Chilifest Heats Up Downtown
The Arts Council held the annual Chilifest in downtown on Saturday in conjunction with RailFest at the Robert W. Willaford Railroad Museum. Three independent judges voted for their favorites. Here are the results from the 23 teams competing.
Mild
First Place – Scooby’s Outdoor Adventures
Second Place – Plant City Police Department
Novelty
First Place – Brent Meyers BBQ
Second Place – Krazy Kup
Spicy
First Place – South Florida Baptist Hospital
Second Place – Blue Collar Burgers
People’s Choice
Scooby’s Outdoor Adventures – Mild
Elks Hold District Hoop Shoot
A group of talented athletes represented the Southwest Central District, including first place winners, Benjamin Beverly (8-9 Boys, Plant City Lodge 1727), Baylor Mueller (10-11 Girls, Plant City Lodge 1727), and Jaylen Gaddis (12-13 Boys, Plant City Lodge 1727).
These three students will advance to the State Championship on February 14 at the Florida Elks Youth Camp in Umatilla.
Congratulations also go to Shenenda Fleurimond (3rd Place, 8-9 Girls, Sebring Lodge #1529), Kyas Gaddis (2nd Place, 10-11 Boys, Plant City Lodge 1727), and Charlotte Kenney (2nd Place, 12-13 Girls, Plant City Lodge 1727) for their great efforts.
These young participants demonstrated resilience, sportsmanship and the true spirit of friendly competition.
District Declares Modified Phase II Water Shortage
All residents are under one-day-per-week watering restrictions.
The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) Governing Board voted to declare a Modified Phase II “Severe” Water Shortage due to dry conditions throughout the region, requiring all residents, including those on private wells, in the cities and counties listed to follow one-day-per-week watering restrictions.
The restrictions apply to all of Citrus, DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota and Sumter counties; portions of Charlotte, Highlands and Lake counties; the City of Dunnellon and The Villages in Marion County; and the portion of Gasparilla Island in Lee County from Feb. 8, 2026, through July 1, 2026.
The District received below average rainfall during its summer rainy season and currently has a 13-inch regional rainfall deficit compared to the average 12-month total. In addition, water levels in the District’s water resources, such as aquifers, rivers, and lakes, are continuing to decline and many are below normal. Public water supplies in the Tampa Bay area are lower than expected at this time of year.
Outdoor water use accounts for more than 50 percent of water consumed by households, and residents should know and follow their local watering restrictions. Residents should check with their city or county for their allowable day and times, as many have different schedules or stricter hours in effect. Below is the standard schedule:
If your address (house number) ends in…
…0 or 1, water only on Monday
…2 or 3, water only on Tuesday
…4 or 5, water only on Wednesday
…6 or 7, water only on Thursday
…8 or 9*, water only on Friday
* and locations without a discernible address
Unless your city or county already has stricter hours in effect, properties under two acres in size may only water before 8:00 a.m. or after 6:00 p.m.
Unless your city or county already has stricter hours in effect, properties two acres or larger may only water before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.
Low-volume watering of plants and shrubs (micro-irrigation, soaker hoses, hand watering) is allowed any day and at any time.
Other restrictions listed in the Modified Phase II Water Shortage Order include:
Annual pressure washing or in preparation for painting and sealing is allowed.
No HOA or other entity shall enforce deed restrictions or other community standards requiring an increase in water use, including replacement of plant material to meet aesthetic standards or pressure washing.
Car washing at home (non-commercial) is only allowed on your lawn watering day.
Aesthetic fountains are limited to eight hours a day.
The order also requires local utilities to review and implement procedures for enforcing water shortage restrictions, including reporting enforcement activity to the District. The District continues to monitor the drier-than-normal hydrologic conditions, and is coordinating with utility and regional water supply partners, such as Tampa Bay Water and the Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority.
For additional information about the Modified Phase II Water Shortage Order, visit the District’s website WaterMatters.org/Restrictions. For water conserving tips, visit WaterMatters.org/Water101.
