Author: stpeteclearwatersun
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Madeira Beach city commissioners approved a $1.5 million contract Wednesday to dredge sand from John’s Pass, addressing a problem that has worsened since 2020. Bayside Dredging will remove up to 12,900 cubic yards of sand from the waterway, which has become increasingly clogged with natural sand deposits. The buildup has narrowed the channel and created…
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A new bill filed in the Florida Legislature would allow homeowners to dissolve their homeowners associations under specific conditions, marking what the bill’s sponsor calls one of the largest overhauls of HOA law in state history. House Bill 657, filed by Rep. Juan Carlos Porras (R-Miami), would establish a legal process for terminating HOAs and…
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The Florida Highway Patrol is increasing enforcement of a new state law targeting drivers who use devices to obscure their license plates. House Bill 253, which took effect October 1, addresses a growing problem after nearly 3,000 violations were recorded in 2023. The law specifically targets mechanical devices that can electronically black out plates or…
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Florida Rep. Jennifer Kincart Jonsson has introduced legislation aimed at reducing prescription medication costs for state residents through increased regulation of drug pricing and pharmacy benefit managers. The Prescription Reduction Incentives and Competition Enhancement (PRICE) Act, filed as HB 697, would implement several policy changes affecting how drugs are priced and managed in Florida. Key…
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Hillsborough County has expanded its Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Program to help low and moderate-income homeowners afford critical home repairs. The initiative targets residents in unincorporated Hillsborough County who earn less than 80% of the median average income. Qualifying homeowners can receive up to $100,000 in funding, with the county conducting inspections to determine necessary repairs. The…
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Tampa city leaders are considering a substantial increase to transportation impact fees paid by developers, marking the first raise since 1989. The proposed fee increases would help fund critical infrastructure projects including roadways, traffic signals, intersection upgrades, and new bridges needed to support the region’s rapid growth. Under the proposal, fees for single-family homes would…
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Miami-Dade County Tax Collector Dariel Fernandez has proposed eliminating Florida’s physical yellow auto registration decals, arguing the state could instead rely on digital verification systems already in use. Fernandez announced the proposal last Wednesday, asking the Florida Legislature and Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to drop the annual sticker requirement. The initiative would…
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St. Petersburg officials provided media a tour of Tropicana Field on December 3, showing repair progress after Hurricane Milton severely damaged the stadium in October 2024. The facility’s new roof was completed on November 20, with the final panel of 24 installed. Work has now shifted to interior renovations including clubhouses, the playing field, video…
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The St. Petersburg City Council voted Thursday to send a proposal for increased Main Street Program funding to its Economic and Workforce Development Committee for discussion in January. The city’s four Main Street Districts—The Edge, Grand Central, Deuces Live, and Skyway Marina—each receive $55,000 in annual funding, an amount that has remained unchanged for the…
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Reconstruction of the Dunedin Marina is moving forward but running behind schedule due to crumbling infrastructure and natural obstacles, city officials reported to commissioners on November 20. City Engineer Clayton Watkins and Harbormaster Laurie Ferguson provided updates on the bulkhead, fishing pier, and floating dock replacements, citing permitting and material delays as major factors. Construction…
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The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office is alerting residents about a fraud scheme targeting tampered parking meters and mobile parking areas across the county. Scammers have placed fake QR code stickers over legitimate ones on parking signs and meters, allowing them to steal bank account and debit card information within seconds of payment, according to Deputy…
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The Madeira Beach City Commission has approved $30,700 to remove sand from beneath the historic Snack Shack at Archibald Park, a necessary step before officials can determine whether the building can be repaired. Hurricane Helene’s 6.5-foot storm surge on September 26, 2024, severely damaged the structure, which has remained closed since the storm. Sand washed…
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Sarasota police have removed a partially sunken boat that sat in Hudson Bayou for more than three years after the owner failed to respond to repeated contact attempts. The Sarasota Police Department’s Marine Patrol towed the 26-foot center console boat to shore, where it was destroyed. The removal was funded by a grant from the…
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The Southwest Florida Water Management District has declared a Phase I Water Shortage through July 1, 2026, as the region contends with a 13-inch rainfall deficit and forecasts of continued dry weather. The declaration does not alter existing watering schedules in the Tampa Bay area but prohibits wasteful water use practices. Under the restrictions, residents…
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Florida Rep. Greg Steube and Louisiana Rep. Troy Carter have introduced legislation designed to ensure FEMA reimburses municipalities for clearing storm debris from private communities such as condominiums, manufactured home parks, and homeowners’ associations. The Clean Up Disasters and Emergencies with Better Recovery and Immediate Support Act would address FEMA’s current ability to deny reimbursement…
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Tampa International Airport processed more than 90,000 passengers on Sunday, marking the peak travel day of the Thanksgiving holiday period. The airport experienced significant disruptions during the post-Thanksgiving rush, with over 130 flight delays and 20 cancellations affecting morning travelers. Some passengers faced extended wait times, with delays stretching several hours beyond scheduled departure times.…
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Dunedin city officials are implementing measures to combat recurring tidal and stormwater flooding affecting the North Douglas and Baywood Shores neighborhoods. At a November 4 commission workshop, city staff outlined plans to address flooding that occurs even without heavy rainfall, a phenomenon known as “clear sky flooding” caused by rising sea levels and high tides…
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Popular community events like Halloween on Central could be in jeopardy if St. Petersburg’s Main Street districts don’t receive increased funding, district leaders warned city council members Monday. Nicole Waters, president of the Edge District, requested the city increase funding from $55,000 to $75,000 per district, citing rising costs that make it difficult to maintain…
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The cost of a classic Thanksgiving dinner for 10 people has fallen to approximately $55.18 this year, or about $5.52 per person, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 40th annual survey. This represents a 5% decrease from last year, marking the third consecutive year of declining Thanksgiving meal prices after reaching a record high…
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The United States Postal Service will increase prices on shipping services starting January 18, 2026, the agency announced this week. The rate changes would raise prices approximately 6.6 percent for Priority Mail service, 5.1 percent for Priority Mail Express service, 7.8 percent for USPS Ground Advantage, and 6.0 percent for Parcel Select, according to a…
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City of St. Pete crews have completed the installation of the final roof panel on Tropicana Field ahead of schedule, officials announced Friday. The roof was damaged by Hurricane Milton last October. The roof replacement work began in August 2025 and was completed this month. All stadium repairs, including interior work, are currently scheduled to…
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St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport will operate over 300 flights during Thanksgiving week, approximately 60 more than its typical weekly capacity of 250, interim director Mark Sprague announced Thursday. The airport’s four parking lots are expected to reach capacity during the holiday period, with the paved long-term lot anticipated to fill by Tuesday and economy lots…
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Tampa City Council is reviewing a proposed ordinance to regulate bicycle use on city paths, including the Riverwalk and along Bayshore Boulevard, citing safety concerns. The ordinance would prohibit wheelies, tricks, and large groups of cyclists on these paths. It would also limit cyclists to riding no more than two abreast and require helmets for…
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Treasure Island city commissioners this week denied a request from the owners of Thunderbird Beach Resort to rebuild taller following hurricane damage. The landmark hotel has been closed since Hurricane Helene, with owners reporting that damage from Helene and Milton was catastrophic, affecting 80 percent of the property. The nearly two-acre waterfront property is located…
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Florida homeowners traveled to Tallahassee on Monday to demand reforms to homeowner association regulations, arguing that HOA boards have too much power with insufficient oversight. Paul Miller, an Odessa resident, led the effort, stating that while state law provides homeowners with rights on paper, there is no meaningful enforcement system. Miller and his wife Brandy…
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Two budget airlines announced Tuesday they will expand service from Tampa Bay area airports beginning in February 2026. Allegiant Airlines will launch flights between St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport and Trenton, New Jersey, starting February 20, with one-way fares starting at $49. Avelo Airlines will begin twice-weekly service from Lakeland International Airport to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne…
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Pinellas County commissioners are set to vote Tuesday on a major expansion plan for St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE), which has experienced record passenger growth this year. The airport has broken monthly passenger records since February and expects 2025 to be its busiest year ever. Officials say the surge in travelers has strained the facility’s…
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Pinellas County Schools held a community meeting Monday night at Largo High School to address declining enrollment and gather public input on the district’s future planning. Enrollment dropped from nearly 78,000 students last school year to just over 74,000 this school year, a decrease of 3,651 students, according to district officials. Chief Operations Officer Jennifer…
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Florida gas prices jumped significantly last week after a period of drops, according to AAA. The state average increased from $2.84 per gallon last Monday to $2.96 per gallon on Wednesday, though prices then dropped to $2.92 per gallon by Sunday. This represents a 6.5-cent increase from the previous week and 21 cents more than…
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A burn ban is now in effect for unincorporated areas of Citrus County, Florida, prohibiting residents from setting fire to forests, grasslands, marshes, vegetation, and agricultural lands. The ban also prohibits burning yard waste, household garbage, debris, campfires, and bonfires. However, residents can still use grills, including those at parks. The ban will automatically be…
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The Tampa Bay area recorded $273 million in business investment during fiscal year 2025, with 29 companies choosing to expand or relocate to the region despite two major hurricanes hitting the area. The investment figure represents a record for the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council, which tracks business development in the region. The fiscal year…
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The Tampa Bay Rays will return to Tropicana Field for the 2026 season after spending 2025 at Steinbrenner Field while their home stadium underwent repairs from Hurricane Milton damage. The team announced Wednesday that repairs to the stadium’s roof and interior are ongoing, with a planned home opener against the Chicago Cubs on April 6,…
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Severe solar storms on Tuesday brought colorful northern lights displays to parts of the United States, with some Floridians able to witness the rare phenomenon. Viewers sent in images of the auroras from locations around Florida, including Homosassa and Wimauma. “The aurora borealis is nicknamed the northern lights for a reason…you typically see them in…
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Approximately 50 units at The Morgan apartment complex in South St. Petersburg have been deemed unsafe to occupy following repeated failed fire inspections, according to the city’s fire marshal and fire department. Residents must vacate by Sunday due to what officials describe as an “imminent threat to the life and safety of occupants.” Five buildings…
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The Postcard Inn on the Beach, which was destroyed by Hurricane Helene last year, will reopen as The Luce Hotel, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, following a partnership between developers and Marriott. The iconic beachfront property was undergoing renovations when Hurricane Helene struck and had been scheduled to complete renovations in January 2025. The hurricane damage…
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University of South Florida (USF) has received approval from the Florida Board of Governors to move forward with a planned 27-acre mixed-use development called the Fletcher District, located near its Tampa campus. The project, to be built on a portion of a former university golf course, is envisioned to include student and faculty housing, retail,…
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John Catsimatidis Sr., founder of the New York-based Red Apple Group, has requested additional time to submit a redevelopment proposal for St. Petersburg’s Historic Gas Plant District, which houses Tropicana Field. In a letter sent Friday to Mayor Ken Welch and City Council members, Catsimatidis asked officials to extend a 30-day submission window that could…
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Tampa Bay broke a 133-year-old temperature record on Tuesday morning, registering 39 degrees and surpassing the previous low of 40 degrees set in 1892. The National Weather Service issued a freeze warning for northern counties as the first major cold snap of the season arrived. The unusually cold weather prompted responses across the region. Cold…
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A strong cold front moving through the Tampa Bay area late Sunday into Monday morning is expected to bring well-below-normal temperatures, with Tuesday morning potentially approaching record lows. The cold front will bring scattered showers late Sunday, then clear by mid-morning Monday. Northwest winds will gust up to 30 mph during the day on Monday…
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St. Pete Beach city commissioners have unanimously approved a mixed-use condominium project after the developer agreed to enhanced community contributions. The commission approved a conditional use permit for Corey Landings, a 133-unit residential development planned for the eastern end of Corey Avenue. The real estate development project will include 11,000 square feet of commercial space,…
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Tampa and St. Pete city councils have approved a five-year agreement to restore ferry service connecting the two cities, with each municipality contributing up to $350,000 annually. The service will be operated year-round by the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA). St. Petersburg City Council unanimously approved the measure, while Tampa City Council passed it with…
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Tampa Electric residential customers who use 1,000 kilowatt-hours per month will pay an additional $5.50 per month starting January 1, 2026, following a decision finalized Tuesday. The increase is part of yearly adjustments added to a base rate hike approved by the Florida Public Service Commission in 2024. A Tampa Electric spokesperson said the funds…
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Tampa and St. Petersburg moved forward Thursday with plans for a new cross-bay ferry service, with both cities voting on funding agreements. Tampa approved a five-year interlocal agreement that includes up to $350,000 annually for the ferry, which will be called the Tampa Bay Ferry. St. Petersburg was also scheduled to vote on contributing up…
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