Walden Lake Community Association leaders are moving forward with a plan to curb non-resident parking at the community’s park. Board members asked On-Site Manager Tom Daramus June 17, to continue pursuing an option to add a keycard-access gate at the entrance to the parking lot. Daramus presented several quotes to install an access gate at […]
Continue ReadingBREAKING NEWS: Train crash at S.R. 39
A train collided with a portion of a flatbed tractor trailer at about 6 a.m. Monday, June 17. The unloaded flatbed tractor trailer operated by Creekside Nursery Inc., of Dade City, turned off of State Road 39 onto a private dirt road to the entrance of Cone Ranch. The driver, Hector Villavicencio-Ferrer, 64, stopped the tractor-trailer […]
Continue ReadingRomp in the Swamp registration opens
Want to run for a cause but also have a heart pounding challenge? Romp in the Swamp is now open for registration. The 5K and 10K obstacle run benefits South Florida Baptist Hospital Foundation and Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce. The run will be Oct. 12 at Lower Green Swamp Preserve, formerly Cone Ranch, in […]
Continue ReadingPlant City couples hit open road for Alaska
Editor’s note: At the request of the sources in this story, the last names have been omitted to ensure safety of their homes and property. Eddie is 74, but he’s not letting his age stop him from checking off one impressive item from his bucket list. Eddie, along with his wife, Marlena, nephew Danny and […]
Continue ReadingMeet the couple behind Uncle Mike’s Steakhouse
Mike and Simone Tolley hope their second restaurant will have the same family friendly reputation as their first. The owners of Uncle Mike’s Steakhouse Grill of Brandon have worked for two years to earn that reputation, and they will bring it closer to home when they open Uncle Mike’s in Plant City. Mike has 11 […]
Continue ReadingGang investigation hits close to home
The graffiti tags are deliberate. Scrawled out in red, the tags found on signs and buildings can read “Norte” or “x4.” They are left by members from the Norteños gang. But the residents of Plant City should be seeing less of these tags around town. Eleven key members have been pulled off the streets of […]
Continue ReadingHope Lutheran intern says good-bye
Cary Hoff has become a familiar face at Hope Lutheran Church off Park Road. The “mountain man” from Texas was known for his burly beard, which he has had since he first came to Plant City from Texas to serve as director of Christian education intern a year ago. But last month, Hoff lost a […]
Continue ReadingFuture of Sweetbay’s distribution center unclear following sale
Bi-Lo Holdings’ recent acquisition of more than 70 Sweetbay stores includes the Plant City location on Alexander Street. But as of press time, it does not include the local distribution facility. The company, which owns and operates both the BI-LO and Winn-Dixie franchises, announced May 28, its purchase of all Sweetbay, Harveys and Reid’s supermarket […]
Continue ReadingHallmark movie draws delicious similarities to Florida Strawberry Fest
Here’s the pitch: Beth Landon, a beautiful music teacher from a small, rural town, is helping her mother plan the annual Strawberry Festival. The town practically revolves around the succulent red berry, as it is known to have the best strawberries in the world. As the Strawberry Queen, Beth decides to hire a big-name — […]
Continue ReadingDuffy takes reins at SUNY Adirondack
Dr. Kristine Duffy, of Syracuse, N.Y., recently was named president of State University of New York Adirondack, in Glens Falls, N.Y. She is the daughter of Jan L. and Amity W. Kokochak, of Plant City. The Kokochaks have lived in Plant City for about four years, after moving from Vestal, N.Y. Amity is a member […]
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