Author: stpeteclearwatersun
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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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A key Senate committee gave initial approval Tuesday to a bill designed to refine laws requiring safety inspections for aging condominium buildings and ensuring adequate financial reserves for repairs. The bill (SB 1742) seeks to provide condo owners with greater financial flexibility while maintaining safety standards, according to Senate Regulated Industries Chairwoman Jennifer Bradley, R-Fleming…
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A heated zoning hearing on Monday night saw Seffner residents and representatives of a salvage yard clash over proposed upgrades, with neighbors raising alarms about potential drinking water contamination. Last month, an investigation by WTSP revealed that the salvage yard, operated by American and Import Auto Parts, is not in compliance with current zoning regulations…
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Florida dominates the list of America’s “most dangerous” beaches, with ten locations earning this label according to a study by Tideschart. The researchers analyzed 528 U.S. beaches, evaluating them based on surf zone fatalities, shark attacks, and hurricanes. Each beach received a score out of 100 to reflect its overall risk level. New Smyrna Beach…
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Pinellas County is set to discuss proposed updates to short-term rental rules for unincorporated areas during their Tuesday meeting. The conversation follows growing concerns over issues like occupancy, noise, parking, and other disturbances, prompting numerous residents to voice their frustrations to the commission. At last month’s meeting, one neighbor recounted disruptive experiences, stating, “I’ve witnessed…
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The Florida panther death toll for 2025 climbed higher with the fourth fatality recorded on March 10. This follows a troubling 2024, when the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission documented 36 panther deaths. Environmental groups, such as The Nature Conservancy, expressed concern over the endangered species’ plight but remain committed to collaborating with state…
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The decision to replace the roof at Tropicana Field, which was damaged last October during Hurricane Milton, has been postponed until next month. According to the Tampa Bay Times, the City Council vote originally scheduled for this week has been rescheduled for April 3. The roof repairs are estimated to cost $22.7 million, and council…
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Gas prices across the state of Florida have hit their lowest point since December 2023, according to AAA. As of Sunday, the state’s average gas price was $2.97 per gallon—two cents below the previous 2024 low and the lowest daily average in more than a year. This marks a 13-cent drop from both last week…
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Pinellas County has secured over $813 million in federal funding to aid long-term recovery efforts from recent hurricanes—and officials want your input on how to allocate the funds. The funding, provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), will support recovery efforts following Hurricane Idalia (2023) and Hurricanes Helene and Milton (2024).…
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A report released Friday by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) identified the Sunshine Skyway Bridge among 68 over-water bridges nationwide that require immediate vulnerability assessments. The recommendation is part of an NTSB report on the March 26, 2024, incident in which the container ship Dali struck and collapsed the Francis Scott Key Bridge in…
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Resilience defines Pinellas County’s tourism industry, which has bounced back impressively after the devastation of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. In January, visitors contributed a record $8.29 million to local tax revenue, just three months post-storm. With over 1,400 rooms set to reopen by summer, officials expect further growth. St. Petersburg played a vital role in…
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Florida, particularly the Tampa Bay region, has some of the highest auto insurance rates in the nation. With rising costs impacting drivers, exploring solutions to bring these rates down while maintaining necessary coverage is essential. Several factors contribute to Florida’s high insurance rates, including fraud, uninsured drivers, and litigation costs. Here’s what can be done…
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Fire crews continued battling a massive brush fire Wednesday that temporarily shut down access to the Florida Keys. Both US-1 and Card Sound Road were closed Tuesday as the busy spring break season began. While the 18 Mile Stretch has since reopened, Card Sound Road remained closed as of Wednesday. Monroe County officials advised residents…
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St. Pete is in the final phase of repairing its parks, playgrounds, recreation centers, and city-owned buildings battered by the consecutive hurricanes of 2024. Mike Jefferis, the city’s Community Enrichment Administrator, reports that the Lake Vista Recreation Center in South St. Pete endured some of the heaviest destruction. A bustling hub, the center has been…
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Pinellas County is once again seeking to develop the 235-acre site of the former Toytown landfill, this time with plans to transform it into a premier youth sports complex. Located near Interstate 275 and Roosevelt Boulevard, the proposed project by Sports Facilities Companies outlines a vision for 20 baseball and softball fields, five multi-purpose fields,…
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St. Petersburg officials are standing by their decision to reduce insurance coverage on Tropicana Field, despite facing widespread criticism after Hurricane Milton severely damaged the stadium’s roof just months later. The aging ballpark remains the city’s most expensive asset, with St. Petersburg set to spend roughly $56 million on repairs while uncertainty looms over its…
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For a short time, Florida-bound travelers can snag discounted Amtrak fares. Amtrak is rolling out reduced prices for its Auto Train service, which transports both passengers and their vehicles from Lorton, Virginia—right outside Washington, D.C.—to Sanford, Florida. “Whether you’re chasing the sun, sand, and theme parks down south or venturing to the Northeast’s many hotspots,…
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As three new city commissioners take office in Treasure Island Tuesday night, city leaders will decide whether to advance the proposed Terrain Modification Program. The newly elected commissioners—Tammy Vasquez, Chris Clark, and Arthur Czyszczon—join Mayor John Doctor, who secured re-election. City officials describe the Terrain Modification Program as a long-term strategy to address rising sea…
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Spring breakers are once again flocking to the barrier islands, months after Hurricanes Helene and Milton devastated the area, leaving homes and businesses struggling to rebuild. Monday marked the start of spring break for many Tampa Bay students. “Crabby’s on the Pass, gone,” Landis Wilson told WFLA. “PCI’s gone.” “It just feels really different,” she…
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Two proposed bills in the Florida Legislature may drastically reduce local authority over land development, raising alarms about potential urban sprawl. Senate Bill 1118, sponsored by Sen. Stan McClain, seeks to alter how land-use decisions are made by limiting local government control and requiring a supermajority vote for certain comprehensive plan changes. The bill is…
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Progress may be slow, but it’s still progress—St. Petersburg’s highly anticipated Trails Crossing project is finally taking shape. Initially introduced in November 2021, Trails Crossing aims to revitalize neglected areas beneath I-275, converting them into dynamic park and event spaces that bridge divided neighborhoods. On March 6, the City Council approved civil engineering firm LandDesign…
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Nearly six months after hurricanes Helene and Milton caused widespread destruction, five Parks and Recreation facilities across Tampa are on track to reopen by May. The storms left significant damage in their wake—submerged HVAC units, downed light poles, toppled fences, uprooted trees, and shingles torn from roofs. Among the affected sites, the DeSoto Community Center…
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Nearly six months ago, 98-year-old Regina May watched in disbelief as waves crashed outside her South Pasadena home when Hurricane Helene struck the Tampa Bay area. “All the water came here like a waterfall—it was rushing in so fast,” May recalled to WTVT. Floodwaters surged into her first floor, destroying many of her belongings. Her…
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The Internal Revenue Service recently revealed that more than $61 million in unclaimed refunds from the 2021 tax year are waiting for thousands of Florida residents. According to IRS estimates, 69,800 taxpayers in the state who have not yet submitted their 2021 Form 1040 are entitled to a combined total of $61,087,200, with a median…
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The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has announced this spring’s license-free freshwater fishing weekend, set for April 5 and 6. This event provides residents and visitors the opportunity to enjoy Florida’s diverse freshwater fishing spots without needing a license. Two family-friendly fishing events will take place during the weekend: Tenoroc Fish Management Area…
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Tampa is introducing a fresh effort to revive its tree canopy, focusing on underserved areas. Dubbed “Plant Your Heart Out,” the initiative is a collaboration among the city, Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful, and Suncoast Credit Union, which contributed $50,000. It takes inspiration from Tampa’s “Paint Your Heart Out” program, where citizens, businesses, clubs, and groups…
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A retail plaza and boat yard near the Pinellas Bayway Bridge at the entrance to Tierra Verde may soon be demolished to make way for a private boat club and expanded boat storage facility. On Monday, Michael Coffey, Executive Vice President of Greenleaf Capital, introduced preliminary redevelopment plans for Tierra Verde Marina, located at 100…
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Numerous hurricane survivors remain in limbo, dependent on FEMA’s temporary housing aid. Caught in a permit backlog, many are still unable to start rebuilding their homes. Yet, they now face an unexpected deadline that has taken them by surprise. With spring break underway, Plaza Beach Hotel’s rooms are fully booked, leaving dozens of guests uncertain…
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What seemed like a negotiating tactic has become a reality: the Tampa Bay Rays have abandoned a $1.37 billion stadium deal in downtown St. Petersburg after years of talks. The team’s partner, Hines, has scrapped plans to convert Tropicana Field’s sprawling lots into a lively mixed-use area honoring the displaced Black community. Still, Rays owner…
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A push for tougher penalties on reckless boaters, driven by a tragic 2022 accident in the Florida Keys that claimed the life of a 17-year-old girl, continued gaining traction in the Senate on Wednesday. While the Senate bill has cleared two committees, key differences remain between it and the House version of what is known…
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With spring break in full swing, parking at Treasure Island’s beaches is more challenging than ever. One of the city’s major lots, located at 112th Avenue and Gulf Boulevard, remains closed due to damage from Hurricane Helene, removing 112 crucial spaces from an already limited selection. Visitors like Alice Ingman, visiting from Scotland, and Andrew…
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With spring break on the horizon, businesses in Holmes Beach and Anna Maria Island are steadily rebuilding after last year’s destructive hurricanes. Mayor Judy Titsworth of Holmes Beach recounted the severe impact: “Flooding wiped out about 95% of our businesses. We had water three feet deep almost everywhere.” Since October, local business owners have been…
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Following the devastation caused by recent hurricanes, officials in St. Petersburg and local maritime businesses are intensifying efforts to mitigate storm surge impacts and safeguard the city’s future. Saildrone, a maritime defense and oceanographic survey company headquartered at the Maritime Defense and Technology Hub in the Innovation District, has launched two 10-meter, solar-powered Saildrone Voyager…
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Florida lawmakers are proposing an amendment to an existing bill that would extend the ban on student cell phone use throughout the entire school day, rather than just during instructional time. In 2023, the Florida Legislature passed a law prohibiting students from using cell phones and other electronic devices during class, except when explicitly directed…
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Treasure Island’s beach is primed for spring break, but the hurricanes’ aftermath lingers. Many hotels, bars, restaurants, and shops remain in shambles, still reeling from storms Helene and Milton. Jason Beisel, a city official, explains that a 10-foot storm surge engulfed the island, leaving no building unscathed. “Recovery isn’t quick—it could take years,” he says.…
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Like many spring breakers, a massive great white shark is making its way down Florida’s coastline. The shark, named “Dold,” measures over 11 feet long and weighs 761 pounds, according to OCEARCH, an organization that tracks shark movements along the U.S. East Coast. On Tuesday morning, Dold was detected just miles off the coast of…
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Pinellas County is once again exploring development opportunities for the 235-acre “Toytown” landfill in north St. Petersburg, seeking a partner to turn the long-vacant site into a state-of-the-art youth sports complex. Located at 10540 16th Street North, near Interstate 275 and Roosevelt Boulevard, Toytown operated as a landfill from the 1960s until its closure by…
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As the peak of spring break approaches, tens of thousands of visitors are expected to flock to local beaches, even as communities continue to recover from last year’s hurricanes. In Clearwater Beach, the historic Palm Pavilion has undergone significant renovations, with new floors, chairs, tables, and other upgrades after being gutted by recent storms. “We’ve…
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February was a milestone month for St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE), which welcomed an impressive 194,876 passengers—its busiest February to date. Contributing to this success were several key factors, including newly added Allegiant routes, increased flight frequency, and the dedication of Pinellas tourism businesses in recovering from recent hurricanes. “We’re now offering more frequent flights…
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A group based in Tampa has revealed its interest in acquiring the Tampa Bay Rays, according to the Tampa Bay Times. Leading this effort is Tampa businessman Joe Molloy, who aims to purchase the team and move forward with the proposed stadium deal in St. Petersburg, which remains available. The current ownership of the Rays…
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Fire Station 22 in Pass-a-Grille, vacant since Hurricane Helene flooded it last September, is slated for demolition, according to St. Pete Beach Fire Chief Jim Kilpatrick. “We’d already planned to tear it down,” Kilpatrick told Bay News 9. “The storm just sped up the timeline.” Constructed in 1974, the station has faced mounting issues. A…
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After five months of extensive repairs, the Ruskin Family Drive-In Theatre reopened on Friday night, drawing eager crowds who lined up early to secure their spots. The beloved venue had been severely damaged by Hurricane Milton, marking a challenging chapter for the community. “It took a lot of blood, sweat, and tears—not to mention a…
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Months after being battered by back-to-back hurricanes, several beach businesses—including the Don CeSar hotel, Ricky T’s, and Caddy’s Treasure Island—are reopening or preparing to welcome guests once again. The historic Don CeSar will begin a phased reopening in March, with overnight stays available starting April 1, according to a news release. The nearly century-old resort,…
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