Author: stpeteclearwatersun
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Following Hurricane Milton, United Parks & Resorts is offering free tickets to first responders and lineworkers. These heroes can redeem up to two free tickets, valid through Dec. 31. “As a token of our immense gratitude, we are proud to welcome first responders and lineworkers to our parks to enjoy a well-deserved day of entertainment…
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The beloved St. Pete Saturday Morning Market has made its triumphant return to Downtown St. Pete, bringing together over 100 vendors from across the Tampa Bay area. This weekly event stands as a cornerstone of St. Petersburg’s community life, offering a diverse and lively experience for both locals and tourists. Market Highlights What to Expect…
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As of Oct. 17 at 4 p.m., contractors have collected over 18,000 cubic yards of storm debris (1,070+ loads) in unincorporated Pinellas County…
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Invest 95L has an increased likelihood of tropical development, but it poses no threat to Florida. The National Hurricane Center reports that this disturbance in the western Caribbean has a 50% chance of developing over the next two days and seven days. Regardless of development, Invest 95L is forecasted to move west, bringing heavy rain…
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Approximately 6,045 residences in Tampa Bay still have no electric service, 10 full days after Hurricane Milton ravaged the area. Currently, some 3,888 homes in Pinellas County and an additional 2,174 in Hillsborough County remain without power. However, this is an improvement, given that Hurricane Helene darkened around 1.2 million households in Florida, and Milton…
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The St. Pete Pier Pumpkin Patch Opens this Weekend! Fall fun is back at the St. Pete Pier Pumpkin Patch from October 19 to October 26. Located at Spa Beach Park, this annual celebration transforms the area into a festive wonderland of vibrant, plump pumpkins just waiting for you to find the perfect one. With…
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It’s Halloween season and there are plenty of ways to celebrate with family and friends. Here are three events coming up soon to enjoy: SPFR’s Annual Haunted Fire House Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 19th, from 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm, for a spine-tingling night of fun at Fire Station #10, located at 2800…
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Back-to-back hurricanes have caused widespread destruction, leaving unprecedented debris throughout Tampa. The Solid Waste Department immediately set ambitious goals to tackle the challenge. Given the massive amounts of residential and storm debris left by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the department increased payment rates, hired more haulers, and expanded capacity. (photo credit City of Tampa) Currently,…
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced Tuesday that Oklahoma-based BrucePac has significantly expanded its recall of meat and poultry products due to potential listeria contamination. The recall now includes an additional 1,779,040 pounds of food, bringing the total to over 11.7 million pounds. This latest expansion notably affects products…
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The Clearwater Marine Aquarium, which sustained significant storm damage, will reopen on October 18, debuting the Aqua Lanterns Festival of Lights. After enduring substantial damage during Hurricane Helene and losing power when Hurricane Milton hit Sarasota County, the aquarium is ready to welcome visitors again. While the facility will reopen to the public on Monday,…
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The Tampa Bay Rays are facing uncertainty about where they’ll play at the start of the 2025 MLB season due to significant damage at Tropicana Field caused by Hurricane Milton. The stadium’s roof and other areas were severely affected, making it unlikely the team will open at home as originally scheduled. Potential alternatives for home…
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Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton caused widespread damage across Florida, with the former heavily impacting Georgia and North Carolina. The death toll has surpassed 300 lives lost, and there’s nearly a month and a half before the official end of the 2024 hurricane season. At last count, 92 people remain unaccounted for in North Carolina,…
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Halloween on Central, will proceed as planned, transforming nearly two miles of Central Avenue into a vibrant open-air event…
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This coordinated effort aims to efficiently restore Treasure Island’s beloved beaches to their former beauty…
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The grocery chain will host a distribution event in St. Petersburg, providing essential supplies to those affected by the storm… #PIESun
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This three-day event offers an opportunity for local residents, particularly those facing challenging circumstances, to receive a warm meal at no cost… #PIESun
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Unincorporated areas alone contain approximately 1 million cubic yards of residential debris… #PIESun
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Pay starts at $18 per hour for variety of roles are available, including full-time, part-time, and seasonal positions… #PIESun
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Families are encouraged to arrive early, as meals will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis… #PIESun
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While some customers will have their power restored earlier, the majority who can receive power are expected to be restored by the following days and times… #PIESun
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Meteorologists also drew attention to a viral post containing a fabricated forecast cone, warning viewers to be wary of such misinformation… #PIESun
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Local city officials are cautioning residents to stay in their homes and not to venture out due to hazardous conditions. Here is a message from the City of Clearwater: “Please stay in place and avoid venturing out right now, as many areas are without power and significant dangers remain, including downed power lines and fallen…
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With Hurricane Milton bearing down on Florida’s Gulf Coast, authorities have taken proactive measures to ensure public safety. The Florida Highway Patrol has announced the closure of several critical bridges in the Tampa Bay region. (photo credit FHP) The iconic Sunshine Skyway Bridge, a vital link between Pinellas and Manatee counties, was shut down early…
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While Hurricane Milton barrels towards Florida’s Gulf Coast, the state finds itself under siege from an unexpected threat: a barrage of tornadoes. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has been working overtime, issuing a flurry of tornado warnings across central and southern Florida on Wednesday. (image credit Shutterstock) Milton, which briefly achieved Category 5 status on…
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Hurricane Milton remains a Category 5 storm and is expected to make landfall as either a Category 4 or strong Category 3 this evening. Forecast models suggest that increasing vertical wind shear will weaken Milton later today, but it will still hit the coast as a very dangerous hurricane. Expect major wind damage where the…
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As Hurricane Milton menacingly churns across the Gulf of Mexico, meteorologists are sounding the alarm about its potentially catastrophic impact on Florida’s west-central coast. The storm, which briefly weakened overnight, has regained strength and now boasts maximum sustained winds of nearly 155 mph. (image credit NPR) As of Tuesday afternoon, Milton was located approximately 520…
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As Hurricane Milton intensifies, Pinellas County officials have announced the opening of two additional emergency shelters to accommodate evacuees. The newly activated facilities are located at Lealman Innovation Academy in St. Petersburg and Clearwater Fundamental Middle School. With these additions, the county now offers eight shelter locations for residents seeking safe haven from the impending…
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The regional air hub serving St. Petersburg and Clearwater has announced a temporary suspension of operations beginning Tuesday afternoon. The terminal will cease activities following the departure of its final scheduled flight. Key points for travelers: Travelers are strongly advised to contact their respective airlines directly for the most up-to-date information regarding flight cancellations and…
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Red tide, initially found in low concentrations around Pinellas County before Hurricane Helene, has surged following the storm’s aftermath. (image credit FWC) Chris Robbins, the associate director of science for the Ocean Conservancy, confirmed a strong link between storms and red tide. Meteorologists predict Hurricane Milton, now a Category 5, will hit the area by…
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With Category 5 Hurricane Milton advancing across the Gulf towards Florida, evacuation orders have been issued throughout the Tampa Bay area. (photo credit Shutterstock) As Hurricane Milton, expected to impact Florida’s west coast mid-week, churns through the Gulf of Mexico, evacuation directives are already being enforced in the broader Tampa Bay region. If you’re unsure…
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Pinellas County officials have issued mandatory evacuation orders for special needs residents in Zones A, B, and C, effective at noon today. Evacuations for long-term care facilities are also underway. To find your evacuation zone, click here. Voluntary evacuations are encouraged for residents in Zones A, B, and C, and for those in mobile homes,…
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Milton rapidly intensified into a Category 5 hurricane on Monday in the Gulf of Mexico, heading toward Florida. This has prompted evacuation orders, long gas lines, and an increased urgency to clear debris from Hurricane Helene, which affected the same area less than two weeks ago. A hurricane warning is in place for parts of…
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Hurricane Milton has just been upgraded to a major hurricane with top winds reaching 120 mph. (image credit NOAA) Hurricane and storm surge watches are now in effect for our west coast. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) forecasts an 8 to 12-foot storm surge from the Anclote River to Englewood, but this could change as…
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As of 11 a.m., the latest tracking information shows Tropical Storm Milton, which is anticipated to develop into a hurricane soon in the Gulf of Mexico. While our area is likely to experience effects, the exact nature of these impacts is still uncertain. Now is the ideal time to prepare your home and devise a…
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Tropical Storm Milton is projected to become a hurricane tonight as it moves eastward over the Gulf of Mexico, tracking toward the central Florida Peninsula by Sunday morning. Early Sunday, the storm was intensifying with winds reaching 60 mph. Heavy rain is expected on Sunday and Monday, well before Milton’s arrival, as noted by the…
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Pinellas County Mosquito Control has observed a rise in mosquito-borne West Nile Virus cases through its sentinel chicken illness detection program. They are urging residents to take measures to protect themselves and prevent mosquito breeding. (photo credit Live Science) Due to the surge in West Nile Virus cases, the Florida Department of Health in Pinellas…
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The recent tropical system that swept through Tampa Bay left a wake of destruction, particularly affecting the tight-knit Davis Islands community. As the area begins to rebuild, a heartening display of solidarity has emerged, with residents, business owners, and local leaders coming together to support those hardest hit. From providing essential supplies to offering shelter…
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Tampa Battles is gearing up to launch in November, inviting locals to explore new spots through monthlong “Battles” in various categories, all accessible via a single website. November’s inaugural event is the Tampa Brewery Battle. (photo credit Chad Kwiatkowski) Participants will receive a free pint of beer or a beer flight at over 10 local…
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This morning’s satellite imagery shows that INVEST 92L is looking robust. It wouldn’t be surprising if advisories are issued soon, naming it “Milton.” A hurricane will likely form in the Gulf over the next few days. The storm’s projected path is unusual; few storms originate in the Bay of Campeche and head towards Florida. Typically,…
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The City of Gulfport will be closing the Hurricane Helene Donation Center at the Gulfport Senior Center, located at 5501 27th Ave S. This essential resource for collecting supplies to support those impacted by Hurricane Helene will shut down on Monday, October 7, 2024. The City expresses its deep gratitude to the community for their…
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By early next week, there’s a strong likelihood of a tropical cyclone forming in the Gulf of Mexico. Current forecast models suggest that either a tropical or subtropical cyclone could develop between Saturday evening and Monday. (photo credit WTOK) Although some wind shear could impede its formation, there’s a chance it could develop just south…
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The recent tropical system that battered St. Petersburg has left in its wake an environmental crisis, as nearly 1.5 million gallons of untreated wastewater surged through city neighborhoods. The storm’s powerful surge overwhelmed the city’s infrastructure, leading to widespread sewage discharges. At the heart of this environmental emergency was the Northeast Water Reclamation Facility (NWRF),…
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