equipped with a machine with a long-stretching arm. Unlike the typical excavator truck with a claw at the end of the arm, this one has a metal wheel with protruding blades. The driver uses knobs to push the machine across the flatbed bring down the arm as far as ground level, and roll the wheel, crushing whatever waste is in the dumpster. In turn, more space is created and there is more room to throw in additional waste. It reduces waste volume within a dumpster by up to 70%, the company stated. This also cuts down the number of times a hauler has to carry trash to the landfill which brings along other benefi s. “It gives them a solution to saving money as well as being more environmentally friendly,” Hunt said. “We reduce the amount of trucks on the road hauling because we put more in those dumpsters. It’s really taking less trips to the

landfill and then al o the trash is compacted that goes to the landfill ” While there is a fee, there’s still a financial be efi , with customers saving 20%, he said. Smash My Trash was established in 2014 out of Houston, and now operates nationwide. It’s currently based in Indianapolis. The 6,000-pound equipment is capable of crushing many large objects such as television sets, sofas, and large tree limbs. However, it wouldn’t be able to flat en engine blocks or big boulders. Hunt has been working out a deal with the Plant City Solid Waste Department, which has recently implemented a new collection system, Cart-to-Curb. To find out mo e information, visit SmashMyTrash.com. To request service, contact Tim Hunt by emailing Tim.Hunt@ SmashMyTrash.com, or call (863) 236-9118.

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held to formally designate the new Smash My Trash truck in Plant City, on Thursday, March 31. The new hauling company not only takes away waste but flat ens it out.

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PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2022

SPECIAL ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

DEFUNCT BANK BAGS FULL OF OLD MONEY UP FOR GRABS

Callers line up to get bags full of U.S. Gov’t issued Coins and Currency Important: Strict limit of 3 sealed Bank Bags per household will be strictly enforced Here’s what we know about what’s in the defunct Bank Bags

Each bag contains nearly 4 lbs of old money packed by Federated Mint

■ TREASURE HUNT: Operators are bracing for the flood of calls. That’s because Bank Bags whose contents, some dating clear back to the early 1900’s, are actually being handed over to the general public beginning at 7:30 am this morning. Coin values always fluctuate and there are never any guarantees, but requests for the bags are sure to be overwhelming since they contain nearly four pounds of U.S. Gov’t issued coins and currency so there’s no telling what treasures could be sealed away inside.

Contents date clear back to early 1900’s

U.S. Gov’t issued Silver coins, rare Indian Head coins, scarce Buffalo coins, old Wheat Cents - Silver Certificate, Red Seal Notes and more found inside “Breaking the seal of one of these Bank Bags is like stepping back in time,” said Laura A. Lynne, Director of Coin and Currency for Federated Mint. That’s because you just don’t find Bank Bags like these or pick them up at a defunct bank. Records confirm the origin of each Defunct Bank Bag can be traced back to vaults at the Federated Mint where they were loaded with a combination of over 200 U.S. coins and currency notes some dating clear back to the early 1900’s and then securely sealed for good. That means there’s no telling what you’ll find until you search through each Bank Bag. But you better believe at just $649 these Bank Bags are a steal. And it gets even better. The price drops clear down to $590 for all those who take multiple bags. And here’s the best part. Each of these Bank Bags bearing the name of one of several now defunct banks, each full of U. S. Gov’t issued coins and currency

some dating clear back to the early 1900’s and could be worth up to 100 times their face value are actually being handed over to U.S. residents who call the TollFree Hotlines listed in today’s publication. “But don’t thank the Government. As Director of Coin and Currency for Federated Mint, I get paid to let the general public know when U.S. coins and currency are up for grabs. Ever since the decision by Federated Mint to turn over these heavy Bank Bags full of old money to the general public — Everyone wants to know how much the Bank Bags are worth? The answer is, there’s no way to tell. Coin values always fluctuate and there are never any guarantees, but we do know this. Each Bank Bag weighs nearly four pounds and contains a rarely seen Morgan Silver Dollar and just this one coin alone could be worth up to 100 times its face value,” confirmed Lynne. The only thing readers of to-

Deadline set to claim Bank Bags full of old money Everyone’s heard the saying “the early bird catches the worm.” Well that old saying certainly rings true today. That’s because heavy Bank Bags bearing the name of one of several now defunct banks, each full of valuable U.S. Gov’t issued coins and currency some dating clear back to the early 1900’s and could be worth up to 100 times their face value are actually being handed over to U.S. residents who call the Toll-Free Hotlines listed in today’s publication. But there is one catch, readers of today’s publication only have 48 hours to call to get the multiple Bank Bag price. That’s why operators manning the Toll-Free Order Hotlines are bracing for a flood of calls beginning at 7:30 am this morning. So if you want to get your hands on these Bank Bags weigh-

ing nearly four pounds containing a combination of over 200 U.S. coins and currency notes, you better hurry to avoid future regret. And here’s the best part. The Bank Bag fee drops from $649 to just $590 per bag for everyone who claims multiple Bank Bags plus free shipping and free handling as long as they call before the 48-hour deadline ends. So you don’t want to miss the deadline because everyone who does must pay $849 for each Bank Bag. Operators are scheduled to be on duty beginning with the first calls being accepted at precisely 7:30 am this morning. But with so many people expected to call to get the Bank Bags, callers who cannot get through are being urged to call the special Overflow Hotlines printed in today’s publication.

days publication need to do to get the multiple bag price is call the Toll-Free Hotlines printed in today’s newspaper before the 48-hour deadline ends. This is very important. Do not miss the deadline. That’s because the Bank Bag fee has been set for $849 for residents who miss the 48-hour deadline. So it’s important for U.S. residents to call the Toll-Free Hotlines before the

deadline ends. Thousands of U.S. residents stand to miss the deadline to claim the U.S. coins and currency. Now any U.S. resident who calls the Toll-Free Order Hotlines gets to claim the Bank Bags for themselves and keep all the U.S. coins and currency found inside. Just be sure to call right away because the deadline ends 48 hours from today’s publication date.

Operators working the Toll-Free Hotlines are bracing for the flood of calls. The reason is the 48-hour deadline applies only to readers of this publication. That means heavy Bank Bags bearing the name of one of several now defunct banks, each full of old U.S. Gov’t issued coins and currency are actually being handed over to the general public by Federated Mint beginning at 7:30 am this morning. And here’s the best part. The price drops from $649 to $590 per bag for everyone who claims multiple Bank Bags plus free shipping and free handling as long as they call before the deadline ends. But do not forget this. Everyone who misses the 48hour deadline must pay $849 for each Bank Bag. That means all those who call the Toll-Free Hotlines printed in today’s publication are getting Bank Bags full of old U. S. silver coins and currency some dating clear back to the early 1900’s and could be worth up to 100 times their face value including the rarely seen Morgan Silver Dollar, the iconic Peace Silver Dollar, Barber Silver Half Dollar, stunning Silver Walking Liberty Half Dollars, the scarce Franklin Silver Half Dollar, the Barber Silver Quarter Dollar, beautiful Standing Liberty Silver Quarter Dollar, magnificent $1 Dollar Silver Certificate Note, $2 and $5 Dollar Red Seal Notes and collectible $2 Notes just to name a few. In fact, the bags weigh nearly four pounds and contain a combination

of over 200 U.S. coins and currency notes. That’s why everyone should be taking the max limit of 3 Bank Bags before the deadline ends. “These heavy Bank Bags weigh nearly four pounds and are full of old U. S. coins and currency which is why we’re guessing everyone will be snapping up as many as they can while they still have the chance,” said Federated Mint officials. There’s one thing readers need to know. Only U.S. residents who call the Toll-Free Hotlines before the 48-hour deadline ends are getting the multiple Bank Bag price. “These heavy Bank Bags bearing the name of one of several now defunct banks, each full of U.S. coins and currency some dating clear back to the early 1900’s are impossible to get anywhere. In fact, they’re only being sold off by Federated Mint directly to U.S. residents who call the Toll-Free Order Hotlines printed in today’s publication”, confirmed officials. To make it fair, special Toll-Free Overflow Hotlines have been set up to ensure all U.S. residents have an equal chance to get them. Operators are scheduled to be on duty beginning with the first calls being accepted at precisely 7:30 am this morning. So many people are expected to call to get these Bank Bags, callers who cannot get through are being urged to call the special Overflow Hotlines printed in today’s publication.

LIMITS ENFORCED BEGINNING WITH FIRST CALLS AT 7:30 AM TODAY

How to get the Bank Bags full of U.S. Gov’t issued Money Phone lines are expected to be busy, so special Overflow Hotlines have been set up to handle all the calls. That’s because beginning at 7:30 am this morning Federated Mint is handing over sealed Bank Bags bearing the name of one of several now defunct banks, each full of old U.S. Gov’t issued coins and currency to the general public. Please read the following questions and answers before calling the Toll-Free Hotlines printed in today’s publication. QUESTION: Who gets the Bank Bags? ANSWER: Thousands of U.S. residents stand to miss the deadline to claim the Bank Bags full of old U.S. coins and currency some issued clear back in the early 1900’s. Now any U.S. resident who calls the Toll-Free Order Hotlines gets to claim the Bank Bags for themselves and keep all the U.S. coins and currency found inside. QUESTION: How much are the Bank Bags worth? ANSWER: It’s impossible to say. Coin values always fluctuate and there are never any guarantees, but here’s why everyone will be rushing to claim the Bank Bags while they still can. Nobody has knowledge of the dates or mint marks of the U.S. coins and currency inside the Bank Bags, and that is what determines collector value. But what we do know is after the Bank Bags were loaded from Federated Mint vaults with a combination of over 200 U.S. coins and currency notes they were securely sealed for good. That means there’s no telling what treasures could be found in-

side these Bank Bags. So you better believe the Bank Bags are worth every penny, since there’s no telling how much

just one collectible coin alone could be worth in collector value. QUESTION: Will the 48-hour

■ OLD MONEY: Beginning at 7:30 am this morning sealed

Bank Bags are up for grabs. Each bag measures 9” X 17.5”, bears the name of one of several now defunct banks and is full of valuable U.S. coins and currency some dating clear back to the early 1900’s.

deadline be strictly enforced? ANSWER: Yes. Unfortunately thousands of U.S. residents will miss the deadline set by Federated Mint to claim the money. That means the Bank Bags are up for grabs and now any reader of today’s publication who calls the Toll-Free Hotlines gets to claim the Bank Bags full of money for themselves and keep all the U.S. coins and currency found inside. The price for each Bank Bag loaded with nearly four pounds of rarely seen U.S. silver coins of all denominations, rare Indian Head coins, scarce Buffalo coins, old Wheat Cents – Silver Certificate Note, Red Seal Notes and more has been set at $849 for all those who miss the deadline, but for those who beat the 48hour deadline the Bank Bag fee is $649 and the best part is all those who claim multiple Bank Bags cover just $590 plus get free shipping and free handling as long as they call the TollFree Hotlines before the deadline ends.

48-HOUR DEADLINE: The multiple Bank Bag price will only be honored for the next 48 hours The Bank Bag fee is set at $849 for those who miss the 48-hour deadline, but for those who beat the deadline the single bags are $649 and just $590 for multiple bags as long as calls are received before the 48-hour deadline ends.

Begin calling at 7:30 am this morning

Call: 1-800-921-1609 Use Code DBB1016

OVERFLOW HOTLINE: All those calling to claim the Defunct Bank Bags who cannot get through to an operator need to call this special Overflow Hotline before the 48-hour deadline ends: 1-800-923-5104 Code DBB1016

FEDERATED MINT, LLC IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. MINT, THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, A BANK OR ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY. IF FOR ANY REASON WITHIN 30 DAYS FROM SHIPMENT YOU ARE DISSATISFIED, RETURN THE PRODUCT FOR A REFUND LESS SHIPPING AND RETURN POSTAGE. THIS SAME OFFER MAY BE MADE AVAILABLE AT A LATER DATE OR IN A DIFFERENT GEOGRAPHICAL R1073R-1 LOCATION. OH RESIDENTS ADD 6.5% SALES TAX. FEDERATED MINT, PO BOX 1200, MASSILLON OH 44648 ©2022 FEDERATED MINT.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2022

Easter Celebration

PlantCityObserver.com

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2022

Visit these churches and houses of worship

EXPERIENCE LIFE THIS EASTER PLANT CITY CHURCH OF GOD

d o o G day Fri Sunrise

April 15th Noon - 1pm Passion Demonstration with Holy Communion

service

April 17th @ 7 AM Walden Lake Community Park Bring Your Own Chair or Cart

April 17th - 10:15am Plant City Church of God

EasterSunday celebration

KIDS Church EASTER Egg Hunt with Prizes and Live Bunny Give-Away 10:15am

Celebrate Easter week with First Baptist Church. Join us on Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and for one of three Easter worship services as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Experience uplifting music, powerful prayer and a life-changing message from the truth of God’s Word. Each Sunday we also offer Bible-centered Small Groups where you can learn to live out your faith with others. Classes meet at 8:00, 9:00, and 10:30 am. Move one step further in your relationship with Christ and others.

Come worship with us! FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH PLANT CITY 3309 James L. Redman Pkwy., Plant City | 813.752.4104 | www.fbcpc.com Dr. Brian Stowe, Senior Pastor

Worship Services Palm Sunday, 4/10

9:00 am & 10:30 am

Good Friday, 4/15 7:00 pm

Easter Saturday, 4/16 5:00 pm

Easter Sunday, 4/17 9:00 am & 10:30 am Can’t join us in person? Watch ONLINE at:

fbcpc.com/live

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2022

Easter Celebration Visit these churches and houses of worship

EXPERIENCE LIFE THIS EASTER PLANT CITY CHURCH OF GOD

d o o G day Fri Sunrise

April 15th Noon - 1pm Passion Demonstration with Holy Communion

service

April 17th @ 7 AM Walden Lake Community Park Bring Your Own Chair or Cart

April 17th - 10:15am Plant City Church of God

EasterSunday celebration

KIDS Church EASTER Egg Hunt with Prizes and Live Bunny Give-Away 10:15am

PlantCityObserver.com

Come worship with us! FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH PLANT CITY 3309 James L. Redman Pkwy., Plant City | 813.752.4104 | www.fbcpc.com Dr. Brian Stowe, Senior Pastor

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2022

Worship Services Palm Sunday, 4/10

9:00 am & 10:30 am

Good Friday, 4/15 7:00 pm

Easter Saturday, 4/16 5:00 pm

Easter Sunday, 4/17 9:00 am & 10:30 am Can’t join us in person? Watch ONLINE at:

fbcpc.com/live

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2022

Plant City hosts state baton twirling championships

The event featured twirlers from all over the state, including right here in Plant City. TAYLOR JENKINS STAFF WRITER

Plant City played host to the National Baton Twirling Association’s Florida State Solo Championships and All American Group Competition this last weekend. The event featured teams and individual twirlers from all over the state — with 52 groups and 117 individual twirlers in total — ranging from as young as four years old to collegiate performers and beyond. With attendees that included UCF’s Starlet Knights Majorette Line, led by Lynann Hudson, and twirlers from the University of Missouri and the University of Florida, the competition is co-directed by Hudson and her mother, Barbara Patrick. The event has previously taken place at Polk State College in Winter Haven, however scheduling conflic s made this the fi st year that it was held at Plant City’s new Sadie Gibbs Martin Community Center. Patrick said that the new location worked great but added that there are naturally pros and cons to each venue, so a survey will be distributed to determine where the competition will take place in future years. In addition to Hudson’s work with UCF’s Starlet Knights — a group that she was formerly a featured twirler on — she and Patrick are also co-directors of the Patrick’s

Patriots Twirling Corps right here in Plant City, a group that’s been instructed by Patrick for over 60 years. The group began practicing under an oak tree at Courier Field around 1960, eventually finding a home at a local charter school, then the Planteen Rec Center and now the Sadie Gibbs Martin Community Center. You may have seen Patrick’s Patriots around town in the Christmas Parade, the Florida Strawberry Grand Parade and several other events throughout the year in Plant City, but they also have a competition team that takes on events across the country. Individual winners from Patrick’s Patriots this past weekend include Millie Rigdon, a winner in the Beginner 7-9 Year Old division, and Lorelai Benfield a winner in the Beginner 10-12 Year Old division. As a team, the Patriots’ dance twirl team finished econd, qualifying for the National Competition at the University of Notre Dame in July. The next step for the group will be the NBTA Southeast Regionals & Miss Majorette of the Southeast competition in Savannah, Georgia on May 14 before heading to Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana for the America’s Youth On Parade - National Baton Twirlers Association National Championships, a competition that Patrick’s Patriots have attended for the 52 years.

Photos courtesy of Lynann Hudson

4/7/22 & 4/21/22

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PlantCityObserver.com

IT’S READ EVERYWHERE

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2022

Did you take the Observer with you on vacation? Send your pictures to Taylor Jenkins at tjenkins@plantcityobserver.com to be featured.

Plant City Residents David and Jeannie Elliott enjoyed the St. Patricks Day Festivities this year in Dublin, Ireland. Both are members of the Awesome Original Second Time Arounders Marching Band of St. Petersburg, Fl. As the largest adult marching band in the world, the “Rounders” as they are affectionately called, offer performance and travel opportunities for adults who were in a high school, college, or military marching band at some time and want to perform a second time around. Jeannie is a member of the Tall Flag Auxilliary group and assists with designing their choreography. David is a member of the support team called Bandaids who ensure equipment and logistical challenges are squared away. This enables them to both be on the street during parades, although marching in different locations. The Second Time Arounders fi st performance on the Emerald Isle this year was a concert in Kilkenny Ireland with the majestic Kilkenny Castle as a backdrop. March 17 was a double parade day. The St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin drew a

crowd in excess of 400,000 people. The parade was canceled in 2021 and this year residents and tourists were ready to celebrate, often breaking into song along with the band as the Rounders played Dancing Queen by Abba or the Irish favorite, Whisky in a Jar. The band won the Spirit of the Parade award. A second St Paddy’s parade in Celbridge was the final app arance for this year’s international tour. If Florida residents would like to see and hear The Second Time Arounders, their next performance will be in Pinellas Park, FL . The Pinellas Community Band Festival will be held in the afternoon on Saturday April 9. This “bring your own lawnchair and picnic” style concert is open to the public and features a number of community bands with the Rounders as the closing act. They will perform the concert set from Kilkenny Castle and will showcase auxillary dance, twirl, flag and rifle uni s. - Submitted by David and Jeannie Elliott

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2022

DOCTOR’S NOTE: JOIN US FOR WORLD VOICE DAY ON APRIL 16TH!

In honor of World Voice Day, Florida E.N.T. & Allergy encourages everyone to participate and incorporate healthy vocal habits into your daily lifestyle. With more than 7.9 billion people on Earth, everyone has a unique voice that helps differentiate themselves from others. Our voice is one of our defining features, and it is one of the first things others notice about us. On World Voice Day, Florida E.N.T. & Allergy wants to bring attention to vocal health, which is often neglected and misunderstood. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, there are approximately 17.9 million adults in the U.S that currently report problems in their voice! We encourage you to maintain healthy habits for your vocal cords by following these effective tips and practices. 1. Avoid using the extremes of your vocal range - Talking too loudly and too softly like screaming or whispering can both stress your voice. 2. Eliminate background noise when talking - Trying to talk above noise causes strain on your voice and can damage your vocal cords over time. 3. Drink water - Drinking plenty of water to hydrate your vocal cords. When your vocal cords are dehydrated, they are

more easily damaged and do not perform well. 4. Maintain a healthy lifestyle - Avoid smoking because it can irritate the vocal folds, plus cancer of the vocal folds is seen most often in individuals who smoke. Get enough rest and exercise regularly to provide good posture and breaking, which are necessary for property speaking. 5. Avoid or limit the use of medications that dry out your vocal folds - Medications for common colds and allergies can dry out your vocal folds. If you have voice problems, consult your doctor on which medications are safest for you to use. 6. Practice good breath support - Try to practice breathing naturally and avoid holding your breath while speaking. Support your voice with deep breaths from your chest and avoid talking from your throat without supporting breath. 7. Try not to overuse your voice - If you overuse your voice, take time for vocal rest by drinking plenty of fluids and decreasing the amount of talking you do that day. If youoften speak in front of groups, use a microphone to limit the amount of screaming and further damage your voice. We tend to use our voices often and regularly. It is very important that you monitor your voice and develop healthy

habits early on to avoid causes of vocal problems in the future. Your voice may not be healthy if:

Your voice becomes hoarse or raspy You lose your ability to hit some high notes when singing Your voice suddenly sounds deeper Your throat often feel raw, achy or strained It becomes an effort to talk regularly You find ourself repeatedly clearing your throat

Florida E.N.T. & Allergy’s Center for Voice & Swallowing is dedicated to the education, treatment and management of voice related disorders. Their physicians and speech pathologists offer a wide range of diagn sis and treatment options for voice-related services for patients of all ages, and have the experience and technology needed to precisely diagnose and measure the degree of voice issues or loss. “Just like dental hygiene, there is vocal hygiene to help prevent vocal fatigue” says Florida E.N.T. & Allergy Laryngologist, Daniel Vincent, M.D., F.A.C.S. When Dr. Vincent first began treating patients in the Tampa Bay area in 1998, he was the first fellowship-trained Laryngologist in the state of Florida. Since then, he has treated voice disorders in both profes-

sional and non-professional voice users and has attracted patients for specialized care from all parts of the state and beyond. His special interests include the treatment of vocal cord paralysis, laryngeal papilloma, and spasmodic dysphonia. For more information about Florida E.N.T. & Allergy and the Florida Center for Voice & Swallowing, visit www.floridaentandallergy.com or to schedule an appointment call (813) 879- 8045 or (727) 341-0551.

For additional information or to schedule an appointment, please call 813-879-8045 or visit Florida E.N.T. & Allergy online at www.FloridaENTandAllergy.com.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

CUTEST CRITTER

THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2022

KIA STINGER SPORTBACK IS A THRILL OF A RIDE!

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

STINGER GT Tires: P225/45R18 Wheelbase: 114.4 inches Length: 190.2 inches Width: 73.6 inches Height: 55.1 inches Weight: 3,829 pounds NITISH S. RELE

BOONE: Sandra Muench submitted this photo of her dog Boone, all dressed up and ready to help the Easter Bunny!

“No way, is that a Kia?” was the fi st impression from most everyone who happened to gaze at our 2022 Stinger test car. Indeed, it is a product of the Korean carmaker’s hard and dedicated work over the years to produce a fi e-passenger sportback. And it has done an outstanding job. The rear-wheel-drive (all-wheel drive is also offered) four-door coupe is equipped with a 2.5-liter GDI turbo 4-cylinder engine pumping out 300 horsepower @ 5800 rpm and 311 pounds-feet of torque @ 4000 rpm. Power reaches the wheels via an 8-speed auto gearbox with eco, smart, comfort, sport and custom drive modes. The independent MacPherson strut front and multilink rear suspension along with 13.6-inch vented front and 13-inch rear brakes ensure stability on the toughest road surfaces. Zero to 60 is a laudable 5.2 seconds. Up front, a black/dark chrome surround radiator grille with the centered new Kia emblem in the hood is flan ed by revamped LED headlights. On the side of the strikingly bold-appearing car are GT black chrome vents with air surrounds. The cabin provides all the luxe accoutrements you would expect in a similarly priced car in this class. The 8-inch touch display for phone, nav and audio to control via a knob is now 10.2 inches. Total interior capacity is 117.1 cubic feet, even more than a Camry. It is tasteful, functional and attractive with Nappa leather seats, dual auto a/c, 12-way power driver and 6-way manual front-passenger heated seats, power tilt/slide sun roof, fla bottomed tilt/telescopic steering column,

Steering: electric power, variable Fuel capacity: 15.9 gallons City: 19 mpg Highway: 25 mpg Priced as tested: $39,715 Web site: www.kiaiusa.com

satin chrome door handles, electro- luminescent instrument cluster for speedometer, tachometer, coolant temperature, fuel level, odometer and trip computer gauges, ambient led lights, black gloss/chrome on the instrument panel, aluminum pedals, GT front headrest logos, 60/40 rear seat and more. Dual front and side airbags, side curtain airbag, driver knee airbag, four-wheel antilock brakes with electronic brake distribution and brake assist, electronic stability and traction control, front/rear parking sensors and crumple zones, rearview camera, blind spot detection with rear cross-traffic ale , forward collision avoid/ warning, lane departure warning/assist, tire pressure monitoring system and daytime running lights are standard. With this agile, handsome and thriller of a ride affording an upscale, spacious interior, European competitors such as Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, among others, should watch out. Base- priced at $36,090 (bargain compared to the offering from its rivals), the Stinger is a winner that will surely take Kia to the next level. And it is a tough act to beat if you consider the Korean automaker’s basic 5-year, 60,000mile and 10-year, 100,000-mile limited power train warranties. 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.

SPORTS

STRAWBERRY CREST HIGHLIGHTS WEEK WITH NO-HITTER, DURANT AND PLANT CITY KEEP WINNING

AROUND THE DIAMOND

All three Plant City area teams put a couple more notches in the win column last week. TAYLOR JENKINS SPORTS WRITER

All three Plant City area baseball teams kept their winning ways going last week, some in different fashions than the others. After two extremely contrasting wins in a 1-0 victory over Freedom and a 16-1 victory over Middleton the week before, Strawberry Crest charged on last week with a 9-4 victory over Newsome on Wednesday. The Chargers’ pitching largely kept Newsome in check, but it was the big bats of juniors Alex Philpott and Arjun Nimmala that led the way offensively. Philpott racked up four runs batted in while Nimmala had three, both coming away with three-run home runs in the contest. For Philpott, the home run was his first of the year and for Nimmala it was hopefully just a sign of things to come as he homered in his first game back in Crest’s lineup this year, returning from a wrist injury. A junior committed to Florida State, Nimmala is currently ranked as Prep Baseball Florida’s fifth-best player in Florida for the class of 2023 and could continue to prove himself as a massive gamechanger in an already dangerous Crest lineup as postseason play draws closer. The following night, the Chargers put on a show in a no-hit, 11-0 victory over King. Junior Zach Redner got the start for Crest, putting together five innings of work while striking out 11 and walking just one before Zach Vincent came in to close the door in the sixth, adding two more strikeouts of his own in the final inning of the contest. Philpott tacked on another

run batted in on the week, junior middle infielder Eli Vickers added two and Nimmala stayed hot with two hits and five more runs batted in. In 2021, Nimmala led the Chargers with a team-high 30 runs batted in behind a .400 batting average and shows zero sign of slowing down in 2022, despite being held out of the Chargers’ lineup through their first 13 games of the season. Through his first two contests at the plate, he now has three hits, two walks, one home run and eight runs batted in. Strawberry Crest now sits at 11-4 on the season and while they look to reschedule a game that was originally scheduled on Monday against Bloomingdale, the Chargers will take on 2-11 Tampa Bay Tech on Thursday. Off the field, Crest has also had a number of big announcements. To start, the Hyannis Harbor Hawks announced late last month that Crest head coach Eric Beattie will take over as the interim head coach in 2022. The Harbor Hawks are a collegiate summer baseball team in the Cape Cod Baseball league, located in Hyannis, Massachusetts. The Cape Cod League is the nation’s premier collegiate summer baseball league. As for player news, senior Ethan Pues announced his commitment to Pasco Hernando State College while Nimmala will represent Team USA this summer. Durant finished off last week heading to Newsome on Thursday, coming away with a 5-2 victory. In the top of the first, Durant put two runners on with the help of a couple errors from Newsome but they cashed in on the opportunity as Noah Morales was able to score them

both with a single. The Wolves struck back in the bottom of the frame though, coming up with a big two-out hit off of starter Torin Byrnes to drive in the runner from second, making it a 2-1 contest after the first inning. Durant kept it rolling in the second, again with some help. After a leadoff single from junior Ty Merkle, advancing to second on a bunt from Avery Cherry, a single from sophomore Devin Suero left runners on first and third. Nick April-G ath then dropped a bunt of his own, forcing an errant throw to first and pushing the run across. With runners on first and third again Aidan Welsh pushed a slow roller to second base, allowing Newsome to get the fielder’s choice at second but reached first safely as another run came across to score, putting their lead at 4-1. Merkle added one more insurance run for the Cougars in the fifth on a deep double to straight away center field, scoring senior Brett Martin, and Byrnes would settle in, allowing just two runs over six innings of work. After a walk and a base hit to start the seventh inning, bringing the tying run to the plate for Newsome, Gavin Florio entered the game out of the bullpen and sealed the win by forcing a shallow fly ball and a double play to end the contest. In their next contest against Riverview on Monday, five different players notched a run batted in while four different pitchers combined for a just one unearned run over six innings of work in the 10-1 victory over the Sharks. Ian Bast handled the bulk of the contest with three innings, followed by one inning from Byrnes, one inning from freshman Jack Brooks and

most notably one inning from sophomore Blaine Rowland. A Florida commit and one of the top pitchers in the state for the class of 2024, Monday was Rowland’s first inning of the year for Durant after suffering a broken elbow shortly before the beginning of the season. Durant is now 11-5 on the season and they’ll host rival Plant City on Thursday. After a narrow 3-2 over Riverview to start the week last Tuesday, Plant City found a bit of breathing room in a 12-2 win over Brandon on Thursday. Chase Mobley went the distance in the five-inning victory, allowing seven hits and two runs while striking out five. In addition to his work on the mound, Mobley racked up two hits and three runs batted in while catcher Colin Shultz matched him with two hits and three runs batted in of his own, including his team-leading fifth home run of the season. After their contest scheduled against Steinbrenner on Saturday was postponed for Monday, Plant City came away with another close victory in a 2-1 contest. Junior Adan Longoria got the start, allowing three hits while striking out six before fellow junior Preston Rogers threw the final three frames, striking out six of his own while allowing just one run and claiming the win as the Raiders pushed their only two runs of the game across in the fifth. On Tuesday, Plant City faced Alonso for the second time this season, defeating them 9-8 in the Saladino Tournament on March 15. But as the Raiders’ offensive inconsistency continued, they weren’t able to notch a second win over the

Ravens as they fell 3-1. Mobley got the start for Plant City and in an uncharacteristically rocky start, two singles and a basesclearing double gave Alonso a 2-0 lead just three batters into the contest. But Mobley would settle in, strike out the next three batters he faced and cruise through the middle innings. In the third, Plant City finally made their way onto the scoreboard. After a walk from Adan Longoria and Deven Gonzalez, they were moved over to second and third with one out by way of a sacrifice bunt from senior Jace Stines. Mobley pushed the run home with a slow ground out to third, but that was all the Raiders were able to muster. In the bottom of the sixth, Alonso was able to lead off the inning with a walk and drew another in a long at bat after Plant City made a call to the bullpen, bringing in junior lefty Tanner Rollyson. A deep single scored one more and gave the Ravens a 3-1 lead that they would cling to for the win, moving Plant City to 12-4 on the year. Despite stellar pitching and some explosive offensive performances throughout the entirety of the season, the Raiders have scored two or fewer runs in three of their last four contests. The arms at Plant City’s disposal are consistent, but they will look to wake the bats up again as they head to Durant on Thursday.

PLANT CITY TRACK AND FIELD JUMPS OUT TO LIGHTNING FAST START THIS SEASON

Photos courtesy of Drew Martucci

Led by a talented group of seniors and dual-sport athletes, the Raiders keep winning.

TAYLOR JENKINS SPORTS WRITER

Plant City’s track team has jumped out to a stellar start, not losing a meet since their first meet of the year. “This is the most depth we’ve had since I’ve been here,” track and field coach Drew Martucci said. “And talent-wise, it definitely ranks up there at the top.” With 14 seniors between both the men’s and women’s teams, Plant City headed into this week looking for a strong performance at the Western Conference meet on Wednesday. Romello Jones,

Jae Sawyer and Jovani Torres are all multi-sport athletes and seniors that Martucci highlighted as names to watch for as the the district meet draws closer on April 23, but noted the great talent all throughout both the men’s and women’s rosters. Among the top performances throughout the district this season, Jones holds the second-best mark in the 100 Meters, Sawyer and Jones hold the second- and third-best marks in the 200 Meters, Jaylen Smith and Ian Jolly hold the third- and fourthbest marks in the Long Jump, Jaylen G adson holds the third-

best mark in the Triple Jump, Rhet Conyers holds the second-best mark in Shot Put, teammates Torres, Javan Futch and Judson Smith hold the first-, secondand fourth-best marks in Discus and Kaden Mizell and Conyers hold the second- and fourth-best marks in Javelin. As a team, Plant City’s men hold the top mark in the 4x100 Relay. For the women, Kiana Kropp holds the third-best mark in the 800 Meters and the fourth-best mark in the 1600 Meters, Makenzie Holmes holds the fourth-best mark in the Long Jump and Madelyn Schmalenberger and Alyssa

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

Stahl hold the first- and thirdbest marks in Discus and the second- and third-best marks in Javelin, respectively. As a team, Plant City’s women hold the third-best mark in the 4x800 Relay. While Plant City’s Western Conference meet was held prior to publishing, it took place after the Plant City Observer had gone to press on Wednesday.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2022

DURANT SOFTBALL MOUNTS COMEBACK WIN OVER RIVAL STRAWBERRY CREST

In a narrow contest where all of the game’s runs were scored on just two swings, the Cougars were able to earn the hard-fought victory. TAYLOR JENKINS SPORTS WRITER

Strawberry Crest and Durant softball met on Saturday for a morning matchup between two teams that remain featured as some of the best in the county, with the Cougars entering the contest at 11-5 and the Chargers at 5-2. Both teams were included in Bay Made Fastpitch’s Elite 8 Coaches Poll for Week 5, with Durant being voted the fifth-best squad in the county and Strawberry Crest coming in at seventh. In a top-notch pitching matchup between Durant junior Amy Bak and Crest junior Ariana Rego, all of the game’s runs were scored on just two swings of the bat as Durant was ultimately able to overcome a late deficit and come away victorious with a 3-2 win despite the absence of multiple seniors. Durant threatened in the first as freshman Lennox Ullrich drew a walk to open the contest, stealing second and moving to third on a passed ball, but Rego was ultimately able to escape the inning unscathed. In the bottom of the second, Crest put some offensive pressure of their own together as freshman Lola Coole tri-

pled to left with one out, but the Chargers were unable to capitalize. In the bottom of the fourth, the Chargers finally opened the scoring. A base hit from Kennedy Shea put one runner on for Coole as she roped her second triple of the game to right center, coming all the way around to score on a misplayed relay back to the infield, giving Crest a 2-0 lead. Durant was able to put two runners on in the bottom of the fifth and Rego once again escaped the jam without allowing a run, but Durant was able to break through and capitalize on their scoring opportunities in the top of the sixth. Back-to-back base hits and a walk loaded the bases for Bak — already in the midst of a stellar day on the mound as she stepped to the plate — who cleared the bags with a three-run, go ahead double. From there, the Cougars were able to hold on and escape with the narrow victory. The win was Durant’s third straight, entering the weekend off of a 9-0 win over Plant City last Tuesday and a 12-1 win over Jefferson last Wednesday. For the Chargers, Saturday marked their third consecutive loss following a 5-0 start to the year, coming by way of a razor-

thin 4-3 loss to Newsome — the best softball team in the county according to coaches polled by Bay Made Fastpitch — and a 9-6 loss to Tampa Catholic. Bak has carried a fair share of the pitching duties for Durant thus far, allowing just 11 earned runs while striking out 53 hitters over his 61 innings pitched on the year, good for an earned run average of just 1.26. Her slate of steady performances have been especially crucial in the absence of senior Haleigh Thomas, who returned from injury on Monday with four innings of scoreless pitching, her first appearance on the mound since March 12. For Crest, Rego has not just been the Chargers’ most reliable pitcher, she’s been their only pitcher. Through Crest’s first nine games, all complete game efforts from Rego, she’s allowed 19 earned runs and struck out a jawdropping 83 hitters over 57 innings for an earned run average of 2.33. Both teams added another win on Monday, with Durant beating Gaither 5-1 to move to 13-5 and Strawberry Crest beating Armwood 13-2 to move to 6-3.

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

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THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2022

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YOUR AROUND TOWN SPONSOR AROUND TOWN

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“How to remove a water stain on a leather purse.” - Gretchen Farid

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Vicente GarciaHernandez

Shari “Buttercup” Sheets, 47, of Plant City, Fla., born in Udon, Thailand on June 28, 1974, entered into eternal rest on March 31, 2022. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

Vicente Garcia-Hernandez, 59, of Mulberry, Fla., passed away on March 29, 2022. Funeral services were held April 2, 2022, at Haught Funeral Home Chapel, 708 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Plant City, FL 33563. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.haught.care

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Joyce Dunbar Joyce Dunbar, 73, of Plant City, Fla., passed away on March 30, 2022. Services will take place at a later date. Online condolences may be left for the family at haught.care.

THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2022

OBITUARIES

Shari ‘Buttercup’ Sheets

HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM

Vivian Morales

Vivian Morales, 52, of Plant City, Fla., born in Brooklyn, N.Y. on June 29, 1969, entered into eternal rest on April 2, 2022. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM

William Roy Russell William Roy Russell, 69, of Lakeland, Fla., passed away on April 1, 2022. Bill was a United States Navy Veteran. Services will be held privately. Online condolences may be left for the family at haught.care.

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ALL OBITUARIES ARE SUBMITTED AND EDITED BY FAMILIES OR FUNERAL HOMES

116 North Collins Street Plant City, FL 33563 ph: (813) 567-5735 allabloomtampa.com

YOUR CALENDAR

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THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2022

BEST BET FRIDAY, APRIL 8 A NIGHT OUT IN DOWNTOWN

5 p.m. in Downtown Plant City. “Spring” into downtown and visit many of the local small businesses that will stay open late for this Night Out in Downtown. Sip, shop, eat and discover many of the local businesses that will be participating, with some offering specials. For more information, or to see a complete list of all participating businesses, visit www.plantcitymainstreet.org.

FRIDAY, APRIL 8 A NIGHT OUT IN DOWNTOWN

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6 SUPPORT GROUP FOR PARENTS WITH ESTRANGED FAMILIES

themed outfi , you’ll even get 10 percent off f your drink order. So bring your friends and family to crab a cup of coffee and show off our knowledge.

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 benefi s, please take advantage of free assistance at the Bing House Museum, 205 Allen St., every Wednesday. Walk-ins are welcomed, or call 813-7065800 to set a specific tim .

SATURDAY, APRIL 9

6:30 to 8 p.m. at GracePoint Church, 1107 Charlie Griffi Rd. 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 positively-influen ed activities to help cope with the situation. Meetings are held the fi st Wednesday of each month. For more information, visit www.peaksupportgroup.com.

EARTH, WIND AND GARDEN

FRIDAY, APRIL 8

EASTER BUNNY BUILD

9 a.m to 1 p.m. at 2001 E. Cherry St. Take a trip down to the Plant City Commons Community Garden, located on the south side of the Plant City HCC Campus, for Earth, Wind and Garden. The event is free, open to everyone and will feature several activities for those of all ages, including vendors, food, music, workshops, children’s activities, garden tours and a plant sale. To register as a vendor or sponsor, or to just get more information on the event, please contact plantcitygarden@gmail.com. 10 a.m. at 107 E. Reynolds St. Head down to Brick City Bricks this weekend and celebrate the Easter weekend with their Easter Bunny Build. Participants will gather and join in on the fun as they create their own Easter bunny and egg out of LEGO bricks! For more information, visit www.brickcitybricks.com.

OPEN MIC NIGHT

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 sh w everyone what you’ve got.

SATURDAY, APRIL 16 STRAWBERRY CLASSIC CRUISE-IN

TRIVIA NIGHT

7 to 8:30 p.m. at E J. Arden Mays Blvd. April’s Trivia Night theme is Harry Potter themed, with a new format for this month’s event. Teams of four will compete for the chance to claim the title of Harry Potter Experts, along with some exciting prizes, for a registration fee of $5 per team. And if you come dressed in your best Harry Potter

3 to 6:30 at 102 N. Palmer St. The Plant City Classic Cruise-In is back on Saturday, Jan. 15, rain or shine. Cars and trucks manufactured in or before 1996 can register for free starting at 3 p.m. Live music will be provided by DJ John Paul Gasca.

FRIDAY, APRIL 29 LAST FRIDAY IN DOWNTOWN

5 to 9 p.m. at McCall Park, 100 N. Collins St. The Last Friday in Downtown Food Truck Rally is held with a new

theme each month. There will be live music, market vendors and food trucks. The event is family and pet friendly and all are recommended to bring chairs and blankets. This month’s theme will be May The 4th Be With You (Star Wars).

THURSDAY, MAY 5 MAIN STREET TOP GOLF TOURNAMENT

5 to 8 p.m. at 10690 Palm River Rd. Head to Top Golf for this fun networking event, sponsored by Plant City Main Street. Top Golf is a high-tech, state-of-the-art interactive driving range and entertainment complex that features climate-controlled hitting bays and fun for golfers of all skill levels, including novices. In addition to the tournament, you’ll have to opportunity to take in a mouth-watering dinner buffet and open bar served in a private VIP room. With sponsorship packages ranging from $100 to $500, you can register now or get more information at www.plantcitymainstreet.org.

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FORECAST

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

THURSDAY, APRIL 7

THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2022

SUNRISE/SUNSET Sunrise Sunset Thursday, April 7

7:12a

7:49p

High: 84 Low: 57 Chance of rain: 84%

Friday, April 8

7:10a

7:50p

Saturday, April 9

7:09a

7:50p

Sunday, April 10

7:08a

7:51p

FRIDAY, APRIL 18

Monday, April 11

7:07a

7:51p

Tuesday, April 12

7:06a

7:52p

Wednesday, April 13

7:05a

7:52p

High: 74 Low: 56 Chance of rain: 3%

MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, APRIL 9 High: 73 Low: 49 Chance of rain: 2%

SUNDAY, APRIL 10 High: 76 Low: 50 Chance of rain: 3%

MONDAY, APRIL 11 Jennifer Rivicci submitted this photo of a beautiful sunrise.

ONLINE

High: 83 Low: 59 Chance of rain: 4%

Across 1 Adopted gradually, with “in” 7 Sandpiper family birds 13 One of two sound recommendations for a light sleeper? 15 Shunned one 16 African Queen, for one 17 “Don’t doubt my abilities!” 18 January temps, often 19 Do lunch? 21 London’s __ Gardens 22 Longtime senator Thurmond 23 Battery parts 25 History

26 Short on manners 27 Fraternal order 31 Coil in a garden 32 Prepares for takeoff 34 Extravagant 38 Lot 39 Buttonhole 40 Function 41 Campus figu e 42 Storytelling singer Guthrie 43 Declared 47 Like some ornate doorways 50 Fixes tears 51 Firepit residue 54 Speak publicly 55 Advice from colleagues,

say 56 With 58-Across, savory base for a canapé ... and the function of a black square in four puzzle rows? 58 See 56-Across 60 Afternoon service 61 One held for ransom 62 Force (upon) 63 Allowed paid use of Down 1 Pre-euro coin 2 Critics who can’t be pleased 3 Childish denial 4 Jerk, e.g. 5 West __: upscale store

6 Sufficient ounds for action, in law 7 Used bugs, perhaps 8 Shell material 9 Rollover acronym 10 __ lady: gin and grenadine cocktail 11 Fluency 12 Make an appearance 14 Starbucks size 18 Baking powder amt. 20 Sock part 24 Hot message 26 Beat decisively 28 Lucy of “Kill Bill” 29 Tennis great Rosewall 30 Orlando-to-Miami dir. 31 Main bases: Abbr. 32 Deere rival 33 Ararat craft 34 Shoddy 35 Top player 36 TV pioneer 37 Actress Chaplin 38 Utter nonsense 40 Deplorable sort 42 “Eureka!” 43 Some decafs 44 Lanvin scent since 1927 45 Accustomed (to) 46 Summer hrs. 48 Blush wines 49 Minos’ kingdom 50 Formal decrees 51 When Lear disowns Cordelia 52 Young passenger on the 33-Down 53 Rattletrap 57 Spanish “that” 59 Enzyme suffix

April 30 New

April 9 First

April 18 Full

April 23 Last

RAINFALL LAST WEEK:

MONTH TO DATE:

3.10 in.

1.17 in.

YEAR TO DATE:

MARCH AVERAGE:

8.76 in.

2.78 in.

STRAWBERRIES Shipping point: Central Florida $14.00-$16.00

Source: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture

WEATHER

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THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2022

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