Author: stpeteclearwatersun
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As spring break approaches, Tampa Bay area prepares for an influx of visitors. The Sunshine State has several popular destinations, with Tampa ranking No. 8 on AAA’s list of top domestic spring break locations. Other Florida hotspots include Orlando (No. 1), Fort Lauderdale, and Miami. A recent survey highlights theme parks as the second most…
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Clearwater Beach has secured a coveted place on TripAdvisor’s list of the 25 Best Beaches in America. This accolade, part of TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best, celebrates top-tier destinations based on glowing reviews and traveler feedback. Only an elite fraction—less than 1% of the platform’s 8 million listings—earn this distinction each year.…
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Beaches across Sarasota and Manatee counties are littered with dead fish as the latest wave of red tide moves in, bringing its signature stifling scent. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recently reported high concentrations of red tide, with an updated report expected Wednesday. Local business owners, still recovering from the impact of back-to-back…
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Imagine having a 24/7 bachelor party as your next-door neighbor—every day of the year. For one Pinellas County homeowner, that’s exactly what life has felt like since a neighboring house was converted into a short-term rental. Now, she fears that proposed county changes could make things even worse. “There’s no sense of community. No neighborly…
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The University of South Florida, in collaboration with Neptune Flood, the largest private flood insurance provider in the U.S., has unveiled the results of the 2024 Neptune Consumer Survey of Flood Awareness. This annual survey provides valuable insights into national perceptions of flood risks and insurance coverage. Led by Philip Trocchia, a marketing professor at…
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In 2024, Pinellas County’s local visitors bureau received eight funding requests for capital projects totaling $67 million. However, tourism officials approved just $24.8 million for five area facilities on Wednesday. Two proposed projects in St. Petersburg remain uncertain. County commissioners will decide next week on the Woodson African American Museum of Florida’s funding, while the…
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Treasure Island leaders are making strides toward aiding local businesses in hurricane recovery. City officials have unanimously advanced an ordinance designed to support restaurants and bars impacted by recent storms. With beachgoers returning, commissioners acknowledge the need for ample dining and leisure options. Mayor John Doctor emphasized, “Without our hotels, without our restaurants, without the…
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Stakeholders in Tampa Bay’s development industry predict service demand and construction will cool down in 2025, owing to the impacts of an unprecedented hurricane season and rising costs. Nonetheless, they believe even modest growth highlights the region’s resilience to building challenges. Will Conroy, president of St. Petersburg-based Backstreets Capital, and Jonathan Moore, president of Tampa’s…
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Following Hurricanes Helene and Milton, over 10 million cubic yards of debris were cleared from Tampa Bay, with Hillsborough County alone contributing nearly 5 million cubic yards – enough to fill over 1,400 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Residents waited patiently for months as piles of vegetative debris were removed from their street corners. Now, that same…
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St. Pete Beach has initiated a pilot program to strengthen the enforcement of specific ordinances to maintain safety and cleanliness. The city’s Code Enforcement team, in partnership with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, will focus on enforcing rules such as no alcohol consumption in public beach areas, staying off the dunes, and ensuring dogs are…
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Local leaders are pushing back against recent criticism from Tampa Bay Rays executives regarding the $1.3 billion stadium development agreement, with St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch leading the response to what he views as concerning public statements from the team. On February 14, St. Petersburg and Pinellas County officials responded forcefully to accusations made by…
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Five months have passed since Hurricane Helene hit, flooding hundreds of homes in the Tampa Bay area’s beach towns. One resident, Jeff Fuller, is facing significant challenges rebuilding his home after it was inundated by five feet of water. His efforts have been stalled, as he waits for the necessary permits. Fuller, a resident of…
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Beachgoers at Lido Beach were met with an unsettling sight as dead fish lined the shore, stretching as far as the eye could see. Some visitors paused to take photos, while others observed the scene in silence. “When we first walked in from the back of the beach, we immediately noticed a line of dead…
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Florida has the most dangerous roads in the U.S. when it comes to intersection crashes, according to a new study analyzing data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The study, conducted by Simmrin Law Group, found that Florida tops the nation with an average of 5.19 intersection accidents per 100,000 residents—well above the…
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Sarasota County is engaging its community to shape a $210 million hurricane recovery plan, involving input from residents affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, and Tropical Storm Debby in 2024. The county has initiated the “Resilient SRQ Unmet Needs Survey” and is hosting public meetings to gather this crucial feedback. The next scheduled public meeting…
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The tourism industry in Pinellas County is on the mend after the devastating impacts of Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024. Local business owners and employees are eager to welcome back snowbirds and vacationers. The effects on tourism trends will become clearer in the coming months and years, particularly during the peak season. Sean Green,…
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Driving through Mini Park in the Shore Acres neighborhood of St. Petersburg, you might spot the lush greenery and playground equipment, but there’s also a wooden stake to see. Perched atop this stake is a bat house. If you look closely during the day, you might even catch a glimpse of a few bats inside.…
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After five months of restoration, the popular beach at Pinellas County’s largest public park is set to reopen on Presidents’ Day. Fort De Soto Park sustained significant damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. While most of the 1,136-acre park reopened weeks ago, North Beach remained one of the final areas under repair. Park Ranger Marina…
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Residents of storm-battered St. Petersburg, along with several real estate agents, have voiced worries after city officials initiated nearly 11,000 code enforcement cases on properties potentially affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Many residents argue that their properties do not exhibit significant damage, while others worry that open cases could tarnish property reputations, complicating sales. …
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During a pre-recorded segment on WDAE-AM’s “Countdown to Opening Day” podcast, Tampa Bay Rays presidents Matt Silverman and Brian Auld voiced their opinions on the storm-damaged Tropicana Field and strained relationships with local authorities. The conversation aired nine days after St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch declared that the city would not chase a new stadium…
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After being closed for months due to significant damage from hurricanes Helene and Milton, local favorite, Fort DeSoto Park in Pinellas County, is set to fully reopen. The park has been gradually reopening in phases, with dedicated crews and volunteers working tirelessly to clean up and repair the damage caused by Helene’s powerful surge and…
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When Hurricane Helene struck, it was just another chapter in the history of flooding for the home recently acquired by Melanie Cook and her partner Shawn, months before last year’s relentless storms. Realizing the home’s recurrent flooding issues, the couple felt they had no choice but to elevate their house. “Until we elevate, the threat…
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As spring break nears, several major beach parking lots remain closed. Visitors hoping to park at Madeira Beach and Treasure Island sections report difficulties finding available spots due to the closure of large lots. With improving weather drawing more visitors to southwest Florida, securing beach parking is becoming increasingly challenging. In regions hit hard by…
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A recent study from Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota has uncovered a possible connection between red tide algal blooms and the long-term acidification of Florida’s estuaries. Florida’s coastal residents are all too familiar with the immediate impacts of red tide, which include skin, eye, and throat irritation for humans, as well as massive marine life…
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The Florida Attorney General’s Office has successfully shut down hundreds of fraudulent SunPass websites that were targeting individuals to steal their personal and financial information. SunPass users have reported receiving deceptive toll notices via text messages and emails, a tactic known as “phishing” or “smishing.” These messages often contain links and create a sense of…
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After more than four months of rebuilding, Tampa Bay’s largest American Legion post is officially reopening following the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene. American Legion Post 273, located just east of the 150th Avenue drawbridge leading to Madeira Beach, suffered severe flooding when the hurricane struck, with over three feet of water inundating the building.…
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The St. Petersburg City Council will soon receive an updated report concerning code enforcement, particularly focusing on properties damaged by storms. This update follows recent discoveries by residents unaware of existing code enforcement cases against their properties. Typically, the number of open code cases hovers between 1,000 and 2,000. However, in January, this figure surged…
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Florida condominium owners hoping for relief from escalating fees are finding little support from state leadership. House Speaker Daniel Perez has explicitly ruled out “bailouts,” according to the News Service of Florida, a position previously echoed by State Sen. Jason Pizzo, a South Florida Democrat. Tom Schoeller, president of the Casa Del Mar 1 condo…
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Work is intensifying on a major project aimed at easing traffic congestion along I-4 between Tampa and Orlando. This effort is part of the “Moving Florida Forward” initiative, unveiled by Gov. Ron DeSantis last June, which focuses on enhancing safety and reducing congestion on key roadways across the state. A significant component of this plan,…
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Several homeowners continue to grapple with the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, which submerged entire residential areas last fall. Among those affected are Kim and Michael Barnes, who have lived on their property for two decades. “We couldn’t even reach our home because of the flooding,” Kim Barnes explained. “We had to use my son’s canoe…
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Key Florida lawmakers have indicated that condominium owners should not expect financial “bailouts” to cover increased costs following the 2021 collapse of the Champlain Towers South building in Surfside, which resulted in 98 fatalities. As the Legislature considers potential changes to condo laws, House Speaker Daniel Perez (R-Miami) and Rep. Vicki Lopez (R-Miami) stated that…
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Pinellas County officials are making a fresh attempt to secure easements for critical beach renourishment projects, following devastating damage from two Category 3 hurricanes last fall. The situation has become increasingly urgent after Hurricanes Helene and Milton struck the area in September, effectively erasing previous shoreline restoration efforts. The county’s coastline was already facing severe…
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In St. Petersburg, a wastewater surveillance system is quietly tracking the community’s health by analyzing what residents flush away. The city is divided into three sewer sheds, each representing different neighborhoods that drain into the Northeast Water Reclamation Facility. For over a year, public works employees have been collecting wastewater samples three times a week…
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Over the weekend, several South Florida beaches were shut down after officials found masses of tar washing up on the shore. The black, sticky substance was observed on beaches in Palm Beach and Broward counties, creating challenges for visitors, who found it adhering to their skin. “There were just masses right on the sand as…
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The Sandcastle Resort, a beloved landmark on Lido Beach, will soon be demolished following extensive damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. While the owner had previously planned to redevelop the property, the severe storm damage has accelerated the timeline for demolition. For many visitors, the news marks the end of an era. Among them are…
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Thousands of homeowners in St. Petersburg are dealing with open city code cases on their properties. City officials explain that these cases were initiated after damage assessments to ensure properties comply with city codes and FEMA regulations. However, this initiative has sparked frustration among homeowners, including Kevin Batdorf. He argues that these open cases might…
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The beloved Citrus County beach remains closed months after Hurricane Helene caused extensive damage. Storm surge wiped out the small beach and its facilities, prompting a major restoration effort to make the area accessible again for residents and visitors. “This is one of the few places where you can spend time right on the Gulf,”…
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St. Petersburg’s 12th annual Localtopia festival on February 22 arrives at a crucial moment for local businesses recovering from recent hurricanes. The event will feature over 300 independent St. Pete businesses and organizations at Williams Park. “This needs to be epic for many to stay in business,” says Olga Bof, Founder of Keep Saint Petersburg…
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Florida’s agricultural community will soon have access to more state financial assistance for recovery from Hurricanes Helene and Milton’s devastating impact. Governor Ron DeSantis announced the expansion of the state’s Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program during a recent meeting at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. The program will offer interest-free…
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The Funky Flamingo, a Gulfport-based store offering produce, deli items, and more, is urgently requesting food donations to support families displaced by last year’s hurricanes. Approximately two years ago, the store’s owners established a food pantry to aid the community following the closure of several other pantries. Recent hurricanes have shifted the pantry’s focus from…
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Local officials anticipate record-breaking attendance, viewership, and economic impact from the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. The surge in visitors and financial boost comes at a crucial time as the community continues recovering from the devastating 2024 hurricane season. The four-day festival kicks off on Feb. 27, with Visit St. Pete-Clearwater CEO Brian Lowack…
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It has been about five months since discount retailer Big Lots filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. In that period, the company has closed over 500 stores, reducing its total to fewer than 900 as of February 2025. However, recently filed court documents indicate that hundreds of stores could stay open. Last month, Big Lots…
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Since Hurricane Helene devastated their public safety building, Treasure Island Fire Rescue and the Police Department have been operating out of portable units in City Hall’s parking lot. The storm flooded their facility on 108th Avenue with three feet of water, rendering it unusable. “Our lockers were underwater,” said Police Chief John Barkley. “We had…
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