In just four hours, Durant High School’s Senior Council collected seven bags worth of trash during a clean-up project June 30, at Ben Davis Beach. The project was part of the council’s goal to complete one community service project a month until its members graduate in May 2015. “Most councils make it a job to […]
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Commission OKs funds for lighting in Ellis-Methvin Park
The Plant City Commission approved unanimously July 14, a series of motions that ultimately will illuminate the new soccer fields at Ellis-Methvin Park. In addition to amendments to the city’s 2013-14 budget and Capital Improvement Budget, the commission endorsed the purchase and installation of high-mast lighting at the park’s two practice soccer fields, six soccer […]
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 ReadingPlant City native Ryan Humphrey engaged to MasterChef winner Whitney Miller
Ryan Humphrey just expected to get a good meal at this year’s United Food Bank of Plant City fundraiser dinner. But what the 26-year-old got was a little more life-changing than a satisfied appetite. The February banquet was hosted by “MasterChef” celebrity Whitney Miller for a second-consecutive year. The talented culinary artist won the first […]
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 High, Marshall welcome music directors
Although summer usually is a time for rest and relaxation for students and teachers, the new school year already has begun for Plant City’s newest music directors. Jay DeDon will take over as Marshall Middle School’s band director, and Nathan Drawdy will take over as Plant City High School’s choir director. Both are graduates of […]
Continue ReadingTattoo shop owner sues Plant City to open downtown parlor
David Hudder works on a tattoo for a retired Hillsborough County Fire Rescue firefighter, sketching it with skill under the blue-white LED light of his lamp. Tattoos are what he loves to do. But he’s being stopped from opening a new shop off Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. A city ordinance bans tattoo shops from […]
Continue ReadingNew auction house hits Plant City block
An old warehouse at 203 E. Laura St. has gotten some much-needed renovations, thanks to Mike Williams. The 1,700- square-foot space will now be Big Mike’s Auctions. The business moved recently from its location at Knights Station Road in Lakeland to Plant City. Williams, born and raised in Plant City, remembers attending auctions in the […]
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