3.24.22 PLCO

FREE

VOLUME 6, NO. 189

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THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2022

NEW MULTI-PURPOSE DEVELOPMENTS BEING PROPOSED BRIAN FERNANDES

COMMISSION REVIEWS PLANS FOR NEW COMMERCIAL-RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY OFF JAMES L. REDMAN PKWY

STAFF WRITER

The Plant City City Commission offered recommendations on how to redesign a proposed development at a workshop on March 14.

At city hall, the Plant City Planning and Zoning Department gave a presentation on the MixedUse G ateway. This project considers the construction of buildings used for civic, commercial, single and multi-family housing, and workplace

purposes, off of James L. Redman Parkway.

The proposal falls under the Plant City Comprehensive Plan – city standards that need to be met when developing property. This requires the development to have a multi-purpose use.However, there are no specific zoning regulations that are required to be followed.

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RECORD-BREAKING DONATION FOLLOWS CORVETTE RAFFLE

THE DONATION MADE TO UNITY IN THE COMMUNITY, FOLLOWING THE NEW CAR PRESENTATION, WAS THE LARGEST IN THE 13-YEAR HISTORY OF THE FUNDRAISER.

TAYLOR JENKINS STAFF WRITER

Dozens gathered at Stingray Chevrolet in Plant City on Tuesday as Stingray Chevrolet Charity Raffle winner Sarah Spivey was presented with the keys to her brand new 2022 Chevrolet Corvette following the 13th annual event.

Following that presentation, a $360,000 check was presented to several board members from Unity in the Community, the largest sum total ever raised by the fundraiser. With raffle tickets sold throughout the Florida Strawberry Festival, 100 percent of the proceeds go to the volunteer-run social services organization.

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2022

NEWS BRIEFS

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SECURE YOUR SPOT TODAY! Register at INVENT.ORG/CAMP or 800-968-4332 Camp Invention® is for children entering grades K-7th.

Location: Arthur Boring Civic Center 2406 W. Reynolds Street, Plant City, FL 33563 Date: June 6 - 10, 2022 Time & Cost: 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM | $265 (before discount)

Extended Day Hours Available: 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM | Additional $80 Camp Director: Paul Coletti | pacman1988@hotmail.com HCPS does not endorse or guarantee the accuracy, timeline, service contracted/ received or any monetary collection of any information provided as a result of information obtained from flyers. Flyers listed on school websites and emailed via Peachjar are provided as a community service and do not imply endorsement

by HCPS. Please communicate directly with the listed organization for the agenda of the day and expectations of involvement. HCPS Continuous Notification of Nondiscrimination: https://www.sdhc.k12.fl.us/doc/2582

Photo courtesy of BookWorks

Camp Invention makes its return to Plant City Camp Invention will return to Plant City this year for the it’s eighth summer in the local area.

The fi e-day STEM-focused summer camp is organized by the National Inventors Hall of Fame, teaming up with local educators for over 30 years to bring communities a safe and hands-on camp.

The camp will run from June 6 to June 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with extended day hours available from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. for an additional cost. Standard rates will cost $265 per student, with some discounts available.

Camp Invention will be held at the Arther Boring Civic Center, 2406 W. Reynolds Street, on the Florida Strawberry Festival grounds. For more information, visit www. invent.org/programs/camp-invention or contact Plant City’s local camp director Paul Coletti at pacman1988@hotmail.com.

To register your child for this one-of-akind summer camp, do so at www.invent. org/camp or by calling 800-968-4332.

Virtual Book Drive supplies books for children in need Goodwill’s BookWorks program continues to bring the love of reading to kids all over, putting books into the hands and homes of more than 25,000 children last year. For some children, it’s the fi st book that they have ever owned.

Some preschools are now allowing volunteers into classrooms to read and present each child with a book that they can take home after. After stories are read to the class, the teacher then presents each child with a book that was previously delivered to the school. In addition to in-person activities, the vast majority of volunteers engage the children with interactive online readings.

A virtual book drive will begin on April 1, running through the month until April 30 to supply the program for the coming year.

People in Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco, Polk, Hernando, Marion and Sumter counties are encouraged to purchase books for the program through an online wish list, or

Photo courtesy of Chris Smith

to make a donation to the BookWorks fund that allows the program to purchase books from a wholesaler. Goodwill can purchase new storybooks for as little as $1 each.

To donate books through the online wish list or to make a monetary gift that will go toward the purchase of books, visit www. goodwill-suncoast.org and look for the Cat in the Hat link on the home page.

To volunteer for BookWorks, call 888279-1988 and ask for BookWorks, or mail bookworks@goodwill-suncoast.com.

Goodwill’s BookWorks program is designed to instill a love of books and reading in children to establish the foundation for later success. For more information about BookWorks, visit http://goodwill-suncoast. org/bookworks/.

Former Plant City youth reaches final stage of Elks National Hoopshoot Competition Brendan Smith, a former resident of Plant City, has advanced to the national round of the Elks National Hoopshoot

Competition in the 12-13 year old boys division.

After living in Plant City for most of his life, previously attending Walden Lake Elementary School and Tomlin Middle School, Smith was introduced to the hoopshoot competition by Plant City’s local Elks Lodge #1727. Then, after moving to Georgia with his family in August, he was still able to participate in the competition by representing the Elks Lodge in Marietta.

Participants are given 25 free throw attempts in each round, with the highestscoring kid in each division advancing through to the ensuing rounds. Smith successfully made 24, 24, 23 and 23 attempts in the local, district, state and regional rounds respectively to earn his spot in Chicago for the National Finals.

At the National Finals, kids from all 12 regions will converge for a chance to be named National Champion and have their name and picture enshrined as a part of a brand-new digital exhibit in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield Mass.

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STINGRAY CHEVROLET PRESENTS NEW CAR,

RECORD-BREAKING DONATION FOLLOWING CORVETTE RAFFLE

IN ADDITION TO PRESENTING A BRAND NEW CORVETTE TO THIS YEAR’S RAFFLE WINNER, STINGRAY CHEVROLET SET A NEW RECORD AS THEY PRESENTED A $360,000 CHECK TO UNITY IN THE COMMUNITY. TAYLOR JENKINS STAFF WRITER

When you close your eyes, do you ever daydream of cruising down the road in a brand new car, the top down, the wind blowing through your hair as the sun sets on a long day?

Plant City resident Stacy Spivey will now have the opportunity to live out that dream as Stingray Chevrolet presented her with a brand new 2022 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible on Tuesday after her name was drawn from among over 70,000 other raffle ti ets entered in this year’s contest.

The vehicle is valued at $73,675, sporting a 490 horsepower 6.2L V8 engine.

“It’s crazy,” Spivey said. “It’s defini ely something that we didn’t expect. We just expected to make a donation to the charity and if we won, we won, so it was defini ely a shock. But we’re honored to be a part of the community and do our part in giving back to the community.”

If you recognize the Spivey name, that’s because it comes from right here in Plant City. Spivey Farms is a multi-generational, family-run strawberry farm that has called Plant City its home since 1980.

The annual Corvette Raffle is held at th Florida Strawberry Festival each year, with 2022 marking the 13th consecutive year that the raffle has aken place. With the car donated by Steve and Susan Hurley, owners of Stingray Chevrolet in Plant City, 100 percent of the proceeds are then donated to Unity in the Community. The raffle is th largest of three yearly fundraisers held for the organization, in addition to Henry Falcon Memorial Golf Tournament and their annual Clay Shoot.

Steve Hurley, Unity in the Community’s current chairperson, stood in front of a crowded showroom at Stingray Chevrolet on Tuesday, taking the opportunity to thank several board members, local partners, media partners and all of those who have played a part in making the fundraiser such a massive success before presenting Spivey with the keys to her new car and a check to the organization.

With steady growth, the fundraiser has crossed the $300,000 mark with ease in recent years. In 2020, the fundraiser raised $337,000. In 2021, despite the COVID-19 pandemic impacting the Strawberry Festival itself, the fundraiser raised

$334,000. But in 2022, it hit a new high as a check for $360,000 was presented to several board members in attendance from Unity in the Community. Over the past 13 years, just under $2.9 million in total has been donated from the proceeds of the raffle.

“It’s grown with time and it’s grown with support,” Steve Hurley said. “And I can’t emphasize enough that this fundraiser is a community coming together to raise these funds. It is the fundraiser for the Florida Strawberry Festival, for the media, for the radio partners, for Stingray Chevrolet as well as for Unity in the Community. We do it all together and we couldn’t even consider doing something like this without so many people involved.”

Unity in the Community is an all-volunteer organization that raises money each year to provide student scholarships and assistance to over 30 charitable organizations in and around Plant City.

“We look at it as a way for us, as a very visible business in Plant City, to give back and really make a difference,” Steve Hurley said. “These organizations are just boots on the ground, grassroots organizations

that are really helping those with the greatest needs, focusing quite a bit on children as well the elderly and those that are in the greatest need in Plant City . So it’s something that we’re proud to do and we couldn’t do it without our partnerships, our media partners, all of the radio stations that support this and run extra spots and drive traffic o the festival, the festival itself. That’s still a massive percentage of what we raise. Close to half of what we raise is from the Florida Strawberry Festival, all of that traffic in j t 11 days, so that’s a huge, huge chunk of what we raise. It takes a village to raise funds and give back to the community like this and it wouldn’t happen without everyone helping and being involved. “

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COPS CORNER

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THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2022

PLANT CITY

This week on Cops Corner: Plant

Observer

City Police investigate fraud, a missing bicycle and a suspicious open door. istock

Managing Editor / Sarah Holt SHolt@PlantCityObserver.com Sports Writer / Taylor Jenkins tjenkins@plantcityobserver.com

MARCH 11

MARCH 13

MARCH 14

MARCH 16

RENT FREE?

A LONG WAIT

WATCH YOUR SHED

A BUMPY RIDE

200 block of S. County Line Rd. Fraud: An officer met with the victim who reported an instance of fraud in reference to their paid rent.

2800 block of James L. Redman Pkwy.

Warrant arrest: An officer was conducting a normal patrol in the area around the listed location when they observed a truck that was bearing an expired tag traveling southbound. The suspect was stopped and after his identity was confirmed a check revealed an active warrant issued by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in 2020 for failure to appear. The suspect’s father appeared to take custody of the vehicle and the suspect was transported to Orient Road Jail for booking.

1700 block of N. Park Rd. Structure burglary: Officers met with a City Parks employee who noticed that a shed door located within the park was open on the morning of March 13.

E. Baker St. / N. Palmer St. HTO arrest: Officers conducted a traffic top due to an expired registration and contact was made with the suspect who was found to have a suspended driver’s license with Habitual Traffic ender status. They were subsequently arrested and transported to Orient Road Jail without incident.

RISKY BUSINESS 1600 block of W. Baker St. Warrant arrest: Officers conducted a traffic top on a vehicle for driving with no tail lights. An FCIC/NCIC check was completed on the suspect, showing an active warrant out of Polk County for possession of Tramadol with a bond of $1,000. With permission to the suspect, the vehicle was turned over to his fian é and he was transported to Orient Road Jail without incident, along with a warning issued for the taillights.

Publisher / Karen Berry KBerry@PlantCityObserver.com

CLOSE CALL 1500 block of Sydney Rd. Armed robbery: Officers responded to the business at the listed location and met with the victims who advised that they were robbed at gunpoint.

DUDE, WHERE’S MY CAR? 4700 block of Sydney Rd. Vehicle burglary: Officers met with the victim at the listed location who responded to Plant City Police in reference to a delayed vehicle burglary.

MARCH 14 CLEAN PLATE 12OO block of S. Collins St. Stolen license plate: Officers met with the victim at the listed location who reported that her Florida license plate wa stolen from her vehicle.

BYECYCLE 2400 block of James L. Redman Pkwy.

Bicycle theft: Officers responded to the listed location late overnight in reference to a report of a theft of a bicycle.

DOOR JAMMED 100 block of E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Criminal Mischief: Officers responded to a business at the listed location and made contact with an employee who reported damage to the rear door.

Staff Writer / Brian Fernandes bfernandes@plantcityobserver.com Advertising Graphic Designer / Juan Alvarez Circulation/ Office Manager / Linda Lancaster LLancaster@PlantCityObserver.com

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THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2022

MORE DEVELOPMENTS COULD SPRING UP ON JAMES L. REDMAN PKWY. COMMISSION EVALUATING POTENTIAL MULTI-PURPOSE BUILDINGS. BRIAN FERNANDES STAFF WRITER

A new sewage system that runs within the vicinity of James L. Redman Parkway’s intersection with Charlie G riffin Road to its intersection with Colson Road and Holloway Road, now helps to push the project to the next step. The proposed development would run along that short stretch of James L. Redman Pkwy. Julie Hamm is the manager for the planning and zoning department who sees the potential.

“It’s been slow developing, but now that their running water and sewer down James L. Redman Parkway,” she said, “we’ve got a lot more interest in developing now, and so we needed to convert these land use requirements into the zoning code.”

The project is required to have at least two uses and one cannot exceed 80% over the other. The proposal also asks that a single entrance to one business may also grant access to other businesses, as opposed to there being multiple entryways into a plaza.

“We definitely want the interconnectivity,” she said.

“The land use definition talks about that access to the other areas.”

The city commission also noted that they would like the buildings to not be too diverse but have uniformity in terms of design and architecture.

Parking lots would be placed to the side or rear of the buildings.

“We are going to come up with some landscaping design features,” Hamm said. “We want something a little bit more definite.”

There wasn’t any buffering in the initial plan, but based on the city commission’s feedback, the planning and zoning department will come back with a new presentation that will include it. This will at least give an indication of how much green space could separate Redman Parkway from the property line.

“They do want some kind of buffering,” Hamm said.

“Your build-to line has to be at least 30 feet from the property line. We’re still drafting that language.”

Should it remain for multi-purpose use, some structures will need to have a larger buffer zone from Redman Parkway. The city commission recommended pushing back any residences further away from the major corridor.

“If someone wants to do single-family development, single-family homes, then they need to be back off the road,” Hamm noted. “We don’t want the residential single-family [homes] along Redman. We’re making that a provision in there.”

At this point, the city commission doesn’t want to mandate it as mixed-use development, Hamm said.

“The city commission wants to see the developments being proposed and make sure that’s what they envision,” she added.

It’s also recommended that any future plazas will have monument store signs as opposed to those placed on poles.

The planning and zoning department has an attorney that is creating another draft that will be brought before the city commission for review.

It will also be reviewed by the Plant City Planning Board which will recommend the proposal to the city commission if they approve it.

While a specific date has not yet been determined for the next workshop, it could be as early as April 11, Hamm said.

Courtesy of the City of Plant City Renderings give an idea of how the potential Mixed-Use Gateway in Plant City may be designed.

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THURSDAY, MARH 24, 2022

HOLIDAY HELPS PLANT SEEDS SPRING CLEANING: IS YOUR 'JUNK' WORTH A FORTUNE? OF TEAMWORK PC Garden Club and Everyday Blessings’ kids celebrate Arbor Day together Courtesy of Kate Mansfield f Everyday Blessings

BRIAN FERNANDES STAFF WRITER

In recognition of Arbor Day, the Plant City Garden Club teamed up with the kids at Everyday Blessings to add more beauty to their home, Friday, March 18.

The Plant City Garden Club is known for helping nature flourish throughout the community and this year the group chose to beautify the outdoors of the Everyday Blessings organization once again.

The garden club planted a bottle brush tree on the premises, in recognition of Arbor Day, on Friday.

Last year the club planted a magnolia tree on the campus as well. Both were donated by Eddy Evans, owner of Complete Landcare.

However, the garden club didn’t complete both projects alone. It was a team effort with the help of the children who live on the Everyday Blessings campus.

Kate Mansfield is the d velopment director for the non-profit o ganization who was present with the kids that day.

“It was really great to see their involvement and appreciation for the tree and the event on a whole,” she said. “They were really, really excited to dig the hole, fill the hol , [and] water the plants. They just love that kind of thing.”

The tree was rooted in front of the campus’ fi st building which is where the kitchen and dining room are.

It’s a convenient location so the youth and any visitors can instantly get a glimpse of it.

Everyday Blessings is an organization and home that takes in children from infants all the way to age 17. They are possibly placed there because they may come from an abusive home, or they were abandoned or neglected.

They live on campus with their own caregivers who will occasionally take them out to the beach, bowling alley and the movie theater.

On Friday, all 26 children came out to help put up the tree.

“They’re wonderful,” said Jan Griffi treasurer for the Plant City Garden Club. “They’re so enthusiastic. They certainly were excited about planting this tree.”

The garden club has celebrated Arbor Day in putting up trees throughout town.

“We’ve planted trees in just about all the schools, downtown Plant City…We’ve planted trees all over town for Arbor Day.” Other notable areas include the Plant City Photo Archives and History Center, the police department, Veterans Park, the Sadye Gibbs Martin Community Center, and the Bing Rooming House Museum.

Arbor Day was started by J. Sterling Morton, a newspaper editor from Nebraska City, Nebraska, on April 10, 1872.

After he became the Nebraska Territory secretary, he proposed the tree holiday at a State Board of Agriculture meeting on Jan. 4 of the same year. It was officially oclaimed by Nebraska Governor Robert W. Furnas, and the

following year, Arbor Day was named a legal Nebraska holiday. It was decided that its official day of celebration would be every April 22.

An estimated 1 million trees were planted in Nebraska on the fi st Arbor Day. Counties and individuals were rewarded with prizes for the most properly planted trees.

Other states would soon follow, passing legislation to recognize Arbor Day. By 1882, schools across the country were already implementing the special day within their curriculum by educating students on the importance of trees. In 1920, more than 45 states and territories were celebrating the holiday.

Today, Arbor Day is celebrated globally and in all 50 states, with the most common date being the last Friday in April.

However, some states recognize the day at other times of the year when the weather is most appropriate.

Florida celebrates in January. This year the celebration at Everyday Blessings was held in March as a precautionary measure due to COVID-19.

After finishing their p oject outside of Everyday Blessings, Griffin sh ed with the kids that same history of how the holiday came to be.

They also decided that they wanted to give the tree a name and had a week to brainstorm.

Afterwards a name would be pulled from a hat.

“We wanted to make it fun beyond the event and keep them engaged with the importance of taking care of the tree,” Mansfield aid. “It was their idea to name it and we defini ely want to encourage that. That will hopefully keep them having that feeling of love for the tree.”

The kids also have helping hands from the community throughout the year.

The Plant City Elks Lodge cooks and brings food to Everyday Blessings each Friday.

However, it is one of many organizations that have supported Everyday Blessings over the years, Mansfield aid. “We are so fortunate for the support of all of the organizations, businesses, individuals, churches, everybody that has supported Everyday Blessings for many, many years.”

With all the companionship from the caregivers and constant assistance from the community, the tree holiday is one that always stands out.

“We are very, very thankful and grateful to the Plant City Garden Club for wanting to help beautify our campus and share that special day – Arbor Day with the kids,” Mansfield aid.

PHOTO SOURCE: (c) Delpixart / iStock via Getty Images Plus

If your family is like most, you have “junk” in your basement, garage or attic, such as sports cards, memorabilia and toys. Before you toss them out during spring cleaning, consider that the prices of sports cards, games and other ephemera are skyrocketing.

HOW CAN YOU DETERMINE IF YOUR STUFF IS VALUABLE AND, IF IT IS, HOW CAN YOU SELL IT? A widely accepted rule for sports cards, memorabilia and toys is that older items are worth more. However, these days even more recent items are also commanding high prices.

“Vintage sports cards from the early periods of a sport are almost always highly collectible, especially of Hall of Famers,” says Al Crisafulli, Auction Director at Love of the Game Auctions, an internet sports and memorabilia auction that helps families sell collectibles. “But don’t assume sports cards or other memorabilia have to be old to be valuable. Modern cards of such stars as Tom Brady, Mike Trout, LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Derek Jeter and others can sell for lots of money.“ He is offering tips to help determine if your belongings are valuable: OLDER SPORTS CARDS Cards from the 1960s and earlier are collectible, and those from before the 1940s can be extremely valuable. Bigname Hall of Famers like Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Lou Gehrig, Honus Wagner, Mickey Mantle and others bring high prices.

With old cards from the 1880s and early 1900s, look for tobacco and candy brands, such as Old Judge, Piedmont, Sweet Caporal or American Caramel. Really old Sports memorabilia from the 19th and early 20th Century, such as photographs, postcards, bats, gloves and balls are also collectible. When opting to sell sports items, consider a specialty auction, such

as Love of the Game, which has the expertise to professionally research sports items and maintains lists of bidders specializing in this area, to get top dollar. More information is available at loveofthegameauctions.com.

MODERN CARDS Prices on recent baseball, basketball and football cards have risen rapidly.

The three keys are condition, star power and cards from early in player careers.

Do you have major current stars, like Mike Trout, Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady and LeBron James? Or do you have greats from the recent past, like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, Derek Jeter or Joe Montana?

Check if your cards are denoted as Rookie, Prospect, Draft Pick or other indicators they’re from a player’s fi st season. And condition is king, as cards that look pack fresh with sharp corners and a well-centered image command highest prices. Additionally, unopened packs and boxes from almost any year can be valuable.

MEMORABILIA Do you have old advertising posters depicting sports stars or famous entertainment personalities together with food, tobacco or sporting goods brands. Many original signs, store displays and promotional items are collectible, especially those dating from the early 1900s into the 1960s. But low-quality reproductions aren’t. Look for memorabilia spotlighting sports heroes, superheroes, early Walt Disney characters and Star Wars subjects.

So, while you’re spring cleaning that attic, basement or garage, don’t rush to the garbage. Before throwing out old “junk,” determine if it’s valuable!

(StatePoint)

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THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2022

Monticciolo Family & Sedation Dentistry Meet Dr. Kystelle Duvert in our Plant City office.

Friday, Mar. 25th from 1-3pm

Meet & Greet

310 W. Alexander St. in Plant City To celebrate her arrival, we'll have food and drinks, a raffle for prizes and Kona Ice on site giving out their delicious flavors to the first 100 new patient sign ups.

FREE

New Patient Special

Full Mouth Exam and X-Rays, Consultation and 2nd Opinions $393 Value. Expires in 30 Days.

Book your Appointment Now 813-DENTIST

www.happydentistry.com Advertised Services: D0150, D0210, D0330, D2740, D9243, D9997. The patient and any other person responsible for payment has a right to refuse, cancel payment, or be reimbursed for any other services, examination, or treatment that is performed as a result of and within 72 hours of responding to the advertisement for the free, discounted fee, or reduced x-rays. Due to insurance guidelines, our specials cannot be combined with other offers or dental insurance.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2022

PlantCityObserver.com

COMPANY THAT EQUIPS FIRST RESPONDERS, MOVING TO PC COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC. IS OPENING ANOTHER BRANCH IN PLANT CITY WHERE IT WILL PRODUCE AND SUPPLY RADIO EQUIPMENT FOR THOSE IN UNIFORM BRIAN FERNANDES STAFF WRITER

It was initially a bank, then a proposed food hall, but now the building at 105 S. Wheeler St. is going to be renovated into a maintenance center, producing equipment for police, fi efigh ers, and EMTS. Communications International Inc. (Ci), which is headquartered in Vero Beach, is the company that will be operating in the building.

Its main purpose will be to manufacture walkie talkie radios for Hillsborough County fi st responders such as the sheriff’s office, the Tampa Police Department, the Plant City Police Department and Plant City Fire Rescue Department.

“We do communications for public safety, primarily throughout the southeast,” said Michael Stork, the chief operating officer of the company. “So we do all the radios that all police, and fi e, and ambulance, and government work on. That service center will service our customers in Hillsborough County.”

Ci manufactures walkie talkies that are more complex than the typical ones that every day citizens would use. They produce sirens as well.

Ci initially found the property on the LoopNet website as it was looking for something in its price range.

The property on Wheeler Street was built in 1967 as the First National Bank in Plant City, standing two stories high and spanning over 22,000 square feet.

It would then become Barnett Bank followed by Huntington Bank.

The company was satisfied with the building after surveying it and purchased it for $1.5 million in February.

Where the property is located as well as the potential the company sees for Plant City, were other selling points.

“We think Plant City is going to grow and we like that little spot there – little unique downtown spot,” Stork said.

The building is much bigger than the company would use, but there are plans to add project departments as well as a lab and a training center. An architecture firm has al eady been hired to create the layout of the building.

Of the two floo s, the fi st will hold all Ci operations and the second could potentially be leased out, Stork said.

What also impresses him about the former bank the vaults with their huge doors.

“They’re so neat,” he said. “It’s like a movie, so we’re trying to come up with a way to use those.”

Ci is 100% company owned and has 15 service centers in Florida, North Carolina, Mississippi, Georgia, and Louisiana.

Aside from the soon-to-come branch in Plant City, there are plans to build another one in Hernando County.

Stork said he’s looking forward to new possibilities in Plant City, especially downtown.

“It seems like a great downtown area, and it seems like money’s coming in,” he said. “People are adding to it. It’ll be exciting for us. I love that old town feel and being able to walk over to some restaurants.”

Ci has not set a construction timeline to renovate the building, but Stork hopes that it will open early 2023.

Courtesy of Communications International Inc. Communications International Inc. Is known for manufacturing gadgets for fi st responders. It will soon open another center in Plant City to serve men and women in uniform throughout Hillsborough County.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2022

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THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2022

ELKS LODGE GENEROUS GIFT TO LOCAL FOOD BANK United Food Bank of PC continues agenda with donation.

BRIAN FERNANDES STAFF WRITER

For years the United Food Bank and Services of Plant City has received help from its partners to continue its quest in feeding the community and the Plant City Elks Lodge #1727 recently made a contribution toward those efforts.

The local elks lodge presented a $7,000 check to the food bank on March 17.

Shelly Carroll is the grant coordinator for Lodge #1727 and was present that evening to hand over the much-needed donation.

“A lot of that need has come about in the last couple of years,” she said. “We do have the opportunity because of our organization to provide grants to our local community. Due to all of the food insecurity, we were encouraged to partner with other organizations that have the capability of distributing food, so that’s why we’ve been focusing our efforts on the food bank.”

The food bank has three large nutritional outreach programs for children and the Elks Lodge has been active in supporting these fundraisers.

And the fact that there are Elks Lodge members who also volunteer at the food bank helps to keep the organization informed about what contributions are needed.

Mary Heysek is the director of the United Food Bank in Plant City, a position she has held for the last six years.

She came to the Elks Lodge on behalf of the food bank to accept the donation.

“They’re pretty involved,” she said.

“They do fundraisers for us as far as food drives. It’s magnifi ent because they come

together as not just a community for their organization. They’re very community-involved and we’re not the only organization that benefi s from their efforts.”

The charitable contribution helps the food bank to collect a substantial amount of food as well as feeding a substantial amount of people.

“We serve about 10,000 to 11,000 people every month,” Heysek said. “Last year we distributed 4 million pounds of food.”

It’s an accomplishment that prevents the alternative of having to turn people away, which is emotionally difficu , she said.

In recent weeks the food bank has had an uptick in the number of recipients due to inflation and the rise in gas prices.

It’s not uncommon for families to sign up after finding out that the food bank provides meals for their kids through its partnership with schools.

The local lodge works with organizations to provide not only food, but things such as furniture to help people accommodate their homes.

In December, Lodge #1727 applied for a grant from its national organization and was allocated $3,500.The state level then matched it with an additional $3,500, accumulating the $7,000.

In past years, the most grant money that any lodge could receive was $22,500, but now the limit has been raised to $25,000.

“I’m confident that e’ll be able to secure those grant funds because this will be the fourth year in a row that we’ve been

John Guarino and Shelly Carroll, both of Plant City Elks Lodge #1727, presented a $7,000 check donation to Mary Heysek (middle), director of the United Food Bank and Services of Plant City.

able to obtain all of the grants we were eligible for,” Carroll said.

Recently the lodge had done a project with the local Boys and Girls Club, providing $2,000 of its own funds.

And the lodge offers youth sport competitions with the Hoop Shoot and Soccer Shoot programs.

It also distributes $6,000 toward scholarships which is split between Durant, Strawberry Crest, and Plant City high schools.

And for the recent St. Patrick’s Day meeting, lodge members played a heads or tails game, which raised $1,100 for scholarships.

Lodge #1727 and other partners provide the additional hands needed to help the United Food Bank and Services of Plant City continue its mission.

“Without our volunteers and the community support, there’s no way we could meet the needs,” Heysek said.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

Authorities apprehended suspect tied to Plant City homicide

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THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2022

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Plant City shooting results in one fatality and one injury

Photo courtesy of Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Photo courtesy of Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office

BRIAN FERNANDES STAFF WRITER

Hillsborough County deputies took into custody the suspect of a Plant City murder, on Monday, March 21.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office was searching for Carl Lee in connection to a homicide that left one dead, on Thursday, March 17.

The 44-year-old was wanted on a charge of second-degree murder, according to the sheriff’s office.

At approximately 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, a shooting took place in the 3800 block of Medulla Road, in Plant City. A deceased male was found inside a shed.

Lee was last seen near the scene of the incident, driving in a newer model white Honda sedan with an unknown tag.

On that following Monday, he was located in the 9300 block of Edison Road in

Lithia, where he barricaded himself inside a shed.

At approximately 5:15 p.m., the HCSO’s SWAT, Crisis Negotiation Team, and Bomb Disposal Team were all activated to assist in apprehending Lee. About two hours later, he was taken into custody.

“Our team of detectives was relentless in locating this individual over the course of the last several days,” said Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Ch onister. “Today, through a combined effort between our patrol deputies and specialty units, we were able to peacefully resolve and arrest this homicide suspect responsible for taking the life of another human being.”

Plant City police officers arrested a suspect in connection to a vehicular shooting that left one dead and another injured, on Monday, March 21.

Authorities took Antonio D. Johnson, 40, into custody for opening fi e into a vehicle and hitting two individuals.

At approximately 10:32 p.m., the Plant City Police Department responded to a 9-11 call about a shooting.

Officers located a 54-year-old black male (Victim 1) who was deceased inside a vehicle, and a 51-year-old black male (Victim 2) who was injured, in the 2100 block of N. Johnson St., in Plant City.

Earlier that evening, Victim 1 had gotten into a verbal confrontation with Johnson, and the victims drove away to de-escalate

the situation, said Capt. Al Van Duyne of the Plant City Police Department.

At the scene of the incident, Victim 2 saw a black vehicle driving in the area, and its driver shot inside the victims’ vehicle, Van Duyne said.

Hillsborough County Fire Rescue transported Victim 2 to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Johnson has been charged with one count of murder in the second degree with a fi earm and one count of attempted murder in the second degree with a fi earm.

The investigation is active.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. M. Dunnam at (813) 757-9200.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2022

CUTEST CRITTER

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Do you want Plant City to see how cute your favorite pets are? Send your pictures to Staff Writer Brian Fernandes at bfernandes@plantcityobserver.com to be featured.

TERRAIN (AT4) Tires: P225/65R17Wheelbase: 107.3 inchesLength: 182.3 inches Fuel capacity: 15.6 gallonsCity: 25 mpgHighway: 28 mpgBase price: $34,000 Price as tested: $39,315 Web site: www.gmc.com/terrain NITISH S. RELE

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Sharing power trains with the Chevrolet Equinox, the base engine is a 1.5-liter turbo inline 4-cylinder engine putting out 170 horsepower @ 5600 rpm and 203 poundsfeet @ 4000 rpm. And that is ample for this 3,659-pound vehicle to tackle peak-hour traffic or cru e the highway. An independent MacPherson strut front and independent four-link rear suspension isolates occupants from road noise. Guiding the small SUV toward its destination is a three-mode electric power, rack-and-pinion steering system. Power routed through the seamless 9-speed auto gear box delivers ample performance. Tow capacity is just around 1,500 pounds.

Redesigned C-shaped LED headlights border a massive and intimidating multidimensional grille hosting the centered GMC emblem. The rear also features Cshaped LEDs within vertical tail lamps and integrated dual exhausts. Of course, it’s in the passenger/cargo department that the Terrain shines. Ours came in jet black perforated leather seats with 8-way power for driver and 6-way for front passenger. The second-row seat folds flat o open up for

stowing longer items. Cubicles and bins are well placed throughout but if you fancy a mobile office of sorts, the front center console can swallow a laptop. Other comforts include dual auto a/c, aluminum sill plates, 8-inch touch screen for nav, audio and phone controls, 4.2-inch driver information center, overhead sunglass holder, and 110volt power outlet, four data/charging and two charge-only USB ports.Standard safety features are dual front and side airbags, side curtain airbag with rollover protection, rearview camera, stability and traction control, remote keyless entry and start, hill descent control, three-point safety belts for all, daytime running lights and tire pressure monitoring system. For peace of mind, opt for the GMC Pro Safety package ($645) so you get lane change with side blind zone, rear cross traffic and afety alerts, as well as adaptive cruise control.

You will be hard-pressed to find a small SUV with a sundry of tempting options and upgrades. With the AT4 addition, you can enjoy and explore the ‘Terrain’ off-road too in this practical and versatile vehicle with an attractive cabin.

Nitish S. Rele operates motoringtampabay. com and Khaas Baat, and was an automotive editor/columnist for the Tampa Tribune. Email him at motoringtampabay@gmail.com.

SPORTS

PLANT CITY ARMED WITH NEXT-LEVEL PITCHING STAFF Plant City’s Adan Longoria committed to USF this week, becoming the second pitcher on the Raiders’ young staff o announce his college plans.

TAYLOR JENKINS SPORTS WRITER

Over the past few years, the Plant City area has built some of the best high school baseball programs in state, with four FHSAA Final Four appearances and one state championship between Plant City, Strawberry Crest and Durant alone since 2018.

But alongside those successful teams naturally comes high-end players, with future Division 1 athletes and professional prospects littering the rosters at all three schools. For Plant City, that has specifically come in the form of their elite pitching staff.

The Raiders’ pitchers currently sit seventh in the state of Florida’s 7A division with an earned run average of 1.18, allowing just 12 earned runs thus far over their 7-2 start, and lead the division with 112 strikeouts — just over 1.5 per inning — over their 71 innings of work.

“They’ve been huge this year,” senior catcher Colin Shultz said. “They keep us in games even when our offense isn’t performing, they single-handedly give us a chance to win at all times.”

Head coach Mike Fryrear said earlier in the season that he set a goal for the unit to take a 0.00 ERA into the Saladino Tournament when Spring Break arrived, and the team nearly reached that seemingly-impossible milestone as they allowed just one earned run over their 5-0 start to the year. And to make it all the more impressive? Not a single

one of the five pitchers that Plant City has used this spring are in their senior season.

The starting rotation is led by junior Adan Longoria who started his year with 16 strikeouts in a no-hitter against Middleton and recently announced his commitment to the University of South Florida last week.

“I’ve always told my parents that I’m going to do this and I worked for it,” Longoria said. “I don’t think that it’s really sunk in yet, I haven’t felt that shocking moment yet like my parents have, but when that day comes, I’m excited for it.”

Longoria added that he had spoken to a few colleges but USF was his first official offer, and that it was an easy decision once that offer came in.

“It’s close to home, I’m a home-town kid,” Longoria said. “My mom went there, she graduated from there. It’s right down the road so it doesn’t get any better than that.”

Longoria has a 2-1 record over four appearances and three starts this season, totaling a 1.24 ERA and 35 strikeouts over 22.2 innings pitched.

Next in the rotation is sophomore Chase Mobley, a towering 6-foot-5 righthander who was already committed to Florida State the summer before he began his freshman year at Plant City.

Armed with a fastball that currently tops out at 94 miles per hour — despite

being 15 years old — Mobley has built a 3-0 record in four appearances this year, giving up just four hits and zero earned runs over 21.1 innings pitched.

Following Mobley and Longoria, the Raiders have a deep bullpen headlined by juniors Preston Rogers and Tanner Rollyson at their disposal. Rogers has made five appearances on the year, with a 2.05 ERA over 13.2 innings while Rollyson joins Mobley as another member of the staff who has yet to allow an earned run over his nine innings of work.

“Preston Rogers is our bullpen guy but he could be a starter at any level, he could be a starter or an ace on any other team,” Fryrear said. “So we’ve got Adan Longoria, Chase Mobley, Preston Rogers and then Tanner Rollyson is just as good too, he would also be an ace for any other school. Then on the back half we have Zane Wright… We just have a really, really good pitching staff, this is probably the best pitching staff that I’ve had as a whole.”

While Rogers and Rollyson have yet to commit, they both noted that they have been in conversations with several programs about continuing their education and baseball career at the college level.

“I believe all of our pitchers could be good, Division 1 college pitchers one day,” Mobley said about how good this young pitching staff could be. “And I

think we’re all going to be throwing in the low- to mid-90’s by next year so I think that we have a really good shot this year, next year and the year after.”

Plant City’s depth and talent at the position is as close as you can get to being a proven unit, despite being a young group, but all of that will be put to the test as the Raiders take on a twoweek stretch where they will play six regular season games over 12 days.

“They want to compete against each other on every level,” Fryrear said. “They all want to be starters but we only play two games per week. Now we have to expand our starters to a three-game week and that leaves our bullpen on the back half in a disarray a little bit. But we have three or four really good arms and even our fifth and sixth guys are pretty dang good.”

The Raiders came away with a 10-1 victory over Spoto on Tuesday to move to 8-2 on the year and they’ll return to action at Sumner on Thursday and at Newsome on Friday to wrap up the week.

Taylor Jenkins is the Sports Writer at the Plant City Observer. Email: tjenkins@ plantcityobserver.com.

LOCAL PREPS SCOREBOARD Baseball: March 22

Softball: March 22

Flag Football: March 22

DURANT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 EAST BAY . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

DURANT . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 EAST BAY . . . . . . . . . . . . 0

DURANT . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 PLANT CITY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

SPOTO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 PLANT CITY . . . . . . . . . . 10

SPOTO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 PLANT CITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

BLAKE . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 STRAWBERRY CREST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0

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STRAWBERRY CREST . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 FREEDOM . . . . . . . . . . . . 0

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STRAWBERRY CREST’S STARS SHINE IN NARROW WIN It took a stellar pitching performance and one big swing for the Chargers to escape with the 1-0 victory over Freedom on Tuesday night.

TAYLOR JENKINS SPORTS WRITER

Coming right out of the Saladino Tournament over Spring Break where Strawberry Crest reached the semifinal , the Chargers jumped back into their regular season play as they headed to North Tampa on Tuesday night to face the 7-2 Freedom Patriots, coming away with a 1-0 win by the slimmest of margins.

In what could prove to be a major factor in the Chargers’ second half of the year as postseason play grows closer, junior middle infielder Arjun Nimmala made his much-anticipated return to the field After missing the beginning of the season with a wrist injury, the Florida State commit still hasn’t returned to Strawberry Crest’s lineup, but he was able to step back in at shortstop and his defensive presence was noticeable early as he got a quick welcome with two ground ball outs in the bottom of the fi st inning.

As a sophomore last season, Nimmala posted a team-high 30 runs batted in with 11 doubles and a .400 batting average.

Luke Richardson got the start for Strawberry Crest, a staple in big games for the Chargers this season, and his stretch of strong performances continued as he took a perfect game into the sixth inning before allowing his fi st – and only – two base hits of the evening.

“I’ve had a week off sin e the Plant City game that I pitched so I was just trying to get some quick innings,” Richardson said.

“That’s the main thing, just throwing fastballs and trying to get quick outs. We had Arjun back at shortstop, which was really nice, he made a bunch of good plays. I was basically just trying to let the defense work and not do too much.”

But as Richardson noted, it wasn’t his efforts alone that led the way for a shutout performance as Nimmala, third baseman Eli Vickers and second baseman Ray Allen Vasquez repeatedly flashed the l ather with big-time plays to keep Freedom largely off f the basepaths and ultimately off f the scoreboard completely.

“It’s kind of like a warm blanket, it’s comforting,” Richardson said about the defense behind him. “You know that no

matter what, if the ball’s on the ground somewhere, they’re going to make a play.

It was like the preseason again having them all together, it was really nice.”

Despite Richardson’s perfect effort extending into the sixth inning, Freedom loaded the bases in the sixth with back-toback one-out singles and a ground ball up the middle that couldn’t be fielded cl anly.

But defense came through once again to thwart the Patriots’ lone scoring opportunity as a picture perfect 6-4-3 double play got the Chargers out of the jam.

And with six hits, two walks and two players hit by pitches, Strawberry Crest was able to put baserunners on throughout the game and even load the bases in two separate innings, but their efforts weren’t enough to pull them ahead until the big bat of senior Ethan Pues came up big – as it has so often this season – with a solo home run to left field in the sixth inning.

“I’ve just been really relaxed at the plate this season,” Pues said. “I just try to be as relaxed as I can. See the ball, hit the ball, there’s not too much to it but hitting’s

been a big part of my game… You’ve got to back your pitcher up when he’s throwing a game like that, just take a little bit of pressure off f him, so it feels great when you can put some runs up on the board.”

Pues now sits with an astronomical .436 batting average on the year, leading the district with 17 hits, 16 runs batted in, six doubles and four home runs. His 12 runs scored trails only Vickers’ 14 for the teamlead.

Strawberry Crest returns home on Thursday as they look to stay in the win column against 2-4 Middleton.

Taylor Jenkins is the Sports Writer at the Plant City Observer. Email: tjenkins@ plantcityobserver.com.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

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THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2022

YOUR AROUND TOWN SPONSOR AROUND TOWN

289704-1

We asked Plant City: What’s your best Spring Break memory or the best trip you’ve ever taken for Spring Break?

“Key West.” - Ann Hartman “Taking my seven year old to the Kennedy Space Center.” - Lloyd Thomas “Fort Lauderdale, 1957 from the University of Florida.” - Karin Terry

“This week to Atlanta for the Atlanta Motor Speedway race, had a freaking blast.” - Jared Ryals “Last week! Ski Utah was great!” Bradley Siebenthal “Ireland.” - Laurie Reidinger-Hofts

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2022

to play in state and national tournaments, which his team usually won. His son also played on the team and was a great source of pride to his dad. As Ellis got older, he continued to play softball in the 40, 50, and 60 year old’s age leagues. As a boy, his family vacationed every summer at Lake Wier near Ocala. where he excelled at water skiing. He taught his children and many of their Jack Ellis Long cousins and friends to ski as well. His love of sports extended to the Lightning, Jack Ellis Long, age 79, the Bucs, the Rays, and the passed away peacefully March 13, 2022 and entered Gators.

Following High School, Elhis heavenly home surroundlis went to work for American ed by his loving children, their mother and other fam- Cyanamid. He began as an oiler on the draglines and ily members. worked his way up to MainEllis was born November tenance Superintendent, 4, 1942, in Plant City where at American Cyanamid and he lived his entire life.

He was preceded in death later at IMC. After retirement he worked as Maintenance by his parents Homer and Superintendent for the Louise Long, son Charles Strawberry Festival. Ellis Alan Long. He is survived by daughters Lisa Long and became a Christian at an early age and was Baptized Sharon (Terry) Field, son at Southside Baptist Church David (Leigh Ann) Long, in Plant City. He had a Nancy Beasley, best friend strong faith in God. He was and mother of his children, friendly and hardworking, grandchildren Erin, Emma willing to help anyone in and Evan Long, Lauren and need and had a ready smile Rebecca Field, sister Diane (Butch) Tucker, sister-in-law for all he met. He never said anything bad about anyone.

Rose Ann Pennington, and He loved his children dearly nieces Kristie, Katie, Jody and they would tell you he and Cindy. (He will also be was a wonderful father who missed by his pets Benny was perfect in their eyes.

Boy, Brutus and Nala.)

Ellis was in the graduating The family will be eternally grateful to his two “adopted” class of 1961 at Plant City sons, Barron Huber and High. While in high school Timmy Walker for the loving he lettered in both baseball care they gave Ellis during and basketball. He later his last years, and he truly played semi-pro baseball. loved them like sons. Ellis His love of sport continued will be deeply missed by his throughout his lifetime. He had many fond memories of family and his many friends. playing softball and traveling We did not say goodbye, to different cities and states but rather see you later

because we know he will be waiting for us to join him in Heaven. A Memorial Service will be Held Saturday, March 26, 2022, at Shiloh Baptist Church, 905 West Terrace Drive in Plant City.

Visitation form 10 to 11 a.m. with services at 11.

Louis Gunn

daughter, Maribeth Duggins (Chris); daughter, Mollie Weakland; daughter, Hannah Herrington (James); son, Zac Weakland; son, Jacob Weakland; also surviving are six grandchildren, Collier, Graham, Caroline, Henry, Judah, and Harlo.

A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m., March 26, 2022 at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel.

Online condolences may be made at www.hayworthmiller.com.

Louis Gunn, 80, of Lakeland, Fla., born in Minneapolis, Minn. on September 12, 1941, entered into eternal rest on March 18, 2022.

Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Brenda Kay Linton

John ‘Jack’ Hanson

Mr. James Joseph Weakland Mr. James Joseph Weakland, 76, passed away Monday, March 21, 2022 at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home. He was born in Detroit, MI on Oct. 8, 1945.

Mr. Weakland was a loving father and grandfather.

He earned a Bachelor of Science from Florida State University in criminal justice, serving Forsyth County as the longest-standing chief court counselor from 1975-1993. He brought innovation to the field as the fi st in the United States to be awarded a grant for electronic monitoring on juveniles in the court system and co-authored an article on the subject.

Preceding him in death were his parents, James Arnold and Edna Pearl Weakland. Surviving is a

Brenda Kay Linton, 72, of Plant City, Fla., passed away on March 15, 2022. The family will receive friends March 25, 2022 from 12 to 1 p.m. at Haught Funeral Home Chapel, 708 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Plant City, FL 33563. Funeral services will follow at 1:00 PM. Online condolences may be left for the family at haught.care.

John “Jack” Hanson, 84, of Plant City, Fla., born in Philadelphia, Penn. on July 17, 1937, entered into eternal rest on March 17, 2022.

Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral. com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Fredda Jones

HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM

Fredda Jones, 83, of Plant Jorge Humberto City, Fla., born on Oct. 26, Lopez 1938, entered into eternal rest on March 20, 2022.

Expressions of condolence Jorge Humberto Lopez, at HopewellFuneral.com.

79, of Plant City, Fla., passed away on March 18, 2022.

Services will be held privately.

Online condolences may HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM be left for the family at www. haught.care.

HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM

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PlantCityObserver.com

Taking care of care Troy of Santos Arenas Taking Bonnie each other is what each other is what

TakingPLANT careCITYofOBSERVER each other is what

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THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2022

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playing pickle ball at the YMCA. He is Hernandez survived by his wife of 49 years, Lynne; Allen W Cote, 84, of Plant Bonnie Troy, 84, of Plant son, Greg and wife, City, Fla., passed away on Santos Arenas Hernandez, City, Fla., passed away on dedicated helping families create a Beth; daughter ElE ’ R E P R O U D TO S E RV E our community Friday, we’re March 4,to2022.

Allen Feb. 26, of Wcomplications 65, of Dover, Fla. passed Patricia Ann Williams, 80, Ricky O. Gambrell, 60, of unique and meaningful memorial that truly with personal, compassionate care since 1896. lynne and husband was born Feb. related to As Parkinson’s Disaway on Tuesday, Feb. 22, passed away on Aug. 12, Plant City, passed March celebrates the 15, life it 1938. represents.Fond your Dignity Memorial professionals, we’re dedicated to helping families create a W E ’R E P R OU D TO SE RV E our community Brian; grandchilmemories expressions ease. Bonnie was born June 2022. Santos was born Feb. 2021. The family will receive 18, 2022. He was a United > 100% Service Guarantee > National and Plan Transferability we’re dedicated to helping families create a E ’ R Emeaningful P R O U D TOmemorial S E RV E our uniqueWand thatcommunity truly with personal, compassionate care since 1896.

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R El and Margy and WellsMemorial.com for the WellsMemorial.com for the W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Online condolences may R the Plant City Strawberry Festival. nieces and nephTroy family. family.

Blvd., Plant City, FL 33563. A be left for the familyProudly at supportingHernandez Proudly supporting the Plant City Strawberry Festival. ews.

Memorial Service will follow haught.care.

Visitation was at 2:30 PM. WELLSMEMORIAL.COM held at Wells Funeral Home Online condolences may Wells MeMorial & event Center WELLSMEMORIAL.COM in Plant City (1903 W. be left for the family at WELLSMEMORIAL.COM PlanT CiTy Carl ‘Fred’ Difani Reynolds Street) on March haught.care.

813-752-1111 WellsMemorial.com Wells MeMorial & event Center Elizabeth ‘Beth’ 22, 2022. In lieu of fl wers, It is with a heavy heart Wells MeMorial & event Center PlanT CiTy Felipe Gallegos PlanT CiTy 813-752-1111 WellsMemorial.com Rose Sherrod memorial contributions that we let you know that 813-752-1111 WellsMemorial.com HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM Carl (Fred) Difani, 79, passed can be made to Hope HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM away on March 10, 2022. He Equine Rescue https:// Felipe Gallegos, 58, of Elizabeth (Beth) Rose Aline Bass was born in Festus, Missouri hopeequinerescue.com/, Sherrod, 71, of Babson Park, Plant City, Florida passed to Kay and Ham Difani. Fred the James Haley VA Hosaway on Thursday, March 3, Fla. entered into Heaven’s Watson Jennifer Aldana pital or a charity of your was in the Air Force as a Gates on Feb. 22, 2022. She 2022. Felipe was born April we’re W dedicated helping create a W E ’R E P R OU D TO SE RV E our community we’reFond dedicated to helping families create a young man, a charter pilot, E ’ R E P Rto OU D TO Sfamilies E RV E our community choosing.

11, 1963. memories was born on April 8, 1950, in unique andpersonal, meaningful memorial that with personal, compassionate care since 1896. unique and meaningful memorial that truly with compassionate caretruly since 1896. celebrates the Dignity lifeFond it represents.

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As your Memorial professionals, Fond memories and the purchasing manager at and expressions sympaCT. memoJennifer Aldana, age 16, of Aline Bass Watson, 82,professionals, of Bridgeport, > 100% Service Guarantee > National Plan Transferability > 100% Service Guarantee National Transferability expressions of sympathy Gardner Asphalt and then, thy>may bePlan shared at www. ries and> expressions of Travel Plant City, Fla., passed away Plant City, Fla.,> passed away Bereavement Travel Assistance The Compassion Helpline® Assistance > The Compassion Helpline® > Bereavement after “retirement”, worked at may be shared at www. sympathy may be shared at WellsMemorial.com for the on March 19, 2022. The fam- on Friday, Feb. 18, 2022. we’re dedicated to helping families create a W E ’ RE P RO U D TO S E RV E our community we’re dedicated to helping families create a WE’ RE PR O UD TO S E RV E our community R R family.

WellsMemorial.com for the Collins Veterinary Gallegos ily will receive friends March Aline May memorial 29, 1939 unique and meaningful memorial that truly with personal, Services. compassionate care since 1896. uniqueborn and meaningful that truly www.WellsMemorial.com for with personal, compassionate care since 1896. was celebrates the life it represents.

As your Dignity Memorial professionals, celebrates the life it represents.

As your Dignity Memorial professionals, Proudly supporting the Plant City Strawberry Festival.

He enjoyed golf, announc- Difani family. the Sherrod family.Proudly supporting the Plant City Strawberry Festival.

24, 2022 from 5 to 8 p.m. at in Opp, Ala. Fond memories > 100% Service Guarantee > National Plan Transferability > 100% Service Guarantee > National Plan Transferability ing local horse>shows andTravel Assistance > The Compassion Helpline® Haught Funeral> Bereavement Home Chaand expressions of sympaBereavement Travel Assistance > The Compassion Helpline® pel, 708 W. Dr. Martin Luther thy may be shared at www.

R R King Jr. Blvd., Plant City, FL WellsMemorial.com for the Proudly supporting the Plant City Strawberry Festival.

Proudly supporting the Plant City Strawberry Festival.

WELLSMEMORIAL.COM WELLSMEMORIAL.COM 33563. A Funeral Mass will Watson family. take place March 25, 2022 at Wells MeMorial & event Center Wells MeMorial & event Center Barbara ‘Shirley’ PlanT CiTy St. Clement Catholic Church PlanT CiTy 813-752-1111 WellsMemorial.com 813-752-1111 WellsMemorial.com at 12:30 p.m.

Biese WELLSMEMORIAL.COM WELLSMEMORIAL.COM Online condolences may be left for the family atWells MeMorial & event Center Wells MeMorial & event Center PlanT CiTy PlanT CiTy Carl Edward haught.care.

Barbara (Shirley) Biese, 813-752-1111 WellsMemorial.com 813-752-1111 WellsMemorial.com 77, of Plant City, Fla. passed McCoy away on Feb. 23, 2022. Shirley waswe’re born June 1, 1944 dedicated to helping families create a W E ’R E P R OU D TO SE RV E our community HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM unique and meaningful memorial that truly with personal, compassionate care since 1896. in Phillipsburg, NJ. Fond Carl Edward McCoy, of celebrates the life it represents.

As your Dignity Memorial professionals, we’re dedicated to helping families create a WE’ RE PR O UD TO S E RV E our community expressions Plant passed away unique Fla. and meaningful that truly memories with personal, compassionate care since 1896. City, > 100% memorial Service Guarantee > National and Plan Transferability celebrates the life it represents. Travel Assistance > The Compassion Helpline® As your Dignity Memorial professionals, > Bereavement of sympathy may be shared on Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022. > 100% Service Guarantee > National Plan Transferability www.WellsMemorial.com Fond memories andHelpline® expres- atR > The Compassion > Bereavement Travel Assistance ALL OBITUARIES ARE theCity Biese family. sions of sympathy may Proudlybe supportingfor the Plant Strawberry Festival.

R shared at www.WellsMemoriSUBMITTED AND 116 North Collins Street Plant City, FL 33563 Proudly supporting the Plant City Strawberry Festival. al.com for the McCoy family.

EDITED ph: (813) 567-5735 allabloomtampa.com

BY FAMILIES OR FUNERAL HOMES WELLSMEMORIAL.COM

Patricia Ann Williams

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YOUR CALENDAR

18

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2022

BEST BET FRIDAY, MARCH 25 LAST FRIDAY IN DOWNTOWN

5 to 9 p.m. at McCall Park, 100 N. Collins St. The Last Friday in Downtown Food Truck Rally is held with a new theme each month. There will be live music, market vendors and food trucks. The event is family and pet friendly and all are recommended to bring chairs and blankets. This month’s theme will be March Madness.

FRIDAY, MARCH 25 BLUEGRASS NIGHT

7 to 8:30 p.m. at 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd. Head to the loft at Krazy Kup full of the sweet sounds of Bluegrass music. Duck Wallow Lane is a small town Bluegrass band, doing just what they love to do and they’re ready to bring that to Krazy Kup. Admission is $15 and tickets can be purchased at www. eventbrite.com.

SATURDAY, MARCH 26 NEW BEGINNINGS

7:30 to 9 p.m. at 303 N. Evers St. The Plant City Community Chorale is excited to announce their annual spring concert, New Beginnings. In the spirit of New Beginnings for the Chorale, this will be their fi st performance under the direction of their new Artistic Director, Coleman Flentge. The performance’s musical selections will echo the theme of welcoming and trusting in the exciting possibilities that newness can offer. The event will take place at First United Methodist Church and tickets are$15, with children 12 and under admitted free. Tickets are available at www.pcchorale.org, www. facebook.com/PCCommunityChorale, Walden Lake Car Wash, any chorale member, by calling 813-965-7213 or at the door on the night of the concert.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30 CAPITOL COFFEE

8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at 1205 N. Park Rd. The Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce will host Capitol Coffee at Hillsborough Community College’s Plant City campus. Beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 30 at the John R. Trinkle Center, you will have to opportunity to meet with your elected officials awrence McClure (R), House District 58 and Danny Burgess (R), Senate District 20. Following the opportunity to meet with McClure and Burgess, the event’s program will

begin at 9 a.m. and run until 11:30 a.m.

As a chamber event, it will be free for members with a cost of $10 for nonmembers.

PLANT CITY SOCIAL DANCE

10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 302 S. Maryland Ave. DJ Ken will be hosting a new morning dance this month from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Sadye Gibbs Martin Community Center. The event will feature a fun and diverse lineup of dance music to satisfy everyone, including county, ballroom, R&B, rockn-roll, Latin, line dancing, one regular tango and more. There will be no prizes and no judgement at this social dance, just fun. The cost is $3 and the dances are open to everyone.

FREE ASSISTANCE FOR MILITARY VETERANS

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Federal, state and local opportunities are constantly changing. If you’ve served any time in the military, retired or non-retention, and would like to review your benefi s please take advantage of free assistance at the Bing House Museum, 205 Allen St., every Wednesday. Walk-ins are welcomed, or call 813-706-5800 to set a specific tim .

FRIDAY, APRIL 1 KRAZY COMEDY SHOW

7 to 8:30 p.m. at 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd. Head to Krazy Kup to check out some amazing comedic talent at the fi st ever Krazy Comedy Show. The show is sure to have you on the edge of your seat, laughing along with the comedic stylings of some of the area’s youngest upcoming comics. In a night that provides fun for the whole family, you will have the opportunity to come out and support the next generation of local talent. Admission is free and a bucket will be passed around for donations.

SATURDAY, APRIL 2 BLUEGRASS JAM!

6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd. This is an open invitation for local Bluegrass musicians and fans to come to the Krazy Kup loft and jam, clap hands, stomp feet and enjoy!

Krazy Kup holds their Bluegrass JAM on the fi st Saturday of every month.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6 SUPPORT GROUP FOR PARENTS WITH ESTRANGED FAMILIES

6:30 to 8 p.m. at GracePoint Church, 1107 Charlie Griffin d. Join other parents who are estranged from their adult children. PEAK (Parents of Estranged Adult Kids) group provides a safe place to listen, share and support others going through the hurt of adult family abandonment. Meetings will include group discussions, self-care and positively-influen ed activities to help cope with the situation. Meetings are held the fi st Wednesday of each month. For more information, visit www.peaksupportgroup.com.

SATURDAY, APRIL 9 EARTH, WIND AND GARDEN

9 a.m to 1 p.m. at 2001 E. Cherry St. Take a trip down to the Plant City Commons Community Garden, located on the south side of the Plant City HCC Campus, for Earth, Wind and Garden. The event is free, open to everyone and will feature several activities for those of all ages, including vendors, food, music, workshops, children’s activities, garden tours and a plant sale. To register as a vendor or sponsor, or to just get more information on the event, please contact plantcitygarden@gmail.com.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

FORECAST

Send your photo submissions to staff writer Taylor Jenkins at tjenkins@plantcityobserver.com or hashtag #iloveplantcity on Instagram for @igersplantcity to feature.

THURSDAY, MARCH 24 High: 74 Low: 56 Chance of rain: 98%

FRIDAY, MARCH 25 High: 76 Low: 54 Chance of rain: 13%

THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2022

SUNRISE/SUNSET Sunrise Sunset Thursday, March 24

7:28a

7:42p

Friday, March 25

7:26a

7:42p

Saturday, March 26

7:25a

7:43p

Sunday, March 27

7:24a

7:43p

Monday, March 28

7:23a

7:44p

Tuesday, March 29

7:22a

7:44p

Wednesday, March 30

7:21a

7:45p

MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, MARCH 26 High: 76 Low: 53 Chance of rain: 6%

SUNDAY, MARCH 27 High: 76 Low: 51 Chance of rain: 3%

MONDAY, MARCH 28 Cynthia Holt submitted this photo of a baby owl taking its seat at the table one morning in Plant City.

ONLINE

Follow us on social media: @PCObserver on Instagram, @PlantObserver on Twitter and Plant City Observer on Facebook.

High: 81 Low: 54 Chance of rain: 5%

(C) 2022 TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.

Across 1 It may break and crash 5 It has an eye on TV 8 Slightly open 12 Sea that’s a victim of irrigation projects 13 Water park feature 15 Heavyweight fight 16 Capital founded by Pizarro 17 They may draft briefs 18 Saloon door’s lack 19 Civil War topper 20 Tattoo joint?

21 Folklore monster 22 Move furtively 24 “Breaking Bad” org.

25 Verne who created

Nemo 26 Dodger rival of shortstop Rizzuto 28 Bucket of bolts 30 “Evita” narrator 32 Gummy bear ingredient 34 YouTube clip, for short 37 Prefix with all 39 Meek 40 Tubes on the table 41 Sonicare rival 43 Get into a stew?

44 One who digs hard rock 45 Wedding reception hiree 47 Pressing 49 Catch a bug, say 50 Energy unit 51 Loitering ... or how 3-,

5-, 7- and 9-Down might be seen?

58 Magic prop 59 Tech company that became a verb 60 Source 62 Harper’s Bazaar designer 63 Absurd 64 Swear to be true 65 Tap serving 66 California’s Point __ National Seashore 67 Cook Islands export Down 1 Constitutional events 2 Disney mermaid

3 Blood-drinking mammal 4 “Seinfeld” regular 5 High light 6 Delta of “Designing Women” 7 Spelunking sight 8 Try to date 9 Support for Tarzan 10 Love, to Luigi 11 Judicial attire 13 One working on bks.

14 Linguistic suffix 23 It may be tapped 25 Fifth of 12, alphabetically: Abbr.

27 Place for shooting stars?

29 Free (of) 30 Shoe that’s full of holes 31 Dance that may involve a chair 33 Reddit Q&A session 35 Cal.-to-Fla. highway 36 Gossip 38 Poisonous fl wering shrub 40 Terraced structure of ancient Mesopotamia 42 Naval lockup 44 Surrealist Joan 46 Magical potion 48 Persian king 51 “__ Trigger”: Bugs Bunny cartoon 52 Stud fee, maybe 53 Hawaiian goose 54 Anatomy book author Henry 55 Five-star 56 Smoked salmon 57 Cuckoo clock feature 58 Baseball glove part 61 Vegas snake eyes

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April 1 New

April 9 First

April 16 Full

March 25 Last

RAINFALL LAST WEEK:

MONTH TO DATE:

0.4 in.

1.87 in.

YEAR TO DATE:

MARCH AVERAGE:

5.39 in.

2.78 in.

STRAWBERRIES Shipping point: Central Florida $8.00-$14.00

Source: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture

WEATHER

I LOVE PLANT CITY

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20

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2022

PlantCityObserver.com