Morning Plant City! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Fine Art at the Magnolia and 6 more events.
Today's riddle: What is full of holes but still holds water? 🤔 (Answer below!)
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1. PCHS alum returns as Band director to Lead Raider Regiment (sboplus.net) — Plant City High School's Raider Regiment band is now led by alumnus Geoffrey Barthle, a 2022 graduate and former drum major who has returned as director. Drawing on experience with Disney World and the Orlando Philharmonic, he plans more community performances, educational trips, and a student-driven culture, while encouraging local support through donations and events like the Florida Strawberry Festival booth.
2. Florida strawberry growers win preliminary ruling on Mexican winter imports (bluebookservices.com) — Several Plant City strawberry growers just gained a key preliminary win in a federal trade case accusing Mexican winter strawberry exporters of dumping fruit at unfairly low prices. The ruling triggers initial duties on Mexican imports while investigations continue into 2027, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape for local farms and the broader Florida strawberry industry.
3. Athlete of the Week 08.20.26 (plantcityobserver.com) — Plant City readers get to know senior cheerleader Chaeli Smith, who leads the Raiders varsity squad at Plant City High School and treasures the team's close, family-like bond. She talks about the mental toughness cheer requires, her favorite worship tradition before nationals, and how church camp and line dancing fill her time off the mat.
4. Creed, flying limbs and quality starts: Inside Parker Messick's ace-like first year in MLB (nytimes.com) — Cleveland Guardians rookie pitcher Parker Messick is quietly becoming one of baseball's top young arms, and he credits humble roots in Plant City, where he still returns each offseason and recognizes faces at nearly every restaurant. The story follows his rapid rise, All-Star appearance, faith-driven mindset, and how a Creed-fueled pregame routine powers his ace-level performances.
5. SeaWorld Howl-O-Scream Announces 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' House (ihorror.com) — SeaWorld's Howl-O-Scream is stepping up its Halloween game this fall with a new haunted house based on the 1997 film "I Know What You Did Last Summer," while still nodding to smaller haunts like Sir Henry's Haunted Trail in Plant City. The movie-themed maze will run on select nights from September 11 through October 31, 2026, at SeaWorld parks in Orlando, San Diego, and San Antonio.
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Ok Plant City! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: A sponge (Thank you Netty W. for sending it in!)
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