Tag: Tampa Bay
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As the new school year begins, Hillsborough County Schools are rolling out updated security protocols to align with recently passed state laws. A major statewide change includes the implementation of the “Locked Door Policy,” aimed at enhancing campus safety during the school day. Hillsborough County Chief of Security John Newman recently guided Spectrum Bay News…
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City leaders in St. Pete and Tampa have unveiled their proposed budgets for the upcoming fiscal year—and both are placing a major focus on storm preparedness and storm recovery. In St. Petersburg, Mayor Ken Welch presented a $1.1 billion budget to the city council on Thursday, highlighting $202 million in capital improvement projects aimed at…
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Plans to replace Clearwater’s aging downtown bus terminal are advancing, with a modern, accessible transit center set to take its place. The current Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) station on Park Street has long been criticized for its deteriorating conditions, including a leaking roof and broken pavement. Riders say it’s no longer safe or functional,…
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One Tampa Bay area law enforcement agency is stepping up its fight against credit and debit card fraud with the help of new technology aimed at detecting skimming devices. Thanks to a grant from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, officers are now equipped with handheld skimmer detection tools designed to uncover illegal card readers…
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As storm season ramps up, experts are urging residents to go beyond boarding up windows by preparing their homes, finances, and critical documents before disaster strikes. While much of the focus has been on protecting flood-prone areas, many residents in neighborhoods that rarely see major storm damage still lack the tools and knowledge to prepare…
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Hillsborough County commissioners are set to vote Wednesday on a proposal to allocate more than $700 million in federal disaster recovery funds following a series of recent hurricanes. The county expects to receive approximately $709 million in Community Development Block Grant funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The money is intended…
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A low-pressure system known as Invest-93L, currently off Florida’s east coast, is becoming more organized, according to the National Hurricane Center. Forecasters say the disturbance is expected to move westward across the Florida peninsula today and reach the northeastern Gulf of Mexico by midweek. While showers and thunderstorms remain disorganized for now, environmental conditions are…
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Tampa Bay Rays owner Stu Sternberg may finalize a deal to sell the team as early as September, according to a report by The Athletic. The sale, valued at approximately $1.7 billion, would transfer ownership to a group led by Jacksonville developer Patrick Zalupski. The prospective buyers reportedly intend to keep the Rays in the…
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St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) hit a major milestone in June, welcoming more than 300,000 passengers — the highest monthly total in the airport’s history, according to a recent report from PIE. So far this year, passenger traffic is up 10% compared to the same period in 2023, fueled in part by the airport’s nonstop…
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The City of Tampa is holding its final two storm resiliency meetings this week, with events scheduled for Monday evening at Adum K-8 Magnet School in South Tampa and Tuesday at the TPD Rich House in Tampa Heights. These meetings offer residents updates on the city’s ongoing efforts to reduce flooding during heavy rains and…
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The original Howard Frankland Bridge is now on its way out. This week, crews began the careful and lengthy process of dismantling the decades-old structure. With traffic now fully shifted to the new span, work is underway to take the old bridge apart piece by piece. On Friday, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) invited…
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Following catastrophic flash flooding in Texas that claimed the lives of at least 120 people, emergency officials in the Tampa Bay Area are urging residents to sign up for local emergency alert notifications. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor took to social media Wednesday with a clear message: don’t wait until it’s too late. “We are not…
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Largo residents impacted by last month’s EF-1 tornado may now qualify for low-interest federal disaster loans. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has officially recognized the June 25 storm as a qualifying federal disaster, according to a news release from city officials on Wednesday. Homeowners, renters, businesses, and nonprofit organizations that experienced property damage or…
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Drivers crossing the Howard Frankland Bridge into Tampa will notice a major change starting Wednesday. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is moving northbound traffic onto the former southbound bridge, which was constructed in the 1990s. That span has remained unused since March, when the new southbound bridge officially opened. Crews have since been preparing…
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The Florida Department of Education has released the 2024–2025 school year grades, and just two Tampa Bay districts—Pinellas and Sarasota—earned an overall ‘A’ rating. “This is another proud moment for Pinellas County Schools,” said Superintendent Kevin Hendrick. “Earning a district grade of an ‘A’ shows the strength and commitment of our students, teachers, and staff,…
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Recent deadly flooding in Texas is prompting Florida officials to renew warnings about the dangers of rising rivers during hurricane season. Emergency management leaders in Hillsborough County and across Florida are urging residents to stay alert to river conditions, especially during heavy rainfall. The Alafia River surged 23 feet after Hurricane Helene — its highest…
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A waterspout was spotted off Clearwater Beach late Monday morning as storms moved through the area. According to the National Weather Service, the funnel formed at 11:20 a.m. and remained offshore. The brief phenomenon was included in a preliminary storm report released by the NWS. Follow the St. Pete-Clearwater Sun on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Google,…
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The City of Tampa is inviting residents to weigh in on local flooding concerns through a series of upcoming public meetings. City officials say this effort follows a recent vulnerability assessment that identified heavy rainfall—not hurricanes—as Tampa’s most pressing flood threat. Already this month, intense rain events have highlighted the system’s limitations. Mayor Jane Castor…
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Tampa city officials advise residents to prepare for heavier-than-usual traffic and large crowds over the Independence Day weekend. Downtown hotspots such as the Riverwalk, Armature Works, and Sparkman Wharf are expected to see major congestion, especially during key holiday events. The city’s annual Boom by the Bay celebration takes place at Armature Works from 4…
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Communities across the Tampa Bay area are preparing for a vibrant Independence Day with fireworks, festivals, and family-friendly events. From St. Petersburg to Clearwater, here’s a roundup of 4th of July celebrations happening in 2025. In St. Petersburg, the annual “4th of July Fireworks Celebration” at Spa Beach Park kicks off at 5 p.m. with…
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A major waterfront rebuild is set to begin in Safety Harbor, marking a significant step in the city’s recovery from the devastating hurricanes of last year. The Fire Marshal Dick Brock Memorial Pier—once a lively spot for fishing, sunset views, and community gatherings—was destroyed during the storms, leaving only its pilings behind. Beginning July 7,…
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The Tampa Bay area is gearing up for a soggy week as forecasters predict persistent showers and thunderstorms through the Fourth of July holiday and into the following week. According to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Tampa and local meteorologists, an upper-level low-pressure system and a stalled front over the Gulf of Mexico are…
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A new Redfin report lists Tampa as one of the most expensive U.S. cities for renters requiring childcare, with median costs for rent and childcare reaching $3,466 per month. This figure, based on one-bedroom apartment rents and local childcare rates, places Tampa 10th among major cities, where such expenses consume 36% of the median renter’s…
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Demolition of the old Howard Frankland Bridge is officially scheduled for mid-July, according to a permit filed by the Florida Department of Transportation with the Southwest Florida Water Management District. The northbound span, originally built for $16 million, will be torn down after traffic is shifted to the bridge constructed in the 1990s, which had…
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Safety Harbor’s cherished waterfront is about to undergo a sweeping transformation, as the city kicks off a major series of reconstruction projects beginning July 7. Prompted largely by damage from the 2023 and 2024 hurricane seasons, the effort promises a revitalized waterfront experience—but not without significant short-term disruption for residents, visitors, and boat owners. Unveiled…
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An EF-1 tornado with winds reaching 90 mph touched down in Largo on Wednesday, catching residents off guard and raising questions about why no warning was issued. Susan Haas was at home in the Bay Ranch Mobile Home Park when her dog Ollie began to tremble violently — a sign something was wrong. Moments later,…
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A powerful line of storms swept through Pinellas County on Wednesday evening, bringing heavy rain, hail, intense lightning, and a confirmed tornado that caused significant damage in parts of Largo. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The Ranchero Village and Bay Ranch mobile home communities near Ulmerton Road bore the brunt of the destruction, though storm…
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The St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce has launched a new initiative aimed at empowering local tech entrepreneurs and growing the city’s innovation economy. The Tech Founders Committee, a collaborative effort led by local industry leaders, is designed to help startups launch, scale, and succeed in St. Petersburg. The group will focus on four key…
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As the Fourth of July approaches, communities throughout the Tampa Bay area are gearing up for a wide array of festivities. From fireworks and boat parades to concerts, food festivals, and family fun zones, there’s no shortage of ways to mark America’s 249th birthday. Here’s your county-by-county guide to Independence Day events happening across the…
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Following the devastation left by hurricanes Helene and Milton, Florida lawmakers have approved a sweeping legislative package aimed at preventing the debris removal chaos that overwhelmed communities across the state in 2024. In the wake of the storms, streets were lined for weeks with ruined furniture, tree limbs, and other debris. Landfills turned crews away,…
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Hillsborough County Property Appraiser Bob Henriquez has proposed a novel Home Insurance Relief Property Tax Credit to ease the financial burden on homeowners facing skyrocketing property insurance costs. The plan, which would offer tax credits to offset home insurance premium increases of 15% or more for owner-occupied homes with household incomes below $150,000, comes as…
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As property insurance premiums continue to soar across Florida, one Hillsborough County family still recovering from Hurricane Milton says they’re nearing their financial breaking point. April Self and her husband were forced out of their home by severe flooding and only returned two months ago. Since then, they’ve been juggling a growing pile of bills…
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Like a toddler on the move, child care costs continue to rise—both across the nation and here in the Tampa Bay area. For many working families, two incomes are essential just to stay afloat. But with both parents employed, reliable child care becomes a necessity—and an increasingly expensive one. Kenneth and Kimberly Norton, parents of…
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Pinellas County is reinforcing traffic signals ahead of hurricane season by replacing older span wire systems with stronger mast arms at key intersections. Crews are currently working at 30 intersections across the county to complete the upgrades. Unlike span wires that can twist and fail in high winds, mast arms offer a sturdier, more storm-resistant…
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Coastal communities across Tampa Bay — particularly in places like Treasure Island — are battling a surge in mosquitoes this summer, and experts say recent hurricanes are to blame. Flooding and debris left behind by Hurricanes Helene and Milton have created ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes, with more than 40 species now buzzing through the…
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The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season is well underway, and early forecasts suggest it could be another above-average year for storm activity — much like the hyperactive 2024 season. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released its annual outlook the end of May, predicting a 60% chance of an above-normal season, a 30% chance of…
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The Tampa Bay Rays are in exclusive negotiations to sell the franchise to a group led by Jacksonville homebuilder Patrick Zalupski in a deal reportedly valued at $1.7 billion. Multiple sources confirm that Zalupski has signed a letter of intent to buy the team. While not legally binding, the agreement signals serious momentum toward a…
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Since the opening of the new Howard Frankland Bridge span in March, crashes have increased near the bridge’s Tampa-side entry point, raising concerns among drivers and transportation officials. Many incidents have occurred in the curved section of I-275 southbound, creating major traffic delays and prompting questions about the road design. “It’s very concerning,” David Alonso,…
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The St. Petersburg City Council has unanimously approved a sweeping $159.8 million federal disaster recovery plan to help the city rebuild from the devastating 2024 hurricane season. The vote came June 12 after a thorough discussion and public hearing on the “Sunrise St. Pete” initiative, which aims to address $1.68 billion in unmet storm-related needs.…
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Tampa ranks third nationwide for canceled home purchase agreements, according to a new report from Redfin — part of a broader trend showing Florida cities dominating the list. Roughly 56,000 U.S. home deals fell through in April 2025, representing 14.3% of pending sales. It’s the highest April cancellation rate since 2017, excluding the early pandemic…
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After hurricanes Helene and Milton struck Florida last year, countless Tampa Bay residents found themselves caught in a maze of delays—waiting for permits, answers on substantial damage letters, and direction on who was responsible for getting them back in their homes. Eight months later, many of those same homeowners are still displaced, stuck in limbo.…
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Recovery efforts continue in Treasure Island following last year’s damaging storms—and for many local businesses, the lingering effects are hitting hard. Several major hotels remain closed or are only partially operational. The iconic Thunderbird Hotel, for example, is still shut down and undergoing a full rebuild. As a result, some business owners say they’re seeing…
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As the 2025 hurricane season approaches, residents of the Tampa Bay region, particularly in Pinellas County, are bracing for what forecasters predict could be another active year. After the devastating impacts of Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024, which caused unprecedented flooding, widespread power outages, and billions in damages across the region, local officials and…
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Clearwater Beach Marina is undergoing a major renovation aimed at strengthening the facility against future storms, following storm damage from last year’s hurricanes. City of Clearwater engineer Kelly Peterich said the storms highlighted the need to reinforce the aging infrastructure. “Given the age of the facility and the extent of the damage, it was clear…
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