November was a busy month as Plant City residents gave back in several ways. The twelfth annual Empty Bowls Project was held at The Robert Willaford Railroad Museum and McCall Park, where hungry people gathered to pick out hand-crafted bowls made by local schoolchildren and shared a meal together to promote hunger awareness while benefitting The United Food Bank of Plant City.
Volunteers made their way to four local cemeteries to help Plant City honor veterans as they placed nearly 1,300 flags at the graves of veterans. Plant City residents also celebrated veterans at the TECO Expo Hall at the Florida Strawberry Festival Grounds, where more than 500 guests enjoyed a meal of pulled pork sandwiches, macaroni and cheese and coleslaw from The Wooden Spoon.
In football, Durant’s season came to an end following a 42-27 loss to Ocoee in the regional quarterfinals. Plant City High School football fans received the news that Michael Clayton would not be returning as head coach of the Raiders’ football team.
In business news, Steve Morey was named Plant City Economic Development Council’s (PCEDC) new president and chief executive officer (CEO), replacing Jake Austin, PCEDC’s inaugural CEO who announced his resignation earlier in the month.
The proposed development in Walden Lake is making its way through the Planning Department.
City officials unveiled its plans for a three-year road improvement project to fill potholes and repave city streets.
Plant City Police Department announced the retirement of two of its canine officers, Jax and Leto, who have diligently served the citizens of Plant City for seven years.