ReportWire

Tag: Human Interest

  • Artisan Fest 513 brings handcrafted goods and holiday shoppers together

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    CINCINNATI — With Christmas just days away, shoppers looking for last-minute gifts had a chance this weekend to support local entrepreneurs at Artisan Fest 513 in downtown Cincinnati.

    What You Need To Know

    • Shoppers looking for last-minute gifts had a chance this weekend to support local entrepreneurs at Artisan Fest 513 in downtown Cincinnati

    • The market featured a wide range of handcrafted goods, including candles, knitwear and wellness products

    • Vee’s Herbal Exchange is a wellness brand specializing in handcrafted herbal goods such as soaps and body butters

    Nearly a dozen vendors set up shop in Washington Park as part of the Artisan Market’s recurring pop-up series, which aims to give small businesses face-to-face access to customers while encouraging residents to shop locally.

    The market featured a wide range of handcrafted goods, including candles, knitwear and wellness products, offering shoppers items not typically found in big-box stores.

    Among the vendors was Cori Venning, founder and CEO of Vee’s Herbal Exchange, a wellness brand specializing in handcrafted herbal goods such as soaps and body butters. Some of the products are even safe for consumption.

    Venning launched the business earlier this year and does not yet operate a brick-and-mortar storefront. She said events like Artisan Fest 513 play a critical role in building brand awareness and connecting with potential customers.

    “Being able to meet people face to face and tell the story behind my products really helps customers connect with what I’m doing,” Venning said. 

    The event is part of the Artisan Market’s broader #BuyLocal513 campaign, which organizers say has generated more than $1 million in local economic impact to date.

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    Javari Burnett

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  • Pinellas County Film Commission hopes to add more films

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Pinellas County officials appointed Film Commissioner Dave Caputo to his post in October, and he is working to increase the number of films that represent the area for 2026.

    He currently administers an incentive program which saw a major downturn in projects after last year’s hurricanes but is expected to bounce back in 2026, according to Visit St. Pete-Clearwater.

    What You Need To Know

    • Dave Caputo began his tenure as the Pinellas County Film Commissioner last month

    • Caputo has more than 30 years of experience in the media production industry

    • The film incentive program saw a major downturn in projects after last year’s hurricanes, with only four qualifying for funds

    • It’s expected to bounce back in fiscal year 2026, with 15 projects scheduled 


    “The incentive program is to make sure that we’re showing off the beautiful locations in Pinellas County,” said Caputo. “This is really a tourism story.”

    Caputo began his tenure as film commissioner in October. Caputo moved to Pinellas County in 2018 and has more than 30 years of experience in the media production industry.

    “Most of my work has been in live television and pre-production television,” he said. “Good part of my crew was actually in on-location work.” 

    In fiscal year 2025, only four projects qualified for film incentive funds, according to Visit St. Pete-Clearwater. Compare that to 2024, where there were 10. Caputo said 2026 looks much stronger, with 15 projects expected to qualify.

    “We’ve seen a huge uptick in applications for our screen production incentive program, as well as permit applications,” he said. “We’re looking forward to even more.”

    Only six counties in Florida have a film incentive program. There is no statewide program. The 2026 budget for Pinellas County’s film incentive program is $1.025 million. Film projects that show off the area can get up to a 20 percent rebate on their total expenses.

    “Our screen production incentive program has a base incentive of 10 percent,” said Caputo. “There’s an additional 10 percent uplift if we can have a determination that there is a significant amount of tourism impact from the production as well as obvious landmarks.”

    Litewave Media founder Christian Cashmir said that having a film incentive program has been very important for the industry. Cashmir qualified for incentive funds for the movie Mother Nature and the Doomsday Prepper, which was released earlier this year.

    “Having a film commissioner that’s driving business here and cares about the filmmaking community is so essential,” he said. “We found that just meeting with Dave, he really has a great vision for this area and we’re excited to have him here.” 

    Last year, Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan filmed scenes with actor John Cena at the Litewave studios in St. Petersburg for the hit Apple TV show Pluribus, according to Cashmir. The episode aired earlier this month.

    “For Pluribus we did one day of prep and one day of filming here on the green screen in the studio,” he said. “We had a blast. Vince was here himself with a lot of the top key cast and crew.”

    Caputo said his goal is to build the St. Pete-Clearwater brand as a filming destination.

    “I’m very excited to be a part of the Visit St Pete-Clearwater team and really looking forward to kind of telling the story of Pinellas County,” he said. “Also getting out there and creating a lot more awareness for our incentive program.”

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    Josh Rojas

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  • Left hooks and life lessons: East Tampa Boxing Gym offers both

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    TAMPA, Fla. — As you walk into the East Tampa Boxing Gym, you walk under a sign that reads, “It Is Better To Bleed In The Gym, Than In The Street.” 

    What You Need To Know

    • Odeon Esson launched East Tampa Boxing Gym almost 10 years ago 

    • He’s there every Monday through Saturday offering boxing lessons to kids as young as six

    • Esson’s bigger goal is to teach the kids life lessons and help them “be somebody” 

    • Esson, a former boxer himself, is joined by a handful of coaches helping in his effort


    It’s one of the many mantras of owner Odeon Esson, for his boxing facility off East Hillsborough Avenue in Tampa.

    “You’re in East Tampa. It’s rough over here, you know,” Esson said. “Out there in the street, you might not come back from it. But in here, you got a chance.”

    Esson gives children as young as six years old the chance to come boxing at his gym Monday through Saturday nights.

    It’s a three-hour boxing practice where the lessons are more about lifestyle than about left hooks and right jabs.

    “Help these kids — a lot of these kids in this neighborhood — become somebody,” said Esson, talking about his goal for the gym. “Let them know, ‘You have a dream, you can do it. Whatever you set your mind to, you can do it.’”

    Hanging on the walls of the gym are signs that reinforce those life lessons:

    • “If You Can Accept Losing, You Can’t Win”
    • “Life Has Got To Be Lived”
    • “Winners Are Simply Willing To Do What Losers Are Not”

    And those lessons on the wall are clearly making their way to the intended audience.

    On a Tuesday night, the gym is packed. A mixture of elementary, middle and high school students jump rope, do push-ups, spar with a coach, pummel a punching bag, practice punching combinations and even get into the ring to face off against Esson himself.

    “Things that you learn in here, teach you things in the real world,” said Vince Clavizzao, a friend from Esson’s boxing days who he recruited to coach here.

    When the young boxers were asked what they learned by coming to East Tampa Boxing Gym, responses varied from heartfelt to real skills.

    Some young people there that night cited boxing strategy and technique. Fifth grader Cody Amos said he’s learned “you have to punch to win.” Sixth grader Jayden Gilbert said Esson had taught him “how to jab” and get his stance right.

    But Gilbert also said his nightly trips to the gym taught him “not to give up.” Fifth grader Pedro Ruiz said the gym helped him learn to “stay focused.” Third grader Alantis Howard, the only female boxer we met at the gym, said the practices had instilled in her the idea that “you have to work hard to get rewarded.”

    Esson launched this place nearly a decade ago, and he has no plans to stop. For Esson, teaching life lessons — and boxing — will continue.

    “They could have been doing anything else. They could have been caught up in the street. But they’re here. They’re in a safe place. They’re here,” Esson said.

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    Jeff Butera

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  • Shop with a Cop is back

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    CINCINNATI — For kids, it means gifts under the tree, and for officers, it’s a chance to connect in a different way. 

    Shop with a Cop is back, pairing law enforcement with children for a day of shopping and support.  

    What You Need To Know

    • Shop with a Cop is back

    • The event pairs law enforcement with kids for a day of shopping and support

    • For more than 10 years, it has been a staple in the greater Cincinnati area

    “We identify kids, we work with the school and our SRO officer, for kids really in need, and it’s great for our officers to get to see these kids, to be able to spend this kind of money,” Reading Police Chief Police Bryan Edens said.

    For more than 10 years, Shop with a Cop has been a staple in the greater Cincinnati area, and Edens said seeing the kids get a $500 spending limit is amazing, but he is most impressed by their selflessness

    “When you see the smile on their faces and to watch some of these kids, because of where they come from, they worry about family members before buying for themselves, which is huge to see, 7–8-year-olds thinking of grandpa and grandma and siblings before themselves,” Edens said.

    Eric Bartlett, a school resource officer at Reading Schools, is pleased to see the difference an event like this can make. 

    “It means a lot to our students, means a lot to our officers who organize it with the school,” he said. “The school helps us pick out the children who are in need. We have 12 children I believe this year. We’re hoping it does help their families.”

    Edens said this event amazes him time and time again.

    “Watching the kids, knowing they don’t have a real limit on them, these are kids who have never had that experience,” he said.

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    Travis Hicks

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  • ‘Touched so many lives’: Western NC remembers Biffle as a hero during Helene

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    SOUTH TOE, N.C. —For people in Western North Carolina, the sound of helicopter blades fill their memories, not only of Helene, but the hope that came in the days and weeks after the storm.

    “You know, without those private citizens bringing those supplies in, really early on, I think we would have been where we were seeing more mortality,” said Zac O’Donnell.

    O’Donnell is a firefighter at the South Toe Fire Department. He says it’s still hard to think of how cut off their community was from the outside world.

    What You Need To Know

    •  When Helene hit Western North Carolina, entire communities were cut off from the outside world

    •  By day two, Greg Biffle got in his private helicopter and started delivering aid across the mountains

    •  First responders say he brought medical supplies, chainsaws, generators, food and water to the most remote cut off communities

    • Biffle continued to return back over the last year to check on the small communities and continue to bring them aid


    “It was blocked off at the one in between here and and the main municipality, Burnsville,” said O’Donnell. “Just about 15 miles away. And then the other direction, too, we couldn’t go down the mountain, so we were truly cut off for, you know, that first day.”

    But by day two, help had arrived. Thanks to NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and his friends.

    “I’m pretty sure Greg dropped off these helmets, actually, these chainsaw helmets,” O’Donnell said.

    O’Donnell says Biffle and his crew continued bringing aid to the rural mountain community.

    “He was very clear that, you know, he just wanted to assist his fellow North Carolinians,” said O’Donnell. “He wanted to be on the ground.”

    It wasn’t just South Toe and Yancey County. Biffle stopped his helicopter all over Western North Carolina.

    “He had a big crew come in and take notes on, you know, what was needed in the areas. And then they just flooded our area with all kinds of necessities that everyone needed,” said Fairview Fire Battalion Chief TJ Hill. “Not just for us, but stuff for us to hand out as well.”

    Fairview engineer Samuel Lightle grew up a huge NASCAR fan, and recognized Biffle immediately.

    “Like I say, I mean, I love the sport and seeing somebody given in the position he’s in, given what he gave and the time he gave,” said Lightle. “Just so selfless, I mean, it meant a lot to this community and all the communities in western North Carolina.”

    But the aid didn’t stop after October. Stephanie Johnson with Rebuilding Hollers says he continued to deliver aid, visiting multiple times to check on how recovery efforts were going.

    “The personal resources that he used and his connections to bring awareness to what happened here. I don’t think people would have known how bad it was, and how much we desperately needed help. If it wasn’t for him telling the whole world,” Johnson said.

    The news of his death has been absolutely devastating for the people in the mountains.

    “He touched so many lives and, you know, I just pray that he knows how thankful we are that he advocated for us,” Johnson said. “Because when other people forgot and when other people had moved on, he did it. He kept coming back.”

    Losing not only a racing legend, but a community hero in the mountains.

    “We should learn from, from Greg’s example and, and really help out when we can,” said O’Donnell. “You know, make sure that the people in our communities are taken care of, when, when there is struggle and when there’s, you know, hard times. Especially whether it’s a hurricane or, or anything else, that’s really important.”

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

     

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    Courtney Davis

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  • Spreading Christmas cheer one child at a time

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    HIGH POINT, N.C. — Children are again getting to experience the joy of choosing their own gifts this holiday season. As shopping carts roll through Target aisles, for these kids, this isn’t just another trip to the store. 

         What You Need To Know

    • The Kiwanis Club of High Point carries on its mission this holiday season, hosting shopping sprees at Target where kids picked out gifts 

    • The organization’s leaders say roughly 260 kids spent around $150 to get any toys, clothes or shoes, just in time for Christmas

    • This Christmas Cheer Event is funded by community donations

    • In 2024, a report from the American Community Survey found that in North Carolina, 16% of children were experiencing poverty


    The Kiwanis Club of High Point carries on its mission this holiday season, hosting shopping sprees at Target where kids could pick out their own gifts. 

    The organization’s leaders say roughly 260 kids from various community groups were able to spend around $150 to get any toys, clothes or shoes, just in time for Christmas.

    This is Jeff Bullock’s first year volunteering at the Christmas Cheer Event. Bullock is a pastor at a High Point church.

    “It’s amazing what they do investing in these kids,” Bullock said.

    His church partners with one of those local nonprofits called Growing the Distance, providing the space for the group’s after-school program.

    “They’ve been in our facility for about four, five years and 30 or 40 kids, and they just help assist kids with after-school programing and pick them up, and they’re amazing,” Bullock said.

    This Christmas Cheer Event is funded by community donations.

    In 2024, a report from the American Community Survey found that in North Carolina, 16% of children were experiencing poverty.

    Bryson holds the toy at the top of his Christmas wishlist that he was able to receive at this year’s Christmas Cheer Event by the Kiwanis Club of High Point. (Spectrum News 1/Ashley Van Havere)

    For 8-year-old, Bryson, there’s one toy that he’s been wanting for a while now, he says. It’s called a Tonies box, and it’s a music player he was able to receive at this year’s event.

    He also received two Tonie audio characters, slime and a fidget toy. 

    Bullock says its events like this, that are so important to kids during the holiday season.

    “Who knows what the insecurities or the difficulties in life that they’re having or their families and all that, and so it’s great to give back,” Bullock said.

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

     

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    Ashley Van Havere

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  • 5 things to know about theme park ‘Breakfast with Santa’

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    ORLANDO, Fla. — Character breakfasts have always been a big deal at Disney, and it’s no different when Santa Claus is involved.

    1. For the fourth year, the “Breakfast with Santa” experience at Maria & Enzo’s Ristorante returns to Disney Springs. Within the Disney Springs entertainment district, guests get to dine on Christmas comforts while interacting with carolers, elves and Santa!

    2. This interactive experience includes takeaway treats, adult beverages, and comfort food fit for the whole family. Benjamin Dovaro is the top chef behind the scenes who makes the magic happen. “It’s the buttermilk that really makes it,” Dovaro said, pointing down at fluffy pancakes he’d demoed for Spectrum News. “We also cook (the pancakes) in butter, giving them that very rich, rich flavor.”

    3. The 2025 Breakfast with Santa experience offers three seating times on select dates, meaning there are only four more mornings (as of this publish date) for families to book a slot.

    4. The last chance to jump on in for the experience is Christmas Eve morning, Dec. 24, 2025.

    5. For more information on the “Breakfast with Santa” experience, visit the Marino & Enzo’s website.

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    Allison Walker

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  • TSA urging preparation and patience ahead of holiday rush

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. —A record number of Americans are expected to be traveling this holiday season. 

    According to AAA, over 122 million people will journey at least 50 miles from home between December 20 and January 1, marking a 2.2% increase over last year’s record. 

    This includes a projected 8.03 million air travelers nationwide, the highest AAA said it’s recorded for the year-end holiday period. 

    What You Need To Know

    •  AAA reports a record number of travelers this holiday season 

    •  Over eight million of those commuters are air travelers 

    •  In North Carolina, airport officials are preparing for a possible holiday rush 

    • Transportation officials share tips to help your travels go a bit smoother 


    In North Carolina, officials at Charlotte Douglas International Airport said they are preparing for a busy stretch of travel as winter holidays get underway. 

    Between December 16 and January 4, CLT expects about 2.7 million passengers to arrive and depart, down roughly 13% from the same period last year, according to airport officials. Despite the decrease, airport officials said passengers could experience busy times amid peak commuting days. 

    The Transportation Security Administration told Spectrum News 1, this weekend marks the beginning of one of the busiest travel periods of the season.

    Greg Hawko, TSA federal security director for North Carolina, said his team has taken steps to ensure they’re ready to handle the expected holiday rush. 

    “We prepare in advance to ensure all our officers are prepared and ready for the passengers. We have additional staff that comes on,” Hawko said. 

    Officials say some of the heaviest local departure days are expected to include Friday, December 19, as well as December 26-27, following Christmas.  

    TSA is urging travelers to take steps that help keep security screening moving efficiently. 

    “Especially at the holiday season, we have lot of passengers who do not routinely travel throughout the year,” Hawko said. “Sometimes, it can be a little daunting.” 

    “When you start packing, start with an empty bag. Make sure there’s nothing else left in the bag, especially if you’re carrying that bag on the airplane. Make sure you do not pack any prohibited items in that bag,” Hawko said.

    Hawko said airport workers often see a great deal of people traveling with gifts this season. 

    “I highly recommend not completely wrapping those items and potentially wrapping them when you get there,” Hawko said. “A great alternative that would make your process easier is using gift bags, so we can easily see what’s inside and not mess up a beautiful wrapping job.”

    “Allow yourself enough time to park, drop off rental car, check a bag, and please bring your patience to the check point,” Hawko said. 

    Some travelers at Charlotte Douglas said their experiences so far have been smooth. 

    “No concerns at all,” said Brad Furby, a South Carolina resident flying out of Charlotte Douglas. 

    Some fliers planning on traveling later in the week said it is still early but expressed some concerns.

    Other riders said they remain optimistic flights will take off with no challenges next week, amid a possible holiday rush. 

    “The government is no longer shut down, so a lot of workers are still available,” said traveler Jared Eummer. “So, no necessary concerns.”

    AAA’s forecast shows driving remains the dominant mode of holiday travel with over 109 million Americans expected to take road trips this year-end. AAA cites lower gas prices and convenience as reasons for people choosing to hit the roads this holiday season. 

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

     

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    Jennifer Roberts

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  • New Goodwill location in Longboat Key

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    MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Goodwill Manasota is expanding its footprint into Longboat Key. The nonprofit opened its first location on the barrier island on Thursday. The store is creating new jobs, while the organization hopes it will become a major donation hub.

    What You Need To Know

    • A new Goodwill location is opening in Longboat Key 

    • Any and all donations are being accepted
    • Goodwill Manasota’s operating hours at the Longboat Key location are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day

    A new store means a new job for Pru Davis.

    “So far, I love it. It’s nice and relaxing,” she said.

    Davis was hired in September as a keyholder for Goodwill Manasota.

    “Everything. Production, which is what I’m doing right now—pricing the books and getting ready to shelve them. We also do shelving and reorganizing the section, alphabetizing, the whole nine,” she said.

    She went through training and will now work full time at the Longboat Key store, which opened today.

    “I’m excited about this new location being out on the key. You never know what’s going to happen, so it’s an adventure for everybody,” she said.

    The location is on Gulf of Mexico Drive at the newly built Brista Commons shopping center. Inside the 3,500-square-foot building are a donation center and a bookstore.

    A Florida TaxWatch report from last year showed Goodwill Manasota was responsible for nearly $150 million in economic output. Donn Githens, the CEO and president, said the new store is in a prime spot that will help increase revenue.

    “So our mission is funded by the donations we collect and the revenues we generate in our stores and our bookstores,” he said. “Donations are driven by convenience, and this location on Gulf of Mexico Drive is just so convenient. People can drive in and drop off.”

    Opening the facility also created seven new jobs. Davis said she is hopeful the store will prosper.

    “That it stays here and that we do exceedingly well,” she said.

    Any and all donations are being accepted. Goodwill Manasota’s operating hours at the Longboat Key location are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day.

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    Julia Hazel

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  • Polk County mother decorates car for children in need

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    POLK COUNTY, Fla. — If you’ve driven through Polk County lately, you may have noticed a black Nissan Altima wrapped in Christmas lights and blue tape.

    What You Need To Know

    • Rebecca Brown wrapped her car with Christmas lights and QR codes to raise donations for children and families in need

    • Brown says the goal is to help families struggling with necessities, especially in an underserved mobile home community in Lakeland

    • Brown plans to deliver donations before Christmas
    • Follow Rebecca on TikTok


    But if you take a closer look, it’s not your typical holiday decoration.

    “So basically, there will be QR codes on the car, and if you take your phone and go to the QR code, a Linktree will pop up,” driver Rebecca Brown said.

    Brown says she updates those QR codes often. Once people reach the landing page, they can donate money or a gift to a child in need. That includes children living on Third Street Southeast in Lakeland, an underserved mobile home community where Brown used to live.

    Though toys are a plus, Brown says the goal is to make sure each family has basic necessities. She says she and her daughter, Skylar, decided to use their car as a fun way to grow community support to relieve parents of their financial burden.

    “I know for a fact that one of the families, she has like six kids, and she’s just struggling day to day to pay bills. And I feel like she deserves that help. She deserves to see her kids happy,” Brown said.

    As a mother of two, Brown knows firsthand how difficult the holidays can be. While she works to provide for her own kids this month, she says she plans to donate to the cause too.

    “I’m willing to do that because I feel like they deserve it. Regardless of their past or their situation, no kid deserves to go without,” she said.

    For Brown, that spirit of giving is something she carries year-round. She says not only does it take a village to raise a child, but it also takes one to keep them happy.

    Brown plans to drop off donations to families before Christmas.

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    Alexis Jones

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  • ‘Giving Machine’ in Clearwater to help people in need

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    CLEARWATER, Fla. — People in the Tampa Bay area have a new way to donate to charity.

    Outside Crumbl Cookies at the Clearwater Mall there are vending machines with charitable items called “Light the World Giving Machine.”

    All purchases are actually donations that will help local and global charities.

    What You Need To Know

    • “Light the World Giving Machine” is in the Tampa Bay area for the first time

    • The machines work like vending machines, but instead of buying snack you make a donation to charity

    • Donations can be school supplies, food, bedding or even a baby goat

    • 100% of the donations goes to the participating charities


    Members of the Steed family were the first to use the giving machines.

    “This is our chance to give back at a local level and at a global level. And what’s great about it as well is that these donations go 100% to these charitable organizations,” said Garret Steed, owner of the Crumbl Cookies Clearwater franchise.

    The Giving Machine is like a vending machine. They’re placed at businesses, like the Steed’s Crumbl Cookies store. But instead of buying a snack, people can pick an item to donate to a charity.

    The Steeds donated one of everything in the machine.

    “I think that this is a very tangible way our kids can see, like, oh, we’re giving a goat, we’re giving a sewing kit for someone to start a business, or we’re giving a dental hygiene kit,” said Kylie Steed.

    The initiative supports five local charities, including Metropolitan Ministries, Premier Community Healthcare, The Spring of Tampa Bay, Casa Pinellas and the Shepherd Center of Tarpon Springs.

    VP of Metropolitan Ministries communications Justine Burke said donations will help them supply food and holiday gifts for people in need.

    “The need is significant this year … since the hurricanes last year, people are struggling still. Affordability, affording that rent, affording food, affording just all those extra things in life,” said Burke.

    All the donations go directly to the charity selected at the machine. The operating cost is covered by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

    “It feels really good to give back to the community. There’s a scripture that says: ‘where much is given, much is required.’ We’ve been given so much that it’s really a nice opportunity for all of us to be able to give back and help those that are less fortunate,” said Sarah Watson, Site Director for Giving Machine Tampa.

    The Giving Machine will be in Clearwater until Jan. 3, 2026.

    They operate at all hours.

    Since 2017, The Giving Machine has raised more than $50 million around the world, providing hundreds of thousands of items and services to people in need.

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    Tyler O’Neill

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  • St. Pete to conduct study to dredge shallow canals in Riviera Bay

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The City of St. Petersburg says a stormwater study is a direct result of summer walking tours held weeks ago.    

    What You Need To Know

    • St. Pete’s public works department wanted to hear directly from residents about the flooding problems in their neighborhood
    • Riviera Bay residents say all their canals are full of sand and sediment


    Its public works department wanted to hear directly from residents about the flooding problems in their neighborhood.

    The city now says it will conduct a study to dredge the shallow canals in Riviera Bay. It’s taking a phased approach to the flooding solutions in what public works calls a massive undertaking.

    Riviera Bay residents say all their canals are full of sand and sediment.

    A homeowner who lives where two of the canals meet is dealing with the issue.

    Kathy Crow says Hurricane Helene’s storm surge pushed a lot of sand and sediment into the canal behind her home last year.

    Public works says the Riviera Bay canal problem is now on its radar thanks to the Resilient St. Pete Action Plan. (Spectrum News/Josh Rojas)

    New land has formed where there should be a few feet of water. It is rendering her boat useless.

    “We are no longer on navigable waterfront,” Crow said. “We are barely on a drainage canal because I don’t even think it could drain water properly during a storm event.” 

    The Riviera Bay canals are part of St. Pete’s stormwater conveyance system.

    Runoff from the Saltgrass Lake area drains into the canals.

    Crow says that because those canals are so full of sediment, homes are now being threatened during regular summer storms.

    “If all that water is going to be diverted down this canal system, there is nowhere for the water to go,” Crow said. “So now that there’s no depth, it’s going to come up, and it’s going to flood our properties.”

    Public works says the Riviera Bay canal problem is now on its radar thanks to the Resilient St. Pete Action Plan.

    The public works administrator says that the dredge study is a direct result of walking tours earlier this year. (Spectrum News/Josh Rojas)

    The public works administrator says that the dredge study is a direct result of walking tours earlier this year. (Spectrum News/Josh Rojas)

    Spectrum News reported earlier this year how public works, along with consultant engineers, conducted walking tours in nine different neighborhoods.

    The city wanted to hear directly from residents about the flooding problems in their neighborhoods.

    Riviera Bay Civic Association President Vanessa Pugliese says the city will now conduct a study to dredge the canals.

    “This is going to give us the absolute data we need about the sedimentation and silt issues in these canals so that we can make sure that they’re actually dredged to appropriate depths to handle the increased stormwater runoff loads from the city.” 

    The public works administrator says that the dredge study is a direct result of the walking tours.

    Crow participated in that walking tour and showed city leaders the problem in her backyard.

    “It is nice to see something moving forward,” she said. “I appreciate that they are listening to us, and they took us seriously.” 

    The city says it chose those nine neighborhoods for walking tours based on their unique relationship with the water and wants to avoid a one-size fits all solution.

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    Josh Rojas

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  • St. Petersburg Jewish Experience aims to bring community together

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The first St. Petersburg Jewish Experience is arriving in just a few weeks. 

    What You Need To Know

    • The St. Petersburg Jewish Experience is on January 11

    • The event is being held at The Floridian Social

    • Local rabbis said this event is the perfect way for community members to express their Jewish pride 


    Bringing Jewish culture, music, food, and more, Rabbis Alter Korf and Mendel Lebovics said this will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. 

    “We feel it’s just the right thing for the community now,” Korf said. “It’s just the right vibe, the right energy that the Jewish community needs.” 

    Lebovics agrees and said community members are looking for ways to express their Jewish pride.

    “It’s our job to say, ‘We’re here, we’re here to stay, and we’re going to be proud of who we are,’” he said. 

    The event isn’t only for people who are Jewish — it’s for everyone. 

    That’s part of the reason Korf said they’re hosting the party at The Floridian Social.

    “Our goal is that this Jewish experience would make everybody inside here feel like part of one big family,” he said.  

    An unforgettable experience is what Korf said they’re looking to create. 

    With the people they’re bringing in and the venue they’ve chosen, he has no doubt they’ll achieve their goals. 

    “It’s not an intellectual experience, it’s not a class, it’s not a lecture,” he said. “This is a moment to feel it in your bones.”

    The event is on January 11. You can purchase tickets here.

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    Matt Lackritz

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  • Ancient artifacts at MAPS Museum getting immortal lease on life with 3D scanning

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    NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. — Ancient artifacts on display at the New Port Richey MAPS Museum are getting a new immortal lease on life.

    What You Need To Know

    • New Port Richey’s MAPS Museum is using 3D technology to scan those ancient artifacts on display in the museum

    • Every single artifact on display in the museum is being scanned, creating a 3D, digital twin that will then live in a digital database accessible worldwide

    • A team of research scientists with Global Digital Heritage are performing the scans

    • Those behind the work say they anticipate the work to take three years to finish


    The Museum of Archaeology, Paleontology and Science — or MAPS Museum — is using 3D technology to scan these historical artifacts. It’s creating a digital library and making the collection accessible worldwide. This endeavor is helping protect these rare and fragile pieces for future generations.

    “We normally do, probably, around six to ten positions per object,” said Bart Mcleod, research scientist with Global Digital Heritage.

    Set up in a backroom of the museum, the camera snaps away.

    “Basically, what this does is we use photographs to recreate objects in 3D,” said Mcleod.

    Every single artifact on display in the museum is being scanned, creating a 3D digital twin that will then live in a digital database.

    “We have a three-year agreement with MAPS, and I think it’s going to take every bit of three years to digitize everything that we can,” Mcleod said. “There’s a huge collection of objects and pretty impressive broad range of things, so it’s pretty exciting to work here.”

    Mcleod is part of a two-man team, which includes deputy chief scientist Jeffrey Du Vernay.

    “We’re working primarily with different-sized objects,” said Du Vernay. “For the handheld scanner, which I primarily use, we’ll do slightly larger objects. In the photogrammetry, we’ll do more smaller objects typically.”

    The handheld scanner Du Vernay uses records the surface of the object he’s scanning, and it also records the color.

    “It captures everything within its line of sight,” he said. “And this is what we will have.”

    Creating a raw, 3D scan of data. Once that’s done, the final product is put together and uploaded online.

    “What we’re really doing is creating a 3D digital library of the objects that we’re scanning,” says Du Vernay. “That has advantages not only for documenting the current state of the preservation of the objects, but also making them available online to researchers, educators, students, who maybe aren’t able to come to the museum.”

    It takes hours of work to scan thousands of objects. It’s work that museum director Charles Zidar says makes the art more shareable.

    “It’s really important that other individuals and scholars from around the world can access the collections online,” said Zidar. “So it’s been really helpful to have them here.”

    Helping pique the interest of a new generation of scientists.

    “After seeing them online, maybe they would be more motivated to come and explore what MAPS has to offer,” Du Vernay said.

    Preserving these once forgotten artifacts and helping them live forever in the digital realm.

    Du Vernay says that in between scanning objects at the MAPS Museum, they will be doing other projects around the world. This project with the MAPS Museum will take three more years to finish.

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    Calvin Lewis

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  • 39th annual Sarasota Holiday Boat Parade of Lights set for Saturday

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    SARASOTA, Fla. — If you’re looking for some holiday cheer with a view this weekend, you might want to check out the 39th annual Sarasota Holiday Boat Parade of Lights.

    SEE ALSO: Top stories from the week and fun things to do this weekend

    Thirty brightly decorated boats will glide past Marina Jack and Bayfront Park.

    The event is from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

    Organizers are asking visitors to bring an unwrapped toy or book to the event so it can be donated to kids in need.

    Spectrum Bay News 9’s Melissa Eichman discovered what goes into building a float for the parade.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Toys for Tots extends donation deadline to help children in all age groups

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A program collecting Christmas toys for children in Charlotte is extending its collection deadline to Thursday to help provide toys for children of all ages.

    What You Need To Know

    • Toys for Tots Charlotte has struggled to fulfill requests for assistance this year, including a larger request for help early on and fewer donations

    • Marion Dudley is one of the parents waiting to see if her daughters will be able to receive toys from the program

    • On Wednesday, Toys for Tots met the amount of toys requested
    • Toys for Tots extended its donation deadline to Thursday to fulfill its need for more toys for babies, toddlers and children ages 11 to 16


    During their last collection day, the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program in Charlotte hit its goal of 30,000 toys Wednesday night. However, it still needs around 6,000 more toys for ages 0 to 2 and children 11 to 16. 

    For at least six years, Marion Dudley has received toys from the Toys for Tots program for her two daughters, ages 6 and 7.

    “I love to see the joy on the kid’s face, even if it’s only one gift. They get the joy that just makes my heart melt because they go through so much in the year that, it’s good to see them smile,” Dudley said. 

    This year, her daughters wrote letters to Santa for the first time.

    “They wanted to make it special, so they took a magazine and cut out all the pictures of things they liked,” Dudley said. 

    “When they wake up on Christmas Day, they’re looking for a whole bunch of presents under the tree and if I’m not able to do that, then that’s going to make me feel like I failed as a parent,” Dudley said.

    This year, Toys for Tots Charlotte has struggled to fulfill the requests. Toys for Tots Warehouse Chief Darrell Gregory said requests for toys started coming early this year and the group didn’t have many donations. 

    “This year, we have no idea if they’re even going to have the funds to be able to give out toys, because they have so many people that have signed up and nobody really is donating,” Dudley said. 

    Dudley said she has an allied health sciences degree, but it’s not working at the moment because of her children’s schedules and needs. 

    “My 7-year-old, she will be turning eight on the 29th, so a few days after Christmas. My 7-year-old, she has autism level 1, and then my youngest one, she has a rare [genetic disorder] called KBG syndrome, and that comes along with a lot of health issues. We are constantly going back and forth to the doctor,” Dudley said. 

    Dudley said it’s hard for her to make ends meet.

     “We’re just living off of one SSI check, and that’s taking care of all three of us and then, of course, I have bills and everything else that I have to do,” Dudley said. 

    She has reached to other programs for help with toys but have not received calls back.

    “There’s probably a lot of people that still need help with Christmas because, look at the economy, I can only imagine,” Dudley said. 

    Wednesday night, however, a light of hope shone for the Dudleys as Toys for Tots announced it had received the amount of toys needed for her children’s age group.

    Gregory recalls that just a week ago, they had fewer than 1,000 toys, and he said on Wednesday they received almost 10,000 toy donations. 

    While the group is grateful to have met the number of toys requested, they are still working to fill the gap for toys for babies and toddlers and children ages 11 to 16. 

    The group extended the deadline to drop off items at their warehouse at 2701 Hutchison McDonald Road, Suite A, until 4 p.m. Thursday.

    If they cannot meet the need, the group will have to notify families Toys for Tots can’t fulfill their requests. Gregory says he hopes they don’t have to make those calls. 

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

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    Estephany Escobar

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  • After mural controversy, artist creates United Mural project

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    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — It’s been months since the controversial removal of street murals in the state and particularly here in the Tampa Bay area.

    What You Need To Know

    • John Gascot, artist and co-owner of Studios @ 5663, hand-picked six artists to create the United Mural project

    • The word “UNITED” will be spelled out on the wall of Studios @ 5663 on the busy Park Boulevard in Pinellas Park

    • In addition to their fundraising efforts, the community is also being invited out to help paint the background of the mural
    • That event takes place next month during UNITED Mural Fest at 5663


    In St. Pete, the removal of the Black History Matters mural and the Pride flag mural were met with pushback, including the arrest of two local faith leaders, protesting the night of the removal.

    A group of artists that helped paint those murals is using the same tools they used before on a new project — this time, their message will be spelled out to read “UNITED.”

    John Gascot, artist and co-owner of Studios @ 5663, hand-picked six artists to create the United Mural project.

    Each artist is assigned a letter, and inside the letter they will illustrate what being united means to them.

    Many of the artists helped paint the Black Lives Matter mural and the Black History Matters mural that replaced it.

    When the murals were removed, Gascot said he knew he had to do something to keep the importance of those murals alive and remind people of what truly unites them.

    “I’m more excited about it because it’s almost like continuing something that was erased. So, it’s almost like a second chance at it. It’s not a Black Lives Matter mural, but there’s Black artists involved,” he said. “It’s just like a continuation, if you will,” Gascot said.

    Artist Laura “Ms. Krit” Spencer was also involved in those projects.

    “One of the murals that I painted was removed in front of the Carter G. Woodson African American Museum. I had the distinct pleasure of not only painting the Black Lives Matter mural, but the Black History Matters mural,” she said.

    The word “UNITED” will be spelled out on the wall of Studios at 5663 on the busy Park Boulevard in Pinellas Park.

    “It’s very well-traveled, so it will have a lot of eyes on it, and hopefully, people will take the time to pull over and take it all in because it’s going to have a lot of detail. It’s a long, long wall,” Gascot said.

    To make this project happen, Gascot said it’s going to take a big budget of up to $20,000 to pull off.

    Gascot said they’re fundraising to make sure each artist is able to use a letter that represents what being United looks like to them. 

    “Miss Krit” already has an idea of what it means for her.

    “I just want everybody to remember the reason why we all get together is that art is this unifying force. It gives us identity. It gives us purpose, and it gives us motivation and inspiration and hope for a better future,” she said.

    In addition to their fundraising efforts, the community is also being invited out to help paint the background of the mural. That event takes place next month during UNITED Mural Fest at 5663.

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    Saundra Weathers

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  • Community rebuilds home for 73-year-old retired nurse after devastating fire

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    FROSTPROOF, Fla. — A Frostproof woman who spent more than three decades caring for others is now receiving support of her own after a fire destroyed her home a few months ago.

    Valerie Hall, 73, says she lost everything in the blaze — including her clothing, personal belongings, and the home she lived in for nearly a decade.

    “I didn’t have any clothes left,” Hall said, recalling the moment she sifted through the remains of the fire.

    Hall is a retired civil service nurse who served Navy families in Guantánamo Bay, Jamaica, and Lake Wales before spending 10 years working with Native American communities in Alaska. She moved to Frostproof nine years ago to care for her mother and has remained an active part of the community ever since.

    What You Need To Know

    • A Frostproof woman who spent more than three decades caring for others is now receiving support of her own after a fire destroyed her home a few months ago

    • After learning about Hall’s situation, Tim Williams — owner of S&W Supply — stepped in to help

    • Valerie Hall was selected as this year’s recipient for their Kitchen for Christmas program, an annual tradition that surprises one homeowner with a holiday home makeover

    • This is the 20th year local partners have gifted a homeowner with a holiday renovation through the Kitchen for Christmas program


    But when a fire tore through her home and triggered a propane explosion, Hall says she’s lucky to be alive.

    “I just kept saying thank you Jesus, because when the gas and the propane blew… it blew through my bedroom wall,” she said.

    Local businesses step in with a Christmas surprise

    After learning about Hall’s situation, Tim Williams — owner of S&W Supply — stepped in to help. Williams and a team of partners, including Hulbert Homes and Right Way Plumbing, selected Hall as this year’s recipient for their Kitchen for Christmas program, an annual tradition that surprises one homeowner with a holiday home makeover.

    But Hall is receiving far more than a kitchen.

    When Williams arrived to surprise her, he announced that crews would be remodeling her entire home — including a new bedroom, patio, garden, an accessibility ramp, and central heating.

    “It’s ready for us to make her home complete,” Williams said.
    “Our first goal is to get you some central heat now.”

    Hall, who is still recovering from hip surgery, burst into tears when crews delivered the news.

    Volunteers, contractors, and neighbors have rallied around Hall, donating materials, time, and labor. Many had never met her before the fire — but say her lifetime of service inspired them to get involved.

    Hall calls the volunteers “angels.”

    “They are all angels,” she said. “It’s looking way up. It’s the star at the top of the tree.”

    A Christmas she won’t forget

    Hall says this season will be one of gratitude, healing, and hope as she watches her new home take shape.

    This is the 20th year local partners have gifted a homeowner with a holiday renovation through the Kitchen for Christmas program.

    For Hall, it’s a blessing she says she’ll never forget.

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    Fadia Patterson

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  • One month since Hurricane Melissa, N.C. group working to help Jamaica recover

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It’s been one month since Hurricane Melissa wreaked havoc on the Caribbean islands, and the people there still need support. Lincoln Wilmot is reminded of the devastation that hit his home country of Jamaica 

     “It was the most devastating thing I’ve ever seen,” Wilmot of Charlotte said. 

    What You Need To Know

    •  It’s been one month since Hurricane Melissa tore through the Caribbean islands

    • The Jamaican American Cultural Association is gathering supplies for a mission trip to Jamaica 

    • According to the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, the death toll across the Caribbean has reached 90 as of Nov. 12


    He was on the island when Hurricane Melissa tore through as a Category 5. 

    “You know, I’m ex-military and it was probably the only time I’ve ever actually been scared for anything,” Wilmot said.

    He was staying only 50 yards from the ocean and saw structures washed away.

    “I felt really bad because I felt that I had a home to go back to, but a lot of these people had nowhere to go,” he said.

    The Jamaican American Cultural Association is organizing supplies for a mission trip to the island.

    The group has collected food, clothing, hygiene products and received $50,000 in medical supplies. It will distributed primarily on the southwest side of the country, where the hurricane did the most damage. 

    “That side is known as the breadbasket of Jamaica. It supplies a lot of the food all over Jamaica, and it affected a third of the Jamaican population,” said Gaynor Russell, president of the association.

    According to the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, the death toll across the Caribbean reached 90 as of Nov. 12.

    “The prime minister himself has spoken about the extent of the damage. Even though they had insurance policies to cover damages, it’s still not even a dent into what has happened on the island,” Russell said.

    Even though the journey is far from over, Wilmot knows his people will persevere.

    “People in Jamaica desperately need help, so they’re doing the best they can to survive, and you know they’re strong people. We are strong people. So they have not given up hope, but I’m hoping that the world would continue to send supplies and send help,” Wilmot said.

    The association trip is planned for Dec. 5, and the group has enough monetary donations to build eight houses for families in need. 

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

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    Arin Cotel-Altman

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  • Vet meets family of Bay Pines VA first Black female employee

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    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — A veteran working at the Bay Pines VA recently discovered a book in the archives that details the life of the first African American woman to work there in the 1940s.  

    It’s a piece of history that he was hoping to share with the woman’s family if he ever found them.

    Spectrum Bay News 9 first reported on the late Deotha Parsons story earlier this month. Parson’s rich history of being the first female African American employee to work at Bay Pines VA in the 1940s is all laid out in a book.

    The book is housed in the archives at the Bay Pines VA. That’s where hospital coordinator for the Disabled American Veterans, John Makas, first discovered it six months ago.

    He said he knew then, he had to find and connect Parsons’ family with the book.

    After the story aired and appeared online, the community connected Spectrum Bay News 9 with Monica Hunt and her brother Erik Butler, Parsons’ grandchildren who live in Washington D.C.

    Makas joined the video call to formally meet them and get their reaction to the story.

    “I thought it was amazing,” Butler said.

    Hunt says she was surprised.

    “Yeah, it was great. I had chills. I was like, ‘Oh wow’ and all of those pictures. But to see all of the rest of the stuff in the book, it was nice to see,” she said.

    Deotha Parsons, the history maker, was just a grandmother to them. She had already retired from VA by the time they were old enough to understand her accomplishments.

    “She wasn’t too much affiliated by the time I got to know her,” Butler said.

    After working for Bay Pines VA, for more than 30 years and retiring in the 1970s the book was created for her retirement. It’s something Makas wants the family to have a piece of.

    “I didn’t want that photo album to get lost. So, my DAV here in the Florida Area, we’re going to get together and we’re going to have that book digitally done for you and I want to give that to your family so that you guys have it,” he said. “That’s something you should have to teach to your grandchildren.”

    Once completed, Makas said he will coordinate with the family to hand them over the new digitized copy of the book.  

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    Saundra Weathers

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