Giving someone a makeover for their birthday isn’t too uncommon. Now that the Strawberry Hut is set to turn 21 next month, its “parents” — owners Troy and Betty Wilson — are going that route. Moreover, they are bringing another eatery into the family. The Plant City landmark, known more for its pressed Cuban sandwiches […]
Continue ReadingNews
Investigators fear missing teen is with Plant City sex offender
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office investigators have issued a warrant for the Plant City man they believe is with a 16-year-old teenage girl who ran away from her Valrico home. According to sheriff’s office reports, Steven Myers, a registered sex offender who lists a Plant City address, is wanted for several charges, including interference with […]
Continue ReadingDoomsday prepper Martin Winters surrenders peacefully
With soiled shoes and soaked socks, the man who led federal agents on a two-day manhunt that stretched from Plant City to Valrico surrendered himself to the FBI Wednesday, June 18. FBI officials believe Martin Winters, 55, spent the past days in woods near his Valrico home. He arrived at the FBI dehydrated and hungry, […]
Continue ReadingPlant City officer resigns after domestic violence arrest
Officer Matthew Combs has resigned following his arrest for domestic violence charges. He tendered his resignation to Interim Chief John Borders late Tuesday afternoon. Combs was on administrative leave without pay. He was arrest on Father’s Day by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office at about 12:35 a.m. The Plant City Police Department initiated an internal investigation into Combs’ […]
Continue ReadingFBI manhunt for doomsday prepper started in Plant City
A federal gun probe erupted into a manhunt that stretched from Plant City to Valrico June 16, as authorities attempted to arrest a man accused of building unregistered destructive devices as part of an end-of-times plan to kill government agents. Martin Howard Winters, 55, remained at large late Monday. He and five other people were […]
Continue ReadingDurant High taken off lockdown
Durant High School is now off a lockdown after there was an increase in police activity around the school. The students were sent home about thirty minutes ago. According to Hillsborough County Sheriff officials, the FBI was looking for suspects in the area. Officials could not provide anymore information. Check back for more updates.
Continue ReadingPlant City police officer suspended after domestic violence arrest
A Plant City police officer has been placed on administrative leave without pay after being arrested for domestic violence on June 15. Matthew Combs was arrested at 12:35 a.m. by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. The Plant City Police Department has initiated an internal investigation into Combs’ actions to determine what procedures, if any, Combs may have […]
Continue ReadingHillsborough investigators searching for missing girl
A Florida Missing Child Alert has been issued for Ashley Lyon, of Valrico. Ashley is described as a white female, 16 years old, 5-feet-6, 175 pounds, black hair and brown eyes. She was last seen in the area of the 4700 block of Water Lark Way in Valrico, wearing a black tank top, black gym shorts and black vans […]
Continue ReadingStrawberry Crest student wins new car
One Plant City-area graduate is starting post-high school life in the fast lane. Strawberry Crest High School graduating senior Jose Sanchez-Flores won a brand new 2014 Scion XB car, when he drew the winning car key during the fourth annual Toyota of Tampa Bay New Car Giveaway June 14. Sanchez-Flores, 19, who is headed to […]
Continue ReadingFDLE investigation forwarded to prosecutors
TAMPA — A state investigation into an assertion that Plant City Commissioner Billy Keel interfered with a local inquiry that led to the police chief’s ouster in January has been turned over to prosecutors for review. Keel supported a vote this year by his commission colleagues to refer the issue to the Florida Department of […]
Continue Reading