5.21.20 PLCO by Plant City Observer

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THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020

RELAXING GUIDELINES FROM GOVERNOR

CAUSES STRESS AT COUNTY LEVEL

The public is torn on whether they agree Governor Ron DeSantis is moving too soon or believe he is not opening the state quickly enough. That tension has been channeled toward the county’s Emergency Policy Group. SEE PAGE 5

‘BOOMER SOONER’

Plant City High School’s Mario Williams, ESPN’s No. 1 wide receiver prospect in the Class of 2021, announced he is going to Oklahoma.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

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THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020 tion service or single-order system. Visit find.thepeachtruck.com to learn more now and to sign up for truck tour orders later.

YMCA hosting blood drive today

Dean’s Ride, Bike with the Mayor delayed again The Plant City Parks and Recreation Department announced Tuesday the eighth annual Dean’s Ride and fourth annual Bike with the Mayor events are no longer going to be held in June. The annual bicycle rides, which now always happen in the same starting point at the same time, were scheduled for the morning of June 13 but have now been moved to the morning of Sept. 12.

National Peach Truck tour features Plant City stop in June Did you miss the nationally-famous Peach Truck visit last June? If so, circle June 11 on your calendar. The Peach Truck, which transports fresh Georgia peaches all over the east and southeast in an annual tour, will be back in Plant City for one day only next month and anyone interested in picking

up a box of their big, delicious peaches can sign up now for online orders. “As an essential produce business, The Peach Truck is committed to keeping customers and team members safe,” the Peach Truck team said in a press release. “The new online ordering system not only keeps safety top-of-mind, but allows for a seamless pick-up process, too. Customers simply reserve their box of peaches online five days prior to their city’s stop, and receive a confirmation email with a specific pickup time. Then, customers arrive at their designated time and show their confirmation to receive peaches through a contactless pickup. In addition to operating under social distancing requirements, all Peach Truck team members will undergo daily temperature checks, wear masks and gloves and will only accept credit or debit card payments to avoid hand-tohand contact.” Peaches are available in 25-pound half-bushel boxes for $43 each. Pecans by the 10-ounce bag go for for $10 and copies of The Peach Truck Cookbook sell for $20. Home delivery options are available through the Peach Truck’s subscrip-

If you want to help turn Florida’s blood shortage around, you can do so today at the Plant City Family YMCA. All of the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA locations are linking up with OneBlood for a blood drive from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and are accepting walk-up donors, though the Y expects walk-up spots to fill “very fast.” Everyone who gives blood at the Plant City Family YMCA, 1507 YMCA Place, will get a free OneBlood t-shirt and a free wellness checkup for blood pressure, pulse, temperature, iron count and cholesterol. For more information, visit oneblood.org/ymca or call 1.888.9.DONATE (1.888.936.6283).

State Attorney asks Netflix viewers for help After the Netflix documentary series “Tiger King” enthralled the nation this year and sparked a greater interest in true crime stories, Hillsborough State Attorney Andrew Warren hopes viewers will be inspired to lend law enforcement a helping hand. Warren announced last week the launch of InnocenceFilesTampa.com following the launch of Netflix’s new case review series “The Innocence Files,” which sheds light on The Innocence Project’s work fighting wrongful convictions. “If someone is watching Netflix and thinks, ‘This happened to a person I know in Hillsborough County — I believe they were wrongly convicted, and their case should be reviewed,’ we want to make sure they know how to contact

us,” Warren said in a press release. “This new website, InnocenceFilesTampa.com, gives them a clear way to request to have an attorney review their case and ensure justice was done properly.” The county’s Conviction Review Unit was created by Warren in November 2018 and has since reviewed 177 cases. According to Warren’s office, every completed case review thus far has confirmed the original conviction was correct. “The public should feel confident because we have a mechanism in place to review questionable convictions,” Warren said. “We are committed to continuing to review these cases going forward. Any wrongful conviction undermines our entire justice system and threatens public safety. Remember, if an innocent person is behind bars, that means the guilty person is still out there.”

Jameson family donates photos to Plant City Photo Archive and History Center Local photographer Ken Jameson’s work now has a new home at the Plant City Photo Archives and History Center. Jameson’s son, Michael, donated his late father’s entire collection to the history center last week. That included 31 boxes containing roughly 31,000 photos as well as negatives, prints and other photographic materials that date as far back as the 1980s. A Lithia native and Pinecrest High School graduate, Jameson’s interest in photography grew after a stint as a high school reporter and photographer for the Tampa Times. He practiced the craft until his retirement in 2016 and, according to the Photo Archives, “pioneered” videotaping weddings with his son. Jameson was a veteran of the United States Army and also worked as a technician for General Telephone Company.

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THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020

PLANT CITY HIGH SCHOOLS COME TOGETHER TO HONOR SENIORS

COVID-19 may have thwarted area seniors’ graduation plans, but the schools and the city have improvised to make sure their milestone moment gets the spotlight it deserves.

PARADE ROUTE

Strawberry Crest Athletics/Twitter

Strawberry Crest High School recently held a parade event to make up for the loss of its prom night. JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

If all goes according to plan, Hillsborough County Public Schools’ senior class of 2020 will don their caps and gowns and get their diplomas onstage in July. But one thing living in the time of COVID-19 has taught us all is that the plans can change at any time. At least graduating seniors from the Plant City area now don’t have to worry about whether they’ll get a special day. Mayor Rick Lott, Plant City High School principal Susan Sullivan and Berry Fine Productions director Gail Lyons announced late last week the senior class will be sent off Plant City-style: with a big parade that will take the kids through midtown, downtown and south down to Plant City High School. “These kids have lost so much,” Sullivan said. “They’ve given up so much. We want our seniors to know we support them and believe in them. We want to send them off in a strong fashion. We appreciate their sacrifices.” Everyone involved pointed to the strength of the seniors’ will to work and succeed no matter what life threw at them. The biggest statistical tell is the area’s graduation rates compared to the rest of Hillsborough County, Lott said, the area is the only one in the district with a graduation rate above 90 percent and Durant, Plant City and Strawberry Crest are all graduating more than 95 percent of their seniors. In Plant City High School’s case, the 96.8 percent rate is the highest in the school’s history. Lott also pointed out that these seniors have grown up during challenging times for the nation, and that they didn’t let the weight of the world bring them down speaks volumes to their willpower. “I think that if you look at this graduating class, most were born in 2001 when 9/11 occurred,” Lott said. “Then, obviously, their elementary years through middle school, they went through one of the worst economic times of all time. Halfway through their senior year, a pandemic hit.

They’ve shown strength, endurance and perseverance. We, as a city, need to congratulate them and give them confidence that we’re behind them every step of the way.” In March, shortly after schools shut down all operations for what was then the foreseeable future, Sullivan thought of the idea and kept it in her back pocket in case Governor Ron DeSantis would later announce everybody was done for the school year. “We started talking about it probably about the time school was canceled, that first week we didn’t come after spring break and we were speculating in April we wouldn’t come back at all,” Sullivan said. “Once the governor declared we wouldn’t come back to school, we decided we were gonna do this.” When DeSantis finally declared schools weren’t going to reopen, Sullivan met with Lott and city officials to pitch the idea. It wasn’t hard to sell. “We had the attitude of how can we do it safely, abide by social distancing and also show courage and strong will that we still can come out as a community and congratulate this group of grads,” Lott said. “Our goal was to not let COVID-19 rob them of this final experience.” The rest of the puzzle pieces quickly fell into place. Plant City Police Department worked with the city on the route, security and measures that could be taken to make sure onlookers follow social distancing protocols. Berry Fine Productions immediately agreed to sponsor the parade and the Florida Strawberry Festival didn’t hesitate to lend its financial support. Finally, the parade itself was expanded beyond just PCHS: now students from Durant, PCHS, Crest and Simmons Career Center can take part in the parade and get their time to shine. “Instead of having an attitude of ‘we can’t,’ everybody had an attitude of ‘we can,’” Lott said. “This shows you the character of Plant City.”

Students from these schools who wish to participate can register online — application forms and other information can be found on their Edsby accounts — or talk to their principals for more information. All participants must stay inside their cars or trucks the whole time and must be 18 to drive, but carpooling is allowed and parScreenshot: Google Maps ents who wish to drive their kids along the route will be able to do so. All grads are encouraged to wear their caps and gowns, and everyone who participates will get gifts at the end of the route. The parade route will start at 10 a.m. May 30 in front of MADZone Jumphouse in the area of Evers and Wheeler streets, right across from the Village Green fountain area of midtown, and will turn right onto Reynolds Street to go through the heart of downtown. The parade will take a right onto Collins Street and continue all the way down to Maki Road, where it will take a right and come to a stop in PCHS’s east parking lot. The length of the route, Lott said, allows plenty of space for onlookers to keep a safe distance from each other. Anyone File photos who feels healthy and wants to watch is encouraged to do so, but Plant City High School’s baseball seniors got a parade on May 6. should keep in mind the social distancing guidelines will be followed as if people were going to a park to walk around, go shopping or anything else in a large public area. This isn’t the first schoolfocused parade the area has seen lately. The PCHS baseball team got one earlier this month and, more recently, Strawberry Crest students got in their cars for a special prom parade. But this will undoubtedly be the biggest one, and for good reason. “We want to say you guys have been dealt a very unfair and challenging hand,” Sullivan said, “and we’re proud of the way you’ve persevered.”

COPS CORNER

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THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020

PLANT CITY

Observer

This week on Cops Corner: Plant City Police investigated missing packages, a stolen trailer, stolen flower pots, a

Publisher / Karen Berry KBerry@PlantCityObserver.com

breakup blowout and more.

Managing Editor / Sarah Holt SHolt@PlantCityObserver.com Associate Editor / Sports Editor / Justin Kline JKline@PlantCityObserver.com Staff Writer / Breanne Williams BWilliams@PlantCityObserver.com

MAY 9 DISAPPEARING DELIVERY 1800 block of East Alabama Street Theft: This victim reported to police that an unknown suspect took a package valued at $150 from her front porch approximately two months ago. THEY SEE ME ROLLIN’, THEY HATIN’ 100 block of West Prosser Drive Recovered stolen property: Officers responded to the Value Pawn shop in reference to a stolen Segway scooter being recovered. HALF-HOUR HEIST 3500 block of West Baker Street Petit theft (Waiver): This complainant reported he placed his bike behind the business at 6:30 p.m. and it was gone when he returned at 7 p.m. He said no one had permission to take his bike and wanted the incident documented. He then signed a waiver of prosecution.

charged with loitering and prowling, resisting without violence and possession of controlled substance. He was transported to Orient Road Jail without incident.

MAY 10 VULGAR VULTURES 4300 block of West Highway 574 Business burglary and criminal mischief: An officer met with the owner of Angel Pallets and learned that a Champion generator was stolen and a Ford F-550 was spray painted with vulgar symbols.

MAY 11 TAKING THE TRAILER 100 block of East Tever Street Business burglary: An employee of Plant Response Inc. reported an unknown suspect cut the gate open during the weekend, causing damage, and entered the business. Then they stole a 16-foot 2017 Lamar flatbed trailer.

MAY 12 GIVE PEACE A CHANCE 2600 block of Airport Road Burglary: This victim reported the theft of a 2012 22-foot Gatormade trailer with blue flower designs on its sides and a Florida tag. BLACK HEARTS, GREEN THUMBS 3900 block of Creek Woods Drive Theft: Multiple flower pots were stolen from this victim’s front yard during the night of May 12. CUSTOM PAINT JOB 4300 block of West Highway 574 Vandalism: This victim reported that his work truck was vandalized by paint.

MAY 13

BREAKUP BLOWOUT Euclid Drive Criminal Mischief: Officers responded to the above listed location to the reporting of a WHEN SHOPPING ISN’T criminal mischief to a vehicle. The A PLEASURE complainant reported an unknown IT JUST WASN’T YOUR NIGHT 2500 block of Thonotosassa Road suspect spray painted the front 700 block of South Jackson Street Fraud: This victim reported that fenders, hood and front passenger by Davidsuspect Steinberg May 22, 2020 Attempted vehicle burglary, Edited an unknown fraudulently tire with a rust-colored paint. The resist W/O, loitering and prowlutilized a fake check from his bank complainant stated she believes 40 Simon Remove with ACROSSof drugs 45account “Sap stick” ing and possession at Publix and11 received it was done by an exwho and only (arrest): Officers came in contact cash in the amount of $481.39 on wanted the incident 53-Across, 1 Boxing createddocumented. Felix comedy with a man who was arrested for April 4. waiver of prosecuperhaps She signed aand matches Oscar group? attempted burglary. He was also 49 Homophone 12 Iroquois tion. 41 Wheel-to6 Skewered

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THE OLD FIVE-FINGER DISCOUNT 2400 block of James L. Redman Parkway Robbery (waiver): Officers responded to a report of a robbery at the 7-11 located on James L. Redman Parkway. Through interviews and investigation, it was discovered the victim agreed to sell marijuana to an unknown man he met on Snapchat. The victim and suspect met on West Madison Street as agreed and then drove to the 7-11 to purchase some blunts to smoke the alleged marijuana the victim agreed to sell. As the victim arrived at the 7-11, he was approached by three unknown men who took the victim’s backpack that contained the alleged marijuana and fled the area in an unknown black sedan. The victim advised he did not want to pursue any criminal charges or continue with any other investigation. The victim signed a waiver of prosecution, ending the investigation.

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THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020

COUNTY OPINIONS ON PACE OF FLORIDA’S REOPENING DIVIDED Is Governor Ron DeSantis reopening Florida too quickly or too slowly? That question is on the minds of many in Hillsborough County and the general public has channeled its tension toward the Emergency Policy Group.

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

As the state continues to open in phases, tensions are rising between the general public and elected officials. An argument about where the line is between being safe and making policies that can stimulate the economy is arising. Governor Ron DeSantis has allowed sections of businesses to reopen in waves. While those that have been a part of the initial plans have seen a flood of patrons’ support, those who felt left out have been increasingly vocal of their desire to be allowed to open their doors as well. The reality stated repeatedly in recent Emergency Policy Group meetings, though, was that the county cannot do anything without the governor’s consent. It’s essentially left in his hands. Following that train of thought, Plant City Mayor Rick Lott brought up the EPG’s meeting schedule. The group has met since nearly the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in Florida. The switch to meeting twice a week began March 12 and decisions like the Safer-at-Home order, standing up testing sites and even the short-lived nightly curfew were made from it. The power for the path forward now largely lies with the governor, so Lott recommended the group alter its schedule to return to meeting only on Thursday afternoons. If an emergency were to occur or new and alarming data comes in, the group could easily have an emergency meeting to tackle the new information.

The topic brought up a wide discussion across the group. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor still believes it is too soon to shorten their meeting schedule and was ultimately the only group member to vote against the motion. County Commissioner Kimberly Overman initially seemed to agree with Castor and voiced her confusion on the future during discussion of the motion. “I’m trying to get a handle on what our timeline on exposure looks like,” Overman said. “Dr. (Douglas) Holt has told us where we are with nursing homes, but we’ve seen a lot more traffic out over the last two weeks and I’m curious what that timeline looks like when we get to a point where a decision is made by the governor that we follow along with, as an Emergency Policy Group, that directly impacts the people within our community. I’m just seeing that it’s 10 to 14 days before we start to see the numbers creep up a little bit when we have an event or something that actually raises the exposure rates, but we only meet, you know, if we meet just once a week we may end up being 10 to 14 days behind the power curve.” Overman went on to say that while she understands that the votes indicated the motion by Lott would pass, she was curious as to where the flag was and who was going to raise it when either a decision by the governor is made or something occurs in the community that “doesn’t fit on a Thursday.” County Administrator Mike Merrill and EPG Chair Les Miller Jr. quickly inter-

vened. Merrill informed Overman he has been working hand-in-hand with the Florida Department of Health and local hospitals to ensure the county is always fully informed with the latest health information coming from the area. If a warning light were to flare, he said he would quickly alert Miller to call an emergency meeting. During a similar suggestion that was brought up by Lott on May 4 to switch to meeting once a week, Merrill said he welcomed the idea because having his entire staff prep for two in-depth meetings every week was “time-consuming” and pulled them away from other duties. As the country has seen so much over the past few months, the public is torn on the best path forward. Dave Buyens replied to an inquiry regarding the group on the Plant City Observer’s Facebook page that he believes meeting once a week was the right decision because the group might be needed again. Clyde Bull Nelson commented they should continue meeting once per week via video conferencing. Many residents have either called in or commented on social media to say they believe the EPG has done its due diligence and should now slow down, if not completely shut down. “Let their Emergency expire and follow the Governor,” Beth Lamb Parks commented on the Observer’s Facebook. “Please let us get back to making America Great.” Several others echoed her sentiment and called for it to expire. However, new information does continue to arise each time they meet. Dr.

Douglas Holt, the county’s health director for the Florida Department of Health, gives the latest and most expansive health data in every meeting. The EPG members learned on Monday that Hillsborough County had created a “step-down” facility for elderly patients hospitalized due to COVID-19 and who were healthy enough to no longer require a continued stay at a hospital, but not yet at the stage where they can return to their long-term care facilities. The facility opened on Monday, but Merrill said as of Monday afternoon he didn’t know if any patients had been admitted. Merrill expanded on the topic following the meeting in a call with reporters saying the facility was a 60-bed space with medical experts on staff and the equipment and resources required to properly care for the patients. Patients have to have two negative test results at a minimum of 24 hours apart to be allowed back into their adult facility, so many patients are being kept in the hospital for far longer than they need the high-quality care. The next EPG meeting will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday. Starting next week, the group will only meet virtually on Thursday afternoons unless an emergency meeting is called.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020

COUCH POTATO PICKS If you’re looking for something new to binge on a streaming site or want to rediscover an old favorite, look no further than our in-depth guide to five of the largest platforms on the market.

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Regardless of whether you agree with the state reopening as quickly as it is, one thing everyone seems to be on board with is carrying on some of the isolation techniques we’ve developed over the past few months. Since talk of a second wave is all experts seem to be discussing, many residents are still going to stay in their homes as much as possible. While I’m sure everyone would love to say they’re spending all of their time working out or writing the next great novel, let’s be honest: the majority of us are catching up on our streaming. But it takes far more time to find something new to watch than you ever spend actually watching the show or film with so many different services out there. Most viewers probably aren’t going to take the time combing through the archives to discover their new obsession if it isn’t one of the hits trending on social media. Luckily, we’ve done the work for you. After scouring through five of the largest streaming services available, we’ve compiled a list of beloved classics and new favorites. If you’re looking for what to start binging next pick your favorite platform and get to work. This will be a two-part series with Netflix and Hulu running today and HBO Now, Amazon and Disney+ running in a lineup next week. Oh, and if you’re looking specifically for a child-friendly show or film, skip to Disney+. If you’re 18 or older, pick your poison and let the streaming begin. NETFLIX

When people talk of media binging, Netflix is usually the first platform that comes to mind. It’s the heavy hitter and paved the way for the streaming-only originals trend that is now commonplace. As far as movies and documentaries go, unfortunately, the platform is wishy-washy at best. There are some gems you can’t find anywhere else and a few originals that make for great entertainment, but for the most part it’s not Netflix’s strong suit.

MOVIES:

Indiana Jones: Sit down this weekend and watch every single one. Yes, even THAT one. Shoot some vodka with Marion, make sure you aren’t eating during the monkey brain scene, drink your beverages out of a chalice and mutter under your breath

about aliens while complimenting Cate Blanchett every five minutes. It’s a marathon you won’t soon forget. Monty Python and the Holy Grail: If you don’t know how to argue that a fiveounce bird could not carry a one-pound coconut then you have to sit down with a pad and pen and take notes during this classic. A swallow has to beat its wings 43 times every second to maintain air-speed velocity. This logic is crucial to the quest for the Holy Grail. Confused? Just hit play. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse: Arguably one of the greatest Spider-Man films ever made, Into the Spider-Verse revolutionized animation. It follows the concept of multiple universes and the different realities each possess. With that in mind you don’t just get your traditional Spider-Man. You get Spider-Man Noir, Spider-Gwen and even Spider-Ham. It’s a movie that has a 97 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes and has fans of all ages. The Ballad of Buster Scruggs: If you’re a fan of westerns and don’t mind a little brutality, this strange “film” is your next must-see. The Coen brothers combined six short films all set in the Wild West that delve into human depravity, the shifting tide of morality and the inner flame of desire that causes humanity to make rash and often questionable decisions. You’ve got a singing cowboy, a bank robber, an elderly prospector, a traveling impresario, a wagon train and a bounty hunter duo. It’s rated R and definitely not for children, but the storytelling is creative to say the least. TV SHOWS:

The Umbrella Academy: This is a new addition to Netflix and season two drops July 31. Picture X-Men but with massive daddy issues and time travel. It’s dark, hilarious and will make you cry. Dead to Me: An angry Christina Applegate becomes friends with the woman who killed her husband, though she has no idea this new friend is the suspect she’s been looking for all this time. But they’re codependent besties? It’s a mess, but one you can’t look away from. Season two was just released, so you’re still in major spoiler territory if you go on social media. One Day at a Time: Otherwise known as “The One that Got Away,” this show was a family-friendly sitcom that was — and I say this without an ounce of exaggeration — one of the best shows Netflix ever made. It was heartfelt, it was funny and had a cast that took everyone’s breath away. Then Netflix decided to stop production. The fans rioted and Pop swooped in to bring it back to life, thus making it the first original program canceled by Netflix to be revived on a traditional linear network. Schitt’s Creek: Sometimes Canadians really do everything better. This show is proof that there’s magic across the border. Schitt’s Creek is one of the funniest shows around and the final season wrapped up in April. All you need to know is the cast: Daniel, Eugene and Sarah Levy, Catherine O’Hara, Annie Murphy and Noah Reid. Go watch this with a bottle of wine immediately. The Witcher: You don’t have to be an avid fan of the video games to enjoy this

live-action take on the books that inspired them. The acting is above par and Henry Cavill and Anya Chalotra keep you completely captivated as each episode passes. The timelines jump back and forth and there’s a bunch of plots woven in, but another season is luckily on the way. Derry Girls: My heart is simultaneously filled and broken over this British sitcom. It’s set in Derry, Northern Ireland in the 1990s and is criminally underrated. There’s not a single friend in my life that I’ve convinced to watch this that hasn’t fallen in love.

HULU

If you want to watch TV without a cable package, Hulu has always been the best bet. The service also started to make waves with its original content. Awards are starting to flood in left and right. There’s a reason for that. MOVIES:

Parasite: Parasite is the first foreign-language film to ever win a Best Picture Oscar. The South Korean thriller bends genres and keeps viewers locked in from start to finish. RBG: This documentary explores the life and career of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. It’s relatively short as far as documentaries go but will have you buying Notorious RBG merch in no time. Tea with the Dames: Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, Joan Plowright and Eileen Atkins sit at a table in a garden and have tea. The conversation that follows sheds insight into their respective acting careers and is one that cannot be missed. TV SHOWS:

Brooklyn Nine-Nine: Andy Samberg created a masterpiece with this Golden Globe-winning comedy. Follow Detective Jake Peralta and his coworkers at the Brooklyn Nine-Nine for a wild ride you will never forget. Bob’s Burgers: This is the adult cartoon you’ve been waiting for. The episodes are short but memorable and the characters are so unique you’ll find yourself adoring them all. Killing Eve: An agent for MI5 tracks a female assassin around the world. She’s

completely captivated by her and, in a dramatic turn of events, the obsession turns out to be mutual. Flash forward to jawdropping kills, a soundtrack that haunts you for days and dialogue that makes the literary gods weep and you’ve got yourself a show that will be remembered for decades to come. Season three airs at 9 p.m. every Sunday but the first two seasons are available on Hulu. Scrubs: This is the only medical show that ever mattered. Scrubs blends comedy and tragedy in a way no other hospital based experience has been able to match. Most fans can quote every episode because they rewatch it time and again. Even the minor characters leave monumental impacts. It’s one of creator Bill Lawrence’s bests and definitely worth a watch. Seinfeld: It’s a show about nothing, yet it reshaped the culture of our nation. If you’ve never seen it prepare for a long watch. We miss you, Jerry Stiller. What We Do in the Shadows: Taika Waititi is a legend for a reason and if you haven’t heard of him yet, I’m sorry to say you’ve been living under a large rock. This show is based on the mockumentary of the same name and follows in its bizarre, yet captivating, footsteps. Vampires in Staten Island let a documentary crew into their home. The hilarities that ensue will keep you coming back for more time and again. New episodes drop each Wednesday. Mrs. America: Cate Blanchett, Rose Byrne, Sarah Paulson, Uzo Aduba and a full cast of cinema legends have come together to make Hulu’s latest masterpiece. The show tells the story of the movement to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) and the unexpected backlash led by a conservative woman named Phyllis Schlafly. Episodes drop Wednesday nights and by Thursday morning, whatever was discussed is trending all over social media. The cast has created a cinematic vision. Season one is airing now. Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist: Remember how terrible Glee was? Imagine a show that has music in every episode, but is actually well-written and acted to a T. Throw in some gut punches and soulwrenching plots, and you’ve got this brand new show.

PlantCityObserver.com

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020

COMMISH: TUNING UP TRAFFIC Now that the purchase has been approved, it should take 30 to 45 days for installation to be completed. Pedestrian safety was also woven into the meeting after City Manager Bill McDaniel shared the results of a pedestrian project that had been underway for months in his report. Traffic Operations Manager Fred Baxter and his team have been working with FDOT on a “pedestrian safety enhancement feature commonly known as a Leading Pedestrian Interval (LPI). The basis for the LPI is as follows: At signalized intersections equipped with pedestrian-signal indications, it is common practice for the pedestrian ‘walk’ interval to coincide with the adjacent circular green vehicle phase, creating a potential conflict between turning vehicles and pedestrians.” By utilizing LPI timing, pedestrians are given the chance to enter the intersection three seconds or more before drivers are given the green signal. Three seconds may not sound like much, but it can mean all the difference if you’re standing at a crosswalk waiting for the light to change. You can be several feet into the intersec-

tion after three seconds and essentially signal to drivers that you’re there and you’re heading in their direction. According to the report from McDaniel, the use of an LPI is expected to result in the following: • Increased visibility of crossing pedestrians. • Reduced conflicts between pedestrians and vehicles. •Increased likelihood of motorists yielding to pedestrians. The city and FDOT implemented the LPI feature at intersections with signals along Reynolds and Baker streets in historic downtown and featured a threesecond LPI phase. After it was installed, they tested the operation of the revised signal timing to make sure everything was progressing and queueing as normal. “While the LPI changes will likely go unnoticed to many pedestrians and motorists initially, it is a significant safety enhancement feature for pedestrians at very little cost to the City, FDOT and motorists,” the report read.

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Though the majority of last week’s commission meeting was centered around discussion of McIntosh Park upgrades, several other items were laced throughout the agenda to make it an impactful night. Traffic truly was the name of the game and two different items highlighted the steps the City of Plant City is taking toward ensuring better safety for the community. Commissioners unanimously agreed to purchase the Glance Preemption and Priority System from Temple Inc. for $96,634.00, via a Florida Department of Transportation contract. This is the first phase of a two-year plan to make intersections around the city safer. Essentially, the city wants to install a secure GPS and radio-enabled Emergency Vehicle Traffic Preemption System at key intersections all over town. The system allows normal operations at traffic lights to be altered if needed to provide “a safe, controlled passage of emergency vehicles through signalized

intersections when responding to emergency calls.” Plant City Fire Rescue partnered with the city’s Traffic Operations to test out the GPPS by Temple Inc. at four major intersections located near Fire Station 2 on Alexander Street. The test period lasted for three months and just recently wrapped up. After the testing was completed, they reported the system had no interoperability issues connecting to the traffic signal hardware that was already in place and to the hardware installed in all of the Fire Rescue vehicles. Most notably, the system ended up reducing response times by approximately two minutes. Commissioners agreed to purchase the product and the first phase will have them installed at 14 intersections: Alexander-Baker, Alexander-Thonotosassa, Alexander-Reynolds, Alexander-MLK, Alexander-Grant, Alexander-Mendonsa, Alexander-Timberline, Alexander-Donna, Alexander-James L. Redman, Alexander-Walmart, James L. Redman-Park, Collins-Alsobrook, Park-US 92 and James L. Redman-Maki.

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020

FOOTSTEPS OF FAITH: TENACIOUS TRIUMPH

If we take the time to posture ourselves for protection and exercise patience, we can get through these trying times and triumph. DR. DANIEL MIDDLEBROOKS

Do you remember the chorus that starts, “Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee?” If you were raised in or anywhere near a church, you can recall this great old hymn of the faith. However, can we sing the last part of that chorus, “…How great Thou art,” when we feel like we are in the midst of a mess? The answer to that is a loud and eternal “yes.” In an unprecedented time when our world, especially our nation, has been hit by a super virus, we can still live a life of certain victory. How? Consider the words found in 2 Timothy 4 as the Apostle Paul writes to Timothy, a young man he has mentored. In this powerful chapter, Paul reminds Timothy (and us) how we are to conduct ourselves during the tough and trying moments of life and ministry. This was also a farewell letter to Timothy as Paul awaits his execution. Yet the chapter is not filled with doom and gloom, but rather love, life and legacy. Paul writes during a time of his crisis to Timothy to prepare him for his own crisis, and I believe it is written for us during this moment of present crisis. Let me explain. There are three pictures Paul uses within 2 Timothy 4:7 and they are tied together by one incredible word: tenacity. We are to first be tenacious in our daily

conflicts (“I have fought the good fight”). Growing up, my dad, Lloyd Middlebrooks, was a great boxer. Up into his 60s, he still had fast hands — which meant my brother and I respected Dad and learned how to stand just outside his arm’s length. He taught me that in order to fight a good fight, I needed to learn two principles: posture and patience. Posture is not just how you stand, but also where you stand. It is easy to get off balance if your footwork is not right, especially when you are on uneven ground. There is a protective posture in boxing that keeps you focused on the outside and not fixated on the inside. My father also taught me that patience was more than a virtue, it is a needed principle to strengthen my posture. If I wait for the right time, I can land the right punch to win the round. My brother Mike would box Dad and, like a bull in a china shop, would rush in while Dad would wait to land the right punch and win. It is all about waiting, watching and working to win. How do Paul’s words and my dad’s two punching principles apply to us right now? First, if you watch the news or social media, you see that antithesis of a protective posture. It is demonstrated by those that have the “me-first mentality” and hoard all the toilet paper, disinfectants

and hand sanitizers. When I choose to stand on the shifting sands of society and compromise my character for the sake of self-survival, I get out of kilter and prepare for a punch to take me down. Joshua, the great battle commander and leader of Israel, challenged his people to make the right daily choices to help determine the right protective posture when he proclaimed, “Choose you this day…” (Joshua 24:15). As a great country community, Plant City is at its best when its protective posture is to help provide for others and not keep from others. Although social distancing is a common-sense posture, ensuring others have what they need out of our abundance is what will help us win the greatest battle we fight: self-absorption. Churches, community organizations, country folks and our first responders have illuminated the best of mankind and have made our little part of the world safe and secure. It also takes patience to wait for the right time to meet in the right way so we can all go in the right direction. Patience allows us to think outside the box of “I can’t” and into the open

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wobbly or waning, check your posture and patience. Remember, even when we feel knocked down, a champion knows the ground is not a place of surrender, but a springboard of success that will become a final victory if we believe we can do all things through Christ. (Phil. 4:13). Are you ready to roar?

Dr. Daniel Middlebrooks is the Senior Chaplain of First Call Church and the CEO/President of Chaplaincy Care, Inc.

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020

He’s got a groovy thing goin'

Photos courtesy of Debbie Potter

Irv Potter’s Walden Lake concerts have drawn steadily growing crowds since he began performing early in the pandemic.

JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Back in March, the entire nation was asked to hunker down at home as much as possible as COVID-19 precautions became all anyone could think about. People sought distractions from a virus we knew little about and found them right under their own noses. Neighborhoods came alive again as people, sick of being cooped up inside all day, went outside to play. People in communities have gone the extra mile to socialize however they could under the restrictions in place. In some cases, that’s even looked

kind of like block parties with people standing a little further apart than they normally would. If you have Facebook, you can catch one such slice of life from Walden Lake on the regular. Residents of the Hammocks neighborhood of Walden Lake don’t have to worry about when they’ll be able to see live music again because one of their neighbors, Irv Potter, is taking his guitar and his talents to the people from the end of his driveway. What started as a Friday afternoon jam session turned into something much bigger as Potter’s takes on oldies, classic country and many requested songs have taken off.

because of COVID-19 precautions, he said his neighbors didn’t really know about his hobby. You could say he was “discovered” by a neighbor one Friday afternoon who heard him playing in his front yard, hanging out with his wife Debbie. “He said I should play for the neighborhood during corona,” Potter said. The next day, Potter set up some equipment in his driveway and spread the word to a few neighbors. He said around 10 people showed up to watch him play, sitting in lawn chairs in their driveways or in the backs of their trucks parked in the neighborhood’s cul-de-sac. When he did it again the next weekend, he was shocked to see closer to 50 people of all ages gather to watch him play and bring out their kids to soak in the sounds and make art with sidewalk chalk. When kids in the neighborhood found out his birthday was coming up, they even made him an art project to wish him well for his birthday and to thank him for playing the weekly shows. “I was shocked,” Potter said. “I was really pleased and it made me feel real good about what I’ve been doing. Everybody has been thankful and it makes me feel good that I was able to help people get through this time with

a little lightness and fun in their week.” Since the Potters began streaming the concerts on Facebook Live, his viewership has grown by the hundreds as word of mouth spread and viewers tuned in from well outside of Plant City. He’s even had neighbors stream his concerts for their friends in England, who would request covers of English artists’ work. Potter handles requests for songs he doesn’t already know how to play by punching them into his iPad, learning what he has to play and then giving it a shot. “One kid wanted me to play ‘Let it Go’ from Frozen,” Potter said. “It’s not really a guitar song, but I made it work and she was dancing to it.” Just as things are changing for Potter’s neighbors with Florida fast-tracking its reopening, so are the concerts. Potter is moving his three-hours shows to a monthly format, now aiming for a 4 to 7 p.m. window on the second or third weekend of every month. “Things are starting to open up now and people will want to do more stuff,” Potter said. “I just did it to give the neighborhood something to look forward to during the week.” Potter’s next concert will be in mid-June.

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Walden Lake resident Irv Potter has been playing driveway concerts to take his neighbors’ minds off of COVID-19. They ended up reaching more people than he imagined.

“I try to do a new setlist every week besides 10-12 songs I know people want to hear and they’ll like,” Potter said. “It’s a little challenge, but it’s fun.” Potter has sang and played guitar for about 50 years now. He sang in a garage band when he was 16 and played “every weekend,” and said he seriously considered becoming a professional musician through his first few years of college. He cites Simon and Garfunkel, Johnny Cash and Glen Campbell as his biggest influences. “I had a bunch of rock albums as a kid, but I bought ‘Live at San Quentin’ and ‘By the Time I Get to Phoenix’ and they just blew me away,” Potter said. He never did make a living from music alone — Potter went on to the corporate world and spent nearly three decades with Pizza Hut — but retirement gave Potter a greater opportunity to focus on the music. “It’s a great hobby, but it’s more than a hobby,” he said. “I love entertaining people. I wish I had done it more when I was 18, but it’s never too late to start.” Though Potter and his guitar have popped up at events around Plant City for several years now, including a series of monthly concerts at the Grace Manor at Hunters Creek facility that ended

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PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020

AGILE NON-PROFITS PIVOT TO MEET NEW PANDEMIC NEEDS

FELIX HAYNES

Since the Observer’s founding in 2012, we have published several columns about Plant City’s voluntary organizations, our non-profit sector and the great contributions they make to our quality of life. They are all organized for a specific purpose or to serve a defined clientele.

They form one of the aspects of American society, which has long made our nation unique. When Americans see a need, they unite and figure out how to best meet it. But what do non-profit organizations do in these abnormal times, when we are confronted with a new virus, which limits our mobility, our activity, our freedom and even our lives? Three such organizations to which I belong have found new ways to answer that question. These are the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA which serves families and individuals from its Plant City branch, the Sunshine State Economic Development Corporation (SEDCO) which partners with local banks to make SBA-backed loans to small businesses from its offices in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Orlando, Jacksonville and Miami, and the largest, most active service club in Plant City: Noon Rotary. Our Plant City branch of the YMCA was closed in the beginning of March along with nearly 30 other Tampa Metro Y branches because of the coronavirus pandemic. When all area day care centers closed with the pandemic, our Ys created and implemented a care program for the children of hospital employees and first

responders. Our Ys carried out a limited reopening this week, but with the Relief Care program still needed they flexed yet again to maintain Relief Care while offering more regular programming. Since the Y members would no longer be able to use our Ys to get the benefits of their memberships, they were all given the option of taking a refund or donating their membership fees to help fund the new program. Some took the refund and some made the donation. These donations, although they were greatly appreciated, have not been enough to fund the program. The Metro Y has made up the difference by taking money from other parts of its budget. During the pandemic, SEDCO has continued its statewide programs to service existing loans and to make new ones, but when the economy was shut down by the pandemic, Congress created the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to help small businesses reduce or eliminate the need to lay off their employees. In addition to their existing programs, EDCs like SEDCO were asked to help manage PPP. This has put considerable stress on the dozen staff SEDCO employs locally and statewide. SEDCO has written 53 PPP loans, totaling over $3 million and keep-

ing over 500 people employed. This has taken the SEDCO budget from break-even status to nearly $50,000 in the red, and SEDCO will take money from other parts of its budget to defray the deficit. The 90-plus members of our Plant City Noon Rotary Club have also been shut down by the pandemic since the beginning of February, but they have found a new way to address Rotary’s long-time mission of “Service above Self.” Many members have agreed to donate the money they would have spent on their meals at meetings to help our United Food Bank of Plant City meet the large increase in need it has experienced to feed our fellow Plant Citians. In each case, a local non-profit organized and funded for one purpose rapidly pivoted with the start of the pandemic to meet another purpose and need, and found most of the funding internally to meet the new need. Organizations that can do these things are called “agile.” A nation with many organizations in a robust voluntary sector that can do them is called “exceptional.”

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SPORTS

WILLIAMS PICKS OKLAHOMA

FIle photo

Mario Williams makes a move to get past Strawberry Crest’s Temp Paris during the schools’ Sept. 28, 2018 matchup at Crest. Plant City won, 35-0.

Plant City High School star Mario Williams, the top-rated Class of 2021 wide receiver in the country, made his college football choice final on May 15. JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Mario Williams is a two-sport star at Plant City High School, and he’s now one school year away from possibly becoming the University of Oklahoma’s next two-sport star. Williams made his college choice official shortly after noon on May 15, when he broadcast his choice live on Instagram and chose the Sooners over the Alabama Crimson Tide, Florida Gators, Georgia Bulldogs and the 2019 national champion LSU Tigers. “I’d like to take my talents to the University of Oklahoma,” Williams said on an Instagram story video, unzipping a jacket to reveal his OU t-shirt. “I’ll be a Boomer Sooner.” The choice was expected by virtually everyone on the national recruiting beat, from 247 Sports to rivals.com, as Oklahoma seemed to be the most natural landing spot for Williams. He’s a perfect match for Sooners head coach Lincoln Riley’s offense. If you’ve seen Williams play, it’s not hard to picture him working his way into the same role recent OU star wide receivers CeeDee Lamb and Marquise “Hollywood” Brown had: they’ve all won matchups and beaten defenses with their quickness, elite separation skills and the knack for making big plays after the catch. Brown and Lamb both went on to become first-round NFL draft picks in 2019 and 2020, respectively. Williams has totaled 120 catches for 2,448 yards and 33 touchdowns in his three seasons as a starter for the Raiders. His best season came in 2018 when he and Braxton Plunk linked up for 950 passing yards and 14 touchdowns with Williams’ 51 catches. His skills have also been a boon

for the Raiders’ special teams unit as a return man, and Williams also matched up against other wideouts on the other side of the ball as a cornerback as a sophomore and junior. Williams hasn’t missed a game in three seasons with the team, either. As an added bonus, the Sooners seem to have no problems whatsoever with letting their players swing a bat. Kyler Murray, who won the Heisman Trophy at quarterback, played in the OU outfield from 2017 to 2018 and became the first athlete ever to get selected in the first round of both the NFL and MLB drafts in 2019. Williams’ speed has always made him a threat on the base paths and a dangerous outfielder to try and get a base hit on, as he can cover more ground in center field more quickly than most. Despite a .167 batting average in his freshman season, he still managed to score 18 runs for the Raiders. Williams’ bat got a lot better in his sophomore and junior seasons — he finished at .280 through 29 games in his sophomore season and hit .316 through seven games in 2020 — and his improvement helped make him an important part of Plant City’s 2019 state championship win, offensively and defensively. The Plant City wideout is one of three Florida-based receivers in the ESPN Top 100 for the Class of 2021 and was the last to commit: Booker T. Washington’s Jacorey Brooks and Bloomingdale’s Agiye Hall both picked Alabama over the last few weeks. Williams joins another Top 100 receiver, No. 21 Cody Jackson of Richmond, Texas’ Foster High School, who committed to the Sooners on April 14, 2019.

FOOTBALL STATS 2017 receiving: 10 games, 42 receptions, 703 yards (16.7 yards per play, 70.3 per game), 10 touchdowns 2018 receiving: 11 games, 51 receptions, 950 yards (18.6 yards per play, 86.4 per game), 14 touchdowns 2019 receiving: 10 games, 27 receptions, 795 yards (29.4 yards per play, 79.5 per game), 9 touchdowns Career: 31 games, 120 receptions, 2,448 yards (20.4 yards per play, 79 per game), 33 touchdowns

File photo

Mario Williams’ all-around skills have generated a buzz around the country and landed him the top spot in ESPN’s list of the best receivers of the class of 2021.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020

YOUR AROUND TOWN SPONSOR We asked Facebook: How do you feel about the Hillsborough

County Emergency Policy Group meetings now that the state’s reopening process is ramping up? Should they meet more frequently, stay at once per week or let the Emergency Order expire?

“Once a week or let expire. Families must work and need child care facilities to resume operations, otherwise we stay in a stagnant situation . We need to move forward in order to help make America (and Plant City) great again.”

“It’s all about money! If they let it expire access to federal funding gets cut off. That’s the only reason it continues.”

— Amanda Pierce

— Stephen T. Galindo

“Let their Emergency expire and follow the Governor. Please let us get back to making America Great!” — Beth Lamb Parks

“Expire.” — Veronica Villareal-Rivas

“Let it expire.” — Sharon Kersey

—Timothy M. Lopez Jr.

“The situation is not near as fluid as it was first thought. The EPG can meet less.” “Once per week, perhaps via video conferencing.” — Clyde Bull Nelson

“Expire.”

“Let it expire.”

— Matt Nestor

— Alan Nelson

“Once per week. Might be needed again.” — Dave Buyens

OBITUARIES

AROUND TOWN

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Patricia W. Granger

Patricia W. Granger, 88, of Plant City, entered into rest on May 15, 2020. She was born on March 16, 1932 in South Bend, Indiana to Hugh Wimsatt of Kentucky and Lillian Dietz of Indiana. She attended Shiloh Baptist Church for many years. Patricia, better known as Pat, loved teaching children about Jesus, helping with vacation bible schools and plays throughout the years. She was an accomplished seamstress and loved making dresses for her granddaughters during Easter and special events. She

son Kevin Granger (Cindy), also taught ballet lessons her daughter Lori Granger when her children were Jeffcoat (Harry), her son young. Johnny Granger (Claudia), Pat was a beautiful 15 grandchildren, 21 great lady full of life and a great grandchildren, and 3 great sense of adventure. She great grandchildren. was awesome at planning A Funeral Service will trips, traveling all over the take place on Friday, May U.S., visiting family, and 22, 2020 at Wells Memotaking her husband to atrial Funeral Home, 1903 W. tend the Prisoner of War Reynolds Street, Plant City reunions honoring POW’s at 11:00 a.m. and family will of the Korean War. She was receive friends beginning continually giving of her at 10:00 a.m. An intertime to encourage others, mentwe’re will follow at Mt. Enon visiting nursing homes dedicated to helping families create a W E ’ RE P RO U D TO S E RV E takour community unique andPlant meaningful memorial that truly with personal, compassionate care since 1896. Cemetery, City, FL. ing the grandkids along to celebrates the life it represents. As your Dignity Memorial professionals, Condolence messages for bring joy. For her, or > 100%sewing Service Guarantee > National Plan Transferability Travel > The Compassion > Bereavement the family may beHelpline® left at baking for others was not a Assistance www.wellsmemorial.com chore but a delight. R She was proceeded Proudly supporting the Plant City Strawberry Festival. in death by her parents and her husband John Samuel Granger. Patricia is survived by her daughter WELLSMEMORIAL.COM Patty Bucknell (Larry), her

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020

Roger Buttorff, 78, of Lakeland, formerly of Stewartstown, Pennsylvania, born in Washington, D.C. on July 12, 1941, entered into eternal rest on May 10, 2020. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

Bessie Mae ‘Betty’ Lochridge Bessie Mae “Betty” Lochridge, 102, was born July 23, 1917, and passed away May 6, 2020 in Plant City. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

Marion LeHeup Marion LeHeup, 79, daughter of Merl and Garnet LeHeup Sr., went home to be with her Lord and family May 12, 2020. Online condolences may be left for the family at www. haught.care.

community Betty Jo Freeman, 92, of Lake-

haught.care.

passed away on Friday May is land, all about. 15, 2020. Betty was born April 29, 1928

in Dora,we’re Missouri. dedicated to helping families create a our community unique and meaningful memorial that truly with personal, compassionate care since 1896. memories and expresHAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM the life it represents. As your Dignity Memorial professionals, Fondcelebrates W E ’ RE P RO U D TO S E RV E ®

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sions of sympathy may be > 100% Service Guarantee > National Plan Transferability > Bereavement Travel Assistance > The Compassion Helpline®

shared at www.WellsMemorial. com for the Freeman family. R

Larry Speck, 72, of Plant City, Proudly supporting the Plant City Strawberry Festival. HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM passed away May 17, 2020. Survived by a loving family. HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM Services will be held privately. Roberta Taylor Online condolences may be left WELLSMEMORIAL.COM Noah James Waters Joseph Rondon Roberta Taylor, 68, of Plant City, for the family at www.haught.care. Wells MeMorial & event Center Noah James Waters, 22, of Plant Joseph Rondon, 31, of Plant City, passed away on May 15, 2020. PlanT CiTy She is survived by a loving family. City, born on Nov. 24, 1997 in born on September 8, 1988 in 813-752-1111 WellsMemorial.com Vicente R. Alfonso Services will be held privately. Lakeland, entered into eternal Fairfax, Virginia, entered into Online condolences may be rest on May 11, 2020. eternal rest on May 14, 2020. Vicente R Alfonso, 77, of Plant Expressions of condolence at Expressions of condolence at left for the family at www.haught. HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM City, passed away on Sunday care. HopwellFuneral.com. HopewellFuneral.com. May 17, 2020. Vicente was born April 5, 1943 we’re dedicated to helping families create a W E ’ RE P RO U D TO S E RV E our community in Jovellanos Matanza, Cuba. Bobby Swain unique and meaningful memorial that truly with personal, compassionate care since 1896. memories and expresthe life it represents. As your Dignity Memorial professionals, Fondcelebrates 100% Service Guarantee > National Plan Transferability sions of sympathy may be HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM Bobby Swain, 57, of> Plant City, HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM > Bereavement Travel Assistance > The Compassion Helpline® shared at www.WellsMemorial. born in Talladega, Alabama, for the Alfonso family. entered into eternal rest on May com R HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM Ismael Proudly supporting the Plant City Strawberry Festival. 11, 2020. Jovita Castillo Camacho Sr. Services were held May 15, De Daniel Billy Carl 2020 at Charlow Funeral Home, Ismael Camacho Sr., 91, of Plant City, Florida. Plant City, passed away on May Jovita Castillo De Daniel, 70, resi- McDaniel Sr. WELLSMEMORIAL.COM 17,2020. dent of Lakeland, born on Feb. 15, Survived by a loving family. 1950 in Guerrero, Mexico, entered Billy Carl McDaniel Sr., 77, of Wells MeMorial & event Center Services to be held privately. into eternal rest on May 11, 2020. Perry, Georgia, formerly of Plant PlanT CiTy Expressions of condolence at City, entered into eternal rest on 813-752-1111 WellsMemorial.com HopewellFuneral.com. May 17, 2020. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

OBITUARIES

Roger Buttorff

Taking care of Online condolences mayeach other is what Betty Jo Freeman be left for the family at www.

Taking care of each other is what

community

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10/27/15 10:42 AM

is all about.

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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

10/27/15 10:42 AM

Universal Crossword Edited by David Steinberg May 21, 2020 PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

I LOVE PLANT CITY

5/21

FORECAST THURSDAY, MAY 21 High: 92 Low: 69 Chance of rain: 40%

FRIDAY, MAY 22 High: 94 Low: 72 Chance of rain: 80%

30 Clublike medieval weapons 34 1978 Commodores hit 37 Word before “ring” or “swing” 38 At the perfect time 39 “___ Brockovich” 40 The “S” of UCSD 41 With 64-Across, “Gemini Man” director 42 Supporter’s side 44 Winter solstice mo. 45 With 47-Across, 1959 Dave Brubeck hit 47 See 45-Across 49 Pet shelter org. 51 Lobe’s locale 54 Renter’s document

57 Start of an advice column question 58 Computer network manager, for short 60 Speak unclearly 61 1982 Stevie Nicks hit 64 See 41-Across 65 Rival who’s somewhat on your side 66 GPS lines: Abbr. 67 Hosp. areas 68 “War and Peace” author 69 ___ a good example DOWN 1 ___ vu 2 Watery blue 3 Try to join, as a sorority 4 Build-it-yourself pur-

THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020

High: 94 Low: 71 Chance of rain: 40%

SUNDAY, MAY 24 High: 91 Low: 71 Chance of rain: 20%

TOMATOES

Shipping point: Central Florida $27.95

chase 5 Grant a right to 6 ’60s jacket style 7 Bat around, cat-style 8 Site of an iconic flagraising photo 9 Angsty rock genre 10 Jazzy refrain 11 Board game set in a mansion 12 “What ___ is new?” 14 Young plant 15 Walked over with confidence 22 Took to court 24 Post-Thanksgiving event 25 Drive-up bank conveniences 26 “Hold on, horse!” 27 Newsstand sights 29 Theater chain 31 Sellers with a lot of products? 32 Actress Falco 33 Harmonize 35 Voice or muscle quality 36 Feudal laborer 41 Sometimes called, briefly 43 Liquid in a slick 46 Farm area unit 48 Part of a three-piece suit 49 “Set Fire to the Rain” singer 50 Jewish meal with a special plate 51 ’50s Ford flop 52 Churchgoers’ chorus 53 Fastener for Rosie 55 Boot leather 56 ___ & Young 58 Hairdo for Questlove 59 “Finding Dory” fish 62 Frequently, in poems 63 Bronx Bombers, on scoreboards

SUNRISE/SUNSET

Sunrise Sunset

Thursday, May 21

6:35a

8:14p

Friday, May 22

6:35a

8:15p

Saturday, May 23

6:34a

8:16p

Sunday, May 24

6:34a

8:16p

Monday, May 25

6:33a

8:17p

Tuesday, May 26

6:33a

8:17p

Wednesday, May 27

6:33a

8:18p

MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, MAY 23

Prime Numbers by Evan Kalish

ACROSS 1 Do some shading 7 Puncture 13 Horses and zebras 15 Lumber source 16 With 17-Across, 1981 Grover Washington Jr. and Bill Withers hit 17 See 16-Across 18 “What a nice massage!” 19 Rage 20 Sheldon’s friend on “The Big Bang Theory” 21 Entry cost 22 Piece of nose jewelry 23 ___Spunkmeyer 25 Atrocious 28 Scottish boy

May 22 New

May. 27 First

June 5 Full

June 17 Last

RAINFALL Monday, May 11

0.00

Tuesday, May 12 0.00 Wednesday, May 13

0.00

Thursday, May 14 0.00 Friday, May 15

0.00

Saturday, May 16 0.00 Sunday, May 17

0.00

YEAR TO DATE:

MONTH TO DATE:

2020 08.51 in.

2020 0.00 in.

2019 05.05 in.

2019 0.44 in.

WEATHER

45 With 9 Angsty rock 41 Sometimes ACROSS 47-Across, genre called, briefly 1 Do some 1959 Dave 10 Jazzy refrain 43 Liquid in a shading Brubeck hit 11 Board game slick 7 Puncture 47 See set in a 46 Farm area 13 Horses and Sendzebras your photo submissions45-Across to Associate Editor Justin Kline at jkline@PlantCityObserver.com mansion unit 49onPet shelterfor @igersplantcity 12 “Whatto___ is 48 Part of a 15 Lumber or hashtag #iloveplantcity Instagram feature. org. new?” three-piece source 51 Lobe’s locale 14 Young plant suit 16 With 54 Renter’s 15 Walked 49 “Set Fire to 17-Across, document over with the Rain” 1981 Grover 57 Start of an confidence singer Washington advice col22 Took to court 50 Jewish Jr. and Bill umn question 24 Postmeal with a Withers hit 58 Computer Thanksgiving special plate 17 See network event 51 ’50s Ford 16-Across manager, for 25 Drive-up bank flop 18 “What a nice short conveniences 52 Churchgoers’ massage!” 60 Speak 26 “Hold on, 19 Rage chorus unclearly horse!” 53 Fastener for 20 Sheldon’s 61 1982 Stevie 27 Newsstand Rosie friend on Nicks hit sights “The Big 55 Boot leather 64 See 29 Theater chain Bang 56 ___ & Young 41-Across 31 Sellers with 58 Hairdo for Theory” 65 Rival who’s a lot of 21 Entry cost Questlove somewhat products? 22 Piece of 59 “Finding on your side 32 Actress Falco nose jewelry Dory” fish 66 GPS lines: 33 Harmonize 23 ___ 62 Frequently, in Abbr. 35 Voice or musSpunkmeyer poems 67 Hosp. areas cle quality 25 Atrocious 63 Bronx 68 “War and 36 Feudal 28 Scottish boy Bombers, on Peace” laborer 30 Clublike scoreboards author medieval 69 ___ a good weapons PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER example 34 1978 ComAftermodores April’s showers, Cole spotted little May flowers beginning to bloom on a bromeliad. hit LesDOWN 1 ___ vu 37 Word before 2 Watery “ring” or Follow us on blue social media: @PCObserver on Instgram, ON L I N E @PlantObserver 3 Try to join, on as Twitter and Plant City Observer “swing” a sorority 38 At the on Facebook. 4 Build-itperfect time yourself 39 “___ purchase Brockovich” 5 Grant a right 40 The “S” of to UCSD 6 ’60s jacket 41 With style 64-Across, 7 Bat around, “Gemini cat-style Man” director 8 Site of 42 Supporter’s an iconic side 5/20 © 2020 Andrews McMeel Universal 44 Winter flag-raising www.upuzzles.com solstice mo. photo

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020

PlantCityObserver.com