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Tag: Erica Riggins

  • Gulfport officials, law enforcement recover boats damaged by Debby

    Gulfport officials, law enforcement recover boats damaged by Debby

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    GULFPORT, Fla. — The city of Gulfport is counting its blessings after discovering there were no water damages to anyone’s home or any major issues when Debby brought severe weather to the Bay area last weekend.

    In fact, only about a dozen homes have what Gulfport city officials call “superficial or cosmetic damage.”

    That’s for the residential community, but at the marina, it’s a very different story. 

    What You Need To Know

    • While there were no water damages to anyone’s home in Gulfport, grounded boats are now scattered along the beach in Tropical Storm Debby’s wake 

    • Law enforcement, along with the U.S. Coast Guard, have been spending time sorting through all the damage

    • The city of Gulfport is trying to identify the owners of the boats to get the beach cleaned up as soon as possible

    • RELATED: Gulfport first responders take proactive approach to 2024 hurricane season


    Grounded boats are now scattered along the beach in Debby’s wake.

    Scott Ham, a commercial fisherman, said he got out just in time.

    “Most of us didn’t think it was going to be quite as bad as it was,” he said. “And, so, then I decided to cancel my reservation and I just moved as far as I could out, and set out about 200 feet of chain and an anchor that’s larger than I needed for my vessel. And by the gods, I’m still here.”

    Law enforcement, along with the U.S. Coast Guard, have been spending time sorting through all the damage. Some officials found it to be a familiar and frustrating situation.

    Some of the owners of the boats that were grounded along the shore have not been identified yet. (Spectrum News/Erica Riggins)

    “Find a safe harbor. Find an inlet, find a marina somewhere other than this bay, because this is this is too much,” said Gulfport Police Department Special Operations Sgt. Rob Burkhart. “We’ve done this time and time and time again. I mean, I can’t tell you. It’s like we get this beach cleaned up, and now we’re back at it again. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to do this.”

    He’s identified 13 boats and counting. It’s a situation city leaders had hoped to prevent before hurricane season.

    Crews are still working to get the area cleaned up. (Spectrum News/Erica Riggins)

    “We wanted to reach out to the community and express how important it is that we don’t have a situation like we ended up with now,” Burkhart said. “That people take time and evacuate when necessary, tie up their boats, anchor them properly, make sure you have the right safety and equipment on board. Make sure you have the right amount of supplies.”

    He hopes boaters take another look at the marina and take the time to get ready now.

    Gulfport city officials say they are trying to identify the owners of the boats to get the beach cleaned up as soon as possible.

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    Erica Riggins

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  • Republicans hold a voter advantage over Democrats in Florida

    Republicans hold a voter advantage over Democrats in Florida

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    TAMPA, Fla. — The Republican Party of Florida has continued to see steady growth overall for active registered voters since it took the lead from the Florida Democratic Party in 2021, according to the most recent data from the Florida Division of Elections.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Republican Party of Florida has continued to see steady growth overall for active registered voters since it took the lead from the Florida Democratic Party in 2021

    • According to the most recent data from the Florida Division of Elections, Republicans have 956,443 more registered voters in Florida compared to Democrats

    • A deeper look at the statistics for the Florida Democratic Party shows the number of registered voters has been dropping each year since 2021, which represents a reversal to what they have enjoyed over the past 30 years, according to analysts


    As of June 30, Republicans have 956,443 more registered voters in Florida compared to Democrats.

    Since 2020, the number of registered Republicans have grown in the state of Florida, outnumbering the amount of registered Democrats. (Source: Florida Division of Elections)

    “The Republican Party of Florida has focused on voter registration for the last four years and it has been a concentrated effort, and we have been very successful,” said Republican political analyst April Schiff.

    “Obviously, the numbers bear that out. The other thing that has affected that are a lot of the new people that are moving to Florida. They’re coming to Florida for a reason, and they’re coming to Florida because of our policies and our prosperity and the way that we live in Florida,” Schiff continued.

    A deeper look at the statistics for the Florida Democratic Party shows the number of registered voters has been dropping each year since 2021, which represents a reversal to what they have enjoyed over the past 30 years, according to analysts.

    “We are worried,” said Democratic political analyst Bob Buckhorn. “The Republican Party of Florida has been very methodical and relentless about building these numbers. Although, I would tell you that some of it is voter registration. Some of it is voter suppression, and if you look at the tactics that they have used whether it is purging the voter files, removing people from the vote by mail list, and requiring them to re-register every two years, I think it has dropped a lot of low-performing Democrats off the rolls.”

    Both analysts agree that community engagement is key to building enthusiasm and getting people to the polls this November.

    “It’s reaching out and touching people in a very personal way, whether it’s door-to-door or neighbor-to-neighbor, to get them to understand the stakes in the election,” Buckhorn said.

    “It’s going to give us a much stronger hold in cities and counties and school boards, and you’re going to see the changes on more of the local level,” Schiff said.

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    Erica Riggins

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  • Cooling kits bring relief to Pasco’s homeless in extreme heat

    Cooling kits bring relief to Pasco’s homeless in extreme heat

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    NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. — Dangerously hot and humid conditions pose life-threatening and deadly risks in Florida, especially for people experiencing homelessness, one of our most vulnerable populations.

    On average, August is historically the hottest month of the year in Florida, so to help its unhoused clients endure the extreme heat and humidity, The Coalition for the Homeless of Pasco County just started assembling and distributing cooling kits.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Coalition for the Homeless of Pasco County just started assembling and distributing cooling kits

    • Each drawstring bag includes a hat, sunglasses, cooling cloth, bug spray, reusable water bottle, lip balm and liquid IV packets, along with multiple sunscreen options

    • In addition to several agencies throughout Pasco County serving as points of distribution, street outreach teams deliver the cooling kits to homeless individuals directly

    “Our mission is to serve our unhoused and those individuals at risk of homelessness in Pasco County,” said Jennifer Watts, the Chief Executive Officer of The Coalition for the Homeless of Pasco County.

    “So, we started this last summer when we were experiencing extremely deadly high temperatures here in Florida,” Watts continued. “In an effort to meet the needs of those clients, this was our way to offer them some supplies and some comfort. We know it doesn’t replace a house or roof over their head, but it’s something we can do to extend those services. These are items that many of us take for granted when going out of the house each day, but these are not items that our clients have on hand, so it’s important that we provide them to meet those basic needs.”

    With the help of teenage volunteers, the nonprofit has assembled dozens of cooling kits for this first round of distribution. Watts added that the bug spray and liquid IV packets are the most requested items. 

    Each drawstring bag includes a hat, sunglasses, cooling cloth, bug spray, reusable water bottle, lip balm and liquid IV packets, along with multiple sunscreen options.

    DeeDee Dodson, who has been homeless for six months, walked into the nonprofit’s office to pick up a cooling kit and seek help for housing services. “They help out everybody, everybody here,” Dodson said. “They help the families and the kids.”

    In addition to several agencies throughout Pasco County serving as points of distribution, street outreach teams deliver the cooling kits to homeless individuals directly.

    “A lot of our community partners thought it was a great idea, so we were eager to start it again this year,” Watts said. “We were able to reach a widespread of clients throughout the community to meet those needs with help from the Healing Hearts Cafe, Metropolitan Ministries Outreach Brigade, The Sword & Spoon, Pasco County Libraries and Pasco County Human Services. They were all homes for our cooling kits to reach different clients,” Watts continued.

    A more robust solution revolves around the implementation of cooling centers as another option. The Coalition for the Homeless of Pasco County is working with area municipalities with the hope of having libraries and recreation centers serve as cooling centers in the near future.

    In addition to Pasco County, the City of St. Petersburg also distributes cooling kits through its Housing and Neighborhood Services Administration.

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    Erica Riggins

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  • City council approves million-dollar rebuild of Clearwater Marina

    City council approves million-dollar rebuild of Clearwater Marina

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    CLEARWATER BEACH, Fla. — Even though it took several years and more than double the funding, city council members agreed the Clearwater Beach Marina was in disrepair, outdated and in need of a multi-million-dollar major overhaul.

    Monday’s unanimous vote was the second and final time all council members agreed to seal the deal and approve Kokolakis Contracting to start work on the rebuilding project this October.

    What You Need To Know

    • In a unanimous vote, Clearwater city council members gave the green light to start construction on the marina redevelopment — the first major update in nearly 60 years

    • $43.5 million Clearwater Beach Marina replacement project gets final approval

    • The new design was created with a focus on sustainability and strategies to better manage sea level rise 
    • A CLOSER LOOK: Clearwater Beach Marina Replacement Project

    “Everything needs to be updated — it’s obsolete,” said Michael MacDonald, marine and aviation director for the City of Clearwater. “The slips are going to be wider. It’s going to be more power for all of them. When the marina was designed back in the 60s, there were smaller vessels. Today, they have big powerboats that draw a lot of electricity, air conditioners, TVs, computers and sound systems.”

    According to MacDonald, during construction, the marina with 165 slips will be rebuilt in two phases starting first with the West end, and then transitioning to the East end for the final phase.

    Construction cost is expected to be $43,5 million.

    “It’s going to the be the best marina on the West Coast,” MacDonald said. “We already have the finest fishing fleet on Florida’s West Coast. We have thousands upon thousands of visitors every year come through Clearwater Beach. We have 58 commercial, tour vessels that operate out of the marina, and they take around 4000 visitors every day,” MacDonald added.

    Capt. Chad Haggert, president of the family-owned Double Eagle Deep Sea Fishing, is one of the commercial operators at the marina. This redevelopment is not just about business, he says it’s personal.

    “I’m the third generation of Haggerts to be captain in the Clearwater Marina,” he said. “My grandfather actually had a charter boat, and up at the northeast corner there used to be a marina building there. He had a restaurant called the Captain’s Table and a small seafood market there. He was on the design team for the marina when they built it.”

    The new design was created with a focus on sustainability and strategies to better manage sea level rise, which includes raising the height of the sea wall and fixed docks.

    Floating docks will be installed for non-commercial users, along with the creation of Marina Walk. It’ll be an extension of Beach Walk and feature a promenade, shaded areas, and ticket kiosks.

    Haggert, who also has been working with city leaders through the Clearwater Marina Tenant Outreach Group, stated he is excited about the new renderings, but more needs to be done to increase parking. The current design would reduce the number of parking spaces on-site.

    “I’m pushing for some type of storage for the larger businesses, which they’re saying will be on the first floor of a potential parking garage, which I am in high hopes for and praying for every day, because we’ve been told for a lot of years that we were going to get one,” Haggert said. “So, yes, if the Marina project goes through the docks are going to be nice, the Marina will be nice and it will be extravagant if they give us some parking and extra storage that we need.”

    The Clearwater Beach Marina Replacement Project is scheduled to start this October with expected completion in the spring of 2026.

     

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    Erica Riggins

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  • City council meets ahead of final Tropicana Field redevelopment vote

    City council meets ahead of final Tropicana Field redevelopment vote

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    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — St. Petersburg city leaders met Tuesday to discuss the latest changes to the Historic Gas Plant District redevelopment project.

    It was the last step before the city council takes a final vote on the $6.5 billion project, which would transform Tropicana Field into a major new mixed-use development.


    City officials and the Rays worked to iron out any remaining disagreements during Tuesday’s meeting.

    This was the final opportunity to review all the agreements and learn how council members’ feedback had been incorporated into the redevelopment of 86 acres where Tropicana Field sits now.

    For Mayor Ken Welch, it’s been a long time coming,

    “I think we’ll look back on and see this was the next step in a very long journey,” said Welch. “Almost four decades to really realize the promises of the Historic Gas Plant. Great feedback from council. As many of them said, we incorporated a lot of their suggestions, made the agreement stronger. And I’m ready now to present that to the council for a vote in two days,” Welch said.

    One by one, during the question-and-answer period, council members asked for clarity on a dozen agreements with major changes and additions.

    What followed were several hours of going back and forth between the Welch administration and Rays-Hines.

    “I was really proud of how well our team, in particular our experts, handled some really challenging questions and some really well informed and thoughtful city council people,” Tampa Bay Rays team President Brian Auld said. “I think we put some minds at ease around our intentions regarding things like sustainability, consistency, and our desire to complete all the affordable housing that we intend to. And so I’m optimistic on Thursday, but we’ve been at this a very long time, so we won’t be counting any chickens before they hatch.” 

    Some council members still have big concerns about the numbers, mainly revolving around affordable and workforce housing.

    “My biggest sticking point is, as an advocate and a champion when we talked for years about gentrification, and one of the causes was informing homeowners to not sell grandma’s house. And so, I’m disappointed that we’re in a position now where we’re actually going to be selling, you know, these acres that have historically been owned by the community, by the city, and then selling it at a value that is severely undervalued, in my opinion,” District 7 council member John Muhammad said.

    Still, Muhammad says it’s time for the council to make a decision and move forward.

    A simple majority is needed to pass the proposal, five city council votes, to make this a reality, along with final approval from Pinellas County commissioners.

    Their vote is set for July 30.

    The revised plan now calls for a supermarket and daycare, as well as city council approval of any reductions in the number of affordable housing units.

    Council member Richie Flody expressed disappointment about subsidies and said there are no guarantees.

    “If we’re having to say, ‘OK, we’ve got this amount of money set aside for all these housing deals we’ve entered into through the Historic Gas Plant project,’ does that potentially jeopardize other housing deals that we might have been able to enter into?” he asked.

    Mayor Ken Welch responded by saying, “We plan to do much more with housing. We don’t plan to take our foot off the gas just based on the Historic Gas Plant. There’s a lot more we want to do to find additional resources, find additional partnerships for affordable housing, so I think it’s definitely additive.”

    The city narrowly voted 5-3 in favor of the project during the first vote last month. The final vote is scheduled on Thursday.

    The St. Pete Tenants Union is calling the deal a handout and wants city council members to vote no on the new stadium and redevelopment plans.

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  • Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s Inspire Program helping people with life challenges

    Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s Inspire Program helping people with life challenges

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    CLEARWATER, Fla. — The Clearwater Marine Aquarium attracts visitors from all over the country for unforgettable experiences with marine life, including several beloved dolphins.


    But some adults and children who are facing adversity get a unique opportunity to be inspired at a higher level with up-close encounters.

    “Our Inspire Program is designed to help people with all sorts of life challenges, and that includes children who are in the foster care system,” said Inspire Team Supervisor Karen Malo, who also spent several years advocating for Florida’s most vulnerable children as a guardian ad litem.

    “We are really proud to be that safe, happy place for kids who are in the foster care system, or any child for that matter, so they can experience joy during their day with us. The Inspire Program was really born with Winter (the Dolphin) because she inspired so many people experiencing life challenges.”

    Malo helped expand the Inspire Program to reach more foster children with the goal of providing hope and normalcy. The complimentary program connects with groups working with “underserved communities, those experiencing physical and/or medical challenges, and educational programs inspiring the next generation of marine conservationists,” according to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.

    “Recently, we’ve seen record numbers of children coming into the foster care system, especially in this region, which is the top area for the largest number of children in the system.” said Malo. “We really need people to think about what’s in their heart. Can you advocate for a child? Can you be a guardian ad litem? Can you foster a child and give them a safe landing spot?”

    For Emily Westerfield, the Inspire Program would serve as the surprise of a lifetime for her two children recently adopted from foster care. Both Aubraya and Khaleesi, 8 years old and 6 years old, respectively, are huge fans of the Dolphin Tale movie and loved interacting and playing with Nicholas and Hope, the bottlenose dolphins, to celebrate their new family.

    “I’m just excited that they’re happy and get to have this experience,” said Westerfield, a Pinellas County Schools educator. She just finalized both adoptions and still serves as a foster parent for other children in the system.

    “Most of my career has been spent teaching in Title I school, so I’ve encountered a lot of foster children throughout my journey, and it just inspired me to say, ‘Hey, I could do this and help families, help the kids.’ So, teaching is what inspired me to become a foster parent,” Westerfield added.

    She emphasized the importance of providing normalcy, a loving home and fun experiences for all her children to help cope with trauma from their past.

    “My oldest had been in the system for six years, which came out to 2,080 days,” Westerfield said. “So, for the last several years, we practice and embrace normalcy. We go to the zoo. We go to football and baseball games. Aubraya has been in gymnastics since she was 3 years old. Khaleesi just started gymnastics. Sometimes it’s just visiting and experiencing a new park and playground,” Westerfield continued.

    Joined by her parents and best friend, Westerfield added that their family experience through the aquarium’s Inspire Program was an extra special celebration with incredible, unforgettable moments for her children.

    If you are interested in learning more about becoming a foster parent or adoptive parent, contact Family Support Services for Pinellas and Pasco counties, or the Children’s Network of Hillsborough.

    The Heart Gallery has more information on children available for adoption in Florida.

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    Erica Riggins

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  • World Sickle Cell Awareness Day: Shining a light

    World Sickle Cell Awareness Day: Shining a light

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    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — June 19 marked World Sickle Cell Awareness Day and millions of people are shining a light on the importance of public awareness and more research for treatments options.

    Sickle cell disease is a group of inherited blood disorders affecting approximately 100,000 people in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Additionally, 12,000 babies in the U.S. are born with this lifelong, genetic condition.

    What You Need To Know

    • Sickle cell disease is a group of inherited blood disorders affecting approximately 100,000 people in the U.S.

    • Most common in Black Americans, but also affects Hispanic Americans and other ethnic groups

    • World Sickle Cell Awareness Day was this week; millions stressing importance of public awareness and more research for treatments options

    It is most common in Black Americans, but also affects Hispanic Americans and other ethnic groups.

    Sickle cell disorders convert round and more flexible cells into a sickle shape, which blocks the flow of red blood cells throughout the body.

    “It forces the red blood cells to become distorted, so they get destroyed at a much more rapid rate, and it causes patients to become anemic,” said Dr. Tamara New, the Comprehensive Sickle Cell Program director at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. “That’s why you hear the disease called sickle cell anemia. Also, the blood cells get caught in the blood vessels as they travel throughout the body resulting in organ damage.”

    A child is born with sickle cell disease when both parents carry the trait.

    Lisa Iglesias’ 4-year-old son has been checked into Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital nearly 30 times for life-saving treatment.

    “There were a lot of ICU visits, and then the splenectomy, which is when they take the spleen out, was difficult as well,” Iglesias said. “Just trying to hold on to your faith when you’re hearing the alarms go off and maybe the crash team comes in, and those are the defining moments in our faith to really hold on to God and know that he’s still in control.”

    New emphasized that a patient’s pain can manifest in a recognizable form like a stroke, or some other damage to the body that’s not easily recognizable like damage to their kidneys, liver, or eyes.

    “Patients are born with this so they can start off having pain at a very young age, and some kids will start to have complications usually around eight or nine months of age,” New continued. “Some children experience pain even younger. They get swelling of their hands and feet, and that’s one of the first pain episodes that we see.”

    Iglesias is thankful for the donors and nearly two dozen blood transfusions for saving her son’s life.

    “He would have died within his first year,” Iglesias continued. “His first transfusion was when he was three months old. So, if we didn’t have donors coming in and giving blood and doing bone marrow transplants and just being willing to give of themselves, then it would be a lot more of a hopeless situation.

    “So, I’m very grateful for people giving blood and the education, just being aware of what sickle cell is.”

    Excited about her child’s future, Iglesias said her son is doing much better and heading to VPK and elementary school this fall.

    New is hopeful that new treatment options will have successful clinical trials and be available to more patients.

    “I am encouraged that there are a lot more companies that are interested in drug development,” New added.

    Bone marrow transplants can be a potential cure for some sickle cell patients. Last year, the Food and Drug Administration approved gene therapies as another treatment option.

    Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital stated it is preparing to offer gene therapy as part of upcoming clinical trials.

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    Erica Riggins

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  • Tampa area school districts and nonprofits working to end summer hunger

    Tampa area school districts and nonprofits working to end summer hunger

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    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Many Tampa Bay area families struggle to put food on the table year-round, but with local schools out for the summer months, which eliminates daily breakfast and lunch on campus for kids, it will be even tougher to confront child hunger.

    The critical need is evident every Saturday morning in St. Petersburg with more than 700 people waiting in long lines for free groceries at the old Tangerine Plaza. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Families needing help with free groceries, along with free meals for children and teenagers, can visit food distribution sites

    • Positive Impact Ministries distributes free boxes of groceries to help struggling families survive

    • The Summer BreakSpot federal food service program for children and teenagers starts June 3

    Positive Impact Ministries distributes free boxes of groceries to help struggling families survive.

    “It helps me out a lot because it’s hard to get food,” said Nicole Willingham, a St. Petersburg mother who depends on Positive Impact to help feed her 3-year-old son. “It really helps me to be able to come here every Saturday to get food.” 

    Willingham is one of the many walk-ups, along with hundreds of cars that span several city blocks, relying on food assistance and these huge boxes of groceries to make ends meet.

    Nearby, the Pinellas County School District is counting its own boxes of food at its warehouse in Largo. 

    The district receives approximately 750 cases of food daily at the Walter Pownall Service Center to ensure hot meals, both breakfast and lunch, are free and available during the summer months for every child between the ages of 5 and 18-years old.

    “They (families) want access to healthy, nutritious meals and we’re here to provide that for them,” said Samantha Marina, the assistant director of food and nutrition for Pinellas Schools. “You’ll come to the school. They’ll invite you in with open arms to make sure you’re going to get that meal. It’ll be fun and exciting, and you’ll be able to pick out that breakfast or pick out that lunch the child will be able to eat.”

    This summer, Marina expects to reach at least 50,000 kids in Pinellas County at more than 90 school campuses as part of its Summer Break Spot program. Approximately 400,000 breakfast and lunch meals were served throughout the county last year.

    Positive Impact Ministries stated it saw similar statistics in 2023 with food assistance reaching thousands of families and two million meals distributed during the 12-month time frame.

    “It’s a real good blessing to provide for my family,” said Willingham as she carried her box of groceries filled with essential items, including bread, fruit, vegetables and milk.

    Positive Impact Ministries holds its free grocery distribution every Saturday morning from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. in St. Petersburg. 

    The Summer BreakSpot federal food service program for children and teenagers starts June 3. To see the closest school campus or food site near you, including operating hours, click here and enter your zip code. 

    All school-aged children in Spectrum Bay News 9’s viewing area are eligible for free breakfast and lunch this summer.

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    Erica Riggins

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