Tim Lopez Sr., president and CEO of Plant City-based residential contractor Westcoast Enterprises, and his wife, Pam Lopez, purchased the three-building Southside Farm and Pet Supply for $2.43 million. The price equated to $113 per square foot. That figure is lower than the two-year average price per square foot for retail space ($146) in the […]
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Festival breaks attendance record
Chalk it up to great weather, great entertainment or a combination of both: The Florida Strawberry Festival ended its 2013 run with two record-setting days in a row. On March 9, about 90,000 came through the gates. The next day, nearly 100,000 flocked to the festival for its final day — and the Blake Shelton concert. […]
Continue ReadingDCF unveils new recruitment campaign
Tanya Wilkins, statewide child advocate and wife of Florida Department of Children and Families Secretary David Wilkins, joined Eckerd Community Alternatives to unveil “Each One — Reach One,” a new parent recruitment campaign March 8, at the Florida Strawberry Festival. The campaign will focus on reaching out to the ultimate “soccer moms and dads” — those […]
Continue ReadingBurglars strike widower’s home
It was early when Mike Nester got up Feb. 22. As a single parent, he wakes at 6 a.m. every morning to get his four children up and ready to go to his stepmother’s house, while he goes to work in construction at CF Industries. Nester lost his wife, Angela, known as Angel, July 7, […]
Continue ReadingSole Sisters
Sisters Angie Rollyson and Autumn Parrish are coming out of their starting blocks in full force. The women — the honorary survivors for this year’s Plant City Relay for Life — are organizing the first Sole Sisters 5K as a benefit for the annual American Cancer Society event. The 5K will take place at 8 a.m. March […]
Continue ReadingPlant City adds fluoride to water supply
It’s been three years since the Hillsborough County Health Department approached the Plant City Commission about adding fluoride to the municipal water supply. Fluoride finally began flowing into Plant City’s water March 1. About 13,000 households now receive fluoridated water. “Over the last few years, we were beginning to wonder if this day was ever […]
Continue ReadingRyan Homes relaunches Walden Reserve
With a new builder and a revised rezoning, residents hope 2013 will be a good year for Walden Reserve. NVR-owned Ryan Homes recently purchased the remaining 31 lots of the 52-lot subdivision, located the north side of West Trapnell Road. And now, after obtaining Plant City Commission approval to allow a larger home on each […]
Continue ReadingLabor shortage leaves fruit behind
In recent years, those lamenting the economy have sung a similar tune: No jobs. However, since Ted Campbell took the helm as president of the Florida Strawberry Grower’s Association four years ago, he’s experienced the opposite problem: A labor shortage has left unpicked fruit to spoil in the sun. And this year is no exception. […]
Continue ReadingChamber revved up for transportation event
Whether you enjoy examining the intricacies of a model train set, watching planes soar through the air or checking out some dream cars, Plant City’s Planes, Trains and Automobiles has something to offer enthusiasts of all modes of transportation. For the third consecutive year, the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce is hosting the event, […]
Continue ReadingLocal director premiers film
Charles Box Jr. already has been to the internationally acclaimed Cannes Film Festival, in France. Now, the Plant City native is gearing up for a return trip, this time, with his short film, “Welcome to the South.” Box wrote, produced, directed and narrated the 15-minute film, which follows single mother Tyretha as she tries to […]
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