FIRE AT O’BRIEN’S
A fire broke out at O’Brien’s Irish Pub & Grill on W. Alexander St. on Tuesday afternoon. The Plant City Fire Rescue (PCFR) response began as a one-alarm fire, as is normal for a commercial business, but was upgraded to a two-alarm since the restaurant is in a commercial plaza to ensure the fire didn’t spread to connected storefronts.
PCFR quickly evacuated the area and got the fire under control. It appeared to have started in the kitchen. Firefighters then checked the building for hot spots.
“Somebody from O’Brien’s came over and told us there was a fire and that we should evacuate,” Tonya Perez, Office Manager at Dr. Carter’s dental office, said. “So, we came out, and as soon as we did, the firefighters were on scene. They were right here and on top of it. We did see smoke out the back and through the front. But we didn’t see any flames. I think it was all contained to O’Brien’s, so hopefully our dental office is okay.”
STRAWBERRY CREST HIGH SCHOOL RANKS HIGH
Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) announced that several of its high schools achieved outstanding recognition in the newly released “U.S. News & World Report” 2025–2026 Best High Schools Rankings.
HCPS High Schools released the names of its schools ranked in the top 200 in Florida. Strawberry Crest High School ranked 151 out of 520 in the state, and 2,481 out of 18,000 in the United States.
The U.S. News & World Report’s 2025-2026 Best High Schools ranks nearly 18,000 out of more than 24,000 reviewed public high schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The schools were ranked on six factors based on their performance on state assessments and how well they prepare students for college.
Those data sets include College Readiness, State Assessment Proficiency, State Assessment Performance, Underserved Student Performance, College Curriculum Breadth, and Graduation Rate.
“We are deeply honored to see our high schools continue their strong showing in the U.S. News & World Report rankings,” said HCPS Superintendent Van Ayres. “This recognition demonstrates the unwavering dedication of our educators, the ambition of our students, and the support of our community. It reflects our collective commitment to excellence and to ensuring every student is prepared for success beyond high school graduation.”
SEWER SMOKE TESTING
The City of Plant City will be conducting smoke testing of the sanitary sewer system from Tuesday, September 2, through Friday, September 5. This is a routine procedure used to identify possible leaks or defects in the system. The smoke used in testing is non-toxic, odorless, and safe for people, pets, and plants. If anyone sees smoke coming from vent pipes on buildings or holes in the ground, there is no cause for alarm. This is normal during the testing process. Anyone with questions or concerns can contact the Utilities Maintenance Department at 813-757-9288 ext. 4725.
SCAM ALERT
The Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office is alerting residents to a sophisticated scam involving fraudulent phone calls and text messages that threaten arrest unless immediate payment is made for alleged delinquent taxes.
The scam involves phone calls and text messages claiming recipients have missed court dates for “delinquent tax” matters and face immediate arrest unless they pay through digital payment apps like Zelle. Scammers are demanding various dollar amounts and using names of law enforcement officers and judges to coerce payment.
“This is a serious fraud attempt that preys on people’s fears,” said Nancy Millan, Hillsborough County Tax Collector. “Our office never sends text messages demanding payment, and we certainly never threaten taxpayers.”
Red Flags of This Scam:
• Phone calls or text messages threatening immediate arrest
• Demands for payment through Zelle or similar apps
• References to missed court dates you don’t remember
• Pressure to act immediately or face consequences
• Impersonating local county or city personnel
If You Receive a Scam Text:
• Do not respond or send money
• Do not click on any links
• Do not reply with personal information
• Contact the Tax Collector’s Office directly using verified contact information
• Report the scam to local law enforcement
Residents with questions about property, tangible, or business tax records or payments should contact the Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office at 813-635-5200 or visit hillstaxfl.gov.
