Tag: Hillsborough County
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The Cross Bay Ferry will operate its final route on Wednesday, officially ending service between Tampa and St. Petersburg. Hillsborough County Commissioners terminated the ferry’s four-year contract after discovering the operator was using a slower vessel than initially agreed upon. For more than three years, the ferry provided a popular transportation link across the Bay,…
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The future of the Cross Bay Ferry service between downtown Tampa and St. Petersburg may be determined today during a Hillsborough County Commission meeting. Commissioners are expected to vote on whether to end the county’s agreement with HMS Ferries, the operator of the service. If approved, the ferry could cease operations as early as April…
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Heather Wendt’s father-in-law built their two-story home in Crystal Beach, Pinellas County, over 50 years ago. Despite being situated along Sutherland Bayou, floodwaters had never reached the doorstep—until last year. Now, the blue carpet that once lined her staircase is torn from the first three steps, and remnants of spray-foam sealant cling to the front…
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Hillsborough County officials are organizing eight community meetings in April and May as part of a regional stormwater evaluation. These meetings come in response to the historic flooding caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton last year. “A third of the entire Tampa Bay’s volume was dropped on the region during Hurricane Milton, leading to widespread…
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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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Hillsborough County Schools has implemented the BusPatrol program, using artificial intelligence to identify drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses. Recent footage shows alarming incidents, including a black car passing a stopped bus and nearly hitting a student crossing the road. “These close calls are jarring for the average person, parents, and school administrators,” says…
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Tampa Bay rarely sees smooth regional transit teamwork, and the Cross Bay Ferry saga proves why. Pinellas County has bold ideas to expand the ferry, which since October has run year-round between Tampa Convention Center and St. Petersburg’s port. Operated by a private Boston firm and funded by Tampa, St. Pete, and their counties, the…
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A mother in Hillsborough County is calling for changes on a local road where her son was struck by a car while biking to school. Samantha Collins can’t help but think of road safety and her kids every time she walks along Debuel Road in Lutz. Her son was recently hit by a driver at…
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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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The Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA) has been awarded a $4 million federal grant aimed at reducing traffic congestion and emissions on the Selmon Expressway. This grant will fund smart technology designed to detect traffic delays and provide timely notifications to drivers. THEA CEO Greg Slater stated that the initiative will enhance understanding of traffic…
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As California battles devastating wildfires, Hillsborough County is taking preventive action through an extensive prescribed burn program that manages approximately 6,000 acres annually. The initiative is particularly crucial this year, with recent hurricanes leaving behind substantial vegetation that could fuel potential wildfires. “If a wildfire encounters an area we’ve just burned, it naturally extinguishes due…
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Aid might soon be available for Tampa residents still reeling from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. During Thursday’s meeting, the Tampa City Council is set to discuss updates on funding that could assist with mortgage payments, insurance deductibles, and other recovery expenses. Councilman Luis Viera highlighted that this aid would be particularly beneficial for residents in…
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In Hillsborough County, innovative technology is now tracking vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians at intersections in real-time. This system delivers crucial data to traffic engineers within minutes, enhancing traffic management. If you’ve experienced a traffic light that always seems to catch you at red or stays red too long, relief might soon be on the way.…
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Hillsborough County has issued a mosquito-borne illness alert following the report of six locally acquired cases of dengue fever, according to the Florida Department of Health (DOH). What is Dengue Fever? Dengue fever is a mosquito-transmitted disease that can cause significant discomfort and pain but is rarely fatal. Symptoms typically appear 3–14 days after being…
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Hillsborough County has extended the local state of emergency initially declared after Hurricane Milton. On Sunday, County Administrator Bonnie Wise signed an executive order to prolong the state of local emergency. This emergency declaration empowers the County Administrator and emergency managers to swiftly take necessary actions to ensure the community’s health, safety, and welfare. It…
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Residents and businesses have until December 31 to file a claim in a class action lawsuit challenging Hillsborough County’s 1% sales surtax, which a Florida court determined was unconstitutional. RELATED: Hillsborough Transportation Tax Refunds Receive Final Approval – How to Get Yours The surtax, which was in effect from 2019 to 2021, applied to a…
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A significant weather event, involving a squall line of rain, is set to complicate travel and herald a swift drop in temperatures. Local meteorologists are closely watching a powerful cold front expected to sweep through the region on Wednesday. Residents of Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco Counties should brace for the heaviest rainfall and strongest wind…
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Homeowners across Tampa Bay, especially those living on Pinellas County beaches, are becoming increasingly frustrated and impatient after Hurricanes Helene and Milton. They find themselves unable to start rebuilding their homes due to lengthy waits for permits. “They want to make sure everybody does things the right way, and I’m in full agreement with that,…
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Hillsborough County residents with lingering storm debris must have it curbside by today, Monday, Dec. 9, as crews prepare to make their final collection pass. The county’s last round of hurricane debris pickup will begin that day, targeting both construction and demolition debris as well as yard waste. Residents are asked to separate these materials…
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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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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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A family has been awarded an $8.15 million verdict in a lawsuit against Busch Gardens Tampa Bay after a child sustained serious injuries at the theme park. In September 2022, the child attended a Howl-O-Scream event. According to Morgan & Morgan attorneys Paul Fulmer, Grant Gillenwater, Bora Kayan, and Megan Tiralosi, the doors to the…
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Today, Hillsborough County leaders are set to discuss dedicating additional funding to support recovery efforts following the recent back-to-back hurricanes. A proposed $5.6 million would come from the Hope Affordable Housing Fund, which typically provides local public funds to create, preserve, and improve affordable housing. This allocation would be especially helpful for mobile homeowners, who…
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Many Hillsborough County communities are still recovering from significant storm damage after back-to-back hurricanes. Now, local neighborhoods have a chance to revitalize and beautify their outdoor spaces with the help of neighborhood mini-grants offered by Hillsborough County. These grants open doors for communities to restore and enhance their outdoor areas, damaged by recent storms. Resident…
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Ybor City is gearing up for the holidays! The 14th annual Ybor City Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place on November 20 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 1600 E. 7th Ave. This cherished event in Hillsborough County officially kicks off the festive season in one of Tampa’s most historic districts, made even more…
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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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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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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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