Plant City Times &
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Turkey Creek students compete in 2014 Olympics.
OUR TOWN
+ P.C. resident spotted on TV Plant City fans of ABC’s hit sitcom “The Middle” may have spotted a familiar face during the show’s May 21 episode. Plant City resident Yvonne Fry made her primetime TV debut as an extra during the show’s Disney World one-hour season finale. Fry was spotted several times throughout the episode behind the main cast. Fittingly, Fry launched recently Plant City’s first talent agency, Fresh Picked Talent.
FREE • THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2014
Plant City seniors Spring football celebrate end of offers glimpse high school careers. of 2014 squads.
business by Michael Eng | Editor
City approves tax exemptions for Toufayan Bakeries expansion The maker of pita bread, flatbreads and wraps plans to complete its $8.9M expansion by September 2015. The approval process took only a few minutes, but the potential ramifications of the Plant City Commission’s actions this week should have lasting impacts in the community. City commissioners approved May 27, an ordinance that grants Toufayan Bakeries ad valorem tax exemption as an
incentive for the company to build an $8.9 million expansion at its Plant City facilities. The company also has requested the city pay the law enforcement impact fees for the proposed expansion. “Sometimes, things go through very simply, and there is a lot of work that went behind
it — several years — to make something a reality,” said Vice Mayor Rick Lott. “I just want to compliment the staff and the commission on the ordinance and resolution with Toufayan Bakeries. “We were competing with
Michael Eng
Toufayan Bakeries expects the expansion will add 80 new SEE TOUFAYAN / PAGE 4 jobs in Plant City.
HIGHWAY ROBBERY
by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor
Criminals target P.C. gas stations in skimming operation
+ Rubio staff plans P.C. visit Staff members from U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio’s office will be available to meet with Plant City residents from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, May 29, at Bruton Memorial Library, 302 W. McLendon St. Rubio’s staff offers a variety of constituent services, assisting people with a wide range of issues, including problems with Social Security, Medicare, Veterans Affairs and more.
Area residents have reported fraudulent charges after paying at the pump at Plant City gas stations. Maj. Kyle Richardson was the keynote speaker for this year’s Memorial Day Ceremony.
SOME GAVE ALL IN REMEMBRANCE by Michael Eng | Editor
David PeQueen with Sherrie Mueller, college and career counselor, and Dr. Don Humphrey
+ P.C. student wins history award Plant City High School junior David PeQueen received the Sons of the American Revolution Award for excellence in American history. The winner is selected by the history department of Plant City High. Dr. Don Humphrey represented the Major John Devane Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution of Plant City and presented the award to PeQueen.
, 3&
This week’s winner is
Diane Peyton. See her photo on PAGE 15.
Plant City remembered its fallen heroes during the annual East Hillsborough County Memorial Day Ceremony May 26, at the American Legion Post #26.
The ceremony included a memorial prayer from Chaplain Daniel Middlebrooks. The Plant City High School ROTC Color Guard posted the colors, and Cub Scout
Larry Gmytruk was among the veterans who attended the ceremony
Pack 5 led the Pledge of Allegiance. The keynote speaker was Maj. Kyle Richardson, of the 3rd Battalion, 116th Field Artillery Regiment. Post legion-
Post legionnaires conducted the roll call of the soldiers who have died since the last Memorial Day.
naires conducted the roll call of the soldiers who have died since the last Memorial Day. Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed a barbecue lunch.
Plant City residents beware: Criminals using a credit cardstealing tactic called “skimming” have targeted local gas stations in recent weeks. The Plant City Police Department has experienced an increase in complaints of fraudulent credit card charges. Anecdotally, more than a dozen residents have reported incidents of fraud through social media outlets such as Facebook. Leslie Varn used her debit card to buy gas at the Circle K on Park Road. About a week later, she noticed unauthorized transactions made at a RaceTrac, in Orlando. “I had to cancel my debit card, which means all of my auto bill pays had to be switched,” Varn said. “Also had to go to the bank and fill out fraudulent paperwork.” Resident Traci Forcucci also used her card at the outside pump at Circle K off Park Road.
Patrick Rodrigues, of Troop 5, was proud to lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
SEE SKIMMING / PAGE 4
sticky fingers by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor
P.C. Lions Club’s ‘Gavel Grabbers’ steal support for 3-year-old cancer patient The Lions have been uniting clubs throughout Central Florida through the art of the steal. In a breaking-news event, Lions Clubs throughout Central Florida are advised to keep an eye on their gavels. A vigilante group known as the “Gavel Grabbers” has been
striking various club meetings, stealing the presidents’ gavels. But, let it be known, it is for a good cause. The Gavel Grabbers belong to the Plant City Lions Club.
And, they’re not doing it for the riches or the fame. They’re doing it to help connect clubs and raise money for Gabriel Brannan-Buehl, a 3-year-old who has lost one eye to retino-
blastoma, an eye cancer that affects young children. He only has a 20% chance of getting retinoblastoma in the other eye,
SEE LIONS / PAGE 5
INDEX Calendar.......................2
Amber Jurgensen
Gabriel Brannan-Buehl played with cars during a Lions Club meeting.
Vol. 1, No. 43 | One section Crossword...................15
Obituaries...................10
Sports.........................11
Weather ......................15
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