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Category: Tampa Bay, Florida Local News

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  • My Ride: Glenn Borne

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    Glenn Borne is a true Mustang fancier. A magazine publisher and ad salesman, Borne once worked on several Mustang-based magazines and belongs to Tampa-area Mustang and Ford clubs.

    He found this ’66 convertible in Nightmist Blue in 1984 and has since fully restored it. “It’s not a trailer queen,” he says, noting that he drives it to car shows, where he wins regularly. “It’s my toy,” he smiles. “I spent as much on a totally correct restoration as I would for a new car.”

    Glenn Borne and his 1966 Mustang.

    His ’66 Stang shares garage space with a chrome yellow Mustang ’93 LX convertible. Feeding his Mustang passion, Borne has also owned a ’65 coupe, a ’66 GT fastback, another ’66 fastback with a hot A-code engine, a pair of ’86 SVOs, a 2001 Bullitt, a replica of the Steve McQueen Mustang from “Bullitt,” and a throaty ’03 Mach 1 that serves as his daily driver.  

    Got a ride with a story? We want to hear it! Submit a photo and the details behind your wheels to info@tampamagazines.com for a chance to be featured.

    Looking to advertise, click here.

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    Chris Caswell – Photography by Gabriel Burgos

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  • Florida A&M University awarded stewardship of historic Chinsegut Hill

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    HERNANDO COUNTY, Fla. — A new partnership is reshaping the future of one of Hernando County’s most historic landmarks during Black History Month.

    County commissioners have awarded preservation stewardship of Chinsegut Hill to Florida A&M University, linking the site’s long history of civic dialogue and race relations with the state’s historically Black land-grant institution.

    In Brooksville, community members say the hill has always carried a deeper meaning.

    What You Need To Know

    • Hernando County commissioners have awarded preservation stewardship of Chinsegut Hill to Florida A&M University

    • Next door to Chinsegut Hill, Florida A&M University’s BAERS campus spans more than 3,800 acres and operates as a major research and extension hub for agriculture, natural resources and environmental education. The land itself carries federal significance

    • Hernando County leaders say finances played a role in the decision. As state leaders discuss potential property tax changes, commissioners viewed the university’s unsolicited proposal as a stable option

    • FAMU plans to partner with local organizations to preserve the site’s full history, including women’s suffrage, Black and Native American stories


    Rick Barge, farm manager at FAMU’s nearby BAERS campus, said the property’s original owners intentionally created a place for discussion.

    “The people who lived here, the robins, they were all about race relations. You know, that’s why they came here. So that makes a difference,” said Barge. 

    The estate, purchased by Raymond and Margaret Robins in 1904, sits atop one of the highest points in Florida and is surrounded by a 114-acre preserve.

    Next door, Florida A&M University’s BAERS campus spans more than 3,800 acres and operates as a major research and extension hub for agriculture, natural resources and environmental education.

    The land itself carries federal significance. In 2015, the U.S. Department of Agriculture transferred the former Subtropical Agricultural Research Station property to Florida A&M University — one of the largest single land transfers ever made to a historically Black land-grant university created under the Second Morrill Act of 1890. The transfer expanded hands-on training, conservation research and community outreach programs in Central Florida.

    University leaders say that mission makes stewardship a natural extension of its community outreach.

    Dr. Dale Wesson, dean of FAMU’s College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, says the site will remain accessible to the public.

    “We are a land-grant, which means that we actually operate with those three areas with education, research, and extension or community outreach. And so we see this as a function of our community outreach. And so we’re allowing the community to continue to take advantage of this property,” said Wesson. 

    County leaders say finances played a role in the decision. As state leaders discuss potential property tax changes, commissioners viewed the university’s unsolicited proposal as a stable option.

    “This has been tried over and over by organizations that do not have the financial backing that Florida A&M has, and it has not been successful,” said Commissioner John Allocco. 

    Wesson says the agreement would remove the financial burden from the county.

    “Hernando County will not have to pay any costs for us to take over the lease, to sublease this,” he added. 

    FAMU says the manor house will remain open for tours through the Tampa Bay History Center, while the university expands programming and operations to seven days a week. Weddings and community events will continue, though some buildings may occasionally be reserved.

    Access has been a concern for some residents, something Wesson addressed.

    “We’re allowing the community to continue to take advantage of this property,” he said during a meeting on Jan. 29. 

    The university also plans to partner with local organizations to preserve the site’s full history, including women’s suffrage, Black and Native American stories.

    County officials are still negotiating final contract terms with Florida A&M University.

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    Fadia Patterson

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  • Nick Townley inspired by long line of Plant baseball legends

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    TAMPA, Fla. — Wade Boggs Field, the baseball stadium at Plant High School, has the footsteps of legends on it.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Plant baseball program has sent multiple players to the MLB

    • Jac Caglionone just got his number retired, meeting the current group of Panthers players

    • Nick Townley hopes to be the next guy in line

    • Townley is the ace of the staff, a senior pitcher who has impressive command on the mound


    “We’ve always had some pretty good players and there’s kind of a long line of tradition to that,” Plant baseball head coach Dennis Braun said.

    The program boasts an impressive list of alums on the outfield wall, which has numbers retired from left field all the way down to right field.

    “We’re one of the few schools that has a Hall of Famer in Wade Boggs and we might have a future couple more if they keep doing the things they’re doing,” Braun said.

    Braun is referring to 5-time MLB All-Star Pete Alonso and 4-time All-Star Kyle Tucker, both former Panthers who are two of the best hitters in baseball.

    The latest pro to get his number retired is Jac Caglianone, a 2021 Plant alum who was a two-way star for the Florida Gators and is already in the bigs with the Kansas City Royals. The current team was able to meet Cagnianone at the ceremony earlier this month, seeing a guy who sat in the same dugout they do move on to accomplish what he has accomplished.

    “Yeah, I think that’s what the motivation is, I think everyone wants to be them not all of them are going to be 6 foot 5 250 pounds and that’s a big part of getting to the level that they get to but I think that motivation is a big deal for them and I think it’s what makes the program grow,” Braun said.

    “It was really nice to see. Obviously, he’s one of the greats of high school baseball, and it was really nice to be able to see the impact he’s made here,” Plant senior pitcher Nick Townley said.

    Townley hopes to one day be the next guy in line.

    “Yeah it really does help my focus. It just helps me stay concentrated on my main goal here which is competing as a team and winning and focusing on getting better,” Townley said.

    Townley is the ace of the staff, a senior right-hander who doesn’t light up the radar gun with a ton of velocity but makes up for it with an impressive command on the mound.

    “Throughout the fall and early spring I’ve just been working on my pitch location and delivery, getting better at sequencing and finding out where hitters are weak against me so I can get them out in the best way,” Townley said.

    He got some preseason recognition from 813 Preps, a Hillsborough County high school baseball publication, ranking him as the 23rd best player in the area.

    “I thought it was pretty cool but the rankings don’t mean anything until we start playing games so I try not to focus on it much, yeah it for sure adds some pressure but I gotta go into games knowing that I still have a job to throw good pitches and compete with the hitters so that just helps me stay focused,” Townley said.

    “Being ranked means you’ve done something you’ve earned that and every year you’ve gotta earn it. Baseball is a tough game so I think it’s important for him to come back down a little bit and not get too caught up in that throw strikes rely on his defense and if he does those things I think he will have another great year,” Braun said.

    Of course, Townley dreams of making it to “The Show.” Every baseball player does. No program around here has sent more players to the pros than Plant lately, so he’s in a great spot to try and get that dream started here.

    “Even though you may not make it, you may not be them let’s do everything we can so if that day comes that we don’t you can hang your cleats up and say I did everything I could to be the best player I could and that’s what we’re trying to do every day,” Braun said.

    For now, Townley is focused on this season and getting his team to state.

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    Michael Epps

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  • Sarah Branyan helps fellow veterans with her personal story of recovery

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A Bay Area veteran is using the personal trauma she suffered and her resulting downward spiral to help other vets at at the C.W. Bill Young Veteran’s Medical Center in Bay Pines.

    What You Need To Know

    • Sarah Branyan is a Peer Support Specialist in Mental Health/PTSD at James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital in St. Petersburg

    • Branyan said her life spiraled out of control after suffering military sexual trauma as a teenager in the Army, but she recovered from drug addictions 

    • Group meeting participants say they can relate to Branyan because of a personal story

    • Branyan said she stresses positive thinking to patients in the group meetings


    Sarah Branyan is a Peer Support Specialist in Mental Health/PTSD. Among other things, she leads group sessions of in-patient veterans with serious personal issues.

    “All right, what you got?” said Branyan to a small group as she talked to them about their plans in case of a personal emergency. “You are the only person who can accommodate yourself. So, if you don’t do it. It’s not going to get done,” she said.

    Branyan has a dramatic story of recovery to tell the veterans to encourage them. She went through basic training in the Army as a 17-year-old. While waiting for a security clearance because she was still a minor, Branyan said she suffered what’s called a Military Sexual Trauma at the hands of a commander.

    Branyan said she then separated from the military under a Chapter 11 discharge. Her life then went out of control. She said she began using drugs including meth, crack cocaine and heroin. “A coping mechanism. And I just didn’t want to feel like me,” she said. “Didn’t want to feel like I felt in my skin.” Branyan said rehabilitation facilities did fix her addiction problems.

    Branyan said she was arrested many times over the next decade. “I have gosh, a very extensive criminal record.” She eventually spent two years in prison in Maryland. Branyan said her years behind bars saved her life because it gave her enough time to beat her addictions.

    “For sure, I always tell the story that I have felonies on my record, and I work for the federal government. So, there is nothing that is insurmountable if you are willing to do the work.”

    Branyan often stresses positive thinking to the patients in the group sessions. “When you are thinking positively you are not in fight-or-flight mode. So, you are more resilient,” she said. “You are more able to find solutions. You are more creative. All the things that we give up and become self-fulfilling prophecies when we are focused in the negative.”

    Small group members like Crystal Elerbee feel like they can relate to Branyan because of what Branyan has been through. “Somebody who has been there, done that,” said Elerbee. “Somebody that can understand where you have coming from.”

    Seeing a fellow veteran make a turnaround is a great reward for Branyan. “Oh, I love it. That’s my favorite thing,” she said. “Because often we don’t get to see the end result. We just must hope we are making a difference. But in this role, I get to see it all the time.”

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    Rick Elmhorst

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  • FBI: DNA recovered from glove found near Guthrie home

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    A glove containing DNA found about two miles from the house of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie’s mother appears to match those worn by a masked person outside her front door in Tucson the night she vanished, the FBI said Sunday.

    What You Need To Know

    • The FBI says a glove containing DNA was found about two miles from Nancy Guthrie’s Arizona home and appears to match those worn by a masked person outside her front door the night she vanished

    • The glove, found in a field near the side of the road, was sent off for DNA testing

    • The discovery was revealed days after investigators had released surveillance videos of the masked person outside Guthrie’s front door in Tucson

    • Guthrie is the mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie and was last seen at her home on Jan. 31

    The glove, discovered in a field beside a road, was sent for DNA testing. The FBI said in a statement that it received preliminary results Saturday and was awaiting official confirmation. The development comes as law enforcement gathers more potential evidence as the search for Guthrie’s mother heads into its third week. Authorities had previously said they had not identified a suspect.

    On Sunday night, Savannah Guthrie posted an Instagram video in which she issued an appeal to whoever abducted her mother or anyone who knows where she is being kept. “It is never too late to do the right thing,” Guthrie said. “And we are here. And we believe in the essential goodness of every human being, that it’s never too late.”

    Nancy Guthrie, 84, was last seen at her Arizona home on Jan. 31 and was reported missing the following day. Authorities say her blood was found on the front porch. Purported ransom notes were sent to news outlets, but two deadlines for paying have passed.

    The discovery was revealed days after investigators had released surveillance videos of the masked person outside Guthrie’s front door. A porch camera recorded video of a person with a backpack who was wearing a ski mask, long pants, jacket and gloves.

    On Thursday, the FBI called the person a suspect. It described him as a man about 5 feet, 9 inches tall with a medium build. The agency said he was carrying a 25-liter “Ozark Trail Hiker Pack” backpack.

    Late Friday night, law enforcement agents sealed off a road about two miles from Guthrie’s home as part of their investigation. A series of sheriff’s and FBI vehicles, including forensics vehicles, passed through the roadblock.

    The investigators also tagged and towed a Range Rover SUV from a nearby restaurant parking lot late Friday. The sheriff’s department later said the activity was part of the Guthrie investigation but no arrests were made.

    On Tuesday, sheriff deputies detained a person for questioning during a traffic stop south of Tucson. Authorities didn’t say what led them to stop the man but confirmed he was released. The same day, deputies and FBI agents conducted a court-authorized search in Rio Rico, about an hour’s drive south of the city.

    In this image provided by NBCUniversal, Savannah Guthrie, right, her mom Nancy speak, Wednesday, April 17, 2019, in New York. (Nathan Congleton/NBCUniversal via AP)

    Authorities have expressed concern about Nancy Guthrie’s health because she needs vital daily medicine. She is said to have a pacemaker and have dealt with high blood pressure and heart issues, according to sheriff’s dispatcher audio on broadcastify.com.

    Earlier in the investigation, authorities had said they had collected DNA from Nancy Guthrie’s property which doesn’t belong to Guthrie or those in close contact with her. Investigators were working to identify who it belongs to.

    The FBI also has said approximately 16 gloves were found in various spots near the house, most of which were searchers’ gloves that had been discarded.

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    Associated Press

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  • Crews battle multiple brush fires across Polk County

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    POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Polk County Fire Rescue crews responded to more than 30 brush fires throughout Polk County on Sunday.

    The largest fire burned more than 400 acres near State Road 60 in the River Ranch area. An unknown number of camps were burned, but no homes or structures at or around the Westgate River Ranch area were affected as of 9 p.m. Sunday. State Road 60 was reopened around 9 p.m. Sunday.

    What You Need To Know

    • Polk County Fire Rescue crews responded to more than 30 brush fires throughout Polk County

    • The largest fire burned more than 400 acres near State Road 60 in the River Ranch area

    • Polk County Fire Rescue Chief Shawn Smith said no evacuations were being ordered in the River Ranch area

    Polk County Fire Rescue Chief Shawn Smith said no evacuations were being ordered in the River Ranch area, but also added that brush fires can be unpredictable and high winds can be a factor. 

    In response, Smith said people need to take the burn ban seriously.

    He pointed to the extreme drought conditions, lack of any significant rainfall, recent high winds and number of people not adhering to the burn ban as reasons for the recent uptick in brush fires.

    “It seems that brush fires have been a constant issue throughout the day today. I just want to remind everybody that there are serious drought conditions in Polk County,” Smith said. “These illegal recreational fires need to cease.”

    PCFR crews also battled a two-alarm brush fire off Osceola Polk Line Road in the Davenport area Sunday afternoon. Roughly 68 acres were burned in that fire as well as four non-dwelling structures.

    Fire departments from Davenport, Haines City, Dundee and Orange County helped battle the fire.

    No injuries were reported in the fires.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • AI, property tax bills garnering attention as legislature meets halfway point

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    TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Lawmakers are in the second half of the legislative session in Tallahassee, and among the mountain of legislation being considered, a number of bills addressing artificial intelligence and property taxes are still moving through committees.

    What You Need To Know

    • Florida legislative session at halfway point 

    • Two bills garnering a lot of interest addressing artificial intelligence are House Bill 1007 and Senate Bill 484

    • Lawmakers also discussing House Joint Resolution 209, which is taking aim at property tax reductions with a full House vote expected in the coming weeks

    Two bills garnering a lot of interest addressing AI are House Bill 1007 and Senate Bill 484.

    The artificial intelligence bill is seeking regulation of new data centers — which require a huge draw of electricity and water — across the state

    The bill would disallow incentives and make providers pay full price for electricity. Those data centers would also be subject to strict water restrictions.

    Meanwhile, House Joint Resolution 209 is taking aim at property tax reductions with a full House vote expected in the coming weeks.

    The resolution would provide an increase of homestead exemption to $200,000 for homeowners that carry comprehensive multi-peril insurance coverage.

    Other bills also moving through committees include mandatory mediation for disputes between homeowners and insurance companies and a bill that would prohibit insurers from dropping homeowners based solely on roof condition.

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    Jason Lanning

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  • Enis’ 27 lead South Florida over Florida Atlantic 83-81 in OT

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    BOCA RATON, Fla. (AP) — Wes Enis led South Florida with 27 points and CJ Brown hit the winning free throws with eight seconds remaining in the overtime as the Bulls knocked off Florida Atlantic 83-81 on Sunday, the Owls’ sixth consecutive loss.

    FAU’s Devin Williams hit a 3-pointer that made it 81-all with 33 seconds left, but Brown’s free throws capped the scoring. Kanaan Carlyle missed a potential winning 3-point shot from beyond NBA range.

    Enis shot 10 of 17 from the field, including 5 for 9 from 3-point range, and went 2 for 3 from the free-throw line for the Bulls (18-8, 10-3 American Athletic Conference). Brown finished with 17 points, seven rebounds and three steals while shooting 5 of 13 from the field and 6 for 6 from the foul line. Joseph Pinion had 16 points and went 6 of 15 from the field (4 for 8 from 3-point range).

    Devin Vanterpool finished with 26 points for the Owls (14-12, 6-7). Florida Atlantic also got 15 points, seven rebounds, two steals and five blocks from Williams. Carlyle also scored 15 points.

    Vanterpool made a layup with nine seconds left in regulation that made it 72-all and forced OT.

    Josh Omojafo scored the final seven points for South Florida to finish off the two-point victory.

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    Associated Press

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  • St. Pete Sunday Market returns at new location

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — St. Pete’s Sunday Market is back. 

    After taking a short hiatus in January, the market opened Sunday morning at its new home at USF St. Pete downtown. 

    What You Need To Know

    • The St. Pete Sunday Market returned after a short hiatus 

    • It opened at a new location at the St. Pete USF campus 

    • The market is open the third Sunday of every month

    • Kody Roussert, who started the market, said he expects it to remain at the spot through the end of the year


    Since starting in 2023, the market has built a reputation for giving local businesses a chance to thrive. 

    One of those businesses is CBbees, which is from Lake Placid. 

    Owner Joanne McDaniel said she’s been beekeeping for 12 years. 

    Without markets like this, she said, it would be difficult for customers to find them.

    “We don’t have a brick and mortar yet, and it also helps us educate consumers (about) the difference between pure raw honey and store-bought honey and stuff like that,” she said.  

    Providing that kind of exposure is why Kody Roussert started the market. 

    Sunday’s market has dozens of vendors.

    Roussert said the goal of the market is to support as many businesses as possible.

    “We went to Fergs at the beginning of last year, and then we moved into the Museum of History, which was another downscale,” he said. “So it’s really nice to be scaling back up, and again, have more space to give people the opportunity to get their goods out there, get known by everybody here, and show them why they’re super cool.” 

    The plan is to be at the new location throughout the rest of the year. The market is open the third Sunday of every month.

    McDaniel said she has a good feeling about the spot.

    “I think this is going to be a great market,” she said. “Great atmosphere and looks like a lot of foot traffic, and I think everybody in the area is really happy to have a market here on Sundays.” 

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    Matt Lackritz

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  • Iconic 88-year-old restaurant reopens after 2024’s hurricanes

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    PASS-A-GRILLE, Fla. — An iconic 88-year-old restaurant finally reopened in Pass-A-Grille Beach following the 2024 storms.

    The Seahorse Restaurant opened its doors this month after nearly 1-1/2 years of work.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Seahorse on Pass-A-Grille Beach has reopened 

    • It’s been closed since 2024 after hurricanes Helene and Milton

    • The owners made the restaurant look just like it did before the storms

    • Customers and the owners say they are thrilled that the 88-year-old restaurant has reopened


    The restaurant sits right on the water.

    “It’s been established since 1938 and is an iconic restaurant here in Pass-A-Grille,” said Anayeri Gomez, the owner and general manager of the Seahorse.

    It hasn’t always been easy. The restaurant took on 7 feet of water from Hurricane Helene.

    Not long after, the owner said Milton finished what Helene started.

    “We had about probably up to here on water. Everything was gone,” she said, pointing to a spot on the wall.

    The damage was so extensive that the city of St. Pete Beach condemned the building. But after nearly 1-1/2 years of work, and hundreds of thousands of dollars in renovations, the Seahorse finally reopened on Feb. 6.

    “We were able to recreate everything and put it back together the way we remember it,” Gomez said.

    Many of its customers have been coming to the now-historic building for decades. Regular customers Michael and Sue Valind were pleasantly surprised to see the same tables and décor from years ago.

    “When people come down, we always take them to our favorite places. And since we were dating in 1983, we’ve been coming to the Seahorse, and so this is our first time back since it’s opened,” Sue Valind said.

    The restaurant is already very busy making breakfast, lunch and packing to-go orders. Hungry customers are once again eating the meals they know and love from many of the same employees who worked there before the storms. The owners did have to hire some new people, though.

    Gomez is asking for a little patience as they get settled back in.

    She said it won’t be long before restaurant operations are back to normal.

    “It feels great to see all our community back here, our customers and our friends and family. It’s an amazing feeling,” Gomez said.

    It’s been a long road to recovery, but for the Seahorse, it has finally come to an end.

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    Tyler O’Neill

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  • Strong storms possible later today

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    TAMPA, Fla. — A line of thunderstorms will move through our area between 5 p.m. and midnight tonight.

    Winds will be gusty out ahead of this line, and brief gusts of 40 mph or greater are possible as the line comes through.

    Strong wind gusts are the primary concern, but a brief, isolated tornado cannot be ruled out in some of these thunderstorms.

    Showers and storms exit the area after midnight, giving way to a breezy, cooler, and drier Monday.

    BE WEATHER AWARE

    Watch Spectrum Bay News 9 LIVE anytime on our website and our app for the latest updates. Scroll down for the latest important weather information and the latest watches and warnings for the Tampa Bay area.

    We encourage everyone to download the Spectrum news app and enable weather alerts to be notified when severe weather is in your area. Be sure to check in with Klystron 9 throughout the day.

    Manage your weather notifications in the Spectrum Bay News 9 app.

    LATEST WATCHES/WARNINGS

    Click/tap on the warning areas on the Klystron 9 map for more information on watches/warnings. Turn on the Klystron 9 layer to track storms. More watches/warnings information below the map.

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  • Jordan Stolz wins second speedskating gold of Olympics

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    MILAN — For a while now, Jordan Stolz’s talent and dominance as a speedskater, and his much-anticipated potential for Olympic success, prompted many to repeatedly mention his name — prematurely, no doubt — alongside that of Eric Heiden. Now they really do belong in the same sentence, at least in one regard.

    What You Need To Know

    • Jordan Stolz has won his second speedskating gold medal of the Milan Cortina Olympics by finishing first in the 500 meters in an Olympic-record time. Saturday’s race was the American’s second of the Winter Games

    • The 21-year-old from Wisconsin was coming off a victory in Wednesday’s 1,000, the first of his four individual events in Milan

    • He came to these Games as someone considered a contender for gold in all four

    • The men’s record for most speedskating titles at one Olympics is the five for Eric Heiden at Lake Placid in 1980

    Stolz established himself as a two-time Olympic gold medalist, halfway to his goal of four at the Milan Cortina Games, by winning the 500 meters on Saturday to follow up his victory in the 1,000. Those twin triumphs allowed Stolz, a 21-year-old from Wisconsin, to join Heiden as the only men to complete the 500-1,000 double in speedskating at one Olympics.

    Heiden, of course, did it as part of his record sweep of all five individual events at the 1980 Lake Placid Games for the U.S., taking everything from the 500 to the 10,000, and all in Olympic-record time.

    Stolz finished the 500 in an Olympic-record time of 33.77 seconds, after also setting a Games mark in his win in the 1,000 on Wednesday. Both times, the silver went to Jenning do Boo of the Netherlands, who clocked 33.88 in the shortest speedskating event. Both times, they raced head-to-head in the same heat.

    Stolz was leading Wednesday as they came out of the final curve, then they were even entering the last stretch. But Stolz, who overcame a deficit in the 1,000, turned on the speed and leaned across the line first again in the 500. De Boo slipped and fell into the wall afterward, while Stolz skated past and shook his right fist overhead.

    Canada’s Laurent Dubreuil got the bronze in 34.26.

    The last American to win Olympic gold in the men’s 500 was Casey FitzRandolph in 2002.

    The soft-spoken Stolz acknowledges that, yes, his aims are high, and, sure, he is flattered by the comparisons to Heiden. But Stolz, who isn’t entered in the 5,000 or 10,000 in Milan, also knows he isn’t trying to recreate the same sort of unprecedented and all-encompassing performance turned in by Heiden.

    Still, Stolz does have a real shot at the four medals, maybe even four golds, he is seeking at his second Winter Games.

    At Beijing in 2022, just 17 years old, Stolz finished 13th in the 1,000 and 14th in the 500. In the time since, though, he has established himself as the best in the world at his sport, including two world titles each at the 500, the 1,000 and the 1,500. And right now, Stolz is so far living up to the outsized expectations and accompanying pressure that follow his every stride on the ice at the Milano Speed Skating Stadium, a temporary facility created for this event.

    Two races, two golds, two Olympic records.

    Now there are two more to go for the six-time world champion: the 1,500 meters on Thursday, and the mass start on Feb. 21.

    The last man with three gold medals in speedskating at one Winter Games was Norway’s Johann Olav Koss, who won the 1,500, the 5,000 and the 10,000 at the 1994 Lillehammer Games

    Stolz took to the ice to warm up Saturday about 2 1/2 hours before his race. He paused at one point to plop himself down for a seat on the low boards along the ice, retying his black-and-green skates and smiling while chatting with his coach, Bob Corby.

    No sign of nerves. None at all.

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    Associated Press

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  • Law enforcement block road near Nancy Guthrie’s home during investigation

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    TUCSON, Ariz. — Law enforcement investigating the disappearance of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie ‘s mother sealed off a road near Nancy Guthrie’s home in Arizona late Friday night.

    What You Need To Know

    • Law enforcement investigating the disappearance of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie’s mother have blocked off a road near Nancy Guthrie’s home in Arizona

    • A parade of sheriff’s and FBI vehicles, including forensics vehicles, passed through the roadblock Friday night

    • The roadblock is about 2 miles from the house

    • The agencies also tagged and towed a Range Rover from a nearby Culver’s restaurant parking lot

    • The Pima County Sheriff’s Department says the activity is part of the Guthrie investigation but declined to detail specifics

    A parade of sheriff’s and FBI vehicles, including forensics vehicles, passed through the roadblock that was set up about 2 miles from the house.

    The two agencies also tagged and towed a Range Rover SUV from a Culver’s restaurant parking lot. The restaurant is just over 2 miles from Nancy Guthrie’s home. This activity took place at the same time the sheriff’s office closed a road just north of the Guthrie home.

    The Pima County Sheriff’s Department said the activity was part of the Guthrie case. But it said the FBI requested that it not release further information. No new details were available early Saturday.

    Guthrie, 84, was reported missing on Feb. 1. Authorities say her blood was found on the front porch of her Tucson-area home. Purported ransom notes were sent to news outlets, but two deadlines for paying have passed.

    Authorities have expressed concerns Guthrie’s health because she needs daily medication. She is said to have a pacemaker and has dealt with high blood pressure and heart issues, according to sheriff’s dispatcher audio on broadcastify.com.

    Investigators have studied surveillance video, sorted through thousands of tips and submitted DNA and other evidence for laboratory analysis.

    The FBI said it has collected more than 13,000 tips since Feb. 1, the day Guthrie was reported missing. The sheriff’s department, meanwhile, said it has taken at least 18,000 calls.

    On Tuesday, authorities released footage showing an armed, masked person at Guthrie’s doorstep on the night she was abducted. The videos — less than a combined minute in length — gave investigators and the public their first glimpse of who was outside Guthrie’s home in the foothills outside Tucson.

    Experts say the video could contain a mountain of clues. 

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    Associated Press

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  • U.S. military reports series of strikes against Islamic State targets in Syria

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    WASHINGTON — The U.S. military on Saturday reported a series of strikes against Islamic State group targets in Syria in retaliation for the December ambush that killed two U.S. soldiers and one American civilian interpreter.

    What You Need To Know

    • The U.S. military is reporting a series of strikes against Islamic State group targets in Syria

    • The strikes were carried out in retaliation of the December ambush that killed two U.S. soldiers and one American civilian interpreter

    • U.S. Central Command says American aircraft conducted 10 strikes against more than 30 IS targets between Feb. 3 and Thursday

    • The strikes were on weapons storage facilities and other infrastructure

    U.S. Central Command said in a statement that American aircraft had conducted 10 strikes against more than 30 IS targets between Feb. 3 and Thursday, hitting weapons storage facilities and other infrastructure.

    At least 50 members of IS have been killed or captured, while more than 100 IS targets have been struck since the United States began its strikes after the Dec. 13 ambush, according to Central Command. That attack killed Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, and Ayad Mansoor Sakat, the civilian interpreter.

    Meanwhile, the Syrian Defense Ministry said Thursday that government forces took control of a base in the east of the country that was run for years by U.S. troops as part of the fight against IS. The Al-Tanf base played a major role after IS declared a caliphate in large parts of Syria and Iraq in 2014.

    The U.S. military on Friday completed the transfer of thousands of IS detainees from Syria to Iraq, where they are expected to stand trial. The prisoners were sent to Iraq at the request of Baghdad, in a move welcomed by the U.S.-led coalition that had for years fought against IS.

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    Associated Press

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  • No. 14 Florida beats 25th-ranked Kentucky 92-83

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    GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Xaivian Lee scored 22 points, Urban Klavzar added 19 and No. 14 Florida beat 25th-ranked Kentucky 92-83 Saturday for its 10th victory in its last 11 outings.

    Lee and Klavzar took advantage of Florida’s paint presence and hit a combined nine 3-pointers.

    Thomas Haugh (17), Alex Condon (14) and Rueben Chinyelu (10) also scored in double figures for the Gators, who ended a six-game skid against the Wildcats at home.

    Florida (19-6, 10-2 Southeastern Conference) had been 1-4 against Kentucky (17-8, 8-4) under coach Todd Golden. But the Gators led wire to wire in this one and finished with a 45-37 rebounding advantage. Condon and Chinyelu grabbed 11 boards each, both finishing with a double-double.

    The matchup featured a unique subplot. Kentucky guard Denzel Aberdeen, who spent the last three years at Florida and helped the Gators win the national title last March, was “welcomed” back with a chorus of boos.

    Aberdeen led the Wildcats with 19 points while getting taunted with chants of “Gator traitor” throughout. Collin Chandler added 18, and Otega Oweh chipped in 13.

    Florida opened up a double-digit lead early but didn’t put Kentucky away until a second-half spurt that included inside buckets from Condon and outside shots from Klavzar, who finished 5-of-11 shooting from behind the arc.

    The Gators had several former players on hand for the sold-out game, including NBA rookies and Walter Clayton and Will Richard. Clayton, the MVP of last year’s Final Four, and Richard were greeted with standing ovations when they walked to their courtside seats and when they were recognized in the first half. Matt Walsh (2002-05) and Matt Bonner (1999-2003) also made the trip to Gainesville.

    Up next

    Kentucky: Hosts Georgia on Tuesday.

    Florida: Hosts South Carolina on Tuesday.

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    Associated Press

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  • Night to Shine lights up Pinellas for third year

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — It was a Night to Shine at the St. Petersburg Coliseum Friday night. The Tim Tebow Foundation held its annual prom for people with special needs there for the third year.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Tim Tebow Foundation held its annual Night to Shine on February 13 in St. Petersburg

    • It’s a prom-type event for people with special needs who are ages 14 and up

    • The coordinator said guests live with conditions ranging from learning disabilities to ambulatory impairments

    • Guests told Spectrum News they enjoy the event because they can let loose without feeling self-conscious


    “Epic,” said Kimberly Nash, coordinator of the Pinellas County event, when asked to describe the night in one word. “It’s amazing, it’s beautiful, it’s fantastic. There’s not one word that can actually describe tonight.”

    Nash said registration filled to capacity within an hour-and-a-half of opening, and this year’s waitlist was longer than the actual guest list.

    Invitees arrived in limos and were greeted by a red carpet lined with volunteer “paparazzi.”

    “This is my third year doing it, and I love it,” said volunteer Kim Heffner.

    “You get to cheer them on, blow bubbles, give them high-fives,” said six-year-old Liv, another volunteer.

    At one point, volunteers took part in an impromptu sing-along when one guest started singing “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by one of his favorite artists, John Denver.

    “Seeing what they have to go through day by day, I mean, it’s just amazing to see everyone show up for them,” said Heffner.

    Guests attending Night to Shine. (Spectrum News/Sarah Blazonis)

    Connor Deeb and Ashunti Teasley Dorsey said they wouldn’t have missed this year’s event for the world. It was the second time attending for both of them.

    “Honestly, I love it here,” said Deeb, 22. “It’s a great place to meet people, have some great music, dance.”

    “We get to be ourselves without having to worry about judging and things like that,” said Dorsey, 25.

    Dorsey told Spectrum News she has autism and chronic tic disorder. She said that means she makes movements that she can’t control.

    “I remember waking up one day, and I thought I was just having chills until it started progressing worse and worse until I found out it’s tics,” she said. “Even though I struggle, I continue to move on and live my life like no other.”

    Dorsey said tics aren’t something she has to be self-conscious of at Night to Shine, and that’s the point.

    “It’s a night that we invite those with special needs, and we remind them that it is not their disability that defines them, it is Christ,” said Nash.

    Nash said the 265 guests live with a range of conditions, from learning disabilities to ambulatory impairments. This night is about giving them and their plus-ones a chance to feel like royalty.

    “Whether you leave here as an honored guest with a crown on your head and a smile on your face and probably some feet that hurt from all the dancing, or a parent who has seen your child celebrated and loved tonight, I think that everybody just leaves here with joy,” said Nash.

    A Night to Shine is a worldwide event held in more than 700 locations. Nash said this is the third year Central Christian Church hosted the Pinellas event.

    Nash said they hope to hold next year’s dance at the newly repaired Tropicana Field. If that works out, she said that they can expand to inviting 750 guests.

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    Sarah Blazonis

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  • Oakland community to see revitalization to the area

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    HAINES CITY, Fla. — Haines City leaders are looking to revitalize the Oakland community as the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is asking for public input on bringing back this once-bustling business district.

    What You Need To Know

    • Community Redevelopment Agency is set to host a meeting on Thursday to discuss plans for the former walk-in bar in the Oakland community
    • The meeting is taking place on Feb. 5 at 5:30 p.m. at Haines City Hall
    • The walk-in bar, located at 1711 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way, is part of the first step to revitalizing the Oakland community


    The Community Redevelopment Agency is starting the process with the former walk-in bar along Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way.

    No job is too small for Kenneth Gosha.

    “I like making the neighborhood look good,” he said.

    Gosha works in the community, helping keep his neighbors’ lawns in top shape. He grew up in the Oakland community and says it’s his way of giving back.

    It’s a place that he says has seen its fair share of change.

    “Some of the spaces around here, where there were empty lots, they’re building houses there, they’re putting sidewalks, they’re doing a lot of great things around here,” he says.

    But he also remembers what it was a place where business was alive and booming.

    Today, he says, it’s much different, and one of the reasons Gosha says he will have his voice heard at the upcoming Haines City Community Redevelopment Agency meeting.

    The topic is to discuss plans for the former walk-in bar located in the heart of the Oakland community.

    “The lower level of this old walk-in bar, we want to put retail back here, and the upper level we want to do apartments or condos,” says Haines City Mayor and board member of the Community Redevelopment Agency Morris West.

    He says this building means a lot to the community. Back in the day, the building was a walk-in bar and housed a barber shop that many residents frequented.

    “We want to start with this building, but the city commission and the CRA board members want to revitalize this whole district, bring it back to what it once was,” West comments.

    West says the goal is to bring back the business district, but local leaders need community input to make it happen.

    Gosha believes it’s the first step to breathing life back into a growing community.

    “It’ll just help make the community beautiful and better,” he says.

    It is a place he wants to continue to call his home and welcome new faces too.

    Haines City CRA will be discussing plans for the building at their meeting in City Hall on Thursday, Feb 5, at 5:30 p.m.

    Residents are encouraged to attend and share their thoughts on the property.

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    Lizbeth Gutierrez

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  • Protesters rally in opposition of cruise port proposal

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    MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Protesters met on Terra Ceia Island Saturday morning to speak out against a proposed cruise terminal.  

    What You Need To Know

    • Protesters gathered Saturday at Terra Ceia Island 

    • Many spoke of concerns about the nearby preserve 

    • The cruise port proposal is still in the pre-application phase 


    This is a response to a national cruise terminal operator that has proposed a large-scale port at the northwest tip of Manatee County. 

    If built, the port would allow for larger ships to use the Tampa Bay area as a port of call.

    Monika Beard was one of the dozens of attending protesters.

    “I would hate to see one less natural area for Floridians to enjoy,” she said.  

    Thousands of signatures have already been collected in support of this cause, but Beard took an additional step. 

    She wrote a letter to Manatee County commissioners.

    “This environment is what makes Tampa Bay inviting,” she said. “It makes people want to come here and spend time and money. So, I think it’s a long-term investment keeping this place how it should be.”

    Nell McPhillips, the president of the Terra Ceia Village Improvement Association, said her group is one of the many to take part in the protest. 

    She said the widespread support from various organizations is what it will take to stop this port.

    “We’re not fighting this alone as the 400 lonely residents of Terra Ceia,” she said. “We’re working together with everybody because this is something that’s going to affect everybody in Manatee County.” 

    A Manatee County spokesperson said that because the cruise terminal proposal is in the pre-application phase, they can only comment on the process. 

    “A pre-application request allows staff to provide preliminary feedback to an applicant but does not authorize construction or constitute project approval. Should a formal application be submitted, it would undergo the standard public review process, including opportunities for community input.”

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    Matt Lackritz

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  • The Gallery: “Rise” Creative Pinellas at PIE

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    For the past 15 years, Creative Pinellas has uplifted artists in Pinellas County through funding and exhibition opportunities. In January 2026, the organization closed its physical space in Largo due to budget cuts but will continue to assist artists through partnerships with local organizations.

    (Photography Courtesy of Luci Westphal)

    Sightline, a dedicated gallery space for regional artists at St. Pete–Clearwater Airport, represents a new collaboration between Creative Pinellas and PIE. The exhibition “Rise,” on view in the Sightline gallery through June, introduces travelers to the work of three St. Petersburg artists: photographer Luci Westphal, woodworker Scott Solary and ceramicist Charles Morrison. A newly commissioned poem by Letisia Cruz accompanies the artwork. The exhibition’s title conjures a swelling sense of optimism and joy, as well as the transformation of images, wood and clay through the artists’ hands.

    Joanna Robotham is the Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at the Tampa Museum of Art.

    Check out last month’s piece by Kali Rabaut. Looking to advertise with us? Find out how.

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    Joanna Robotham, Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at The Tampa Museum of Art

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  • St. Pete celebrates local businesses with Localtopia

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Thousands of people celebrated St. Petersburg’s local businesses on Saturday as the nonprofit Keep St. Petersburg Local hosted its annual Localtopia event in Williams Park. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Localtopia, St. Petersburg’s largest community celebration of all things local, returned to St. Pete

    • Thousands of people 300 businesses and thousands of people filled Willams Park

    • The St. Pete Chamber of Commerce said this event is crucial for local businesses

    • Businesses said the event was a great opportunity for exposure


    It’s considered St. Petersburg’s largest community celebration of all things local.

    It was a busy day for businesses.

    Gallons of locally brewed beer were on tap at Localtopia.

    “Today, we have on tap our Harold’s lager, which is a nice, light, easy-drinking beer and our orange, which is a nice, easy-drinking light beer as well,” said Dennis Decker, owner of Pinellas Ale Works.

    Pinellas Ale Works has been coming to Localtopia for about 10 years. Every year, Decker said they sell more beer. While Decker said they are pretty established, the event is still a great day for exposure.

    “For a lot of the smaller businesses that haven’t been around a long time or don’t have a big advertising budget, this is a great way to show people what you do and what you have to offer,” he said.

    There are more than 300 independent businesses and organizations at this year’s celebration of all things local. The St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce said businesses need the help after spending most of last year recovering from 2024’s back-to-back hurricanes.

    “We love our locals, we know that has made the difference. When people come to St. Pete and they feel the buzz, it’s the buzz of the love we have for that entrepreneur who’s got the courage to open up that shop and take care of the rest of us,” said Chris Steinocher, president and CEO of the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce.

    Steinocher said that St. Pete is open for business and encouraged people to shop local, not only on Saturday, but throughout the year.

    “Now, our economy is back, and our tourism is back, and our community is back. This is a year we want everybody to realize, we can get back to that normal sense of we have a lot of people here and we’re going to do a lot of good things,” Steinocher said.

    And after Localtopia, Decker said people do just that, as the brewery usually sees some extra foot traffic.

    “I think this kind of event reminds people of their local businesses. They kind of forget with the ordering online and all that kind of stuff, they forget about local businesses, and I think this is a good showcase for local businesses,” Decker said.

    Localtopia started in 2014 to celebrate art, music, food, drinks, and culture that St. Pete has to offer.

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    Tyler O’Neill

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