HCSO looking for info about PC-area shooting
One man is dead following a shooting in Plant City on Nov. 25.
Deputies with Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office are attempting to discover what led to the shooting that occurred at a home in the 5000 block of Sydney Road. Around 9:30 p.m. deputies responded to South Florida Baptist Hospital in reference to a shooting. A man had been transported to the hospital with a gunshot wound. According to HCSO, life-saving measures were performed on the victim, but he later died as a result of his injury.
After heading to the home and speaking with those who lived there, detectives said that it became clear the victim and the shooter knew each other. This remains an active investigation.
“If you saw or heard anything last night on Sydney Road last night, I’m urging you to please come forward with that information,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said. “What may seem like a small piece of information could go a long way into solving what happened to this victim last night.”
Anyone with information is asked to call the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office at 813-247-8200.
Parks department fights invasive plant
The City of Plant City’s Parks Tree Trimming Crew is working on getting rid of an invasive plant species threatening the area between the Samuel W. Cooper Park and the CSX railroad parcels.
The area has become home to a high concentration of Schinus terebinthifolius, commonly known as Brazilian peppertree, and that could cause problems for both local flora and humans if untreated.
“Per the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Services (UF IFAS), this shrub/tree is one of the most aggressive and wide-spread of the invasive non-indigenous exotic pest plants in Florida,” Parks and Recreation Department director Jack Holland said in a press release. “Native to Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay, Brazilian peppertree produces a dense canopy that shades out all other plants and produces a poor habitat for native species. For persons sensitive to poison oak, poison ivy, or poison sumac, it can cause dermatitis and also respiratory problems during the fall flowering period.”
Elks to host toy drive Saturday
The Plant City Elks Lodge and the Our Gang program are teaming up this Saturday evening to host a toy drive and dinner at the lodge, 1501 N. Alexander St.
The groups invite anyone to stop by with a new, unwrapped toy you would be proud to give to your child or grandchild. The only cost is a donation and one covered side dish from each adult to accompany the main meal prepared at the Lodge. Social distancing practices will be observed for anyone who wishes to eat in the lodge, masks are required to be worn when not seated and eating and tables will be cleaned and sanitized after every use. There will also be live music and a 50/50 raffle.
The dinner portion will be open to the public at 6 p.m. but anyone who just wants to drop toys off can visit the lodge at 4:30 p.m. today and tomorrow or 3 p.m. Saturday.
SFBH wins award for stroke treatment services
South Florida Baptist Hospital announced it has earned an American Heart Association/American Stroke Association award for its treatment of stroke patients.
The “Get with the Guidelines® Stroke Award – Gold Plus with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll” distinction recognizes the hospital’s proper use of medication and stroke treatments as well as discharge education. It achieved more than 90 percent compliance for 12 consecutive months for the “Overall Diabetes Cardiovascular Initiative Composite Score.”
“This designation is significant because it involves care across a multitude of disciplines,” South Florida Baptist Hospital president Karen Kerr said in a press release. “It involves our services in emergency, cardiovascular, neurology and diabetes. The care and treatment of stroke patients is wide-ranging from many members of our care teams. The designation and award exemplifies our teamwork, communication and effectiveness from doctors and team members in providing the best possible care for stroke patients.”
Emotional and Mental Health Wellness virtual seminar
Building Strong Families, Inc., will host a virtual Emotional and Mental Health Wellness seminar on from 11:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Dec. 12 using Zoom.
The theme of the seminar is “Health, Healing and Hope for this Season.” Licensed mental health professionals will present practical strategies for working through the emotional and mental health issues many have experienced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and as the holiday season approaches. Topics to be discussed include “Depression and Loneliness,” “Anxiety and Stress” and “Creating an Atmosphere of Peace.” Speakers include Dr. Benetta Wholuba, a licensed clinical psychologist at Orange Park Medical Center; Khalilah Louis Caines, a licensed clinical social worker and the Director of Field Education and Instructor in the MSW Program at Saint Leo University; and Dr. Pauline Rivers, founder and president of Building Strong Families, Inc.
There is no cost to attend this virtual seminar, but pre-registration is required. The Zoom meeting ID, passcode and seminar materials will be emailed to those who pre-register. For registration information, contact Rivers at 813-759-0260 or by email at pmrivers@aol.com, or visit buildingstrongfamiliesofflorida.com.