PCPD Investigating I-4 Shooting That Left One Dead/One
InjuredPlant City
Police Department (PCPD) is investigating a homicide after a shooting on Eastbound I-4 before exit 23 on Tuesday, April 18 that left one person dead and another in critical condition.
Police said a man called 911 just after at 9 p.m. and told telecommunicators that he and a female passenger had been shot at while on the Interstate. The caller then said that he had stopped his vehicle at Plant City Fire Rescue (PCFR) Station #3, located at 1704 N. Park Road.
PCFR personnel performed first-aid to both victims at the fire station but the female passenger sustained a fatal injury to her upper torso. She died at the station. The man, who also sustained upper body trauma, was transported to an area hospital where he is currently listed in critical condition.
Before being taken to the hospital, the male victim told police that the shooter was male, driving a silver or gray Toyota Prius with non-tinted windows. Before the shooting incident, he said the driver appeared to be driving recklessly and showed signs of road rage towards the victim for unknown reasons.
After the shooting incident, the Prius continued eastbound on I-4.
Police said the shooting is believed to be an isolated incident. PCPD is investing the incident as a homicide. Anyone with information about the incident or the Toyota Prius is asked to contact Sergeant Baker at (813) 707-2271 or Detective Cowart at (813) 707-2270.
Plant City Fire Rescue Welcomes Two New Hires
Plant City Fire Rescue welcomes new recruits Hayley Duckson and Jose Perez. Both employees are firefighters/EMTs and have completed their two-week orientation program. They’re hitting the streets to respond to emergency incidents and provide an exceptional level of service to citizens.
Hope Lutheran Hosts Yard Sale
On Saturday, April 22, the combined Anglo and Hispanic congregations of Hope Lutheran Church, located at 2001 North Park Road, will host a gigantic yard sale in their main parking lot from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Numerous household items and clothing will be for sale. “This event will one again be an opportunity for our congregations to reach out into our community with all proceeds of the yard sale benefiting Hope’s Hispanic Ministry,” said Hope’s Hispanic Ministry Pastor, Reverend John Cabos. For more information, contact Hope Lutheran Church at 813-752-4622.
Local Oratorical Contest Winners Advance At Southwest Regional Competition
Plant City Optimist Club Oratorical Contest representatives Kyleigh Elliott and Kenley Connell won first and second place respectively at the Southwest Regional Competition on Saturday, April 15, beating out two extremely proficient orators from St. Petersburg. Contestants presented four to five minute orations. The theme of this year’s contest is “Discovering the Optimism within Me”. Elliott and Connell now advance to the North Florida District Finals on Saturday, April 29 in Bushnell, where Plant City club representatives have won first place nine times since 2001, including Jacob Raburn, Caycee Hampton, Nathan Carson, Amanda Williamson, Kylie Feaster, Jesse Bingham, Emma Poole, Caroline Brummer and Katelyn Yarbrough. Up for grabs are college scholarships for first place ($2.500), second place ($2,500) and third place ($1,000).
“Our two ladies were very strong in the competition, that only gets more difficult from here,” said Plant City Oratorical Contest chairman Doris Robbins. “I’m sure they will improve even more and represent Plant City well at the North Florida District competition.”
Plant City Entertainment Presents Dearly Departed
Tickets are on sale for Plant City Entertainment’s production of Dearly Departed, a Southern-fried comedy of caskets and country craziness that puts the “fun” in funeral. Dates and showtimes are Friday, April 28 and Saturday, April 29 and Friday, may 5 and Saturday, May 6 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, April 30 and Sunday, May 7 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $23 for adults, $18 for seniors (60+) and students and $16 for members/groups (10+). An opening night special of 2 tickets for $35 is available online or at the door, if available. For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.plantcityentertainment.com.
Prevent the Spread of Mosquitoes and Fight The Bite
The Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County is urging residents and visitors to protect against mosquito bites as weather gets hotter and wetter. Preventing bites reduces the risk of a person getting infected with mosquito-borne disease, known as an arbovirus. Measures to take that reduce the risk include:
Mosquito Bite Prevention: Use repellant on bare skin; DEET at 20% to 30% concentration works well for most people when used according to label directions. Don’t apply to infants.
Drain water from outside areas, including garbage cans, house gutters, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys and flowerpots, to reduce the number of places mosquitos can lay their eggs and breed.
Discard old tires, bottles, pots, broken appliances and other items not being used.
Empty and clean birdbaths and any pet water bowls at least twice a week.
Protect boats and vehicles from rain with tarps that do not accumulate water.
Maintain swimming pools in good condition and keep chlorinated. Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use.