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  • Cedar Key churches band together to lift up residents after Idalia

    Cedar Key churches band together to lift up residents after Idalia

    CEDAR KEY, Fla. — Cedar Key is a small, tight-knit community of just 700 full-time residents.

    People on the island say when a storm comes through and their neighbors are in need, everyone is quick to band together to support each other. 

    What You Need To Know

    •  Cedar Key churches have been working together to collect donations, serve hot meals and lift up residents after Idalia.

    •  Pastor Billy Dalton with First Baptist Church said they were able to also send supplies to other hard-hit areas like Horseshoe Beach and Steinhatchee. 

    •  Dalton will be leading a special service at 11 a.m. on Sunday for residents to gather and reflect.

    As soon as Idalia settled on Wednesday afternoon, Pastor Billy Dalton with First Baptist Church Cedar Key sprung into action. The church has been collecting donations and serving three hot meals a day. People have been donating water bottles, pet food, gloves for cleanup and other necessities. 

    “You’ll have somebody come up, they’ll drop off two and somebody right behind them will be grabbing three,” Dalton said. “People are driving in from all over the state, even out of state, and delivering stuff so that’s fantastic.”

    Dalton said churches on the island are all working together to help get residents back on their feet. As residents begin to rebuild their lives, Dalton said he wants to be a light for the community and give them hope. 

    “I think a lot of people go into despair, discouragement,” he said. “Especially if you’ve poured your life into a business or you have your home and all these things –  and then those things are gone. Ultimately we need to say OK, we’re still here, we have our relationship with God, we have our relationship with one another. We’re going to come together, we’re going to be together. Don’t give up. Let’s keep going step by step.”

    Dalton said so many donations have come in from people locally and in other areas of the state, that they’ve been able to send them to other hard-hit areas like Horseshoe Beach and Steinhachee. 

    “For all these communities, it’s going to be a long process of rebuilding,” he said. “I think sometimes we have a tendency to jump in and then something else happens and then people get forgotten. So, I just encourage people – thank you so much on the front end, and bear with us for the long term as well.”

    Pastor Dalton held a special service at 11 a.m. on Sunday at First Baptist Church for the community to come together and reflect. 

    Brian Rea

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  • Business wiped out by Hermine rebuilds once again after Idalia

    Business wiped out by Hermine rebuilds once again after Idalia

    CEDAR KEY, Fla. — Peter Stefani and his wife, Gina, have been running Cedar Cove Hotel for more than 30 years.

    It’s become known as a staple in the community.

    What You Need To Know

    • Communities in the Big Bend were also hit badly with damage from Hurricane Hermine in August 2016

    • Cedar Cove Hotel in Cedar Key was a complete loss

    • It took a year and a half to reopen the hotel and restaurant

    • Seven years later, the owners are rebuilding their business once again

    Stefani now has months of work ahead of him, after Hurricane Idalia washed out the Island Room Restaurant on the first floor. Everything has to be replaced, Stefani said, except for the bar that is still standing.

    “You can’t prepare for something like this,” he said. “I mean, we did all we could. We boarded up and taped up and did all the stuff we’re supposed to do. But, Mother Nature is going to do what it wants to do.”

    Our Spectrum News team first met Stefani the day before Idalia made landfall in the Big Bend region. Two days later, Stefani returned to a much different scene – windows shattered, bottles of wine floating in the Gulf and the feeling that he had been in this position before.

    In August 2016, Cedar Cove was completely taken out by Hurricane Hermine. It took Stefani a year and a half to reopen.

    “It’s ironic that they’re almost on the same date,” Stefani said. “There’s a certain amount of resiliency and there’s a lot of people that are ready to leave and get the heck out of here and I don’t blame them. I’m not making that choice. We have to get back and running, we can’t just leave.”

    When Stefani rebuilt after Hermine, he added features – like cement flooring and stronger walls – to help withstand storms. He believes those improvements helped protect the hotel from even more damage during Idalia.

    This time around, Stefani expects it could take up to six months to rebuild. But his biggest concern right now is his employees and how he’s going to keep paying them.

    “It’s just sad,” Stefani said. “I’m going to be OK because I’ve got to keep working and doing this. But it affects more than just me, it affects a lot of people.”

    Even in a difficult time, Stefani describes himself as a positive person. That mindset, in addition to the community’s support, is what pulled him through rebuilding the first time – and he said it will get him through this, too.

    “It just has to be done, we just have to get back,” Stefani said. “There’s a lot of people that are supporting us. There’s a couple that just left – they’re flooded but they wanted to come see how we did because they eat here on a weekly basis and they like my staff. It’s just a whole community thing.”

    Stefani’s family has started a GoFundMe to help support staff and build their business back.

    Brian Rea

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  • Cedar Key business owners, residents trying to get back to normal

    Cedar Key business owners, residents trying to get back to normal

    TAMPA, Fla. — As Benjamin Iversen cleaned up the mud caked on the floor of his Cedar Key coffee shop, he said he’s trying to stay optimistic.

    Even though he mounted his refrigerators on milk cartons before the storm, that wasn’t enough to protect them from the three feet of water that flooded inside 1842 Daily Grind.

    What You Need To Know

    • Cedar Key residents are starting to return to the island to see the damage from Hurricane Idalia. 

    • Community members are helping each other clean up their businesses and homes.

    • Starting Friday, FEMA crews will be going door-to-door to help enroll people in assistance programs. 

    “With each piece of equipment I keep testing, it turns out I’m going to be needing to replace it,” Iversen said. “But in some way, shape or form, this weekend we’ll be back open for coffee and for some breakfast and lunch.”

    Iversen’s coffee shop is on 2nd Street, about two blocks from the water.

    There are many homes and businesses on the street, which saw a lot of flooding during the storm. Iversen stayed put in Cedar Key to ride out the storm. He didn’t want to risk not being able to get back on the island to fix his shop, but also to help his neighbors get back on their feet.

    “It’s just unbelievable,” Iversen said. “You see storms on the news and hear about these big hurricanes and stuff happening but living through it and experiencing one is just, it’s very humbling and also overwhelming.”

    Even though Iversen has to replace a few refrigerators, he’s confident his business – and the whole island – will make it through the storm.

    As residents return home to the damage Hurricane Idalia left behind, Iversen and his staff are welcoming them with free coffee, water and pastries – because that’s the Cedar Key way, Iversen said.

    “Friends, the community, family – you just have to lean on that and trust that everything will be OK,” he said.

    On Friday, FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance crews will begin going door-to-door in Cedar Key and Yankeetown to help register people for assistance programs.

    Brian Rea

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  • From Big Bend to Tampa Bay, residents cleaning up after Idalia

    From Big Bend to Tampa Bay, residents cleaning up after Idalia

    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Assessment and cleanup continues in north Florida and across the Bay area after Hurricane Idalia.

    Meanwhile, state officials confirm

    At a Thursday morning news conference, Gov. DeSantis and Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie confirmed no storm-related deaths have been reported. There were two deaths related to driving in bad weather, according to Florida Highway Patrol.

    A Pasco County man crashed into a tree when he lost control of his vehicle Wednesday morning, and another person died in Alachua County when he crashed his pickup truck into a ditch.

    The hurricane made landfall Wednesday morning at 7:45 a.m. at Keaton Beach in Taylor County with 125-mph winds. 

    It left as many as a half-million customers without power in Florida and other states at one point as it ripped down power poles and lines.

    Still, it was far less destructive than feared, providing only glancing blows to Tampa Bay and other more populated areas as it came ashore in rural Florida.

    Here’s a look at recovery efforts across the region:

    PINELLAS COUNTY

    Flights at St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport resume today after the airport closed ahead of the storm.

    During a news conference Thursday morning, Pinellas County officials said 60 water rescue missions were performed during and after the storm.

    Crews will be out assessing damage today. 

    St. Pete police continue to limit access to Shore Acres due to continuing flooding there. Officials said hundreds of homes were flooded in St. Petersburg. Anyone with damage can report it to Disaster.pinellas.gov.

    During the height of the storm, 28,000 homes in Pinellas lost power. That was down to just 2,600 by midday Thursday.

    Meanwhile, crews were working until early Thursday to clear debris, water and sand on Gulf Boulevard in Madeira Beach. A total of about 85 dump trucks of sand was cleaned up, officials said. Indian Rocks Beach in particular had a big drop off from erosion.

    Officials also said there were three house fires related to the storm.

    HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY

    Tampa International Airport is also now fully open. The airport was open to just to arriving flights yesterday afternoon.

    Port Tampa Bay is still closed Thursday.

    Coast Guard officials will determine when the port can reopen.

    A spokesperson for the port said the Coast Guard needs to complete a harbor assessment today before they open again.

    So this will impact incoming shipments and cruise travelers.

    PASCO COUNTY

    The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office said it did 85 rescue mission in the hours after Idalia roared by the Bay area, saving 150 people from flood waters. Deputies helped people ranging from 9 months old to age 90, officials said.

    Also, crews are still monitoring some areas of Hudson and New Port Richey where flood waters had swamped streets.

    CITRUS COUNTY

    A part of U.S. 19 remains closed in Crystal River due to flooding.

    U.S. 19 has been shut down from Dunnellon Road to State Road 44 because of remaining water on the roadway.

    HERNANDO COUNTY

    Some Hernando County residents who evacuated ahead of Idalia were allowed back into their neighborhoods on Wednesday.

    A debris field greeted Sandra Day when she returned to her Hernando Beach home.

    But she said there was no damage to the house itself.

    That came as a relief since these screen shots from home cameras show what she and her husband saw while taking shelter: Their yard and neighborhood were flooded.

    “Our backyard, the dock was up about two feet, and we could just see the water rushing in, and it sounded like a waterfall,” said Day, a Hernando Beach resident. “So, now you look how calm it is, and it’s all going over the berm now.”

    No injuries or deaths related to Idalia have been reported in Hernando County.

    Day said she feels like that’s an answer to prayers.

    CEDAR KEY

    Power has been mostly been restored in Cedar Key.

    Still, some residents are being kept off the beach.

    Officials are only letting residents who have re-entry passes cross the bridge.

    Before the storm, city officials said their biggest concern was flooding. That held true and storm surge damaged businesses and homes.

    Officials say it’s going to take some time to get the city back up and running and are asking for people to be patient as they continue cleanup and recovery efforts.

    Spectrum Bay News 9 reporters Brian Rea, Nick Popham, Sarah Blazonis, Cait McVey and Fallon Silcox contributed to this report.

    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Braving the roads, helping others in Palm Harbor

    Braving the roads, helping others in Palm Harbor

    PALM HARBOR, Fla. — A number of Pinellas County residents spent their day driving around flooded neighborhoods and checking on people who stuck around for Idalia.

    Frank Furman was one of those on a mission Wednesday, and he allowed Spectrum Bay News 9 to join him for a ride-along.

    Use the video above to watch Jeff Van Sant’s report.

    Jeff Van Sant

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  • Idalia: When classes across Tampa Bay will resume

    Idalia: When classes across Tampa Bay will resume

    We’ll be using this page to update our viewing area on school impacts due to Idalia. 

    School Closings by County: 

    Citrus County

    NEW: The school system will reopen Friday.

    In a statement Thursday, the district said: “After receiving the latest update from Emergency Management officials and having assessed the damages in our facilities sustained from Hurricane Idalia, I am pleased to share that schools will be reopen tomorrow Friday, September 1st.  Should you have any issues or concerns, please contact the administration at your school.  As always, we appreciate your time, understanding, and patience during these uncertain times.”

    Due to the coastal impact in our county from Hurricane Idalia, schools are continuing to be used as shelters.

    School will be cancelled, Thursday, Aug. 31.

    After the next high tide, more info regarding a projected date of school reopening will be announced.

    Hernando County

    All Hernando County schools and district offices will reopen Thursday, Aug. 31.

    Students impacted by coastal flooding will be provided an excused absence.

    Hillsborough County

    Hillsborough County Schools are reopening on Thursday, Aug. 31.

    Manatee County

    All Manatee District Schools will reopen Thursday, August 31.

    Pasco County

    All Pasco County schools will be open on Thursday, August 31.

    This includes athletics, PLACE, Delta, Star, and all other extracurricular activities.

    Pinellas County

    Schools will be open for normal operations on Thursday, August 31.

    Polk County

    All Polk County schools and offices will reopen Friday, Sept. 1.

    Major Universities:

    University of Central Florida: UCF will resume standard operations on Thursday, Aug. 31. 

    University of Florida: UF to resume normal operations on Thursday, Aug. 31. 

    University of South Florida: USF says classes will resume Thursday, Aug. 31, except for classes at Mote Marine.

    University of Tampa: Regular operations are scheduled to resume Thursday, Aug. 31 at noon.

    St. Petersburg College: Campuses/sites open and all classes resuming — on Thursday, Aug. 31. 

    Florida State University: Classes and normal university operations will resume on Tuesday, Sept. 5.

    FAMU: Classes and Universtiy operations remain suspended through Friday, Sept. 1. Normal operations will resume on Tuesday, Sept. 5. 

    Polk State College: PSC classes and operations will resume Thursday, Aug. 31. 

    Keiser University: Classes will resume at the following Keiser University campuses on Thursday, August 31, 2023. All campuses will be open for regular operations unless otherwise noted.

    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Idalia lashes Citrus County with winds and heavy rain

    Idalia lashes Citrus County with winds and heavy rain

    CITRUS COUNTY, Fla. — It started with a blast of wind-driven rain at 6 a.m.

    An inner rain band of Hurricane Idalia lashed Kings Bay in Crystal River late Tuesday, pushing the first of feet of storm surge toward land.

    What You Need To Know

    • Citrus County residents and business owners dealt with pounding winds and rising rain levels from Idalia

    • Idalia lashed Kings Bay in Crystal River late Tuesday and into Wednesday

    • LIVE UPDATES: Aftermath of Idalia in Tampa Bay

    That surge continued to rise Wednesday, knocking on the door of neighborhoods and dozens of small town businesses.

    “This water has risen in an hour from walking back there to up to your waste,” said Marty Hoffman, whose son works on commercial fishing boats in Crystal River. He came to try and help workers from losing the boats as the surge quickly pushed in.

    “There’s four commercial fishing boats back there that they are trying to keep from floating into buildings,” he said.

    Away from the docks, there’s water where it’s not supposed to be.

    Meanwhile, along the North Citrus Avenue shopping district, businesses owners threatened by rising water could only watch Wednesday afternoon, waiting to see how long the inshore winds will push water in.

    Aside from the storm surge, more than 3,000 power outages are being reported.

    And at least one fire was reported, an electrical fire, potentially due to storm surge.

    Jason Lanning

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  • Where to find last-minute gas

    Where to find last-minute gas

    Many Floridians are preparing for Idalia, and soon many will be searching for gas as the storm gets closer.

    With the GasBuddy Outage Tracker, drivers can search for gas stations nearby, as well as filter by the following criteria:

    • Has Fuel & Power
    • Has No Power
    • Limited Fuel Options
    • Has No Fuel & Power

    Click/Tap on the image below to locate gas stations near you and check their status. For the best results, be sure to share you location. You can also track outages on your phone by downloading the GasBuddy app for Android or iOS.

    Screenshot of the GasBuddy Outage Tracker (Courtesy: GasBuddy.com)

    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Investigation into contaminated gas yields stations that can resume sales

    Investigation into contaminated gas yields stations that can resume sales

    TAMPA, Fla. — After an investigation into reports of contaminated gas from the Port of Tampa being delivered to multiple gas stations, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services said Tuesday that 17 stations remain under a stop sale order.

    State officials announced Sunday that it had identified a potentially widespread fuel contamination caused by human error at the Port of Tampa that impacted gas stations in the Tampa Bay area supplied by Citgo.


    Any fuel purchased from 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 26, through Sunday, Aug. 27, at impacted stations has a strong likelihood of being contaminated with diesel fuel.

    Impacted stations were ordered to stop selling gas until the contaminated fuel is replaced and tanks are cleaned. Once the stations are cleared or have completed a corrective action plan fuel will once again be safe for purchase.

    “I am grateful to the hard-working men and women at FDACS who responded to this incident swiftly and thoroughly,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson. “It is never good to have such a catastrophic error for consumers, but particularly during a time when Floridians are evacuating from a potentially dangerous storm. I firmly believe our department was able to mitigate what could have been a worse situation. We stand ready to assist those whose vehicles and equipment were impacted by contaminated fuel.”

    State officials also said there are no reports of disrupted fuel supply in the region.

    After emergency inspections and testing, FDACS has determined the following:

    Six stations did not receive the contaminated fuel shipment:

    Dan’s Car Wash: 39522 US Highway 19 N., Tarpon Springs

    7-Eleven: 3437 US Highway 19, Holiday

    7-Eleven: 13411 Fish Hawk Boulevard, Lithia

    Quick & Easy Stop: 4529 Bee Ridge Rd., Sarasota

    Palmers Easy Stop: 903 Cattleman Rd., Sarasota

    2K Express 5: 6202 N 40th St., Tampa

    Eight stations have been inspected, remediated, and cleared by FDACS for fuel sales:

    7-Eleven: 720 Chiquita Boulevard, North Cape Coral

    7-Eleven: 2604 Skyline Boulevard, Cape Coral

    7-Eleven: 601 Pine Island Rd. S.W., Cape Coral

    7-Eleven: 6050 Dean Dairy Road, Zephyrhills

    7-Eleven: 714 Burnt Store Road, Cape Coral

    Handy Foods Store #87: 3205 Lee Blvd., Lehigh Acres

    Faulkenburg CITGO: 5320 Faulkenburg Road, Tampa

    PJI LLC: 7977 W Dunnellon Road, Dunnellon (Regular and premium fuel was not contaminated, only diesel fuel)

    17 stations remain under a stop sale order pending laboratory confirmation:

    7-Eleven: 4325 Lee Boulevard, Lehigh Acres

    7-Eleven: 12750 South Cleveland Avenue, Fort Myers

    7-Eleven: 290 Lakeland Park Road, Lakeland

    7-Eleven: 940 S Broad St., Brooksville

    7-Eleven: 1626 Meadow Road, Lehigh Acres

    7-Eleven: 2401 James Redman Parkway, Plant City

    BJ’s Wholesale: 1929 Pine Island Road N.E., Cape Coral

    BJ’s Wholesale: 9372 Ben C Pratt Six Mile Cypress Pkwy., Fort Myers

    BJ’s Wholesale: 13585 NE 86th Path, Lady Lakes

    Handy Foods Store #86: 21321 Palm Beach Blvd., Alva

    Superday CITGO: 1595 South McCall Road, Port Charlotte

    Bolton One LLC: 15434 US Highway 19, Hudson

    JHW #310 – DBA Avenue CITGO: 11867 N. Williams St., Dunellon

    AL Prime – Daytona Beach: 1898 S. Clyde Morris Blvd., Daytona Beach

    Choice Food & Gas: 310 N Central Ave., Umatilla

    Perfection Station 5: 9931 N Florida Ave., Tampa

    Rogers Petroleum: 134 N Desoto Ave., Arcadia

    Spectrum News Staff

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  • One last hurrah for Legoland Florida’s Flight School coaster

    One last hurrah for Legoland Florida’s Flight School coaster

    TAMPA, Fla. — Wednesday is National Roller Coaster Day, or — as we like to think of it in theme park-laden Florida — every day.

    What You Need To Know

    • Wednesday is National Roller Coaster Day — and the last day anyone will be able to ride the Flying School coaster at Legoland Florida
    • The coaster was the first opened at the park when it opened 11 years ago

    • Legoland Florida President Frank Idris did not released any details about what will come next for the park, other than to say it may be one of the  biggest investments in its history

    The year will be a bittersweet celebration at Legoland Florida, though, as the 11 year-old park is retiring one of its oldest rides — The Flying School Coaster — at the end of National Rollercoaster Day.

    Legoland Florida President Frank Idris has been pretty tight-lipped about what will come next for the park, but did tease at the scope of it.

    “I can’t tell you specifically what we will be doing, but (it is) probably the biggest investment this part has made since its inception, since we opened,” he said.

    So far, Legoland has added rides, hotels and a water park since opening in late 2011 — in addition to the Peppa Pig Theme Park, which opened next door in February of 2022.

    Back at the Flying School Coaster, Bella Deonandan — a queen from Queens who was at the park celebrating her 10th birthday — is waiting to ride.

    Like a lot of kids who show up at Legoland, Deonandan says she’s a creator.

    “I like to build a lot of different things like cars,” she said. “A bunch of Lego cars and a couple engines.”

    She says she doesn’t mind switching vehicles and taking flight — it’s the unknown that Deonandan likes.

    “You don’t know what’s coming, so that’s why it’s really, really fun,” she said.

    Deonandan and her family will be some of the last people learning to fly on the Flying School coaster.

    The coaster flight time is just over a minute with twisty fun and no upside-down fear, and a top speed of 26 mph.

    “It’s like when you start it’s really slow, but when you get up there, it’s really, really fast.,” Deonandan said, pointing to the first hill the coaster climbs.

    Deonandan said this is good practice for next step in her coaster career — which she says will include the faster, bigger, flippier ones.

    “The smaller ones were the start and the big ones are the ending,” she said.

    According to patriarch and coaster enthusiast Kevin Sookra, this is a family goal.

    “I grew up on roller coasters so it’s pretty fun,” he said. “It was my smallest daughter’s (Riya’s) first time, so you guys actually got that on video, so it’s pretty cool. She’s not like her mom — she likes to go on all the rides, and so I love it.”

    Virginia Johnson

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  • Summer Circus Spectacular in final week of 18th annual show

    Summer Circus Spectacular in final week of 18th annual show

    SARASOTA, Fla. — Before the lights. Before the cheers. Before the performance — it’s a quiet stage and an empty house.

    What You Need To Know

    • Summer Circus Spectacular continues through Saturday, Aug. 12

    • One-hour show filled with circus arts

    • 18th year at the Historical Asolo Theater at the Ringling Museum in Sarasota 

    • Created by Pedro Reis, founder and CEO of the Circus Arts Conservatory

    Tersit Dersu is the opening act for the Summer Circus Spectacular at the Historic Asolo Theater at the Ringling Museum in Sarasota.

    Dersu warms up by softly bouncing balls off a clear apparatus that she and the crew wheeled on stage.

    “Juggling is practice and patience,” she said.

    Dersu adds more balls to the flow, creating a double two-bounce roundabout of a circle whirring of white.

    She said she knew at 15 that she was destined to perform.

    “It’s been like 10 years of practicing,” she said.

    “Circus makes the impossible possible,” said Pedro Reis, the founder and CEO of the Circus Arts Conservatory. “They’re juggling. There’s aerial, there’s grace. It’s a combination of movement and dance.”

    Reis started the show after retiring from his own international adventures on the high wire.

    Dersu’s performance skills have taken her from her native Ethiopia to stages around the world.

    “You do what you love, you travel,” she said.

    Dersu said meeting and working with people from different countries and cultures has been amazing.

    “I love my job,” she said.

    And when she does her job, the crowd — they love it too. 

    Virginia Johnson

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  • OCM director talks marijuana market – Medical Marijuana Program Connection

    OCM director talks marijuana market – Medical Marijuana Program Connection

    Last week, the state’s Cannabis Control Board issued 212 operating licenses for adult use cannabis dispensaries.

    While New York has issued 463 legal licenses across the state, there are only a handful of brick-and-mortar operations up and running.

    Gov. Kathy Hochul has vowed to strengthen the emerging legal market by cracking down on unlicensed vendors through harsher fines and even store closures for repeat offenders.

    Chris Alexander, executive director of the State Office of Cannabis Management, joined NY1 political reporter Bobby Cuza on “Inside City Hall” Friday to discuss more.

    Original Author Link click here to read complete story..

    MMP News Author

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  • Fairgrounds St. Pete introduces new monthly ‘Art After Dark’ event

    Fairgrounds St. Pete introduces new monthly ‘Art After Dark’ event

    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — When you step inside Fairgrounds St. Pete, Florida’s culture and history comes to life through art, soundscapes and even smells. The immersive art and technology museum has started a new monthly event to showcase the work of local artists and give visitors a whole new experience.

    What You Need To Know

    • Fairgrounds St. Pete is starting a new monthly event to give visitors a whole new experience. 

    • “Art After Dark” will feature immersive art, live music, drink specials and an artist talk.

    • The event will take place on the third Friday of every month.

    On the third Friday of every month, Fairgrounds will host “Art After Dark.” The event invites guests to socialize and learn more about the artists’ work and process.

    “We want them to feel as immersed as possible, and just bringing different sources of art to this central hub with music, with the artist talk, with just a little party vibe,” said Sarah Hardin, digital marketing and content manager for Fairgrounds St. Pete.

    The museum kicked off its new event while unveiling a new piece of art by local artist Paul LeRoy Gehres.

    “I just want to bring joy,” Gehres said. “I want to bring joy and teach art history, really. You know, teach people about artists of the past and generate interest.”

    Gehres goes by many pseduonyms. At “Art After Dark” he’s Lucky LeRoy, dressed up as Andy Warhol to show off his new installation. 

    “The story is that Andy Warhol came to Florida in the seventies to save art deco,” LeRoy said. “They were going to tear down the art deco hotels in Miami and they brought Andy Warhol to bring attention to the cause.”

    LeRoy’s installation is part of the Floridarama exhibit. Each diorama tells a different story about Florida’s culture and history. It’s easy to pick out LeRoy’s piece because it’s different than the others — but you’ll have to take a peek inside to get the full picture. 

    “It sort of flashes at you, so it’s like ‘What’s that flashing light over there?,’” LeRoy said. “To me, that’s the paparazzi. And then you run over to look in the Floridarama and then Andy Warhol is taking a picture of you.”

    LeRoy said his goal is to make everyone feel like a celebrity for just a moment, all while teaching them about one of his own artistic heroes. 

    The next “Art After Dark” will take place on Aug. 18 from 7-9 p.m. Click here for more information and to purcahse tickets. 

    Brian Rea

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  • Some businesses struggling to obtain legal marijuana license – Medical Marijuana Program Connection

    Some businesses struggling to obtain legal marijuana license – Medical Marijuana Program Connection

    After the long battle for businesses in the Finger Lakes region to be able to apply for marijuana licenses, some are still waiting for their time to come.

    FingerLakes Cannabis Company co-owners Mark Byassee and Tim Hay decided to get into the cannabis industry more than two years ago.

    “I had an illness. He went through an accident. It was during the COVID time period and we were both in sales jobs,” Byassee said.

    They saw it as an opportunity to do something they enjoyed, but getting into the industry has been harder than they first imagined.

    “Cannabis became legal and Mark and I thought that this would be relatively pretty quick,” Hay said. “They would issue licenses. We’d put an application in. They’d issue licenses and we’d be able to start selling recreational cannabis. It hasn’t been like that.”

    Business owners like Byassee and Hay had to go through the New York State Office of Cannabis Management, which made sure applicants for a card license followed protocols like securing a location, getting approval from local municipalities and that the dispensary is at least 30% owned by a justice-involved individual or someone with a marijuana conviction.

    “We checked off all those boxes and are currently still waiting for a license,” Hay said.

    Despite every effort, they say they were not granted a license. Then the process was delayed because of a lawsuit filed by another company also denied approval by the state.

    Byassee claims “because he wanted a…

    Original Author Link click here to read complete story..

    MMP News Author

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  • Come face to face with dinosaurs at Jurassic Quest in Tampa

    Come face to face with dinosaurs at Jurassic Quest in Tampa

    TAMPA, Fla. — If you’ve ever wanted to get up and close and personal with a dinosaur, now is your chance. The creatures that once roamed the Earth millions of years ago are finding home in Tampa this weekend and next – in animatronic form, of course. 

    What You Need To Know

    •  Jurassic Quest will be at the Florida State Fairgrounds this weekend and July 28-30

    •  The traveling exhibit features dozens of true-to-size, animatronic dinosaurs

    •  There are activities for kids of all ages, including a fossil dig, bounce houses and an interactive challenge

    As a kid, Brianna Broussard loved dinosaurs, so when she saw an opportunity to work with her favorite creature, there was no question. 

    Broussard has been traveling with Jurassic Quest for the last year. As a dino trainer, she spends her days wrangling the baby dinosaurs at the exhibit. 

    “I feed them, I take care of them,” Broussard said. “I teach them new tricks, of course with the help of the kiddos my new certified dinosaur trainers. I make sure that they are transported OK — these are live dinosaurs, so we’ve got to make sure that they’re transported, safe and nice.”

    Baby dinos are just the start of what you’ll find at Jurassic Quest. As you walk through the exhibit, dozens of lifelike, animoatronic dinosaurs tower over you, documenting millions of years of history. You can also ride a dino, dig for fossils and participate in an interactive challenge.

    Dinosaur expert Park Ranger Marty Hoffman said the goal of the exhibit is to entertain and educate.

    “I always call dinosaurs the ‘gateway science’ because if your kid is into dinosaurs, all of a sudden they’re learning about biology, astronomy and geology,” Hoffman said. “They’re learning all these different things just because they think dinosaurs are cool.”

    The experience is meant for the whole family. Broussard said she hopes everyone leaves with a new appreciation for the prehistoric creatures. 

    “I want them to walk away of course with memories,” she said. “Here at Jurassic Quest we’re enriching, we’re immersive, this is an environment where kids can really blossom and explore all their creative sides with dinosaurs. I just want everyone to walk away with fun, long-lasting memories of course.”

    Jurassic Quest will be at the Florida State Fairgrounds this weekend and July 28-30. Organizers recommend buying tickets ahead of time online, but they can also be purchased at the door. Admission is free for children under 2.

    For more information, visit the Jurassic Quest website.

    Brian Rea

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  • Piano concert offers chance to support future of piano

    Piano concert offers chance to support future of piano

    TAMPA, Fla. — Rebecca Penneys is on stage, rehearsing a tune on piano for weekend celebrations during the three-week Rebecca Penneys Piano Festival at the University of South Florida.

    What You Need To Know

    • More than 200 pianists will attend festival
    • It takes place on Saturday, July 15 at 7 p.m.
    • It will be  held at the USF School of Music in Barness Hall
    • Donations accepted for future scholarships

    This is the moment before fingers hit the keys. It’s the smallest of pauses, and she begins.

    Penneys has been playing piano since she was 2 ½-years-old. Her professional debut was at 9 years old.

    “The piano is just so gorgeous,” the now adult Penneys said, as she played.

    Her summer festival attracts pianists from the world over.

    “We had over 200 applicants for 40 spots, and they are from 22 different countries,” said Penneys.|

    Penneys isn’t at the piano alone. In fact, there is even more than one piano on stage.

    What’s happening is a two-piano, four-people, eight-hand, 40-finger ivory-tickling fun fest. They’re playing the song Champagne Toccata by composer William Gillock.

    The festival is a donor-funded program for students to get intensive training with professional musicians and instructors, all for free.

    “It’s a legacy project for me,” said Penneys. “And I just love helping all these young people and professionals.”

    Penneys holds multiple artistic posts, is an Artist-in-Residence at St. Petersburg College and holds a courtesy position as Steinway-Artist-in-Residence at USF.

    The audience is invited to give a little bit.

    “Music is such a powerful communicator for us all. And these young people are the future,” said Penneys.

    Six decades into her art life, four decades teaching piano to college students and this is her sort-of retirement.

    “Music is a special language,” said Penneys. “And if we had more music we’d have more peace, we’d have more love, and it would be a better world. And that’s what we are all doing here.”

     

    Virginia Johnson

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  • Bay Area Youth Wind Band Alumni reunite for Summer Breeze concert

    Bay Area Youth Wind Band Alumni reunite for Summer Breeze concert

    TAMPA, Fla. — It’s the last rehearsal for Francisco Quixtan and his fellow alumni from the Bay Area Youth Wind Band before their annual reunion concert.

    What You Need To Know

    • Florida Wind Band and Summer Breeze concert: July 1 at 5:30 p.m. at Carrollwood Village Park, Tampa
    • Florida Wind Band concert: July 2, 6 p.m. at Palma Cela Presbyterian Church, Tampa
    • Francisco Quixtan is among the Bay Area Youth Wind Band alumni that will be performing in the Summer Breeze concert

    “I was one of the first to join this group in 2012. I was a senior in high school,” said Quixtan.

    The band welcomes back the best middle and high school wind musicians in the Tampa Bay area as Summer Breeze, under conductor and founder Dr. Matthew McCutchen, who is also the University of South Florida’s Director of Bands.

    And there is another concert that involves a flow of different instruments.

    “So the wind band is made of all woodwind, brass and percussion instruments, so we don’t involve any string instruments,” said Tony Negron, executive director of the Florida Wind Band. “And so they are going to see two different ensembles — the first is going to be the Summer Breeze group, which is the Alumni for Bay Area Youth Winds, and then the second group that they’re going to see is the Florida Wind Band, which is the professional ensemble.”

    While some of these musicians only pick up their instruments once a year for this ongoing tradition, others never let it go.

    “I play the clarinet. I’ve been playing since fifth grade, then went to college, got a degree in Music Education and Performance. I love music so much,” Quixtan said.

    As for his current work?

    “I’m an orchestra high school director,” Quixtan said. “I’m also a conductor, a community band conductor and a professional musician.”

    With such a full plate, why come back every year? To be surrounded by people from different walks of life, in different stages of life, brought together by the music of life.

    “People that just want to do this because they love it,” he said.

    The Florida Wind Band and Summer Breeze concert will be held on July 1 at 5:30 p.m. at Carrollwood Village Park in Tampa.

    And the Florida Wind Band will have another concert that will be held on July 2 at 6 p.m. at Palma Cela Presbyterian Church in Tampa.

    Virginia Johnson

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  • Saxophonist offers training, advice for teen musicians

    Saxophonist offers training, advice for teen musicians

    TAMPA, Fla. — It’s Day one of a Jazz Intensive Workshop at the Patel Conservatory. There are trombones, a piano player named Zion, trumpets and laughter.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Jazz Intensive Workshop will end in a Jazz Intensive Showcase at the Straz Center

    • It will take place on Saturday, June 10 at 7 p.m. and cost $18.75

    • The teacher has been playing for years, and enjoys sharing his expertise

    By week’s end, this group of teens plan to perform at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts, under the ear of Matthew Weihmuller.

    “Evan, don’t be afraid to play out, man,” said Weihmuller to one student. “You sound great on the keys, man,” to another.

    The professional saxophone player has been teaching students at the Pate about a decade.

    “It’s really always been my passion that I think the way to really continue the art of playing jazz is through the youth of today and student,” said Weihmuller.

    Blind from birth, it’s Weihmuller’s literacy in Braille Music that connects his world and his pupils.

    “I’ve had to teach how to read music to sighted individuals, which would be impossible without the Braille Music,” said Weihmuller.

    It basically levels the playing field for Weihmuller as an instructor. When he himself is performing—it’s not the same.

    “The only difference is I have to memorize everything,” said Weihmuller. Something he’s been doing since middle school.

    “Well, I have to say, where there’s a will, there’s a way,” said Weihmuller about his advice for others dreaming of life as a musician.

    Weihmuller encourages the next generation to surround themselves with the professionals of the trade.

    Virginia Johnson

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  • Inaugural ASL Festival Saturday at St. Pete’s Coastal Creative

    Inaugural ASL Festival Saturday at St. Pete’s Coastal Creative

    WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. — Stella Jimenez Castro of Stella’s Jewelry and Embroidery leads with love, literally. It’s on her shirt — surrounded by a heart.

    What You Need To Know

    •  The American Sign Language Festival in St. Pete will be held Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

    • The free event will take place at Coastal Creative, 2201 1st Ave. S

    • Organizers say it will feature art, advocacy groups, and an evening poetry slam

    Her just-finished dangling earrings are the American Sign Language sign for “I love you.”

    “People ask me all the time and they learn something new,” she said.

    Jimenez Castro told Spectrum News through bi-lingual volunteer interpreter James Maucere that she grew up deaf in Columbia and she had to learn things by seeing them through designs, painting, and making jewelry. She says that’s how she saw the world.

    She will be participating in the American Sign Language Festival in St. Pete Saturday. The free event is being held from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

    “It’s great to show hearing people about deaf culture,” said Jimenez Castro. “It tells hearing people that deaf people can do it too.”

    Organizer Tony Maucere says he hopes that hearing people won’t be afraid to attend.

    He said the festival will have vendors, deaf advocacy groups and entertainment.

    Virginia Johnson

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  • USF Botanical Gardens host to Summer Plant Festival

    USF Botanical Gardens host to Summer Plant Festival

    TAMPA, Fla. — Plant parents, heads up — we’ve got an upcoming event you might dig.


    It’s the University of South Florida Botanical Gardens Summer Plant Festival in Tampa. The festival is one of the Botanical Gardens’ three major fundraisers each year.

    And it’s where Spectrum News met their director Craig Huegel, planting in the fern area of the garden.

    Huegel says he has always loved plants.

    “My very first memory is messing around with some black raspberries in the back yard,” he said, explaining that his parents always gave him part of their Wisconsin garden plot for his own plants.

    So it makes sense he’s the boss of all 18 acres on the corner of the USF campus off Bruce B. Downs Boulevard and East Fowler Avenue.

    To help with the evolving green space, the USF Botanical Gardens offers their Summer Festival.

    There is an outside area, as well as two greenhouses filled with plants — some grown from seed and others propagated.

    There are native plants, loved by pollinators, as well as unique ones.

    “Mostly what we’ve been trying to do is grow things, collect things for sale that aren’t available in most — if any — nurseries in the area,” said Huegel.

    And the commonly known plants like a monstera adansonii — the climbing Swiss cheese plant — are handsomely priced.

    (This plant weirdo has seen similarly sized plants for more than twice the USF Botanical Gardens prices.)

    So people can come for the prices and plant species, and then hang out with some of their own.

    “Well, plant people gravitate towards plant people,” said Heugel, with a chuckle. “So you’ll have somebody you can talk to about your passion or disease whatever it is it just makes it a lot more fun.”

    Virginia Johnson

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