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  • Swigwam Beach Bar reopens in St. Pete Beach

    Swigwam Beach Bar reopens in St. Pete Beach

    ST. PETE BEACH, Fla. — The Swigwam Beach Bar on Corey Avenue in St. Pete Beach officially reopened on Wednesday after being closed for more than a month due to damage from Hurricane Helene

    What You Need To Know

    • Rob Williams said, like most business owners, he does not have flood insurance and spent $29,000 to reopen about one month after Helene’s storm surge sent 18 inches of seawater inside the Swigwam

    • Williams survived what he called the worst October ever, but despite the setback he considers himself one of the lucky business owners.

    •  The Swigwam reopened on Wednesday


    “I think for the area, it’s going to take at least one year to recover completely,” said owner Rob Williams. “I’m happy we’re open because with so many people affected, especially the people that come in here all the time, they need a little relaxation.”

    Williams said, like most business owners, he does not have flood insurance and spent $29,000 to reopen about one month after Helene’s storm surge sent 18 inches of seawater inside the Swigwam. During the time it was closed, Williams said he tried to supplement the income of his seven employees as best he could.

    “They went from making money to making no money,” he said. “I kind of couldn’t do much, but I gave them a little bit each week to get them by.” 

    Robin Miller, the President and CEO of the Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber, said it’s hard to get exact numbers but estimates about 40 percent of the businesses in St. Pete Beach have reopened — but most at limited capacity. The chamber has been doing a ribbon cutting at each business when it reopens.

    Williams said all four eating and drinking establishment on Corey Avenue have reopened but many of the other businesses remain closed. The bar owner is thankful to the City of St. Pete Beach for helping to clear debris from the avenue to make way for the Sunday morning market.

    “That was a big impetus for them to really clean the street because the Sunday market brings so many people here, local and tourists,” he said. “So having that really makes it feel like we’re almost normal again, but it’ll still be a while.”

    Williams said his home in the Gulfport area wasn’t damaged during Helene but two weeks later Hurricane Milton blew his front doors wide open and rain ruined his floors. He calls it minor damage compared to his siblings.

    “My sister, she lost all the contents plus two cars,” he said. “My brother. Same deal.”

    Williams survived what he called the worst October ever, but despite the setback, he considers himself one of the lucky business owners.

    “A lot of people lost their business and their house and their vehicle and any source of income,” he said. “So I do feel blessed that we’re open for business again and we’ll make it.” 

    Williams has a nearly 40 year history with the Swigwam. He was an employee at the former location for 23 years and has owned the Corey Avenue business for almost 15 years.

    Josh Rojas

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  • Hurricane recovery involves a job search for some hospitality workers

    Hurricane recovery involves a job search for some hospitality workers

    LARGO, Fla. — A number of Tampa Bay restaurants were left shuttered after Hurricanes Helene and Milton — some temporarily, and others longer term.

    That left employees wondering what was next.

    Jonathan Hewett, founder and owner of Service Station, said many turned to his website.

    What You Need To Know

    • The founder of Service Station said the website saw a jump in people looking for hospitality jobs after Hurricanes Helene and Milton

    • Owner Jonathan Hewett said there were about 1,500 job seekers on the site in October, compared to the usual 1,000

    • According to the U.S. Dept. of Labor, statewide unemployment claims jumped by more than 4,000 the week after Helene and by more than 4,500 the week after Milton

    • Hewett said the storms came at the end of the slow season, making it an even tougher time for workers


    “Two or three days following the storm, I mean, my phone was just ringing every two minutes. A job seeker — ‘Hey, my restaurant’s been shut down.’ They’re sending me pictures of the bar that’s just, like, completely ruined and not even there anymore,” said Hewett.

    Hewett created Service Station in 2021. The website connects job seekers and employers in the hospitality industry. He said he was inspired by his family’s business — his wife and father-in-law own Finley’s Irish Pub — and the challenges restaurants faced during the pandemic. Hewett said this latest blow comes at a particularly bad time for workers.

    “They have bills to pay, they have kids to feed, and because those storms happened towards the end of the slow season and we are getting into the busy season now, a few weeks out from the storm, but there weren’t really many jobs open,” he said.

    Data from the U.S. Dept. of Labor shows unemployment claims statewide jumped by more than 4,000 the week after Hurricane Helene and by more than 4,500 the week after Milton. That’s not broken down by industry, but Hewett said traffic on Service Station’s website saw a big increase after the storms. While a normal month would involve about 1,000 job seekers looking for work, he said this month saw about 1,500.

    “I’ve been trying my best to get in contact with employers all over Tampa Bay to either make room to employ one extra person, bring them on part time, or find those places that are getting ready for the busy season,” Hewett said.

    Finley’s hired two full-time employees from storm damaged businesses Caddy’s and Frenchy’s.

    Hewett said Service Station is always free for people looking for work, but he offered the site’s platform to employers at no cost during October. He said Nov. 1 is the last day to take advantage of that. Hewett estimates he and his team helped as many as 300 people get interviews since the storms. While demand has slowed down on the site, he said there’s still work to be done to help those suddenly without a job get back on their feet.

    Visit St. Pete-Clearwater launched its “Still Shining” campaign this week to get the word out to visitors that the destination, and many of its shops and restaurants, are open for business.

    Director of Public Relations Jason Latimer said it’s estimated 80% of the area’s hotels, attractions and restaurants are up and running and welcoming guests.

    He said roughly one in ten jobs in Pinellas County is tourism-related.

    Sarah Blazonis

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  • Pinellas Park offers barbeque, rodeo as hurricane distraction

    Pinellas Park offers barbeque, rodeo as hurricane distraction

    PINELLAS PARK, Fla. — Pinellas Park is hosting its annual Public Works BBQ Cook-Off & Rodeo this Saturday at England Brothers Park.

    The event offers barbecue, live entertainment and a rodeo.

    The Public Works Department is hosting the event, which will be held at 5010 81st Avenue North from noon until 10 p.m.

    The city sees the event as offering families a distraction from the stress Hurricanes Helene and Milton have caused.

    Entertainment Schedule:

    • Noon – Full Throttle band
    • 2 p.m. – Crownz
    • 3:30 p.m. – Welcome Ceremony
    • 4 p.m. – Mixed Signal
    • 4:30 p.m. – Rodeo
    • 6 p.m. – WOR – A Tribute To Women of Rock
    • 8 p.m. – TL Jentgens

    Jeff Butera

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  • ‘Canes streaking; ‘mocktail party’ takes center stage; UCF, USF, FSU seek wins

    ‘Canes streaking; ‘mocktail party’ takes center stage; UCF, USF, FSU seek wins

    GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Quarterback DJ Lagway is the most important Gators player to coach Billy Napier’s future at Florida.

    The fabulous freshman will get a chance to save Napier’s job in November while facing four ranked teams, beginning Saturday against No. 2 Georgia in nearby Jacksonville. If Lagway plays like he did in his two previous starts, the game previously billed as the “World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party” could turn into a welcome back celebration for Napier.

    Lagway and the Gators (4-3, 2-2 Southeastern Conference) are trying to end a three-game skid in the series and give Napier a much-needed victory against a ranked team and a rival. Napier is 2-12 against ranked opponents in three seasons and 1-9 against rivals Georgia, Florida State, LSU, Miami and Tennessee.

    Napier’s tenure in Gainesville felt over after lopsided losses to Miami and Texas A&M in the first month of the season. But three wins in his past four games and signs of progress on both sides of the ball have given Napier a chance to alter his fate.

    In other contests this weekend, a favored USF (3-4) will try to get back to .500 on Friday night when it visits new American Athletic Conference opponent Florida Atlantic.

    Florida State and UCF will both try to bounce back after losses to ranked teams.

    The Seminoles’ slide toward the bottom of the Atlantic Coast Conference continued after last week’s 36-14 loss at No. 5 Miami. FSU (1-7 overall and 1-6 in ACC play) still has to tangle with ranked Notre Dame and Florida after this week’s matchup with North Carolina. FSU also has a November meeting with Charleston Southern.  

    UCF had few answers for No. 11 BYU’s offense, giving up 480 yards to the Cougars in a 37-24 loss. As a result, coach Gus Malzahn fired defensive coordinator Ted Roof, restored last year’s defensive coordinator Addison Williams to the role and handed over offensive play-calling responsibilities to first-year offensive coordinator Tim Harris Jr. That leaves in question what the Knights (3-5 overall, 1-4 in the Big 12) will look like as they take on Arizona (also 3-5, 1-4) on Saturday afternoon. UCF’s undefeated record in Space Games is on the line.

    State leader Miami, meanwhile, looks to continue its path toward a high ranking and a playoff bid. The fifth-ranked Hurricanes will host a scrappy Duke bunch ahead of next week’s initial College Football Playoff rankings, which will give a first look at who is in the 12-team playoff. At this point, all the rest of the state’s teams cling to hopes they can win enough contests as the season wraps up to go to a bowl game.

    Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.

    A closer look at Week 10’s games

    Friday, Nov. 1

    USF (3-4, 1-2 in American Athletic Conference) at Florida Atlantic University (2-5, 0-3), 7:30 p.m., ESPN2

    The Bulls, who lead the all-time series 3-2 in this budding rivalry, should be motivated, not only after last week’s 10-point victory against UAB but especially after the Owls spanked USF 56-14 in Tampa last season. USF coach Alex Golesh has not said whether Bryce Archie will start at quarterback or if Byrum Brown will return from injury. Brown has been out since a leg injury sidelined him Sept.28 at Tulane.  

    Saturday, Nov. 2  

    Duke (6-2, 2-2 in ACC) at No. 5 Miami (8-0, 4-0), noon, ABC and ESPN+

    As the college football season heads into its final full month, the ACC race is coming down to four schools — all without a league loss: No. 20 SMU, No. 18 Pitt, No. 11 Clemson and No. 5 Miami. Miami and Pitt are unbeaten. An unbeaten ACC champion is all-but certain to reach the 12-team College Football Playoff.

    These are all things the Hurricanes will have on their minds down the stretch, starting Saturday against the Blue Devils.

    North Carolina (4-4, 1-3 in ACC) at Florida State (1-7, 1-6), 3:30 p.m., ACC Network

    The Seminoles are coming off a 36-14 loss to the rival Hurricanes, went winless in October, have not scored more than 16 points since its opener against Georgia Tech and lost a commitment from a four-star wide receiver last week. One win will not right this massively wrong season, but the Seminoles desperately seek something, anything, to go their way as the schedule moves into November.

    Florida (4-3, 2-2 in SEC) vs. Georgia (6-1, 4-1 in SEC), in Jacksonville, 3:30 p.m. ABC

    The past three meetings between the teams have essentially been over by halftime, 24-0 in 2021, 28-3 in 2022 and 26-7 last year. A couple key Bulldogs, safety Dan Jackson and defensive back Joenel Aguero are suspended for the first half after ejections for targeting against Texas. Jackson is the team’s second-leading tackler with 37, and Aguero ranks eighth with 19. Florida will be without receiver Eugene Wilson III because of what the team was saying is a lingering hip injury and its top cornerback, Jason Marshall Jr., who will miss the rest of the season with a shoulder injury. Receiver Tre Wilson will not play either. Georgia running back Trevor Etienne will face his former teammates for the first time. Etienne left Florida after last season and landed with the Bulldogs, where he saw an opportunity to become a starter. He spent two years in Gainesville playing behind Montrell Johnson. Etienne leads the Bulldogds with 422 yards rushing and seven touchdowns. “I’ve got nothing but love for those guys,” Etienne said.

    Arizona (3-5, 1-4 in Big 12) at UCF (3-5, 1-4), 3:30 p.m., FS1

    The Knights could have their fourth starting quarterback since the beginning of the season after redshirt sophomore Dylan Rizk took over for a struggling Jacurri Brown last Saturday and moved the ball well. So far this season, running back RJ Harvey out of Edgewater has literally carried their offense, rushing for 1,017 yards and 13 touchdowns. Its offense ranks 11th among 16 teams in the Big 12, and its defense is 13th. Both have dropped since the start of the season. Arizona’s offense ranks 14th, but its defense is 11th. No launches are planned from the Space Coast during this week’s game, but a flyover is scheduled before the game. The Wildcats average 260.3 passing yards per game. UCF’s top receiver, Kobe Hudson, left last Saturday’s game after injuring his leg on UCF’s first offensive play last Saturday. The team had not revealed any other details about the injury by early Thursday afternoon.

    Spectrum Sports Staff

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  • Harris launches ad taking aim at Puerto Rico ‘garbage’ line

    Harris launches ad taking aim at Puerto Rico ‘garbage’ line

    Four days after a comedian at Donald Trump’s rally made a joke about Puerto Rico being an “island of garbage” and set off a political firestorm, Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign seized on the racist comments in a digital ad targeting Latino voters.

    What You Need To Know

    • Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign launched a new ad targeting Latino voters after a comedian at Donald Trump’s rally made a joke about Puerto Rico being an “island of garbage”

    • The 30-second Spanish -language spot speaks directly to Puerto Ricans, saying: “We are not trash. We are more than that”
    • After showing Puerto Ricans proudly flying their flag and rallying for Harris, the ad cuts to Trump throwing paper towels to Puerto Ricans at a relief center in 2017, after Hurricane Maria devastated the U.S. territory, and closes with: “On Nov. 5, Trump will learn that some people’s trash is someone else’s treasure”

    • The ad is the latest in the fallout from the Madison Square Garden rally, which also featured crude and sexist remarks from Hinchcliffe and other speakers



    The 30-second, Spanish-language spot speaks directly to Puerto Ricans, saying, “It was supposed to be a joke. It doesn’t matter. We’ve been called worse,” the ad says as it flashes pictures of GOP candidate Donald Trump and his vice-presidential running mate, JD Vance.

    “What we really are is a group of scientists, poets, educators, stars and heroes,” the ad then says as it transitions to a montage of famous Puerto Ricans, including the global superstar Bad Bunny, who endorsed Harris following the comedian’s comment, and Major League Baseball hall-of-famer Roberto Clemente. “We are not trash. We are more than that.”

    After showing Puerto Ricans proudly flying their flag and rallying for Harris, the ad cuts to Trump throwing paper towels to Puerto Ricans at a relief center in 2017, after Hurricane Maria devastated the U.S. territory.

    “Get out,” the ad says about Trump, before cutting to various shots of Harris campaigning with Latinos — a coveted constituency she and Trump have both been targeting in their final days on the campaign trail.

    “On Nov. 5, Trump will learn that some people’s trash is someone else’s treasure,” it says before urging viewers to vote for Harris on or before Election Day.

    The ad is the latest in the fallout from the Madison Square Garden rally, which also featured crude and sexist remarks from Hinchcliffe and other speakers. 

    El Nuevo Día, the island territory’s largest newspaper, endorsed Harris in a scathing front page editorial calling the rally “a repugnant display of hate that evokes memories of the speeches of Nazism and Fascism, which aimed to eliminate minorities.” The paper’s longtime editor and parent company CEO María Luisa Ferré Rangel wrote Trump’s behavior is “erratic and narcissistic” and that the former president “suffers from psychopathic elements that he evidences by lying repeatedly.”

    “Today, the hearts of all of us who love this beautiful Garden of America, and of the world, clench with rage and pain. Puerto Ricans are a noble and peaceful people, who deeply love their island,” she wrote. “On Sunday, continuing a pattern of contempt and misinformation that Donald Trump has maintained for years against the eight million of us American citizens who are Puerto Ricans, comedian Tony Hinchcliffe insulted us during a Republican Party event by referring to Puerto Rico as” a floating island of garbage.

    “Is that what Trump and the Republican Party think about Puerto Ricans? Politics is not a joke and hiding behind a comedian is cowardly,” she added.

    Separately, in an open letter published on Monday, the Catholic archbishop of San Juan told Trump he was “dismayed and appalled” by Hinchcliffe’s remarks and said he wrote the letter demanding a personal apology from the former president after consulting with his fellow bishops in Puerto Rico. 

    “I enjoy a good joke. However, humor has its limits. It should not insult or denigrate the dignity and sacredness of people. Hinchcliffe’s remarks do not only provoke sinister laugher, but hatred,” Archbishop Roberto O. González Nieves wrote. “I call upon you, Mr. Trump, to disavow these comments as reflecting in any way your personal or political viewpoints.”

    Trump’s campaign and many Republicans disavowed the remark, but the candidate himself has yet to do so, claiming in remarks at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida on Tuesday that his Sunday rally was a “love fest.” At an event in the Philadelphia suburbs later on Tuesday, Trump boasted “no president has done more for Puerto Rico than I have.”

    A slew of Puerto Rican officials and celebrities have denounced Hinchcliffe and many have endorsed Harris in the days since the rally. Jennifer Lopez, one of the most famous Puerto Rican celebrities in the U.S. said she will campaign with Harris in Las Vegas Halloween night. 

    Reggaeton star Nicky Jam, who previously endorsed Trump and appeared with him at a rally, pulled his endorsement on Wednesday.

    “Never in my life did I think that one month later there would be a comedian who would criticize my country and speak poorly of my country,” Nicky Jam, whose real name is Nick Rivera Caminero, said in Spanish in a video posted to his Instagram page. “For that I withdraw my support of Donald Trump. Puerto Rico should be respected.”

    A number of other celebrities of Puerto Rican descent expressed support for Harris in the days after the rally, including music superstars Bad Bunny and Ricky Martin, former Fox News personality Geraldo Rivera and actor John Leguizamo.

    Spectrum News’ Joseph Konig and Justin Tasolides contributed to this report.

    Susan Carpenter

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  • Dodgers beat Yankees, win 2024 World Series

    Dodgers beat Yankees, win 2024 World Series

    NEW YORK — The Los Angeles Dodgers won their second World Series championship in five seasons, overcoming a five-run deficit with the help of three Yankees defensive miscues and rallying on sacrifice flies from Gavin Lux and Mookie Betts in the eighth inning to beat New York 7-6 in Game 5 on Wednesday night.

    What You Need To Know

    • Dave Roberts won his second championship in nine seasons as manager as the Dodgers, matching Lasorda and trailing the four of Walter Alston

    • The Dodgers won for the fourth time in 12 Series meetings with the Yankees

    • New York remained without a title since winning its record 27th in 2009

    • The Dodgers earned their eighth championship and seventh since leaving Brooklyn for Los Angeles — their first in a non-shortened season since 1988

    Aaron Judge and Jazz Chisholm Jr. hit back-to-back home runs in the first inning, Alex Verdugo’s RBI single chased Jack Flaherty in the second and Giancarlo Stanton’s third-inning homer against Ryan Brasier built a 5-0 Yankees lead.

    But errors by Judge in center and Anthony Volpe at shortstop, combined with pitcher Gerrit Cole failing to cover first on Betts’ grounder, helped Los Angeles score five unearned runs in the fifth.

    After Stanton’s sixth-inning sacrifice fly put the Yankees back ahead 6-5, the Dodgers loaded the bases against loser Tommy Kahnle in the eighth before the sacrifice flies off Luke Weaver.

    Winner Blake Treinen escaped a two-on, one-out jam in the bottom half by retiring Stanton on a flyout and striking out Anthony Rizzo.

    Walker Buehler, making his first relief appearance since his rookie season in 2018, pitched a perfect ninth for his first major league save.

    “We’re obviously resilient, but there’s so much love in the clubhouse that won this game today,” Betts said. “That’s what it was. It was love, it was grit. I mean, it was just a beautiful thing. I’m just proud of us and I’m happy for us.”

    When Buehler struck out Verdugo to end the game, the Dodgers poured onto the field to celebrate between the mound and first base, capping a season in which they won 98 games and finished with the best regular-season record.

    “There’s just a lot of ways we can win baseball games,” Buehler said. “Obviously the superstars we have on our team and the discipline, it just kind of all adds up.”

    Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers’ record-setting $700 million signing and baseball’s first 50-homer, 50-steal player, went 2 for 19 with no RBIs and had one single after separating his shoulder during a stolen base attempt in Game 2.

    Freddie Freeman hit a two-run single to tie the Series record of 12 RBIs, set by Bobby Richardson over seven games in 1960. With the Dodgers one out from losing Friday’s opener, Freeman hit a game-ending grand slam reminiscent of Kirk Gibson’s homer off Oakland’s Dennis Eckersley in 1988’s Game 1 that sparked Los Angeles to the title.

    The Dodgers earned their eighth championship and seventh since leaving Brooklyn for Los Angeles — their first in a non-shortened season since 1988. They won a neutral-site World Series against Tampa Bay in 2020 after a 60-game regular season and couldn’t have a parade because of the coronavirus pandemic.

    These Dodgers of Ohtani, Freeman & Betts joined the 1955 Duke Snider and Roy Campanella Boys of Summer, the Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale era that spanned the three titles from 1959-65, the Tommy Lasorda-led groups 1981 and ’88 and the Betts and Clayton Kershaw champions of 2020.

    Dave Roberts won his second championship in nine seasons as manager as the Dodgers, matching Lasorda and trailing the four of Walter Alston. The Dodgers won for the fourth time in 12 Series meetings with the Yankees.

    New York remained without a title since winning its record 27th in 2009. The Yankees acquired Juan Soto from San Diego in December knowing he would be eligible for free agency after the 2024 Series. The 26-year-old star went 5 for 16 one RBI in the Series heading into intensely followed bidding on the open market.

    Judge finished 4 for 18 with three RBIs.

    Cole didn’t allow a hit until Kiké Hernández singled leading off the fifth. Judge, who an inning earlier made a leaping catch at the wall to deny Freeman an extra-base hit, dropped Tommy Edman’s fly to center. Shortstop Anthony Volpe then bounced a throw to third on Will Smith’s grounder, allowing the Dodgers to load the bases with no outs.

    Cole struck out Lux and Ohtani, and Betts hit a grounder to Rizzo. Cole didn’t cover first, pointing at Rizzo to run to the bag as Betts outraced the first baseman.

    Freeman followed with a two-run single and Teoscar Hernández hit a tying two-run double. Max Muncy walked before Kiké Hernández grounded into a forceout on Cole’s 48th pitch of the inning.

    “We just take advantage of every mistake they made in that inning,” Teoscar Hernández said. “We put some good at-bats together. We put the ball in play.”

    Stanton’s sixth-inning sacrifice fly off Brusdar Graterol put the Yankees ahead 6-5, but the Dodgers rallied one last time in the eighth.

    Kiké Hernández singled off Tommy Kahnle leading off. Edman followed with an infield hit and Smith walked on four pitches. Lux’s sacrifice fly off Luke Weaver tied the score. Ohtani reached on catcher’s interference and Betts followed with another sacrifice fly to give the Dodgers their first lead.

    Purchased by Guggenheim Baseball Management in 2012, the Dodgers hired Andrew Friedman from Tampa Bay to head their baseball operations two years later. He boosted the front office with a multitude of analytics and performance science staff, and ownership supplied the cash.

    Los Angeles went on an unprecedented $1.25 billion spending spree last offseason on deals with Ohtani, pitchers Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow and James Paxton, and outfielder Teoscar Hernández. Much of the money was future obligations that raised the Dodgers’ deferred compensation to $915.5 million owed from 2028-44.

    Faced with injuries, the Dodgers acquired Flaherty, Edman and reliever Michael Kopech ahead of the trade deadline, and all became important cogs in the title run. The additions boosted payroll to $266 million, third behind the Mets and the Yankees, plus a projected $43 million luxury tax.

    Up next

    Los Angeles opens its spring schedule on Feb. 20 against the Chicago Cubs at Camelback Ranch, and the Yankees start the next day against Tampa Bay in Tampa, Florida.

    Associated Press

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  • Dodgers beat Yankees, win 2024 World Series

    Dodgers beat Yankees, win 2024 World Series

    NEW YORK — The Los Angeles Dodgers won their second World Series championship in five seasons, overcoming a five-run deficit with the help of three Yankees defensive miscues and rallying on sacrifice flies from Gavin Lux and Mookie Betts in the eighth inning to beat New York 7-6 in Game 5 on Wednesday night.

    What You Need To Know

    • Dave Roberts won his second championship in nine seasons as manager as the Dodgers, matching Lasorda and trailing the four of Walter Alston

    • The Dodgers won for the fourth time in 12 Series meetings with the Yankees

    • New York remained without a title since winning its record 27th in 2009

    • The Dodgers earned their eighth championship and seventh since leaving Brooklyn for Los Angeles — their first in a non-shortened season since 1988

    Aaron Judge and Jazz Chisholm Jr. hit back-to-back home runs in the first inning, Alex Verdugo’s RBI single chased Jack Flaherty in the second and Giancarlo Stanton’s third-inning homer against Ryan Brasier built a 5-0 Yankees lead.

    But errors by Judge in center and Anthony Volpe at shortstop, combined with pitcher Gerrit Cole failing to cover first on Betts’ grounder, helped Los Angeles score five unearned runs in the fifth.

    After Stanton’s sixth-inning sacrifice fly put the Yankees back ahead 6-5, the Dodgers loaded the bases against loser Tommy Kahnle in the eighth before the sacrifice flies off Luke Weaver.

    Winner Blake Treinen escaped a two-on, one-out jam in the bottom half by retiring Stanton on a flyout and striking out Anthony Rizzo.

    Walker Buehler, making his first relief appearance since his rookie season in 2018, pitched a perfect ninth for his first major league save.

    “We’re obviously resilient, but there’s so much love in the clubhouse that won this game today,” Betts said. “That’s what it was. It was love, it was grit. I mean, it was just a beautiful thing. I’m just proud of us and I’m happy for us.”

    When Buehler struck out Verdugo to end the game, the Dodgers poured onto the field to celebrate between the mound and first base, capping a season in which they won 98 games and finished with the best regular-season record.

    “There’s just a lot of ways we can win baseball games,” Buehler said. “Obviously the superstars we have on our team and the discipline, it just kind of all adds up.”

    Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers’ record-setting $700 million signing and baseball’s first 50-homer, 50-steal player, went 2 for 19 with no RBIs and had one single after separating his shoulder during a stolen base attempt in Game 2.

    Freddie Freeman hit a two-run single to tie the Series record of 12 RBIs, set by Bobby Richardson over seven games in 1960. With the Dodgers one out from losing Friday’s opener, Freeman hit a game-ending grand slam reminiscent of Kirk Gibson’s homer off Oakland’s Dennis Eckersley in 1988’s Game 1 that sparked Los Angeles to the title.

    The Dodgers earned their eighth championship and seventh since leaving Brooklyn for Los Angeles — their first in a non-shortened season since 1988. They won a neutral-site World Series against Tampa Bay in 2020 after a 60-game regular season and couldn’t have a parade because of the coronavirus pandemic.

    These Dodgers of Ohtani, Freeman & Betts joined the 1955 Duke Snider and Roy Campanella Boys of Summer, the Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale era that spanned the three titles from 1959-65, the Tommy Lasorda-led groups 1981 and ’88 and the Betts and Clayton Kershaw champions of 2020.

    Dave Roberts won his second championship in nine seasons as manager as the Dodgers, matching Lasorda and trailing the four of Walter Alston. The Dodgers won for the fourth time in 12 Series meetings with the Yankees.

    New York remained without a title since winning its record 27th in 2009. The Yankees acquired Juan Soto from San Diego in December knowing he would be eligible for free agency after the 2024 Series. The 26-year-old star went 5 for 16 one RBI in the Series heading into intensely followed bidding on the open market.

    Judge finished 4 for 18 with three RBIs.

    Cole didn’t allow a hit until Kiké Hernández singled leading off the fifth. Judge, who an inning earlier made a leaping catch at the wall to deny Freeman an extra-base hit, dropped Tommy Edman’s fly to center. Shortstop Anthony Volpe then bounced a throw to third on Will Smith’s grounder, allowing the Dodgers to load the bases with no outs.

    Cole struck out Lux and Ohtani, and Betts hit a grounder to Rizzo. Cole didn’t cover first, pointing at Rizzo to run to the bag as Betts outraced the first baseman.

    Freeman followed with a two-run single and Teoscar Hernández hit a tying two-run double. Max Muncy walked before Kiké Hernández grounded into a forceout on Cole’s 48th pitch of the inning.

    “We just take advantage of every mistake they made in that inning,” Teoscar Hernández said. “We put some good at-bats together. We put the ball in play.”

    Stanton’s sixth-inning sacrifice fly off Brusdar Graterol put the Yankees ahead 6-5, but the Dodgers rallied one last time in the eighth.

    Kiké Hernández singled off Tommy Kahnle leading off. Edman followed with an infield hit and Smith walked on four pitches. Lux’s sacrifice fly off Luke Weaver tied the score. Ohtani reached on catcher’s interference and Betts followed with another sacrifice fly to give the Dodgers their first lead.

    Purchased by Guggenheim Baseball Management in 2012, the Dodgers hired Andrew Friedman from Tampa Bay to head their baseball operations two years later. He boosted the front office with a multitude of analytics and performance science staff, and ownership supplied the cash.

    Los Angeles went on an unprecedented $1.25 billion spending spree last offseason on deals with Ohtani, pitchers Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow and James Paxton, and outfielder Teoscar Hernández. Much of the money was future obligations that raised the Dodgers’ deferred compensation to $915.5 million owed from 2028-44.

    Faced with injuries, the Dodgers acquired Flaherty, Edman and reliever Michael Kopech ahead of the trade deadline, and all became important cogs in the title run. The additions boosted payroll to $266 million, third behind the Mets and the Yankees, plus a projected $43 million luxury tax.

    Up next

    Los Angeles opens its spring schedule on Feb. 20 against the Chicago Cubs at Camelback Ranch, and the Yankees start the next day against Tampa Bay in Tampa, Florida.

    Associated Press

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  • Ohio sports teams celebrate Halloween

    Ohio sports teams celebrate Halloween

    By

    Cody Thompson

    Ohio


    PUBLISHED 11:59 AM ET Oct. 31, 2024
    PUBLISHED 11:59 AM EDT Oct. 31, 2024

    Cody Thompson

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  • SCUBAnauts clean up around the Bay area after hurricanes

    SCUBAnauts clean up around the Bay area after hurricanes

    PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — A group of eco-friendly teens is putting in extra work to help clean up after hurricanes Helene and Milton.

    The SCUBAnauts International Marine Science Education Program already concentrates on conservation.

    But recent storms and extra debris have the young members out in their communities more often.

    What You Need To Know

    • SCUBAnauts International Marine Science Education Program concentrates on conservation, but lately has been cleaning up river garbage after the hurricanes

    • Recent storms and more debris have the young members out in their communities more often
    • They recently cleared trash out of the Anclote River using a WaterGoat, a device that uses nets and buoys to capture trash from storm drains and waterways
    • SCUBAnauts Annual Fundraising Gala 2024

    “We’re out here monthly, but we added a cleanup this month after the last two hurricanes that we had been expecting to see a lot more trash and a lot more runoff,” said Katie Cooper, Chief Operating Officer of SCUBAnauts International.

    “It’s heartbreaking,” said SCUBAnaut Swara Patel. “There’s so much trash.”

    SCUBAnaut John Humphreys said the impact on the environment is especially problematic.

    “It’s really disappointing to see,” he said. “Especially when you look more into the devastating effects of plastics.”

    The teens were out in Pasco County as they cleared trash out of the Anclote River using a WaterGoat, a device that uses nets and buoys to capture trash from storm drains and waterways.

    “It’s a device that catches debris in a small waterway before it gets out to the ocean,” Cooper said.

    The group picked up everything from plastic bottles and bags to clothing in the water, in the trees and on the ground.

    “Today we’re noticing how high the water must have come during the storm,” Cooper said. “Because we’re even seeing trash in the trees, we’re seeing plastic bags caught on high up branches and things like that.”

    The SCUBAnauts are passionate about protecting the environment.

    “Even if it’s a small impact, I still want to make an impact on ocean conservation,” Patel said. “And help restore at least a part of our oceans.”

    Melissa Eichman

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  • Giraffe Ranch in Dade City offers guests a unique wildlife experience

    Giraffe Ranch in Dade City offers guests a unique wildlife experience

    DADE CITY, Fla. — Know a giraffe lover? Heads up!

    The safaris at the Giraffe Ranch in Dade City could make you a hero.

    What You Need To Know

    • Giraffe Ranch gives guests the opportunity to get close to meerkats, zebras, ostriches, deer and antelope as well as giraffes

    • The working ranch and preserve is in Dade City

    • The “safari” stops give guests a chance to learn about the animals, and in some cases, feed them

    • More Florida on a Tankful adventures


    The working ranch and preserve boasts animals from around the world.

    The menagerie “meet and greet” begins the moment you arrive with otters who vocalize and poke their hands out of their enclosure.

    Guests fall in love.

    “They want to feed them. They sign up for a feeding,” said guide Chris Landry.

    Each stop on the safari is a learning opportunity.

    And guide Landry has all the intel.

    “We have zebras, ostriches, deer, antelope,” he said.

    Landry started at the ranch as an intern.

    Eight years later, he’s the manager.

    “I always want to go into the animal field. I didn’t think I was going to get this close,” he said.

    “This close” is a giraffe lowering its neck and ducking into the safari truck to nuzzle while scanning the truck for leaves.

    Landry introduces us to his animal pal — the giraffes Kai and his roommate Everdale.

    And around the corner is Phil the giraffe and his family.

    “So Phil has one daughter so far. She’s about a year-and-a-half,” said Landry. “Georgetta is his mate- she’s due to give birth any day. Now the baby is going to be about 6 feet tall and weigh about 150 pounds.”

    Georgetta will be pregnant for more than a year.

    That’s different from the nearby meerkats — it’s 11 weeks for them.

    Plus, only the dominant female gets to have babies.

    The group, called a mob, is matriarchal.

    Feeding the animals inside their enclosure is one of the animal experiences offered at the ranch.

    The food was red grapes.

    Landry explains how to make sure the animals stay comfortable. (You let them come to you. You don’t reach out and grab or try to pick anyone up. You try to remain low key and gentle. You don’t jump around.)

    They are gentle and come to you. They know you have the grapes. They are very orderly.

    Seeing all this, one could understand why Landry has remained at the ranch for so long.

    “Well, it’s different every day. You have animals giving birth. Animals growing,” said Landry.

    It’s life unfolding — but better because it’s with animals.

    Virginia Johnson

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  • Pinellas nonprofit Crisis Connect offers mental health help for storm victims

    Pinellas nonprofit Crisis Connect offers mental health help for storm victims

    SEMINOLE, Fla. — The founder of a recently created Pinellas County nonprofit called Crisis Connect says he wants to help storm victims who have fallen through the cracks with mental health and financial resources.

    What You Need To Know

    • The founder of Pinellas County nonprofit Crisis Connect says he wants to help storm victims who have fallen through the cracks

    • Dr. Terry Collier, who has 35 years of experience as a trauma counselor, decided to create the organization because he saw a need in the community

    • Karissa Jackson, 46, who says her husband died shortly before Hurricane Helene destroyed all of her belongings, has been getting help from Crisis Connect

    • Check the Crisis Connect Facebook page for the latest information about the Beach Aid event planned for Thanksgiving weekend


    “What we’re doing right now is trying to throw that lifeline out, saying, ‘Don’t give up,’” said founder Dr. Terry Collier. “It’s going to take time, and it’s not going to be easy, but we’re going to make this thing happen together as a community.”

    Karissa Jackson, 46, moved into a rental home in Seminole with her two teenage children six days before Hurricane Helene’s record-breaking storm surge hit. Jackson, who did not have flood insurance, said her family lost 95% of their possessions — including two cars — when Helene sent 39 inches of seawater into the home.

    “It was very frightening. My anxiety, it was off the charts. My daughter, she was hysterical,” she said. “We really thought that we were going to drown and die.”

    To make matters much worse, Jackson’s husband, Bobby Schauer, 46, had unexpectedly died from a heart attack about one month before Helene. Jackson said she was not experiencing back-to-back disasters in less than six weeks — something that took a serious toll on her mental health.

    “So losing him and then having to move here and then losing everything,” she said. “I was driving home the other day, and it brought me to tears because we were together for 17 years.”

    Jackson said she was put in touch with Collier, 69, who gave her both financial and mental health help. She encourages others to reach out to Crisis Connect.

    “To have somebody there to help guide you, to say things that can help you, it definitely helps a lot,” she said. “I just I can’t thank him enough for wanting to help me.” 

    Collier, who has 35 years of experience as a trauma counselor, said many storm victims will need mental health resources as they navigate the rebuilding process.

    “Crisis is no respecter of persons — the elderly, the young children, marriages, disabilities, businesses,” he said. “Pretty soon, realization is going to step in. And that’s when frustration, that’s when making bad choices and judgment — people are signing contracts, depression, and the ultimate is, ‘I can’t take anymore.’”

    Collier has teamed up with developer Bill Karns’ ROC Park foundation and Madeira Beach city leaders to host a Thanksgiving weekend event where free meals and mental health counselors will be provided. It’s also a fundraiser for the nonprofit and will take place at ROC Park in Madeira Beach.

    “Beach Aid, we’re putting together in Madeira Beach. We’re trying to serve between 2,000 and 3,000 Thanksgiving dinners,” said Karns. “We want to have all of our affiliates there, Crisis Connect, to help with the grief counseling. That’s a big thing right now.”

    Karns, 66, has also set up the Mad Beach Donation Center, located at 15042 Madeira Way, where storm victims can find free supplies, which include food, cleaning supplies, clothing, bedding and furniture.

    “We took it on the chin, but we’re strong and we’ll come back,” he said. “I’m at that age now where it’s all about helping other people. I’m good, but I want to make sure our community’s good.”

    Collier said the resources they provide are for people who don’t have flood insurance and have been falling through the cracks. Thanksgiving plans for Beach Aid are still being finalized with the latest information available at the Crisis Connect Facebook page.

    Josh Rojas

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  • Dodgers beat Yankees, win 2024 World Series

    Dodgers beat Yankees, win 2024 World Series

    NEW YORK — The Los Angeles Dodgers won their second World Series championship in five seasons, overcoming a five-run deficit with the help of three Yankees defensive miscues and rallying on sacrifice flies from Gavin Lux and Mookie Betts in the eighth inning to beat New York 7-6 in Game 5 on Wednesday night.

    What You Need To Know

    • Dave Roberts won his second championship in nine seasons as manager as the Dodgers, matching Lasorda and trailing the four of Walter Alston

    • The Dodgers won for the fourth time in 12 Series meetings with the Yankees

    • New York remained without a title since winning its record 27th in 2009

    • The Dodgers earned their eighth championship and seventh since leaving Brooklyn for Los Angeles — their first in a non-shortened season since 1988

    Aaron Judge and Jazz Chisholm Jr. hit back-to-back home runs in the first inning, Alex Verdugo’s RBI single chased Jack Flaherty in the second and Giancarlo Stanton’s third-inning homer against Ryan Brasier built a 5-0 Yankees lead.

    But errors by Judge in center and Anthony Volpe at shortstop, combined with pitcher Gerrit Cole failing to cover first on Betts’ grounder, helped Los Angeles score five unearned runs in the fifth.

    After Stanton’s sixth-inning sacrifice fly put the Yankees back ahead 6-5, the Dodgers loaded the bases against loser Tommy Kahnle in the eighth before the sacrifice flies off Luke Weaver.

    Winner Blake Treinen escaped a two-on, one-out jam in the bottom half by retiring Stanton on a flyout and striking out Anthony Rizzo.

    Walker Buehler, making his first relief appearance since his rookie season in 2018, pitched a perfect ninth for his first major league save.

    “We’re obviously resilient, but there’s so much love in the clubhouse that won this game today,” Betts said. “That’s what it was. It was love, it was grit. I mean, it was just a beautiful thing. I’m just proud of us and I’m happy for us.”

    When Buehler struck out Verdugo to end the game, the Dodgers poured onto the field to celebrate between the mound and first base, capping a season in which they won 98 games and finished with the best regular-season record.

    “There’s just a lot of ways we can win baseball games,” Buehler said. “Obviously the superstars we have on our team and the discipline, it just kind of all adds up.”

    Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers’ record-setting $700 million signing and baseball’s first 50-homer, 50-steal player, went 2 for 19 with no RBIs and had one single after separating his shoulder during a stolen base attempt in Game 2.

    Freddie Freeman hit a two-run single to tie the Series record of 12 RBIs, set by Bobby Richardson over seven games in 1960. With the Dodgers one out from losing Friday’s opener, Freeman hit a game-ending grand slam reminiscent of Kirk Gibson’s homer off Oakland’s Dennis Eckersley in 1988’s Game 1 that sparked Los Angeles to the title.

    The Dodgers earned their eighth championship and seventh since leaving Brooklyn for Los Angeles — their first in a non-shortened season since 1988. They won a neutral-site World Series against Tampa Bay in 2020 after a 60-game regular season and couldn’t have a parade because of the coronavirus pandemic.

    These Dodgers of Ohtani, Freeman & Betts joined the 1955 Duke Snider and Roy Campanella Boys of Summer, the Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale era that spanned the three titles from 1959-65, the Tommy Lasorda-led groups 1981 and ’88 and the Betts and Clayton Kershaw champions of 2020.

    Dave Roberts won his second championship in nine seasons as manager as the Dodgers, matching Lasorda and trailing the four of Walter Alston. The Dodgers won for the fourth time in 12 Series meetings with the Yankees.

    New York remained without a title since winning its record 27th in 2009. The Yankees acquired Juan Soto from San Diego in December knowing he would be eligible for free agency after the 2024 Series. The 26-year-old star went 5 for 16 one RBI in the Series heading into intensely followed bidding on the open market.

    Judge finished 4 for 18 with three RBIs.

    Cole didn’t allow a hit until Kiké Hernández singled leading off the fifth. Judge, who an inning earlier made a leaping catch at the wall to deny Freeman an extra-base hit, dropped Tommy Edman’s fly to center. Shortstop Anthony Volpe then bounced a throw to third on Will Smith’s grounder, allowing the Dodgers to load the bases with no outs.

    Cole struck out Lux and Ohtani, and Betts hit a grounder to Rizzo. Cole didn’t cover first, pointing at Rizzo to run to the bag as Betts outraced the first baseman.

    Freeman followed with a two-run single and Teoscar Hernández hit a tying two-run double. Max Muncy walked before Kiké Hernández grounded into a forceout on Cole’s 48th pitch of the inning.

    “We just take advantage of every mistake they made in that inning,” Teoscar Hernández said. “We put some good at-bats together. We put the ball in play.”

    Stanton’s sixth-inning sacrifice fly off Brusdar Graterol put the Yankees ahead 6-5, but the Dodgers rallied one last time in the eighth.

    Kiké Hernández singled off Tommy Kahnle leading off. Edman followed with an infield hit and Smith walked on four pitches. Lux’s sacrifice fly off Luke Weaver tied the score. Ohtani reached on catcher’s interference and Betts followed with another sacrifice fly to give the Dodgers their first lead.

    Purchased by Guggenheim Baseball Management in 2012, the Dodgers hired Andrew Friedman from Tampa Bay to head their baseball operations two years later. He boosted the front office with a multitude of analytics and performance science staff, and ownership supplied the cash.

    Los Angeles went on an unprecedented $1.25 billion spending spree last offseason on deals with Ohtani, pitchers Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow and James Paxton, and outfielder Teoscar Hernández. Much of the money was future obligations that raised the Dodgers’ deferred compensation to $915.5 million owed from 2028-44.

    Faced with injuries, the Dodgers acquired Flaherty, Edman and reliever Michael Kopech ahead of the trade deadline, and all became important cogs in the title run. The additions boosted payroll to $266 million, third behind the Mets and the Yankees, plus a projected $43 million luxury tax.

    Up next

    Los Angeles opens its spring schedule on Feb. 20 against the Chicago Cubs at Camelback Ranch, and the Yankees start the next day against Tampa Bay in Tampa, Florida.

    Associated Press

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  • Flooded Town ‘n’ Country neighborhood preps for safe, special Halloween

    Flooded Town ‘n’ Country neighborhood preps for safe, special Halloween

    TAMPA, Fla. — A group of families in Town ‘n’ Country’s Bay Crest Park neighborhood are going above and beyond to make sure Halloween festivities still happen this year, despite all the hurricane damage.

    Bay Crest Park sits just off Memorial Highway on a network of canals that feed into the bay. In the neighborhood’s more than 50-year history, residents say their homes have never flooded until the surge from Hurricane Helene in September. Residents estimate more than 90% of homes in the neighborhood sustained some type of hurricane damage.

    What You Need To Know

    • Flagstone Drive in Bay Crest Park neighborhood deemed “designated safe zone”

    • Neighbors pitched in to buy pizza, Kona Ice for neighborhood kids

    • Many homes were flooded in Helene and families haven’t been able to move back in yet

    • Trick-or-treaters who live in the neighborhood are invited to join the Halloween night fun 


    The Bay Crest Park neighborhood is also the center of trick-or-treating fun each Halloween. Residents Michelle Cuilla and Kristen Follett say they will give out between 500 and 600 pieces of candy every Oct. 31. In order to keep with tradition, the two moms started speaking with other families in the neighborhood to figure out a way to make trick-or-treating safe despite all of the damage and hurricane debris still around the streets.

    Flagstone Drive, which sits in the heart of Bay Crest Park, has been deemed the “designated safe zone.” Residents there made sure sidewalks and streets were clear and put up their decorations to prepare for trick-or-treaters. Kids planning to dress up and trick-or-treat are asked to head to that street in order to do so safely.


    “I think this year is going to be a bit more special because most of the children have been moved from their homes,” Cuilla said. “They’re being moved from an Airbnb to a hotel and they’re not seeing their community friends.”

    To make the night even more special, Cuilla decided to pitch in with a group of neighbors and buy pizzas. Follett and her family rented a Kona Ice truck that will be parked on the street for the evening, so kids can enjoy.

    “Hopefully it gives them a boost of happiness and confidence to just come out here and have a good time, even if it’s just for the one night,” Follett said.

    While Bay Crest Park is getting cleaner each week, Cuilla and Follett say many areas are still littered with debris and nails. They’re asking kids stay safe and stick to the “designated safe area” for their Halloween fun. They ask that only the kids who live or normally trick-or-treat with their friends in the Bay Crest Park neighborhood attend, so the street doesn’t get too overwhelmed.

    Angie Angers

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  • City officials to take up topic of crane safety at next city council meeting

    City officials to take up topic of crane safety at next city council meeting

    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — One of the stunning images after Hurricane Milton was the damage to a downtown St. Pete building after a collapsed crane crashed into it before slamming to the ground.

    No one was injured when the crane working on The Residences at 400 Central Avenue, a 46-story condominium and office building which will be the tallest residential tower on Florida’s Gulf Coast, crashed into a nearby building where the Tampa Bay Times is located.


    But the twisted metal gouged a hole where part of it came to rest in the brick and concrete on one corner of the building. Wires dangled down and bits of office items were strewn about.

    Now, some downtown residents and business owners, as well as city officials, plan to ask what more can be done with other cranes on area construction sites. The topic is expected to be an issue of discussion at a city council meeting on Thursday. 

    The project developer released a statement days after the incident. 

    “We are grateful that no one was injured.  The general contractor and crane subcontractor have engaged engineering specialists to supervise removing debris, and we expect they will begin removal soon,” developer Cats Red Apple Group said in a statement.

    “It does not appear that the 400 Central structure was damaged and thorough inspections are being performed.”

    The crane was one of four that St. Petersburg officials warned were vulnerable to Milton’s wind.

    Development is booming across downtown St. Pete and Mickey’s Café owner Mickey Paleologos has seen plenty of it in his 20 years in business downtown, 11 at his current Central Avenue location.

    “The growth is always great for the city, however it’s got its problems too,” said Paleologos. “(But) the biggest problem that not only me but the businesses around here have is, the construction.”

    A construction crane fell over into an office building in downtown St. Petersburg during Hurricane Milton. (Tampa Bay Times via AP)

    The 400 Central skyscraper was designed to top out at 515 feet. It will have 301 condos at a minimum price of $1 million, along with retail and office space, the Tampa Bay Times reported.

    It will probably require at least one more crane to dismantle the twisted mess, just like construction crews usually need another crane to start building a crane.

    Most structures that build skyscrapers are called tower cranes, and they are able to build their own tower higher as the building goes up.

    The key part of crane safety is carefully balancing all the competing weights and forces.

    Palelogos said the sidewalks being blocked and a lack of parking were his biggest problems up until he learned about the threats of a crane falling during hurricane Milton.

    Then seeing one of those cranes come crashing down.

    “I’m like ooh! It was literally a hundred meters from here,” he said of the crane crash. “(About) 150 meters from here. Not only the crane but also the building on the corner. The side of those walls blew out as well.”

    He watched the drama unfold from a distance, wondering if his business would be impacted.

    “We couldn’t even get into our business until four days later because they blocked all of the streets from First Avenue North to Second Avenue South, he said. “Second to Fourth. So, nobody could come close. Even to check on your business.”

    It’s something that’s not lost on city Councilwoman Gina Driscoll.

    “The cranes are a real issue in our city and this came as kind of a surprise to me that not all of the companies were able to secure their cranes before the storm,” Driscoll said.

    She said state law prohibits city leaders from passing regulations on cranes but she’s looking for other options to protect residents and local businesses in the future.

    “The idea here is to encourage our construction companies working in St. Petersburg to use the best kind of crane possible that can withstand those higher winds,” Driscoll said. “They do exist and we want them to use the safest product possible.”

    If a crane stayed in one spot, the wind would provide more resistance, like a hand stuck in a river. But if the boom can turn, the wind can blow alongside it and reduce that resistance, according to Barth Crane Inspections in Goose Creek, South Carolina.

    Barth officials said most cranes are designed for winds of at least 100 mph and those in places like Florida, where hurricanes are a greater hazard, often have a greater wind resistance.

    But there is only so much force a crane can handle.

    That’s why Mayor Kenneth Welch warned anyone living near construction projects that use a crane to leave, and police made sure areas threatened were cleared.

    Driscoll said she plans to present her concerns to city leaders and ask for it to be sent to a committee. She also said she’d like the city to look into what options are available for crane safety.

    She said she doesn’t want the city leaving residents or business owners hanging if another storm rolls in.

     “I think once it’s all said and done, it should be and it always has been a vibrant city,” Paleologos said. “I enjoy living in St. Petersburg. We just got to get through this hard time with this construction.

    “We’ll see.”

    Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.

    Saundra Weathers

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  • Disabled Sunny Shores Park resident receives special order fridge and supplies

    Disabled Sunny Shores Park resident receives special order fridge and supplies

    CORTEZ, Fla. — In the wake of the devastating floods from Hurricane Helene, many were left with nothing inside their homes, including all of their appliances.

    One man is getting a much-needed gift, thanks to the Blessing Bags Project, a nonprofit currently helping hurricane victims in Cortez.

    What You Need To Know

    • Right now, the Blessing Bags Project, a nonprofit, is helping Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton victims in Cortez

    • JD White has cerebral palsy and received a special order fridge from the organization

    • The Blessing Bags Project is also looking for further donations and volunteers

    Betsy Plante is the coordinator for the nonprofit and says most of the people living in Sunny Shores Park are elderly, and need help.

    “I always trying to be a good steward of what’s given to us,” she said. “We have a whole signup list here. So if somebody needs a refrigerator, if they need a dehumidifier, small appliances, toaster, other things like that, they come in and they sign up for it.”

    Recently, Plante was able to deliver a special ordered refrigerator to JD White who is a Sunny Shores Park resident and has cerebral palsy.

    “This is for you, honey. Made just for you; you deserve it,” said Plante as she was delivering the fridge.

    “Oh, thank you, thank you,” said White. “Because of my disability, I don’t drive, so it’s harder for me to get things, harder to get around.”

    White’s home was gutted due to Hurricane Helene.

    “This was the worst storm,” he said. “I didn’t leave because I didn’t think it would be that bad.”

    Items like the refrigerator are what White needs before he can move back home.

    “This house is my world, my sanctuary,” he said.

    Other residents in of need meals, cleaning supplies or hygiene products can head to the clubhouse to the Sunny Shores Park Clubhouse.

    Volunteers will be serving meals every day from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. and then will be accepting donations from the community.

    Here is a current list of the most needed donations:

    Location: Sunny Shores Park Club House 36th Ave W & 117th St. W

    • Laundry detergent
    • Dinty Moore meals
    • Hydrogen peroxide
    • Bactine, which is a pain reliever
    • Dish soap
    • Black contractor bags
    • Empty spray bottles

    Julia Hazel

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  • Study looks at effects of prenatal cannabis use on children

    Study looks at effects of prenatal cannabis use on children

    COLUMBUS, Ohio — A study from researchers at Nationwide Children’s Hospital found an association between prenatal cannabis use and “poorer thinking skills and behaviors such as impulse control, paying attention, planning ability, and more aggressive behavior” in young children.

    What You Need To Know

    • A study has found an association between prenatal cannabis use and behavior in young children

    • The study found exposure to cannabis before birth was associated with “poorer thinking skills and behaviors such as impulse control, paying attention, planning ability, and more aggressive behavior” in young children

    • The study was from researchers at Nationwide Children’s Hospital

    A release from the hospital states this adds to the list of evidence about the harmful effects cannabis can have on children if they are exposed to it before they are born.

    “Although cannabis is a natural product, there are still many risks to using it during pregnancy,” said Dr. Sarah Keim, principal investigator at the Center for Biobehavioral Health at Nationwide Children’s, and lead author of the study, in the release. “Some women may turn to cannabis to help deal with some common issues of pregnancy including nausea, sleep problems and stress. This is not recommended. Consulting with a health care provider to find safer options to help with these issues during pregnancy is important.”

    The study was published in JAMA Pediatrics.

    From 2016 through 2020, the study looked at 250 children, 80 of whom had been exposed to cannabis. The study also notes tobacco, alcohol and other drug use was common during pregnancy and that most families were in poverty.

    It notes that children who had been exposed to cannabis had lower scores related to attention and inhibitory control in addition to “poorer task-based planning ability and more observed aggression.”

    “Our findings were not surprising – they actually confirm and expand on longstanding evidence from previous research,” Keim said in the release. “With our more contemporary and diverse sample of women and children, and with much higher potency of cannabis now than in past decades, this study validates previous research and supports existing clinical recommendations for patients.”

    Cody Thompson

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  • SOE: Manatee County seeing record early-voting turnout despite hurricanes

    SOE: Manatee County seeing record early-voting turnout despite hurricanes

    PALMETTO, Fla. — Despite back-to-back hurricanes, more than 100,000 Manatee County residents have already cast their ballots in the 2024 general election marking what election officials say is largest early-voting turnout the county has seen.

    James Satcher, Supervisor of Elections for Manatee County, says early-voting started off strong last Monday and has continued since.

    “We set a record on day one of early voting and the next day it went up from there,” he said. “Each day we’re having 7,000, 6,000… just a lot of votes every day.”

    What You Need To Know

    • Eight early-voting locations were not impacted by hurricanes 

    • Five precincts have been relocated due to hurricane damage 

    • Number of people choosing to early vote or use a mail-in-ballot is nearly equal. 

    • More than 100,000 voters have cast ballots with seven days remaining until the election 


    At first, the number of vote-by-mail ballots surpassed early-voting numbers. Now at one week until Election Day, more people have chosen to vote early in person.

    Satcher believes that messaging from the major political parties has played a role in the high number of early voters.


    “I think there has been some change from the major parties and everyone is trying to get people out early to vote and that’s what we’re seeing,” he said. “Both parties are showing up but we’re seeing a lot of extra turnout from early voting from the Republican Party and that’s what’s driving things, I think the Democrat turnout is steady from years past.”

    While Hurricane Helene followed by Hurricane Milton didn’t cause any damage at any of the county’s eight early-voting locations, five precincts had to be relocated.

    They include Precincts 301 and 305 which are now at the Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Dr., Holmes Beach. Precinct 307 which is now at the Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Longboat Key. Precinct 409 which is now at the State College of Florida, 5840 26th St. W, Bradenton, and Precinct 421 now at Trailer Estates Recreation Hall, 6814 Canada Blvd., Bradenton.

    Satcher says county election officials have worked to connect with those who have moved or been impacted by the hurricanes to let them know their voting options.

    “We’re doing everything we can to get the word out,” he said. “We’re sending notices to people who have moved. We’re putting it in the paper and on the website and we want every vote to end up counting because this is a very pivotal election for our nation.”

    Manatee County also purchased new Clear Ballot auditing equipment and will be using the new technology in the general election next week.

    Angie Angers

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  • Interim USF coach, players to start season on time

    Interim USF coach, players to start season on time

    TAMPA, Fla. — The University of South Florida has named Ben Fletcher as the interim head basketball coach.

    The move comes following last week’s shocking death of coach Amir Abdur-Rahim, 43, who was undergoing a medical procedure at a Tampa-area hospital when he passed away due to complications that arose during the procedure.

    What You Need To Know

    • USF has named Ben Fletcher as men’s basketball interim head coach 

    • Fletcher coached with Amir Abdur-Rahim for four seasons at Kennesaw State and last season with USF

    • USF will play its first exhibition game Wednesday against Edward Waters at the Yuengling Center at 7 p.m. 
    • PREVIOUS STORY: USF community mourns bas­ketball coach Amir Abdur-Rahim

    Fletcher was the associate head coach for the Bulls.

    USF Vice President of Athletics Michael Kelly announced the move Tuesday during a news conference.

    “Obviously it’s been a difficult couple of days for the USF family,” Kelly said. “But there is no question in my mind that Ben is the right man to lead our program forward.”

    Fletcher and Abdur-Rahim spent four years coaching together at Kennesaw State before coming to USF last year.

    Fletcher earned a Bachelor of Science in Sport and Fitness Management from Troy University in 2003. 


    Originally from Selma, Ala., Fletcher has the distinction of being a member of both Trojan squads that reached the NCAA Tournament, first as a player on the 2002-03 team and then as a coach with the 2016-17 team.

    Fletcher will debut as head coach at USF Wednesday at home against Edward Waters. Fletcher said he will draw on the confidence Abdur-Rahim gave him.

    “He would always say ‘man, you’re ready, like, you know, God is preparing you for this, and soon, you know, you’re going to get your opportunity and show everybody what you’re capable of.”

    Kelly, who said the focus this week has been on the players and Abdur-Rahim’s family, added that the team had an option not to play its opening exhibition game but said the players indicated they wanted to play.

    Fletcher said the team practiced over the weekend and would play as a way of honoring their fallen coach. The regular season begins Nov. 4 in Jacksonville against No. 21 Florida. 

    “It’s a difficult time as you know, but I know Coach Amir would want me to do this,” Fletcher said. “So just thank you, and know that I don’t take this lightly.”

    Celebration of life for Amir Abdur-Rahim

    A celebration of life will take place to honor USF coach Amir Abdur-Rahim.

    Abdur-Rahim will be honored Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Yuengling Center on USF’s campus and open to the public. 

    In lieu of flowers, Abdur-Rahim’s family kindly requests that anyone wanting to honor his memory consider doing so by donating to the Future Foundation. It is a nonprofit organization that held a special place in his heart.

    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Robinhood launches presidential election trades

    Robinhood launches presidential election trades

    The stock-trading app Robinhood will allow customers to bet on the outcome of November’s election.

    The so-called presidential election event contracts are launching with a small group of customers Monday, allowing them to trade based on who they think will win the 2024 presidential election.

    What You Need To Know

    • The stock-trading app Robinhood will allow customers to bet on the outcome of November’s election

    • The so-called presidential election event contracts are launching with a small group of customers Monday, allowing them to trade based on who they think will win the 2024 presidential election

    • An event contract is a forecast contract, the value of which depends on a specific event happening by a specific time; they are based on yes or no answers to a question about the event

    • For the Robinhood presidential election contract, the questions are: Will Kamala Harris win the U.S. presidential election in 2024 and Will Donald Trump win the U.S. presidential election in 2024? 


    An event contract is a forecast contract, the value of which depends on a specific event happening by a specific time. They are based on “yes” or “no” answers to a question about the event. 

    For the Robinhood presidential election contracts, the questions are: “Will Kamala Harris win the U.S. presidential election in 2024?” and “Will Donald Trump win the U.S. presidential election in 2024?” Customers can only own “yes” contracts for one candidate.

    “We’ve heard from our customers that having access to the market in real time is essential,” the company said in a statement on its website announcing the new presidential event contracts. “We believe event contracts give people a tool to engage in real-time decision-making, unlocking a new asset class that democratizes access to events as they unfold.”

    Those who trade in the presidential election contracts will receive $1 for every contract they own if their candidate is certified in January and nothing if they are not. Robinhood charges one cent per contract. 

    The Robinhood announcement comes as the presidential campaign enters its final week, with Harris and Trump neck and neck in the polls.

    Last month, a federal appeals court allowed the prediction exchange platform Kalshi to offer Congressional Control Contracts, enabling buyers to bet on which political party will control the Senate and House following next month’s election. 

    Susan Carpenter

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  • Venice Theatre continues rebuilding its main stage following Hurricane Milton

    Venice Theatre continues rebuilding its main stage following Hurricane Milton

    VENICE, Fla. — In its 75th season, going through a chain-link fence is not exactly what Kristofer Geddie envisioned he would do to showcase the Venice Theatre’s main performance space, the Jervey Theatre.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Venice Theatre continues to rebuild its main stage following the major damage that was dealt from Hurricane Ian
    • A major concern for the theater was that more damage might’ve happened when Hurricane Milton made landfall
    • Kristofer Geddie, the theater’s executive director, says the theater essentially suffered very little damage from the storm and they’re able to still do performances in their two smaller venues
    • According to Geddie, he hopes to reopen their main stage during their 76th season in 2026


    Each time he opens this gate, it’s a reminder of what happened.

    “The trauma, the daily trauma, is something that I can’t deny,” said Geddie, the executive director of the Venice Theatre. “It’s every day.”

    Because through the construction, the site is the empty shell of the Jervey. When Spectrum Bay News 9 visited the space a year ago, there were still some walls here and pieces of memories from shows gone by.

    Now, that’s all gone because of the destruction from Hurricane Ian.

    That major storm destroyed the roof, blanketed the space in water and left the Venice Theatre with a new and unanticipated $14 million project.

    “The walls have been taken out from last year, but the progress is slower than I would like,” Geddie said.

    There were some delays, which Geddie says they anticipated, but the last thing they wanted to see was another hurricane, this time, named “Milton.”

    “We at one point thought it was going to be a direct hit to Venice, and we didn’t think we would have survived that,” Geddie said.

    While storm surge and damage impacted most of Venice, with branches and debris on many street corners, the Jervey, for the most part, made it through unscathed.

    “We didn’t suffer as much as so many folks here in Venice,” Geddie said.

    Even with that minor bright spot, a lot more work is left to be done. Geddie says they need to keep raising money to fund the rebuild.

    One way they’re doing that is by following the number one cliché in theater: “the show must go on.”

    “We use it a lot, but that is the word resilience,” Geddie said. “To know how quickly our team came up with an idea, came up with a plan and executed that plan to make this into a workable space.”

    They’re using a building that was intended for educational courses to hold performances.

    Right now, “9 to 5: The Musical” is in the spotlight, giving folks a reprieve from the trauma outside.

    “Folks are losing their homes,” Geddie said. “People are losing their businesses. We haven’t had that release to laugh.”

    While this space is far smaller than the Jervey, just having a place for art to flourish is what excites Geddie about the future of his theatre.

    Because soon, the chain link will be gone, and the shows will be back in the Venice Theatre’s main house.

    Geddie expects the main stage at the Venice Theatre to reopen in 2026, during the theater’s 76th season.

    Nick Popham

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