2023 Little Miss Plant City Queen & Court Crowned
The 2023 Little Miss Plant City Queen and court were crowned last Friday night at Plant City High School. Hosted by the GFWC Plant City Junior Woman’s Club, the contest has been a tradition in Plant City for more than 50 years. Congratulations to the new 2023 Little Miss Plant City Queen and Court!
Queen – Layla Jones
First Maid – Ainslee Elizabeth Creel
Court Member – Molly Jewel Terrell
Court Member – Saylor Porter
Court Member – Genasys Tinsley
South Florida Baptist Hospital Earns Top Score For Patient Safety
South Florida Baptist Hospital, a BayCare Health System hospital, earned an “A” grade from a national not-for-profit organization’s Fall 2022 Hospital Safety Grades. The Leapfrog Group assigns letter grades, from “A” to “F”, to nearly 3,000 general hospitals after analyzing data about infections, accidents, injuries and errors. “At South Florida Baptist, the safety of our patients is always our top priority,” said Karen Kerr, South Florida Baptist Hospital president. “Our teams work diligently every day to provide safe, quality care and this “A” grade shows the dedication of our medical staff and team members.”
Recreational Gulf Red Snapper Season Announced
If you’ve got a boat and a hankering for Gulf red snapper, you’ll be happy to learn that Governor Ron DeSantis announced last week that the recreational season will last a total of 70 days, including a 46-day summer season and a 24-day fall season, the longest combined season since the state assumed management of red snapper.
“Florida is the Fishing Capital of the World, and the gulf red snapper season brings anglers from across the country to enjoy our waters,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “It is a generational tradition for so many who call Florida home. I’m happy that 2023 will be by far the longest combined season since the state assumed management of red snapper.”
The 46-day summer season will begin on June 16 and will run through July 31. The 24-day fall season will include all weekends in October and November, Friday – Sunday.
If you plan to fish for red snapper in state or federal waters from a private recreational vessel, even if you are exempt from fishing license requirements, you must sign up as a State Reef Fish Angler at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com.
Ellany Johnson and Paul Davis Retire From Florida Strawberry Festival
The Florida Strawberry Festival (FSF) announced the retirements of not only former-President Paul Davis but Vice President and Office Manager Ellany Johnson too. The Festival will host a retirement celebration for them on Friday, May 12 beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the TECO Expo Hall on the Festival grounds. Festival staff is asking all those who plan to attend to RSVP to the Festival Administrative Office at 813-752-9194.
“We encourage everyone to attend,” said Florida Strawberry Festival President Kyle Robinson. “Let’s show our love and appreciation for Paul and Ellany in the best way we can, by welcoming friends and family, from far and wide, to fellowship and celebrate them, and all their accomplishments within this industry. We’ve been blessed by their contributions to our Festival, so let’s party!”
Officers Recognized at 61st East Hillsborough Law Enforcement Appreciation Dinner
The Florida Strawberry Festival Exhibition Hall was the safest place in Plant City Tuesday night, as hundreds of law enforcement officers from the Plant City Police Department (PCPD), Florida Highway Patrol, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission gathered for the 61st Annual East Hillsborough Law Enforcement Appreciation Dinner. PCPD Senior Office Josh Snyder was presented with Officer of the Year. Snyder has been with the Department since 2007 and during his tenure has served in the Investigative Service Division’s Street Crimes Unit as a detective, working cases involving narcotics, firearms violations, prostitution and human trafficking. Additional departments awarding Officer of the Year awards included:
Florida Highway Patrol: Trooper Wesley Kelly
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office: Detective Michael Fernandes
Fish & Wildlife Conservation: Officer Specialist Hunter Caldwell