Author: Owen E. Richason IV
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The next time your dog dives for something on the ground during a walk, it may be more than unpleasant—it could be dangerous. According to the Pet Poison Helpline, poisoning ranks among the top causes of emergency veterinary visits in the U.S., with over 1,000 cases reported each day. As warmer months bring more frequent…
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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed two new laws on Wednesday aimed at increasing penalties for animal cruelty during a press conference at a South Florida dog rescue center. The legislation, known as Trooper’s Law and Dexter’s Law, is named after two dogs who suffered tragic abuse. Trooper, one of the dogs, was discovered tied to…
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Residents of St. Petersburg have until June 23 to provide feedback on a draft action plan outlining how the city intends to use $159 million in federal disaster recovery funds following Hurricanes Idalia and Helene. The funds come from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR)…
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With hurricane season nearing, Pinellas County is revamping its permitting process to help residents in unincorporated areas return home faster after storms. County officials plan to implement upgraded software, simplify procedures, and use a proprietary damage assessment tool to speed up permit approvals. The new approach leverages a FEMA-approved option allowing residents to submit contractor-prepared…
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Just as SunPass scam texts seem to be fading, a new wave of fraudulent messages is emerging. According to the Polk County Tax Collector’s Office, scammers are now pretending to be employees of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), often referred to as the “DMV.” These fake texts falsely claim recipients…
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The destructive 2024 hurricane season has Pinellas County officials emphasizing the importance of storm preparedness for boat owners ahead of the 2025 season. Local leaders and marine experts stress that securing boats properly can reduce damage and prevent them from becoming hazards during severe weather. According to marine authorities, Pinellas County, which has nearly 54,000…
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In Bay Pines’ Harbor Lights Club, a once-idyllic waterfront mobile home park, the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton is still painfully evident. Nearly eight months since the storms hit, broken docks, shattered homes, and sunken boats remain scattered across the community. “It was like a resort to be down there,” longtime resident Victor Docherty…
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The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will release its official forecast for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season during a news conference at 11 a.m. on Thursday. The announcement comes just days before the season’s official kickoff on June 1. Last month, Colorado State University issued its own forecast, calling for an above-average season. Based…
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As the summer heat and sun ramp up in Florida, a new study from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) reveals that just 22% of sunscreen brands effectively shield skin from harmful UV rays. In its 2025 Sunscreen Guide, the EWG evaluated over 2,200 sun protection products and identified only 498 that met its safety and…
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Clearwater Harbor Marina is beginning a long road to recovery following damage from back-to-back hurricanes last year. The City Council has approved a work order to kick off the design phase for critical repairs at the marina’s North Basin. “During the storm, a sailboat came through and hit that bridge,” Mike MacDonald, Director of Marine…
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City departments in Treasure Island are evaluating their performance during the 2024 hurricane season and preparing to present their findings to city commissioners on Tuesday. The goal: identify strengths and weaknesses to better prepare for future emergencies. Representatives from the fire department, police, community development, finance, administration, parks and recreation, and public information have each…
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As demand for home repairs continues to climb in Citrus County, especially following recent hurricanes Helene and Milton, officials are warning residents about the risks of hiring unlicensed contractors. Local business owner Katrina Leturno, who runs Circle T Sod Farms with her family, has noticed a surge in customer inquiries ahead of the rainy season.…
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Phillippi Creek Residents Demand Urgent Action from Sarasota County to Prevent Repeat of 2024 Floods
Residents along Phillippi Creek are frustrated, accusing Sarasota County of neglecting critical maintenance like clearing sediment and vegetation from waterways, which they say exacerbates flooding during heavy rains. Kristy Molyneaux, drawn to Phillippi Creek a decade ago for its serene wildlife and waterfront charm, now faces recurring nightmares after her home flooded three times in…
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Living in the greater Tampa Bay area is becoming increasingly unaffordable for many working families, according to a new report from United Way Suncoast. The study finds the cost of living has increased significantly over the past several years. The annual ALICE report — which stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed — highlights the…
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Members of the Resilient St. Pete Resident Task Force will visit several South St. Petersburg neighborhoods this Saturday to hear directly from residents about chronic flooding issues. “The residents are the real experts — they live there, they know what’s happening,” said Claude Tankersley, the city’s Public Works Administrator. “We’re pairing them with engineers who…
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The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has announced several updates to its forecasting tools as the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season approaches. Among the key changes: a refined “cone of uncertainty” and enhanced communication of inland wind threats. Following positive feedback from the 2024 season, the cone of uncertainty graphic will now include inland watches and warnings.…
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The Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County has issued a swim advisory for three local beaches after detecting elevated levels of harmful bacteria in the water. The affected locations are Clearwater Beach near Mandalay Park, Sand Key Beach, and Indian Rocks Beach. Officials warn that swimming at these sites poses a potential health risk.…
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Pinellas County is seeking over $8 million in federal grants to bolster a nearly $11 million project aimed at storm-hardening 35 traffic signals along key evacuation routes. At their May 6 meeting, county commissioners unanimously approved the application for two state-administered federal grants totaling $8.23 million. The county will contribute a $2.74 million match, already…
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The City of St. Petersburg is fast-tracking major flood infrastructure projects to better withstand future storms and keep vital sewer systems running, ahead of this year’s hurricane season, Mayor Ken Welch announced Tuesday. “Many of these upgrades were originally slated for completion within the next 3 to 5 years,” Welch said. “Now, we’re accelerating timelines,…
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Treasure Island residents now have the option to voluntarily elevate their properties, including garages, driveways, and seawalls, using fill dirt to protect their homes from rising sea levels. Since the 1940s, sea levels around the island have risen by 9 inches, with high tide events, including sunny day flooding, causing stormwater to back up into…
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As special development districts continue to expand across Florida’s Suncoast, public officials are sounding the alarm about the potential hidden costs and limited homeowner control tied to these communities. Critics warn that many buyers don’t fully understand the financial and governance structures they’re entering — until it’s too late to push back. Prompted by a…
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Treasure Island City Commissioners are urging residents making hurricane-related home repairs to submit their permit applications by May 31 in order to qualify for a waiver on permit fees. Barb Adams, a longtime Treasure Island resident, is finally preparing to move back into her storm-damaged home next week after nearly eight months in temporary housing.…
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Despite extending the state legislative session until June, the Florida House and Senate won’t take up HB 1181 this year—and that’s probably a good thing for the pocketbooks of Sunshine State residents. (At least, that’s the contention of some. Others who sponsor the legislation would argue otherwise.) Floridians are required to carry car insurance, as…
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When Hurricane Milton struck last year, hundreds of homes far from the coast were inundated, exposing vulnerabilities in inland flood management. Now, local governments across the Tampa Bay region are reassessing how to prevent similar disasters. In Land O’Lakes, Douglas Woods waded through three feet of water nearly a week after the storm submerged his…
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Pinellas County has become one of the first local governments in the nation to finalize a federally required action plan that secures $813.8 million in disaster recovery funding. On Tuesday, County Commissioners approved the comprehensive plan following months of community outreach. The document outlines a range of initiatives—from direct relief payments to long-term recovery programs—designed…
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A Florida bill aimed at bolstering hurricane preparedness and response is one step away from becoming law, pending Governor Ron DeSantis’ signature. House Bill 7073, passed unanimously by both the Florida House and Senate, introduces measures to strengthen the state’s resilience against tropical storms and hurricanes, which frequently threaten the region. The legislation, sponsored by…
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Following the impact of three hurricanes in 2024, Florida lawmakers have approved legislation aimed at improving disaster preparedness and recovery efforts, including debris removal and post-storm rebuilding. On Friday, the House unanimously passed the bill (SB 180) with a 106-0 vote, while the Senate approved it 34-1. The measure now heads to Governor Ron DeSantis…
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Pinellas County commissioners will discuss a proposal on Tuesday for allocating $813 million in federal hurricane recovery funds. The funding, provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), is intended to support communities affected by Hurricanes Idalia, Helene, and Milton. Recently, county officials have hosted public meetings to gather input on spending…
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The City of St. Petersburg and the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council are partnering with local neighborhoods for a “resiliency bus tour” next Saturday, spotlighting flood-prone areas and exploring long-term solutions. At the heart of this effort is the newly formed Resilient St. Pete Resident Task Force, created to address persistent flooding challenges. Shore Acres…
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City leaders in St. Pete Beach are seeking innovative strategies to preserve two cherished landmarks heavily damaged by recent hurricanes: the historic Pass-a-Grille shuffleboard court building and the Merry Pier Bait Shack. At a meeting on April 22, commissioners were briefed on the extent of the destruction caused by hurricanes Helene and Milton. Public Services…
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Florida legislators have passed a measure that bans cell phone use throughout the school day for elementary and middle school students, with a pilot program to test similar restrictions in select high schools. Previously, students were only barred from using phones during instructional time. Under the new law, that restriction will now apply from the…
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Nearly 900 derelict boats have been left in Florida’s waterways since 2020, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). These vessels, often sunken or abandoned, pose both environmental and safety risks across the state. Stephanie Price, who manages an RV park near Fort Myers Beach, encountered the problem firsthand. “One of them,…
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Efforts to rebuild the storm-damaged Fire Marshal Dick Brock Memorial Pier in Safety Harbor are gaining traction, with city officials expressing optimism after a recent meeting with potential contractors. The project—vital to local tourism, recreation, and economic development—continues to move through key phases, including finalizing design plans, securing permits, and pursuing critical funding. The pier…
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A state-hired contractor, Tidal Basin Group, made numerous mistakes assessing hurricane-damaged homes in Pinellas County, causing confusion and delays for residents trying to rebuild. The company’s reports, often based on incomplete or incorrect data-sometimes without entering homes-led to thousands of “substantially damaged” letters, requiring homeowners to either demolish or rebuild to stricter standards. Homeowners across…
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Florida lawmakers are moving to give local school districts the flexibility to opt out of a state law requiring later school start times, with a new bill (SB 296)that would reverse the 2023 mandate. That law had required middle schools to begin classes after 8 a.m. and high schools after 8:30 a.m. But some parents…
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Starting in the 2025 hurricane season, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) will be able to issue alerts for potential tropical cyclones (PTCs) earlier than ever before. The NHC is expanding its criteria for issuing PTC products. For systems likely to impact land, forecasters can now give up to 72 hours of advance notice, an increase…
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The battle lines are drawn in Pinellas County as officials, property owners, and neighbors grapple with the explosive growth-and growing pains-of short-term rentals (STRs). With new regulations taking effect and heated debates echoing through commission chambers, the future of Pinellas’ neighborhoods and its vital tourism industry hangs in the balance. Property Owners: Profit Meets Paperwork…
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Local leaders from several beach communities across Pinellas County came together Thursday for a “State of the Beaches” discussion, reflecting on the region’s ongoing recovery from two powerful hurricanes. The Institute for Strategic Policy Solutions and the Pinellas Beaches Chamber hosted the event at Madeira Beach City Hall, which brought together mayors and vice mayors…
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The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Business Recovery Center in Clearwater will permanently close its doors at 2 p.m. today, Friday, April 25th, according to an announcement from Pinellas County on Thursday. Located on 58th Street North, the center has provided support to business owners, homeowners, and renters applying for disaster loans. With its closure,…
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The City of St. Petersburg is facing a major setback in its storm preparedness efforts after the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced the termination of a key funding source. The city had anticipated receiving millions through FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, which has historically supported flood mitigation projects and home elevation…
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As hurricane season approaches, the Pinellas Beaches Chamber is organizing a special town hall this evening, Thursday, April 24th, to address the state of the county’s coastal communities. The event, dubbed the “State of the Beaches,” will feature mayors from several beach cities, including Treasure Island and Madeira Beach. Key topics on the agenda include…
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Just 3 days from now will mark 7 months since Hurricane Helene, and in only 2 weeks, 6 months since Hurricane Milton. Yet, hundreds, if not thousands, are still dealing with the fallout, attempting to recover from the double punch the historic storms delivered. Meanwhile, the Florida legislature is considering House Bill 1535, a set…
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As hurricane season looms, Florida’s House Bill 1535 is making waves with a bold proposal to ease the burden on property owners recovering from devastating storms. Backed by Rep. Fiona McFarland (R-Sarasota) and with a Senate counterpart (SB 180) sponsored by Sen. Nick DiCeglie (R-Indian Rocks Beach), the measure aims to streamline post-storm recovery and…
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