MLK Festival schedule
The schedule for the 33rd Plant City Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Cultural Arts Festival has been released, so residents can plan accordingly to celebrate starting next weekend.
- Jan. 12: Author James McDaniel Book Signing (Bing House)
- Jan. 12: IMPACT Conference (Greater New Hope Anointed Ministries)
- Jan. 13: to 18: Self-Guided Selfie Scavenger Hunt of Plant City
- Jan. 18: Opening Ceremony (Marshall Middle School)
- Jan. 18: Poetry Night (Bing House)
- Jan. 19: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Parade (Downtown)
- Jan. 19: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street Fest (MLK Community Center Main Baseball Field)
- Jan. 19: Drumline Battle for area middle and high schools
- Jan. 20: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Breakfast (Trinkle Center at HCC)
- Jan. 21: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Community Service
- Jan. 26: Health Fair (Mt. Olive Baptist Church)
Starbucks closed for renovations
Starbucks lovers of Plant City should expect to take a detour for much of January.
The store at 2701 Thonotosassa Road will be closed for renovations beginning this Sunday, Jan. 6. An exact ending date has not been specified but the store is expected to re-open during the week of Jan. 28.
The closest Starbucks locations to Plant City are 1265 E. Brandon Blvd. in Brandon and at 1314 Town Center Drive in the Lakeside Village shopping center in Lakeland.
Best of Plant City voting
The Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce’s annual Best of Plant City awards will be handed out on Jan. 24, but you’ll be able to cast your votes as early as Jan. 7.
Voting opens that Monday and runs through Jan. 14. You may cast votes online at bestofplantcity.com in 14 categories.
- Business of the Year Award
- Best Community Event Award
- Community Service Award
- Customer Service Award
- Entrepreneur of the Year Award
- Employer of the Year Award
- Health & Wellness Award
- Non-Profit Award
- New Business Award
- Small Business Award
- Economic Development Award
- Downtown Enrichment Award
- Rising Leader Award
- Spirit of the Chamber Award
HCSO investigates drive-by shooting
Two people were struck by bullets in a Plant City drive-by shooting on New Year’s Day.
The shooting occurred at Tavern 92 on County Line Road and left one man in critical condition while another was grazed by a shot. Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office deputies are looking into the incident and were not immediately able to determine suspects or vehicle descriptions.