Timoteo Gabriel DeJesus, of Plant City, has been sentenced to 15 years in state prison after accepting a plea agreement in connection with a hit-and-run crash that killed one teenager and left another seriously injured earlier this year. According to Plant City Police Department reports, at about 7:40 p.m. Jan. 22, officers responded to the […]
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World-renowned pianist to perform in Plant City
By Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor A world-renowned concert pianist who has performed for the queen of Belgium will bring her talent to Plant City next week. Eleonora Lvov will perform 6:30 p.m. Nov. 2, at the Plant City Photo Archives and History Center. Hosted by the Arts Council of Plant City, the event will […]
Continue ReadingCommission honors Dan Raulerson
By Michael Eng | Managing Editor Plant City Commissioner Dan Raulerson fought off tears Oct. 22, as his fellow commissioners and city leaders praised him for five years of civil service in Plant City. Mayor Mike Sparkman presented Raulerson with a plaque and proclamation and Raulerson’s wife, Shirley, with roses. Raulerson, who is running for […]
Continue ReadingCANDIDATE PROFILES 2012: Florida House of Representatives District 58
By Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor The Plant City Observer has profiled candidates for the several local and state elections. Here, we spotlight Dan Raulerson and Jose Vazquez candidates for Florida House of Representatives District 58.
Continue ReadingPrincipal’s DUI arrest prompts changes
By Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor Advantage Academy leaders are changing the school’s hiring policies after its latest principal, Todd Haughey, resigned last week following his fifth DUI charge Oct. 6, in St. Petersburg. Under its original policy, the school only required applicants to disclose felony and misdemeanor charges of the last seven years. Haughey’s […]
Continue ReadingPlant City students named National Merit semifinalists
By Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor Ten Plant City-area high school students beat out more than 1.5 million peers from throughout the country to qualify as semifinalists for the 2013 National Merit Scholarship. Nationwide, 16,000 students qualified as semifinalists; 15,000 will be named finalists in February. Of those, about 8,000 will receive $2,500 scholarships.
Continue ReadingParanormal in Plant City
By Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor As a police officer with Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office since 1988, L.T. Cochran is used to handling unusual situations. But nothing beats the abnormal predicaments he finds himself battling with the Plant City Paranormal Research team. Instead of handcuffs, tasers and pepper spray, Cochran uses prayer, holy water and […]
Continue ReadingStudents win Swine Show honors
Two Plant City High School students earned accolades at the Hillsborough County Fair Swine Show Oct. 19.
Continue ReadingPatch plump with prime picks
Still hunting for that perfect pumpkin? First United Methodist Church’s annual pumpkin patch will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily through Halloween, at 303 N. Evers St.
Continue ReadingPhoto donation honors fallen soldier
By Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor There is never a dull moment at the Plant City Photo Archives and History Center. Fascinating photographs constantly walk through the door with donors ecstatic to preserve a piece of history. With Veteran’s Day just a couple of weeks away, one notable photograph appropriately honored a fallen soldier. On […]
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