FREE • THURSDAY, MAY 11, 2023
VOLUME 10, NO. 44
POLICE DEPARTMENT TO UNVEIL MEMORIAL HONORING FALLEN OFFICER OFFICER ROBERT E. YATES, KILLED IN 1911, IS THE ONLY PLANT CITY POLICE OFFICER TO DIE IN THE LINE OF DUTY. MICHELLE CACERES STAFF WRITER
In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day, a day to honor the lives of officers who have died or become disabled in the line of duty.
On Monday, May 15 at 3 p.m., Plant City Police Department will unveil a memorial honoring Officer Robert E. Yates, who was killed in the line of duty in 1911. Yates is the only Plant City police officer to die in the line of duty. The public is invited to attend the event. The memorial, which will be placed at his graveside in Oaklawn Cemetery’s east section at 1900 North Wheeler
Street, will remind all who view it of the ultimate sacrifi e paid by Yates in service to the citizens of Plant City. It was designed by City of Plant City Cemetery Superintendent Jeff Black
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MORE THAN $73,000 RAISED FOR CANCER RESEARCH AT RELAY FOR LIFE FOLKS CELEBRATED LIFE AND HONORED LOSS AT ANNUAL EVENT
CHURCH GOES ON AFTER DRUNK DRIVER CRASHES INTO MEETINGHOUSE MICHELLE CACERES STAFF WRITER
MICHELLE CACERES STAFF WRITER
Hundreds of people gathered at the Florida Strawberry Festival Fairgrounds last Friday night for Relay For Life, a movement of cancer survivors, caregivers, volunteers and participants who raised more than $73,000 to support the American Cancer Society’s mission of saving lives from cancer. The six hour event included teams and individuals walking or running around a marked track, music, games, food and fun. One of the top team fundraisers included Knights Elementary, who collected more than $10,000 in donations. Walden Lake, Cork and Bryan Elementary Schools collected more than $5,000 each in donations. Event Lead Linda Herman welcomed the participants during the opening ceremony. “We’ve gathered here because cancer affects those we love,” she said. “We’re here to celebrate our cancer survivors and remember loved ones lost.” In addition to the fi st lap taken by cancer survivors and luminary ceremony, another emotional highlight of the event was Plant City resident Chad Drigger’s remarks, who
spoke of his son Jace’s battle with leukemia. “In 2016 our lives changed forever,” he said. Dad was preparing to travel overseas on a mission trip when Jace, who was six years old at the time, woke up with stomach pain. As the pain progressed, the family decided to take him to the Emergency Room. While driving there, the family’s prayer was that it wasn’t appendicitis. Their prayers were answered. It wasn’t appendicitis. It was leukemia. “We never thought we’d be one of those families whose kids had cancer,” he said. “He fought through the pain of chemo treatments, lumbar punctures and tons of hospital visits, the Lord was with us.” Jace is now 13 years old and cancer-free. “The American Cancer Society figh s this horrible evil we know as cancer, by participating you’re helping families like ours fight cancer, you’re helping to fund research,” he said. “Please pray this horrible disease doesn’t affect you.” Herman praised friends and family who helped make the event a success. “Oh, the great things this money will do,” she said. To learn more about Relay For Life visit www.RelayForLife.org.
When a member of Iglesia Dios Con Nosotros, a church located at the corner of Mud Lake Road and Highway 60, drove past the building early Sunday morning on his way to work, he was surprised by what he saw. Damian Rios, a 25-year-old Mulberry man, attempted to elude a Florida Highway Patrol trooper by leading him on a high-speed car chase, at times at speeds upwards of 100 mph. His frantic flight ended when Rios crashed his vehicle into the entrance to the church. The man contacted Pastor Maria Vargas and told her there was a car sticking out of their building, which they’ve rented for almost fi e years. She and her daughter Johanna Zambrano arrived on the scene, unsure if they’d be able to hold their planned service, which included a message by a visiting pastor, in the building. Her prayers were answered though, because by 11 a.m., the vehicle was towed away, an inspector had examined the building and deemed it safe to enter and hold services there and a fi eman had climbed into a front window to unlock the back door (that doesn’t open from the outside) so its approximately 40 parishioners could assemble and commune together and listen to the visiting pastor’s message. “His message was fitting be ause it
was about God having everything under control,” said Zambrano. If only Rios was in control of his vehicle that evening. Yellow caution tape now surrounds the damaged entry foyer, which was where they stored their multimedia equipment, a small refrigerator and other items. They held a short prayer service at the church on Tuesday but won’t be able to return until repairs are completed. Zambrano said the property owner was also on-site after the accident occurred and has been working with the insurance company but doesn’t know when the building will be ready for Vargas and her flock o return. In the meantime, they are looking for another building where they can hold their Tuesday night and Sunday morning services. Vargas remains optimistic. “I’m concerned but God has everything under control,” she said. “Right now we’re asking God to give us or provide us with a building while the construction is happening.” Her message to Rio, who she’s not angry at, is one of forgiveness. “We don’t have anything against him, we believe in love and forgiveness,” she said. “We believe God has a purpose for everything and hope he can get to know God and the love He has for him.” For more information about Iglesia Dios Con Nosotros call 347-605-8084.