Author: stpeteclearwatersun
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The City of Tampa is inviting residents to weigh in on local flooding concerns through a series of upcoming public meetings. City officials say this effort follows a recent vulnerability assessment that identified heavy rainfall—not hurricanes—as Tampa’s most pressing flood threat. Already this month, intense rain events have highlighted the system’s limitations. Mayor Jane Castor…
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Pinellas County will begin a series of public meetings this week to gather community input on a $125 million emergency beach renourishment project aimed at restoring sand lost during last year’s hurricanes. The large-scale effort will be funded through a combination of state grants and revenue from the county’s hotel bed tax. “These are infrastructure…
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A low-pressure system is forecast to develop by Saturday along a weakening frontal boundary near Florida or the southeastern U.S. Atlantic coast, according to the National Hurricane Center. The system could gradually strengthen into a tropical depression or subtropical depression over the weekend or early next week as it tracks north or northeast. While environmental…
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A week after an EF1 tornado tore through Ranchero Village, a manufactured home community in Largo, residents are still recovering — and watching the skies again as more rain is forecast for the Tampa Bay area in the days ahead. “A lot of homes haven’t been tarped yet,” Carolyn Johnson, a Ranchero Village resident, explained…
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Tampa city officials advise residents to prepare for heavier-than-usual traffic and large crowds over the Independence Day weekend. Downtown hotspots such as the Riverwalk, Armature Works, and Sparkman Wharf are expected to see major congestion, especially during key holiday events. The city’s annual Boom by the Bay celebration takes place at Armature Works from 4…
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In preparation for expected heavy rainfall and potential flooding, Pinellas County officials have activated sandbag distribution stations to assist residents in protecting their properties. The move comes as weather forecasts predict significant rain across the Tampa Bay area in the coming days. Sandbag stations opened on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, and will remain available to…
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Communities across the Tampa Bay area are preparing for a vibrant Independence Day with fireworks, festivals, and family-friendly events. From St. Petersburg to Clearwater, here’s a roundup of 4th of July celebrations happening in 2025. In St. Petersburg, the annual “4th of July Fireworks Celebration” at Spa Beach Park kicks off at 5 p.m. with…
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The City of St. Petersburg has launched a new initiative to address aging sewer infrastructure, offering free inspections and replacements of private sewer lateral pipes for eligible homeowners. The program, backed by a $500,000 fund, aims to improve neighborhood infrastructure, protect homes from damage, and reduce city-wide sewage treatment costs. Announced on June 30, 2025,…
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On July 1, 2025, a slate of new laws will go into effect across Florida, impacting everything from boating and hotel rules to education, animal cruelty penalties, and children’s access to social media. Here’s a breakdown of the key legislation: Hotels, Restaurants & Consumer Notices (SB 606) Hotels and restaurants will now have more authority…
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A new Redfin report lists Tampa as one of the most expensive U.S. cities for renters requiring childcare, with median costs for rent and childcare reaching $3,466 per month. This figure, based on one-bedroom apartment rents and local childcare rates, places Tampa 10th among major cities, where such expenses consume 36% of the median renter’s…
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Demolition of the old Howard Frankland Bridge is officially scheduled for mid-July, according to a permit filed by the Florida Department of Transportation with the Southwest Florida Water Management District. The northbound span, originally built for $16 million, will be torn down after traffic is shifted to the bridge constructed in the 1990s, which had…
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Safety Harbor’s cherished waterfront is about to undergo a sweeping transformation, as the city kicks off a major series of reconstruction projects beginning July 7. Prompted largely by damage from the 2023 and 2024 hurricane seasons, the effort promises a revitalized waterfront experience—but not without significant short-term disruption for residents, visitors, and boat owners. Unveiled…
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For more than a decade, Kathryn Wiggins never gave a second thought to the roof above her office at Airgas. But everything changed Wednesday night. “We have no roof. Bathrooms are damaged, tiles are down, water is everywhere — everything is soaked. It doesn’t look like our office anymore,” Wiggins told WTSP, surveying the wreckage.…
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Florida is stepping up efforts to clean its waterways with a new law targeting derelict vessels, as well as illegal anchoring. Gov. Ron DeSantis recently signed Senate Bill 164, which increases penalties for boaters who abandon or improperly anchor their vessels. The law, effective July 1, imposes fines starting at $100 and, in more severe…
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The City of St. Petersburg is reimagining the long-overlooked Port of St. Pete for the first time in more than two decades. At a public open house Wednesday evening, city officials and consultants unveiled three preliminary concepts for redeveloping the underused port and its 4.4 acres of adjacent land south of downtown. While each proposal…
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New beach rules are now in effect on Anna Maria Island, targeting a growing problem: dangerously deep holes dug in the sand. Manatee County has passed an ordinance prohibiting holes deeper than one foot, banning steel shovels for digging, and requiring all holes to be filled in before visitors leave the beach. Kristen Mazzarella of…
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A powerful line of storms swept through Pinellas County on Wednesday evening, bringing heavy rain, hail, intense lightning, and a confirmed tornado that caused significant damage in parts of Largo. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The Ranchero Village and Bay Ranch mobile home communities near Ulmerton Road bore the brunt of the destruction, though storm…
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The St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce has launched a new initiative aimed at empowering local tech entrepreneurs and growing the city’s innovation economy. The Tech Founders Committee, a collaborative effort led by local industry leaders, is designed to help startups launch, scale, and succeed in St. Petersburg. The group will focus on four key…
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As the Fourth of July approaches, communities throughout the Tampa Bay area are gearing up for a wide array of festivities. From fireworks and boat parades to concerts, food festivals, and family fun zones, there’s no shortage of ways to mark America’s 249th birthday. Here’s your county-by-county guide to Independence Day events happening across the…
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Following the devastation left by hurricanes Helene and Milton, Florida lawmakers have approved a sweeping legislative package aimed at preventing the debris removal chaos that overwhelmed communities across the state in 2024. In the wake of the storms, streets were lined for weeks with ruined furniture, tree limbs, and other debris. Landfills turned crews away,…
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Florida beachgoers will soon have easier access to more shoreline under a new state law. While the area seaward of the average high tide line has long been public, a 2018 law made it harder for local governments to declare the higher, dry sand portions of the beach as open to the public. That law…
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As property insurance premiums continue to soar across Florida, one Hillsborough County family still recovering from Hurricane Milton says they’re nearing their financial breaking point. April Self and her husband were forced out of their home by severe flooding and only returned two months ago. Since then, they’ve been juggling a growing pile of bills…
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Gov. Ron DeSantis signed two wide-reaching bills Monday aimed at easing financial pressure on Florida condo owners and making buildings more storm-resilient, following backlash over costly regulations introduced after the 2021 Surfside collapse. Speaking at a Clearwater restaurant, DeSantis said the legislation is designed to bring relief to homeowners facing steep fees due to increased…
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A low-pressure system in the central Atlantic could briefly develop into a tropical depression Monday, according to the National Hurricane Center. Forecasters say the system, located about 600 miles east of Bermuda, is producing disorganized thunderstorms displaced to its east. While conditions remain only marginally favorable, a boost in thunderstorm activity could trigger short-term development.…
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Last month, Clearwater officials were caught off guard when Duke Energy Florida released a report estimating it would cost the city more than $1 billion to cut ties with the utility and establish its own power company — a figure exceeding Clearwater’s entire annual budget. The estimate came from Concentric Energy Advisors, a consulting firm…
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In a significant policy shift, Florida lawmakers have repealed the state’s 2023 mandate requiring middle schools to begin no earlier than 8 a.m. and high schools no earlier than 8:30 a.m. by 2026. The repeal introduces a system requiring districts to conduct studies and justify any deviation from those times. What led to the repeal?…
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The Florida Lottery is alerting the public to a dangerous scam in which fraudsters pose as lottery officials and falsely claim players have won large cash prizes. According to officials, scammers are contacting individuals by phone, text, or social media, informing them they’ve won a significant lottery prize — but to claim it, victims are…
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Coastal communities across Tampa Bay — particularly in places like Treasure Island — are battling a surge in mosquitoes this summer, and experts say recent hurricanes are to blame. Flooding and debris left behind by Hurricanes Helene and Milton have created ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes, with more than 40 species now buzzing through the…
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The Tampa Bay Rays are in exclusive negotiations to sell the franchise to a group led by Jacksonville homebuilder Patrick Zalupski in a deal reportedly valued at $1.7 billion. Multiple sources confirm that Zalupski has signed a letter of intent to buy the team. While not legally binding, the agreement signals serious momentum toward a…
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Two Belleair Bluffs businesses have each received $2,500 in hurricane relief from the Bluffs Business Association. The awards were presented during a ceremony at Belleair Bluffs City Hall. Grant recipients included Belleair Market & Café, owned by Chris Scott and Julie Champion, and Clean Eatz Belleair Bluffs, operated by Jen and Craig Schmidt. The relief…
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On the last day of an extended legislative session, Florida lawmakers passed a sweeping charter school expansion that allows privately run, publicly funded “schools of hope” to operate rent-free inside under-enrolled public schools. The controversial bill, pushed through late Monday night as part of a broader budget package, marks the latest Republican-led effort to grow…
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Following a devastating hurricane season that battered Pinellas County’s shoreline, officials have approved a $125 million initiative to rebuild and strengthen coastal sand dunes—natural defenses that help protect against storm surge, erosion, and flooding. The Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved the restoration project, awarding the contract to Weeks Marine, Inc., a firm with extensive…
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St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport will break ground on its first multi-level parking garage as it braces for record-setting passenger numbers. With projections showing 2.74 million travelers in 2025—well above the 2023 record of 2.49 million—airport officials say they can’t afford to wait for a future terminal expansion to meet growing demand for parking. On June…
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A long-vacant hospital in downtown St. Petersburg is set for a major transformation into affordable housing for low-income seniors, bolstered by a fresh $9 million investment from the city. The former Ed White Hospital will become home to 71 senior apartments, the new headquarters for the St. Petersburg Housing Authority (SPHA), and a community health…
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Tampa ranks third nationwide for canceled home purchase agreements, according to a new report from Redfin — part of a broader trend showing Florida cities dominating the list. Roughly 56,000 U.S. home deals fell through in April 2025, representing 14.3% of pending sales. It’s the highest April cancellation rate since 2017, excluding the early pandemic…
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Largo resident Nancy Jones doesn’t live in a flood zone or evacuation area—but that didn’t stop her from picking up sandbags as hurricane season began. “I’m not worried about major flooding, but when we get heavy rain and strong winds, water seeps in under the doors,” Jones told WUSF. She joined many others at a…
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Need that Walmart order in a hurry? Just look to the skies. Walmart is bringing its high-speed drone delivery service to Tampa, offering customers delivery in 30 minutes or less for thousands of products—from eggs and ice cream to baby formula and COVID tests. The retailer’s expansion includes four other major metro areas: Orlando, Atlanta,…
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The United States Postal Service is alerting customers to a rise in sophisticated scams, including “brushing” schemes and digital frauds like phishing and smishing. According to postal officials, scammers are becoming more deceptive in their attempts to steal personal information through emails, texts, and unsolicited packages. USPS Postal Inspector Damien Kraebel said the agency continues…
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As another round of rain looms this week, residents in South Tampa remain uneasy about the risk of flooding. James Adair, whose home was inundated during Hurricane Milton, has already spent thousands on repairs. Now, he’s taking a hands-on approach—clearing debris from stormwater drains and investigating the root causes of his neighborhood’s drainage issues, from…
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Hardware stores across the state of Florida are experiencing a surge in early hurricane prep as the 2025 season gets underway. Brian Culp, who owns a Pinellas County Ace Hardware, says the rush began as soon as June 1 hit. “People were clearing shelves right out of the gate,” he told WTVT. Sales of storm-related…
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For the first time, the National Weather Service is testing artificial intelligence models as part of its storm forecasting tools during hurricane season. NOAA officials say the AI models will supplement existing systems to help meteorologists better predict storm paths and intensities. Wallace Hogsett, a science and operations officer with NOAA, said this marks a…
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Get ready to cast a line without a license this weekend as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) hosts its license-free freshwater fishing event on June 14 and 15. “Take your dad or your kids out fishing and explore the many recreational freshwater fishing opportunities Florida has to offer,” FWC encouraged in a…
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As energy prices climb alongside summer temperatures, Florida families struggling to keep up with rising electric bills may be eligible for federal assistance. “You know the temperatures are rising — that can absolutely mean higher energy bills for folks,” said Cherie Jacobs with Tampa Electric (TECO). Florida Commerce is offering up to $1,000 in utility…
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