— A man was killed during a dispute at a gas station that escalated into a shooting early Friday morning The Plant City Police Department said officers were called to a Speedlane Express on North County Line Road around 2:15 a.m police learned that the incident began as a verbal argument inside the gas station which escalated into a confrontation outside Police said the victim approached the shooter while holding a knife police said they believe the incident falls within the protection of Florida's "Stand Your Ground" law and I feel like that's part of where the system failed" Henry Betsey Jr. is facing charges for marrying three Florida women in three different counties at the same time. Now saying the system that handles marriage licenses kept them in the dark Latest Hillsborough County News from ABC Action News Report a typo Plant City Observer Toby is a junior at Strawberry Crest and is the starting catcher for the Chargers’ varsity baseball team I started playing baseball at East Point when I was about four years old how would you rank your team’s season now that it’s over There’s not too much I would change at all we didn’t win states or anything like that but I made a ton of memories with my teammates that I wouldn’t trade for anything but I picked it up towards the end of the season and still had a blast playing with all the guys What was your favorite team memory from this season Beating Plant to make it to the Saladino tournament championship was pretty cool so beating them in a big game felt really good What was your favorite personal highlight from this season I’d say one of my personal highlights was throwing some guys out in big spots I remember throwing the tying run out at second against Sumner in the 7th inning during our very first game of the season Is there a player in college or MLB that you watch film on to improve catching I don’t want a lot of baseball to be quite honest I have two catching coaches (Coach George and Coach Ernie) who teach me what I need to do Is there a rule in baseball that you’d change if allowed I think the rules of baseball have pretty much been perfected I’d love to see an automated strike zone brought into high school games but I think the sport is just fine as it is what’s something that you want to improve in I definitely want to get bigger to be able to hit and throw harder I also want to make sure my bat starts out hot next year that way I don’t have to try to heat up late in the season like what happened this year I also just like hanging out with my friends and family What are your favorite songs to listen to pre-game to get you hyped for a game I like the slower beats to help relax my mind Filed Under: Athlete of the Week Browse a digital collection of our other publications magazines and special sections such as Season Magazine Copyright © 2025 Plant City Observer City Forester for the City and County of Denver stands in front of an Eastern Redbud at City Park in Denver flowering fruit trees permeate metro Denver Thornton resident Brooke Bakers wonders why there aren’t more fruit trees in city parks she thinks they’re pretty and provide much-needed shade in sunny Colorado — and “Families can go into the park and pick an apple or a peach,” Baker said “And I just think it’s a really nice idea.” To find out why there aren’t a lot of fruit trees in the Denver area who’s loved trees since he was a little kid Killoran grew up climbing trees in his neighborhood and backyard eventually landing a job in the local forestry department he was named City Forester for the City and County of Denver are sterile so that they don't produce a physical fruit but they will flower and provide those benefits,” he said dry weather can be a difficult environment to grow fruit As for giving Denverites the chance to pick and eat apples or peaches Killoran noted there’s just too much competition from other creatures.   Have a question or curiosity about the Centennial State? Ask us, and we may answer your question in Colorado Wonders“In our urban environment Killoran added that even if hungry animals can’t outsmart humans the trees are especially susceptible to insects and disease And he said Denver just doesn’t have the capacity to harvest fruit which he said can get messy in heavily-trafficked pedestrian areas and lead to accidents.  “[A fruit tree] creates litter and it could be a slip that’s why many local cities steer clear of fruit-bearing trees even though Killoran is clearly a fan of them and he doesn’t hesitate: It’s the Quercus bicolor the city is actively planting swamp white oaks in Denver Colorado Postcards are snapshots of our colorful state in sound. They give brief insights into our people and places, our flora and fauna, and our past and present, from every corner of Colorado. Listen now. © 2025 Colorado Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy The shooting occurred about 2:15 a.m. at the Speedlane Express, 501 N. County Line Road. When police arrived, they found a man with a gunshot wound. He died on the scene. Plant City police learned through witness statements and surveillance that two people had gotten into an argument inside the gas station, which spilled outside. One of the people “advanced” on the other with a knife. The other had a gun and shot him, police said. The shooter has “fully cooperated” with police, according to a news release. “Based on the initial facts and evidence, the incident appears to fall within the protection provided under Florida’s ‘Stand Your Ground’ law,” the news release states. “This remains an active investigation.” Police did not immediately release the names of the people involved. Chris Tisch is the senior news editor overseeing breaking news, criminal justice, weather and environment. Reach him at tisch@tampabay.com. Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. Learn More as well as Plant City in Hillsborough County there were two elections: a four-person race for city council in New Port Richey as well as a three-person race for a city council seat in Port Richey Three charter amendments also were on the ballot the Group 2 city commission seat election was held.  You can find all the election results on baynews9.com COMMUNITY PARTNER That’s So Tampa has been the most trusted local resource for discovering All Things Good in Tampa Bay there are two elections: a four-person race for city council in New Port Richey Three charter amendments also are on the ballot Jones and Tom O’Neill are in the New Port Richey race Chris Maher and Linda Rodriguez will vie for the Port Richey seat Camryn Henry and Jason Jones will face off for the Group 2 city commission seat For this election, all eligible voters who want to vote in person on Election Day will vote at Plant City City Hall (302 W Reynolds St, Plant City, FL 33563) Please note: Vote By Mail ballots cannot be turned in at City Hall on Election Day. On Election Day, Vote By Mail ballots must be dropped off at one of the five Hillsborough Supervisor of Elections Offices no later than 7 p.m The Pasco Supervisor of Elections office has announced the following temporary change in polling locations is in effect only for the April 8 municipal election New Port Richey voters in precinct 50 will vote with Precinct 25 at the New Port Richey Recreation Center at 6630 Van Buren Street The City of Port Richey will vote at their regularly assigned polling place Voters are statutorily required to present photo and signature identification when voting or vote a provisional ballot Voters who reside within precinct 50 were notified by mail at the address on file with the elections’ office.  If your voter registration record is not up-to-date, you may not have received this notification. Address changes within the county can be submitted to the elections’ office by telephone 1-800-851-8754 or online at PascoVotes.gov.      Riley is a junior at Strawberry Crest High School where she plays for the Chargers flag football team. Riley led the Chargers in every statistical category on offense How long have you been playing flag football?  I picked it back up and am planning on playing it next year for my senior year What’s your favorite thing about flag football?  My favorite part about flag is how it’s a physically demanding sport and that I get to build chemistry with my team Do you have a favorite flag football memory?  My favorite memories are car rides to away games because I get to catch up with my teammates and listen to good music my team always yells “Yes Chef” because I am in culinary and on the Florida ProStart Team What’s your favorite thing about playing for Coach Johnson?  My favorite thing about Johnson is that he is a funny and positive coach who is determined and always supportive What’s an area in flag football that you want to improve in next season?  An area I want to improve on next season is rushing; having that under my belt would be good I would love to make it to regionals since we came close this season definitely going to work harder to get there next season Has playing flag football taught you any life lessons Flag has taught me how to play as one; the whole team needs to be on the same wavelength to win It has also taught me to lead by example because the hustle is contagious Is there a rule in flag football that would change if allowed  A rule I would like to change or add is adding fumbles What advice would you give to someone who wants to try out for the team next year Advice I would give is to not be afraid to fail and to have fun because that’s the whole point what are you doing in your free time?  During season I went back and forth from culinary practice to flag games What’s your favorite songs to get you hyped for a game?  My teammates and I love to listen to rap for pregame — Plant City families are getting some relief from a local church after their homes suffered significant damage from last year’s hurricanes St. Peter's Episcopal Church established a disaster relief grant thanks to contributions from two other churches “This is my FEMA packet that I’m supposed to carry with It’s been a more than a six-month wait now for her She’s one of the several people in a mobile home community that didn’t evacuate before Hurricane Milton Martin said it was like a river surrounding her home "I have to keep the windows open." The water damaged the air conditioning ducts at the bottom of her home. but she says FEMA denied her disaster relief claim so without being able to move forward with repairs she’s circulating air with fans throughout her home Martin said FEMA did help with money for food but there’s still a lot to be done to get her home back to the way it was She has remained positive through the process She was one of the 90 people who received help through the church’s disaster relief grant “Just amazing that people still do that these days because there’s so much negativity and bad stuff around that I thought it was wonderful of the church,” Martin said Many of the families who received the grant also had damages to their air conditioning ducts “It’s been really helpful and meaningful to be able to give just a little bit of support to our neighbors and folks here in Plant City in need,” said Rev The church was able to distribute more than $13,000 in grants in the form of gift cards to the community it’s been a big help while she navigates the wait “I gave them some names of people that I thought would really appreciate it Martin isn’t the only one in the neighborhood dealing with the impacts of last year’s hurricanes — several of her neighbors are in similar situations the church also helps in other ways through programs like Laundry Love and Friends in the Park Ministry to help feed the homeless community The unofficial results of the April 8 election for Plant City Commissioner have been released Jason Jones emerged victorious with 60.13 percent of the vote The total number of registered voters eligible to cast ballots in this election was 22,462 However,  1,862 showed up at the polls—which is 8.29 percent This election result does not include provisional ballots or mail ballots pending signature cure The City Commission is made up of five people who have the power to vote on resolutions that guide the direction of Plant City an outside Political Action Committee based in Tampa inserted itself in the non-partisan contest which has connections to Strategic Image Management—an influential political consulting company targeted Henry with inflammatory attack text messages and mailers Floridians for Senior Care pursued a similar strategy before the Lake Wales mayoral election and politically motivated,” Henry commented prior to the polls opening “I’ve never made the statements they’re pushing and they have no relevance to the role of City Commissioner I won’t be bullied or distracted by dishonest tactics My focus remains on serving this community with integrity.”  Plant Citians asked questions about who was behind these attack ads—many speculating that Jones was involved “….I want to be clear,” he commented “I am not aware of this organization, nor who is behind it. Furthermore I have had absolutely no connection to their material and focusing on the issues that matter most to us.”  “I just think it is important to be involved in any vote if you care about your city—and we do.” -Jennifer B and to see if we can get some stuff done with some new blood on the board.” -Reginald G “I always vote because I came from a country where I couldn’t—Cuba and I cried because it was the first time anyone in my family could vote it means a lot—with what has been going on  “I did not like some of the things I was seeing on social media I was not comfortable with the way that there were attacks on one of the candidates I did not think that there needed to be PACs involved pulling for a different candidate—for any candidates This is something that is supposed to be local to our community and I really did not appreciate a blind PAC from Tampa injecting mailers to people’s homes designed to frighten people We went out of our way to make sure we made it before 7:00 today…I probably would not have spent two seconds thinking about a local election “…Just the sheer fact that most people do not vote in local elections is absolutely atrocious…we have to make it count.” – Amy J Jones has served as a city commissioner since 2022 Trains and Automobiles—an annual event at the Plant City Airport “I’m deeply grateful to the residents of Plant City for your trust and support,” Jones commented after the election results came in and I’m honored to continue giving back by serving as your City Commissioner we will preserve the values that make Plant City such a special place to live Filed Under: News Annistyn Faith Griffin reigned as the Florida Strawberry Festival Queen in 2024 My greatest honor has truly been representing not only the festival the festival has always been a part of my life The eleven days each year remind me of why Plant City is so special I genuinely believe the Florida Strawberry Festival helped shape me into the person I am today Of all the years I have gone to the festival there will always be a special place in my heart for the 2024 Florida Strawberry Festival I thank God first and for most for blessing me with this past year to give of my heart I could never put into words how grateful I am for this community and the love they have shown me throughout the years.  I was able to see what it takes to make this festival so successful I would love to say thank you to all the volunteers and paid staff who put in countless hours to make the festival a memorable tradition At the festival’s core we celebrate Agricultural and the harvest of berries I would like to take this moment to thank every farmer who sacrifices so much to continue to make Plant City the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World.  thank you for always meeting us with a smile even on those days that we had to start before the sun came up I will hold countless memories near and dear to my heart with our many road trips filled with laughter thank you for driving us everywhere and for protecting us all year long.  thank you for welcoming us to the Festival Family with open arms We appreciate your love and support more than you know thank you for all the hard work you put into making this pageant such a fun experience The girls and I would also like to thank you for your generosity with our scholarships and for supporting us in furthering our education thank you for investing in us girls and loving us like your own kids.  I truly do not know what the girls and I would have done without you both by our sides throughout this year Words cannot fully express the gratitude I have for you both thank you for always keeping us in line and teaching us to never act foolishly Your outlook on life continues to drive and inspire me daily thank you for exemplifying how to love like Jesus Your patience and kindness radiate to everyone you encounter To the four girls that have stood by my side through everything this year God truly blessed me with the best Strawberry Sisters I could have ever had.  I knew in some way that God was opening a door to a forever friendship Little did we know a few weeks later our bond would grow even stronger having you right by my side through this amazing experience Thank you for always looking out for me and helping me prepare for all events ZZ- Oh how I wish I could have met you sooner in life You have a way of making any situation good or bad become something worth smiling about Your fun and charismatic spirit made every event a moment worth remembering You have filled my life with so much joy and laughter and I thank you for being one of my best friends Goosie – The second you stepped into my life you filled a place in my heart I did not know that I needed to fill You make my life so much brighter and happier Your love for this community shines through everything you do Thank you for always making sure I looked my best and for always fixing my crown Abbie Louis- If Pre-K Addi and Abbie could see where we are now I just know those little girls would be so proud You have always been the life of the party and the girl I run to when I am down You make every situation better with your uplifting and silly spirit Thank you for being my biggest cheerleader and my go-to dance partner I could not have gone through this experience without you Each of you has pushed me to be the best version of myself and I thank you for your unwavering support every word of encouragement has meant the world to me You each have stood by me in moments of joy and sorrow and your presence has made all the difference I am truly blessed to have such an incredible circle of people by my side.  you will never know how much each pep talk and piece of advice has meant to me Thank you for always supporting my dreams and capturing my biggest moments this past year has gifted me many special moments with you I am extremely grateful God gave me you to look up to in all aspects of life thank you for always going the extra mile to support me during this past year I will cherish every dance practice and moment that we got to share because of this experience thank you for believing in us girls and changing our lives forever but I hope I left a more impactful one on you.  Filed Under: Florida Strawberry Festival STATE HEALTH RECOMMENDATION LEADS CITY TO END PRACTICE Supplemental fluoridation of water began in the U.S in 1946 as a public health initiative to reduce children’s tooth decay Early studies showed positive dental results and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Health Department the City of Plant City began adding fluoride to the water supply on March 1 The Florida Department of Health gave the city a $300,000 grant to set up a fluoridation system The string attached was the city had to add fluoride to the water in perpetuity.  recommended against fluoridating water based on subsequent research showing the risks of ingesting fluoride the negatives include interference with thyroid production and lower IQs and cognitive impairment in children.  are forcing a chemical known as fluoride to all of our residents for their use bothers me,” Commissioner Bill Dodson said There was a concern that since the grant required fluoridation of water in perpetuity Plant City would be on the hook to pay back the original $300,000 City Manager Bill McDaniel contacted the Director of the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County who confirmed Plant City has no further obligation to fluoridate its water supply McDaniel brought to the March 25 Regular Meeting of the City Commission a recommendation to halt the addition of fluoride to city water There is naturally occurring fluoride in water The water Plant City pumps from groundwater has .4 parts per billion The fluoride the city added raised the levels to .7 parts per billion “We were almost doubling it based on these recommendations,” McDaniel said One of the issues about fluoridating water is a bioethical one that was my strongest motivator—it is mass medication and people don’t have a right to choose when it’s done this way and perceptions have changed since the times we enacted this in the city back in 2013 We were following the recommendations of the health officials Now when the health officials have changed their view and brought forward a recommendation to stop doing this and arrived at the decision to end this….Everybody has gotten it their heads that spring water is just pure and removing this is a step in that direction—keeping our water as pure as possible.”   “With this new information that has come forth and this new finding that problems can occur I feel it imperative to make a motion to remove fluoride,” Commissioner Mike Sparkman said.  The City Commission passed a motion 5-0 to end fluoridating Plant City water There are alternatives to adding fluoride to water—most toothpastes contain fluoride dentists can administer fluoride treatments.  it is a health concern for our citizens,” Commissioner Mary Thomas Mathis commented “….It is an ethical and legal consideration Ending the practice of fluoridation will also save the city $20,000 per year Plant City Armed Forces Memorial Foundation Welcome Home and BIG Thank you to Vietnam Veterans “I will always try to honor our Veterans in any way possible,” Judy Wise I read that President Trump signed a law designating March 29 as National Vietnam Veterans Day.  I thought there would be more made of the day and when 2018 arrived and it was still rather low-key I decided our little town needed a special event I just had to sell it to the Elks….Two years ago Jennifer Closshey asked me to be on the Plant City Armed Forces Memorial Foundation. I was honored we were there looking at how we could improve the grounds and it hit me…this is where we need to have the Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Event and so it began. We had the same peaker this year as last. Oh my goodness he brought the horror of that war to life. I won’t stop honoring our Vietnam veterans until God stops me Some of the vietnam Veterans are still not comfortable coming out and reliving those terrible days and nights but we cannot act like it didn’t happen. Some contact me by email or cards and letters to thank me for caring One of the best aspects of these endeavors is the people who eagerly volunteer to help me—my husband Ed and dozens of others.  Last year and this year we had Boy Scout Troop 744 (always there for me) Tangled Threads gave Freddie Washington a Quilt of Valor quilt awarded to a service member or veteran that says unequivocally serving our nation.” Tangled Threads has awarded more than 650 veterans with these quilts of comfort and healing Washington served in the First Infantry Division in Vietnam in 1968 and 1969 After his three years of service to the nation he worked for Mosaic for 45 years as a mechanic for bulldozers and locomotives “They called me and asked me about cooking for the event ‘Yes’ because I cook at the American Legion for Memorial Day “I didn’t know about the quilt until they told me.” Saturday offered the first-ever Kiwanis Club and Keel Farms Wine and Cider Festival The event on the Keel Farms property raised funds for kid’s programs Kiwanis are local groups of like-minded volunteers who make a difference serving together to change children’s lives The Kiwanis sold “I Love Plant City,” tee-shirts collected new toys for its Christmas Angel Project tickets were available for $35 that included four drink tastings The fundraiser also gave Kiwanis an opportunity to network in the community to increase awareness of everything the organization does Filed Under: Neighbors The City of Plant City municipal elections are slated for April 8 Camryn Henry qualified to run for the Group 1 seat currently held by Vice-Mayor Jason Jones Most Plant Citians don’t realize city commissioners not only spend time merely at the Regular Meeting of the City Commission twice a month They also review documents to make decisions before the meetings and represent Plant City in other meetings in the region spends an average of 25 hours per week on city business Annual compensation for the position is $9,741.59 I am running for reelection as city commissioner because I love Plant City and want to continue serving the community that has given so much to me and my family I’ve worked hard to manage responsible growth I’m excited to see through several key projects Plant City is where my wife and I are raising our three children.  I believe in preserving our small-town charm while preparing for the future and I am committed to continuing the work that makes Plant City the best it can be What experience do you have that would lend itself to being a good city commissioner I have dedicated my life to volunteering and serving Plant City in many capacities I helped create one of our city’s premier family events I served on the Plant City Family YMCA Board for over a decade I also launched Plant City’s first Youth Commission to inspire and educate future leaders I understand the sacrifices our first responders make As the small business owner of Advantage Restoration & Contracting I’m deeply aware of the challenges faced by local businesses My 14 years of service on the Plant City Chamber of Commerce board including roles as past chairman and ambassador have given me invaluable insight into how to support and grow our local economy Why would your experience lend to serving as a city                     commissioner I believe that truly representing a community requires an understanding of its needs and my years of service in Plant City have helped me build that connection My experience as a firefighter has given me a deep respect for our first responders As a small business owner for over 20 years I’ve seen firsthand the challenges that entrepreneurs and our small businesses face and I’ve worked to support them through my involvement with the Chamber of Commerce and launching the Youth Leadership Commission — demonstrating  my dedication to strengthening our community for future generations and community engagement makes me uniquely qualified.  What do you think would be difficult about serving as a city commissioner Balancing growth while maintaining the close knit small-town feel of Plant City can be challenging Making tough decisions that impact residents requires careful thought and leadership but I’m dedicated to managing my time effectively to serve the community while balancing work and family and putting the needs of our community first in what direction are city                                    commissioners leading the city I believe the city commission is working hard to ensure thoughtful growth and local businesses have strengthened our community I want to build on these efforts while ensuring that we preserve what makes Plant City special—our people I will continue advocating for responsible development and community projects that improve the quality of life for our residents I will also push forward with key projects like the library expansion I’ll keep working to support first responders while expanding programs like the Plant City Youth Leadership Commission to inspire future leaders What would you do that is         different I will push for more transparency and greater community involvement in decision-making I will continue to advocate for more resources for first responders and projects that enhance the overall quality of life for our families Ensuring that our growth is carefully planned while preserving the traditions that make Plant City unique will remain a top priority Is there anything else you would like to say to voters Plant City is more than just a place to live—it’s a community built on faith I want to personally thank the residents for their trust and support where my wife and I have raised our children and I am dedicated to giving back every day through my service and your vote on April 8th can make a real difference and protecting the values that make Plant City special Bring your friends and family to the polls—together we can ensure that Plant City remains a great place to live and raise a family.  Please vote Jason Jones for City Commission Madie is a senior at Plant City High School where she is on the Raiders varsity cheer team How epic was it winning Nationals and Worlds this weekend Winning nationals and worlds was by far the most magical and epic experience of my four years competing in this program I had no nerves whatsoever because I knew that regardless of a placement at Worlds our team was getting one last opportunity on a competition mat to show people why we deserved our win you and the team were huddled/circled around each other for the last time as a squad What were you feeling at that moment?  and our class was going out with such a bang But I was also so sad; I see myself in some of those younger girls and cannot even fathom leaving them behind That team was a family; I don’t know how to feel about the season being over Our team has overcome so many ups and downs and I couldn’t be more proud of my best friends Would you describe this as the perfect ending to your high school cheer career?  but this time even a larger moment in history- worlds and nationals or do you plan on cheering again in the future?  I couldn’t have asked for a better team to end my cheer career There is no topping this year and all of our accomplishments so I am content with retiring from cheer now What are you going to miss the most about cheering for Plant City?  and the coaches are an adult you can go to if you’re scared to talk to your parents and I’m going to miss seeing my best friends every day What’s your favorite thing about cheer?  My favorite thing about cheer is the feeling of hitting with all of your favorite people I wish I could explain the feelings of pure joy after each sequence hits focusing on school and maybe trying to get a small job on the side before I’m off to college What advice would you give to those who want to try out for PCHS cheer next year?  and it was the best decision I’ve ever made What are your favorite songs to get you hyped for a comp or game day?  Photo Courtesy of Vanessa TomerKileigh Tomer Kileigh Tomer is a 17-year-old senior at Durant High School and plays Lacrosse for the Cougars Lacrosse team.  How long have you been playing lacrosse?  I have been playing for 3 years now.  What made you want to try out for the team at Durant?  My cousin played the sport during my sophomore year and different from something I had ever seen before.  What’s your favorite thing about Lacrosse?  I love the team dynamic – working with all of the girls every day and in general building friendships on and off the field.  Is there a rule you would change in lacrosse If I could change anything it would be that in girls lacrosse you are not allowed to hit players with your stick to try and get the ball from them I feel that if we were allowed to do this it would allow for a more dynamic and interesting game because the current rule restricts a lot of what someone on the attack position can do.  do you want to continue playing lacrosse?  I plan on attending Valencia College in the fall of 2025 but I am looking into joining one of their club sports to still be involved with athletics.  What’s your favorite memory when playing lacrosse?  When we were doing so good in a game during my junior year that our coach got so excited he accidentally punched himself in the face What’s an area on lacrosse that you’d like to improve in?  I always want to improve in my defensive skills in order for me to be a more versatile player.  Has lacrosse taught you any life lessons?  lacrosse has taught me how to be a better communicator Whether it’s when I’m on the field and have to yell for the ball or when we are having a conflict in our team dynamic communication is a big part of growing as a player and playing over the years has really helped me home in on being better at it.  really anything that gives me a creative outlet.  What’s your favorite songs to get you hyped before a game?   Hotel room service by Pitbull because no matter how I’m feeling before a game it never fails to bring my mood and motivation up — Plant City is saying goodbye to a long-time hospital as part of the demolition process started Friday South Florida Baptist Hospital President Karen Kerr said it made sense to sell the property “It would have cost tens of millions of dollars which wouldn’t have been in anybody’s best interest to really develop that property,” she said The parking lots west to the main campus were sold to the organizers of the Strawberry Festival but the main property hasn’t been sold yet Some health care workers with a history at the property shared their reactions to the demolition Mayra Garcia is doing her rounds at South Florida Baptist Hospital checking in on staff to ensure things are running smoothly in the labor and delivery department “They keep me up to date on everything that’s going on,” she said she’s seeing how new moms are feeling in labor and delivery. Garcia has been with the hospital for about 15 years going from a bedside nurse to now the manager of labor and delivery they’re brought up to the postpartum floor here," she said "The patient would be here in this room." 10 will mark one year since the hospital officially moved to its new location Garcia said it’s still sad to see the old facility being demolished But all is not lost — a legacy wall in the new hospital pays tribute to the past and the role the old facility had in the community summarizes beginning to where we are now and everything we’ve accomplished,” said Blake “We’ve always been a family and the legacy hospital as well as this one is just a little different because this one’s larger,” Moon said They’ll continue to keep the memories of the old hospital alive through people and pictures and hope to continue caring for patients in this new place for years to come Demolition of the hospital is expected to be completed by the end of May Its effects ripple through the community to local families more than 650,000 visitors flock to Plant City for the Florida Strawberry Festival the sound of thrilling concerts and small-town charm but long after the food is eaten and the concerts end lies a powerful story of economic impact that touches nearly every corner of the community an economic impact study found that the festival generated $26 million in direct local revenue- a number that has only grown alongside soaring attendance bustling restaurants and booming business for local shops Florida Strawberry Festival President Kyle Robinson said is in the ripple effect the festival has on everyday families “This is more than a celebration-it provides extra income for local families,” he said “We hire approximately 600 people every year with some of them taking paid vacation time from their full-time jobs to make extra money.” who would take time off to work festival security an unexpected bill or baseball gear for the kids,” he said “It’s a big financial win for so many families here.” Law enforcement officers are just part of the workforce boost with about 100 officers working at the festival daily-on their days off- paid directly by the festival and more find seasonal work during the 11-day festival Even families fortunate enough to live close to the festival make extra cash by charging festival attendees to park in their yards “I had one person tell me what they made just on one Saturday and it was a lot,” said Robinson The economic benefits extend far beyond paychecks The Florida Strawberry Festival is deeply rooted in giving back Its top priority is supporting youth in agriculture local students have earned a cumulative $1.7 million for their plant steer and swine projects- money that helps fund their education and future careers the festival awards $50,000 annually in scholarships to high school seniors involved in agricultural programs funded through ticket revenue and the generous support of sponsors schools and organizations by partnering with them to run festival parking lots more than $160,000 was distributed to these local groups facility repairs- you name it,” said Robinson “We don’t tell them how to use it but hearing how it changes lives is what makes it so special.” One organization that has felt that impact firsthand is the United Food Bank of Plant City the festival has donated $160,000 to help meet the growing needs of food insecurity in the community There are also the small but mighty donations made to local nonprofits from breast cancer support groups to the Chamber of Commerce “It’s just part of who we are,” said Robinson The spirit of service is seen daily at Gate 10 one of the most beloved entrances at the festival Gate 10 overall lead Donna Hallback Anderson and her husband Michael are fixtures there welcoming guests and making sure smiles greet every visitor “My mom Minnie Lee Hallback started working here 30 years ago She’s 90 and still worked this year,” said Donna who herself started working at the festival after retiring in 2014 She appreciates working with hard-working leaders such as Tim Lovett Donna and Michael’s team circled up and prayed every morning of the festival ten minutes before the gates opened I looked up and saw guests waiting in line reaching their hands through the fence to join in That’s when I knew this place is something special.” The Andersons use the money they earn to take family members and children of their former foster kids on vacations like their upcoming trip to Aquatica in Orlando “It’s about what we do with it- putting smiles on people’s faces Their motto is simple: If we can help someone as we pass along if we can cheer someone with a word or a song With economic benefits flowing to local families it’s clear: the Florida Strawberry Festival is more than just a celebration of fruit – it’s a celebration of community Filed Under: Uncategorized This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page DEMOLITION TARGETED TO BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF JUNE The South Florida Baptist Hospital (SFBH) on N Alexander Street in Plant City opened on December 29 the 71-year-old hospital permanently closed.   “The demolition of the SFBH legacy hospital has begun and will be done in stages over the coming weeks,” BayCare Communications Coordinator Cherié Miller said “The entire process is expected to be completed sometime in the second quarter.” BayCare contracted with Mills & Associates to demolish 121,000 square feet of exterior asphalt and concrete The existing cancer center treatment building will remain on the property Crews are normally onsite daily from 7:00 a.m construction crews have hoses constantly spraying water to keep dust down according to people who have worked in the construction industry it is still wise for those driving by to roll up their windows to avoid inhaling construction dust.  The new SFBH facility on N Park Road adds up to 424,000 square-feet the six-story structure features 146 private patient rooms and 34 emergency department and fast-track beds Plant City History & Photo Archives and Arts Council Present the Plant City Sculptures Exhibit Photo Contest and attach an entry form with your information Make sure your picture features the sculpture and at least one extra person – because who doesn’t love a little company and third place winners will be crowned by the power of popular vote or cast their votes (by entry number) for your dazzling snapshots Swing by the Photo Archives at 106 S Evers Street or Bruton Memorial Library at 302 McLendon Street to grab your entry forms Mark your calendars because the winners will be revealed on March 27 at the Photo Archives with the festivities kicking off at 5:30 p.m The photos will be showcased at the Archives as soon as they are submitted and will remain on display through April You and your photographs will be recognized in the newspaper and in the Photo Archives Exhibition gallery Are you or someone you know looking for a career in education that positively impacts students’ lives Hillsborough County Public Schools is hosting Open Houses throughout the county for teaching positions available for the 2025-26 school year The next event will be held at Turkey Creek Middle School in Plant City on March 11 from 6:00 p.m Schools with job openings in the Plant City and Eastern Hillsborough County areas will be present CHAMPIONS FOR YOUTH CLUB HOSTS DINNER FOR WORLD CHAMPIONS Plant City Champions for Youth honored the world champion Plant City High School Cheerleading Team at a dinner at Outback Steakhouse The team is the FHSAA 2A Medium Non-Tumbling State Champions the 2025 Small Varsity Non-Tumbling D1 UCA National Champions and the 2025 Small Varsity Non-Tumbling World Champions.  and helps achieve youth goals in Plant City Providing the dinner for the cheerleaders and coaches is Champions for Youth’s way of encouraging and thanking them for their achievements.  The Plant City Police Department is investigating the death of a 59-year-old woman found in the 400 block of North Plant Avenue officers responded to the scene and discovered the woman The Criminal Investigations Unit was notified and is handling the investigation no foul play or criminal activity is suspected Updates will be provided as new information becomes available.  Anyone with information is urged to contact the Plant City Police Department at (813) 757-9200 was traveling eastbound on US-92, east of Charlie Taylor Road A 38-year-old Lakeland man walked southbound across the highway. The pedestrian entered the path of the Nissan and was struck by the vehicle The fatally injured pedestrian died at the scene of the crash. Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the incident.  Anyone with information about this incident can contact the local FHP Troop C at (863) 413-3510 BEALSVILLE PRESENTS JAZZ UNDER THE TREES EVENT join in cherishing the historic Bealsville Community where preservation and fellowship flourish as you revel in the harmonious melodies of Florida’s most gifted musicians and vocalists access to tour the Historical Glover School and so much more Be sure to bring a lawn chair and cooling towel or fan!  TEENAGERS WITH DREAMS OF            BECOMING A HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY FIREFIGHTER HAVE A CHANCE TO LIVE THEIR DREAMS   The Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Foundation is hosting the 2025 Summer Youth Fire Academy and students ages 14 to 18 have until March 28 to apply for the two-week summer program. Hillsborough County Fire Rescue instructors will teach the students hands-on lessons and the multiple roles that firefighters have in their jobs.  The program curriculum includes fire ground operations and the history of the fire service.  Applicants must be high school students or graduating seniors between the ages of 14 and 18 A panel will review applications and make final selections based on class size.  Classes will be held June 9 – 20 at the Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Headquarters Applicants must submit their application by 5 p.m students must submit a personal essay and include two letters of recommendation PLANT CITY FIRE RESCUE RESPONDS TO EARLY MORNING STRUCTURE FIRE ON GORDON STREET Plant City Fire Rescue (PCFR) responded to reports of a structure fire on Gordon Street firefighters encountered a single-family residence that was burning heavily Fire crews immediately initiated an aggressive fire attack working swiftly to contain and extinguish the blaze One individual was treated on scene and transported to a local hospital by Hillsborough County Fire Rescue but PCFR personnel remain on scene conducting overhaul operations and investigating the cause of the fire and residents are advised to avoid the area to allow emergency crews to complete their work safely “Plant City firefighters responded within minutes to find the home well-involved,” Jeremy Sidlauskas “They quickly went to work battling the fire who was then transported by Hillsborough County Fire Rescue We appreciate the hard work of our crews and the assistance of our public safety partners.” PCFR urges residents to have working smoke alarms in their homes and to practice fire escape plans regularly WFLA One person is dead after a shooting at a Plant City gas station TampaHoy.com es la división en español de WFLA - News Channel 8 On Your Side ofreciendo las noticias más importantes de la Bahía de Tampa Encuentra información actualizada sobre sucesos además de ser la casa oficial de los Tampa Bay Buccaneers Mantente informado con lo que sucede en tu comunidad cars were lining a portion of Harbor Drive S Indian Rocks Beach heard a loud boom followed by a pink plume of smoke Lee Hughes was arrested Thursday and has since been fired from Pinellas Preparatory Academy Tampa Fire Rescue said crews were battling a fire at a mechanic shop and scrap yard facility on West Osborne Avenue Monday evening 'We've got to get this right': Attorney representing ferry crash survivors weighs in on case The News Channel 8 Team presents the latest information on the events of the day and timely updates on local sports Rebecca's forecast for Monday night- increasing chances for rain this week 'People want answers': Attorney for family in Clearwater ferry crash voices concern A non-profit started by a small group right here in Tampa Bay are now making a big impact in providing resources for neglected children Chairperson for Joshua's House Annual Child Abuse Awareness Benefit the host of the nationally syndicated health and wellness show Bloom to share more details about the work they do in the community and how they create awareness PLANT CITY, Fla. — The Florida Strawberry Festival always brings extra traffic to Plant City it can make a busy intersection even harder to get through: Baker Street (U.S “Going left there is almost impossible at times,” said Michael Hall who lives in a neighborhood near the intersection “And when the Strawberry Festival is in town Hall says Plant City is busier than ever due to recent growth in population That’s especially the case when I-4 is slow which sends many drivers onto Baker Street “Around five in the afternoon they’re coming from Tampa," Hall said you plan your day around when you think there’s not going to be much traffic." That why’s he’d like to see a traffic light at Whitehurst Road and U.S it’s just a flashing light which he said doesn’t do enough 92 will have to find another way just to avoid the turn “Sometimes you have to drive few miles out of your way to get there because you just can’t get across,” he said Florida Department of Transportation officials say they last did a signal analysis at the intersection in 2020 which showed a traffic light wasn’t needed the department will now do a new study there Hall said that a light wouldn’t be just for convenience “You have to pull out really far to see both ways," he said check the status of departing and arriving flights A fun-filled day of family-friendly activities returns to the Plant City Airport with the 13th annual Planes Trains & Automobiles celebration on Saturday radio-controlled flight demonstrations and more this yearly event aims to educate attendees about how the aviation industry and other modes of transportation work The Tampa Bay Aviation Association is organizing the event which is presented by Tampa International Airport There will be a host of hands-on activities to try STEM exhibits from Sun ‘n Fun’s Aerospace Center for Excellence Young Eagles discovery flights conducted by the Plant City Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 1178 There will also be an enormous LEGO transportation display Proceeds from this year’s event will fund scholarships for flight and mechanical training and aviation career education for local youth Planes, Trains & Automobiles will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Plant City Airport, rain or shine. Tickets are $12 at the gate, but can be purchased for $7.25 in advance online. Children 10 and younger are free. Click here for more information and tickets although limited VIP parking spaces are available for $15 on the website For more information about Planes, Trains & Automobiles, go to MyTBAA.org/pta For MEDIA INQUIRIES ONLY, e-mail Communications@TampaAirport.com please call the Airport Operations Center: (813) 870-8770 The Arts Council of Plant City will hold a sculpture exhibition unveiling ceremony on Monday The exhibition will be opened after a brief introduction by Amelia Bitting and student of fine arts at the University of Central Florida and a reception following will offer light refreshments The exhibition will display 10 bronze sculptures from J Seward Johnson’s Celebrating the Familiar collection.  They are placed in optimal locations in Plant City to enhance the artistic vibe they communicate The exhibition provides a sculptural commentary on daily life presenting hyper-realistic bronzes that act as a mirror for the viewer echoes people’s daily tasks and activities Seward Johnson loved finding “the beautiful moments of ordinary life.” His sculptures explore these moments in ways that are familiar “The Seward Johnson sculptures are well loved in Plant City and the open-air art exhibit that has graced Plant City for 12 years has a following that look forward to their arrival year after year,” Marsha Passmore President of the Arts Council of Plant City said “The current installation of 10 sculptures has a few of our favorite pieces that have been here before and several that are here for the first time and over the next four months that they are here it is a great opportunity to spend time with family and friends strolling the downtown area to view them Willaford Train Museum and the Plant City Chamber of Commerce will have maps of the various locations Everyone can’t afford the cost or the time to visit a museum so this project brings state of the world art to your own hometown.”  Seward Johnson was the grandson of Robert Wood Johnson I He created the Unconditional Surrender sculpture that stood for 10 years near the bridge between Sarasota and Lido Beach This 25-foot statue depicted the 1945 photograph “We started the sculptures exhibition at the inspiration of Myrle Henry who first saw them on display in Gainesville in 2012,” Gil Gott former exectuve director of the Plant City History & Photo Archives Seward Johnson was correct in that he believed strongly in the ability of these sculptures to have a meaningful effect on those who view them The sculptures we select are from this ‘Celebrating the Familiar’ collection Johnson believed that these sculptures of the things and people of ‘everyday life’ have the effect of making a park setting more comfortable and safe and that people react to them and become more social We have seen people stop and talk to the sculptures then other people will come up and they will be talking with each other as if they were old friends It’s amazing what effect these sculptures have put their children in the arms of the sculpture for a photo and just relate to the bronze figures like old friends and there is no attempt to educate the viewers except for the viewers to also ‘celebrate the familiar.’ These sculptures are the people around you Sponsors of the public art exhibit include the Arts Council of Plant City in partnership with the City of Plant City Sculpture photos and maps will be available at the event and the Plant City History and Photo Archives The sculptures will remain in place until March 31 For additional information call Gil Gott at 813.417.7559 No one entered the city commissioner Group 2 race—which is the seat currently held by Mayor Nate Kilton the lone contestant is declared the winner Most Plant Citians don’t realize city commissioners not only spend time just at the Regular Meeting of the City Commission twice a month Henry took the time to answer questions about her candidacy: I am running for city commissioner because Plant City deserves leadership that puts families I’ve seen the challenges and opportunities in our community I want to ensure our city thrives year-round by revitalizing downtown and making Plant City a place where people want to live I am not looking to use this as a stepping stone I simply want to serve my community and make sure the decisions made at City Hall reflect the best interests of the people who live and work here My background has given me a strong foundation in working within regulations With experience in emergency management and resiliency programs at a major utility company I understand the balance between policy and real-world impact My education in Public Health has further shaped my ability to assess community needs through a social-ecological lens and tracking dashboards to meet regulatory requirements while engaging directly with constituents to explain policies and ensure resolutions align with guidelines This experience translates well to the role of city commissioner and local ordinances must prioritize residents.  Why would your experience lend to serving as a city commissioner Every decision a city commissioner makes has real-world consequences and my experience has prepared me to navigate regulations while continuously seeking better outcomes and work to ensure that growth benefits everyone I regularly coordinate with multiple stakeholders These experiences have strengthened my ability to find solutions that drive improvement and create greater efficiencies—an approach I will bring to city leadership One of the biggest challenges is cutting through the red tape and making sure government policies truly serve the people decisions are made without considering how they affect families I also recognize that there will be differing opinions on how to move Plant City forward I welcome those conversations because real leadership means listening and standing firm in doing what’s right for the people in what direction are city commissioners leading the city and there have been some positive steps taken to develop our community we need to ensure that growth benefits the people who live and work here I want to make sure our entire community is prioritized in that growth There’s also a need for more transparency in decision-making People shouldn’t have to dig through complicated reports to understand where their tax dollars are going open communication between City Hall and the people of Plant City the City of Plant City publishes and shares reports that contain notable outcomes I have read through a handful of these reports and have recently noticed the difficulty of identifying where public spending and efforts are prioritized when reading the “Imagine 2040: Plant City Comprehensive Plan,” there is little discussion on funding of the developments and city growth (including funding related to public safety) I support efforts to improve our local economy I want to continue investing in our first responders to ensure they have the resources they need to protect our community I also support initiatives that keep Plant City’s charm intact while encouraging responsible growth I will also continue fostering community engagement by attending local events and working with local business owners and farmers to understand their needs Downtown Revitalization: I want to make Plant City a place where people want to visit year-round—not just during Festival season Small Business & Farmer Support: Many local businesses and farms struggle with resources I will work to cut unnecessary regulations and ensure our agricultural and business communities have the support they need to succeed Government Accountability: I will make city finances more transparent and ensure every tax dollar is used effectively to benefit our community I’m a citizen who wants to see Plant City thrive I’m running because I care about our families and our first responders—the very people who make this city great I believe in a government that works for the people and I want to make sure we are making the right choices today to build a stronger tomorrow I would be honored to earn your vote and serve as your city commissioner How did you garner the endorsement of Firefighters local 2103 As I believe that transparency is critical I see their challenges and impacts first-hand and this is part of why our local departments mean so much to me The Plant City Professional Firefighters Local 2103 is the unionized group of firefighters within Plant City Fire Rescue NEW FACILITY TRIPLES CAPACITY TO SERVE PEOPLE WHO NEED FOOD The United Food Bank and Services of Plant City (UFB) is moving from its temporary location on the Plant City HCC campus to its new facility on Alsobrook Street mobile food pantries intermittently popped up during these days Check the UFB web site for daily updates: https://ufbpc.org.  growth and a brighter future,” Mary Heysek “The United Food Bank has always been a place of compassion and support but now we have the physical space to match that spirit.” The new facility will triple the capacity of the UFB to serve people and contains a 1,847 square foot sorting room for kids’ food The space includes a room for nutrition classes “This new location allows us to increase our partnerships,” Heysek said “The growth we have experienced has been incredible and our volunteers and staff always meet that demand.” Florida Senator Danny Burgess and Florida Representative Lawrence McClure procured a $2 million grant from the State of Florida that payed for completing the new facility The mission of UFB is to provide assistance to the needy in moving them from a “state of hunger” and “impoverishment” to self-sufficiency The vision of UFB is to stamp out hunger in East Hillsborough County and raise the standard of living for the truly needy UFB offers opportunities for self-improvement and enhancing life for individuals and families—all to effect change in the community UFB provides food directly to clients in the community through its Feeding Our Community program with on-site daily food distribution Clients receive a box of food once every two weeks volunteers put in over 17,500 hours working to distribute food donated by partner companies  • 4,330,996.86 pounds of food distributed  • 20,574 kid weekend & break bags  UFB has in place several initiatives to support those in need of food: United Food Bank partners with social workers at 17 schools who identify kids who are in need of food over the weekends the kids can get a bag of food to take home The Kids Break Bag Distribution offers bags of food daily to children while they are out of school for the summer.  “This program helps provide seniors with food and things like adult diapers and medications UFB delivers to two offsite locations—Plant City Towers and Bealsville.  Empowerment for Development (F.E.E.D.) This program teaches parents the correlation between nutrition and their children’s early learning and how this affects academic performance.  These are classes to help people move from dependence to independence and cooking classes in Spanish and English.  “This new building represents not just a physical move but the ability to deepen our impact on our community,” Heysek commented “It allows us to provide more nutritious items.  It’s a game changer for the work we do in both education and hunger.” We asked Plant City: Do you plan on voting in the upcoming election for Plant City Commissioner where Camryn Henry is challenging incumbent Jason Jones I always vote everytime there’s any kind of election it’s one of the greatest rights and responsibilities we have as Americans no matter who you vote for We are outside city limits but hoping for Camryn Henry Which one wants to stop building and bring back cow pastures is the one that gets my vote What is your platform Just critiquing the incumbent doesn’t get my vote getting them to offer positive policies for change and work together is much more difficult and all of my business has been based or operated from Plant City Jones based on personal experience with him even when we disagree So here is my take on the current election and why I have decided to back Camryn Henry over Jason Jones The current state of your City is in shambles not just the Fire Department but the whole City of Plant City I believe Jason is big personality that makes everyone in a room like him and feel a connection with him He has obviously made quite a few friends with some of the city’s “big wigs” Jason has not made Plant City better for it’s citizens There’s a reason all of his sponsors and supporters are the big business owners of the City (most of which don’t live in the City) Jason has shown up to support the Fire Department when cameras are around and when he has had a crowd to speak to Each year when it comes time to make a change and challenge what’s sitting in front of him; he has stayed silent and voted with the rest of the committee The City does NOT need another yes man on the City Commission we need someone who isn’t afraid to ask the challenging questions and take a stand for the citizens and the employees of Plant City I have personally witnessed Camryn be that person She has stood up at City Commission meetings and asked those challenging questions That is why I encourage every one of you to do the same This can be the start of change our City needs “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” Written by another overworked and underpaid FireFighter This election is so important for us that live in Plant City It’s not about who’s your friend but who is going to make a change someone who will have the courage to stand up to the development and support our First Responders and Farmers I’ve been to City Commission meetings and from what I’ve seen Plant City has changed so much in the last few years for the candidate who is actually making themselves available to the people And I’ve encouraged friends to vote however they choose Due to the unacceptable Pedicini style false mailers and smear campaigns from Jones’s campaign pac affiliations without Jason renouncing these tactics leads me to question his judgement and ethics along with my disappointment in my City’s direction I am voting for Camryn Henry outside of party affiliation I don’t live in the city so I am unable to vote If I could I would for sure vote for Jason ! He is an amazing man and loves this city and his family ! Filed Under: Around Town Planning ahead will make your visit to the 2025 Florida Strawberry Festival even more fruitful Please take a few minutes to look over these answers to your questions Regular admission at the gate is $15 for ages 13 and up $5 for children ages 6 to 12 and always FREE for children 5 and under Advance tickets are available at a discounted price ($10 for ages 13 and up $4 for children ages 6 to 12 and always FREE for children 5 and under) at the Publix Super Market locations provided on their website they have bus parking available for $10 in the Bus Parking Lot located on Highway 574 directly across the street from Gate 10 Please call their tour line at 813-719-6680 with any questions Parking is available on Florida Strawberry Festival property in the Blue Gray and Red Parking Lots located on Ritter Street pickup trucks and vans under 20 feet are $5 vehicles from 29 feet to 30 feet are $10 and vehicles or buses over 40 feet are $15 Parking is also available in independent lots around the Festival grounds For inquiries about reserving a space in the Seminole Lake RV Lot located immediately west of the Festival grounds please call the Festival office at 813-752-9194 For RV repairs or questions regarding your RV please contact General RV Center at 813-305-2500 or at their location at 13396 Easy Highway 92 in Dover Reserved seating tickets can be purchased online over the phone at 813-754- 1996 or in person at the AMSCOT Main Ticket Gate located at 2209 West Oak Avenue in Plant City Stop by the Solution Source Construction Box Office located east of the Wish Farms Soundstage and get your tickets right before the show Is admission included in my concert ticket purchase Concert tickets do NOT include gate admission HOW DO I GET A MEET-AND-GREET PASS TO MEET AN ENTERTAINER All meet-and-greet events with headline entertainers are coordinated through each artist’s fan club For information regarding meet-and-greet opportunities Is the concert stadium enclosed or open-air?  Which days do you offer wristbands on the Midway?  Wristbands are available every day except Friday NO wristbands will be available during the day Wristbands will only be available for moonlight magic starting at 10 p.m Please check the special days and discounts available on their website or in this guide What is included with my admission ticket?  Included in your gate admission is access to view their exhibits and competitions arts and crafts vendors and free entertainers Which days are Florida Blue Senior Citizen Days?  Florida Blue Senior Citizen Days are both Thursdays: February 27th and March 6th Can I purchase fresh strawberries on the Festival grounds Fresh strawberries are available for purchase at the Wish Farms booth (inside the northeast corner of the Parke Exhibit Building and right inside Gate 1) and at Parkesdale Farms (inside the south end of the Parke Exhibit Building and also by Gate 16) No alcohol is sold anywhere on the Festival grounds they watch the local forecast closely to always ensure the safety of their patrons Be sure to check their website where they always keep you up-to-date on the latest information check the local weather forecast before you visit Discover and American Express are accepted at each gate for admission for tickets on the Midway and for many of their vendors and crafters They recommend carrying a little cash just in case In addition to their famous strawberry shortcake throughout the Festival you will find dozens upon dozens of tantalizing treats to tempt your taste buds Is smoking permitted on the Festival grounds Smoking is not permitted inside buildings or the Wish Farms Soundstage arena Smoking is permitted outdoors on the Festival grounds Can I bring drinks or food in the gate with me?  coolers or picnic baskets are permitted inside the gates Dogs and/or other animals are not allowed on the Festival grounds unless they are a service or guide dog or in a show or contest Certified trainers (with ID stating same) of companion dogs/animals will be allowed What is the best way to plan for my visit?  They have plenty of resources available to make the most of your Festival visit Use their website where you can view and print a schedule and map ahead of time Maps and schedules are also available on grounds at the UNCOMMON USA information booths inside each entry gate.  A limited number of wheelchairs and motorized scooters can be rented near Gates 1 16 and at the Tour Bus Lot across from Gate 10 A driver’s license will be held as a deposit Motorized Scooter $65 for the entire day or $45 after 5 p.m What do I do if I lost a person or an item while at the Festival?  If you’ve lost someone or something during your visit all lost persons and property will be safely cared for in the Lost & Found caboose sponsored by Chocolate Strawberry Express The bright red caboose is located near the east side of the Parke Exhibit Building Check the weather forecast before your visit and bring jackets  Are there nursing facilities and diaper changing facilities Portlock Restrooms on the Festival grounds The BYHEART Mother & Baby Suite is located in the TECO Expo Hall Will pictures be available for my family to purchase will be on hand to take a special keepsake photo of you and your family when you enter the gate to commemorate your Festival visit Can you offer any alternate routes to get to the Festival Take Highway 60 through Brandon and head east to Highway 39 At the intersection of Highway 60 and Highway 39 turn left and take Highway 39 (James L At Alexander Street and Highway 39 (James L look for parking to the north or south of the Festival Grounds.The grounds are just up the road as you head East on Reynolds You may enter at Gate 5 or 10 located on the south side of the Festival Grounds Take Highway 60 through Mulberry and head West to Highway 39 At the intersection of Highway 60 and Highway 39 turn right and take Highway 39 (James L look for parking to the north or south of the Festival Grounds The grounds are just up the road as you head East on Reynolds Look for routes that will take you to Highway 60 located south of the Festival Ground proceed and follow the directions above that indicate if you are traveling east to west or west to east The directions will be the same once you get on Highway 60 and make your way to the Festival Look for routes that take you to Highway 39 (Paul Buchman Highway) into Plant City Paul Buchman Highway will turn into Wheeler Street Proceed South on Wheeler Street through town and then take a right on Dr Once you get to Alexander Street take a right and proceed to Reynolds Take a left on Reynolds and head west to the Festival grounds on your right — The Plant City High School varsity cheer team made history this season Not only did they win the regional championship for a sixth straight season “Hearing our name called for that kind of award is just an incredible feeling,” senior Raylynn Thompson said “I still don’t believe it because this is what you work for all four years.” It’s a season that will be impossible to forget everybody walked out there with a calmness,” senior Emma Jones said so we’re going to go out there and do it one more time.” “All of them have experienced it being so close but having it slip through their fingers,” head coach Skotti Mesquita added we learned so much from our failures and mistakes pushed the performance to do everything they needed to do.” The joy of winning nationals quickly turned back to the mat the team competed again in the world championships at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports “We’ve been real close the last couple of years but haven’t been able to follow through and get that amazing routine,” Mesquita said “We got that routine this weekend and won our first national championship No one in Hillsborough County has done that before.” The bar is now set very high for future Plant City cheer teams “I feel like every single year the team gets better and better,” senior Payton Tucker said “It’s going to be really cool to watch that after we leave.” He takes Karate at Chris Welbon’s Karate Club He won gold in three events at a tournament in West Palm Beach How long have you been attending Chris Welbon’s Karate Club I have been attending Chris Welbon’s Karate Club for 5 years What’s your favorite thing about being at the Karate Club My favorite thing about the dojo is the people there It is where I’ve made 90% of my friends and met my best friends.  What was your favorite moment or memory from the tournament in West Palm Beach?  My favorite memory from the WPB tournament is winning gold in Kobudo (weapons) I just started weapons training about a year and a half ago and have been training hard to learn this new skill Congrats on getting gold in all three events Which of the three were you the least  I was least confident in Kobudo because that’s the event I’ve spent the least amount of training in I just learned this bo staff kata less than two months ago how would you rank those three events and why?  I would say Kobudo is my third favorite because I’m least confident in this event It’s what I’m most confident in and put a lot of training time into It’s fun to strategically kick or punch people while trying to stay out of the way of their kicks/punches Has doing Karate taught you any life  what advice would you give them if it’s their first time?  You don’t need to be the best at everything A good example would be to master a good front kick first Is there an area of karate that you want to improve in It’s kind of like a chess game but physical I want to work on sparring more strategically Do you have any future goals that you’re working towards with karate Maybe I’ll own a dojo or even teach here at Chris Welbon Karate Club The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) has arrested an individual following an armed burglary on the 4700 block of Orange Haven Place in Plant City a resident was alerted to a suspect trespassing on their property The victim stepped outside and witnessed an individual wearing a ski mask and holding a large bag the suspect fled toward a vehicle parked nearby HCSO’s Aviation Section quickly responded and located the vehicle fleeing into Polk County at a high rate of speed and provided surveillance directing deputies to a home on the 5200 block of Wood Thrush Way in Lakeland A search warrant was executed on the residence in collaboration with the Lakeland Police Department was taken into custody at the Polk County Jail “This arrest exemplifies the dedication and collaboration between our deputies and our partners at Lakeland PD,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said “Thanks to their quick and coordinated efforts we were able to arrest this suspect quickly STUDIES SIGNAL FUTURE PLANT CITY CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and Hillsborough County forecasts a heavy increase in traffic on McIntosh and Branch Forbes Roads and is conducting what is known as a Project Development and Environment (PD&E) study to determine viability of the projects the plans are to reconfigure the undivided two-lanes to four divided lanes The sections under examination are one-mile stretches that reach from south of U.S Construction work would also improve the I-4 on- and off-ramps and local procedures and regulations.  the state attempts to get the public engaged requested resident comments on road designs FDOT held a public hearing on the projects on November 14 so the public could ask questions and offer comments and concerns about the proposed projects to help determine if there are better alternatives.  Branch Forbes and McIntosh connect to Florida’s Strategic Intermodal System and are hurricane evacuation routes Between 2015 and 2019 there were 180 wrecks on this stretch of McIntosh Road and 183 wrecks on Branch Forbes—most of these were rear-end crashes The 2045 projected number of vehicles daily using this McIntosh stretch of road is 16,500 to 34,500 The projected vehicle flow for Branch Forbes is 13,500 to 41,000 In light of the current roadway infrastructure both sections of road would flunk level of service capacity they do not have complete stretches of sidewalk or bicycle lanes plans are to add both as a part of each project All of this will require right-of-way acquisition at several points.  McIntosh would end up with five traffic lights Environmental effects the PD&E study took into account are McIntosh Road would impact about four acres of wetland and waterways there would be no adverse effects on the listed species (12 federal and 20 state) near the site no adverse effects were predicted on listed species (10 federal and 12 state) and archaeological resources were analyzed Along the McIntosh Road section are 13 historical locations Along Branch Forbes are 14 historical locations and one archeological site None are eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places No effects are anticipated on these sites for either of these road projects the PD&E analyzes social factors like mobility Additional storm water retention and floodplain compensation sites would be needed—40 acres for McIntosh Road three houses along McIntosh would need to be relocated six houses and five businesses would need to move out.  Traffic noise would be higher at nine-noise sensitive sites traffic noise would rise at five noise-sensitive sites In terms of contamination at McIntosh Road For Branch Forbes the study determined there are eight low-risk The contamination at these locations are not expected to adversely affect the project.  the cost for the McIntosh project is estimated at $112.8 million For Branch Forbes the estimate is $65.1 million The projects are currently in the design phase but land acquisition and construction for the projects is not currently funded for either road.  residents of the affected land submitted comments Examples that reflect consistent concerns are:  “Your design has taken away the ability for us to turn left out of our subdivision,” Lindsey Hanson responded so now the only way to leave to get to I-4 will be to turn right There is also concern for emergency vehicles to be able to access our road because they will need to U-turn if coming from 92 We would like a way to turn left to get into the street without u-turning.” is this a concrete median that will prevent me from turning left in front of my house “I am worried about safety regarding the road being even closer to my house There are still “no build/do nothing” options for both the McIntosh Road and Branch Forbes Road projects. For more information contact http://www.dot.state.fl.us 9 to start training with the Cleveland Guardians bystanders at a recent Durant High School baseball practice would think the tall lanky blonde player was just another student Right-handed pitcher and Durant High Class of 2024 graduate Chase Mobley drafted in the tenth round by the Cleveland Guardians in the 2024 MLB Draft happened to be in his hometown of Plant City in between traveling to Goodyear Arizona for several off-season camps last summer and fall and thought he’d spend some time with his former teammates “I’m just out here supporting the people I’ve played with talking about the old memories and just throwing the ball around and helping anyone who wants help,” he said is grateful for the time Mobley spends with his 12 pitchers a good young man both on and off the field,” he said “It’s great that he feels comfortable enough to come out here and be with the guys before he takes off for the next step in his career.” Mobley also shared a bit of wisdom that hard work and sacrifices can help them get noticed by professional baseball scouts it wouldn’t be unheard of to see 20 or 30 scouts attending the game his “swing and miss” slider and his deceptive changeup “You have to be able to put in that work every hour of every day,” he said “You have to make a lot of sacrifices in order to do this.” “He knows he can be an amazing example for younger players and his community to always respect where you came from and to work hard for your dreams and path,” he said who fell in love with baseball when he was five years old praised his family for their unwavering support from the countless hours spent at ball fields to believing in him to private coaching “I’m so grateful to them for spending every dime to help me be the best version of me and teaching me that dreams can come true with hard work and dedication,” he said “This was something they worked so hard for.” His pathway to success was not without its adversity 2021 due to complications related to COVID While many people worried he would give up on his dreams he doubled down and worked harder to achieve his goal “They both invested a lot of time and money in helping make my dream come true,” he said “I know this is where Dad wants me to be.” In addition to hanging out at Durant High School he’s been spending time with his mom and 15-year-old sister Rylee and friends Seth Hogan and Lane Baxter “I’m just enjoying a couple of months with everyone before I leave for spring training,” he said who stands six-foot-five and weighs 205 poounds signed with the Guardians for a 10th round MLB draft record bonus of $1.8 million smashing the bonus record set two years earlier when they paid Jacob Zibin $1.2 million it’d be reasonable to expect an 18-year-old to blow most of it on frivolous big-ticket items “My mom totaled my old truck that she bought me when I was in high school,” Mobley joked “Hopefully that truck is going to last me until I’m 25 or 30 years old family and friends are more important to me than money will ever be.” where he will showcase his skills and potentially earn a spot on the 40-man roster “I’m about to go out there for spring training and then off to the races for the regular season,” he said “I know it’s going to be a long process but I’m excited to earn my place.” Filed Under: Sports This year marked the 90th anniversary for the Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City Advocates for Migrant farmworkers gathered outside the event on Saturday to show support for workers who couldn’t be there He’s the son of Mexican immigrants but is a US citizen and grew up picking berries on the farm I got to work in the strawberry fields and I went to Michigan to pick blueberries With recent executive orders to deport immigrants with criminal backgrounds Ventura said that while he agrees with keeping America safe the orders are making life harder for those who haven’t committed any crimes “There’s some bad ones that they should leave And then there are some good ones that want to do everything right get over here and by that age they’re gonna they’re not going to be able to work.” Joseph lost his job due to health conditions but said he still wants to be the voice for those who are concerned with facing deportation if they speak up XHTML: You can use these tags: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong> Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_3" ).setAttribute( "value" Listen: Environmentalists in Pinellas County are calling for a renewed.. Roundup of news headlines produced for WMNF Community Radio: Trump,.. That means we don't advertise like a commercial station WMNF volunteers have fun providing a variety of needed services to keep your community radio station alive and kickin' Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_4" ).setAttribute( "value" Proud member of Project Galileo and protected by Cloudflare WMNF is a registered 501(с)3 charitable organization - The Nathan B. Stubblefield Foundation, Inc. | Online Public File Or if you just wanna let our DJ know you’re enjoying their show Signup below to get The Scoop delivered every weekday to your email inbox Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" WMNF advises you to check with the individual venues or event planners listed before heading to anything posted here There is a high likelihood that many events have been or will be canceled or postponed Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value" The Hillsborough County Public School district is building a career college in Plant City The goal is to create more trade workers in the East Hillsborough area Set to open in time for the fall 2025 semester the vocational school will offer workforce training in welding the programs will take on average one year to complete allowing students a quick entry into the workforce Adult students will be able to enroll and high school students will be able to earn dual enrollment credit Officials expect the school to serve approximately 900 students in its first year Technical and Adult Education Warren Brooks expects most students to come from Eastern Hillsborough and Polk County "We worked very closely with the Plant City Economic Development Corporation and very closely with their chamber to try to find jobs in this region paying really good wages get that training and come out and hopefully have a little bit better quality of life,” said Brooks Brooks said students who struggled academically can find more success once they’re in a trade school setting One example he gave is the STEM courses required to become an electrician "These things kind of become real world,” said Brooks “They may not have been a great science student but then they get in there with us and they realize the practical application and this is gonna be something they can make [into] money." the 52,000 square foot school will feature two buildings on 16 acres of land adjacent to the Plant City Stadium District staff and community members attended a groundbreaking ceremony Sept “Very cool,” said HCPS Superintendent Van Ayres at a board meeting after he attended the groundbreaking 50 years since we’ve had a new career center.” It’s being built through a partnership between HCPS and construction company Skanska we look forward to delivering a technical college strategically positioned to impact our growing need for skilled trades in our communities,” said Skanska Vice President Daniel Abou-Jaoude in a press release One thing that still needs to be decided is a name for the new school The district started taking online suggestions from the community on Oct but the competition was closed prematurely “Please know that all names already submitted will be saved and provided to the Board once the naming process begins in the summer of 2025,” HCPS officials said online Whether a lifelong berry lover or a first-time visitor the Florida Strawberry Festival has something to satisfy every craving.  Festival goers can delight in a wide variety of mouth-watering strawberry-inspired treats from refreshing strawberry milkshakes that are thick and creamy to strawberry pizza cream cheese spread topped with fresh strawberries and a strawberry jelly sauce Guests craving something simple can grab a bowl of fresh strawberries or grab a homemade jar of strawberry jam to take home Among the many delightful treats available No matter which of the three booths you visit they each promise something tasty to savor making it the perfect place for foodies and families alike to celebrate the juicy joy of strawberries Location: In the middle of the Parke Exhibit Building Now in its 51st year at the Florida Strawberry Festival Clement Catholic Church is the oldest and largest shortcake operation at the Florida Strawberry Festival that sells approximately 100,000 “make your own” strawberry shortcakes every year and averages about 500 flats of fresh-picked berries a day Its strawberry shortcake includes a choice of cake or buttermilk biscuit “you” then add as many delicious Plant City sliced berries in their juices as “you” want then they top “your” creation off with a fresh whole “topper” berry to finish “your” creation “We let you make it yourself so we can’t screw it up,” joked booth chairman Kevin McFaul They also offer a a plain bowlful of berries for diabetics Hot and cold beverages and table seating available.  Transforming Life Church’s World-Famous Strawberry Shortcake Booth Location: Inside the Entenmann’s Strawberry Tent Transforming Life Church has been selling strawberry shortcake from its booth for 46 years Its strawberry shortcake includes a serving of pound cake or biscuit topped with a heaping spoonful of delicious Plant City strawberries and a dollop of whipped topping to finish it off thanks to a collaboration with Fancy Farms they’ve added the same vanilla soft-serve ice cream as a topping option (for an additional charge) used at Fancy Farms “We had so many requests over the years for ice cream that we decided to offer it as an option,” said booth chairman Ryan Wynn “We’ll make your strawberry shortcake however you want it.” Their motto is “we’ll make it your way.” East Hillsborough Historical Society Shortcake Booth Location: South of the TECO Expo Hall near Pioneer Village Another longtime vendor a the Florida Strawberry Festival (they’ve been selling the sweet treats since 1982 back when you could buy a strawberry shortcake for a dollar) the East Hillsborough Historical Society offers a sweet yellow cake or southern-style buttermilk biscuit served with sweetened or unsweetened fresh strawberries and finished with fresh whipped topping Beverages include coffee (regular and decaf) Fresh Strawberries: After you’ve filled up on strawberry shortcake take a flat home for you and your friends to enjoy Parkesdale Farms- South side of Parke Exhibit Building Wish Farms- Northeast corner of Parke Exhibit Building and just outside Gate 1/Amscot Main Ticket Gate Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake Milkshake: A creamy strawberry milkshake (the cup is rolled in Fruity Pebbles) is topped with a strawberry cupcake and sponge cake then finished off with fresh whipped cream more strawberries and a strawberry lollipop Polar Bear Ice Cream- Edwards Street & East Independent Strawberry Milkshakes: Made with fresh strawberries Brandon Farms- Directly inside Gate 1/Amscot Main Ticket Gate Chocolate Dipped Strawberries: These berries are carefully dipped and ready to be devoured Chocolate Strawberry Express- Middle of Parke Exhibit Building Mavric’s Chocolate Barn- South end of the Entenmann’s Strawberry Tent Strawberry Jam: Made with Plant City strawberries Strawberry Pie and Strawberry Cheesecake: Need we say more Plant City High School Music Foundation- Stadium Exhibit Hall Bowl of Berries (sugar-free available): The most simple way to enjoy strawberry goodness Sunshine Concessions- Woodrow Wilson Street Strawberry Pizza: This dessert pizza satisfies with a graham cracker or sugar cookie crust THOUSANDS RING IN THE NEW YEAR IN DOWNTOWN Plant City began a new tradition—the Strawberry Drop “We made history—the first time for Plant City,” Dawn Hyatt Plant City Main Street Executive Director said “This definitely showed the importance to the community of these downtown events We were overwhelmingly surprised at the turnout—far far more numbers than we had anticipated.” Plant City Main Street held this celebratory night with music “We had food trucks and vendors completely sell out,” Hyatt said “It was really a huge win for the Plant City community—espe- cially the downtown and Bob McDowell built the lighting and created its programming glowing with flashing lights changing from red to white to blue the crowd’s cheers rivaled those of New York City’s Times Square The owners of businesses like Spirit Art Gallery and the Crafted Butterfly had to usher shoppers out at 11:30 so they could view the drop “The fact that we still had people in our merchant stores that stayed open until 11:30 at night makes me cry happy tears,” Hyatt commented “That is the best news that I could get—that our merchants thrived We will have to expand it a little bit to meet the needs of the community The estimate is that 10,000 people came through the event over the course of the night “There was wonderful city support as far as having two commissioners show up for it,” Hyatt addedd and I think we will have to add to it.” Hyatt expressed a special thank you to the Florida Strawberry Growers Association and the Strawberry Festival for partnering in sponsoring the Kid Zone They provided children with free bouncy houses “It was a beautiful blessing,” Hyatt added “It was emotional for me—specially seeing how the community pulled together like it did—that was just huge.” Spring is coming fast and in the Sunshine State that means one thing: the Florida Strawberry Festival The festival in Plant City is more than just strawberries and strawberry shortcake it's a celebration of the red fruit that proudly displays its seeds on the outside "The Florida Strawberry Festival represents a piece of Americana a time in American history when fairs and festivals brought communities together through celebrations of their harvests," the website said "It has continued to grow in popularity year after year through the preservation of this heritage. Central to its focus, the Festival continues to preserve and enhance the agricultural and historical legacy of the Florida strawberry."  When is the Florida Strawberry Festival 2025?This year's Strawberry Festival starts Feb The Strawberry Festival is held in Plant City Plant City is located about 20 miles east of Tampa and 50 miles southwest of Orlando How much does it cost to get into the Florida Strawberry Festival?Admission for the festival at the gate is: Discount gate admission tickets are available Feb. 1-March 9 at participating Publix supermarkets in Central Florida and the Amscot Main Ticket Gate Adults (ages 13+): $10Children (ages 6-12): $4Children (ages 5 and under): free with paid adult admission➤ See the full list and addresses of participating Publix locations. Yes. Parking is available on Florida Strawberry Festival property in the Blue Gray and Red parking lots located on Ritter Street Here is the headline entertainment lineup for this year's festival. Tickets are available at ETIX or call 813-754-1996. Unless specified gate admission does not include concert tickets What hours are the Strawberry Festival?Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Midway hours are: Weekends and Monday: 10 a.m.- 11 p.m.The Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo Kiddie Korral is open daily from 10 a.m "A little rain doesn’t shut us down!" the festival website site said but encouraged guests to watch its website with the latest information The theme for this year's festival is "The Stage is Set." The first Strawberry Festival was held in 1930 "when members of the newly organized Plant City Lions Club conceived the idea of an event to celebrate the bountiful harvest of strawberries."  it "now ranks among the Top 40 Fairs in North America," according to its website In 2024, the Florida Strawberry Festival ranked 29th in its list of the Top 50 Fairs and Carnivals December 6 as the annual Plant City Christmas Parade takes over downtown streets While young believers anxiously await the arrival of Mr Claus in their reindeer-pulled sleigh (as the main draw they are the last float) marching bands and other parade units hosted by local businesses government entities and civic groups will showcase their holiday spirit and entertain the crowds The much-anticipated parade begins at 7 p.m at the corner of Alsobrook and Collins Streets heads north then hangs a right on Reynolds St before ending at the Plant City Courthouse Road closures will begin at approximately 5 p.m The Plant City Police Department and City will be on-site to manage traffic and road closures another annual holiday tradition that lights up  the Florida Strawberry Festival Grounds and includes lighted Christmas trees He was informed of his selection the day before Hurricane Milton hit “I was busy preparing but it was great news,” he said “I was extremely honored and its always been a dream of mine.” Plant City Christmas Parade President Sharon Moody is excited about the upcoming parade and hopes everyone enjoys it as much as they do “This is a community tradition and we want this parade to be a positive experience after the recent hurricane season we’ve just been through,” she said “We hope we can uplift everyone’s spirits during Christmastime.” For more information about the Plant City Christmas Parade visit www.pcchristmasparade.homestead.com/ or visit its Plant City Christmas Parade Facebook page ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION IS PURSUING $562 MILLION IN PRIVATE CAPITAL INVESTMENTS Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced a $5.5 million grant to the City of Plant City for the construction of a 2.75-mile loop extension of Henderson Way allowing access to approximately 310 acres of commercial and light industrial development sites includes a potable water distribution system The road will begin at the eastern end of Henderson Way The $5.5 million will be combined with $15.2 million in private funding and $1.9 million in city expenses building water and reclaimed water infrastructure that has already been completed The project is expected to bring more than 2,600 new jobs to the Plant City area and support the retention of nearly 1,000 existing jobs The Florida Job Growth Grant Fund is an economic development program designed to promote public infrastructure and workforce training across the state Proposals are reviewed by the Florida Department of Commerce and are chosen by Governor DeSantis to meet the demands for workforce training or infrastructure needs in communities around the state The grant can only be awarded to a governmental entity These funds can’t be used for the exclusive benefit of any single company the City Commission voted 5-0 to pass resolution 25-093 authorizing the city manager to enter into a Florida Jobs Growth grant agreement with the Department of Commerce and enter into an agreement with Lakeside Station for a letter of credit or other adequate security The terms of the agreement will continue until whichever comes first; December 31 and the City of Plant City requests to close out The type of agreement is a cost-reimbursement agreement The State has set it up as a land purchase reimbursement grant for section 4 and section 5 of the loop road.  The time to receive the grant is variable and it could take four to six months “What we need to show on ROI to close out the agreement and complete the terms of the agreement is to certify a private capital investment of $562,434,500 has been made at least 2,660 jobs have been created because of the project and at least 1,000 jobs have been retained because of the project,” Steve Morey President of the Plant City Economic Development Council said.  The risks for the city are the grant contains a clawback provision that would allow the state to recover grant funds from the city if the target number of new jobs and retained jobs are not met The amount the state would recover is prorated based on the job numbers achieved compared to the targeted goals the developer is providing a letter of credit or other adequate security to provide a safety net for the Plant City government in case the overall project does not meet the expected goals The economic impact of the Lakeside Logistics Development is expected to generate $960 million in private capital investments in land The project will allow for the construction of 5.4 million square feet of industrial and commercial space “I just don’t see any downside to this,” Mayor Nate Kilton said during the City Commission meeting “Especially when we are indemnified by the developer with the letter of credit What we are going to lose is a little bit of interest in the time we are floating the loan…the payback on that is going to be huge.” This additional cost to the city will be approximately $75,000 in lost interest Occupancy of industrial and warehouse space in Plant City is currently at about 90 percent “This is the sweet spot where you want to be because it gives enough flexibility for existing tenants to expand and contract and have something to bring in new tenants,” Morey commented THERE IS AN ONGOING EFFORT TO PREPARE FOR GROWTH Wheeler Street Station is the planned development at the intersection of Wheeler Street and Dr The vision is for the downtown development to be a mixed-use building with 16,000 square feet of commercial space on the first floor and one-bedroom apartments on the second and third floors and two-bedroom apartments on the fourth floor The parcel of land designated for Wheeler Street Station sits in Plant City’s Midtown which is in its Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) This area was specified after Florida’s Community Redevelopment Act of 1969 The purpose of the Community Redevelopment Act is to remove slum and blight from municipalities The City Commission defined and established the area in Plant City in 1981 the City has completed much infrastructure work in the CRA The land acquired by the city in Midtown was a CRA project Even though this infrastructure is in place for Wheeler Street Station the development has not come to fruition due to the economy “We can’t control the market,” Carter Broun a development has to make sense financially it makes Wheeler Street and Midtown much more viable projects the City of Plant City is getting things into place for the Wheeler Street Station Project There is a whole initiative to add residential and commercial spaces throughout Midtown and then we ground leased it back to Wheeler Street Station for that project—which is an example of where the city is working to encourage development,” Bill McDaniel City Manager of Plant City said.  “We had to help solve the problem for the additional parking that would be created.”  There is an empty building across the street from the Wheeler Street Station location that at one time functioned as a bank we hope that we see somebody buy it and reactivate it,” McDaniel commented We would just like to see it brought back to viability and have a business in it If you had somebody in there that had 50 to 75 employees in that building That particular property has plenty of its own parking and it is also adjoined by quite a bit of public parking on Southwest Drane Street Now that parking is in place for Wheeler Street Station and there are plans for new national economic initiatives it could be Plant Citians will see Midtown begin to flourish — A fun tradition dating back more than a decade returns to Plant City this year It’s the annual J Seward Johnson Sculpture Exhibition in Downtown Plant City said you never know what’s going to be around the next corner a couple kissing or Marilyn Monroe standing over a sewer grate and they would go up and start talking to a sculpture the city ships in 10 different sculptures to be put on display at various corners sidewalks and parks throughout the downtown “They’ll put their kids up on the sculptures We have some on benches—people will sit next to the sculptures and put their arms around them “We were actually on the way back from the Brick House for breakfast and we had to do a u-turn and come back and take some pictures,” said Brandi Towner who was visiting with her three daughters from West Palm Beach believes families specifically come to town for the sculptures they come and want to know if they are here yet It’s something that they look forward to every year and I think it’s just a great addition to the downtown area,” said Lubrano Gott said he is most amazed at how lifelike they are it’s hard to tell what is real and what is not “We had a man sitting out here in an Adirondack chair People keep calling in and saying there is a dead man in the park.' It’s just a statue,” said Gott Gott said it’s important to get out of the car and really take a good look because there are so many interesting details The sculpture exhibit is on display until March 3 You can find a map of all 10 statue locations at the Railroad Museum I remember on Sunday our family would gather at my Nonnie’s house,” Frank Fautas said We would gather around the table and feast on giant bowls of pasta and gallons of sauce we would call ‘gravy.’ It is the memory that inspired me to share my version of Grandma’s Sunday gravy with everyone I have always wanted to share my passion for food with others.” Fautas has worked in the restaurant business for much of his lifetime and I always told my wife if this place ever came for sale I would love to buy it,” Frank said I know we don’t pull from a huge draw like they do in Brandon I have come to know the regulars that come here George Katinos is continuing as the manager for Esposito Pizza “George is unbelievable,” Fautas commented George has held this place together for many years The Esposito Pizza menu has significantly changed Some of my fondest memories were in the kitchen with my mom,” Fautas said This menu is a tribute to our time together I want people to come here not knowing what to expect I had some regular customers that come in here—they stopped me and said ‘I just want to let you know I can tell the quality of the food has gone up significantly since you have been here.’”  Most places serve eight to nine ounces of pasta “I want people to leave here full and happy,” Fautas said I want them to feel like they got value for the money they spent.” CITY COMMISSIONER SELECTED FOR STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL GRAND PARADE “Selecting the Grand Marshal for the Strawberry Grand Parade is always an exciting and thoughtful process,” Gail Domedian said work together to establish criteria that reflect the values and spirit of our community We consider factors such as community service and overall impact on Plant City and the Florida Strawberry Festival When we discussed who has had a significant positive impact on the community and truly embodies the spirit of the parade and leadership made him the clear choice for Grand Marshal of the 2025 Strawberry Grand Parade.” Mike Sparkman saw serving the community first hand—his father worked as a police officer in Plant City He retired as a sergeant—which at that time was the second-in-command As a junior and senior he held down four part-time jobs at the same time owned and operated a Pure Oil gas station in downtown The pair added to that enterprise by going into a home heating business They built a 450-gallon transport truck they used to deliver kerosene to local homes and businesses Sparkman had a role as a volunteer fireman—on duty from midnight to 7:00 a.m at the fire station that used to be in downtown For this job he took an ambulance out on emergency calls Sparkman would walk two blocks from his gas station put on his jacket that said “Haynes” on it and the ambulance would stop and pick him up he took the ambulance by himself—again—all while he was still in high school Sparkman went on to build his most successful business—Sparky’s Oil Company Sparky’s had more than 50 locations and employed 450 people—including those in his headquarters in Plant City The oil giant kept all the employees on the payroll except Sparkman he went on to build again—two more gas station chains—including one with 20 embedded Subway franchises—all of which he also eventually sold.  Sparkman continued his service to Plant City—first as vice president of the Little League during the time his three children were playing in 1993 residents voted Sparkman in as a City Commissioner.  He has served 10-three year terms including seven one-year-terms as mayor.  When the Plant City Police Department needed to expand Sparkman began eyeing a building that had been an Auto Nation distribution center The land and facility originally cost $20 million Since Auto Nation had filed for bankruptcy Sparkman thought the parcel could be bought for a steal at $7 million—and initiated pursuing the property for the city After the purchase (for $6,995,000) and renovation I was very successful in my business career—tremendously successful We made Plant City more like a business than a government We are very sound financially—very conservative—yet we provide for our people.” and treasure to Plant City continued to add up He took on the role of chairman of building the Nettie Berry Draughon Municipal Building (AKA City Hall) He acquired $3 million in funding to bring the YMCA to Plant City and served as its chairman Sparkman garnered a $50,000 donation from the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen to build the Plant City train viewing platform.  “Plant City is a good place—a good place to live—a good place to raise a family We have a very close-knit family.” Sparkman and his wife have been married for 60 years and have three children and eight grandchildren—all of them live in Plant City “Our grandkids are the seventh generation in Plant City,” Sparkman commented Sparkman also made an impact beyond the boundaries of Plant City Florida governor Lawton Chiles appointed him to the Hillsborough County Community College Board of Trustees in 1991 part of that time as chairman of the board Sparkman served on the BayCare Board of Trustees showed up at Sparkman’s office door to obtain a sizeable donation to help underwrite starting the University of South Florida Bulls football team.  While president of the Strawberry Festival he instituted building the impressive stone and steel Gate 1 Sparkman also brought festival operations into the modern world by instituting electronic ticketing When Sparkman found out he had been nominated to be Grand Marshal “I have been on the parade committee for eons—I have been a director for the Florida Strawberry Festival for 40 years I was quite shocked that Gail recommended it to Kyle for me to be the parade Grand Marshal The annual event kicks off the season and benefits the many services and programs at South Florida Baptist Hospital The 26th annual Lights of Love tree lighting ceremony returns to McCall Park in Downtown Plant City on Thursday Co-sponsored by South Florida Baptist Hospital Foundation (SFBHF) and the City of Plant City this time-honored tradition brings the community together to witness the “lighting up” of a tree and the tens of thousands of lights that have been strung by hardworking city employees a new 25’ digital Christmas tree will be adorned with lights “purchased” by individuals families and businesses in honor or memory of friends and loved-ones Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit South Florida Baptist Hospital’s (SFBH) new Level-2 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) opening in 2025 “This is important for our community because we haven’t had a NICU in Plant City,” said SFBHF Executive Director Jana Butler “We will be able to care for high-risk moms and babies.” Last year’s event packed McCall Park with hundreds of people and raised more than $43,000 While the event is open to the community and free to attend individual lights begin at $25 each and must be purchased in advance Sponsorship opportunities for the event range from Supporting Sponsor at $250 to Lights of Love Major Sponsor at $5,000 All sponsors and lights purchased are listed in the evening’s printed program emceed by Mayor Nate Kilton (usually dressed in his holiday finest attire) Claus’ Kitchen will be selling refreshments and First Baptist Church of Plant City will feature a musical program including children’s choir Claus will make an appearance and be available for photos beginning at 5:30 p.m.  “It’s just such a joyful night where families and the community really come out to support not only the hospital but the City of Plant City,” said Butler “It’s a magical night where friends and family gather to celebrate the holiday season.” For more information about Lights of Love or if you’d like to be a light sponsor visit SFBH Foundation’s website at sfbhfoundation.org or call 813-757-8478 TAMPA, Fla. — A whopping 5.5 million businesses are started in the U.S Latino business ownership is growing at the fastest rate in 30 years a family of entrepreneurs is paving the path for generations to come If there’s one thing you’ll always find at Willy Snowcone It’s a family-owned business that started from her home back in 2013 Ramirez said he was her motivation to become an entrepreneur which has had a trickle-down effect on her children She said support is most needed as Latinos venture into entrepreneurship. “We need to stick together Small Business Administration reports more Hispanics are starting small businesses now more than ever helping approves loans that have led to the creation of more than 15,000 jobs Ramirez said it’s motivation to keep going because there can be challenges she’s helping give the community a little taste of Texas while making sure to keep her father’s memory alive “I think my dad would be very proud of what we’re doing and I believe it’s just the beginning,” she said Ramirez is hoping to continue inspiring the next generation of Hispanic entrepreneurs The Willy Snowcone owners say they are also dedicated to doing mission work to give back to others in the community