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Tag: APP Human Interest

  • St. Pete museum offers comprehensive look at 20th Century American movement

    St. Pete museum offers comprehensive look at 20th Century American movement

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Imagine being part of a museum as it begins. That’s how it happened for Andrea Morgan, the Director of Operations at the Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement in St. Petersburg, Florida. 

    What You Need To Know

    • The Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement is at 355 4th St. N., St. Petersburg

    • Nearly 1,000 works are on display

    The Clearwater native traveled through half a dozen states before her studies and career landed her teaching Tampa Bay residents about decorative art.

    “So the Arts and Crafts Movement comes at the rise of the Industrial Revolution as an answer to not only factory made mass-produced objects, but also as an answer to highly ornate Victorian objects,” Morgan said.

    It was to be simplified designs inspired by nature and one-of-a-kind objects — functional as well as beautiful.

    “And so you can see that they have been used, whether it’s some staining on the top of a table or on top of the sideboard over here,” said Morgan. “And that really just shows that these pieces had a life before they came here with us.”

    Morgan says her return to town is framed by the continuing rise of the arts in St. Pete.

    “And to be part of this museum, which really is one of a kind. We are the only museum in the world dedicated to the American Arts and Crafts movement,” said Morgan. “So to be part of that, I think is really special.”

    Nearly 1,000 works are on display to honor this turn of the 20th Century American movement.

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    Virginia Johnson

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  • Anclote River Park redevelopment to be discussed at meeting

    Anclote River Park redevelopment to be discussed at meeting

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    PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — For some who live near Anclote River Park, it is an escape. Many who live in Pasco County consider it one of the county’s best beaches. Many are against redevelopment. They want to see it remain as is. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Anclote River Park has a deep history of Native American mounds and a Spanish well 

    • The county is considering major upgrades to the park, including a possible restaurant

    • Opposition to the redevelopment has gained a lot of support, more than 5,600 people have signed a petition against redevelopment 

    On Monday night, Pasco County officials are holding a meeting that will include people who are against the redevelopment. One of those people includes Linda Blake. She lives in New Port Richey and has been visiting the park for years. 

    “Pasco County doesn’t have a lot of beaches. It’s not like Pinellas county with all the sandy beaches,” Blake said.

    The county is considering major upgrades to the park, including a possible restaurant.

    Opponents to the project say that the park is not only a great destination to enjoy the outdoors but holds a historical aspect with a Spanish well and a Native American burial mound. The county hired a consultant who discovered historical artifacts. Those who oppose the restaurant say they are open to having some of the facilities already there upgraded. 

    Spectrum News reached out to the project developer, Keith Overton, who said right now it’s too early to talk about what may or may not come out of tonight’s meeting. 

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    Jeff Van Sant

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  • Raleigh realtor aims to boost Black homeownership

    Raleigh realtor aims to boost Black homeownership

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    A Raleigh realtor talks about boosting Black homeownership in the Triangle.

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    Siobhan Riley

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  • Powell student wins prize in C-SPAN’s StudentCam Competition

    Powell student wins prize in C-SPAN’s StudentCam Competition

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    POWELL, Ohio — Competition for C-SPAN’s 20th annual StudentCam was tough. Thousands of students from 42 states participated. They took on tough topics while showcasing their video-making skills, and one of the prize winners is from Ohio. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Ben Kurian from Powell, Ohio wins 2nd place in the 2024 C-SPAN StudentCam middle school division and ‘fan favorite’

    • He covered ‘career exploration’ in his winning video submission

    • Kurian shot and edited the entire video, even making the music for it

    • Kurian won $1,500 from the judged competition, and an additional $500 from winning ‘fan favorite’

    Thirteen-year-old Ben Kurian plays piano and chess, oh, and he also placed in C-SPAN’s Nationwide StudentCam Competition two years straight.

    Kurian’s video won first place in the middle school division last year, and this year, his video won second and ‘fan favorite.’

    “I thought I had a decent chance to make it a pretty good video,” Kurian said.

    He picked career exploration as his topic for the video.

    “Twenty-five percent of 15-year-olds could not name what job they wanted to have at 30,” Kurian said. “It creates something called the career exposure gap, and that, that’s something that we really don’t want to see in our youth. It’s really important that we know what jobs are out there and what we are capable of.”

    Kurian shot and edited the entire video, even making the music. 

    “I got the opportunity to compose my own piece and soundtrack for this documentary,” he said.

    In his video, it poses the question ‘Who do I want to be?’

    If Kurian had to answer that, he said, “personally, I want to go into the medical field, a psychiatrist maybe because I think their service is really much needed in our community.”

    As for his future in video editing, he plans to continue making informational videos. 

    But until then, he’ll continue entering the StudentCam competition, hoping for more wins.

    Kurian won $1,500 from the judged competition, and an additional $500 from winning ‘fan favorite’. He said he plans on saving his winnings for college. 

    To watch Kurian’s full documentary, go here.

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    Aliah Keller

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  • Residents of Inverness Village 4 waiting for action on road improvements

    Residents of Inverness Village 4 waiting for action on road improvements

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    INVERNESS, Fla. — Frustration is at an all-time high for residents of Inverness Village 4 as development in the new community had to be put on pause after roads remained unfinished and, at times, undriveable.

    What You Need To Know

    • Residents of Inverness Village 4 say they are frustrated over the treatment, or lack thereof, of their roads

    • The issue was discussed at Tuesday night’s Citrus County Board of County Commissioner’s meeting, leaving some residents feeling less optimistic than before

    • Development in the new community had to be put on pause after roads remained unfinished and, at times, undriveable

    • County staff will be meeting staff from the city of Inverness to discuss other solutions

    The issue was discussed at the Citrus County Board of County Commission meeting on Tuesday. Some residents said that meeting left them feeling less optimistic than before.

    Among those residents was Fernando Martinez, who has been calling the village home for a year.

    “Love the house, love the neighborhood,” he said. “The infrastructure that the county has allowed, or not allowed, to be done on these homes is what’s causing the problem.”

    For as long as Martinez has been living in Inverness Village 4, he said the unpaved roads have looked dilapidated, cracked and, at times, crumbling apart from rainfall.

    “It’s all been since day one, a violation,” he said. “They should have been stopped after the two houses, not after the first 150 or 200 houses that have been built.”

    Commissioners say they are considering a plan to require underground stormwater systems be installed for new home construction in the neighborhood. The rule would also apply to existing homeowners who add concrete for things like pools or sheds.

    The plan seems to be a temporary fix, rather than a long-term solution, Martinez said — something he said he won’t be getting his hopes up for anytime soon.

    “Hoping is for preachers and nuns and I’m neither one,” said Martinez. “We’ll see what shows up. It’s like they have the ball in their court and they’re bouncing it around. That’s all they’re doing.”

    Citrus County’s Board of Commissioners will meet again next on April 23. County staff members say they will also be meeting staff from the city of Inverness to discuss other solutions on April 19.

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    Calvin Lewis

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  • The promise to preserve: Protecting Wake County farmland

    The promise to preserve: Protecting Wake County farmland

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    WAKE COUNTY, N.C. – Peace and quiet just outside the city is harder and harder to come by, but one farmer has succeeded in ensuring his land stays that way. 

     

    What You Need To Know

    The Bailey Farm dedication is the largest single county dedication in North Carolina

    The Triangle Land Conservancy and Wake County’s Farmland Preservation worked together to protect 125 acres

    In the past 40 years, the Triangle Land Conservancy has protected 25,000 acres

     

    Jim Bailey enjoying working on his farm in Wake County (Spectrum News 1/Rachel Boyd)

    Land is a hot commodity today in North Carolina as developers look to build homes to meet the demands of the growing population, but with the help of Triangle Land Conservancy and Wake County’s Farmland Preservation Program, 125 acres of farmland on the border of Wake and Johnston counties are now protected in perpetuity, making it the largest single county dedication in the entire state.

    Jim Bailey has never been a farmer but his Uncle Cedric was, and he grew up learning with him on the farm. To his complete surprise, he inherited the property when his uncle passed in 2014.

    “We did not know anything. All we knew was we got a call from a lawyer, Kirk Law Practice in Wendell, and he told us we need to come down,” he recalled. “And we came down, and that’s when we saw the note from Cedric. And the note said, ‘Jim, I hope you enjoy this land as much as I have. Give all you can to the Lord, and I hope you won’t plant this land in houses.’”

    Bailey has been working to preserve the land ever since, and although it may have taken 10 years, this dedication fulfills his uncle’s final wish at long last. Triangle Land Conservancy has been working to preserve land in the Triangle for 40 years; so far they’ve protected 25,000 acres.

    Jim Bailey gives a hayride and farm tour to members of Triangle Land Conservancy (Spectrum News 1/Rachel Boyd)

    “I’ve had people come by quite often and want to ask me if I’m interested in selling the land,” Bailey said. “I’m not against development. But I do think sometimes they just put it right on top of each other.”

    The Wake Soil and Water Conservation District has certified that 75% of the soil on the Bailey Farm is considered prime farmland. 

    “We don’t have any more land, you know, this is it,” Bailey said. “You get back here and you just feel like you’re way away from civilization.”

    The Bailey’s received this year’s Patrick H Johnson Farmland Preservation Award for their work to protect the county’s soil, water, farms, wildlife and environment. Although the land cannot be developed, it can continue to be used for agriculture or be used for parks and recreation space in the future if the family ever decides to sell.

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    Rachel Boyd

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  • Conservation plan drafted for bat on the endangered list

    Conservation plan drafted for bat on the endangered list

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    BOONE, N.C. — Andy Sicard, superintendent at Grandfather Mountain State Park, says the park has over 73 rare and endangered species, including the Virginia big-eared bat.

    He says the bats are extremely sensitive to human disturbance, so they check on them biannually.

    What You Need To Know

    • The NCWRC is asking the public to comment on a draft Virginia big-eared bat conservation plan

    • The big-eared bat is on the endangered list

    • The bats are extremely sensitive to human disturbance

    “We are gentle. We don’t try to handle any of them if we don’t have to. In handling them, it’s very rare, so basically try to count how many there are so we sit real still,” Sicard said.

    He says for many years they only knew where the bats were in the winter, but now they know where they live in the summer as well.

    Sicard said they keep the bats’ location a secret to protect them but said all caves in North Carolina are off limits.

    “It is a globally in-peril species, so it’s a G4 category, which basically means if anyone is disturbing that habitat or trying to interfere with the bats themselves could be criminally charged,” Sicard said.

    He said the bats like it between 34 and 54 degrees, so even having humans go into the caves changes the temperature enough that they will leave.

    They remind everyone not to go near the bats because the bat is so small, and they must be protected.

     

    Related Stories

    Endangered bat species in western N.C. could get some help with a new conservation plan

     

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    Rose Eiklor

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  • Myakka City rancher produces movie to bring more filmmakers to Florida

    Myakka City rancher produces movie to bring more filmmakers to Florida

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    MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Why aren’t more movies filmed in Florida? Our state was at the top of the list for film locations, but since Florida no longer gives incentives, there have been fewer movies filmed in the Sunshine State.

    The film industry was at one time wildly successful in Florida. State data shows the industry generated $3.9 billion of revenue way back in 2000.  

    But the decision to end film incentives in 2016 has led moviemakers to leave the state.

    Film Florida estimates in the last ten years, Florida has lost at least 100 major film and television projects because of the lack of incentives.

    They estimate those projects would have created:

    • Close to $2 billion in money spent
    • 150,000 cast and crew jobs
    • And 300,000 hotel or short-term rental room nights

    What You Need To Know

    • Film Florida estimates in the last ten years, Florida has lost at least 100 major film and television projects because of the lack of incentives

    • Mark Pentecost wants to bring more filmakers to Florida

    • He says with his new movie “Florida Wild” it will show the public what Florida was like back in the 1880s and how vital ranching is for our lives

    Mark Pentecost is in love with what Florida offers.

    “I love it out here. This is my favorite place,” he said.

    He moved to Myakka City in 2011 from Michigan to start his own ranch, and since his initial purchase, his property has grown from 300 acres to 10,000 acres.

    “We got 1,200 beef cows and probably 7 or 800 calves on the ground right now. We feed so many of America, and people don’t realize that we do that in Florida,” he said.

    He’s wanted to be a cowboy for years, not just in real life but also on the big screen.

    “When I was a little kid, we would go to my grandpa’s on Saturdays and watch westerns. I’m doing this in his honor. Only in America, I believe if you have a big dream, you can go after it,” he said.

    So he brought the big screen to his ranch, producing a western movie called “Florida Wild” that takes place in the 1880s. Mark has invested more than $10 million to film the movie on his property.

    “It was my dream to do this movie here on our ranch. What I didn’t realize is that Florida has one of three states with zero incentives — no incentives to do movies here. We got 250 people on set every day and 100 people locally working on set. We are putting money back into the economy,” he said.

    He says if he had shot the movie in Georgia, he would have gotten 30% back in incentives, a $3 million rebate. But he was determined to film at his home despite the cost.

    “It’s a pricey endeavor, but it makes me laugh. I’m pioneering like they did in the old days to try to get more movies brought back to Florida. So hopefully,” he said.

    Mark also hired local residents to replicate a real western town and build about 10 structures like a jail, a saloon, and stores. He aims to show what ranching was like in Florida in the 19th century.

    “This is real Florida back after the Civil War. So many people moved to Florida and started new lives, and I want to show that, that’s where legacy comes from, and ranches. If we don’t bring attention to that and our ranches, we will close that like our citrus,” he said.

    Mark’s goal is to show people a different side of Florida.

    “Westerns really originated here. The Spanish brought horses and cattle here first. We are really trying to bring that to life and not let that be forgotten in a day of building so many developments, condos, and golf courses. We want them to remember what Florida was really about,” he said.

    He’s honoring the heritage of the state and hoping it inspires moviemakers to return to Florida.

    Mark says he plans on hosting field trips to his ranch to show students what a movie set looks like to inspire young minds to think about going into the movie industry. Mark says he anticipates the movie to be in theaters by 2025.

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    Julia Hazel

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  • Nonprofit starts program to give free produce to seniors

    Nonprofit starts program to give free produce to seniors

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    PINELLAS PARK, Fla. — A nonprofit in Pinellas County is launching a new program designed to deliver fresh produce to seniors in the area.

    What You Need To Know

    • A nonprofit in Pinellas County, Saving Our Seniors, has created a new program called ProducePac

    • The program provides free boxes of fresh produce for seniors for every box that’s purchased by someone in the community

    • According to Saving Our Seniors’ founder Kelli Casto, she hopes the money that’s generated through ProducePac will lead to her to be able to help double the number of senior citizens she’s currently helping

    • ProducePac had its soft launch on April 6

    It’s called ProducePac, and it’s being started by the organization Saving Our Seniors, where every box of produce that’s purchased by a customer will lead to a free box going to a senior citizen.

    Kelli Casto is the founder of Saving our Seniors, a nonprofit organization that originally helped folks with finding durable medical equipment.

    Being an occupational therapist for 15 years, that was her expertise, but when the COVID-19 pandemic began, many of her clients were having trouble finding good produce.

    After some time just recommending places, Casto decided to add on produce delivery to saving our seniors, which has become the main thing for years now.

    “We started our farmers market, literally in our Chevy Malibu, and we’ve grown it, you know, from just like 50 spots to having over 180 different locations that we service monthly,” Casto said.

    Now, she’s upgraded from the Malibu, using a van to pack products for folks she’s delivering to and currently serving about 14,000 seniors a month.

    “Just in the last year or two,” said Casto. “We’ve really expanded.”

    But with that growth and the desire to purchase fresh produce from local farmer’s markets, fundraising and finances have gotten tight.

    So, Casto’s solution is through ProducePac.

    “This is a way for you to get fresh produce and then, in return, feed a senior in our community,” Casto said.

    According to Casto, there are two size options for these boxes of produce. Some of the money that a person spends on the box will be used to buy the exact same box to give to a senior citizen for free.

    “We’ll be able to have a little bit of money left over that will fund the ability to feed a senior in the community,” Casto said.

    Which means a lot to Casto, because she constantly is waking up at three in the morning to go buy these fruits and veggies to give away.

    “Being able to just help one person and helping others is key,” she said.

    Which is why so many people are lining up in a parking lot in Pinellas Park to get fruits and veggies from Casto, because her goal is to make sure no senior citizen goes hungry.

    Casto said she did a soft launch of ProducePac on April 6.

    She hopes to double the number of senior citizens she serves in the bay area from 14,000 to 28,000 with the introduction of ProducePac.

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    Nick Popham

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  • Oldsmar resident travels to New York to view the total solar eclipse

    Oldsmar resident travels to New York to view the total solar eclipse

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    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — The rare total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, is attracting many Tampa Bay area sky gazers.

    Mike Tierney lives in Oldsmar. However, he is traveling to upstate New York on Friday to be in the path of the total solar eclipse.

    “This is more of a science thing,” Tierney said when trying to explain his fascination with the eclipse.

    He called it nature at its finest.

    “It’s a once in a lifetime thing and it just happened to be going through my hometown,” Tierney said.

    He was raised in Medina, near Buffalo, New York. That’s where he will spend about four minutes, watching the sun cover the moon.

    To get ready to watch the total solar eclipse, his wife purchased special glasses for him to protect his eyes.

    Tierney said he’ll wear them before and after the eclipse.

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    Dalia Dangerfield

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  • Parents concerned over Pasco County Schools’ PIP policy for students with autism

    Parents concerned over Pasco County Schools’ PIP policy for students with autism

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    PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — Some Pasco County parents are worried about what may happen with their children’s PIP services, or “Private Instructional Personnel.” Primarily, families with children who have autism. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Parents want to meet with district leaders to discuss current PIP policy 

    • PIP services include things like ABA Therapy

    • The current policy allows for limits on when, where and how long services can be offered in schools

    Part of their treatment plan from their doctor often includes an ABA therapist, who goes to school with the child for a prescribed amount of time, giving them the one-on-one therapy they may need to be successful in the classroom. Now, parents are worried the therapists may not be allowed in the classrooms.

    Every day after school, Jessica Sibler and her son, Elliot, spend time together working on school subjects.

    “Elliot has autism, but he is the most intelligent kid I know. He’s wildly smart, and he loves to hug, he loves to cuddle, he loves everything else every five-year-old loves,” Sibler said.

    Before moving to Florida, Sibler worked for agencies serving children and adults with disabilities, so she knew the signs of autism, and says she had concerns early on with Elliot, but his official diagnosis came when he was four-years-old. His doctor prescribed ABA therapy, or Applied Behavior Analyst.

    “Every kid is different, they can get between 10 to 40 hours a week of therapy and so if you’re talking about a kid who is in school full time, plus they’re supposed to have 40 hours of prescribed therapy, that’s two full-time jobs, so being able to combine the two is beneficial,” she said.

    Right now, Elliot is in pre-K, and as the family prepares for him to enter kindergarten, Sibler started looking into Pasco County Schools’ PIP policy, explained in a packet.

    “This new policy says that the services are to be provided to students during non-core settings such as cafeteria, lunch, recess, bus and non-core academic subjects outside the classroom. That’s pretty significant because if you think of kids who need this ABA therapy, to say that they don’t need it in the classroom is pretty significant,” she said, as she read from the PIP packet.

    It also states the “best practice for observation is a maximum of two hours at one time in the classroom,” which concerns Sibler.

    She said right now they plan on doing Elliot’s ABA therapy after school, but if he struggles to transition to kindergarten, having his ABA therapist in school is the best option. But she worries that may not even be an option.

    “We want the option that if that doesn’t work, that we can move it into the school so he does get that therapy, or if he goes into kindergarten and struggles that he can get that therapy. Kindergarten is going to look a lot different,” she said.

    Sibler hopes to meet with district officials to review the PIP policy, so students like Elliot have access to the help they need to succeed. 

    Pasco County Schools said they follow state statute when writing the PIP policy. They say it’s a convenience to allow various therapies to be offered during school hours, and the policy doesn’t exclude a student from receiving those services, but it does give principals the right to decide when it’s appropriate to allow outside therapists into the school.

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    Fallon Silcox

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  • Glass Animals tour coming to Ohio

    Glass Animals tour coming to Ohio

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    OHIO — Known for their hits like “Heat Waves” and “The Other Side of Paradise,” Glass Animals announced a tour on Thursday with two stops slated in Ohio. 

    “Tour of Earth” will be coming to Blossom in Cuyahoga Falls on Aug. 21, and also to Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati on Aug. 25. 

    Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on April 11 both on glassanimals.com and livenation.com. Presale starts April 9.

    Additional, the group announced its fourth studio album, “I Love You So F****** Much,” which comes out July 19. 

    For a full list of tour dates, click here.

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    Lydia Taylor

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  • Missing person identification gives hope to other Tampa Bay cases

    Missing person identification gives hope to other Tampa Bay cases

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    TAMPA, Fla. — Last week, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office alongside the Polk County Sheriff’s Office were able to bring closure to the family of Kelly Vazquez.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said in a missing persons case update, the remains found in September of 2023 were that of Kelly Vazquez, who had been missing since 2021
    • The case is revitalizing hope for Canitha Taylor, whose daughter, Cieha, went missing in 2020
    • She runs a Facebook page giving updates on her daughter’s case and other missing persons cases

    According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, remains were found in September of last year. Those remains were later identified as that of Vazquez, who was deemed missing since 2021.

    The discovery is helping to bring hope to many other cases in Hillsborough County.

    One of those cases is that of Cieha Taylor. Her mother, Canitha Taylor, said her daughter was fun, loving and had a contagious smile.

    It’s been four years since her daughter was last seen in Plant City.

    On Feb. 6, 2020 Cieha was at a home with her boyfriend. Later that evening, her car was found on railroad tracks in Plant City.

    The car was abandoned, left running with the door open. Cieha’s phone was on the ground, her wallet still inside the car.

    “It feels like you separate yourself from reality,” Canitha said of the aftermath of her daughter’s disappearance. “Everything is going in slow motion and fast forwarding at the same time. It’s a nightmare.”

    According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the case is still open and active.

    Canitha says since then they haven’t given up their hope to see Cieha again.

    “We’ll retell the story of what happened and just keep her name out there so that it stays in people’s minds,” she said.

    Through a Facebook page known as Finding Cieha, the family shares updates about her disappearance and that of other young women in Hillsborough County.

    The family has even offered a $10,000 reward to anyone who might know where Cieha is.

    “To not know, the not knowing is worse,” said Canitha.

    Now, as she holds on to memories with her daughter, Canitha says she’s thankful for the community support that’s kept her going through this dark time.

    The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office says every contribution, no matter how small, plays a pivotal role in bringing closure to families and ensuring a swift resolution.

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    Lizbeth Gutierrez

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  • Art in Bloom draws thousands in pursuit of floral beauty

    Art in Bloom draws thousands in pursuit of floral beauty

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Floral designer Cassie Osterloth is getting ready for “Art in Bloom,” a floral interpretation of a chosen work at the Museum of Fine Arts St. Petersburg.

    What You Need To Know

    • Art in Bloom at the Museum of Fine Arts St. Petersburg

    • It’s set for April 4 – 7

    • Hours: Thursday – Saturday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

    • Sunday: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.

    “What I like about it is it is something totally different than what I do from day-to-day, while it’s still working with flowers,” said Osterloth.

    Osterloth has participated in 26 out of the 27 years of Art in Bloom.

    And she is always looking for a challenge as she creates at her shop Wonderland Floral Art and Gift Loft in St. Pete.

    She chose the installation “Debris Pile.”

    It’s pieces of manmade objects — broken, strewn about and covered in mosaic tiles.

    It’s a take on the negative ecological effects of commercial production by artist Jason Middlebrook.

    “So what I am looking at and what I’m trying to mimic in the florals are the different color patterns and the repetitive colors that you see here with these mosaic tiles,” said Osterloth.

    The event brings flower lovers to the MFA St. Petersburg.

    “People are more familiar with flowers and therefore they can come in, appreciate them as the art form that they are, but also be exposed to the art within the museum,” said Osterloth.

    It’s floral art as the bridge to fine art.

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    Virginia Johnson

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  • Safety Harbor family center received $1.4M for expansion project

    Safety Harbor family center received $1.4M for expansion project

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    SAFETY HARBOR, Fla. — The Mattie Williams Neighborhood Family Center has received $1.4 million from Pinellas County and the City of Safety Harbor for a much needed expansion project, according to executive director David Hale.

    What You Need To Know

    • Pinellas County and Safety Harbor donated $1.4M for center expansion  

    • Mattie Williams Center needs extra space for food pantry 

    • The need for food more than doubled during the pandemic   

    • The project is expected to be complete by late summer

    “We are so grateful to Pinellas County. They are the largest funder of this project at nearly $1 million,” he said. “This project would not have happened without Janet Hooper. This is her will and vision.”

    Janet Hooper, 73, has been with the center for 16 years and was its longest serving executive director. Hooper volunteered to chair the committee for expansion and said it was her vision two years ago to see the project happen before she retired.

    “I’m ecstatic. I can’t even tell you,” she said. “I almost cried when the county came through with extra funding.”

    Hooper said during the pandemic the need for food more than doubled from 10,000 to 23,000 people, and that number has not come down. Storing all of that extra food in the small facility at 1003 Martin Luther King Jr. St. N. has become overwhelming, according to Hooper.

    “It’s an incredible amount of food that you process through,” she said. “Everybody’s office wasn’t an office anymore. It became this storage area.”

    The 27-year-old center, which has been at its current location since 2000, added a big storage shed to the property during the pandemic but it too filled up quickly, according to Hooper.

    “By the time it was built it was already obsolete, so to speak,” she said. “We needed even more space.”

    County and city leaders gathered at the Mattie Williams Center on Feb. 28 for a groundbreaking ceremony. The project is expected to be complete by late summer and will add 1,545 square-feet of new building, which includes a multi-purpose room that can hold more than 100 people.

    “We are going to make sure this facility grows for the folks who are depending on us,” said Hale. “You can see where our current reception area becomes a much nicer welcome area for folks.”

    The center serves Safety Harbor, Oldsmar and eastern Clearwater. Last year, the center delivered 77,000 pounds of food to approximately 7,660 households where 7,400 kids live. The center also provides family services and utility assistance.

    “We are the lifeline for a lot of people in the community,” said Hooper. “We’re about feeding people, we’re about trying to give people an opportunity and give them hope.”

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    Josh Rojas

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  • Chimney Rock State Park continues Easter sunrise tradition

    Chimney Rock State Park continues Easter sunrise tradition

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    CHIMNEY ROCK, N.C. — As communities across the world celebrate their own Easter traditions, a western North Carolina community continues to welcome the day with the sun. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Chimney Rock has been hosting an Easter sunrise service for almost 70 years
    • Many people travel across the state and country to attend
    • The tradition is followed by the opening of the trails at Chimney Rock State Park, where visitors can hike and explore after the service


    Spending Easter morning at Chimney Rock State Park begins with mountain lights and layers to stay warm. 

    “For at least the last decade, the last seven or eight years, with my best friends here, we all join every year and get up and make the trek,” Pamela Paulus said.

    This is a tradition Paulus looks forward to each year.

    “My entire adult life I’ve taken my children from little itty bitty ones, wrapped up in blankets, to my best friends, for the last seven and eight years,” Paulus said. “I find it so wonderful to wake up and even say, ‘This morning the Lord’s risen. What a joyful day! This is so awesome to get up in great weather and see the rising sun go up with it.”

    Paulus’ group this Easter included a friend who traveled across the country to attend.

    “Another friend comes from Alaska,” Paulus said. “We get up every year, even during the pandemic, and find a way to go and celebrate Easter morning together.”

    Her best friend, Dari Tritt, also finds the experience inspiring, while taking in the nature of Chimney Rock. 

    “I feel a real connection in that walk, that’s what’s most important to me,” Tritt said. “God, when I’m in nature, that’s a connecting point with me; actually walking, physically walking, and nature rising as the sun and the rising of Jesus, the rising of our spirits.”

    Chimney Rock has been hosting this renown non-denominational service for almost 70 years, which includes spiritual music, songs and scripture.

    The tradition at Chimney Rock is followed by the opening of the trails at Chimney Rock State Park, where visitors can hike and explore after the service.

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    Samantha Narson

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  • Military high schooler honored during Women’s History Month

    Military high schooler honored during Women’s History Month

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    CLEARWATER, Fla. — Joining the Florida Army National Guard is a commitment that few take on. 

    It’s even more unusual to enlist while still in high school, but that’s the commitment Alexandria Goodin, a senior at Hollins High School in St. Petersburg, took on. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Alexandria Goodin joined the Florida Army National Guard at 17 years old

    • Goodin got to take part in a special ceremony as the shortest-serving member at the event

    • Phyllis Wilson, the President of the Military Women’s Memorial, is excited to see what Goodin accomplishes in the future

    She joined shortly after turning 17 years old.

    “I was told that I couldn’t, so I did,” she said. “That’s why I went to join the military. I wanted to push myself to the greatest point I could.”

    Now 18, she spent the night of March 28 surrounded by other women in the military who left their mark, like Phyllis Wilson. 

    Wilson, the President of the Military Women’s Memorial and one of the keynote speakers at the Tribute to Women in Defense event, is someone Goodin looks up to. 

    “These women have fought so hard in the challenges and breakthroughs that they have gone through to allow me to be in the army today, and to allow the comfortability and the safety of today’s society is something I’m so grateful for,” Goodin said. 

    As the shortest-serving member at the event, Goodin spent a special moment with Wilson, the longest-serving member, passing two coins between the two of them.  

    “To be recognized by her is something I’ll forever cherish,” Goodin said. 

    Wilson spent nearly 40 years in the military before taking on her current role for the Military Women’s Memorial. She said this is a special tradition and can’t wait to see what Goodin takes on in the future.

    “It’s so much fun to watch the wide-eyed, the excitement that she has in her eyes, what she’s looking forward to, and what she certainly can yet imagine she’s going to do,” she said. 

    Goodin said the coins shining in her hands are a reminder that her journey is just starting.

    Next up, she will be studying political science at the University of South Florida, followed by law school.

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    Matt Lackritz

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  • Eclipse watch party to support historic archaeological park

    Eclipse watch party to support historic archaeological park

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    DAYTON, Ohio — On April 8, several major cities in Ohio are in the path of totality during the solar eclipse. Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to visit the Buckeye State, and costs are going up.

    In Dayton, hotel prices are up more than $100 for the night of April 8, and the cost for flights keeps on climbing. When it comes to watching the eclipse, it comes down to personal preference.

    Many will be viewing it from large free watch parties, others from their backyards, and some will use it as a way to give back to a favorite charity or their community.

    What You Need To Know

    • As hundreds of thousands of people plan to visit Ohio for the eclipse, prices are going up for hotels, plane tickets, and many people are making plans. Some choose to spend money traveling and others might use the eclipse as a way to give back

    • A small high-end event will be held at Sunwatch Indian Village in Dayton to help preserve the historical site

    • Ticket costs are $500

    At Sunwatch Indian Village in Dayton, it’s not just going to be a party, but it’s a major fundraiser to help preserve ancient history.

    “Sunwatch is an 800-year-old Native American site located along the banks of the Great Miami,” said Taylor Hoffman with the Dayton Society of Natural History as she gave a tour.

    Hoffman’s first job was at Sunwatch as the site manager.  

    “So what we’ve done is we’ve reconstructed part of the village on the exact footprint where we found the things that we found, the archaeological footprint,” Hoffman said as the tour continued.

    Over the years, the Solstice House was reconstructed along with the Stockade.

    The markers on the ground are where historical house patterns once were.

    “Sunwatch is laid out really cool in a very intentional way. It’s laid out in concentric rings,” Hoffman said.

     From ceremonial buildings to a burial ring, Sunwatch has been a hot spot for learning since the late 80s and a staple for Dayton-area field trips.

    On April 8, it will look a bit different.

    “We have a very small, high-end event for up to 150 people and what we’re going to do is we are going to watch the sun, we’re going to learn about Sunwatch, and our astronomer is going to tell us all about what a solar eclipse is when it happens at 3:10 p.m. So we’re very excited,” Hoffman said.

    From 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., people can explore, walk the grounds and celebrate the season.

    “We’ll have educational tours, you’ll get to go inside the houses and we’ll have staff on hand to talk to you about all the different stops on the tour. We also might have our archaeological dig pit educational activities going that day too,” said Hoffman.

    The event will be the largest fundraiser to date for the site.

    “The price is $500 a ticket which does seem steep, but it is a fundraiser for us and it will come directly to Sunwatch and come right back here to help us maintain these buildings, build new buildings, do more research, and kind of protect the site and raise awareness for it as well,” Hoffman said.

    The last total solar eclipse visible in Ohio was in 1806 and the next won’t pass through until 2099, so people are ready to celebrate in a big way.

    On the menu are bison burgers, bison chili, mimosas with Sunny D, moon pies and Sun Chips.

    While the event will certainly make a difference for Sunwatch and its centuries of history, for Hoffman it’s a day that comes full circle.

    “Sunwatch has always had a place in my heart since I was little because growing up here we always come for a field trip. So I’ve always been interested in history and my background is actually history and anthropology, so I think it’s really cool that I get to see a once in a lifetime event at a once in a lifetime place like Sunwatch,” Hoffman said.

    It’s a once in a lifetime event with several precious minutes to spend however you choose.  

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    Alese Underwood

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  • Hopping into Easter fun this weekend around Tampa Bay

    Hopping into Easter fun this weekend around Tampa Bay

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    By

    Spectrum News Staff

    Tampa

    UPDATED 12:33 PM ET Mar. 28, 2024
    PUBLISHED 4:39 PM ET Mar. 27, 2024
    PUBLISHED 4:39 PM EDT Mar. 27, 2024

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Citrus County approves grant to help combat pollution on the Homosassa River

    Citrus County approves grant to help combat pollution on the Homosassa River

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    HOMOSASSA, Fla. — Efforts to help conserve the Homosassa River are underway in Citrus County. Commissioners formally approved a grant that would help combat pollution of the river.

    What You Need To Know

    • Citrus County commissioners have approved a grant that will help deal with pollution on the Homosassa River

    • The grant is part of an agreement between the county and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to provide a little more than $3 million in a springs grant

    • It’s part of an ongoing old Homosassa septic-to-sewer project designed to improve water quality

    It’s part of an agreement between the county and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to provide $3 million in a springs grant.

    The county has made it a priority, replacing commercial and residential sewage disposal systems with central sewer connections, reducing pollution to the Homosassa spring-shed. It’s part of an ongoing old Homosassa septic-to-sewer project designed to improve water quality.

    It’s a project that is resonating with residents.

    “It’s more community based out here,” says Marilyn Griffin, while cruising the streets of Homosassa in her golf cart.

    She’s been calling the area home for the last year. Drawn by its beautiful surroundings and serenity of nature.

    “Just like we’re doing now, our furry friends come with us and it’s just great,” says Griffin. “You can ride around, enjoy the scenery and enjoy the peacefulness.”

    But living on the river, Griffin says, hasn’t been all peaceful recently. A few signs of pollution have made their way in her own backyard.

    “The main thing that I see every day is plastic that washes up. A flip-flop will wash up, straws, cans, plastic bags, netting, things like that may fly out of a boat,” she said.

    Some of those pollutants are often invisible to the naked eye.

    One solution is the creation of berms, like the one seen in her own backyard.

    “It keeps all the pesticides or whatever you use in your yard from flowing back into the river,” Griffin said. “We have retention ponds in the front yard, for any runoff goes into the retention ponds, which is the sewer and water lines.”

    Not every home has a berm to protect their home, like Griffin. But it could be a difference, she says, in conserving the river in the long run.

    “This is our main tourist attraction, and it’s absolutely worth saving,” says Griffin.

    Ensuring the protection of the river for future generations.

    The capital improvement project includes construction of 3,400 feet of force main sewage along Mason Creek Road. It also includes a new subregional sewer lift station and upgrading an existing onsite lift station.

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    Calvin Lewis

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