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Tag: Erica Riggins

  • SNAP benefits may stop for millions, if government shutdown continues in Nov.

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    Pinellas County, Fla. — The ongoing government shutdown may soon have a direct impact on 42 million people, including 2.8 million Floridians, receiving benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP. 

    Starting November 1, SNAP recipients may experience delays in receiving money to purchase groceries due to federal funds running out at the end of October.

    What You Need To Know

    • The ongoing government shutdown may soon have a direct impact on 42 million people, including 2.8 million Floridians, receiving benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP

    • Starting November 1, SNAP recipients may experience delays in receiving money to purchase groceries due to federal funds running out at the end of October

    • Access Center and Healing Tampa Bay


    “SNAP benefits for the month of November will not be issued until federal funding is restored.

    You may receive notices about your eligible benefit amount, but you will not receive any benefits deposited to your EBT card during this time” according to an “Important Message for Florida SNAP recipients” posted on the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) website.

    Serving Pinellas and Pasco counties, the Access Center and Healing Tampa Bay helps hundreds of Tampa Bay area residents every month with SNAP recertifications and initial enrollments, along with Medicaid, cell phones and many other federal benefits.

    “For the next several days, tens of thousands of members of our community are really waiting to see what happens; if they’re going to have any food, or how they’re going to fill in that gap, and that creates unbelievable levels of anxiety, stress, fear,” said Healing Tampa Bay president and founder Chris Keto.

    “Last year alone, we injected about $12 million dollars of SNAP benefits in Pinellas County, and that’s your lifeline. The average SNAP benefit we’re doing is around $ 150 to $200 per individual and they’re on incomes that are sometimes less than $1,000. So, this is a main source of someone sustaining themselves, functioning and giving hope. We have countless people that come in and we’re very blessed to be able to help out,” Keto continued.

    The steady flow of residents seeking help at the non-profit’s Pinellas County office included John Sirois, a senior citizen recently diagnosed as legally blind.

    “My hours were drastically reduced at my place of employment, and, right now, I’m in quite a situation needing some extra help in every way possible, especially EBT and utilities,” said Sirois who fears the devastating consequences of losing food assistance.

    “A friend of mine was stricken with ALS, as an example, and everything fell apart. Another person I know suffers from dementia and lost their legs. These are situations that came out of nowhere and could happen to anyone,” Sirois continued.

    DCF administers Florida’s SNAP benefits, but the program is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a federal agency affected by the government shutdown.

    Healing Tampa Bay and DCF stress that their organizations are still processing and accepting SNAP applications this month.

    Keto underscored the critical importance of filling in the gap and being able to have a bridge to efficiently get people the proper benefits to help them survive.

    “One of my favorite success stories came from our partnership with the Largo Police Department. They brought an individual to us who had recently been released from jail and was on probation. We got them a cell phone, food stamps, and health insurance. They were able to go on an interview, get a job, and then they became a manager at a local restaurant in the area. This demonstrates the impact and why these benefits are necessary to get people back into community and thriving.”

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    Erica Riggins

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  • Parc Center helps employees with disabilities thrive long-term

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    TAMPA, Fla. — October marks the 80th anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and the U.S. Department of Labor is shining a light on this year’s official theme: “Celebrating Value and Talent.”

    What You Need To Know

    • National Disability Employment Awareness Month has an official theme: “Celebrating Value and Talent”

    • Parc’s Supported Employment Services program has helped nearly 100 people with disabilities find competitive employment

    • Success stories like Michelle Burger show the long-term impact and benefits of supportive employment


    It’s an impactful mission that Parc Center for Disabilities strives to accomplish all year long with its Supported Employment Services program, which champions nearly 100 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities out in the community with competitive employment.

    “With Supported Employment, it’s truly a win-win for the person we’re supporting and the business or employer,” said Brian Rothey, the Assistant Vice President of Adult Community Programs at Parc. “The employer is receiving someone who is going to show up happy every single day to their shift and stay on the job a whole lot longer than their non-disabled peers. They’re highly motivated and a pleasure to work around.”

    Michelle Burger, one of their success stories with nearly 25-years on the job at the VA’s Patriot Café, credits her long-term success in the workforce to the partnership between Parc and the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System.

    “It’s great having this job – helping the canteen and helping customers – if they need help,” said Burger who serves as a Veterans Canteen Service Associate at the Patriot Café. “It’s wonderful and they help me out, too, if I need it. I have good friends and a lot of buddies out here.”

    Veterans Canteen Service Associate Michelle Burger preparing to serve a veteran at the VA’s Patriot Cafe. (Spectrum News/Erica Riggins)

    In 2001, Burger was looking for a job to live with independence and prove that she was more than capable of doing the work; and decades later, Burger’s drive and dedication are still paying off professionally and personally.

    “She’s 100% fully integrated in the community. She lives independently. She has a lifelong partner. She was able to purchase her own home, which for a lot of us is a very big deal,” said Rothey.

    Veterans Canteen Service Chief Michelle Florida also describes Burger as a standout employee who consistently exceeds all job expectations.

    “She loves her job every day, loves her co-workers and is happy to be here,” said Florida. “In fact, there was small talk about her possibly retiring, but she declined because she enjoys working here.”

    Parc’s Supported Employment Services program also provides weekly career coaching to help encourage and assist Burger on the VA’s campus in St. Petersburg.

    “There’s this whole hidden population and talent pipeline within the community that we can tap into and provide. One of the biggest ways that our community and employers can support our mission is through partnerships and collaboration; any opportunity to have our voices heard and offer employment to the people that we serve is what we’re seeking this month and all year long,” said Rothey.

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    Erica Riggins

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  • Limited airport operations in Citrus as crews seal nearly 60-foot deep sinkhole

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    CITRUS COUNTY, Fla. — Citrus County and the Florida Department of Transportation have taken major steps to fund sinkhole repairs to fully reopen the Crystal River Airport within the next week.

    What You Need To Know

    • Sinkhole repairs started Friday near the end of the runway at Crystal River Airport and should be completed next week

    • Citrus County commissioners approved an FDOT emergency grant to cover the full repair cost estimated at $157,000, which requires FDOT to fund most of the project at 80%; The county would be responsible for the remaining 20%

    • Crews acted immediately and installed a temporary patch surrounding the sinkhole that opened up near the end of the runway once it was discovered last month


    During a special meeting this week to discuss the sinkhole, Citrus County commissioners approved an FDOT emergency grant to cover the full repair cost estimated at $157,000, which requires FDOT to fund most of the project at 80%. The county would be responsible for the remaining 20%.

    As a safety precaution and to allow limited airport operations, Citrus County crews acted immediately and installed a temporary patch surrounding the sinkhole that opened up near the end of the runway once it was discovered last month on Sept. 15, according to Public Works Director Carlton Hall.

    “After they did ground penetrating radar, we determined the size is about 15 to 16 feet in diameter, and it’s anywhere from 50 to 60 feet deep, and at the same time, we’ve evaluated it each and every day to make sure we don’t have any additional sinkholes or anything else that opens up in the area,” said Hall.

    Citrus County crews started staging the repairs on Friday with a goal to have all the work completed next week.

    In this image, you can see a secondary hole that reopened once a temporary patch was installed. (Spectrum News/Erica Riggins)

    “They’ll drill injection sites in areas around the sinkhole and then put piping into the ground that allows them to inject concrete to seal up the sinkhole permanently and prevent that anomaly or the sinkhole from coming back in the future,” Hall added.

    With more than 20,000 flights a year, on average, licensed pilots and students have traveled to the airport from dozens of countries to focus on a combination of training, flying and aviation studies.

    Aviation Project Manager Todd Regan is eager and ready to reopen the full runway following the repairs.

    With more than 20,000 flights a year, on average, licensed pilots and students have traveled to the airport from dozens of countries to focus on a combination of training, flying and aviation studies. (Spectrum News/Erica Riggins)

    With more than 20,000 flights a year, on average, licensed pilots and students have traveled to the airport from dozens of countries to focus on a combination of training, flying and aviation studies. (Spectrum News/Erica Riggins)

    “This airport is essential for pilot training and is a good stopping point for pilots to come in and take a look at what Crystal River has to offer, and in this county it’s also essential for tourism and small businesses,” said Regan, who also oversees the Inverness Airport in Citrus County.

    “Luckily, the sinkhole is not in the middle of the runway. We just displaced the end of the runway by 1,000 feet to allow some of the smaller aircraft to keep coming in, but some of our operations — mostly the jets — have been suspended. So, as soon as we get this fixed, we’re back to normal,” Regan continued.

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    Erica Riggins

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  • Revamped Cross Bay Ferry’s return moves a step closer

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    PINELLAS COUNTY – The Cross Bay Ferry is a step closer to returning.

    The service, which ferries passengers between Tampa and St. Pete’s downtowns, could return with a new local operator and new boats.

    What You Need To Know

    • Cross Bay Ferry service moves closer to returning 

    • PSTA has recommended the Hubbard’s Marina group to take over ferry operations

    • Votes with Tampa and St. Pete city councils remain, along with PSTA contracts that need to be approved
    • A new ferry service could begin service by next summer

    The Cross Bay Ferry service was terminated after the previous operator wanted to swap out the ferry with a slower boat. That boat would’ve taken twice as long to cross the bay, which violated their agreement with Hillsborough County.

    Hillsborough County commissioners then terminated the agreement with HMS Ferries in mid April.

    The U.S. Department of Transportation earlier approved a transfer of a nearly $5 million grant from the Hillsborough Area Reginal Transit Authority to the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority.

    Now, after company bids to take over the service, the PSTA has recommended the Hubbard’s Marina group to take over ferry operations. The selection was unanimous among transit leaders.

    The Hubbard family owns Hubbards Ferry, a Pinellas County staple that has operated passenger boats and fishing tours for decades in Madeira Beach.

    Captain Dylan Hubbard’s family owns Hubbards Ferry, a Pinellas County staple that has operated passenger boats and fishing tours for decades in Madeira Beach. (Spectrum News image)

    “We’re very blessed and very honored,” said Captain Dylan Hubbard of the recommendation. “And looking forward to our relationship with PSTA growing and the relationship with our cities, Tampa, Saint Pete and the local, transportation boards. It’s, definitely an exciting time.”

    However, several steps remain the process before the service could resume. The PSTA plans to use the federal grant to purchase two vessels. Then, final approval would be needed from city council members in both Tampa and St. Pete, along with the PSTA board.  

    A 5-year operating agreement from both cities also would have to be approved by the PSTA.

    Tentative votes are scheduled for Nov. 6 in both Tampa and St. Pete. PTSA’s full board has a final vote scheduled for Dec. 3.

    A revamped ferry service, rebranded Tampa Bay Ferry, and planned to run year-round for the first time, could be up and running by next summer.

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    Erica Riggins

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  • Pinellas officials calling for safe removal of lithium batteries from public

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    PINELLAS COUNTY , Fla. — Pinellas County leaders are making an important reminder for the rest of hurricane season.

    County waste officials are reminding people to properly dispose of anything with lithium batteries they no longer use.


    According to state officials, after hurricanes Helene and Milton, there were more than 80 local fires directly attributed to the batteries, which are found in everything from cell phones to lawn equipment.

    The batteries can burst into flames if they’re punctured, damaged, or come into contact with salt water.

     Pinellas County officials recommend looking around for any battery powered items that aren’t being used anymore.

    And getting rid of them before they become a problem.

    “We’re certainly not seeing as many rechargeable batteries coming into our facility as we know that are out there,” said Jasmine Scott, the county’s environmental outreach specialist. “And your home, I mean, you can look around your home and think of at least ten things that are rechargeable, including your electric toothbrush.”

    The public can return lithium batteries for free at the household hazardous waste facility in St. Pete. 

    The Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection program is for Pinellas County households only. Businesses, hobbyists, haulers, and nonprofits should visit the Business Collection Events page.

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    Erica Riggins

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  • Efforts to reopen the historic Gulfport Casino could take another 2 years

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    TAMPA, Fla. — One year ago Friday, the City of Gulfport endured catastrophic damage from Hurricane Helene, and while the majority of businesses near the city’s waterfront spanning Boca Ciega Bay have reopened, the historic Gulfport Casino is still closed after it sustained substantial damage from historic flooding.

    What You Need To Know

    • Helene’s impact was so powerful, the building shifted on its foundation and sustained $3 million in damage, according to city spokesperson Justin Shea.

    • Gulfport City Council just approved $300,000 to draft the engineering design and repair plans that will mitigate flooding damage from future storms and retain its historic designation.

    • The city is inviting the community to other locations for weekly dances and social events. Click here for the Gulfport calendar of events.


    The storm’s impact was so powerful, the building shifted on its foundation and sustained $3 million in damage, according to city spokesperson Justin Shea.

    “The repair plan would be to reset the pilings that are underneath the casino to essentially future-proof it to allow 100 more years of ballroom dancing, weekly dances, and community events,” Shea said while walking through the fencing erected as a safety barrier that currently surrounds the entire hurricane-damaged site.

    “As the Cultural Facilities’ most important revenue-generating venue, the Gulfport Casino’s prolonged closure represents both a significant loss of operating revenue and the temporary absence of a cherished community gathering place,” Shea said/.

    Last year alone, prior to Hurricane Helene’s landfall on Sept. 26, the casino had generated nearly a half-million dollars in revenue for the city, serving as the preferred venue for wedding receptions, trade shows, bar mitzvahs and seminars.

    Gulfport City Council just approved $300,000 to draft the engineering design and repair plans that will mitigate flooding damage from future storms and retain its historic designation.

    The timeline for restoration and preservation could take two years before the casino reopens to the public, due to the complexity of working with state and federal leaders and complying with historic preservation standards for rehabilitating historic buildings.

    “We expect the engineering design and related documentation could take, easily, eight months to be completed, but it’s important to let our residents know that we are making progress with approvals from FEMA and the U.S. Department of the Interior for the historical register,” said Gulfport Mayor Karen Love.

    “The expectation is that once everything is approved by all the different groups that I just mentioned, then we’ll be able to start construction and that probably could take another year, and we are going to build in some additional resiliency to better protect, not only against the water, but against anything crashing into it like boats,” Love said.

    The Gulfport Casino serves as the anchor to the city’s neighborhoods and has been drawing visitors and tourists to downtown since the early 1930s, according to city manager Jim O’Reilly.

    “This is the third iteration of the casino, and we worked hard to get it on the National Historic Registry because of deep ties to our rich history and forefathers,” O’Reilly said.

    “The Gulfport community held the very first town meeting at the casino 100 years ago. It’s one of the founding buildings of the City of Gulfport and represents the roots of our community and generational knowledge,” he said.

    While planning and major repairs are underway, the city is inviting the community to other locations for weekly dances and social events. Click here for the Gulfport calendar of events.

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    Erica Riggins

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  • Raising Hope: A record number of homeowners are elevating

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    Pinellas County, Fla. — The look and feel of hurricane recovery and rebuilding started changing dramatically in 2005 after the catastrophic damage caused by Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.

    What You Need To Know

    •  Hurricane recovery and rebuilding has changed dramatically since 2005 after Hurricane Katrina

    •  After Hurricanes Helene and Milton, homeowners on the coast are opting to elevate their hurricane-damaged homes in record numbers

    • St. Petersburg-based JAS Builders has nearly 100 projects approved in Pinellas County primarily, but also in Citrus and Manatee

    • The entire process of lifting a home takes 10 to 12 months, and the total price can range from $200,000 to $2 million depending on several factors


    The house lifting industry gained national visibility in the years that followed and expanded further following other major storms, including Superstorm Sandy, that devastated the northeast in 2012, and the historic flooding in Texas after Hurricane Harvey’s landfall in 2017.

    “Once Katrina hit, we started learning about the whole industry, and there really wasn’t an industry before that hurricane,” said JAS Builders Co-owner and CEO Jeff Trosclair.

    “When Superstorm Sandy hit New Jersey and Long Island, the industry started migrating in that direction and lifting homes up there, but it really has not been something we’ve seen in these numbers here in Florida until recently,” Trosclair continued.

    Over the past 12 months since Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Bay Area homeowners in coastal communities and beyond have been opting to elevate their hurricane-damaged homes in record numbers, according to building officials.

    “Before the hurricanes, we may have only received calls for a few houses a year, but following Helene and Milton, we received thousands of calls for help from homeowners wanting to protect their property from future storms,” said JAS Builders Founder and Co-Owner Albert Jasuan.

    “Now, we’re transforming communities. It’s not just one or two houses per neighborhood. We’re transforming whole neighborhoods and whole streets. Everyone is calling us because they see what their neighbors are doing to stay connected to their communities, and they want to do it as well,” Jasuan added.

    Currently, St. Petersburg-based JAS Builders has nearly 100 projects approved in Pinellas County primarily, but also in Citrus and Manatee. The entire process to lift a home takes 10 to 12 months, and the total price can range from $200,000 to $2 million depending on several factors, including the size of the home, structural upgrades and plumbing and electrical modifications.

    “Some of these homes have flooded multiple times, and people are tired of dealing with extensive damage and ready to get them up to mitigate their risks,” said Jasuan standing in front of a Treasure Island home where JAS crews are almost done elevating the structure 14-feet high.

    “We don’t just lift the home. We get it out of harm’s way forever for the lifetime of the home and the lifetime of the person that wants to be there,” Jasuan continued.

    Every project is deeply personal for his co-owner, whose childhood home in New Orleans, where his mother still lives, flooded four times and was eventually elevated with help from FEMA after Hurricane Katrina in 2006.

    “Each storm left scars: favorite toys that were lost, family treasures ruined, and my parents shouldering the crushing stress of starting over again. So, this type of work really hits home for me,” said Trosclair.

    With a mission of building community resiliency, the co-owners of JAS Builders, along with nearly 200 employees, strive to bring safety, peace of mind and hope to hurricane-damaged communities.

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  • YFA to build affordable housing and support center

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    PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — With a lack of safe and affordable housing being one of the primary reasons preventing families from reuniting with their kids in foster care, the recently approved $1.5 million in the state budget will allow Youth & Family Advocates (YFA), a child welfare agency serving 6,000 kids in West-Central Florida, to put families first in the fight for affordable housing.

    YFA is planning to break ground early next year on its Speer II housing complex in New Port Richey, which will feature 50 new units with one to three bedrooms.

    What You Need To Know

    • Recently approved $1.5 million in the state budget will allow Youth & Family Advocates (YFA) to break ground on new housing complex

    • YFA is planning to break ground early next year on its Speer II housing complex in New Port Richey, which will feature 50 new units with one to three bedrooms

    • YFA describes the project as a safety net and community hub for families to receive streamlined access to child welfare services and caseworkers


    It’s designed to serve 110 families, children and youth aging out of foster care. The goal is to assist families at risk of separation or foster care because of housing challenges, and minimize the trauma of family separation, according to YFA officials.

    “Safe for the children, safe for the family and something affordable for the family is critical for them to be successful in reunifying,” said YFA President and CEO Mark Wickham.

    “It’s the number one issue that our case managers talk about in terms of getting in the way of reunifying families. The latest statistic is that a person working minimum wage in this community would need to work 119 hours a week to afford a two-bedroom unit. Well, that’s three full-time positions,” Wickham continued.

    Providing comprehensive support and wraparound services to ensure stability and success is also a key focus through YFA’s planned 35,000 square foot Center for Children and Families, which will be built on Plathe Road across the street from the affordable housing complex on 10-acres of land owned by the nonprofit.

    YFA describes the project as a safety net and community hub for families to receive streamlined access to child welfare services and caseworkers.

    “It’s bringing together essential services and several agencies all under one roof, including Family Support Services, the lead child welfare agency for foster care and adoptions in Pasco and Pinellas, our case management program, and other not-for-profits to support families in this community. We also have Premier Health just up the road and an elementary school within walking distance. So, everything here is within a small area that anybody can walk to or be able to easily catch transportation,” said Wickham.

    The Speer II affordable housing complex will serve low-income families making 30% to 80% of the area median income.

    In addition to the $1.5 million in the state budget approved by Governor Desantis and sponsored by Republican State Senator Ed Hooper and Republican State Representative Brad Yeager this year, Pasco County and the Florida Department of Children & Families provided another $1.5 million in funding for both projects.

    “We are committed to building safe, affordable housing in this community, and Pasco County Commissioners are all on board for projects like this and getting them done.”

    Citrus, Hernando, Polk, Sumter, Highlands and Hardee counties are also part of YFA’s seven-county service area, and Wickham hopes to expand these projects beyond New Port Richey to their other counties in the near future.

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  • Gulfport seeking a commitment from residents to evacuate ahead of a major storm

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    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Nearly a year after hurricanes Helene and Milton, the City of Gulfport is still deep in hurricane recovery and rebuilding, with more than 500 homes and businesses being reviewed for substantial damage. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Nearly a year after Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the City of Gulfport is still deep in hurricane recovery and rebuilding

    • Hurricane Helene’s catastrophic storm surge and flooding remain vivid in the minds of residents and Gulfport City Council member Marlene Shaw

    • City leaders describe the process as transitioning from reactive to proactive by encouraging neighbors to prioritize safety during hurricanes


    Hurricane Helene’s catastrophic storm surge and flooding remain vivid in the minds of residents and Gulfport City Council member Marlene Shaw.

    “I’ve lived in Florida and Pinellas County for 43-years, and then I’ve lived in Gulfport for 31 years, and I’ve never seen anything like this, whether it be the flash floods or the hurricanes,” said Shaw who represents Ward 2 in the coastal community.

    “One of the takeaways I had from the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council’s Summit on Resiliency wasn’t only the Pledge to Evacuate, but it was also that we need to learn to live with water, and so it’s not only a resource that we need to be aware of to conserve, but we also need to prepare for the impacts of it. Weather is completely unpredictable,” Shaw added.

    She recently spearheaded the effort to implement the Pledge to Evacuate for Gulfport residents with an online resource that helps inform residents how to prepare for storm season and requires them to formally acknowledge hurricane preparedness criteria with their signature and personal contact information.

    City leaders describe the process as transitioning from reactive to proactive by encouraging neighbors to prioritize safety.

    “We see our neighbors commit to things and then we become more open to committing to that as well. We need that culture of preparedness and to encourage each other. I’ve worked with communities for a number of decades now, and people are very inclined to say, ‘Well, I want to stay in my own home,’ and yet they don’t realize afterwards when we’re without power that there’s there is no way for the first responders to be able to help, and of course, we don’t want to endanger them,” Shaw said.

    It’s a situation that Gulfport resident Jimmy Pagani lived through last fall when he decided to ride out the storm in his home that sits across the street from the beach.

    Fearing for his life with floodwaters up to his neck, he says he’ll never forget the night of Sept. 26 last year when the water and waves from Boca Ciega Bay were banging on his front window. He had to walk several blocks to safety while holding his cell phone high in the air, which prevented him from swimming.

    “I have lived in Florida 40 years and never evacuated a storm ever, and I’ll probably never sit through one again,” said Pagani.

    “Do whatever you can to secure your house and make it as watertight as possible, and then go on, leave the area and come back later,” he added.

    Pagani agrees wholeheartedly with city leaders’ efforts to urge residents to get out of harm’s way.

    “Storm surge and evacuate zones are based upon storm surge elevation,” said city spokesperson Justin Shea. “For example, if A, B and C zones order to evacuate, you just have to get to a D zone to be safe from the surge. Know where you’re going to go. Know what you’re going to do with your pets. Know what shelters are available in the area. Get all those tools together, and the pledge is another way to activate that process,” Shea continued.

    In addition to the online pledge, the city has a comprehensive list of resources on its recently launched Hurricane Center website.

    “By making the pledge, residents and businesses commit to developing and evacuation plan, understanding their evacuation zone, packing a personal go-bag, and following instructions of local emergency officials,” said Shea.

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  • Floridians eagerly await savings on hunting, camping, fishing supplies

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    PINELLAS PARK, Fla. — On the heels of Florida’s Back to School Sales Tax Holiday that just ended in August, a new sales tax holiday will take effect next week with hunters, campers and fishermen in mind.

    What You Need To Know

    • Florida’s new sales tax holiday that targets outdoor enthusiasts runs from Sept. 8 to Dec. 31

    • Firearms, ammunition, and outdoor gear will be tax exempt for the first time

    • Floridians are expected to save $44.8 million during this period


    During the nearly four-month time frame from Sept. 8 until Dec. 31, the Hunting, Fishing and Camping Sales Tax Holiday is expected to save Floridians $44.8 million, according to the Florida Department of Revenue.

    It’ll be the first time firearms, ammunition and related accessories are tax exempt in the state of Florida.

    Nearly 100 customers of the gun shop at Bill Jackson’s Shop for Adventure in Pinellas Park got creative and took early steps to secure their items, according to supervisor Russ Abston.

    “We’ve had customers come in looking for particular products knowing that the tax free holiday is going to start on Sept. 8, and they’ve been putting things on layaway to actually lock down that item, so they can get it tax free when the holiday starts,” said Abston.

    “For example, if you’re buying a $1,000 handgun, rifle or shotgun, which is the average firearm purchase in our shop, you would save $70, and that’s money that can be spent on something else to help stimulate the economy in other places,” Abston added.

    There’s a strong chance you’ll find 74-year-old Charlie Kent, along with his 79-year-old brother Howard, on the gun range at Bill Jackson’s most days of the week.

    “We come with one of the guys from Seminole First Baptist Church, and we come down as a group to have the chance to get together and socialize and have good thoughts together,” said Charlie Kent, a retired firearms instructor and law enforcement officer who served nearly 30-years at the Indian Shores Police Department.

    “I think a bunch of us are waiting to buy ammo,” he continued.

    There’s a wide range of hunting, fishing and camping items that are tax exempt, including rods and reels under $75, sleeping bags under $50 and tents under $200.

    There is no spending cap for most items you would find in a gun shop.

    “We live in the state of Florida with a lot of sportsmen, so this is going to be a great thing. It’s going to be huge. It’s going to increase business, and it’s going to save people a lot of money,” said Abston.

    For the full list of exempt items during the sales tax holiday, effective Sept. 8 through Dec. 31, click here.

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  • Citrus County makes sure kids have an extra meal on school campuses

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    INVERNESS, Fla. — While all 67 Florida school districts are required by state law to provide breakfast and lunch on school campuses, the Citrus County School District goes one step further to fill the gap and provide more fuel for students who continue learning, interacting and performing several hours after their lunch period has ended.

    Roy Pistone, Citrus County School District’s director of Food and Nutrition Services, said the rules have changed a lot over the past 30 years when it comes to prepping meals and serving thousands of school children, but the need remains the same.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Citrus County School District has added a third in-school meal for students participating in certain after-school activities

    • The “Super Snack” is available to students participating in things like athletics, band, YMCA and numerous after-school clubs

    • Roy Pistone, Citrus County School District’s director of Food and Nutrition Services, said it is important to make sure students have the fuel they need to succeed


    “Children can learn without books, but a child cannot learn without food,” said Pistone, who also serves as the president of the Florida School Nutrition Association.

    “We have outstanding teachers here in Citrus County as well as across the state and nation,” he added. “But if a child is hungry, their attention span is very low and they will never be able to learn. So, the importance of us providing these free meals to our children is of the utmost importance.”

    In partnership with the Florida Department of Health, the district serves a free Super Snack meal to all students participating in any qualified after-school program, including athletics, band, YMCA and numerous school clubs.

    Some students eat lunch in the cafeteria as early as 11 a.m. before going back to class, but school administrators say many after school programs can run late into the evening.

    Pistone said Super Snacks are designed to be a nutritious, complete meal that is packed with protein.

    “Each one of our super snack meals has at least 19 grams of protein, which is especially important for our athletes because they definitely need a little extra protein,” he said.

    “If you have a 275-pound offensive lineman on one of our high school football teams, he needs some extra calories from what he got during lunch,” Pistone added. “Super Snacks provide our students with whole grains, vegetables, milk, fruit, and they get the whole gamut of what they need to be able to succeed.”

    He said the goal is to boost students’ brain power and energy at the end of a long school day as they transition to the next round of extracurricular activities.

    Citrus County students are required to have at least 15 to 20 minutes of academic enrichment with the meal.

    “They usually come into our cafeteria and do about 15 to 20 minutes’ worth of homework while they’re eating our Super Snack meals,” said Pistone.

    Three Bay Area school districts, Citrus, Polk and Hernando, fall under the federal government’s Community Eligibility Provision, which allows schools to serve breakfast and lunch at no cost to all enrolled students on every campus in the district.

    Approximately 70% of students in Citrus County qualify for free or reduced meals.

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  • North Redington Beach has a new mayor to navigate hurricane recovery efforts

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    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — It’s the first time a new mayor has taken the lead in the Town of North Redington Beach in 20 years.

    Mayor Jay Super was sworn in at the town commission meeting in March after running unopposed.

    What You Need To Know

    • North Redington Beach has new mayor for first time in 20 years 

    • Mayor Jay Super was sworn in at the town commission meeting in March after running unopposed

    • Hundreds of North Redington Beach residents have significant damage from the storms and lost most of their personal belongings, including the new mayor

    His predecessor, Bill Queen, had served as mayor for 20 years before resigning in February and moving to the city of Seminole.

    Mayor Super has had a long career specializing in plumbing and construction services and believes he’s the right leader at the right time, especially as North Redington Beach works to rebuild and recover from Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

    “What we’re really working for up here is to find a way to navigate these natural disasters,” said Mayor Jay Super.

    “We’re really trying to find a way to work through the red tape and get people back in their homes. Not in months, but in weeks moving forward. We hope this doesn’t happen again, but we have to plan ahead and be ready for it to happen and cut through the red tape next time,” Super continued.

    Hundreds of North Redington Beach residents have significant damage from the storms and lost most of their personal belongings, including the new mayor.

    Hurricane Helene destroyed Super’s home, which will be demolished later this month. His family is currently living in temporary housing.

    “Everybody’s been affected and some of us more than others,” said Super.

    “We lost about, 98% of all our personal belongings, including all of my children’s stuff, but it’s all the stuff that we can replace. It is sad, but we’re safe and healthy, and I think that’s the important part, and all my neighbors are safe and healthy.”

    He emphasized the importance of neighbors working together and helping each other.

    Super added that it could take five years to get North Redington Beach back to normal.

    He has been a North Redington Beach resident for the past two years, but was a regular visitor with his wife and three children for 20 years.

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    Erica Riggins

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  • Iconic Thunderbird Beach Resort to be demolished; owners plan to rebuild

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    TREASURE ISLAND, Fla. — After 68 years of serving residents and guests in Treasure Island, the iconic Thunderbird Beach Resort will be demolished.

    The owners of the historic site on Thursday said that damage from Helene and Milton was catastrophic and that 80 percent of the property has substantial damage. The waterfront property spans nearly two acres along Gulf Boulevard.

    The owners say they are planning to build a new resort that honors the legacy of the Thunderbird but also enhances the site to be more resilient for the next storm.

    They have submitted development plans with the city of Treasure Island.

    Once the old building is torn down, a four-story resort with several buildings will take its place. It will have more than 100 rooms and 126 parking spaces.

    The owners of the historic site on Thursday said that damage from Helene and Milton was catastrophic and that 80 percent of the property has substantial damage. (Spectrum Bay News 9/Erica Riggins)

    Historians are hoping the owners keep a promise of balancing preservation with progress.

    “We need the tourism, you know, to support the economy. And a lot of us just hate to see the old stuff go, but it can’t stay forever. We know that,” said Scott Pownall of the Treasure Island Historical Society.

    “So, I just hope they try to preserve some of the quaintness of Treasure Island, some of the small town feel and not be Miami or something,” he said.

    There are at least a couple of things that will stay put.

    The Thunderbird name and neon sign will remain and be incorporated into the new design.

    The redevelopment plans still need approval from Treasure Island’s development review committee and city leaders.

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    Erica Riggins, Spectrum News Staff

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  • Hundreds of mobile home park residents sent substantial damage letters

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    Pinellas County, Fla. — Pinellas County recently mailed hundreds of substantial damage letters to mobile home park residents stating that their property exceeds FEMA’s 50-percent threshold, which requires the home to be elevated or replaced in compliance with FEMA’s standards.

    What You Need To Know

    •  Residents in Pinellas County received letters notifying them of substantial damage

    •  The homes in question are in mobile home parks that were damaged in hurricanes

    •  The letters require the homes to be replaced or elevated


    The majority of Gateway Mobile Home Park residents, 235 of the total 333 residents, received the letters in mid-March causing frustration, confusion and disbelief, according to longtime resident Connie Aguero.

    “This was really a surprise to everybody this late in the game after we’re finally feeling like we’re in a recovery mode,” said Aguero.

    “They’ve frightened everybody. The letter told everybody they have until June 1st to get out of here to resolve this issue. Well, that’s two months away. So, they took five and a half months to hit us with this, and they’re giving us two months to deal with this life altering, scary business,” she added.

    During the Pinellas County Commission Meeting held on March 25, the Building & Development Review Services (BDRS) director said that 78% of the 1,407 mobile homes they evaluated were deemed substantially damaged, and county staff members were being pro-active by hosting in-person meetings with mobile home communities to answer questions and help guide residents through the next steps.

    “We’ve met with five communities to date and we have another one tomorrow,” said BDRS Director Kevin McAndrew.

    “These have been really emotionally charged meetings. In almost every case, when we delve down into exactly what the inspection shows, there has been some degree of damage. Maybe not water inundation inside the unit, but there’s been damage to the undercarriage of the unit where there’s been ductwork and insulation,” he continued.

    In order to assist residents claiming they had no damage or minor damage, Pinellas County started deploying inspectors to perform re-inspections. Residents must first request a re-assessment of the substantial damage initial determination.

    “We’re also advocating that if they have an elevation certificate, we can rerun the model and potentially reverse those findings, and we’re also looking at engaging licensed surveyors that can go out and take additional elevations in these communities where we’re making every effort we can to work with these residents,” said McAndrew.

    Aguero said her private insurance already covered $14,000 for a new AC unit and other minor repairs.

    “The real issue is that people got letters that do not have substantial damage. They had none or very little damage,” Aguero said.

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  • New Port Richey’s new fire station to help with firefighter safety

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    NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. — When you call 911 for help, there are two priorities: getting help to you as quickly as possible and making sure they’re fully prepared to help.

    The city of New Port Richey says its new fire station will more than meet those goals and help keep more firefighters on the job. 

    What You Need To Know

    • The city of New Port Richey will be opening a new fire station with amenities to help keep more firefighters on the job 

    • The station is twice as large as the previous one in the area and designed to put the health, safety and wellbeing of emergency responders first

    • New Port Richey Fire Chief Chris Fitch said he hopes the new site will be a symbol for safety, education, excellence and community pride

    • The fire station is scheduled to open in April


    “The New Port Richey Fire Department is busier than probably what people think,” said Chief Chris Fitch of the New Port Richey Fire Department. “So, on an average, we respond to 17 calls per shift. Last month, we responded to 19 calls per shift.”

    A critical service, city leaders say, will be elevated and improved once construction is completed next month on the new fire station.

    Every week, Fitch and architect Rich Bekesh, president and CEO of Spring Engineering, conduct site visits. This new station is twice as large and designed to put the health, safety and wellbeing of emergency responders first.

    “Cancer’s the number one leading cause of death among firefighters now, which surpassed heart disease many years ago. So, a lot of the codes and standards are focusing on the health and safety of our firefighters,” Fitch said.

    The design features a hot, warm and cool zone, including a decontamination area, targeting any toxic materials on the firefighter and their gear. But the process of removing contaminants starts as soon as the fire truck pulls in. A device attached directly to the fire truck’s apparatus will capture all the exhaust from it. There’s also a back-up system to help remove some of those particles, along with a bunker gear storage room for additional separation.

    In addition, natural lighting throughout the building to reduce stress and anxiety, and soundproof windows to limit sleep interruptions.

    “The building’s also designed to be a Cat 5-resistant structure, so the entire building will withstand a Category 5 hurricane,” said Bekesh. “The site’s been placed high up here on this side of (US-19), so that they’ll be able to respond after a storm very promptly.”

    It’s more than double the size of the old station that was built back in 1974, with a better location for a faster response.

    “It’s quick access to the busy Highway 19, and we’re able to reconfigure our response zones to maintain and improve our response times at that four minutes per call,” Fitch said.

    Fitch says he hopes this new site will be a symbol for safety, education, excellence and community pride.

    The project’s price tag is about $4.5 million. The land was donated to the city of New Port Richey in 1987 and designated to be used for a public purpose.

    The fire station is scheduled to open in April. 

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    Erica Riggins

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  • Emergency leaders look to boost ALERT Pinellas users

    Emergency leaders look to boost ALERT Pinellas users

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — For nearly a decade, Tampa Bay residents have had access to a free notification system that addresses the full spectrum of emergencies from hurricanes, major fires, boil water notices, gas leaks and more.

    What You Need To Know

    • With only 85,000 ALERT Pinellas subscribers, less than 10% of the Pinellas County population, county leaders are urging residents to sign up

    • Pinellas County Emergency Management emphasized the real power is in a subscriber’s ability to personalize the alerts based on five different addresses

    • You can register online or call 727-464-3800


    But with only 85,000 ALERT Pinellas subscribers, less than 10% of the Pinellas County population, county leaders are urging residents to sign up. 

    ALERT Pinellas is crucial to protecting families through real-time information that is customized to a resident’s personal situation and location, according to Pinellas County Emergency Management.

    “Our goal is to have as many Pinellas County residents subscribe to ALERT Pinellas, so that they can receive timely information based on their location and utilizing their preferred method of receiving the notification,” said Planning and Preparedness Manager Stephanie Hendrix who oversees the system for Pinellas County Emergency Management. “We can send notifications to them via their phone, email or text, so our goal is to have as many people signed up for this to receive that important information.”

    Daniel and Tiffany Johnson became new subscribers this month due to the record rainfall and recent flooding near their Snell Isle community in Northeast St. Petersburg. They received their first alert, warning them about heavy rainfall and potential flooding within 48-hours of registering.

    “I was able to stay ahead of the storm and get on the island before the incident actually happened,” said Daniel Johnson. “I like the app because it gives me all the updates in the areas that are important to our family, especially since I work in Largo and my daughter goes to school in St. Petersburg.”

    Pinellas County Emergency Management emphasized the real power is in a subscriber’s ability to personalize the alerts based on five different addresses.

    “I was able to enter five different locations, so I could put my house, my work, my husband’s work, and I could put where my daughter goes to school and where my parents live,” said Stephanie Johnson. “So, with that, I can keep an eye on my whole family,” Johnson continued.

    “We can send out notifications geographically to the entire county, or we can select geographic areas to get specific messaging out to them,” Hendrix said. “So, in the case of the storm in December 2023, we were able to send geo-targeted messaging to those in flood-prone areas to give them those protective measures and what they can expect at their home so that they’re able to protect themselves and their property,” she continued.

    Pinellas County sends out alerts in both English and Spanish. You can register online or call 727-464-3800.

    This free emergency alert notification service is available to all residents in Spectrum Bay News 9’s viewing area. Log on to your county’s website for registration information:

    Hillsborough: HCFL Alert

    Polk: AlertPolk

    Hernando: Alert Hernando

    Citrus: Alert Citrus

    Manatee: Alert Manatee

    Pasco: Alert Pasco

    Pinellas: Alert Pinellas

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    Erica Riggins

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  • Record amount of money being spent to sway voters on Amendment 3

    Record amount of money being spent to sway voters on Amendment 3

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — One of the biggest amendments on Florida’s ballot in November is Amendment 3.

    There’s a record amount of money in Florida revolving around recreational marijuana.

    What You Need To Know

    • A record amount of money in Florida is revolving around recreational marijuana

    • Big money Amendment 3 backers are at the center of the push for recreational marijuana for adults in Florida

    • So far, more than $105 million has been spent, and the vast majority, $90 million, has come from supporters 
    • BALLOTPEDIA: Amendment 3

    In fact, according to Ballotpedia, it’s the most expensive ballot measure ever, based on the money coming in from supporters and opponents.

    Stetson University Law Professor Ciara Torres-Spelliscy said recreational marijuana remains a contentious issue being driven by a number of measures, including Florida’s growing population and passionate people on both sides.

    Big money Amendment 3 backers are at the center of the push for recreational marijuana for adults in Florida. In April, the Florida Supreme Court approved ballot language for a constitutional amendment on recreational marijuana. 


    A whole marijuana industry is pushing Floridians to follow 24 other states that have already legalized the drug for recreational use.

    But there are also powerful opponents in law enforcement.

    “Prosecuting people for low-level drug crimes,” Torres-Spelliscy said of current marijuana laws. “If this ballot measure is approved, it becomes part of the Florida state constitution, and then a lot of those prosecutions will go away.

    “And I think there is a big fight over whether this particular substance should be legalized or illegal at the state level.”

    And, the Amendment 3 fight is so big, the state is setting election records.

    According to Ballotpedia, Florida’s Amendment 3 ranks as “The most expensive marijuana legalization measure on record and the most expensive ballot measure of the year.”

    So far, more than $105 million has been spent, and the vast majority, $90 million, has come from supporters.

    That’s a record amount far outpacing the next state on the list, California.  

    (Spectrum Bay News 9 graphic)

    Contributions in California came in at $27 million, when voters ultimately approved recreational use there in 2016.

    And rounding out the top five most expensive campaigns in states where it was rejected by voters, Ohio, Arkansas and Arizona, spent far less money.

    “Florida has become the third biggest state by population,” Torres-Spelliscy said. “That also means we have a bigger voting population.

    “So, there are more voters to reach and convince, and reaching them is more and more expensive, whether it’s through broadcast ads or digital ads or mailers. All of that costs money and it all adds up.”

    And with about seven weeks to go until election day, they’re still fundraising and spending money.

    “The cost of elections usually rises even higher than inflation rises,” said Torres-Spelliscy. “So it’s not surprising to see Amendment 3 come in as one of the most expensive ballot measures ever.”

    Additionally, Florida’s 60 percent threshold for a new part of the state constitution to be enacted by voters is higher than other states and that may be a factor as well.

    Ballotpedia cites Trulieve as the largest donor in favor of Amendment 3. The Florida-based cannabis company has donated nearly $83 million.

    With Florida’s Amendment 3 ranked as the most expensive ballot measure of the year, Florida also holds the record for the second most expensive measure of 2024.

    And that’s Amendment 4, which would enshrine abortion access in the Florida Constitution. According to Ballotpedia supporters and opponents have raised nearly $57 million combined, so far.

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    Erica Riggins

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  • The critical need for foster and adoptive parents

    The critical need for foster and adoptive parents

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    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — A new state law, effective July 2024, increases protections to safeguard the privacy and personal information for foster children.

    Online access to photo galleries and personal descriptions of children available for adoption will no longer be accessible to the public. 

    However, child welfare agencies will make special provisions for potential adoptive parents to access information online.

    What You Need To Know

    • Online access to photo galleries and personal descriptions of children available for adoption will no longer be accessible to the public. 

    • The Heart Gallery of Pinellas and Pasco, a program of Gulf Coast Jewish Community Family Services, said it’s replaced all photo galleries with children’s artwork, which represents a more trauma-informed approach of featuring children.

    • With a record number of children in foster care, it’s been a challenge to find enough safe and loving homes for thousands of children across the state.

    • Family Support Services, along with other local agencies, is reaching out to the community and hoping more families and more individuals make the commitment to create safe and loving homes.


    The Heart Gallery of Pinellas and Pasco, a program of Gulf Coast Jewish Community Family Services, said it’s replaced all photo galleries with children’s artwork, which represents a more trauma-informed approach of featuring children.

    “Our children are loving it.,” said Rosemarie Richardson, who serves as the program director for the Heart Gallery of Pinellas and Pasco. “They’re enjoying it. It is a trauma informed way for them to feature themselves. They can be expressive. It’s a 3-D piece of art. Some still like to write a poem or letter about themselves, or what kind of family that they’re hoping for, and then others will create a big 3-D piece of art. It’s really exciting,” Richardson continued.

    Child advocates describe this new approach as a more effective and stronger introduction to the child, their heart and personality, instead of simply viewing how they look.

    “We’ve actually been working on transitioning to what we call Heart Art over the past two years,” Richardson added.

    With a record number of children in foster care, it’s been a challenge to find enough safe and loving homes for thousands of children across the state.

    “There is still a critical need to keep our sibling groups together that are in out-of-home care, and we really need to identify quality foster parents for our teens,” said Jaclyn Citarella, the community engagement and foster parent recruitment manager for Family Support Services (FSS), the lead child welfare agency in Pinellas and Pasco counties providing foster care and adoption services.

    FSS, along with other local agencies, is reaching out to the community and hoping more families and more individuals make the commitment to create safe and loving homes.

    “Unfortunately, there are myths still out in our communities, and I don’t think it’s just in Pasco and Pinellas counties,” Citarella said. “I think it’s nationwide. The belief that I can’t foster or adopt a child if I live in an apartment or if I’m a single parent, which is not true. We have empty nesters that are fostering. We have retirees who foster, and we have members of the LGBTQ+ community fostering and adopting families. So, these are just old myths. However, there are age, safety and financial requirements that must be met,” Citarella continued.

    John Ballard and Bradley Borsuk adopted their first son from foster care in 2015, but their love for family and children would lead them to adopt four more sons.

    “Our journey began with our first son that we adopted at 14 and who is now 21,” said Bradely Borsuk. “Each one of the boys asked us in their own way and in their own time to become their parents,” Borsuk continued.

    Ballard and Borsuk also spent several years caring for foster children in their home.

    “You have to become an advocate for the children,” said John Ballard. “You have to be their fighter for them. They have fought up until the time they come into your house, and you have to help them. You have to give them the tools to help fight for themselves and give them a voice. Their voice has been taken from them,” Ballard continued.

    Nyla Williams oversees adoptions for the Sixth Judicial Circuit covering Pasco and Pinellas Counties, and stresses there are requirements and a screening process.

    “We do match the child to the family, not the family to the child, and that means we focus on the needs of the child first,” said Williams, the director of youth wellbeing and clinical support for Family Support Services.

    “We’re looking for what’s going to be a long-term, long-standing relationship with the child,” Williams continued.

    If you are interested in learning more about becoming a foster parent or adoptive parent, contact the Florida Department of Children and Families.

    For residents living in Pinellas and Pasco Counties, you can also contact Family Support Services.

    Hillsborough County residents should notify the Children’s Network of Hillsborough.

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    Erica Riggins

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  • St. Pete Beach mayor: Residents deserve voice in commercial development

    St. Pete Beach mayor: Residents deserve voice in commercial development

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    ST. PETE BEACH, Fla. — The city of St. Pete Beach may soon hold town hall meetings and workshops, as well as send out surveys to residents, about proposed development.

    Mayor Adrian Petrila this week proposed a 12-month moratorium on all commercial development, which could put the brakes on a recently approved half-billion dollar development project.

    What You Need To Know

    • Mayor Adrian Petrila says more community involvement is needed to learn what residents – those who live and work in the city – want for the future of St. Pete Beach.

    • Plans are proposed for 1,000 hotel rooms combined in two projects: Tradewinds Resort and Sirata Beach Resort

    • The commission will hear from land use attorneys and the firm working on the city’s comprehensive plan at a Sept. 9 meeting.

    • ABOVE: Watch the full report

    The mayor says more community involvement is needed to learn what residents – those who live and work in the city – want for the future of St. Pete Beach.

    The pause could affect two of the city’s biggest development projects, Tradewinds Resort and Sirata Beach Resort.

    Those plans include nearly 1,000 hotel rooms combined, along with restaurants and retail space.

    Petrila was the only city commission member who voted against those expansion projects earlier this year.

    And in a controversial move, all of the other city commission members who supported the projects resigned at the same time, due to a financial disclosure requirement from the state.

    “I was a lone voice for a long time,” Petrila said. “I don’t know why that is, because, again, my philosophy is the residents, the voters should dictate what the agenda of the commissione is and the commission’s agenda should always reflect what the voters want,” Petrila said.

    “So I don’t know why that’s taken so long to get this implemented again. I’ve been asking for this for a year and a half. I’m happy to see that it’s finally happening.”

    The city is facing several lawsuits revolving around these issues.

    The commission will hear from land use attorneys and the firm working on the city’s comprehensive plan at a Sept. 9 meeting.

    They’ll provide the framework for the proposed moratorium.

    The mayor says the whole process could take 60 to 90 days for the city commission to reach a final vote.

    Spectrum News reached out to the owners of Tradewinds Resort, and they declined to comment. The owners of Sirata Beach Resort did not respond to our request for an interview.

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    Erica Riggins

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  • Citrus County fight school bus driver shortage with new, two-pronged approach

    Citrus County fight school bus driver shortage with new, two-pronged approach

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    INVERNESS, Fla. — The school bus driver shortage has been a constant challenge for school districts throughout the state of Florida.

    Too few bus drivers behind the wheel across the Tampa Bay area has resulted in drivers working significant overtime, students getting to classes late and transportation planners eliminating routes.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Citrus County School Board recently approved a raise of more than $3 for bus drivers per hour, which brings the hourly wage to $20.09 – one of the highest salaries for school bus drivers in Florida
    • The district credits a higher salary coupled with the new Transportation Progressive Discipline Matrix for the enthusiasm surrounding school bus driver candidates and new trainees

    • A new bus behavior matrix includes a list of violations that are divided into two categories – basic and severe infractions. Basic infractions can include things like not following driver instructions, being too loud or yelling and rough housing. Severe infractions can include profanity, fighting and harassment


    “I think the last year kind of broke everybody’s back,” said Kathy Little-Green, who trains new school bus drivers and serves as the program training leader for the Citrus County School District. “Drivers were doing triples and weren’t getting kids to school until 10 a.m.”

    The school board recently approved a raise of more than $3 per hour for drivers, which brings the hourly wage to $20.09 – one of the highest salaries for school bus drivers in Florida.

    “The salary is one piece, but I believe this discipline matrix is a second piece,” said Scott Hebert, assistant superintendent for the Citrus County School District.

    “We’re hearing a lot of positive feedback and people reaching out and saying, ‘I’m interested in doing this.’ We actually had folks that were going to retire and opted not to retire because of some of the changes that we put in place for our transportation department. We are fully staffed at this point and we’re getting even more interest, so we’re super excited about that and looking forward to a great beginning to the new school year.”

    Linda Varonich, 70, a new hire who just completed the school bus driver training this summer, hopes to be a good, positive role model for the kids and ensure they have an enjoyable ride on the bus.

    “I appreciate this effective two-part approach, and we’ve come a long way over the past couple months with the pay increase and the behavior matrix,” said Varonich, who also worked as guardian ad litem for foster children prior to her new transportation job with the district.

    Parents and students must agree to the new rules revolving around the Transportation Progressive Discipline Matrix for access to the school bus.

    There’s a long list of violations that are divided into two categories – basic and severe. Basic infractions can include things like not following driver instructions, being too loud or yelling and rough housing. Severe infractions can include profanity, fighting and harassment.

    The penalties vary based on the age and grade of the child, but all consequences can result in suspensions and a loss of bus privileges.

    For instance, the first violation of a basic infraction leads to a one-day suspension from the school bus.

    The penalties escalate for each offense up to a total loss of bus privileges. And for severe infractions, the initial penalty is even stiffer, and students can rack up suspensions and lose bus privileges quicker.

    Little-Green has been training school bus drivers in Citrus County since 2016. She said the new discipline matrix is necessary to minimize driver distractions and prevent accidents with as many as 60 kids onboard.

    “Learning to drive a bus is the easy part, but the hard part is doing it with kids,” Little-Green added. “The kids are so distracting, and you can be the best driver in the world, but when you have kids doing what they’re doing, it doesn’t mix.”

    The Citrus County School District is in the process of educating parents and students on the new transportation policy.

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