As many of you know, Doug Gibbs, the Gibber, son, brother, companion, uncle and dear friend to many in Plant City, is very ill and in need of prayer. Randy Humphrey, longtime friend of Gibbs and pastor at Hopeweaver Community Church, has offered his church building to facilitate the prayer service, which will take place from […]
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Keel & Curley Winery under scrutiny
A winery known for its quintessential Florida creations — blueberry, strawberry, key lime and mango wines — is worried it might go out of business if a critical rezoning doesn’t go through. Keel and Curley Winery opened in 2005 and added its own craft beer to the selections last fall. But some rural neighbors are […]
Continue ReadingStrawberry Crest student caused morning school bus crash
A 16-year-old Strawberry Crest High School student has been charged with careless driving after he rear-ended a school bus full of students heading to Armwood High School this morning. According to Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office reports, at about 6:30 a.m. May 1, Logan Slanders was driving a Ford F150 southbound on State Road 579 at about […]
Continue ReadingPlant City 5-year-old beats cancer
If one thing is true about Ava Raab, she’s certainly not shy. Sitting at a picnic table at the Tampa Bay Blueberry Festival, the vivacious 5-year-old munches on some chicken and recounts the amazing story of how she broke her arm over spring break. “A bear came up, so I kicked him, and he flew […]
Continue ReadingWalden Lake leaders take position on golf course redevelopment
It’s taken nearly a year, but the Walden Lake Community Association has taken its position regarding the potential redevelopment of the community’s country club and golf course. The board approved unanimously April 24 a motion to object to and recommend denial of the rezoning application Visions Golf LLC filed in with the city. In that […]
Continue ReadingMystery dinner theater returns to Plant City
A small, brand-new cruise ship sets off on its maiden voyage for what should be a relaxing getaway for its passengers. But, the ship ends up in the wrong port, at the wrong island. It is completely deserted. Or, is it? This is the kind of scenario Dr. Hal Brewer loved directing for Plant City’s […]
Continue ReadingPlant City churches welcome new leaders
THE REV. COLE DODD FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF MIDWAY It takes a few minutes for the Rev. Cole Dodd to rattle off all the places he lived growing up as a child. With an insurance claims adjuster for a mother, Dodd always seemed to find himself in the middle of tragedy. In 1992, when everyone […]
Continue ReadingCity Commission selects firm for city manager search
Plant City commissioners approved April 28, a proposal to hire The Mercer Group Inc. to lead the search for the community’s next city manager. The company came to Plant City through a search led by Interim City Manager David Sollenberger. Sollenberger reprised his role at City Hall after former City Manager Greg Horwedel was hired […]
Continue ReadingSTORE AROUND THE CORNER: Custom Canned Anything
Picture this: You’ve just been in a car accident and are stranded in the woods. Your seatbelt is stuck, and you might be confined to your car for a while. That’s the kind of situation James Blocker, and his Custom Canned Anything co-workers, can help anyone avoid with their canned survival kits. “We can put […]
Continue ReadingEnter our Mother’s Day contest!
Attention kids: Want to really surprise your mom this Mother’s Day? Enter our new Mother’s Day Essay Contest! All you have to do is write at least 100 words telling us why you love your mom. Send your submissions to Editor Michael Eng, meng@plantcityobserver.com. Deadline is Tuesday, May 6. We will select finalists and a […]
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