Train collides with car in downtown Plant City
A vehicle was struck by a freight train Tuesday evening at the Collins Street and Laura Street intersection, according to Plant City Police Department.
PCPD spokesman Sgt. Al Van Duyne said he was told there were no injuries or fatalities at the accident. As far as PCPD knows the crossing arms were working prior to the incident.
The roadway was closed due to the blockage, but was reopened shortly afterward.
This is an active investigation.
Springhead Park shooting investigation ongoing
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office detectives are looking into the Jan. 25 shooting at Springhead Park, believed to have been a drive-by shooting.
A 911 call reporting gunshots was placed around 10 p.m. that night and deputies found one male adult victim, who was transported to Lakeland Regional Health and later succumbed to his injuries. Detectives do not believe the shooting was random and no arrests have been made.
Anyone with information related to the incident is asked to call the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office at 813-247-8200. You may also send an anonymous tip from a smart phone using HCSOSheriff app available on both Android and Apple products. To be eligible for a cash reward, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS (8477), report anonymously online at crimestopperstb.com or send a mobile tip using their P3 Tips Mobile application, which is a free download for iPhones, iPads and Androids. You must call Crime Stoppers first to be eligible for a reward.
Orlando ministry helps local homeless people
Mt. Olive Baptist Church recently helped “Hope, Faith and Love” help those in Plant City’s homeless community.
“Hope, Faith and Love” is a mobile ministry established 10 years ago that travels around the Orlando, Tampa and North Port areas to feed and clothe the homeless. The Orlando-based ministry visited the Plant City church on Tuesday and gave away more than 150 blankets, socks and undershirts, as well as meals for people to eat.
The ministry’s immediate needs are finding support for cash donations, food donations, extreme weather clothing and covering items (sweaters, blankets, gloves, hats), toiletries, socks and undershirts. It is always looking for donations and volunteers. For either option, contact Adien Diaz at 407-928-2974 or Ana Diaz at 813-531-1680, or email hopefaithandlove2017@gmail.com.
Hopewell Baptist Church to welcome new pastor
Sunday, Feb. 17 will mark the start of a new era for Hopewell Baptist Church as it welcomes Rev. Justin Kirksey.
Kirksey, who comes to Hopewell from Madison Street Baptist Church in Starke, is the church’s new pastor. He is a Georgia native who received a Bachelor of Arts in Religion in 2004 and his Master of Divinity in 2008, both from Luther Rice University, and has worked in churches in Georgia and Florida since 2006.