Hope Lutheran Church Welcomes Mobile Food Pantry
Hope Lutheran Church will once again host their mobile food pantry in the church parking lot, 2001 N. Park Rd., on Thursday, March 16. The pantry, in partnership with St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Lakeland, will begin distributing food to those in need beginning at 6 p.m. and will end when supplies are distributed. Anyone in need of grocery assistance is encouraged to attend as Hope Lutheran works to help eliminate food insecurities within their local community. Various goods ranging from vegetables to meats to dairy and bakery goods will all be available.
The pantry, “Moving Hope,” takes place at Hope Lutheran Church on the third Thursday of each month, no identification is required to participate and the pantry is open to anyone in the Plant City community who may need an extra hand.
Hillsborough County Ranks Third in State For Impaired Driving Crashes
Normally a third place finish would be celebrated but not in this instance. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), of the 88,494 impaired-driving crashes (those influenced by drugs, alcohol or a combination of both) last year, 41 percent (or 36,508) occurred in March. Of those, Hillsborough County had the third largest number of impaired-driving crashes, at 2,529.
Under Florida law, driving under the influence of alcoholic beverages, chemical substances or controlled substances is one offense, proved by impairment of normal faculties or an unlawful blood alcohol or breath alcohol level of .08 or above. Penalties can include driver’s license revocation, license suspension, fines, community service and/or imprisonment. “Plan ahead this Spring Break with a designated driver or ride-share service before you take your first drink,” said Colonel Gene S. Spaulding, Director of the Florida Highway Patrol. “The Florida Highway Patrol will be out protecting the public from impaired drivers, so use good judgement and never drive impaired.”
Hillsborough County Extension Service Hosts 8th Annual Military Agriculture Tour
On March 24, Hillsborough County Extension Service is hosting its 8th Annual Military Agriculture Tour, which gives active duty, veterans and their spouses a tour of local farms to learn about careers in the local agriculture industry, including sales professionals, UAV specialists, mechanics, managers and teachers. This year, the tour bus will visit several farms in Plant City, including a strawberry farm, plant nursery, tropical fish farm and the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center. Registration is open and there are still seats left on the tour bus. Tickets cost $5 and includes lunch. For more information or to purchase tickets call 813-853-1086.
Hillsborough County Reminds Taxpayers of Deadline to Pay Real Estate and Tangible Taxes
The tax man (in this case woman) cometh. Hillsborough County Tax Collector Nancy C. Millan’s office mailed more than 50,000 real estate and tangible combined reminder notices for the 2022 tax year. Accounts that remain unpaid as of April 1 become delinquent and are subject to interest and penalties. Payment must be postmarked by March 31 to avoid additional fees for the 2022 tax year. Taxes outstanding for two years or more are eligible for tax deed foreclosure and can result in the loss of the property to a tax deed sale. Millan encourages property owners to take advantage of online payment options and ensure payment is sent by March 31 to avoid any additional fees. For online payments and drop box locations, visit www.hillstax.org.
Registration Open for Community Education Classes
Plant City Adult and Community School is offering community education classes. Registration and payment (money order only) must be made in person at the P.C. Adult Education office, located at Plant City High School, Monday – Thursday from 4:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. The office will be closed for Spring Break from March 13 – 17. Park on the bus ramp and enter through the Adult Education door. Must be 16 yrs old or older to register.
Community Education class schedule:
Beginning Pottery March 28 – May 2 5:30-8:30. Tuesday evenings. $81.
Advanced Pottery March 23 – May 11 5:30-8:30. Thursday evenings. $108
Beginning Electricity March 29 – May 3. 5:00-8:00. Wednesday evenings. $81
Basic Computer Skills. March 28 – May 2. 5:30-8:30. Tuesday evenings. $81
SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION HOSTS “SLAM THE SCAM” DAY ON MARCH 9
For several years, Social Security impersonation scams have been one of the most common government imposter scams reported to the Federal Trade Commission. Social Security scams- where fraudsters pressure victims into making cash or gift card payments to fix alleged Social Security number problems or to avoid arrest- are an ongoing goverment imposter fraud scheme.
Scammers use sophisticated tactics to trick potential victims into disclosing personal and financial information. Typically, they use these P’s- Pretend, Prize or Problem, Pressure and Payment. For example, scammers pretend they are from Social Security in phone calls or emails and claim there is a problem with the person’s Social Security number. The scammer’s caller ID may be spoofed to look like a legitimate government number. Scammers may also send fake documents to pressure people into complying with demands for information or money.
Social Security will never tell you that your Social Security number is suspended, contact you to demand an immediate payment, threaten you with arrest, ask for your credit or debit card numbers over the phone, request gift cards or cash or promise a Social Security benefit approval or increase in exchange for information or money.
Social Security employees do not contact the public by telephone for business purposes. Ordinarily, the agency calls people who have recently applied for a Social Security benefit, are already receiving payments and require an update to their record or have requested a phone call from the agency.
To report a scam attempt, go to oig.ssa.gov. For more information, visit www.ssa.gov/scam and www.ssa.gov/fraud.