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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Charleene Closshey will star in her first feature length film this year
By the time actress Charleene Closshey is done starring in her first feature film., she will have lived Christmas all year long. “An Evergreen Christmas” is a holiday-themed dramedy that will start shooting in February. It is set to release Christmas 2013. “It’s my favorite time of year, and I’m so happy that my first […]
Continue ReadingChurches unite to create community ministry
The mantra of the new Plant City Community Ministries is “Helping Families Stand,” and the ministry intends to do just that by utilizing an educational approach in its work. The new Plant City ministry will open Feb. 4. “It’s not just a band-aid approach,” Benny Keck, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Dover, said. […]
Continue ReadingWLCA drafts formal policy on enforcements
Walden Lake Community Association board members hope an official copy of the association’s policies will help stymie any confusion regarding the community’s rules and regulations. Last month, the board directed its enforcement committee to draft a formal policy on code enforcements. Chairman Jim Chancey presented the draft at the WCLA’s Jan. 21 meeting for board […]
Continue ReadingPHOTO GALLERY: Strawberry Ball
Glitzy gowns and snazzy suits dined and danced at the Evelyn and Batista Madonia Agricultural Center Jan. 19 for the annual Strawberry Ball. The theme was Mardi Gras. The center was decked out in purple and green linens and masks. The center of the show was a stage resembling a paddle boat. The theme usually matches […]
Continue ReadingObituaries 01.17.13
Margo DeBerry Carr Margo DeBerry Carr, died Jan. 10, in Plant City. She was born Sept. 10, 1920, in Buda, Texas. During World War II, she worked at the Tampa shipyard as a press operator and welder. She helped her brother, Marvin, get a job there. Mrs. Carr worked in the Hills-borough County school system from […]
Continue ReadingClemons Road readies for national spotlight
Most of us receive one or two Likes on a Facebook picture we post. But within 30 minutes of posting a photo of two Clemons Road bandmates on the Plant City Observer’s wall holding the newspaper, there were 20 Likes, two shares and two comments. These guys are popular. It seems Plant City music lovers […]
Continue ReadingVIDEO: Plant City resident finishes second book
Morgan Davis casually strums his guitar, preparing to sing his song, “Worst Nightmare.” Davis wrote the song for his second book, “Referral to Reality,” part of his Prescribed Life series. The book follows high school student Leah Clark as she tries to rescue her boyfriend from a coma induced by a pill that causes its […]
Continue ReadingWilliam Reece Smith Jr. remembered for hard work
William Reece Smith Jr., whose career in law included serving as president of the American Bar Association, died Jan. 11. He was 87. Smith was born Sept. 19, 1925, and grew up in Plant City. He graduated in 1943, from Plant City High School and was the school’s most recent inductee into its Hall of […]
Continue ReadingFirst Baptist Church pastor accepts new position
After three-and-one-half years, Feb. 3 will be the last Sunday the Rev. Dr. Michael Lewis will serve as pastor of Plant City’s First Baptist Church. “First Baptist is a wonderful church, and I love the community and am just so grateful for being able to be a part of it,” Lewis said. “I have nothing […]
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