Thousands of memories well up inside of Executive Director Cindy Churchill as she walks among the shaded paths of Steppin’ Stone Farm. Nestled among 86.5 acres of country landscape, the farm has been a home for at-risk teenage girls since the Keiser family started it in 1973. Throughout the years, about 900 girls have completed […]
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2014 FORECAST: The Hole Truth
The simmering disconnect between Walden Lake residents and Visions Golf LLC, the owner of the community’s golf courses and country club, boiled over in 2013, after Visions closed The Hills course and began working on plans to redevelop. But, behind all the emotions lies one important question: In a rapidly changing golf industry, what type of […]
Continue Reading2014 FORECAST: Meet Madame Mayor
In 2013, Mary Thomas Mathis became the second African-American woman to be appointed as Plant City’s mayor. She was groomed for this by the first — Sadye Gibbs Martin. The corner of Warnell and Martin Luther King Streets was crawling with activity. A group of women buzzed around tables set up outside St. Luke Missionary […]
Continue Reading2014 FORECAST: Drawing Inspiration for Midtown
Plant City took several significant steps in 2013 in the development of Midtown, a vision to create a new live-work-play community just south of downtown. In creating that vision, Midtown’s champions looked to our neighbors just across the county line. Like many others, Lakeland’s downtown fell victim to the shopping mall phenomenon of the 1970s. […]
Continue Reading2014 FORECAST: Sweetbay Distribution Center
When Bi-Lo announced its intention to buy Tampa-based Sweetbay assets last May, that did not include Sweetbay’s Plant City-ba sed distribution center. As the new year begins, the future of center, the employment home to more than 200 people, remains uncertain. With a sale still pending through the first quarter of 2014, Sweetbay Supermarkets throughout […]
Continue Reading2014 FORECAST: Nutraceuticals
Some analysts believe the nutraceutical industry could top $200 billion by 2017. Could Plant City — a city rich in agriculture and situated perfectly along a major interstate, snag a slice of that pie? It’s no secret Plant City prides itself on its decades of agricultural heritage. With a variety of helpful factors at play, the […]
Continue Reading2014 FORECAST: Dr. Brian Stowe, The New Kid on the Block
Last month, Dr. Brian Stowe became the new senior pastor at Plant City’s First Baptist Church. It’s a job he never sought out himself. But, it’s funny how some things just work themselves out. Something just wasn’t right. Brian Stowe could feel it in his gut. Still, he left for work. Driving for more than […]
Continue Reading2014 FORECAST: U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross
U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross has been busy as of late, as one of the most vocal opponents of the Affordable Care Act. Although working on a new bill has consumed much of his time, Ross wants to become closer to his Plant City constituents in 2014. Since taking effect Jan. 1, the Affordable Care Act […]
Continue Reading2014 FORECAST: Paul Davis, Strawberry Fests Forever
The Strawberry Festival has been a big part of Paul Davis’ life since he was very young, and you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who loves their job more than the festival’s jolly general manager. And, what’s in store for 2014? More music, more festivities and, of course, more fun. It’s been a long time […]
Continue Reading2014 FORECAST: Kellyanne Hurst, Miss Versatility
It seems that every time a group of high-schoolers does something notable, Kellyanne Hurst’s name pops up. Really, there isn’t much that the Plant City High School senior doesn’t do — and do well. And with the U.S. Naval Academy awaiting her arrival, she’s about to take her talents to a much bigger stage. How […]
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