Tag: Tampa Bay
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Felix Figueruelo keeps what remains of his parents’ possessions in a pod on their front porch. “They’re eager to return home,” he told Bay News 9. It’s been four months since Hurricane Milton flooded their house. “I promised them, ‘I’ll pick you up in the morning,’” he recalled. “‘You’ve got nothing to worry about.’ I…
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Dead fish lined two Venice canals as red tide toxins forced residents indoors. “Standing on the seawalls alongside residents near our deployment site was one of the most striking moments,” Kevin Claridge, Vice President for Sponsored Research and Coastal Policy Programs at Mote Marine Laboratory, told WTVT. After five years of relentless research, testing, and…
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As spring break approaches, Tampa Bay area prepares for an influx of visitors. The Sunshine State has several popular destinations, with Tampa ranking No. 8 on AAA’s list of top domestic spring break locations. Other Florida hotspots include Orlando (No. 1), Fort Lauderdale, and Miami. A recent survey highlights theme parks as the second most…
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Clearwater Beach has secured a coveted place on TripAdvisor’s list of the 25 Best Beaches in America. This accolade, part of TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best, celebrates top-tier destinations based on glowing reviews and traveler feedback. Only an elite fraction—less than 1% of the platform’s 8 million listings—earn this distinction each year.…
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In 2024, Pinellas County’s local visitors bureau received eight funding requests for capital projects totaling $67 million. However, tourism officials approved just $24.8 million for five area facilities on Wednesday. Two proposed projects in St. Petersburg remain uncertain. County commissioners will decide next week on the Woodson African American Museum of Florida’s funding, while the…
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Treasure Island leaders are making strides toward aiding local businesses in hurricane recovery. City officials have unanimously advanced an ordinance designed to support restaurants and bars impacted by recent storms. With beachgoers returning, commissioners acknowledge the need for ample dining and leisure options. Mayor John Doctor emphasized, “Without our hotels, without our restaurants, without the…
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Officials in Treasure Island are requesting additional information as they deliberate on waiving permit fees for residents looking to elevate or demolish homes post-Hurricane Helene. A workshop was convened Tuesday evening where city commissioners instructed City Manager Chuck Anderson to compile data on the number of permits already issued. The next session is set for…
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Stakeholders in Tampa Bay’s development industry predict service demand and construction will cool down in 2025, owing to the impacts of an unprecedented hurricane season and rising costs. Nonetheless, they believe even modest growth highlights the region’s resilience to building challenges. Will Conroy, president of St. Petersburg-based Backstreets Capital, and Jonathan Moore, president of Tampa’s…
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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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Local leaders are pushing back against recent criticism from Tampa Bay Rays executives regarding the $1.3 billion stadium development agreement, with St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch leading the response to what he views as concerning public statements from the team. On February 14, St. Petersburg and Pinellas County officials responded forcefully to accusations made by…
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Treasure Island leaders could take a step forward on Tuesday in supporting business owners still struggling to rebuild months after Hurricanes Helene and Milton. City officials plan to discuss a proposal that would allow businesses to apply for “special event permits” to set up tents, temporary bars, food trucks, or trailers for an extended period…
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A couple in Gulfport, Becky McCoy and Jim Newman, faced a significant setback in their recovery efforts after waiting nearly five months for a permit from city officials to repair their roof and the damage left by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Initially, a substantial damage determination letter from November indicated that their home suffered less…
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Beachgoers at Lido Beach were met with an unsettling sight as dead fish lined the shore, stretching as far as the eye could see. Some visitors paused to take photos, while others observed the scene in silence. “When we first walked in from the back of the beach, we immediately noticed a line of dead…
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Sarasota County is engaging its community to shape a $210 million hurricane recovery plan, involving input from residents affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, and Tropical Storm Debby in 2024. The county has initiated the “Resilient SRQ Unmet Needs Survey” and is hosting public meetings to gather this crucial feedback. The next scheduled public meeting…
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The tourism industry in Pinellas County is on the mend after the devastating impacts of Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024. Local business owners and employees are eager to welcome back snowbirds and vacationers. The effects on tourism trends will become clearer in the coming months and years, particularly during the peak season. Sean Green,…
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Driving through Mini Park in the Shore Acres neighborhood of St. Petersburg, you might spot the lush greenery and playground equipment, but there’s also a wooden stake to see. Perched atop this stake is a bat house. If you look closely during the day, you might even catch a glimpse of a few bats inside.…
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Residents of storm-battered St. Petersburg, along with several real estate agents, have voiced worries after city officials initiated nearly 11,000 code enforcement cases on properties potentially affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Many residents argue that their properties do not exhibit significant damage, while others worry that open cases could tarnish property reputations, complicating sales. …
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During a pre-recorded segment on WDAE-AM’s “Countdown to Opening Day” podcast, Tampa Bay Rays presidents Matt Silverman and Brian Auld voiced their opinions on the storm-damaged Tropicana Field and strained relationships with local authorities. The conversation aired nine days after St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch declared that the city would not chase a new stadium…
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After being closed for months due to significant damage from hurricanes Helene and Milton, local favorite, Fort DeSoto Park in Pinellas County, is set to fully reopen. The park has been gradually reopening in phases, with dedicated crews and volunteers working tirelessly to clean up and repair the damage caused by Helene’s powerful surge and…
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As spring break nears, several major beach parking lots remain closed. Visitors hoping to park at Madeira Beach and Treasure Island sections report difficulties finding available spots due to the closure of large lots. With improving weather drawing more visitors to southwest Florida, securing beach parking is becoming increasingly challenging. In regions hit hard by…
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A recent study from Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota has uncovered a possible connection between red tide algal blooms and the long-term acidification of Florida’s estuaries. Florida’s coastal residents are all too familiar with the immediate impacts of red tide, which include skin, eye, and throat irritation for humans, as well as massive marine life…
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After more than four months of rebuilding, Tampa Bay’s largest American Legion post is officially reopening following the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene. American Legion Post 273, located just east of the 150th Avenue drawbridge leading to Madeira Beach, suffered severe flooding when the hurricane struck, with over three feet of water inundating the building.…
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Some St. Petersburg residents have reported unusually high water bills that are more than double their typical amount. Last week, the city council accelerated discussions on the issue, scheduling it for further examination on Feb. 20. If you’ve received a significantly high water bill, you’re not alone. Residents’ Complaints Many residents have reached out to…
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At a special meeting on Feb. 7, Treasure Island commissioners unanimously approved extending a temporary waiver of permit fees for specific storm-related repairs. However, many residents will need to wait for further discussion in a work session and another regular hearing to see if relief will be expanded to include more costly permits for raising…
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Pinellas County officials are making a fresh attempt to secure easements for critical beach renourishment projects, following devastating damage from two Category 3 hurricanes last fall. The situation has become increasingly urgent after Hurricanes Helene and Milton struck the area in September, effectively erasing previous shoreline restoration efforts. The county’s coastline was already facing severe…
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St. Petersburg officials have pledged not to cut off water service or impose additional late fees on residents hit with unexpectedly high utility bills following Hurricanes Helene and Milton. During a tense meeting Thursday, city council members pressed administrators for answers but received little clarity on how many customers were affected or why bills had…
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St. Petersburg’s 12th annual Localtopia festival on February 22 arrives at a crucial moment for local businesses recovering from recent hurricanes. The event will feature over 300 independent St. Pete businesses and organizations at Williams Park. “This needs to be epic for many to stay in business,” says Olga Bof, Founder of Keep Saint Petersburg…
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Thousands of homeowners in St. Petersburg are dealing with pending code violation cases, which the city says are not violations yet. The city initiated these cases to ensure that permits for storm damage repairs are in place, that proper inspections occur, and to safeguard potential buyers of homes affected by hurricanes, according to city spokesperson…
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The Funky Flamingo, a Gulfport-based store offering produce, deli items, and more, is urgently requesting food donations to support families displaced by last year’s hurricanes. Approximately two years ago, the store’s owners established a food pantry to aid the community following the closure of several other pantries. Recent hurricanes have shifted the pantry’s focus from…
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The Tampa City Council has unanimously approved $3.2 million in State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program (SHIP) funds to aid homeowners affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. This funding will help residents with mortgage payments, home repairs, and insurance deductible costs. Relief Package Details Supporting Homeowners “We have to remember that some residents are still displaced,…
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Since Hurricane Helene devastated their public safety building, Treasure Island Fire Rescue and the Police Department have been operating out of portable units in City Hall’s parking lot. The storm flooded their facility on 108th Avenue with three feet of water, rendering it unusable. “Our lockers were underwater,” said Police Chief John Barkley. “We had…
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City documents reveal that repair costs for Tropicana Field are exceeding initial estimates. On Thursday, St. Petersburg City Council members will consider approving a cost adjustment of approximately $55,000 for the field’s roof demolition services. According to a change order form from Global Rope Access—a construction firm specializing in unique repair projects—the increase is due…
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Lorraine Anderson, a spokesperson for the City of Venice, has stated that although some progress has been made, the South Jetty’s recovery from the damages inflicted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton will be a prolonged effort. The city’s insurance contractor has finished demolishing and clearing the debris of the concession building at Humphris Park on…
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Employees at two popular Gulf Boulevard hotels are facing an even longer wait to return to work than expected. The Bellwether Beach Resort and The Beachcomber, both severely damaged by Hurricane Helene, are now projected to remain closed until summer. “It’s pretty devastating,” said Bill Pruitt, a longtime bartender at Jimmy B’s, the Beachcomber’s bar,…
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On Tuesday, citrus growers appealed to state lawmakers to continue funding research and advertising as the industry’s production has plummeted by over 90% in less than thirty years. Without this support, many of the 1,500 remaining citrus growers in Florida may abandon the industry. During a session with the Senate Agriculture Committee, Matt Joyner, CEO…
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Residents of Tampa Heights are voicing their frustration after receiving code violation notices from the city regarding damage to their homes caused by recent storms. Mary Wynn discovered a violation notice on her property Tuesday afternoon, stating that an inspection conducted on February 3, 2025, found necessary repairs to her floors, walls, ceilings, and roof…
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In an effort to mitigate the impact on Tampa Electric Co. customers, state regulators on Tuesday approved plans for Tampa Electric and Duke Energy Florida to recover more than $1.55 billion for hurricane-related expenses and to refill storm reserves. Starting in March, customers of both utilities will face higher bills as Tampa Electric and Duke…
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As many Bay Area beach communities race to rebuild ahead of the lucrative spring break season, two well-known St. Pete Beach hotels have announced they will remain closed until summer, dealing a blow to both workers and tourists. The Bellwether Beach Resort and The Beachcomber—home to the popular Jimmy B’s Beach Bar—will not reopen until…
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Hillsborough County is offering a course on hurricane preparedness for homeowners. It’s only been a few months since the Bay Area endured the wrath of back-to-back hurricanes Helene and Milton, which caused significant damage to Florida’s trees. Although the 2025 hurricane season doesn’t officially begin until June, now is the ideal time to assess the…
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The Public Service Commission is scheduled to vote today regarding rate increases for Tampa Electric Company (TECO) and Duke Energy. On December 27, 2024, both TECO and Duke Energy submitted a petition for a limited proceeding, seeking approval to implement an interim storm restoration recovery charge. Reports indicate that TECO aims to recover $463.6 million…
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Mayor Jane Castor has officially announced the commencement of renovations at Herman Massey Park, located in downtown Tampa. The Tampa Community Redevelopment Agency is funding the project with a $2 million budget, according to a press release. The renovation will feature several upgrades, including a new raised deck with moveable furniture, improved electric and plumbing…
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Leaders from the Barrier Islands have reached out to President Donald Trump for assistance in the wake of two devastating hurricanes: Helene and Milton. They are collectively drafting a letter to support their communities’ recovery efforts. “It’s been an incredibly tough four months,” said St. Pete Beach Mayor Adrian Petrila. Mayor Petrila noted that over…
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A homeowner in St. Petersburg was stunned to receive a water bill for $6,000, a dramatic increase from his usual $100 monthly charge. “It’s quite stressful when you’re expected to pay $5,900 in just six days,” said Tony Bracci. Local station FOX13 highlighted his situation, along with others, to the city’s officials. This week, WTVT…
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