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Tag: Community news

  • Halloween Horror Nights unleashes the ultimate nightmares this Friday

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    ORLANDO, Fla. — Universal Orlando Resort’s 34th Halloween Horror Nights event begins Aug. 29 with a new sinister lineup lurking throughout the park.

    “We are toxifying and mutating,” said Lora Sauls, Universal’s assistant director of Entertainment Creative Development.

    Some houses are based on well-known icons for those who follow the horror franchises. That includes “Five Nights at Freddy’s,” where guests follow a night security guard in an abandoned themed-entertainment center.

    “It is bringing something to life, immersing guests in the ‘thing’ that they’ve seen,” said Matthew Flood, Universal’s senior show director with Entertainment Creative Development. “So, that film is the incredible experience of being in a defunct pizzeria, and these haunted animatronics are chasing you.”

    Another of the 10 HHN haunted houses is based on the “Terrifier” movie franchise. This house oozes with a new sense of terror that takes guests into Art the Clown’s gruesome Funhouse. This is also the house where you’ll smell things that are hard to forget.

    “We do use scents in a lot of our houses,” Flood said while laughing. “But Terrifier is the worst offender this year.” (HINT: feces)

    Universal’s top chefs are also unleashing a brand-new menu of food and drinks that pays homage to some houses and most feared characters.

    The haunting good time runs through Nov. 2. 

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    Allison Walker

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  • School Board of Manatee County to select new superintendent Tuesday

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    BRADENTON, Fla. — The School Board of Manatee County is scheduled to select its next superintendent on Tuesday.

    Their selection will be the fifth superintendent the district has had in a dozen years.

    What You Need To Know

    • Manatee School Board members set to choose new superintendent Tuesday

    • Final candidates are Dr. Laurie Breslin, who currently works for the Manatee school district, and Dr. Misty Mathis, who has spent her career in Nassau County
    • Both finalists have similar resumes and have worked extensively with the Florida Department of Education, which is something that was important to the majority of the school board
    • School Board Meeting agenda (.pdf)

    The two finalists are Dr. Laurie Breslin, who currently works for the Manatee school district, and Dr. Misty Mathis, who has spent her career in Nassau County. Both finalists have similar resumes and have worked extensively with the Florida Department of Education, which is something that was important to the majority of the school board.

    The district’s last superintendent, Dr. Jason Wysong, was terminated back in May due to board member complaints about poor communication and leadership style.

    During the interview process this time around, board members asked a number of questions to make sure the new pick would be a better fit in those areas.

    Board member Richard Tatem asked both Breslin and Mathis what some things are that make a “great” leader.

    “We see sometimes… ‘oh, you’re the superintendent, and that’s a great idea,’” Breslin said.“But that’s not always the correct answer. Sometimes the correct answer is to respectfully point out that there could be an error in the thinking. A great leader understands that is a necessity in leadership.”

    “We have to be willing and able to step back as a team and not continue to move forward just because Dr. Mathis said… or just because the team said,” Mathis responded.

    School board members are expected to select Dr. Laurie Breslin or Dr. Misty Mathis to lead the School District of Manatee County.

    Tatem then asked the candidates about their leadership styles.

    Breslin referenced that she’s grown over time as a leader, and now isn’t afraid of having the hard conversations with her staff.

    “It is a skill that you grow as you move through leadership… and that’s how to have difficult conversations that achieve growth at the end instead of deflating somebody,” Breslin stated.

    Mathis referenced her leadership experience in the Nassau County school district and the way she works as a team.

    “I have a core that’s all about shared leadership and collaboration and I’m a unifier of people,” Mathis said. “I would bring together all the leaders… to make the right decision for our school district.”

    After the new superintendent is selected, the district has two weeks to figure out the details of the contract. The new superintendent’s contract is expected to be solidified by Sept. 9.

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    Angie Angers

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  • Charlotte, Mecklenburg County to offer free A/C units to eligible residents

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    Eligible residents will be able to claim a free air conditioning unit thanks to a partnership between the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation.

    What You Need To Know

    •  The City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation have partnered to provide eligible residents free air conditioning units

    •  To be eligible, officials say residents must be at or below 60% of the area median income level

    •  Eligible residents must complete an application for the units, which will be available for pickup on Thursday, Aug. 28


    The units will be available on Thursday, Aug. 28 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the following locations:

    • Eastway Recreation Center located at 3150 Eastway Park Drive
    • Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center located at 2921 Tuckaseegee Road

    Residents at or below 60% of the area median income can take part, according to a release.

    Those eligible can apply by clicking here. A valid photo ID will be required at pickup.

    Officials say applicants will be asked to share their address, whether they rent or own their home, and the type of home they live in, such as a multifamily apartment or single-family home, when filling out the application.

    The information will be only be used to help the city better understand community cooling needs and plan for future programming, officials said. No other data will be kept.

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    Justin Pryor

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  • Bradenton resident receive flooding from rainfall

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    MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Our Weather Experts have been tracking significant rainfall in Manatee County since Saturday. They say areas of East Bradenton have received five to six inches of rain, leading to localized flooding for residents.

    There’s been a lot of rain in Bradenton the last few days, and with this rainfall, you’ll see pockets of flooding here and there while driving through the area. But one resident said flooding has been a consistent battle on her property for the last few years whenever it rains.

    “It’s a complete lake all the way out to the road. This whole property from here forward floods. It’s a huge lake,” Barbara Ficklin said.

    Ficklin lives off Waterline Road in Bradenton. She says rainfall and runoff from nearby developments flooded her property. The water rose to within feet of her house.

    “It just starts coming and rising and rising from the runoff upstream,” she said.

    Ficklin says this has been happening for about three years now and she has contacted county commissioners several times.

    Manatee County officials released a statement regarding this specific area:

    “We have received numerous reports of standing water and street flooding in various areas around the county.”

    But her main priority is keeping her animals safe.

    “We haven’t let the horses out in two days because the land is so wet. If they run, they could hurt themselves. So, they have been in the barn for two days and they’re not very happy,” she said.

    Because of the consistent flooding on her property, she’s had unexpected expenses.

    “This year, we have paid to secure a hurricane flash flood stall at a facility — a stall for each of these horses we’ve reserved. And you pay in advance. But just to have that peace of mind was worth it,” Ficklin said.

    Now she’s hoping there will be a solution soon, not just to protect her home from potentially flooding, but also to protect her animals.

    “Fix what’s going on, put proper drainage in,” she said.

    Ficklin said she spoke with County Commissioner Carol Felts on Monday about the ongoing flooding issue. She hopes the commissioners can work together toward a solution.

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    Julia Hazel

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  • Efforts underway to save Chassahowitzka River Campground from potential sale

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

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

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

    What You Need To Know

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    So they too can enjoy these serene views.

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

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

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    Calvin Lewis

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  • City of Leesburg donates shuffleboard property to foster youth nonprofit

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    LEESBURG, Fla. — A beloved Leesburg shuffleboard court may be no more after the city commission voted on a proposal to donate the land to a nonprofit working to support homeless teens and foster youth in the county.

    This comes after dozens of residents and even non-residents using the courts spoke out during the meeting.

    What You Need To Know

    • Leesburg City Commission moved to donate land they own, including shuffleboard courts, to Forward Paths Foundation to build 10 tiny homes for homeless teens

    • Leesburg Shuffleboard Club has spent weeks gathering signatures to keep their courts and say they were able to get more than 1,000 signatures

    • In a 4-1, Leesburg City Commissioners felt the need to offer stable housing for youth outweighed the need for the historical Leesburg Shuffleboard Club and their courts

    • Forward Paths has 2.5 years to complete the project but supporters of the shuffleboard courts say they’re not going down without a fight and may take legal action
    • RELATED coverage: Leesburg to decide who gets shuffleboard property


    A lot of the city commissioners focused on the need. In a 4-1 vote, the majority felt the need to offer stable housing for youth outweighed the need for the historical Leesburg Shuffleboard Club and its courts, which has major ties in the city.

    “They celebrated their 100-year anniversary back in 2013,” said Leesburg Shuffleboard Club (LSC) member Rick Tallman.

    The club has been playing at the site on Palmetto Street for 54 years.

    The city of Leesburg owns the property, but the LSC has been running and operating the courts and even hosts tournaments there.

    But the future of the property is now in jeopardy with the Leesburg City Commission moving to donate land, including the shuffleboard courts, to a nonprofit foster youth called Forward Paths Foundation.

    “Somebody decided that this was a property to offer forward paths,” Tallman said. “We don’t know who that somebody was.”

    Forward Paths Foundation stated the donation of the land would go towards building 10 tiny homes that would house 20 youths who are aging out of the foster care system or at risk of homelessness.

    Foundation officials spent time at the meeting sharing their history of success stories as they now house 42 youth with more on the waiting list.

    Those in support of the program showed up to speak at the meeting but the majority of public speakers were in support of keeping the shuffleboard courts. 

    The shuffleboard supporters shared that they had more than a 1,000 signatures combined with handwritten and online petitions to keep the courts.

    Despite this, the commission moved forward with the donation of the land, which came with mixed reviews.

    “Well, we won. But it’s always hard when others leave with hurt feelings,” explained Forward Paths Foundation Executive Director Denise Burry. “So, that’s not a good feeling but it’s my job to look out for our at-risk youth aging out of foster care and in need in Lake County. That’s what I did and luckily we came out on top.”

    “It’s very disappointing. This isn’t the end. It’s really the beginning because now the lawsuit comes,” Tallman shared. “What they’ve done is very wrong. Very wrong, they didn’t listen to the people.”

    And while this has brought some divide in the City of Leesburg, the Forward Paths Foundation hopes the community can embrace this project just as the town of Eustice did after completing a similar project there.

    “I hope people will see the good that it brings to these youth and hopefully they’ll come around us and support us,” Burry said.

    The Leesburg City Commission also voted to give Forward Paths Foundation two and a half years to finish the project as opposed to five. Burry says she believes they can accomplish it.

    But supporters of the shuffleboard court say they’re not going down without a fight and say they have already filed a claim against the City of Leesburg with the Florida Commission on Ethics.

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    Brandon Spencer

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  • Changes to FEMA maps could mean Clearwater residents will need flood insurance

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    CLEARWATER, Fla. — Hundreds of Clearwater homes could be added to special flood hazard areas on FEMA maps. That would mean some homeowners would be newly required to buy flood insurance. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Changes may be coming to FEMA flood insurance rate maps for the Alligator Creek Watershed

    • Clearwater’s floodplain administrator says 369 buildings in the city are added to the special flood hazard area on the preliminary maps, while 203 others are removed

    • Homeowners added to the hazard area with federally backed loans or a mortgage would be required to get flood insurance

    • A 90-day comment period on the preliminary maps is expected later this year


    “This is very similar to what we currently have,” Clearwater Floodplain Administrator Gene Henry said of the preliminary maps.

    Henry said the city started gathering data for the updated flood insurance rate maps five years ago. That information was passed on to FEMA, which created the new maps. 

    “You’ll get this blue area, and that’s called the special flood hazard area,” Henry said, gesturing to one of the maps. “So, there are going to be changes on people’s properties.”

    According to Henry, the preliminary maps for the Alligator Creek Watershed add 369 buildings in the city to that hazard area, while another 203 would be removed.

    “It’s better data. So, more accuracy,” Henry said of the reason for the changes. “They’ve got the LIDAR now, they’ve got better contour interval information.”

    Clearwater Floodplain Administrator Gene Henry said that the owners of any homes added who have a federally backed loan or a mortgage will now need to get flood insurance. (Spectrum News/Sarah Blazonis)

    Henry said that the owners of any homes added who have a federally backed loan or a mortgage will now need to get flood insurance. Residents outside the hazard areas can learn from the updated maps about spots around them that are now in the hazard areas.

    “The orange areas are the .2%, or what we call the 500-year. Flood insurance is not required, but if someone would ask me, I would say get the low-risk policy,” Henry said. “That flood hazard area may not have been there before, or it may not have gone down that street, but you saw the water there in Milton, or you saw it in one of the other events. So, the models pick it up because we have to know that.”

    Henry told Spectrum News the city has time to work through what the maps mean for residents. A 90-day comment period will be held later this year for residents and businesses to weigh in on the maps and let the city know if they think any of the changes are incorrect. That will be passed on to FEMA for consideration. The city also created a website where residents can enter their address and see if they’re impacted by the changes.

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    Sarah Blazonis

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  • SpaceX launches 8th flight of U.S. Space Force’s Orbital Test Vehicle

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    KENNEDY SPACE CENTER — SpaceX successfully launched the USSF-36 mission Thursday evening, the eighth flight of U.S. Space Force’s X-37 Orbital Test Vehicle and third Falcon launch of the spacecraft, which previously launched OTV-5 and OTV-7.

    The space company’s Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 11:50 p.m. on Aug. 21 from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center.

    The 45th Weather Squadron gave a 35% -> 20% of poor liftoff conditions, with the primary concerns being the cumulus cloud rule and anvil cloud rules.

    According to SpaceX, this was the sixth flight for the first-stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched:

    Following the stage separation, the first stage landed on SpaceX’s Landing Zone 2 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, which means surrounding areas likely heard a sonic boom. 

    SpaceX issued a Sonic Boom Advisory Wednesday afternoon for residents in Brevard, Orange, Osceola, Indian River, Seminole, Volusia, Polk, St. Lucie, and Okeechobee counties. One or more sonic booms may be heard during the landing, the company said, but what residents experience will depend on weather and other conditions. 

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Winston-Salem school nurse says staffing shortages continue to rise

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    WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Across North Carolina, schools continue to struggle with staffing shortages — from teachers and cafeteria workers to bus drivers and school nurses. Stephanie Smith, a school nurse at Carver High School in Winston-Salem, has experienced those shortages firsthand.

         What You Need To Know

    • Across North Carolina, schools continue to struggle with staffing shortages — from teachers and cafeteria workers to bus drivers and school nurses

    • Stephanie Smith has experienced those shortages and has worked as a school nurse for the last 15 years

    • The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction reports the state’s teacher attrition rate during the 2023-24 school year was 9.88%. That’s down from 11.5% the year before, but still above the seven-year average of 8.64%
    • Superintendent of Public Instruction Mo Green has pushed for higher teacher pay as part of his legislative agenda
    • As of April, the state reported an average starting teacher salary of just under $43,000, ranking North Carolina 39th in the country
    • The average teacher salary is just over $58,000, ranking 43rd in the nation


    Smith began her career in public health, but after having her first child, she switched paths.

    “A school nurse position came available the summer before he started kindergarten, and that seemed like a fantastic fit,” Smith said. “I really enjoyed working with kids. I had been previously working with first-time moms and babies and really enjoyed that population of like young kids.”

    She’s been working as a school nurse for 15 years, but she says staffing challenges have changed the way she works.

    “We have had some increase in positions available, but not necessarily an equal increase in staffing for those positions,” Smith said. “Some years there’s no increase in positions and we have turnover in staff.”

    When she started at Carver, Smith was full time at the school. Now, she splits her time between two schools.

    “We had a significant amount of assignment changes and needs for schools like new schools being built, additional schools being built, and need for more school nurses,” Smith said.

    Smith says part of the demand comes from the rise in chronic health conditions among students.

    “The national standard is for there to be one school nurse in every school, and that doesn’t exist in this county,” Smith said.

    The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction reports the state’s teacher attrition rate during the 2023-24 school year was 9.88%. That’s down from 11.5% the year before, but still above the seven-year average of 8.64%.

    Superintendent of Public Instruction Mo Green has pushed for higher teacher pay as part of his legislative agenda.

    As of April, the state reported an average starting teacher salary of just under $43,000, ranking North Carolina 39th in the country. The average teacher salary is just over $58,000, ranking 43rd in the nation.

    Smith says the pay challenges aren’t limited to teachers.

    “There is a significant difference in what nurses specifically are paid as school nurses versus as nurses in the private sector or in some other areas of public sector,” Smith said.

    The shortages have sometimes forced teachers to step into roles outside of the classroom.

    “I’m sure it is defeating and disappointing for them because they would love to be able to focus their time and energy on their teaching and helping these kids learn and grow,” Smith said.

    Even with the challenges, Smith says she finds the work fulfilling.

    “The passion for me is being able to see the difference that I can make, not just in one day and one visit with the student, but across their entire lifetime,” Smith said.

     

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    Ashley Van Havere

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Grand Prix of St. Petersburg adding truck series race in 2026

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    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg will be bigger next year.

    NASCAR announced Wednesday that St. Pete will host a Craftsman Truck Series race on February 28.

    This will be the first time the NASCAR truck series races on a street course.

    “What a great new racing addition to the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg to include the NASCAR trucks into Saturday’s show next year,” said Kim Green, co-owner, chairman and CEO of Green Savoree Racing Promotions, organizers of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. “Saturday will be packed for our fans with entertainment. We have INDYCAR qualifying and now an historic first with the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race. And, as usual, it all culminates on Sunday with the NTT INDYCAR SERIES season-opening event on the downtown streets of St. Petersburg.”

    Tickets for the 2026 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg will go on sale this fall. Ongoing event updates will be posted at gpstpete.com.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Is St. Pete closer to eliminating their food desert?

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A community grocery store could be steps closer to being a reality in South St. Pete. A group of organizers met with city leaders on Thursday to discuss a possible solution to the food desert in the area.

    Based on reactions from city leaders, there’s a strong possibility something like this could happen, but this is still in the infancy stages.

    What You Need To Know

    • A group of organizers met with St. Petersburg city leaders on Thursday to discuss a possible solution to the food desert in the area
    • One Community Co-op founding member Brother John Muhammad said idea of having a community-centered grocery store was born after the area’s only grocery store closed in Tangerine Plaza eight years ago and never returned

    • City leaders seem to be strongly considering this option, but there are several questions that remain, like location, funding and sustainability

    • One of the council members said she spoke with the developers of Tangerine Plaza, and they have secured a grocer. There are still a lot of steps for that process, but it’s something that could nix the conversation completely


    The option up for discussion at the Health, Energy, Resiliency and Sustainability Committee meeting Thursday was the co-op proposal.

    “A co-op is a business model where you have community residents who are the owners and operators. It’s basically just people who collectively work together to create a business,” said One Community Co-op founding member Brother John Muhammad. “The member owners would be the ones who determine what the products are in there. So, as a co-operative grocery store, are we going to sell processed food? Are we selling alcohol? So, you have more control over the products, the pricing and the investments being made.”

    Muhammad said this idea of having a community-centered grocery store was born after the area’s only grocery store closed in Tangerine Plaza eight years ago, and never returned. It left behind a food desert with no healthy food for miles.

    “We saw Sweetbay come and we saw them leave,” Muhammad said. “We saw Walmart come, we saw them leave, and it was like, ‘Okay, how do we address this? Do we wait on another Superman to come in, or another superhero, or do we organize our community?’”

    City leaders seem to be strongly considering this option, but there are several questions that remain, like location, funding and sustainability.

    The now-vacant Historic Manhattan Casino, slated to be an event space, was mentioned as a possibility, and so was Tangerine Plaza. Earlier this year, the city awarded the Sugar Hill Group to redevelop Tangerine Plaza.

    “Right now, Sugar Hill, they have the development rights for Tangerine Plaza and so Tangerine Plaza has always been the focal point for this conversation, because a lot of these conversations started happening when Walmart, who was a tenant, left,” Muhammad said.

    Since they’ve been gone, Muhammad said their co-op group has stepped up with pop-up grocery shops and so have others like Positive Impact St. Pete.

    “We meet the need in South St. Pete. The need is extremely great. Every single Saturday, our organization provides food for nearly 3,000 individuals,” said Positive Impact St. Pete Executive Director Karen Rae.

    Rae said she likes some of the ideas the co-op presented, but after eight years of watching a community in need, she’s hoping for a faster solution.

    “I’m proposing that we work together to meet the need today. That we don’t wait on government assistance, but the individuals who have a heart for the hungry, step up and partner with positive impact where we can open a neighborhood market tomorrow,” she said.

    There’s no real timeline of funding for Rae’s proposal-and the co-op plan is still up in the air too.

    In the meeting, one of the council members said she spoke with the developers of Tangerine Plaza, and they have secured a grocer. There are still a lot of steps for that process, but it’s something that could nix the conversation completely.

    After eight years of waiting, the people invested in the community said they want to keep all options on the table until the healthy food need is met.

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    Saundra Weathers

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  • Metro BrigAIDe back up and running after AmeriCorps cuts

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    PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — The Metro BrigAIDe program is a part of Metropolitan Ministries.

    They travel around Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas counties looking for those experiencing homelessness so they can help.

    However, earlier this year, they were forced to shut down temporarily.

    For people like Nelson Doland, who had been previously helped by the program, he said it’s upsetting to see.

    “If it wasn’t for them, I’d still be at the soup kitchen, probably sweating to death,” he said in sign language.

    Metro BrigAIDe Associate Director Ethan Weilant said their entire team is passionate about helping people like Doland.

    Since 2018, Metro BrigAIDe has helped thousands of people gain access to the resources they need.

    “The main thing we’re trying to do is housing, and so a really good way to create initial connection with individuals is by having some kind of good that we can hand out,” Weilant said.

    In late April, Metropolitan Ministries was told it would no longer receive funding through AmeriCorps.

    With 20 members of the BrigAIDe team funded through AmeriCorps, Weilant said they had to pause services to reorganize.

    “People felt that we weren’t there,” he said. “The phone lines started adding up. We got tons of calls from the hotline. We had agencies reaching out, seeing if we were able to help them, and we had to tell them we’re doing as much as we can right now, but we have a really limited team.”

    10 Metro BrigAIDe positions were revived after the cuts.

    Three for Hillsborough County, three for Pasco, and four for Pinellas.

    According to Metropolitan Ministries, AmeriCorps contracts were reinstated in late July.

    However, they said that since the Metro BrigAIDe program was reorganized due to the original cuts, they’ve decided not to apply for the 2026 fiscal year, citing the volatility of the funding.

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    Matt Lackritz

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  • Toxins in water put pause on Pasco scallop season

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    HOLIDAY, Fla. — Pasco County’s recreational bay scallop harvest is temporarily on pause.

    The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) said high levels of certain contaminants were detected in the water.

    What You Need To Know

    • Pasco County’s recreational bay scallop harvest is temporarily on pause

    • The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission said high levels of certain contaminants were detected in the water
    • Pasco County’s scallop season runs July 10 to Aug. 18 
    • Area includes all state waters south of the Hernando-Pasco county line and north of the Anclote Key Lighthouse in northern Pinellas County, including all waters of the Anclote River
    • PREVIOUS STORY: After rough 2024, boaters excited for start of Pasco scallop season

    FWC officials decided to pause the scallop harvest out of precaution. A similar pause happened in 2024.

    This area includes all state waters south of the Hernando-Pasco county line and north of the Anclote Key Lighthouse in northern Pinellas County.

    An FWC official said there are 10 days left in the Pasco scallop season and many have already been harvested.

    There’s no word on how long this temporary pause will take. FWC officials said in the meantime, visitors can still swim, boat and fish in those waters.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Lakeland axe-throwing restaurant to close, citing downtown construction impact

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    LAKELAND, Fla. — Lakeland’s first and only axe-throwing restaurant is permanently closing its doors this weekend after owners say downtown construction hurt their business.

    What You Need To Know

    • Ax-Caliber is closing permanently this weekend after a sharp drop in business, which the owners attribute to construction for Publix’s new I.T. campus

    • The owners say street closures and reduced foot traffic have led to hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost revenue

    • Ax-Caliber’s last day is this Saturday, July 26


    Joyce Woodrow said each day is becoming more surreal as she takes inventory of what’s left inside her restaurant.

    “I can’t believe it. I still can’t believe it,” she said. “It’s like every time I come in here to work, to meet our customers, our employees and I keep counting, ‘We only have these many days left.’ It’s very heart breaking.”

    Woodrow and her husband first opened Ax-Caliber in downtown Lakeland in 2020. Over the past five years, they’ve weathered a lot — from the pandemic to a shifting economy.

    But Woodrow says things didn’t start to take a real turn for the worse until a sudden drop in foot traffic going into March — just around the time Publix began preparing to renovate two buildings for its new I.T. campus.

    “A lot of the employees weren’t coming in for lunch and so we had to discontinue our lunch times and opening until two in the afternoon and the evenings,” Woodrow said.

    Soon after preparations started, the Cty of Lakeland shut down portions of East Orange Street and surrounding roads. Since then, Woodrow said the restaurant has lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenue.

    She said they’ve done everything they can to offset the losses — including giving up half the building to the landlord, reducing staff, and cutting down the menu.

    “But it’s hard to fight to continue moving forward when things are out of your control,” Woodrow said. “I mean we cannot control the street closures, we can’t control the lack for foot traffic, we can’t control the accessibility. We can only control what we’re dealing with.” 

    Spectrum Bay News 9 reached out to Publix and the City of Lakeland several times regarding Woodrow’s claims but has not received a response. However, Woodrow she’s not trying to place blame. Instead, she wants to shed light on the impact large companies can have on small businesses.

    “A lot of these larger businesses are great to have. We need them to sustain our city, but I think the smaller ones are the ones that keep us going,” she said. 

    Based on the interactions between the customers and Woodrow, there is a shared feeling of disappointment that a small business has to shut its doors.

    Ax-Caliber’s last day is this Saturday, July 26. Woodrow says they’ll also be hosting a “going out of business” sale on Monday and Tuesday at 9 a.m.

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    Alexis Jones

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  • Polk County track team fundraises to compete at Junior Olympics

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    AUBURNDALE, Fla. — Athletes across the Tampa Bay area are gearing up for the National Junior Olympic Games.

    What You Need To Know

    • Pressure Track and Field, a Polk County-based nonprofit, is sending its largest group ever to the National Junior Olympic Games



    • The team is working to raise $3,500 by next week to cover travel, food, and lodging expenses, lifting the financial burden off families



    • Pressure will host its final fundraiser this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. outside the Walmart on U.S. 92 in Auburndale




    This year, the event will be held in Houston, Texas, but one Polk County team is in need of some help in getting there.

    Twelve-year-old Shamyra Ellison joined Polk County Pressure Track and Field in 2022. Since then, she’s been invited to compete in the National Junior Olympic Games three times.

    But this year, she’ll be joined by 14 of her teammates — the largest group ever to come out of the nonprofit.

    “It really shows how dedicated we are to making it,” Ellison said.

    To prepare for nationals, Ellison and her teammates practice several days a week. While they push through the heat, their coaches are working to make sure every child gets to go.

    Pressure Track and Field started in 2019 to provide students in predominantly Black neighborhoods with new opportunities and positive ways to stay active.

    Head coach David Hicks says each year, the nonprofit strives to cover the cost for athletes to compete in the Junior Olympics, taking the financial burden off parents.

    “Some of these parents have three, four kids on the track team. So just imagine trying to get two tickets,” he said. “Hopefully with doing this, this segment here, fundraising, we’re able to get these 15 kids to nationals.”

    Coach Hicks says the goal is to raise $3,500 by next week to help pay for transportation, food and lodging.

    As for Ellison, she says she wouldn’t have made it this far without her coaches’ determination.

    “I don’t know what I would do without my coaches,” she said. “Without them, I don’t think I’d be where I am now. They’ve really helped me through this.”

    And with a little help from the community, she says they’ll be able to get her across the finish line.

    Pressure Track and Field will host its final fundraiser Saturday, July 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. outside the Walmart on U.S. 92 in Auburndale.

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    Alexis Jones

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  • Palm Harbor turns 100, plans celebration

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    PALM HARBOR, Fla. — Palm Harbor is celebrating its 100th birthday.

    On July 15, 1925, the city’s official name was changed from Sutherland to Palm Harbor. This weekend, city leaders will celebrate a full century under that name with multiple events.

    • Commemorative Proclamation, 10 a.m., Palm Harbor Museum
    • Family-Friendly Event, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Harbor Hall and historic White Chapel, with local vendors, food trucks, nonprofit organizations
    • City Celebration, 6 p.m., Pop Stansell Park, with live music, food, fireworks

    “We are so excited,” said Nancy McKibben, a Pinellas County coordinator who represents unincorporated county communities. “We have a wonderful history here.”

    There will also be a pop-up exhibit depicting the community’s history, developed by the Palm Harbor Museum.

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    Jeff Butera

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  • The Cortez Stone Crab Fishing Festival cancelling this year; businesses react

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    MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Typically, Florida’s festival scene is vibrant with options.

    But this year, some local festivals are having to make a tough decision as hurricane recovery continues.

    What You Need To Know

    • On a Facebook post, the Cortez Stone Crab & Music Festival states: “After much thoughtful consideration, we have made the difficult decision not to host the Cortez Stone Crab Festival this year. The aftermath of last year’s hurricanes brought significant challenges to our beloved historic village.”

    • Local vendors rely on the Stone Crab Fishing Festival as it brings in needed revenue
    • Last year’s hurricanes left the business without power for days, costing them thousands of dollars

    • In the same Facebook post, the Cortez Stone Crab & Fishing Festival says they are planning a mini stone crab celebration this fall

    The Cortez Stone Crab & Music Festival announced on its Facebook page that this year’s festival is being cancelled.

    That affects not only festival-goers but also the vendors who serve them.

    Vendors relied heavily on the Cortez Stone Crab Festival every year as it brings in needed revenue.

    But with the festival cancelled, businesses that were already still trying to recover from last year’s storms now find themselves taking another hit.

    For Travis Roy, baking is his business. He co-owns Breezy Bakery in Cortez.

    Last year’s hurricanes left the business without power for days, costing them thousands of dollars.

    “That was money we were never able to recoup,” he said.

    It was a huge loss because of food going bad and a dip in sales from being closed.

    They also saw fewer customers after the storms.

    “And even with the loans, it’s still a loan and we still have to pay that back. So, we are still fighting and struggling,” he said.

    That’s why Roy relies on local events and festivals to ramp up business and income.

    So when he heard the Cortez Stone Crab & Music Festival was being cancelled this year, he says it was disappointing.

    “It helps out. It allows us to live, really. We’re definitely not the most high-volume place, but it definitely gives us a more relaxing month when it comes to the bills and keeping the place going and running,” he said.

    On a Facebook post, the Cortez Stone Crab & Music Festival states:

    “After much thoughtful consideration, we have made the difficult decision not to host the Cortez Stone Crab Festival this year. The aftermath of last year’s hurricanes brought significant challenges to our beloved historic village.”

    But they go on to post about a plan for a mini stone crab celebration this fall.

    “It’s something we love doing, and we love being a part of it,” Roy said.

    So whenever the festival returns, he’ll be there.

    He says that for him, community support goes a long way.

    Last year’s Cortez Stone Crab & Music Festival was also cancelled because of the hurricanes.

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    Julia Hazel

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

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

    What You Need To Know

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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    Tim Wronka

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  • State grants $1.2M towards rebuilding Anna Maria City Pier

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    MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — It will cost millions of dollars, but city officials say it’s worth it to restore what they call an island icon after Hurricane Milton destroyed Anna Maria City Pier.

    Last week, the state budget allocated $1.2 million in funding toward rebuilding the entire pier.

     What You Need To Know

    • Officials say the state budget allocated $1.2 million in funding toward rebuilding the entire Anna Maria City Pier

    • The mayor of Anna Maria says officials are working with FEMA and the county to seek extra funding

    • The mayor explains that the goal reopening date for Anna Maria Pier is late fall 2026

    Officials say the pier could cost up to $9 million to repair. That might seem like a lot, but many islanders — including the ones who used to work here — say it’s worth it to bring a piece of the island back.

    But officials say just last week the city learned it will receive $1.2 million from the state that will go toward rebuilding the pier. That will only cover some of the overall cost, though.

    Anna Maria City Mayor Mark Short told Spectrum Bay News 9 the most costly part is rebuilding the infrastructure and walkway.

    The mayor says the city is still finishing up the demolition process, but that it’s important to reopen the pier because “the pier is iconic. It’s one of the most visited places in all of Manatee County,” he said.

    The mayor of Anna Maria says officials are working with FEMA and the county to seek extra funding. The goal reopening date for Anna Maria City Pier is late fall 2026.

    An island local’s reaction

    Destiny Brown works as a cashier at Anna Maria General Store for the summer.

    She’s been forced to make ends meet. She used to work as a cashier and social media manager at City Pier Grill, a restaurant on Anna Maria City Pier. Last October, Hurricane Milton destroyed the pier — and the job she held full time for five years was gone, leaving her searching.

    “There was an open house for Manatee County, the school district, and I went there and got a teacher aide position pretty shortly after. So that’s what I started doing. And now I’m going to be an English teacher at King Middle,” she said.

    But before the school district hired her, life was a little rocky.

    “It was very important to me. I worked there every day,” she said. “I immediately applied for government help. That’s why I started looking for a job immediately. We were really worried.”

    And so are many others who loved Anna Maria City Pier.

    It could cost between $6 and $9 million to repair the entire pier, including the restaurant — an investment Brown says is worth it.

    “It’s just a local legend back, basically. So that’s going to be awesome seeing everyone back to fishing in the area,” she said.

    Rebuilding isn’t simple — but a symbol like the city pier being restored would bring hope to Brown and her island community.

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    Julia Hazel

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