ReportWire

Tag: Jason Lanning

  • Gasparilla Bowl will cap off record-breaking tourism year for Tampa

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    TAMPA, Fla. — The Florida Gators will take on Tulane at 3:30 p.m. Friday at Raymond James Stadium in the 2024 Gasparilla Bowl.

    The Gasparilla Bowl and the ReliaQuest Bowl next week will cap off major tourism events in the Tampa area that have driven record-breaking numbers for the third straight year.

    What You Need To Know

    • 2024 Gasparilla Bowl: Florida vs. Tulane, 3:30 p.m., Friday, Raymond James Stadium 

    • Game will attract teams, fans and football fans. According to Visit Tampa Bay, by the end of the year, estimates show Tampa area hotels will have generated more than $1 billion in taxable revenue

    • MORE INFORMATION: Gasparilla Bowl.com

    According to Visit Tampa Bay, by the end of the year, estimates show Tampa area hotels will have generated more than $1 billion in taxable revenue, up by more than $100 million compared to last year.

    Visit Tampa Bay’s Santiago Corrada said the added revenue is great news for local governments, first responders and schools.

    “Something that we rarely talk about is the property taxes that some of these hotel assets pay to the county and the city that come back as benefit to us in quality of life,” said Corrada. “Whether it’s parks and rec, roads, transportation, law enforcement, fire, those hotel properties pay, annually, in excess of $38 million in property taxes that really comes right back to us.”

    Visit Tampa Bay says 2025 doesn’t show any signs of a tourism slow down.

    VTB will continue to market the area for big events and conventions, which it says helps attract repeat visitors.

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    Jason Lanning

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  • Homeowners seeking public adjusters to help level hurricane damage estimates

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    TAMPA, Fla. — Some homeowners filing claims with their FEMA National Flood Insurance Policies (NFIP) are finding out they may not get enough financial assistance to cover all their damage. 

    Andrew Knox with Altieri Insurance Consultants said NFIP Insurance adjusters determine how much the agency will pay for damage based on computer software that sometimes won’t calculate repair costs to industry standards.  

    What You Need To Know

    • Some homeowners filing claims with their FEMA National Flood Insurance Policies (NFIP) are finding out they may not get enough financial assistance to cover all their damage

    • Insurance adjusters determine how much the agency will pay for damage based on computer software

    • Low damage estimates from NFIP adjusters could leave some homeowners stuck in the middle
    • National Flood Insurance Program
    • FEMA

    That estimate determines the insurance payout for damage, and could leave homeowners short-changed should contractors say the damage will cost more to repair.

    “There are times that money is enough to do the job, but there are a lot of times, as people are finding out, that it isn’t enough money to do the job,” said Knox.

    Low damage estimates from NFIP adjusters could leave some homeowners stuck in the middle, either covering the remaining cost of repairs on their own or fighting it out with the insurance company to cover the difference.

    Knox says some homeowners are now hiring their own public adjusters, bringing them in as an independent third-party to determine damage estimates and to work with FEMA, contractors and insurance companies to make sure repairs that are funded can move forward.

    “As a policyholder, the burden of proof is on you the insured to prove your loss to the insurance company,” Knox said. “So you have to prove to them why your loss is underpaid. And if there are items missed, it is your job to show them what was missed. If there are costs that are below the market cost, it is your job to do that.”

    Knox says public adjusters are very busy right now across Florida and some have wait lists.

    But hiring an adjuster and patience could help save homeowners thousands of dollars.

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    Jason Lanning

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  • Residents hopeful pumps will alleviate Lake Bonny neighborhood flooding

    Residents hopeful pumps will alleviate Lake Bonny neighborhood flooding

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    POLK COUNTY, Fla. — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is sending industrial pumps to Lakeland to help clear floodwaters that remain in the Lake Bonny area of Lakeland.

    The first of the pumps is expected to arrive Wednesday.


    This comes after a heated meeting Monday between residents and city leaders.

    According to a public notice from Communications Director Kevin Cook, Lakeland obtained a permit from the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) to construct and operate an emergency pump to increase water flow from Lake Bonny to Lake Parker. While city commissioners assure the pump is working, they acknowledge it’s not operating as effectively as needed.

    “There are two parts: where it’s being pumped to can only handle so much, and that’s going to keep the water from flowing back,” Commissioner Mike Musick said. “And the other thing is just debris from the storm. We had a hurricane blowing all over the place, so being out there all the time — just like a pool — you’ve got to screen it, then re-screen it, and then re-screen it.”

    However, Lakeland Mayor Bill Mutz said the flooding has reached beyond what the pump can address.

    “To be as drastic as necessary, we have to do something that requires much more pumping in that area,” he said.

    The floodwaters still remain, two weeks after Hurricane Milton moved through the region.

    But homeowners in the area said the flooding problems started in August, adding that water crept closer to their homes during Hurricanes Debby and Helene. Then Milton hit, dropping more than 10 inches on Lakeland.

    Homeowners said city officials failed to act.

    “What has to happen?” asked resident Diana Hoagland. “Who has to get hurt? Who has to be sick? There is sewage in that water. There is sewage in people’s homes. The water continued to rise for six days.”

    Mutz said there are a lot of decisions that need to be made and that the city shares the concerns of the residents.

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is delivering the pumps and 6,000 feet of piping from Hendry County at some point on Wednesday.

    Once it’s all in place, they’ll man the system 24 hours a day to make sure it’s working safely.

    Officials said it will remain in place until the job is done.

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  • Clearwater Marine Aquarium reopens after damage from Hurricane Helene

    Clearwater Marine Aquarium reopens after damage from Hurricane Helene

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    CLEARWATER, Fla. — The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is finally reopening Monday, Oct. 21, after sustaining damage during Hurricane Helene.

    What You Need To Know

    • Clearwater Marine Aquarium reopen Oct. 21 after sustaining damage during Hurricane Helene

    • CMA lost power for several days and flooded with four feet of storm surge

    • Zoo Tampa and Florida Aquarium assisted with animal relocation before, during and after the storm

    • CMA credits community partners and donors with its reopening, but says they need more monetary help to continue repairs and equipment replacement 


    Four feet of storm surge flooded the aquarium, damaging essential equipment for its animal rehab programs, as well as damaging lower level public areas of the aquarium.

    Florida Aquarium and Zoo Tampa assisted with animal relocation during the shutdown.

    CMA Vice President of Zoological Care Kelly Martin said community partners and donors helped with monetary donations to get the aquarium reopened, but they need more financial help to continue repairs and equipment replacement.

    “There’s so many ways you can contribute,” Martin said. “Help support our mission of rescue, rehab and release. Help us recover back to bigger, badder, stronger than we were before. You can contribute online at cmaquarium.org. You can go ahead and call us at 727-441-1790 and let us know how you can help.”

    CMA said it used a ride-out team during Hurricane Helene that helped monitor conditions and shore up and emergency issues during the storm.

    The ride out team is being credited with how quickly CMA reopened after losing power and essential equipment for several days.

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    Jason Lanning

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  • A tenant’s rights after hurricane damage

    A tenant’s rights after hurricane damage

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    TAMPA, Fla. — As homeowners clean up and fix damage after Hurricane Milton, renters are stuck in a more precarious position as they await landlord repairs to their properties.

    Florida law offers tenants rights in the event of substantial damage from a storm, up to and including termination of their lease.

    What You Need To Know

    • Post storm, renters are stuck in a more precarious position as they await landlord repairs to their properties

    • Florida law offers tenants rights in the event of substantial damage from a storm

    • Legal fights between tenants and landlords can take months and significant financial resources

    However, attorneys say communication between tenants and landlords is key to avoid a more costly and time-consuming fight in court.

    Attorney Charles Gallagher III with Gallagher & Associates Law Firm says his office has already received calls from tenants concerning storm damage repair.

    He is advising tenants to closely review their lease, and any requirements they and their landlord have as part of the agreement.

    And if reasonable and timely repairs can’t be made, he says tenants have a rip cord they can pull, if they feel they are in an unsafe or uninhabitable unit.

    “They can give the landlord a written notice and that landlord has seven days to cure the defect in that property,” said Gallagher. “If they don’t cure that defect in seven days, the tenant has the right to terminate the lease without any kind of penalty.”

    The document is called a notice of material non-compliance, however Gallagher says if the tenant has a security deposit and/or last month’s rent tied up, they may have to fight to get that back.

    Gallagher says legal fights between tenants and landlords can take months and significant financial resources.

    He says if you are able, work with your landlord to find common ground and reasonable agreements that suit both parties.

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  • TECO officials targeting remaining outages in the Tampa Bay area

    TECO officials targeting remaining outages in the Tampa Bay area

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    HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — Almost half of the outages in the Tampa Bay area on Monday morning are Tampa Electric customers.

    Tampa Electric is reporting more outages than any other provider in Florida. Most of those are in Hillsborough County.

    What You Need To Know

    • Tampa Electric is reporting more outages than any other provider in Florida. Most of those are in Hillsborough County

    • TECO is using social media and YouTube to get messages to customers

    • Track power outages across the Bay area

    While the majority of roads have reopened since last week, Morris Bridge Road between I-75 and Cross Creek Boulevard remains closed.

    The Hillsborough River has topped its banks, creating additional flooding issues.

    And while the wait for floodwaters to keep draining continues, the wait for power restorations to be completed is still happening across Hillsborough County.

    Over the weekend, TECO restored more than 100,000 customers, but there are still just shy of 200,000 without power.

    TECO is using social media and YouTube to get messages to customers.

    TECO President and CEO Archie Collins addressed what some are complaining is a slow response to power restorations in the Tampa area compared to other counties.

    “Hillsborough County was closer to landfall and therefore closer to the eye and sustained more damage,” Collins said. “And taking longer to do those repairs, but the second reason is Tampa is a very congested area and it just takes, it’s slower for our workers to move about because of busy city streets.”

    Meanwhile, TECO is still expecting to have all customer power restored by Thursday of this week.

    Also, Hillsborough County schools is still making decisions about classes.

    One of those reasons is because of these power outages.

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    Jason Lanning

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  • Veteran’s retreat in Ruskin prepares for third hurricane hit

    Veteran’s retreat in Ruskin prepares for third hurricane hit

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    TAMPA, Fla. — A free and reduced-price vacation retreat for veterans in Ruskin is preparing for its third hurricane strike in the past year.  

    My Warrior’s Place suffered surge damage last August during Idalia that damaged as many as four cottages and mobile homes on the property, the laundry facility and the retreat’s fitness center.


    After thousands of dollars in repairs, renovations and volunteer man hours, My Warrior’s Place was expecting to be fully operational by Oct. 15, but Helene pushed even higher surge amounts into the retreat, taking owner Kelly Kowall back to square one. 

    “We don’t know,” Kowall said. “We don’t know. You know, where is the storm going to hit, we don’t know. You know we don’t even know how devastated the area is going to be, so it’s not just us.”

    My Warrior’s Place relies almost exclusively on local donations to operate, and because Milton threatens a devastating blow to the Tampa Bay area, Kowall is worried that local donations will dry up, and those that volunteered to help rebuild after Idalia won’t have time after Milton.

    My Warrior’s Place has scheduled a fundraiser for Oct. 19 at the Elks Lodge in Ruskin, but that is not contingent on damage from Milton.

    Kowall is steadfast in rebuilding again, regardless of what Helene left behind, and what Milton may deliver.

    “All I know is this place has made an impactful difference on so many lives, that it is worth getting back up off the floor when you’ve been knocked out, to rebuild,” Kowall said.

    View more information on My Warrior’s Place.

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  • Pasco County government opening offices for storm recovery

    Pasco County government opening offices for storm recovery

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    NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. — It has been a busy week in Pasco County.

    On Monday, evacuation orders were lifted for flood zones.

    On Tuesday, the county opened new comfort stations in impacted areas.


    And on Wednesday, construction and permitting experts will canvass neighborhoods. They will be doing inspections and provide guidance on repairs and the next steps forward for home and business owners.

    The days after a hurricane can be just as dangerous as the storm.

    A fire sparked after a homeowner restored power to their home, only to watch it then catch on fire.

    Homes flooded by surge can be a powder keg of hidden dangers, from electric outlets, appliances and breaker boxes with water damage, not to mention contamination from flooding.

    The county will work starting Wednesday to make sure the cleanup process is not rushed. Officials also said they want home and business owners to have all the information they need to get their homes and businesses rebuilt. 

    Pasco County residents that need help can visit two locations on Wednesday: the Gulf Harbors Civic Association (4610 Floramar Ter., New Port Richey) and the Sea Ranch Civic Association (13711 Veronica Dr., Hudson).

    You can also call (727) 847-2411.

    Pasco County officials said they are partnering with power companies to make sure homeowners are doing things safely while making repairs.

    If you don’t know if your home or business is safe, don’t turn the power back on until a trained professional can make it for an inspection.

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  • Duke, TECO workers prepped and ready for outages

    Duke, TECO workers prepped and ready for outages

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Duke Energy crews are staged near Tropicana Field and ready to respond to power outages due to Helene.

    The crews at Tropicana Field are just a few of several at staging areas across the region.


    The hundreds of linemen are on the ground in strategic locations to begin power restorations hopefully as early as tomorrow.

    Duke Energy will use a digital control center to track power outages, update customers by text message as well as direct line crews.

    Power companies will prioritize areas based on the number of customers with no power and how many customers a fix will restore.

    Duke Energy is also reminding customers of two important things: Stay away from flood water and downed power lines.

    Also, if you have a generator, make sure you set it up in a well-ventilated area. 

    TECO officials said crews, as well as other visiting crews from as many as 20 states, also are preparing to fan out into the area to fix power outages after the storm moves through the region.  

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  • Hillsborough County making preparations ahead of Helene

    Hillsborough County making preparations ahead of Helene

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    TAMPA, Fla. — Hillsborough County facilities and offices will close at the end of business Wednesday and remain closed tomorrow due to Helene.

    As government offices prepare to close, county field crews are working to clear the way for flood water to quickly drain into Tampa Bay.


    “What we’re doing is making sure that the pipes, and the ditches are open to be able to convey water to move water off of the roads and out of these neighborhoods and into the natural creeks and streams that it goes through on its way out to the bay,” said Josh Bellotti with Hillsborough County Public Works.

    So far, no evacuation orders are in effect for Hillsborough County residents, however those that live in low-lying areas should be prepared to evacuate should orders happen sometime Wednesday.

    MORE FROM HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY

    All Hillsborough County offices and facilities will close Thursday, Sept. 26, for regular operations to allow staff to focus on the emergency response to Tropical Storm Helene.

    The closure includes all County libraries, parks, preserves, and recreation centers. All County public meetings have also been postponed. The Water Resources Career Fair scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 28, has been postponed and will be rescheduled at a later date.

    All conservation parks and nature preserves will close at 3 p.m. Wednesday. This does not include E.G. Simmons Park or Edward Medard Park, both of which are already closed to the public due to sandbag operations that will continue Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

    All recreation centers will be closed Wednesday. Neighborhood parks, athletic complexes, and the New Tampa Performing Arts Center will remain open.

    In Temple Terrace, all city offices and programs will be closed from 6 pm on Wednesday until Friday. Sanitation, residential solid waste, and recycling pickup will not be collected on Thursday. Full service should resume regularly on Friday.

    The City’s Emergency Operations Center will open if needed. The Police and Fire communications will remain operational throughout the storm, but responses to calls for service will be prioritized based on urgency and availability of emergency personnel. Residents are urged to stay inside if possible until the storm passes. If storm conditions exceed safe response protocols, first responders may only be able to respond once conditions subside.

    PINELLAS COUNTY

    The City of Gulfport is taking proactive measures to ensure the safety of its residents and visitors as a significant storm approaches the City. In light of the impending severe weather, the City has decided to close all non-essential programs and cancel scheduled events effective 4:00PM Wednesday, September 25, 2024. 

    The following programs and activities will be suspended:

    • Recreation: All recreational Wednesday and Thursday classes including the Casino, Rec. Center, and Senior Center programs will be closed as of 4:00PM Wednesday, September 25, 2024. 

    • Cultural and Community Events: Planned events, including any weekly dances, performances, or group meetings, are postponed until the weather system has passed. 

    • The Gulfport Public Library and Municipal Marina will close at 5:00PM Wednesday and will remain closed on Thursday. 

    • Due to the Thursday closure of the Pinellas County Solid waste facility, the City of Gulfport Public Works regular sanitation and recycling pick up for Thursday will be picked up on Friday. The City of Gulfport Public Works regular sanitation and recycling route on Friday will be picked up on Saturday.

    • City Hall Operations: While essential city services will remain operational, City Hall will be closed to the public on Thursday, September 26. Residents are encouraged to conduct business online or by phone where possible.

    All City of Largo facilities will close to the public on Wednesday, Sep 25 at 12 noon and will remain closed on Thursday, Sep 26.

    Solid Waste and recycling changes: Thursday pickup will move to Friday, and Friday to Saturday. Do not leave bins at the curb on Thursday as they could
    become hazards. Sign up for solid waste alerts by texting LARGORECYCLES to (727)425-4004.

    Code Enforcement Board Meeting scheduled for Thursday, Sep 26 has been canceled. City facilities plan to reopen on Friday, Sep 27, or when conditions allow.


    ABOVE: St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch discusses preparations for Helene

    The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) plans to suspend all transit service on Thursday, September 26 until further notice.

    The suspension includes all PSTA routes, including PSTA Access, the Jolley Trolley and Looper services.

    Riders can also find the latest information on PSTA bus service by calling the InfoLine at 727-540-1900 or by visiting Facebook and X feeds at Ride PSTA. 

    POLK COUNTY

    Due to potential effects of Tropical Storm Helene, Citrus Connection will suspend all transit service Thursday, Sept. 26. 

    The scheduled service closure includes all fixed route service, including SQUEEZE service in Lakeland, Lake Wales and Bartow. Depending on the storm’s path and speed, other dates could be added. Citrus Connection staff is working with Polk County Emergency Management in tracking the storm. 

    For more information, please contact our Regional Mobility Call Center at (863) 534-5500. 

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  • State University board to discuss the extension of LINE funding at USF

    State University board to discuss the extension of LINE funding at USF

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    TAMPA, Fla. — The Florida Board of Governors for the State University System will meet at the University of South Florida on Wednesday.

    What You Need To Know

    • LINE Funding was introduced in 2022 to help Florida combat a projected nursing shortage

    • The Florida Board of Governors will meet at USF on Wednesday afternoon to consider LINE funding for a third year

    • USF officials says it primarly uses LINE funding to provide scholarships to nursing studetnts that wouldn’t qualify for a scholarship otherwise

    • USF prioritizes students receiving LINE funding for clinicals at the same hospitals that donate to the university, with the state matching the funding dollar for dollar


    Among the agenda items, the board plans to discuss the extension of LINE (Linking Industry to Nursing Education) funding for a third year.

    The Florida legislature first approved LINE funding in 2022, and provides a dollar for dollar match of funds donated to state universities from partner hospitals.

    Over the past two years, the USF College of Nursing has primarily used LINE funding to provide scholarships to students who do not qualify for other forms of financial aid or assistance. 

    USF College of Nursing Dean Usha Menon notes that LINE funding has allowed more students to gain their nursing degrees, while alleviating the statewide nursing shortage.

    “Their passage through nursing school becomes very difficult because they are trying to work,” said Menon. “Nursing school is challenging, and we really want our students to be focused — really focused on their clinical and their didactic so they can get through and pass the exam. The critical things is that if these students aren’t passing the NCLEX exam, then we haven’t helped with the nursing shortage.”

    USF prioritizes students who receive scholarships funded by LINE for clinical placements at the hospitals that donate.

    That provides an incentive to hospitals donating, as well as an opportunity for students to stay at the hospital where they perform their clinical after they graduate.

    The state reviews line funding proposals annually and approves funds based on set criteria that colleges are required to follow in order to receive the dollar for dollar match.

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  • Classes to resume Monday at Newsome High School with increased security

    Classes to resume Monday at Newsome High School with increased security

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    HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — Classes at Newsome High School in Lithia will resume Monday morning after the school was placed on a lockdown last Friday for a majority of the day.

    What You Need To Know

    • Students will go through metal detectors
    • Their backpacks searched upon arrival

    Hillsborough County School District officials say as many as eight threats were made at Newsome High School, including a threat by someone to shoot a teacher and a bomb threat.

    Students are being asked to arrive at campus at 7:45 a.m., Monday, where they will have their backpacks searched and walk through metal detectors as part of increased security.

    Principal Katie Rocha said in a message to parents, “All students will go through metal detectors and will have their backpacks searched upon arrival. The process may take some time, and we ask for patience as we ensure the safety of our campus.”

    There have been more than 100 threats to schools in Florida since Sept. 4, the day of a deadly shooting at a Georgia high school.

    The Hillsborough County Sherif’s Office stated a majority of threats are being made through the Fortify Florida app, which may have recently been hacked.

    Sheriff Chad Chronister explained his frustration Friday, as the lockdown at Newsome was underway.

    “The reason I have such a zero tolerance on school threats is look at the turmoil. Look at the hell these parents are going through,” he said.

    Students at Newsome High School were locked in classrooms for a majority of the school day Friday, beginning at around 10 in the morning until school dismissed for the day.

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  • Music fest in Bradenton to raise money for suicide awareness and prevention

    Music fest in Bradenton to raise money for suicide awareness and prevention

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    BRADENTON, Fla. — An all-day music fest on Saturday in Bradenton will feature top national artists, and help raise money for suicide awareness and prevention.

    What You Need To Know

    • Speak Your Truth Music Fest will take place Saturday at Bradenton Motor Works Brewery

    • Beth Vandal says she came up with the idea of a music fest to raise money and awareness after losing someone to suicide

    • For more information on the concert, or to purchase tickets, visit https://speakyourtruthfestival.com

    Speak Your Truth Music Fest will get underway at 11:30 a.m., Saturday at Bradenton Motor Works Brewery.

    The event is the brainchild of Beth Vandal, lead singer of A New Violet, a punk rock indie band from Orlando.

    Vandal says she came up with the idea of a music fest to raise money and awareness after losing someone to suicide.

    “I’ve lost people to suicide. Unfortunately, it’s one of the things that you kind of don’t know where to turn, you’ve never been in a situation like that.  It was years ago but it can still affect you years later,” Vandal said.

    The Southwest Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention will be co-sponsor for the Music Fest.

    AFSP board co-chair Cheyenne Williams says she first participated in a suicide awareness walk in 2019 and has been involved in community events to raise awareness ever since.

    “It really changed my view on how people handle the situation, and just knowing that there is a community people like you that is there to support you, just the community in general is just amazing,” Williams said.

    Top national artists Of Montreal and He is Legend will headline the event, with more than a dozen other artists and groups performing.

    For more information on the concert, or to purchase tickets, visit https://speakyourtruthfestival.com.

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  • Winter Haven High School JROTC to lead 9/11 Freedom Walk

    Winter Haven High School JROTC to lead 9/11 Freedom Walk

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    POLK COUNTY, Fla. —  Winter Haven High School’s JROTC Color Guard is preparing to lead Winter Haven’s 16th annual 9/11 Freedom Walk Wednesday night for the city’s Honoring Our Heroes — Remembering the Day event.

    The Freedom Walk honors the lives lost during the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania.

    What You Need To Know

    • Winter Haven High School’s JROTC Color Guard to lead city’s annual 9/11 Freedom Walk

    • Students leading the Freedom Walk hadn’t been born yet and have only learned about 9/11 through history lessons

    • Freedom Walk starts in downtown Winter Haven at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday

    The students leading the remembrance event have only learned about 9/11 through history lessons.

    For Junior Kyela Cummings, the day still resonates.

    “I think it’s a big opportunity for my school and my color guard to be leading this 9/11 event,” Cummings said. “It just shows the youth still cares about what happened 23 years ago.”

    Winter Haven High Schools JROTC program now has 175 cadets, the largest the program has been since LTC Senior Army Instructor Kevin Reeves took over in 2019.

    “It gives them the opportunity to not only see but also do in the community and to help them remember what happened and to make sure we keep our heads on a swivel to always be alert when it comes to situation, when it comes to protecting the United States of America,” said Reeves.

    The Freedom Walk starts in Downtown Winter Haven at 5:30 p.m. at South Central Park, located at 450 W. Central Avenue. Also, an Honor Our Hero’s Event is scheduled for 6 p.m. in Winter Haven’s South Central Park. 

    More Bay area 9/11 remembrances

    Tampa Police and Fire 9/11 Memorial Ceremony
    9 a.m.
    Tampa Firefighters Museum, 720 E. Zack St., Tampa


    Patriot Day
    10:30 a.m.
    Veterans Memorial Park & Rear Admiral LeRoy Collins, Jr. Museum, 3602 U.S. Highway 301 N., Tampa

    USF 9/11 Memorial Ceremony
    8:30 a.m.
    USF Sarasota-Manatee Campus Courtyard, 8350 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota

    Tampa Bay Rowdies 9/11 Stair Climb
    8 a.m.
    Al Lang Stadium, 230 1st St SE, St. Petersburg

    9/11 Memorial Stair Climb
    6 a.m.
    Bank of America Financial Center, 101 E. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa

     

    Palm Harbor 9/11 Ceremony
    10 a.m.
    The Curlew Hills Memory Gardens, 1750 Curlew Road, Palm Harbor

    New Port Richey 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony
    7 p.m.
    Sims Park, Grand Boulevard and Bank Street, New Port Richey

    Winter Haven 9/11 Remembrance Day
    5:30 p.m.
    South Central Park, 450 W. Central Avenue, Winter Haven

    9/11 Day of Remembrance Ceremony
    12:45 p.m.
    250 Municipal Drive, Madeira Beach

    9/11 Heroes Run
    8:46 a.m.
    Park Square Plaza, 16132 Churchview Drive, Lithia

    Phoenix Awards and 9/11 Ceremony
    9 a.m.
    RISE Monument on the ArtsXchange Campus, 515 22nd Street South, St. Petersburg

    9/11 Remembrance
    10:30 a.m.
    Sims Park, Grand Blvd & Bank Street, New Port Richey


    9/11 Memorial Community Event
    8 a.m.
    22843 Hale Road, Land O ‘Lakes

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  • Pasco County Health Department to open new dental clinic

    Pasco County Health Department to open new dental clinic

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    HUDSON, Fla. — A new kind of clinic is set to open next week inside the Pasco County Health Departments facility in Hudson.

    The health department, in cooperation with Premier Community HealthCare, is opening a dental clinic for kids 18 and under.

    The dental clinic will offer a sliding fee scale that is income based, and will allow children seen in the health department’s WIC (Women’s Infant and Children) clinic immediate access to dental exams and care.

    What You Need To Know

    • Pasco County Health Department opening dental clinic 

    • The dental clinic will offer a sliding fee scale that is income based, and will allow children seen in the health department’s WIC clinic immediate access to dental exams and care

    • The new Premier Dental Clinic will open Monday, Aug. 26

    Trang Chitakone is Administrator of Pasco’s Health Department and said catching dental issues in children early can help prevent bigger issues as the kids age.

    “That’s where it works perfectly for our WIC Clinic because we see kids from newborns to 5 years old, and so that’s the prime time to be able to say hey your kids getting the first tooth, lets go see the dentist and make sure we are getting that preventative care right away,” Chitakone said.

    The new dental clinic is good news for health department employee Katie Hypner. 

    She has four kids that are patients at Premier Health.

    With the dental clinic close to their schools, and inside the same building she works in, it will cut down drive-time to get to the dentist and provide more efficient care.

    “We did have dental at one point at their Little Road location, so that’s where I was given the opportunity to take my children there,” Hypner said. And then we closed that down and I went to the Massachusetts clinic that they have for Premier.”

    Premier Community Healthcare CEO Joey Resnick says access and efficiency in care ensures parents stay on top of the dental needs of their kids, and with a sliding fee income based payments, dental care is more affordable for families that need it most.

    “We have found that in our organization, when you get convenience, it’s one stop shop,” Resnick said.   “So the more services that we can provide at one time, the better off for the patients.”

    The new Premier Dental Clinic will open Monday, Aug. 26 and will provide service to patients on Tuesdays and Thursdays. 

    Eventually, Resnick says he hopes to have the clinic open five days a week.

    For more information, visit https://pasco.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/clinical-and-nutrition-services/dental/index.html

     

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  • Florida Primary races to watch in Tampa Bay

    Florida Primary races to watch in Tampa Bay

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    TAMPA, Fla. — Tuesday is Primary Day in Florida, and we are following a number of races locally and statewide.

    Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Craig Latimer says the early and mail-in vote so far is on pace with the 2020 primary. But he says unlike four years ago, Tuesday could decide several non-party races that will appear on both Republican and Democratic registered voter ballots.

    “This primary election, we are going to chose a public defender, we are going to chose at least two judges and we have the possibility of choosing four school board members at this primary election.,” said Latimer. “So if you think, ‘I’ll just wait around to the general and vote on these, you are going to miss.’”

    Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m..

    Spectrum News will have team coverage of the vote count as it happens.

    Below are a number of races to watch:

    Florida Senate Democratic Primary

    Who will face Sen. Rick Scott in November? Debbie Mucarsel-Powell is running against former attorney Brian Rush, Navy veteran tanley Campbell and Rod Joseph, an Army veteran.

    Mucarsel-Powell appears to have the most support, even speaking during a recent Joe Biden visit to Tampa before he dropped out of the race.

    Scott also faces two opponents Tuesday, but both he and Mucarsel-Powell are expected to score easy wins.

    Congressional District 13 Democratic Primary

    Candidates for U.S. House District 13 gathered for a community conversation about the economy, abortion, Social Security, immigration, and national security — hosted by Spectrum Bay News 9 anchor Holly Gregory and Tampa Bay Times political reporter Kirby Wilson.

    The candidates are vying to compete in November against Republican Anna Paulina Luna. 

    Hillsborough State Attorney Democratic Primary

    For Hillsborough County District Attorney, Suzy Lopez is running to retain her seat.

    She was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis after the governor fired Andrew Warren in 2022.

    Warren is running against Lopez to win his job back.

    Also running against Lopez and Warren is Elizabeth Strauss, a third generation trial attorney from Tampa.

    Hillsborough School Board District 1

    Incumbent Nadia Combs, a former Hillsborough public school teacher, is opposed by Layla Collins and Julie Magill. Collins cites her volunteer activity and substitute teaching when called open. Magill was born and reared in Tampa Bay.

    The candidates recently answered a number of questions posted by Spectrum Bay News 9. You can read the questions and answers here.

    Hillsborough School Board District 3

    The incumbent, Jessica Vaughn was elected to the board, representing District 3, in 2020. Her opponent Tuesday, Myosha Powell, is originally from New York and moved to Tampa in 2005.

    The candidates recently answered a number of questions posted by Spectrum Bay News 9. You can read the questions and answers here.

    Hillsborough County Commission District 4

    Christine Miller is the Republican incumbent and will be opposed Tuesday by Michael Owen and Cody Powell.

    Running for the Democratic nomination are Jonathon T. Chavez and Nicole Payne.

    Congressional District 14 Republican Primary

    The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Kathy Castor advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 14.

    Her November opponent will be determined Tuesday. Ehsan Joarder, Neelam Perry, John Peters, and Robert Rochford are running in the Republican primary. 

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  • Team Coverage: Flooding at Largo complex, storm surge worries in Crystal River

    Team Coverage: Flooding at Largo complex, storm surge worries in Crystal River

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    LARGO, Fla. — Residents in the Bay area started their work week with flooded and closed roads, power outages and debris as Debby neared landfall in Florida.

    At Central Park Apartments in Largo, resident Matt Corvo described the morning scene.

    “It was raining pretty hard, we lost power early on for like four hours, and this whole street was flooded, about two, three feet of water at my street going into my apartment complex,” he said. “Had about four feet of water at the deepest.”


    In Crystal River, wary residents are keeping an eye out for storm surge as water pushed in toward U.S. 19. Driving rain covered roads but there was no report of damage as of Monday morning.

    However, law enforcement officials there are preparing for water rescues if needed.

    In Hillsborough County, crews continued their response to an 18-wheeler cab that submerged in Tampa Bypass Canal off I-75. The driver died, according to Hillsborough County Fire Rescue.

    Spectrum Bay News 9 Chief Meteorologist Mike Clay reported these rain totals Tuesday morning:

    HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY RAINFALL TOTALS: Sun City Center 11.11 in, Ruskin 10.54 in, Riverview 9.02 in, Wimauma 8.56 in, Temple Terrace 8.32 in, Valrico 8.21 in, Apollo Beach 7.88 in, Wimauma 7.68 in, Valrico 7.62 in, Fort Lonesome 7.35 in, Thonotosassa 7.31 in, Valrico 7.26 in

    PINELLAS COUNTY RAINFALL TOTALS: Pinellas Park 12.11 in, St Pete 10.34 in, Clearwater Beach 10.25 in, Palm Harbor 9.83 in, Tarpon Springs 9.54 in, Palm Harbor 9.49 in, Seminole 9.02 in, Clearwater 8.60 in, Largo 8.49 in, Oldsmar 8.27 in, Tarpon Springs 7.95 in Gulfport 7.89 in

    MANATEE CO RAINFALL TOTALS: Lakewood Ranch 16.56 in, Parrish 14.66 in, Sarasota Bradenton SRQ 12.43 in, Sarasota 12.38 in, Desoto Lakes 12.03 in, Oneco 11.90 in, Samoset 11.32 in, Palmetto 6.45 in

    POLK COUNTY RAINFALL TOTALS: Auburndale 11.14 in, Gibsonia 7.50 in, Mulberry 7.06 in, Lakeland 6.61 in, Highland City 6.59 in, Mulberry 5.42 in, Bartow 3.98 in, Winter Haven 3.49 in

    PASCO COUNTY RAINFALL TOTALS: Elfers 6.48 in, Port Richey 6.45 in, New Port Richey 6.44 in, Wesley Chapel 6.39 in, Dade City 16.78 in

    CITRUS COUNTY RAINFALL TOTALS: Floral City 7.04 in, Crystal River 6.99 in, Hernando 6.93 in, Homosassa 5.75 in, Inverness 5.69 in

    HERNANDO COUNTY RAINFALL TOTALS: Spring Hill 6.77 in, Weeki Wachee 6.41 in, Spring Hill 5.76 in, Brooksville 4.89 in, Royal Highlands 3.44 in, Brooksville 3.17 in

    Use the video link above for team coverage.

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    Jason Lanning

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  • Massive tree on home in Dunedin, conditions expected to worsen in Crystal River

    Massive tree on home in Dunedin, conditions expected to worsen in Crystal River

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    DUNEDIN, Fla. — The effects of Tropical Storm Debby are being felt throughout the Bay area, including in Dunedin, where a large tree fell on a home.

    It happened as Debby moved up the coast, spawning several tornado warnings.

    Rain and wind continued to get more intense in the area, with many flooded and closed roads, the reporting of airport delays, and power outages.

    In Crystal River, authorities were advising residents to leave the area if time allows or to hunker down.

    Use the video link above for team coverage from Spectrum Bay News 9’s Jason Lanning and Matt Lackritz.

    If you can safely do so, you can send your weather photos through the Spectrum News app.

    You can also view live cams here.

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    Jason Lanning

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  • Four dead in overnight Plant City house fire

    Four dead in overnight Plant City house fire

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    HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — Four people died overnight in a Plant City house fire despite frantic efforts from firefighters to save them.

    According to Hillsborough County Fire Rescue, the home caught fire around midnight about 100 yards off County Line Road.

    What You Need To Know

    • 4 dead in house fire in Plant City 

    • 1 person from inside the home called 911 

    • 3 people pulled out by firefighters but died; one person found dead in home after fire put out 

    Officials said one person inside of the home called 911.

    Danny Alvarez with Hillsborough Fire Rescue says within eight minutes, the first fire crews were on scene. Five minutes later, firefighters were able to pull out three adults but none of them survived.

    “They were all clustered together,” Alvarez said. “And we were able to locate them pretty quickly and make it out of a bedroom window with all three patients.”

    After the fire was out, a fourth person was found dead in another part of the home.

    Five dogs were also trapped in the home, but it isn’t known if any of them survived.  

    A cause of the fire has not been determined.


     

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  • Red, White and Kaboom in Lakeland tonight

    Red, White and Kaboom in Lakeland tonight

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    LAKELAND, Fla. — The City of Lakeland’s Red, White and Kaboom Festival is set to kick off Wednesday night on Lake Mirror.

    The event features a live band, more than a dozen food trucks as well as a 15-minute fireworks show at 9 p.m.


    The festival has grown in popularity since the early 2000s when the city moved its annual fireworks show to Lake Mirror from the Detroit Tigers spring training facility at Joker Merchant Stadium.

    That year, construction forced the relocation of the fireworks, which then attracted more popularity on Lake Mirror.

    The festivities will start with a live concert featuring Gary Love and the Moonlighters. 

    Kevin Cook is the director of Communications for the City of Lakeland and says arriving early will help you beat the 30,000 people expected for the show.

    “The best advice I can give you is to arrive early,” Cook said. “Our parking garages are open so park in a parking garage. On street parking is going to be very difficult to find.”

    The city will begin shutting down Main Street to through traffic at 5 p.m.

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