Tag: Pinellas County
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As hurricane season kicks off this weekend, Pinellas County, in collaboration with the City of St. Petersburg, hosted a free Hurricane Preparedness Expo to help residents get ready for the months ahead. The event offered a hands-on learning experience, connecting attendees with emergency experts and resources to better prepare themselves, their families, and their homes…
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With hurricane season starting Sunday, Pinellas County employees are completing their final training sessions to operate emergency shelters. Knowing where to go during a storm can be lifesaving, and local officials are making sure shelters are ready when residents need them most. “We had around 1,700 people for Hurricane Helene and close to 14,000 for…
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Business owners recovering from hurricane damage are rebuilding with resilience in mind. At local favorite Ricky T’s, a hugely popular destination in Treasure Island, staff members are celebrating the completion of renovations designed to withstand future storms. Owner Brad Piche prioritized hurricane-proofing the restaurant, a beloved local fixture for decades. To enhance durability, the restaurant’s…
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The Resilient St. Pete Resident Task Force will complete its final round of neighborhood visits on Saturday, giving residents in three flood-prone areas a chance to voice concerns and suggest solutions directly to engineers and city officials. Shannery Barnes, president of the Old Pasadena Neighborhood Association, described the unusual flooding experienced during Hurricane Helene. “A…
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Last fall, still stinging from the damage wrought by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the Crowder Brothers Ace Hardware in St. Pete Beach found itself in the same boat as many of its customers—dealing with extensive flood damage and a long road to recovery. The store was forced to close for two months as employees worked…
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Residents of St. Petersburg have until June 23 to provide feedback on a draft action plan outlining how the city intends to use $159 million in federal disaster recovery funds following Hurricanes Idalia and Helene. The funds come from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR)…
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With hurricane season nearing, Pinellas County is revamping its permitting process to help residents in unincorporated areas return home faster after storms. County officials plan to implement upgraded software, simplify procedures, and use a proprietary damage assessment tool to speed up permit approvals. The new approach leverages a FEMA-approved option allowing residents to submit contractor-prepared…
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The destructive 2024 hurricane season has Pinellas County officials emphasizing the importance of storm preparedness for boat owners ahead of the 2025 season. Local leaders and marine experts stress that securing boats properly can reduce damage and prevent them from becoming hazards during severe weather. According to marine authorities, Pinellas County, which has nearly 54,000…
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Nearly a year after a series of hurricanes battered the Tampa Bay area, the city of Gulfport is still grappling with the aftermath. Hundreds of boats were wrecked or washed ashore, and while significant progress has been made in cleanup efforts, the scars remain—both environmental and financial. Gulfport has removed over 50 derelict vessels from…
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In Bay Pines’ Harbor Lights Club, a once-idyllic waterfront mobile home park, the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton is still painfully evident. Nearly eight months since the storms hit, broken docks, shattered homes, and sunken boats remain scattered across the community. “It was like a resort to be down there,” longtime resident Victor Docherty…
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In the seven months following a punishing 2024 hurricane season, residents of Pinellas’ barrier islands are approaching hurricane preparedness with renewed urgency. On May 7, the fourth floor of the Indian Shores Municipal Center was filled to capacity for “Storm Ready: Hurricane Awareness and Preparation,” an annual event hosted for the communities of Indian Shores…
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Pinellas County commissioners have opted not to let voters decide on establishing a countywide elected mayor, instead signaling support for enhancing the authority of the commission’s chairperson. At a May 15 workshop, commissioners expressed a clear preference to maintain the existing commission-administrator form of government—first adopted by Pinellas County in 1964—and build upon it rather…
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City departments in Treasure Island are evaluating their performance during the 2024 hurricane season and preparing to present their findings to city commissioners on Tuesday. The goal: identify strengths and weaknesses to better prepare for future emergencies. Representatives from the fire department, police, community development, finance, administration, parks and recreation, and public information have each…
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Strolling along Gulfport’s beaches, visitors often come across cigarette butts scattered in the sand — a sight city leaders are hoping to change. In response, Gulfport officials are moving toward a ban on smoking in several beachside areas. The city council has already given preliminary approval, with a final vote scheduled for Tuesday. If passed,…
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A long-neglected, storm-damaged tower in downtown St. Petersburg is finally on track for demolition, paving the way for a new boutique hotel. For many in the area, the change can’t come soon enough. The 11-story structure at 300 Central Avenue, heavily damaged by Hurricane Milton, will be replaced by a 74-key branded hotel developed by…
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A St. Pete Beach hotel owner who opened his doors to hurricane victims says a federal relief program meant to support recovery has left him footing a massive bill. Robert Czyszczon, owner of the Plaza Beach Hotel, began housing displaced residents through FEMA’s Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) program after hurricanes struck Pinellas County. For 180…
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Members of the Resilient St. Pete Resident Task Force will visit several South St. Petersburg neighborhoods this Saturday to hear directly from residents about chronic flooding issues. “The residents are the real experts — they live there, they know what’s happening,” said Claude Tankersley, the city’s Public Works Administrator. “We’re pairing them with engineers who…
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The Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County has issued a swim advisory for three local beaches after detecting elevated levels of harmful bacteria in the water. The affected locations are Clearwater Beach near Mandalay Park, Sand Key Beach, and Indian Rocks Beach. Officials warn that swimming at these sites poses a potential health risk.…
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Pinellas County is seeking over $8 million in federal grants to bolster a nearly $11 million project aimed at storm-hardening 35 traffic signals along key evacuation routes. At their May 6 meeting, county commissioners unanimously approved the application for two state-administered federal grants totaling $8.23 million. The county will contribute a $2.74 million match, already…
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The City of St. Petersburg is fast-tracking major flood infrastructure projects to better withstand future storms and keep vital sewer systems running, ahead of this year’s hurricane season, Mayor Ken Welch announced Tuesday. “Many of these upgrades were originally slated for completion within the next 3 to 5 years,” Welch said. “Now, we’re accelerating timelines,…
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Treasure Island residents now have the option to voluntarily elevate their properties, including garages, driveways, and seawalls, using fill dirt to protect their homes from rising sea levels. Since the 1940s, sea levels around the island have risen by 9 inches, with high tide events, including sunny day flooding, causing stormwater to back up into…
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Could a long-term fix finally be on the horizon for the persistent flooding in St. Petersburg’s Shore Acres neighborhood? Residents are hopeful. With the city’s support, they’ve joined forces with experts to find real solutions through the St. Pete Resident Task Force Pilot Program — an initiative that could lead to major changes. As part…
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Treasure Island City Commissioners are urging residents making hurricane-related home repairs to submit their permit applications by May 31 in order to qualify for a waiver on permit fees. Barb Adams, a longtime Treasure Island resident, is finally preparing to move back into her storm-damaged home next week after nearly eight months in temporary housing.…
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Pinellas County has become one of the first local governments in the nation to finalize a federally required action plan that secures $813.8 million in disaster recovery funding. On Tuesday, County Commissioners approved the comprehensive plan following months of community outreach. The document outlines a range of initiatives—from direct relief payments to long-term recovery programs—designed…
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Just three weeks before hurricane season begins, Treasure Island city commissioners voted Monday night to remove City Manager Chuck Anderson, citing what they called a failure of leadership following last year’s storms. In a 3-2 decision during a public meeting, commissioners dismissed Anderson—one of the city’s top officials—pointing to unresolved infrastructure issues and a lack…
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The beloved Thunderbird Beach Resort on Treasure Island is being reimagined, but its heart remains in the stories and memories of the guests who’ve called it a home away from home. For decades, families, couples, and friends have gathered at the iconic beachfront destination, soaking up the sun and making memories—many over a drink at…
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Pinellas County commissioners will discuss a proposal on Tuesday for allocating $813 million in federal hurricane recovery funds. The funding, provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), is intended to support communities affected by Hurricanes Idalia, Helene, and Milton. Recently, county officials have hosted public meetings to gather input on spending…
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In a surprising turn of events, the city manager and city attorney of Indian Rocks Beach have resigned within 24 hours of each other, city officials announced. The resignations were revealed during a city commission meeting, with both officials submitting their letters without publicly disclosing specific reasons for their departures. City Manager Greg Mims, who…
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Get ready, St. Pete—your new favorite spot for sun, sport, and sand is about to open. SkyBeach Resort (6800 Sunshine Skyway Lane South) has announced the debut of SouthSide Sports, a high-end athletic club nestled right on its scenic beachfront property. Designed for singles, couples, and families, the club offers flexible membership options. The first…
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Efforts to rebuild the storm-damaged Fire Marshal Dick Brock Memorial Pier in Safety Harbor are gaining traction, with city officials expressing optimism after a recent meeting with potential contractors. The project—vital to local tourism, recreation, and economic development—continues to move through key phases, including finalizing design plans, securing permits, and pursuing critical funding. The pier…
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With hurricane season officially starting on June 1, now is the time to prepare — and the City of Treasure Island is here to help. If you live on this beautiful stretch of Florida’s Gulf Coast, don’t miss the upcoming Hurricane Expo on Wednesday, May 28, from 6 to 8 p.m. at City Hall (10451…
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The St. Petersburg City Council is expected to finalize approval Thursday for a $134,800 state grant that would fund upgrades at Albert Whitted Airport—securing its operation as an airport for at least the next 20 years. The funding, provided by the Florida Department of Transportation, will support the construction phase of the airport’s Airfield Vault…
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A state-hired contractor, Tidal Basin Group, made numerous mistakes assessing hurricane-damaged homes in Pinellas County, causing confusion and delays for residents trying to rebuild. The company’s reports, often based on incomplete or incorrect data-sometimes without entering homes-led to thousands of “substantially damaged” letters, requiring homeowners to either demolish or rebuild to stricter standards. Homeowners across…
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While concerns about road rage, boating incidents, and even gun violence persist across Florida, a new report finds that around 10 percent fewer residents experienced such incidents compared to previous years. SafeWise, a platform specializing in security product reviews, analyzed FBI crime data from municipalities across the state for its 11th annual “Safest Cities in…
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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 battle lines are drawn in Pinellas County as officials, property owners, and neighbors grapple with the explosive growth-and growing pains-of short-term rentals (STRs). With new regulations taking effect and heated debates echoing through commission chambers, the future of Pinellas’ neighborhoods and its vital tourism industry hangs in the balance. Property Owners: Profit Meets Paperwork…
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Pinellas County is pulling out of Duke Energy’s Clean Energy Connection program following growing criticism about the lack of financial returns and rising utility expenses. On Tuesday, county commissioners voted to end their agreement with Duke Energy, ceasing participation in a program that charges subscribers $8.35 per kilowatt monthly to support the development of solar…
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As St. Petersburg recovers from past hurricanes and braces for a new season, the city is facing a sharp decline in financial support. Compared to this time last year, the city has received $31.3 million less in grant funding — an 83% drop from $37.6 million to just $6.3 million through March. The decline is…
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Multiple female real estate agents across Tampa Bay have reported alarming encounters with a man who appears to be using fake house showings to inappropriately touch women’s feet. At least half a dozen women have come forward with strikingly similar stories about the same individual, who systematically books property viewings or attends open houses with…
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After years of debate, Indian Rocks Beach officials have opted to maintain their existing ordinance regulating short-term rentals. The controversy surrounding short-term rental properties, such as Airbnbs and VRBOs, continues to stir tension in the Pinellas County beachside community and beyond to Seminole, Dunedin, Madeira Beach, Treasure Island, and other localities. Many longtime residents are…
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Local leaders from several beach communities across Pinellas County came together Thursday for a “State of the Beaches” discussion, reflecting on the region’s ongoing recovery from two powerful hurricanes. The Institute for Strategic Policy Solutions and the Pinellas Beaches Chamber hosted the event at Madeira Beach City Hall, which brought together mayors and vice mayors…
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The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Business Recovery Center in Clearwater will permanently close its doors at 2 p.m. today, Friday, April 25th, according to an announcement from Pinellas County on Thursday. Located on 58th Street North, the center has provided support to business owners, homeowners, and renters applying for disaster loans. With its closure,…
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The City of St. Petersburg is considering tearing down Al Lang Stadium—the iconic downtown home of the Tampa Bay Rowdies—to make way for a new amphitheater and a vibrant, reimagined waterfront park. On Thursday morning, the city’s Economic and Workforce Development Committee reviewed conceptual designs and early plans for what’s being called the Center of…
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