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Tag: Angie Angers

  • Final word on Pinellas schools closings and consolidations Tuesday

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    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Parents and students at a handful of Pinellas County schools should have a final answer Tuesday night on whether their school will be closing or consolidating at the end of the school year.

    What You Need To Know

    • Final answer likely Tuesday on closures and consolidation of a few Pinellas County schools

    • Cross Bayou Elementary is the only elementary school recommended for closure
    • District says the Deaf/Hard of Hearing program, which is run out of the school, would be relocated to Walsingham Oaks K-8
    • Low enrollment, aging building cited as reasons for potential closure 

    • Pinellas County Schools: Planning For Progress (.pdf)

    School board members in Pinellas County are slated to vote Tuesday on five recommendations made by Superintendent Kevin Hendrick and district staff.

    They include closing Cross Bayou Elementary School, closing Disston Academy, combining Bay Point Elementary and Bay Point Middle into a K-8 school, expanding Oldsmar Elementary to a K-8 school, and expanding the employee child care program to McMullen-Booth Elementary.

    Hendrick said the move to close or consolidate schools is in an effort to cut operational costs and reduce the amount of student seats available due to declining enrollment.

    Cross Bayou Elementary is the only elementary school recommended for closure. District staff said the aging building is in need of roughly $5.1 million in capital improvements in the coming years, including a new roof. If approved, the district hopes to sell or lease the property as-is after students depart for the final time in May. They expect to save about $3 million a year by closing the school.

    This school year, Cross Bayou Elementary has 245 students with a maximum capacity of 610 students. This is a big drop from its peak of 427 students during the 2018-2019 school year. The school also houses the district’s Deaf/Hard of Hearing program, which would be relocated to Walsingham Oaks K-8.

    If the closure is approved Tuesday, most students would be rezoned to nearby Pinellas Central and Bardmoor elementary schools.

    During a parent and family meeting earlier this month set at the school, more than 100 parents attended and many pleaded with district staff to keep the school open. They cited concerns with their students entering into larger schools and relocating the Deaf/Hard of Hearing program.

    The school community, parent Jovanniece Morales says, is so accepting of students with different needs. Those students included her young son with vision problems.

    “He’s done great since the teacher found out, and we all found his vision’s gotten worse, everybody’s been very helpful to make him feel welcome,” she said. “Like if we need to raise money to fix the roof, we’ll do that. We’ll raise the money to fix the roof.”

    Parent Michael Gerke is also a school volunteer and says he knows most of the kids at Cross Bayou. He says school board members need to understand how unique Cross Bayou is. 

    “They’re just in a really hard decision right now with what they want to do, and what they think is best,” Gerke said of Tuesday’s decision. “I do think they care — I don’t want to speak ill of them. I just think they picked the wrong school because of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing program and everything these kids face with everyday challenges.” 

    Tuesday’s vote is set to take place at a school board meeting set for 5 p.m.

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    Angie Angers

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  • Federal funding still available for hurricane recovery in Pinellas County

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    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Pinellas County officials say there is still hurricane recovery funding available from the $813 million it received through a community block grant last fall.

    What You Need To Know

    • Pinellas County received $813 million from a federal community block grant to help residents recover from Hurricanes Idalia, Helene and Milton
    • There is still funding available, so when applications slowed, Pinellas County started to host pop-up help locations 
    • Gulfport was first pop-up location, but county officials say there will be more to come in different cities

    • Pinellas County has five programs to distribute federal grant funding to residents

    • APPLY: Pinellas County Hurricane Recovery Programs


    The federal funding awarded to Pinellas County is for homeowners and residents recovering from Hurricane Idalia in 2023, and Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024.

    The grant funding available to residents is through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); therefore, the county has to follow guidelines set by HUD on who will qualify. The programs are generally income-based and accept households that make up to 120% of the area’s median household income.

    While each county or city that received funding has slightly different ways of distribution, Pinellas County created five programs that it’s calling “People First Hurricane Recovery Programs.”

    The five programs focus on homeowner rehabilitation/reconstruction, homeowner reimbursement, support for landlords, homebuyer assistance and disaster-relief reimbursement that assists with things like rent or utilities.

    Pinellas Recovers program manager Erica Henry said her organization has received about 6,600 applications so far, but is hoping for more.

    “We’re in the process of going through them and evaluating for eligibly,” she said. “HUD allows us six years to fully expend the $813 million, so we are very motivated to spend that money very quickly and get it out into the community and where it needs to be.”

    In order to raise more awareness about the available funding and to help residents through the process, the county hosted a community pop-up event in Gulfport last week. Henry said they netted around 40 new applications in the last week alone, so they plan to expand to more communities in the coming weeks.

    “The citizens that we’ve talked to, and the information that we’ve gathered and the applications we’ve submitted, show this outreach is working,” she said. “It’s something we want to do throughout the county to get the word out and get applications in and get people put back together.”

    The county has two full-time help centers that are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 2600 McCormick Dr., Suite 100 in Clearwater, and 5000 Park St. N., Suite 4 in St. Pete.

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    Angie Angers

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  • Filing taxes? ‘No tax on tips’ provision could affect thousands locally

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    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — This year when filing taxes, those who receive tips could get more money back in their pocket.

    A study from Yale University says about 2.5% of workers are tipped, but in a vacation destination like Pinellas County, the proportion of workers who make the bulk of their income off tips is likely higher.

    Bay area tax professional Michael Price with Ralph, Price, McAuliffe & Associates, P.A, said he expects those tipped employees who work more than a shift or two a week could see some significant tax savings this year.

    What You Need To Know

    • ‘No tax on tips’ is  an above the line deduction up to $25,000

    • Hospitality, food service likely qualify

    • Applies through tax year 2028

    • Tips must be voluntarily given, properly reported


    “When you start talking about an extra $7,000 – $8,000 potentially of tax savings for people by not having tax on tips, I think it could add up quite significantly if you’re under the appropriate income thresholds,” he said.

    The ‘no tax on tips’ provision that is part of the One Big Beautiful Bill act is a tax deduction, not an exemption. It’s an above the line deduction of up to $25,000 for tips that were properly reported and given voluntarily.

    Price said all the information a tipped worker needs will be on their tax documents.

    “It’s going to be separately reported on their W-2,” he said. “So when they get their W-2 ,they’ll see the extra boxes where they’ll have a code for their qualified tips that they can put into whatever they use to do their tax preparation.”

    Jobs that qualify are those that customarily receive tips, like in the hospitality industry. Jobs like tutoring or fishing charters that received Venmo payments as a ‘thank you’ would not qualify.

    The deduction also doesn’t apply to automatic service charges, or mandatory gratuity.

    The ‘no tax on tips’ provision won’t benefit all tipped workers. Some part-time servers would earn too little to owe federal income tax on their earnings in the first place.

    Staff members at The Frog Pond in downtown St. Pete said they’re filing their taxes and hope they benefit. Owner Raymond Bourque says he hope his staff can get more money back this year given this new provision, and knows his customers prefer their tips going straight to their server.

    “If somebody leaves a $10 tip on a $20-$25 dollar ticket… they want to know that $10 will stay with them and not $7 in their pocket and $3 to the federal government,” Borque said.

    These tax provisions will remain through the 2028 tax season.

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    Angie Angers

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  • Rainbow laser lights to illuminate 50 blocks of St. Pete’s Central Avenue

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — For three nights, 50 blocks of Central Avenue in St. Pete will be illuminated with a rainbow of laser lights.

    The lights will project off the roof of the Mari Jean Hotel and end at a vacant building in South Pasadena. The lasers will cover a more than 2-mile stretch of Central Avenue.

    Depending on viewpoint, the lights could appear in a rainbow arch or shooting straight into the sky. At other angles, they may appear flatter and more parallel to the ground.

    What You Need To Know

    • Global Rainbow will be in St. Pete from Feb. 19 to Feb. 21

    • The laser art installation is in response to the state’s decision to get rid of street murals

    • Laser lights will be projected from the roof of the Cocktail building to South Pasadena  

    • Show is funded by donations to Winter Pride St. Pete
    • MORE: Winter Pride St. Pete


    “The rainbow is like sacred geometry… it just works together,” said artist Yvette Mattern. “That’s why it’s such a powerful symbol.” 

    Mattern created the Global Rainbow art installation over two decades ago. Equipped with large cases that house custom rainbow lasers, Mattern has traveled the world lighting up landmarks in Berlin, London, Belfast, São Paulo and many American cities.

    Winter Pride reached out to Mattern following the FDOT ruling to get rid of street murals across Florida.

    Local street murals that were painted over last summer following the state decision included the “Back the Blue” mural near the Tampa Police Department, the “Black History Matters” mural by the Woodson Museum in St. Pete, and the large rainbow crosswalk in St. Pete’s Grand Central District.


    When the rainbow crosswalk was painted over, Winter Pride St. Pete organizer Rob Hall said he wanted to do something big. Hall says after coming out as an adult, the rainbow crosswalk pushed him to move to St. Pete.

    “When I saw that, I felt accepted right away,” Hall said, speaking of the former crosswalk. “Now we need to find things and ways to show our community, no matter who you are… visiting, local, where you’re from, that this is a safe space.”

    Hall connected with Mattern and arranged for her Global Rainbow to spend three nights in St. Pete during the annual Winter Pride week. The show is funded by donations to Winter Pride St. Pete. 

    Mattern said the laser art installation can be seen up to 60 miles away, depending on visibility.

    Global Rainbow begins at dusk on Thursday, Feb. 19. It will run from nightfall until 3 a.m. through Saturday night.

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    Angie Angers

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  • Stronger Seawalls: St. Pete wants community input before launching master plan

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    ST. PETE, Fla. — The city of St. Pete wants input from the community before moving forward with creating a plan that would strengthen 15 miles of city-owned seawalls.

    The city is putting together a Seawall Master Plan that would lay the groundwork for future seawall improvements. They hope to create a consistent seawall condition rating system using federal standards, as well as make a plan for replacement and repair projects.

    The goal, the city says, is to make the area more resistant to flooding and erosion. This comes after years of storm damage and documented flooding issues that plague parts of St. Pete.

    Before putting a plan together, the city is asking residents to fill out a survey online. Those looking to give additional feedback or get more information are invited to a virtual public meeting on Feb. 17 at 6 p.m.

    As part of the feedback portion of the master plan creation, the city is asking residents if they would support city policy updates that raise the minimum required elevation for private seawalls and if they would support the city taking ownership of private seawalls to provide more consistent maintenance. They also want to know if residents would support a citywide assessment for the city to inspect, maintain and repair or replace private seawalls.

    The city of St. Pete currently has 95 miles of privately owned seawalls. It’s not clear how they would be affected by the upcoming Seawall Master Plan.

    Lifelong resident Amy Dinovo says while the quality of one person’s seawall directly affects their neighbor, she’s hoping that should changes come for privately owned seawalls that the city is held to the same standard.

    “I want the city to be held to the same standards that the homeowners are. I don’t want to have somebody getting a fine and then going out and finding city waterfront not in the same condition,” she said. “I think that’s an important thing for people to know, that whatever standards we’re holding the public to, we’re holding the city to as well.”

    Dinovo says she hopes that if this affects private property, there’s a well thought out funding plan.

    “Seawalls aren’t cheap; it’s an expensive endeavor. There’s some great companies out there who make strong seawalls and everything else, but it’s certainly an opportunity for not great companies to come into the marketplace if there’s a lot of need,” she said. “So there has to be a process to have some funding, have some relief, and have some incentive.”

    The first virtual public meeting on this topic was held on Tuesday, Feb. 10.

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    Angie Angers

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  • Fan fest yard sale includes Rays gear dating back to 2008

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Preparing for their return to Pinellas County, the Tampa Bay Rays are hosting a community yard sale Saturday with all kinds of items that were pulled from Tropicana Field during construction.

    The 2026 Tampa Bay Rays Fan Fest will be held from 1-5 p.m. Saturday. The large yard sale is set up outside of Gates 4 and 5 on 16th Street S.

    The Rays typically hold a community yard sale as part of Fan Fest, where the remainder of the previous year’s promotional items and team gear are sold off to prepare for the new season.

    The team also held a pre-construction yard sale over the summer.

    The goal of that was to purge most of the goodies that had been piling up at Tropicana Field over the last two decades, but the team’s Chief Business Officer Bill Walsh said they found more as construction continued.

    “Candidly, we keep finding things,” Walsh said. “This is kind of the last of it. This is the last round.”

    All yard sale items will be sold for $5. Authentic jerseys and mystery autograph balls will be sold for $30.

    Some of the items that hit the yard sale tables date as far back as 2008. They include promotional shirts, hats, jerseys, costumes, bobbleheads, tumblers, glasses, toys, signs, and items that were created for current and former players.

    The shirts given out in the 2024 season as part of “RandyLand” are for sale, as well as many items used in the Rays 20th anniversary season. The promotional baseballs from last year’s 2025 Opening Day at Steinbrenner Field are also for sale, among many other unique items.

    “In many ways, what happened here at Tropicana Field was kind of the poster child for Hurricane Milton and even Hurricane Helene,” Walsh said. “So, to be able to bounce back like this and have this comeback bring Major League Baseball back to The Trop, even if its only for a few years, is something we really really want to celebrate.”

    All proceeds from the sale will benefit the Rays Baseball Foundation.

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    Angie Angers

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  • A Saturday Valentine’s Day means dip in business for florists

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    CLEARWATER, Fla. — With Valentine’s Day falling on a Saturday is a plus for many couples, it’s not a best-case scenario for local flower shops.

    Lu Cushing, owner of Janie Beane Florist in Clearwater, said that they typically see a 20% dip in sales on the years Valentine’s Day hits on a weekend when compared to the holiday hitting on a weekday.

    While a big money-maker as the historically biggest flower-buying holiday of the year, Cushing says Feb. 14 being on a Saturday has made a difference in buying habits.

    “Men love to send flowers to work, in a place where she can enjoy them and everyone can see them,” Cushing said. “This year, we’re getting some orders for earlier in the week because they want them to last all week at the office.”

    What You Need To Know

    •  Major flower suppliers in Columbia and Ecuador are subject to tariffs

    •  Price of flowers has increased as florists find ways to keep costs down for customers 

    •  Valentine’s Day falling on Saturday is not best case scenario for florists 

    • Owner of Janie Beane Florist estimates 20% dip in sales compared to weekday Valentines Day 


    Instead of making dozens of deliveries to offices on Valentine’s Day morning, Cushing says they’ve been scattered throughout the week. There’s also more home deliveries and pickups this year set for Valentine’s Day morning.

    Overall, Cushing says, this hasn’t been the busiest Valentine’s Day in history.

    That’s on par with what she’s seen over the last few decades when the holiday hits over a weekend. Cushing is now in her 54th year at Janie Beane Florist, a shop she opened alongside her late mother.

    The flower industry has had to adjust after the U.S. imposed tariffs on imported cut flowers. More than 80% of flowers found in the U.S. are from major suppliers in Ecuador and Columbia.

    “Flowers are up more … definitely,” Cushing said. “Vases are up more.”

    Vases that used to cost Cushing roughly $6 a piece are now between $8 to $9. Cushing said she’s shifted to finding more suppliers from North America to help curb the costs.

    “We’ve adjusted,” she said.

    Cushing said she offers options for those looking for flowers on budget by offering wrapped bouquets. She will wrap the stems of flowers in a sponge and a bag so a customer can take them home and use a vase they already have.

    “I shop small business as well so its important to me that I accommodate everybody,” she said.

    What has improved over the last year, Cushing said, is predictability. Before the tariffs went into effect, she said prices would bounce and make it difficult to quote large events like weddings. Now that prices have stabilized, the shop is taking less of a hit.

    After over five decades, they also relocated to Imperial Square in Clearwater, to a family-owned plaza in a smaller more budget friendly space.

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    Angie Angers

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  • St. Pete track build on 1.8-mile Grand Prix street course begins Monday

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — In less than three weeks, some of the waterfront streets of downtown St. Pete will be transformed into a racecourse.

    The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg will be returning for its 22nd year from Feb. 27 to March 1. The 1.8-mile temporary street course has 14 turns and weaves around parts of downtown St. Pete, while also utilizing part of a runway at Albert Whitted Airport.

    While work on the grandstands and part of the course inside the airport grounds has already begun, course construction affecting streets in downtown St. Pete begins on Monday.

    Kim Green, with Green Savoree Racing Promotions, said it will take the team between 15-16 days to construct the course. That includes nearly 2,000 12-foot steel-reinforced concrete blocks that will be placed along the course, and 25,000 feet of chain-link fencing. Green said it will take Stepp’s Towing about 400 trips to haul all the necessary concrete.

    Track setup took 75 days for the first race, and the group has gotten more efficient over time, Green said.

    One of this year’s drivers, Nikita Johnson, 17, is from St. Pete and said the way the roads are constructed to drain rainwater makes the course even more interesting. He said the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is one of his personal favorites.

    “It’s really tricky with the crests — we have a lot of crests here because we have to get the rainwater off,” he said. “It’s pretty hard because it sucks you into the corner, into the apex … so that’s a big thing here. There’s some interesting big bumps here that want to throw the car around.”

    Construction on the course is expected to wrap up by Feb. 25. The races begin on Feb. 27 and run through that weekend.

    New this year, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will also be competing. Those races take place Saturday, Feb. 28.

     

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    Angie Angers

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  • Pause or move forward? St Pete City Council to mull next move for Gas Plant site

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — After St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch expressed his interest in moving forward with selecting a developer for the Historic Gas Plant District site, a city council member is asking the administration to pump the brakes.

    St. Pete City Council member Brandi Gabbard filed a resolution asking the city administration to pursue a ‘planning-first framework’ before choosing a developer. The item will be discussed by city council members during Thursday’s meeting.

    What You Need To Know

    • City council member asks for ‘planning-first framework’ before moving forward with choosing Gas Plant site developer 

    •  Mayor Ken Welch issued a memo stating now is the time to move forward

    •  Rays reaffirm commitment to move to Tampa

    • As of now, the Rays lease expires after 2028 season 


    In response to the resolution, Welch issued a memo asking city council members to stay committed to action and progress.

    “There are some who believe we should continue to further delay this development, but I want to be clear as I reaffirm my position — we should move forward to fulfill the decades-long promise of equitable and beneficial development of this site. The time for action is now,” Welch wrote.


    Welch referenced at least four different rounds of proposals and community input sessions over the last decade, dating back to the HKS Master Planning in 2016, which took place under a former administration.

    “With respect to timing, pausing all progress for yet another planning exercise — after proposals have been submitted — risks repeating a familiar and painful pattern for this community: plans discussed, promises acknowledged, and action deferred. St. Pete, including the families and descendants impacted by the original displacement, has already waited generations for meaningful progress. I do not believe further inaction serves them or the City,” Welch continued.

    Welch has family ties to the Historic Gas Plant District, as does City Council member Corey Givens Jr., who supports what he calls a planning-first — not proposal-first — process.

    “I have no problem telling the developers what we want to see at the Historic Gas Plant site — I don’t think it should be the other way around,” he said. “I care about honoring the history of that site, and I think we have to be intentional. Part of honoring the history of the site means taking a community-driven approach to doing so. That doesn’t mean proposal first, it means planning first, and we need the community to be a part of that process.”

    The city of St. Pete has received 9 new proposals from groups that wish to redevelop the 86-acre site. 

    A discussion regarding the resolution is set to take place during Thursday’s city council meeting, which is set for 9 a.m.

    A spokesperson for the city says it is in the administration’s purview to select a developer. But in order to get a funding vote to pass later down the line, the mayor would need city council support.

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    Angie Angers

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  • Mayor Welch to review Gas Plant development proposals: 9 in total

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Mayor Ken Welch on Tuesday will see all nine proposals for developing the 86-acre historic Gas Plant District.

    Ark Ellison Horus and Kettler was the first group to file a proposal, and since then, more have come in. They are from Foundation Vision Partners, Freedom Communities Company, Logical Sites Inc, Pinellas County Housing Authority, Reparations Land Trust and Development Authority, Tempo Novus, The Burg Bid LLC and The Tampa Bay Boom Inc. See the proposals below…

    Welch said his team will evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all the proposals and select a winner.

    “We’ll have a public forum where the developers will present to our community,” Welch told Spectrum News. “We’ll have the community benefits process as well, and then I will select one of those developers.”

    When asked if the process could take a few months, he said, “Oh, definitely.”

    Welch says the city has planned for more than a decade and that it’s time to move forward.

    “Planning first is great, but planning perpetually is not something we should do,” Welch said. “When I ran for office, folks didn’t want to see continued planning. They want to see impact from a 40-year promise when the land was taken for economic inclusion at that site.”

    Ark Ellison Horus Proposal

    Foundation Vision Partners Proposal

    Freedom Communities Company

    Logical Sites Inc

    Pinellas County Housing Authority

    Reparations Land Trust and Development Authority

    Tempo Novus

    The Burg Bid LLC

    The Tampa Bay Boom Inc

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  • Duke says it’s not anticipating any rolling blackouts during cold snap

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    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Duke Energy asked customers to voluntarily reduce their energy use on Monday morning, in response to the extremely cold temperatures driving unusually high demand for electricity.

    What You Need To Know

    • Duke Energy asked customers to reduce reduce electric usage early Monday morning

    • Two Hernando County schools closed Monday due to possible power outages

    • Spokesperson says goal was to protect grid and conserve power if neighboring utilities needed assistance 

    • MORE: Notice from Duke Energy


    Duke Energy spokeswoman Ana Gibbs says the request was made in order to conserve energy and protect the grid to keep electricity flowing for any many customers as possible.

    “We’ve definitely heard rumors about rolling blackouts or rolling brownouts and right now Duke Energy does not anticipate doing any of those things,” she said. “We have a situation in Florida where our energy grid, our power grid, is interconnected. Not just throughout Florida but also the southeastern U.S. so it’s just important that we can share that with our neighbors in case they need it.”

    Duke asked customers to lower energy use by reducing thermostat temperatures, avoiding using major appliances during the coldest four hours on Monday morning, and charging electric vehicles after 9 a.m.

    “Keeping that heater temp as low as you can but to your comfort is really what saves the most energy,” Gibbs said. “That is about 30% of your energy bill. So it’s mutually beneficial because not only does it save energy, it reduces your energy bill.”

    Gibbs said the last time they had a similar situation with energy usage due to the extreme cold was in the winter of 2010.

    “The last time we had kind of record demand was back around in 2010 when we had these similar record low temperatures,” she said. ”Right now everyone’s asking, ‘Do you think you’re going to see a record demand or a record peak?’ We’re not anticipating seeing that. We’re not anticipating a record use of energy during this event. This really has to do with that we’re in a position to help our neighboring utilities if that’s something that’s needed.”

    Duke Energy said a text that’s been circulating appearing to be from Duke regarding rolling blackouts in a scam and customers should disregard it and not click on any links.

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    Angie Angers

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  • Weather prompts Gasparilla invasion route change, parade on as scheduled

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    TAMPA, Fla. — The Gasparilla pirate invasion will look a little different Saturday, due to the expected cold temperatures and high winds.


    Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla announced the Jose Gasparilla II is changing its route for the invasion that takes place on the Hillsborough River. The Gasparilla Flotilla will now take off from Port Tampa Bay and head directly to the Tampa Convention Center. This is much shorter than the typical route that runs from Ballast Point Park to the convention center.

    Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, which leads the invasion, issued this statement:

    “Due to weather conditions and out of an abundance of caution, Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, in coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard, has established a contingency plan for the Gasparilla Invasion scheduled for Saturday.

    The safety and security of the Tampa community remains our highest priority and continues to guide all decision-making. As part of this plan, the Jose Gasparilla II will sail from Port Tampa Bay to the Tampa Convention Center. In addition, our maritime experts strongly encourage captains of local vessels to closely monitor weather conditions and exercise sound judgment when making boating decisions on Saturday morning.

    With confidence, we affirm that the invasion of Tampa will move forward as custom dictates, and Mayor Jane Castor is advised to stand ready to relinquish the key to the city at 1 PM.”


    Local law enforcement is asking boaters who plan to take part in the flotilla to do so with caution.

    After the invasion wraps up, all eyes turn to Bayshore Boulevard for the Parade of Pirates. Community groups and pirate krewes will laugh, sing, dance and throw tens of thousands of strings of beads to those watching from the sidewalk.

    One of those is the Krewe of Blackbeard’s Revenge, which will be celebrating its 15th anniversary.

    Members of the krewe say that since it formed in 2011, the group has raised more than $400,000 for a number of Tampa Bay-area charities, including Big Brothers Big Sisters and Shriners Children’s Hospital.

    “That’s kind of what brought us together — philanthropy. Helping in our local community,” Krewe leader Howie Taylor said.

    The Krewe of Blackbeard’s Revenge was named after one of its founders, Bobby “Blackbeard” Schatzberg, who was affectionately called “Shatzie.” Schatzberg died in 2021 and his krewe decided to keep his memory alive by bringing a cardboard cutout of him to every Gasparilla parade.

    “It means a lot to me when people say, ‘Look, it’s Blackbeard!’ Then they want to take a picture with him,” Krewe co-founder Darrell Haun explained.

    Haun said each member of his krewe pays for their own beads that they then throw into the audience on Gasparilla. He says each year, krewe members pay hundreds of dollars a piece for just beads alone.

    While the cold weather may not seem as fun for those watching, Haun said he’s looking on the bright side: Colder weather means he and his krewe can wear some of their most traditional clothing, something they haven’t had the chance to do in years.

    “We have jackets between $200 to $400 and we haven’t been able to wear them for probably five or six years,” he said. “So, it’s actually going to be kinda cool to actually wear our full garb.”

    The city of Tampa says to receive 2026 Gasparilla updates, safety tips and traffic alerts, text GASPARILLA to 888-777.

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  • St. Pete looks to give area under I-275 a major makeover

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    ST. PETE, Fla. — The city of St. Pete is helping construct a plan to transform the four-block area under I-275 near the heart of downtown.

    The area, dubbed Trails Crossing, spans from 1st Avenue North to 3rd Avenue South. The stretch of I-275 has historically divided a number of growing neighborhoods like the Edge District, Historic Gas Plant District, Grand Central District and Warehouse Arts District.

    Trails Crossing would essentially link together the neighborhoods.

    Cheryl Stacks, Transportation Manager for the city of St. Pete, said her team has been working closely with the community group Friends of Trails Crossing to create a plan for the space. Early concepts show the area could be turned into a mix of performance and art areas, parks, a spot for an outdoor market and outdoor recreation areas.

    Right now, it’s primarily used for parking, but Stacks said due to the location, it’s underutilized.

    What You Need To Know

    • Community meeting set for  6 p.m. Thursday at the President Barack Obama Main Library Auditorium located at 3745 9th Ave. N.

    • City will show latest concept designs, ask for feedback at meeting 

    • Trails Crossing still in planning stages 

    • CLOSER LOOK: Concept designs of Trails Crossing


    “The area is a little complicated because it’s under I-275,” she said. “So it is important for us to understand what people want to do with that space, but also compare it to what is physically possible and what is allowable from a regulatory standpoint.”

    Stacks said they’re working closely with FDOT and the Federal Highway Administration to make sure to follow all safety guidelines.

    The community is invited to a public meeting regarding the project set for 6 p.m. on Jan. 29 at the President Barack Obama Main Library Auditorium located at 3745 9th Ave. N. There, the city plans to show the latest renderings for the project and ask for community feedback.


    Chris Arnold, Executive Director of the Grand Central District Association, says the neighborhood has evolved so much over the last decade. What started as a few antique shops and tattoo parlors has boomed into a vibrant and fun neighborhood full of things to do.

    “It’s just that one piece in the middle that we haven’t fixed yet, and that’s why we’re so excited about the Trails Crossing project,” he said.

    Arnold said it’s the final piece of the puzzle needed to really connect the city together.

    “If you told someone that they would be able to walk from downtown to 23rd, 24th, 25th St, even 10 years ago… you would have never thought it was happening,” he said. “Now we can walk all the way downtown because it’s connected the entire way. The only spot that’s not is underneath the overpass.”

    Jon Dean, owner of Balance House Studio & Cafe, says more connectivity only means good things for the growing neighborhood.

    “It’s not super built out yet, but I see it — I see the action moving this way,” he said. “I think connecting the neighborhoods is a positive for most of the businesses.”

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  • Clearwater calls duck’s stay a ’bigger success than ever expected’

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    CLEARWATER, Fla. — After nearly three weeks, the World’s Largest Duck has left the city of Clearwater and is moving on to her next destination.

    The city says Mama Duck’s stay brought in more than double the amount of people they usually see, with one of the biggest days being January 17 for the duck’s “birthday bash,” which brought in roughly 3,500 people.

    What You Need To Know

    • So far this year, the city has made $23,931 in parking revenue

    • People from 46 countries accessed the city’s website so far in 2026

    • Downtown restaurants report spike in business 

    • COST BREAKDOWN: World’s Largest Duck visits Clearwater


    “We’ve had more people come to this park than we have since we did our grand reopening in 2023,” said Leanne Bell with the city of Clearwater. “We’ve had people come as far as Denver from what we’ve heard. They’ve flown and made a vacation out of seeing this duck, which is exactly what we were aiming to do.”

    An analysis of the city’s preliminary parking revenue data revealed more than twice as many people visited Clearwater this January as compared to January 2025. So far this year, the city has made $23,931 in parking revenue, compared to $10,894 for the entire month of January last year.

    Bell said web traffic also saw a significant spike because the live stream of Mama Duck was available on the city’s website. He said they received clicks to their live stream from people in 46 countries on at least four continents.

    “This shows international impact and awareness of Clearwater and the destination at large,” said Bell, who added that downtown businesses reported an increase in sales in January, including some spots selling out their duck-themed specials.

    Craig Samborski, who started taking Mama Duck around the country in 2014, said this was the first time he’s had a 3-week stay in any one city. He says he was surprised by how many people would come by on the average weekday.

    “I was thinking…oh, like we’ll do 50-60 people a day but, its been much more than that,” he said.

    Mama Duck’s stay in Clearwater costs approximately $45,000.

    There were no concerts or shows at the BayCare Sound during the nearly three-week event. Bell says that signals most people visiting the Coachman Park area were visiting Mama Duck.

     

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  • Parents plan to push back against Cross Bayou Elementary closure

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    PINELLAS PARK, Fla. — A number of parents plan to speak out at Thursday’s community meeting regarding the proposed closure of Cross Bayou Elementary in Pinellas Park.

    The family and community meeting is set for 6 p.m. Thursday in the cafeteria of Cross Bayou Elementary.

    Citing declining enrollment district wide, Pinellas County Superintendent Kevin Hendrick recommended a handful of school consolidations and closures in order to cut down on costs and reduce the amount of student seats available.

    What You Need To Know

    • Family meeting set for Thursday at 6 p.m. at Cross Bayou

    • District says the Deaf/Hard of Hearing program, which is run out of the school, would be relocated to Walsingham Oaks K-8

    • Low enrollment, aging building cited as reasons for potential closure 

    • MORE: Full breakdown of proposed closures, consolidations 


    Hendrick recommended Cross Bayou Elementary close at the end of the 2025-2026 school year, and students be rezoned to nearby Pinellas Central and Bardmoor elementary schools. The Deaf/Hard of Hearing program, which is run out of the school, would be relocated to Walsingham Oaks K-8.

    The decades-old school building is in need of roughly $5.1 million in capital improvements in the coming years, Hendrick said. In order to keep the school up and running it would need a new roof, front office expansion, and refrigerator replacements. The district hopes to sell or lease the property as-is after student depart for the final time in May. The district expects to save about $3 million a year by closing the school.

    Cross Bayou Elementary currently has 245 students with a maximum capacity of 610 students. This is a steep drop from its peak of 427 students during the 2018-2019 school year.

    Parent and school volunteer Michael Gerke says he plans to speak at Thursday’s meeting and plead with district officials to reconsider.

    “The principal has a better chance of having a relationship with 300 kids than she does with 600 kids,” he said. “That’s what matters to me most is the children, it’s more than any budget. More than any bill. I just really hope they change their minds.”

    Parent James King says his son loves his teachers and friends he’s made at Cross Bayou.

    “One fear he does have is going to a new school and losing his friends, he’s made friends here,” King said. “Parents are real nervous, they don’t know what direction it’s headed.”

    A second family and community meeting on the recommended closure is set for Feb. 5 at 6 p.m.

    The closure is pending a school board vote, which is set for late February.

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  • Rays CEO: St. Pete mayor made aware of HCC plans

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Rays CEO Ken Babby says he’s kept St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch up to date regarding the possibility of moving to Hillsborough County, so talks of leaving town shouldn’t come as a surprise.

    On Tuesday, Hillsborough College’s Board of Trustees unanimously voted to approve a non-binding memorandum of understanding with the Rays that could pave the way for a new ballpark site at the current HCC Dale Mabry Campus.

    As the plans to cross the bay and leave Pinellas County move forward, the city of St. Pete has put forward roughly $60 million to repair the hurricane-damaged Tropicana Field and get it ready for opening day on April 6.

    What You Need To Know

    • Rays last season at Tropicana Field expected to be 2028

    • Hillsborough College’s Board of Trustees unanimously voted in favor of Rays plan

    • City of Tampa, Hillsborough County still need to approve plans 

    • MORE: Hillsborough College OKs Rays stadium plans


    “Our organization is, in many ways, ambidextrous,” Babby said. “We’re working as hard as we can to get ready for April, to bring our team back home to Tropicana Field, while at the same time working to find that forever home that is so important in terms of our success.”

    If plans move forward, the new ballpark would be on the southeast corner of the site, directly across the street from Raymond James Stadium. College buildings would need to be demolished to make room for the new ballpark, and a new tower for the college would be built on the southwest corner of the property facing North Lois Avenue.

    Babby says he’s been in communication with Welch throughout the process.

    “I’ve talked frequently with the mayor, several times over the weekend,” Babby said. “We’ve kept him abreast of these conversations. We’ve had various conversations with city council members and county commissioners across the bay. This is the community’s team.”

    Welch has yet to publicly comment on the Hillsborough College proposal.

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  • Pinellas Supt. gives update on possible school closures, consolidations

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    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Pinellas County Superintendent Kevin Hendrick gave his recommendations on possible school consolidations and closures during a school board workshop Tuesday.

    What You Need To Know


    The workshop began at 9:30 a.m. at the district headquarters, which included a presentation and discussion led by Hendrick. He provided an overview of Planning for Progress and gave recommendations, which have been months in the making.

    Earlier this year, the district shared that they have been losing students at a steadily declining rate over the last 20 years. Pinellas County Public Schools has just over 3,600 fewer students enrolled this year compared to the start of last school year, which includes a 9% drop in kindergarten enrollment.

    Recommendations from Hendrick:

    Bay Point Elementary and Middle combined to make a K-8 school

    • Beginning 2027-2028, consolidating two sites into one
    • Housed at the middle school campus 
    • Elementary school would remain a magnet school
    • Looking at potentially leasing elementary campus, potentially child care
    • Elementary school has 302 students, 47% utilization rate. Middle school has 35% utilization rate. Combining raises to 60%.
    • Opened as a K-8 in 1962 before splitting
    • Savings in $2.8 million per year 
    • Leasing elementary campus could increase revenue for district 
    • This was done at Walsingham Oaks last year

    Expand Oldsmar Elementary into a K-8 school

    • Beginning 2026-2027
    • 53% utilized currently
    • Add one grade per year 
    • Students who live in Oldsmar Elementary’s zone can stay for middle school or attend another zoned middle school
    • The city of Oldsmar made a resolution to support this plan 

    Expand employee child care program to McMullen Booth Elementary

    • Expand employee child care program in 2026-2027
    • No other change or impact to school

    Cross Bayou Elementary closing

    • Close at the end of May 
    • 245 students pre-K through 5
    • Includes Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing program, which would relocate 
    • 40% utilized campus 
    • West side of zone to Bardmoor Elementary, east side to Pinellas Central
    • The building is older and needs millions in upgrades to keep it going. Looking to sell or lease property as is.

    Disston Academy closing

    • Close at the end of 2025-2026
    • Has 52 students in person 
    • 52 students reassigned to other academic programs; more like 38 students. Could go to a number of different schools 
    • Needs $2 million in renovations 
    • At 17% capacity 
    • $1.9 million in savings annually

    A final vote is set for a Feb. 24 school board meeting. Multiple smaller school meetings at affected schools will happen before then.

    Last fall, the district held five community meetings they called “Planning for Progress.” In all, roughly 275 parents attended. Each meeting included a debrief from district staff that included data on declining enrollment, and also gave parents the chance to leave written feedback on what’s important to them when it comes to a school community.

    The district compiled the written feedback into a 33-page document of recommendations. It’s not clear how the district plans to use that information when making decisions about school closures or consolidations.

    Reagan Miller has an eighth-grade student and says the lack of clarity from the school district on what the possible changes could be has created a lot of fear for parents.

    “Everyone thinks their school is on the chopping block,” she said. “Because of the declining birth rate and because there are fewer students in the schools… everyone’s wondering, ‘Is it me? What’s going to happen?’ Everyone is trying to plan and prepare for that.”

    Pinellas County operates 116 schools, not including charter schools.

    At a school board workshop earlier this year, Hendrick said the district is looking at building capacity, current utilization and improvements a school building might need, as they assessed the next best steps.

    “I think it’s made people look at alternatives. Is there stability outside of the public school system?” Miller explained. “Which is unfortunate, because we have great public schools here in Pinellas County and I think the uncertainty is scaring people, and they’re looking for stability and reassurance from the district that their school is going to be around and exist in its current state.”

    Tuesday’s workshop will be followed by a formal school board meeting set for Jan. 27.

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  • Crystal River dips to 25 degrees early Friday

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    CRYSTAL RIVER, Fla. — While many who live in Crystal River’s luxury RV communities are in the Bay area seasonally to escape the cold winter months up north, the frigid air followed them to Florida’s nature coast early Friday morning.

    According to our Spectrum Bay News 9 weather experts, the low in Crystal River hit 25 degrees early Friday morning.

    What You Need To Know

    •  RV owners make sure to prepare water systems, get propane ahead of cold

    •  Temperature dropped to 25 degrees at sunrise Friday morning

    • Crystal River could dip into the 20s again on Monday morning  

    • MORE: Latest forecast from our weather experts 


    Sweet Citrus Acres RV Resort in Crystal River is just over two years old and quickly gaining popularity.

    The community is full of activities, amenities, and has a large heated pool and clubhouse on site. The area attracts RV owners from many northern states to come spend the winter months in Crystal River.

    Knowing below-freezing temperatures were headed this way, Bret Beebe says he had a plan to prepare for this cold snap. From northern Minnesota, he says he’s endured many cold nights and protecting his RV and all the associated equipment is important.

    Bfoileebe says he made sure to unhook the pressure washer regulator, drain the hoses, and add filtration and softener before turning on all the tank heaters. He also made sure his fresh water tank was full.

    “Around 32 degrees or below you start worrying because pressure regulators will freeze,” he said. “There’s no if, ands, and butts about that.”

    In Mike Puhac’s RV, he makes sure to cover his windows in thick foil to provide more insulation to keep the heat in.

    “We mark each one, we slide them in place behind the shades, and it gives a little insulation when it comes to cold or hot,” he explained.

    The foils are inexpensive, and he says he bought this latest batch on Amazon, providing an easy fix to hold in more heat. Puhac says he started prepping for the cold snap two days ago by making sure their water tanks were full. They also have a generator if they lose power.

    “We’ve been through the hurricanes we’ve been through the snow, we’ve been through the frost,” he said. “We’ve had this up north it’s fantastic. We don’t worry about it, we just prepare for it.”

    Spectrum Bay News 9 weather experts say the next time it could drop into the 20s in Crystal River is early Monday morning.

    Photojournalist Matt Infante contributed to this report.

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  • Gulfport Mayor: Lions Club building is coming down

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    GULFPORT, Fla. — After spending nearly 60 years at its clubhouse located at the Gulfport Marina, the Gulfport Lions Club is moving out and the building is coming down.

    The clubhouse was built in 1967 and has been the home of hundreds of fundraisers, events and parties. The Lions Club hosted its biweekly meetings out of the large brick building for decades. The building holds a long history of camaraderie and fond memories for the hundreds of Lions Club members who spent time there over the last few decades.

    What You Need To Know

    • Lions Club owns its building, city of Gulfport owns the land

    • Following input from community meeting, city plans to knock down the building and use land as green space and boat launch area with public access

    • Lions Club let lease expire, moved to 49th Street Center

    President Tommie Bixler says the Gulfport chapter is down to a few dozen members, and he and his wife, Kat, are working hard to bring in new faces to help grow and continue the Lions Club legacy.

    “We’ll still exist, we just have a lot of older members now. We just need to figure out how to do some more fun things… so it’s not just work, work, work,” Bixler said.

    Due to the dwindling membership, Bixler said paying to keep the large building on the waterfront property running wasn’t feasible anymore. In December, the Lions Club let its most recent five-year lease expire and relocated to a shared space at the 49th Street Center.

    The Lions Club property is in a unique situation. The city of Gulfport owns the land that the building sits on, while the Lions Club owns the physical building.

    Gulfport Mayor Karen Love said that per the lease agreement the city is getting an MAI appraisal for the building. Once the appraisal comes back, they will buy the building and knock it down.

    “It’s coming down,” Love said. “It was damaged by the floods, and it’s a year and half later and there really hasn’t been repairs made to it. I did do a walk through and even though it’s a large building… you could smell mold.”

    Bixler said that in an inspection following the 2024 hurricanes, the building was deemed not to be substantially damaged. He was hoping the city would continue to use the building as an event space.

    Love said that will not be happening, and the city is moving forward with plans to make the area into a green space that allows small boat and kayak access from the beach area.

    “Let’s let the public start using it,” Love said. (And) get rid of the pavement and let some of the green space start developing naturally,” Love explained.

    At a community meeting last Thursday, roughly 25 residents shared their feelings about what they wanted the area to look like. Love said the consensus was the community wanted a green space, with beach access for boat launching, as well as public restrooms.

    She says no formal decisions have been made, and details will be discussed at city council.

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  • Seniors 65+ qualify for new $6,000 tax break

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    GULFPORT, Fla. — Some senior citizens may get more money back on their tax returns this year.

    Seniors 65 and older can claim an additional $6,000 for a single person, and $12,000 for married couples, without having to itemize their deductions.

    The new tax deduction is part of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” that was signed into law by President Donald Trump on July 4 of last year. To be eligible for the new senior tax deduction, you need to turn 65 by Dec. 31, 2025.

    This tax write-off is in addition to the longtime standard deduction. It’s set to expire in 2028, when Trump’s term in office ends.

    What You Need To Know

    • Seniors 65+ eligible for $6,000 deduction 

    • The new tax deduction is part of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”

    • Tax forms look different this year, seniors urged to pay extra attention when filing 

    • SAMPLE FORMS: Draft U.S. income tax return for seniors


    The take-home amount per senior depends on income. For example, the deduction is reduced if your modified adjusted gross income exceeds $75,000.

    Michael Price, C.P.A with St. Pete-based Ralph, Price, McAuliffe & Associates, P.A., says the deduction is not like the child tax credit, which is historically dollar for dollar. It’s a deduction, which means the senior would receive a percentage back.

    “I think they could be looking at for each individual, probably somewhere in the neighborhood of $600 to $1,000 would be my guess,” Price said.

    Price says the 1040 tax forms also look different this year. He says seniors should take their time and not be afraid to ask for help with filing.

    “The form has changed quite a bit from the prior years,” he said. “You definitely want to take your time and make sure that extra line with the senior deduction is filled out.”

    Shane Borchardt just retired last year. He said for the first time since he started working in 1976, he owed money after filing his 2024 taxes. Borchardt says he wishes taxes on social security would be eliminated altogether, but he’s happy to hear he qualified for the $6,000 deduction.

    “We put into it our whole lives, we deserve to get something back,” he said. “At least they’re doing something.”

    If a senior is filing jointly and using the additional standard deduction for seniors, and then the new enhanced deduction, Price says the take home could be significant.

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