9.20.18 PLCO by Plant City Observer

PLANT CITY

Observer

PC fights youth drug use. SEE PAGE 3.

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

VOLUME 6, NO. 12

FREE

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2018

It’s the final countdown The 2018-2019 city budget will be approved by city commissoners on Monday. SEE PAGE 8

YOUR TOWN

File photo

Strawberry runners unite The 2019 Astin Farms Strawberry Distance Challenge is now accepting registration. The run will be held from 7 to 10 a.m. on Feb. 9, 2019. When you sign up at itsallgoodeventsllc.redpodium. com, you will receive a tshirt, timing for the 5k and 10k races, a finishing medal, free photos, water, bananas and, of course, tons of strawberries at the finish line. Check out the Strawberry Distance Challenge 2019 Facebook page for more information.

Staffing dilemma Breanne Williams

Durant High School ROTC color guard did the presentation of the colors.

File photo

Officer Eric Cruz conducted a vehicle search for an impounded car after the driver was arrested for DUI.

Plant City Police Department has had the same number of officers on staff for years, despite the city’s rapid growth. SEE PAGE 4

Class of ‘73 celebrates 45th Photo courtesy IGers of Plant City

Could it be any more fun? Despite first hitting the airwaves in 1994, the love of the sitcom classic “Friends” drew a packed house to The Corner Store for the specially themed trivia night. The Corner Store had a “Friends” menu featuring items like Central Perk Brew, Nestlay Toulhouseur Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars and the Stolen Cheesecake.

PCHS’s class of 1973 was the first to graduate from the current location on Alexander Street.

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

hey made up the class that brought Plant City together. In 1973, for the very first time, the doors of the new Plant City High School building located on Alexander Street opened, inviting students from very different schools into its halls. For years they had been rivals, now they all wore the teal and orange. Prior to the new school opening, Marshall High transitioned into a middle school, sending the majority of its stu-

dents to PCHS. Students from the former PCHS, Turkey Creek and Pinecrest merged together in 1973 as the new students of Plant City High. “It’s going to be a fun night,” Debbie Swindle said. “There will be a social hour and then a casual dinner. We’re hoping for a packed house.” The alumni will have a chance to catch up with old friends and reminisce about the memories of that fateful year. The semester prior, a survey was sent out to the merging classes and they voted on the

new colors. Joy Burt Lingenfelter said because of the University of Miami’s whirlwind success it wasn’t a surprise that the majority of the votes were for teal and orange. She said when they first started out students were “cliquey” and that it took “quite some time” for everyone to begin mingling and uniting as one student body. “It was an adjustment, to say the least, all of us coming under one roof, but I met new friends from the other schools that I SEE REUNION, PAGE 5

WH AT’S H APPENING

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 20, 2018 BY THE NUMBERS

$76,055,834

money allotted for Plant City’s proposed 20182019 fiscal year budget. SEE PAGE 8

the number of Faith Christian Academy students who participate in competitive sports. SEE PAGE 9

the number of Plant City Police officers on patrol at any given time. SEE PAGE 4

the number of points Plant City High School scored against Lennard in football last week. SEE PAGE 10

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2018

“If we don’t accept the truth that there’s a problem, then it’s going to get worse. It’s like sitting on the beach and you see the storm coming and you do nothing to prepare for it. ... What are we doing to protect our children? Because they’re crying out for us.” — Wayne Ward, speaking about drug use among youths.

New Florida Strawberry Festival theme announced

he Florida Strawberry Festival unveiled the theme for the upcoming 2019 event: “It’s a Hit!” This year’s theme goes all-in on baseball, with festival mascot Mr. Berry wearing a Florida Strawberry Festival-branded ball cap, holding a bat in one hand and a strawberry shortcake in the other. “It’s a team effort,” President Paul Davis said. “Our team of volunteers, vendors, exhibitors and sponsors create an all-star lineup that is sure to please. We pitch only the best to our guests in hopes that they have a ball with their loved ones at the 2019 Florida Strawberry Festival.” The Florida Strawberry Festival will run from Feb. 28, 2019 through March 10, 2019 and its official social media hashtag is #berryfest19. “From the headline entertainment hits on the Wish Farms Sound Stage to the sweetest hit, our world-famous strawberry shortcake, we’re sure to knock this one out of the park,” Davis said.

‘Play for a Cure’ next Saturday Kids just want to have fun and they can do that next Saturday thanks to the Jensen’s Heart of Gold Foundation. Jensen’s is hosting its Play for a Cure event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 29 at the train depot, 102 N. Palmer St. The foundation hosts Play for a Cure in September because it is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. There will be plenty of games and activities sponsored by local civic clubs and groups to keep kids happy as well as free food, drinks and parking. There is no charge for admission. For more information, visit jensensheartofgold.com/play.

Bloomingdale teacher filmed changing student

Image courtesy Florida Strawberry Festival

The Florida Strawberry Festival’s new theme should be a “hit” in Plant City.

A Plant City man who was a teacher at Bloomingdale Senior High School is facing a charge of video voyeurism after admitting to detectives he recorded a student while she was changing on campus. Mark William Ackett, 49, was a family consumer science teacher and the girls track coach at Bloomingdale. A student went into a designated changing room in the fashion design classroom to try on clothing on Sept. 11 and was filmed, according to a report by Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. The school district said Ackett resigned his position. He was hired by the school district in 1991, working at its central office before taking a teaching position at Bloomingdale in January 2017.

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2018

A ‘community conversation’ The Improvement League hosted a public forum on drug use among youths on Sept. 15. JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

hether the battle against drug use in Plant City is being fought in the streets or on the knees, one thing is certain: the kids need help. Several groups in Plant City and Hillsborough County are looking to be a needed resource for affected kids and their parents. The Improvement League of Plant City and Safe & Sound Hillsborough have teamed up to tackle the issue and hosted a “community conversation” about it on Sept. 15. Members of the Plant City community went to Greater New Hope Anointed Ministries that evening to discuss the issue for two hours and, judging by their reaction to some of the information presented, learned quite a bit. The Improvement League wants to raise awareness about the dangers of drug use, especially methamphetamine. It also hopes last week’s public forum can act as a springboard for future events and programs that can get young drug users and their parents the help they need from people who care. “Three out of four children are making the right decision every day,” Hillsborough County AntiDrug Alliance associate director Gary White said. “It’s that one that is not making the right decision. We want to make sure all of us rally with all of our tools to try to help them.” Panelists invited to share their stories and field questions were White, Plant City Colts president Angelo Murray, TeamFit 2.0 CEO and Plant City High School teacher Wayne Ward and Sgt. Matt Lawson of the Plant City Police Department. Safe & Sound Hillsborough executive director Freddy Barton also spoke at the forum, as did Florida Strawberry Festival security manager Tim Lovett and Pastor Ricardo Coronado of La Red Ministries. The forum was moderated by Danny

Photos by Justin Kline

The Sept. 15 “Community Conversation” forum featured panelists Angelo Murray, Wayne Ward, Matt Lawson and Gary White.

McIntyre, chairman of economic development for the Improvement League. The first major talking point of the evening was information. White and Lawson explained the effects of meth, why it’s used and how the drugs get to Plant City and Lawson spoke about the police department’s efforts to curtail drug use and arrest dealers and manufacturers in town. Most of the meth in Plant City is shipped in from Mexico, according to Lawson, and many kids get access to these drugs by stealing from their parents. This is especially true of meth, which is nowhere near as affordable on a teenager’s budget as Spice. “As parents, we never think ‘that child is my child,’” Murray said. “We’ve got to educate the parents. How do we recognize what’s going on with our kids?” Ward, a teacher and coach who works with hundreds of students every year, spoke at length about how to spot signs of drug use in

“It’s that one that is not making the right decision. We want to make sure all of us rally with all of our tools to try to help them.”

Gary White speaks about how meth use affects the brain and leads to addiction.

— Gary White, Hillsborough County Anti-Drug Alliance

the youth and how to help them find help. Changes in behavior, personal hygiene, physical appearance and an intense focus on one goal are warning signs that something is wrong, but Ward added the only way to make a kid come to adults about their use is to demonstrate trustworthiness. “When they come to you crying out, ‘I need help,’ you need to listen,” he said. Ward’s talk was later supported by several members of Plant City High School’s Gentleman’s Quest club, who told the audience what it’s like from a kid’s perspective. They explained that many kids will confide in their peers over their parents or coaches for fear of being “judged” by them, while they believe their friends are more likely to support them or at least still remain friends. Adults even have that belief, according to White. He said many parents of young drug users will refuse to listen to hospitals who have tested the kids and will go to great lengths to cover up or avoid the situation because of the same social stigma, a fear of “judgment” by society. Coronado, in a lengthy speech that closed out the forum, called Plant City’s pushback on drugs “spiritual warfare” that won’t be won without a healthy dose of prayer and faith in God. The next public forum is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 13, and future meetings could be held on the second Saturday of each month. “Knowledge is truth,” Ward said. “If we don’t accept the truth that there’s a problem, then it’s going to get worse. It’s like sitting on the beach and you see the storm coming and you do nothing to prepare for it. That storm is coming. So, as a community, what are we doing to protect our children? Because they’re crying out for us.”

WHAT IS METH? Methamphetamine is a highly addictive stimulant that gained notoriety long before Walter White cooked his first batch on “Breaking Bad.” The U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration lists meth as a version of the medication Desoxyn cooked illegally with chemicals such as pseudoephedrine (commonly known as Sudafed). That’s why many of the chemicals used to cook meth are now locked up at pharmacies and available for purchase only with identification and registration. “Those who smoke or inject it report a brief, intense sensation, or rush,” according to the DEA’s 2017 resource guide, “Drugs of Abuse.” “Oral ingestion or snorting produces a longlasting high instead of a rush, which reportedly can continue for as long as half a day. Both the rush and the high are believed to result from the release of very high levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine into areas of the brain that regulate feelings of pleasure.” Meth is consumed by injection, snorting, smoking or swallowing in pill form. Gary White, of the Hillsborough County Anti-Drug Alliance, said even one use of meth can alter one’s brain functions permanently.

METH’S EFFECTS ON THE BODY n Agitation n Increased heart rate and blood pressure n Increased respiration and body temperature n Anxiety n Paranoia n Convulsions n Cardiovascular collapse n Stroke n Death

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2018

PLANT CITY

PCPD staffing remains stagnant

Observer “If we are to build a better world, we must remember that the guiding principle is this — a policy of freedom for the individual is the only truly progressive policy.” Friedrich Hayek

“Road to Serfdom,” 1944 Publisher / Karen Berry KBerry@PlantCityObserver.com Managing Editor / Sarah Holt SHolt@PlantCityObserver.com Associate Editor / Sports Editor / Justin Kline JKline@PlantCityObserver.com Staff Writer / Breanne Williams BWilliams@PlantCityObserver. com Editorial Designer / Betsy Alvarez BAlvarez@yourobserver.com Melissa Leduc MLeduc@yourobserver.com

As the city continues to grow, the lack of additional hires is starting to strain the department.

only have eight officers on patrol at a time. When I’ve asked, many guess that it’s around 20.” Plant City is approximately 28 square miles. While there are eight officers on patrol, if there is a major accident or incident anywhere from two to four of those eight could be called to respond BREANNE WILLIAMS to one call. STAFF WRITER “Because of those staffing numbers, we’ve got some of the lant City is growing. As new most dedicated officers you’ve File photos Master Patrol Officer Tommy Morris retired from the Plant City Police industrial complexes and ever seen,” Duncan said. subdivisions pop up along When new development comes Department after 29 years of service. the outskirts of town the city has to town, whether that be a subdito adapt to properly provide for vision or a new industrial comthe expansion. plex, the city doesn’t see the ing trucks with everything from ticking on growing the force. Fire Station 3 is breaking ground profit or the benefit until people machinery to shingles and doors. As a former police chief himself tomorrow. The Plant City EDC is begin moving in and paying bills. They jump in and out of pre- — McDaniel served in the posicontinuing to expand its influ- However, the second the golden cinct’s jurisdiction. They’re orga- tion from 1996 to 2012 — he said ence, drawing more and more shovel penetrates the dirt at the nized, they’re efficient and they he understands firsthand the businesses to the area. Commis- new location PCPD has to make know when the handful of PCPD demand on the officers. This week’s Celebrity Cipher “There’s no doubt as the city sioners are thinking ahead when sure that land is protected. officers on duty answers won’t have the voting on land usage and new With such a small staff, that jobSolution: time to sit around guarding the grows we will have to grow our Puzzle One first responders,” McDaniel said. development. The staffing at the is nearly impossible. Over thecome past from empty lots.family “If you a solid Plant City Police Department has six months, the PCPD activity Currently, Duncan is serving “Fire Station 3 is a very good structure, it doesn’t matter what you go not changed in years. reports show the majority of the on the city’s Development Review example of meeting current needs through in yourCommittee. life. You’re going to be “We’re a 24/7 operation, our construction site break-ins occur He said this helps and looking ahead.” OK.” – Alyssa Milano with In a perfect world, Duncan said days don’t stop at 5 p.m.,” Plant late at night and on the weekends. him be able to get involved City Police Chief Ed Duncan said. When officers are responding to Solution: incoming developers and talk the city would begin the phasing Puzzle Two “People often don’t realize the fights at bars, DUIs“Take and aother to them having risk... I’ve been about rejected for proactive in of new recruits over the next true size of our department. On pressing issues, crooks are pulling If developers fence in three years. The growth in Plant many jobs... butprevention. I don’t take it as a any given day in Plant City, we up to construction sites and fill- property, get cameras or ensure City up until this point has been failure. I just move on.” –Sofia Vergara they lock up the equipment not in gradual, but he believes a major use, that can go a long way toward spike is on its way. This week’s Sudokutheft. answers The cost of bringing in offidissuading PCPD is successfully function- cers is going to take quite a bit ing, but if the city continues to of investment. Every officer that expand at a rapid rate it will soon comes on board has their annual not be able to effectively do its job salary, uniforms, including items without the city allotting more like ballistic vests and badges, insurance and more. funds to hire on new staff. This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers The upcoming fiscal year’s Duncan is currently in preliminary discussions with Mayor budget allocates $10,935,958 of Puzzle One Solution: Rick Lott and City Manager Bill the total $76,055,834 for PCPD. “If you come from a solid family McDaniel to plan out the best Duncan said they have been “very structure, it doesn’t matter what you go course of action for the depart- conservative” on the budget and through in your life. You’re going to be ment. Duncan believes the best want to be responsible with taxOK.” – Alyssa Milano route would be to slowly phase in payers funds. Eventually, the city new teams, say one patrol squad will have no choice but to start the Puzzle Two Solution: comprised of four members at a process of hiring more officers if a risk... I’ve abeen for Plant “Take City Police investigate trafficrejected crash on Alexander Street that left it wants its growing population of time. manydead. jobs... but I don’t take it as a one woman McDaniel agreed the clock is citizens to remain safe.

failure. I just move on.”

–Sofia Vergara

Thisweek’s week’s Sudoku answers This Sudoku answers

Thisweek’s week’sCrossword Crossword answers answers This

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers Puzzle One Solution: “If you come from a solid family structure, it doesn’t matter what you go through in your life. You’re going to be – Alyssa Milano OK.” Puzzle Two Solution: “Take a risk... I’ve been rejected for many jobs... but I don’t take it as a failure. I just move on.” –Sofia Vergara

This week’s Sudoku answers

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

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The Plant City Observer is published once weekly, on Thursdays. The Plant City Observer also can be found in many commercial locations throughout Plant City and at our office, 1507 S. Alexander St., Suite 103. If you wish to discontinue home delivery or if you wish to suspend home delivery temporarily, call Linda Lancaster at 704-6850.

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2018

IT’S READ EVERYWHERE Did you take the Observer with you on vacation? Send your pictures to Associate Editor Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com to be featured. CITY OF LIGHT: Plant City residents Earlene Pace and Earl Truman visited France in June and crossed an item off of the ultimate traveler’s bucket list: see the Eiffel Tower in person.

Breanne Williams

The organizers of the 45th reunion.

Reunion

IF YOU GO PCHS CLASS OF 1973’S 45TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION When: Sept. 29 starting with the reception at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m. Where: Plant City Elks Lodge, 1501 N. Alexander St. Tickets: RSVP via the Plant City High School Class of 1973 Facebook page and pay $60 per person at the door.

FROM PAGE 1

would never have known otherwise,” Karen Jalbert Brewer said. “I made friends my senior year that have been a part of my life ever since. That was a good thing that came out of all of this.” Now their descendants are carrying on the tradition. For Swindle, her daughter Stephanie Swindle Conrad walked the PCHS stage in 1995 and her granddaughter Madi Conrad is graduating this spring with the PCHS class of 2019. The event will be on Sept. 29 at the Plant City Elks Lodge, 1501 N. Alexander St. The reception will begin at 6 p.m. and dinner will be held at 7 p.m. Anyone interested in attending is asked to go to the Plant City High School Class of 1973 Facebook page and message the group letting them know. The cost will be $60 per person at the door. More than 80 alumni have already

signed up for the event and the organizers said they are estimating more than 120 will attend the dinner.

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2018

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Plant City residents were invited to give their input on Alexander Street land use.

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fter approximately a year of studying and gathering public input, the Hillsborough County Planning Commission finally has a completed North Alexander Street Land Use Study, which they presented to city commissioners on Sept. 10. The extension of Alexander

had 16 suggestions for city commissioners to potentially adopt in the master plan. They said most of the transportation was operating well, but recommended the city continue studying the transportation issues in the area. They also encouraged the city to continue with the voluntary annexations, to meet annually with the school district, to begin preliminary work on a utilities plan for the area, to evaluate signage and specifically to conduct a more in-depth analysis of the neighborhood on the west side of Paul Buchman and Monroe Street. Hudson echoed the sentiments held by the commissioners when he explained that the retail industry was dying and the future would hold rapid growth of industrial and residential communities. As of now, there is not enough growth in the analyzed area to support any further retail industry like a Publix, however, the completion of North Park Isle could easily change that. They suggested the city amend the employment projections for the city, which is already underway. They updated the preferred land use for the area and highlighted areas that may need to soon be considered for the addition of signage or intersection lights. Their suggestions caused commissioners to once again voice their desire to look at State Road 39 South and North Alexander Street as potential sites for a “new County Line Road,” which would result in converting the area to another industrial complex.

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STAFF WRITER

Street that connects the existing road at Interstate 4 to Paul Buchman Highway was completed in 2014. Approximately 10 years ago, a Northeast Plant City Master Plan was created. The city relies on that Master Plan to determine how to vote on any land usage or development cases. Due to all the changes in the last decade, the planning commission felt it was high time the section in question was updated. “We held the open house here in May and 250 property owners were notified,” Planning and Zoning Director Mark Hudson said. “We also interviewed approximately a dozen community leaders to get input.” The study began in August of 2017 and in May, the HCPC held an open house at Plant City’s City Hall to go over the proposed maps and acquire public input. “The study is looking at the impact this road is having on the community and what the changes to that road will have over time, the changes over time meaning how quiet this area used to be. So as properties annex into the city, what will they annex in as?” Jay Collins, senior planner with the planning commission, told the Observer. Residents came in and toured the maps with a planner and then sat down with markers to make their adjustments and suggestions. The planners also took opinions online for months, gathering as much public comment as they could. After combing through the suggestions and pairing it alongside the data they had acquired, they

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— BREANNE WILLIAMS

BUDDY’S ROOFING ROOFING We’re On Top of It

We’re On Top of It

HOT HOTTAR/FLAT TAR/FLATDECKS DECKS SHINGLES • VENTILATION 25SHINGLES Years of E•xVENTILATION perience LEAKS REPAIRED LEAKS REPAIRED RESIDENT MMERCIAL

ADAPTER HEIST IAL & CO 2600 block of James L. Redman 252Y5eYaerasrsofofEExxppeerrieiennccee RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL Parkway. Petit theft: Officers came out to Leak & Re-Roofing Specialists – WE FIX LEAKS NO ONE ELSE CAN! & Re-Roofing Specialists – WE FIX LEAKSNO NOONE ONE ELSE ELSE CAN! CAN! LeakLeak & Re-Roofing Specialists – WE FIX LEAKS Walmart to respond to a theft. Free Estimates • Financing Available The suspect admitted to stealing 24-Hour Emergency 24-HourService Emergency Service 24-Hour Emergency Service a Chromebook TV adapter valued Buddy &Owners Crystal Cheaves, Owners Buddy & Crystal Cheaves, Buddy Crystal Cheaves, Owners at $69. He was arrested and www.BuddysRoofing.com Lic & # CCC1325993 • Bonded & Insured Lic # CCC1325993 Bonded &•Insured www.BuddysRoofing.com Lic #•CCC1325993 Bonded & Insured www.BuddysRoofing.com taken to Orient Road Jail. RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL

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DINE AND DASH 2000 block of South Frontage Road. Theft of services: The complainant told officers a male and a female ordered two meals. They ate the meals and left the restaurant without paying the $25 bill. Craft vendors showed off their talent with the unique goods they had for sale at the market.

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NEW ROOFS • RE-ROOFS TILE • TILE We’re On REPAIRS Top of It HOT TAR/FLAT DECKS NEW ROOFS • • RE-ROOFS SHINGLES • VENTILATION NEW ROOFS RE-ROOFS TILE TILE TILE• •REPAIRED TILEREPAIRS REPAIRS LEAKS

SEPT. 8

Photos by Breanne Williams

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eel & Curley is partnering with The Gathering Goose to bring a craft market to Plant City on the third Sunday of each month. The event kicked off on Sept. 16 with two rows of vendors selling goods ranging from homemade jams and jellies to restored furniture. Each month the event is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the winery is also hosting wine tours and wine tastings in honor of the special day. As the market continues to grow, the plan is to have organic produce, live music and a variety of craft vendors each month.

BUDDY’S ROOFING BUDDY’S

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PC gets crafty K

FAUX IRS 1700 block of Ohio St. Fraud: The complainant told officers she had received a call from someone claiming to be with the IRS. She was told that a warrant for her arrest would be issued if she did not purchase a Google Play card in the amount of $385 to pay “back taxes.” So, to avoid arrest, she did as she was told. After it was all said and done, she realized it was a scam and called the police.

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2018

FINAL BUDGET HEARING AHEAD This Monday the public will have the last chance to voice their comments on the upcoming city budget. BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Plant City residents experienced what was arguably one of the most loaded commission meetings of the year last week. A variety of presentations on studies and organizations that impact the city, the approval of resolutions to begin the creation of two massive Master Plans, an amendment to the current budget that ends on Sept. 30, discussion regarding the upcoming fiscal year’s budget, a vote approving the rezoning of approximately 162 acres from agriculture to residential use and the creation of three new public hearings all were packed into a two-hour meeting. On Sept. 24, Plant City residents can expect to take part in the final public hearing on the 2018-2019 fiscal year budget for the city, which will finalize how the city plans to spend its allotted $76,055,834. Highlights for the proposed spending for community investment include an $875,254 budget for the Bruton Memorial Library, $500,000 for an online build-

ing permit solution, $300,000 for street improvements in the Madison Park neighborhood, which is pulled from the Community Development Block Grant Program funds, $5,821,752 for the Recreation & Parks Department, $10,935,958 for the Plant City Police Department and $5,853,453 for the Plant City Fire Department, which includes $130,000 for a new roof for Fire Station 2 and $25,000 to design the remodel of its interior. The next commission meeting will also have a public hearing regarding the amendment of the Solid Waste Fund. Originally it was scheduled to have a 3% increase in the upcoming year, but City Manager Bill McDaniel said the “financial condition of the Solid Waste Fund was strong enough that the scheduled 3% rate increase was unnecessary.” McDaniel recommended they forgo changing the rate and keep it the same as it is currently. Plant City has chosen to not raise the rate for years. Remaining at its current rate, rather than increasing, will save single-family residential customers $0.84 per month, or $10.08 annually. Each year the annual adjustments of 3% are reevaluated based on the current soundness of the Solid Waste Fund. If approved, this would eliminate an estimated $192,000 in revenue. Commissioners did voice their concern over continuing to keep The public will have one more chance to speak on the proposed budget for the 20182019 fiscal year.

Photos by Breanne Williams

City commissioners will vote on the city’s budget at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 24.

the rate where it is. Several of them said they don’t want taxpayers to have to one day deal with a sudden drastic increase to catch up to a new demand. A study currently underway will provide a better understanding of the future of the solid waste department in Plant City and after its completion, the city will be able to plan accordingly for future rates. There will also be a public hearing set to discuss the adoption of a Capital Improvement Plan budget for the fiscal year 2018-2019 and the following four years. Capital Improvement Plans are short-range plans that identify capital projects and any necessary large equipment purchases. The presentation will encompass a planning schedule and budget

to get all of the proposed assessments accomplished. If approved, the budget will be set and it will include an asset management program. This is all included in the $76,055,834 proposed budget for the fiscal year 2018-2019. A public hearing on a final plat within the County Line Road and Rice Road Planned Development District will also be held this Monday. If approved this will create a seven lot industrial subdivision, approximately 72 acres, on the west side of South County Line Road, north of Rice Road and east of South Wiggins Road.

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WELLNESS CENTER

SEPTEMBER 20, 2018

SPORTS

Nyah Collins attacks volleyballs and serves the community. See Page 11

Sidelines SCHS XC runners win Two runners on Strawberry Crest’s cross country teams picked up first-place finishes in the last two weeks. On the girls side, Taylor Johnson was the fastest runner on a muddy course at the Sept. 11 Leto Invite. Johnson ran the course in 22:40, almost a full two minutes faster than the race’s second-place finisher. On the boys side, Ethan Ball stole the show at Crest’s dual meet against Brandon on Monday. Ball braved the late summer heat and finished first overall with a time of 20:15.

Justin Kline

Zane Tapper and the Strawberry Crest Chargers want to snap a four-game losing streak to Durant this week.

GAME OF THE WEEK

File photo

Tri-Star football competition Plant City’s annual football punt, pass and kick competition returns next week. The Tri-Star Punt, Pass & Kick Competition, sponsored by the Plant City Optimist Club and the Recreation and Parks Department, will be held from 8:30 to 11 a.m. next Saturday, Sept. 29, at the Otis M. Andrews Sports Complex, 2402 E. Cherry St. This is the 25th year the competition has been hosted in Plant City. Competitors will try to punt, pass and kick as far as they can to win first, second or third place awards. More than 50 youth between the ages of 6 and 15 competed in 2017. As always, this is a free event with on-site registration. For more information, call 813-659-4255 or email recinfo@plantcitygov.com.

Patrick’s Patriots looking for twirlers Local baton twirling outfit Patrick’s Patriots is now offering classes at the Planteen Recreation Center, 301 Dort St., and youth are invited to give twirling a shot Classes are scheduled every Thursday from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. for beginners, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. for intermediates and from 4:45 to 5:30 p.m. for middle schoolers. Competition-focused group and individual classes are also available. Call Barbara Patrick at 813-626-4554 for more information.

COUGARS at CHARGERS Durant and Strawberry Crest will meet for the seventh time on Friday night. JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

riday night’s Cougars-Chargers showdown in Dover may be the most intriguing matchup between Durant and Strawberry Crest in five years. Five years ago, Oct. 4, 2013, was the first (and last) time Crest came out on the winning end of a box score against Durant. That was a gutsy 11-10 win sealed in the fourth quarter by Cameron Lehtola’s 37-yard field goal. Durant has since put together a four-game winning streak where it’s vastly outscored the Chargers,

148-23, and seen its series lead extend to 5-1 all-time. Things are different in 2018 and the Chargers are hoping to break yet another extended losing streak on Friday night. The Cougars, now in full rebuild mode with perhaps the least-experienced roster in the area, have looked like a group with much to learn. Durant was outscored 95-27 in its first three games, though their first two came against current one-loss programs Jesuit and Sickles. Durant’s best player, the versatile Demarcus Governor, was injured in the opener against Jesuit and had to miss the last three weeks. It’s the worst start to a season the Cougars have had since 2013 when they lost their first four games. Crest, meanwhile, has shown noticeable improvement from

OTHER AREA ACTION PLANT CITY at East Bay, 7710 Big Bend Road, Gibsonton, 7:30 p.m. While the Indians were busy losing to Durant in overtime last week, Plant City was overcoming the Lennard Longhorns on its home turf. Don’t let the score fool you — this game was much closer than 56-28 looks on the surface. In fact, Lennard stayed within one score of the Raiders for over half of the game thanks to a 289-yard, four-touchdown rushing performance made possible by excellent offen-

sive line play. Plant City’s offense eventually put the game out of reach for good with Braxton Plunk’s 76% completion rate and four touchdowns, Mario Williams’ 153 receiving yards, four touchdown catches and 91-yard kickoff return touchdown and Zamir’ Knighten’s 96 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. Even if East Bay manages to be the second team to run for more than 87 yards on Plant City this year, slowing down Williams and the red-hot Raiders offense will be one of its most difficult tasks of 2018.

SEE FOOTBALL, PAGE 10

Faith Christian takes the gridiron

The private school added tackle football to its repertoire for 2018. JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

A Justin Kline

Faith Christian Academy introduced tackle football for the 2018-19 school year.

new year at Faith Christian Academy brings a new challenge to tackle. The addition of six-man tackle football for 2018 brings the school up to a total of seven sports offered for its student body. Thirteen of the school’s 36 registered athletes play for the team, which began regular-season play this month. Athletic director Beni Jombai said tackle football has been a

much-desired sport at the school for some time and, now that the student body has grown to more than 100 and Jombai was able to find a Christian athletic conference with the sport, the time was right to build the program from the ground up. “We have a lot of talent. We have a lot of athletes,” head coach Mike Tinney said. “We’re just trying to develop the football instincts for them and it’s looking good so far.” The Falcons joined the Florida Christian Association of Private and Parochial Schools (FCAPPS) conference, which offers two regions of eight-man football and one region of six-man football across the state. Though SEE FCA, PAGE 10

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2018

FCA FROM PAGE 9

Justin Kline

Sean Williams and the Durant Cougars are looking for their second consecutive win Friday night.

Football FROM PAGE 9

2017. This is especially true of the defense, which held Spoto and King to a combined 18 points and shut down Tampa Bay Tech’s passing game last week. The Chargers gave up 384 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns in last week’s 47-10 loss to the Titans, but Tech is also arguably the best football program in the Tampa Bay area. It’s the most evenly-matched this series has been in some time, which leads to perhaps the best chance of winning the Chargers have had in five years. Momentum though will be on Durant’s

side: not only is Governor suiting up for the Cougars (which he announced by tweeting, “I’m baaaaccccckkkkk…..” on Sunday to the Observer), but the team is also coming off of a 10-7 win in overtime against East Bay in a matchup they weren’t expected to win. It’s especially notable because East Bay went into Friday’s game with a 3-0 record, making the Indians one of four unbeaten teams in Class 7A-District 9 (with Tech, Plant City and Bloomingdale) and 12 around the entire Tampa Bay area. Trailing 7-0 for three-plus quarters, the Cougars were able to hit paydirt in the fourth and, after nailing a field goal to take a 10-7 lead in overtime, the defense kept East Bay

at bay to lock in the first “W” of the season. The win should be a well-deserved confidence booster for the Cougars and Governor’s return will help on defense, offense and special teams. The Chargers will have to deal with another run-heavy attack this week, though the degree of difficulty isn’t as high as it is when trying to stop Treshaun Ward and company. Sean Williams and the Cougars will have to find a way to sneak past Crest’s defense’s secondary, which has been unafraid to get physical with receivers and swat or swipe passes. Regardless of which team wins, Friday’s game in Dover is definitely one to keep an eye on.

many of the teams in FCA’s region are nearby in the Tampa Bay area or Lakeland, the Falcons will have to travel as far as Ave Maria and Palatka for some of their regularseason games. To make tackle football work, FCA is using whatever resources it has available. All Falcons home games are played on campus at FCA, which is nestled in a spot next to Shiloh Baptist Church north of Interstate 4, and the field crosses over the soccer field as if the two were in an “X” shape. The team currently has to rent lights for home games and does not have bleachers, but FCA is taking things one step at a time as enrollment trends upward and donations to the 501(c)3 school come in. Eventually, Jombai said, the goal is for FCA to offer traditional 11-man tackle football. “We want to make sure that everything is right for the 6-on6. Then we can build up to the 8-on-8. Then we can build up to 11-on-11 at some point, God willing,” Jombai said. “You need to lay the right foundation.” The Falcons are currently 0-2, most recently taking a 56-12 loss at Hernando Christian Academy, and they’ll look to turn their luck around this Friday at Donahue Catholic in Ave Maria. The Falcons are scheduled to play their first home game, a rematch with Hernando Christian, at 4 p.m. Oct. 5. Tinney said starting from scratch has been a challenge he and his team are taking in stride. Though the wins haven’t come yet, internal expectations are high

and the players are committed to putting FCA on the map. “The biggest challenge was convincing the players that this was going to happen,” Tinney said. “Slowly but surely. We started with seven (players), then we got eight, then we got nine, then we got 10 guys. Now we’ve got a full roster. Once everybody saw what was happening and what we’re trying to do with the team, it grew from there.” The team’s scrappy, do-ityourself attitude is reflective of FCA’s approach to fielding sports teams with a limited budget and resources. The school also offers competitive volleyball, cross country, basketball, soccer and flag football, which are split between two other conferences, the Tampa Bay Christian Athletic League and Central Florida Athletic Conference. In some cases — namely in soccer, FCA’s most successful sport — this allows the Falcons to technically play two seasons of one sport in one school year, scrapping the traditional notion of exclusive fall, winter and spring sports. All coaches volunteer their time and many are teachers at the school. Jombai himself coaches soccer and volleyball, wishing to help wherever he can to fill a need. Faith also has a non-competitive cheerleading squad and offers several sports on beginner and intramural levels. Jombai hopes to find a Christian conference for competitive cheerleading soon and is beginning to look into lacrosse and hopes to see FCA grow to include competitive baseball and softball in the future. “By the grace of God,” he said, it could be a dream come true in a few years.

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

ANGELA FULGIERI

SPONSORED BY HOPEWELL FUNERAL HOME

We asked: What was the last new thing you did?

“I went to Moffitt for the very first time today.” — Beth Geils, 58

“I made it my goal this school year to go out and talk to random kids and ask, ‘Hey how are you? How’s your day going?’ I typically stick to my group of friends so now I’ve been engaging with people.”

“Last month I attended my first Toastmasters. It was nerve-wracking in the beginning because you had to speak... I was scared at first, but I got comfortable by the end of it.”

“In June I went to Portland and I legitimately went hiking in a real mountain for the first time. It was storming so I fell and got mud all over my clothes, but it was worth it because it was super cool.”

— Caroline Kelley, 17

— Stephin Jacob, 24

— Emmy Shouse, 16

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

Dan Erik Jensen, 80, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 29, after living courageously over the past three years. He was preceded in death by his beloved Judy Y. Jensen, the mother of his four children, his parents, Elmer and Margrethe Jensen, and his brother, Gorm. He is survived by Judy N. Jensen (wife), his siblings Maikki, Uffe, and Lylli, his children (in order); Christina Valentine (David), Thor Jensen, Anne McAvoy (John), and Gudren Schroeder, grandchildren (in order); Jordan Jensen, Daniel Jensen, Makensie McAvoy, Jade Schroeder, Kaysey Jensen, Christian Schroeder, Makayla Valentine, Marin Valentine, Ethan Schroeder, Kelli McAvoy, Marley Valentine, Miles Schroeder, and great grandchild; Phoebe Jensen. Dan was born in Sollerod, Denmark and immigrated to the United States when he was 16. He graduated from high school in Connecticut. He owned his own construction business and lived in Plant City. Dan played the violin, was an avid golfer, sailor and twice bowled a 299! He loved to cook and spend time with his family and friends. His humor and zest for life will be greatly missed! Cremation services were held at Heath Funeral Chapel and Crematory in Lakeland, Florida.

In lieu of flowers, the family would be honored by donations to another Terrace Park man and beloved coach battling ALS, Graham Harden, at gforcegameon@gmail.com. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.heathfuneralchapel.com.

Jack Lee Powell Jack Lee Powell, 79, of Auburndale, born on March 4, 1939 in Plant City, entered into eternal rest on Sept. 8, 2018. Expressions of condolence at www.HopewellFuneral.com.

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James Stanley Norris

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James Stanley Norris, 79, of Seffner, born on Feb. 22, 1939 in Buies Creek, North Carolina, entered into eternal rest on Sept. 10, 2018. Expressions of condolence at www.HopewellFuneral.com.

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Pearlene Nobles, 80 of Plant City, passed away Sept. 15, 2018. A visitation of family and friends will be held at 11:30 a.m., Friday, Sept. 21, 2018, Haught Funeral Home, 708 W. Dr MLK Jr. Blvd., Plant City. A memorial service will follow at 12:30 p.m. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.haught. care.

Freddie Monroe Scales, 80, of Plant City, passed away on Sept. 14, 2018. Online condolences may be left for the family at www. haught.care. 239042

Phillip Wayne Nichols Phillip Wayne Nichols, 52, of Plant City, passed away on Sept. 7, 2018. A native of St. Petersburg, Florida. He is survived by his mother Betty Combee Wyatt and a loving family. Services will be held privately. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.haught. care.

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2018

OBITUARIES

Dan Erik Jensen

HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM

ALL OBITUARIES ARE SUBMITTED AND EDITED BY FAMILIES OR FUNERAL HOMES

Tracy Weaver Graves Tracy Weaver Graves, 55, of Dover, passed away on Sept. 12, 2018. Online condolences may be left for the family at www. haught.care.

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YOUR CALENDAR

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2018

THURSDAY, SEPT. 20

KIWANIS CLUB OFFICER INSTALLATION 6 p.m. at the Plant City Photo Archives, 106 S. Evers St. Dinner will be served at the event. RSVP by calling Sharon Moody at 813-453-7134. BLUEGRASS NIGHT 6:33 p.m. Bluegrass Nights at Krazy Kup will feature a new local area artist every third Thursday of the month. Trust In Him, a bluegrass gospel music group, will be this month’s artist. This event is different from Bluegrass JAM, which occurs on every first Saturday of each month.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 21

HANDS-ON CRAFTING, SEWING AND EMBROIDERY WORKSHOP 9 a.m. at the Trinkle Center, 1206 N. Park Road. The workshop runs from 9 a.m. on Friday until 5 p.m. on Sunday. Hope Yoder has teamed up with RNK’s Kay Brooks to create a new line of specialty products. Embellish™ products range from premium stabilizers and thread to embroidery designs and software.

at pceshows.com or at the door while available.

on this family-friendly event, call 813-391-6492.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 22

TUESDAY, SEPT. 25

CHURCH YARD AND FURNITURE SALE 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Springhead United Methodist Church, 2301 Sparkman Road. Springhead is having a yard and furniture sale to help make room at the church. There will be something for everyone and the items are priced to sell. File photo

BEST BET SATURDAY, SEPT. 22

A TASTE OF LAURA STREET 1 to 5 p.m. at the Bing Rooming House Museum, 205 S. Allen St. Hosted by the Improvement League of Plant City, “A Taste of Laura Street” will allow participants to taste and judge local cuisine

VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE 8 to 10 p.m. at Plant City Entertainment, 101 N. Thomas St. The show is performed Sept. 21, 22 and 23. All shows are at 8

while enjoying the historical ambiance of the former Laura Street African American Business District and Plant City’s cultural node. A food tasting competition, best commissioner dessert dish, traveling art gallery exhibit and festive music will highlight this event.

p.m. and a matinee at 2 p.m. is available on Sept. 23. All tickets are $18 for adults, $14 for seniors, $14 for students and $12 for PCE members. Show tickets can be purchased online

BELONG TO SO MUCH

JUNKIN’ DREAMS AT PC GARDEN FESTIVAL 9 a.m. in downtown Plant City. This family-friendly event has vendors with everything from plants to garden art to food. Pets are welcome on a leash. Stop by the club’s booth for unique metal yard art, refurbished furniture, great vintage items, handcrafted farmhouse signs, seasonal home decor and more. COMMUNITY HEALTH FAIR 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Plant City Community Church of the Nazarene and Nuevo Amancer, 2402 Mud Lake Road. There will be free health screenings and glucose tests as well as free snacks. For more information

MORE!

CHRISTIAN SONGWRITERS WORKSHOP 6:33 to 8:33 p.m. Krazy Kup hosts this workshop series to help teach attendees how to tap into their inner musical strength as Christian artists and how to grow and develop one’s message. James Hurlburt is this month’s guest host. The event is free and open to the public. THE HIGHWAYMEN: FLORIDA’S AFRICANAMERICAN LANDSCAPE PAINTERS 7 p.m. at 1914 PCHS Communty Building, 605 N. Collins St. The event is presented by the East Hillsborough Historical Society and is free and open to the public. Gary Monroe will tell the story behind the Highwaymen, a loose association of 25 men and one woman from the Fort Pierce area, and will offer a critical look at the paintings and the movement’s development. His book will be available for purchase at the event.

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*Valid 9/18 - 9/30/18. 281156

PLANT CITY FAMILY YMCA 1507 YMCA Place, Plant City | 813 757 6677 | tampaymca.org

HALLOWEEN BARGAINS ARE WITHIN REACH AT ®

Make your own costume or grab a new one!

5 OFF

a purchase of $25 or more through September 30, 2018 One coupon per customer per day at Goodwill-Suncoast retail stores.

90057

Find your nearest store at www.goodwill-suncoast.org

283179

283466

Donate • Shop • Change Lives

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

Send your photo submissions to Associate Editor Justin Kline at jkline@PlantCityObserver. com or hashtag #iloveplantcity on Instagram for @igersplantcity to feature.

High: 94 Low: 75 Chance of rain: 40%

THURSDAY, SEPT. 20

After a day’s hard work plowing land, A. David Belcher got quite a sight with a rainbow highlighting the beautiful weather and sent in his picture of the scene. Belcher wins this week’s I Love Plant City photo contest.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 21 High: 92 Low: 73 Chance of rain: 20%

High: 91 Low: 73 Chance of rain: 20%

High: 91 Low: 74 Chance of rain: 60%

AVOCADO

SUNRISE / SUNSET

Sunrise Sunset

Thursday, Sept. 20

7:16a

7:27p

Friday, Sept. 21

7:16a

7:26p

Saturday, Sept. 22

7:17a

7:25p

Sunday, Sept. 23

7:17a

7:24p

Monday, Sept. 24

7:18a

7:22p

Tuesday, Sept. 25

7:18a

7:21p

Wednesday, Sept. 26

7:19a

7:20p

MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, SEPT. 22

SUNDAY, SEPT. 23

ONLINE

Shipping point: South Florida $13 to $15

Oct. 8 New

Oct. 13 First

Monday, Sept. 10

Oct. 4 Last

0.24

Tuesday, Sept. 11 0.00 Wednesday, Sept. 12

0.00

Thursday, Sept. 13 0.52 0.00

Friday, Sept. 14

Saturday, Sept. 15 0.00 0.00

Sunday, Sept. 16 YEAR TO DATE:

MONTH TO DATE:

2018 22.36 in.

2018

1.10 in.

2017 28.08 in.

2017

1.09 in.

Unique pieces for anyone, any budget!

Boutique Jewelry & Watches Ear Piercing Estate Jewelry Watch Battery & Watch Band

Sept. 24 Full

RAINFALL

YOUR FAMILY JEWELER Diamond Headquarters Custom Design Jewelry Jewelry & Watch Repair We Buy all Gold & Silver

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2018

WEATHER

I LOVE PLANT CITY

FORECAST

Celebrating one year under new owner Mike Hamilton

WE BUY GOLD & SILVER

27 Be permissive? 28 Gets smart (with 1 Gabbana go-with, in “up”) fashion 30 Pig’s place to crash 6 Captivate 31 Tipped a topper 13 Grass shoot 18 Like many marathon 35 Sandcastle wiperouters winners 36 Computer’s thinker 19 Cal Ripken or Lou 37 Matron Gehrig 41 It has a Minor part 20 Black magic variety 21 Some “burning” things 42 Terrific rating 24 Fabric or hair colorer 43 South African war 25 Mature, as 28-Down 44 Goddess repped by a cow 26 Sunday newspaper 45 Some “burning” features things

100 Hallow end 101 Headset part 106 Some “burning” things 110 Fix a clogged sink 111 Living forever 112 Slap the cuffs on 113 Dormant? No. 114 Doesn’t get better 115 Vicious ganders

CELEBRITY CIPHER

By Luis Campos Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

“TJ AWG HWYB JZWY U IWPTC JUYTPA IXZGHXGZB, TX CWBIE’X YUXXBZ VNUX AWG KW XNZWGKN TE AWGZ PTJB. AWG’ZB KWTEK XW FB WD.”

– UPAIIU YTPUEW

“CNAH N GYZA... Y’PH LHHW GHTHBCHO EXG DNWM TXLZ... LKC Y OXW’C CNAH YC NZ N ENYUKGH. Y TKZC DXPH XW.” – ZXEYN PHGINGN Puzzle Two Clue: B equals C

ACROSS

46 Places to raise cattle 47 Pupil’s locale 48 It makes slow jams 49 Many in the Middle East 50 Heroic deed 56 Jumper relative 57 Work a 10-speed 60 Absence of energy 61 Ambulance signal 63 Soap opera genre DOWN 64 Generic pooch name 1 U-turn from grant 65 West coast country of 2 It’s enough, often Africa 3 Caustic drain cleaners 66 Habituate to something 4 Saddle seat’s rear 5 Took place, subsequently undesirable 67 ___ to the occasion 6 “Back to the Future” 69 Mauna ___ bully 71 Like Holmes’ game 7 Pitcher’s stat 72 Panama, for one 8 Acquired 73 Delicious 9 Release beer cans 75 “X-Men” villain 10 Things mirrors cast 11 Bowling alley divisions 76 “As you ___, private” 79 Cleft facial feature, as it 12 Call a halt to 13 Dominating at the office was once known 80 Natural water 14 Bound casually 81 Soap froth 15 Shevat follower 16 Authoritative command 82 Electronic missives 89 Taffy worker? 17 Billions of years 90 A-student’s reward 18 Little butter? 20 Golf’s 1964 U.S. Open 91 Pertaining to young insects winner Ken 92 Current word? 22 Terrestrial amphibian 93 Teacher of one 23 They call a spade a 94 Sauce for pasta thpade 95 “The Way” in Chinese 28 Cellar contents 51 Simple guitar kin 76 Gobi gulch religion 29 Worst time for Caesar 52 Particular region 77 Airline watchdog org. 96 Light blue 53 Botanical seed covers 78 Some “burning” things 31 Block but good 97 Large 28-Down casks 32 Japanese city 54 A Bantu language 83 Bicolored cookie 98 Celebration 33 Not as coarse 55 Edible whitish root 84 Not “fer” 99 Italian 28-Down town 34 ___ Four (The Beatles) 57 Stretch, as a neck 85 Charismatic glow 101 Some building exten58 Toddler’s training 86 Trench about a castle 35 Senator’s wrap, centusions ries ago target 87 Bird sanctuary 102 Roll-call reply 36 Tailgater’s container 59 Bliss 88 Single-stranded 103 Terminer’s partner, 37 Distribute 62 Avian virus genetic material in law 38 Tie type 65 Waist measurement 89 Admonish 104 Noted gangster chaser 39 Among, fancy 68 Wee dents 91 “And my final point ...” 105 Powerful suffix 40 College application 70 What reprimanders 93 Kickoff supporter 107 Improved go-with component read? 94 Sound units 108 Unified number 42 Quite skilled 74 Liquorice flavoring 95 Flat hat 109 Veep Quayle 43 Buckwheat pancakes 75 Singer Haggard 96 Blameworthy

HOT CROSS FUN by Timothy B. Parker

Puzzle One Clue: V equals W

CROSSWORD

282650

1701 S. Alexander Street • Suite 102 • Plant City, FL • 813.752.0585 | Mon-Fri: 10am-5ish • Sat: 10am-2pm

SUDOKU

Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 box contains every digit from 1 to 9 inclusively.

9-20-18

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2018

Why go to an emergency center that’s connected to a hospital? What if you need the rest of the hospital? When it comes to your health, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Which is why during an emergency such as a stroke or heart attack, every second counts. We don’t want to risk our patients’ lives by transferring them to a different hospital for emergency surgery. Here, if you need to be rushed to surgery, it’s down the hall, not down the road. We also have access to cutting-edge equipment and some of the best doctors, nurses and specialists in the region are only a few feet away. If you need a pint of blood, no problem, we’re connected to a blood bank. Not to mention that our rehabilitation, orthopedic, oncology and maternity departments are only a wheelchair ride away. The best place to go during your emergency is a facility designed to handle any emergency. And that’s right here at BayCare’s South Florida Baptist Hospital. Learn where to get the right care: BayCareRightCareRightPlace.org

OUR NETWORK:

BayCare Behavioral Health • BayCare HomeCare • BayCare Laboratories • BayCare Medical Group BayCare Outpatient Imaging • BayCare Surgery Centers • BayCare Urgent Care OUR HOSPITALS:

Bartow Regional Medical Center • BayCare Alliant Hospital • Mease Countryside Hospital • Mease Dunedin Hospital • Morton Plant Hospital Morton Plant North Bay Hospital • St. Anthony’s Hospital • St. Joseph’s Hospital • St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital • St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital St. Joseph’s Hospital-North • St. Joseph’s Hospital-South • South Florida Baptist Hospital • Winter Haven Hospital • Winter Haven Women’s Hospital BAYCARE.ORG 18-400108-0518

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