A Plant City High School senior died March 15, when his vehicle collided with a semitrailer. According to Florida Highway Patrol reports, Blake Elrod, 17, was driving his 2001 Honda Civic at about 1:59 a.m. March 15, westbound on Knights Griffin Road. Mack O’Dell Toole, of Lakeland, was heading northbound on State Road 39 in […]
Continue ReadingTip to Toe to throw 21st anniversary bash
Tip to Toe Day Spa and Gifts will celebrate its 21st anniversary with a good ol’ anniversary bash from noon to 4 p.m. March 16, at the salon, 101 S. Alexander St., Plant City. The celebration will feature games, live music by Plant City’s Anna Gavin, food, birthday cake, giveaways and more. For information, call […]
Continue ReadingTheater presents ‘Night at the Popera’
Plant City Entertainment will present “A Night at the Popera” at 8 p.m. March 15 to 16 and 22 to 23, at the theater, 101 N. Thomas St., Plant City. Tickets are $10 for members, $12 for seniors and students and $14 for general admission. For more, visit plantcityentertainment.com.
Continue ReadingMadonias file for Chapter 11 protection
Evelyn and Batista Madonia Sr., the owners of Plant City’s Red Rose Inn and Suites, filed for Chapter 11 protection March 6, in U.S. Bankruptcy Court, in Tampa. The Madonias filed for protection for themselves and four corporations: Circle M Ranch Inc.; East Coast Brokers and Packers Inc.; Oakwood Place Inc. (Red Rose Inn and […]
Continue ReadingObituaries 03.14.13
Vivian Ruth Dekle Vivian Ruth Dekle, 85, of Plant City, died March 7, 2013. Born Sept. 12, 1927, in Warthen, Ga., she was the beloved wife of the late Maurice Dekle. She was a member of First United Methodist Church of Plant City, where she was a member of the Christian Women’s Club. She had […]
Continue ReadingCommissioners condemn three historic homes
At one time, the home at 503 S.W. Drane St., in Historic Downtown Plant City, was a site to behold. At nearly 4,000 square feet, the two-story giant once featured beautiful wood trim and porches on both floors. But, that all seems like a lifetime ago. Today, the home is barely standing on its rotten […]
Continue ReadingKeel & Curley, Observer partner for Blueberry Festival
Keel & Curley Winery has selected the Plant City Observer as its exclusive media sponsor for the sixth annual Tampa Bay Blueberry Festival. The festival will take place April 27 to 28, at the winery, 5202 W. Thonotosassa Road. This year also marks the first Blueberry Festival Pageant (see ad on page 9), which will […]
Continue ReadingStingray names Silverado winner
Ruskin resident Paul Harloff will have a swanky new ride soon. Harloff was the winner of Stingray Chevrolet’s raffle fundraiser for Unity in the Community at the 2013 Florida Strawberry Festival. He will pick up his 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Extended Cab Z-71 4×4 April 4.
Continue ReadingIt’s Read Everywhere: Tallahassee
TALLAHASSEE. Judy Wise brought her copy of the Plant City Observer to the opening day of the Florida Legislature, in Tallahassee. Snap a photo of you with the paper at your destination of choice and email it to Managing Editor Michael Eng, meng@plantcityobserver.com. Make sure you include your full name and where the photo was […]
Continue ReadingFestival breaks attendance record
Chalk it up to great weather, great entertainment or a combination of both: The Florida Strawberry Festival ended its 2013 run with two record-setting days in a row. On March 9, about 90,000 came through the gates. The next day, nearly 100,000 flocked to the festival for its final day — and the Blake Shelton concert. […]
Continue Reading
