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Plant City Times&
Observer
OUR TOWN
INDEX
,
3&
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
Vol.2,No.27 | Onesection
3ODQW&LW\2EVHUYHUFRP
A PARTNERSHIP WITH
This weeks winner is
Chris Black
See his photo on
PAGE 15.
Calendar.......................2 Crossword...................15 Obituaries...................11 Sports.........................13 Weather......................15
FREE FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015
+ Happy
anniversary
Herman and Leslie
Stewart celebrated 50
years together Jan. 22.
+ Blueberry
Pageant sign ups
The Blueberry Festival
Pageant sign ups will be
from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 31, and
Saturday, Feb. 21, at Keel
and Curley Winery, 5210
Thonotosassa Road.
Girls 2 to 19 and boys 2
to 6 can register. Each age
division will have only 20
contestants so dont delay
with sign ups.
Paperwork is available at
KeelAndCurleyWinery.com.
Mail a $40 check or money
order to Julie Hasting,
4309 Stanley Rd. Plant
City, Florida 33565. All
mailed paperwork must be
postdated Feb. 21.
Everyone gets a crown.
The pageant will be March
21 at the winery.
+ Church to host
Kirkin O Tartan
The 17th Annual Kirkin
O the Tartan will be held
during the 10:45 a.m. wor-
ship service Sunday, Jan.
25, at First Presbyterian
Church, 404 W. Reynolds
St. This service celebrates
the churchs Scottish heri-
tage.
The St. Andrews Pipes &
Drums of Tampa Bay will
perform a concert on the
front lawn after the service,
followed by a luncheon in
the churchs Fellowship
Hall.
The history of the
Kirkin dates back to the
days when the Scottish
Highlander Presbyterians,
wore colorful plaids repre-
senting clans. English rule
in 1745 made wearing the
Tartan forbidden.But the
royal Scots would bring
a small swatch of tartan
cloth into worship. Then, at
a secret time during wor-
ship, the minister would
offer the blessing while
the Scots hid their tartans.
tribute
by Amber Jurgensen |ManagingEditor
HONORROLL
by Catherine Sinclair |StaffWriter
SPORTS
Dolphins
squadroars for
Cheer-Offwin.
PAGE 13
REALESTATE
AsouthP.C.home
toppedDecember
transactions.
PAGE 8
MLKPARADE
AnnualMartinLuther
KingJr.Dayparade
wasasuccess.
PAGE 3
Stacks and stacks of certi-
cates are pulled from a box of
Roosevelt Bobby Millers be-
longings: Completion of Crime
Scene Technician Course,
Crime Scene Photography,
Missing Children Information
Clearing. His family proudly
holds onto them, unclipping
each one and passing them
around the room. Mr. Miller
was the rst black detective
with the Plant City Police De-
partment. And with all of his
credentials, there wasnt a
better person that could have
been.
Mr. Miller, 81, died Dec. 31,
after a battle with throat can-
cer. His memorial service was
held Jan. 10, and he was bur-
ied at Garden of Peace in Plant
City.
I was so proud to have
him, daughter Capathia
Sampson said.
She holds up a black and
white picture of him in his
uniform.
He was my everything. I am
proud to call him my dad. He
ruled with a stern hand and
loving heart.
Mr. Millers children have
many memories of him as po-
lice ofcer. He helped launch
the Plant City Police Depart-
ment into the future by learn-
ing to process crime scenes,
ngerprinting, and to take
and develop his own pictures
of evidence. He started at the
department in 1964, and was
promoted to detective in 1975.
He retired in 1998.
But his legacy still lives on.
Because of his work, a 30-year-
old cold case was recently
solved. In 1979, Charolette
Kelley was found strangled
in her home. He was among
the detectives that took DNA
samples from the bedding
and sealed them into evidence
at the station. The evidence
had remained there in a time
freeze, until technology could
help solve the case. That came
in 2012, when they reopened
it.
Time spent with him was
knowledgeable, son Todd
City remembers first blackdetective
Two talented, award-
winning horses of the same
bloodline were reunited at
Black Dog Farm in Plant
City last Sunday, and one
of their riders has a shot
at competing in the Olym-
pics.
Forrest Flame, known as
Forrest, is a purebred New
Forest Pony. Jill Hardt, own-
er of Tristan Oaks Dressage
in Plant City, is Forrests
rider.
Forrest has been gelded,
but frozen breeding doses
are available. In 2004, he
sired a mare named Forrest
Nymph.
Forrest Nymph, known as
Farrah, is the only purebred
NFP to ever have competed
at the CCI** level in event-
ing, a sport that combines
a variety of tests such as t-
ness and jumping.
Farrahs current rider is
Sinead Halpin, an interna-
tional rider who has ridden
her top-level horse at the
World Equestrian Games in
Normandy, France and will
be considered for the sum-
mer 2016 Olympics. Halpin
is a 4*-level rider, which is
the highest level in event-
ing, but she rides Farrah at
the 2* level.
Halpin spends most of
the year in New Jersey, but
winters in Ocala and brings
her competition horses
with her. To raise money for
Farrahs future internation-
al competitions, Beth Da-
vidson, Farrahs owner and
director of Black Dog Farm,
invited Hardt and Halpin to
conduct a clinic and dem-
onstrations at Black Dog
Farm Sunday, Jan. 18.
Forrest Flame
Forrest is 15 years old,
but Hardt said he rides as
though hes about 8.
Hes always a clown,
Hardt said.
Whats unique about
Forrest is that he has so
much fun with his body,
Hardt said.
He overcomes his size to
conquer even the toughest
obstacles.
Hardt has ridden Forrest
through Prix St. Georges,
a level of dressage for the
Federation Equestre Inter-
nationale.
Roosevelt Bobby Miller was instrumental in leading the
Plant City Police Department into the next wave of forensics.
SEE MILLER / PAGE 4
When Stanley Glover, Bri-
anna Trout, Madian Maqui-
var and Raul Andrade walked
through the doors of the
schools where they teach the
morning of Friday, Jan. 9, they
had no idea that a congratu-
latory committee would be
coming to visit them later that
day.
Each of these educators was
surprised when representa-
PRIZE-WINNING PONIES
Sinead Halpin is the only 4*-level eventing rider to ever have taught in Plant City.
Four local
teachers
chosen as
finalists
This school year has been
full of rsts for Taylor Mew, a
2012 graduate of Durant High
School and current junior at
Florida State University. It was
her rst year doing color guard
in the universitys marching
band and the rst time she was
Durant grad
marches in
Rose Bowl
parade
Taylor Mew never
expected to participate
in one of the nations
most famous parades.
ROSEBOWL
by Catherine Sinclair |StaffWriter
SEE TEACHERS / PAGE 4
SEE MEW / PAGE 4
Courtesy photo
Taylor Mew, Hannah Esquenazi
and the rest of FSUs marching
band watched their team com-
pete in the Rose Bowl.
Jill Hardt rode Forrest Flame for a demonstration Jan. 18, at Black Dog Farm.
Photos by Catherine Sinclair
International rider Sinead Halpin wowed spectators at
Black Dog Farm in a jumping demonstration with Forrest
Nymph.
SEE HORSES / PAGE 4
Roosevelt Bobby Miller
EQUESTRIAN
by Catherine Sinclair |StaffWriter
3ODQW&LW\2EVHUYHUFRP
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COMMUNITYCALENDAR
FRIDAY, JAN. 23
Acoustic Happy Hour live
music takes place from 5:30 to
8:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, at
OBriens Irish Pub and Family
Restaurant, 1701 S. Alexander
St. (813) 764-8818.
Christian Contemporary Music
takes place from 6:33 to
8:13 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, at
Krazy Kup, 101 E. J. Arden
Mays Blvd. (813) 752-1220.
Danny Brantley Band
takes place from 9 p.m. to
1 a.m. Friday, Jan. 23, at
OBriens Irish Pub and Family
Restaurant, 1701 S. Alexander
St. (813) 764-8818.
Uncork Your Friday! live
music takes place from 6 to
10 p.m. Friday Jan. 23, at
Keel and Curley Winery, 5210
Thonotosassa Road. (813) 752-
9100.
SATURDAY, JAN. 24
Ace Jackson and the Jump
Kings takes place from 9
p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday, Jan.
24, at OBriens Irish Pub and
Family Restaurant, 1701 S.
Alexander St. (813) 764-8818.
Los Dos Live! takes place
from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday,
Jan. 24, at Keel and Curley
Winery, 5210 Thonotosassa
Road. (813) 752-9100.
Young Adult Nite takes
place from 7:33 to 10:33 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 17, at Krazy Kup,
101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd.
Enjoy live music from local art-
ists. (813) 752-1220.
SUNDAY, JAN. 25
17th Annual Kirkin O the
Tartan takes place begin-
ning at 10:45 a.m. at First
Presbyterian Church, 404 W.
Reynolds St. The St. Andrews
Pipes & Drums of Tampa Bay
will be a part of the celebra-
tion that dates back to Scottish
Highlanders. A concert will be
performed on the lawn. (813)
752-4211.
MONDAY, JAN. 26
Reading Time takes place
from 3 to 4 p.m. Monday, Jan.
26, at Bruton Memorial Library,
302 McLendon St. Childrens
literature is read by the children
and librarians. (813) 757-9215.
TUESDAY, JAN. 27
Cholesterol Screenings takes
place from 2 to 3 p.m. Tuesday,
Jan. 27, at the Community
Resource Center of South
Florida Baptist Hospital, 301 N.
Alexander St. No appointment
necessary. $30. (813) 644-
6720.
Back and Neck Pain Relief
takes place from 6 to 8
p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, at the
Community Conference Room at
South Florida Baptist Hospital,
301 N. Alexander St. Learn how
minimally invasive spine sur-
gery can help relieve back and
neck pain. The class is free, but
registration is required. (813)
644-6720.
GriefShare takes place begin-
ning at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan.
27, at Hope Lutheran Baptist
Church, 2001 N. Park Road.
Following the death of a loved
one you may have found that
there are not many people who
understand the deep hurt you
may feel. Those feelings of hurt
and emptiness seem to make
it harder and harder for you
to face each new day. Each
GriefShare session includes a
video seminar and group discus-
sion. (813) 752-4622.
The Recovery for Life takes
place from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 20, at the Lorena
Jaeb Rainbow House, 504
N. Palm Drive. It is a 12-step
Bible-based program to help
free individuals from all forms
of addiction. Debbie Ray, (813)
763-1562.
Teen Book Club: The Hobbit
takes place from 4:30 to
5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, at
Bruton Memorial Library, 302
McLendon St. Join the discus-
sion and help select future
books for the group to read.
Copies of the book are avail-
able at the library for check out.
(813) 757-9215.
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 28
Fresh Market takes place
from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday,
Jan. 28, at McCall Park, in
Historic Downtown.
Open Mic Night takes place
beginning at 8 p.m. Wednesday,
Jan. 28, at OBriens Irish Pub
and Family Restaurant, 1701 S.
Alexander St. (813) 764-8818.
Wells Memorial Informational
Seminar takes place begin-
ning at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday,
Jan. 28, at the Living Center,
405 E. Damon St. Lunch pro-
vided. (813) 752-1111.
The Wine Down takes place
from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday,
Jan. 28, at Keel and Curley
Winery, 5210 Thonotosassa
Road. The special is $4 glasses
of wine from any open bottle.
(813) 752-9100.
THURSDAY, JAN. 29
33rd Annual Chairmans
Banquet takes place begin-
ning at 6:30 p.m. Thursday,
Jan. 29, at the John R. Trinkle
Center, 2206 E. Cherry St. The
Greater Plant City Chamber of
Commerce will install its new-
est Chairman during a reception
and dinner. RSVP by Jan. 23.
(813) 754-3707.
Babytime takes place begin-
ning at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan.
29, at Bruton Memorial Library,
302 McLendon St. Early literacy
begins at birth. Bond with your
baby through stories, rhymes
and songs in this 20-minute
lap-sit program. For babies who
arent walking and their caregiv-
ers. (813) 757-9215.
Memories in Granite and Marble:
The History, Preservation and
Care of Historic Cemeteries and
Human Burial Sites takes
place from 8:45 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 29, at 1914 Plant
City High School Community
Center, 605 N. Collins St. The
workshop will take interested
attendees onsite to Oaklawn and
Shiloh cemeteries. Persons who
have an interest in historic cem-
eteries, their care and preserva-
tion are encouraged to register by
Jan. 26 for the limited seating
event. For information and reg-
istration, please contact EHHS
at (813) 757-9226 or email
sbenderpc@aol.com or qcenter@
tampabay.rr.com.
FRIDAY, JAN. 30
Acoustic Happy Hour live
music takes place from 5:30 to
8:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, at
OBriens Irish Pub and Family
Restaurant, 1701 S. Alexander
St. (813) 764-8818.
Christian Contemporary Music
takes place from 6:33 to
8:13 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, at
Krazy Kup, 101 E. J. Arden
Mays Blvd. (813) 752-1220.
Daniel Sprouse Band Live!
takes place from 6:30 to
10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30, at
Keel and Curley Winery, 5210
Thonotosassa Road. (813) 752-
9100.
Knife Show takes place from
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Jan.
30; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday,
Jan. 31; and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 1, at the Lakeland
Center, 701 West Lime Street,
Lakeland. There will be an auc-
tion Saturday night at 7 p.m.
Admission is $5 for a one-day
pass. Custom handmade knives,
raffles and free parking. Hosted
by the Gator Cutlery Club. (813)
754-3908.
The Peacemakers takes place
from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday,
Jan. 30, at OBriens Irish Pub
and Family Restaurant, 1701 S.
Alexander St. (813) 764-8818.
SATURDAY, JAN. 31
Car Show Benefit takes
place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 31, at Krystal
Burger, 2615 James L. Redman
Parkway. Brianna Massey found
out her senior year of high
school that she didnt have
any functioning kidneys. Now
a 20-year-old college student,
Massey will be receiving a
kidney. The benefit will raise
money to help support the
donor and her family along with
other expenses. There will be a
50/50, deejay, corn hole tourna-
ment, bake sale and more.
Dale and AB live music
takes place from 9 p.m. to
1 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, at
OBriens Irish Pub and Family
Restaurant, 1701 S. Alexander
St. (813) 764-8818.
Heart Health Screening takes
place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 31, at the main
lobby of South Florida Baptist
Hospital, 301 N. Alexander St.
Connect to good heart health
with a heart-healthy screening
that includes blood pressure,
blood sugar/glucose, body
mass index and cholesterol.
There also will be a nurse and
nutrition specialist on hand
to answer your questions. The
event is free, but registration is
required. (813) 644-6720.
Florida Strawberry Festival
Queens Competition takes
place beginning at 6 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 31, at the Grimes
Family Agricultural Center,
2208 W. Oak Ave. The annual
tradition will have pageant con-
testants vying for the crown. The
Queen and her court reign over
the festival and related events
for one year. Tickets can be
purchased at the door for $15.
FlStrawberryFestival.com.
Mark Barrios Band Live!
takes place from 6:30 to 10
p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, at
Keel and Curley Winery, 5210
Thonotosassa Road. (813) 752-
9100.
Paul Daily Horse Whisperer
takes place beginning at 6 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 31, at Lebanon
Baptist Church, 110 N. Forbes
Road. Paul will give sermon
while breaking a horse, demon-
strating the relationship people
have with God and the devil.
(813) 752-2006.
Walk with a Doc takes place
beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday,
Jan. 31, at the Walden Lake
entrance Oracle Home Health
Office, 1602 W. Timberlane
Drive. The guest speaker
will be Barbara Roberts with
the Florida Department of
Heath Fitness & Nutrition in
the Aging. The event is free.
WalkWithADoc.org.
To publicize your event in our Community Calendar, please
send by mail: 110 E. Reynolds St., Suite 100-A, Plant City, FL
33563; or by email: ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com. Photos
are welcome. Deadline is noon Thursday.
BEST BET
Ninth Annual Every Buddy is Beautiful Fashion Show takes
place beginning at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, at Plant City High
Schools auditorium, 1 Raider Place. Skills USA Cosmetology
students host a fashion/talent show as a benefit for the Raider
Buddies (formerly Best Buddies). General students pair with
their exceptional friends and share their talents. It gives the
buddies a chance to have time in the limelight. Prior to the
show, experiences like this were reserved for regular students.
For many of the students, this experience is the night of their
lives. Tickets are $3 at the door. 100% of the profit goes to the
PCHS Raider Buddies Chapter. (813) 757-9370.
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After voting to switch man-
agement companies, the
Walden Lake Community
Association went through a
transitional period without a
permanent property manager.
Now, the board of directors
has chosen Linda Fernandez
from Greenacre Properties, as
their manager.
I think what were seeing
from Linda is, weve got a re-
ally good manager, Rich Glo-
rioso, president of the board,
said.
Within weeks of Fernandezs
rst day, the board has begun
to move forward with her
ideas for solving some of the
communitys most infamous
problems.
For at least eight years,
some Walden Lake residents
have been ghting to get the
board to enact a towing policy
for non-resident cars that are
parked at the lake. A board
committee has been working
on the issue, but they have not
found a practical and afford-
able solution. Fernandez has
come to the rescue.
In different communities
Ive managed in the past, the
area for towing is really con-
ned, so weve used the boot
system, Fernandez said.
If a resident notices a car
parked at the lake without a
resident decal, he or she will
contact the ofce. Fernandez
or another employee will go
out to the lake and take down
important information about
the car, and then call the boot-
ing company. An employee of
the booting company will ar-
rive and put a boot around the
cars tire.
The owner of the vehicle will
have to pay the booting com-
pany $70 to have the boot re-
moved.With this system, there
is less opportunity for any ve-
hicle in the lot to be damaged
than there might be with a
tow truck coming in. Also, the
owner of the car is able to re-
trieve important items that
might have been left in the car,
such as a cell phone or wallet.
After she suggested this to
the directors, they approved
the idea.
Over the next month, Fer-
nandez will be checking rele-
vant ordinances of the city and
county, and gathering quotes
from booting companies. The
board will vote on a company
at the February meeting. Glo-
rioso expects the policy to be
in place and active by April.
There also are numerous
issues related to landscap-
ing in the community, such
as patches of yellow or dead
grass, low-hanging moss and
diseased plants.
In general, the community
doesnt look its best, Jan Grif-
n, leader of the landscap-
ing committee, said. Im not
pleased at all.
One of the most costly prob-
lems has been inefcient irri-
gation. In November 2014, the
community went over its city-
dictated limits of water for ir-
rigation and did not realize it
until the end of December.
Almost every day when you
drive by and see the sprin-
klers on, at least one of them
is shooting straight up in the
air, Glorioso said.
Board secretary Heather
Updike said she has seen the
sprinklers running on numer-
ous rainy days.
Fernandez has commit-
ted to working closely with
Walden Lakes current land-
scaping contractor, Complete
Landcare, to address the is-
sues. But she also will be invit-
ing a representative of OLM
Inc., a landscaping company
that manages six of Greena-
cres communities, to meet
with the board.
Contact Catherine Sinclair
at csinclair@plantcityobserver.
com.
Frankie Wilson, a member
of St. Peters Episcopal Church
in Plant City, refused to spend
her retirement in just
comfort and rest.
Thats why she has
embarked upon a
9,000-mile journey,
to serve the people of
Madagascar.
In Madagascar,
there are approxi-
mately three hospital
beds for every 10,000
people, and about
3,000 doctors to serve
the population of 22 million. So
with a Bible and stethoscope
in hand, Wilson, 72, a retired
nurse, will put forth her best
to do Gods will in a country
where medical care is inacces-
sible for most local inhabitants.
Eager Volunteer
A few years ago, Wilsons
mother and husband both died
within a six-month period.
Soon after, Wilson retired. But
she didnt want to remain idle.
Wilsons daughter told her
about an organization
she had read about
called Mercy Ships.
Wilson also saw a seg-
ment about the orga-
nization on 60 Min-
utes.
I studied what it
was all about, and I
thought, thats some-
thing Id like to do
but not now, Wilson
said.
Mercy Ships is a Christian
nonprot, founded in 1978,
that works internationally to
provide surgeries in some of the
worlds poorest areas. Though
Mercy Ships used to manage a
eet of three ships, there is just
one operational ship now, the
Africa Mercy.
This vessel was deployed
in 2007 and can accomplish
far more than the three previ-
ous ships put together, due to
the size of the ship and its on-
board hospital, Russ Holmes,
a spokesman for Mercy Ships,
said.
When the Africa Mercy ar-
rives at a port, it docks for
months to provide free medi-
cal care to the locals, includ-
ing treatment of burn wounds,
cleft palates and tumors.
In 2013, Wilson began the
application process to become
a volunteer. She submitted rec-
ommendation letters and had
to get every vaccination you
can imagine, she said.
In June 2014, nearly a year af-
ter she had applied, Wilson was
notied that she had been ac-
cepted. She was called to begin
serving in August at a port in
West Africa, but the ebola epi-
demic changed the plans.
Wilson raised more than
$5,000 to cover the travel and
living expenses of her service.
Members of her church, St. Pe-
ters Episcopal, were some of
the most generous donors.
In November, the Africa Mer-
cy arrived in Madagascar, and
Wilson was invited to board
Jan. 24. She accepted the call,
and will return to Plant City
May 30.
Life On Board
Wilson is a registered nurse
and certied catastrophic case
manager.
This is where my experience
will be really helpful in evaluat-
ing the patients on the ship,
she said.
With the help of an inter-
preter, she will be one of the
last people each patient speaks
with before going in to surgery.
Ill be there to hold their
hand and give them a little bit
of comfort, Wilson said.
Wilson will share a cabin and
bathroom with ve other wom-
en. Volunteers are limited to
two-minute showers and one
duffel bag.
Youre lonely at times, youre
tired, but you just keep going
on ... because its all about do-
ing Gods work, Wilson said.
Volunteers have weekends
free for excursions and visits to
local church services.
Ill be seeing things Ive nev-
er seen before, Wilson said. I
know that I will get far more out
of this experience than I will
give, but Im just going to give it
the best that I have and hope to
make a difference.
Local Roots
Wilson is serving with Mercy
Ships in honor of her mother,
who raised four children alone.
She was always teaching us
to take the high road, Wilson
said.
The family has prominent
ties to Plant City. Two of Wil-
sons granddaughters were
Strawberry Queens (Ashley
Watkins Jordan in 2005, and
Victoria Watkins in 2011), and
another was rst maid on the
Strawberry Court (Alexandra
Watkins in 2007).
Wilson said she will sad to
miss the Florida Strawberry
Festival this year. Is is the rst
time since 1965.
Last year, Wilson moved out
of Plant City to a retirement
community in Tampa. But she
is still involved at St. Peters, as a
member of the Altar Guild.
The church honored Wilson
last weekend, to send her off to
Africa with prayers.
I felt like I was being dedi-
cated to God all over again,
she said.
Contact Catherine Sinclair
at csinclair@plantcityobserver.
com.
A team of Plant Citys civic
leaders met Tuesday, Jan. 6,
and selected the 2015 Citizen
of the Year. But the winners
identity will be kept a secret
until it is revealed at the award
ceremony next month.
The team of voters com-
prises certain members of
Plant City Kiwanis Club, and
presidents of other local civic
clubs.
At the election night, each
club who submits their nomi-
nee, and later votes, are sworn
to secrecy, Ken Gibbs, one
of the event organizers, said.
The winner is only known to
a handful of people who coor-
dinate the event.
Year after year, the winner
is lured to the luncheon and
surprised with the award.
Although the luncheon isnt
until Feb. 11, tickets must be
bought by Thursday, Feb. 5.
Tickets are $25. To RSVP con-
tact Ken Gibbs at (813) 752-
6171.
The rst Citizen of the Year
was Arthur Boring in 1960.
This years winner will be the
56th to be honored. Michael
Cameron, the 2014 Citizen
of the Year, will present this
years award.
The Red Rose Inn used to
host the ceremony, but since it
closed in May 2012, the Straw-
berry Festival Grounds have
been the new venue.
Many of (the festivals) di-
rectors and associates are past
recipients, and they have a
long history for supporting
this event, Gibbs said.
The award ceremony will
start with a buffet lunch. Ki-
wanis Club leaders will wel-
come and thank the other
participating clubs, and then
there will be recognition and
awards for Outstanding Youth
of Plant City.
The surprise on the face of
the recipients is always a plea-
sure to see, Gibbs said.
Contact Catherine Sinclair
at csinclair@plantcityobserver.
com.
ANSWER THE CALL
About 1,200 volunteers
serve with Mercy Ships
each year, and not all of
them have backgrounds in
medical care. Applications
are available for teachers,
cooks, electricians and
more. The ship is staffed
by about 400 volunteers.
Holmes said volunteers
should have a heart to
serve.
For more information
visit mercyships.org.
Retired Plant City nurse sets sail for mission to Africa
IF YOU GO
Date: Wednesday, Feb. 11
Time: 11:30 a.m.
Location: Florida
Strawberry Festival Expo
Hall, 2301 W. Oak Ave.
Tickets: $25
RSVP by Feb. 5 to Ken
Gibbs, (813) 752-6171,
gibbsrealtor@aol.com
Make checks payable to
Kiwanis Club of Plant City,
P.O. Box 1179
VACANCY
The board has been
short a ninth member since
former WLCA President
Jim Chancey resigned in
November. The ninth mem-
ber is necessary for avoid-
ing split votes. In multiple
votes on two applicants who
hoped to fill the vacancy,
there was a tie. Since the
directors would not change
his or her vote, they have
decided to leave the posi-
tion unfilled until their
annual election in August.
WLCAselects newmanager
The manager has new ideas to solve recurring problems in the community.
WALDENLAKE
by Catherine Sinclair |StaffWriter
Citizen of
the year to
be named
next month
The winner will be
revealed at the
annual awards lunch
Wednesday, Feb. 11.
LAUDANDHONOR
byCatherineSinclair |StaffWriter
One Plant City woman will spend the next four months on
a ship in Madagascar, providing medical care to the poor.
FLEETOFFAITH
by Catherine Sinclair |StaffWriter
DREAMSCAPE
The life and ac-
complishments of Dr.
Martin Luther King
Jr. were honored Sat-
urday morning in the
MLK Freedom Parade.
Traveling through
Historic Downtown
and ending at the MLK
Rec Center, a slew
of marching bands,
church groups, Cor-
vettes and more enter-
tained the crowds with
their big sounds and
small souvenirs.
The Improvement League had one of several traditional floats on display for the parade.
Marching bands from area high
schools and some middle schools
performed along the route.
The only thing louder than the Corvettes were the motorcycles.
Members of the Plant City High
Class of 1980 were all smiles.
The Marshall Middle School
Gentlemans Quest club chanted
and marched.
City Commissioner Mary Thomas Mathiss golf cart was
near the front of the procession.
The Tampa Bay Posse Corvette Club loves the
cameras almost as much as the parade.
Myla Lawrence, Maverick Lawrence
and Kayla Henck
HISTORY
by Justin Kline |StaffWriter
Frankie Wilson
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Springeld said. Even for the
people he arrested he would
have a word of knowledge for
them and would come back
to mentor them.
Mr. Miller would keep
in contact with youths he
picked up on the street, mak-
ing sure they didnt retreat
back into a life of crime. If a
warrant was out for their ar-
rest, it wasnt uncommon for
the person sought to call Mr.
Miller to come pick them up.
He made everyone feel
special, whether they were a
criminal or not, Springeld
said. He never had to chase
no one. He was an icon. If you
had a problem, you could call
him.
But it wasnt all good feel-
ings for the police ofcer.
During lunch with his family,
he often had to race out on a
call. His children loved rid-
ing along. One time, a grave
was robbed. Springeld came
with him and was tasked to
light up the grave with the
ashlight.
He told me, Hold the
light, Springeld said. I
said, Hold the light? I got to
go. I didnt have the stomach
for it. But for him, it was nor-
mal work. For him, it was his
job to get to the bottom of it.
Sampson also remembers
riding along with her father to
an accident where a train col-
lided with a car. It was some-
thing she didnt want to see.
But she has a fonder memory
of riding along with her fa-
ther Known as his baby girl,
together they led the Straw-
berry Festival Parade in his
police car.
I felt like the luckiest girl in
the world, Sampson said.
Mr. Miller was often pro-
cessing crime scenes and de-
veloping pictures long after
his shift was over. Now assis-
tant city manager of public
safety and formerly the Plant
City Police Departments po-
lice chief, Bill McDaniel was
just a rookie at the depart-
ment when he rst met Mr.
Miller.
I wondered if he ever went
home, McDaniel said. He
was a good ofcer, very hard-
working. Hes one of the peo-
ple you meet in life that just
had a quality about them.
Just one week into the job,
Mr. Miller had approached
McDaniel and offered to
show him the works.
He was just one of those
guys that reached out to you,
McDaniel said. He was very
helping, very sharing with all
of his knowledge.
Mr. Miller was so much
more than a police ofcer,
however. He was known as
a mentor, dad and uncle,
the singing policeman, Ma-
rine, Toys for Tots organizer,
guardian of a secret crab
recipe, Mt. Olive AME Church
trustee and a kung-fu master.
He was a black belt in ka-
rate and judo. On the bottom
of a picture of him striking a
karate pose is written Think
twice and say nothing.
Even McDaniel remem-
bered a medallion Mr. Miller
wore on his uniform that des-
ignated his karate skills.
And perhaps one of his
greatest roles was being a fa-
ther to his children.
We never had to ght for
his love, Springeld said.
He loved us in his own way.
The advice he gave me was
different than my sisters or
brother.
Mr. Miller was predeceased
by his son, Roosevelt Miller
Jr. He is survived by his sons,
Todd Springeld and Todd
Miller; and daughters, Ce-
lustine Chase and Capathia
Sampson.
Contact Amber Jurgensen
at ajurgensen@plantcityob-
server.com.
MILLER / PAGE 1
seen marching on national
television.
Because FSUs football team
competed in the Rose Bowl
this year, the marching band
was invited to perform in the
Rose Parade Thursday, Jan. 1,
in Pasadena, California.
It was probably the cool-
est thing Ive ever done,
Mew said. There were so
many cameras and so many
people along the way. Id al-
ways watched (the parade)
and been interested in all the
oats, but never dreamed of
doing it.
At more than ve miles, it
also was the longest parade
she had ever performed in.
FSU defeated Georgia Tech,
37-35, in the ACC Football
Championship Game on Sat-
urday, Dec. 6. As they were
on their way home from the
championship, Mew and oth-
er members of FSUs march-
ing band turned on the bus
TV and found out at the same
time as the rest of the nation
that FSU would be playing in
the Rose Bowl this year. Many
students had expected FSU to
be sent to the Sugar Bowl, in-
stead.
Everyone was so excited
and surprised, Mew said.
The marching band nor-
mally practices every day for
two hours, and practices in-
tensied as the band prepared
for the Rose Bowl. One of the
most difcult parts to prepare
for was a spot in the parade
route where all 420 members
of the marching band had to
coordinate a right-hand turn.
When Mew was a member
of color guard at Durant, the
marching band comprised
about 120 students. The in-
crease in size at FSU was not
the only adjustment between
her experiences in high school
and college.
We were very competitive
at Durant, so practices and
the general atmosphere were
much more serious, whereas
at FSU, we are performing
solely for the entertainment of
the crowd, Mew said. So it is
a little more laid-back.
Also while she was in high
school, Mew was a member
of Tampa Bay Thunder, an in-
dependent drum corps with
which she toured the north-
east United States and per-
formed at a championship
event in Rochester, New York.
Mew chose to attend FSU
because the campus was
beautiful and welcoming, and
there were a wide variety of
academic programs, she said.
On my rst visit to the
campus, I knew immediately
that Tallahassee would be my
home for the next four years,
Mew said.
She is studying family and
child science and hopes to at-
tend graduate school for ac-
celerated nursing.
Contact Catherine Sinclair
at csinclair@plantcityobserv-
er.com.
Prix St. Georges is a high
level of dressage competition
for horses like ballet on
horseback, no jumping, and
one of the Olympic equestrian
disciplines, Davidson said.
Very few ponies compete at
the highest level in dressage,
which makes Forrest and Jill
unique.
Forrest Nymph
Before Farrah was even born,
Lynn Simpson of Thonotosas-
sa had purchased her, and the
horse arrived in Florida from
Pennsylvania when she was 8
months old.
In the midst of family trag-
edy, Simpson sent Farrah, then
3 years old, to Hardt.
Farrah hated dressage and
got into lots of trouble at Jills
barn, Davidson said. When
Farrah was 5, Jill and Lynn de-
cided Farrah should try a dif-
ferent career.
Farrah was relocated to Black
Dog Farm, because Davidson
raises Connemara ponies like
her. Davidson began jumping
with Farrah, as well as trail rid-
ing. She worked Farrah up to
even bigger challenges.
I ended up trying a sport
called three-day eventing, like
triathlon on horses. You do a
dressage phase, a cross coun-
try jumping phase and a stadi-
um jumping phase, Davidson
said.
Cross country is a tness
test of 5,000 or more meters,
marked by obstacles, water
and drops. The stadium phase
comprises numerous jumps in
an arena setting.
I was told by many Olym-
pic-level trainers that Farrah
was talented to compete at
the upper levels, but my skill
doesnt allow me to try that,
Davidson said. So I partnered
with Sinead Halpin one year
ago to compete Farrah at the
upper levels of eventing.
Since Halpin has been rid-
ing Farrah, the pair has placed
fth in Preliminary at the New
Jersey Horse Park Trials (June
2014), 10th in Intermediate at
the Virginia Horse Trials (May
2014), seventh in their rst
outing at the Intermediate
level at the MCTA Horse Trials
in Maryland (May 2014), and
done well at several additional
prestigious events around the
country.
Despite her clean jumps and
powerful hind legs, the horse
does have her quirks.
Shes happy to jump into
water, shes happy to jump
out of water, but it has to have
something to do with a jump
otherwise, she hates pud-
dles, Halpin said.
Farrah also has a mind of her
own.
I gured out pretty quickly,
we have to do things on Far-
rahs terms, Halpin said.
Contact Catherine Sinclair
at csinclair@plantcityobserver.
com.
LOCAL FINALISTS
STANLEY GLOVER
School:
Marshall
Middle School
Position: Math/
ESE teacher
Years at
Marshall: 16
Tip for Success: Be inspir-
ing, be enthusiastic, be
motivating, be encourag-
ing.
BRIANNA TROUT
School:
Simmons
Career Center
Position:
Assistant
teacher
Years at
Simmons: 10
Tip for Success: You may
trip along the way, but dont
let that hold you back from
getting up and trying again
to pursue your dreams.
MADIAN MAQUIVAR
School: Dover
Elementary
School
Position:
Bilingual para-
professional
Years at Dover
Elementary: Two
Tip for Success: Learning
is an adventure. Make it fun
and never give up.
RAUL ANDRADE
School: Tomlin
Middle School
Position:
Bilingual aid
Years at
Tomlin: Three
Tip for
Success: Always set goals
and stay positive.
tives of the Hillsborough Edu-
cation Foundation showed up
looking for them, with an of-
fering of balloons and owers,
to congratulate them on be-
ing selected as nalists for the
2015 Excellence in Education
Awards.
I never even imagined be-
ing a nalist for the district,
Brianna Trout, an assistant
teacher at Simmons Career
Center, said. There are a lot of
dedicated educators. Im just a
small example of going into a
school and to help students. I
truly feel honored.
Trout, Maquivar and An-
drade are nalists for the In-
structional Support Employee
of the Year award. Maquivar is
a bilingual paraprofessional at
Dover Elementary School, and
Andrade is a bilingual aid at
Tomlin Middle School. There
were ve total nalists in this
category, chosen from 249
nominees.
Ive always liked helping
and teaching kids, Maquivar
said. It gives me a sense of ac-
complishment, knowing that
I have changed a students life
by teaching them new, fun and
exciting things.
It is very gratifying to build
positive relationships with stu-
dents and have an impact on
their lives in a positive way
to help them achieve success
not only in the classroom, but
in life, Andrade said.
Glover was selected out of
218 nominees as one of ve
nalists for the Ida S. Baker
Diversity Educator of the Year
award. He is a math teacher at
Marshall Middle School.
As an educator, I under-
stand in order to create a per-
fect world, every student must
be able to pursue and achieve
their dreams, Glover said.
Contact Catherine Sinclair
at csinclair@plantcityobserver.
com.
TEACHERS / PAGE 1
MARCHING
CHIEFS HISTORY
FSUs marching band,
known as the Marching
Chiefs, first formed in the
1930s, and color guard
was added in 1970. In
1982, Sports Illustrated
ran an eight-page spread
that said, Florida State
occasionally may lose a
football game, but never
a halftime show. The
tagline stuck, and the
Marching Chiefs are still
unofficially known as the
band that never lost a
halftime.
MEW / PAGE 1
HORSES / PAGE 1
Puttin on the Ritz
The roaring 20s was this
years theme for the Strawberry
Ball held Saturday, Jan. 17, on
the Strawberry Festival grouds.
Guests listened to the sounds
of jazz, provided by DeLeon
Entertainment, and mingled
around the large hall draped
with shimmering decor and
tables adorned with vases of
tall feathers. Before dinner was
served, many guests dressed
up in boas and hats for a pho-
tobooth keepsake.
The ball was one of the last events that 2014 Strawberry Queen Jessi Rae
Varnum and her court will reign over.
Zo and Sheila DeLeon, members of DeLeon
Entertainment, sported their best flapper attire
to go with the nights theme.
With champagne in hand, women were escort-
ed by the Strawberry Festival Red Coats.
STRAWBERRYBALL
by Catherine Sinclair |StaffWriter
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General Manager/Executive Editor / Michael Eng, meng@PlantCityObserver.com
General Manager/Advertising / Stacey Hudson, shudson@tampabay.com
Managing Editor / Amber Jurgensen, ajurgensen@PlantCityObserver.com
Assistant Managing Editor / Jess Eng, jeng@PlantCityObserver.com
Staff Writers / Justin Kline, jkline@PlantCityObserver.com; Catherine Sinclair,
csinclair@PlantCityObserver.com
Advertising Executives / Veronica Prostko, vprostko@PlantCityObserver.com;
Joanna Verga, jverga@tampabay.com
Circulation/Ofce Manager / Linda Lancaster, llancaster@PlantCityObserver.com
110 E. Reynolds St., Suite 100-A
Plant City, FL 33563
(813) 704-6850
www.PlantCityObserver.com
Plant City
Times & Observer
Locally Owned by Ed Verner,
Nate Kilton and Felix Haynes
The Plant City Times & Observer is published by
Plant City Media LLC, a joint-venture of the Tampa
Bay Times and Plant City Observer LLC.
&RS\ULJKW 3ODQW &LW\ 0HGLD //&
$OO 5LJKWV 5HVHUYHG
Plant City Times&
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Call Veronica Prostko,
(813) 716-0007, or
Joanna Verga, (813) 451-6489.
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us know about your events,
celebrations and achievements.
To contact us, send your information via:
Email: Amber Jurgensen, ajurgensen@
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St., Suite 100-A, Plant City, FL 33563
CONTACT US
The Plant City Times &
Observer is published
once weekly, on Fridays.
It provides free home delivery to
several neighborhoods in Plant City.
The Plant City Times & Observer also
can be found in many commercial
locations throughout Plant City and at
our ofce, 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.
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
+ Tribute
The candle light vigil for
Maitlin Haynes was a night
to remember. The com-
munity came out and gave
great support to the Haynes
family. Around 250 neigh-
bors, family and friends
spoke that night. We created
a circle of life and let anyone
who wanted to speak of our
dear Maitlin come into the
circle. Plant City seniors did a
fabulous cheer to her, which
showed just how much our
community cared.
We lost a young girl to an
accident, and her life was cut
short much too soon. We have
all learned to live each day
with more love and laughter.
Thank you for putting the
vigil in the paper, and also we
would like to thank Plant City
High School for all their sup-
port and a big thank you to all
of the citizens who came out
to support a family in their
time of grief.
The Orrico Family
+ Pay Your Respects
When was the last time you
left on a trip and when you
returned, you were greeted
with the smiles, hugs, and
the laughter of family and
friends? As a retired military
veteran who has experienced
numerous deployments, the
sight and sounds of a Wel-
come Home crowd was more
than just music to my ears, it
was a healing salve to my soul.
There are many, however,
who never get a chance to
hear the music, see the ags
ying or feel the warmth of
loving arms around them
soldiers that make one nal
trip home because they have
paid the ultimate price of
freedom with their life. There
are families that never have
a chance to say goodbye as
their loved ones fall under a
military category of MIA.
Beginning at 2:30 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 31, at Hopewell
Baptist Church, the Shirley
family will have the long
awaited silence broken as
the remains of World War
II pilot James Frank Gatlin
Jr. are brought home from
overseas, and the memory
of his service and sacrice
will be celebrated in a special
memorial service. The family
wishes to extend an invita-
tion to all veterans of the VFW
and American Legion to join
with them as they welcome
home a lost hero and bring to
closure the story of his service
and sacrice.
For more information call
Hopewell Baptist Church,
6001 County Road 39, at (813)
737-3053.
Dr. Dan Middlebrooks
After getting curious about
the progress of Midtown de-
velopment, I asked City Man-
ager Mike Herr what kind of
businesses he thought would
spring up in the buildings
soon to be constructed in
Midtown. His ofce respond-
ed by sending a Midtown
Vision statement by email. I
started asking myself
what kind of shops,
stores and restau-
rants I want to visit
in that area in the
coming years.
I enjoy a variety of
foods, thus, addi-
tional restaurants in
our city makes the
top of my priority
list. Driving the short
distance to Midtown
to nd dessert shops and
a variety of eateries would
add to the convenience of
living in Plant City. The citys
Midtown Vision yer pictures
places with outdoor seating,
giving people a choice to eat
inside or enjoy the fresh air.
Plant Citys population is
expected to increase every
year, and this means more
people to see strolling around
Midtown.
Because I am an admitted
bibliophile, I am looking for a
small bookstore. People living
in Plant City need to leave
town just to reach bookstores.
Seeing print on paper never
lost its appeal for me.
It may be asking too much
to see a good mens store in
Midtown, but I do want to
see one do business there.
I remember a place called
Earls Mens Wear that sold
clothes in downtown Plant
City along Reynolds Street.
Making a purchase or two in
a store like that could supple-
ment all that online shop-
ping I am tempted to
do.
Though I hesitate
to endorse any brand
names, having a shop
that caters to all of our
cyber, wireless inven-
tions might prosper in
Midtown. Another trip
to Brandon, Tampa
or Lakeland would no
longer be necessary.
The Midtown Vision
also includes space for manu-
facturing centers. Attracting
companies would provide
work for more people who
live here. This increases the
quality of life for everyone
and enhances the opportu-
nities for people to live here
long-term.
This is just my wish list for
Midtown.
The Midtown fountain has
started owing with water. It
seems we are watering Plant
Citys grounds for the kind of
healthy, prosperous future it
deserves.
Scott Toler is a lifelong
resident of Plant City. He can
be reached at etoler25@tam-
pabay.rr.com.
Midtown Wish List
LETTERS
TO THE
EDITOR
SCOTT
TOLER
MY VIEW
THISWEEKSCROSSWORDANSWERS
THIS WEEKS CRYPTOGRAM ANSWERS
1. After prospecting for gold and minerals for a while, a miner
was concerned that his career would not pan out.
2. A man went to the doctor, as he had a bad cough. The
doctor laughed at him. When the patient got upset, the
doctor told him that laughter was the best medicine.
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A country home in south
Plant City topped the real-
estate sales in December.
The home at 3111 Sam
Hicks Road sold Dec. 19,
for $345,000. Built in 2006,
it has four bedrooms, three
baths and 2,841 square feet
of living area on one acre.
The price per square foot is
$121.44.
Allens Cove
The home at 7804 Turkey
Creek Road sold Dec. 9, for
$160,000. Built in 1951, it has
three bedrooms, one bath and
1,284 square feet of living area
on two acres. The price per
square foot is $124.61.
Baker
The home at 4960 Slaten
Road sold Dec. 31, for $169,000.
Built in 1985, it has three bed-
rooms, two and one half baths
and 2,435 square feet of living
area on one acre. The price per
square foot is $69.40.
Country Hills
The home at 4345 Coun-
try Hills Boulevard sold Dec.
19, for $101,664 (REO/bank
owned). Built in 2005, it has
three bedrooms, two baths and
720 square feet of living area on
one acre. The price per square
foot is $77.31.
The home at 515 Scarlett
Maple Court sold Dec. 5, for
$119,000. Built in 2001, it has
three bedrooms, two baths
and 1,315 square feet of living
area on one acre. The price per
square foot is $90.49.
The home at 519 Scarlett
Maple Court sold Dec. 10, for
$119,000 (REO/bank owned).
Built in 2001, it has three bed-
rooms, two baths and 1,692
square feet of living area on one
acre. The price per square foot
is $91.96.
The home at 532 Scarlett
Maple Court sold Dec. 9, for
$117,000 (short sale). Built in
2007, it has three bedrooms,
two baths and 1,285 square feet
of living area on one acre. The
price per square foot is $91.05.
Eagle Greens
The home at 2640 Eagle
Greens Drive sold Dec. 12, for
$120,000. Built in 2001, it has
two bedrooms, two baths and
1,137 square feet of living area
on one acre. The price per
square foot is $105.54.
Fullenkamp Acres
The home at 6209 Fullen-
kamp Drive sold Dec. 10, for
$104,000. Built in 2001, it has
three bedrooms, two baths and
720 square feet of living area on
one acre. The price per square
foot is $57.49.
Gillespies
The home at 4635 Gillespie
Lane sold Dec. 23, for $199,000.
Built in 2007, it has four bed-
rooms, two baths and 1,936
square feet of living area on one
acre. The price per square foot
is $103.25.
Gordon Oaks
The home at 1219 Gordon
Oaks Drive sold Dec. 29, for
$97,500 (REO/bank owned).
Built in 2006, it has three
bedrooms, two baths and
720 square feet of living area
on one acre. The price per
square foot is $69.00.
Greenleaf
The home at 1105 Old
Mossy Court sold Dec. 22, for
$105,000. Built in 2005, it has
three bedrooms, two baths
and 1,339 square feet of living
area on one acre. The price per
square foot is $78.42.
Hillsborough
The home at 5207 Five Acres
Road sold Dec. 18, for $235,000
(short sale). Built in 1986, it has
three bedrooms, two baths and
3,289 square feet of living area
on two acres. The price per
square foot is $71.45.
The home at 6909 Five Acres
Road sold Dec. 29, for $185,000.
Built in 1977, it has three bed-
rooms, two baths and 1,904
square feet of living area on one
acre. The price per square foot
is $97.16.
The home at 1611 Marshall
Drive sold Dec. 10, for $90,500.
Built in 1972, it has four bed-
rooms, two baths and 1,357
square feet of living area on one
acre. The price per square foot
is $66.69.
The home at 3105 Medulla
Road sold Dec. 29, for $199,990.
Built in 1967, it has six bed-
rooms, three baths and 2,892
square feet of living area on one
acre. The price per square foot
is $67.74.
The home at 2024 Pleasant
Acres sold Dec. 30, for $81,750
(REO/bank owned). Built in
1997, it has three bedrooms,
two baths and 1,429 square feet
of living area on two acres. The
price per square foot is $57.21.
The home at 805 W. Rus-
sell Drive sold Dec. 19, for
$187,500. Built in 1967, it has
four bedrooms, two baths and
2,275 square feet of living area
on one acre. The price per
square foot is $82.42.
The home at 4601 Smith
Ryals Road sold Dec. 19, for
$104,500 (short sale). Built in
1939, it has four bedrooms,
two baths and 1,872 square feet
of living area on one acre. The
price per square foot is $55.82.
The home at 731 Swilley
Loop sold Dec. 24, for $208,000
(REO/bank owned). Built in
2003, it has three bedrooms,
two baths and 2,020 square
feet of living area on one acre.
The price per square foot is
$102.97.
The home at 3204 E. Trapnell
Road sold Dec. 1, for $85,000.
Built in 1900, it has two bed-
rooms, one bath and 864
square feet of living area on one
acre. The price per square foot
is $98.38.
Historic District
The home at 702 N. Collins
St. sold Dec. 19, for $170,000
(short sale). Built in 1901, it
has three bedrooms, two baths
and 2,484 square feet of living
area on one acre. The price per
square foot is $68.44.
Magnolia Green
The home at 3210 Azalea
Blossom Drive sold Dec. 11, for
$168,000 (REO/bank owned).
Built in 2011, it has four bed-
rooms, two and one half baths
and 2,886 square feet of living
area on one acre. The price per
square foot is $58.21.
The home at 3306 Azalea
Blossom Drive sold Dec. 23, for
$155,000 (REO/bank owned).
Built in 2006, it has four bed-
rooms, two and one half baths
and 2,348 square feet of living
area on one acre. The price per
square foot is $66.01.
Morgan
The home at 6230 Bob Head
Road sold Dec. 31, for $93,000.
Built in 1990, it has four bed-
rooms, two baths and 1,620
square feet of living area on one
acre. The price per square foot
is $57.41.
New Hope
The home at 12 Leaning Palm
Court sold Dec. 5, for $113,000.
Built in 1996, it has four bed-
rooms, two baths and 1,268
square feet of living area on one
acre. The price per square foot
is $89.12.
Oakview Estates
The home at 2007 Live Oak
Drive sold Dec. 2, for $92,000.
Built in 1980, it has four bed-
rooms, one bath and 1,332
square feet of living area on one
acre. The price per square foot
is $69.07.
The home at 1711 Oak-
wood Estates sold Dec. 17, for
$170,000 (REO/bank owned).
Built in 2004, it has four bed-
rooms, two baths and 2,006
square feet of living area on one
acre. The price per square foot
is $84.75.
Park Place
The home at 1405 Johnson
St. sold Dec. 12, for $287,500.
Built in 2011, it has four bed-
rooms, three and one half baths
and 2,888 square feet of living
area on one acre. The price per
square foot is $99.55.
The home at 1210 Lavender
Jewel Court sold Dec. 17, for
$204,877 (REO/bank owned).
Built in 2014, it has four bed-
rooms, two baths and 2,144
square feet of living area on one
acre. The price per square foot
is $95.56.
Pinedale Meadows
The home at 1507 Pinedale
Meadows Court sold Dec. 24,
for $164,000. Built in 2002, it
has three bedrooms, two baths
and 1,744 square feet of living
area on one acre. The price per
square foot is $94.04.
The home at 1511 Pinedale
Meadows Court sold Dec. 4,
for $174,000. Built in 2000, it
has three bedrooms, two baths
and 1,774 square feet of living
area on one acre. The price per
square foot is $98.08.
Shepherd
The home at 2315 Branch
Forbes Road sold Dec. 17, for
$137,000. Built in 1962, it has
three bedrooms, two baths
and 1,858 square feet of living
area on one acre. The price per
square foot is $73.74.
Sugar Creek
The home at 4040 Sugar
Creek Drive sold Dec. 10, for
$135,000. Built in 1990, it has
three bedrooms, two and one
half baths and 1,260 square feet
of living area on one acre. The
price per square foot is $107.14.
Tomlinson Acres
The home at 5008 Gallagher
Road sold Dec. 5, for $257,500.
Built in 2006, it has three bed-
rooms, three baths and 2,474
square feet of living area on two
acres. The price per square foot
is $104.08.
Trapnell Ridge
The home at 3415 N. Grove
Blossom Lane sold Dec. 10,
for $137,000. Built in 2006, it
has three bedrooms, two baths
and 1,510 square feet of living
area on one acre. The price per
square foot is $90.73.
The home at 3602 Trapnell
Ridge Drive sold Dec. 12, for
$129,900 (REO/bank owned).
Built in 2007, it has three bed-
rooms, two baths and 1,620
square feet of living area on one
acre. The price per square foot
is $80.19.
Turkey Creek Acres
The home at 4804 Kipp Circle
sold Dec. 15, for $94,000. Built
in 2006, it has three bedrooms,
two baths and 2,015 square feet
of living area on one acre. The
price per square foot is $46.65.
Walden Lake
The home at 2704 Club-
house Drive sold Dec. 12, for
$250,000. Built in 1994, it has
ve bedrooms, three baths
and 2,622 square feet of living
area on one acre. The price per
square foot is $95.35.
The home at 4112 Longfellow
Drive sold Dec. 12, for $129,000
(REO/bank owned). Built in
1990, it has three bedrooms,
two baths and 1,456 square feet
of living area on one acre. The
price per square foot is $88.60.
The home at 3304 Milton
Place sold Dec. 19, for $229,000.
Built in 1994, it has three bed-
rooms, two baths and 2,368
square feet of living area on one
acre. The price per square foot
is $96.71.
The home at 1704 Sagebrush
Road sold Dec. 3, for $200,000.
Built in 1987, it has three bed-
rooms, two baths and 1,957
square feet of living area on one
acre. The price per square foot
is $102.20.
The home at 613 Sandal-
wood Drive sold Dec. 1, for
$150,000 (short sale). Built in
1977, it has three bedrooms,
two baths and 2,037 square feet
of living area on one acre. The
price per square foot is $73.64.
The home at 817 Sandal-
wood Drive sold Dec. 12, for
$151,000. Built in 1987, it has
three bedrooms, two baths
and 2,514 square feet of living
area on one acre. The price per
square foot is $72.84.
The home at 1201 Sandal-
wood Drive sold Dec. 24, for
$108,979 (REO/bank owned).
Built in 1982, it has four bed-
rooms, two baths and 1,907
square feet of living area on one
acre. The price per square foot
is $57.15.
The home at 3552 Silver-
moon Drive sold Dec. 15, for
$155,000. Built in 1995, it has
four bedrooms, two baths and
1,904 square feet of living area
on one acre. The price per
square foot is $81.41.
The home at 4007 Silver-
spring Drive sold Dec. 12, for
$170,000 (short sale). Built in
1992, it has four bedrooms,
two baths and 2,033 square
feet of living area on one acre.
The price per square foot is
$83.62.
SNAPSHOT
Minimum sale price: $31,000
Maximum sale price: $345,000
Average sale price: $137,003
Median sale price: $129,000
CountryhometopsDecember residential sales
REALESTATETRANSACTIONS
by Amber Jurgensen |ManagingEditor
Amber Jurgensen
This home, which has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,841 square feet of living area on one
acre, sold for $345,000.
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On a chilly, overcast
afternoon, the Plant
City Honor Guard low-
ered the ag from the
pole in front of the re
station. The tune of
America the Beautiful
was heard from a kilted
piper on the lawn, and
the entire Plant City
Fire Rescue staff was
gathered to honor one
of their own: Captain
Nat Hargrove, who had
served with the re de-
partment since 1990
and retired Thursday,
Jan. 15.
Im used to serving
and giving, Hargrove
said. Ive got to learn to
receive, and thats not easy to
do.
After the ag was lowered,
it was removed from the pole
and presented to Hargrove as a
gift. Hargroves colleagues gave
short speeches about why they
will miss him and how they
have appreciated him.
One of the things I respect
most is the fact that he is a re-
ghter at heart, hes a family
man, but hes not afraid to pro-
claim himself as a Christian,
EMS Chief Jim Wilson said.
When someone chooses a
re service career, they agree
to make sacrices. ... Even
more special are those who
make it through the full career
to retirement, Chief Daniel
Azzariti said.
Richard Brown, who had
earlier played bagpipes at
the ceremony, recalled how
Hargrove himself had started
learning bagpipes solely to
play for the enjoyment of the
re department staff.
City Commissioner Mike
Sparkman also was in atten-
dance, and thanked Hargrove
on behalf of the mayor, city
manager and city commis-
sion.
Then, Hargrove approached
the lectern himself, and ad-
dressed his peers and family
with tears in his eyes.
All I ever really wanted to do
was to lead, and to lead well,
Hargrove said.Just pass a little
something on.
He recalled a time years ago,
when he was sent to a house
re with two new reght-
ers. One of the younger men
was eager to start putting out
the re immediately, but Har-
grove said they should nd the
source rst.
Recently, that reghter
who had worked under Har-
groves guidance was sent to a
re, and this time, he was the
one leading a new reghter.
He encouraged the new re-
ghter to use Hargroves strat-
egy of looking for the source
rst, because he had never
forgotten that early day in his
career. Hargrove said this was
among the most rewarding
moments of his career.
Hargrove was destined for
re service from an early age.
When he was 13, his neigh-
bors house caught re, and he
rushed over to help an elderly
woman out of the building.
He rst pursued other ca-
reer paths, dabbling in retail
and construction, but didnt
feel as though he had found
his calling.
There was always a little
more yearning for excite-
ment, Hargrove said.
His brother-in-law was a
reghter in St. Petersburg
and inspired Hargrove to start
a career in the eld. Hargrove,
a resident of Lakeland, started
working at Plant City Fire Res-
cue in August 1990 and knew
he was in the right place.
It was a ne line between
obsession and career, Har-
grove said.
Hargrove has been on over-
seas mission trips throughout
his life, including to Hondu-
ras, Ecuador, Romania and
Austria. In his retirement, he
hopes to dedicate more time
to international evangelism.
Contact Catherine Sinclair
at csinclair@plantcityobserver.
com.
Plant City fire department
honors retiring captain
The following information
was gathered from incident
and arrest reports obtained
from the Plant CIty Police De-
partment.
DECEMBER 19, 2014
BIG PHONY
3500 block of West Baker
Street. Counterfeit money. An
ofcer took possession of a fake
$50 bill.
LITTLE PHONY
2300 block of North Park
Road. Counterfeit Money. An
ofcer took possession of a fake
$20 bill.
NOT PICTURE PERFECT
Townsgate Court. Vehicle
burglary. Sometime in the
early evening, a Canon cam-
era, valued at $5,600, was
taken from a vehicle. The 2013
Dodge truck was entered by
breaking out the right, rear
window.
DECEMBER 20, 2014
PICKPOCKET
2600 block of Thonotosas-
sa Road. Theft. A complain-
ant stated a suspect reached
into her purse and grabbed
her wallet. The victims wallet
contained $100 and a cruci-
x charm, valued at $300. No
video of the incident was avail-
able.
PRESSURES ON
1309 Redbud Street. Resi-
dential burglary. A red 2700
PSI pressure washer was taken
from inside a screened porch.
The pressure washer was val-
ued at $320.
COVER UP
2600 block of James L. Red-
man Parkway. Retail Theft. Loss
Prevention advised they de-
tained a suspect trying to steal
a black jacket worth $21.28.
The suspect was arrested was
later released to his father at
the police department.
DOCTORS ORDERS
2700 block of Wilder Trace
Court. Possession of prescrip-
tion drugs. An ofcer arrested
an 18-year-old for possession
of prescription drugs, without
a prescription. He was trans-
ported to Orient Road Jail.
COSTA GONNA COST YA
400 block of North Plant Av-
enue. Business burglary. A bro-
ken window was discovered by
the cleaning crew. Contact was
made with the business owner
who stated a complete display
case containing Costa sun-
glasses was taken.
DECEMBER 22, 2014
SEMI SWIPE
600 block of South Frontage
Road. Grand Theft Auto. Of-
cers responded to this ware-
house in reference to a stolen
1990 International semi trac-
tor and a white 2003 Patterson
brand trailer.
ILLEGAL PASSENGER
2000 block of East Timber-
lane Drive. Drug Investigation.
Ofcer located 49.5 grams of
marijuana in plain view.
DECEMBER 23, 2014
READY TO WORKOUT
400 block of Whitehall
Street. Burglary Vehicle. A 2002
Mitsubishi four-door appeared
to be left unlocked. Missing
from it was a gym bag, miscel-
laneous clothing and iPod, val-
ued at $105.
PLAYER
500 block of South Morgan
Street. Burglary Residence. The
complainant returned home
and found that her residence
was burglarized. Entry was
made through a rear window.
Unknown suspect(s) took a at
screen TV and video games val-
ued at $1,800.
COPS CORNER
W
E
S
T
ORAN
G
E
After 24 years of service, Captain Nat Hargroves last
day with Plant City Fire Rescue was Thursday, Jan. 15.
FAREWELL
by Catherine Sinclair |StaffWriter
Catherine Sinclair
Nat Hargrove was presented with an honorary axe.
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Rubye M. Abbott,
Rubye M. Abbott, 93, died
Jan. 14, 2015, at her home in
Plant City.
Mrs. Abbott was a mem-
ber of Victory Church in
Lakeland. She loved playing
the piano, knitting, crochet-
ing, sewing and gardening.
She is preceded in death
by brothers, RL Daniels,
James Daniels and Ray-
mond Daniels; and sis-
ters, Doris Ellis and Joyce
Hunt. Loving family who
survive are her beloved
husband of 73 years, David
Abbott; son, Marc Abbott
(Tammy); sister, Bess Mor-
ris; and several nieces and
nephews.
A funeral service was
held Tuesday, Jan. 20, at
Wells Memorial, with Pas-
tor Randy Brock ofciat-
ing. Burial at Hillsboro Me-
morial Gardens in Brandon.
Condolences may be made
at WellsMemorial.com.
Dorothy Dottie Allen
Dorothy Dottie Allen,
92, of Plant City, died Jan.
15, 2015.
She was born May 1,
1922, in Anderson, South
Carolina, and was united
in marriage April 23, 1938,
to Clarence Allen April. He
preceded her in death June
8, 2000. They were mar-
ried for 62 years. Mrs. Allen
was a true ray of sunshine.
She lived her life as a godly
woman and an example to
all who knew her. She was
an inspiration and a bless-
ing to all of the lives she
touched. She loved her fam-
ily and friends, but above
all, she loved her Lord and
Savior.
Mrs. Allen was also pre-
ceded in death by her par-
ents; one sister; one broth-
er; and son-in-law, Bob
Davis.
She is survived by her
children, Joy Hicks (Ger-
ald), of Dover, Jerry Allen
(Juanita), of Anaheim, Cali-
fornia, Ray Allen (Kim),
of Cleveland, Georgia and
Barbara Davis, of Plant City;
11 loving grandchildren; 15
great-grandchildren; and
10 great-great grandchil-
dren; as well as many other
beloved relatives and dear
friends.
A celebration of life me-
morial service was held
Monday, Jan. 19, at Victory
Baptist Church, Valrico. In
lieu of owers, the family
requests that donations be
made in Mrs. Allens mem-
ory to South Florida Baptist
Hospital, to which they are
deeply appreciative of the
outstanding care they gave
her.
Valerie Lorraine Baker,
Valerie Lorraine Baker,
50, of Dade City, died Tues-
day, Jan. 13, 2015, in Tampa,
after a short battle with
cancer.
She was born July 10,
1964, in Plant City, to Jo-
seph J. and Bertha Lene
Cannon and was a lifelong
area resident.
She was preceded in
death by her mother, Bertha
Cannon; niece, Nicole Can-
non; and mother-in-law,
Ruth Baker. She is survived
by her children, Chelsea
Crutcher, Casi Gant (Rob-
ert), Peyton Baker and Jar-
hett Baker; grandchildren,
Coleman, Haylee, Riley,
Madison and Ashtyn; par-
ents, Joseph and Marjorie
Cannon; siblings, Joseph
Cannon Jr. (Mary), Cynthia
Gude (David) and Stephen
Barthle (Lana); and numer-
ous close extended family
and friends.
Services were held Sat-
urday, Jan. 17, at the Dade
City Church of God. Hodges
Family Funeral Home is in
charge of arrangements.
Charles Randall
Charlie/Randy Carlisle
Charles Randall Charlie/
Randy Carlisle, 58, of Mul-
berry, died Jan. 14, 2015.
He was a member of Lo-
cal 925 and formerly em-
ployed at Moretrench. He
loved God and his family.
He enjoyed friends and the
outdoors.
He is survived by his
wife, Melinda Carlisle; chil-
dren, Layla, Tiffany, Chris-
tina and Charlie II; siblings,
Red, Sandra, Trina, Joani
and Jill; nine grandchil-
dren; and many other fam-
ily and friends.
A celebration of life was
held Monday, Jan. 19, at
Hopewell Funeral Home.
Condolencemay be made
at HopewellFuneral.com.
Velton Andrew Hunter
Velton Andrew Hunter,
85, died Jan. 18, 2015, with
his family by his side.
He was born Aug. 10,
1929, in Welcome, Florida,
to Alvin and Minnie Hunter.
He is survived by his wife of
65 years, Linnie Mae Hunt-
er; brother, Leonard Edwin
Hunter (Inez), of Lithia;
children, Dianne Wilkes
(Joel), of Lakeland, Velton
Edward Hunter, of Zeph-
yrhills, Jerry Bruce Hunt-
er, of Lithia, Roy Andrew
Hunter (Phyllis), of Lithia
and William Carl Hunter,
of Lithia; 24 grandchildren;
43 great-grandchildren and
four great-great-grandchil-
dren.
A funeral service will be
held at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan.
23, at Wells Memorial. Buri-
al will follow at Welcome
Cemetery in Lithia. Con-
dolences may be made at
WellsMemorial.com.
Manuel Maldonado
Manuel Maldonado, 39,
of Plant City, died Jan. 13,
2015.
He was born in Lodi, Cal-
ifornia, in 1975. He owned
Maldonado Flooring.
He is survived by his wife,
Maria Maldonado; chil-
dren, Manuel Maldonado
(Chelsea Knight), Brenda
Maldonado and Andrea
Maldonado, of Plant City;
grandson, Damien Xavier
Ramirez; mother, Emma
Silva Maldonado, of Tex-
as; and siblings, Gilberto
Maldonado Jr. (Patricia),
of Texas, Rolando Maldo-
nado, of Arizona, Adrian
Maldonado, of North Caro-
lina and Yanett Maldonado
(Carlos), of Georgia.
A celebration of life was
held Wednesday, Jan. 21, at
Hopewell Funeral Home.
Condolence may be made
at HopewellFuneral.com.
Janette Netter
Tucker OBrien
Janette Netter Tucker
OBrien, 42, ended her bat-
tle with breast cancer Tues-
day, Jan. 13, 2015.
She was born July 11,
1972, in Plant City. She re-
ceived her education de-
gree from Covenant Col-
lege in 1994 and taught
elementary school in Geor-
gia, Virginia and at Lake-
land Christian School, for
12 years. She was a mem-
ber of Trinity Presbyterian
Church and served in the
womens ministry. She
married Joseph Jennings
OBrien July 20, 2002, in
Lakeland.
She is survived by her
husband, Joseph, of Lake-
land; and children, Ali and
John Kirby, of Virginia,
Madison and Josh Horwitz,
of Virginia, and Connor and
Tucker OBrien, of Lake-
land. She is also survived
by her parents, Dr. John and
Jane Tucker, of Lakeland;
siblings, Tina Strawbridge
(Tim-o), of Lakeland, The-
resa Riggs (Todd), of Vir-
ginia, Matt Tucker (Kim), of
Lakeland, Tricia Sinn (Ted),
of Orlando and and An-
thony Tucker (Rachel), of
Georgia; and their families,
including 19 nephews and
nieces.
A memorial service
was held Monday, Jan.
19, at Trinity Presbyterian
Church, Lakeland. In lieu
of owers, Mrs. OBrien
and the family have re-
quested donations be given
to SeeJesus.net.
Deloris A. Ratliff
Deloris A. Ratliff, 78, of
Valrico, died Jan. 10, 2015.
Mrs. Ratliff worked as a
nurse for 43 years in dif-
ferent parts of the coun-
try prior to her retirement
from South Florida Baptist
Hospital in Plant City in
2000. She is survived by her
loving family, including her
husband of 57 years, Ad-
ron Ratliff; children, Pam
Grant (Kevin), Mike Ratliff
(DiDi), Beverly Johnson
(Dave) and Kevin Ratliff
(Brad); sister, Ceil Turner;
six grandchildren; and ve
great-grandchildren.
Frances G. White
Frances G. White, 87,
died Jan. 16, 2015, with her
loving family by her side.
Mrs. White, daughter of
Flander and Eunice Clark,
was born Oct. 15, 1927.
She was the youngest of
their 14 children. Frances
met and married her high
school sweetheart. They
were married 63 years, at
the time of his passing.
They raised ve children,
and shared many happy
memories together. Mrs.
White was a loving wife,
mother, grandmother, sis-
ter and aunt. She loved
her owers, gardening
and cooking family meals.
She was a very caring and
thoughtful woman, who al-
ways had time to listen and
was always devoted to her
family.
She was preceded in
death by her husband,
Maryland; son, Eugene;
grandson, John; and 10
brothers and three sisters.
She is survived by her
children, Carol White, Da-
ryl White (Martha), Garland
White and Keli McGraw;
11 grandchildren; 16 great
grandchildren; and niec-
es and nephews. We will
deeply miss her smile, her
little wink of the eye and
her laughter. We will never
forget her love and we will
carry it with us always. We
love you, Mom, now and
forevermore!
A funeral service was held
Thursday, Jan. 22, at Wells
Memorial. Burial at Memo-
rial Park Cemetery. Con-
dolences may be made at
WellsMemorial.com.
Wayne Wright
Wayne Wright, 73, died
Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015,
at Erlanger Hospital in
Chattanooga, Tennessee.
He was born April 5, 1941,
in Chipley, Florida, to Le-
roy and Edna Wright. Sur-
viving are his loving wife
of almost 52 years, Dava
Fulwood Wright; children,
Carol Hansen (Leroy), Ma-
rie Yale (Mike), Pam Wright
(June) and Wayne Wright Jr.
(Jennifer); brothers, Leroy,
Glenn and Harry Wright;
and sister, Robbie Jean Wil-
son. He was blessed with
grandchildren, Michael
and Ricky Hansen, Tina
Yale, and Maggie and Molly
Wright; and great-grand-
children, McKenzie, Brycen,
Braylin and Rylin Hansen.
He was a compassion-
ate husband, father, and
grandfather. His knowledge
was rich and his heart was
golden. He never hesitated
to lend a helping hand. His
memory is deeply rooted
within our hearts.
Visitation was held Tues-
day, January 20, at Wells
Memorial Funeral Home.
Graveside service was at
Antioch Cemetery in An-
tioch, followed by fellow-
ship at Plant City Church of
God.
OBITUARIES
OBSERVER
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+ Fatal crash occurs
at I-4, Alexander
A Saturn collided with a
pick up truck hauling a trailer
at the Interstate 4 interchange
on Alexander Street at 4:30
p.m. Jan. 16.
The Saturn, driven by Eric
McClellan, 23, of Haines
City, was traveling south on
Alexander Street and took an
eastbound turn toward the
I-4 entrance ramp on a green
light. He collided with the
pick up truck driven by Walter
Brown Jr., 55, of Plant City.
The pick up truck was travel-
ing north in the intersection
on a green light.
The pick up truck struck the
passenger side of the Saturn,
wedging it between a metal
pole.
Plant City Fire Rescue
pulled McClellan and his
passenger, Robert Herbert,
61, of Winter Haven, from
the car. Herbert died at the
scene. McClellan was taken
to Lakeland Regional Medical
Center. Brown and his pas-
senger, Leo Rainville, 65,
of Plant City, were taken to
South Florida Baptist Hospital
where they were treated and
released.
+ Insurance agent
faces more charges
A Plant City insurance agent
who was twice arrested last
year on charges that she stole
thousands of dollars from her
clients is facing additional
charges after more people
claimed she took their money.
Investigators
with the state
Division of
Insurance
Fraud have
alleged
that Paula
Albertson, 53,
stole more
than $800,000 in the last
five years from at least seven
victims.
She was arrested again Jan.
15 on two new charges of
grand theft.
The new charges came after
news of Albertsons previous
arrests prompted more victims
to come forward, state authori-
ties said.
In one of the new cases,
Albertson changed a clients
mailing address to the address
of her business, Albertson
Financial Group, in order to
divert mailed withdrawal notic-
es for the clients account,
according to an arrest report.
Albertson then forged six with-
drawal requests from the cli-
ents account, depositing more
than $200,000 into her own
account, authorities said.
In a previous case, Albertson
is alleged to have named her
family members as beneficiaries
on a clients life insurance poli-
cy. When the client died weeks
later, the family collected more
than $150,000, authorities said.
Albertson was booked on the
new c