Death Investigation Underway in Plant City
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is conducting a death investigation in Plant City.
On July 23, 2026, at 12:02 p.m., HCSO received a call stating that a person was down at the mobile home park located near Parkwood Estates Drive.
When deputies arrived, they learned that a lawn care maintenance crew found an adult female deceased on the property.
Detectives are investigating the circumstances surrounding her death.
This is an active investigation.
One Dead After Early
Morning Shooting Outside Plant City Nightclub
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a homicide that occurred outside a Plant City nightclub. At 2:13 a.m. on July 25, the HCSO Communications Center received a call reporting a shooting at El Diamante nightclub, located at 3603 US Highway 92. Deputies responded to the scene and located a deceased individual in the roadway who had been shot.
The victim was identified as Raymundo Cruz Jr, 30.
The individual who shot the decedent remained at the scene and is cooperating with detectives as the investigation continues. Investigators determined that there was an altercation inside the bar which led to the shooting.
“Detectives are actively investigating this scene, and we are committed to finding out exactly what happened here,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “If you have any information about this incident, please contact our detectives.”
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office at (813) 247-8200.
This is an active investigation, and any update will come from the Public Affairs Office.
Hillsborough County Early Voting Reminder
Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Craig Latimer is reminding voters to start planning their vote for the 2026 Primary Election now. Early Voting starts Monday, August 3, in Hillsborough County and will be available every day through August 16, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Once again, Hillsborough County will have 27 Early Vote sites for voters to choose from
The full list of sites can be found at VoteHillsborough.gov/EarlyVoting.
Voters can vote in person or drop off their Vote By Mail ballot during Early Voting. This is different from Election Day. On Election Day, voters must vote in the polling place assigned to their precinct, and mail ballots must be dropped off at an elections office, not the polling site.
“We are a large county, and I want our voters to have plenty of options to cast their ballot. I keep Early Voting open for the maximum number of days allowed by law, including two full weekends,” said Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Craig Latimer.
Voters should bring a Florida driver license or other acceptable photo and signature ID for voter check-in. The full list of acceptable IDs, along with a list of Early Voting locations and a video that shows what voters can expect when voting in person, can be found at VoteHillsborough.gov.
United Food Bank & Services Celebrates Young Chefs Graduating From “Healthy Kids, Healthy Futures”
United Food Bank & Services recently celebrated the graduation of 15 young chefs from “Healthy Kids, Healthy Futures,” a new hands-on cooking and nutrition program made possible by BayCare.
Throughout the summer, participating children learned how to prepare nutritious meals and snacks while building practical skills they can use at home. Through age-appropriate lessons and hands-on activities, the young chefs practiced kitchen and food safety, followed recipes, explored healthy ingredients and learned how balanced food choices can support their overall well-being.
“This graduation is about more than cooking—it is about giving children the confidence, independence and skills they need to prepare healthy meals and snacks,” said Mary Heysek, CEO of United Food Bank & Services. “When we give children the opportunity to learn, create and feel successful in the kitchen, we are helping lay the foundation for healthier families and healthier futures.”
Healthy Kids, Healthy Futures expands United Food Bank & Service’s work beyond providing food by helping children understand how to use nutritious ingredients, make informed choices and develop lifelong skills. The program also encouraged students to try new foods, collaborate with one another and discover that healthy cooking can be approachable and fun.
During the program, students prepared recipes such as Ants on a Log, Rainbow Veggie Wraps, Oatmeal Energy Bites, Banana Sushi, Apple Donuts and Yogurt Parfaits. Along the way, they practiced measuring and combining ingredients and gained experience safely using basic kitchen tools. Each class provided an encouraging environment where children could ask questions, build confidence and take pride in what they created.
