Many dog owners will place their pooches in obedience school to learn basic manners, and maybe teach them a few tricks just for fun. And then, there is 15-year-old Nadia Acosta, who connects with her dog on a completely different level. Acosta has been competing around the country for two-and-one-half years and has built up […]
Continue ReadingControversial ruling exposes FHSAA flaws
Sometimes, when I speak with sources for a story, they’ll tell me something that blows my mind. And I’m not talking about something that’s mind-blowingly good but rather something that makes me think, “I really wish I was a fly on the wall when this idea was pitched.” I had that precise thought while I […]
Continue ReadingATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Landon Galloway
Nobody in the district put on a show quite like Plant City quarterback Landon Galloway did in last week’s 41-14 win over Strawberry Crest. The senior got things started with a 30-yard touchdown run and then threw for four more, on 13-of-16 passing. It was a like watching a game of Madden, but in real […]
Continue ReadingSidelines 10.31.13
SOFTBALL + ISF president Porter retires Forty-eight years is a long time to stick with any occupation, and Don Porter just decided that 48 years was enough. Porter, president of the Plant City-based International Softball Federation, is calling it a career and phasing into retirement. “I felt having served 48 years (22 as secretary general and […]
Continue ReadingISF President Don Porter Announces Retirement
Forty-eight years is a long time to stick with any occupation, and Don Porter just decided that 48 years was enough. Porter, the President of Plant City’s own International Softball Federation, is calling it a career and phasing into retirement. “I felt having served 48 years (22 as Secretary General, and 26 as President) was […]
Continue ReadingScorecard error ends PCHS’ quest for state championship
In all her years coaching, Plant City High girls golf coach Meg Jordan has never had a group quite like her 2013 squad. Throughout the season, the Lady Raiders played the way Jordan had taught — with dignity, respect and honesty. They were cruising on the stat sheets, too, and seemed poised to embark on […]
Continue Reading2013 Gridiron Podcast: Week 9
The <em>Plant City Times & Observer</em> brings you the fourth installment of our 2013 weekly podcast, the <em>Plant City Times & Observer Gridiron Report</em>, breaking down high school football match-ups in the Plant City area for the entire 2013 season. Staff Writer Justin Kline is the host of the podcast, which features a weekly “Game […]
Continue ReadingHere & Now
The Raiders haven’t forgotten about their 2012 season opener. Just one year removed from putting on an offensive clinic for Strawberry Crest, scoring 69 points in a big win, Plant City found itself in a 21-7 hole against a similar Chargers squad. Other than one touchdown, they simply couldn’t find any answers to Crest’s output. […]
Continue ReadingATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Justin Colligan
At Saturday’s CFCAL Championships, Advantage Academy’s Justin Colligan recorded a top-10 time of 13:24 in the boys two-mile race. Colligan finished first among Plant City-area runners, which included his teammates and some friendly competition from Shiloh. What did you just do? I won 10th place in today’s race. my time was 13:24. How long have […]
Continue ReadingWHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND: Plant City, Crest game promises to be a classic
I’m still pretty new around here, but it’s always great to see people get so excited for a rivalry game. Especially one as meaningful as Friday night’s matchup between Plant City and Strawberry Crest. You could spin this one in a number of different ways, and it’s still a compelling game every time. It’s the […]
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