Gov. Rick Scott announced eleven appointments to the Florida Concrete Masonry Education Council, Nov. 14. Charles “Preston” Sparkman, 58, of Plant City, was among the appointments. Sparkman is the vice president of sales with Quality Precast Company. He fills a vacant seat and is appointed for a term beginning Nov. 14, 2014, and ending June 30, 2015. […]
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P.C. officials shut down Walden Lake homeless camp
Within the Walden Lake Community, one of Plant City’s most affluent residential areas, there is a hidden campground, complete with a makeshift bathroom and shower, and distinguished by a scattered host of items from shopping carts to weaponry. This fall, city officials shut down the camp, which had been occupied by homeless trespassers for at […]
Continue ReadingCold snap causes fish die-off
Residents of Whispering Woods noticed something fishy happening in their neighborhood the week of Nov. 3. But directors of the homeowners’ association discovered the situation was natural, though strange. First, residents of the community observed an unusually high number of waterbirds near a pond amongst the houses. Then, they realized that the pond was full […]
Continue ReadingFather and son team up for food bank
Each fall, local Area 6 schools compete in a food drive for United Food Bank of Plant City. This year, two coordinators were matched up to work for the Knights Elementary Drive. The duo turned out to be a father-and-son team. Dean Pfeffer, the pastor at Hope Lutheran Church, is also on the food bank’s […]
Continue ReadingPlans to ease traffic near Wawa, Starbucks in progress
Many Plant City residents have been eagerly awaiting the grand opening of Wawa on Thonotosassa Road, but some have concerns that the popular gas station and convenience store will cause traffic problems for drivers getting onto or off of Interstate 4. Lynn Connor is a frequent customer at Starbucks and stops in three to five […]
Continue ReadingPlant City High School student starts first anti-bullying club
Kaylee Franklin, a sophomore at Plant City High School, knows what it’s like to be bullied. “I was bullied from fourth to seventh grade,” Franklin said. Her peers verbally and physically threatened her, and spread rumors about her. “I really did think about ending my life, and my parents were going through a divorce at […]
Continue ReadingPig Jam expands to two days this year
Plant City barbecue aficionados are gearing up for the 12th annual Pig Jam, a Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce event that promises to be bigger and better than ever this year. The most significant change for this state championship barbecue competition is that for the first time, it will be a two-day event. “It […]
Continue ReadingChancey resigns from Walden Lake Community Association
When the Walden Lake Community Association board directors gathered for their monthly meeting Monday, Nov. 17, one member was missing: Jim Chancey, who had served as president of the board since April 2014. Vice president Rich Glorioso presented a short but formal email he had received from Chancey Nov. 13, which explained the absence to […]
Continue ReadingElks bring Red Ribbon Week to Plant City schools
It is expected that the sounds of children playing, buses unloading and bells ringing would be heard near a school on a crisp, autumn morning. But neighbors of Wilson Elementary School might have heard a different sound Oct. 31. As they walked a lap around the school, students shouted, “Hugs, not drugs!” and “Just say […]
Continue ReadingPit stop for education
Simmons Career Center’s Future Business Leaders of America club stopped by the Plant City Times & Observer office Thursday, Nov. 13, for a lesson on newspapers. Advisers David Steffen and Kathryn Pelham and student Kristen Farmer were able to learn industry jargon, see an early copy of the paper and explore computer programs used to […]
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