Author: stpeteclearwatersun
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A proposed expansion of Florida’s hands-free driving laws is moving forward in the state Senate, with a vote scheduled for today, but the bill has hit a roadblock in the House. The legislation aims to build on Florida’s existing texting-while-driving ban by prohibiting all handheld phone use while operating a vehicle. The push for stricter…
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As homeowners continue rebuilding after last year’s hurricanes, an experienced mold remediation expert is urging them to take proper precautions to avoid future problems caused by trapped moisture in building materials. Bob Richards, owner of Quality Remediation and a veteran in the industry with over 30 years of experience, says he’s receiving a growing number…
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Residents of St. Pete Beach, Florida, are facing an uncertain future as their temporary hotel stays, provided by FEMA, are set to end on April 12, 2025. The community was devastated by back-to-back storms, Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, which left many homes uninhabitable. Among those affected is Jennifer Macksey, who has been living in…
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Insurance approved $15K for a new roof, but the company charged more than double and is now suing her for the difference Last year, over 1,800 Polk County homeowners received foreclosure notices. Sarah Taylor, a 73-year-old cancer survivor who has never missed a mortgage payment, never imagined she’d be among them. But now, Taylor is…
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The Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival is back for its 11th year, launching Friday, April 11, and running through Sunday, April 27, with more attractions and more sand than ever before. This beloved Clearwater Beach tradition promises a packed schedule of free beach concerts, salsa dancing, fireworks, a Ferris wheel, and more—all set against the…
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In the Twelve Oaks subdivision of Town ‘n’ Country, the streets are lined with tall laurel oaks—planted decades ago after residents demanded greenery from the original developer. Now, those same trees are reaching the end of their lifespan, and neighbors like Sue Pritchard are taking action to prevent disaster. “We do love them very much,”…
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With just weeks remaining in Florida’s legislative session, Governor Ron DeSantis and House Speaker Daniel Perez are at odds over how to deliver tax relief to Floridians. The debate centers on two competing proposals: DeSantis’ push for property tax reductions and Perez’s plan to slash the state’s sales tax rate. DeSantis has repeatedly called for…
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In a city where undeveloped land is increasingly rare, developers continue looking west for new real estate and housing opportunities. On April 3, St. Petersburg City Council unanimously approved plans for a small residential subdivision in the western part of the city. The project, known as the Seven Avenue North Villas, will create four buildable…
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A formidable great white shark has once again made its presence known along Florida’s coastline. OCEARCH, a global shark-tracking organization, recorded an 11-foot, 761-pound sub-adult great white shark, aptly named “Dold,” pinging off the Gulf Coast on Monday. Just weeks prior, Dold was spotted off Vero Beach, showcasing its impressive journey across the Sunshine State.…
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Local organizers have launched the “Dump Duke” campaign, aiming to build public pressure on city officials to explore a municipal takeover of electric services. Dozens of residents gathered at Gladden Park Recreation Center recently, sitting on folding chairs and eating barbecue as they listened to activists and city leaders lay out a bold proposal: replace…
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Tampa has unveiled its latest efforts to combat flooding impacts with a $94 million project aimed at improving the city’s pumping stations. Mayor Jane Castor, Sustainability Officer Kayla Caselli, and Wastewater Treatment Plant Manager Erik Garwell highlighted the importance of upgrading outdated infrastructure to ensure resiliency. This ambitious undertaking is part of the city’s $2.9…
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Pinellas County commissioners are considering a proposal to create a new county mayor position, potentially transforming the county’s top leadership role. If approved, voters could elect the first-ever county mayor by November 2028. The idea was brought up during last Thursday’s county commission meeting, sparking discussion among leaders about how the change would impact the…
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Manatee County annually funds the rehabilitation of numerous homes in unincorporated areas and Palmetto through its State Housing Initiative Program (SHIP). This year, however, the county is prioritizing residents affected by last year’s hurricanes for the allocation of its $1.2 million budget. “We tackle health and safety concerns first, followed by code violations, and then…
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Every year, Pasco County hosts its Disaster Expo to help residents prepare for the challenges of hurricane season and other natural disasters. This year’s event, held on April 5, 2025, at Pasco Safety Town in Shady Hills, carried heightened significance following a hurricane-filled 2024. Pasco County Emergency Management Director Andrew Fossa emphasized the importance of…
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St. Petersburg Fire Rescue (SPFR) has relied on a single high-water vehicle for countless citywide missions during recent storms. Soon, that number will jump to four. City Councilmember Lisset Hanewicz brought attention to this critical update during Thursday’s meeting, pulling it from the often-ignored consent agenda. Her visit to Station No. 4—serving Shore Acres, the…
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A South Tampa family, displaced by Hurricane Helene’s severe, unprecedented flooding, stored their salvaged belongings at a Public Storage facility while repairing their home. When Laura Gattis visited the South Dale Mabry Highway location last week, she was shocked to find her storage unit emptied. The front desk informed her that all her belongings had…
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Typically, March brings throngs of visitors to the sidewalk outside Walter Loos’ ice cream parlor in Bradenton Beach. “In the evenings, you’d see a solid crowd filling the space,” Loos recalled when speaking to WTVT. This year, however, the area stands deserted. The ice cream parlor, as well as Loos’ nearby pizza and donut shops,…
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Nearly six months after hurricanes Helene and Milton struck the Florida Gulf Coast, Pinellas County has sent out substantial damage letters to hundreds of mobile home park residents, notifying them that their properties exceed FEMA’s 50% damage threshold. This designation means homeowners must either elevate or replace their homes to meet FEMA compliance standards. At…
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The City of St. Petersburg has approved $22.5 million to replace the roof of Tropicana Field, securing its suitability for Major League Baseball after Hurricane Milton destroyed the stadium’s iconic dome in October 2024. The damage forced the Tampa Bay Rays to move their home games to George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. Beth Herendeen,…
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Eddie Powers is putting the finishing touches on the two vacation rentals he owns with his wife, Jen, on Manasota Key. This week marks a major milestone for the couple, as they prepare to welcome their first renters following the devastating hurricanes of 2024, Helene and Milton. “We restored them exactly as they were when…
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A new study from the University of South Florida suggests that outdated traffic signals may be a major factor behind long wait times at intersections across Florida. Jeff Brandes, former state senator and president of the nonprofit Florida Policy Project, is leading efforts to modernize traffic management and improve daily commutes for Floridians. “We’ve all…
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A bipartisan group of Florida legislators is moving forward with a proposal to slash the state sales tax from 6% to 5.25%, a change that would impact billions of dollars in annual revenue. Gov. Ron DeSantis, however, contends that lawmakers should prioritize property tax relief instead. Defying the governor’s stance, the Florida House Ways and…
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The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) is investigating a report from the City of Clearwater regarding the release of over a million gallons of partially treated wastewater into Old Tampa Bay. The overflow originated from Clearwater’s East Wastewater Reclamation Facility during an attempt to clean a plant clarifier in preparation for storm season. According…
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Hurricane victims in Tampa are grappling with confusion over who qualifies for relief funds and when they might receive assistance, prompting city leaders to call for patience. Recently, some homeowners received emails informing them that they won’t be getting financial help in the immediate phase. Marilyn Menendez-Arnett, whose husband Wendal passed away in June 2023,…
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Following last year’s unprecedented hurricane season, the City of Tampa has intensified its efforts to clear storm drains and regrade drainage ditches throughout the city. The heavy rainfall preceding Hurricanes Helene and Milton put significant strain on the city’s stormwater system, resulting in coastal flooding during Helene and rare street-level flooding in parts of Tampa…
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A Florida-based insurance company will pay over $30 million to the state’s hurricane fund after accusations of submitting multiple ineligible claims for reimbursement, the attorney general’s office announced. Attorney General James Uthmeier revealed on Tuesday that Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Company (UPCIC) will return the funds to the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund (FHCF). The…
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St. Petersburg is set to launch a groundbreaking seagrass restoration project along its coastline this summer, a decade-long effort that the city believes may be the first of its kind in the United States. The initiative, centered off North Shore Park, has city officials buzzing with excitement. “This is probably the first of its kind…
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A persistent toll text message scam has grown more sophisticated, with scammers now employing artificial intelligence to exploit unsuspecting victims. Cybersecurity experts warn that this technology is streamlining criminals’ efforts to siphon money from individuals. The scam texts typically claim the recipient has an unpaid toll balance, warning that failure to settle it could lead…
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As of Monday’s close, the stadium agreement between St. Petersburg and the Tampa Bay Rays will officially expire. Monday marks the deadline for the Rays to fulfill specific financial obligations tied to the deal, which was intended to spearhead the redevelopment of downtown St. Petersburg’s historic Gas Plant area. Failure to submit a letter terminating…
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As the saying goes, there are plenty of fish in the sea—but far fewer chefs who can turn one into an unforgettable meal. To help seafood lovers find the best spots, Yelp analysts have scoured their extensive database of user reviews to identify the top-rated seafood restaurant in each state. Their methodology involved selecting eateries…
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In 2024, Polk County recorded the highest foreclosure rate in the U.S., climbing to No. 1 after years of ranking in the top 10. According to real estate analytics firm ATTOM, one in every 172 homes in Polk County faced a publicly recorded foreclosure filing last year—more than twice the national average of one in…
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State lawmakers are one step closer to overturning a rule that delayed school start times for middle and high school students. The reversal bill passed unanimously in the Senate and now heads to the House. If approved, local officials would regain control over school start times. This brings middle and high school students closer to…
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Six months after Hurricanes Helene and Milton struck, many residents are still grappling with the aftermath of these storms, compounded by unresolved damage from earlier ones. Among them is Tanya Morales, who continues to wait for insurance funds to address worsening roof issues. Morales frequently climbs onto her roof with a ladder to clear leaves…
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The first City Hall on Tour event of 2025 introduced Sunrise St. Pete, a $160 million storm recovery initiative, providing residents with a direct platform to connect with city officials. Mayor Ken Welch praised the community’s resilience in the wake of consecutive hurricanes, noting that while some initially expressed frustration, many are now appreciative of…
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According to FEMA, the 2024 hurricanes—Debby, Helene, and Milton—resulted in over 72,000 national flood insurance claims. Specifically, Hurricane Helene alone prompted more than 54,000 claims within a month of its impact. FEMA data from 2003 to 2023 also reveals that 99% of U.S. counties have experienced a flood event, underscoring the widespread risk. In response…
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Florida lawmakers are considering a new bill to address the rise in extreme speeding violations. Senate Bill 1782 proposes strict penalties for drivers who exceed the speed limit by 50 mph or more. Under the proposed legislation, first-time offenders would face a $2,500 fine, a six-month suspension of their driver’s license, and a 30-day impoundment…
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The vote to approve repairs to Tropicana Field, severely damaged last October by Hurricane Milton, has been postponed until next month. City Council member Corey Givens Jr. revealed that the delay was communicated via email by the city administrator on Friday, as council members prepared to return from spring break. Givens expressed frustration over the…
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House Speaker Daniel Perez is pushing for a significant state sales tax reduction, aiming to lower the state’s rate from 6% to 5.25%, cutting nearly $5 billion in annual revenue. Perez, R-Miami, directed Ways & Means Chairman Wyman Duggan, R-Jacksonville, to introduce a bill next week to implement the cut. He emphasized that this is…
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The historic Don Cesar Hotel in St. Pete welcomed guests back yesterday in a limited capacity, more than six months after sustaining significant damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024. The 1920s Gatsby-Era building suffered extensive harm, prompting the hotel’s management to opt for a gradual reopening. As of yesterday, guests can access the…
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A developer based in Santa Monica, CA, has proposed transforming a vacant plot in Largo’s Pinellas Groves into a 144-unit affordable apartment complex named Olea on 126. The project, located at 6727 126th Avenue North, will feature three four-story residential buildings designed for residents earning 40% to 80% of the area median income (AMI). Olea…
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New data from Redfin indicates a shift in Tampa’s housing market, with home prices declining and properties spending more time on the market. Overall, the city has seen a 6% year-over-year price drop, with some areas—particularly downtown—experiencing even steeper declines. In downtown Tampa, the median home sale price has fallen by over 25% compared to…
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State and federal funding continues to flow into St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport’s (PIE) long-awaited terminal expansion, a project that has nearly doubled in cost over the past year. Pinellas County documents now estimate the expansion will cost between $180 million and $220 million, a significant increase from the $110 million initiative announced in January 2024.…
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Pinellas County Commissioners have approved a new ordinance strengthening short-term rental regulations to address community concerns. The updated rules enhance protections regarding occupancy limits, quiet hours, and compliance with Florida’s sexual predator notification statutes. Key Provisions: Fees: For more details, visit Pinellas.gov/STR. Follow the St. Pete-Clearwater Sun on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Google, & X (Image…
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