Author: stpeteclearwatersun
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After Hurricane Helene tore through Florida last year, many residents along the coast are still displaced and working to rebuild before the next hurricane season begins on June 1. Experts say the aftermath could lead to major changes in local and state land development codes, aimed at making homes stronger and more flood-resilient. In response…
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Residents of St. Pete Beach say the Publix damaged in this week’s fire was a critical resource—especially for those still recovering from last year’s hurricanes. “All of our rooms are suites with full kitchens, full-size refrigerators, coffee makers, toasters—it’s really been a lifeline having those amenities here, with Publix right across the street,” Robert Czyszczon,…
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As the start of hurricane season nears, Tampa officials are intensifying efforts to improve the city’s stormwater system and avoid the kind of severe flooding experienced during last year’s Hurricane Milton. Recent heavy rains have helped pinpoint trouble spots, allowing crews to target areas most prone to flooding. Teams are now working six days a…
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St. Petersburg officials say back-to-back hurricanes have better prepared the city for the 2025 storm season, which begins in less than three weeks. Speaking from the Northeast Water Reclamation Facility on Tuesday, Mayor Ken Welch emphasized infrastructure upgrades and increased storm readiness. The city shut down the low-lying plant during Hurricanes Helene and Milton but…
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In an effort to curb rising home insurance costs, Florida lawmakers passed reforms aimed at reducing what they called excessive litigation against insurance companies. The goal was to discourage frivolous lawsuits and stabilize a volatile insurance market. However, some legislators admitted they lacked comprehensive data when crafting and approving the changes. Following a surge in…
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Tampa has officially begun construction on the next phase of a transformative infrastructure project designed to enhance mobility and access across the city. On Tuesday morning, city officials gathered at Purity Springs Park to celebrate the progress of the Green ARTery, a planned 22-mile trail system that will provide safe and scenic pathways connecting neighborhoods,…
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Breeze Airways is taking off with more options for Tampa travelers, launching three brand-new nonstop routes from Tampa International Airport (TPA) and officially beginning service to Memphis, Tennessee. Introductory fares for these new destinations start as low as $39 one-way. Known for its low-cost fares and premium in-flight experience, Breeze is connecting Tampa to: “We’re…
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Manatee County residents are being asked to weigh in on how to use more than $252 million in federal disaster relief funding to support recovery from recent hurricanes and flooding. The area was hit hard last hurricane season, with severe wind and flood damage still visible in many neighborhoods. Some residents are still trying to…
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Pasco County is set to receive over $585 million in federal funding to aid in storm recovery efforts. The funding comes from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). These funds will support recovery efforts across Pasco County in the wake of Hurricanes Idalia, Helene,…
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Could a long-term fix finally be on the horizon for the persistent flooding in St. Petersburg’s Shore Acres neighborhood? Residents are hopeful. With the city’s support, they’ve joined forces with experts to find real solutions through the St. Pete Resident Task Force Pilot Program — an initiative that could lead to major changes. As part…
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Hillsborough County officials are urging residents to watch their mailboxes closely as transportation tax refund checks begin to arrive — and to avoid mistaking them for junk mail. The checks are part of a class-action settlement stemming from a one-cent sales tax for transportation projects that collected nearly $569 million before being struck down by…
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A new K-8 school set to open in Tampa this fall will use artificial intelligence to tailor learning experiences for each student. “At Alpha School, it’s not about being the smartest—it’s about learning at the pace and level that works best for you,” said co-founder MacKenzie Price. Alpha School, which already operates campuses in Texas…
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The Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) is leading a critical infrastructure effort to strengthen flood defenses in the Tampa Bay region. South of Tampa, repairs are underway on the Tampa Bypass Canal, which sustained damage during Hurricane Milton. This canal, one of several in the area, plays a key role in redirecting floodwaters around…
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Two Tampa Bay area school districts—Pasco and Pinellas—will raise school lunch prices due to inflation and the anticipated effects of new tariffs. In Pasco County, school officials voted this week to increase lunch prices by 5 percent, translating to an additional 10 to 15 cents per meal. The district emphasized that students in need can…
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A bill introduced by Pinellas County lawmakers that would prohibit drivers from creating large wakes on flooded streets is now on Governor Ron DeSantis’ desk after passing both legislative chambers last week. State Sen. Nick DiCeglie, a Republican from Indian Rocks Beach who sponsored the bill in the Senate, said local law enforcement needed more…
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With hurricane season set to begin June 1, Sarasota County is hosting a community event on Thursday, May 8, to help residents prepare and stay informed. Officials will also discuss the region’s ongoing recovery from last year’s storms. Leaders from FEMA, the Florida Division of Emergency Management, the National Weather Service, the Small Business Administration,…
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Residents of the Delmar Apartment Complex in Tampa were stunned this week to find notices from the city taped to their doors, warning that water service could be shut off by May 21 due to non-payment. According to the notice, the apartment’s water bill has gone unpaid for months, despite residents continuing to pay rent,…
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Just three weeks before hurricane season begins, Treasure Island city commissioners voted Monday night to remove City Manager Chuck Anderson, citing what they called a failure of leadership following last year’s storms. In a 3-2 decision during a public meeting, commissioners dismissed Anderson—one of the city’s top officials—pointing to unresolved infrastructure issues and a lack…
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The beloved Thunderbird Beach Resort on Treasure Island is being reimagined, but its heart remains in the stories and memories of the guests who’ve called it a home away from home. For decades, families, couples, and friends have gathered at the iconic beachfront destination, soaking up the sun and making memories—many over a drink at…
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A newly formed legislative committee is setting the stage for sweeping changes to Florida’s property tax system, potentially giving voters the power to decide on the elimination of property taxes in the 2026 election. The Select Committee on Property Tax Reform convened for the first time on May 2, aiming to tackle one of the…
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As Florida observes Hurricane Preparedness Week, many Tampa residents—especially those in the hard-hit Westshore neighborhood—say they’re still struggling to recover from last year’s storms and feel unprepared for the hurricane season ahead. With the 2025 tropical storm season just three weeks away, anxiety is mounting. In Westshore, where Hurricanes Helene and Milton left a trail…
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With hurricane season just weeks away, a new AAA survey reveals that over a quarter of Florida residents are more concerned about the upcoming storms than they were last year. The heightened concern follows a punishing 2024 season that brought three hurricanes ashore along Florida’s Gulf Coast. According to the survey, 28% of respondents said…
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In a surprising turn of events, the city manager and city attorney of Indian Rocks Beach have resigned within 24 hours of each other, city officials announced. The resignations were revealed during a city commission meeting, with both officials submitting their letters without publicly disclosing specific reasons for their departures. City Manager Greg Mims, who…
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Get ready, St. Pete—your new favorite spot for sun, sport, and sand is about to open. SkyBeach Resort (6800 Sunshine Skyway Lane South) has announced the debut of SouthSide Sports, a high-end athletic club nestled right on its scenic beachfront property. Designed for singles, couples, and families, the club offers flexible membership options. The first…
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With hurricane season officially starting on June 1, now is the time to prepare — and the City of Treasure Island is here to help. If you live on this beautiful stretch of Florida’s Gulf Coast, don’t miss the upcoming Hurricane Expo on Wednesday, May 28, from 6 to 8 p.m. at City Hall (10451…
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The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season officially kicks off in just a month, and Gulf Coast communities are still recovering from the damage caused by last year’s back-to-back storms. With another active season on the horizon, now is the time to prepare. Here’s what you need to know: Forecasts Point to Another Active Hurricane Season Researchers…
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A spate of unexpected coyote attacks has left residents of a Florida beach town on edge. Thomas Cathey, the most recent victim, said he was walking to work Wednesday morning along 6th Street in Atlantic Beach when he noticed something following him — not a person, but a coyote. “It came out of the bushes…
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The St. Petersburg City Council is expected to finalize approval Thursday for a $134,800 state grant that would fund upgrades at Albert Whitted Airport—securing its operation as an airport for at least the next 20 years. The funding, provided by the Florida Department of Transportation, will support the construction phase of the airport’s Airfield Vault…
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While concerns about road rage, boating incidents, and even gun violence persist across Florida, a new report finds that around 10 percent fewer residents experienced such incidents compared to previous years. SafeWise, a platform specializing in security product reviews, analyzed FBI crime data from municipalities across the state for its 11th annual “Safest Cities in…
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Homeowners in St. Petersburg trying to rebuild after Hurricane Helene are now grappling with a new crisis: foreclosure threats from a mortgage company that recently acquired their loan. Woody Faircloth and his family, who live in the Riviera Bay neighborhood, say their mortgage was sold while they were still recovering from storm damage. Despite following…
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The Cross Bay Ferry will operate its final route on Wednesday, officially ending service between Tampa and St. Petersburg. Hillsborough County Commissioners terminated the ferry’s four-year contract after discovering the operator was using a slower vessel than initially agreed upon. For more than three years, the ferry provided a popular transportation link across the Bay,…
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Fort Myers Beach has successfully completed all Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requirements and will be released from its National Flood Insurance Program probation status on November 18, according to town officials. The town satisfied five specific action items mandated by FEMA earlier in 2024. With the probation lifting, residents will no longer be subject…
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The City of Tampa is holding a meeting on Tuesday to discuss its post-disaster redevelopment plan, as city crews continue their preparations for the upcoming hurricane season. During her State of the City address yesterday, Mayor Jane Castor provided an update on the city’s ongoing efforts and highlighted the progress made so far. “We must…
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After years of setbacks, Florida’s citrus growers may finally be getting the help they’ve long awaited. A state Senate committee recently proposed allocating $200 million to the citrus industry in the upcoming fiscal year. Kyle Story, a fourth-generation grower, has witnessed storms batter his family’s groves over the decades. However, he said Hurricanes Milton and…
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Responding to widespread complaints about beachgoers being blocked by waterfront property owners, the Florida Senate on Thursday approved a bill to repeal a contentious 2018 law regulating “customary use” of beaches. The repeal effort gained momentum after heated disputes in Walton County, where residents and visitors have faced restrictions accessing dry-sand areas of the beach.…
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The Florida Public Service Commission’s staff advised Thursday that state regulators should stick to their decision to approve Tampa Electric Co.’s base-rate increases despite objections from consumer groups. The commission is set to revisit the issue on May 6, following a request for reconsideration filed by the state Office of Public Counsel, Florida Rising, Inc.,…
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Pinellas County is pulling out of Duke Energy’s Clean Energy Connection program following growing criticism about the lack of financial returns and rising utility expenses. On Tuesday, county commissioners voted to end their agreement with Duke Energy, ceasing participation in a program that charges subscribers $8.35 per kilowatt monthly to support the development of solar…
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As St. Petersburg recovers from past hurricanes and braces for a new season, the city is facing a sharp decline in financial support. Compared to this time last year, the city has received $31.3 million less in grant funding — an 83% drop from $37.6 million to just $6.3 million through March. The decline is…
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The Pines Trailer Park in Bradenton Beach has weathered storms for decades, but now, its residents face a new challenge: eviction. After enduring the devastation of Hurricane Helene and the difficult cleanup that followed, residents began to rebuild their lives. Many feared their homes would be red-tagged by FEMA, but 83 of the 86 homeowners…
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Multiple female real estate agents across Tampa Bay have reported alarming encounters with a man who appears to be using fake house showings to inappropriately touch women’s feet. At least half a dozen women have come forward with strikingly similar stories about the same individual, who systematically books property viewings or attends open houses with…
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