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Hello Plant City! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: SNAP benefit fraud, Wright’s Gourmet House expansion, and kid karaoke + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Today’s sponsor, Goldco, is helping folks around Plant City help protect their savings after a remarkable few years for gold and silver. Their free guide explains what's behind the run… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Families face sudden losses: Florida families say SNAP benefits were drained by fraud traced to a Glendale, California address. In Plant City, Shayna Houser Parra’s card declined and money vanished after DoorDash charges appeared -- see the SNAP fraud details.
Utility planning under review: Lakeland is considering a one-year pause on data centers and industrial projects across Lakeland Electric service areas, which could affect nearby towns, to study impacts on reliability and customer costs -- read the full story.
Expansion across the suburbs: Tampa favorite Wright’s Gourmet House will open 15,000-square-foot locations in Brandon, Wesley Chapel, and Wiregrass Ranch featuring cafes, catering, and a market. Opening dates have not yet been announced -- read the full story.
Watch your credit card balance drop. Here's a rare one: this card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, and you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. On top of that, every purchase earns at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories as high as 5%. Spend a little early on and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting too -- take a look.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
Google your own name and you'll probably find your home address: It's sitting on a people-search site right now, next to your age, your relatives, and your phone number, free for anyone to look up. Aura gets it taken down. It contacts 420+ data brokers on your behalf, uses privacy laws to legally demand deletion, and keeps resending requests so your information doesn't creep back online. No hours of opt-out forms, it runs quietly in the background — remove your data.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Gold posted one of its strongest runs in decades...Silver has been right there with it, and after a few remarkable years both metals have become some of the most talked-about assets for those looking to stay ahead of market volatility. While many are still sitting on the sidelines, others are quietly repositioning. If you’re wondering whether you’re missing something, Goldco has a free guide explaining what’s driving the renewed interest… and how people are approaching precious metals right now. It’s free and worth reading before the next move.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Chase better Zzzs: If your bed has the bounce of a trampoline and the support of a beach towel, it’s time to pop into B&G Mattress and Furniture in Plant City. Fresh mattresses and friendly folks who speak fluent sleep. Treat your back this week, future you will applaud.
Need a nature reset: Right up the road, Lower Green Swamp Nature Preserve is where quiet trails, big skies, and birdsong do the heavy lifting on stress. Pack water, wander a while, and let the flat, easy paths turn a weekday into something that feels like breathing again.
Craving a breakfast win? Start your week right with breakfast burritos, huevos a la Mexicana, and street-style tacos that hit like a hug from the salsa gods. Tacos Don Villa keeps it simple, friendly, and crazy tasty, the kind of spot you’ll swing by after drop-off or before that never-ending errand loop.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade →
The upgrades that make your home feel new again start here. You don't need a full remodel to fall back in love with your space. New fixtures, a fresh coat of paint, updated hardware, the small changes that make a room feel different. It's all in Home Depot, so a weekend is all it takes to give a tired room a fresh start. *Shop the refresh →
Once your car passes 50,000 miles, the odds of a big repair climb fast. That's usually right when your factory coverage starts running out. Engine, transmission, electrical, they fail on their own timeline, and the bills run into the thousands. An extended warranty covers them before they hit. You receive a free year of Elite Benefits, plus 30 days to change your mind. *$300 off right now →
A window quote that takes an hour and costs you nothing. No showroom, no sales runaround, no obligation to buy anything. A design consultant comes to you, measures your windows, walks you through the options, and leaves you with an exact price and timeline, that's the whole visit. Keep the quote as long as you like and decide whenever you're ready, or don't. Booking takes about a minute. *Book your free visit →
The fitness trend that doesn't require leaving your living room: Chair yoga is having a moment, and for good reason. It's low-impact, easy on the knees and back, and you do the whole thing seated. No floor, no equipment, no studio. A quick quiz turns it into a personalized plan built around your body and goals, then adjusts as you build the habit. *See your plan → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🎱 Breakfast Bingo every Thursday @ Chick-fil-A Shepherd Road (Lakeland) | Thursday (7/23) at 9:00 AM – Start your Thursday the right way with Breakfast Bingo at Chick-fil-A on Shepherd Rd, every Thursday in July, 9am to 10am. Sip coffee, nibble your go-to biscuit, and call B-12 like a pro. Low stakes, light laughs, and surprisingly fun prizes.
🍉 Watermelon Water Wars @ Centerpoint Church (Valrico) | Friday (7/24) at 10:00 AM – Tampa Bay HEAT is splashing into Valrico with a free, family water bash at the HRC, featuring games, mingling, and plenty of watermelon. Florida summer is a sauna, so expect water wars and slices before fall classes return, not a drop-off, registration required per person.
🥞 Flapjack Fundraiser! @ Applebee's Grill + Bar | Saturday (7/25) at 8:00 AM – This breakfast fundraiser flips pancakes at Applebee's in Plant City for the pups, because carbs, coffee, and community still play well together. Ten bucks gets you a hearty stack, sausage links, and a drink, plus that smug glow of doing good with your syrup.
🐶 Community Pet Vaccination Clinic @ Mavis Tires & Brakes | Saturday (7/25) at 9:00 AM – Only in Plant City do Fido’s shots happen at Mavis Tire next to McDonald’s, a low-cost clinic with heartworm tests and flea, tick, and heartworm preventions handled on the spot. No appointment drama, just cards, cash, and a happier pet before your fries get cold.
🧺 Bealsville Community Family Picnic @ Glover School | Saturday (7/25) at 10:00 AM – Whether your kids are plotting their late-summer sugar rush or you want an excuse to sit under the oaks, this Bealsville picnic delivers food, fellowship, and neighborly vibes. Expect grills going, lawn games, and a school supply giveaway to kick off the year prepared.
🐱 Alley Cat Market @ Robert W. Willaford Railroad Museum | Saturday (7/25) at 10:00 AM – Whether your sofa already wears a layer of cat glitter, or you're just feline-curious, this Plant City market delivers. Shop handmade, cat-themed goods, meet adoptable kitties, savor tamales, vegan bites, and coffee by the train museum, and yes, join a nostalgic Smelly Cat singalong.
🏰 Enchanted Knights: Midsummer Jubilee @ Lakeland Square Mall | Saturday (7/25) at 11:00 AM – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to dust off that cloak, wizards and knights are taking over Lakeland Square Mall with free admission, free parking, and A/C. Expect armored combat, stage shows, artisans, contests, a scavenger hunt, and Sidequest shopping with free art prints.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Skip credit card interest until nearly 2028You know the feeling: you make your credit card payment, check the balance, and it's barely moved. That's interest quietly eating most of what you pay. Here's a rare chance to stop it. This card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, so for over a year every dollar you pay goes straight to what you owe, not the bank's cut. And you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. The rewards are where it gets even better. Every purchase earns you at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories climbing as high as 5%, so the card pays you back on the spending you're already doing. Put a little on it early and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting. Between the break on interest, the cash back, and no annual fee, it's a lot of card for nothing to hold. *Take a look → |
07 — Plant City report Weather forecastToday — High: 94°F — Low: 75°F — Precip: 8%
Sunny, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 103. South wind around 8 mph. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: Isolated showers and thunderstorms between 7pm and 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Heat index values as high as 100. Southwest wind 2 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tomorrow — High: 94°F — Low: 74°F — Precip: 24%
Isolated showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Sunny, with a high near 94. South southwest wind 2 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: Isolated showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 74. East wind 2 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. This house is wildFieldstone brings together gated living, peaceful green spaces, and a lineup of nine all-new single-family plans on roomy 50 and 60-foot lots. These one and two-story homes range from 1,800 to 4,000 square feet, with standout curb appeal and careful design throughout. A playground, dog park, no CDD fees, and easy access to Tampa, Lakeland, and Orlando add even more appeal.
Take a peek inside → |
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