Plant City Observer 10.11.12

FREE • thuRsday, OCtOBER 11, 2012

spotlightsportsDurant highclaims rivalryvictory oct 5.pAgE 17

PLANT CITYObserveryOu. yOuR nEighBORs. yOuR nEighBORhOOd.

IN FoCUsRed Rose fans

relive magicat new dance.

pAGE 11

Art in the parkshowcaseslocal talent.pAgE 13

governance by Michael Eng | Managing Editor

Crossword ......... 19 obituaries ......... 15 opinion ................8 sports ............... 16Vol. 1, No. 15 | one section

PlantCityObserver.com

+ Church offersnew quilting class

donnalee Jackson will offer a quilting class beginning Nov. 4, in plant City.

the six-week course will be from 2:30 to 5 p.m. sundays through Dec. 9, at the plant City seventh-day Adventist Church, 2203 strawberry Drive.

students will learn to make a small project, and the ulti-mate goal is to transition to making quilts for elderly in need and children in foster care.

Cost for the class is $30.For a supply list or to regis-

ter, call Jackson, 365-0232.

+ Farm Bureaucelebrates 70 years

More than 420 members of hillsborough County Farm Bureau celebrated the orga-nization’s 70th anniversary at its 2012 annual meeting at hillsborough Community College’s John R. trinkle Center, in plant City.

hillsborough County Commissioner al higginbotham presented a proclamation in conjunction with the bureau’s 70th anni-versary. Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs adam Putnam also recognized the anniversary and included his thanks for the organization’s contribu-tion to agriculture locally and beyond.

Florida Rep. Rich glorioso received the Friend of Agriculture Award for his years of service and support.

the bureau also named its 2012-2014 board: Ray Wood, Marty tanner, Patrick thomas, James tew, Alex Ritzheimer, greg Lehman, Jake Raburn, Jim Frankowiak, Ron Wetherington and Will Womack. they will join sit-ting members aprile, Jemy hinton, david drawdy, stefan Katzaras, Kenneth Parker, Michelle Williams, Jake Raburn, Bill Burnette and Roy davis.

oUR toWN

INDEX

When Amber Bond began feel-ing a swollen knot in her leg a year ago, she didn’t think much of it. The assistant manager at Fred’s Market in Lakeland kept working for nine months before going to see a doctor.

At first, the doctors suspected a pinched lymph node had swol-len. Without insurance, Bond began saving up and paying out of pocket to go to a doctor who could refer her to a surgeon.

Bond worked until a week be-fore her first surgery.

“I was expecting to heal and go back, but things got kind of cra-zy,” Bond said. “It’s been a roller coaster.”

Bond was misdiagnosed again before her surgery. Doctors thought it was a rare histiocys-

tic sarcoma. The first thing they ruled out was melanoma, be-cause of Bond’s fair and flawless skin. But a biopsy revealed stage-three melanoma.

“It was frustrating, because you never really think it’s going to happen to you,” Bond said. “I was shocked.”

Shortly after her first surgery, infection spread, and more lymph nodes in her leg began to swell. Bond found herself back on the operating table after an emergency trip by ambulance.

“It was life-changing,” Bond said. “Everything runs through your head, everything you’ve worked for you don’t want to lose.”

Bond still did not have health insurance to help pay the hefty

costs of her medical bills. That’s when the employees at Fred’s Market stepped in to help their longtime co-worker. They put collection cans and flyers at the cash register of each restaurant asking for donations for Bond.

“She’s really a super, super individual,” Linda Londberg, manager at Johnson Barbecue in Plant City, said. “That’s why we’re doing this for her.”

The employees from the four Fred’s Market Restaurants in Plant City, Bartow, Winter Ha-ven and Lakeland and Johnson Barbecue in Plant City then went even further than collection cans. About three weekends ago, the restaurants had a bake sale

When a Fred’s Market employee found out she had cancer, the network of restaurants made sure she could pay her hospital bills.

Amber Jurgensen

Employees Pat newsom, annette dunn and debbie Colvin are happy to support amber Bond by put-ting a collection jar at the front of Fred’s Market Restaurant in plant City.

sEE AMBEr / pAGE 6

Plant City will plant as many as 20 trees in Midtown to augment cleanup efforts on the contami-nated site.

City Manager Greg Horwedel detailed the plans during the City Commission’s meeting Oct. 8. Called phytoremediation, the process will include planting 12 to 20 trees along to western boundary of the former Gro More site and in the area of the pro-posed Midtown Village Green. Through natural attenuation, the trees will aid in cleaning the site’s groundwater, which is impacted with ammonia, nitrates, manga-nese, sulfates and iron.

Horwedel said the planting likely would occur next April, after commissioners approve plans for Village Green. He also hopes to put out a formal request for developer proposals for Mid-town next year.

The phytoremediation pro-cess follows the clean-up work already completed on the site. Tanktek Inc., of Tampa, and Envi-roTek completed Sept. 26 the ex-cavation and removal of on-site soils contaminated with arsenic and benzo(a)pyrene. In total, 2,442.41 tons of soil was removed and transported to Republic Landfill in Bartow. Following the removal, the companies added 3,536 cubic yards of backfill.

CItY oKs EMINENt DoMAIN proCEEDINGs

City commissioners also au-thorized pre-suit negotiations — and the use of eminent do-main, if necessary — to acquire easements necessary to begin using sanitary force main and reclaimed water lines that go through land owned by Warren Land LLC.

In December 2007, the city entered into an agreement with

New trees will helpclean soilin Midtownthe phytoremediation process will help clean the groundwater contaminated by the former gro Mor facility.

sEE MIDtoWN / pAGE 6

Angels for Amber

sERviNg Up sUppoRt By amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

“

“

aMBER BOnd: I used to think I had a dull life — work and go home, work and go home. But now, I realize how much life means. You just have to look at the good things and learn from the experience and believe everything happens for a reason.

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PlantCityObserver.com 3 Plant city observerTHURSDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2012

al HigginbotHamIt was a fateful day Jan. 20, 1995, for Republican Al

Higginbotham. The Hillsborough County commis-sioner was on a hunting trip in Alabama, when a tree fell across his left shoulder, breaking seven ver-tebra, resulting in a spinal injury.

Higginbotham was told he would never walk again.

But the persistent outdoorsman wouldn’t take “no” for an answer. After a bone transplant surgery

and hours of physical therapy, Higginbotham was out of a wheelchair and using a walker. Now, the commissioner uses hand canes to walk.

“The whole experience was very hard on my wife and the kids,” Higginbotham said. “Something like this could tear many families apart, but it has brought us closer. I’m in better physical condition now than I was before my injury.”

Since then, Higginbotham has climbed Grinnell Glacier in Montana in 1997. In August, Higginbo-tham completed a three-day mountain climb in the snowy Sierra Nevada mountain range, after training for 20 months and losing 25 pounds.

“Some guys like to play tennis or golf,” Higginbo-tham said. “I like being outdoors. I really have a pas-sion for it.”

During his recovery, Higginbotham had time on his hands. He wrote a book about his experience, titled, “By Faith ... I’m Still Standing,” with a forward written by former Gov. Jeb Bush. He traveled around the United States to share his story and promote his book.

Soon, he became tired of traveling and began get-ting involved with the Republican Party, something he says has made a big impact on his life.

“I saw people who wanted to get things solved, and I saw the party as something that could offer solutions,” Higginbotham said.

The fourth-generation Floridian also became in-volved in the State Farmers Market. He has served as a Congressional aide in Washington, D.C., and later as an executive assistant to the Florida treasurer and insurance commissioner.

From 2003 to 2006, he served as chairman of the Hillsborough County Republican Party. In 2006, he was elected as District 4 Hillsborough County com-missioner. During his time as commissioner, he helped to create more private-sector jobs in any year in the last decade.

Higginbotham is also proud on his efforts for con-stituent outreach. He has worked hard to create a responsive office that gets replies to the people.

“We don’t want to be a revolving door,” Higginbo-tham said. “We want to answer the phones; we want to connect.”

He has also founded an International Outreach program two years ago, which the Tampa Chamber of Commerce is looking to staff. He has connected with influential players in 29 countries to foster eco-nomic development. During the Strawberry Festi-val, eight international representatives were invited to take a tour of Plant City’s economic hotspots to feel out potential business deals.

“Our economy cannot be based solely on con-struction and building,” Higginbotham said.

In Plant City, he helped the creation of a new courthouse and continues to work on the preserva-tion of Bealsville. This summer, he voted to add a historical marker to State Road 60 in Beaslville.

“I listen, I work, I pay attention to detail,” Higgin-botham said. “I have been building a relationship with the people for the past six years.”

— Amber Jurgensen

CANDIDATE PROFILES: Hillsborough County Commission District 4

Joy greenAs a nonpartisan candidate, Joy Green already has

set herself apart from the other candidates. And she hopes her extensive community service

involvement sets her even further apart. Green has been involved with Aglow International, a world-wide Christian outreach program. Working her way up to regional director in charge of Florida, Georgia and South Carolina projects, Green leads about 3,000 women to drive grassroots movements and commu-

nity events. In the United States, she has

mentored and tutored children through her Homework Help pro-gram, volunteers at Trinity Café feeding the homeless and part-nered with a teenager who initi-ated a shoe drive, “Walk a Mile in My Shoes,” to send 5,000 shoes for the earthquake victims of Haiti.

Her work with the shoe drive led her to Haiti two separate times to deliver care packages

and shoes and work with the community. Green also has been to Nigeria, using her first career experience as a dental hygienist to teach dental health at child-care centers.

“One of my passions is for us to break down cultural barriers,” Green said. “I think you have to get out of the box and physically approach the people and their culture.”

Green carries this same thought into the political arena. The Michigan native has lived in Hillsbor-ough County for 25 years and sees the areas she can improve upon if elected as District 4 Hillsborough County commissioner.

“Our citizens are our most important asset,” Green said. “If we’re hearing from the community, we have to be out in the community, on the streets talking to people about the most pressing issues and then pri-oritizing them.”

Green wanted to run for District 4 to bring a change to the community and pull the mayor’s office, city council, commission and people together.

“On a county level, we should be working together on a nonpartisan level,” Green said. “We can do so much more when we work together and not have to answer to a party. It’s about the people.”

Green wants to improve several areas through what she calls “The Green Solution” — reflect, connect and reply.

She wants to see greater collaboration between gov-erning bodies, community organizations and the citi-zens to solve specific problems and issues. To create more jobs, Green wants to attract more businesses to the community by making sure Hillsborough is a de-sirable place to live with excellent infrastructure, cre-ative tools and models for education and public safety by creating more after school and children’s programs.

To do this, she would like to pull together people and businesses that have plans that can be trans-ferred to government.

Green has visited Plant City many times during her campaign run and sees it as a unique town that can serve as a model for other similar communities by devising a marketing plan that would advertise Plant City as a great town for shopping, eating, festivals and antiquing.

“I’ve been very touched by the entrepreneurial spirit that is here and their desire to be on the map,” Green said. “I want people to see it as a quality town with people who care and an atmosphere that is tour-ist friendly.”

Green sees herself as a “bridge builder” and would love to see a nonpartisan candidate take the seat.

“Action is key for those who have a passion,” Green said. “I come with fresh eyes and a fresh perspective.”

— Amber Jurgensen

mark nasHThe son of a country boy and city girl, Democrat Mark

Nash grew up in Brandon decades ago, when it was still fairly rural. Working in a steel mill in high school, Nash also picked tomatoes for his mother, who was a school teacher, to can. He picked strawberries, as well.

“There’s something wrong with you if you don’t like strawberries,” Nash said, laughing.

The Hillsborough County Commission District 4 can-didate finds himself relating to Plant City residents who

are familiar with country charm and a more rural lifestyle.

“These are proud people and people who have been farming for generations,” Nash said. “It makes me smile when I see the agriculture industry, because it is so vital to the history of our community and the current state of the community.”

After graduating from Brandon High School, Nash went on to Flor-ida State University and spent the majority of his professional career

with the Gillette Company, managing various business accounts across the eastern half of the country.

In 1997, Nash returned to Hillsborough County to manage the Gillette Shaving business at Florida-based Publix Supermarkets. Upon his return, he was shocked to see the state of Brandon. It was crowded, fractured and disjointed.

Nash then began to focus on his community. In 2005, Nash attended a Tampa/Hillsborough Coun-

ty Human Rights Council award ceremony, where the council recognized non-profits in the community. He was impressed by the council’s professionalism and dedication. He is now the president of the Tampa/Hill-sborough County Human Rights Council.

“It inspired me to give back to my community,” Nash said.

Nash also serves on the community roundtable of Brandon board, and for his 50th birthday on Nov. 11, 2011, Nash threw a party that raised $13,000 for eight local charities, including the Emergency Care Help Or-ganization and I Am Hope Cafe in Brandon.

Besides community, Nash also turned his eye toward politics upon moving back to the state. He helped get Kevin Beckner elected to the Hillsborough County Commission in 2008 and became his aide.

Nash likened this experience to the “Wizard of Oz.” As he delved deeper into politics, he pulled back the cur-tain of manipulation, just like Dorothy revealed the so-called great and powerful Oz to be an ordinary, old man.

“It’s become painfully obvious that we have been making poor growth management decisions and wa-ter and transportations management decisions,” Nash said about the current state of the eastern part of the county.

Nash believes the commission needs to pull together to make better decisions.

“You don’t drive on Republican roads or stop at Dem-ocrat stoplights,” Nash said.

For Plant City, Nash wants to further current projects in the making.

“I want to continue revitalization like Midtown, and I hope it sees through its conclusion,” Nash said. “It’s a good opportunity for growth and jobs.”

Nash is careful to pave over farmland and doesn’t want to create the transportation and logistic night-mare that exists in Brandon.

“The agriculture industry feeds the community, the county and the state,” Nash said. “I want to continue to keep that in the foreground in Plant City and am willing to collaborate with the city to nurture it.”

Running against Republican incumbent Al Higginbo-tham and no-party candidate Joy Green, Nash is run-ning on a campaign that stresses job growth, changes in transportation and growth management.

— Amber Jurgensen

Ever want to try alligator meat? What about smoked hog? Or black bass?

The Plant City Daybreak Ro-tary Club will host its annual Country Cracker Feast at 6 p.m. Oct. 19, at the home of George and Cassandra Banning, 2506 Clubhouse Drive.

The centerpiece of this year’s menu is a roasted pig, George

Banning said. Other dishes will include wild boar, alligator, black bass, venison, jambalaya, cajun wild rice, swamp cabbage and more.

Proceeds from the event will benefit several of the club’s char-ities of choice and specifically, the United Food Bank and Ser-vices of Plant City.

“They’re really needing (help)

right now,” Banning said. “They don’t have much there, at the moment.”

The benefit transitioned from its Halloween-themed roots to its country flavor three years ago. And it seems to be working. The benefit raises $12,000 to $15,000 annually, Banning said.

In addition to the food, at-tendees will enjoy live music as

well as a silent auction, which will feature a plethora of items, including sports memorabilia, theme park tickets, artwork and more.

Guests are asked to dress in country casual, and camouflage is encouraged. Tickets are $75.

“It’s a fun event,” Banning said. “It’s an evening of entertain-ment, food and fellowship.”

For more information call George Banning, (813) 759-1638 or plantcitydaybreakrotary.com.

Contact Michael Eng at [email protected].

Daybreak Rotary plans third Cracker FeastIF YOU GOWHen: 6 p.m. Oct. 19WHere: The home of George and Cassandra Banning, 2506 Clubhouse Drive, Walden Laketickets: $75 per personinFormation: George Banning, 759-1638, or plantcitydaybreakrotary.com

The annual fundraiser will be Oct. 19, at the home of Cassandra and George Banning.

UPCOMING by michael eng | Managing Editor


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MarGaret iUcUlanoRepublican Margaret Iuculano is the

founder of Angels for Foster Kids, a non-profit dedicated to improving the lives of children in foster care in Hillsborough County.

It is something she knows all too well; she spent a consider-able amount of time in the fos-ter care system as a child.

“I moved over 15 times due to no fault of my own, but a core flaw in the system at that time prevented anyone from being able to keep me in their home for more than 120 days,” she said.

Iuculano aged out of the sys-tem at 16, when she entered a Spanish mission.

“I had my first encounter with God that changed my life and continues to change it today,” she said.

Iuculano later a became successful businesswoman, working for both small businesses and Fortune 500 companies. She served as the CEO of TechSherpas, a local technical software training compa-ny, which was sold in 2007. Shortly after, she founded Angels for Foster Kids.

“I strongly believe the family unit and traditional family values are the founda-tion of our community, our state and our nation,” she said. “Successful communi-ties shape a successful America.”

Iuculano is running for Hillsborough County Commissioner District 6 and said job creation is the biggest issue fac-ing this election.

“I hope that voters will look at my race and see my passion for helping get peo-ple back to work,” she said.

Iuculano said her platform is “not campaign rhetoric,” stating that her ré-

sumé shows she understands how jobs are created and has a passion to serve the community through her non-profit.

“I am only running because I believe I can make a positive difference in our community,” she said. “We need more business leaders to step up and help turn our economy around locally.

“Regardless if I win or lose, I hope that people will start to look more seriously at the make-up of our county com-mission and elect people who have strong private-sector experience and, most im-portantly, people who have a strong passion to serve,” Iucu-lano said.

In her time with TechSher-pas, the company helped train thousands of people and helped them get certified for

high-end technical jobs. “The business community is an ever-

changing landscape, and people must be adaptable and lifelong learners to re-main competitive in the job market,” she said.

Through her non-profit, she has wit-nessed how job losses can affect fami-lies. She noted that 25% of families in the county rely on food stamps and believes a stronger focus should be put into find-ing ways to get people back to work. If elected, she plans to do this by working to recruit companies who will bring jobs to the county, creating partnerships with commercial landlords who have exist-ing vacant commercial space, partner-ing with existing business leaders to find ways to help them hire more people and using workforce training credits to im-prove the skills of local residents.

“We must have a solid plan and focus on bringing jobs to our county,” she said.

— Matt Mauney

CANDIDATE PROFILES: Hillsborough County Commission District 6

Kevin becKnerDemocrat Kevin Beckner hopes to be re-

elected as District 6 Hillsborough County commissioner. A financial planner and former police officer, Beckner said he has a record for making tough calls during his term in office.

“In my first commission meet-ing, we implemented changes that saved taxpayers more than $2 million,” he said.

Beckner then cut his own pay and helped cut the county budget by $1 billion — both while pro-tecting services vital to the coun-ty’s quality of life. He also fought to reform the Children’s Board by bringing on former Tampa Mayor Pan Iorio, calling for all contracts to be put out for bid and request-ing a personnel audit that helped bring a change in leadership.

“I believe our Hillsborough County gov-ernment needs to live within its means, and I have a proven record of making tough calls and implementing reforms,” he said.

Beckner also formed the Juvenile Task Force to help at-risk youths finish school and either go to college, serve in the military or get a job. He also created Hillsborough County’s First Responders Fallen Heroes Fund and Memorial Trib-ute.

Beckner describes himself as a fam-ily man who believes in the same family values that “make Plant City such a great place to live and raise a family.”

“I was raised to believe in strong schools, well-paying jobs and a government that lives within its means,” he said.

As a former police officer, Beckner be-lieves in making our streets and neighbor-hoods safe.

When it comes to issues facing the cur-rent election, Beckner said his focus is the economy and jobs, with fiscal responsibil-ity being key.

“We have to make sure that we keep taxes low and our small businesses grow-ing,” he said. “That’s why I’m proposing a F.A.I.R. Plan that caps government spend-

ing to keep taxes low and holds politicians accountable by de-manding fiscally responsible budgets.

“I am the only proven fiscal conservative in this race,” he said.

Beckner has been a profes-sional financial planner since 1996.

One of Beckner’s continuing focuses is lowering insurance rates. In his previous term, he

has made efforts to cut down insurance fraud, noting the county had become a leader in staged auto accidents, which caused increased premiums.

He has been involved with several com-munity groups and is on several boards, including Arts Council, Children’s Board, Hillsborough Area Regional Transit and as a chair and former vice chair of the Envi-ronmental Protection Commission.

Beckner said he understands Hillsbor-ough is a diverse county and said “it’s im-portant to respect both our rural and ur-ban communities.”

As with the rest of the county, Beckner hopes to see Plant City grow economically, noting the “agricultural community is an integral part of our economy.”

“When we grow, we need to make sure that we grow smart,” he said. “This also means improving our transportation in-frastructure, driving economic opportu-nities in Plant City and throughout the county.”

— Matt Mauney


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County Line Farms LLC to con-struct the lines to serve the south-east quadrant of Plant City. Fol-lowing the agreement, County Line Farms acquired permission from Warren to construct the wa-ter lines on its property.

Furthermore, Warren requested — and received — a lift station on its property during construction, said Cary Gaylord, of Gaylord, Merlin, Ludovici and Diaz — the firm representing the city in the case — representatives from War-ren have not responded to re-peated requests to grant the ease-ments to the city.

Now that work is completed, Warren must grant the city the rights to the easements before it can begin using the new lines. But so far, Warren has been unrespon-sive, Gaylord said.

Warren never signed an agree-ment to grant the easements.

“We do have a carefully docu-

mented chain of emails and let-ters,” he said. “And all parties were in agreement.”

Commissioner Dan Raulerson asked Gaylord for a reason why Warren — after the work has been completed — has not cooperated.

“It’s impossible to speculate,” Gaylord said. “In all my years of

practicing, I have never seen any-thing like it.

“We’ll do (this) as easily and congenially as it can be done,” he said.

Warren did not have represen-tatives present at the meeting.

Contact Michael Eng at [email protected].

that raised $6,000 for Bond. “Everyone chipped in and came

together,” Ron Britt, manager at Fred’s Market Restaurant in Lake-land, said.

“It’s a great company,” Bond said. “It’s like family. They treat their employees like family.”

Bond is a well known face around Fred’s Market Restaurant in Lakeland. She has worked for the restaurant under Britt for sev-en years. She started as a cashier and hostess and worked her way up the ranks to assistant manager before taking a leave of absence to get her surgeries. “I’m a work-a-holic,” Bond said. “I didn’t want to leave. I hate not working.”

Employees have visited Bond in the hospital, some come to her apartment and help her clean, and Britt talks to her once a week and always checks up with her af-ter doctors appointments.

And it’s not just the employees who miss seeing Bond at the res-taurant. Customers constantly in-quire about Bond and some have even bedazzled a purple walker for her which she used occasion-ally after her surgeries.

“I’m lucky to have these people supporting me,” Bond said.

Bond is starting radiation with-in the next week, which she will endure every day for four weeks. Then, it’s on to chemotherapy.

“I’ll go to chemo or radiation, but I don’t want any more surger-

ies,” Bond said. “They are hor-rible.”

In addition to the support from employees and friends, the 27-year-old’s family has been by her side every step of the way. Her mother attends every hospi-tal trip, and Bond’s twin brother moved from Melbourne to be close to her.

“I used to think I had a dull life — work and go home, work and go home,” Bond said. “But now, I realize how much life means. You just have to look at the good things and learn from the experi-ence and believe everything hap-pens for a reason.”

Contact Amber Jurgensen at [email protected].

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IN OTHER NEWS• City commissioners approved

a rezone of seven parcels totaling 2.04 acres on the southeast cor-ner of South Alexander and West Grant streets from R-1A (Single-Family) to C-1A (Neighborhood Business). The new designation allows for a variety of commercial and personal-services uses.

• Students in Tomlin Middle School’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Math program attended the Oct. 8 meeting as part of their civics class. Teacher

steven Johnson said his students are showing great interest in the political system.

• Bruton Memorial Library Director anne Haywood was chosen as the chairwoman of the Florida Library Association’s Conference Committee. The conference will be held in May 2013 in Orlando.

• The city commission honored Plant City Police Department officer Paul tester and dispatch-er b.J. Forte, who recently were awarded the department’s Life Saving Medal.

MiDtoWn/PaGe 1

aMber/PaGe 1

+ Suspect drives truck through home

Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office detectives arrested the man who drove his truck into a Plant City home Oct. 4, in an attempt to harm the people inside.

According to Sheriff’s Office reports, at about 3:05 a.m., Phillip Maurice Waller, 36, made threats to injure the occupants of a home in the 5200 block of Morningview Walk. He then drove his truck into the home.

Detectives secured a warrant for Waller’s arrest for two counts of attempted murder. Waller also is facing charges through the Tampa Police Department for armed kidnapping, aggravated assault and felony domestic vio-lence battery.

+ California-based group buys Tribune

Media General Inc. announced Oct. 8, it has sold The Tampa Tribune and its associated print and digital products to Revolution Capitol Group, a California-based group of private equity, M&A and operational executives, for $9.5 million.

Revolution Capitol Group will operate the newspaper through its newly formed Tampa Media Group Inc. The sale includes the Tribune’s smaller publica-

tions, Hernando Today, Highlands Today, Suncoast News, Sunbelt Newspapers and Spanish-language Centro.

The Tampa Tribune also is the publisher of the Plant City Courier. The release did not address the future of the Courier.

+ Students threatensto blow up Simmons

Plant City Police Department officers arrested a juvenile for threatening to blow up his school.

According to police reports, officers responded to Simmons Career Center in reference to a juvenile causing a disturbance. Before the officers arrived and even while they were on scene, the juvenile made several threats to blow up the school, the stu-dents, teachers and officers.

The juvenile was taken into custody and charged with bomb threats.

+ ClarificationThe profile published Oct.

4, about Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections candidate craig latimer did not state clear-ly Latimer’s current role in the Supervisor of Elections office.

Latimer currently serves as the office’s chief of staff. He was appointed in 2009 by former county Supervisor of Elections Phyllis busansky. Later, Busansky died in office. Then, earl lennard was appointed by Gov. rick scott to complete Busansky’s term; Lennard retained Latimer.

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With over 230 years of diversified business experience and leadership, Platinum

Bank’s Plant City Advisory Board members are anchors in the local business

community and have experienced the advantages and challenges in the local

economy. The knowledge and understanding that has been gained through these

experiences is what makes Platinum Bank your established business partner. As

key leaders in the local community, they have a vested interest in ensuring the local

economy succeeds.

LOCAL OWNERS, LOCAL DECISIONS

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After five years of planning, the Mendonsa Road re-construction began Sept. 24. The roadway has a history of flooding and a number of problems with drainage in part, because of its lower placement compared with other surrounding areas.

“It’s a local connector, it does see some traffic, and it’s in bad shape,” City Manager Greg Horwedel said.

Mendonsa pumps water in the area of an existing wetland at Alexander Street. The pumping has led to a premature failure of the sub base and base, which has caused wear and tear on the asphalt surface. Other ar-eas of the road have failed because of the inability to direct water off the wearing surface.

The road failure started along the edge and eventually started to affect the base resulting in an overall failure of the roadway support structure.

On June 9, the City Commission accepted a bid from Marlon Dunn Contracting, of Plant City, for the amount of $1,288,758.19 to carry out the construction on the much-needed project. The project includes installing a 10-inch water main, connecting meters and main lines, installing storm drain lines, excavating and grading the subgrade, installing concrete curbs and drives and then paving the road. It is expected to be finished Nov. 28.

But roads such as Mendonsa, which are 50 to 60 years old, there can be areas of “muck,” where the builders used old logs and pine tar as the road base. If “muck” is found under Mendonsa, it could delay the completion date.

“Until you get into the road and see the sub base, you just don’t know,” Horwedel said.

Up first is the construction of the Pinedale portion of the project. This includes installing additional storm-water piping, water and sewer lines.

Water from the Pinedale development in the past has flowed onto Mendonsa Road. The additional flows have also caused the deterioration of Mendonsa. The Pine-dale construction will allow water to be collected from Pinedale and routed into a stormwater management system that will be constructed with the Mendonsa re-construction.

“It’s a challenge, and we’re hopeful that we don’t have anymore roads like this, but unfortunately you never know with roads that have been built 50 to 60 years ago,” Horwedel said.


Mendonsa Road reconstruction now under wayCost for the much-needed repairs will be $1.28 million. City officials hope the work will be complete by the end of November.

REpAiR by amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

The following information was gathered from incident and arrest reports obtained from the Plant City Police Department.

OCT. 1 pARENT OF THE YEAR

400 block of north alexander street. Re-tail Theft. The suspect was arrested for theft of baby items, valued at $72.80. She was ar-rested and released from the scene with a court date.

OCT. 2 DiSCOVERY

1600 block of east alabama street. Re-covered Stolen Tag. Officers were checking the parking lot and saw a red Chrysler four-door with a stolen tag attached. The tag was from a previous Plant City police case. The tag was impounded. Officers were unable to contact the owner of vehicle or the owner of the tag.

pOWER pLAY2600 block of James l. redman Parkway.

Retail Theft. Officers arrived at the store in reference to a shoplifter who had been de-tained by loss prevention. The suspect was caught trying to steal an iPod charger, val-ued at $31.98.

NO LONGER WELCOME1400 block of south collins street. Drug

Possession. Officers responded to the outlet about a suspicious person who had been walking around the store for five hours. The suspect was found to be in possession of store merchandise, which was concealed in her purse. In addition to the merchan-dise, the suspect was also found to be in possession 5.2 grams of liquid and crystal methamphetamine, several different types of prescription pills/controlled substances without prescription, and multiple items of drug paraphernalia. The suspect then pro-vided officers with a false name.

THiRSTY THiEF2600 block of James l. redman Parkway.

Retail Theft. Officers arrived at the store in response to a shoplifter, who was in custo-dy. The suspect attempted to steal PUR wa-ter filters, valued at $75.76. A criminal his-tory check enhanced her theft to a felony, because of five prior convictions.

LOCK YOUR DOORS100 block of Dr. Martin luther King Jr.

boulevard. Vehicle Burglary. The victim stated an unknown black male had stolen her pink and black JanSport backpack from her unlocked SUV. The backpack contained miscellaneous items, including identifica-tion, Social Security card and materials and equipment needed for nursing school, val-ued at $1,604.

OCT. 3 WALLET WOES

4300 block of barrett avenue. Vehicle Burglary. The complainant found her daughter’s white wallet stolen out of her 2003 Chrysler car this morning. The car was left unlocked. No damage was located on the car.

MUST HAVE BEEN BiG pANTS2600 block of James l. redman Park-

way. Shoplifting. The suspect entered the business, selected $72 in compact discs and concealed them by shoving them down his pants. He then exited the busi-ness without rendering payment.

OCT. 4 HOT LUNCH

110 block of West Prosser Drive. Coun-terfeit Currency. A suspect came into the business and paid for to-go lunches with two counterfeit $20 bills. The suspect left the scene on a bicycle in an unknown di-rection.

OCT. 5 QUiCK CASH

4700 block of Dawn Meadow court. Resi-dential Burglary. An unknown person en-tered the residence by climbing through a rear window on the southwest corner of the residence. The suspect stole about $200 from the victim’s wallet.

CAR TUNES1400 block of strawberry Place. Vehicle

Burglary. The victim reported a Sony in-car CD player and tweeter speaker had

been stolen from her unsecured vehicle. The stolen property was valued at $99.

OCT. 6 SENSELESS ACT

2900 block of clubhouse Drive. Crimi-nal Mischief. The victim stated he arrived home at about 9 p.m. the previous night. On the morning of Oct. 6, he discovered someone had broken the rear glass of his 2004 Ford SUV.

NEiGHBORLY HATE3300 block of nohlcrest Place. Bat-

tery. The suspect stated she and a neigh-bor started arguing after the neighbor came over and started arguing about a dog chasing her children. The neighbor then called her a “toothless meth head,” at which time, the suspect slapped the neighbor on the face. The suspect began making threats of violence toward the neighbor, while officers were on scene. The suspect was subsequently arrested for battery. She was transported to Orient Road Jail. The suspect does not live in the neighborhood but has friends who do.

TiRE TRAUMA100 block of north Palmer street. Crim-

inal Mischief. The victim said she was in-side the bar. When she came out, she dis-covered her passenger-side tires had been slashed.

COpS CORNERPLANT CITY

Visit our website to read more Cops Corner reports.www.PlantCityObserver.com


Seriously, I couldn’t make this up if I tried.

Amid all the rhetoric about Big Bird’s exaggerated demise and Colorado’s altitude affect-ing President Barack Obama’s ability to debate, a far more bizarre — and entertaining — sideshow is playing out locally.

Last week, Florida House of Representatives District 58 candidate Jose Vazquez, a Democrat, threatened to drop out of the race against Plant City Repub-lican Dan Raulerson. His reason: The Hillsborough County Democratic Party removed his information from its website.

Sure enough, the site’s list of candidates jumps from District 57 to 59.

In a barely readable press release, Vazquez issued a state-ment Oct. 7, presented here in its original text: “The Puertor-rican and Democrat Candidate for State House of Representa-tives District 58, Jose Vazquez, want the Chairman of the Hillsborough Democrat Party, Chris Mitchell resign to his po-sition tomorrow before 5 pm. If Mitchell not quit Tomorrow, On Tuesday October 9, 2012 at Noon Jose going to withdraw his race.”

Hours later, the party fired back.

“The Democratic Party al-ways desires to offer the voters of Hillsborough County a real choice in every election. To that end, the party strives to re-cruit qualified, committed and ethical candidates. In Florida, though, any person who is a registered member of a given political party can pay the fil-

ing fee and run as a candidate in that party’s name. Because of this, the party may not have knowledge of the individual, his qualifications, commitment to public service, or ethical orientation.

“Mr. Vazquez was not recruit-ed as a candidate by the local Democratic Party,” the release

stated. “Hence, we are unable to speak with confidence regard-ing his motivations for running — or for withdrawing — from the race.”

The next day, Vazquez seemed to be making his plans to withdraw. On his campaign website, he published his inten-

tions, again presented in its original text: “Tomorrow Tues-day October 9,2012 at noon, I will be at the office of the Hillsborough County Supervi-sor of Elections Located at 2514 N. Falkenburg rd. Tampa fl, 33619. The visit have 2 goals, 12:00 to 12:20 I want get some answers about why in the ballot (I receive by mail) my fellow Democrats Candidates for Senate 24 and for State Representative District 59 are not include. At 12:30 withdraw and call my opponent to con-cede the race and at same time I will response to any question about my withdraw as 2012 candidate for District 58 and I will show the ballot I receive by mail.”

But, Tuesday came and went. There were no grand gestures, no speeches, no fireworks. On Wednesday, Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elec-

tions Public Information Coordinator Travis Abercombie confirmed his office had not received withdrawal papers from Vazquez.

It is worth mentioning Vazquez qualified for the race by paying a $1,781.82 qualify-ing fee June 8 — just minutes before the deadline to declare candidacy passed. It also should be noted that this is not Vazquez’s first foray into politics. He made headlines in 2008 after he qualified as a write-in candidate for the District 58 seat — while he was in prison for a felony convic-tion of driving with a revoked or suspended license.

And all the while, Rauler-son, one of our current city commissioners and former mayor, has been running his campaign, pounding pavement and preparing to represent his constituents in Tallahas-see. He first met Vazquez at a forum presented Oct. 4, by the Greater Temple Terrace Cham-ber of Commerce.

“He is trying to do the hon-orable thing, and he had the courage to step up and enter the race; I applaud him for that,” Raulerson said. “If he does withdrawal, he should have no regrets.”

Although some may perceive Vazquez’s candidacy — a long-shot at best for the seat long held by Rep. Rich Glorioso — as a waste of Raulerson’s time and his supporters’ contribu-tions, Raulerson said it has helped him learn more about the redrawn district, which now includes about half of Temple Terrace.

“If you have a race, and you

have two people in the race, that’s a good thing,” he said. “He made people think about the race and the type of leader-ship they want. In my opinion, that’s always a good thing.

“Frankly, I don’t think any-one should just walk into (the seat),” Raulerson said. “I’ve gone to thousands of homes and met many new folks.”

For now, Vazquez said he will remain in the race. He is accus-ing Mitchell for violating party rules by campaigning against a party member and said he will remain in the race until that issue makes its way through his party’s members.

“I could drop out tomorrow, the next day — or even four days before the election,” he said.

But if he makes it to Nov. 6, without the support of his party, I would be surprised to see more than a handful of votes go his way.

“Party rules have not been vi-olated,” Mitchell said. “In cer-tain circumstances, it becomes clear that the Democratic Party should decline to extend — or to withdraw — support for a candidate, because we do not believe his or her election is in the best interest of voters. Generally, if the party becomes aware that the behavior of a person running as a Democrat is not beyond reproach, we are going to take that very seri-ously. In cases where the situa-tion cannot be rectified, or the candidate does not understand the seriousness of the situa-tion, the party will not support the candidate.

“This is the case with Jose Vazquez,” he said.

District 58 race — better than tvobserved | political drama

MICHAELENG

I am thankful today for the sunshine. Yes, it is pretty, and I admit, there is a hint of autumn in the smug Florida air. It feels nice.

I also am thankful for the sun on a more practi-cal basis. I am a proud owner of a 1998 BMW 323 convertible. Why am I proud? Simple — no car payment! Yes, it must be cared for, and it has a few hiccups. But there is no payment, and this makes me very happy.

However, there is a small problem with my car: I had a crack in my plastic back win-dow. Feeling industrious and full of courage, I decided that I (mighty Josh) could replace that window myself. Armed with a razor knife and with the enlist-ment of my wife, Melissa, I cut the window out.

That was easy. That was also like three months ago.

I still have no back window. I did not take into account how difficult it is installing a new plastic window with Gorilla Glue and staples. Needless to say, I have no back window. No big deal.

However, I decided to fix my air-conditioning, which only sometimes works. I opened the fuse box on my car and started moving junk around and try-

ing to find the faulty break. I did not find it. Nope. Instead, I managed to destroy the fuse

that controls my power windows.

Yep, I have no power windows or back win-dow. So, today, I am thankful for two things. I am thankful for sun-shine, and I am thankful for my Apple App that shows live radar, so I can drive home around the storms.

Life is good. Rather, God is good!

The reason for such optimism is the accidental discovery: a cure for depression! Melissa is on the mend from her recent cancer surgery, and her mom has been able to be with her during the day when I am at work (huge blessing). So, often when I get home, she is ready escape the home/hospital ward.

Armed with $20 from her mama, we drove to a neighbor-ing town and splurged on a delicious dinner. But, she was in constant pain, and Chloe, our 18-month-old, was being a pill at the restaurant. After a quick dinner, we avoided glances from irritated patrons and our sweaty little girl, who was in the middle of a meltdown, and snapped her non-compliant body into the car seat. Throwing her magical

blanket over her head (usually her blanket calms her down), we climbed into the front seat with our crumpled dinner remains stacked in Styrofoam containers pitifully between us.

We went to Kmart. I am not sure why. When you have tod-dlers, a trip to Kmart can be a treat. Forget romantic dates — just get us out of the house.

Melissa’s pain was increasing, and the screaming kid in the back wasn’t helping. Oh, the kid was angry! Angry is not the right word. Chloe was demanding, much like a terrorist. Melissa and I were her hostages as we tried to understand her de-mands through grunts, screech-es and screams.

Fumbling through the store, we found shoes for Chloe. Then, standing in the checkout line, I saw it. Next to me, on a tree, dangling there for me to see — bags and bags of cotton candy. It was pink, purple, yel-low and bluish green. Should I splurge? Heck yeah! I bought a bag and hid it from the family until we got into the car.

It was would be my secret weapon.

We left the store, and Melissa, with a expression of pain and exhaustion on her face, mum-bled the words, “Please take me home and shoot me in the ... Hey! Is that cotton candy?”

My wife’s eyes danced. Chloe went from screaming and pull-ing at her diaper in the child seat and froze. I am not sure, but somehow a rainbow came out of the bag as I opened in slow motion. Though it was faint, I do believe I heard angels singing the Hallelujah chorus.

Melissa grabbed a piece of purple fluff, and with tears in her eyes, let the cloud of goodness melt on her tongue as her body relaxed into the seat. Chloe, too, was checking out this weird substance, and I am sure all of this information was being stored in her long-term memory.

We ate that bag of cotton candy as we drove the back way home. We sang songs, moved to the beat of the music on the radio and, for half-hour, we were living in the moment — and with no talk of pain.

Yes, cotton candy cures de-pression.

The God who gives us sunsets, sunrises, autumn breezes — also gives us Cotton Candy. God is good.

Think about it.Josh Loudermilk is an inspira-

tional speaker/comic and avail-able to speak at your church, group or event. He, his wife, Me-lissa, and daughter, Chloe, live in Walden Lake. You can reach Josh at [email protected].

Cotton candy: Cure for the common depressionJOSHING AROUND

JOSHLOUDERMILK

“If we are to build a better world, we must remember that the guiding

principle is this — a policy of freedom for the individual is the only truly

progressive policy.” Friedrich Hayek

“Road to Serfdom,” 1944

ObserverPLANT CITY

Publisher / Felix Haynes, [email protected]

Managing Editor / Michael Eng, [email protected]

Assistant Managing Editor / Jess Eng, [email protected]

Associate Editors / (Community) Amber Jurgensen, [email protected]; (Sports) Matt Mauney, [email protected] Advertising Executives / Veronica Prostko, [email protected]; Ronda Kyler, [email protected]

Advertising Coordinator / Linda Lancaster, [email protected]

Accounting Manager / Petra Kirkland, [email protected]

Advertising-Production Operations Manager / Kathy Payne, [email protected]

Advertising-Production Coordinator / Brooke Schultheis, [email protected]

Advertising Graphic Designers / Monica DiMattei, [email protected]; Marjorie Holloway, [email protected]; Luis Trujillo, [email protected]; Chris Stolz, [email protected]

President / Felix HaynesDirectors / Nate Kilton, Ed Verner,

Matt Walsh110 E. Reynolds St., Suite 100A

Plant City, Fla. 813-704-6850

www.PlantCityObserver.com

The Plant CityObserver LLC

Locally OwnedPublisher of the Plant City Observer and

PlantCityObserver.com

©Copyright Plant City Observer LLC 2012 All Rights Reserved

to aDvertiseCall veronica Prostko or ronda Kyler at 704-6850.

senD Us yoUr neWsWe want to hear from

you. Let us know about your community events, celebrations and family member achievements. To contact us, send your information via: Email: Michael Eng, [email protected]

Mail: The Plant City Observer, 110 E. Reynolds St., Suite 100-A, Plant City, FL 33563

contact UsThe Plant City Observer is published once weekly,

on Thursdays. It provides free home delivery to several neighborhoods in Plant City. The Plant City Observer also can be found in many commercial locations throughout Plant City and at our office, 110 E. Reynolds St., Suite 100-A.

If you wish to discontinue home delivery or if you wish to suspend home delivery temporarily, call linda lancaster at 704-6850.

Plant city observerTHURSDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2012 PlantCityObserver.com 9 First

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As a registered landscape architect, Tom Schaub doesn’t normally design gi-ant corn mazes. But when the Futch fam-ily asked if he would design one on its farm for a community event, he jumped at the opportunity.

“It’s something out of the ordinary and was enjoyable to do,” Schaub said. “I’ve never done one before.”

Schaub sketched out the inaugural Fox Squirrel Corn Maze in just a few hours. Measuring 3.6 acres, the shortest route through is one-half mile.

“There’s almost a degree of sadism to try and trick these kids by confusing them,” Schaub said.

The Fox Squirrel Corn Maze is the first corn maze the Futch family will have on its ranch — and the first in Hillsborough County. It will open Oct. 13 — just in time for Halloween — and continue through Nov. 11. The maze will be open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays; Fri-days will be reserved for large groups.

The idea first came to Carson, Janet and Wayne Futch last winter.

“We were sitting under an oak tree around Christmas and thought, ‘What can we do out here to keep the ranch in-teresting and in the community?’” Janet said.

For about a year, the family has been growing the corn. The maze Schaub de-signed was drawn out with paint by hand before planting. Schaub said laying it out was harder than designing the maze. They had to discuss how long the aisles and buffers would be before mapping it out on land.

“Everyone who has mowed it said this is going to be hard to get through,” Janet said.

Janet estimates it will take at least 30 minutes to get through — if not longer.

“It’s hard,” Janet said. “It’s a difficult maze. I can’t wait to try it out myself.”

There is only one way out of the maze, but staff will be nearby in case a runner can’t make it through.

In addition to the corn maze, the Futches also will feature a pumpkin patch and “Hop on the Hay Wagon” hay rides, which will tour more than 200 acres of the family farm. The family has even cre-ated “Squirrely’s General Store,” which will sell food such as seafood baskets and sandwiches, preserves and crafts.

“We hope to get a big turnout, so we can share the fun,” Janet said.


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A-MAZING FUN FACTOne part of the maze spells out Futch 2012. The family wanted “Futch” in the

maze. Schaub convinced them to add 2012 to make the maze more unique and distinguish it from other mazes that will be built on the farm in the future.

“It’s a message in the air for the aliens that may come down,” Schaub joked.

Courtesy photoThe Futches made the construction of the maze a family affair.

IF YOU GOFUtcH corn MaZeWHen: Oct. 13 through Nov. 12. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays; bnoon to 6 p.m. SundaysWHere: 3002 Charlie Taylor Road N., Plant Citycost: $7.50 for children; $8.50 for adultsWebsite: foxsquirrelcornmaze.com inForMation: (770) 862-0655

Futch family cultivates ‘corny’ fall festivityThe Futch family has been growing a giant corn maze on its Plant City farm for more than a year. It opens Oct. 13.

MAP QUEST by amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

BUSINESS | PLANT C ITY L IFE | OBITUARIES | GAMES | RELIGION | SPORTS

NeighborhoodplantcityObserver.cOm THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2012

Scattered thunderstorms didn’t squelch school spirit dur-ing the Durant vs. Plant City rivalry game Oct. 5, at Durant.

Fans from both Plant City schools packed the stadium to cheer on their re-spective teams. In the end, Du-rant walked away with the James L. Redman Memorial Cup with a 22-7 win on its home turf.

For photos of the game, see page 17.

SCHOOL SPIRIT by michael eng | Managing Editor

Plant City’s robby Knox and nick bornstine cheered hard for their Raiders.

Durant’s fans were ready to cheer on their Cougars.

Durant fan chris clemente was ready to cheer on the home team.

Dominique Dixon brought a vuvuzela to cheer on the Raiders.

COMPLETEFAN-DEMONIUM

The Raiders’ fans packed the visitor side of Durant’s stadium.

Left: Plant City cheerleader Karaline Hayes loved performing on the sidelines.

The Raider fans didn’t mind a little rain before the game started.

The Durant squad had plenty to cheer about.

The Cougars played hard in front of their home crowd.Plant City senior raven andrews stayed dry under her umbrella.


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The first “After the Rose Dance” took place Sept. 27, at the Stardust Dance Center, 1405 S. Collins St.

The night blossomed into a packed dance floor and a celebration of the Red Rose Inn which to many meant elegance, socialization and fine en-tertainment.

Friends reunited over drinks and hors d’ourves enjoying the live music from a former Red Rose Inn band, which featured Rusty Trumpet and Tony Johnson.

Donna Darcone and Susan Staton put the dance together, which will

take place every Thursday night on Stardust’s 5,000-square-foot dance floor.

“I thought this would just be per-fect,” Darcone said, adding that the idea for a dance came to her just two weeks before the event.

“We sent out a bunch of emails and made phone calls to get the word out to everyone who went to the Red Rose,” Staton said.

Staton, an accomplished dancer, used to teach dance lessons at the Red Rose Inn.

“I am so thrilled about the turn-

out,” Staton said. “This just proves that people in Plant City need some-where to go for events.”

The Red Rose Inn was a local icon in Plant City before it closed its doors this summer. The space was known for its restaurant and uniquely deco-rated meeting space. Evelyn and Ba-tista Madonia spent about $5 million to buy and renovate the Ramada Inn, at Interstate 4 and Wheeler Street.

After the death of their daughter to cancer and increasing financial problems, the Madonias closed the Inn.

Dance reunites Red Rose regulars

mOving On by amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

Michael and Joanne smith had a blast on the dance floor.

Jim Won yum and sue riley

iF YOU gOaFter tHe roseWHen: 7:45 to 10:30 p.m. ThursdaysWHere: Stardust Dance Center, 1405 S. Collins St. cost: $10 cover chargeinForMation: (813) 340-9433 or (863) 604-5060

susan staton and Donna Darcone

A former Red Rose house band performed.


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Plant City celebrated the 10th anniversary of Bike Fest Oct. 6, with live music, vendors, door prizes and performances from stunt rider Adam Holbrook.

Hundreds came out to cel-ebrate the monthly event. The event featured a stunt show from Lakeland-based Holbrook and entertainment by the Soul ‘N’ Tension Band. More than $1,000 in door prizes were giv-en away, contributed by MC Radical Randy Akers and Bikers Choice.

As usual, plenty of vendors and food choices were avail-able. Bike Fest started in 2001, after a group of motorcycle en-thusiasts, including Jim Hall and Dan Snyder, approached the Plant City Chamber of Com-merce about hosting a motorcy-cle event. The chamber formed a committee to organize it, and the first show took place Octo-ber 2002.

Bike Fest rumbles into second decade

hog wild by Matt Mauney | Associate Editor

Lakeland-based adam Holbrook navigated cable spools, suspended platforms, narrow ramps and a massive 10-foot wall during his FERE Thrill Show.

Danny cates and chrissy Poole have gone to Bike Fest since it began.

Plant City resident lee swanson stood out on his yellow Honda Gold Wing Trike.

norman Frost has been coming to Bike Fest for about three years.


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CROSS_ANS_101112

This week’s Cryptogram answers

This week’s Crossword answers

2012

1. A man was boasting that he and his wife had founded a booming iron and steel business. His wife used to iron, and he used to steal.

2. An affable doctor told his patient: “This is a tough call, but it’s been decided to postpone the operation until you are stronger, financially.”

Whether you were in the market for practical art, such as Michael Nagy’s ce-ramic bowls and candleholders, one of Arden Mays’ Plant City landscapes or a colorful hat made by Betty Jones, there was something for everyone at Art in the Park Oct. 6., in Walden Lake.

Artists from Plant City, Valrico and Bran-don involved with the East Hillsborough Art Guild and the Art Lounge presented a plethora of creations at this year’s event.

The First United Methodist Church’s youth group was on-site to serve food, raise money and promote the pumpkin patch at the church.

In addition to the artwork, there was a popular booth set up by Parrotz-R-Us, a Lakeland-based bird enthusiast group that seeks to inform the public about ex-otic birds. The booth brought art spec-tators from around the grounds to view three vibrant birds that had been rescued.

Art in the Park features East Hillsborough talent

CREATIVE DISPLAY by amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

Parrotz-R-Us club member carl Franke loves his 22-year-old eclectus, Maggie.

nancy Driscoli paints a portrait of her son and his fiancee.

Artist betty Jones rocked one of her elabo-rate hats.

Moray, an umbrella cockatoo, was an advo-cate for Parrotz-R-Us.

Artist Kim Wells loves to paint classic cars and uses bright colors in most of her designs.

Force is strong at BrutonMemorial Library event

Fun reading is! Hmmm? Chil-dren came dressed as their favor-ite Star Wars characters Oct. 6, as Bruton Memorial Library in Plant City hosted Star Wars Reads Day.

Star Wars Reads Day is a na-

tional event created by Lucasfilm & Publishing partners. The event in-cluded activities such as a costume contest and a trivia competition.

return of the jedi by Matt Mauney | Associate Editor

This family came in their favorite Star Wars T-shirts. From left: Mason lumsden, Jeff lumsden, lauren nasca and logan nasca (front).

sean edge, 5, had a blast as Darth Vader.

Brothers Markus lenoir and nickolas lenior came dressed as Yoda and Luke Skywalker, respectively, while their sister, virginia, came dressed as Princess Leia.

andrew MacDonald, 9, had a blast playing with a Millennium Falcon paper airplane.

Kids picked out their favorite Star Wars themed prizes after a trivia competition.


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Whispering Woods heatsup with weekend BBQ

brent Meyers has taken several barbecue-judging classes.

Left: Kevin Dindial a builder with DR Horton, and sales agent Paula Meyers

Whispering Woods residents pulled together to put on a neigh-borhood yard sale and BBQ blowout Oct. 6.

DR Horton sales agent Paula Mey-ers organized the event. Her hus-band, Brent, smoked the chicken, complete with homemade sauce.

COmmUniTY by amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

Durant cheerleaders were happy to be at the fundraiser. Top row: Jessi rae varnum, Danielle Johnson, elexcia schommer, Kendall Ford and allyson crandall. Bottom row: Kayla rhoden, lauren Mosher, Michaela Dry, careena Dean and skylar long.

Jarrett-Scott dealership starts engines for Durant

Jim scott has hosted the even for the past three years.

Jarrett-Scott Ford took the wheel to help Durant High School Oct. 6, during its Drive One 4UR School fundraising event.

From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., everything from Jarrett-Scott Ford SUVs, to trucks and even a bright blue Mustang were parked outside Durant ready for a test drive. With every test drive, Ford Motor Company gave the school $20 and with a second test drive in an Es-cape, Ford gave Durant an extra $10.

The dealership wanted to raise as much as $8,000 for the high school.

Although the cheerleaders might have been tired from the previous night’s foot-ball game, they were all smiles, signing up drivers. Members from the boys basketball team also were present to wash cars and sell pizza and drinks. Nine Jarrett-Scott em-ployees were around to help.

TEST DRivE by amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor


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OBSERVEROBITUARIESDoris Elizabeth Connell

Doris Elizabeth Connell, 89, of Plant City, died Oct. 3.

She was a member of Shades of Grace Church in Auburndale.

She is survived by her children, Robert Fritz (Sheila), Patricia Culpepper (Gary), Rebecca Darby (Tom), Blanche Fritz, Bonnie Knox (George Myers) and Barba-ra Chaudhry (Yahya); two sisters, Janie Winn (Bob) and Delores Schneider; 11 grandchildren, Shelly Flores, Cindy Barror (Lon), Amanda Lariscy ( Ran-dy), Angelia Young, Jessica Fritz, Todd Darby, William Clay Fritz,III, Shawn Chaudhry, Zack Chaudhry (Kristin), Adam Chaudhry and Robert Fritz, Jr.; and 11 great-grandchildren, Benjamin Garcia, Trace Barror, Will Darby, Dustin Lariscy, Dalton Lariscy, Gauge Lariscy, Koen Fritz, Jack Young, Ashlyn Barror, Cassidy Darby and Lily Lariscy.

She was preceded in death by two hus-bands, William Edward Fritz and James Douglas Cross; children, Alton Fritz and William Fritz; one grandson, Mitch-ell Joshua Ayers; one great-grandchild, Lane Austin Barror; and 11 siblings Wil-lie Mae Rotenberry, Sim Lovejoy, Elsie Hayes, Eunice Raz, Dorthan Lovejoy, Mildred Lovejoy, Billie Jo Frye, Justin Lovejoy, Charlie Lovejoy, Bobby Lovejoy and infant boy Lovejoy.

Online condolences may be made to the family at hopewellfuneral.com.

The Rev. Wintely L. Ingram The Rev. Wintely L. Ingram died Oct. 7. He was born March 2, 1963, and was

the son of the late Norman and Ida In-gram. He was well known in the Plant City area as a pastor and community leader. He was the pastor at Hope Out-reach Christian Ministries, in Bealsville. He was also a loving husband, father, brother, mentor and friend to all.

He is survived by his wife, Sherrie In-

gram; son, Torree In-gram; daughter, Kendra Ingram Soto (Carlos); granddaughter, Samari Ingram; and soon-to-be grandson, Ezra.

Services will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 12, at Greater New Hope Anointed Ministries, 2104 Mud Lake Road, Plant City. The Home-going Service will be held at 11 a.m., Oct. 13.

Geraldine “Jerry” TannerGeraldine “Jerry” Tanner, 87, of Dade

City, died on Oct. 6, 2012.Born July 30, 1925,

to the late George and Artie Randolph Har-ris. She was the wife of Roy Tanner, with whom she shared 71 years of marriage.

Mrs. Tanner began her working career supporting the World War II effort as a “Rosie Riveter.” She worked from the Goodyear Blimp Han-gar building airplane parts.

Survivors include sons, Larry (Anita) Tanner and Jim Tanner; grandchildren, Cynthia (David) Wolf, Dawn (Rob) Erd-man, Dean (Cindi) Tanner, Rob (Anita) Tanner and Amy (Bryon) Ruth; and great-granddaughters, Katherine Wolf, Emily and Abigail Erdman, Julia, Anna and Allison Tanner, and Caroline and Charlotte Ruth. She was preceded in death by her parents; and siblings Gladys Ball, Gertie Mothersbaugh and George Harris.

If desired, the family has requested that donations be made to the Gulfside Regional Hospice’s Edwinola unit, 6117 Trouble Creek Road, New Port Richey, FL 34653.

This weekend, I will participate in two activities I enjoy but rarely get to experience.

Saturday, I will dust off my golf clubs and shoes and tee off at the annual Plant City Lions Club Golf Tournament.

Sunday night, my palate will be tested, as I become a student in the Kansas City Barbecue Society judges school, hosted by the Plant City Chamber of Commerce

at Johnson’s Bar-becue.

With my work schedule, it’s hard to work in a round of golf. I ran into the same problem with my previous paper in Geor-gia but swore that the move to Florida would

be different. Being in one of the greatest golf states in the coun-try, I planned to make room for rounds, with no excuses.

Sadly, that hasn’t happened. After more than four months of being down here, I’ve managed to go to the range once and play a round up in Orlando one time thanks to a Groupon I purchased months before I even moved down.

I love the game, but I rarely have the time and money it takes to keep active with it. That’s why I’m looking forward to this tour-nament. I almost need something like this to get me back on track. I keep telling myself on days where I find a little free time that I’m going to go to the range or get in nine holes somewhere, but that never happens.

Hopefully, Saturday will spark

Y O U T H | H I G H S C H O O L | G O L F | S E N I O R S | C O M M U N I T Y | T E N N I S

SportsATHLETE OF

THE WEEKChris Wilson is a force for the

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SHOW ME THE MAUNEY

MATTMAUNEY

A weekend of golf and good BBQ

Area golf teams will tee off early next week in Class 2A District 10 tournaments, and while only a few teams have a realistic shot at advancing to regionals, several individuals have the chance to qualify.

On the girls side, both Plant City and Durant will be looking to take one of the three available team spots to advance to the Region 4 tournament Oct. 22 at Country-side Golf Club in Clearwater.

The Steinbrenner girls team comes in as the heavy favorite this

year. In early September, the Lady Warriors handed Plant City its first regular season loss in two years. Plant City came into the season as the reigning district and region champion.

Steinbrenner then handed Plant City another tough loss at home at Walden Lake Golf Club Sept. 19. Plant City is 8-3 as of Tuesday and will enter the district tournament next week with three freshmen in the starting five, a first for coach Meg Jordan.

“I can’t say enough about our

freshmen,” Jordan said. “With a young team, this season has been a maturing process and that’s neat to see that progression.”

The Lady Raiders three fresh-men are Kendall Johnson, Dakota Bozeman and Kaylee McIntosh. Junior Kellyanne Hurst has led the team in the top spot, with a career-low 35 shot earlier this season. Sophomore Lindsey Box has also put in some solid perfor-mances throughout the season.

Teams preparing for district tournaments

When John Kelly’s team takes the field Friday, emotions will certainly be running high.

That’s because on the op-posite sideline will be Arm-wood High, Kelly’s alma ma-ter. It’s also the school where he served as an assistant for the past two seasons — while

maintaining his teaching posi-tion at Strawberry Crest.

His opposing head coach in the game will be Sean Calla-han, who coached both Kelly and current Chargers offensive coordinator Issac Anderson. Kelly was a senior on Arm-wood’s first state playoff team

in 1996. The Hawks would go on to gain national attention with three straight state-title game appearances from 2003-2005, including 4A champion-ships in the 2003 and 2004 title games.

“We know the history of Armwood and were there be-fore they were the national powerhouse they are now,” Kelly said. “We feel honored to have been part of the history, both as players and coaches, to have done our small part to build it up to where it is today.”

Armwood won its third state championship last year with an undefeated record. How-ever, it had all records and the title stripped after a six-month

File photo

The Plant City and Durant girls teams will meet again at Walden Lake Oct. 15, along with the rest of District 10.

teeing off by Matt Mauney | Associate Editor

Walden Lake will host girls 2A District 10 tournament Monday, while Summerfield Crossing will host boys tournament Tuesday.

File photo

Junior wideout Alex Carswell has been one of the key weapons for a Strawberry Crest offense that is averaging 268 passing yards per game.

SEE GOLF / PAGE 19

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2012PLANTCITYObSErvEr.COM

FOOTBALL FAMILIARITY Strawberry Crest coaches have deep ties with the successful Armwood program.

SEE HIGHLAND / PAGE 19 SEE MAUNEY / PAGE 19

by Matt Mauney | Associate Editor

”There’s definitely a familiarity there. Having coached there for the past couple seasons, we obviously know what they have and we know that they’re a very strong program.

— John Kelley, SCHS coach

GAME OF THE WEEK

armwood at strawberry crest | 7:30 P.m. oct. 12


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For the first time in four years, the James L. Redman Memorial Cup came back to Durant.

The Cougars beat rival Plant City 22-7 Oct. 5, for the first time since 2008, in the sixth installment since the rivalry trophy was introduced in 2007. Durant improved to 5-0 with the win over its city and district rival.

The Cougars rushed for more than 200 yards in the win, and the Durant defense made key stops and forced turnovers to swing momentum.

“It feels good looking at the score-board knowing we beat our archri-val,” said Cougars head coach Mike Gottman after the game. “I know it makes our guys feel good, and I know our fans feel good.”

The win puts Durant (5-0, 2-0) in a two-way tie with Newsome for the Class 7A District 8 lead, while Plant City falls to 1-1 in district play.

Durant hosts Chamberlain this week for its Homecoming, while Plant City visits Alonso.

Cougars take James L. Redman Memorial Cupfootball by Matt Mauney | Associate Editor

Durant head junior varsity coach rich Maddock supported the Cougars from atop the crane.

Durant head coach Mike Gottman celebrated the win with his wife. Plant City had taken six of the last eight meetings, including the last three.

Plant City quarterback nick rodriguez warms up before the game. The senior threw for 137 yards in the loss.

Plant City head coach Wayne Ward spoke with his team during a timeout in the fourth quarter.

cris atkins rushed for more than 100 yards and a touchdown.


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What positions do you play?

I play running back, safety and linebacker.

Of those, which is your favorite?

I like playing linebacker,

because I like making tackles and stopping the run.

Have you al-ways played with

the Turkey Creek Trojans?No, I used to play for

the Beesville Eagles.

Eight total touchdowns in two games is impressive. Who helped you achieve such a great statistic?

My dad will take me outside and work with me on defense, showing me how to shuffle my feet like a linebacker and work with me on catching and carrying the ball and stuff.

Do you want to play when you get to high school?

Yes

What position?I’m not sure.

Do you play any other sports?

Basketball, sometimes.

What’s your favorite type of music?

Hip-hop

Do you have a favorite subject in school?

Math, but I like science, too.

What’s your favorite food?

Spaghetti

What’s your favorite NFL team?

San Francisco 49ers

What about your favor-ite college team?

Alabama

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

Probably to be very fast

Do you have any broth-ers or sisters?

I have two brothers and one sister. My big brother plays for Plant City (run-ning back Ervin Micheal).

Do you go to Ervin’s games?

Yes, I like to go watch him.

ATHlETE Of THE wEEk by Matt Mauney | Associate Editor

Chris WilsonChris Wilson does his talking on the football field and in the classroom. The 12-year-

old doesn’t say much, but his play speaks loudly. Wilson has seven offensive touch-downs in his last two games with the Turkey Creek Trojans Midgets. He also had 18 tackles in those games and returned an interception for a touchdown. According to Wilson’s coach, Milo Mitchell, Wilson is a well-behaved, respectful player who does

well in school and is quick on the field.


investigation found a falsification of home addresses of five players, making them in-eligible to play for the Hawks.

Armwood won an remarkable 50 straight home games between 2003 and 2009. Friday, the Hawks head to nearby Strawberry Crest, a school that formed in 2009.

The record books show a win for the Chargers last year after the forfeit was made official on June 19. The game on the field, however, reflected a different result, as Armwood dismantled Strawberry Crest 80-0.

The Chargers come in at 2-3 and on a two-game skid, falling most recently to previously winless King 28-16, but accord-ing to Kelly, this Strawberry Crest team has made some strides. The Chargers have wins over Plant City and Steinbrenner this year, teams that blew them out a year ago.

SCHS held tough against undefeated Hillsborough Sept. 21 at home, before fall-ing 32-24. Kelly said that was an eye-open-er for his team.

“Even though we’ve been preaching it to them and they have confidence, until you get out there and start to battle against the opponent, you don’t realize that you actu-ally can play at a high level and hang with teams that are more established,” he said.

Kelly also said he and Anderson want to bring the coaching philosophies they learned at Armwood to the Chargers.

“Transitioning from being a player for coach Callahan to coaching for him, both Isaac and I are definitely influenced by the program there and by his coaching phi-losophies,” he said.

On Friday, two of Callahan’s former players and coaches will try to execute a game plan to beat the coach that molded them.

“We’re going to go out there to try and win the game,” Kelly said. “We don’t just out to play. There’s a reason they keep score and we’re going to try to win with what we have.”

Contact Matt Mauney at [email protected].

O B S E RV E R C RO S S WO R D

Edited by Timothy E. Parker

CRYPTOGRAMS

1. R E R F B R U V M R U A Y F N A W R A W K R F Q W Y U B Y D K W R Q

D M J F Q K Q R V M M E Y F N Y I M F R F Q U A K K G V J U Y F K U U . W Y U

B Y D K J U K Q A M Y I M F , R F Q W K J U K Q A M U A K R G .

2. D F D E E D C K Q I W Y B W L B W K I R M Z U D B M Q F B : “ B R M Z M Z D

B W P V R Y D K K , C P B M B ’ Z C Q Q F I Q Y M I Q I B W U W Z B U W F Q B R Q

W U Q L D B M W F P F B M K S W P D L Q Z B L W F V Q L , E M F D F Y M D K K S . ”

ACROSS 1 Cantankerous 7 Lift from beneath 14 Mascara and the

like 20 Metcalf or

Anderson 21 Actor Leslie of

“Airplane!” 22 Loath 23 Downright 24 Brilliant idea 26 College bigwig 27 Pigs’ place 28 Human being 29 Improvisational

jazz singing style 30 Better Homes and

Gardens topic 33 Emulates Betsy

Ross 34 Sleep letters 36 Jarreau and Jolson 37 Things worn by

medieval knights 41 Fashionable once

more 43 Photo ___ (chances

to take pictures) 44 Crusty entree 45 “___ to a

Nightingale” 47 “The ___ of Things

to Come” 51 Type of fuel: ___

alcohol 53 Whimsical in

appearance 57 “Mighty Aphrodite”

star Sorvino 58 Length X width 59 Bargain-basement 61 Have a light repast 63 Treat a rapper with

contempt 64 Airport listing 67 Tilly or Ryan of

Hollywood 68 Farmer’s measure 70 Party hearty 74 Boat rowers 77 Mason’s burden

78 Cold-weather awl 81 22nd letter of the

alphabet 82 Buddy 83 Like some milky

gems 86 Warty-skinned

critter 88 “___ go bragh!” 90 Like British

skyscrapers? 92 Room for church

garments 94 Nine days before

the Ides of March 96 “Then what

happened?” 97 Deckhand, at times 100 Sunbather’s shade 101 Least satisfactory 104 Child’s simple

means of transport 106 Celebrant’s robe 109 Role for Keanu in

“The Matrix” 110 Alda of TV and film 112 Descended on the

mother’s side 113 “___ 18” (Leon Uris

novel) 115 Like some golf

courses 117 Suffix with “Christ” 118 Teases 122 Touch lightly in

passing 125 Interviewer Chung 127 Dogie catcher 128 Like a rubber band 129 Polar cover 130 Impressive property 131 Walked heavily 132 “This has been a

long time coming!”

dOwn 1 Not in the buff 2 Barely broiled 3 Surrounding

atmosphere 4 Former German

chancellor Willy

5 Warehouse container

6 Nevertheless 7 Remove, as a seat

belt 8 Response to

misfortune 9 ___ Royal Highness 10 Splits to unite 11 Crooked 12 Changes course 13 A grandson of

Adam 14 Refrigerator

adornment 15 “Hail, Caesar!” 16 Ranges of

knowledge 17 “Fear of Fifty” writer

Jong 18 Same-old, same-old 19 Pains in the neck 25 Fairway warning 27 Like a comfortable

pillow 31 Catch sight of 32 Air-conditioned 33 Window washer’s

boo-boo 35 ___ Butterworth’s

syrup 37 Deep, deep sleep 38 Kind of glasses or

hat 39 Bloom of the fall 40 Falling-out 41 Gridiron official, for

short 42 Physics unit 45 Eight performers 46 San ___, Calif. 48 Verdi classic 49 Pointlessly precise

person 50 Lighten (up) 52 Heavenly

instruments? 54 Christening

observance 55 Income from wealth 56 Filthy ___ (illicit

gain) 59 “I ___ tell a lie” 60 Last in a sequence

(Abbr.) 62 Ready for surgery,

for short 65 Poetic foot

66 They contend 69 Cuts and pastes 71 Prickly irritant 72 Was optimistic 73 Lose or draw

alternative 74 Roasting locale 75 Prefix for “sol” or

“space” 76 Leather strap

attached to a bit 79 Terra ___ 80 Gold purity unit 84 Dud on wheels 85 “American ___” 87 Unit in an erg’s

definition 89 “___ and

improved!” (ad claim)

91 Bran source 92 Aloe ___ 93 It may come before

a while 95 ___ of a gun 98 Like some skirts 99 Ivy League member,

for short 102 High esteem 103 “Du jour” item 104 Type of

discrimination 105 Unpopped popcorn 106 Mosey along 107 Old Italian bread

(var.) 108 Utter abruptly (with

“out”) 110 “Ragged Dick”

writer Horatio 111 Tropical vine 114 Shortest-named

continent 116 Cotton stuffing 117 Britain’s ___ of Man 119 Machu Picchu

dweller 120 Preconception 121 Month for many TV

premieres 123 “Monopoly” token

choice 124 “Tuck” partner 125 Org. in many spy

novels 126 Mo. after 121-Down

CHAnGInG COLORS by Milton J. Ruff

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CROSSWORD_101112

the once avid golfer in me, and I will be-gin to make time to play. At the very least, I am looking forward to getting out and playing at Walden Lake Golf Club. I live two minutes from there and have visited several times covering area high school golf teams and other charity tourna-ments. All those times made me wish I had my clubs with me, and I could just tee off after taking photos. Saturday, that hope comes true, and it benefits a good cause along the way — the money raised will help support a variety of programs the Lions Club supports.

Anyone who has played golf knows it is a sport with which you have to stay involved. Otherwise, you’ll see your game plummet.

No matter how the day turns out, there is silver lining, because Sunday night, I will be presented with a smor-gasbord of barbecued meats as I train to be a certified judge for Plant City’s annual Pig Jam.

After speaking with Mark Poppell, a longtime barbecue competitor, judge and preparer of dishes for the KCBS judges school, I am thrilled to learn the ends and outs of judging a barbecue competition — and my stomach is thrilled, too.

Plant City will host the girls tournament Oct. 15, at Walden Lake.

Durant’s girls are 8-2 on the season as of Monday, with both losses coming against Plant City. The Lady Cougars are led by junior Samantha Rentz and sophomores Tori Higgins and Krista Reinhardt. Durant also features two juniors that never played competitive golf before this season - Shan-non Bell and Natalie Knopp.

According to Durant coach Richard Sheffield, it will come down to a compe-tition between them, Plant City, Freedom and Wharton for the final two spots be-hind Steinbrenner.

“The key for us will be the play of play-ers four and five (Bell and Knopp),” Shef-field said.

For second-year Strawberry Crest coach Scott Vomacka, the district tournament will be a good learning experience for his young team. Amanda Miles leads the Lady Chargers with a season-low 49, while Lau-ren Romeo scored a 50 in the same match against Hillsborough.

On the boys side, several individual players will be vying for regional slots. Three individual spots are available for players on teams that don’t quality.

For Durant, Sheffield feels that Chase Levesque has a shot to once again con-tend for one of those spots. The junior

qualified for regionals and state last year and has a season low of 35, shot at River Hills Golf Club in a match with Newsome.

“Our goal is for Chase to advance to regionals and the remainder of the team to perform their best rounds of the year and get experience for following seasons,” Sheffield said.

For Plant City, William George has a shot at an individual spot. According to coach Doug Jones, George has a season average of 40.1, but has been averaging around 37 for the past few weeks.

“Our team best this year is 162, so we’ll probably fall short in that area, but Wil-liam has the best chance to go to region-als,” Jones said.

Jones added that his team is young and will have promise moving forward. George is a junior, along with No. 2 player Jordan Genevie. Freshman Jared Driskell, a virtu-al school student, has also had a solid year.

For Strawberry Crest, Greg Crandall has an “outside” shot of qualifying for districts, according to Vomacka. Crandall set a school record with a 40 in a round against Hillsborough earlier this season and im-proved on that with a 37 Tuesday on the front side of The Claw at the University of South Florida.

The boys tournament will be held Oct. 16, at Summerfield Crossing Golf Club.

Contact Matt Mauney at [email protected].

IN OTHER ACTIONchamberlain at Durant

last week: Durant (5-0, 2-0 Class 7A District 8) snapped a three-game losing streak against Plant City, beating the Raiders 22-7. The Durant defense continued its stellar season, allowing just seven points. The Cougars have allowed just 26 points through five games this season. Sophomore running back Cris Atkins had more than 100 yards for Durant but left the game with a sore shoulder.

Chamberlain improved to 2-3 last week with a 31-16 romp over Freedom. The Chiefs scored 17 unanswered points in the second half in the win. Running back Ronnie Scott had two long touchdown runs of 25 and 38 yards. This will be a non-district game and will be the homecoming game for Durant.

last meeting: Durant traveled to Chamberlain and beat the Chiefs 50-29 last year.

Plant city at alonsolast week: The Raiders are now

1-1 in district play and 3-2 overall after the loss at Durant. Quarterback Nick Rodriguez threw for 142 yards last week but also posted two picks in the loss. Matt Chaney had a big game defensively, with 17 total tackles. Colby Diers filled the void of injured back Ervin Micheal and ran for 79 yards on 12 carries. Alonso improved to 3-2 with a 20-0 win at Bloomingdale. That was the third straight win for the Ravens after dropping their first two games of the season to Gaither (24-21) and at Durant 29-0. Ish Witter rushed for 124 yards in the Bloomingdale win, while quarterback Brandon Hawkins passed for 207 yards and three touchdowns. This will be a non-region game.

last meeting: Plant City edged out a 9-7 win at home last year.

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Documents

Plant City Observer 10.11.12