Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Stolen Plant City police credentials tied to Florida DMV data breach.

Be sure to catch Free Dog Training Class on the Plant City Patch calendar

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Tuesday September 15th Patch AM
Tuesday September 15th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

What's up Plant City! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️

Before we get to what's happening, a big thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Plant City PatchAM possible. Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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In today's newsletter:

  • Stolen Plant City police credentials tied to Florida DMV data breach.
  • How stolen Plant City police credentials exposed Florida driver records.
  • How a Plant City lawsuit landed on Applebee's scandal list.

Also on today's calendar: Free Dog Training Class and 8 more events.

Today's riddle: What has a tail, but no body? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
Today's Plant City Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. After investing billions to light up their network from big cities to small towns, T-Mobile is America's Best Mobile Network in the US according to Ookla Speedtest®. Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data 1H 2026. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Plant City Patch AM possible.
Find a T-Mobile store near Plant City. Advertisement

Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: Humid; an afternoon t-storm, with a high of 93 and low of 75 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Wednesday: Humid; a stray p.m. t-shower, temps: high: 91, low: 71.
  • Thursday: Humid; heavy p.m. t-storms, with a high of 89 and low of 71 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• 14th September (checkpoint.com) — Florida's DMV is among several high-profile cyber incidents this week, after attackers used credentials stolen from a Plant City police officer's device to access driver records later posted online. The bulletin also details major global data breaches, new software vulnerabilities, and rising ransomware activity, underscoring why local agencies and residents alike should harden their digital security practices.
   

• Florida highway agency confirms data breach by international criminals using Plant City police login (treasurecoast.today) — State highway safety officials say international criminals briefly accessed Florida driver data on September 4 using login credentials stolen from a Plant City police employee's personal device. The breach was quickly contained, but it underscores how a single compromised local account can expose sensitive records statewide and raises fresh questions about how local agencies store and protect access credentials.
   

• 10 Biggest Scandals In Applebee's History (tastingtable.com) — Among Applebee's many scandals, one involves a 2022 lawsuit over alleged racist and homophobic harassment at the chain's Plant City restaurant, which ended in a $100,000 settlement and new training commitments. The broader piece walks through other lawsuits, food safety scares, and labor controversies, offering context on how repeated incidents have affected the brand's reputation nationwide.
   

📸 Around Plant City

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Plant City

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

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Other local events

📣 Plant City Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

    Tuesday September 15
  • PTA Chick-fil-A Spirit Night
    Valrico, 1504 E Brandon Blvd, Brandon
    5:00 pm
    • Thursday September 17
  • PTA Skate Night
    Valrico, 750 W Robertson St, Brandon
    5:00 pm
    • Friday September 18
  • Sip Now, Sweat Later: St. Jude Marathon Benefit Night →
    Voodoo Brewing Co - Valrico, FL, 3432 Florida 60, Valrico

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Hi neighbors.
    I'm Capree, a proud puppy parent of a Snauchi (schnauzer - chihuahua) named BJ. (Nextdoor Reynolds/Collins)
  • Moved to Florida 4 years ago.
    The master suite had no door separating the bedroom from the bathroom??? My husband installed this beautiful barn door last week. I love it. (Nextdoor Walden Lake)
  • Taco Bell posted a job opening for Overnight Shift Leader in Plant City. Apply here.
  • Creative Financial Staffing posted a job opening for Part-Time Bookkeeper in Plant City. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Plant City here.

🗞 Nearby News

Valrico

  • Tampa firefighters rally around captain recovering from medical emergency (fox13news.com)
  • Trim Brothers rally to win Florida Mid-Amateur Four-Ball North (amateurgolf.com)

Lakeland

  • DeSantis Breaks Ground on Major New Archery Center at Tenoroc in Polk County — Lakeland (dailyridge.com)
  • Mom crushed infant's skull with diamond ring after she punched him in the head (themirror.com)

Tampa

  • $58M HQ Expansion Planned By Tampa Defense Manufacturer (patch.com)
  • 2 Areas Tracked For Tropical Development: What This Means For FL (patch.com)

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: Coin (Thank you John W. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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