Poppell Insurance Inc., a Plant City family-owned business, celebrated its 50th anniversary Oct. 4. Tom Poppell entered the insurance world in 1964 when he started up a business with Red Harrell. “My husband was a people-person,” Eleanor Poppell, Tom’s wife, said. “He really enjoyed people. It’s kind of just like working with your friends and […]
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Families needed for Santa Sled fest
Applications are now available for the annual Santa Sled Festival, scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20., at Sam Cooper Park. Hosted by Plant City Black Heritage and Des’ Aimes Social Club, and sponsored by Kiwanis Club and Evangelic Deliverance Ministries, the organizations will be giving away toys, bicycles, groceries, turkeys and […]
Continue ReadingWomen’s group to meet in P.C.
The Florida Commission on the Status of Women will host a meeting in Plant City from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, at the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, 106 N. Evers St. The commission will discuss women’s issues in its report,”Your Voice Matters: Conversations With Florida Women and Families.” The final report […]
Continue ReadingBalancing Act
After two public workshops to examine the 2014-15 preliminary budget, Plant City commissioners adopted Sept. 22, its $66 million budget for Fiscal Year 2014-15. City commissioners lauded former Interim City Manager David Sollenberger and Finance Director Martin Wisgerhof for their efforts in accomplishing something that hasn’t been done in five years — a raise for […]
Continue ReadingP.C. Mayor endorses Dipa Shah for school board candidate
Hillsborough County School Board candidate Dipa Shah has announced that Plant City Mayor Rick Lott has endorsed her election to the Hillsborough County School Board. “Dipa Shah will be a strong addition to the Hillsborough County School Board,” Lott said, in a press release. “She will be a voice for all of the students of […]
Continue ReadingOfficers ready to roll at 2015 Police Unity Tour
Four Plant City police officers are ready to brave 250 grueling miles of concrete for the Police Unity Tour in May 2015. But, to enter the annual bike ride, they must raise $2,000 by Nov. 1 and then an additional $6,000 by March 1, 2015. All the money they raise will funnel through the annual […]
Continue ReadingGreen thumb wins state award for backyard garden
As Joanne Mason strolls through her garden, she points out species after species of flora. Rosinweed, narrow-leaf sunflower, passion flowers, cassia bush and rain lilies are among them. Many of her plants also are hosts to butterflies, which lay eggs on specific types of plants that caterpillars can feast upon. Because of the milkweed, monarch […]
Continue ReadingChamber, Observer launch Buy Local campaign
The Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce and the Plant City Times & Observer have partnered to launch a new campaign to boost the local economy and keep consumers’ dollars focused on independent businesses. The physical elements of the new Buy Local program include promotional materials to remind shoppers that every dollar spent locally makes […]
Continue ReadingCDC spearheads neighborhood revitalization
Every Friday morning, students from Plant City’s Hillsborough Community College campus are pounding the pavement, hitting four blight-ridden neighborhoods surrounding the Midtown district near downtown. Badge identify them as being with the Community Development Corporation. They drive their own personal cars and snap pictures of dilapidated properties. A few loiterers take notice, wondering what these […]
Continue ReadingRaulerson sells his building to local church
Florida Rep. Dan Raulerson and local minister Jack Myers closed a deal Monday, Sept. 29, to transfer the ownership of the building at 600 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. The building has housed a number of businesses over the years, but Raulerson’s accounting firm, Raulerson and Company, bought it in 2005. The space […]
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