While transitioning to high school coverage in Florida, I immediately discovered many differences between the prep sports scene in Georgia and that of the Sunshine State. Fall sports I was used to (softball) are now played in the spring. Spring sports, such as golf, are played in the fall; and soccer, a spring sport in […]
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OWNER’S REPORT: City manager provides sneak peek at luncheon
In a country founded on the premise of federalism, the organizational effectiveness and fiscal health of all levels of government are vital. Under federalism, the United States has three levels of government: national, state and local. Unlike many countries, we divide the important public functions among these levels, so each level can better focus on […]
Continue ReadingPAST & PRESENCE: The story behind HCC’s Plant City campus
The story of the Plant City campus of Hillsborough Community College begins in July 1967, when officials decided the new Hillsborough Junior College would consist of multiple campuses. The master plan for the creation of junior colleges throughout Florida was developed by the state government in 1957. The intent was to alleviate some of the […]
Continue ReadingSHOW ME THE MAUNEY: Pro soccer a good fit for Plant City
As I’ve written before, after accepting this job, I thoroughly researched Plant City and its sports scene. Being the sports historian I like to claim to be, I found out about Plant City Stadium and how it was the former spring training home to the Cincinnati Reds. Even though the Reds left town when I […]
Continue ReadingTALLAHASSEE REPORT: New law would stiffen utility-theft punishments
The 2013 legislative session is under way, and we are hard at work representing District 58, in Tallahassee. I wanted to take a moment to tell you about one of the important issues we are working on this session, which deals with the theft of utility services. Over the years, theft of electricity has become […]
Continue ReadingSHOW ME THE MAUNEY: March truly IS madness
I’ve always said the NCAA men’s basketball tournament is the greatest setup in sports. Football and baseball always will be two of my favorite sports, but the annual March tournament brings more excitement than any bowl game, World Series or Super Bowl. There’s no tournament quite like it; 68 teams have a chance to win […]
Continue ReadingSHOW ME THE MAUNEY: Club baseball offers talent, competition
With so many leagues and levels in the sports world, it is easy and understandable to get confused. Club baseball is a sport that I find many don’t completely understand. With Plant City building a reputation for being the home of spring training for collegiate club baseball, it’s important to clear up some questions some […]
Continue ReadingJOSHING AROUND: Scripture serves as caffeine for the soul
All I know is optimism on starting a new day ahead of the game quickly faded today. For once in my life, the nighttime version of Josh was considerate to the morning Josh and set his alarm. It was beautiful. Maybe it is age, but I wanted to get an early start to my day […]
Continue ReadingSHOW ME THE MAUNEY: Athletes sacrifice break for sports
While most high school students in the area are working on their tans or enjoying other spring break rituals, many area student-athletes are spending their week off the usual way — practicing and conditioning for the sport they love. The break affects teams and sports differently. Some have practices or conditioning earlier or later than […]
Continue ReadingPERMACULTURE LIVING: Sustainable practices critical to our prolonged prosperity
There are two major taproots from which permaculture emerged. In 1979, an Australian ecology teacher and one of his graduate students coined and open copyrighted the term permaculture by combining the words “permanent” and “agriculture.” If you do an Internet search for either Bill Mollison or David Holmgren, you’ll find a vast body of information […]
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