Author: stpeteclearwatersun
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St. Pete Beach has initiated a multi-year infrastructure project to replace century-old drainage pipes as flooding problems worsen throughout the coastal community. The city is upgrading drainage systems that include pipes more than 100 years old, which have struggled to handle increased flooding on major roadways and in residential neighborhoods. The project involves installing new…
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Plant City commissioners voted to purchase 74 acres of wetlands, uplands, and a large pond on Knights Griffin Road to help tackle neighborhood flooding problems. The property contains a retention pond that could be expanded to provide additional stormwater management, according to City Manager Bill McDaniel. The purchase also gives the city direct access to…
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The Tampa Bay Rays‘ $1.7 billion sale to a Jacksonville developer-led group could be finalized within the next two weeks, team officials announced Wednesday. The buyer group is headed by Dream Finders Homes CEO Patrick Zalupski, who entered exclusive negotiations with current owner Stuart Sternberg’s group in June. Two major leadership changes accompany the pending…
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A $340 million widening project has started on Interstate 275 in Pinellas County, part of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Moving Florida Forward initiative to address traffic congestion across the state. The project covers the stretch of I-275 from 38th Avenue North to 4th Street North. Plans include constructing two express lanes in each direction between 38th…
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The National Hurricane Center confirmed Wednesday that Tropical Storm Gabrielle has formed in the Central Atlantic, becoming the seventh named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season. Located about 990 miles east of the northern Leeward Islands, Gabrielle is moving toward the northwest at about 22 mph with maximum sustained winds near 50 mph. According…
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The Oldsmar City Council declined to approve a revised concept plan for the city’s downtown redevelopment project during its meeting Tuesday night, leaving the future of the district undecided. The city has acquired more than eight acres of land over the past three decades with the goal of developing a walkable downtown area. Developers from…
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Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said Tuesday that the Tampa Bay Rays will likely revisit potential sites for a new ballpark once the team’s pending ownership change is finalized. Current owner Stu Sternberg, who has led the franchise since 2005, is negotiating a sale to a group headed by Patrick Zalupski. Manfred said new…
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Tropical Depression Seven formed in the central Atlantic early Wednesday, according to the National Hurricane Center. As of 5 a.m., the system was located near 13.7°N latitude and 45.0°W longitude. Maximum sustained winds were reported at 35 miles per hour, with the depression moving west at 13 miles per hour. Forecasters expect the system to…
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Community members across Tampa Bay are spending the week working to protect and restore local waterways. Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful kicked off its annual Hillsborough River and Coastal Cleanup on Monday at Lettuce Lake Park. The effort continued Tuesday with a two-mile eco-walk at USF Riverwalk Park in downtown Tampa, where volunteers collected litter along…
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For the first time since 2018, Pinellas County has begun a major beach renourishment project along its barrier islands — but this round comes without funding from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps, which historically covered about 65% of the cost, now requires beachfront property owners to grant permanent public access in exchange…
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After a quieter-than-usual stretch this month, the Atlantic Basin is beginning to show signs of renewed tropical activity, with two systems now being monitored by the National Hurricane Center (NHC). The first, a broad disturbance in the central Atlantic, has been designated Invest 92L. Currently spinning over open water, the system poses no immediate threat…
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Residents of Pasco County are being urged to stay alert after a new phone scam targeting supposed missed jury duty has cost at least one woman $2,000, and authorities believe there are more victims. The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office says callers are posing as law enforcement or court officials, claiming the person neglected to report…
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As construction continues and foot traffic slows in parts of St. Petersburg, several longtime businesses have closed their doors. In contrast, new ones are preparing to move in — sparking concern among residents and community groups. “Cycle closed. It was one of the first breweries in St. Pete, and now it’s changed ownership,” said resident…
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As data centers proliferate—driven in large part by the expansion of artificial intelligence and cloud computing—the U.S. electrical grid is facing mounting stress. State regulators and grid operators are evaluating new strategies to ensure reliability while balancing the growth of high‐energy users. Emerging Responses to Grid Stress Drivers of the Issue Examples of Adaptation Challenges…
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Businesses in Crystal River are eagerly anticipating a surge in visitors following the opening of the second phase of the Suncoast Parkway expansion — part of a larger three-phase project that will soon connect Tampa more directly to Crystal River. The Parkway’s newest section is already having local business owners looking ahead to brighter economic…
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The St. Petersburg City Council held its first public hearing Thursday on the administration’s proposed $1.18 billion budget for fiscal year 2026, delving into key spending priorities and expressing concerns over how well certain community needs are being met. Property Taxes, Pension Costs Drive Debate Although the property tax formula remains the same, the budget…
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Health insurance premiums are expected to soar in 2026, putting financial strain on Floridians as both marketplace and employer-based plans see sharp increases. New research indicates family budgets may take a major hit in the coming year. What’s Going Up Why Premiums Are Rising Several major cost pressures are being blamed: What’s Still Unclear Impact…
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As Florida heads into what may be another active hurricane season, residents in South Tampa are urging city officials to finally address long-neglected canal maintenance, saying that Canal 20 in the Westshore area is clogged, worsening flooding and storm damage. Homeowners living on West Euclid and West Bay Villa Avenue say the waterway has not…
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At her usual table at the Frog Pond in North Redington Beach, Sharon Russell debated between waffles with strawberries or her longtime favorite — French onion soup. Three blocks away, Rick Ricart is still repairing his hurricane-damaged home. Yet even while living temporarily in Lakeland, he makes the drive back for breakfast. Both are part…
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The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office is reminding residents to brush up on Florida’s electric bicycle laws as e-bikes surge in popularity across the county. In a recent social media post, deputies laid out a legal checklist for riders: an e-bike must have working pedals, a motor no larger than 750 watts, and a top speed…
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The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is closely watching a tropical wave currently over western Africa that is expected to move off the coast in the coming days. What We Know So Far What Could Happen If the wave organizes sufficiently — with thunderstorms consolidating, winds increasing, and circulation forming — it could develop into a…
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St. Pete Beach residents are bracing for another round of king tide flooding, with 44th Avenue among the areas expected to see water rise over the next two weeks. Neighbors say they’re used to it — but the flooding is lasting longer and reshaping their community. By Tuesday, water had already begun creeping into driveways.…
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Residents gathered in Bartow on Tuesday night to hear details about Mosaic’s plan to drill two exploratory wells that could later be used to inject treated wastewater thousands of feet underground. Mosaic and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) described the project as part of a lengthy, closely regulated approval process. Company officials stressed…
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Citrus County is applying for federal Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery funding to help repair damage from recent hurricanes and strengthen protections against future storms. Residents can share their input through an online survey open until Sept. 15 at 5 p.m. The grant program supports long-term storm recovery, infrastructure restoration, and storm mitigation…
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Dozens of Tampa Bay homeowners say their Spanish tile roofs are failing just years after moving into newly built homes, and they want builder Taylor Morrison to replace them under warranty. The complaints surfaced after WTVT-TV reported on problems with new construction, prompting more than 40 families—mostly in the Esplanade of Tampa community—to come forward.…
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A notoriously strict homeowner’s association in St. Petersburg has revised its roof material rules after one resident’s determination to rebuild stronger following a devastating hurricane season. Kathleen Suler lost her Venetian Isles home to Hurricane Helene’s storm surge. Determined to protect her family, she pushed for an elevated rebuild with a durable metal roof. She…
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Sarasota County has launched an innovative environmental initiative—the new RainCheck rebate program—aimed squarely at empowering homeowners to play a direct role in managing stormwater and safeguarding local water resources. What is the RainCheck Program? Officially launched on January 1, 2025, RainCheck is a Stormwater Environmental Utility Incentive Rebate Program administered through the county’s Neighborhood Environmental…
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The City of Lakeland has received nearly $1 million in state funding to improve water quality at Lake Morton, home to the city’s famous royal swans and a wide variety of waterfowl. The $994,401 grant will fund advanced technology designed to lower nutrient levels, curb harmful algal blooms, and address long-standing nutrient buildup in the…
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The National Hurricane Center is monitoring Invest 91L in the central tropical Atlantic, which is projected to become Tropical Storm Gabrielle in the coming days. Forecasters give the disturbance a 60% chance of development within 48 hours and a 90% chance over the next week. Because the system is moving slowly, meteorologists say there will…
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Florida health officials say they are working to eliminate vaccine mandates, though students are still required to have certain immunizations to attend school. At a news conference in Valrico on Wednesday, Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo said the government should not decide what people put in their bodies. He announced plans to move toward ending…
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Residents of the Harshaw Lake Park neighborhood in St. Petersburg’s Disston Heights community — one of the city’s higher-elevation areas, reaching 60 feet — say they’re seeing more frequent flooding and want the city to step up stormwater maintenance. “It just seemed that the water was coming up faster than it used to,” resident Heidi…
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The City of Tampa has launched a project to restore the fishing pier at Ballast Point Park, which was damaged during the 2024 hurricane season. Engineering reports found the 970-foot pier does not need to be rebuilt from the ground up. Instead, crews will carry out a complete restoration, replacing all pier boards and reinforcing…
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A tropical wave in the eastern Atlantic, identified as Invest 91L, is expected to organize later this week or over the weekend, according to the National Hurricane Center. The disturbance currently has a 50% chance of development within 48 hours and an 80% chance over the next seven days. It is producing showers and thunderstorms…
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The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District 7 will host a community meeting Thursday evening to begin its Project Development and Environmental Study for a major upgrade to the Courtney Campbell Causeway, connecting Clearwater and Tampa. The project is still in its early planning phase, but potential improvements include widening the roadway and adding environmental…
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Hillsborough County is still working to rebuild stormwater systems damaged during last year’s back-to-back hurricanes, with major canal repairs underway in Town ‘n’ Country. The project, which began shortly after Hurricane Milton, covers more than 20 miles of canals. County officials say some areas require additional fill and stabilization, while others need erosion control and…
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Weeks after a widely shared fight on Lake Winterset, Polk County commissioners have moved to tighten regulations on local waterways. On Tuesday, commissioners approved an ordinance establishing new “no-go zones” for boats on Lakes Winterset, Clinch, and Ariana. The zones will be reserved for swimming only, to reduce loud parties, unsafe behavior, and trespass on…
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Manatee County is rolling out new lightning detection technology at its beaches, adding another layer of protection for visitors. Over the summer, the county installed systems at public pools and splash pads. Now, the first beach unit has gone up at Manatee Public Beach, with another set to be placed on the roof of the…
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Months after a fire tore through part of Dolphin Village Plaza on Gulf Boulevard, businesses that survived say customer traffic hasn’t bounced back. The May 13 blaze destroyed the CVS and heavily damaged Publix—two stores that shop owners say were key drivers of foot traffic. “The foot traffic is completely gone. Zero,” Jerry Zamudio, owner…
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Preliminary 10-day counts show that schools across the Tampa Bay area are serving fewer students than last year, with drops sharper than some districts anticipated. While statewide trends—such as lower birth rates, increased homeschooling, and expanded voucher programs—play a role, local factors like housing costs and population shifts are also reshaping school enrollments. Andrew Spar,…
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The whizzing sound of reels and the sight of rods are back at Clearwater Beach’s Pier 60. A portion of the pier reopened Monday, nearly a year after hurricane damage forced it to close. Repairs to the bait house alone topped $300,000, covering new walls, flooring, lighting, and fixtures. The shop now rents rods and…
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A tropical wave south of the Cabo Verde Islands could strengthen into a tropical depression by the middle of this week, according to the National Hurricane Center. The disturbance is producing showers and thunderstorms over the far eastern Atlantic, where conditions appear favorable for gradual development. Forecasters say the system will track west to west-northwest…
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Tropicana Field is one step closer to getting a new roof after Hurricane Milton shredded the old one. For weeks, crews have been laying netting and preparing for the job. Installation of the first of 24 roof panels—each weighing about 4,800 pounds—has now begun, a St. Petersburg city spokesperson confirmed. Because of the weight, the…
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Manatee County residents are calling for stronger protections for the Myakka River, but a new state law may complicate future decisions. For Lindsey Leigh, who grew up along the river, the connection is deeply personal. “You feel so connected to nature when you’re here—anywhere along this river,” she told Bay News 9. Each week, Leigh…
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