PCPD honors local civic leader
Plant City Police Department recognized Henry Falcon, Winn-Dixie’s Plant City store manager, for his dedication to the community. Chief Ed Duncan and a group of officers surprised Falcon and his staff Feb. 2 with the award and an honorary police badge.
Falcon not only manages the local Winn-Dixie, but he also routinely gives his time and resources to Unity in the Community. He sits on the board for the group and is essential in organizing the annual charity golf tournament. He is also involved in the United Food Bank of Plant City, Give Kids a Hug Program, Meals on Wheels, the Lions Club and the Plant City Christmas Parade. In 2015, he was named Store Manager of the Year for West Florida.
Following the presentation, PCPD said on Facebook, “Henry is truly a pillar of this community and the Plant City Police appreciate our partnership with him and his staff.”
Local teens win Rotary Speech Competition
Each year, the Plant City Noon Rotary Club holds its Speech Competition, which gives local high school students the opportunity to present original speeches to that year’s theme. This year, the Rotary asked students to write a speech on “Rotary: Making a Difference.”
Three junior girls from Plant City High School took home the top three awards. Katelyn Yarbrough won first place and the $100 award, Delaney Flowers won second place and a $50 award and Anna Grace Futch won third place and the $25 award. Yarbrough will move on and represent the Noon Rotary Club in the next level of the competition in March. The 2018 committee was chaired by Sophia Hyde.
Local dog shot twice, in recovery
A Labrador named Dexter was found on Feb. 3 in Plant City with two gunshot wounds to the head. The bullets hit his jaw and behind his ear. He is currently being treated for his wounds at BluePearl Emergency Hospital in Brandon.
“I think it’s really luck of where the bullets hit him because it definitely could have been two inches off and hit his brain,” Brandon BluePearl’s Dr. Nancy Pesses said in a news release.
The Labrador Retriever Rescue of Florida is stepping in to fix the teeth at the cost of $7,500. Pesses said it will take months for Dexter to heal from his wounds. The Labrador Retriever Rescue of Florida said it will find him a permanent home once he has recovered.
According to the rescue, Dexter is no more than nine months old and is currently being fed via a feeding tube. Donations can be made to the rescue on its website at lrrof.org.