The first utility from Ford Performance, the Edge ST, entered the market in 2019. Though the midsize crossover segment is packed with tough competition such as the solid Toyota Highlander, Nissan Murano and Chevy Equinox, the appealing five-passenger Edge has always stood its ground. The ST trim reinforced its established roots. Under the hood sits […]
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Letter to the Editor: There will still be strawberry shortcake at the Florida Strawberry Festival
I read the Plant City Observer article today (Jan. 21) about the strawberry shortcake. There are three booths that sell shortcake: St.Clement’s, East Hillsborough and Transforming Life Church. My husband is the pastor at Transforming Life Church and our church has been selling shortcake at the festival for 42 years including this year. We love […]
Continue ReadingLetter to the Editor: Constant Walden Lake power outages unacceptable
Here is a festering issue of over three years of power surges, power interruptions and power failures in the Walden Lake development. Repeated efforts to get answers and solutions have met with no one accepting responsibility and worse, no hope for a solution. TECO blames COVID, blames vermin invading their equipment and any other excuse […]
Continue ReadingHops-Ed: How beer’s key ingredient could boost Florida’s economy
The Sunshine State doesn’t get enough daily hours of sunshine to grow a key beer ingredient commercially. So agricultural scientists just made the day longer in Florida. Glad there was an easy fix for that! Actually, researchers at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) installed LED grow lights at an […]
Continue Reading2021 Kia K5 a fitting replacement for outgoing Optima
Remember the Kia Optima? Well, it has been retired for 2021 and substituted by another suitable midsize sedan: the K5. The new name, the fresh look, is as bold appearing or even more so than its predecessor. Length and wheelbase are up by two and 1.8 inches, respectively. Width rises another inch, though the height […]
Continue ReadingCOLUMN: Looking back on what was arguably the strangest year in decades
It’s hard to name a year filled with more twists, turns and downright bizarre surprises than 2020.
Continue ReadingCadillac XT4 is an entertaining compact crossover
Close on the heels of the three-row luxury crossover XT6 some months ago came its smaller sibling, XT4, from Cadillac. Debuting in 2019, it sits on a car-like framework but with all the bells and whistles you would find among competitors such as the Audi Q3 or the Volvo XC40. The XT4 is packed with […]
Continue ReadingLetter to the Editor: Streaming into the future: First efforts into a live parade
There was no decision on whether I’d watch the first “live stream” of the 2020 Christmas parade in Plant City. I knew I’d be viewing it from the comfort of my home, sitting on a large recliner facing the 4K television that I selected to watch it on. My popcorn was ready. It was different […]
Continue ReadingRevamped 2020 Subaru Legacy a worthy daily ride
With Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Mazda6 and more, competition is vicious in the midsize sedan segment. One competent vehicle that has not received as much attention in the field is the Subaru Legacy, which displays incredible nimbleness, remarkable handling and response. Partial credit, of course, goes to the standard symmetrical all-wheel-drive system that […]
Continue Reading2020 Chevy Bolt goes the distance – solely on battery
Imagine going over 250 miles and some more on a full one-time electric charge in a ride. GM claims 259 miles (up 21 from its predecessor), to be exact, in its four-door, five-passenger 2019 Bolt EV. Plus, the four-door, five-passenger Bolt EV is an ultra-smooth and cool hatchback package with superb handling and overall balance. […]
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