We asked Plant City: How are we feeling about these cold snaps lately? Great time for a bonfire. Brad Sparkman Love and so does my sweater and boots collection Plant City History & Photo Archives I love it Miguel Gabriel Are you asking Floridians or northerners? Cheryl Thompson Honestly love it Pamela Thompson-Iwicki Great Thomas […]
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Obituaries 01.22.26
Robert Eugene Garvin Robert Eugene Garvin, 76, of Lakeland, Fla., born in Cleveland, Ohio on Aug. 27, 1949, entered into eternal rest on Jan. 14, 2026. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com. Raul Villegas Cruz Raul Villegas Cruz, resident of Lithia, Fla., born on Oct. 22, 1965, in Chumbitaro, Michoacan, Mexico, entered into eternal rest on Jan. 14, […]
Continue ReadingMeet 2026 Florida Strawberry Festival Court Member
Photo courtesy of Jose Lozoya Cadence Cape What inspired you to compete in the Florida Strawberry Festival Queens pageant? The Queen’s Court has always been a source of inspiration and a role model in my life. Becoming a member of the court has been a goal of mine for as long as I can remember, […]
Continue ReadingQueen and Court Crowned at Annual Florida Strawberry Festival Queen’s Scholarship Pageant
Photos courtesy of Jose Lozoya On Saturday, Jan. 19, the Charlie Grimes Family Agricultural Center was filled with excitement as 32 contestants took the stage for the 91st annual Florida Strawberry Festival Queen’s Scholarship Pageant, presented by the Plant City Lions Club. By the end of the evening, five young women were crowned in the […]
Continue ReadingMeet 2026 Florida Strawberry First Maid
Photo Courtesy of Jose Lozoya Marley Mueller Age: 17 Education: Senior at Plant City High School What inspired you to compete in the Florida Strawberry Festival Queens pageant? Being on the Florida Strawberry Festival Queen’s Court has been a lifelong dream of mine. I remember walking around my house as a child, telling my mom, “This […]
Continue ReadingMeet 2026 Florida Strawberry Festival Court Member
Addison Griffin Photo courtesy of Jose Lozoya Age: 18 Education: Freshman at Hillsborough College What inspired you to compete in the Florida Strawberry Festival Queens pageant? I grew up in this town and at the festival. Every little girl growing up looks up to the Florida Strawberry Festival Queen when they […]
Continue ReadingMeet 2026 Florida Strawberry Festival Court Member
Photo courtesy of Jose Lozoya Addison Pope Age: 16 Education: Junior, homeschooled What inspired you to compete in the Florida Strawberry Festival Queens pageant? This is my first pageant, so I’m not a typical pageant girl. About nine years ago, my family went through a very difficult time when a family member who was a […]
Continue ReadingFuture Career Academy Bus Tour Rides Again
Future Career Academy brought students from four area high schools into Plant City workplaces on Friday, kicking off its annual Business Tours, a program designed to introduce high school seniors to career pathways and industries across Hillsborough County. Eight buses transported students from Plant City High School, Durant High School, Strawberry Crest High School, and […]
Continue ReadingMeet 2026 Florida Strawberry Festival Queen
Photos courtesy of Jose Lozoya Layla Rothman Age: 17 Education: Senior at Plant City High School What does being crowned Florida Strawberry Festival Queen mean to you personally? It truly means so much to serve my community. I believe one of my best qualities is having a servant’s heart, and our festival is truly about […]
Continue ReadingSteve Hurley Named Outstanding Citizen
After years of service and contributions to the community, Plant City has named Steve Hurley its 67th Annual Outstanding Citizen of the Year. Hurley is an active member of the Plant City community. He is the immediate past chair of Unity in the Community and currently serves as chair of the Plant City Economic Development […]
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