Ryan Humphrey just expected to get a good meal at this year’s United Food Bank of Plant City fundraiser dinner. But what the 26-year-old got was a little more life-changing than a satisfied appetite. The February banquet was hosted by “MasterChef” celebrity Whitney Miller for a second-consecutive year. The talented culinary artist won the first […]
Continue ReadingPlant City High, Marshall welcome music directors
Although summer usually is a time for rest and relaxation for students and teachers, the new school year already has begun for Plant City’s newest music directors. Jay DeDon will take over as Marshall Middle School’s band director, and Nathan Drawdy will take over as Plant City High School’s choir director. Both are graduates of […]
Continue ReadingPlant City Entertainment to present “Legally Blonde: The Musical”
The star of Plant City Entertainment’s newest production, “Legally Blonde: The Musical,” doesn’t have the lead’s iconic blond locks. A natural brunette, Pamela Heaps will be flaunting a perfectly styled wig for her role as Elle Woods. But her hair color doesn’t mean she isn’t the real deal. Outgoing and giddy, the actress’s bright […]
Continue ReadingTattoo shop owner sues Plant City to open downtown parlor
David Hudder works on a tattoo for a retired Hillsborough County Fire Rescue firefighter, sketching it with skill under the blue-white LED light of his lamp. Tattoos are what he loves to do. But he’s being stopped from opening a new shop off Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. A city ordinance bans tattoo shops from […]
Continue ReadingNew auction house hits Plant City block
An old warehouse at 203 E. Laura St. has gotten some much-needed renovations, thanks to Mike Williams. The 1,700- square-foot space will now be Big Mike’s Auctions. The business moved recently from its location at Knights Station Road in Lakeland to Plant City. Williams, born and raised in Plant City, remembers attending auctions in the […]
Continue ReadingPlant City traveler treks across U.S.
Plant City native and novelist Morgan Davis has been traveling the East Coast of the United States, with plans to head west. To help him continue his trek he has started “Bartering with Books.” Davis is the author of a trilogy series, “Prescribed Life,” he wrote while working at the skate park in Plant City. […]
Continue ReadingDeputy chief to retire from PCFR
Plant City Fire Rescue announced recently the retirement of Dep. Chief Eugene Shuler, who is retiring after 14 years of service to the department and community. His retirement begins Aug. 1. The department will host an informal get-together from 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday, July 31, at Fire Station No. 1, 604 E. Alexander St.
Continue ReadingHCSO arrests felon for trafficking MDMA near County Line Road
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Division detectives conducted a buy/bust operation for trafficking MDMA on July 10. The operation ended in the arrest of Denard Walker, 36, of Lakeland at 4802 Sterling Commerce Drive near County Line Road in Plant City. It concluded a three-month-long investigation on Walker. He was charged with trafficking in a controlled substance, child neglect, delivery […]
Continue ReadingHCSO on scene of shooting off Sam Astin Road
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is on scene investigating a shooting that has occurred at 3421 Sam Astin Road. The call came in at 9:04 a.m. indicating a man has been shot. The victim has been transported to a local hospital with life threatening injuries. Detectives are on scene interviewing witnesses and sorting through evidence. Preliminary information is […]
Continue ReadingHOMETOWN HERO: Dan Orrico
It was a moving ceremony for Col. Dan Orrico May 24, at his Walden Lake home. Thirty years in the U.S. Army had all led up to that one moment: retirement. His wife, Shelly, set a table to remember fallen soldiers. His eyes filled with tears as each of his five children made their way […]
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