HOPE LUTHERAN ANNOUNCES TURKEY SUPPER
The members and staff of Hope Lutheran Church, 2001 N. Park Rd., announced that their 29th Annual Turkey Supper will take place at the church on Sunday, November 9, with serving from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Cost for the dinner is $10.00. The menu for this Plant City tradition consists of turkey, gravy, homemade mashed potatoes, dressing, cranberry sauce, slaw, corn, green beans, a roll, dessert, and a beverage. According to Hope’s Senior Pastor, Rev. Dean Pfeffer, “There’s no place in our community that you can go today, sit and enjoy a meal like this and walk away not able to eat another bite at such a tremendous value.”
Hope’s members are ready and waiting with peelers in hand to get to work on the over 10 pounds of potatoes that will be mashed. Members will be hard at work baking the turkeys and making the desserts for everyone to enjoy. “Needless to say, this event incorporates many members to ensure its success, but behind it all is Hope’s mission that this dinner is just one of our events that gives us the opportunity to connect people to Jesus in our community,” Pfeffer said. Proceeds of this event are always directed towards missions both inside and outside the community. Over the years, Hope has provided financial assistance to the United Food Bank of Plant City, Lots of Hugs reading camp, the Pregnancy Care Center, Meals on Wheels, Disaster Relief, and other agencies to assist people in times of need.
Meals are available for takeout or dine-in. No advance tickets or reservations are necessary, but they can be pre-purchased. For additional information, contact the church office at (813) 752-4622.
ANNUAL VETERANS DAY CONCERT
The Plant City High School Band and Orchestra will present its Annual Veterans Day Concert on Monday, November 10, at 7:00 p.m. in the Plant City High School auditorium.
ROTARY GIVES BIG CHECK AFTER DANCING WITH THE LOCALS
The Plant City Rotary Club held its 17th annual Dancing with the Locals. The event offered eight couples from the area who practiced hard and performed uniquely choreographed routines for a crowd of more than 500 people. The event raised money through ticket sales and an auction of things like a Morgan Wallen signed guitar, a suite at a Tampa Bay Buccaneers game, a Florida Strawberry Festival VIP package, and a seat at the judges’ table. Notably, the competitors raised tens of thousands of dollars by reaching out to the community, businesses, friends, and family to request sponsors. The Rotary Club netted more than $120,000 to use to support local charities. The couples who won trophies for their performances were: 1st Place – Dillon and Shaunie Zimmerman; 2nd Place – Sean and Amber Colleran; 3rd Place – Will and Courtney Justin. After the dances, Plant City Rotary presented a $130,000 check to Aarik Karlson, Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) Instructor at Plant City High School (PCHS). The check completes the funds needed to build an aluminum obstacle course for PCHS to host competitions among JROTC fitness teams from other high schools, and for the use of PCHS classes and clubs.
S.R. 39 CLOSING NORTH OF S.R. 60 FOR 21 DAYS
Beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, November 2, State Road 39 just north of State Road 60 will close for approximately 21 days, weather permitting. During the closure, drivers must detour around the work zone using Turkey Creek or County Line Rd. Travel lanes on eastbound and westbound S.R. 60, along with County Road 39 to the south of the intersection, will remain open to traffic during this phase of construction.
Message board signs will assist drivers traveling through the area. Commercial vehicles and trucks are reminded to follow the posted detour routes, avoid using local roads as alternate routes, and drive safely through the work zone. Drivers may experience delays and congestion Construction is expected to be completed by Fall 2026.
STRAWBERRY CREST HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT ACCUSED OF BRINGING A GUN ON CAMPUS
On October 27, at 9:30 a.m., school administrators made contact with a 15-year-old student after receiving information that he may have been in possession of vape pens.
During a search of his backpack, administrators discovered a 9mm semi-automatic pistol. The firearm was not loaded and no ammunition was found. When confronted, the student attempted to flee and, in the process, pushed two school administrators to the ground, causing injury. He was arrested and charged with:
• Possession of a Weapon on School Grounds
• Minor in Possession of a Firearm
• Battery on a Specified Official or Employee (x2)
There were no direct threats made toward students or staff at Strawberry Crest High School. “There is absolutely no excuse for bringing a firearm onto a school campus,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said. “This kind of reckless behavior will never be tolerated. Every student and staff member deserves to feel safe at school, and we will continue to hold anyone fully accountable who jeopardizes that safety.”
