Plant City Times &
Observer YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
A PARTNERSHIP WITH
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PAGE 13
PAGES 8-9
FREE • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2014
Durant senior Durant, Plant City and takes game to Strawberry Crest all crown New Jersey ice. 2015 Calendar Girls.
OUR TOWN
+ Springhead hosts breakfast Three generations celebrated during a grandparents’ breakfast at Springhead Elementary School. Rylan Prescott, Pat Hutto and Sherri Prescott enjoyed a delicious meal before their day started.
pedal power by Catherine Sinclair | Staff Writer
Police officers ready to roll at 2015 Police Unity Tour The 250-mile bike ride, which will take the officers from Portsmouth, Va., to Washington, D.C., raises money for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. Four Plant City police officers are ready to brave 250 grueling miles of concrete for the Police Unity Tour in May 2015. But, to enter the annual bike ride, they must raise $2,000 by Nov. 1 and then an
additional $6,000 by March 1, 2015. All the money they raise will funnel through the annual event to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. But, the ride also has an-
other purpose — to honor fallen police officers, such as Arnulfo Crispin and Jeff Kocab. Crispin, who lived in Plant City from 1986 to 1995, was killed in 2011, 18 months after starting a career in law
enforcement with the Lakeland Police Department. Crispin’s brother, Frankie Crispin, who lives in Plant City, said what set Crispin apart as an officer had been his belief in Christ. “That was one of the (things) that made him a little bit different,” Frankie Crispin said. “The value of the simple
SEE POLICE / PAGE 4
public safety by Justin Kline | Staff Writer
+ Mitchells celebrate 50 years
+ Church cracks open Pecan Sale
, 3&
This week’s winner is
Linda Hunter
See her photo on PAGE 15.
COMMON CENTS
by Catherine Sinclair | Staff Writer
Chamber, Observer launch Buy Local campaign The Buy Local program encourages consumers to choose to spend their dollars in town whenever possible.
Roger and Anne Mitchell celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary Oct. 3. Roger served in the U.S. Navy and is retired from Lockheed Martin. Anne has been a full time wife and mother for 50 years. They have three sons, Tom (Kim), Roger (Shannon), and Bill (Catrena). They also have five beautiful granddaughters, Carson, Olivia, Abigail, Naomi and Kellan.
The Presbyterian Women of the First Presbyterian Church are holding the second annual Pecan Sale. The sale will benefit its missions, which include the United Food Bank of Plant City, ROW, Beth-El Mission and Puppets with a Purpose. Fresh shelled pecan halves and pecan pieces will be sold in five-pound sealed bags for $46. To order pecans, call (813) 752-4211 between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday to Thursday or email orders to fpcpcchurch@verizon. net. Order forms can also be mailed to 407 W. Mahoney St., Plant City, FL, 33563. Mail checks to the same address. Orders must be received by Nov. 1. Only prepaid orders will be reserved for the sale on Nov. 15. The rest will be sold on a firstcome, first-served basis.
The Buy Local campaign logo reminds consumers that Plant City businesses offer quality products.
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT An old home on North Gordon Street is going to be a development soon. But, before it is demolished, the new owners agreed to let Plant City Fire Rescue train there. The old home sitting on two acres at 1901 N. Gordon St. has seen quite a bit of action lately. The residence, built in 1927, was simply gathering dust until four months ago, when it was bought by H&L Development. Not long after the purchase, the group was contacted by Plant City Fire Rescue. They had an eye on that old building, seeing it more as a training ground — especially because it was scheduled to be demolished. “We were getting the demolition permit, and they contacted us,” Johnny Harris said. “They were wondering if they could use it to practice in, for training.” Because the house was abandoned, Harris and
business partner Carl Lane agreed. “I was like, ‘OK, what are you going to do,?’” Harris said. “‘Burn it down?’” Not quite. The goal was to use the building for intense training drills. One thing was missing in the drills, though — actual fire. “They said they were going to come through the roof, the windows and the doors,” Harris said. “Pretty much, ‘Before you demo it, we want to tear it apart.’” And on Saturday, Sept. 13, they did just that. Firefighters and vehicles poured in all over the property. Harris, Lane and nearby residents came out to see the sight. Men in full fire gear
SEE SAFETY / PAGE 4
SEE LOCAL / PAGE 4
BY THE NUMBERS $65 — For every $100
spent at an independent business, an average of $65 supports local economy. At a big-box retailer, only $34 stays local.
70% — Local business
generates 70% more local economic activity per square foot than big-box retailers.
150 — National chains
can decrease opportunities for jobs. One study found that a new Walmart reduces an average of 150 jobs in the county where it opens.
50% — Residential neigh-
Courtesy of Plant City Fire Rescue
Firefighters completed many different drills, including extracting a human through a window. Top: Firefighters cut several holes in the roof to breach the structure from above.
INDEX Calendar.......................2
The Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce and the Plant City Times & Observer have partnered to launch a new campaign to boost the local economy and keep consumers’ dollars focused on independent businesses. The physical elements of the new Buy Local program include promotional materials to remind shoppers that every dollar spent locally makes an impact. Any Plant City business (not only those within the Chamber of Commerce) can obtain and display these materials: window decals, posters and a digital logo. The logo can be used on websites or in email signatures, as well as in businesses. Although many towns and cities across the country have adopted Buy Local campaigns, Plant City’s campaign
borhoods near districts of successful independent businesses can gain an average of 50% higher home values than their citywide markets. Information from custommade.com, independentwestand.org and elocal. com.
Vol. 2, No. 11 | One section Crossword...................15
Obituaries...................12
Sports.........................13
Weather ......................15
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