Venturing beyond a rickety privacy fence Jan. 28, Hillsborough County Animal Services discovered 26 pit bull terriers chained and living in appalling conditions. The dogs were part of a suspected dog-fighting ring. The privacy fence was located in the middle of a field, behind a house on Colson Road.
Continue ReadingAllen Chapel AME Church celebrates 120 years
It’s been 120 years since the Allen Chapel AME Church held its first church service in a one-room framed house located between Laura, Alabama and Lake streets. The area was known as the Roux Mill. The congregation used boxes for benches and flaming torches for lights. The church is deep-rooted in history and tradition.
Continue ReadingPlant City preps for Citizen of the Year luncheon
It’s one of the most heavily guarded secrets in Plant City — the recipient for the Citizen of the Year Award. In fact, at this time, only three people know. And they’re not talking. But, the recipient will be revealed at the 54th annual Citizen of the Year Award Luncheon Feb. 13, at the HCC […]
Continue ReadingRoad project will create loop around Plant City
The tight, often congested roads in Historic Downtown Plant City are among the main reasons why the Hillsborough County Metropolitan Planning Organization decided to undertake a long-term road project to create a four-lane loop around Plant City. Last month, a flatbed semi-truck hauling rebar scraped against the rear of a car parallel-parked on Collins Street […]
Continue ReadingAnnual train show chugs into Plant city
The H.B. Plant Railroad Historical Society will host the 23rd annual Train Show and Swap Meet Feb. 9, at the HCC John R. Trinkle Center. The show will feature more than 150 tables of merchandise, 70 vendors, hourly drawings for prizes, and five different modules. Keith Marr, of Operation Life Saver, will speak about train […]
Continue ReadingArie Fry takes on Florida fireworks law
Arie Fry begins his speech not with fiery daggers of debate but rather in song. Although he may take some by surprise with his unique approach, the one line he sings is the first line of a song universally known by Americans: the national anthem. “Those words always make me think of freedom, the flag […]
Continue ReadingShiloh Charter students ‘sea porpoise’ in fundraising
Melanie Weitz always has had an appreciation for the ocean, but she really fell in love with its mystery when she went to Seacamp at Big Pine Key in the seventh grade. In May, she will return to that same camp — but this time as a Shiloh Charter School language arts and reading teacher […]
Continue ReadingSex sting nets 14 arrests
Plant City Police Department detectives arrested 14 suspects Jan. 25 to 27, during an undercover sex sting. Detectives posed as 14- and 15-year-old girls and boys online during Operation Last Minute, a three-day undercover operation. Undercover detectives posted fictitious ads or profiles on various websites posing as children, or parents of children. Numerous men responded to the […]
Continue ReadingHorse whisperer trots into Plant City
Paul Daily was no stranger to horses, but one day, in 1997, as he watched a wild horse buck and run in a fit of unruliness, he felt the call of God. “It became clear that I had been running from God,” Daily said. “I wanted to make this horse something of value, just like […]
Continue ReadingDavid Hawthorne remembered for revitalizing downtown
Plant City can’t talk about its downtown revitalization without mentioning the work of David Hawthorne and his wife, Vicki. Mr. Hawthorne, responsible for renovating at least seven historic buildings, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound Jan. 17. He was 62. Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a welfare call made by neighbors at about […]
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