Kenneth Ray Zody, 79, died on July 18, 2014, in Plant City. He was born March 22, 1935, in Nashville, Ind., to Howard S. and Sarah Alice (Robertson) Zody. He married Susie (Crabtree) on Dec. 23, 1956, at the Nashville Christian Church, in Indiana. Mr. Zody was a U.S. Air Force veteran who served for […]
Continue ReadingPlant City’s Jim Jeffries to be inducted into Florida FFA Hall of Fame
Florida Strawberry Festival President James “Jim” Jeffries has been chosen as one of the Florida FFA’s 2014 Hall of Fame inductees. Jeffries, of Plant City, taught agriculture education in Florida middle and high schools for two decades before becoming supervisor of Agribusiness and Natural Resources education for the Hillsborough County School District, for which he served […]
Continue ReadingUPDATE: FDLE clears Singletary, Keel
Former Plant City Police Chief Steven Singletary and current City Commissioner Billy Keel will face no criminal charges regarding their actions that led ultimately to Singletary’s firing. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement found no evidence of criminal actions by Singletary or Keel, FDLE Special Agent Rick Ramirez wrote in his report, which Plant City […]
Continue ReadingWEEKEND BEST BET: 12th Annual Elvis Tampa Bay Festival
12th Annual Elvis Tampa Bay Festival — takes place from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, July 19, at the Strawberry Festival Expo Hall, 303 E. Lemon St. Show will feature memorabilia, Elvis performances, shows and contests. This event also benefits the Children’s Home of Tampa Bay. (813) 977-6011 or elvistampatcb.com.
Continue ReadingCUTEST CRITTER 07.17.14: Emmy Polick
Rebecca Polick’s beloved “dorkie,” Emmy, is the first winner of our Cutest Critter Contest. “Hi! My name is Emmy, and people ask me what kind of dog I am,” Polick says. “I tell them a dorkie — a dachshund and yorkie mix! They laugh and chuckle but think I’m cute! I may be small, but […]
Continue ReadingSearch for city manager yields candidates, mixed reactions
Earlier this week, Plant City commissioners received a 450-page binder stuffed with portfolios from 76 candidates from throughout the country for the vacant city manager position. But, with differing opinions on the results, ultimately, commissioners opted to keep the application process open as they search for Plant City’s next leader. Mercer Group Senior Vice President […]
Continue ReadingBailey Elementary posts Hillsborough’s best FCAT gains
The week Principal Russell Wallace took the helm at Bailey Elementary School one year ago, the state released the school Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test letter grades for the 2012-13 school year. That year, Bailey received a D. And Wallace knew it should have been an F, except the state instituted a safety net that prevented […]
Continue ReadingPlant City Times & Observer to change pub date
Beginning next week, the Plant City Times & Observer will be delivered weekly on Fridays, instead of Thursdays. As always, the newspaper will be packed with hyperlocal content relevant to residents and businesses of Greater Plant City. If you have any questions, please contact Editor Michael Eng, meng@plantcityobserver.com or (813) 704-6850.
Continue ReadingWINNER: Denise Williamson
Denise Williamson submitted this beautiful shot of a butterfly visiting a sunflower. She calls it, “Backyard Summers.” The Plant City Times & Observer and Grimes Hardware have partnered to host the I Love Plant City Photo Contest. Winners will have their photo featured and receive a $15 gift certificate […]
Continue ReadingCustom estate home tops Plant City’s June real-estate sales
MONTHLY SNAPSHOT Houses Sold: 80 High Sale Price: $450,000 Low Sale Price: $30,000 Average Sale Price: $132,958 Median Sale Price: $105,000 Short Sales: Eight REO/Bank Owned: 26 A custom-built home on 20 acres in northeast Plant City was the top residential real-estate transaction in June. The home at 3229 Lampp Road sold June 25, for […]
Continue Reading
