Author: Owen E. Richason IV
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When Trevor Murphy drives up to his father’s 20-acre grove in one of the nation’s fastest-growing counties, he can’t help but notice the uniform, single-story homes crowding the perimeter of his family’s orange trees. “Soon enough, this won’t be an orange grove at all,” says Murphy, a third-generation citrus grower, as he surveys the neat…
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As the 2025 hurricane season approaches, organizations across the region are seeking innovative ways to support their communities. In Lakewood Ranch, the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is elevating its preparedness efforts with the launch of a groundbreaking initiative—The Drone Program. David Esslinger, a member of the new CERT drone team, will pilot drones to…
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Every year, thousands of families flock to Pinellas County’s beaches for spring break, making it the busiest season for local businesses. At Larry’s Ice Cream and Gelato, owner Alison Herman showcases an array of sweet treats, but business has been sluggish since hurricanes Helene and Milton hit. “Being closed for weeks took a big financial…
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Following Hurricanes Helene and Milton, FEMA has disbursed over $1.5 billion to assist Floridians. Yet, nearly six months later, WTSP reports that some survivors, expecting ongoing temporary housing payments, are suddenly finding that important support cut off. Terri Orr of St. Pete Beach is among them. In a single night, he lost his home, car,…
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Since October, Plaza Beach Resorts in St. Pete Beach has opened its doors exclusively to storm survivors, a commitment owner Rob Czyszczon plans to maintain even through the profitable spring break season. “Every guest here was impacted by the hurricanes,” Czyszczon told Bay News 9. “We’re doing what’s right for our community—providing shelter to those…
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Homeowners facing storm damage are left with a tough choice: elevate their homes or tear them down. Many residents affected by recent hurricanes are struggling to comply with federal rebuilding requirements, and the decision isn’t getting any easier. This week, the Florida Department of Emergency Management is holding meetings to discuss the new Elevate Florida…
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The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) is hosting workshops this week in Pinellas County to help residents navigate ‘Elevate Florida,’ a pioneering statewide residential mitigation program. Designed to accelerate property protection efforts, the program aims to minimize damage from natural disasters such as hurricanes and flooding. The first workshop takes place on Wednesday at…
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After last year’s hurricanes, coastal residents faced confusion and frustration due to permitting and recovery delays. With a new hurricane season looming, Tampa Bay lawmakers are proposing legislation to cut through bureaucratic obstacles and help Floridians return to their homes. State Senator Nick Diceglie, R-Indian Rocks Island, emphasized the ongoing struggle: “Even now, some residents…
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A new bill, known as the Fallen Tree Act, is set for discussion in Florida’s ongoing 2025 legislative session. Sponsored by Florida House Representative Nan Cobb (R), HB 599 aims to hold property owners responsible for trees, branches, or shrubs originating from their land when they fall onto neighboring properties. “It happens quite a bit.…
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St. Petersburg remains under a local state of emergency, even five months after Hurricanes Helene and Milton struck, as Mayor Ken Welch’s declaration has been extended through June 30. This extension grants the mayor the authority to bypass typical city procedures when necessary to protect public health, safety, and welfare. It also allows him to…
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Pinellas County officials are pushing ahead with the Sand Key Beach Nourishment initiative, aimed at replenishing sand to form dunes and planting seagrass to stabilize it. According to the county, the Army Corps of Engineers mandates that all property owners grant easements for public access and use in areas where sand is deposited. Local authorities…
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Hillsborough County Schools has implemented the BusPatrol program, using artificial intelligence to identify drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses. Recent footage shows alarming incidents, including a black car passing a stopped bus and nearly hitting a student crossing the road. “These close calls are jarring for the average person, parents, and school administrators,” says…
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The upcoming Atlantic hurricane season, spanning from June 1 to November 30, is predicted to be “near-average,” according to Colorado State University meteorologist Philip Klotzbach. Forecasts from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather suggest a total of 12 named storms and five hurricanes this year. Klotzbach, an expert in Atlantic basin seasonal hurricane forecasting, noted…
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Manatee County Commissioners have voted to demolish a 70-year-old bait and tackle shop in Cortez Village, paving the way for a new two-story shop and marina. Bruce Shearer, the owner of Annie’s Bait and Tackle, had hoped to save the building, believing it was still salvageable. However, the county, which recently acquired the property, decided…
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As Florida explores the idea of abolishing property taxes, an analyst cautions that nothing is necessarily free’ Nathalia Steffanetta, originally from Memphis, moved with her family to Seminole Heights six years ago, hoping to settle there permanently. Yet, Steffanetta notes that escalating property taxes have created financial strain. “It’s heartbreaking to see costs spiraling out…
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Governor Ron DeSantis aims to extend the benefits of the “My Safe Florida Home” program, which helps homeowners strengthen their properties against storms. As the 2025 legislative session begins in Tallahassee, discussions around securing additional funding for the program have resurfaced. “We recently proposed in the special session for the legislature to fund the folks…
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The City of St. Pete has introduced Sunrise St. Pete, a new initiative to guide the use of $159.8 million awarded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The funds, part of the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program, will support the city’s long-term recovery from Hurricane Idalia (August 2023) and…
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Pinellas County officials recently visited the White House to advance plans for restoring beaches severely impacted by hurricanes. The trip, described as “productive” by County Commission Chair Kathleen Peters, aimed to address the hurdles posed by new federal requirements. The county is seeking an exemption from rules mandating all beachfront property owners to sign easements…
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Hurricane Milton devastated coastal communities across the greater Tampa Bay region, but inland areas were hit just as hard. Tracy Boyette has lived near Lakeland for 17 years—but her home, or what’s left of it, is almost unrecognizable. “Everything was damaged,” Boyette told WUSF. “I’ve never seen mold grow so fast, spreading up the walls.…
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A new bill moving through the Florida Legislature could significantly change how students use their phones during the school day. Senate Bill 1296, introduced by State Sen. Danny Burgess, seeks to launch a pilot program testing the effects of a full-day phone ban in select schools. The proposal follows a law signed by Gov. Ron…
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On Thursday, the St. Pete City Council will tackle the pressing issue of exorbitant water bills plaguing residents. Outraged locals, claiming overcharges in the hundreds, are demanding refunds and action over extremely high utility bills. The council plans to schedule a public hearing for March 27 during the meeting. Many St. Pete residents still reel…
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As storm recovery efforts continue across Tampa Bay, the city of St. Petersburg has shared updates on key initiatives, including the commencement of repairs at Tropicana Field. Under the terms of the residency agreement with the Tampa Bay Rays, the city is responsible for the repairs, which are projected to cost approximately $56 million. The…
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Spring breakers and vacationers are once again heading to Florida’s Gulf Coast, bringing a much-needed boost for local businesses still recovering from last year’s hurricanes. March, the peak month for tourism revenue, couldn’t come at a better time. While some vacation rentals, restaurants, and tourism-dependent businesses are still struggling to reopen, most are ready to…
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In October, Hurricane Milton battered the Tampa Bay area, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Now, nearly six months later, some Zephyrhills residents continue to grapple with persistent flooding, lacking access to basic necessities like running water and electricity. Don Ferguson, a resident of nearly 20 years, saw his entire home inundated during…
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SpaceX is bringing its Starship program to Florida’s Space Coast with the construction of a massive new facility at Kennedy Space Center. The 390-foot-tall “Gigabay” facility will serve as a hub for Starship production, according to a report from NBC affiliate WESH. The project will employ approximately 600 workers to construct the spacecraft, potentially leading…
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Local officials made a final plea to beachfront property owners to sign construction easements before a Feb. 28 deadline, but their efforts fell short of gaining enough support. Pinellas County is now moving forward with the Sand Key Beach Nourishment project, despite missing over 150 signed easements. At a Feb. 27 event, Commission Chair Brian…
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Real estate agent Bettina Geel is showcasing a four-bedroom, two-bathroom home in Brandon, spanning over 2,600 square feet. “This is it! Welcome to your new home,” she greets potential buyers. Listed at $450,000, the home faces increased competition as Florida’s housing market reaches an all-time high. “Right now, there are a lot of houses on…
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A new state bill is in the works to streamline the permitting process, aiming to help storm-affected residents rebuild and recover more efficiently. This issue has been especially persistent in the Bay Area following hurricanes Helene and Milton, leaving homeowners like Sean Bryan in limbo as they wait to repair their properties in St. Pete…
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Governor Ron DeSantis’ proposed budget includes $600 million for the My Safe Florida Home and Condo grant programs, aimed at strengthening homes against hurricanes and reducing property insurance costs. Of the nearly $600 million allocated for homeowners, $480 million would assist approximately 45,000 homeowners who have completed inspections and are awaiting funding to move forward…
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Six months after Hurricane Helene inundated Redington Shores with floodwaters, some residents are just now obtaining detailed damage assessments. Kellie Sipos received a report indicating her home sustained less than 49% damage. She’s now in a frantic rush to reconstruct before the next storm season. “There’s widespread panic,” Sipos told Bay News 9. “Our greatest…
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Two proposed constitutional amendments are targeting the same goal: reducing home insurance costs. Both require approval from Florida voters. Property insurance costs are a major concern for many Floridians. Two different efforts aim to address this issue by amending the state’s constitution. One initiative, led by a group that launched a citizens’ petition campaign, seeks…
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Customers of TECO and Duke Energy across the state of Florida will see their monthly electric bills rise by approximately $20 starting this month. The rate increases come as both companies seek to recover costs from back-to-back hurricanes that caused widespread outages across the state. “Our company had to deploy 27,000 resources, including linemen, vegetation…
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For Hillary Simpson and her family, including two young children, some nights are filled with disturbances. “My kids have been jolted awake in the middle of the night more than once,” she explained to WFTS. Simpson attributes these disruptions to constant noise from a short-term vacation rental located mere feet from her bedroom window in…
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Some St. Petersburg residents can soon receive a full reimbursement to fix faulty sewer laterals, which officials say contribute significantly to flooding and sewage overflows. Private laterals connect a home’s plumbing to public sewer systems, and a new initiative will eventually offer up to $5,000 rebates citywide. Administrators believe the program could reduce inflow from…
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Bradenton Beach officials have reached a consensus on demolishing 16 structures severely damaged by the 2024 hurricanes. During a Feb. 20 commission meeting, Police Chief John Cosby, who leads the city’s emergency management team, reported that he had notified property owners on Feb. 10 about the need for demolition. According to FEMA guidelines, if a…
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A proposed constitutional amendment could safeguard Florida policyholders who comply with their contracts from unexpected policy cancellations and premium hikes. A citizen-led initiative, the Florida Constitutional Amendment Network, is working to place property insurance protections on the 2026 ballot, giving voters the power to lower insurance premiums. “People who have lived here for decades are…
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The clock has run out for Florida condo owners to comply with safety regulations enacted after the tragic 2021 Champlain Towers collapse. By December 31, condo associations were required to inspect aging buildings and establish plans to fund ongoing maintenance. As the deadline loomed, the condo market plummeted, with owners listing properties in droves to…
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Governor Ron DeSantis recently voiced his support for ending property taxes in Florida. If successful, Florida would be the first state to eliminate property taxes. However, opponents argue that property taxes are a crucial revenue source for local governments. “Is it your property or not? You’re basically paying rent to the government to live on…
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The Pinecrest-Leto community is one of several North Tampa neighborhoods that, despite not being designated as FEMA flood zones, suffered extensive flood damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Many homeowners in the area lack flood insurance and are relying on federal assistance—some of which, they claim, has yet to arrive. Codie Parkinson has already spent…
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Pinellas County is exploring a plan to ease the burden on hurricane victims by eliminating permit fees for rebuilding efforts. For families in parts of Pinellas County, the aftermath of recent storms lingers, with homes still in disrepair months later. County commissioners are looking at a proposal to waive building permit fees for repair and…
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Tampa Bay continues to lead the nation in attracting new residents, according to two recent economic studies. The 2025 Regional Competitiveness Report and the 2025 Tampa Bay E-Insights Report, released on February 14, compare Tampa Bay with 19 similar metropolitan areas. Key findings include: Overall, the Regional Competitiveness Report highlights continued progress, with Tampa Bay…
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A new bill proposed by a Florida lawmaker could prevent condo associations from accessing state-run Citizens Property Insurance if they fail to comply with updated building safety laws. The move comes after the tragic collapse of a 12-story condo building in Surfside, Miami, on June 24, 2021, which resulted in 98 fatalities. In response, Florida…
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U.S. Representative Kathy Castor (FL-14) has introduced the Rebuild & Save Act, a bill designed to ease the financial burden on homeowners and small businesses rebuilding after hurricanes and other natural disasters. The legislation proposes increasing the Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loan mitigation assistance cap from 20% to 30%, potentially providing up to an…
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The St. Petersburg City Council continues to investigate why some residents’ water bills skyrocketed to as much as six times the normal amount following last year’s hurricanes. After Hurricanes Helene and Milton subsided, several St. Petersburg residents were left with astonishingly high water bills. “Imagine my shock when I received my December utility bill for…
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