By Matt Mauney | Staff Writer The fact that I’m able to write my column this week means a few things. First, I have retained all of my fingers — an essential part of my livelihood. I’m also happy to report that other than a little soreness in my quads and forearms earlier this week, […]
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OBSERVED: 2012 grades continue FCAT farce
By Michael Eng | Managing Editor Without knowing any backstory, if you take a look at the 2012 Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test grades released last week, you’d probably be relatively pleased with the results. Nothing looks out of the ordinary; most of our Plant City schools either maintained the same grade or dropped slightly. But […]
Continue ReadingPAST AND PRESENCE: D.E. Bailey preserved city’s history
By Gil Gott | Contributing Writer The greater Plant City area is rich in history. From its early pioneers coming on foot, horseback or ox-drawn carts, its churches, farms, trading posts, its early social and civic clubs, to its rapid development following the building of the railroad, the people, places and activities in this area […]
Continue ReadingSHOW ME THE MAUNEY: Going hog wild (like it or not)
I like to think of myself as being fairly athletic, but the truth is, I spend way more time watching or covering athletes than I do being active myself. On July 21, ready or not, that will change. About two weeks ago, I came across a local deal on Groupon. It was for a discounted […]
Continue ReadingOBSERVED: Young love blossoms in Plant City
By Michael Eng | Managing Editor If this doesn’t tug at your heartstrings, you’re either dead or carry around a piece of black coal inside your chest. Last week, Facebook user James Worley sent us a link to a YouTube video. “Watch this AWESOME proposal video of a Plant City couple,” he wrote.
Continue ReadingPAJAMA MAMA: From model to motherhood
By Emilie Plants | Contributing Writer I must confess: It is early afternoon, and I’m still wearing my pajamas. It wasn’t always this way. I was Emilie DuBois: model, beauty queen and Durant High School’s first Cover Girl.
Continue ReadingLETTERS TO THE EDITOR 07.12.12
Readers respond to Plant City Observer
Continue ReadingSHOW ME THE MAUNEY: Plant City: Softball capital of the world?
By Matt Mauney | Staff Writer When you think of Plant City, a couple things generally come to mind. Strawberries, of course, usually top the list, along with the railroad and the history behind the town.
Continue ReadingOBSERVED: Welcome to your newspaper
By Michael Eng | Managing Editor I love a good underdog story. When I was a child, “Rocky” ranked as one of my favorite flicks. And when the NFL season resumes this fall, you’ll find me cheering on my sentimental favorite, the hapless St. Louis Rams. There’s something about the underdog that is distinctly American. […]
Continue ReadingPUBLISHER’S NOTE: Observer returns hometown news to Plant City
By Felix Haynes | Publisher Surely, some Plant City residents will think: Why would anyone want to start a new weekly newspaper in Plant City? Newspapers are dying, or so the conventional wisdom goes. The answer, friends, is our passion for Plant City and this community we love. We believe this community is special. We […]
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