Plant City-born Chevelle “Fists of Steel” Hallback proved that age is just a number. The 52-year-old returned to the ring and beat 27-year-old Yamila “La Maquinita” Reynoso of Buenos Aires, Argentina, to claim the National Boxing Association (NBA) welterweight title. The Florida Strawberry Festival boasted record attendance and the 2024 Strawberry Festival Grand Parade, led by grand Marshals Fred and Tammy Johnson, drew crowds along city streets and featured elementary, middle, and high schools, scout troops, dance teams, floats, and more. School students got a pop of color thanks to a partnership between Hillsborough County Public Schools and Wish Farms. The duo joined forces to supply fresh strawberries for lunches at all district school sites. Francis Schnell bought five $5 raffle tickets for the annual Stingray Chevrolet New Vehicle Raffle and won a new Corvette. The City of Plant City opened the Plant City Tennis Center facility, a part of Ellis-Methvin Park. The center features six lighted HydroGrid clay courts and four lighted hard courts. The building includes an observation deck overlooking the courts, a climate-controlled player lounge area, a new pro shop, and restrooms. The 12th Annual Dean’s Ride was held starting at Keel Farms.
