Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam joined Farm Credit of Central Florida directors, Florida Strawberry Festival directors and the Strawberry Queen at the annual Strawberry Salute Breakfast March 2. This is the 19th year in a row the Bartow native has attended. This year, he spoke on his goals for the upcoming legislative session. “As we […]
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Low prices, falling demand and fewer workers cause Florida strawberry farmers to doubt future
Three aerial photographs hang on the wall of strawberry farmer Carl Grooms’ office, each a testament to years of expansion. Taking a visitor from one to the next, he begins the tour in sepia in 1974, when he bought 15 acres and set out to grow nothing but strawberries and more of them every year. […]
Continue ReadingEntrepreneurial teen co-manages farmers’ market
At just 14, Michael Stanley has already had more professional accomplishments than some people have in a lifetime. He operates a baked goods business completely on his own, he has designed numerous professional websites, and now, he is the co-manager of the Plant City Local Harvest Farmers’ Market. When he visited the market during its […]
Continue ReadingNew Bruton Memorial Library director takes lead
Tonda Morris started her position as the new director of Bruton Memorial Library Feb. 16. She had been working as a librarian in Georgia, but Morris is happy to return to her hometown after years of being away. “She met all of our qualifications for the position, she did an excellent job in the interview […]
Continue ReadingFilm production ordinance approved by commission
City commissioners approved Monday, Feb. 23, an ordinance requiring filmmakers to have a permit if they are filming within the city limits. Plant City did not previously have laws regarding filmmaking. The ordinance, effective immediately, is consistent with an initiative throughout Hillsborough County to instate the requirement for permits in all of the county’s municipalities. […]
Continue ReadingBailey student wins art contest
A local elementary school student, inspired by a man she met while serving the homeless, was selected as the only Plant City winner in a district-wide art contest for Black History Month. LEAD, which stands for lead, empower, advocate, dream, is a contest in which students are asked to create a work of art that […]
Continue ReadingStrawberry Short Stories
Writer, illustrator and musician Morgan Davis formed his creativity into the shape of a strawberry for his newest project, and he’s dishing it out just in time to celebrate the Florida Strawberry Festival. Davis illustrated 12 strawberry-themed comics for an original calendar, “Strawberry Short Stories,” inspired by the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World’s cash […]
Continue ReadingWalden Lake golf course files plans
Visions Golf LLC, owner of Walden Lake Golf & Country Club and its two 18-hole courses, has submitted plans for constructing more than 300 homes on the site of The Hills course in Walden Lake. Last winter, Visions Golf submitted an application to the City of Plant City for a rezoning of The Hills, in […]
Continue ReadingDetails revealed for new Hampton Inn
City officials have announced that Henderson Properties LLC has purchased a vacant area adjacent to Interstate 4 and plans to turn the site into a Hampton Inn. The hotel will be at 2702 Thonotosassa Road, behind the existing Waffle House and just across the street from Starbucks and the new Wawa. It is expected to […]
Continue ReadingPCHS students compete in Rotary speech competition
Three Plant City High School students might have had knotted stomachs and shaking knees standing on stage in front of a packed group of Rotarians Monday, Feb. 23, at the John R. Trinkle Center. But they didn’t show it. With poise, each one delivered a well-written speech for an annual Rotary speech contest for a […]
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