New Year’s Eve is over, but the fireworks still are flying. State lawmakers are considering a pair of bills that have sparked debate. And, it’s Plant City High School freshman Arie Fry igniting the fuse. Fry testified at the Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee Jan. 8, in support of the bills that would repeal Florida’s […]
Continue ReadingClub Hubbub 01.23.14
If your club would like to post announcements, email them to Associate Editor Amber Jurgensen, ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com. + Plant City Lions Club Florida Strawberry Festival First Maid Ericka Lott shared her experiences as part of the 2013 Queens Court during the Plant City Lions Club’s Jan. 21 meeting. Lott said some of her favorite memories were riding […]
Continue ReadingBook bargains highlight sale
The Friends of the Bruton Memorial Library will be holding a Bag of Books for a Buck Sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31, and Saturday, Feb. 1. The sale will be held in the Moody Community Room in the library, 302 W. McLendon St., Plant City. Members of the Friends of […]
Continue ReadingFestival delivers tickets to Publix
Florida Strawberry Festival President Jim Jeffries and General Manager Paul Davis delivered tickets to two Plant City Publix Supermarkets. Patrick O’Neal, the general manager at the Publix at 2202 Jim Redman Parkway, received 2,500 tickets for his store. For years, the festival partnered with Sweetbay to sell discounted tickets throughout the Tampa Bay area. Now, […]
Continue ReadingPlant City begins police chief investigation
Plant City Police Chief Steven Singletary has been placed on administrative leave with pay, city officials confirmed Jan. 20. Mayor Mary Thomas Mathis and Plant City commissioners learned of the suspension on the afternoon of Jan. 17. Officials have declined to release information regarding why the suspension was issued. City Manager Greg Horwedel said staff […]
Continue ReadingSimmons staff rallies behind student
The day that Demonde Ragins finally learned he passed his GED test was the best and worst day of his life. For months, the Simmons Career Center student had been trying to pass. It was his last chance before the deadline at the end of 2013. But in the midst of his joy, tragedy struck. […]
Continue ReadingNew owner plans to flip Red Rose
It’s been a long time coming, but the Red Rose Inn & Suites has finally sold. The buyer, LBMT Properties LLC, is led by Louis Spiro, of Pinellas Park. Spiro purchased the 261-room Red Rose for $1.5 million. But, despite the new owner, Plant City residents won’t see any major overhaul or “coming soon” signs. […]
Continue ReadingClub Hubbub 01.16.14
+ Rotary Clubs of Plant City Dr. Dennis Digamon and his wife, Delores, will make a trip to the Philippines this month on a dental mission. In the process, they also will help rebuild homes that were destroyed by a typhoon in November. Both the Daybreak and Noon clubs have donated money to the cause, $4,000 […]
Continue ReadingSongbird to bring Patsy Cline to town
Country music is a mainstay of the South. So, it’s not often that a native New Yorker falls in love with country music. But, Barbara Van Eycken has spent the past 12 years touring the Southeast with her Patsy Cline Tribute show. Van Eycken’s next stop is Jan. 25, on the Plant City Entertainment stage. […]
Continue ReadingCalling all local artists
The East Hillsborough Art Guild is already planning for the 2014 Florida Strawberry Festival Fine Art Show. With less than two months until entry day, the group now is accepting artists’ submissions. All art entries will be accepted from noon to 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21. Artists are encouraged to take advantage of the early […]
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