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Tag: Brian Rea

  • Tampa area mom who lost son to fentanyl poisoning aims to save lives

    Tampa area mom who lost son to fentanyl poisoning aims to save lives

    TAMPA, Fla. — When Tammy Plakstis thinks of her son, Dylan, she remembers his soul. The mother of six children describes her oldest as kind, funny and caring. 

    What You Need To Know

    • More than 150 people die every day from overdoses related to fentanyl, according to the CDC

    • Tammy Plakstis, a Tampa area mother, lost her oldest child to fentanyl poisoning in December 2020

    • Over the past three years, Plakstis has devoted herself to raising awareness about the dangers of fentanyl

    • Her son’s photo is featured on a new billboard in Tampa aimed at preventing overdose deaths

    “To know that my first born child is not here anymore and that I would think that he would’ve outlived me, it just makes me really sad,” Plakstis said. 

    Dylan’s life was cut short a few days after his 29th birthday. He died from fentanyl poisoning. The autopsy shows the amount in his system was smaller than a grain of salt. 

    “The last words that he told me before he left was ‘I love you mom,’” Plakstis recalled. “No matter what anything in the past that I thought maybe he had said that was hurtful to me, he told me he loved me. You know what, that was the best gift he could’ve left me.”

    Plakstis said her son unknowingly bought cocaine laced with fentanyl. She explained Dylan was diagnosed with schizophrenia in his twenties and began experimenting with drugs. At the time of his death, he was clean, living in a group home and had a job.

    After Dylan’s death, Plakstis felt alone. She started joining online grief groups and eventually found a way to cope. 

    “Either I sit in the bed, be depressed and just say ‘I hate my life,’” Plakstis said. “Or, I try to advocate, give some respect to my son making his life have meaning.”

    Over the past three years, Plakstis has devoted herself to raising awareness about the dangers of fentanyl and educating people about Narcan. 

    “I just want to try to give back as best I can and just keep on creating awareness,” she said. “Because as much as I think that people know about fentanyl, a lot of people do and a lot of people don’t. Or, they don’t find out until it’s too late, so I don’t want it to be too late for somebody else.”

    On the corner of Dale Mabry and Swann Avenue, Dylan’s picture is featured on a new billboard aimed at preventing fentanyl-related deaths. While Plakstis may not be able to bring her son back, she hopes to honor him and keep his story alive. 

    “I know that you chose me to be your mom because I think I needed you more than you needed me,” Plakstis said. 

    Plakstis will be part of a drug awareness event happening at Frenchy’s on the Dunedin Causeway on Saturday, March 30 at 1 p.m. Organizers will be providing free Narcan and demonstrating how to use it.

    Brian Rea

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  • Crews put in overtime to keep Clearwater Beach pristine during Spring Break

    Crews put in overtime to keep Clearwater Beach pristine during Spring Break

    CLEARWATER, Fla. — Long before the sun is up and the day’s first footprint is etched into the sand, Kalie Elkins cruises up and down Clearwater Beach.

    What You Need To Know

    • It’s a busy time of year at Clearwater Beach, with thousands of visitors flocking to the white sand

    • Cleanup crews start working before sunrise and end long after sunset in order to keep the beach pristine

    • Crews ride up and down the three-mile beach picking up trash, raking the sand and emptying garbage cans

    “Currently we’re out here looking for any big debris,” Elkins said. “Anything like tents, umbrellas, kites.”

    It’s a busy time of year at Clearwater Beach, as thousands of tourists take advantage of its white sand and crystal-clear water. With all those extra people, Elkins’ job as a beach supervisor gets a little busier this time of year. 

    “The amount of garbage that people leave on the beach, and when I tell you it’s busy, there’s a lot,” he said. “But that’s our main thing, is really just taking care of all the garbage. There’s so much of it.”

    The beach operations team is already on seven days a week, 365 days a year (except in the event of a hurricane). They increase staffing during spring break to make sure they have enough people to handle the extra crowds. Elkins and his team work in 10-hour shifts, spanning from 5:30 in the morning until around 9:30 at night. Crews ride up and down the three-mile beach to empty garbage cans, rake the sand and pick up trash left behind. 

    If you name it, Elkins has probably picked it up. 

    “Water bottles, napkins, flip-flops,” he listed from his memory. “A lot of people come out here and they just leave a bunch of stuff. Sometimes, people come just for one day and they’ll buy a whole bunch of sandcastle stuff for their kids and they just leave it.”

    The bulk of the trash is found around Pier 60 and south. While Elkins says it’s great to have the extra visitors this time of year, they can also do their part to make his job a bit easier. 

    “Just be mindful,” he said. “We’re all out here trying to make this beach better for everybody.”

    Elkins said it’s rewarding to get the beach back to its clean state and ready to welcome in the day’s visitors. 

    In addition to Spring Break, the beach operations team is gearing up for more crowds with the Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival. The 10th anniversary festival kicks off Friday, March 29 and runs through Sunday, April 14. 

    Brian Rea

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  • Local organizations to benefit from Grand Prix fundraising

    Local organizations to benefit from Grand Prix fundraising

    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — If you’re near downtown St. Pete this weekend, get ready to hear the rumble of roaring engines. It’s the 20th annual Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. 

    What You Need To Know

    • The 20th annual Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is underway.

    • Upwards of 150,000 fans are expected throughout the weekend.

    • To commemorate two decades in St. Pete, the race is giving back to local organizations. 

    • Past IndyCar Series winners, race officials and community leaders raised money at a fundraiser event ahead of race weekend.

    The Grand Prix is one of St. Pete’s largest events, with upwards of 150,000 people expected to attend throughout the weekend. The event typically helps support the local economy, but this year the race is putting money directly into local organizations that create opportunities for youth. 

    Pinellas Technical College is one of the recipients and is set to receive $25,000 to fund scholarships for students in the automotive program.

    “We have a lot of students in our local community that need assistance to be able to actually finish their program or they may not be able to,” said Jodi Kirk, assistant director of Pinellas Tech. “A lot of our students are full-time working professionals and so any bit that we can cover and help them with is going to benefit them immensely.”

    There are about 30 students this term, which just began last week. Students get hands-on experience working in the shop, learning repair and maintenance skills. They’ll leave the program with all the knowledge they need to obtain their Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification. 

    Program leaders said enrollment has been steady in recent years and they have a near 100% job placement rate to local dealerships. 

    Morgan Radick loves working with cars, which is why she chose to enroll in the school’s automotive program. Radick is on track to graduate in June and is thankful for the support she has received from her professors. 

    “It’s a great place to learn,” she said. “I’ve had amazing teachers. My first teacher has been in the industry for like 60 years.”

    Radick added that the hands-on learning experience has equipped her with everything she needs to launch her career.

    “I just want to keep working on cars, hopefully move up to a service advisor one day and just grow as a mechanic,” she said.

    The money was raised by past IndyCar Series winners, race officials and community leaders at a fundraiser event on Friday night. In addition to Pinellas Technical College, Youth Sports, Cultured Books Literacy Foundation and AKA Academy will also receive funds. 

    Brian Rea

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  • New Dunedin Fire vehicle assists with response time, safety

    New Dunedin Fire vehicle assists with response time, safety

    DUNEDIN, Fla. — No day on the job is the same for AJ Gonzales. It’s what he likes about being a firefighter/paramedic for Dunedin Fire Rescue.

    Dunedin Fire recently got a new mini-ambulance, which Gonzales says will help reduce response time and increase safety.

    What You Need To Know

    • Dunedin Fire Rescue recently got a new mini-ambulance

    • The compact vehicle allows first responders to maneuver tight spaces

    • First responders say it will help them respond more efficiently

    • The department is the first in the Tampa Bay region to use this type of vehicle

    “We can treat anything in this vehicle that we can on the full-size rescue,” Gonzales said. “We have the full complement of advanced life-support medications, cardiac monitoring, airway support and trauma bag to treat just about anything we can run into.”

    The mini-ambulance allows first responders to bring patients into a private, climate-controlled space to provide care, rather than treating them out in the open. 

    “We encounter these patients wherever they’re at,” Gonzales explained. “If they’re at a special event, maybe it’s some kind of outdoor venue and they have a problem, we can bring them in here and get them out of the crowd, talk to them privately and really drill down on what’s going on and give them the best care.”

    The compact vehicle will help first responders maneuver tight spaces quickly, which will help with recovery after storms. But it will mainly be used during large, outdoor events and is equipped with ballistic vests and helmets. 

    “It is a fact of the world that we live in right now that sometimes there are violent events that occur,” Gonzales said. “This allows us to be protected when going in those more dynamic, hostile environments.”

    Dunedin Fire Rescue is the first in the Tampa Bay region to get this type of vehicle. The department plans to keep it in service for the next 10 years. 

    “It gives us the opportunity to kind of set the example and hopefully other departments see the value and it helps support the area in general, besides just here in Dunedin,” Gonzales said. 

    The mini-ambulance cost just over $70,000, according to Deputy Fire Chief Michael Handoga. It was paid for using funds from the American Rescue Plan Act.

    While Dunedin is the first in the Tampa Bay area to have this type of vehicle, it has been used by fire departments in Nashville and New York City, Handoga said. 

    Brian Rea

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  • Large-animal veterinary shortage straining local practices

    Large-animal veterinary shortage straining local practices

    BARTOW, Fla. — Polk County is home to a couple thousand farms and ranches, which is why the U.S. Department of Agriculture says the region is facing a critical shortage of large-animal veterinarians. 

    A report by the agency said vet practices across the county have all expressed concerns about burnout and work-life balance. Several veterinarians have retired or passed away in recent years, which has led to decreased availability.

    What You Need To Know

    • Across the country, there is a shortage of veterinarians trained to treat large animals like horses, cows and pigs

    • This type of vet is crucial to not only keeping animals healthy, but also keeping our food supply safe

    • Polk County is facing a critical shortage of large-animal vets, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture

    Dr. LuJean Waters, a veterinarian at Heartland Large Animal Services, is feeling the pinch. Lately, the job Waters loves has become overwhelming. 

    “I’m starting to have to turn people away in the last six to eight months,” she said. “Then, you feel like a terrible person because you feel like you’ve let somebody down that has a sick or injured or critical animal. It starts to weigh very heavily on your heart.”

    Veterinarians like Waters specialize in treating large animals, including cows, horses and pigs. These vets not only keep animals healthy, but also make sure our food supply is safe. 

    The ongoing shortage is leaving Waters overloaded. She’s getting called in almost every night of the week now and travels as far as Hillsborough and Osceola County to provide service. 

    “Since COVID and when we had a shortage of groceries, we saw such a huge influx of families starting their own farms and ranches to produce their own meat, dairy, milk, eggs, everything,” Waters explained. “Now it’s very hard for us to continually serve those areas.”

    Waters said one of the key issues is recruitment and retention. She said more students are choosing to go into small animal care for more regular hours and better pay. But fewer students are entering the profession altogether because the cost of education and loans is often not paid off by starting salaries, Waters explained.

    Hillsborough Community College is trying to ease the shortage by training up vet technicians to enter the industry. Vincent Centonze, director of the school’s veterinary tech program, said there needs to be an addition 40,000 vets in the profession by 2030 in order to meet the current demand for services. 

    “A good veterinary technician is worth their weight in gold because they can do all of those functions in a clinic to help alleviate the workload on the veterinarians and free the veterinarians up to do their primary duties,” Centonze explained.

    At the end of the day, Waters still finds peace being surrounded by animals on the farm as the sun sets. But she hopes change is around the corner that will make the job less taxing. 

    “I could never see myself doing anything else in the world other than this,” Waters said. “I feel like it’s just in my blood for me to be here with them, but it just gets harder every day and the long hours and the sleepless nights and the time away from my family certainly is taking its toll.”

    Brian Rea

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  • Construction to begin on Sundial renovations

    Construction to begin on Sundial renovations

    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Walking past the Sundial in downtown St. Petersburg, patrons have probably noticed a fence around the courtyard. The shopping and dining center is getting a new look. 

    What You Need To Know

    • The Sundial in downtown St. Petersburg is undergoing renovation

    • Construction is scheduled to start this week and developers hope to finish by September

    • A local business owner is hopeful the new and improved space will attract more people

    This is the third time the property will undergo renovation since it opened as BayWalk in 2000. Mike Connor, CEO of Paradise Ventures, said the plaza needed a new look, and he felt it’s the right time to match the growth happening downtown.

    “We’re excited to be a part of it,” Connor said. “The Sundial has been a fixture in the community since BayWalk. I’ve always loved the real estate. I know it’s had some ups and downs, but I think our timing is really ideal now from what’s going on in downtown St. Pete. I think we’re hitting it at the right time.”

    Connor said he hopes the re-vamped Sundial will become a meeting place for the community and attract a younger audience. 

    “The courtyard is going to be a completely different look,” he said. “Much more open, much more inviting, much more interactive. It’ll be an event space where we hope to do at least weekly activities, if not more.”

    As part of the new design, the planters and sundial sculpture will be taken out and replaced with green space. Connor said there will also be new local and regional tenants, including Forbici Modern Italian and Serotonin Health and Wellness, in addition to some national chains.

    Rendering of renovations coming to the Sundial in St. Petersburg. (Behar + Peteranecz Architecture)

    Jackie Zumba owns Jackie Z Style Co., one of the few local businesses in the Sundial. Zumba opened her boutique shortly after the Sundial’s last renovation.

    “It was amazing, it was booming, it was so happening,” Zumba said. “We would have like Chris Archer in the courtyard eating at Locale Market and then they’d come in and shop. It was super fun and vibrant and then people started closing and it got a little bit more dreary.”

    Zumba said a lot of her neighboring stores closed during the pandemic and even before then, which slowed down foot traffic. But she’s confident this revitalization will create a huge boom for business.

    “People kind of stopped coming here and maybe some people don’t even know it’s here already because there are some great diamonds in the rough here already,” Zumba said. “But with all the new excitement and things, everyone’s going to step up their game and they’re adding some great retailers and that amazing restaurant Forbici is coming.”

    Zumba is also taking over the space adjacent to her boutique in anticipation of more shoppers. 

    Construction at the Sundial is scheduled to begin on Thursday. Developers are aiming to have the renovation complete by September. Businesses will still be open during construction.

    Brian Rea

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  • St. Petersburg Science Festival aims to boost STEM field

    St. Petersburg Science Festival aims to boost STEM field


    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Careers in science, technology, engineering and math – known as STEM – are growing faster than other occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts the number of jobs will grow more than 10% by 2031.

    What You Need To Know

    • The St. Petersburg Science Festival is happening from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday

    • Scientists from NASA, the National Weather Service, Florida Aquarium and more will be showcasing their work

    • The goal is to get more people interested in STEM subjects and careers

    • USF St. Pete, in conjunction with the FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute’s MarineQuest, put on the event

    On Saturday, various science and environmental organizations will come together to help spread knowledge about science and the arts.

    More than 15,000 people are expected to attend the St. Petersburg Science Festival, put on by USF St. Pete and the FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute’s MarineQuest. The event was born out of the growing interest in STEM careers.

    Scientists from NASA, the National Weather Service and Florida Aquarium, to name a few, will be showcasing their work.

    The festival will also welcome the Junior Scientist Program. Students from around 30 middle and high schools get to learn first-hand from experts about a range of topics, from marine life to engineering and robotics.

    “The junior scientists and the kids that are being exposed here, they’re the future,” said Natalia Lopez Figueroa, chair of the Junior Scientist Program. “We’re not forever and we need to pass down our knowledge. Everyone needs a teacher. We learn something from everyone.”

    The Junior Scientist Program was created by students from USF’s College of Marine Science. The goal is to inspire young students by showing them all of the possibilities in science, while preparing them for a successful future.

    “A lot of those careers are on the up so it’s a good decision for them to have a background in that,” said Jennifer Giuffre, coordinator of the magnet program at Bay Point Middle School. “Even if they don’t directly go into STEM, a lot of the skills that they learn can be applied to a lot of different careers.”

    The St. Petersburg Science Festival is free and open to the public. It’s happening from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday at the waterfront on the USF St. Pete campus, as well as outside the nearby FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute.



    Brian Rea

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  • Residency program trains entrepreneurs to open restaurant

    Residency program trains entrepreneurs to open restaurant


    LAKELAND, Fla. — To Kevin Aydelott, preparing the perfect brisket is a form of art.

    From start to finish, it can take up to 15 hours.

    Aydelott doesn’t take any shortcuts and makes all his rubs from scratch. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Catapult, a nonprofit business incubator, has started a restaurant residency program

    • Food entrepreneurs are given the chance to learn the ins and outs of running a full-scale kitchen

    • The goal of the program is to train entrepreneurs up to open their own restaurant

    • The Cultivated Pig is the first participating business

    “A lot of times in the restaurant industry or restaurant world, there’s a lot of repetition, a lot of repetitive tasks all the time,” Aydelott said. “But when you’re researching and testing new recipes, that’s when you really get to be creative.”

    Aydelott has been a chef for 15 years.

    He’s spent most of his career working for other people, but realized during the pandemic he wanted to take a chance on himself.

    “When I decided I was going to go out on my own and open a business, I went to my best friend and asked him what he thought and if he wanted to help out in any capacity whatsoever,” Aydelott said. “And he was on board.”

    That’s when The Cultivated Pig was born. Aydelott and his best friend, Jimmy Fox, have been serving Texas-inspired barbecue – an homage to their home state – for the past year and a half. 

    The Cultivated Pig has been operating out of a food truck and relying on various pop-up events and markets for sales. Now, Aydelott and Fox are taking their business off wheels and into a proper kitchen, as the first participants in a new restaurant residency program through Catapult.

    The nonprofit business incubator started the program to help food entrepreneurs in Lakeland learn the ins and outs of managing a restaurant. Program leaders explained there can be financial barriers to opening a new restaurant.

    “It can be really hard to secure a loan if you’re just a new business starting out,” said Maggie Leach, Catapult’s kitchen director. “This opportunity allows them to gain that experience of running a business, gaining a sales record, building their business credit to then go out and pursue those opportunities as they arise.”

    Businesses selected for the residency will operate out of Catapult’s kitchen for three to five months. Participants will also regularly meet with an advisory board of local business leaders to get advice on menu planning and operation strategy. 

    Leach believes small businesses are integral to the community’s fabric and hopes the program will help support the local economy. 

    “People want to live, work and play in this community where there are high-quality places to eat, to share those experiences over food,” she said. “We are delighted to come alongside our restaurant owners and our business owners as they create these concepts that really provide value to the entire Lakeland community.”

    Being part of the restaurant residency program is a big step for Aydelott in reaching his ultimate goal — to open a brick-and-mortar restaurant in Lakeland. He said that will help provide a more consistent income.

    “We’ll be able to take our financials to an investor or a bank and say, ‘Look, this is what we’ve done at the residency at Catapult,’” Aydelott explained. “We know how to run, we know how to manage staff, we know how to basically run a restaurant.”

    As the first entrepreneurs selected for the program, Aydelott and Fox are also building the foundation for future participants. They want to encourage others to take a chance on themselves. 

    “Don’t be afraid of the unknown,” Aydelott said. “Yeah, there are a lot of variables that can come up. But, if you stay flexible and you have a really good outlook on everything and stay patient, then you can accomplish your goals.”

    One step closer to their own goals, Aydelott and Fox look forward to one day soon opening The Cultivated Pig as a restaurant. They hope their customers taste the love and passion they pour into each recipe. 

    The Cultivated Pig is currently serving on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., as well as Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. 

    You can find Aydelott and Fox at the pop-up window at Catapult, located at 502 E. Main St. in Lakeland. There are signs in the parking lot that direct you to the pop-up window.



    Brian Rea

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  • Hudson residents rally for safety after teen bicyclist killed in crash

    Hudson residents rally for safety after teen bicyclist killed in crash

    PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — A 15-year-old Hudson Academy student was struck and killed by a vehicle while riding his bike Thursday morning.

    What You Need To Know

    • A teen bicyclist was hit and killed by a vehicle near Thompson Avenue and Kitten Trail in Hudson

    • The teen, 15-year-old Myles Farago, was a student at Hudson Academy

    • FHP said a Hudson man, 31, was driving a Dodge Charger eastbound and did not see the teen, who was not wearing a helmet, due to dark conditions

    According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), the crash happened just after 6:30 a.m. near Thompson Avenue and Kitten Trail in Hudson — less than a mile away from the school on a two-lane road.

    The bicyclist has been identified as Myles Farago. In a Facebook post, Hudson Academy officials described him as “kind, caring and a talented student.”

    Troopers said a Hudson man, 31, was driving a Dodge Charger eastbound on Kitten Trail when he struck the rear of the bicycle. Authorities said the conditions were dark and the driver did not see the teen, who was not wearing a helmet. 

    People who live in the surrounding area say that road is dangerous and there needs to be more lights. 

    “It needs something to be done,” Hudson resident Janet Michaels said. “There’s a lot of traffic in the mornings, at like seven o’clock or so, and then in the afternoon when school gets out. I’m surprised we don’t have more accidents, really.”

    Kelli Childress, another resident and parent, said she immediately knew something bad happened as she drove past the flood of police lights on Kitten Trail.

    “My first thought was it was a kid going to school,” she said. “And then it ended up being that. It’s devastating. No mom should have to feel that. Not with a little boy just trying to go to school.”

    Officials said Farago was taken to an area hospital where he later died as a result of his injuries. 

    The road where the crash happened leads to three nearby schools. Neighbors and school parents, including Childress, have been speaking out about Kitten Trail, which has no sidewalks or crosswalks.

    “What happened this morning could be avoided 100 percent. It’s dangerous, it’s dark, (drivers) not paying attention,” Childress said. “There’s nothing on Kitten Road, except for one faded sign that says ‘school entrance.’ People don’t pay attention to signs anymore. There’s no lights, there’s nothing. It’s dark.”

    Childress has been advocating for improved safety measures for years. She says she’s frustrated and heartbroken that a tragedy like this happened, but hopes it may lead to change.

    Hudson Academy said they had a crisis team on their campus today to offer support to students and staff and will keep bringing in counselors for as long as needed.

    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Get rid of unused, expired medications safely on Drug Take Back Day

    Get rid of unused, expired medications safely on Drug Take Back Day

    TAMPA, Fla. — Drug overdoses continue to claim the lives of people around the country, including in Florida. In 2022, more than 3,700 people died from an overdose and the majority were caused by opioids, according to data from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

    What You Need To Know

    • Saturday, October 28 is National Drug Take Back Day

    • You can dispose of unused or expired medication at numerous sites around Tampa Bay. Click here to see a full list of locations

    • The goal of the event is to prevent medication misuse

    Local hospitals, law enforcement and the anti-drug alliance are teaming up to help prevent medications from getting into the wrong hands. As part of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency’s National Drug Takeback Day, you can drop off old or unused medications at sites across the Tampa Bay area.

    On Saturday, you can drop off old or unused medications at sites across the Tampa Bay area. The focus is to collect pills, liquids (in leak-proof containers) and vape cartridges. Syringes and illegal drugs will not be accepted.

    Those involved with the event say the goal is to educate the community and help prevent medication misuse.

    “There’s always a possibility of children getting into prescription drugs and that’s never a good thing,” said Capt. Travis Maus with the Tampa Police Department. “This gives people an opportunity to get rid of those unwanted pills and to keep us safer that way.”

    Experts recommend keeping medications locked up and out of reach of kids and teens.

    Opioids are involved in 75% of all overdoses, according to the CDC. Opioids include prescribed pain medications, like oxycodone and morphine, which can be misused and addicting. Monica Gonzalez’ battle with addiction first began with drugs from her family’s medicine cabinet.

    “Prevention is probably one of the most important things that we can do as a community, as parents, as schools,” Gonzalez said. “Let’s stop the problem before the problem happens.”

    You can drop off medications from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at numerous locations in the Tampa Bay area. Click here to see a full list of locations.

    Brian Rea

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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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  • 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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  • 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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