Category: News
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Pinellas County is pursuing a federal grant to replace the aging Dunedin Causeway Bridge, which has been a critical connection between Dunedin and Honeymoon Island since 1963. The current bridge, constructed in two spans over six decades ago, no longer meets modern engineering standards, prompting county officials to take action. The county has submitted a…
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Blue Ridge Beef is recalling 9,600 pounds of Puppy Mix raw pet food after potential salmonella contamination. The FDA recall affects two-pound logs distributed in August with UPC 854298001696 and lot numbers 08/06/N25 and 08/16/N25. The recall was triggered after a customer reported illness in a puppy litter. The affected products were sold in Connecticut,…
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The Florida Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center has welcomed six endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles from Massachusetts. These six turtles began their journey to Apollo Beach after being rescued from the frigid waters off the Massachusetts coast. According to the Florida Aquarium, the turtles are now receiving life-saving care after being incapacitated by cold-stunning. The…
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Tampa Electric (TECO) will host a community conversation tonight as part of its Spotlight Tampa Bay Sustainability Series. The event, held in partnership with the Tampa Bay Times, will focus on hurricane impacts and TECO’s future projects to fortify its power grid and enhance restoration efforts after major storms. The forum comes in the wake…
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With Christmas just a few weeks away, as you start decorating your tree and hanging ornaments, you might be contemplating what to get your friends and family for the holidays. While wish lists can change frequently, one gift stands out this year: cash. A new LendingTree survey reveals that 49% of people participating in gift-giving…
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The St. Pete City Council is set to vote today on bonds to finance the city’s portion of the $1.3 billion stadium deal, as the Tampa Bay Times reported. Why It Matters Delays have already jeopardized the stadium plan, with the Tampa Bay Rays indicating the agreement reached during the summer is nearly defunct. Approval…
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Rebuilding efforts for Madeira Beach residents, including Yarisi Valero, remain at a standstill more than a month after Hurricane Helene caused widespread destruction. Valero’s home, flooded with over three feet of water, now sits gutted to the studs. Although she removed 45 inches of drywall throughout the house, she’s been unable to move forward without…
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Residents of a prominent neighborhood say they warned officials about flooding concerns well before Hurricane Milton, but now dozens of homes have been devastated. “Inside we had 10 inches of water consistently through the entire first floor,” Omyra Rodriguez said as she gave a tour of her home. “We lost kind of everything on [the]…
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Three years after the Florida Supreme Court overturned Hillsborough County’s transportation sales tax, funds collected during that time are now set to be refunded to eligible taxpayers. A judge has granted final approval for the settlement, allowing a court-appointed administrator to begin issuing payments. Background on the Transportation Sales Tax The one-cent transportation sales tax…
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Tampa’s Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) announced a significant multimillion-dollar project on Wednesday afternoon, reaffirming its commitment to remaining near the USF campus. Mayor Jane Castor and other leaders unveiled the project, highlighting it as a major advancement in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education. The project involves reopening the museum’s iconic Dome…
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The future of the Tampa Bay Rays in downtown St. Petersburg remains uncertain as tensions rise over financing for a new stadium at the Tropicana Field site. A stalemate between the team and Pinellas County has left the project in limbo, raising the question: could the site be redeveloped without the Rays playing there? The…
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John Henry experienced the full impact of Hurricane Helene’s unprecedented storm surge in St. Pete Beach. “I live on the first floor of the condo,” he shared. “I had almost 5 feet of water in there, so it almost wiped everything out.” Now, more than two months later, Henry is eager to rebuild but finds…
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Choosing the perfect Christmas tree is a beloved holiday tradition, but timing your purchase can make a big difference in cost. When Is the Best Time to Buy? According to Square, a business technology company that analyzed data from over 3,000 U.S. Christmas tree sellers in 2023, the best time to buy depends on your…
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Since September, Diane Burrill has been unable to serve customers at Wahoo’s Bayside Pub and Grill in Redington Shores. “It’s been the worst thing I’ve ever been through,” Burrill said. “I’ve been without a paycheck for two months now.” Like many businesses on Pinellas County’s beaches, Wahoo’s is still rebuilding after Hurricanes Helene and Milton,…
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FEMA has allocated an additional $114 million in funding for debris removal in the aftermath of the recent hurricane season. This funding is designated for several areas in the Tampa Bay region, including: According to FEMA, the agency has provided $927.6 million for Hurricane Milton, $378.3 million for Hurricane Helene, and $102.4 million for Hurricane…
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Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputies joined forces with Tampa police and Florida Highway Patrol troopers to clamp down on impaired drivers during the Thanksgiving holiday, resulting in numerous arrests. Over the holiday weekend, more than 300 drivers were stopped and 39 were arrested as part of “Operation Turkey,” a collaborative, multi-agency effort aimed at preventing impaired…
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State utility regulators have approved a three-year base rate increase for Tampa Electric Co. (TECO), which will raise residential customer bills starting in January. The initial proposal by TECO sought to increase monthly bills by approximately $5 for customers using 1,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity—a standard industry benchmark. However, TECO is recalculating the exact impact of…
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The answer depends on whether the tree was healthy or dying. This distinction is crucial due to a legal principle known as an “act of God.” Imagine this: a tree crashes into your home, leaving you with significant damage to repair. If the tree was on your property, you’d need to navigate the insurance claim…
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Santa Claus is making his way to St. Petersburg, and families have plenty of opportunities to see him this Christmas season. Here’s where you can catch the jolly man in red: Special Events with Santa Santa at the Mall Santa will also be greeting visitors at shopping malls: Virtual Visit with Santa Families with children…
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The Tampa Bay Rays’ celebrated deal with the city of St. Petersburg and the Pinellas County Commission to build a new stadium may face challenges with the recent election of new Pinellas County Commission members. Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan, a longtime advocate for relocating the team to Tampa, sees an opportunity if the Pinellas…
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Some homeowners filing claims through FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) are discovering that their insurance payouts may fall short of covering all necessary repairs. Andrew Knox of Altieri Insurance Consultants explains that NFIP adjusters often use software to calculate damage repair costs. However, this software sometimes fails to align with industry standards, potentially resulting…
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New school zone speed cameras have been actively monitoring driver behavior in Manatee County since the start of the academic year, with nearly $900,000 in fines issued over the past month, representing approximately 900 tickets. Local officials emphasize that the primary goal of the program is student safety, particularly during early morning hours when visibility…
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Pinellas Public Works has begun the second phase of debris collection in unincorporated areas of the county, following the completion of the first round. So far, contractors have removed over 54,000 cubic yards of debris—equivalent to filling more than 160 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Debris Manager Sean Tipton remarked, “It’s a sense of partial completion. We…
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Residents of several communities say that being without power since Hurricane Helene struck two months ago was inconvenient at first. However, now that temperatures are dipping into the 50s and 40s, they say the situation has become dire as they continue to await power restoration. At some properties, the delay in restoring power involves replacing…
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Scammers are still attempting to take advantage of vulnerable victims by impersonating Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) agents and charity volunteers months after Hurricanes Helene and Milton. These fraudsters are using deceptive tactics to steal money and personal information from those affected by the disasters. Victims have reported encounters with individuals claiming to be FEMA…
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FEMA was actively looking for property management companies with ready-to-occupy residential or rental properties to help house Floridians affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton as late as this past weekend. These properties would support FEMA’s temporary housing efforts in communities impacted by the disasters. RELATED: FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers Adjust Operating Hours However, the deadline…
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Slow permitting processes and lack of FEMA inspections are pushing some property owners to the brink. Wading through the bureaucracy and waiting for determinations and approvals is tempting more than some to proceed with repairs, even if it isn’t authorized. Wanting to return to normalcy as soon as possible, it’s difficult to resist just going…
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Tampa’s vibrant events, diverse dining scene, and plentiful recreational options have earned it a spot among the top 20 most fun cities in the U.S., according to a recent WalletHub analysis. The study evaluated major U.S. metropolitan areas across numerous factors, including the number of attractions, restaurants per capita, and available recreational activities. Tampa secured…
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As you navigate your holiday shopping on Cyber Monday, be mindful that you might not be the only one eagerly awaiting your deliveries. Every year, opportunistic thieves go door to door hoping to snatch up packages before homeowners retrieve them. According to Tampa police, package theft more than doubled during the holiday season last year.…
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After over two months of displacement caused by Hurricane Helene, students at Madeira Beach Fundamental K-8 will return to their campus on Monday. This marks the initial phase of the school’s reopening. In a Thanksgiving letter to the school community, Principal Chris Ateek expressed gratitude and optimism: “Gratitude and thanks are the perfect reflection of…
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For Tampa resident Kobi Meares, the poor condition of local roads has become more than just an inconvenience—it’s a financial burden that’s hitting her family hard. After living in the Tampa Bay area for over two decades, Meares has witnessed a significant decline in road quality that’s directly impacting her family’s economic stability. “We’ve had…
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Navigating the aftermath of a storm can be overwhelming. Damage to your home poses challenges not only physically but also emotionally and financially. Many people face the harsh reality of needing to sell their storm-damaged homes but dread the repairs they can’t afford. A critical aspect of this is understanding FEMA’s 50% rule, which complicates…
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beaches. When hurricanes sweep through, they do more than disrupt a beach day—they leave a chaotic mess that requires a community effort to restore. While cleanup crews tackle the big tasks, there are plenty of ways locals and visitors can pitch in. 1. Clean Up the Right Way After a hurricane, beaches are often strewn…
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After nearly two months of continuous operation, FEMA disaster recovery centers across Florida will modify their schedule as the Atlantic hurricane season winds down. Starting yesterday, these centers will no longer be open on Sundays, shifting to a six-day operational week. Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) have served as comprehensive assistance hubs for residents impacted by…
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The Gulf Beaches Historical Museum in Pass-a-Grille stands as a resilient testament to the barrier islands’ endurance, now navigating the aftermath of Hurricane Helene’s devastating impact. Located in a building over a century old, the museum has weathered significant challenges, drawing parallels to the historic hurricane of 1921. Christine Oertle, President of the Friends of…
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The holiday season is bursting with festive events across Tampa Bay and Orlando, offering magical experiences for visitors of all ages. From theme parks to zoos and aquariums, local attractions are transforming into winter wonderlands filled with dazzling decorations, special performances, and seasonal cheer. RELATED: The Best Places to See Christmas Lights in Tampa Bay…
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Recent flooding from Hurricanes Helene and Milton has inundated virtually every single-story home in St. Pete Beach and Treasure Island, many of which had never experienced such damage since their construction in the mid-fifties. For some residents, this harrowing experience was the final straw, prompting a move to higher ground. Others, determined to stay, are…
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With credit card debt reaching unprecedented levels, it’s crucial to address the pressing questions and solutions for many Americans facing this challenge. According to the New York Federal Reserve, credit card debt hit a record $1.17 trillion in the third quarter. RELATED: This Is How Much the Average Tampa Bay Household Will Spend for the…
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Local leaders are eagerly awaiting the rollout of a new state program aimed at helping residents whose homes were left uninhabitable after Hurricanes Helene and Milton. In St. Petersburg alone, approximately 16,000 homes sustained damage from the back-to-back storms, leaving the city in dire need of external support. During a committee meeting on Nov. 21,…
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Tampa Bay Rays officials have addressed Pinellas County Commission Chairwoman Kathleen Peters’ inquiry about the team’s intentions regarding the stadium deal. This follows the county and St. Petersburg’s decision to delay votes on bond funding for the stadium. RELATED: County Fires Back at Tampa Bay Rays’ Claims, Demands Clarity on Stadium Deal In a statement,…
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After enduring back-to-back hurricanes, Sweet Life Bistro has reopened its doors, marking a major milestone for owner Sami Salami. The beloved café celebrated its grand reopening on Friday, two months after Hurricane Helene caused severe damage. Behind the counter, Salami crafts one of his signature lattes—a simple yet meaningful task that seemed nearly impossible just…
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It might be time to reconsider if you love your black plastic spatula, convenient to-go food containers, or kids’ toys made of black plastic. Recent research suggests that black plastic products, often made from recycled electronic waste, can be toxic. A study titled “From e-waste to living space: Flame retardants contaminating household items add to…
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With heavy holiday traffic anticipated, the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) is ramping up its presence on highways this Thanksgiving weekend to ensure road safety. FHP troopers will focus on cracking down on speeding, seat belt violations, and impaired driving, whether caused by drugs or alcohol. “We’re out in full force to enforce traffic laws,” said…
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