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  • Industries of the Blind offers career path for the visually impaired

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    GREENSBORO, N.C. — People living with disabilities play an important role in North Carolina’s workforce, and organizations like Industries of the Blind in Greensboro are working to expand those opportunities. For many North Carolinians, that support is life-changing.

         What You Need To Know

    • At Industries of the Blind, 21-year-old Brendon Brown spends his days packing and shipping military uniform orders that are distributed nationwide
    • Brown is legally blind. He lost his vision for the first time as a toddler after an allergic reaction
    • Nationwide, the American Foundation for the Blind found that in 2024, 10% of people ages 16 to 64 with visual disabilities were unemployed 
    • Earlier this month, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced that Project Spark, one of its initiatives that supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, will expand to 10 new locations across the state


    At Industries of the Blind, 21-year-old Brendon Brown spends his days packing and shipping military uniform orders that are distributed nationwide. He started at the organization just over a year ago.

    “I started out picking on the floor, getting everything that goes in the boxes, and I moved to shipping a couple months ago,” he said.

    Brown is legally blind. He lost his vision for the first time as a toddler after an allergic reaction.

    Brendon Brown is legally blind after suffering from an allergic reaction as a kid. (Brendon Brown)

    He regained it off and on for about a decade, but an infection in 2017 caused him to lose his sight completely.

    Finding employment wasn’t easy. Brown said he applied to multiple places before discovering Industries of the Blind.

    “I tried a few different places, and everybody sounded promising when you talked to them, but then you never hear back from them after that,” he said.

    According to the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Labor and Economic Analysis Division, one in nine working-age adults in the state was living with a disability as of 2022. Roughly 145,000 of those adults were visually impaired.

    Nationwide, the American Foundation for the Blind found that in 2024, 10% of people ages 16 to 64 with visual disabilities were unemployed — more than double the unemployment rate for people in the same age range without a visual disability.

    A separate study from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that as of 2024, 22% of all working Americans were living with a disability.

    Industries of the Blind aims to close those gaps by offering meaningful work and long-term career paths.

    Richard Oliver, the organization’s director of community outreach and government relations, said Brown represents exactly why their mission matters.

    “We like to put the effort into Brendon so he can learn and grow,” Oliver said. “We want him to be here for a long time.”

    Brendon Brown says he loves to fish when he's not at work. (Brendon Brown)

    Brendon Brown says he loves to fish when he’s not at work. (Brendon Brown)

    Brown is already taking that next step. On Nov. 25, he graduated from the company’s 2025 Future Leaders Academy cohort.

    The program teaches employees skills in finance, human resources, production and business development. His goal is to eventually move into a leadership role.

    “I have no plans on changing anytime soon,” Brown said. “I enjoy it, I see lots of room to grow.”

    A new class of Future Leaders Academy participants will begin next year.

    Earlier this month, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced that Project Spark, one of its initiatives that supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, will expand to 10 new locations across the state.

    NCDHHS says it will expand to new sites in Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Durham, Greenville, Kinston, Jacksonville, Wilson, Gastonia, Asheville and Boone.

    Follow us on Instagram at spectrumnews1nc for news and other happenings across North Carolina.

     

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    Ashley Van Havere

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  • Western N.C. homeowners await word on FEMA buyouts

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    ASHEVILLE, N.C. — The federal government has given western Carolina more than $1 billion in aid since Hurricane Helene hit.

    But a lot of people are still waiting to receive help for housing more than a year later.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program is funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency

    • Under the program, homeowners are able to sell their house to the government

    • Hundreds in western North Carolina have applied for the grant money, but many have not heard back 



    For about 10 years, MaryLynn Manns called Riverknoll home. 

    Now, the home where she planned to live the rest of her life holds only the scaffolding of memories.

    “It’s just really sad when I come here, because it used to be a cute little place,” Manns said.

    The 45-townhome community in Buncombe County sits along the Swannanoa River.

    Manns and her neighbor Betty Doll would walk to each other’s house in pajamas and drink wine.

    “This was a really nice neighborhood. And most of these houses on this bottom level are now gutted. And they, you know, no windows, nothing,” Manns said. “And so these people are no longer here.” 

    Doll’s house sits on the top the hill. The foundation is in danger of falling and can only be repaired if the riverbank is repaired. 

    Manns’ and Doll’s houses are among the 21 in the neighborhood that are unlivable.

    These residents were forced to move from their homes. Now many are paying for their mortgage on top of their expenses for their current home.

    “There was so much damage. I think people are really traumatized by it all. And most of the residents are older individuals. And financially, the challenge of that, especially with having to live somewhere else now, depleting retirement savings,” Doll said.

    The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program could help with these costs. The FEMA-funded program would allow the government to buy the homes at whatever the value was before Helene and would work to prevent future damage and losses. 

    It’s been 14 months since the applications were submitted, but the local government and residents haven’t heard anything from the government about the money. So right now, those applications sit in limbo.

    “We wonder where the money is, that’s what we’re wondering,” Manns said. “Where is the money for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program that we applied for?”

    They are among hundreds of storm survivors waiting to hear back about the funding.

    Spectrum News 1 reached out to FEMA to ask for a reason for the delay, but we have not gotten a response.

    Follow us on Instagram at spectrumnews1nc for news and other happenings across North Carolina.

     

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    Jordan Grantz

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  • Lakeland father honors 6-year-old son after sudden death at school

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    LAKELAND, Fla. — A Polk County father is honoring his son’s legacy after the 6-year-old suddenly died just days before Christmas.

    What You Need To Know

    • Jarvis Washington, father to his son, 6-year-old Mes’sia, is honoring his 6-year-old son, Mes’sia, by launching an autism awareness foundation after his sudden death
    • Mes’sia was nonverbal and on the autism spectrum

    • Washington said Mes’sia was his usual self when he dropped him off at school on Dec. 17, but later that day, the child became unresponsive in class and died unexpectedly

    • Mes’sia’s family is still waiting for the official cause of death from the medical examiner’s office


    Jarvis Washington stood outside his home, reflecting on some of his last fond memories of his son, Mes’sia.

    “He was a very playful, very lovable child,” Washington said.

    Washington said Mes’sia was his usual self when he dropped him off at school on Dec. 17. Later that day, the child became unresponsive in class and died unexpectedly. Washington said doctors believe pneumonia may have contributed to his son’s death.

    “And from the consistency of them trying to save his life, he went into a form of cardiac arrest,” Washington said.

    Mes’sia’s family is still waiting for the official cause of death from the medical examiner’s office, a process that could take weeks or longer.

    Since learning of Mes’sia’s death, community members have rallied to help raise money for funeral expenses. Washington said remaining funds will go toward a foundation he plans to launch in his son’s honor. Mes’sia was nonverbal and on the autism spectrum.

    “His legacy now is going to help other individuals who are very special, very gifted, and sometimes overlooked because of perceived barriers — physical or mental — that can ultimately provide solutions to the world,” Washington said.

    Washington said the organization will be called The World Is Mine Foundation, named after a message Mes’sia often carried with him.

    “When he passed away, he still had on one sock, and on it, it said, ‘The world is mine,’” Washington said. “I held onto it for a couple days and thought about my son’s legacy. He reminded me we’re a lot bigger than what we perceive.”

    Washington said it is a reminder that will live on forever.

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    Alexis Jones

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  • Kids ring in the new year early at Kaleideum’s Noon Year’s Eve celebration

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    WINSTON-SALEM — Families rang in the new year a little early Wednesday at Kaleideum during the museum’s annual Noon Year’s Eve celebration, giving kids a chance to enjoy the excitement of a countdown without staying up past bedtime.

       What You Need To Know

    • The Kaleideum museum in Winston-Salem hosted its annual Noon Year’s Eve celebration

    • Elizabeth Dampier, CEO of Kaleideum, said the event has been a tradition since the museum’s early days and remains one of her favorites

    • It included a sensory-friendly option in the Digital Dome for families who preferred a calmer celebration

    • Kaleideum is closed Thursday but will reopen with normal business hours on Friday


    The kid-friendly event featured music, dance parties, arts and crafts and a festive ball drop — all before noon.

    As the count began, children joined in enthusiastically.

    “One, two, three, four — happy New Year!” shouted Justice Derrick.

    For Derrick, the celebration was about more than just fun. He said his New Year’s resolution is “to make sure everyone’s OK and be kind to each other and make friends.”

    Five-year-old Eliana Asare said she’s excited about what she might learn in the year ahead.

    “I think I’m going to learn how spring changes to summer,” Asare said.

    She’s also looking forward to plenty of fun, including dressing up, making crafts, seeing princesses and jumping on a trampoline.

    Another 5-year-old, Maddie Cocca, said she already has something special planned after the celebration.

    “I’m looking forward to having a sleepover at my grandma’s on New Year’s,” Cocca said.

    Elizabeth Dampier, CEO of Kaleideum, said the event has been a tradition since the museum’s early days and is special to her.

    “This is one of my favorite events of the year, and we have been doing this for years, really since the beginning of the origins of the museum,” Dampier said.

    She said what makes the celebration meaningful is seeing families experience it together.

    “There’s wonder, there’s curiosity, there’s excitement,” Dampier said. “What’s really great is to see their adults with them as well — having conversations, engaging with them and doing these things together.”

    The event also included a sensory-friendly option in the Digital Dome for families who preferred a calmer celebration.

    Kaleideum is closed Thursday but will reopen with normal business hours on Friday.

    Follow us on Instagram at spectrumnews1nc for news and other happenings across North Carolina.

     

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    Ashley Van Havere

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  • New housing program to help youth who have aged out of the foster care system

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    MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — A new housing project is taking shape with a mission beyond bricks and mortar.

    A local nonprofit has officially broken ground on a development designed to support young adults aging out of the foster care system.

    The project aims to provide not just housing, but stability and a pathway to independence.

    What You Need To Know

    • Harbor 58 is a nonprofit aimed at helping youth who aged out of foster care 

    • The organization held a ground breaking ceremony last month for its new housing program, which includes six duplexes housing 12 people and a community center
    • The project underway is on the property of Oasis Church on Lorraine Road and organizers hope to finish the housing project by the spring of 2027

    This is a new environment for Airanna Gibbons. But there’s one thing that’s always helped her during times of uncertainty: coloring.

    “It relaxes me and makes me less nervous,” she said.

    For Gibbons, it’s been a coping mechanism as she’s been in and out of foster care since she was four years old.

    “I ended up getting taken away from my biological parents a couple days before my birthday, and it was very stressful. There’s a lot of emotions, but I ended up moving from home to home, and none of them really enjoyed me or liked me. And so, I ended up going through about seven or eight homes before I ended up getting adopted,” she said.

    Around the age of 14, Gibbons said her life changed again.

    “I ended up having some problems, and I ended up going into a mental hospital. My adoptive parents decided that they didn’t want me. Then I ended up going into a group home,” she said.

    Now, the 19-year-old is in a new home.

    It’s an 18-month-long housing program with the nonprofit Harbor 58.

    “I guess it was finally home, I guess, if that makes sense. So, yeah,” she said.

    The mission of Harbor 58 is to help young people aging out of foster care by providing resources and support.

    In Gibbons’ case, that includes the opportunity to learn how to live more independently with the help of a career coach and other resources.

    The goal is for participants to eventually be able to live on their own.

    Alisha Pavacich is the program director.

    “Manatee County has a lot of kids that are in foster care and several that age out every single year. And there’s no real space for those kids to step into,” she said.

    The organization recently broke ground on its new housing complex, which will include six duplexes housing 12 people in total, along with a community center.

    “The statistics for youth aging out of foster care are not great. A lot of kids end up in jail, not graduating high school, or unfortunately, being trafficked. We just want to change that narrative and give them a more supportive and brighter future,” she said.

    Gibbons said she feels included and comfortable in this space. So much so, she said she’s looking forward to one day publishing a children’s book she wrote, inspired by her life experiences, and working towards becoming a child advocate.

    The project underway is on the property of Oasis Church on Lorraine Road.

    Organizers hope to finish the housing project by the spring of 2027.

    Currently, the organization is housing three people and hope to expand that to more when the new facility opens in 2027.

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    Julia Hazel

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  • Benefit concert helping launch restoration efforts on Richey Suncoast Theatre

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    NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. — A local landmark unique to New Port Richey is looking to get a little love in terms of restorative work.

    What You Need To Know

    • Touted as the “Heart of New Port Richey” and standing for nearly 100 years, the Richey Suncoast Theatre is in need of some restoration

    • A recent benefit concert titled “Letters With E” featuring Ed Roland of Collective Soul, is spearheading those efforts
    • The theatre has a long history of being a centerpiece of downtown, offering entertainment on the silver screen as well as community plays
    • Those at the theatre say renovations will begin with the roof in January, with plans for the theatre’s exterior afterwards


    The Richey Suncoast Theatre has stood for nearly 100 years, offering entertainment on the silver screen as well as community plays. But now, the theatre is in need of some restoration. A recent benefit concert is spearheading those efforts.

    At the corner of Grand Boulevard and Nebraska Avenue stands a landmark that has withstood the test of time.

    “This theatre is the heart of New Port Richey,” said Lia Gallegos, interim president of the board of directors for the Richey Suncoast Theatre.

    The near-century old monument in downtown New Port Richey is a place that’s dedicated to showcasing the arts. A place that has become like a second home for Gallegos.

    “The community absolutely loves the theatre and everything that she brings to the community,” she said. “It’s a place for kids and adults to learn new skills and become more creative.”

    But Gallegos said it’s in need of renovations, which was the inspiration for its first benefit concert, featuring Ed Roland of Collective Soul. The event raised over $42,000 from auctioned items.

    “Renovation is never a quick process, especially on a 100-year-old building,” Gallegos said. “But we’re looking forward to getting it started this year.”

    All sorts of relics from the theatre’s history are on display. History that board member Angela Sarabia knows well.

    “This is a series of programs from that first big season that they came out as the Richey Suncoast Theatre,” she said. “This is a movie poster from one of Thomas Meighan’s films. The theatre was originally built to showcase Thomas Meighan’s films, and he was the Tom Cruise of his day.”

    In order to understand where the theatre is going, she said, you need to know its past.

    “Some of the renovations that we’re really interested in doing are bolstering our windows and doors and the upper windows to hurricane proof us, because we know we live in an area that is going to continue to get these big storms,” said Sarabia. “So we don’t want that to be a problem for performers for the next hundred years.”

    Allowing the next generation of stars to take the stage, bringing in audiences both near and far.

    “For the ‘Letters with E’ concert, we had people flying in from all over the country who had never been to New Port Richey before,” said Gallegos. “So the theatre is that — it’s the draw to bring people from outside of the area to enjoy our downtown and get to experience it and, hopefully, keep them coming back.”

    And to keep breathing new life into this theatre.

    Those at the theatre say renovations will begin with the roof in January. They then plan to make renovations to the theatre’s exterior afterwards.

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    Calvin Lewis

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  • Community helps Lakeland boy get specialized therapy for rare genetic disorder

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    LAKELAND, Fla. — One family’s Christmas wish has come true thanks to the support of their community.

    A fighting chance is what Kayla Newmyer has always wanted for her 2-year-old son, Keegan, and thanks to that support, he’s getting just that.

    What You Need To Know

    • A Lakeland toddler with a rare genetic disorder will receive specialized therapy after community donations surpassed his family’s fundraising goal.

    • The intensive therapy program in North Carolina is designed to help children with complex medical needs.

    • The funding will allow Keegan to attend the therapy program, giving his family additional hope for long-term progress.


    “He has a condition called Snyder-Robinson syndrome,” Newmyer said. “It only affects boys. It’s an X-linked chromosomal abnormality.”

    Keegan was first diagnosed with the rare genetic disorder at just 11 months old. Newmyer said the condition causes him to experience low muscle tone, kidney infections and seizures.

    “So we’re always trying new things and chasing that to help him have seizure freedom,” she said. “His brain is just so busy. There’s not a time where he’s not experiencing activity.”

    After more than a year researching the condition, Newmyer learned about a center in North Carolina called All Kids Are Perfect, which specializes in intensive, weeklong therapy for children with complex needs.

    The cost for the two-week program, travel and continued therapy once Keegan returns home totaled $14,000. Newmyer said she recently turned to the community for support, and the response exceeded her expectations.

    “People who don’t even know us have donated,” she said. “We’ve gotten cards in the mail with donations. I can’t even put into words how amazing it’s been that people saw Keegan, a little boy they don’t even know, and contributed to him having a fulfilled life.”

    The mother of two said the money raised is enough for her family to travel for treatment twice. She said it will not only increase Keegan’s chances of reaching early milestones, but also helps to grant his older brother’s wish of one day being able to fully play with him.

    “He’s patiently waiting, so it’s getting us one step closer to living a more, quote-unquote, normal life — even though that’s never going to be the case for us,” Newmyer said.

    But thanks to the community, she says a better life is now possible.

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    Alexis Jones

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  • Will local cemetery change its city from Gulfport to St. Petersburg?

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The historic African American Lincoln Cemetery in Gulfport is in the middle of a back-and-forth with two cities, a serious financial need and a big question about who should provide the help they are asking for.

    What You Need To Know

    • Lincoln Cemetery in the city of Gulfport is a final resting place for thousands of people

    • Pastor Clerence Williams said that the location of the historic African American burial ground is just one of the many issues there

    • Gulfport leaders discussed the possibility of the de-annexation of Lincoln Cemetery from Gulfport and the annexation of the property to the city of St. Pete


    It’s a topic city leaders are working to get to the bottom of, but the owners of the cemetery said he wants help while these discussions are taking place.

    Lincoln Cemetery in the city of Gulfport is a final resting place for thousands of people. Pastor Clarence Williams leads Cross and Anvil Human Services, which owns Lincoln Cemetery. He said that the location of the historic African American burial ground is just one of the many issues there.

    “I think where the city is located is nothing but smoke and mirrors,” he said. “What about doing what’s right? These cemeteries exist because of the egregious nature of Jim Crow, which would not allow Black people to be buried in the same cemetery with whites.”

    Williams said this is a conversation that has gone on for years with Gulfport and St. Pete. Now, new questions are being raised about changing the city the cemetery is in.

    “I think this whole annexation has merit. It’s probably a good long-term solution,” he said. “But you know what, sometimes you need to reconcile the wrongs of the past before you get to a future plan.”

    Williams spoke out about this in a meeting with St. Pete city leaders earlier this month.

    Days later at a Gulfport City Council meeting, leaders discussed the possibility of the de-annexation of Lincoln Cemetery from Gulfport and the annexation of the property to the city of St. Pete.

    “I’m still somewhat of the belief of — until he tells me — the owner of the property, ‘I’d like to be de-annexed,’ it seems it would be silly to have that conversation without that directly to me,” said Gulfport Mayor Karen Love.

    Next year will mark a hundred years since Lincoln Cemetery was established here. And while property owners and the city boundaries have changed during that time, Williams said the need has never changed. The question he is left with is this: Will requesting annexation to be changed from city of Gulfport to the City of St. Pete result in more help at the cemetery?

    “My answer is C. Both. Both of them have a vested interest. Where the cemetery is located is a farce,” he said.

    St. Pete officials said they can’t help with the funding Williams is asking for if the cemetery is located inside another city.

    “What about the human element, you can get past the laws and the courts,” Williams said. “There are people out there. There’s a name. This is not some oak tree. There’s a name, they contributed and made St. Pete what it is.”

    Williams said he has a meeting with Gulfport officials next week, but he has made it clear he wants help from everyone to preserve the final resting place of the people who he says helped build these same cities.

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    Saundra Weathers

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  • Catching up with Floridians whose stories inspired us in 2025

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    FLORIDA — As we get closer to the end of the year, we look back at a year that brought happy times for some, but major struggles for even more. These stories are of those who found the strength to overcome adversity often make the most inspiring impression.

    Spectrum News catches up with some of the incredible individuals who taught us all a little bit about the best of humanity in 2025.

     

     

     

    Finding Your Passion

    — Apopka, FL —

    In the middle of February, Delia Miller shared her journey of finding her passions and purpose. Combining her love of art, concern for the environment, and newfound passion for aviation, she has turned all of this into an inspiring project.

    Her journey began with an opportunity to paint a mural in her hometown. Her path took a turn in an airport bathroom where she met a young, Black, female airline captain. The encounter spurred Miller to pursue aviation as a career path.

    Watch Delia’s story to witness how she turns dreams into reality and encourages others to discover their greater purpose.

     

    Act of Kindness

    — Orlando, FL —

    Watch her story to see how her acts of kindness reached kids in Geneva and Belize.

    In September, young Gracelynn “Gracie” Decelles shared her story with us. Two years ago, the now 8-year-old girl began selling eggs from her family’s chickens at a small stand outside her home. The proceeds of those sales went toward the purchase of hundreds of backpacks for children in need.

    Watch her story to see how her acts of kindness reached kids in Geneva and Belize.

     

     

     

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    Dan Trotter

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  • Pasco County families receiving help through new Better Future program

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    NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. — Pasco County homeowners, whose homes were damaged during hurricanes Idalia, Helene and Milton, are getting some much-needed help from the county.

    What You Need To Know

    • Pasco County homeowners affected by hurricanes Idalia, Helene, and Milton can apply for the Better Future housing program

    • The program offers help to repair, rebuild or replace homes damaged in last year’s hurricanes
    • Checks are being presented to those families who’ve already applied, made possible through federal funding from the Community Development Block Grant


    It’s through the Better Future housing program, which offers help to repair, rebuild or replace homes damaged by last year’s hurricanes. It’s helping one particular family just before the holidays.

    “This is such a great program, we want to present you guys with a check for reimbursement,” said Jack Mariano, chair of Pasco Board of County Commissioners.

    Outside the West Pasco Government Center, the first Better Future check is presented to the Onishenko family.

    “Life after was a little difficult with some of the damage that we had,” said check recipient Steven Entwistle.

    The Onishenko’s home was damaged during last year’s hurricanes, requiring them to dip into their own pockets to make repairs, until now.

    “Life is expensive, and then, when you have those repairs come in, that’s a monthly payment that just keeps coming in,” said Entwistle. “So now, with this check, it’s 100% covering all that debt, and I don’t need those monthly payments anymore, and I’m much happier.”

    The program is made possible through federal funding from the Community Development Block Grant.

    “This is going to be a very important program for the people that couldn’t get the work done because they didn’t have the funding,” said Mariano. “Now, other families that couldn’t get in, can get in and get the help to do it direct with us.”

    More checks are on the way to other families affected as well.

    “We want to show optimism that all the hard work, all the struggles that have gone through, the help that is here now and the team behind us — my fellow commissioners, Yeager and Oakley here, and Starkey and Weightman as well — we are 100% behind this program,” Mariano said. “Confident this is going to help our people get their lives back together, help them recover and live a much better quality of life coming up.”

    And to have that money just before the holidays means a little more.

    “It helps fund the family again instead of so much going out,” said Entwistle. “So it being right around Christmas was a big miracle, if you ask me.”

    A holiday miracle for this family.

    All homeowners who sustained damage from the three storms in Pasco County can apply for the Better Future program. However, priority goes to low-income households, seniors and people with disabilities, and residents who have been displaced.

    You can learn more information on the Pasco County website.

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    Calvin Lewis

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  • Access to fresh produce helping stop food insecurity across Pasco County

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    ZEPHYRHILLS, Fla. — The signs of urban sprawl are apparent across Pasco County. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Following the government shutdown and the pause in SNAP benefits, several schools in Pasco County reached out to the nonprofit Access to Fresh to help feed their students whose parents were struggling

    • In the four weeks leading up to the Christmas holiday break, Access to Fresh delivered fresh produce and other food to 15 elementary schools, two low-income senior housing facilities, two Boys & Girls Clubs, and the Food Pantry Thanksgiving Distribution at Life Church

    • To fund this effort, AdventHealth, along with other major hospital systems across the Tampa Bay area, supported the four-week effort

    • AdventHealth said in total, the effort reached 3,700 families. They estimate 63,000 pounds of food or 160,000 servings were distributed


    The growing pains of development in some areas are leading to loud stomach pains for low-income families. 

    That is one reason why an assembly line of volunteers spent four weeks packing fresh food to help 15 elementary schools, along with two Boys & Girls Clubs and some senior living facilities.

    The organizers of the food drive say the Zephyrhills community faces a big problem: food insecurity. 

    “We’re rural America and we’re a small but very close community,” said Leortha Lloyd, social worker at West Zephyrhills Elementary School.

    Lloyd says the bags of fresh food packed up will help feed students at the Title I school she works at, where she says 70% are low income. 

    She shared one story of a family receiving a bag of fresh food.

    “A dad looked and he actually saw that it was fresh produce, he turned away from me and there was a tear in his eye,” said Lloyd. “Because he said he was trying to remember the last time they added fresh produce to their groceries.”

    The food drive is spearheaded by the nonprofit Access to Fresh. 

    A few area schools called them asking for help when SNAP benefits were paused during the government shutdown. 

    “Especially Dade City, Lacoochee, Zephyrhills, those are all very rural areas. Even though Pasco County is developing kind of more of that center of the county, these outskirts are still in dire need of support and help,” said Nichole Dube, the Executive Director of Access to Fresh. 

    When she got the call, she made two more calls of her own. The first was to area hospital systems, like AdventHealth, to fund this massive food distribution mission. 

    “Advent Health — they said yes, I called Orlando Health, and they said yes, and then I called Johns Hopkins and they said yes,” said Dube. 

    BayCare also gave money too in support. 

    Dube’s next call was to enlist local farmers to provide the fresh produce needed. 

    “This is going to affect so many people. But then to also be able to pull in farmers that are local as it’s a big deal,” said Alicen Morency, a local farmer.

    She and her husband Jesse Morency are co-owners of Shady Oaks, a hydroponic lettuce farm in nearby Dade City. 

    They provided 3,500 heads of lettuce. To these local farmers, this food drive hit close to home. 

    “Being able to get back is something huge for us,” said Morency with tears in her eyes. 

    The tears are memories from her childhood. She and Jesse both grew up in rural Illinois and also did not have access to fresh produce often as a kid. 

    “We grew up, both of us kind of on boxed dinners and a bag of potatoes, and that’s the best that our moms could do. I was raised by a single mother,” said Alicen. 

    “It was hard growing up underserved when it comes to food,” said Jesse. “I was at food pantries. I don’t ever remember getting anything fresh.”

    It is this pipeline of local volunteers, local farmers, funded by local hospitals that is starting to chip away at the very large issue of food insecurity in this area. 

    In total over four weeks, they helped roughly 3,700 families. 

    The kids these bags of fresh produce were given to had big reactions. 

    “I’ve had students say, Mr. Lloyd, these are so fresh, these carrots and cucumbers are so big,” said Lloyd. 

    “So the kids are used to seeing us, so they trust us. They tell us what they like, they tell us what they dislike. So then we know what to put in the bags. But we’re creating relationships and our mission is to build community through food,” said Dube.

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    Erin Murray

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  • Tracey Stephens helps kids learn to read with her big dog Teddy

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    POLK COUNTY, Fla. — A Polk County woman is helping some little students learn how to read.

    Tracey Stephens is doing it with the help of a great big dog.

    Each Monday, Stephens takes her big black Newfoundland named Teddy to Sikes Elementary School where she goes to the library to volunteer as a reading coach. Stephens has set up a huge dog bed in the corner of the library for Teddy.

    What You Need To Know

    • Tracey Stephens takes her Newfoundland dog Teddy to Sikes Elementary School each Monday

    • Stephens says Teddy provides a calm, fun environment while she works with students on their reading skills

    • The students usually pet Teddy while they read

    • Principal Lindsey Leskis says Stephens has a caring approach with the students


    Each Monday, Stephens takes her big black Newfoundland named Teddy to Sikes Elementary School, where she goes to the library to volunteer as a reading coach. Stephens has set up a huge dog bed in the corner of the library for Teddy.

    “Not to do a product placement,” said Stephens. “But you need a big barker.” As soon as Stephens spread out a blanket on the bed, Teddy got right on it to lie down. “He was like oh, this is where the bed is. So exciting,” Stephens said.

    Stephens works with the students one at a time. The reason for having Teddy there is to make it a fun, relaxing environment. Teddy always stays very calm, and the students sit on the dog bed with Teddy and Stephens while they work on their reading skills.

    Sometimes the students pet Teddy while they read. “I think he just brings down the temperature a little bit because he’s not overly excited. Ha, ha, ha,” said Stephens.

    Helping the children with their reading skills is a rewarding experience for Stephens. “I think it’s great fun. I love to hear them use their voice and get stronger and more confident in their reading,” she said.

    Principal Lindsey Leskis appreciates Stephens’ gentle approach with the students. “She spends the time to talk to them and learn their interests and really get them excited about reading and they just love Teddy,” she said.

    Stephens sometimes provides the students with small gifts for their hard work. On a recent Monday, she had a gift-wrapped book for student Kaydence James that said it was from Teddy.

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    Rick Elmhorst

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  • Left hooks and life lessons: East Tampa Boxing Gym offers both

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    TAMPA, Fla. — As you walk into the East Tampa Boxing Gym, you walk under a sign that reads, “It Is Better To Bleed In The Gym, Than In The Street.” 

    What You Need To Know

    • Odeon Esson launched East Tampa Boxing Gym almost 10 years ago 

    • He’s there every Monday through Saturday offering boxing lessons to kids as young as six

    • Esson’s bigger goal is to teach the kids life lessons and help them “be somebody” 

    • Esson, a former boxer himself, is joined by a handful of coaches helping in his effort


    It’s one of the many mantras of owner Odeon Esson, for his boxing facility off East Hillsborough Avenue in Tampa.

    “You’re in East Tampa. It’s rough over here, you know,” Esson said. “Out there in the street, you might not come back from it. But in here, you got a chance.”

    Esson gives children as young as six years old the chance to come boxing at his gym Monday through Saturday nights.

    It’s a three-hour boxing practice where the lessons are more about lifestyle than about left hooks and right jabs.

    “Help these kids — a lot of these kids in this neighborhood — become somebody,” said Esson, talking about his goal for the gym. “Let them know, ‘You have a dream, you can do it. Whatever you set your mind to, you can do it.’”

    Hanging on the walls of the gym are signs that reinforce those life lessons:

    • “If You Can Accept Losing, You Can’t Win”
    • “Life Has Got To Be Lived”
    • “Winners Are Simply Willing To Do What Losers Are Not”

    And those lessons on the wall are clearly making their way to the intended audience.

    On a Tuesday night, the gym is packed. A mixture of elementary, middle and high school students jump rope, do push-ups, spar with a coach, pummel a punching bag, practice punching combinations and even get into the ring to face off against Esson himself.

    “Things that you learn in here, teach you things in the real world,” said Vince Clavizzao, a friend from Esson’s boxing days who he recruited to coach here.

    When the young boxers were asked what they learned by coming to East Tampa Boxing Gym, responses varied from heartfelt to real skills.

    Some young people there that night cited boxing strategy and technique. Fifth grader Cody Amos said he’s learned “you have to punch to win.” Sixth grader Jayden Gilbert said Esson had taught him “how to jab” and get his stance right.

    But Gilbert also said his nightly trips to the gym taught him “not to give up.” Fifth grader Pedro Ruiz said the gym helped him learn to “stay focused.” Third grader Alantis Howard, the only female boxer we met at the gym, said the practices had instilled in her the idea that “you have to work hard to get rewarded.”

    Esson launched this place nearly a decade ago, and he has no plans to stop. For Esson, teaching life lessons — and boxing — will continue.

    “They could have been doing anything else. They could have been caught up in the street. But they’re here. They’re in a safe place. They’re here,” Esson said.

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    Jeff Butera

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  • After pause from storms, Treasure Island’s holiday lighted boat parade is back

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    TREASURE ISLAND, Fla. — After a difficult year rebuilding from the back-to-back hurricanes, Treasure Island’s holiday lighted boat parade is returning to the waters of Boca Ciega Bay on Saturday evening.

    The parade is set to begin at 5:45 p.m. and will weave through the inlets of Boca Ciega Bay, ending in a grand finale at John’s Pass. The parade is expected to wrap up around 9 p.m.

    The traditional watch party and appearance by Santa Claus at Treasure Bay will not be taking place this year due to ongoing construction and the living shoreline project. Instead, residents are asked to view the parade from neighbors and friends’ waterfront properties or from the boardwalk of John’s Pass.

    What You Need To Know

    • No viewing party this year at Treasure Bay due to construction

    • Public viewing is available by John’s Pass boardwalk

    • Parade will loop through inlets of Boca Ciega Bay and end in John’s Pass

    • Set to being at 5:45 p.m. on Dec. 20


    The Treasure Island tradition was canceled last year due to debris in the water from the hurricanes.

    Despite the ongoing hurricane recovery, Jason Beisel with the city of Treasure Island said it was important to bring the parade back this year. After a hard year, he says residents want to enjoy the holiday spirit the well-loved boat parade tradition brings. The city also wants visitors to know that Treasure Island is back open for business. 

    “Everybody’s wanting good news to come out of here,” Beisel said. “We’ve had some struggles throughout this year, so we decided what better way to raise spirits than to have all our activities come back, and that included the holiday lighted boat parade.”

    Thomas Morrill and his family have been participating in the boat parade each year — with the exception of the 2024 cancellation — since they moved here from Tampa in 2020.

    His condo was damaged in the back-to-back hurricanes, and he says he lost some personal items his family will never be able to get back. His boat survived the storm and will be one of the first in line during Saturday’s parade.

    “Some of those personal things can’t be replaced; it puts life in perspective about being together with family,” he said.

    St. Pete Beach, as well as Redington Shores and Indian Shores, canceled their lighted boat parades this year. Morrill says he’s grateful Treasure Island chose to move forward.

    “That’s what’s important… you get back on the horse when you get knocked off and keep riding,” he said.

    The city is still accepting signs ups for the parade through Saturday morning.

    The Treasure Island Causeway Bridge will be raised from roughly 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday to allow for the boats to pass through. Spectators arriving at that time are asked to take alternate routes and enter the city from the bridges in Maderia Beach or St. Pete Beach.

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    Angie Angers

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  • Officials say increase of abandoned boats in Florida waters is outpacing cleanup

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    DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — State officials say the number of derelict and abandoned boats in Florida waterways is increasing faster than they can be removed, leaving hundreds of vessels scattered around the state.

    What You Need To Know

    • Florida officials say the state is dealing with more than a thousand derelict and abandoned boats statewide
    • Storm damage and high repair costs are driving many owners to walk away
    • Abandoned vessels create navigation hazards, environmental risks, and neighborhood eyesores
    • The state has spent millions removing boats and is urging owners to use a free turn-in program



    Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials say these boats are more than just unsightly — they pose serious risks to boaters, harm the environment, and frustrate waterfront residents who often have no authority to remove them.

    On the water, the scale of the problem is easy to spot.

    Shonda Kennedy, with Orion Towing, Salvage & Marine and TowBoatU.S., has spent two decades pulling abandoned and damaged boats from Florida waters, from St. Augustine to Titusville.

    Within minutes of heading out, she points out a sunken 27-foot sailboat that she said was left behind after its owner walked away.

    “We are looking at a derelict vessel that has been left to die,” Kennedy said.

    Kennedy said many of the boats she encounters can be nearly impossible to see, especially in low light.

    “At night, you’re not going to see this,” she said, explaining how submerged and partially sunken vessels can become hidden dangers for other boaters.

    Kennedy said others are pushed ashore during storms, turning them into long-term eyesores for nearby homeowners.

    “This vessel came ashore or hit the shoreline at the last storm,” Kennedy said, adding that tracking down the responsible owner is often the biggest challenge.

    “The hardest part is trying to find the original owner,” she said.

    FWC officials said identifying ownership can be complicated, particularly when boats have changed hands multiple times or were acquired cheaply online.

    “Sometimes it’s a challenge to determine, ‘OK, whose boat even is this?’” said FWC public information officer Bradley Johnson.

    According to FWC, there were more than 1,000 abandoned boats statewide at the start of 2025.

    The agency maintains an interactive map to track known derelict vessels, and has removed 478 boats so far this year.


    Storms remain a major factor, but officials say many owners underestimate what it takes to repair and maintain a damaged vessel.

    “You may think you’re able to get that vessel seaworthy again, and then find out it’s a bigger job than you thought,” Johnson said.

    Salvage and towing costs can run into the thousands of dollars, leading some owners to abandon boats rather than fix them.

    Others take on free or deeply discounted boats through social media, unaware of the true cost of making them safe.

    “Now your vessels in that derelict condition, and you may not have the means or the ability to get it off the water,” Johnson said.

    Leaving a derelict vessel behind is a first-degree misdemeanor in Florida, punishable by a $100 fine.

    Repeat offenders can face third-degree felony charges.

    In 2025 alone, the state spent more than $9 million recovering abandoned boats, prioritizing removals based on environmental damage and navigation hazards.

    Kennedy said the problem often starts with unrealistic expectations.

    “When people went out and bought these vessels new or used, they had no idea the amount of money and time it takes in order to maintain these vessels,” she said.

    FWC is encouraging boat owners who can no longer afford their vessels to take advantage of the agency’s Vessel Turn-In Program.

    Owners who have received a written citation or warning can apply to have their unwanted boat removed from Florida waters and destroyed at no cost — a step officials say can prevent boats from becoming the next derelict hazard.

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    Randy Rauch

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  • Angel Tree requests break record in Pinellas County

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    CLEARWATER, Fla. — In a record-breaking year, the Salvation Army in Clearwater helped to coordinate and provide Christmas gifts to 2,241 local children.

    The agency’s director of social services, Jilliann Perez, said they received more Angel Tree requests this year than any year in recent history. Last year, they fielded about 1,900 requests.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Clearwater Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program provided gifts for 2,241 local kids this year

    • Salvation Army officials say they received 300 more requests than they did in 2024

    • Despite that, they said all tags and wish lists were filled and distributed on time 

    • For more information on the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Program, visit the organization’s website


    Perez said that despite the increase in demand, the Salvation Army didn’t have to turn away any qualifying family. In order to submit a child for the Angel Tree program, the child must live in the area, be 12 years old or younger, and the parent must have proof of legal custody.

    Marquis Robinson submitted an Angel Tree request for his 8-year-old daughter earlier this year. He said he’s grateful to the community for the help provided this Christmas.

    “I only got one child, and she means the world to me,” he said. “So, just to see her happy and excited is more than enough.”

    Perez said every Angel Tree tag was taken by a local family or organization willing to fill that child’s Christmas wish list. While there were no unclaimed tags, Perez said a couple hundred were not returned, something that is typical and planned for.

    Those unreturned tags are filled by individual toy donations to Salvation Army boxes located at Walmart and other area organizations. Perez said this year they received so many toy donations through drop-off locations that they had no issue filling wish lists for the unreturned Angel Tree tags.

    “We were able to fill all of these bags even fuller than we would have been able to in previous years and made sure they got things they wanted,” she said.

    Perez said the Salvation Army’s aim is to send each child three substantial Christmas gifts.

    “If they come back and they received only maybe one, we have a stockroom of toys we can put into the bags based upon their interests,” she said.

    This year’s hail also included hundreds of bikes and helmets, all put together and checked for safety by a team of volunteers.

    Angel Tree pickup finishes Thursday at the Salvation Army’s headquarters in Clearwater.

    Pickup for those 65+ through the “Silver Bells” program is also taking place Thursday. The program for seniors has been in operation for the last 11 holiday seasons.

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    Angie Angers

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  • Tampa Bay paintball team giving players purpose beyond the field

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    LAKELAND, Fla. — One Tampa Bay paintball team is doing more than just competing — it’s helping change lives.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Tampa Bay Rejects are a world-champion paintball team that practices in Lakeland

    • Players say the team’s focus on discipline and camaraderie fuels both personal growth and competitive success

    • Founders say the team provides a positive alternative for players who might otherwise face risky or violent situations


    To some, paintball is just a game. But at Legacy Sports Park in Lakeland, it’s how champions are made.

    Hunter Nasrallah first stepped onto the field with members of the Tampa Bay Rejects five years ago. What started as a simple escape for him and his three friends ended up saving his life.

    “It just got to a point where it felt like … it felt like I was better off not being here. Like, if I wasn’t here, it wouldn’t matter. It got really serious at one point, and paintball is what got me out of that mindset. It gave me that purpose in life,” Nasrallah said.

    He says it’s not just the game itself, but the camaraderie it brings.

    “They’re the ones that when I wake up in the morning, I wake up to text messages from them saying, ‘Yo, we locked in.’ Like, ‘Have you gone to the gym yet? Have you ran your mile yet?’ You know, we hold each other accountable, and it just gave me that purpose where these guys need me and I need them,” he said.

    Motivation like that, Nasrallah says, leads to the team’s success. That mentality has also helped cultivate talent like three-time world champion Andreina Blanco.

    “It feels amazing to have that support, and it goes around for all the guys too, so it’s great. It’s great to have that feeling, that family-type of vibe,” Blanco said.

    Brandon Johnson, co-founder of the Tampa Bay Rejects, says the goal is to provide a safe place for everyone.

    “It’s a lot deeper than just shooting each other with paintball guns,” Johnson said.

    Sometimes, Johnson and Nasrallah say, it means being an outlet for someone who might otherwise pick up a real gun.

    “All the stuff you learn through paintball or even in other sports equates to real life,” Nasrallah said. “You’re going to have hardship in life. It’s how you respond. If you get pushed over, are you going to get back up, or are you going to stay down? And every single one of those guys over there, they stand up. They stand back up.”

    Those who would like to be part of the Tampa Bay Rejects can sign up to try out for the team on Legacy Sports Park’s website. 

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    Alexis Jones

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  • DeSantis suggests ending all tolls for Florida residents

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    TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis dropped an idea during a Wednesday cabinet meeting that could save Florida residents hundreds of dollars a year — shifting the cost of toll roads to non-residents.

    During the meeting, DeSantis suggested that out-of-towners should be footing more of the bill for Florida’s 700-plus miles of toll roads. 

    DeSantis has given residents toll relief in the past by discounting costs by 50% while drivers hit 35 or more tolls in a single month. His current suggestion would mean a 100% discount for Floridians, and shift the cost completely to non-residents.

    “How long do we keep the tolls? These tolls, they’ve been here since I can remember, like as a kid, the tolls on the turnpike,” DeSantis said Wednesday. “You know, at what point is all this going to be paid off now? Now maybe we have uptake. Look, you could charge the visitors, and they could probably support it all and give our Florida residents a break. I think that would be a really good idea.”

    DeSantis did not give any details on how the toll program would work or how the pricing structure would make up for the funds lost if residents no longer pay tolls.

    In the previous half-off program, state officials said it saved motorists about $400 each in 2023, with a total cost of about $500 million to the state.

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    Jason Delgado

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  • Polk County mother decorates car for children in need

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    POLK COUNTY, Fla. — If you’ve driven through Polk County lately, you may have noticed a black Nissan Altima wrapped in Christmas lights and blue tape.

    What You Need To Know

    • Rebecca Brown wrapped her car with Christmas lights and QR codes to raise donations for children and families in need

    • Brown says the goal is to help families struggling with necessities, especially in an underserved mobile home community in Lakeland

    • Brown plans to deliver donations before Christmas
    • Follow Rebecca on TikTok


    But if you take a closer look, it’s not your typical holiday decoration.

    “So basically, there will be QR codes on the car, and if you take your phone and go to the QR code, a Linktree will pop up,” driver Rebecca Brown said.

    Brown says she updates those QR codes often. Once people reach the landing page, they can donate money or a gift to a child in need. That includes children living on Third Street Southeast in Lakeland, an underserved mobile home community where Brown used to live.

    Though toys are a plus, Brown says the goal is to make sure each family has basic necessities. She says she and her daughter, Skylar, decided to use their car as a fun way to grow community support to relieve parents of their financial burden.

    “I know for a fact that one of the families, she has like six kids, and she’s just struggling day to day to pay bills. And I feel like she deserves that help. She deserves to see her kids happy,” Brown said.

    As a mother of two, Brown knows firsthand how difficult the holidays can be. While she works to provide for her own kids this month, she says she plans to donate to the cause too.

    “I’m willing to do that because I feel like they deserve it. Regardless of their past or their situation, no kid deserves to go without,” she said.

    For Brown, that spirit of giving is something she carries year-round. She says not only does it take a village to raise a child, but it also takes one to keep them happy.

    Brown plans to drop off donations to families before Christmas.

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    Alexis Jones

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  • Necessities top Senior Santas wishlists

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    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Necessities like shampoo and deodorant top the holiday wishlists of many homebound seniors.

    What You Need To Know

    • Necessities like shampoo and deodorant top the holiday wishlists of many homebound seniors

    • Created by the nonprofit, Better Living for Seniors, Silver Santas relies on donations and volunteers to create custom gift bags

    • They’re delivered to assisted living facilities and distributed to low-income elderly people who are isolated

    Christine Gilpen has been granting wishes as a Silver Santas volunteer for two years. Created by the nonprofit, Better Living for Seniors, Silver Santas relies on donations and volunteers like Gilpen to create custom gift bags. They’re delivered to assisted living facilities and distributed to low-income elderly people who are isolated.

    “I couldn’t imagine growing old and not having someone, it just breaks my heart,” said Gilpen. “So I love doing this, I think it’s really important, I think more of our community members should get involved.”

    More involvement this season is helping a growing need.

    “The need increases, that’s really the biggest difference is that the need unfortunately doesn’t seem to decrease,” said Bob Dorian, Committee Chair for Silver Santas.

    That need is for necessities. 

    “More and more seniors were asking for basic supplies,” said Ann Marie Winter, Executive Director of Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas, which is affiliated with Better Living for Seniors.

    A special delivery to the Silver Santas warehouse in Clearwater recently supplied some of those basics.

    “We’ve got toothpaste, deodorant,” showed Winter as she explained how the donation is helping with demand.

    “We are so fortunate that we received a grant from the Pinellas Community Foundation to buy $6,000 worth of toiletry items for homebound seniors who don’t have them.”

    “We’ll be able to service another 200 seniors because of that grant,” said Dorian.

    Clothing is also added to those toiletry bags.

    “This is the least that we can do, we have to take care of those who have taken care of us our entire lives,” said Winter.

    And volunteers are taking good care checking off wishlists not filled with fancy requests but the bare essentials.

    “When they ask for them, I’m so happy to fill them because they are getting what they need through us,” said Gilpen.

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    Melissa Eichman

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