In some ways, it hardly seems possible that an entire year has passed since our first edition hit newsstands and driveways.
In others, it’s hard to believe it’s only been a year since that inaugural edition.
When the Plant City Observer launched July 4, 2012, with the front-page headline, “Born on the Fourth of July,” no less, we did so with one mission in mind — to be the best community newspaper in Plant City.
In that first edition, I promised you pages “filled with accurate, honest and complete news coverage; entertaining and compelling features about you and your neighbors; photo galleries of Plant City events; and a comprehensive sports section dedicated solely to Plant City athletics.”
I also said we’d build this paper brick by brick, handshake by handshake, and that for our newspaper to achieve greatness, we absolutely would need the support of our community. We’d need dedicated readers and advertisers. We’d need story ideas, feedback and critiques. We’d need to know just what kind of newspaper you wanted.
And today, as I flip back through the archives of our first year publishing, I am thrilled by how far we have come. So many of our front-page stories — many of the best ones — began with a phone call or email from one of our readers. Almost immediately, you became a participant in this newspaper, giving us the inside track on a community so deeply rooted in its history and tradition. You took us on vacation (see our It’s Read Everywhere! map, pages 10-11), you sent us wedding and engagement photos, and you trusted us to tell your story.
With your help, we also won five awards for our journalistic efforts in the Local Media Association’s 2012 Editorial Contest, a national contest. Those awards included:
• First place, Best Special Section: 2012 Football Preview: Under Construction
• Second place, Best Headline: Leave It To Beevor
• Second place, Best Photojournalism: Spirit of America
• Second place, Best Front Page
• Third place, Best Feature Photo: Spirit of America: Home
A simple “thank you” isn’t enough.
Anniversaries are good times for reflection. So here, we’ve chosen to take a look back on 12 of our most important news stories of the past 12 months. The Plant City Observer was the first to report many of these stories, restoring to Plant City a definitive breaking-news source. Other stories that have graced our front page were the perfect depiction of our community’s unique, proud spirit.
We hope you enjoy trip back into our archives and thank you for your amazing support.
Without you, this isn’t possible.
JULY 2012
Called to Duty.
Published July 26, 2012.
The Plant City Observer launched its Hometown Heroes series with a feature on U.S. Army Pfc. Ben Secor, a Plant City native who was five months into a nine-month tour of Afghanistan. Following the story, Secor returned to the United States in November, 2012. Secor — along with about 230 members of the Fourth Brigade Combat Team, Fourth Infantry Division, received a hero’s welcome Nov. 4, at Ft. Carson, Colo. Even better: Secor’s son, Colt, was born while he was overseas. Father and son met for the first time.
AUGUST 2012
Thousands missing from school PTA account.
Published August 23, 2012.
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and Lakeland Police Department officials partnered to investigate the theft of between $15,000 and $25,000 from the Parent-Teacher Association bank account for Springhead Elementary School. Former PTA president and secretary Lisa Shirah eventually was charged with the theft. Shirah had stolen the money by cashing a series of unauthorized checks from the PTA account. She pleaded guilty to four of the 16 original charges — grand theft, uttering a forged instrument, forgery and criminal use of personal identification. She received 30 days in jail and five years of probation.
SEPTEMBER 2012
Long Time Coming.
Published Sept. 27, 2012.
Work to restore the historic Bing Rooming House was completed in September 2012. The renovations included work to both floors of the home. The first floor now features a museum of African-American history. Bing Rooming House, named after its first owner, Janie Wheeler Bing, is one of two national African-American landmarks in Hillsborough County. Built in 1928, it earned the designation primarily because of its role as a hotel for African-Americans during the segregation period.
OCTOBER 2012
Making the Move.
Published Oct. 4, 2012.
Highland Packaging Solutions began moving its impressive operation from Polk County to Plant City. The company manufactures a variety of plastic clamshell containers, mesh baskets and corrugated boxes, and its labeling division creates custom labels for many of its clients. Today, the company is operating fully in its Plant City headquarters off Gordon Food Service Drive.
NOVEMBER 2012
Raulerson Wins.
Published Nov. 8, 2012.
Former Mayor and Plant City Commissioner Dan Raulerson cruised to a victory for the Florida House of Representatives District 58 seat. Raulerson celebrated the win with family, friends and supporters at O’Brien’s Irish Pub and Grill, in Plant City. Since his election, Raulerson helped pass S.B. 934, the stormwater management permits bill that will help the city move forward with the Midtown project.
DECEMBER 2012
‘Paw’sitive Environment.
Published Dec. 20, 2012.
The Plant City Observer featured some of the community’s most famous residents — the four-legged employees greeting customers at shops in Historic Downtown Plant City. From Spooky and Lucky at Brown’s Floral Shop to Ben at The Corner Store, these furry family members help give downtown its unique, friendly atmosphere.
JANUARY 2013
Crowning Glory.
Published Jan. 31, 2013.
The Plant City Observer was the first newspaper to publish the names and photos of the 2013 Florida Strawberry Festival Queen and Court. Our coverage included photo galleries of all 25 pageant contestants, as well as video interviews with 2013 Queen Kelsey Fry, First Maid Ericka Lott and court members Madison Astin, Maddy Keene and Jamee Townsend.
FEBRUARY 2013
Trip of a Lifetime.
Published Feb. 28, 2013.
Plant City natives Skyler and Jordan McDonald are spending their 2013 traveling the world. Their first stops included Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. As of press time, the Plant City High alums were on safari in Africa. Readers can discover more about their travels on the McDonalds’ blog, 180degreeswest.com.
MARCH 2013
VisionPro to lease Plant City Stadium.
Published March 28, 2013.
Fifteen years after the Cincinnati Reds left Plant City for Sarasota, the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World learned it once again would be the home of a professional sports team. VisionPro Sports Institute Inc. currently is leasing Plant City Stadium to serve as the home of its its four United Soccer League franchises — USL Pro, PDL League, Super 20s and W-League. The lease is good through August, with potential to extend through September.
APRIL 2013
Queena celebrates in style at Keel & Curley Winery.
Published April 25, 2013.
Queena, the woman formerly known as the Bloomingdale Library attack survivor, celebrated her 23rd birthday April 20, at Keel & Curley Winery. The celebration included a special prayer vigil led by Plant City’s Chaplain Ret. Maj. Daniel Middlebrooks. Then, Queena surprised everyone by standing and dancing with Christopher Tolisano, an athletic trainer with whom Queena has been working for about a year.
MAY 2013
Heads of the Class.
Published May 23, 2013.
The Plant City Observer put its spotlight on local valedictorians. This year’s top students included Jacob Bernier (Durant), Sarah Winters (Plant City), Exor Serrano-Arce (Strawberry Crest — traditional) and Rahul Patel (Strawberry Crest — IB). Plant City residents Reece Dial, Rachel Dwyer and Sera Moore also earned the top spots at their respective schools.
JUNE 2013
Hundreds light night for Misti Whitfield.
Published June 6, 2013.
More than 200 gathered for a candlelight vigil June 4, at the Train Depot in Historic Downtown Plant City, to offer prayers and support for the family of Misti Whitfield. Whitfield, 35, has been missing since May 2. Private investigator Brad Sparkman said he suspects foul play and that Whitfield, daughter of Cuzzins Bar owners Sharon and Mel Ardelean, had been murdered. As of press time, Whitfield has not been found.