After years of planning and a nearly three-year search for the right location, a new Ace Hardware opened in Plant City, bringing the nationally recognized hardware brand to a community that store owner Jim Stoner said has long been asking for it. Aspire Plant City awarded Mary Thomas Mathis with its 2025 Woman of Distinction Award. Ali Sobh, the owner of Hungry Howie’s on Alexander Street, was named 2025 Grand Marshal of for the Plant City Christmas Parade because of his continued service to the community. The City of Plant City broke ground to rebuild the park named after the adventurous and athletic Rowena Mays. The final product will contain two lighted basketball courts, two lighted tennis courts, and eight lighted pickleball courts. The cost for the construction will come in at $5,900,000. Sally Prosser Verner, a hometown débutante who greatly served the communities of Plant City and Lakeland, passed away on her 96th birthday. Plant City Youth Commissioners learned about homelessness on a field trip to Tampa for the Camp Street Lights program. Lifelong Plant City resident and former firefighter, Tony Smith, announced his bid to run for the City Commission. Blue Collar Burger announced it is relocating to downtown Plant City from a food truck on US 92. Stingray Chevrolet employees unloaded a truckload of toys they donated to the Kiwanis Christmas Angel Project to be a part of benefitting 1,200 children for Christmas. The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s (SWFWMD) governing board voted to declare a Phase I Water Shortage in the region that includes Plant City.
