PLANT CITY POLICE INVESTIGATE A DROWNING INCIDENT AT THE SAMUEL W. COOPER PARK
On September 29, shortly after 1:30 p.m., officers from the Plant City Police Department responded to a 911 call regarding a male in distress in the pond at Samuel W. Cooper Park, located in the 900 block of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
When officers arrived, the individual was submerged and did not resurface. A coordinated search and recovery effort was immediately initiated. With the assistance of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team, the male was located and retrieved from the water. Despite these efforts, he was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The identity of the individual is being withheld until proper notification of next of kin. The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation and no further details are available at this time.
The Plant City Police Department extends its deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased during this difficult time. The Plant City Police Department would like to thank the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and Plant City Fire Rescue for their partnership and assistance in this incident.
Anyone with information related to this case is asked to contact the Plant City Police Department at (813) 757-9200.
HOPE LUTHERAN WELCOMES
MOBILE FOOD PANTRY
On Thursday, October 16, 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 the church as they work to eliminate food insecurities in the community. Various goods are available from vegetables to meats to dairy and bakery goods. 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 needing that extra hand. For additional information, contact the church office at 813-752-4622.
2nd Annual Pickleball Palooza: A Smashing Success!
On September 20, the Friends of the Plant City Police Foundation hosted its 2nd Annual Pickleball Palooza charity competition—and it was a dill-lightful day on the courts!
A total of 24 teams battled it out at the Plant City Tennis Courts, serving up some serious fun. Big congratulations to our top three finishers:
• First Place: The Chefs – Spencer
Heysek & Melina Norberto
• Second Place: Pickling Packs – Travis
& Amy Pack
• Third Place: You’ve Been Served –
Margaret & Chris Rountree
While the three PCPD teams didn’t quite make the medal stand, they weren’t about to let the fun stop there—they held their own “pickle-off” afterward for bragging rights. Shout out to Captain Van Duyne and Sergeant Tester for taking home those highly coveted in-house honors (and bragging rights around the station).
A big THANK YOU to everyone who played, cheered, and made this event a smashing success for a great cause. The event raised $6,000 for the Foundation.
AMVETS DONATES MORE THAN $1,000 TO VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK
Every month each AMVETS family organization (Veterans, Ladies Auxiliary, Sons of AMVETS, and Riders) takes a turn being the bartender for the Commander’s Bartending Day. The family for the month chooses a recipient for funds raised from tips that the Commander collects and what is raised from the basket raffle. In addition, a steak shoot (bingo of sorts) is held and the proceeds raised also go to that recipient. For the month of August, it was the Riders’ month and the chosen recipient was Plant City’s Veterans Memorial Park. On September 17, AMVETS Treasurer and Chaplain, Dan Mayo, presented a check to Judy Wise, Board Member of the Plant City Veterans Memorial Park.
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY CHILDREN’S SERVICES OFFERS FREE COUNSELING FOR YOUTH AND TEENAGERS
Children and teenagers face many challenges, but they don’t have to face them alone. Hillsborough County Children’s Services can help. It provides a free Community Counseling program for youth ages six to 17. The program features trained and licensed counselors who can meet with the children and families on a flexible schedule. The sessions are free for residents and require no insurance, no copay, and no income qualification. The goal is to help children and families through difficult situations they are facing.
In the last 25 years, the Community Counseling program has served more than 12,800 Hillsborough County families. The free Community Counseling program can address a number of topics including:
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Grief or loss
• Attention deficit disorder
• Tobacco, alcohol, or drug abuse
• Family issues
• Domestic violence
The program offers individual, family, and group counseling at multiple locations throughout Hillsborough County. Sessions are available during flexible daytime and evening hours, and services are also provided in Spanish.
To get started, individuals can complete a screening by calling (813) 264-3807 ext. 53108. To learn more about Hillsborough County Children’s Services and the Community Counseling program, visit HCFL.Gov/Children.
