6.15.23 PLCO

PLANT CITY COMMISSION ROUNDUP OF JUNE 12 MEETING

Summer may be in full swing but that doesn’t mean the city commission takes a vacation. It held its regularly scheduled city commission meeting Monday night. A commission meeting wouldn’t be complete without a proclamation, which was presented to the 2023 Little Miss Plant City Queen and Court, which included: Queen

Layla Jones, First Maid Ainslee Elizabeth Creel and court members Molly Jewel Terrell, Saylor Porter and Genasys Tinsley.

During public comments, resident Carrie Rutter requested a city ordinance be established to remediate mold-related problems for tenants of low-income housing units. The City’s current Code Enforcement rules state that renters must fist inform their landlord

TWO COMMISSIONERS TAKE OATH OF OFFICE AND PLANT CITY COMMISSION APPOINTS

MAYOR/MAYOR SELECTS VICE MAYOR

before contacting code enforcement but “if your landlord isn’t properly responding or fails to address the cause of the mold in a timely manner, code enforcement may be able to intervene on your behalf.” Inspectors won’t issue notices of violation for mold growth- only the property maintenance issue causing the mold, if visible.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

At the June 12 city commission meeting, commissioners Michael S. Sparkman and William D.

READ STORY ON PAGE 5

Caring just for YOU.

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

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

To make an appointment, please call:

• 863.284.5000 for Primary Care or Pediatrics

• 863.284.5115 for Rheumatology

LOCAL STUDENTS WIN NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced its most recent National Merit Scholarship winners and 11 of them hail from Plant City area schools.

Winners were selected by a committee based on their academic records, PSAT scores, essays and potential for success in college.

In total, 61 Hillsborough County Public Schools students won the award, which provide between $500 and $2,000 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study at the institution financing the cholarship. Winners from Strawberry Crest High School included: Avaneesh Venkatesh, Dana John, Chloe Jones, Prabhath Kolli, Leo Meng, Amulya Rivipati, Mahika Balaraju, Shalini Nandam and Rahil Zaveri. Winners from Durant High School included Kinsley Triak and Eileen Jelsovsky.

“The number of Hillsborough County Public Schools students who received National Merit Scholarships this year exceeds three times the number of graduates last year,” said Superintendent Addison Davis. “These 61 students achieved their scholarship wins out of thousands of entrants from across the country. Our entire Hillsborough County Schools community applauds your efforts as you begin this new journey.”

FREE EYE AND HEARING SERVICES FOR CHILDREN IN JUNE

Stop by the Tax Collector office at 4706 Sydney Road on Friday, June 23 between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. for free vision and hearing screenings. The service, in partnership between Hillsborough County Tax Collector Nancy C. Millan, Lion’s World Vision Institute and Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation, offers free eye exams and hearing tests to children ages fie to 17. BayCare Kids will also be at the event providing car seat safety checks.

For en eye exam, families can sign up by visiting https://bit.ly/eye-screenings2023. All other safety activities are available without reservation.

"Both vision and hearing impairment can signifiantly impact a child's development, education, and social life,” said Millan. “That is why we are honored to partner with the Lion's World Vision Institute and the Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation to provide hearing tests, eye exams, and glasses, if needed, to children in our community.”

To learn more about the services provided at the Hillsborough County Tax Collector's office, visit hillstax.org.

PRACTICE WATER SAFETY THIS SUMMER

School is out and summer is in, which means more Floridians head to the pools and beaches. While there, don’t forget to practice water safety. Children under fie die from drowning in Florida more than in any other state. Practice water safety by: never swimming alone (only swimming when and where there is a lifeguard on duty), being in the water and within arm’s reach of a child who is a non-swimmer or beginning level swimmer, get CPR/ AED certified and intall barriers around bodies of water and check them regularly for function.

The Plant City YMCA offers affordable swim programs, ranging from family swim, competitive swimming and lifeguard training, where swimmers can have fun while developing confidene, engaging in physical activity and learning safety skills that can save lives. Financial assistance is available to those who qualify.

“We offer group swim lessons for ages six months to adult, private swim lessons from three years to adult,” said Lacey Boldman, Tampa Y’s Senior Director of Aquatics & Swim Lesson Partnerships.

To learn more, visit www.watersafetyfloridaorg or www.tampaymca.org.

RIVERVIEW GARDEN CLUB AWARDS SCHOLARSHIP TO BRENNA STURGIS

Plant City resident Brenna Sturgis is one of three students who were awarded a scholarship by the Riverview Garden Club for the 2023-2024 academic year. This is the second time Sturgis, a Plant City High School graduate, received the scholarship. She is currently attending Hillsborough Community College and hopes to earn her associates degree this summer and transfer to University of Florida to major in Agricultural Education and Communication.

The Riverview Garden Club’s mission to provide funds for its scholarship project is annually supported by club activities and fundraisers.

ROADS CLOSED FOR JUNETEENTH PARADE

Two Plant City roadways will experience closures on Saturday, June 17 for the annual Juneteenth parade, said Plant City Police Department. South Evers Street south of West Renfro Street to West Grant Street and West Ball Street from South Evers Street to West Washington Street will be closed until approximately 3 p.m.

BRUTON MEMORIAL LIBRARY HOSTED WORKSHOP TO HELP EDUCATE SENIORS ABOUT SCAMS

Don’t fall victim to intelligent scammers who want to separate you from your money or personal information.

MICHELLE CACERES STAFF WRITER

The Bruton Memorial Library hosted a workshop this week to help educate seniors about examples of common scams, tips on how to protect yourself and what to do if you become a victim. The event was presented by John and Marjorie Bozer of Bozer Financial Solutions.

As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, it’s unfortunately given rise to a growing epidemic of scams targeting seniors.

“We do this as a community service, my family has gotten scammed and I walked with them through it,” said Marjorie. “It’s a rampant crime that’s happening in this century.”

Her husband John, who worked in the IT industry for 27 years, hoped educating seniors about potential scams would help prevent them from becoming a victim of them. “Most of the scams have just enough truth to make it sound legitimate,” he said. Trending elder fraud threats include:

ONLINE

SHOPPING FRAUD

Online shopping can be rife with fraudulent sites. A good rule of thumb is if the price of a good or service seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Action: Make sure you shop on trusted sites. Also, when purchasing merchandise online, always use a credit card because they have protections against unauthorized charges. Debit cards withdraw the money directly against your bank account.

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION IMPOSTER SCAM

Imposters contact prospective victims by telephone and falsely claim that the victim’s Social Security number has been suspended because of suspicious activity or because it has been involved in a crime. They also use caller ID spoofing to make it look like the Social Security Administration is calling. These fraudsters, who can be threatening, then ask to confirm the victim’s Social Security number or may say they need to withdraw money from the victim’s bank and to store it on gift cards or in other unusual ways for “safekeeping.”

Action: Hang up the phone and don’t give them any personal information.

TECH SUPPORT SCAM

Fraudsters make telephone calls and claim to be computer technicians associated with a well-known company or they may use internet pop-up messages to warn about non-existent computer problems. What do they want? Remote access to the victim’s computer. Then they demand large sums of money for unnecessary services.

Action: Don’t click on pop-up messages on your computer. Don’t give remote access to supposed “tech support.”

GRANDPARENT SCAM

These scammers call and pretend to be a grandchild in trouble who needs help nowoften by way of a cashier’s check. John’s

A HELLO, A FIST BUMP AND A PHOTO MAKES A YOUNG CHILD’S DAY

A Plant City trash truck driver goes out of his way to brighten the day of a two-year-old boy.

mom almost fell victim to this one. She received a call from someone impersonating her grandson, saying he was in Costa Rica and needed money. Luckily, she called her son to see if her grandson was in trouble in Costa Rica. He told her he was fine and in the next room.

Action: Get off the phone and call the family member directly to make sure they’re okay.

FAKE CHARITY SCAM

These suspicious characters claim to represent a charity in need of money for a worthy cause. These can occur after a widespread disaster.

Action: Do your homework before donating to a charity and only give to those you’ve fully investigated. You can visit the Better Business Bureau’s website (www.give.org) to see if it’s a legitimate charity.

LOTTERY SCAM

Fraudulent telemarketers based in Jamaica and other countries are calling people in the U.S., telling them that they’ve won a sweepstakes or foreign lottery. The catch? “Winner” need only pay fees for shipping, insurance, customs duties or taxes before they can claim their prizes. Victims pay hundreds or thousands of dollars and receive nothing in return. Marjorie candidly shared that this scam happened to a friend, who got a call that

they won $500,000 in a sweepstakes but in order to unlock it they had to pay $8,000. They wired the money. A week later he got another call that they needed to send another $10,000. The friend sent the money, even though the bank teller warned them it was a scam but they were fixated on the sweepstakes money that never came. Action: Never wire money to someone you don’t know. Don’t click on sweepstakes links.

ROMANCE SCAM

Dating sites, social networking sites and chat rooms are popular ways for Americans to meet people but scammers also tend to use these sites to meet potential victims. They create fake profiles to build online relationships and eventually convince people to send money in the name of love. Action: Never send money or gifts to a sweetheart you haven’t met in person.

If you’re a victim of deceitful scammers, you’re not alone. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reported that consumers lost nearly $8.8 billion to scams in 2022. There’s help available. The Federal Trade Commission’s website (www.consumer. ftc.gov) has advice on what to do if you paid someone you think is a scammer or if you gave someone your personal information or access to your computer or phone.

Walden Lake resident Karen Romero and her grandson, two-year-old Braxton Herold, wait patiently in her front yard twice a week for the much-anticipated arrival of the trash truck to drive by to pick up their trash.

Braxton is learning to talk but several words that are part of his vocabulary: “garbage truck”, “big truck” and “white” (because the truck is white).

“He loves all big equipment but he especially loves the garbage truck,” she said. “He’ll follow the truck, walking on the sidewalk, until it disappears around the corner and he even says ‘bye bye’ to it.”

This would be the end of the story if not for the kindness of Solid Waste Equipment Operator II Agustin Hernandez. Determined to make his day even more special, he started to wave and honk the horn whenever he passed by. Braxton’s face would light up with joy as he watched the garbage truck go by, eagerly waving back at the city employee. However, Hernandez wanted to take it a step further. One day, he decided to surprise Braxton by taking a minute to park his truck, get out, walk over to the young boy, say hello and give him a fist bump. He even let Braxton’s “Mimi” (Romero) snap a quick picture of the two of them.

Hernandez’ simple act of kindness didn’t go unnoticed. Braxton’s grandmother, overwhelmed with gratitude, sent an email to the city manager’s office alerting him of the employee’s compassion. “We’re a family that pays attention to our service people and children see them for who they are.. they’re heroes,” she said.

City Manager Bill McDaniel agrees. “Our city operates on five core values and this act touches on two of them: engagement and outstanding customer service,” he said. “Everybody that works here is part of this community and we’re tied to it, the people who live and work here mean something to us and Agustin really showed that.”

Hernandez’ story serves as a touching reminder that even the simplest acts of kindness can have a profound impact on others. Through his genuine care and thoughtfulness, he managed to brighten the day of a two-year-old boy. His actions remind us all of the power we hold to make the world a better place, one small act at a time.

“Today’s social outlook is different, people don’t go out of their way to be nice and he did and it make a very big impression,” said Romero. “I wanted his bosses to know he’s making a difference.”

MICHELLE CACERES STAFF WRITER

COPS CORNER

RUNS LIKE A DEER

900 block of N Maryland Ave.

Grand theft: An officer met with the victim at the listed location who reported that a John Deere lawn tractor was stolen from their front yard.

WIRES CROSSED

1600 block of Hazy Sea Dr.

Criminal mischief: An officer met with the the superintendent for a construction company who advised that the wiring to the residence at the listed location was cut.

JUNE 3

FAILED TESTING

Waller St. / Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Drug arrest: Officers met with one individual at the listed location who was found to be in possession of synthetic marijuana. The individual was subsequently charged and transported to Orient Road Jail without incident.

istock

STICKY FINGERS

2600 block of James L. Redman Pkwy.

Theft: Officers met with a loss prevention employee at a business at the listed location in reference to a theft from the business.

JUNE 5

LOST IN TRANSIT

3100 block of Gloria Ave.

Petit theft: An officer met with the victim at the listed location who reported a package being stolen from their front door on June 2.

JUNE 6

PARK PROBLEMS

900 block of S Waller St. Drug possession / trespass after warning: An officer reported to a park at the listed location in reference to a suspicious person. The officer made contact with one individual and the individual was subsequently arrested for trespass after warning and drug charges before being transported to Orient Road Jail.

JUNE 7

SPRAYING PAINT

1800 block of Thonotosassa Rd.

Criminal mischief: An officer met with the victim at the listed location who stated that an unknown individual shot their front window and wall with a yellow paintball gun.

JUNE 8

BANK ROLLED

1700 block of W. Baker St. Grand theft: Officers met with the victim at the listed location who stated that they noticed $17,950 withdrawn from their bank account without permission.

PLANT CITY

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TWO COMMISSIONERS TAKE OATH OF OFFICE AND PLANT CITY COMMISSION APPOINTS MAYOR/MAYOR SELECTS VICE MAYOR

PLANT CITY COMMISSION ROUNDUP OF JUNE 12 MEETING

MICHELLE CACERES STAFF WRITER

The Commission approved a number of items all together in the consent agenda. One of the items was to authorize the city manager to execute an agreement with GeoPoint Surveying for as-needed utility locate services. This request is due in part to the rapid development and installation of fiber optis near the City’s utility lines and a yet-to-be-filled ngineering Technician II position. The fical impact is expected to be an average of $5,000 per month.

City Residential-4. A quasi-judicial public hearing was also held on an ordinance to rezone the parcel from Hillsborough County Agricultural Single Family Conventional 1 to Plant City R-1, Single Family Zoning District to allow the construction of a single-family home. The ordinances were unanimously approved.

In the Group Three seat, Dodson was re-elected after he was qualified without opposition. Dodson has served on the city commission for more than 20 years.

“I have a great attitude looking forward that we’ll continue to make certain we make the best possible decisions for the community,” he said.

In the Group Four seat, Sparkman won re-election in April after winning 55.69% of the vote, besting challenger Jeremy Griner.

Sparkman has been serving as commissioner for almost 30 years.

Commissioners serve three-year terms.

During the meeting the city commission also convened to appoint a mayor to lead the city through the upcoming year. After careful consideration, Mayor Nate Kilton, who has been mayor since 2022, will continue to serve as the mayor of Plant City. His fist order of business was selecting Commissioner Mary T. Mathis, who has been serving as a commissioner since 2000, to serve as vice-mayor.

Following the annual election of mayor, selection of vice-mayor and other organizational assignments, City Manager Bill McDaniel shared details about the ARPA-funded splash park which will be constructed on Young Street. Overwhelming community feedback at a public engagement meeting showed Plan B as the favorite design, which included picnic structures, restrooms, a skate park, outdoor fitnss area, a playground, a splash pad, two parking lots and retention pond. The project will be completed in several phases.

“I think it’s going to be a great amenity for the community,” said Commissioner Mathis.

Legislative and quasi-judicial public hearings included:

„ A legislative public hearing to adopt an ordinance approving PC/CPA 22-13, an amendment to the comprehensive plan and the comprehensive plan land use map for a 5.92 acre parcel of property located on Son Keen Road from Hillsborough County Residential-1 to Plant

„ A quasi-judicial public hearing on an ordinance modifying the 20.05 acre Pointe Grand Planned Development District located on the east side of James L. Redman Parkway to increase the allowable units from 256 to 300 and eliminate the requirement for parks as a second use with a specific equest to reduce the required parking for two-bedroom units. The ordinance was unanimously approved.

„ A legislative pubic hearing on an ordinance amending sections 102-657, 102-661 and 102-771, Plant City Code, regarding the M-1 and M-2 zoning districts. The proposed text amendment would establish restrictions on height and other requirements regarding open storage and office buildings for the M-1 and M-1A zoning districts. The ordinance was unanimously approved.

„ A legislative public hearing on an ordinance amending the duties and powers of the city manager. The ordinance would remove language that the City Manager is required to report at the next city commission meeting all terminations of employment. The ordinance was unanimously approved.

The next commission meeting will be held Monday, June 26 at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall.

MICHELLE CACERES STAFF WRITER

DEVELOPER OPEN HOUSE ON GOLF COURSE REZONING YIELDS ADDITIONAL FEEDBACK

More than 60 people attended an open house last week hosted by the development team who hope to redevelop the former golf course acreage throughout the Walden Lake community. The drop-in meeting was designed to educate residents about its most current changes to the plan derived after countless hours of meetings and community feedback, which include additional buffering and screening, reducing the total number of housing units from 550 to 529 and adding clarifying verbiage about who can use recreation spaces.

The event was to precede the highlyanticipated commission meeting on June 15 and June 22 to vote on the fate of the project but a letter sent to City Attorney Ken Buchman on June 9 by Walden Lake LLC’s attorney Jacob Cremer requested a continuance or cancellation of the city commission hearings. In the letter, Cremer said the feedback received included some suggestions that they’d not heard previously, a request relating to “distribution of

traffic andequests to reconsider several proposed roadway connection points” and the applicant wanted time to evaluate these community suggestions and allow for additional conversations or meetings about the project.

At the June 12 commission meeting, the request to cancel the meetings was unanimously approved. It’s unclear whether the matter will go before the Planning Board again or head straight to the City Commission until city officialseview updated plans, which haven’t been submitted yet. The development team is studying whether it can reorient the roadway network in order to alleviate some neighbors’ traffi concerns.

“Somebody told me recently that everybody likes progress but nobody likes change, I think that’s a really good portrayal of what we’re dealing with in Walden Lake,” said Cremer. “We’re never going to be able to make everyone happy but we’re ready to listen to concerns to try to make a better project because the project team and the developer are going to be neighbors with everyone out here.”

THE CITY COMMISSION GRANTED A REQUESTED CANCELLATION OF THE UPCOMING HEARINGS REQUESTED BY THE DEVELOPER’S ATTORNEY.

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MICHELLE CACERES STAFF WRITER

SCHOOL RESOURCE DEPUTIES COMPLETE FOUR-DAY SCENARIO-BASED TRAINING

The training prepares deputies in the event of an active shooter situation at school.

Practice makes perfect and last week, in a determined effort to bolster school safety measures and better protect students and staff, Hillsborough County Sheriff ’s Office (HCSO) conducted a four-day, scenario-based training to better equip Hillsborough County school resource deputies (SRDs), some of whom work at Plant City’s local schools, with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively respond to and neutralize threats in the event of an active shooter situation within school premises.

SRDs are the fist line of defense against an active threat at schools and the in-depth training allows them to practice skills like efficiently caring a room, effectively communicating using their radios, working to limit casualties and, ultimately, neutralizing an active threat.

“At HCSO there’s no greater priority than protecting our children,” said Sheriff Chad Chonister in a press conference on the campus of Newsome High School last Friday, where various simulation exercises and scenariobased drills were employed to enhance the realism of the training.

“This extremely rigorous training that they’re attending is solely focused on one thing: if there’s an active shooter situation at one of our schools to stop and neutralize that threat and be prepared to do it,” he said. “The only way to be prepared to do it is to be trained, the more we train the more prepared we are.”

As the seventh large school district in the country, the District serves more

than 206,000 children at approximately 250 school sites. A state law, started in the 2018-2019 school year, provided for an armed, trained fist responder on every school campus during the school day. In middle and high schools, that equates to a school resource deputy or officer from the sheriff ’s office or Tampa Police Department. In elementary schools, an armed school security officer is on campus.

Upgraded security measures at school sites have included fencing, single entry and exit points, reminding teachers that every door has to be closed and locked, surveillance cameras and a Centegix Alert System that allows employees to call for help immediately with the touch of a button. The District has also invested in Stop the Bleed trauma kits that are strategically placed throughout campuses.

“I’m extremely proud and grateful to the School Board, the County Commission, our superintendent of schools and our chief of school security for making student safety the greatest priority,” said Chronister. “We’re ready.” He also encouraged parents to take a moment before the school year starts to remind their children that while it’s okay to report suspected schoolbased threats by calling 911 or using the smartphone application FortifyFL, to refrain from making school-based threats. “When it comes to schoolbased threats, we send in the calvary regardless of the hour of the day, you can imagine how resource-intensive it is and consider the trauma that these students go through when we have to lock down a school,” he said. “Parents, we have to have these difficultonversations with our children as they start school.”

MICHELLE CACERES STAFF WRITER

MEGA ADOPTION EVENT PLANNED AT FLORIDA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL FAIRGROUNDS

The Florida Strawberry Festival Fairgrounds, located at 2508 West Oak Avenue, will be a hub of activity June 23 through 25 as it hosts a Regional Mega Adoption Event, where hundreds of dogs seeking a forever home will be on display and available for adoption.

The event, organized by a coalition of animal welfare organizations, is aimed to match rescue dogs with loving families

and promote responsible pet ownership. The exciting event, which takes place in locations throughout Florida, aims to find homes for 5,000 pets across the state.

The event is a fist of its kind for Florida, with participation from 50 organizations across 31 counties. All pets available for adoption will be spayed or neutered and up-to-date on vaccinations and adoption fees will be waived.

“We are so honored to partner with the Florida Strawberry Festival bringing seven other county shelters from around

the area into one great location helping make an impact on so many pets and pet parents throughout the region,” said Hillsborough County’s Pet Resource Center Division Director Earl Brown.

The pups pictured are featured animals this week and while they may not be there for the event (which would mean they’ve already been adopted) there will be plenty of other adorable four-legged friends who need a home.

“The pets in our care truly deserve a loving and protective family to care for them,”

said Brown. “We have way too many homeless pets in our shelters and opportunities like this help reduce those numbers, which relieves stress on pets and staff at our shelters, and bring smiles to pets and families in our communities.”

The event will be held Friday, June 23 from 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Saturday, June 24 from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Sunday, June 25 from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

MICHELLE CACERES STAFF WRITER

IT’S READ EVERYWHERE

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

IRELAND: Mike Graham and Christy Layton took a copy of the Plant City Observer along with them to visit Kinnitty Castle and the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland.

SUMMER STAYCATION

Reptiles, Reading and Relaxation At Bruton Memorial Library

You don’t have to travel outside of Plant City to escape from the summer doldrums. Plan a trip to Bruton Memorial Library and through the thousands of books lining its shelves be transported to Rick Riordan’s fantasy world of young demigod Percy Jackson’s adventures at Camp Half-Blood, journey with orphaned children Henry, Jessie, Violet and Benny Alden as they create a home for themselves in an abandoned boxcar or laugh aloud as Greg Heffley (of Diary of a Wimpy Kid fame) deals with very relatable feelings, stories and frustrations growing up through his Middle School years.

For Plant City resident Heather Lee, a trip to the library is a way to get her children out of the house but still enjoy airconditioned comfort. They visit the library every other week.

“There are a lot of educational toys here for my younger kids,” she said. “My older girls are excited about the reading challenges, it’s important to encourage a love of reading.” Her oldest daughters, Madison (11) and Kaitlyn (10), recently registered

for their own library cards.

Madison likes to check out eBooks, audiobooks and movies using the library’s free Libby and Hoopla apps. She’s already listened to four audio books this month.

“My favorite so far is the Dear America series, they’re different genres of history from a girl’s perspective,” she said.

Getting lost in the pages of a good book isn’t the only offering at Bruton Memorial Library. A variety of special classes and events for children to adults are scheduled throughout the month. Learn to play Mahjong, a fun and addictive Chinese strategy game. Practice the art of relaxation in a yoga or tai chi class. Take the stage for an evening of karaoke hosted by local artist Morgan Davis. Join in a community drum circle with Giving Tree Music. On June 29, the library will be hosting a Reptile Discovery program with Bruce Shwekick, featuring an introduction to reptiles, including their natural history, geography and conservation efforts.

Even though all special classes and events are free of charge, some require pre-registration due to capacity limits.

Director of Library Services Paul Shaver

credits the relationship with city officials and the Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative (HCPLC) for the variety of programming options available to guests. “We offer so many services you wouldn’t expect to find at the libary,” he said. “I encourage residents to go to our website to view the wide range of programs for adults and youth.”

Many members of the library staff hve talents they readily share with the community. “Half our staff ae trained musicians and they build on their skills and then share them with the community,” he said.

In addition to books and programming options, the library has four study rooms that can be used by individuals or small groups, desktop computers available to use free of charge, laptop computers that can be checked out from the laptop kiosk for in-library use (must be 17 years of age or older and have an active library card in good standing), iPads with age-appropriate games and apps in the youth area and free Wi-Fi.

Need a library card? They’re free if you live or pay property tax in Hillsborough County. Apply online or in-person at the

library. Identifiation must be provided when registering for the purpose of verifying name, birth date and current residential address. A parent or legal guardian’s signature is required if the applicant is under the age of 17. A library card offers many benefis, including allowing cardholders to place holds on physical items in the library’s catalog and instantly download or stream up to 12 digital movies, music, eBooks and more in Hoopla.

“Families can get a little bit of everything here,” said Youth Services Associate Erin Spicer. “Whether it’s finding a nw book or movies to enjoy, joining us for our exciting summer events or just taking a break from the heat in the A/C, families are bound to feel at home here.”

Bruton Memorial Library, located at 302 McLendon Street, is open Monday - Thursday 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Saturday 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.

For more information about Bruton Memorial Library visit www.plantcitygov.com/ library or call 813-757-9215. To register for an event on the website, click on the event, select ‘view more’ and input the requested information.

MICHELLE CACERES STAFF WRITER

Madison and Kaitlyn Lee are proud owners of their very own library cards.

Heather Lee’s younger daughters love to spend time at the library.

OVERHAULED AND ROOMY 2023 HONDA HR-V DESERVES ATTENTION!

It’s like a brand-new vehicle, totally redesigned inside and out and sitting on the most recent Civic platform. Meet the 2023 Honda HR-V, which is placed a notch right below the bestseller CR-V. The subcompact SUV gains a fresh and more powerful engine, and substantial increases in wheelbase (1.7 inches), length (8.7 inches) and width (2.6 inches). Plus, the front and rear tracks are wider by 2.0 and 2.5 inches, respectively.

Available in front-wheel or all-wheel drive, this year’s HR-V gets a 2.0-liter (from 1.8) 4-cylinder engine packing 158 horsepower (up 17) @ 6500 rpm and 138 pounds-feet (up 11) of torque @ 4200 rpm. It is mated to an updated but still noisy continuous variable transmission. However, the MacPherson strut front and multilink rear suspension is up to the task of smoothing rough surfaces on the road. The dualpinion assist electric power steering is direct and accurate, making it easy to place the fie-seater in corners.

standard niceties include dual auto a/c, 9-inch touch screen, leather on the seats, shifter knob and tilt/telescopic steering column, center storage bin, wireless phone charger pad, pushbutton start, eight-way power driver seat, 12-volt power outlet in cargo and power/tilt moonroof. What’s missing is a built-in nav system.

Dual front and side airbags, side curtain airbag with rollover sensor, front knee airbags, vehicle stability assist, traction control, four-wheel antilock brakes with electronic brake distribution, hill start assist and distance control, blind spot info with rear cross traffic monor, rearview camera, side-impact door beams, front-seat active head restraints, electric parking brake, tire pressure monitoring system and daytime running lights are standard. Adaptive cruise control, collision mitigation brake, lane keep assist and more come at no cost with Honda Sensing.

HR-V (AWD, EX-L)

Tires: 215/60/R17

Wheelbase: 104.5 inches

Length: 179.8 inches

Height: 63.4 inches

Width: 72.4 inches

Weight: 3,333 pounds

Fuel capacity: 14 gallons

City: 25 mpg

Highway: 30 mpg

Base price: $28,950

Price as tested: $30,590

Web site: www.honda.com

Sitting on the unit-body structure is the traditional H emblem, surrounded by wide-set LED headlights and a larger gloss-black honeycomb grille and trim on front bumpers. while the rear gets LED tail lamps too and a spoiler. Space is aplenty in the airy interior with 97.3 cubic feet of passenger volume and 55.1 cubic feet with the 60/40 second-row seat. Step inside and the two rounded 140-mph speedometer and tachometer clusters with the driver information center draw attention. So does the metal honeycomb mesh that stretches across the dash, hiding silver-accented air vents. Save fuel by switching to econ from normal mode (snow is available). Other

Priced just right with a spacious cabin and impressive gas-sipping numbers, the HR-V is worth a test drive for a new driver in the family. However, an even more power boost and a quieter transmission could make this baby SUV a huge moneymaker. Just like its big brother CR-V.

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

FEATURED FUTURE: TY MERKLE

Featured Future is a summer series where the Observer will highlight local student athletes who are preparing to continue their athletic and educational careers at the college level, or those who have already begun that journey.

A four-sport athlete at Durant, Ty Merkle officially signed his national letter of intent to continue his academic and athletic journey as a football player at Valdosta State University.

But despite his involvement all across Durant athletics — playing baseball, football, basketball and being a member of the track team — the road to Valdosta State football was far from a simple one.

Primarily a baseball player growing up, starting baseball when he was four years old, Merkle entered his junior year at Durant having never played a down of high school football. In fact, his only football experience was one season in seventh grade with the Pinecrest Pilots youth football program. Already towering over his peers at 6-foot7, Merkle took the advice of his physical education teacher — also a coach with the football team — and joined Durant football. Without even a chance to gain experience through spring ball as it interfered with his sophomore baseball season, Merkle joined the football team as a prospective quarterback that summer. But despite coming out to be a quarterback, he was quickly moved to defensive end where he would flourish over the following two seasons.

“My P.E. teacher was actually a football coach and he just wanted me to give football a shot at quarterback, actually,” Merkle said. “That’s how I started getting into it and I didn’t have much success at quarterback so I moved over to defensive end eventually and started thriving.”

With extremely limited football experience in general, let alone as a brand new member of Durant’s offensive line, Merkle says that along with his coaches, he learned

from teammate Leo Tabakovich — a gamewrecker at defensive end for Durant as a senior in 2021, totaling 45 tackles 18.5 tackles for loss and a district-leading 11.5 sacks en route to a Hillsborough County Defensive Player of the Year nomination for the 7A and 8A classes.

In his junior season, Merkle found action in six games where he totaled 15 tackles, two tackles for loss and one forced fumble. And despite it being just his first year of high school ball, offers for both football and baseball began to roll in, but his eyes were now locked on football. Merkle continued to improve throughout the spring and focused all summer on adding weight and strength, putting on 30 pounds as he jumped from 215 pounds to over 240 heading into his senior season. With improved technique alongside his developing tools and size, Merkle’s production took leaps forward as well, finishing the 2022 season with 54 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and a teamhigh 4.5 sacks.

Now with right around 30 offers for football, coming from an array of Division II and Division III schools — also including one DI program in Florida State — Merkle began to weigh his options and creep closer to a decision on where he would ultimately make his commitment.

A coach originally put Merkle in contact with Valdosta State and they liked what they saw, inviting him on a visit for their homecoming game. As days and weeks went by, he continued to struggle with making a final commitment. In the process of making a decision, he was invited and subsequently made a visit to FSU. And noting his visit

to Florida State was a great experience in ways, Merkle added that it just didn’t feel like home — a feeling that he eventually found with Valdosta State “That was a long process,” Merkle said. “The day of our banquet was when I made my decision. A few weeks had gone by and I was really struggling to figure stuff out. I was deciding, but then I got a call from FSU and went up there. Then I went on my official visit to Valdosta State and they gave me two days to make my decision. That was rough, and at the same time I was playing basketball, but right before one of our basketball games I sent a text saying, ‘I’m 100 percent in, I am fully committing to Valdosta State.’ And visiting Valdosta, I was uneasy about it at first, I was asking myself, what did I get myself into?’ But then I visited for second time and felt a little more comfortable and when I went up there for their spring game this year I got to hang around, explore the area a little more which was super nice, all of the people were super nice, good people, and I just felt more and more comfortable.”

One thing that stuck out to Merkle about Valdosta State was the fact that they boast a top-five defense in all of Division II, offering him a chance to learn alongside some of the best players and coaches that the class can offer. He looked at all of the players that have been drafted out of Valdosta State or have started at Valdosta State before moving on to bigger programs and finding a path through the draft that way. On the other side, he mentioned that the coaching staff said that he had things to work on, but liked his size, his speed, the way he moved.

A program with a history of winning, 2023 will be the second season under head coach

Tremaine Jackson. Despite a 5-6 record in Jackson’s first year, the Blazers’ program boasts nine Gulf South Conference championships, 18 Division II playoff appearances, six Division II regional championships and four Division II national championships. Valdosta State claimed their most recent conference and regional championships in 2021, with their most recent National Championship victory coming in 2018.

“There’s a lot of expectations coming into this program,” Merkle said. “They want you for a reason, you’re not just there to be there. They’ve had so many guys drafted, there have been so many guys that have gone through there and gone on to a bigger school and gotten drafted, there’s just a lot of expectations going there. You’re going to one of the best Division II schools and what you put in is what you’re going to get out. They want you giving 110 percent effort every single time. Every rep, every sprint, never giving up, never complaining, just working.”

Graduating from Durant on May 30, Merkle made his way up to Valdosta just days later to begin training alongside the football program.

SENIOR SOFTBALL LEAGUE CELEBRATES 20 YEARS

The largest senior softball league in Florida, Brandon Senior Softball will hold their anniversary celebration this August.

TAYLOR JENKINS SPORTS WRITER

If you make your way down Sydney Dover Road to the William Owen Pass Sports Complex on any Tuesday or Thursday morning throughout the year, you’ll find a group of seniors that make up one of the largest senior softball league in the state of Florida.

The Brandon Senior Softball League is truly one-of-a-kind, offering seniors an opportunity to play

the game they love, stay active and make lasting friends in their community. With over 100 players from across Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Polk counties, along with some that come from up north, the league is open to all men over the age of 60 and all women over the age of 50, with enough players to regularly field eight teams that play every Tuesday and Thursday morning.

“I think that the sense of community out here takes precedence over the game,” member Bob Dowdy said. “These guys come out here and you

have your cliques and the guys you know and the guys you go to eat lunch and all that stuff, but just as far as getting together with people, it’s great out here. My wife doesn’t call it senior softball, she jokingly calls it daycare for seniors. It gets you out of the house, it gets you moving. You don’t have to be a superstar, just show up, play, interact with all of these people up here, it’s priceless.”

Fellow member Nat Pieper echoed Dowdy’s sentiments on the community built within the league.

TAYLOR JENKINS SPORTS WRITER

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

SOFTBALL LEAGUE PROVIDES OPPORTUNITY FOR SENIORS TO KEEP THE GAME GOING

The league’s 20-year anniversary celebration will take place on Tuesday and Thursday, Oct. 24 and Oct. 26.

“The sense of camaraderie is tremendous,” Pieper said. “You may have a player that loses a wife so all of a sudden he’s alone, but there’s a built in friendship for him here. There’s people that can take care of him for a while until he merges back into being active, there’s just a lot of community action that takes place.”

To create a competitive balance within the league, teams are composed through an alternating draft that gives each team a mix of players that span all different age groups and skill levels, with the league’s average age hovering around 72 years old and their oldest player still participating at 85 – following the retirement of John Wolfe last year, one of the league’s longest-standing players at 95.

“What’s unusual, I think, is that the league has been able to successfully include players of all skill levels and ages,” Pieper said. “We draft every quarter and the teams are all pretty even based on the draft. Everybody’s got some of the old-timers, everybody’s got some of the best players and so we’re able to accommodate everybody. It’s just an attitude that the league has that allows that to happen.”

The fee to join the league is just $25 for the entire year and players are asked to purchase two additional jerseys — a blue home jersey and a great visitors jersey — and a hat, each adding around $10 to the existing fee. Other than that… you bring your own glove, bat and cleats or sneakers and you’re ready to play! With games being played twice per week, along with the option to get out there on Saturdays for batting practice and select days in between for player-run pickup games, the league runs year-round with four different “seasons” in which new teams are picked every three months.

“I’m a diabetic and I use this league for exercise,” said member and former professional baseball player Jose Alcaide. “But also, I was a baseball player all of my life. I played professional ball and I found this group of people here. It’s one big cohesion and allows me to continue playing the game I love.”

With participation regularly dipping in the summer with the hot weather and some participants heading back north, the league is currently at six teams and invites seniors to come out and join the fun as their 20th anniversary grand celebration approaches in August.

Brandon Softball League is welcome to all, with player from varying backgrounds

that range from former first responders and police officers and lawyers to former professional baseball players, along with significant representation from the hispanic community within their player base.

“We have people from all walks of life here,” member Bob Dowdy said. “It’s just a great group of people. We get out here and we don’t argue, we don’t do a lot of cussing, although it gets a little testy every once in a while, but it’s just a great group of guys.”

As part of a long-standing agreement with Hillsborough County, the county adopted the league in its inception, allowing fees to remain low by keeping the field maintained, dragging the field and drawing the lines each day before games and allowing the Brandon Softball League to utilize the facility free of charge.

“Hillsborough County has done a super job for us, along with everyone that uses these fields,” Pieper said. “Getting the county convinced to participate with us and help us.”

“From what I’ve been told, the county said that it isn’t always about the money, but it’s about the community and that’s why they don’t charge us,” Dowdy said. “They just wanted to do something to keep the senior citizens active. My doctor tells me that he doesn’t know what I’m doing, but when I

stop doing it I’m going to die, so keep doing it. That’s what it’s all about. We start at 60 and our oldest member is 85.”

If you are curious about joining the league, all seniors are welcome to come out and try it for themselves. Guests can play in two games with no fee before deciding whether or not they want to join. For more information, visit www.brandonseniorsoftball.com

“You can come out at any time,” Dowdy said. “You come out here any time you want to, we’ll do the paperwork on you and you’ll either be a pickup player or be assigned to a team. If you come out here tomorrow and you want to play, you’ve got your shoes on, you’ve got your bat and your glove, you’ll play.”

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

TAYLOR JENKINS SPORTS WRITER

We asked Plant City: What is your favorite “hidden gem” in Plant City?

YOUR AROUND TOWN SPONSOR

“Isn’t all of Plant City a bit of a hidden gem? I would say that the Willaford Train Museum and Pelican’s are must visits.” - Michael Tickel

“Many memories of my lil home town.”Teresa Smith

“Strawberry Hut!” - Melissa Warrington

“Sweet Roots Apparel.” - Anita Marie

“Sunrise Park.” - Cody Lenz

“All of it. I miss living there.” - Delis Vicente

“Maryland Chicken!” - Maria Rubio

“The whole place… and all the wonderful people. I miss you all.” - Diane Hazelton Bochy

“Plant City Church of God.” - Brenda Jones

“Twisty Treat.” - Jeannie Denny

“Three Hands Mead Company, Rowan and Plum, The Crafted Butterfly, Brick House Cafe, Metals and Nature.” - Teresa Adinolfi Baxter

“Sweet Missions and Krazy Kup.”Nate Guteras

“Sweet Missions, Hole in One Donuts.” - Paula Stokes

“Darkhorse Music Store, a great bunch of people!” - Jennifer Steck

“Strawberry Hut.” - Mary Celeste Davis

“Gilchrist Park.” - Karen Owens Romero

“MidTown.” - Jock McGlathery

“Crumbles and Cream, El Mirasol.” - Brenda Medrano Starford

“Felton’s is a true gem!” - Candy Owens

“Krazy Kup.” - John Minton

“TubTreats Bath & Body.” - Elisa Stephens

“Rowan and Plum!” - Brittney Arevalo

“Pump Fitness, clean and affordable. Brewer Park.” - Tammy Jo

“Keel and Curly Winery.” - Nancy Olvera Urquiza

“Samuel W Cooper Park.” - Brian Reed

Lloyd Ray Hart

Lloyd Ray Hart, 80, of Plant City, born on April 3, 1943, entered into eternal rest on June 7, 2023.

Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

Glenn A. Hogue

Glenn A. Hogue, 82, of Plant City, Fla., born in Belle Glade, Fla., on Nov. 27, 1940, entered into eternal rest on June 8, 2023.

Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral. com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Donald F. Brock

Donald F. Brock, 84, of Plant City, Fla., born on Oct. 20, 1938, entered into eternal rest on June 5, 2023.

He was a retired branch manager for AVCO, and coowner of Broke and Poor Surplus of Plant City. He enjoyed working, spending time at the family cabins in the North Carolina mountains, and fishing in ake Panasoffee.

He is survived by wife of 63 years, Sandra Nichols Brock; sons, Paul E. Brock, and Ted Brock; granddaughter, Jennifer Brennan; great-grandchildren, Joleigh, and June; and sister, Onez Brock Weldon. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral. com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Carol ‘Peggy’ Mayes

Carol “Peggy” Mayes, 85, of Plant City, born on May 16, 1938 in Durant, entered into eternal rest on June 8, 2023.

Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral. com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

David L. Leonard

David L. Leonard, 85, of Plant City, born on Nov. 29, 1937, in Manchester, N.H., entered into eternal rest on June 7, 2023.

Expressions of condolences at www.HopewellFuneral.com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

ALL OBITUARIES ARE SUBMITTED AND EDITED BY FAMILIES OR FUNERAL HOMES

Genevieve Smith D’Alessio

Genevieve Smith

D’Alessio, 85, of Plant City, born on Aug. 30, 1937, entered into eternal rest on June 10, 2023.

Expressions of condolences at HopewellFuneral. com

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Alex McLean Jr.

Alex McLean Jr., 70, passed away on June 09, 2023. He served in the United States Airforce during the Vietnam Era. A Memorial Service was held June 14, 2023, at Haught Funeral Home, 708 W. Dr. MLK Jr. Blvd Plant City, FL 33563.

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

Lisa Ann Palm

Lisa Ann Palm, 59, passed away on June 10, 2023. Services will be held privately.

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

HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM

Josh Hunter Herring

Josh Hunter Herring, 20, passed away on June 10, 2023. Friends and family will be received June 16, 2023 from 6 to 7 p.m. at Haught Funeral Home, 708 W. Dr. MLK Jr. Blvd Plant City, FL 33563. A Funeral Service will follow at 7 p.m. Online condolences can be made at www.haught. care.

Emily Iola Alexander

Emily Iola Alexander, 91, of Plant City, Fla. passed away on June 06, 2023 in Plant City, Fla. A memorial celebration was held June 10, 2023 at the Plant City Church of God with Pastor Jeff obinson and Dr. John Alexander offiating the ceremony.

Mrs. Olivia ‘Suzie’ Gonzalez

Mrs. Olivia “Suzie” Gonzalez, age 62, of Plant City, Fla., died June 9, 2023, at her home after a brief illness.

A funeral service will be held June 16, 2023 at 1 p.m. in the chapel of Wilkes Funeral Home, 1722 Mt. Vernon Rd., Vidalia, GA 30474 with David Gonzalez and Jose Gonzalez officiing. The burial will follow in Mount Vernon Cemetery.

HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM

HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM

BEST BET

FRIDAY, JUNE 16 - SUNDAY, JUNE 18

JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION

The Wilson Foundation will be hosting a number of Juneteenth events throughout Plant City this upcoming weekend, beginning with a Harambee Worship Service at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 604 W Ball St., at 7 p.m. — led by speaker Reverend Jason Montgomery. Saturday morning the Freedom Parade will be led by The Ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., with roads closing at 10:30 a.m. before the parade begins on W Ball St. at 11 a.m. and continues to Waller St. Saturday afternoon Faith Temple Primitive Baptist Church, 808 W Washington St., will host The Inclusion from 12 to 4 p.m. — featuring vending, music, games, a car show and more. Saturday night the events will make their way back to Mt. Olive for The Gathering, featuring Evangelist Lorraine “Punch” Baldwin and other local groups. On Sunday, New Grace Chapel CME Church, 1214 E Laura St., will hold their Morning Glory service led by evangelist Chavonda Barnes before the weekend’s events wrap up with The Conclusion, a luncheon held following the morning service. The luncheon will honor DDGM/Deacon William H. Campbell and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Epsilon Beta Zeta Chapter. Doors will open for The Conclusion at 2:30 before the luncheon begins at 3 p.m. All events other than the luncheon are free, with tickets for the luncheon costing $15. For more information, visit www.1wilsonfoundation.com.

THURSDAY, JUNE 15

PLANT CITY REPUBLICAN WOMEN FEDERATED — MONTHLY MEETING

7 p.m. at 1107 Charlie Griffind. The Plant City Republican Women Federated will hold their monthly meeting at Grace Point Baptist Church, featuring guest speaker Chief James Bradford from the Plant City Police Department. Meetings feature different guest speakers each month, for more information contact Dale at 813-4600019.

SATURDAY, JUNE 17

STRAWBERRY CLASSIC CRUISE-IN

3 to 6:30 p.m. at 102 N. Palmer St. The Plant City Strawberry Classic Cruise-In is back on Saturday, June 17, rain or shine. Cars and trucks of all makes, models and years can register for free starting at 3 p.m. Live music by DJ John Paul Gasca

SUNDAY, JUNE 18

REV’D UP FATHER’S DAY CAR AND TRUCK SHOW

12 to 2 p.m. at 2103 Mud Lake Road. The Plant City Church of God will be hosting their Rev’d Up Father’s Day Car and Truck Show, an opportunity for attendees to check out some cool rides or show off their wheels — whether they’re antique, classic, muscle, designer or exotic. Check-in begins at 12 while the car and truck show begins at 12:30. For more information, contact the Plant City Church of God office at 813-752-4591 or visit www.plantcitycog. com.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21

FREE ASSISTANCE FOR MILITARY VETERANS

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

TUESDAY, JUNE 27

LIFE RECOVERY - ADDICTION RECOVERY GROUP

6:30 to 8 p.m. at 2103 Mud Lake Rd. The Plant City Church of God hosts Life Recovery on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month, a free, Christ centered, 12step group addiction recovery program for all those in need. Family is welcome to join alongside attendees and for more information, call or text Debbie at 813-763-1962 or Laverne at 813-763-1530.

SATURDAY, JULY 1

BLUEGRASS JAM

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

WEDNESDAY, JULY 5

SUPPORT GROUP FOR PARENTS WITH ESTRANGED FAMILY

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

SATURDAY, JUNE 10

FRIDAY, JUNE 23 - SUNDAY, JUNE 25

MEGA ADOPTION EVENT

Various times at 2508 W. Oak Ave. Plant City will be hosting a mega adoption event at the Florida Strawberry Festival Grounds, an opportunity to enjoy some food, meet with pups that need a home and adopt a furry friend for free. Along with sponsors that include Petco Love, Hillsborough County Pet Resources Foundation, Inc., Friends of Animal Services Inc., Team Godwin Foundation and Florida Leaders of Lifesaving, you can attend the event on Friday, June 23 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., on Saturday, June 24 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday, June 25 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

FRIDAY, JUNE 30

LAST FRIDAY IN DOWNTOWN

5 to 9 p.m. at 110 N. Collins St. The Last Friday in Downtown Food Truck Rally is held with a new theme each month. There will be live music, an expanded exhibitor market, a bounce house, a scavenger hunt, food trucks and more. The event is family and pet friendly and all are recommended to bring chairs and blankets. June’s theme is The 80’s!

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 shw everyone what you’ve got.

I LOVE PLANT CITY

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

FORECAST

THURSDAY, JUNE 15 High: 95

77 Chance of rain: 11%

FRIDAY, JUNE 16 High: 95

78 Chance of rain: 15%

SATURDAY, JUNE 17

94

76

of rain: 35%

SUNDAY, JUNE 18

94 Low: 75 Chance of rain: 58%

MONDAY, JUNE 19 High: 94

76

of rain: 48%

SUNRISE/SUNSET

4 Nova __

5 Gets into character for Comic-Con, say

6 Lip balm

MOON PHASES

BLUEBERRY

point: Central/North Florida

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

Richard Kessler took this photo of an old abandoned dairy farm on Midway Road in Plant City

Source: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture

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If you have a life-threatening injury or illness, call 911 immediately or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.

Levels of Care

Primary Care Walk-In Care at Publix

Emergency Room

Six Urgent Care Centers

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Twelve Walk-In Care Locations at Publix

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Five Emergency Departments