Plant City Road Closures Coming Up
Several roadways in the Plant City area will be closed due to CSX train crossing maintenance. Here is the tentative schedule and duration the roadways will be closed. Please plan ahead, avoid the area, and utilize detours until the roadways reopen.
Lenna Ave – Closing Mon, 7/20 for 3 days
Gallagher Rd – Closing Wed, 7/22 for 3 days
Park Rd. / US 92 – Closing Mon, 7/27 for 4 days
Forbes Rd – Closing Wed, 7/29 for 3 days
Williams Rd – Closing Mon, 8/3 for 4 days
N. Dover Rd – Closing Wed, 8/5 for 3 days
S. Woodrow Wilson St. / Moody Ave. – Closing Mon, 8/10 for 3 days
Cookie Cutter Lane / Private – Closing Wed, 8/12 for 2 days
S. Alexander St. / W. MLK Blvd. – Closing Mon, 8/17 for 4 days
From Backyard Gardens to Better Budgets: Extension Service’s July Programs Offer Something for Everyone
Hillsborough County residents can improve their landscapes, strengthen financial wellness, explore healthy eating habits, and learn sustainable living practices this July through Hillsborough County Extension Service’s lineup of educational classes and workshops offered both in person and online.
From tree pruning and pollinator gardening to retirement savings education and water conservation programs, Extension experts continue to provide research-based programs designed to help residents save money, protect natural resources, and build practical life skills. Many programs are beginner-friendly and open to residents across the county.
The programs listed highlight just a portion of Extension Service offerings available throughout July. Advance registration is required for most classes. For more information, call (813) 744-5519 or visit the Extension Service Calendar of Events.
Gardening and Landscaping
Tree Pruning Basics, in-person July 7
Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Webinar Series: Attract Wildlife, virtual July 16
Lunch & Learn: Pollinator Gardening and Insect Conservation – Part 1, virtual July 22
Lunch & Learn: Pollinator Gardening and Insect Conservation – Part 2, virtual July 29
Water Conservation and Sustainable Living
Microirrigation Workshop, virtual July 9
Composting Workshop, in-person July 11
Microirrigation Workshop, in-person July 11
Rainwater Harvesting Workshop, in-person July 11
Financial Education
One-on-One Financial Education Appointments, available throughout July
Financial Building Blocks Online Class, self-paced throughout July
Trump Accounts 101: The Who, The What, And The How, virtual July 8
Index Fund Investing, virtual July 15
Healthy Living and Nutrition
Cooking Up Health: The Mediterranean Way Virtual Series, begins July 27
Agriculture and Environmental Education
Introduction to Cottage Foods in Florida, virtual July 20
Professional Development and Industry Training
Summer Landscape Tune-Up, in-person July 16
UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Scouting Series Training, July 20
County Planning to Improve Road and Intersection in Eastern Hillsborough
Hillsborough County is planning intersection improvements beginning in August for the U.S. 92 and Gallagher Road intersection in eastern Hillsborough County.
The purpose of the project is to improve transportation mobility and safety for vehicles and pedestrians at the intersection of U.S. 92 and Gallagher Road. It includes the construction of an additional left-turn lane on the northbound Gallagher Road approach, new traffic signal heads that will include video detection cameras that help the signal respond to real-time demand, and upgraded pedestrian signals with countdown heads and push buttons to improve pedestrian safety.
To successfully complete these improvements, a road closure on Gallagher Road is proposed for August 2026. The road closure will not exceed 45 days. A detour has been designed for this project to assist with vehicle traffic while road and sidewalk improvements are being completed. The Board of County Commissioners will consider the proposed road closure at its Aug. 5 meeting.
Public Engagement Opportunity
The County will conduct a virtual engagement using the Hillsborough Engagement & Education Hub to collect feedback from the public and inform the public of the potential road closure. Comment for this project is open from June 24 until July 8. Visit HCFL.gov/HCEngage to participate.
For information, call Hillsborough County Public Works at (813) 635-5400.
2026 Fourth of July Summer Cookout Costs Continue to Increase
Families planning a Fourth of July cookout to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday will continue to find high prices at the grocery store, based on the 2026 American Farm Bureau Federation Summer Cookout Cost Survey. This year, the cost of an Independence Day cookout in Florida will be $84.36 for 10 guests.
At $8.44 per person, this is the most expensive Fourth of July cookout survey since Farm Bureau began tracking costs in 2016. However, after adjusting for inflation, cookout costs have remained relatively stable in recent years and remain below the peak reached in 2022.
The basket includes summer cookout staples such as cheeseburgers, chicken breasts, pork chops, potato chips, pork and beans, strawberries, homemade potato salad ingredients, fresh-squeezed lemonade ingredients, chocolate chip cookies and ice cream. While the survey does not include an exhaustive list of Fourth of July options, it serves as a snapshot of prices for families this summer.
Higher grocery prices do not necessarily mean higher profits for farmers and ranchers. After expenses, farmers receive less than 6 cents of every food dollar. Most of what consumers pay at the grocery store reflects costs incurred after the farm gate, including processing, packaging, transportation, marketing, and retail.
Read the full report and nationwide survey results here https://www.fb.org/market-intel/fourth-of-july-cookout-costs-reflect-inflation.
