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Tag: Hurricane Milton

  • Federal funding still available for hurricane recovery in Pinellas County

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    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Pinellas County officials say there is still hurricane recovery funding available from the $813 million it received through a community block grant last fall.

    What You Need To Know

    • Pinellas County received $813 million from a federal community block grant to help residents recover from Hurricanes Idalia, Helene and Milton
    • There is still funding available, so when applications slowed, Pinellas County started to host pop-up help locations 
    • Gulfport was first pop-up location, but county officials say there will be more to come in different cities

    • Pinellas County has five programs to distribute federal grant funding to residents

    • APPLY: Pinellas County Hurricane Recovery Programs


    The federal funding awarded to Pinellas County is for homeowners and residents recovering from Hurricane Idalia in 2023, and Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024.

    The grant funding available to residents is through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); therefore, the county has to follow guidelines set by HUD on who will qualify. The programs are generally income-based and accept households that make up to 120% of the area’s median household income.

    While each county or city that received funding has slightly different ways of distribution, Pinellas County created five programs that it’s calling “People First Hurricane Recovery Programs.”

    The five programs focus on homeowner rehabilitation/reconstruction, homeowner reimbursement, support for landlords, homebuyer assistance and disaster-relief reimbursement that assists with things like rent or utilities.

    Pinellas Recovers program manager Erica Henry said her organization has received about 6,600 applications so far, but is hoping for more.

    “We’re in the process of going through them and evaluating for eligibly,” she said. “HUD allows us six years to fully expend the $813 million, so we are very motivated to spend that money very quickly and get it out into the community and where it needs to be.”

    In order to raise more awareness about the available funding and to help residents through the process, the county hosted a community pop-up event in Gulfport last week. Henry said they netted around 40 new applications in the last week alone, so they plan to expand to more communities in the coming weeks.

    “The citizens that we’ve talked to, and the information that we’ve gathered and the applications we’ve submitted, show this outreach is working,” she said. “It’s something we want to do throughout the county to get the word out and get applications in and get people put back together.”

    The county has two full-time help centers that are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 2600 McCormick Dr., Suite 100 in Clearwater, and 5000 Park St. N., Suite 4 in St. Pete.

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    Angie Angers

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  • Historic Pass-a-Grille shuffleboard clubhouse demolished

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    ST. PETE BEACH, Fla. — The historically designated Pass-a-Grille shuffleboard clubhouse was demolished on Thursday after being substantially damaged by hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024.

    What You Need To Know

    • The historically designated Pass-a-Grille shuffleboard clubhouse was demolished on Thursday

    • The 90-year-old structure was substantially damaged by hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024 

    • The historic building was originally a beach shelter in Gulfport, before being moved by barge to St. Pete Beach in the late 1920s 

    • The budget for the new shuffleboard clubhouse is $166,000 and is expected to be a pavilion type structure 


    “We had hoped more than anything it could be saved,” said Bonnie Gustafson, club member. “The city did the research and just decided it was the best choice.”

    The 90-year-old building was originally a beach shelter in Gulfport, before being moved by barge to St. Pete Beach in the late 1920s. A demo crew contracted by the city for $9,000 used a backhoe to tear down the historical building, which had pink exterior walls, two bathrooms, air conditioning, storage space and a cedar plank ceiling.

    “It’s just sad because we just thought it would always be here,” said Carla Kegel, club member. “It’s just been a big part of our life.”

    Pass-a-Grille Shuffleboard Club President John Gustafson managed to take out a few items from the clubhouse before the demolition began.

    “We salvaged this nice window. The plan is to put a number of photos, memorabilia and stuff from the shuffleboard club in here,” he said. “When they build a new structure, we’ll be able to have some memorabilia in the new building.”

    Last May, city leaders said the historical clubhouse was part of the character of Pass-a-Grille and considered restoring it before learning it would cost $192,000 and exceed the budget. The city then explored moving a 100-year-old Pass-a-Grille home to the site to serve as the new clubhouse.

    Those plans were scrapped in December because it too was going to cost too much money at an estimated $475,000, even though the house was going to be given away for free.

    City Commissioner Jon Maldonado, who represents Pass-a-Grille, said that demolition was the only fiscally responsible thing to do with the damaged historic structure.

    “It’s bittersweet. We know that we needed to do it. It wasn’t something that we wanted to do,” he said. “But at the end of the day, it was what was necessary. So it’s an emotional day for the community.” 

    Public Services Director Camden Mills said feedback from community meetings showed club members wanted the new clubhouse to be a shade structure with storage for shuffleboard equipment and restrooms. It’ll be similar to a pavilion type structure.

    Rendering of the new clubhouse

    “The commission is excited to hear what that’s going to look like,” said Maldonado. “We have not voted on it.”

    Mills said the budget for the new shuffleboard clubhouse is $166,000 and the city will be advertising a request for bid. The public services director expects to present it to city commissioners for approval in about 6 months.

    “I’m just happy that the city realizes the significance and the importance of having a shelter,” said Bonnie Gustafson. “It breaks our heart that it’s not keeping the original.”

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    Josh Rojas

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  • Iconic 88-year-old restaurant reopens after 2024’s hurricanes

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    PASS-A-GRILLE, Fla. — An iconic 88-year-old restaurant finally reopened in Pass-A-Grille Beach following the 2024 storms.

    The Seahorse Restaurant opened its doors this month after nearly 1-1/2 years of work.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Seahorse on Pass-A-Grille Beach has reopened 

    • It’s been closed since 2024 after hurricanes Helene and Milton

    • The owners made the restaurant look just like it did before the storms

    • Customers and the owners say they are thrilled that the 88-year-old restaurant has reopened


    The restaurant sits right on the water.

    “It’s been established since 1938 and is an iconic restaurant here in Pass-A-Grille,” said Anayeri Gomez, the owner and general manager of the Seahorse.

    It hasn’t always been easy. The restaurant took on 7 feet of water from Hurricane Helene.

    Not long after, the owner said Milton finished what Helene started.

    “We had about probably up to here on water. Everything was gone,” she said, pointing to a spot on the wall.

    The damage was so extensive that the city of St. Pete Beach condemned the building. But after nearly 1-1/2 years of work, and hundreds of thousands of dollars in renovations, the Seahorse finally reopened on Feb. 6.

    “We were able to recreate everything and put it back together the way we remember it,” Gomez said.

    Many of its customers have been coming to the now-historic building for decades. Regular customers Michael and Sue Valind were pleasantly surprised to see the same tables and décor from years ago.

    “When people come down, we always take them to our favorite places. And since we were dating in 1983, we’ve been coming to the Seahorse, and so this is our first time back since it’s opened,” Sue Valind said.

    The restaurant is already very busy making breakfast, lunch and packing to-go orders. Hungry customers are once again eating the meals they know and love from many of the same employees who worked there before the storms. The owners did have to hire some new people, though.

    Gomez is asking for a little patience as they get settled back in.

    She said it won’t be long before restaurant operations are back to normal.

    “It feels great to see all our community back here, our customers and our friends and family. It’s an amazing feeling,” Gomez said.

    It’s been a long road to recovery, but for the Seahorse, it has finally come to an end.

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    Tyler O’Neill

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  • Pasco County using large federal grant to help hurricane victims

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    PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — Pasco County has received nearly $600 million in federal disaster recovery funding to help residents rebuild after Hurricanes Helene, Milton, and Idalia. 

    The $585 million Community Development Block Grant will support long-term recovery efforts, with a major focus on helping homeowners repair, rebuild, and strengthen their homes against future storms.

    Of the total grant, $200 million will go toward Pasco County’s Better Future Individual Homeowner Program. 

    What You Need To Know

    •  Pasco County hosting an in-take event next Monday for it’s Better Future Individual Homeowner Program from 8:30am-4:30pm at 15029 14th Street Dade city

    • The program is being funded with a Community Federal Block Grant for storm recovery totaling $585 million 

    •  Residents needing help filling out applications can call (727) 228-4936

    • For more information on the program visit https://www.pascocountyfl.gov/government/better_future.php


    The program targets households whose homes were damaged by recent hurricanes and who earn 80% or less of the area median income (AMI). 

    Limited funding is also available for households earning up to 120% of AMI.

    County officials say the funding comes at a critical time, as many families are still living in damaged homes more than a year after the storms — often because they didn’t qualify for FEMA assistance or fell through the cracks of earlier aid programs.

    The application period for the homeowner program is now open, and Pasco County will also host an in-person application intake event next Monday to help residents complete the process.

    Chuck Lane, Director of Disaster Recovery Resources for Pasco County, emphasized the importance of finishing applications despite the complexity.

    “The biggest barrier to a program like this is people don’t finish their applications,” Lane said. “There is a lot of documentation required, and the application has 17 steps. But stay the course. Don’t give up. This program is worth it. We can’t help you if you don’t complete the application.”

    County officials say this is only the first phase of the Better Future rollout. Additional funding initiatives are scheduled in the coming months, including a disaster recovery program for small businesses impacted by storm damage to launch in February and a $100 million housing initiative aimed at building new homes and expanding access to homeownership in Pasco County.

    Officials say these investments are designed to support long-term recovery while strengthening the community against future disasters.

     

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    Jason Lanning

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  • Pinellas County offering financial assistance to people affected by storms

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    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — When most people think about hurricanes and storm recovery, Christmas isn’t the first thing that comes to mind.

    What You Need To Know

    • Christian Piccion was the first Pinellas County recipient of the People First funds for hurricane recovery

    • So far, more than 3,700 have applied, and there is plenty to go around, with more than $813 million available for people who suffered financial hardship or damage to their homes from recent hurricanes

    • All Pinellas County residents can apply except for city of St. Pete residents, because the city launched its own disaster assistance program


    But this year just a couple days before Christmas, a Seminole man got a delivery that was part of an $813 million pot of money from Pinellas County.

    And it’s all because of what his family had to endure during those back-to-back storms last year.

    A knock at the front door isn’t exactly how Christian Piccion told his kids a stranger would deliver a massive Christmas present. In this case it wasn’t Santa — it was Pinellas County Commission Chair Brian Scott.

    “You are the very first recipient of the people’s first recovery program, which is part of the $813 million Pinellas County was awarded after last year’s storms,” Scott said.

    Poccion said the unexpected gift came as a check, paid for by the sacrifices his family made last year.

    “It was very stressful. I’m surprised my wife didn’t go into labor early because of the stress,” he said.

    Four days after Hurricane Helene, Piccion said their family had the ability to move from their previous home to a rental home — only to be hit by Hurricane Milton.

    “We were sitting here. The lights had just gone out, and at 10:30 I went to step down and there was six inches of water in here with us inside,” he said.

    Piccion never thought they would flood in Seminole. But he said the storm drain system in their backyard was inundated with water and caused the flooding.

    All of their belongings were still in boxes, so Piccon, his wife, who was nine months pregnant, and their toddler had to find somewhere to live. That was tough since their close family was also hit by the storms.

    “Living out of suitcases and bags for 30 days, it’s an experience I’ll never forget for sure,” he said.

    They were eventually able to move back into their Seminole home, and this October he was first in line to apply for one of several hurricane recovery programs being offered by the county. This week, he was the first to get a check.

    “Now it’s kind of like a breathing room kind of thing. We can put it back in our savings, and we can have back our emergency fund again,” Poccion said. “I’m hoping we will not have to do this ever again and not have to do this for a very long time.”

    So far, more than 3,700 have applied to what’s called the People First program. And there is plenty to go around, with more than $813 million available for people who suffered financial hardship or damage to their homes from recent hurricanes.

    The grants in the People First program are available to people who lived in Pinellas during hurricanes Idalia, Helene or Milton who still need help rebuilding homes to meet codes, reimbursement for code-compliant repairs and support for lost income or storm related expenses.

    And there are even more ways to qualify. Down payment and mortgage assistance for homebuyers and a program for local landlords to repair units for affordable housing are also available.

    If you want to apply for the programs but don’t want to do it online, help is available in-person Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at these locations:

    • 2600 McCormick Drive, Suite 100, Clearwater
    • 5000 Park Street, Suite 4, St. Petersburg

    All Pinellas County residents can apply except for city of St. Pete residents, because the city launched its own disaster assistance program.

    You can also call 727-606-3307 to speak with a caseworker during the same hours. 

    A majority of the county’s federal grant is committed to the People First programs, but additional help for small businesses and nonprofits, as well as investments in local infrastructure, will be announced at a future date. 

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    Saundra Weathers

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  • Pasco County families receiving help through new Better Future program

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    NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. — Pasco County homeowners, whose homes were damaged during hurricanes Idalia, Helene and Milton, are getting some much-needed help from the county.

    What You Need To Know

    • Pasco County homeowners affected by hurricanes Idalia, Helene, and Milton can apply for the Better Future housing program

    • The program offers help to repair, rebuild or replace homes damaged in last year’s hurricanes
    • Checks are being presented to those families who’ve already applied, made possible through federal funding from the Community Development Block Grant


    It’s through the Better Future housing program, which offers help to repair, rebuild or replace homes damaged by last year’s hurricanes. It’s helping one particular family just before the holidays.

    “This is such a great program, we want to present you guys with a check for reimbursement,” said Jack Mariano, chair of Pasco Board of County Commissioners.

    Outside the West Pasco Government Center, the first Better Future check is presented to the Onishenko family.

    “Life after was a little difficult with some of the damage that we had,” said check recipient Steven Entwistle.

    The Onishenko’s home was damaged during last year’s hurricanes, requiring them to dip into their own pockets to make repairs, until now.

    “Life is expensive, and then, when you have those repairs come in, that’s a monthly payment that just keeps coming in,” said Entwistle. “So now, with this check, it’s 100% covering all that debt, and I don’t need those monthly payments anymore, and I’m much happier.”

    The program is made possible through federal funding from the Community Development Block Grant.

    “This is going to be a very important program for the people that couldn’t get the work done because they didn’t have the funding,” said Mariano. “Now, other families that couldn’t get in, can get in and get the help to do it direct with us.”

    More checks are on the way to other families affected as well.

    “We want to show optimism that all the hard work, all the struggles that have gone through, the help that is here now and the team behind us — my fellow commissioners, Yeager and Oakley here, and Starkey and Weightman as well — we are 100% behind this program,” Mariano said. “Confident this is going to help our people get their lives back together, help them recover and live a much better quality of life coming up.”

    And to have that money just before the holidays means a little more.

    “It helps fund the family again instead of so much going out,” said Entwistle. “So it being right around Christmas was a big miracle, if you ask me.”

    A holiday miracle for this family.

    All homeowners who sustained damage from the three storms in Pasco County can apply for the Better Future program. However, priority goes to low-income households, seniors and people with disabilities, and residents who have been displaced.

    You can learn more information on the Pasco County website.

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    Calvin Lewis

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  • St. Pete invests additional $1M for Shore Acres pump station

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The St. Petersburg city council approved a state grant agreement last Thursday to invest an additional $1 million for a pump station in the Shore Acres Flood Mitigation Project.

    What You Need To Know

    • St. Petersburg was awarded a $1 million matching state grant for a pump station in Shore Acres

    • The pump station is part of a much larger $33M flood mitigation project 

    • Construction is expected to begin in summer 2026

    • State Rep. Lindsay Cross (D) and Sen. Nick DiCeglie (R) secured the state grant 
    • MORE INFORMATION: Shore Acres Flood Mitigation Project


    “I was honored to be able to carry a budget request with Senator Nick DiCeglie for that money,” said State Rep. Lindsay Cross, D-St. Petersburg. “We know it doesn’t fix all of the problems but it helps.”

    The pump station will be located under the roadway at the intersection of Connecticut Avenue NE and Bayshore Boulevard, according to the Director of Engineering and Capital Improvements Brejesh Prayman.

    “The discharge piping will then extend underground easterly towards Tampa Bay,” he said. “The existing outfall will be modified to allow the new piping to convey stormwater to Tampa Bay.”

    Prayman said the station will have six pumps installed allowing for redundancy and will have emergency backup power.

    “On average the pumps which will be installed underground are expected to be approximately 10 feet tall,” he said. “Giving a sense of the stormwater capacity based on the size of the pumps.”

    The discharge piping from the pump station will include a design feature of creating an inverted “U” which will act as a flow control not allowing high tide to flow back into the stormwater pump station and eliminates the need for a backflow preventer, according to Prayman.

    A building for the electrical components will be constructed on the right of way east of Bayshore Boulevard which will be at an elevation above the FEMA floodplain. Pending permit approvals, construction is expected to begin in summer 2026 and will take one year to complete.

    The relief can’t come soon enough for the lowest-lying neighborhood in St. Petersburg. Last year, Hurricane Helene flooded nearly 2,200 homes, which was 82 percent of the neighborhood. Shore Acres Civic Association President Kevin Batdorf said he’s frustrated with the city’s timeline.

    “My honest opinion, the timeline sucks,” he said. “We were told it was going to start September of this year.”

    Despite wanting to see the project happen faster, Batdorf said he’s grateful for a shovel-ready project, which should eliminate sunny-day flooding.

    “I’m excited to see that this is finally going to happen,” he said. “It can’t come soon enough.”

    The pump station is part of a much larger flood mitigation project for Shore Acres, which has been estimated to cost $33 million. The project also includes box culverts, backflow preventers and elevating sections of roadway and intersections.

    Rep. Cross said these types of projects are really easy to champion in Tallahassee.

    “It was a very compelling project for the legislature to fund because we knew it’s shovel. We’re ready to use this money. It’s part of a larger comprehensive plan,” she said. “The city has got skin in the game with significant amount of match.”

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    Josh Rojas

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  • New housing assistance for Pinellas County residents affected by Helene, Milton

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    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Pinellas County homeowners affected Hurricanes Helene and Milton have a new place to turn for help. The Homeless Empowerment Program is offering storm recovery housing assistance.

    What You Need To Know

    • Storm recovery housing assistance being offered by Homeless Empowerment Program (HEP)

    • HEP says qualified applicants will receive financial literacy courses and be assigned an HEP housing navigator

    • To learn if you qualify, contact HEP at HurricaneRelief@HEPempowers.org or call: (727) 442-9041 extension 167


    “It’s $100,000 that goes towards anyone who is trying to recover from storm damage, is displaced because of the storm, maybe needs rental assistance or deposit assistance,” said Tawny Swain Castle, vice president of clinical services with HEP.

    A donor remaining anonymous multiplied that relief amount.

    “They matched another $100,000 on top of that, so we have $200,000,” Swain Castle said. “We were going to serve 25 people, and now we can serve 50 people.”

    United States Air Force veteran Troy Corbin was one of the first recipients.

    “I’m very grateful for that,” said Corbin, whose Largo home was damaged during the storms last year.

    “I had the ceiling collapse, unfortunately, but I fixed that,” said Corbin.

    From roof and fence damage to a screen porch blown in, Corbin has already completed some repairs. But he said there are thousands of dollars left in projects to finish and limited funds to do them.

    “See how bad it is, it won’t open. It’s warped,” Corbin said, showing us the door to his garage that houses a piece of history.

    “This is a US Army 1953 M37 cargo truck from the Korean War,” said Corbin, who is also part of the Florida Military Vehicle Preservation Association.

    Repairs made at his home will help get him one step closer to finishing projects to protect his personal property and preserve a piece of history, all while preparing for future storms.

    “I’m very thankful that this money is coming,” said Corbin.

    Maximum individual distribution amounts are $4,000.

    HEP says qualified applicants will receive financial literacy courses and be assigned an HEP housing navigator, who will follow-up to see how things are going with repairs, offer resources and answer questions.

    “We really want to embrace the community,” said Swain Castle. “We watched the trauma from the storms last year, and it really means a lot for us to be able to help those in the community.”

    To learn if you qualify, contact HEP at HurricaneRelief@HEPempowers.org or call: (727) 442-9041 extension 167.

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    Melissa Eichman

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  • Shore Acres residents skeptical of chances at securing storm recovery dollars

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — When the Sunrise St. Pete application process opens December 15, residents will have the chance to request a share of nearly $160 million to help them recover from Hurricanes Idalia and Helene.

    However, people who live in the Shore Acres neighborhood said they’re doubtful it will provide their community some much-needed relief due to income requirements. Funding for the program comes from the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development.

    A city spokesperson told Spectrum News that HUD specifies that no less than 70% of those funds must go to help low-to-moderate income residents. 

    What You Need To Know

    •  Applications for the Sunrise St. Pete program open December 15

    •  The federally-funded program can provide financial assistance to help residents recover from Hurricanes Idalia and Helene

    •  Money can go toward home rehab, rebuilding, and elevation, as well as repair reimbursements

    • While Shore Acres was hit hard by both storms, people who live in the neighborhood tell Spectrum News they’re skeptical the program will provide them relief due to income requirements


    “They’re income-based. So, they’re not going to qualify for everybody,” said resident Barry Rubin.

    Rubin said Helene marked the first time his home flooded in the nearly 30-years he’s lived in the flood-prone Shore Acres. 

    “Everything is brand new. It’s actually a new house on a very old house shell,” he said of the state of his house today.

    According to Rubin, “everything” includes the walls, floor, paint, fixtures, and electricity – to name just some of the work done to his home.

    Sunrise St. Pete is meant to make at least part of recovery easier for residents. It offers financial assistance to rehab, rebuild, and elevate their homes, as well as reimbursements for repairs.

    A city spokesperson said that per HUD requirements, households that earn up to 80% of the area median income will be given priority. For a family of four, that works out to a yearly income of about $83,000. Some help will also be available for those earning up to 120% AMI, which comes out to about $125,000 for a four-person household.

    Because of that, Shore Acres Civic Association President Kevin Batdorf said he thinks the program will have very little impact in the neighborhood, despite it being hit hard by both storms. Batdorf said the more than 1,200 homes that flooded in Shore Acres during Idalia made up 82% of the total flooded properties in the city during that storm, and residents are still recovering from Helene. Erin Knight said she and her husband were finally able to get back into their home after it was inundated by up to five feet of floodwater.

    “We literally were in a camper. It was a 21-foot camper. It was my husband and me and two dogs from January until about a month ago,” Knight said.

    Knight told Spectrum News she was planning to apply for Sunrise St. Pete but was discouraged by news of the income requirement.

    “We still had to fork out $20,000 on top of around $100,000 out of our own pocket to rebuild this house and then put up flood gates, but yet somehow, we don’t qualify for any of the help,” she said.

    Both Knight and Rubin, along with other neighbors, said they still planned to apply just in case there’s a chance they could see some funding.

    “I’m cautiously, cautiously optimistic, but ‘cautious’ is the main word,” said Rubin.

    While he realizes Sunrise St. Pete is funded by HUD dollars and not city funds, Rubin said he’d like to see the St. Pete work with the federal government to let them know many in hard-hit coastal areas won’t meet income requirements.

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    Sarah Blazonis

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  • St. Petersburg unveils city’s first purpose-built water testing lab

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — St. Petersburg unveiled the city’s first purpose-built water testing laboratory on Tuesday, which protects the environment and aims to ensure drinking water flows during hurricanes.

    What You Need To Know

    • St. Petersburg unveils new water testing lab on Tuesday  

    • The storm-hardened facility cost about $9 million and has 8 labs

    • The lab tests stormwater, beach surface water, drinking water and wastewater

    • Pinellas County, Hillsborough County and Gulfport also utilize the regional asset


    “Clean, healthy water is essential for everything we do,” said John Palenchar, Water Resources Director. “Whether it’s the water we drink, the beaches we enjoy, or the environment that we depend on that supports us.”

    The new facility cost about $9 million and is a nationally accredited environmental laboratory that prioritizes public health. City leaders held a ribbon-cutting on Tuesday and invited the public for a tour.

    Mayor Kenneth Welch said the new facility would stand up to storms much better than the old lab, which was in an administration building. Welch said staff was scrambling in the old lab after Hurricane Milton last year.

    “Our old retrofitted lab lost power,” he said. “Our staff had to run more than 180 drinking water tests in one day so that we could lift the boil water notice.” 

    The new lab is storm-hardened and has modern equipment. The facility has commercial power, backup generator power and a second backup generator.

    “This isn’t just about the hurricanes,” said Copley Gerdes, City Council Chair. “This is about making sure that every day, whether the sun is out or not, that our people have a place to do the work that is needed for our city.”

    There’s a total of 8 different water testing labs inside the facility. Palenchar said the metals lab tests to make sure the city’s industrial customers are properly disposing of their wastewater.

    “We have to ensure that they’re not discharging any of those metals  — those harmful metals  — into our system, because those would pass through our treatment,” he said. “Metals aren’t treated in a domestic wastewater plant.”

    Palenchar said the nutrients lab tests for nitrogen or phosphorous in surface water from Tampa Bay or the Gulf beaches, which can create red tide blooms.

    “The most, I guess, important nutrient that we measure in the Bay is nitrogen,” he said. “That really is an indicator of how much nutrient pollution is going into our Bay, which feeds algae growth and blocks the light from getting to the sea grasses.”

    Special overhead red lights are used in the chlorophyl lab to test water from Tampa Bay for plant matter.

    “If there’s a lot of plant matter like algae, algae is photosynthesizing. So it uses chlorophyl. That’s a good indicator of the cloudiness in the water,” said Palenchar. “It’s what the Tampa Bay Estuary Program uses to measure. It’s a performance measure of the health of Tampa Bay.”

    Palenchar said the microbiology lab is the most popular by the number of analysis run and impacts every single type of water.

    “Stormwater, beach surface water, drinking water, of course, and wastewater,” he said. “So all those different water types have microbiology components that need to be monitored to make sure that those waters are healthy for either human contact or, in the case of drinking water, for drinking.”

    Palenchar said the lab is a regional asset, which Pinellas County, Hillsborough County and Gulfport also utilize.

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    Josh Rojas

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  • Clean Up DEBRIS Act aims to ease storm recovery for private communities

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Hurricane season ended on Nov. 30, but a Florida congressman has introduced a bill that aims to help residents recover from future storms.

    Rep. Greg Steube, along with Louisiana Congressman Troy Carter, introduced the Clean Up Disasters and Emergencies with Better Recovery and Immediate Support Act —  or, the Clean Up DEBRIS Act. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Congressman Greg Steube introduced the Clean Up DEBRIS Act

    • The bill would allow FEMA to issue reimbursements for work done to clear debris in private communities like mobile home parks and condominiums

    • Dawn Bauman, CEO of the Community Associations Institute says right now, FEMA can deny reimbursements to localities that clear private roads

    • Bauman said private roads are often accessible to the public, and if cars and emergency vehicles can’t use them, it can create a public safety issue


    It’s meant to make sure that work to clear debris from private communities, like condominiums, manufactured home parks, and HOA communities, is reimbursed by FEMA.

    According to Steube’s office, FEMA can currently deny reimbursements to cities or counties that remove debris from private roads in those communities. Dawn Bauman, CEO of the Community Associations Institute, which supports the bill, said just because a road is considered private doesn’t mean it’s not an access point.

    Bauman said if residents and emergency vehicles can’t get in and out, that creates a public safety issue. She said CAI heard from communities that Florida localities did try to help in the aftermath of last year’s storms, telling private communities that if they dragged debris to a public right of way, they would remove it.

    “So, clearly, people trying to navigate a bureaucratic system that shouldn’t exist and shouldn’t be a barrier to homeowners, residents, and others trying to recover from a devastating hurricane,” Bauman said. 

    Bauman said that after last year’s hurricanes, some private communities saw either a delay in debris removal or local governments simply refused to remove debris. According to Steube’s office, residents can be left to handle the bill themselves in those cases.

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    Sarah Blazonis

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  • Rod & Reel Pier restaurant opens its temporary location

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    MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — After being closed more than a year, a popular business is finally open again on Anna Maria Island — the Rod & Reel Pier Restaurant.

    Last year, the structure was literally swept away by Hurricane Milton.

    But today, customers and staff are back. The restaurant opened its temporary location as it waits for the pier to be rebuilt.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Rod & Reel Pier restaurant is back for the first time in more than a year

    • Last year, the structure was literally swept away by Hurricane Milton

    • The temporary location for the Rod & Reel Pier Restaurant is in Holmes Beach at 3246 East Bay Dr.

    The Rod & Reel Pier is back for the first time in more than a year.

    Assistant Manager Dawn Stockford welcomed longtime customers back to the restaurant they call their second home.

    “We are ready, guys. We are ready — so happy to see this turnout,” she said.

    It’s the first look inside the new — but temporary — location in Holmes Beach. And it’s like a walk down memory lane for many, passing by pieces on the wall that people recognize from the original location, along with photos reflecting memories from the pier.

    “I love it — very nice,” one customer said as they walked in for the first time.

    It took eight months for this place to get up and running. Now staff members are back, serving customers with the same food from the original menu.

    Stockford has been working for the Rod & Reel Pier for 10 years.

    She calls this a temporary home until the pier is rebuilt, but she still plans to make the best of it.

    “We are going to build new memories here,” she said.

    There is no set date for when construction will begin at the site of the original pier and restaurant, but there are still plans to rebuild.

    “Now I think we need, like, five different permits from different agencies. And we’ve gone through, I’d say, about 80 to 90 percent. I mean, we’re well on our way,” the owner, Olie Lemke, said.

    Lemke says revenue from the now-open restaurant will help the rebuilding efforts.

    “Every dime that’s spent here goes into rebuilding the pier, and every meal counts,” he said.

    And the customers know each meal means they’re one step closer to sitting at their spot on the pier.

    One customer, Flint Heidlebaugh, was there enjoying a meal.

    “Oh, it’s awesome. It feels great. Everybody’s having a good time. And I love the pictures and the memorabilia,” he said.

    For Stockford, happy customers mean a busy restaurant — and a sense of normalcy, even if it’s miles away from the original Rod & Reel Pier.

    The temporary location for the Rod & Reel Pier Restaurant is in Holmes Beach at 3246 East Bay Dr.


    PHOTO GALLERY:

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    Julia Hazel

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  • Applications open for Tampa’s $2 million hurricane recovery program

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    TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa residents seeking assistance with hurricane recovery can now apply for the city’s Homeowner Hurricane Assistance program. 

    Applications opened Monday morning for the new city program that awards up to $30,000 to eligible homeowners hit by Hurricane Helene or Hurricane Milton. Homeowners in the hardest-hit zip codes, including Forest Hills/North Tampa, Palmetto Beach and South of Gandy, will be prioritized. 


    The city of Tampa has $2 million from the city’s general fund they plan to use for this new program. Residents who still need to make home repairs or want to be reimbursed for prior hurricane-related repairs are encouraged to apply. 

    To be eligible, you have to be a homeowner with homestead status living within Tampa’s city limits. Household income cannot exceed 140% of the area’s median income, though the city is willing to accept applications for those who make up to 10% more. That means the cap sits at roughly $128,500 for two-person households and just over $160,000 for a four-person household. 

    Forest Hills resident April Self said many of her neighbors are still trying to repair their homes and are at varying stages of recovery.

    “I know so many people… including us, to keep things moving we had to tap into our 401K and IRA,” Self said. 

    She added that her home flooded with a mix of rainwater and sewer water. She says the city’s storm pumps failed to turn on when the power went out, a separate issue the city is currently working on. 

    In July, the city confirmed they will rent eight backup generators for hurricane seasons to ensure storm pumps will remain running when the grid loses power. 

    Looking at the income restrictions of the new Tampa program, Self says she and some of her neighbors in need won’t qualify for the funding. 

    “When you actually see the numbers you’re deflated again,” she said. “Everything we’ve applied for we’ve been denied… we’ve only been able to get a little help from FEMA and we had to take out a second mortgage that’s higher than our first mortgage.” 

    She’s hoping the city takes a second look at property values in the area and how they compare to income requirements. 

    Those looking to apply for funding or see if they quality can do so through the city of Tampa directly.

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    Angie Angers

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  • Big deadline approaches for Pinellas residents with hurricane-damaged homes

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    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — The deadline to appeal substantial damage designations is quickly approaching for residents who had their homes take on water in last year’s back-to-back hurricanes.

    Initially, Pinellas County told affected residents they had until Oct. 31 to appeal if they received a substantial damage letter stating that their home did not meet the FEMA 50% rule. In the letter, homes that did not meet the cost-to-value ratio threshold required, were given the option to tear down, rebuild, lift their existing home, or move out of the community entirely.

    John Carkeet, Public Information Coordinator for Pinellas County, says the county is no longer enforcing the Oct. 31 deadline and will continue to work through the appeals process with affected residents.

    What You Need To Know

    • 118 residents at Gateway Mobile Home Community still have substantial damage determination

    • Pinellas County says they will still take appeals after initial Oct. 31 deadline

    • Approximately 70% of block or wood frame homes that filed a reassessment were reversed to not substantially damaged

    • Depreciated value of older mobile homes makes appeal harder 


    “October 31 is not a hard deadline,” Carkeet wrote. “Some earlier letters referenced that date, but current and future communications no longer do. The County continues to accept and review appeals, and it will keep working with affected residents and mobile home park communities. We strongly encourage residents to submit appeals and supporting documents as soon as practical.”

    Kerry Rumple has owned her home at the Gateway Mobile Home Park off 4th Street in Pinellas County for the last eight years. She says during the hurricanes, there was puddling on her floors but none of her appliances, furniture, cabinets or electrical system was affected.

    She thought at the time that she was one of the lucky ones.

    “I don’t even have water lines on my walls or my baseboards,” she said. “So there’s no reason that my home would be unsafe.”

    Rumple says a remediation company came after she dried out the floors and they replaced the vapor barrier and damaged pieces. Months after making the floor repairs, she said she received the substantial damage letter starting that her home did not meet the 49% cost-to-value ratio threshold.

    “It’s a 1963, so they say it has no value,” Rumple said. “But my home is not damaged, it’s safe. It’s my home.”

    Rumple has been working through the appeals process and stated her case before a special magistrate. She’s waiting for the final ruling.

    If the county does not honor the appeal, Rumple will need to tear down or leave her home by June of next year.

    In all, Carkeet says approximately 1,000 homes have a determination of substantial damage in unincorporated Pinellas County. About 80% of them are manufactured/mobile homes.  

    “The reassessment process has shown to be an effective step for a homeowner to pursue the reversal of the initial SD determination. Approximately 70% of SF homes (block or wood frame) that filed a reassessment were reversed to not substantially damaged.  Manufactured and mobile homes face greater challenges because their values are typically low, largely due to age-related depreciation,” Carkeet said in a written statement.

    “There were mobile homes that took on water in the living space that were not deemed substantially damaged. The age of the structure is typically the key determining factor. Pinellas County has a large percentage of mobile homes from the 1960’s and 1970’s. The depreciated value for older (50+ years) mobile homes will have a market value where a limited scope of work to repair damages can result in exceeding the 49% threshold.”

    Darna Lopez, who manages Gateway Mobile Home Park, says she feels the county is using understated home values with high-cost repair expenses in their projections. She hopes they will take another look at the homes that received minimal damage.

    “We want to work with the county to see if there are maybe inspections they can do to see that they’re viable, to see how many people we can help through this process so they can live stress-free,” she said.

    Carkeet encourages anyone wishing to appeal their substantial damage designation to begin the process through the county.

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    Angie Angers

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  • Hurricane response lessons learned after historic 2024 storms

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    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — From residents rebuilding their homes themselves to professionals hired to do the job, a lot of lessons learned from last year’s hurricanes are being put into play this year.

    What You Need To Know

    • More than 46,000 Pinellas County homes damaged in 2024 storms, according to officials with the county



    • Last year’s storm season provided lessons for many aspects of recovery



    • Contractors more than doubled the amount of hurricane impact windows installed this year compared to last year



    • One homeowner marks progress with impact window installation 




    More than one year since Hurricanes Helene and Milton, homeowner Linda Zolper continues to rebuild. Thursday was a sign of progress with the delivery of more than 40 impact windows that crews started installing.

    “I’m excited to see them go in,” said Zolper, who added the decision to increase hurricane preparedness was an easy one.

    “I think the storm taught us a lot about how to prepare for the next hurricane and we just wanted to make sure that most of all that the family was safe inside, so the hurricane windows give us a lot more protection from debris flying and the possibility of wind damage,” she said.

    From residents to professionals hired to help rebuild, the historic 2024 hurricane season provided lessons for many aspects of recovery.

    Licensed contractor TomCo Solutions says it has installed more than twice as many impact windows this year compared to last.

    TomCo Vice President Matt Klaus says permits and timelines have been among the biggest challenges this season.

    “The magnitude, the number of homes that need to be rebuilt, so what we found there was a lot of shortage of labor. There was a lot of shortage of materials so on and so forth, so it definitely made us change the expectations that we had to set for our clients to take those things into consideration,” said Klaus. 

    From impact windows to flood barriers, Klaus said homeowners are more inclined to rebuild with additional protective measures, like flood barriers.

    For homes that were flooded, Klaus says they have modified communication with clients.

    “We’ve really had to change the fact that we incorporate technology to get pictures to them so they can see it, have access, setting up cameras onsite so they can see people that are on the job site,” said Klaus.

    This area will be a job site for about another month. Zolper hopes to be back in by December.

    “It’s just been a waiting game, really trying to get everything lined up and all the decisions made,” said Zolper.

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    Melissa Eichman

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  • Hurricane-damaged home demolished in Indian Rocks Beach

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    INDIAN ROCKS BEACH, Fla. — The owners of an Indian Rocks Beach home damaged during Hurricanes Helene and Milton recently made the decision to tear it down and start over.

    What You Need To Know

    • Homeowners Mary Frances and Chris Gorman say it was a bittersweet decision on how to move forward after the storms

    • Before demolition began, the Gormans took one final moment inside the house describing what it was like when Hurricane Helene hit
    • It was decided that tearing down and rebuilding the house was a better option than trying to repair it


    Homeowners Mary Frances and Chris Gorman say it was a bittersweet decision on how to move forward after the storms.

    “It’s hard, it’s definitely hard seeing it getting destroyed,” Chris Gorman said of their home of eight years being torn down. 

    “Honestly, I’m starting to tear up a little bit,” Mary Frances Gorman said.

    “There was a lot of memories in this house,” Chris said. “And it was a great house — and it was where we first brought our firstborn home. And we’ve just experienced a lot of great memories here.”

    Before demolition began, the Gormans took one final moment inside their home, and described what it was like when Hurricane Helene hit.

    “Pulling your 1-year-old out of her crib when the water is that close to getting in, I mean gives you a different perspective certainly,” said Mary Frances.

    It was that perspective that compelled the couple to move forward the way they are.

    “There’s so much damage, from the top to the bottom,” said Chris. “It definitely makes more sense to start anew.”

    “We are currently demolishing this house because it was more economical to raze this house to the ground, or to eliminate it, and build a new house back up at flood-plane level,” said Tommy Whitehead, president and CEO of TOMCO Solutions.

    “Building something that is going to be safety-wise where we know it needs to be,” said Mary Frances. “It’s not a question of if, it’s when the next storm comes, and what it’s going to be. And you want to make sure you do everything possible to withstand it.”

    Whitehead said the process of tearing down and rebuilding a home can be challenging.

    “There’s been quite a few challenges here,” he said. “Navigating FEMA, navigating SBA loans and lending, navigating permitting and then the homeowners have to do a lot of research because this is a major financial impact to them and their family.”

    Even a year later, families like the Gormans are still feeling the impact of the storms in a variety of ways.

    “There’s the pre-storm, and then there’s post-storm, and I want to get beyond and start enjoying and living again, because we just haven’t been,” Mary Frances said. 

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    Melissa Eichman

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  • Roser Food Pantry, still struggling after hurricanes, in need of donations

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    MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — The Roser Church Food Pantry has been struggling to bounce back following last year’s hurricanes.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Roser Church Food Pantry is experiencing one of its hardest years, still trying to bounce back after getting flooded during Hurricane Helene more than a year ago.

    • Over the past year, volunteers say they’ve seen a decrease in donations — but an increase in people needing their services.

    • If you want to donate to the food pantry, you can drop off items at Roser Church in Anna Maria, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The address is 512 Pine Ave.


    The church says it’s the only food pantry on Anna Maria Island.

    Over the past year, volunteers say they’ve seen a decrease in donations — but an increase in people needing their services.

    Wanda Crummey prides herself on keeping everything inside the food pantry at Roser Church organized. It’s a labor that she loves.

    “Helping the neighborhood. Making sure that people have food when they need it,” she said.

    But the pantry is experiencing one of its hardest years, still trying to bounce back after getting flooded during Hurricane Helene more than a year ago.

    “It was devastating. But the reality was you spent an hour saying, ‘This looks like hell.,’” Crummey said. “And then it’s, ‘What are you going to do to fix it?’ I’m from New Orleans, and this is what you do. You pick it up, you move forward.”

    They did fix it up and were able to reopen by the end of October last year — but the problem was the loss of food.

    “It was a huge dumpster full, so it was probably going to be about, I’d say, 100 cases of food,” she said.

    And now, they aren’t seeing enough food donations, leaving shelves bare.

    “One, we’re handing out more. Number two, we don’t have as many tourists on the island right now,” she said.

    They attribute that loss of tourism to hurricane season last year. Since then, volunteers and church staff like Charles Wade have worked hard to rebuild what was lost.

    “We’re just asking for help. I always say this to people — whatever you give from your heart, we do appreciate it,” he said.

    And Crummey’s wish is for people to give if they can, to help others in need.

    “I hope we’re able to get some more food in so that we can serve more people on the island,” she said. “Because I believe that we’re going to have more people in need as the year goes on and the cost of living increases.”

    It’s a hope that Crummey and the rest of the volunteers and church staff are holding on to so they can continue feeding people on the island who need it.

    If you want to donate to the food pantry, you can drop off items at Roser Church in Anna Maria, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The address is 512 Pine Ave.

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    Julia Hazel

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  • Trooper the dog’s new owner upset over dropped charges

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    TAMPA, Fla. – Charges have been dropped against a Hillsborough County man who was accused of leaving a dog tied up as Hurricane Milton approached the area last year, leaving his new owner upset.

    What You Need To Know

    • Charges have been dropped against a Hillsborough County man who was accused of leaving a dog tied up as Hurricane Milton approached
    • Trooper’s new owner, Frank Spina, said he is “disgusted” to learn that the charges have been dropped
    • The charges were dropped due to insufficient evidence
    • “Trooper’s Law” makes it a third-degree felony for anyone to restrain or abandon a dog during a declared disaster or evacuation

    The dog, “Trooper,” was found attached to a fence in rising floodwaters while Hurricane Milton approached last year. A new family later adopted Trooper.

    Trooper dealt with some health issues within the past year but is now doing “fantastic”, Trooper’s owner, Frank Spina, said.

    Giovanny Aldama Garcia of Ruskin was facing charges of aggravated animal cruelty after he admitted to leaving his dog on the side of the road. The charges were dropped after State Attorney Suzy Lopez’s office said that there is not enough evidence to prove that Trooper was intentionally tied to the fence.

    Frank Spina adopted Trooper after the storm. (Spectrum News)

    Spina told Spectrum News he was “disgusted” to hear that the charges had been dropped.

    “To find out a year later that they’re going to withdraw the charges because they lack evidence? There’s clearly something wrong with this picture,” he said.

    A spokesperson said that the FHP trooper who found the dog recently said during the deposition process that he found the dog stuck to the fence by its collar.

    With nothing found at the scene, like a rope or chain, that Trooper would’ve been tied up with, the office could not legally move forward with the case.

    As a result of Trooper being abandoned during the storm, “Trooper’s Law” was made. “Trooper’s Law” makes it a third-degree felony for anyone to restrain or abandon a dog during a declared disaster or evacuation.

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    Sarah Blazonis, Spectrum News Staff

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  • St. Armands Circle Fall Fine Art Festival returns after last year’s storms

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    MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Last year’s hurricanes flooded St. Armands Circle in Sarasota. The road to recovery for the community was lengthy.

    What You Need To Know

    • The St. Armands Circle Fall Fine Art Festival returns this weekend after Helene caused it to be canceled last year

    • Hurricane Helene’s storm surge led to both physical damage and financial concern for many

    • The Fall Fine Art Festival runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, Saturday and Sunday.


    Some key events that help local businesses and vendors had to be canceled — but back this weekend is the St. Armands Circle Fall Fine Art Festival.

    When it comes to painting, Victoria Cooley said it’s all about perspective.

    “I want them to feel calm, happy and peaceful,” she said.

    Those positive feelings are what she wants someone who purchases one of her pieces to experience.

    “You know, I take it seriously that they’re living with my art, and it’s a part of their house,” Cooley said. “So I want people to get a break from things that make them unhappy.”

    Painting is her income, and while her husband does receive Social Security checks, she said she relies heavily on festivals to make money.

    “We usually do 28 shows per year,” she said.

    When last year’s storms forced the cancellation of the St. Armands Fall Fine Art Festival, Cooley was worried. It’s typically one of her biggest shows. Hurricane Helene’s storm surge led to both physical damage and financial concern.

    “It was a little bit of a scare,” she said. “Well, because it’s back open, I’m hoping for a lot of foot traffic. I’m most excited about just being here on St. Armands, and the stores are back open.”

    The entertainment district has now rebounded, but St. Armands Circle Association Executive Director Rachel Burns said the process has been difficult.

    “Last year was devastating for the community,” Burns said. “We had water intrusion into every merchant. It’s something that has never happened in the 100-year history of St. Armands Circle. And it means that not only did merchants lose what they had in stock, they had to rebuild, replace, and we had to wait then for people to want to come back to the area.”

    This weekend’s festival provides an opportunity to bring more people back to St. Armands Circle.

    “I’ve got the vintage VW bus, and so far, the people that have seen it are just loving it because it’s reminiscent of a time that they remember — when things were a little happier and mellower,” she said.

    Cooley is on a mission to share her art, hoping to give people a different perspective and leave them with a smile.

    The Fall Fine Art Festival runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, Saturday and Sunday.

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    Julia Hazel

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  • Pinellas unveils hurricane recovery programs for vulnerable residents

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    CLEARWATER, Fla. — Pinellas County will launch its People First programs next week which will prioritize vulnerable residents with lower incomes who have been struggling to recover from last year’s hurricanes.

    “if you qualify we want to get money in your hands,” said Brian Scott, Pinellas County Commission Chair. “This is going to be a huge economic lift for this county.”

    The programs have been funded by the largest federal storm recovery grant awarded to any local government in Florida in the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, according to Pinellas County. A total of $813 million in Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The HUD grant also applies to damage from Hurricane Idalia in 2023.

    “I really think the program for mobile homes, I think that’s really going to be impactful,” said Scott. “So if you live in a mobile home community and you are affected highly, highly encourage you to apply.”

    The first two programs residents will see benefits from are Disaster Relief Reimbursement and Homeowner Reimbursement. Residents earning 80 percent of the area medium income can get up to $15,000 in storm related expenses in the Disaster Relief Reimbursement program.

    “If they were paying a mortgage and also rent at the same time, if they had utility expenses, things that were not covered by any other form, FEMA, insurance, anything,” said Matthew Spoor, Pinellas County Assistant Administrator. “We know a lot of low to moderate income individuals, especially in our barrier island communities, lost their jobs, didn’t have jobs for a while. So those things would be covered up to $15,000.”

    Residents earning 120 percent of the AMI can get up to $50,000 for code-compliant repairs already completed in the Homeowner Reimbursement Program.

    The next two programs to come online are Homeowner Rehabilitation/Reconstruction and Local Landlord program. Owners who qualify can get up to $375,000 to completely replace their home or rental property. Landlords must agree to rent income-qualified tenants.

    “For repairs or rehabilitation that have not occurred on the property,” said Spoor. “That could include up to replacing the home.”

    The last program will be Homebuyer Assistance, which will provide up to $80,000 for closing costs to purchase a safer home outside flood zones for income eligible residents. The HUD grant calls for 70 percent of the money to be spent on residents with low to moderate incomes. One person earning $58,450 per year qualifies as 80 percent AMI, while another person earning $87,600 qualifies as 120 percent AMI.

    “Once we can prove that we’ve satisfied an unmet need in those particular income brackets,” said Scott. ”Then we can apply for waivers because that may not fit everybody.”

    Scott said Pinellas County stood up the program quickly and he hopes they can cut checks to residents by Christmas.

    “We did this in lightning speed as well. I’ve really got to take hats off to staff and my fellow commissioners,” he said. “If you look down south of us, in Lee County, it took them almost two years to get money in the people’s hands. And we’re doing this in just over a year.”

    The People First program is not available to St. Petersburg residents because the city will soon launch its own program called Sunrise St. Pete. All other residents in Pinellas County can begin applying on Oct. 20 at recover.pinellas.gov or by calling 727-606-3307.

    Residents can meet with case managers at 2600 McCormick Dr., suite 100 in Clearwater or 5000 Park St., suite 4 in St. Petersburg. Case managers will also be visiting community centers and other locations countywide at pop-up sites in the coming months to help residents apply for the programs.

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    Josh Rojas

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