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Tag: Community news

  • Ohio running mate choices signal campaign focus

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    COLUMBUS, Ohio — Both Ohio gubernatorial candidates announced their running mates, providing insight into each campaign’s political strategy and priorities ahead of the 2026 election. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Ohio gubernatorial candidates announced their running mates, providing early insight into their campaign strategies

    • Democrat Amy Acton selected former state senator David Pepper and Republican Vivek Ramaswamy chose Ohio Senate President Rob McColley as their running mates

    • Political experts said lieutenant governor selections rarely determine election outcomes but indicate how candidates intend to govern

    Democrat Amy Acton picked David Pepper, and Republican Vivek Ramaswamy picked Rob McColley, signaling the qualities they value in potential governing partners.

    Political science professor David Niven of the University of Cincinnati said the choice of a lieutenant governor typically has little effect on the outcome of a statewide race.

    “It really doesn’t matter who you put on the ticket as lieutenant governor. People are paying attention to the name on the top of the ticket, and the lieutenant governor is almost like the assistant candidate,” Niven said.

    Niven added that while lieutenant governor selections may not sway many voters, they are carefully chosen to complement the candidate’s message and experience. 

    “The very first rule of lieutenant governor choice is, do no harm, you know, the very first rule. Pick folks who aren’t going to cause scandals and stories that distract from the ticket,” he said.

    Former state senator Lou Gentile said Acton’s selection of Pepper brings statewide connections and experience navigating difficult periods, a combination he said could help Democrats make their case for change.

    “He also brings to the ticket, I think, the ability to raise money, to reach out to voters across Ohio. He’s been traveling across the state, and I think it’s really important when you’re selecting somebody, the two candidates really have to be comfortable with each other,” Gentile said.

    Republican strategist Amy Natoce said Ramaswamy’s selection of McColley strengthens his campaign by combining private-sector and government experience.

    “He’s really bringing in somebody who has extensive experience working with the legislature, passing a state budget, working with the governor’s office. So he really brings in that knowledge of how to navigate government relationships,” Natoce said.

    Gentile said Acton’s decision reflects her focus on leadership and governing experience.

    “You have somebody who has local government experience, particularly in a really difficult time during the 2008 financial crisis. David was in public office in Hamilton County and helped steer them out of that. He’s done a lot as it relates to property tax reform, affordability, public safety as a public official,” Gentile said.

    Natoce said the combination appeals to voters concerned with everyday issues.

    “He’s really appealing to the Republican base and also swing voters who are looking for some new leadership and people who have done the hard work of passing a budget, passing tax cuts, those things that really matter to Ohio families,” she said.

    Political experts said a candidate’s choice of lieutenant governor reflects their priorities, their goals for office, and what voters can expect if they are elected. In Ohio, they said selecting the right balance helps candidates connect with a wide range of voters.

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    Saima Khan

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  • Tampa honors its first Black, female firefighter

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    TAMPA, Fla. — The city of Tampa honored a trailblazer on Thursday.

    City officials recognized retired fire inspector Betty Coleman, who was the first hired, Black female with the Tampa fire department.  She joined the department in 1981, started at Station 1 on Zack Street and went on to serve the city for more than 30 years.

    During Thursday’s city council meeting, Councilman Luis Viera presented Coleman with a plaque as she was surrounded by her family, current Fire Chief Barbara Tripp and fellow retirees.

    Coleman was presented a plaque thanking her for her “dedication, professionalism and heart.”

    “I was glad they chose me to represent the department,” Coleman said. “And they gave me an opportunity to showcase my skills. I am also glad I was able to help pave the way for so many other women to come on the department.”

     

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • World’s largest duck makes a splash in Clearwater

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    CLEARWATER, Fla. — What has been dubbed the world’s largest rubber duck is spending the next two weeks at Clearwater’s Coachman Park. 

    The massive inflatable duck, named “Mama Duck,” will be posted up in downtown Clearwater from Jan. 9 through Jan. 26 in the center of the park. The 61-foot rubber duck will be accompanied by her 10-foot tall baby duckling “Timmy,” who will be popping up over the next three weeks in different spots across the city.


    “It gets people talking, it gets people coming downtown to see all of the things we’re doing in this area of Clearwater,” said Leanne Bell with the city of Clearwater. “We redid this park and we’re really trying to find fun and exciting things that get people talking.” 

    Coachman Park underwent an $84 million renovation and formally reopened in 2023. With the renovation came the improved BayCare Sound. 

    The cost to bring Mama Duck and her team to Clearwater is roughly $45,000 including the duck rental, security, entertainment and concrete barriers.

    Service Cost
    Duck Rental $19,150
    Concrete Barrier Rental $2,900
    Entertainment $17,600
    Police & Security $9,750

    **Costs are estimated for the 2.5 week installation and events. The city won’t know the final total until the events are finished.

    Sponsors Cost
    Clearwater Downtown Development Board $21,005
    Spa Manufacturers Inc. $10,000
    Visit St. Pete-Clearwater $7,500
    CGS Energy $5,000
    Clearwater Marine Aquarium $1,000
    Hampton Inn & Suites Clearwater Beach Rooms for Duck Staff

     

    Roughly half is being paid for by the Clearwater Downtown Development Board, the other half is covered by a mix of sponsors including Spa Manufacturers Inc., Visit St. Pete-Clearwater, CGS Energy, Clearwater Marine Aquarium, and Hampton Inn & Suites Clearwater Beach. 

    A number of events are taking place throughout the next couple of weeks to accentuate Mama Duck’s stay.


     

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    Angie Angers

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  • JWU Charlotte providing excess food to community partners

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A North Carolina university is giving surplus food a second life, repurposing it into meals for students and neighbors across the Charlotte region.

    Johnson & Wales University in Charlotte offers a wide selection of majors and programs, like culinary arts and business administration, preparing students for high-demand industries.

    At the heart of that mission sits the university’s culinary storeroom, often described as the backbone for daily operations. 

    What You Need To Know

    • JWU Charlotte is well known for majors and programs that prepare students for high-demand fields 

    • The campus is also helping community partners, feeding neighbors across the Charlotte area 

    • The university runs a weekly distribution, providing excess food to partners 

    • Nonprofits share how the partnership is strengthening their reach and mission 


    Staff, culinary assistants and federal work-study students are managing daily inventory, orders and distribution needs, while keeping activities running smoothly campuswide.

    Product Manager Sierra Curtis oversees storeroom operations.  

    “We are responsible for ordering and receiving all the product once it comes into the storeroom,” Curtis said. “We store it properly and use reports to fill daily requisitions for all the labs and any events we might have on campus. I like to tease — if there was no storeroom, there would be no culinary without us.”

    Beyond the day-to-day responsibilities, the storeroom is also empowering nonprofits and neighbors across the Charlotte area, sharing excess food with community partners for people who need it most.

    JWU Charlotte operates a weekly rotation of distributing quality food items to groups and organizations, helping to feed neighbors, all while reducing waste.

    One of those partners is the Community Culinary School of Charlotte, a nonprofit providing workforce training and job placement support in the food service industry.

    Executive Director Ronald Ahlert, also known as “Chef Ron,” makes regular donation pickups from the JWU Charlotte campus.

    “They give us really nutritious [food], a lot of different unique items our students may not get a chance to work with because sometimes the cost can be tough,” Ahlert said. “I put people to work that might have a barrier to successful long-term employment. This relationship [with JWU] is paramount.”

    Ahlert said the boxes of surplus food are supporting hands-on training while stretching resources needed for its program.

    “Money can be tight. We rely on donations and grants,” Ahlert said. 

    Another partner, The Bulb, is operating a mobile farmers market, delivering fresh produce to underserved neighborhoods across the region.

    “It allows us to redistribute surplus produce that otherwise would have been thrown away and it directly contributes to our mission of putting food back into the economy, back into the environment, communities that need it the most,” said Emma Start, sustainability coordinator for The Bulb. “We’re taking it away from landfills.”

    Culinary assistants and staff at Johnson & Wales University in Charlotte finish helping Emma Start (left), with the nonprofit The Bulb, pack up boxes filled with healthy food items. (Spectrum News 1/Jennifer Roberts)

    “Community partners supporting each other is invaluable. You can’t compare it to something like this,” Start said.

    The support is extending to students on campus who may need meals as well, through a commuter lab. 

    “We take food from labs that we’ve repurposed as meals for people in between classes and commuters that have busy schedules and don’t have time to go home in between classes,” student and culinary assistant Macie Braymiller said.

    “Helping out people who truly need our assistance, that’s what makes this meaningful,” said Isabella Mock, JWU student and culinary assistant. 

    Kaden Rogers is a JWU Charlotte student and culinary assistant.

    Rogers said he’s grateful to be in a learning environment that’s also giving back to neighbors.

    “It’s an amazing opportunity that we get here as students, every day, to be able to contribute to the city while we’re students,” Rogers said. “It’s a powerful thing.”

    JWU Charlotte leaders said the storeroom also serves as a training ground for students interested in careers beyond the kitchen, teaching skills like supply-and-demand operations that translate directly into today’s workforce.

    “Some come in as a work-study student, get promoted to a culinary assistant and go out and get jobs in the industry,” Curtis said.

    Curtis said it’s a great feeling to see the storeroom giving back in so many ways.

     I like that JWU is donating to these community organizations all year-round,” Curtis said. “It takes a village.”

    JWU Charlotte food donation partners also include Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, churches and soup kitchens.

    Follow us on Instagram at spectrumnews1nc for news and other happenings across North Carolina.

     

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    Jennifer Roberts

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  • Upper Tampa Bay Trail Closure: Major culvert repair underway

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    TAMPA, Fla. — A popular stretch of the Upper Tampa Bay Trail in Hillsborough County has been closed as crews begin a major, long-term repair to a damaged culvert. 

    The culvert failed during hurricanes Helene and Milton, and while the county made temporary repairs to keep the trail safe, officials say permanent work is now underway and it won’t be a quick fix.

    What You Need To Know

    • Upper Tampa Bay Trail is closed for major culvert work between West Waters Avenue and Sheldon Road

    • Channel Park Trailhead remains open, however it is recommended you use alternate trailheads if you are walking or biking more than one-mile

    • Work on the culvert damage during Hurricanes Helene and Milton is expected to be complete by mid-February

    • For more information on trailhead locations and construction updates, visit the project’s website

    The trail is closed between West Waters Avenue and Sheldon Road, a heavily used section where thousands of cyclists and pedestrians pass through each month.

    County officials expect the closure to last until mid-February.

    The construction site is located about 1 mile from the Channel Park Trailhead. Crews have brought in heavy equipment and are excavating a 14-foot embankment along Channel A.

    The failing culvert beneath that embankment will be removed and replaced. 

    Complicating the project is a 30-inch water main that runs through the area, which must remain pressurized and operational throughout construction.

    Upper Tampa Bay Trail Park Supervisor Paul Cook said the work zone is dangerous and urges people to avoid the area until construction is complete.

    “I know people are very motivated to do what they want to do, but I would recommend people use some of our other trailheads or even access our northern section of the Upper Tampa Bay Trail at 7020 Lutz Lake Fern Road,” he said. “That’s 4.5 miles and connects to the Suncoast Trail — you could ride all the way to Citrus County if you wanted to.”

    The Channel Park Trailhead remains open for shorter trips, about 1.5 miles toward Hillsborough Avenue or one mile toward the construction site, where access stops.

    Public Works will still need to address a washout along the embankment of Channel A caused by the hurricanes. 

    There is no timeline yet for that project, and officials say it is not expected to begin immediately.

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    Jason Lanning

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  • Rainbow Village redevelopment marks milestone with Heritage Oaks grand opening

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    LARGO, Fla. — A new housing complex for seniors officially opens Thursday, marking the first in a series of upgrades and changes to Largo’s Rainbow Village neighborhood.

    The new Heritage Oaks complex has 80 affordable one-bedroom units for seniors. The apartment-style building replaces what was 48 old block style homes that were part of the original public housing development.

    Rainbow Village was first constructed in the late 1960s and consisted of 200 units of public housing for families.

    What You Need To Know

    •  Heritage Oaks replaces 48 older-style public housing units 

    •  Ribbon cutting marks the end of the first phase of a multi-phase redevelopment plan 

    •  This revitalization project is part of Pinellas County’s master plan for the greater Ridgecrest area

    • The original Rainbow Village is a public housing development that built in the late 1960s, consisted of 200 units


    Heritage Oaks marks the first part of a 4-phase redevelopment plan for the area. Those who were living in the homes that were demolished to make way for Heritage Oaks were placed into alternative housing situations with help from Pinellas County or went to live with family.

    Yvette Feazell, 64, was one of the first residents of Heritage Oaks when she moved in November. She says since graduating college, she had lived independently until 18 months ago when rent spiked and she had to move out of her apartment. She spent just over a year living with her daughter and her four grandchildren.

    “It was nice but I felt like I was imposing,” she said. “I’ve lived independently almost all my life.”

    Heritage Oaks is for seniors living at 60% of the average median income in Pinellas County. Feazell said being in a place that’s safe, nice and affordable is what she had been hoping for.

    “It takes the stress off of… am I going to be able to afford to live in this apartment? Is the rent going to jump up like it did in my last apartment where people are like… I can’t afford that,” she recalled.

    The $31 million project was made possible by Raymond James Affordable Housing Investments and Raymond James Bank, $3.36 million in Pinellas County HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP), and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, low-income tax credits allocated by Florida Housing Finance Corporation, PCHA funds, and HUD rental assistance.

    Thursday’s ribbon cutting of Heritage Oaks marks the first of four planned phases to re-imagine Rainbow Village. In all, 400 units of housing for families and individuals will replace the 200 units that were built in the 1960s.

    Heritage Oaks is a product of Newstar Development, a full-service development firm specializing in affordable and workforce housing.

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    Angie Angers

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  • Munchies Live BBQ takes grilling to the next level

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    TAVARES, Fla. — If you think you know your way around a grill, this guy will blow your mind. In this week’s Chef’s Kitchen, Spectrum News heads to Lake County for a place creating quite the spectacle.

    As you approach Munchies Live BBQ, you might inhale the scent of BBQ before you see it. And you will see it, as the smokers are fierce!

    With two locations — one in downtown Mount Dora and one in Tavares — Chef Alfred Mann said he’s living inside the culinary world for a simple reason. 

    “Everything is connected to food,” Mann said. “Weddings, funerals, billion-dollar deals, breakups, makeups. Everything.”

    Chef Mann chose to demo a three-pack of protein, starting with his chop chicken.

    “BBQ is spiritual,” Mann said. “It’s a ritual you do over and over again.”

    Hungry? Let’s cook!

    MUNCHIES LIVE BBQ — (NOTE: The below recipes are provided by Chef Alfred Mann)

    BBQ CHOP CHICKEN (chop chicken hoagie and BBQ Fries)

    Method:

    1. Season the chicken lightly on all sides with SPS. Marinate 12 to 24 hours.

    2. Cook over an aged wood-burning grill.

    3. Allow to rest for one to two minutes. Then chop or slice and serve.

    Application/Usage — BBQ Fries, BBQ salad or Mac and Cheese Bowl, hoagies & sandwiches, platters with two sides, everyday use.

    Note: They serve as a hoagie with two of their soulful sides (Hoppin John & Baked Mac-n-Cheese) and BBQ Fries, day of visit.

    2: BBQ CHOP PORK (smoked pork Cuban and BBQ fries)

    Method:

    1. Season the pork generously on all sides with all-purpose seasoning. Marinate 12 to 24 hours.

    2. Cook over an aged wood-burning smoker at 400 F until bark forms. Cover and cook at 225 F for 10 to 12 hours until tender enough to pull apart.

    3. Allow to rest for 10 to 20 minutes, chop or pull and serve.

    Application/Usage — BBQ Fries, BBQ salad or Mac and Cheese Bowl, hoagies & sandwiches, platters with 2 sides, smoked pork Cuban sandwich, everyday use.

    Note: They serve a Smoked Pork Cuban sandwich with 2 of their soulful sides (BBQ Beans & Apple Coleslaw) and BBQ Fries, day of visit.

    3: BBQ SHRIMPS

    • Six extra-jumbo peeled and deveined shrimp with tail on.

    • 1 oz. avocado oil

    • 1/2 oz. shaved garlic

    • 2 oz. Munchies Live BBQ “Classic BBQ Sauce” or Munchies Live BBQ “Florida Citrus BBQ Sauce” (or similar sauce)

    • 1 tablespoon whole cold butter

    Method:

    1. Season the shrimp lightly on all sides with all-purpose seasoning. Marinate for 5 to 10 minutes.

    2. Dust lightly in rice flour, add oil to pan, cook over medium-high heat. Then sauté in a pan for two to three minutes — turning on all sides for even texture — until golden brown.

    3. Add BBQ sauce.

    4. Finish with “monter au beurre” — swirl butter in pan and plate, scrape with a rubber spatula over shrimp.

    5. Sprinkle with shake rub and garnish with sliced chives.

    Application/Usage — BBQ Fries, BBQ salad or Mac and Cheese Bowl, hoagies & sandwiches, platters with 2 sides, everyday use.

    The Mount Dora location is at 100 E. 4th Ave., and the new Tavares location is at 110 N. New Hampshire Ave. 

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    Allison Walker

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  • Highlight from Spring Bayou: Teen emerges from waters with cross

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    TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. – Perched on the edge of a ring boats, 74 young men took the familiar plunge Monday afternoon at Spring Bayou during the highlight of the Epiphany celebration.

    And then at 12:41 p.m., 18-year-old Athos Karistinos of Tarpon Springs, thrust his arm into the air, holding the coveted cross.  


    As is tradition with the Epiphany celebration in Tarpon Springs, now in its 120th year and the largest one in the Western Hemisphere, the victorious youth was hoisted into the air by his fellow divers and carried back to St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral.

    A yearlong of blessing is said to come for the young man who recovers the cross. 

    Karistinos is the second member of his family to retrieve the cross. His father, Anestis Karistinos, retrieved the cross in 1991.

    Epiphany is celebrated worldwide, but the famous celebration in Tarpon Springs is the largest outside of Greece.

    The unique festival sees 20,000 people descend on the area.

    With the cross throw complete, the community will continue the celebration into the evening with the Glendi (festival) at the Spanos-Pappas Community Center (348 N Pinellas Ave) with food, drink, live music, and dancing. 

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Plant City private school looks to expand as interest increases

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    PLANT CITY, Fla. — Choosing the best education for a child comes with a lot of decisions, whether it involves selecting a public school, homeschooling or a private school. In Florida, that decision is leaning more toward a private education for many parents.

    What You Need To Know

    • School officials say the number of parents interested in a private education has increased
    • They are looking to expand and build a new building to accommodate the growth


    From home life to education, Elizabeth Phillips, the PTO president at Faith Christian Academy private school in Plant City, loves being involved with her children and helps with events like the maji market.

    “Every time they look around, they can see my face and I’m always there for them, that’s the main reason why I do it,“ she said.

    Phillips says her children were enrolled in a public school until about two years ago when she decided to make the switch to a private education.

    “My older two were struggling, the classes were a lot bigger, and they couldn’t get that one-on-one attention, and they were, in my opinion, just kind of falling through the cracks,“ she said.

    She says smaller student-teacher ratio has helped her children succeed.

    This comes as private school enrollment in Florida continues to grow. The latest report available from the Department of Education shows enrollment from the 2022 to 2023 school year increased by more than 28,000 students from the previous school year.

    Enrollment specialist Nylah Williams says it’s a trend they’re experiencing firsthand. “Our elementary is growing very fast, we currently have 191 students here at Faith Christian Academy, and we are still growing for next year.”

    The growth is so much that they’ve had to divide classrooms to accommodate more students.

    Assistant principal Benimowei Jombai says they’re planning an expansion to meet the growing demand.

    “As they say if you build, they will come and we built this; they’re coming so we need to build more so that more can come so that we can serve more people here in Plant City and the surrounding area,“ he said.

    Head of school Nicole Williams says the expansion will also include additional amenities that will help preserve its faith-based education and sense of security. “A new athletics center, a welcome center, we want to make our center even more safe with gates and security.”

    Phillips hopes the expansion will mean more opportunities for her children. “Once we get into more classrooms, they can have more socialization with more students.”

    Faith Christian Academy is looking to start off the expansion by adding a modular building on its property, and school officials hope to host a groundbreaking for the new building in April, with a completion date in 2027.

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    Lizbeth Gutierrez

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  • William Dunn takes kids fishing and gives them gear for Christmas

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    POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Polk County resident William Dunn is dedicated to helping kids get a chance to go fishing. It’s something he does all year, but especially this year for Christmas.

    What You Need To Know

    • William Dunn learned to love fishing from his father, Joe

    • Dunn started the Take a Kid Fishing organization

    • The group takes kids fishing, which includes an annual fishing event with Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd

    • Nominate an Everyday Hero


    Dunn spent countless hours traveling from home to home to hand out fishing gear to underserved kids. He was able to purchase the gear because of a generous donation to his Take a Kid Fishing nonprofit. Dunn hoped to reach more than 200 children.

    “There is so much tackle in here, the boys are going to love it,” said Dunn as he was going through the fishing gear in his pickup. In this case, he was preparing to deliver it to Elissa Staff’s boys.

    “That’s for you, Jacob. And here’s a spin rod and reel combo for you guys,” said Dunn.

    “This is awesome,” said Staff as she watched Dunn hand out the gear. “He is sharing his joy and sharing love.”

    Dunn said he got his love of fishing from his father, Joe. They started fishing together in Miami when Dunn was a boy, and they continued fishing together until his father passed away several years ago.

    Dunn regularly takes groups of kids on fishing outings, sometimes for freshwater fishing and sometimes offshore. “It just gives them patience,” said Dunn. “It gets them outdoors and off the computer and off the tablets and phones. I can get them out about five miles offshore where there is no phone service. And all they have is a fishing rod in their hand and the joy for the day catching fish.”

    Dunn conducts an annual fishing event for kids with Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.

    Dunn also delivered fishing gear to Hanna Collier’s boys. She was dealing with a serious autoimmune disorder, and the Christmas gifts were a blessing. “And when I got sick, we couldn’t do these things anymore,” she said. “Then somebody giving me this is a big blessing right now.”

    “This is pretty much my ministry on the weekends with these kids,” said Dunn, who has a full-time job as a tire salesman. “Taking them out and showing them life skills. That there are still people out here who still care and want to spend time with them,” he said.

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    Rick Elmhorst

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  • Port Tampa Bay making upgrades after a record-breaking 2025

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    TAMPA, Fla. — Port Tampa Bay is preparing for a busy year after a record-setting 2025. Last year, the port saw over 1.6 million cruise passengers, which is a new record for Tampa. It also saw over 262,000 shipping containers.

    Those cruise passengers generated over $400-thousand dollars in economic impact per ship call. Port Tampa Bay is growing, and new changes are coming this year as it is working on its “Master Plan Vision 2030.”

    Port Tampa Bay’s plan for expansion. (Spectrum News)

    They are building warehouses, expanding terminals for containers and ordering new cranes. A new cruise terminal is also in the works, along with new passenger bridges for some current terminals.

    Port officials said they will work with stakeholders to make sure these changes are balanced with the growing residential population in downtown.

    “For us, it’s playing, maintaining the maritime industry, protecting it, allowing it to grow, prosper and integrating ourselves with our future plans and the growth of the region — the city of Tampa,” said Port Tampa Bay Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer Raul Alfonso.

    Port Tampa Bay leaders said that one of their most important projects for a successful future is deepening the channel by four feet. It is a $1.2 billion project.

    They hope to begin construction on that in 2028.

     

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Protesters rally against ICE, actions in Venezuela

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    COLUMBUS, Ohio — Activists gathered in Columbus on Saturday to protest recent immigration enforcement actions in Ohio and U.S. foreign policy decisions involving Venezuela, arguing that both contribute to fear and instability in immigrant communities. 

    What You Need To Know

    • According to the Ohio Immigrant Alliance, Operation Buckeye has led to more than 200 arrests in Ohio, approximately 80% Latino and roughly 93% men

    • Protesters said recent ICE activity and U.S. foreign policy decisions are increasing fear in local immigrant communities

    • Organizers are encouraging residents to report ICE activity to immigrant support networks rather than intervene directly

    The protest, organized by the Party of Socialism and Liberation, followed a recent enforcement effort by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement known as Operation Buckeye. The Ohio Immigrant Alliance reported that more than 200 people were arrested during the operation. Approximately 80% were Latino, and roughly 93% were men.

    “What we’re seeing right now is a war on immigrants here at home, and a war on Latin America abroad,” said Shenby G, a staff member with the Columbus Liberation Center. “And we understand the root cause of migration across Latin America has been U.S. imperialism and the looting of countries.”

    Some families said they are avoiding public places out of concern that any interaction could lead to separation of their loved ones.

    “Any country has to take care of the borders to a certain extent,” said Rick Wilhelm, a member of the Veterans For Peace. “But the way this is done is just inhuman. I mean, separating little kids from their parents.”

    Organizers said the effects of immigration enforcement, combined with foreign policy decisions, are fueling fear, but many are ready to stand up.

    “It’s basically the standard playbook of make people afraid. Keep them nervous, keep them unwilling or unconfident, not wanting to go out,” said Carter Mason, a protester at the event.

    Organizers said U.S. actions in Venezuela add another layer to the crisis facing immigrant communities in the United States.

    “We know that the Venezuelan people will continue to resist… just as immigrants here at home will resist the terror that ICE has launched on us and our communities,” said Shenby G.

    ICE has said it is focused on arresting individuals with serious criminal records, referring to them as “the worst of the worst.”

    Organizers said the protest is part of ongoing efforts to connect local immigration concerns with global conflicts they believe are affecting communities in Central Ohio.

    They said community members should only document and report ICE activity — including times, dates and locations — to immigrant support organizations rather than intervene directly.

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    Saima Khan

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  • Lakeland nonprofit says it needs support to continue helping homeless

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    LAKELAND, Fla. — Imagine not knowing where your next meal will come from or where you’ll stay the night.

    That’s the reality many people that are homeless face. In Lakeland, one nonprofit said the need has grown over the past year. And they need support too, so they can continue to help.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Cosmo Project is a nonprofit organization that serves food, provides clothing and hygiene products to the homeless every Sunday at 11 a.m. in Munn Park in Lakeland
    • They say that over the past year, the number of people they serve and the need for volunteers have both increased 
    • The nonprofit’s founder, Michael Carrano, said he’s focused on giving the homeless community the resources that will help them get back on their feet during a tough time


    Sorting through piles of donations, it’s become an everyday thing for Michael Carrano and his team with The Cosmo Project.

    It’s a nonprofit focused on providing resources to the homeless community.

    Carrano founded The Cosmo Project in 2023 to give back.

    “When you’re unhoused and you need clothing, nine times out of 10, you get what’s handed to you — you don’t get to pick your own clothing,” he said.

    The clothing is set up on racks, along with food and hygiene products for the homeless community, which is given out to them at Munn Park in Lakeland every Sunday at 11 a.m.

    But Carrano said the need has grown over the past year.

    “Last year, we served about 4,000 to 5,000 people. This year, we clocked in about 6,300,” he said.

    Carrano also said that several factors could be contributing to the increase in the homeless population they serve.

    “Housing market is insane, food prices are high,” he said.

    With the increased need, the nonprofit is also in need of more helping hands, like Oliver Lamy. He started volunteering with his parents about a year ago.

    “I mostly do the smaller parts like hanging the clothes, organizing stuff, but it just feels satisfying to see them having things they need,” said Lamy.

    He encourages the younger generation to go out and help. For Carrano, it’s about giving the homeless community the resources that will help them get back on their feet during a tough time.

    “It is harder now to be homeless than it has ever been,” said Carrano.

    The Cosmo Project said that right now, they’re most in need of men’s clothing items and volunteers.

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    Lizbeth Gutierrez

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  • Pinellas County strengthens retail pet store regulations

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    CLEARWATER, Fla. — Pinellas County’s Board of Commissioners has voted to strengthen oversight of retail pet stores.

    In December, commissioners voted unanimously to pass an ordinance after years of discussions and workshops.

    It comes after officials with Pinellas County Animal Services said a retail pet store in the county lost its license and closed. An investigation revealed that nearly 200 puppies were living in unsanitary conditions.

    Investigators said they also found that the store had not reported more than 70 puppy deaths over two years.

    What You Need To Know

    • Pinellas County’s Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to strengthen oversight of retail pet stores

    • The ordinance will double unannounced permit inspections to twice a year, at least half of the kennels must have solid flooring, and puppy deaths will need to be reported in three days instead of 15
    • People who violate cruelty and neglect regulations can face citations and a seven-day permit suspension with an officer follow-up within three days

    • In six months, the Board of County Commissioners will discuss the effectiveness of the ordinance


    With a record number of adoptions, it’s been a busy year for the nonprofit Friends of Strays.

    “We’re the oldest no-kill shelter. We take in cats and dogs, mostly from low resource shelters across the state to prevent euthanasia,” said Mo Eppley, chair of the board of directors for Friends of Strays.

    While they were busy finding homes for animals, Eppley said they’ve been a voice for more oversight in local retail pet stores.

    “A lot of the puppies that come in from the puppy mills where they’re purchased from the businesses, they don’t receive that care there,” Eppley said. “So when any puppy needs boosters, they need medical care. Parasites are easily transmitted.”

    But now, Pinellas County commissioners passed an ordinance that Pinellas County Animal Services said will strengthen oversight of retail pet stores.

    The ordinance will double unannounced permit inspections from once to twice a year, and facilities will have to have solid flooring for at least half of the kennels.

    Puppy deaths will need to be reported in three days instead of 15, among other changes.

    “For now, the animals that are in their care to make sure they’re not being neglected and dying needlessly, then these new safety measures and the new inspections will help that,” she said.

    Retail pet store, All About Puppies, said they are fully prepared to take on the new rules, but managers want to see forms developed by the county that explain what the expectations are. 

    Cruelty and neglect violations can face citations and a seven-day permit suspension with an officer follow-up within three days.

    “We love what we do, and we are extremely proud of the work that we do,” All About Puppies manager Alexandria Julian said at the commission meeting. “We stand behind our puppies, we stand behind out customers, our breeders, and most of all our word.”

    While the ordinance won’t impact Friends of Strays, Eppley said it’s a positive change for animal welfare.

    “So, the welfare and the health and safety of the animals, I think should be the most important thing that everyone should care about,” Eppley said. “And now, these businesses have to have those inspections.”

    In six months, the Board of County Commissioners will discuss the effectiveness of the ordinance.

    During that meeting, they also plan to explore if more retail pet stores should be allowed to open in the county.

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    Tyler O’Neill

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  • Pinellas County strengthens retail pet store regulations

    [ad_1]

    CLEARWATER, Fla. — Pinellas County’s Board of Commissioners has voted to strengthen oversight of retail pet stores.

    In December, commissioners voted unanimously to pass an ordinance after years of discussions and workshops.

    It comes after officials with Pinellas County Animal Services said a retail pet store in the county lost its license and closed. An investigation revealed that nearly 200 puppies were living in unsanitary conditions.

    Investigators said they also found that the store had not reported more than 70 puppy deaths over two years.

    What You Need To Know

    • Pinellas County’s Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to strengthen oversight of retail pet stores

    • The ordinance will double unannounced permit inspections to twice a year, at least half of the kennels must have solid flooring, and puppy deaths will need to be reported in three days instead of 15
    • People who violate cruelty and neglect regulations can face citations and a seven-day permit suspension with an officer follow-up within three days

    • In six months, the Board of County Commissioners will discuss the effectiveness of the ordinance


    With a record number of adoptions, it’s been a busy year for the nonprofit Friends of Strays.

    “We’re the oldest no-kill shelter. We take in cats and dogs, mostly from low resource shelters across the state to prevent euthanasia,” said Mo Eppley, chair of the board of directors for Friends of Strays.

    While they were busy finding homes for animals, Eppley said they’ve been a voice for more oversight in local retail pet stores.

    “A lot of the puppies that come in from the puppy mills where they’re purchased from the businesses, they don’t receive that care there,” Eppley said. “So when any puppy needs boosters, they need medical care. Parasites are easily transmitted.”

    But now, Pinellas County commissioners passed an ordinance that Pinellas County Animal Services said will strengthen oversight of retail pet stores.

    The ordinance will double unannounced permit inspections from once to twice a year, and facilities will have to have solid flooring for at least half of the kennels.

    Puppy deaths will need to be reported in three days instead of 15, among other changes.

    “For now, the animals that are in their care to make sure they’re not being neglected and dying needlessly, then these new safety measures and the new inspections will help that,” she said.

    Retail pet store, All About Puppies, said they are fully prepared to take on the new rules, but managers want to see forms developed by the county that explain what the expectations are. 

    Cruelty and neglect violations can face citations and a seven-day permit suspension with an officer follow-up within three days.

    “We love what we do, and we are extremely proud of the work that we do,” All About Puppies manager Alexandria Julian said at the commission meeting. “We stand behind our puppies, we stand behind out customers, our breeders, and most of all our word.”

    While the ordinance won’t impact Friends of Strays, Eppley said it’s a positive change for animal welfare.

    “So, the welfare and the health and safety of the animals, I think should be the most important thing that everyone should care about,” Eppley said. “And now, these businesses have to have those inspections.”

    In six months, the Board of County Commissioners will discuss the effectiveness of the ordinance.

    During that meeting, they also plan to explore if more retail pet stores should be allowed to open in the county.

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    Tyler O’Neill

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  • Farmers Feeding Florida program brings seafood to food banks and markets

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    TAMPA, Fla. — At Feeding Tampa Bay’s market, a partnership with the Feeding Florida Program is bringing clams to its freezers.

    The program is Farmers Feeding Florida, which partners with farmers, ranchers, and more to distribute extra or unmarketable products to those in need.

    Co-owner of Cedar Key Aquaculture Farms, Timothy Solano, is the supplier of the clams. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Co-Owner of Cedar Key Aquaculture Farms, Timothy Solano, is working with Feeding Florida to bring clams to food banks across the state

    •  The Farmers Feeding Florida program was launched last summer 

    • Feeding Tampa Bay has been supplied with 30,000 pounds of clams so far


    Solano said he’s thrilled to be a part of the program and added that Farmers Feeding Florida offers a much needed safety net for his own farm business.

    “This is giving us the support line, knowing that we have another sale coming as soon as these holidays turn off, that we’re going to still be able to sell product,” Solano said. “I’m not going to have to tell my guys, hey, we’re actually gonna have to cut back hours again as soon as we get done with the holiday season.” 

    Solano’s farm employs around 20 people. However, last summer, their major customer told them they no longer needed their products.  

    Solano said it left a major hole in their farm sales, and a big gap in what to do next.

    “We found out in June that they gave us about a month’s heads up that we were going to be having to find a new customer,” he said.  

    This led to laying off some employees and cutting back on work hours for others.

    While Solano was working hard to find new customers, he got a call from Feeding Florida about Farmers Feeding Florida. 

    President and CEO Thomas Mantz said this is the first time they’ve been able to bring in frozen clams and meet that supply.

    “There’s a place for canned peas, but more importantly, there’s a better place for fresh, healthy products, and clams are one of those,” Mantz said. 

    Feeding Tampa Bay has been supplied with 30,000 pounds of clams so far. That’s equal to 25,000 meals. 

    Of Farmers Feeding Florida’s entire $28 million budget, $700,000 is set aside for seafood. 

    That seafood budget includes clams, shrimp, and salmon, while looking into the future of providing mullet and tilapia seafood as well. 

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    Matt Lackritz

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  • Industries of the Blind offers career path for the visually impaired

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    GREENSBORO, N.C. — People living with disabilities play an important role in North Carolina’s workforce, and organizations like Industries of the Blind in Greensboro are working to expand those opportunities. For many North Carolinians, that support is life-changing.

         What You Need To Know

    • At Industries of the Blind, 21-year-old Brendon Brown spends his days packing and shipping military uniform orders that are distributed nationwide
    • Brown is legally blind. He lost his vision for the first time as a toddler after an allergic reaction
    • Nationwide, the American Foundation for the Blind found that in 2024, 10% of people ages 16 to 64 with visual disabilities were unemployed 
    • Earlier this month, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced that Project Spark, one of its initiatives that supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, will expand to 10 new locations across the state


    At Industries of the Blind, 21-year-old Brendon Brown spends his days packing and shipping military uniform orders that are distributed nationwide. He started at the organization just over a year ago.

    “I started out picking on the floor, getting everything that goes in the boxes, and I moved to shipping a couple months ago,” he said.

    Brown is legally blind. He lost his vision for the first time as a toddler after an allergic reaction.

    Brendon Brown is legally blind after suffering from an allergic reaction as a kid. (Brendon Brown)

    He regained it off and on for about a decade, but an infection in 2017 caused him to lose his sight completely.

    Finding employment wasn’t easy. Brown said he applied to multiple places before discovering Industries of the Blind.

    “I tried a few different places, and everybody sounded promising when you talked to them, but then you never hear back from them after that,” he said.

    According to the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Labor and Economic Analysis Division, one in nine working-age adults in the state was living with a disability as of 2022. Roughly 145,000 of those adults were visually impaired.

    Nationwide, the American Foundation for the Blind found that in 2024, 10% of people ages 16 to 64 with visual disabilities were unemployed — more than double the unemployment rate for people in the same age range without a visual disability.

    A separate study from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that as of 2024, 22% of all working Americans were living with a disability.

    Industries of the Blind aims to close those gaps by offering meaningful work and long-term career paths.

    Richard Oliver, the organization’s director of community outreach and government relations, said Brown represents exactly why their mission matters.

    “We like to put the effort into Brendon so he can learn and grow,” Oliver said. “We want him to be here for a long time.”

    Brendon Brown says he loves to fish when he's not at work. (Brendon Brown)

    Brendon Brown says he loves to fish when he’s not at work. (Brendon Brown)

    Brown is already taking that next step. On Nov. 25, he graduated from the company’s 2025 Future Leaders Academy cohort.

    The program teaches employees skills in finance, human resources, production and business development. His goal is to eventually move into a leadership role.

    “I have no plans on changing anytime soon,” Brown said. “I enjoy it, I see lots of room to grow.”

    A new class of Future Leaders Academy participants will begin next year.

    Earlier this month, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced that Project Spark, one of its initiatives that supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, will expand to 10 new locations across the state.

    NCDHHS says it will expand to new sites in Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Durham, Greenville, Kinston, Jacksonville, Wilson, Gastonia, Asheville and Boone.

    Follow us on Instagram at spectrumnews1nc for news and other happenings across North Carolina.

     

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    Ashley Van Havere

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  • Animal cruelty database goes online, listing animal abuse offenders online

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    TAMPA, Fla. — A statewide animal cruelty database is set to launch today. 

    It’s the newest phase of Dexter’s Law, named after a 4-year-old black and white bulldog mix. He was adopted from Pinellas County Animal Services and then, days later, found brutally killed in Fort De Soto Park.

    Dexter’s Law allows judges to increase penalties in animal cruelty cases. That part went into effect back in July. But today, the part of the law requiring the state to create and maintain a public database of abusers goes into effect. 

    What You Need To Know

    • The State of Florida is launching an animal cruelty database on the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s website today as part of Dexter’s Law

    • Dexter’s Law went into effect in July, allowing judges to increase penalties in animal cruelty cases
    • Those who have either been found guilty, pleaded guilty or no contest to animal cruelty charges will be listed in the database
    • If your name is placed in the database, it will stay there for ten years- with re-offenders placed back in the databse for another ten years


    Those people who have either been found guilty, pleaded guilty or no contest to animal cruelty charges will be listed in the database. This database will take public records and pull them onto the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s website.

    It’s designed to help shelters and pet rescues that screen applicants before the adoption process is complete. It will also help pet owners looking to re-home their pets and even law enforcement and investigators as they work cases.

    Debbie Darino is the founder of Dexter’s Law along with Ponce Animal Foundation. She says she hopes it will add better protections for animals.

    “I’m hoping that the animal shelters, the rescues, law enforcement, animal control- they’re the first people on the front line when it comes to getting an animal adopt it out,” said Darino. “Then your average person wanting to rehome their pet, for whatever reason, they can just go look in the database.”

    And Darino says a few countys have a registry of animal abusers. But some of those, she says, were having issues keeping track of those on the list that may have moved to a different state. This database, she says, will help troubleshoot those issues.

    If your name is placed in the database, it will stay there for ten years. But if you re-offend at some point, your name will go back into that databse for another ten years.

    Darino says she’s also working on making Dexter’s Law a federal law.

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    Calvin Lewis

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  • The Anna Maria City Pier expected to be open to public by fall of 2026

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    MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — After months of work, the Anna Maria City Pier is showing signs of progress.

    Visitors and residents are starting to see poles sticking out of the water where the boardwalk once was.

    Part of the pier was washed away during the 2024 hurricanes.

    What You Need To Know

    •  Repairs are underway at The Anna Maria City Pier….that work just started in November

    •  The pier is expected to be open to the public fall of 2026.

    Cruising along on Anna Maria Island is how Alex Lucero likes to get around.

    “What is it like to work in paradise? I mean, it’s pretty great,” she said.

    It’s also how a lot of visitors like to get around too.

    Alex handles booking rentals like bikes, golf carts, kayaks, and paddleboards at Beach Bums Island Attitude.

    “I get to work with people who are on vacation,” she said.

    She added business is going well since the hurricanes, despite the island being left without one of its main tourist attractions — the Anna Maria City Pier.

    City officials say they are making progress with pier repairs. (Spectrum News/Julia Hazel)

    Lucero said the pier is a big draw, and the damage has had an impact.

    “Beforehand, the ferry used to make a stop there, so people would come over and rent bikes from us and come by our store. It’s going to be so exciting for people to come back,” she said.

    City officials say they are making progress with pier repairs.

    The white poles sticking out of the water are cement pilings that will later form the walkway.

    Crews recently started installing them.

    “The walkway calls for 130 pilings to be put in, and they are at about number 90 right now,” he said.

    Mark Short, the mayor of the city of Anna Maria, said once all the pilings are complete, crews can move on to the next phase of rebuilding the walkway.

    The pier is expected to be open to the public in the fall of 2026. (Spectrum News/Julia Hazel)

    The pier is expected to be open to the public in the fall of 2026. (Spectrum News/Julia Hazel)

    However, there is still more work to be done on the building at the end of the pier.

    “There are repairs required to the buildings at the end, and those are in the plans. We’ll be doing those a little later,” he said.

    In the meantime, nearby businesses will continue to push ahead,

    looking forward to the day when repairs are complete.

    “I definitely hope we’re going to be super busy. I hope to see all of our bikes off the property. I hope to be sold out of everything,” she said.

    The mayor says the city anticipates the Anna Maria City Pier project will be complete and open to the public by fall of 2026.

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    Julia Hazel

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  • Cathedral names 2026 dove bearer ahead of Epiphany Week

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    TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. — St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral has announced the dove bearer for the upcoming Epiphany celebration.

    Sylvia Marakas has been named dove bearer. Church officials call her “a devoted member of the Cathedral community whose faith, service, and family heritage reflect the significance of the Feast of Epiphany.”


    Marakas is a Pinellas County native and has been a member of the St. Nicholas Cathedral Choir Ministry for more than three years.

    She currently serves on the St. Nicholas Cathedral Restoration Capital Campaign Cabinet and the Oversight and Audit Committee. She has also volunteered with the St. Nicholas Cathedral Philoptochos, supporting various fundraising initiatives.

    Sylvia is an attorney practicing in Pinellas County.

    During her childhood, Sylvia attended services at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Clearwater and at St. Nicholas Cathedral.

    Sylvia’s family heritage traces to Kalymnos, Greece, and the Abruzzo region of Italy, with deep roots in Tarpon Springs and Pinellas County.

    Her grandparents, Paul and Sylvia Giuliani, were founding members of St. Stefanos Greek Orthodox Church in St. Petersburg in 1961 and longtime supporters of St. Nicholas Cathedral.

    Marakas said she has heartfelt gratitude to her family for their unwavering support and deeply honored to serve as the Dove Bearer for Epiphany 2026.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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