Plant City Vice Mayor Rick Lott has seen many projects come and go during his decade-long service on the Hillsborough County Metropolitan Planing Board for Transportation. Jokingly known as “the historian,” Lott has noticed that Plant City projects have started to rise in importance. The reason is simple: responsible city staff and reputation. “(Plant City […]
Continue ReadingFirst Railfest chugs into Plant City
Choo! Choo! Hear that? It’s not just trains that will be chugging through Historic Downtown Plant City this weekend. The city’s first Railfest will celebrate the new train platform and memorabilia that has been donated by R.W. Willaford. The two-day event is family friendly and designed for railfans. Modeled after a similar event at the […]
Continue ReadingHillsborough to open park at Cone Ranch
Beautiful hiking and equestrian trails nestled among the pines are now open to the public at the Lower Green Swamp Preserve off Knights Griffin Road. A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place Jan. 28, to celebrate the trails as well as a new kiosk, parking area and more. On Saturday, Feb. 1, there will be another family […]
Continue ReadingScouts plan annual banquet
The deadline to RSVP to the 11th Annual Friends of Scouting Banquet is Feb. 7. The banquet will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13, at the HCC John R. Trinkle Center, 2206 E. Cherry St. To RSVP, call (813) 752-2505.
Continue ReadingCivitan Club to honor teens
The Plant City Civitan Club will be honoring the Outstanding Students at 7 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 6, at its monthly breakfast at Buddy Freddy’s, 1101 Goldfinch Drive, Plant City. Jessi Rae Varnum and Austin Bruner have been selected as this year’s Outstanding Youth and also will be the 2014 Youth Parade grand marshals on March 1.
Continue ReadingCitizen of the Year tickets now on sale
It’s a longstanding tradition — 55 years to be exact. And it’s always a secret. Plant City’s Citizen of the Year recipient is never revealed until the moment they are called onto the stage at the annual luncheon. “Every year is an exciting time for the Citizen of the Year,” Kiwanis Club of Plant City […]
Continue ReadingClub Hubbub 01.30.14
If your club would like to post announcements, email them to Associate Editor Amber Jurgensen, ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com. + Plant City Garden Club The Plant City Garden Club will celebrate holidays through the year with its annual Flower Show. The holiday-inspired flower show “Puttin’ On the Ritz for the Holidays” takes place from 5 to 8 p.m. Feb. […]
Continue ReadingCOMPLETE STORY: Plant City fires police chief
Ever since Plant City suspended Police Chief Steven Singletary Jan. 17, one question remained: Why? City Manager Greg Horwedel revealed the reasons behind Singletary’s suspension — and now termination — during a press conference Jan. 28, at City Hall. Singletary primarily violated several of the Plant City Police Department’s general order code of conduct items, […]
Continue ReadingPlant City’s Hull House offers a haven for recovering addicts
Editor’s note: Names have been changed to preserve anonymity. The white house sits at the corner of redemption and temptation. First Presbyterian Church to the south; a well known “dope hole” to the north. The nearby two-story complex is known to throw hard parties. Money exchanges hands. Cars drive in and out. Loiterers stagger around […]
Continue ReadingUncle Mike’s turns to Plant City for support
It was heartbreaking. After three years, of blood, sweat and tears, the owners of Uncle Mike’s Smokehouse Grill in Brandon lost their lease on the location. And without warning. Simone and Mike Tolley received a letter on Jan. 9, stating they had 10 days to “vacate the leased premises.” The letter came from Tampa attorney […]
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