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Tag: APP Latest Human Interest Stories

  • Despite serious diagnoses, young woman carries on crochet business

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    ORLANDO, Fla. — There are times the life we imagine for ourselves is at odds with our reality.

    But, Mei Ashton isn’t letting her reality, dealing with various health concerns — diagnoses of four rare illnesses — dim her light nor crush her endless optimism.

    “I think you should also say what good is happening to you than what bad, then you can also say, ‘This could be worse,’” she said.

    What You Need To Know

    • Doctors diagnosed Mei Ashton with gastroparesis, a delayed stomach emptying, as a teen

    • She suffered from debilitating pain, and was unable to walk across her high school graduation stage

    • Ashton leaned upon her single mother, as well as research into nutrition to tackle her illness

    • She began crocheting for comfort, but turned the pastime into a small business

    Several years ago, around the age of 15, the teenager suddenly found herself in constant great pain. When she wasn’t performing, singing on stage at places like the Dr. Phillips Center, or participating in an array of after-school activities, Ashton was enduring testing and doctors’ appointments. 

    Eventually, she was diagnosed with gastroparesis, a debilitating condition characterized by delayed emptying of the stomach and pain digesting food.

    “What was the hardest was watching her go through it and not be able to give her any answers,” said her mother, Jeannie Lee. “She suffered a lot, not being able to sleep, not being able to eat.”

    It launched Ashton, as well as her mother, on a journey of researching best practices, nutritional advice and non-surgical options — as Ashton worried about the potential risks associated with surgery. She tried holistic medicine, acupuncture, anything to relieve the pain.

    “The second I was diagnosed, I began researching what I can consume,” Ashton said. “I consume about 90 percent liquid, maybe 10 percent food. If I lose too much weight, I might risk having a feeding tube.”

    Later, all the teenager’s concerns were amplified as she was diagnosed with three other rare conditions, revolving around her arteries, connective tissue and renal veins.

    The situation was so dire that Ashton left school, opting to take online classes. Though she graduated early, she could not walk across the stage for her high school graduation.

    But everything turned around as Ashton found her own path forward.

    Behind her, a wall of memories from past trips with her mother serve as motivation to continue pushing forward. (Spectrum News/Julie Gargotta)

    She began walking after meals to stimulate digestion, honed her diet with supplements and carried her blender with her everywhere she went. She got brave, toting along the blender to foreign countries as she proudly displayed her graduation cap with a favorite quote from the movie, Mama Mia: “Life is short, the world is wide. I wanna make some memories.”

    Eventually, Ashton dropped from taking more than a dozen pills per day to zero.

    And she found a new outlet for her creativity, leaning into a hobby she picked up during the pandemic, as a way to find comfort and community: crocheting.

    “When I think of crochet, I think of relaxation, creativity. Really churns the gears in your head,” she said. 

    Ashton started selling crocheted goods at various places, from an online Etsy store to her favorite boba shop owned by a family friend. 

    She also designs patterns for crocheters around the world, with her mother explaining that more than 2,000 people in 65 countries have signed up for her daughter’s free patterns.

    “It’s like a musician that writes notes and sells music sheets,” she said. “She channeled a lot of her frustration into something good….So decided to build something out of it.”

    Locally, the teen curated a community of crocheters, teaching them her methods — for crafting and for getting through challenging times, be it teenage years or serious health concerns.

    It’s a gift, her mother described, that her daughter is capable of persevering and staying positive, even in dire situations.

    “She’s always been one to look on the bright side of things, never once seen herself as a victim. She has always wanted to one-up life,” Lee said. “She has grit that most people don’t have. It would be easier to have a feeding tube. And a lot of people don’t think she’s as sick as she is, because she makes it look so easy.”

    “A lot of people don’t realize how much one may be suffering when they don’t see, so I think by also bringing the awareness of rare diseases, people who have them feel talked about, they feel seen,” Ashton explained.

    The road has not been easy. Ashton is still, at times, overcome with the same insecurities many teenagers face—and then some due to her condition. She wonders aloud what it would be like to have a relationship, go on dates, and pines for the freedom of going out to restaurants or picking up fast food with her friends.

    Yet, Ashton’s manifesting a life for herself that is not defined by her health conditions, leaning on life lessons her single mother taught her, as well as what she learned thus far about herself to propel her forward.

    “If I keep thinking, I’m never going to get better, my stomach is going to get worse.… If I say, ‘I will get better, I will heal,’ I will find a way to be better,” she said. “I think I’ll always feel slightly insecure about the fact I am different than others and have rare diseases, but then I have to find that as a superpower. I’m able to cope with it all and figure out how to live my life with it.”

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    Julie Gargotta

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  • Efforts underway to save Chassahowitzka River Campground from potential sale

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    HOMOSASSA, Fla. — A popular campground in Citrus County will be closing this fall.

    The Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) will assess hurricane damage at the Chassahowitzka River Campground and could recommend selling the property.

    Efforts are underway to help save the campground from being sold.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Chassahowitzka River Campground will be closing Oct. 1 as the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) evaluates hurricane damage

    • According to SWFWMD, the campground saw a lot of damage from last year’s storms and may put the campground up for sale
    • But locals disagree with any sale, with an online petition going around, fighting against the sale of the campground
    • A protest is planned on Sept. 6 at the Publix parking lot at 9525 S. Suncoast Blvd. in Homosassa


    Standing under the greenery of the Chassahowitzka River Campground, Ryan McGovern breathes in the fresh air.

    “It’s pristine land, it’s beautiful, I wouldn’t want to see it go any other way,” he said. “I’ve been bringing my kids here since they were 5 years old, so probably about the last decade-and-a-half or so, they have learned to love nature coming out here. It gets them off of their electronic devices, and it shows them real old school Florida.”

    McGovern is taking in the view with little extra time. That’s because the campground will be closing Oct. 1, as SWFWMD estimates hurricane damage.

    “It made me very emotional,” McGovern said. “I was upset, I was mad. That morning, as soon as I saw that, I created the first petition. I got together with some other folks through social media. We’ve grown a group, and we’re moving forward with it.”

    According to SWFWMD, the campground saw a lot of damage from last year’s storms. The cost to restore the campground, the district says, is not an effective way to use taxpayer dollars with a potential sale on the horizon.

    “We would like to see it kept open,” said Elaine Moore, administrator for the campground. “We don’t mind whether we lease it through SWFWMD or the county, we’ve done both before, and we have worked it out. We would just like to see it stay open and be able to fulfill all the reservations that we have on the books.”

    But McGovern disagrees with any sale. It’s why he’s started an online petition, fighting against the sale of the campground. Plus, he has another petition.

    “We need to make sure this land is saved going forward,” he said.

    Already, his petitions have garnered more than 4,000 signatures from people who want to see the campground remain open, he says.

    “It just shows that people do not want development,” said McGovern. “They don’t want this land sold to the highest bidder. They don’t want corporate interests coming in here and ruining our Florida, and we need to keep it that way for our kids and their kids to enjoy for future generations.”

    So they too can enjoy these serene views.

    McGovern said they will be holding a protest on Sept. 6 in the Publix parking lot at 9525 S. Suncoast Blvd. from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. He says they will also be in attendance at next Tuesday’s Water Management meeting.

    Meanwhile, the parking area and boat ramp will remain open and under the control of Citrus County.

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    Calvin Lewis

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  • Pulse Memorial crosswalk on Orange Avenue repainted to meet state standards

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    ORLANDO, Fla. — Calling it a “cruel political act,” Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer is speaking out after the Florida Department of Transportation repainted a rainbow-colored crosswalk in Orlando overnight, which honored the 49 victims of the Pulse nightclub attack.

    However, the crosswalk was repainted to meet state standards after FDOT issued a memorandum in June stating that “all traffic control devices, including pavement surface markings, be compliant with the FDOT Design Manual and the Manual of Uniform Minimum Standards for Design, Construction and Maintenance for Streets and Highways, on all public roads, as applicable.”

    “This callous action of hastily removing part of a memorial to what was at the time our nation’s largest mass shooting, without any supporting safety data or discussion, is a cruel political act,” Dyer said in a Facebook post on Thursday.

    According to the memo, “non-standard surface markings, signage, and signals that do not directly contribute to traffic safety or control can lead to distractions or misunderstandings, jeopardizing both driver and pedestrian safety.

    Examples of non-compliant surface pavement would include any pavement markings that do not meet the color, shape or dimensions provided in the MUTCD or FDOT Standard Plans … or other pavement surface art that is associated with social, political, or ideological messages or images and does not serve the purpose of traffic control.”

    However, Dyer argues that it enhances safety and visibility for pedestrians visiting the Pulse memorial, and says it was approved by FDOT when it was installed in 2017. 

    “While the state works to erase the memory of the victims of the Pulse tragedy by painting over the crosswalk, our community’s commitment to honoring the 49, and completing the memorial, will never waver,” he said on Facebook.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Habitat for Humanity lends hand to Orange County residents after Chantal

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    RALEIGH, N.C. — It’s been more than a month since Tropical Storm Chantal swept over parts of North Carolina. People are continuing to rebuild and repair their lives and homes. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Habitat for Humanity of Orange County is fixing 12 Orange County homes damaged by Tropical Storm Chantal

    • The organization repairs and cleans up homes for low-income families after big storms

    • Repair crews help with everything from foundation or structural repairs to HVAC, electrical and plumbing


    Habitat for Humanity repair crews were hard at work recently fixing 12 Orange County homes damaged by Chantal. 

    Crews last week focused on four homes in the Weatherhill Pointe community in Carrboro.

    “That has been really a shock. And I think, like, I have PTSD right now because we didn’t expect it,” said resident Chea Terrell.   

    Terrell said that in her 19 years here, there had never been extreme flooding like this.

    Although she lives near a community pond, Terrell said she was told the area was not prone to flooding, and because of that, she canceled her flood insurance almost 8 years ago. 

    “FEMA declared the area a non-flooding area, and now here we are, we can’t rebuild the house,” said Terrell.

    Habitat for Humanity of Orange County repaired at least 25 homes last year in North Carolina, all of them a part of its home repair program.

    The organization repairs and cleans up homes for low-income families after big storms.

    “Everything was thrown out, everything from cabinets to clothes to everything. Appliances. Everything was gone,” said Terrell.

    Terrell said until the work is done, she and her husband are staying with friends. Having survived the storm, she’s thankful and looks forward to rebuilding her life with her family in a new house.

    “We didn’t know where to get the money to repair the house. So when Habitat came, it was a blessing,” said Terrell.  

    Repair crews help with everything from foundation or structural repairs to HVAC, electrical and plumbing.

    Habitat for Humanity said it’s continuing other outreach projects as it focuses on repairs from Chantal.

    These repairs can take several months, and the entire project in Orange County will take about 2 years to complete.

     

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    Jatrissa Wooten

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  • Lakeland barbershop helps young man facing homelessness

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    LAKELAND, Fla. — One Lakeland barbershop is transforming more than just hairstyles — it’s helping change lives in the community through its scholarship fund.

    What You Need To Know

    • After serving time in jail and experiencing homelessness, Deron Gregg turned his life around with the help of Barber Skate Shop

    • Barber Skate Shop owner Jairus Rutherford provides scholarships to Polk County residents looking to pursue education and career paths

    • Thanks to the scholarship, 33-year-old Deron Gregg graduated from barber school and built a clientele in less than a year


    Around the streets of Bela Vista is where Deron Gregg spent many years of his life, but the path forward hasn’t always been a straight line.

    “In 2021, I got in trouble, which led to seven months in Polk County Jail. I used to pray like, ‘Lord I just want to be a functioning Christian outside of jail.’ And I ended up taking probation — all my family turned their back on me,” Gregg said.

    With nowhere to go, the 33-year-old turned to faith-based nonprofit Lighthouse Ministries for shelter. He said the first few nights were some of the hardest.

    “I grew up here, so I’m like, ‘I don’t need to go to no shelter.’ So I cried like my first day and to be honest, man, that was the best decision I’ve ever made,” he said.

    But Gregg said it wasn’t until he stepped foot into Barber Skate Shop for a haircut last September that his life truly changed. Along with operating five barbershops, owner Jairus Rutherford gives back to underserved communities in Polk County.

    His scholarship fund, named after his late mother, Autherine B. Rutherford, helps people pursuing college or trade school. Rutherford said once Gregg sat in his chair, he knew he would be the perfect candidate.

    “He would do more with it because he needed it more and not just with the scholarship but something like a mentorship as well. And then he wanted to do the same thing that I do,” Rutherford said.

    In less than a year, Gregg graduated from barber school and is now building his clientele at Barber Skate Shop. His goal is to one day open his own business, something he didn’t think was possible without the support of fellow barbers.

    “I never seen nothing like it,” he said. “We’re almost like a family. Very team-oriented. They’ll toss me walk-ins, they give me tips. This is like the perfect fit for me.”

    Ultimately, it gave him more than just an opportunity — it gave him a community.

    If you would like to learn more about how to apply for the Autherine B. Rutherford Scholarship Fund, visit Barber Skate Shop’s website.

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    Alexis Jones

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  • P.A.C.K. Camp returns for 28th year in Pasco County

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    PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — For the 28th year, P.A.C.K. Camp is back in Pasco County.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Pasco Association for Challenged Kids takes in kids with disabilities that other camps can’t take

    • Founders Paula and Barry Cohen started the camp in 1997 for their son

    • Due to rising costs, P.A.C.K. is accepting donations


    P.A.C.K. stands for the Pasco Association for Challenged Kids. It’s an annual summer camp that takes in kids with disabilities that other camps can’t take.

    Paula and Barry Cohen started the camp originally for their son Gregory, who is autistic, in 1997.

    “The reason we need to keep going is we take the kids who aren’t potty trained. Who aren’t verbal, who can be aggressive, who can run away. So the camp is really for those kids because they really can’t go anywhere else and be safe,” Paula said.

    The camp is now held for three weeks at Pepin Academies in New Port Richey. More than 40 campers enrolled this year.

    Campers take part in a variety of activities that help them have a fun summer, like any other kid at camp.

    P.A.C.K. receives state funding, but due to the rising costs for supplies and activities, they rely on donations to keep costs down for families and to make their budget.

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    Tim Wronka

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  • New ‘Tides of Time’ art display is showcasing New Port Richey’s history

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    NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. — A new art experience is highlighting history throughout downtown.

    What You Need To Know

    • A new art experience is being put on display permanently at various locations throughout New Port Richey’s historical district

    • Titled “The Tides of Time,” the art experience is designed to take a look at New Port Richey’s past, highlighting the city’s 100 years and the landmarks that have shaped it
    • Various sculptures have been made as part of the experience and are on display at various buildings, each designed with a special meaning


    It’s called “The Tides of Time,” and this new art expo is a permanent art display in the city’s historical district. It showcases some of New Port Richey’s unique characteristics.

    “(It’s) a lot of research, which is something I really enjoy with my work in general. I enjoy the research and learning more,” said Gillian Harper.

    Flipping through the pages of her sketchbook, Harper reviews her most recent work.

    “We all start from somewhere and, of course, so do cities,” said Harper. “I think that representing history and continuing to grow and show that is a really important aspect for a sense of place and home.”

    Harper is the sculptor behind New Port Richey’s new art display. The experience designed to take a look at New Port Richey’s past, highlighting the city’s 100 years and the landmarks that have shaped it.

    “Is there a bigger word than ‘elated?’” said Harper. “I don’t know. I was very excited. This is a huge opportunity for me. This is my favorite kind of art, making — casting metal — so it was really just exciting.”

    Harper’s sculptures will be a permanent fixture at various buildings throughout downtown, including the Richey Suncoast Theatre.

    “We have the arches here that are at the front of the building,” said Harper, pointing at her sculpture. “Of course, that being from when it was originally built. In here, I tied in the current carpeting that’s actually inside the theatre and, of course, an old school camera.”

    Each piece has a QR code underneath it for viewers to scan with their smartphone to provide a unique audio and visual experience as well as background on their accompanying building.

    “We were looking for a way to honor the city for their 100th anniversary, which was ’24-’25,” said Beth Fregger, the project manager behind the experience. She says attracting visitors to New Port Richey was another influence behind the project.

    “One big part of our project was to bring people to the downtown and people that are outside of our core community,” said Fregger, who is also the chairperson of New Port Richey Main Street’s design committee. “So, trying to reach out to not only the Tampa Bay area, but throughout the country.”

    With the hopes of encouraging visitors to discover the “City on-the-Water.’”

    “Bringing people into some of the places they wouldn’t normally be walking towards,” said Harper. “That’s what’s so fun about these being in various locations throughout downtown.”

    “The Tides of Time” visual art experience is now on display throughout New Port Richey. You can find a full listing of displays online here.

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    Calvin Lewis

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  • Raleigh bakery has ties to Pope Francis

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    RALEIGH, N.C. — As the world mourns Pope Francis, Argentinians are remembering his heritage and representation of their culture.

    What You Need To Know

    • Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff, died Monday at 88

    • Carolina Spicer, who owns an Argentinian bakery in Raleigh, met Pope Francis when he was a priest in Buenos Aires, Argentina

    • Spicer heard him speak during Mass weekly when she was growing up, so she was excited when he became pope in 2013

    Pope Francis was the first Latin American pontiff in history. He was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and spent the early years of his life as a priest in his home country.

    His path crossed with the owner of an Argentinian bakery in Raleigh.

    The Milonga Bakery gets its name from a traditional Argentinian dance. (Spectrum News 1/Jenna Rae Gaertner)

    Carolina Spicer and her family started baking at home.

    When they couldn’t keep up with demand, they opened the Milonga Bakery. They make authentic Argentinian pastries, and that heritage is something they’re proud of.

    When it comes to Pope Francis, his Argentinian heritage is something they’re proud of as well.

    “When I met him, I was around between 10 years old to 12 years old,” Spicer said.

    When she was growing up in Argentina, Spicer went to a Catholic school where Pope Francis was the priest.

    “He was really sweet and really nice,” she said. “He will be in the hallway. He will say hi to you, and say bye whenever the mass will end.”

    Although Spicer never got a photo with the pope, many of her friends did. (Carolina Spicer)

    Although Spicer never got a photo with the pope, many of her friends did. (Carolina Spicer)

    Spicer heard him speak for mass once a week growing up, so she was excited when he became pope in 2013.

    “I was super excited because it was somebody that I knew when I was little,” she said. “And also, we kind of proud because he’s from Argentina and [is] in that position. It’s very important that we make a good impact and positive impact in the world. It really, it makes you proud to be Argentinian.”

    Her family friends Claudio Carranza and Leonardo Leanza — baking experts behind the sweet treats at the Hillsborough Street bakery — remember what the pope was like when he was a priest in their hometown. Spicer translated for them.

    “He was always open to help the people in need, to go there himself and to see them, say hi to them and everything,” Spicer said. “And when other people might not go… he will. He will go out there.”

    The pope was known as a humble man who was always compassionate.

    “He didn’t drive a car or expensive car or anything,” Spicer said. “He would actually ride the bus or the train or walk like everybody else…. The same way he’s humble right now — he doesn’t wear too much gold…like other popes — he was very, very humble all the time.”

    Spicer says he was very inclusive and welcoming back home, a trait that continued with him during his time as pope.

    “I think he brought a lot of positive things,” she said. “And also showing the Argentinian culture to the world for people that might not know… We’re very proud.”

    “And I think he was a good pope, and he will leave a good mark in the world,” she said.

    Spicer and her friends say Pope Francis brought their culture into the spotlight even from Rome. For example, he would often drink mate, a traditional Argentinian tea, and eat pastries much like the ones offered in their bakery.

    The Milonga Bakery makes traditional Argentinian pastries. (Spectrum News 1/Jenna Rae Gaertner)

    The Milonga Bakery makes traditional Argentinian pastries. (Spectrum News 1/Jenna Rae Gaertner)

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    Jenna Rae Gaertner

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  • Bradenton dog trainer prepares home to take in dogs during a hurricane

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    MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — In Manatee County, a dedicated dog trainer has taken her commitment to K9s even further when it comes to making preparations for hurricane season.

    Julie Madison has owned Top Tier K9 in Bradenton for two years. She boards and trains dogs and can also prepare them to be service or emotional support animals.

    She is also making sure her home is prepared for storm season.

    “This is actually now a hurricane-rated shed as well. So both the house and this building are rated for like 150 mile an hour winds,” she said.

    The upgrades to her home will allow her to take in more dogs this year during a storm.

    “I spent, probably, about $20,000 in upgrades to make sure everything would be secure and safe,” she said.

    During Hurricane Milton, 17 dogs stayed inside her home — including her own, her clients’, and 11 emergency take-ins.

    “During hurricanes, I take dogs on an emergency basis. No matter if you could have the most perfect dog, they’re still welcome here. Just because I know that not all places accept dogs when you’re traveling,” she said.

    Milton caused minor flooding at Madison’s home, and she was without power for nine days. But now she’s got backup.

    “I have the battery backup, which means now I will have power going forward. So the dogs will still have air conditioning, and I also have air conditioning,” she said.

    She’s added more solar panels, repaired her fence, and upgraded all the kennels to be storm-ready. She even invested in water storage.

    “These are two 350-gallon water containers. I need water for my dogs,” she said.

    “I just love saving lives on the dog end and on the person end. And if I can do that, and I can change as many lives positively as possible, that’s what I would like to do with the rest of the time I got,” she said.

    Julie’s on a mission — to help her four-legged companions and their owners.

    Julie says she can only house between 18 and 20 dogs total in her home, so the number of emergency take-ins is limited.

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    Julia Hazel

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  • Florida’s oldest World War II vet dies at 108

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    CLEARWATER, Fla. — An American hero who served in the Navy during World War II died this past weekend at 108 years old.

    Chief Petty Officer William “Bill” Monfort turned 108 this past December, 83 years after being stationed in Pearl Harbor around the time the Japanese attacked the naval stronghold.

    He was Florida’s oldest World War II veteran when he celebrated his birthday in 2024 and spent the last few years at The Landmark assisted living facility in Clearwater.

    Even though his family has started packing some of his belongings, some pictures and memories are still scattered throughout his room.

    When you speak with the staff who helped care for Monfort, they say the war hero was “a wonderful man who was still active.”

    “Every morning, he came in here at 8 in the morning and bought me a cup of coffee. And he would hang out with me every day,” said Lisa Weaver, head of physical therapy at The Landmark. “He was just a special guy. I think he’s going to be missed.”

    Aside from the memorabilia still in his room at The Landmark, staff put a picture of Monfort in the lobby, letting everyone know the American treasure that is now laid to rest.

     

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Former Pinellas film commissioner goes full circle as movie maker

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    CLEARWATER, Fla. — Former Pinellas County Film Commissioner Tony Armer has gone full circle as head of production for Talon Entertainment Finance and he wants to film movies in the Tampa Bay area.

    What You Need To Know

    • Tony Armer was the Pinellas County Film Commissioner for more than eight years 

    • Armer was the Dallas Film Commissioner for less than two years when he was offered the position with Talon Entertainment 

    • Armer wrote a feature film called “Terminal Kill,” which he plans to shoot in the Tampa Bay area next year

    • Earlier this week, Armer was shooting the short proof of concept for the film in Tampa and Clearwater


    “The opportunity to be a film commissioner was amazing. I absolutely love the job and I do miss it,” he said. “Now, I get to be back to my true passion, which is making movies.”

    Armer and his production crew were filming action scenes at Coachman Park in Clearwater on Tuesday for a short proof of concept for a feature film he wrote called “Terminal Kill.”

    “We’re calling this short film ‘The Choice,’” he said. “The mom has to make a choice to do something bad in order for something good to happen to take care of her son.”

    Clearwater Police officers were on hand for the scene because it involved a shootout with blanks. Armer said the feature film is about a terminally ill single mom who’s recruited by this mysterious former government agent to assassinate the head of a human trafficking ring.

    “So this is based off a comic book series, graphic novel that I created called ‘Terminal Kill,’ just released at the end of last year,” he said. ”It was a screenplay before that that we were going to shoot in 2020. Then COVID happened.”

    Armer said the plan is to shoot the full length feature film next year in the Tampa Bay area. He just bought a house in Clearwater and said Talon Entertainment CEO Steve Demmler is based out of Tampa.

    “It’s exciting to make projects at home,” he said. “While we also make projects in other parts of the country and around the world as well.”

    He was the Dallas Film Commissioner for less than two years when he was offered the position with Talon Entertainment, which has produced some big box office movies.

    “Talon is a producer on ‘Oh, Canada’ starring Richard Gere and Uma Thurman that premiered at the Cannes Film Fest last year,” he said. “’Bookworm,’ starring Elijah Wood, ‘Rabbit Trap,’ starring Dev Patel, which premiered at Sundance this year.”

    Armer said they shot some dialougue scenes in Tampa on Monday for the short film. He plans to send it to festivals and said eventually the short will be on YouTube.

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    Josh Rojas

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  • Crystal River named among HGTV’s 50 ‘Most Charming’ small towns list in the U.S.

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    CRYSTAL RIVER, Fla. — This small town has been declared one of the “Most Charming” in America.

    What You Need To Know

    • Crystal River has been recognized by HGTV as one of the “Most Charming” small towns in America

    • The new designation is bringing some much-needed attention to the Nature Coast, along with the best in what it has to offer
    • According to Crystal River officials, Citrus County sees more than 1.6 million visitors a year
    • It has been a stark contrast from where Crystal River was only a matter of months ago, with businesses and areas damaged by Hurricanes Helene and Milton


    Recently, HGTV released a list of the 50 Most Charming Small Towns in America. One Florida small town, located along the Nature Coast, made the list.

    The new designation is making waves for Crystal River and the Nature Coast.

    Along the shores of Hunter Springs Park, dozens can be seen enjoying nature.

    “This is one of the prettiest small towns I’ve ever lived in, and I love it very much,” said Crystal River City Manager Audra Curts.

    “A designation like this just puts our name out nationwide,” Curts added. “More people from the United States, more people from outside our country will come here and visit and see the wonders of Crystal River. It’s just a wonderful thing for supporting the local economy here.”

    It’s a designation that comes as no surprise to Curts and tourism director Auvis Cole. They get to enjoy what this small town has to offer every day.

    “The cool thing about it: This was something that was not voted on,” said Cole. “We were selected.”

    In their eyes, it’s bringing some much-needed attention to the Nature Coast, and brings out the best it has to offer.

    “People want to relax,” said Cole. “People want to enjoy the nature — the natural and original beauty of Florida. And when they come here, they’re able to unwind a little bit and get away from the hustle and bustle.”

    It has been a stark contrast from where Crystal River was only a matter of months ago, with businesses and areas damaged by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. But now, with spring in the air, tourist season is in full-swing.

    “We welcome over 1.6 million people a year annually,” said Cole. “To some, that may be a lot, but the cool thing about it is it pumps a lot of financial benefits into our local economy and our businesses, our tour operators, our restaurants, our hotels — our residents. We can all take part in that.”

    And as more flock to the area, Cole says he hopes it will open travelers’ eyes to what else this small town has to offer.

    “You talk about the culinary scene, you talk about the shops,” Cole said. “Again, the people, the parks — we have things like different centers, like the refuge wildlife centers, which are amazing.”

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    Calvin Lewis

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  • Increased need for more counseling services in the LGBTQ+ community

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    MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — A nonprofit in Manatee County is making strides with mental health in LGBTQ+ youth.

    ALSO Youth recently received a grant from the Bishop Parker Foundation that will fund more counseling services for the LGBTQ+ community.

    What You Need To Know

    • Advocacy Leadership Support Outreach Youth — better known as ALSO Youth. The nonprofit helps LGBTQ+ community members aged 10 to 24 through various programs, including counseling

    • According to ALSO Youth this year there has been more than a 40% increase in the need for counseling services

    • A $32,433 grant from the Bishop Parker Foundation will help increase the number of available counseling sessions

    Drawing allows Attacus Massmann to express creativity.

    “I like art because it helps me express myself a lot,” he said.

    It’s an activity Massmann does during his therapy sessions at Advocacy Leadership Support Outreach Youth — better known as ALSO Youth. The nonprofit helps LGBTQ+ community members aged 10 to 24 through various programs, including counseling.

    “My entire life, I have been surrounded by a lot of people who did not accept who I was as a person,” he said.

    He says he always felt different.

    In 2019, when he was 15 years old, he came to the realization that he identified as a transgender man. But even before that, bullying was a common occurrence.

    “I started feeling suicidal in eighth grade. So that was 2018. My first attempt at my life was also in 2018,” he said.

    In 2024, 50% of LGBTQ+ individuals ages 13 to 17 reported being bullied, according to The Trevor Project. Additionally, 39% of LGBTQ+ people ages 13 to 24 have contemplated suicide in the last year.

    Massmann still struggles with suicidal ideation but says therapy sessions have helped him.

    “It helped me a lot because I didn’t have stable housing, and I was barely able to afford food or anything like that. And obviously, we all deal with mental health issues to some degree, and not having therapy for a long time really negatively impacted my mental health,” he explained.

    Mel Gosselin, the executive director of ALSO Youth, says that this year there has been more than a 40% increase in the need for counseling services.

    “Bullying is still a problem in schools. Sometimes families don’t know how to deal with situations, or some youth are homeless because they’ve been kicked out of their family unit,” she said.

    More data from The Trevor Project shows that 84% of LGBTQ+ young people wanted help, yet nearly 50% couldn’t get it. One of the top reasons was cost.

    A $32,433 grant from the Bishop Parker Foundation will help increase the number of available counseling sessions.

    “We’re getting more and more inquiries. We are grateful — without these services, we would see kids engaging in self-harm or worse,” Gosselin said.

    After receiving help from the nonprofit, Massmann now wants to pay it forward and has become a camp counselor.

    This is their spring camp, called “Camp True Colors.”

    “Having a space to provide for the kids where they’re able to be themselves and socialize — I really like that aspect of it,” Massmann said.

    As Massmann continues his healing journey, he is eager to help others in the LGBTQ+ community do the same.

    According to ALSO Youth, the organization served more than 2,000 people between Manatee and Sarasota counties. Currently, the organization is looking for a new location in Sarasota to continue serving LGBTQ+ individuals in need, as their former Sarasota location was damaged by last year’s hurricanes.

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    Julia Hazel

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  • Nonprofit founded by Central Florida woman fills critical needs in Four Corners

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    CLERMONT, Fla. — Hands of Hope America founder and chief executive officer Evelisse Bookhout’s history as an at-risk youth led her to start the nonprofit in the Four Corners community to fill the critical needs of residents.

    She created Hands of Hope America in 2019 after discovering gaps in needs like childcare, education and food security in the Four Corners area.

    What You Need To Know

    • Hands of Hope America founder Evelisse Bookhout is a veteran who grew up as an at-risk youth 

    • For that reason, she said she wants to help advocate for youths in Lake, Polk, Osceola and Orange counties

    • The nonprofit started with a food pantry and has grown to offer mental health counseling, after-school tutoring and adult English classes

    • Bookhout said Hands of Hope seeks to bring together governments, nonprofits and community leaders to work across county lines to provide critical services to residents

    The nonprofit started with a food pantry and has grown to provide wraparound services like free mental health counseling, after-school tutoring and adult English classes in Lake, Polk, Osceola and Orange counties.

    Now the organization serves thousands of families from its centralized location in Clermont, seeking to empower low-income families.

    She said her heart is with the children.

    “Being the example out in the community, being able to advocate for what we believe our community needs,” Bookhout said.

    Hands of Hopes’ needs assessment, which will be released this month, showed there is a lack of collaborative funding and efforts across county lines, leaving many residents without critical services, Bookhout said. 

    Pressing concerns across all four counties include major gaps in housing, food security, healthcare, employment services, education and transportation, the assessment revealed.

    She and her team of interns discovered public transportation times are limited, and they don’t connect from one county to another. 

    “Right now, we are calling for collaborative partners to be able to work together to continue to serve the need here in this community,” Bookhout said.

    A centralized community center to link families with an after-school program and bigger space for kids also is needed, she said.

    Right now, children play in the building’s parking lot. 

    “There isn’t much for the kids to do, so we have a lot of violence and drug use within our youth in our community, and I think it’s because parents need to work. They have to provide, and so parents are not around when kids get home from school,” said Rose Sterling, a case manager at the nonprofit.

    Sterling learned about Hands of Hope’s services through one of its food distribution events.

    “We have three boys, and kids weren’t really playing outside. My son is on the autism spectrum, and he was really struggling mentally,” Sterling said. “He needed friends.”

    She brought her son to one of the nonprofit’s summer programs, and he immediately started building leadership skills and making friends. 

    “Being able to give back to not only the community, but the place that gave me so much hope,” Sterling said.

    Next steps for Bookhout and the organization include more advocacy for those who need a hand.

    Bookhout, who didn’t have a lot of as she was raised by a single mom, said the community’s needs fuel her work.

    “Those experiences have truly shaped my passion for serving the community, and it’s something I’ll continue to do as long as I can,” Bookhout said.

    To help meet those needs, Bookhout said a unified vision, clear communication and resource sharing is required. She said she and the organization will work to bring together county governments, nonprofits and leaders to meet the needs of the growing population.

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    Maria Serrano

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  • Bealsville native starts farmers market to keep his family history alive

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    MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — One farmer in Bealsville is keeping the history of the small town alive.

    What You Need To Know

    • Sylvester McCloud started Bealsville Farmers and Flea Market earlier this month to continue his family’s long history in farming

    • McCloud says farming in his family started with his great-great-grandmother, Mary Reddick, and her son, Alfred Beal, whom Bealsville is named after
    • He says Reddick was one of 12 slaves who were freed in 1865

    • Sylvester is also working on a newspaper that will focus on the history of Bealsville, which he hopes to launch in March

    Bit by bit, Sylvester McCloud is farming, pulling what he knows from his roots.

    “When I was eight years old, Dad had us in the backyard doing this,” he said. “It’s been in the family for over two hundred years.”

    But this is new.

    He just opened the Bealsville Farmers and Flea Market earlier this month.

    Sylvester McCloud’s family helping with harvesting for the farmers market. (Spectrum News/Julia Hazel)

    It operates on the honor system: people come, pick their crops, and leave cash behind.

    “I got collard greens, I got mustards, I got turnips, I got cabbage,” he said.

    It’s a business that he’s growing from the heart.

    “It feels natural. It feels good that I can do something my ancestors did,” McCloud said.

    He says farming in his family started with his great-great-grandmother, Mary Reddick, and her son, Alfred Beal, whom Bealsville is named after.

     

    McCloud says Reddick was one of 12 slaves who were freed in 1865.

    “They did that for the overseer, then the overseer said, ‘I can’t pay you, but we can sharecrop.’ So they got their land, and they sharecropped,” he said.

    Now, he’s carrying on the family legacy, but with the help of modern technology.

    McCloud has a Facebook Marketplace page, where he lists his produce.

    “We are getting busy,” he said.

    He’s also getting smarter and thinking about what this food market could bring to the community.

    “I hope to get some of the youngsters out here to take an interest,” he said.

    Much like the rain fuels the soil, McCloud hopes that the history of his family in farming fuels continued growth for his new business.

    McCloud is also working on a newspaper that will focus on the history of Bealsville, which he hopes to launch in March.

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    Julia Hazel

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  • Crystal River businessman continues to make Black history

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    CRYSTAL RIVER, Fla. — The Black community in Citrus County is small, but mighty, and has a pretty extensive history.

    It’s a history many say isn’t widely known, but there’s one lifelong Crystal River resident and Black business owner who wants his hard work to change that.

    What You Need To Know

    • Oysters restaurant owner William Bunch got his start in Citrus County in the middle of the segregated south

    • Bunch said unlike a lot of cites, there was not a bustling Black business district in Crystal River

    • Bunch said he felt a sense of responsibility to bring order to his community and wants to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs


    If you ask William Bunch, there’s no real recipe for success. There is, however, a secret recipe for the perfect fried chicken.

    “Love. I put love into it,” he said.

    Bunch has been working for a long time.

    “I’ve been working at the age of 13 and I’m 70,” he said.

    He got his start in Citrus County in the middle of the segregated south.

    “I started at the Plantation Inn as a helper, and then I worked my way up to the chef and out the door,” Bunch said.

    He was out of the door there, and into the doors at his very own restaurant in Crystal River called Oysters.

    “I had this Englishman who wanted me to come and work for him, and I said, ‘I won’t come to work for you, but I will buy it from you.’ So, I came in and he made me an offer, and I borrowed a little money and put it down, and we went to work,” he said.

    He’s owned and operated Oysters for the past 29 years and they’re most popular item is — you guessed it — fried chicken?

    That’s right. He said the most popular item isn’t oysters.

    Bunch said his spirit of entrepreneurship dates back even further.

    “Taxi business, we (were) the first taxi people in this area. So, it did good when we first started,” he said.

    There are still remnants on the walls of Oysters of Bunch’s accomplishments.

    Storm damage over the last decade wiped out all of his older photos. He said those lost photos told the story of his landscaping company he started in high school.

    That landscaping company included driving his customers to the airport, which launched his taxi service. The photos were also a reminder of the days he couldn’t pick people up past sundown in sundown towns because he’s Black.

    Bunch said unlike a lot of cites, there was not a bustling Black business district in Crystal River. No Black Wall Street. So, he didn’t have any examples. But he did it anyway, despite adversities.

    “The bad experience I had back in ’93, my brother was killed by the police in ’93, and then when the verdict came out, they said the police had just cause to do what they had done, and the city really wanted to get up in arms, but I told them go home, the verdict is done, my brother is not coming back,” Bunch said.

    Bunch said he felt a sense of responsibility to bring order to his community then, and it’s something he continues to do now. He wants to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs by doing the work.

    “You have to be dedicated if you want to do a business. You have good days and you have bad days. So, I wanted to do it since I was a little kid and I had the opportunity and I’ve done it,” Bunch said.

    Bunch said his legacy will continue long after he’s gone. He passed down his landscaping business to his son and he hopes it will continue to honor the family name.

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    Saundra Weathers

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  • Coquina Beach Cafe reopens after being closed for four months

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    MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — A popular place on Anna Maria Island is back in business after being closed since Hurricane Helene.

    Phil Francisco is the shift lead at Coquina Beach Café in Bradenton Beach.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Coquina Beach Café in Bradenton Beach reopened on Saturday 

    • The café had been closed since Hurricane Helene went through Anna Maria Island and was damaged by both hurricanes

    • The Coquina Beach Café is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., seven days a week

    The Coquina Beach Café reopened last Saturday after being closed for nearly four months due to damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

    “We did a soft opening a few days ago, and people have been finding out about it here and there. I have a feeling once we start rolling, it’s not going to stop,” he explained.

    Seeing customer after customer, it’s as if this place didn’t skip a beat.

    “It feels good, you know? After four months of cleaning, drywall tear-outs, removal, and sand shoveling, it feels good being back, serving friends, doing what we like to do here,” he said.

    And Francisco says the staff has picked up right where they left off, as well.

    “Well, we were lucky enough that not only do we have a second location, so we had a spot that we could go that has been open for a few months. But the family that puts this place on the Enoch’s are amazing people. They literally kept us busy, kept us fed, kept us mindful,” he explained.

    All of that hard work shows not just in the appearance, but also in the customer experience.

    “I didn’t realize how important these locations were to everybody’s mental state for 25, 30 years. When people didn’t see the café open, they weren’t doing well. The minute that the Gulf Drive location popped open, we had people stopping in from all over the place — people from all over the world, even. It’s like a spot that’s home,” he said.

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    Julia Hazel

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  • Runners experience Disney magic in park’s annual Marathon Weekend

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    ORLANDO, Fla. — Over 30,000 runners are experiencing the magic Sunday as Walt Disney World welcomed its annual marathon event.

    This marked the 32nd year of the event, and it’s one of the largest races in Central Florida.

    What You Need To Know

    •  Walt Disney World’s Marathon Weekend ran from Jan. 9 – 12

    • This marked the 32nd year of the event, and it’s one of the largest races in Central Florida

    • Clermont resident Marielle Despres was the championship winner for the women’s group

    • RELATED: Runners gear up for Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend


    At 4:30 a.m., the first group of runners started a 26.2 marathon, and another group started 30 seconds afterwards.

    The marathon is part of Walt Disney World’s Marathon Weekend.

    Adam Ball, the vice president of ESPN Wide World of Sports and Disney Water Parks said this Marathon Weekend shows just how the local community and participants from around the world come together and support one another.

    “Anybody can do it, whether it’s your first time,” he said. “We have so few people here who’ve never won a race before. We have people that it’s their 20th marathon today. And so really, anyone can do it when you’re local, whether you’re from the other side of the country, or another country.”

    Marielle Despres was the championship winner for the women’s group. She’s from France, but now lives in Clermont.

    Despres trained for the marathon for two months with her husband and her three kids as her support system.

    “Each time I do trainings, they were with me and saying, ‘Let’s go, let’s go.’ It was amazing,” she said.

    The first race was a 5K held on Thursday, followed by the 10K on Friday morning.

    The event weekend continued with the half marathon on Saturday and the marathon on Sunday.

    And after an early and long morning, Despres only had two things on her mind: to rest and enjoy her day.

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    Destiny Wiggins

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  • Polk County standout returns to pro basketball, joins the Big3

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    HAINES CITY, Fla. — One Polk County pro basketball player is returning to professional basketball after an injury ended his career.

    What You Need To Know

    • Dazeran Jones is returning to professional basketball after a foot injury ended his playing career 

    • Over the years, Jones found unique ways to stay in the sport, including becoming a motion-capture actor for NBA 2K series

    • Now, he’s preparing for the Big3, a 3-on-3 pro basketball league owned by rapper Ice Cube


    Dazeran Jones experienced a passion for the sport on a larger scale when he played collegiately for N.A.I.A Warner University and later spent time with the Jacksonville Giants of the American Basketball Association.

    “This is my first championship trophy,” he said, pointing to a championship ring. “This one means a lot to me because it’s a big ring. Like, we earned it — game by game, practicing every day, fighting through adversity.”

    Unfortunately, Jones faced his biggest challenge when a foot injury forced him to end his playing career. But he wasn’t ready to give up the game, and he found unique ways to stay in the sport. In 2022, Jones started a career as a motion-capture actor for the popular video game series, NBA 2K. That role also helped him land a part in the reboot of the movie, “White Men Can’t Jump.” 

    “I started taking acting a little more seriously after that,” he said. “I still have a lot to learn, but that jump-started an acting career through basketball.”

    Jones missed the game itself, though, and decided to try out for the Big3, a 3-on-3 pro basketball league owned by rapper Ice Cube. Although he initially went undrafted, he received a call a couple of weeks later from the team “The Killer 3s,” expressing interest.

    Dazeran Jones playing in the Big3. (Photo Courtesy: Dazeran Jones)

    “Everybody embraced me from here to here, from Ice Cube to the regular staff,” he said. “I met a lot of different people, a lot of greats. Probably everybody touched the NBA in that league, other than two or three players out of the whole league. These were once lottery picks. These are legends.”

    Now, Jones gets to play alongside the men he grew up watching. To prepare for the upcoming Big3 season, he trains with his childhood best friend, Terry Rose, on the same court where he first played.

    “We train every day if we can,” Rose said.

    Not only does this opportunity serve as inspiration for Jones’ children, it’s also a reminder to the community he loves.

    “There’s more than one way to get to Walmart,” he said.

    Or, in Jones’ case, more than one way to reach a goal.

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    Alexis Jones

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  • Babson Park restaurant fulfills Christmas wishes for students in need

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    BABSON PARK, Fla. — In a place where no one leaves hungry, the Crooked Bass Grill and Tavern strives to ensure fewer children go without.

    What You Need To Know

    • Every year the Crooked Bass Grill and Tavern collects Christmas gifts for students in need at Lake Wales High School

    • The restaurant displays names and wishlists of students for customers to choose from

    • The goal is to eventually create a housing program to help these students year-round


    Every year, co-owner Tammy Bracewell hangs the names and wish lists of hundreds of SIT students on the restaurant’s Christmas tree. Her customers are then given the opportunity to choose a child to donate gifts to.

    “What really warms my heart is helping the children and seeing that our customers embrace this,” she said. “We purchase things as well, but all of the gifts—I just put the tags on the tree, and our customers take them faster than I can put them up.”

    Bracewell says she learns about the children’s wishes from Jane Lewis, who oversees the McKinney-Vento program at Lake Wales High School.

    The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is a federal law that ensures students experiencing homelessness have the right to attend school without barriers.

    “Systemwide, we have about 400 in the program, but here at the high school, it’s 124—living in a tent, living in a car, what we call couch surfing. They go from home to home,” Lewis said.

    With the support of community partners like Bracewell, Lewis says she’s able to provide food, uniforms, and life-changing resources to students year-round. But Christmas is especially meaningful to her, as she’s often brought to tears by students’ reactions.

    “Because, I mean, some of these kids—what they struggle with, what they go through—it’s just heartbreaking,” she said. “Some days, my days are so sad. So sad. But other days, I’m so filled up with these kids.”

    Now that each kid has received a taste of holiday joy, Bracewell says there’s more to be done. The ultimate goal is to compile a list of donors willing to fund a transitional housing program.

    “So they’re not leaving school and worrying about where they’re going to get their next meal and if they have a safe place to sleep tonight,” Bracewell said.

    In the meantime, the tavern’s doors are open for a child in need, whether it’s for a warm meal or a gift under the tree.

    To support Lake Wales High School’s McKinney-Vento program, call the front desk at 863-678-4222.

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    Alexis Jones

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