J. Hugh Long ties a thick silver fox pelt around his chin. The rare fur encases his exposed skin in its heated embrace. It’s one of the relics Long has brought back with him from his eight years in Alaska. “It’s very warm,” Long says. “When you turn it around, you can cover up almost […]
Continue ReadingNew downtown officer hits the streets
There’s a new face downtown. Plant City Police Department officer Priscilla Clark recently was named the department’s new downtown officer, who patrols the historic district and the surrounding neighborhoods. Clark has been at the department for two-and-one-half years and came to the department from her position as a Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco […]
Continue ReadingPlant City endorses proposal for sculpture exhibit
Plant City commissioners approved June 23 to donate $5,000 to the Plant City Photo Archives and History Center to bring the popular “Man on the Street” collection of sculptures back to Plant City. “It’s an excellent way to showcase the City of Plant City and bring people in,” said Gil Gott, executive director of the […]
Continue ReadingTennis center to receive upgrades
The commission approved two different resolutions to improve the Plant City Tennis Center. The addition of two clay courts will allow for more United States Tennis Association-sanctioned tournaments to come to the facility, as well as provide the preferred number of like-type courts for other USTA league play. The improvements include: construction of two HydroGrid […]
Continue ReadingPlant City couple named grand marshals of 2014 St. Pete Pride
Nancy and John Desmond’s Walden Lake home is full of stacked boxes stuffed with colorful beads, heart-shaped light up antenna headbands and loving banners of support. It’s all for the St. Pete Pride Parade, which takes place Saturday, June 28. Nancy digs into a box and held up two banners: I love my two moms. […]
Continue ReadingLine of health foods hits Plant City
We’ve all been there — the fast food drive-thru at lunch. Or chowing down on that frozen dinner riddled with high amounts of sodium. Life gets busy, and when you’re on the go, sometimes, you don’t have time to make a healthier meal for yourself or your family. That’s where Steel and Grace comes in. […]
Continue ReadingClub Hubbub 06.26.14
CLUB HUBBUB If your club would like to post announcements, email them to Associate Editor Amber Jurgensen, ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com. + Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce The 2014 Business of the Year award nominations are open. You may nominate more than one business, each on a separate form. The categories include small business, mid-sized business, large business, special […]
Continue ReadingMeet Plant City’s new police chief
Interim City Manager David Sollenberger announced June 20 the appointment of Edward E. Duncan Jr. to serve as Plant City’s new police chief. Duncan will assume leadership of the Plant City Police Department July 7. He has a long history of law enforcement experience and leadership, including 34 years with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, […]
Continue ReadingPerfect attendance unlocks new car for Crest grad
For Jose Sanchez-Flores, showing up to school every day for three years got him more than just good grades. The Strawberry Crest High School graduate won a brand new 2014 Scion XB car June 14, when he drew the winning car key during the fourth annual Toyota of Tampa Bay New Car Giveaway. The giveaway […]
Continue ReadingPlant City police to roll with body-worn cameras
Plant City Police Department officers will have a second set of eyes soon. The department will use funds from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program to buy body-worn cameras for all 40 of its patrol officers. The Plant City Commission approved June 9, the use of the $12,831 JAG grant to purchase the […]
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