Category: News
-
There’s no denying Pinellas County has a traffic problem – a big traffic problem. As more and more people move into the state, the number of vehicles on the road continues to rise. And that presents many problems, not the least of which are auto collisions – with the number of incidents steadily rising. One…
·
-
The Florida Aquarium in Clearwater is honoring veterans and active-duty military this Veterans Day by offering free admission from Friday, November 8th through Monday, November 11th. The free admission is available to any active-duty, veteran, retired, or honorably/medically discharged service member, including drilling reservists and National Guardsmen. A valid U.S. Military ID or DD Form…
·
-
The Florida Public Service Commission has approved Duke Energy’s request to reduce rates and lower customer bills starting in January 2025. This rate reduction is part of Duke Energy’s annual fuel cost adjustment for electricity generation and other clause adjustments. According to Duke Energy, residential customers using 1,000 kilowatt-hours per month will see a $9.77…
·
-
After almost 10 years of serving raw oysters and crab legs in downtown St. Petersburg, the beloved seafood restaurant Sea Salt will be closing its doors. The restaurant’s parent company, Aielli Group, announced in a press release on Tuesday that the lease on the second floor of The Sundial is coming to an end. “The…
·
-
Residents of the Gulf Harbors neighborhood in Pasco County, Florida are struggling to repair their flood-damaged homes due to lengthy delays in obtaining building permits from the county. Chad Karr and his wife are currently living in a rented camper with their two dogs after their home took on nearly a foot of water during…
·
-
Beloved Christmas Classic ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ Makes Its NBC Return After Half a Century
This holiday season, viewers will be treated to an additional holiday special that is returning to the network after more than 50 years. NBC announced that the vintage stop motion classic “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” will air in a special 75-minute broadcast on Friday, Dec. 6 at 8 p.m., the same date it aired when…
·
-
Hurricane Rafael has intensified into a Category 3 hurricane as it approaches Cuba, expected to track into the Gulf of Mexico. As of this afternoon, Rafael was positioned at 22.0N, 82.3W, with sustained winds reaching 115 mph and a northwest movement at 14 mph. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) reports that Rafael will bring intense…
·
-
In St. Pete Beach, the path to recovery from Hurricanes Helene and Milton has been slow and difficult. Sandy streets and debris-covered lawns are daily reminders of the storms, while residents struggle with lengthy insurance claims and rebuilding efforts. One such resident is Reza Razavi, who owns several waterfront properties, all damaged by Hurricane Milton.…
·
-
A Tampa resident has won a $1 million prize from the Florida Lottery’s 300x The Cash scratch-off game. Donald Geisler, age 66, claimed the prize at the lottery’s Tampa District Office, where he chose to receive a one-time, lump-sum payment of $695,500. Geisler’s winning ticket was purchased at the Harney Food Store, located at 6901…
·
-
More indoor courts are on their way as a growing pickleball club franchise is set to expand into the Sunshine City. St. Pete residents, Kevin and Lisa Goettel, have teamed up to bring Dill Dinkers, a Columbia, Maryland-based chain of pickleball clubs, to Pinellas County. Born out of necessity in 2022 by pickleball aficionados Will…
·
-
In November 1958, Tampa merchants attempted to create a winter wonderland in the Florida heat, with disastrous results. The idea was to attract holiday shoppers to downtown Tampa instead of the new suburban shopping centers. But what started with good intentions quickly descended into chaos. According to Historian Rodney Kite-Powell of the Tampa Bay History…
·
-
Tampa International Airport (TPA) has been awarded a $40 million grant from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as part of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This funding will go toward the development of a new Airside D terminal, aimed at boosting TPA’s capacity and operational efficiency to better serve millions of passengers each year. The…
·
-
This December, the annual St. Petersburg Holiday Lighted Boat Parade will return to delight spectators along the downtown waterfront. On December 7th at 6:30 pm, a colorful procession of boats decked out in holiday lights will wind its way through the city’s picturesque harbor. Organized by local sponsors including Pier Dolphin Cruises, Nautical Sounds, and…
·
-
Growing congestion at the intersection of Boyette Road and U.S. 301 in Tampa Bay has prompted plans for improvements, particularly for westbound drivers turning left onto southbound U.S. 301. The current five-lane configuration on westbound Boyette Road includes a single left turn lane, two through lanes, and two right lanes. The left turn lane, measuring…
·
-
In one flood-prone St. Petersburg neighborhood, recent storms Helene and Milton left residents relying on a single-lane, half-constructed bridge as their only exit from an island cul-de-sac. Originally scheduled for completion in December 2023, the $3.6 million project faced significant delays when American Empire Builders (AEB) defaulted on their contract. Consequently, city council members unanimously…
·
-
Tropical Storm Rafael is gaining strength as it moves through the Caribbean Sea, passing near Jamaica this morning and is forecasted to approach the Cayman Islands later on Tuesday. The storm is expected to bring hurricane-force winds, dangerous storm surges, and large, destructive waves to affected areas. Rafael, the 17th named storm of the 2024…
·
-
Zombie foreclosures—homes abandoned by owners before the foreclosure process concludes—have decreased by 20% over the past year, according to real estate analytics firm ATTOM. As of the fourth quarter, 215,601 residential properties across the U.S. are in foreclosure, marking a 32.8% decline from the same period last year, according to ATTOM’s October 31 report. Of…
·
-
Pinellas County crews are actively collecting hurricane debris in areas with narrow roads, including Ozona, Indian Bluff Island, and Crystal Beach. Residents in these neighborhoods should move private vehicles off the roadway and place storm debris in the right-of-way (not in the street) to help collection crews reach as much material as possible. Please note,…
·
-
A rare and endangered baby siamang, a species of black-furred gibbon native to the forests of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, was born last week at ZooTampa. According to zoo officials, both the baby and its mother, Hutan, are healthy. The newborn joins its 3-year-old sister, Kazuki, and proud father, Sensei, as part of ZooTampa’s growing…
·
-
As winter approaches, manatees in Florida are beginning their seasonal migration to warmer waters. “As fall temperatures drop, manatees start making their way to Florida springs, power plant discharge areas, and other warm-water sites to overwinter until temperatures rise again in the spring,” explains Michelle Pasawicz, Coordinator of the Manatee Management Program for the Florida…
·
-
The Florida Botanical Gardens (12520 Ulmerton Rd) invites you to its 24th annual holiday lights celebration, a cherished Pinellas County tradition that continues to draw families and holiday enthusiasts from across the region. Recently ranked ninth in the nation by USA TODAY, this event promises even more enchantment this year, featuring over one million LED…
·
-
This evening, SpaceX is set to launch nearly 6,000 pounds of essential supplies, food, and scientific experiments to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. The launch will take place from Florida, on Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center, with liftoff scheduled for 9:29 p.m. ET, timed precisely to align the…
·
-
In a thrilling preseason sports event, Orlando City SC and Inter Miami CF will face off in the Florida Derby on Friday, February 14, 2025, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. This high-stakes match, kicking off at 7:30 p.m., marks the first Major League Soccer (MLS) game held at the stadium since 2001. Fans are…
·
-
When disaster strikes, many property owners rush to fix the damage. But what happens when the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) places a stop work order on these repairs? Understanding this can save you a lot of headaches down the road. What Is a FEMA Stop Work Order? A FEMA stop work order is a…
·
-
After two months away, the students and staff of Anna Maria Elementary School are finally returning to their campus on Monday, following disruptions from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. “Since Monday, September 30, 2024, in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Anna Maria Elementary’s students and staff have been attending classes at Stewart Elementary, the nearest mainland…
·
-
With daylight saving time officially ending yesterday, the U.S. returns to earlier sunrises and sunsets, replacing the extended daylight hours enjoyed since March. While the time change remains, many lawmakers continue to push to “lock the clocks” and end the bi-annual adjustments for good. State-Level Efforts to End Clock Changes Most states have introduced legislation…
·
-
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s Christmas Town™ is back, transforming the park into a holiday wonderland from November 15 through January 5. Featuring millions of sparkling lights, festive treats, joyous shows, and exhilarating rides, Christmas Town brings holiday cheer for the entire family—all included with park admission. This year, the iconic Skyride will glow with seasonal…
·
-
After the unfortunate cancellation of Clearwater Jazz Fest due to Hurricanes Helene and Milton, jazz fans can still enjoy an incredible weekend of live music at the Suncoast Jazz Festival on Sand Key. Running from November 22 to 24, the festival will take place at the Sheraton Sand Key Resort, featuring performances by acclaimed local,…
·
-
The National Hurricane Center or the NHC is tracking Invest 97L in the southwestern Caribbean Sea, which is likely to become Tropical Storm Rafael this week. Here’s what we currently know: Current Status Florida Impact Timeline (Wednesday-Thursday) Track Projections FOX 35 Orlando Meteorologist Brooks Garner notes the following: Special Concerns “Many homes in these counties…
·
-
Megan Chora, 40, of Largo, has won $4 million in the June 11 Mega Millions drawing, the Florida Lottery announced. Chora’s ticket, purchased with Megaplier at the Publix on 10500 Ulmerton Road in Largo, matched all five white ball numbers but missed the Mega Ball. The Publix location will receive a $5,000 bonus commission for…
·
-
The Big Lots stores in St. Pete’s Fossil Park and Tyrone neighborhoods will permanently close by early January. The Ohio-based discount retailer is shutting down its locations at 1055 62nd Avenue North in Rutland Plaza and 950 58th Street North in Tyrone Gardens as part of a broader company restructuring. Earlier this year, Big Lots…
·
-
St. Petersburg’s Parks and Recreation Department released staggering damage assessments Thursday, revealing the extensive impact of recent Hurricanes Helene and Milton on the city’s nationally recognized park system. Storm Damage By the Numbers: Major Facility Impacts: Closed Playgrounds: Recovery Efforts: Community Enrichment Administrator Mike Jefferis reported that while all city parks and athletic facilities have…
·
-
A rare silver-haired bat, typically not found in Florida, was recently discovered near a beachfront condo in Satellite Beach, just north of Melbourne, Florida. According to WILD Florida Rescue’s Facebook post, a local resident spotted the bat and safely contained it in a bucket until the rescue team arrived. Silver-haired bats, native to other parts…
·
-
For Madeira Beach and Tampa Bay residents and visitors who have long cherished the convenience of the dock at 650 150th Ave, nestled between McDonald’s and Publix, its absence has left a noticeable void. Once a unique spot for boaters to pull up, grab groceries, or stop for a quick meal, the dock is gone…
·
-
In March, the City of St. Petersburg made a key change to Tropicana Field’s insurance, lowering the coverage limit for wind and flood damage claims from $100 million to $25 million. The adjustment, intended to save the city $275,000 annually in premiums, significantly reduces the payout potential from insurance for storm-related damages. This change now…
·
-
Discover the vibrant heart of Largo at The Largo Evening Market, where food trucks, artisans, and local vendors come together to offer a diverse array of culinary delights, handcrafted goods, and lively entertainment. This event promises an evening of delectable bites, captivating crafts, and the enchanting sounds of live music. Event Details: Experience the joy…
·
-
Hurricanes Helene and Milton caused extensive damage to thousands of properties and the cost to restore them isn’t cheap, especially when homes must be rebuilt to the latest construction codes. So, many Floridians are opting to sell their storm-battered properties “as-is” rather than face the costly and lengthy process of repairs. For some, this decision…
·
-
St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch announced Friday a series of temporary relief measures to help residents and businesses struggling with utility payments in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The relief package includes: These measures apply to bills due between September 25 and December 31, 2024. “The damage and destruction from back-to-back hurricanes has…
·
-
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is currently monitoring three areas for possible tropical development, with the Caribbean system showing the highest potential for strengthening into Tropical Storm Patty. Caribbean System Most Likely to Develop A low-pressure system in the southwestern Caribbean presents the strongest chance of development, with forecasters giving it a 70 percent probability…
·
-
This Saturday, a stretch of St. Petersburg’s Beach Drive NE will transform into a hub of community support as six local businesses host a Hurricane Relief Block Party. The event, running from 4 to 8 p.m. on the 300 block, aims to raise funds for those affected by recent hurricanes in the Tampa Bay area.…
·
-
Reluctantly, St. Petersburg’s City Council has approved two contracts totaling up to $6.5 million to prevent further deterioration of Tropicana Field after Hurricane Milton left the stadium’s roof severely damaged. Since the city is responsible for maintaining Tropicana Field, officials must address damage promptly to comply with insurance terms. In a 6-2 vote on Thursday,…
·
-
Clearwater is gearing up to celebrate its Tampa Bay veterans and community spirit at the annual Clearwater Patriot Fest on November 9th at Coachman Park. This year’s event takes on special significance as the community recovers from recent hurricanes. The festival, running from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 300 Cleveland St., Clearwater, promises a…
·
-
After the stress of a natural disaster, receiving a denial on your original financial assistance application—and then a rejection on appeal—of your FEMA disaster assistance application can be disheartening. While it may feel like you’ve run out of options, there are still resources and programs available that could provide much-needed support. READ: How To Appeal…
·