PCPD RESPONDS TO GUNFIRE
On December 11, at 11:20 a.m., Plant City Police Department officers responded to a report of a dispute that escalated into gunfire. The incident involved 26-year-old Michael Davis of Plant City, a 10-time convicted felon with offenses ranging from Written Threats to Kill, Burglary, and Possession and Sale of a Controlled Substance.
Shortly after the incident, in a swift and coordinated response, officers located Davis traveling in a vehicle on the 500 block of Wheeler Street. Officers conducted a high-risk motor vehicle stop, resulting in Davis’ arrest. During the investigation, officers recovered a defaced, loaded, and illegally possessed, 9mm handgun from Davis.
CONSTRUCTION ACCIDENT IN PLANT CITY CAUSES POWER LINE EXPLOSIONS
On December 19, the operator of a trackhoe working in Plant City suffered a medical emergency. As a result, the operator lost control. The equipment crashed through a fence and into a tree, and took down a nearby power line, causing electrical explosions. At the time, a contracted company was handling a construction project for the City of Plant City’s Lift Station 2 at the corner of North Pennsylvania and East Calhoun Streets. The crash caused an estimated $25,000 in damage to miscellaneous property and vehicles, and $25,000 in damage to City of Plant City fences and property. A resident captured the dramatic incident on video and posted it on TikTok. The health status of the operator is unknown at this time.
5-ALARM FIRE AT RECYCLING FACILITY
On December 19, Plant City Fire Rescue was dispatched to a reported structure fire at NuCycle Energy at 2067 S. County Line Road. Upon arrival, crews found heavy smoke inside the structure and initiated an interior attack. The battalion chief and incident commander, knowing the building and its contents, quickly requested mutual aid assistance from Hillsborough County Fire Rescue. As the incident evolved and expanded, additional resources were requested from multiple agencies, including Tampa, Lakeland, Polk, and Pasco County. The fire gutted the interior of the building.
NuCycle Energy has proprietary technology to turn non-hazardous commercial waste into cleaner, cost-effective alternative fuel engineered to reduce the amount of traditional fossil fuels used in industrial processes such as power plant operations and cement manufacturing.
FEMA RENTAL ASSISTANCE
FEMA may provide financial assistance to rent alternate temporary housing if you are displaced from your primary residence due to Hurricanes Debby, Helene and/or Milton.
FEMA Rental Assistance is intended to cover the monthly rent amount, which may include a security deposit, at a place other than your damaged home. Your rental can be near your job, home, school and place of worship. The assistance may include essential utilities such as gas, oil, trash, sewer, electricity, and water, but not cable or Internet.
The approved rental amount will be based on fair market rates for your area as determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
If you were initially approved for rental assistance, an application for Continued Temporary Housing Assistance may be mailed to you 15 days after the grant is approved. If you do not receive one, please contact FEMA by calling 800-621-3362 or visiting a Disaster Recovery Center.
The initial award for Rental Assistance may cover up to two months of rent.
To continue to be eligible for Rental Assistance, you must prove an ongoing need, which may be that suitable housing is not available or that your permanent housing plan has not been completed through no fault of your own. If you intend to seek continued assistance, you’ll need receipts to show you used the assistance for rent. Survivors should keep receipts for three years.
