Plant City commissioners appointed David Sollenberger as interim city manager March 20, in an special meeting. The appointment comes one day after the Hillsborough County Commission approved the hiring of current Plant City Manager Greg Horwedel as its deputy county administrator. Sollenberger is no stranger to the city’s top seat. After retiring as city manager […]
Continue ReadingNews
Vietnam-era chopper leaves Plant City
It was Nov. 7, 1968 — the last day weathered Bandit Crew Chief and Platoon Sgt. Jay Hays had to spend in the rotting jungles of Vietnam. When he entered the U.S. Army, he was a strapping 230-pound young man. He left at 150. But, before he flew home, he was taken to see the […]
Continue ReadingPlant City hopes to build buzz with new downtown events
Plant City looks to be much more lively in 2014. Following February’s first Railfest at the Robert W. Willaford Railroad Museum, Special Events Manager Deanna Hurley plans to roll out a new event every month in the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World. If everything goes according to plan, it won’t just be downtown reaping […]
Continue ReadingWish Farms releases children’s book
Misty the Garden Pixie fluttered off the pages of her very own book onto the grounds of the Florida Strawberry Festival on its last day. In her signature red dress, airy purple wings and strawberry-blond locks, Misty helped with a signing for a brand new children’s book published by Wish Farms. The book, “Misty the […]
Continue ReadingWLCA to host Visions Golf at annual meeting
Visions Golf Managing Partner Steve Mercer and his attorney, land-use specialist Ron Weaver, will make a presentation to Walden Lake residents at the Walden Lake Community Association’s annual meeting next month. The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 10, at Plant City Church of God, 2103 Mud Lake Road. The presentation will […]
Continue ReadingPlant City resident celebrates 103rd birthday
Almontha “Rose” Meadows told her daughter-in-law, Vickie Meadows, to live every day like it’s her last. After all, that’s what Meadows has been doing for more than 100 years, and it seems to be working. Meadows, who simply goes by Rose, celebrated recently her 103rd birthday surrounded by family, friends and staff, at the Health […]
Continue ReadingWhispering Woods commuity transitions to resident control
With the construction nearly complete and most of the homes sold in Plant City’s Whispering Woods, builder DR Horton transitioned leadership last month to the community’s first homeowners association board. Moving forward, the new, four-member HOA, with the help of management company Meritus Associations, will be charged with managing the community’s HOA dues and the […]
Continue ReadingStrawberry Crest chefs compete at state competition
Nine of Strawberry Crest High School’s top chefs took a two-day trip to Orlando last week to slice and dice statewide competition. But, this isn’t some typical home economics coursework: This was serious, five-star business. The Chargers competed against 62 other schools March 4 and 5, in the ProStart Culinary Team Competition, an event sponsored […]
Continue ReadingLongtime volunteer shines at Trapnell Elementary
Mimi Copen is a familiar face in the halls of Trapnell Elementary School. She’s there every week, but not because she’s a paid faculty member — she’s a dedicated volunteer. Sitting in the inner courtyard, the feisty, leopard print-wearing mom says hello to almost everyone who walks by. They know the familiar face as an […]
Continue ReadingBailey Elementary, Strawberry Crest team up for festival, 5K
That old saying about the three “Rs” used to go like this: “Reading, Writing and ‘Rithmetic.” At Bailey Elementary and Strawberry Crest High School this weekend, it’ll be “Reading, Writing and Running.” Bailey’s Running Club, now in its second year, will host a 5K this weekend, at neighboring Strawberry Crest High School, in conjunction with […]
Continue Reading
