By Emilie Plants | Contributing Writer There’s nothing more precious to me than seeing my children sing about God. Joyful Hearts Preschool has taught both of my children about Jesus and has given them the platform to sing His praises. On the last day before Thanksgiving, it was Cooper’s turn to perform as an American […]
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OBSERVED: Fifty reasons this dad is thankful today
By Michael Eng | Managing Editor When my wife and I decided we would leave our posts at Observer Media Group headquarters to open the Plant City Observer earlier this year, we knew not every piece of an extremely complex puzzle would fall into place at the same time. Not only were we charged with […]
Continue ReadingSHOW ME THE MAUNEY: Crest charges toward future
By Matt Mauney | Associate Editor As a sports editor for a newspaper dedicated to local high school sports coverage, any time a football team in the coverage area is undefeated, other schools often are overlooked. In one sense, rightly so, because what the Durant football program has accomplished this year is nothing short of […]
Continue ReadingLearning about Leadership; Law Enforcement, Public Safety and Justice
By Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor Editor’s Note: Plant City Chamber of Commerce Leadership Class is a program where members of the chamber meet monthly to explore different factions and lifestyles of Plant City. Associate Editor Amber Jurgensen is taking the class to better know and understand Plant City.
Continue ReadingCOMMISSIONER’S REPORT: Economic council seeks new manager
By Al Higginbotham | Hillsborough County Comnissioner With the joint efforts of Hillsborough County and the City of Plant City, the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Council currently is recruiting a Project Manager for Plant City and eastern Hillsborough County. Funded by a joint agreement between the EDC, Plant City and Tampa Electric Company, the project […]
Continue ReadingSHOW ME THE MAUNEY: Winter season promises excitement
By Matt Mauney | Associate Editor Yes, the high school football season is coming to a close here, soon. Durant will be the only area team playing more than 10 games this season, but there is plenty to look forward to for high school sports fans out there. Let’s start with those football Cougars. Durant […]
Continue ReadingOBSERVED: Kids kick dear old Dad back to reality
By Michael Eng | Managing Editor I could feel my 2-year-old daughter’s grip tightening around me with every step. And even though — in my head — I knew the outcome, I kept convincing myself it would be different. I had to. It was the only way I could justify standing in such a long line so […]
Continue ReadingOUR VIEW: We recommend …
The political buzz today, of course, is all about the presidential election. Rightfully so. The course of America, if not the world, is at stake. And so is your individual liberty.
Continue ReadingSHOW ME THE MAUNEY: No panic needed for Raider Nation
By Matt Mauney | Associate Editor While college and professional sports are often referenced for having “coaching carousels,” high school sports have player carousels. Although rules sometimes are bent and recruiting sometimes takes place in the high school football mecca that is the state of Florida, most schools are challenged with making the best with […]
Continue ReadingOBSERVED: Memories go down in KISStory
By Michael Eng | Managing Editor I was a weird kid. Just look at that picture. That’s me on the left. Yep, dressed up like Paul Stanley, of KISS. That’s Halloween 1985. I was 7 years old, my brother, Rob, was 12, and we were both proud members of the KISS Army. Minutes later, we […]
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