To celebrate its 25th anniversary, the History & Photo Archives held a Gala in the 1922 Lee Building on the northwest corner of E. Reynolds St. and Palmer St. The bash also marked the grand opening of a historic camera and photo collage exhibit in the building. The city increased the starting pay for non-step employees to $20 per hour. The city purchased a new $671,000 Menzi Muck walking excavator to help keep stormwater conveyances clear. Mayor Nate Kilton, his wife, Katherine, and Tiffany Dupree ran the 12-hour Tick Tock Ultra in Lakeland. The City of Plant City published its budget for capital improvements at $27,868,000. After the assassination of Charlie Kirk, a National Remembrance Day for him was held at the First Baptist Church of Plant City. For $1,150,000, city government bought the Patriot Inn property adjacent to City Hall. The Future Career Academy conducted business panels for seniors at Plant City high schools. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded Strawberry Crest student Tanishka Aglave with the President’s Environmental Youth Award for her research using natural curry bactericide on orange trees to make them immune from the citrus greening disease. Kelvin Cobaris, pastor of New Life Church International, spoke regularly and nationally to pastors as a member of the National Faith Advisory Board. The city commission approved the purchase of the TECO office building in Plant City with a 4-0 vote. The East Hillsborough Historical Society held its 48th Annual Plant City Pioneer Day at the 1914 High School in Plant City. South Florida Baptist Hospital opened its new Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The Plant City Comic Cafe added food to its menu to continue to build a community around its vibe. Hungry Howie’s fought breast cancer through it’s Love, Hope, and Pizza event.
