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Plant City teen wins National American Miss. PAGE 6
FREE • FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2014
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See inside for our 2014 Plant City Football Guide.
First Baptist serves up fun, faith at fish fry.
SPECIAL SECTION
PAGE 8
by Amber Jurgensen | Managing Editor after all these years OUR TOWN
+ Student selected for medical congress Ryan DeMello, a Plant City resident and junior at Seffner Christian Academy, has been nominated to attend the Congress of Future Medical Leaders from Nov. 14 to 16, in Washington, D.C. The congress is an honors-only program for high school students. DeMello was nominated by Dr. Connie Mariano, medical director of the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists, to represent Seffner Christian Academy based on his academic achievement, leadership and determination to serve in the field of medicine.
Arrest in 1979 murder brings closure to family Charolette Kelley was murdered 35 years ago, at her Plant City home. Thanks to DNA evidence, an arrest has finally been made. Orthneil Kelley still goes to the shady cemetery grass to visits his mother’s grave. He’s 39 now. But, he was just 4 years old when he lost her. It was 1979, when Charo-
lette Kelley was strangled at her Plant City home. After 35 years, her cold case finally has been closed. The Plant City Police Department announced Aug. 26,
that the U.S. Marshal Service arrested Nathaniel Bigbee, 63, in connection to her murder. Kelley shook hands with detectives and smiled at the press conference.
He still will visit his mother’s grave. But now, he’ll have very different news for her. “She did it,” Kelley said. “She made it happen — that she can get closure. She can rest.” Kelley was at home with his 7-month-old brother, Antwan, when his mother was murdered. He doesn’t remember
SEE KELLEY / PAGE 4
by Catherine Sinclair | Staff Writer
Strawberry association inducts new director
David and Rubye Mae Daniels celebrated Aug. 27, their 73rd anniversary. They took their honeymoon in 1941, in Ybor City. David is a U.S. Army veteran, who served in World War II, and Rubye is the last surviving sibling in her family. They are both 92 years old and have lived in their home on North Whitehall Street for 53 years.
Plant City native Kenneth Parker always has had close ties to agriculture. He takes over for Ted Campbell, who retired recently. Following the retirement of Executive Director Ted Campbell, the Florida Strawberry Growers Association selected a new leader, Kenneth Parker. His background is as local as the berries that come from the fields of Plant City. Campbell held the position for six years. He lived in Naples but commuted weekly between the two cities. “That wasn’t the lifestyle I had in mind when I took that
+ Archives receives D.E. Bailey Papers
SEE PARKER / PAGE 4 Brooklyn Rollins just celebrated her first birthday Aug. 20.
Amber Jurgensen
Poster Child The Rollins family is raising money to participate in the 20th Flagship Buddy Walk, in New York. Their daughter, Brooklyn, will be featured in a slideshow before the walk.
I
t’s been a year of trials and joy for the Rollins family. On Aug. 20, 2013, they welcomed beautiful baby Brooklyn into the world. Brooklyn was born with Down syndrome. But, the family quickly rallied around her. After sending her picture to the National Down Syndrome Society several weeks ago, mother Amber Rollins was notified that Brooklyn’s photograph would be used in a video for the 20th Flagship Buddy Walk Sept. 20, in New York City. “That’s cool,” Amber said about finding out. “I was like,
, 3&
This week’s winner is
‘Really?’ She skipped the local Buddy Walk and went straight to the national one.” Amber, along with husband, Steven — and of course, Brooklyn — want to attend the opening ceremonies of the walk to see Brooklyn on the big screen in Times Square. But, they need help to raise $2,000 to make the trek. So far, they have raised $275.
SCARY START
HOW TO HELP To help the Rollins raise money so they can attend the 20th Flagship Buddy Walk in New York City, visit gofundme. com/cvv3wc.
Brooklyn just celebrated her first birthday during a party last week at Faith Lighthouse
SEE BROOKLYN / PAGE 4
Kelsey Bridges. See her photo on PAGE 13.
much of it — except for holding his baby brother in his arms. Police said neighbors heard
HOME-GROWN
STEP BY STEP by Amber Jurgensen | Managing Editor
+ P.C. couple celebrates 73 years
The Plant City Photo Archives and History Center received Aug. 20, the first shipment of papers from David E. Bailey Jr. They were delivered by David Merrill Bailey, son of the author. Bailey, along with Quintilla Geer Bruton, authored the book “Plant City: Its Origin and History.” The younger Bailey and his sister, Randi Sue Cox, met with Executive Director Gil Gott after Bailey died in August 2010 and decided Bailey would like his writings and papers to be donated to the center.
Charolette Kelley was only 25 when she was murdered.
coming soon by Catherine Sinclair | Staff Writer
Tire store to open by Christmas
Construction began Aug. 18 on the future site of Kauffman Tire, at James Redman Parkway and Maki Road. A new business, Kauffman Tire, is expected to open on James L. Redman Parkway this winter. The site is at the intersection of Maki Road, between McDonald’s and GTE Financial Credit Union, on
SEE KAUFFMAN / PAGE 4
INDEX Calendar.......................2
Vol. 2, No. 6 | One section Crossword...................13
Neighborhood...............7
Obituaries.....................9
Sports.........................10
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