For a lifelong Plant City resident who grew up just steps from his childhood church on Tyler Street, running for City Commission isn’t about politics – it’s about home. It’s about the streets he rode his bike on, the classrooms that taught him, the neighbors he still calls family, and the city that shaped every […]
Continue ReadingAce Hardware Opens in Plant City After Years-Long Search for Right Location
After years of planning and a nearly three-year search for the right location, a new Ace Hardware has opened in Plant City, bringing the nationally recognized hardware brand to a community that store owner Jim Stoner said has long been asking for it. The store, located in the former CVS building at 2302 James L. […]
Continue ReadingCity Commissioner Bill Dodson Announces He Won’t Seek Reelection in 2026
Plant City Commissioner Bill Dodson announced at the Nov. 10 commission meeting that he will not seek reelection when his eighth term concludes in May 2026, formally closing out nearly a quarter-century on the commission and 47 consecutive years of public service to Plant City. “Tonight, I am officially announcing my intentions to not seek […]
Continue ReadingCity Commission Wraps Pre-Holiday Meeting
The Nov. 24 City Commission meeting moved efficiently through its final meeting before Thanksgiving, approving a slate of routine items, setting two public hearings and hearing pointed public comments on neighborhood concerns. Visitors arriving at City Hall were also greeted by Plant City Fire Rescue’s newest rapid-response vehicle, a Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV), which was […]
Continue Reading‘We Were Just Shopping…and Then There Were Kangaroos’: Downtown Plant City Shop Turns Heads
Anna Price and Meghan Martinez thought they were simply browsing through downtown Plant City shops when they stepped into Hey Sister & Co.- until a baby kangaroo poked its head out of a pouch near the register. The two women, who recognized the animals from a recent event at First Baptist Church Plant City, erupted […]
Continue ReadingPlant City Quilters To Raffle Off Hand-Appliquéd Quilt
A longtime quilting guild in Plant City is raffling off a one-of-a-kind, hand-appliquéd queen-size quilt this December, hoping to raise money to support its growing list of charitable projects. The Berry Patch Quilters of Plant City- a 30-member guild that meets weekly to create masterpieces- is selling $5 raffle tickets for the quilt, crafted and […]
Continue ReadingSmall Buckets, Big Lessons at Head Start Garden
At Burney Elementary’s Head Start class, something special is happening. Instead of running around the playground or learning their letter and numbers, the approximately two dozen children were circling around a row of bright red cattle buckets. These weren’t any ordinary buckets, though; they were the foundation of a brand-new bucket garden. The idea began […]
Continue ReadingPatriot’s Day Ride draws hundreds, raises funds for local causes
More than 120 motorcycles, trikes and slingshots rumbled from River’s Edge Bar & Grill in Gibsonton to AMVETS Post 44 in Plant City on Saturday as it hosted its 18th annual Patriot’s Day Ride, an event commemorating the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the bravery of those who responded to the tragedy, raising […]
Continue ReadingSTRAWBERRY CREST ANNOUNCES 28 NATIONAL MERIT SEMIFINALISTS
Photo courtesy of Jamie Ferrario Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) announced 80 students have been named semifinalists in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program, operated by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Of this number, 28 are Strawberry Crest High School (SCHS) students. The nearest runner-up had 11 students reach this level. For other schools in […]
Continue ReadingLisa Westcott Launches Homeschool Program in Plant City
A new homeschool program will debut Aug. 19 at Red Calliope Gallery on Evers, offering preschool through third grade students the chance to learn music fundamentals in small, age-specific classes. The program, Music with Nona Lisa, is led by Lisa Westcott, affectionately known as “Nona Lisa,” meaning grandmother in Italian, a veteran music educator with […]
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