PCHS GRADUATE PLACES EIGHTH AT NATIONAL SKILLS COMPETITION
Daniel Boxtha-Hernandez competed in Electrical Construction Wiring at the National SkillsUSA Leadership and Skills Conference held in Atlanta from June 1 through 5. To qualify for the competition, Boxtha-Hernandez took first place in Florida. Among the 45 competitors, he placed 8th.
“It has been a true joy to watch him grow and learn the past three years,” Fernando Guillen, Electrical Instructor at Plant City High School (PCHS), said. “I am incredibly proud of his passion for learning and his unwavering determination. He approaches each day with curiosity, enthusiasm, and a willingness to challenge himself. Even when tasks become difficult, he perseveres with resilience and a positive attitude. His dedication, hard work, and genuine love of learning are inspiring, and I have no doubt that these qualities will continue to lead him to great success. He should be very proud of all that he has accomplished.”
Boxtha-Hernandez graduated from Plant City High School in May.
HOPE LUTHERAN WELCOMES MOBILE FOOD PANTRY
On Thursday, June 18, Hope Lutheran Church, 2001 North Park Road, will host their mobile food pantry in the church parking lot. This pantry, in association with St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Lakeland, will begin distributing food to those in need beginning at 6:00 p.m. until the supplies are distributed. Anyone in need of grocery assistance is encouraged to join as the church works to eliminate food insecurity in the community. Various goods are available, from vegetables to meats to dairy and bakery goods. As a rule, the pantry, “Moving Hope,” takes place at Hope Lutheran on the third Thursday of each month. No identification is required, and the pantry is open to anyone in the Plant City community who needs an extra hand.
For additional information, contact the church office at 813-752-4622.
Commissioner Christine Miller to Offer Community Office Hours, Resource Fair in Dover on June 18
Residents are invited to attend Community Office Hours hosted by Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners Vice Chair Christine Miller, District 4, on Thursday, June 18, in Dover.
Commissioner Miller has brought together representatives from numerous county departments and partner agencies to provide residents with direct access to information, services, and resources. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions, learn about available programs, and receive assistance with county-related concerns.
Members of Commissioner Miller’s office will be available to assist residents and help connect them with the appropriate county departments and resources.
The Community Resource Fair will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, June 18, at the Bailey Elementary School Cafeteria, 4630 Gallagher Rd, Dover.
Pop-Up Centers Opening for Income-Eligible Residents Applying for Rebuilding for Tomorrow Program
Wimauma and Plant City centers will help those whose homes or property were damaged in 2024 hurricanes apply for more than $200 million in relief funds
Hillsborough County will open two pop-up service centers for several days this month to help income-eligible residents in Plant City and Wimauma who had property damage from Hurricanes Helene or Milton in 2024. The service centers will offer assistance to residents applying for relief funds as part of the county’s Rebuilding for Tomorrow Homeowner Repair and Reconstruction Program.
The centers will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at these locations and dates:
• June 15, 22, 29: Each Monday in June at the Wimauma Community Health Center, 16621 Lagoon Shore Blvd., Wimauma, FL 33598
• June 16, 23, 30: Each Tuesday in June at the Plant City Community Resource Center, 307 N. Michigan Ave., Plant City, FL 33566
In addition to the two pop-up centers, the Rebuilding for Tomorrow Service Center at 1029 E. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa, remains open. Hours for the Hillsborough Avenue site are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Hillsborough County also has opened a call center to help with the application process. Residents can call (813) 540-7767 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Hillsborough County was awarded $709 million by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to assist with recovery and mitigation efforts related to Hurricanes Helene and Milton, which struck in 2024. About $211 million of that amount will be dedicated to the Homeowner Repair and Reconstruction Program. Qualified homeowners may get funding and support to repair or rebuild their homes. For those who have already repaired home damages from Hurricanes Helene or Milton, reimbursement programs are available for qualified homeowners.
Eligible residents can qualify for up to $350,000 to replace or rebuild storm-damaged housing; $10,000 – $50,000 in eligible reimbursement costs for permitted work already completed by the homeowner; or up to $150,000 in repairs that have not been covered under other programs. The program is for homeowners earning up to 120% of Area Median Income ($110,100 annual household income for a two-person household), with priority given to those earning 80% or less of Area Median Income ($73,400 annual household income for a two-person household).
The Rebuilding for Tomorrow program will remain open until all funding is obligated. In addition to funding for homeowner assistance, some of the grant money will go toward projects to repair damage the storms caused to roads, canals, culverts, pump stations, wastewater lift stations, and other infrastructure, and for projects that will improve the area’s resilience for future storms.
