Author: stpeteclearwatersun
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The Southwest Florida Water Management District has declared a Modified Phase II “severe” water shortage, placing the Tampa Bay region, including Hillsborough County, under a Stage 2 drought warning because of prolonged dry conditions and low water levels. Under the new restrictions, outdoor lawn watering will be limited to one day per week from Feb.…
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The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles began offering driver’s license knowledge and skills tests exclusively in English on Friday, ending a long-standing practice of providing exams in multiple languages. Previously, the tests were available in languages including Spanish, Haitian-Creole, Portuguese, and Chinese. Language translation services are no longer permitted, and printed exams…
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The St. Petersburg City Council voted 6-2 Thursday to pursue a planning-first approach before selecting a developer for the redevelopment of the historic Gas Plant district. The vote supports Councilwoman Brandi Gabbard’s motion expressing the council’s preference for slowing down the process. Gabbard said the city is chasing a speeding bullet with the current timeline.…
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A $15.3 million pedestrian overpass on the Courtney Campbell Causeway is expected to open by the end of the year, providing a walking and cycling route between Clearwater Beach and Tampa. The city of Clearwater is now planning improvements to the 1.6-mile Bayshore Trail, which will connect directly to the overpass. The trail runs from…
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The Florida State Fair returns to Tampa Thursday for a 12-day run through Feb. 16 with the theme “America’s Sunniest Celebration” honoring the nation’s 250th birthday. The fair opens with discounted admission promotions throughout its run, including Heroes Day on opening day offering free admission to law enforcement, first responders, active or retired military, medical…
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A section of the public fishing pier at Picnic Island Park in Tampa collapsed late Saturday night, city officials confirmed, prompting an ongoing safety investigation. According to the City of Tampa, the collapse happened while the pier was open to the public, but no injuries were reported and no one was trapped in the incident.…
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Florida Decides Healthcare announced Sunday it will relaunch its campaign to place Medicaid expansion on the ballot, beginning signature collection on February 1 for the 2028 election. The organization previously aimed for the 2026 ballot but delayed its effort last September after new state legislation made signature gathering more difficult. HB 1205 imposed new barriers…
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New work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) took effect Sunday, expanding eligibility restrictions for additional groups of recipients under provisions included in legislation signed into law last year. Adults ages 18 to 64 without dependent children must now work, participate in employment training programs, or volunteer at least 80 hours monthly to…
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A rare arctic cold outbreak is bringing potentially generational cold temperatures to the Tampa Bay area this weekend, with meteorologists monitoring the possibility of Gulf-effect snow—a phenomenon similar to lake-effect snow that occurs when cold air moves over warmer Gulf waters. A piece of the polar vortex is breaking off and moving south into the…
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A Florida House committee voted Tuesday to advance legislation aimed at lowering prescription drug costs, despite concerns from pharmaceutical industry representatives about potential drug shortages. The House Budget Committee approved the bill 22-2. The measure, sponsored by Rep. Jennifer Kincart Jonsson, R-Lakeland, must clear the Health & Human Services Committee before reaching the full House…
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Tampa Bay Water has started construction on a 26-mile underground water pipeline to serve southern Hillsborough County, with completion expected by the end of 2028. The $500 million project will install a 5-foot-diameter steel pipe capable of delivering up to 65 million gallons of water daily. The pipeline is part of Tampa Bay Water’s 20-year…
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Florida’s school choice scholarship programs now serve more than 500,000 students, Governor Ron DeSantis announced in January 2025, marking a significant expansion since the state implemented universal eligibility three years ago. In March 2023, Florida eliminated income-eligibility requirements for its private school scholarship programs, making all K-12 students eligible for taxpayer-backed scholarships. The change followed…
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The Museum of Science and Industry has officially changed its name to the Museum of Science and Innovation while retaining the MOSI acronym it has used for more than four decades. The rebranding was announced Tuesday during a science-themed ceremony at the museum’s North Tampa campus near the University of South Florida. Museum President and…
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The southbound lanes of the Howard Frankland Bridge will be closed overnight Wednesday into Thursday morning for construction work. The Florida Department of Transportation announced the closure will begin at 11 p.m. Wednesday, January 28, and lasts until 5 a.m. Thursday, January 29. The closure is needed to finalize the installation of overhead signage as…
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Manatee County plans to begin drawing five million gallons of water daily from the Peace River starting in 2036, accelerating its timeline by one year due to increased demand from rapid population growth. The move is part of the county’s long-term water supply strategy as consumption rises. The county currently uses approximately 50 million gallons…
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The City of Tampa has issued parking guidelines for the 2026 Gasparilla Parade of Pirates, warning attendees to expect heavy traffic and plan accordingly. Event parking is available at Seminole Hard Rock Gasparilla Pirate Fest for $30, and city-run garages will also be open. The city recommends allowing extra time to arrive and secure parking.…
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Florida health officials announced in early January 2026 that state testing found elevated levels of heavy metals in 16 of 24 infant formulas tested. The Department of Health tested 24 formulas for contaminants, with 16 having at least one heavy metal that exceeded federal standards, First Lady Casey DeSantis said during a January 9 press…
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Pasco County will begin enforcing new parking regulations for recreational vehicles and boat trailers on February 28, officials announced. Under the new rules, RVs and trailers will be prohibited from parking in public right-of-way areas, which include streets, sidewalks, and grassy or paved areas adjacent to roadways. Denise Sanderson, director of code compliance for Pasco…
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Tax season opens Monday, January 26, with several new provisions resulting from the recently passed Big Beautiful Act. The IRS will begin accepting tax returns for the 2025 tax year, with the filing deadline set for April 15, 2026. According to Luke Richardson, an associate professor at the University of South Florida, this year brings…
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Hillsborough County’s Healthy Living Program will host a community health fair this Saturday, January 25, offering residents free groceries and health services at the Lee Davis Community Resource Center in Tampa. Free groceries will be distributed from 9 to 10:30 a.m., including fresh fruit, vegetables, meats, canned goods, beans, and rice. The groceries are provided…
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St. Petersburg has been designated an official Trail Town by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection in recognition of investments made along the Pinellas Trail. The designation, announced December 17, applies to the portion of the Pinellas Trail running through four Arts Districts from 31st Street South to the downtown waterfront. St. Petersburg becomes the…
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Florida legislators are considering new safety regulations for electric bicycles amid growing concerns about crashes and unsafe riding practices. Two companion bills, HB 243 and SB 382, would mandate that riders of Class 3 e-bikes—which can reach speeds up to 28 miles per hour—possess either a driver’s license or a learner’s permit. The proposed legislation…
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Pinellas County School Board is considering closing and consolidating several schools to address declining enrollment and rising maintenance costs. The recommendations affect at least three schools and could save the district approximately $8 million annually in operating expenses, with an additional $7 million deferred in maintenance and capital costs. Under the current proposal, Disston Academy…
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Florida seniors may see larger tax returns this year thanks to a new deduction included in federal tax law. Taxpayers age 65 and older can claim an additional $6,000 deduction for single filers and $12,000 for married couples filing jointly, without itemizing. The deduction is part of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” signed into…
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St. Pete Beach commissioners are expected to finalize new restrictions on cell tower placement Tuesday, making it the first city in Florida to implement the most protective ordinance possible under federal and state law. The revised ordinance, which passed unanimously during a first reading last month, addresses resident concerns about 5G equipment installed near homes,…
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Florida lawmakers have filed a new bill that would ban drivers from holding wireless devices while operating a vehicle, expanding on the state’s current texting-while-driving law. The proposal, introduced in the Legislature, would make it unlawful to hold phones and similar devices while driving, including at red lights, and require the use of hands-free technology…
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Florida ranked second in the nation for net inbound moves in 2025, according to U-Haul’s annual Growth Index, which tracks one-way moving transactions. The data, based on more than 2.5 million rentals, showed Florida behind only Texas in net gains of movers entering the state. U-Haul reported that 50.6% of its customers entering Florida last…
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Customers of Tampa Electric Company (TECO) will see higher electricity bills beginning in January, marking the fourth rate increase in about 13 months. For a typical residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per month, the latest base rate adjustment will add about $8.88 to the average monthly bill. TECO and state regulators have approved…
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Florida law enforcement is warning residents about an emerging gold conversion scam targeting seniors, as new FBI data shows the state suffered over $1 billion in fraud losses during 2024, ranking third nationally. The FBI received more than 50,000 scam complaints from Florida in 2024, with total losses reaching $1.072 billion, according to the agency’s…
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Pinellas County is finishing its beach nourishment project ahead of schedule, with work expected to wrap up this week. The $125 million effort began in September to restore sand to the county’s coastline following erosion from last year’s hurricanes. Originally projected to take six months, the project was completed in record time, according to Visit…
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Hurricane-Resilient Homes Rise in Brandon as Habitat for Humanity Builds for Storm-Affected Families
Habitat for Humanity of Tampa Bay Hillsborough is building Windhorst Commons, a 23-home community in Brandon designed with hurricane-resistant features including concrete block construction, hip roofs, and hurricane shutters. This represents the first Habitat for Humanity project in the area to fully integrate storm-resistant design at this level. The project recently received attention when Florida…
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Real estate developer Strategic Property Partners announced plans to build a new entertainment district in the heart of downtown Tampa, across from the Benchmark International Arena on Channelside Drive, between Morgan and Jefferson streets. The development will include a 3,500-seat concert venue designed for emerging artists, a 250-room hotel, retail space, and parking for more…
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If you’ve lived near a beach house that doubles as an Airbnb or VRBO, you’ve probably heard the buzz: Pinellas County has been wrestling with how to manage short-term rentals — and it’s moved from the complaint box into the county code. After months of public hearings, planning board recommendations, and at least one ordinance…
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The St. Petersburg City Council approved a state grant agreement Thursday to invest an additional $1 million in a pump station for the Shore Acres Flood Mitigation Project. State Rep. Lindsay Cross and Sen. Nick DiCeglie secured the matching state grant to help fund the pump station at Connecticut Avenue NE and Bayshore Boulevard. The…
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Manatee County redirected $5 million initially allocated for sewer projects in Tallevast to government payroll, according to a WTSP news report. Residents in the historic community of Tallevast have been waiting over 40 years for the county to connect them to sewer service. Many residents east of the town’s train tracks still rely on septic…
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Pinellas County commissioners discussed new regulations for retail pet stores on Tuesday evening after county animal services issued nearly 400 citations to local pet stores over the past year. Animal welfare advocates have pointed to repeated violations involving housing conditions, sanitation, and treatment of sick animals as the reason for the proposed regulatory changes. Background…
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The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles issued a memo clarifying regulations on license plate frames and covers following widespread confusion about a law that took effect October 1. Florida Statute 320.262 prohibits covering, obscuring, or interfering with the legibility, visibility, or detection of the license plate number or validation sticker. However, the…
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The Sarasota Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization is moving forward with a $20 million project to improve pedestrian safety along a stretch of U.S. 41 known for crashes involving people walking and biking. The project will focus on the section of U.S. 41 between Bay Drive and Cortez Road, addressing gaps in sidewalks and improving lighting…
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Dunedin’s Freebee shuttle service, which provided free rides in downtown to residents and tourists, ended yesterday, on December 14, 2025. The pilot program launched in 2023 using American Rescue Plan Act funding. The city of Dunedin determined that the cost of continuing the program cannot be justified with city funds after reviewing ridership data, according…
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The St. Petersburg City Council voted 5-2 on Tuesday to grant the Sugar Hill Group a one-year extension on its agreement to redevelop Tangerine Plaza, a largely vacant city-owned retail center in South St. Petersburg. The project aims to bring a grocery store and affordable housing to an area designated as a food desert, which…
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