Facebook — and more specifically, people’s reactions on the social-media site — will never cease to amaze me. Take, for instance, the photo above. This was one of the first frames I snapped at Durant High School’s preseason football game Aug. 24. In actuality, I was just taking some test shots for lighting, when the national […]
Continue ReadingOpinion
PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Report to the community
On July 4, a new community newspaper was born in Plant City. Dedicated to sinking deep, local roots here, we opened with a high level of community excitement and interest. Since then, we have published nine weekly editions, and the emotional support from the community has only gotten stronger. Ninety-nine percent of opinions expressed to […]
Continue ReadingSHOW ME THE MAUNEY: Five things of note for fall season
By Matt Mauney | Staff Writer Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know it’s football season. If you haven’t already, be sure to check out our extensive football preview guide, “Under Construction,” in this edition. But there are many other happenings coming up that are not related to the pigskin. Here’s the top […]
Continue ReadingOBSERVED: School delivers food for thought
By Michael Eng | Managing Editor My wife and I took it as a friendly reminder of something already delineated in the student handbook of our children’s new Plant City preschool. As we unpacked their backpacks following their first day of school Tuesday, we noticed a little note tied to our 4-year-old son, Lyric’s, lunch […]
Continue ReadingSHOW ME THE MAUNEY: Wrestling match satisfies childhood dream
By Matt Mauney | Staff Writer There was a time when I was obsessed with professional wrestling. Growing up, most of my friends (well, guy friends) were into it. I started watching and got hooked. Every flashy entrance. Every finishing move. Every championship title match. I just couldn’t get enough of it.
Continue ReadingSAFETY FIRST: Enforcement agencies ready for RNC
By David Gee | Hillsborough County Sheriff The upcoming Republican National Convention will transform the Tampa Bay area on an international level. Like no other, this event will showcase the area’s communities, as well as the Herculean task to provide security for citizens, delegates, visitors and everyone in-between.
Continue ReadingPAST AND PRESENCE: Meet Plant City’s first queen
By Gil Gott | Plant City Photo Archives & History Center There are many good stories about Plant City, its religious life, social life, civic life, business life and more. On the business side, which now has become social as well, is the honoring of the strawberry. Before the strawberry, the agricultural products included cattle, […]
Continue ReadingTragedy in Afghanistan
In our July 26 edition, we published the first piece in our Hometown Heroes series, titled, “Called to Duty.” It was a story about Plant City native U.S. Army Pfc. Ben Secor, who currently is stationed in Afghanistan, and how his family is handling his absence.
Continue ReadingSHOW ME THE MAUNEY: Dealing with the learning curve
By Matt Mauney | Staff Writer Let me begin by saying that this isn’t my first rodeo. I’ve been covering high school sports for about five years, and I thought I had mastered the craft. Until I moved to Florida. It’s a whole different ballgame down here, compared to covering prep sports in Savannah, Ga.,while […]
Continue ReadingOBSERVED: I’m a band geek ‘Â and proud of it
We all know that guy. That superstar high school quarterback who threw the last-second touchdown pass in the championship to secure a state trophy and cement himself in his alma mater’s lore. Maybe he goes on to play college ball. More than likely, he moves on to a different career entirely. But all the while, […]
Continue Reading
