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Tag: local-politics

  • Marion County and firefighters begin contract negotiations

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    MARION COUNTY, Fla. — Firefighter contract negotiations are set to begin soon in Marion County.

    The professional fire fighters of Marion County say work hours are a top issue for the 2026 fiscal year, as increased growth has led to more overtime.

    What You Need To Know

    • The union and the county have opened contract talks for the 2026 to 2027 fiscal year

    • The union is requesting changes to work schedules, wage increase and other benefits

    • Union representative says that on average, Marion County firefighters are working 56-hour weeks, which has contributed to employee burnout and fatigue

    • The signing of House Bill 929 has created a surge in Florida fire departments adopting new work schedules


    The current contract will expire in June 2026. The union and the county have opened contract talks for the 2026 to 2027 fiscal year.

    The union is requesting changes to its work schedules, wage increase and other benefits. They represent more than 500 first responders, both active and retired in Marion County Fire Rescue.

    “The industry for the fire service is very competitive right now, and that’s due to retirements, the departments in the state and the need for qualified people to work,” Marion County Professional Firefighters Second Vice President Joseph Romani said.

    Romani said that on average, Marion County firefighters are working 56-hour weeks, which he said has contributed to employee burnout and fatigue. He said if they lose members, they have to keep the same level of service since the county is growing at an excessive rate.

    The union is requesting no more than 42-hour work weeks with the overall goal of better retention and staying competitive against other fire departments across the state. 

    Romani says the signing of House Bill 929 has created a surge in Florida fire departments adopting new work schedules.

    “The hope is we can secure a contract that is competitive and responsible enough to keep the members we have here,” Romani says.

    Marion County sent a statement saying in part, “We are looking forward to a successful year of negotiations. The county is looking forward to the best outcome for our employees, the department and the citizens of Marion County.”

    “The job will take a lot out of you, it will take a lot of heart sacrifice and do things to your body,” Romani says. “I want to make sure we are doing our part to set the future for whoever chooses to serve Marion County in the future.”

    The county and union are set to discuss the contract further in September. Romani says the goal is to make these changes ahead of the next fiscal year that starts in October. These changes would be set in place through 2029.

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    Camille Acevedo

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  • Florida phases out certificates for students with disabilities

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    WIMAUMA, Fla. — The Florida Department of Education recently voted to eliminate certificates of completion for students with disabilities. The certificates were an alternative to diplomas for those students who could not meet graduation requirements.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Florida Department of Education voted to eliminate certificates of completion for students with disabilities

    • These certificates were previously alternatives for students unable to meet graduation requirements

    • Educators are concerned about the impact on employment opportunities

    • Education leaders are now tasked with creating new guidance about adult education and post-secondary options for students with disabilities


    The vote was to move forward with the implementation of House Bill 1105, which instructs education leaders to create new guidance about adult education and post-secondary options for those students by the next calendar year.

    Luz Gaona, the speech-language pathologist at Southshore Bilingual Therapy, says this change is a setback for the children they serve.

    “If any of them were to seek some type of employment, this is going to be hindering that opportunity for them,” she said.

    Employees at the center help students with disabilities learn skills they can use both at school and beyond.

    “All different kids, all different goals and all different things that they’re working on,” Selena Cadwallader, a certified occupational therapy assistant, said. “There’s something beautiful about kids learning to do things on their own and being able to be a part of this society that they maybe could not have been prior.”

    Many families look forward to their children earning a certificate of completion. They will now have to work around the change to eliminate them as education leaders work to establish a new program.

    The center says they’re now focused on how they can support parents who may be unaware of the changes.

    “(We are) educating our parents on the importance of attending (Individualized Education Program) meetings and asking questions,” Gaona said.

    In the meantime, Gaona and her team will continue to advocate for education opportunities for all.

    The high school graduation requirements for students with disabilities will also be revised to update definitions and permissible course substitutions.

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    Lizbeth Gutierrez

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  • Population boom could soon come to Citrus County with housing demand

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    INVERNESS, Fla. — A population boom could be coming in Citrus County. 

    Earlier this week, commissioners got an overview of how other counties across the state are managing growth. It comes at a time where the demand for housing is at a high in the county.

    What You Need To Know

    • Citrus County may soon see a population boom as county commissioners meet to discuss managing growth

    • Earlier this week, commissioners got an overview of how other counties across the state are managing growth
    • Most recently, areas throughout the county — such as Inverness — have gone through revitalization projects and changes
    • It comes at a time where the demand for housing is at a high in the county


    For Eric Williams, Citrus County is a way of life. He knows this all too well, being the city manager of Inverness. 

    “It is a high quality of life,” Williams said. “It’s a quiet life. The age dynamic is starting to shift and you want to have that diversity. You’re naturally going to have growth in Florida, but I think it comes with a certain cost.”

    Under his lead, the city has seen a variety of upgrades and changes throughout the years, which most recently includes a revitalization of the old historic Citrus County Courthouse.

    There are countless projects that have been designed with the intent of reaching a larger audience in mind — in visitors and those who call it “home.”

    “You also have infrastructure that comes with things like public safety and park systems,” said Williams. “Staying ahead of that and being able to understand what’s coming to you. That’s a big challenge. But if you get it right, or close to right, it really helps get development across the line.”

    “The big hammer that we have is affordability,” said Judy McCoy, a realtor for Century 21 in Inverness.

    She says the housing market in Citrus County has seen a sizable increase within the last five years.

    “You are living in Florida and you are paying a reasonable price,” says McCoy. “Everything is a little bit lower price than it is, you know, in the bigger cities and on the coast.”

    It’s a positive trend that may continue as more people become familiar with the area.

    “This graph is something that I think every home buyer and home seller has lived since the COVID times because what you see here was a ten-year correction in Citrus County,” said McCoy. “We have always been very affordable, probably one of the most affordable, beautiful places in Florida.”

    Something, Williams says, the city and county are prepared for.

    “What I hope to see in my time and plan on forever having a home here, is that that continues to be a platform where growth can be accepted in a measured way but, eventually, also the diversity in the economy is stabilized to the point that there’s a good mix of working class opportunities as well as that for our retirement folks.”

    It’s a place where people of all walks of life can continue to live.

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    Calvin Lewis

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  • Kirkland Ranch to remain a green space among Pasco development

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    WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. — Nearly 1,000 acres of farmland in Pasco County is a step closer to being sold.

    The buyer is the Southwest Florida Water Management District. The goal is to protect the 974 acres of Kirkland Ranch from development. 

    “We appreciate Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature’s commitment to preserving this conservation land in one of the fastest-growing areas in Pasco County,” District Executive Director Brian Armstrong said in a statement. “This important purchase will help preserve the region’s lands and water resources for future generations.”

    What You Need To Know

    • The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s governing board approved the purchase of Kirkland Ranch

    • The ranch is 974 acres of farmland that’s been owned by the same family since 1956

    • The District is evaluating the best use of the land, with possibilities including agriculture and recreation

    • While development projects border the land, the District says the goal is to protect the ranch’s natural resources


    Pasco’s population has grown by nearly 200,000 people in the past ten years. With that has come development. 

    “This is one of the last large, green spaces in eastern Pasco County,” said Ellen Morrison, the District’s land resources bureau chief. “If you look around to all the connecting, it’s all residential development around it.”

    Morrison said walking around the land east of Curley Road is like stepping into the county’s not-too-distant past.

    “It’s completely unrecognizable from what it was five years ago. Just the development, the roads, the houses. What exists here is what, five years ago, was all around it,” she said.

    The same family has owned Kirkland Ranch since 1956. Now, the District wants to buy it for $30.8 million.

    “Our understanding is the Kirkland family wanted to preserve this property for that reason — to protect the natural resources that were on it,” Morrison said.

    That includes wetlands, the District says, which make up 41% of the property. 

    “This property has some really nice, intact natural systems that will help protect the water resources long term,” she said. “Just the ground cover, the grasses, the trees.”

    Across the road in the Epperson community’s Robin’s Cove neighborhood, residents had already heard the news.

    “I, personally, support it. I would rather keep the land like it is,” said resident Carl Phillips.

    Phillips said he built his house in the community two years ago and has seen a lot of changes in that time.

    “It’s good and bad, but I’ve seen a lot of development, and infrastructure potentially may not be keeping up,” he said.

    Phillips said he understands wanting to protect land like Kirkland Ranch. As a farmer in Washington state, he did something similar.

    “We sold development rights to our land to the county to where they can’t build a Walmart. The land, it has to be farmland forever,” Phillips said. “You’ve got to have some sort of nature. You’ve got to have something still producing water, still producing oxygen.”

    Morrison said the sale is expected to be finalized by the end of the year. The $30.8 million is coming from state funding. She said the district is evaluating the best use of the land. Agriculture and recreation uses are among the possibilities.

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    Sarah Blazonis

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  • Deadline nears for voter registration in Pasco County special election

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    PASCO COUNTY, Fla. – Voters in the northern parts of the Bay area are being reminded of an upcoming special election in District 11.

    The Pasco County Supervisor of Elections office sent out a reminder on Wednesday that Sept. 2 is the deadline to register to vote in the Sept. 30 Special Primary Election for State Senate District 11 (Citrus, Hernando, Sumter, and Pasco counties).


    The district mostly encompasses approximately 39,000 Pasco County voters within 13 precincts.  

    The election is needed to fill the vacant Florida Senate District 11 seat, created by the appointment of Sen. Blaise Ingoglia as Chief Financial Officer.

    Former member of the legislature Ralph Massullo and Anthony Brice of Inverness are running as Republicans.

    The Special General Election will follow in December with the Republican winner facing Democrat Ash Marwah from The Villages.

    Per Florida statutes, only voters residing within Florida Senate District 11 are eligible to vote in the September election.

     Information on which precincts are in District 11 can be found at https://www.pascovotes.gov/Precincts/Precinct-List-by-District.  

    Voters can check their voter registration status, including their precinct number, at https://www.pascovotes.gov/Voters/Am-I-Registered.  

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Tampa Bay area solar companies busy as federal tax credit ends this year

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — For homeowners looking to take advantage of federal solar tax credits, time is running out.

    Those credits will expire at the end of this year after recent federal legislation ended tax credits for rooftop solar setups. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Federal solar tax credits to end on Dec. 31

    • Federal solar tax credits offered a 30% reduction in cost to consumers 

    • Justin Senia, who started Evolve Solar about five years ago, said his company has been busy in the last several months


    There are a lot of moving pieces to prepare a house for solar power. Justin Senia would know — he has been in the industry for nearly 13 years and started Evolve Solar about five years ago. 

    “It’s outdoors, it’s pretty fun, a little challenging,” he said. “I like electricity, I like the technology.”

    Co-owner Jay Singh said business has been busy, in part because of a federal solar tax credit. 

    “It made it more affordable for homeowners to make that switch — especially when they’re saving 30% off the solar system costs,” Singh said. “It makes tons of financial sense,” Singh said.

    When President Donald Trump signed the “Big Beautiful Bill Act” into law, the federal solar tax credit that gives consumers that reduction in price was slated to go away. It will disappear at the end of 2025.

    In an executive order, Trump claimed that solar and wind projects displaces domestic energy sources and compromises the country’s electric grid.

    “Reliance on so-called ‘green’ subsidies threatens national security by making the United States dependent on supply chains controlled by foreign adversaries,” the order said.

    Singh said business has gone up about 20% in recent months, as homeowners try to go solar while they still have a tax break. 

    “So there’s definitely a big jump in demand for solar,” he said. “And everybody’s pushing to, to get their install done by the end of the year.”

    Evolve Solar worked on Diane Willis’ house on Tuesday. She said she made her appointment early this year and said the tax break ending was a factor. 

    “It’s saved me money, but I probably would have done it anyway,” Willis said. “Because I’m so convinced that I need this right now.”

    Despite losing the tax break after Dec. 31, 2025, Senia said he is still expecting people to turn to solar power.

    “Yes, high demand for residential and commercial, for solar for sure, and I think it will always be,” Senia said.

    According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, Florida ranks second in the country for total installed residential solar capacity.

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    Tyler O’Neill

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  • City of Leesburg donates shuffleboard property to foster youth nonprofit

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    LEESBURG, Fla. — A beloved Leesburg shuffleboard court may be no more after the city commission voted on a proposal to donate the land to a nonprofit working to support homeless teens and foster youth in the county.

    This comes after dozens of residents and even non-residents using the courts spoke out during the meeting.

    What You Need To Know

    • Leesburg City Commission moved to donate land they own, including shuffleboard courts, to Forward Paths Foundation to build 10 tiny homes for homeless teens

    • Leesburg Shuffleboard Club has spent weeks gathering signatures to keep their courts and say they were able to get more than 1,000 signatures

    • In a 4-1, Leesburg City Commissioners felt the need to offer stable housing for youth outweighed the need for the historical Leesburg Shuffleboard Club and their courts

    • Forward Paths has 2.5 years to complete the project but supporters of the shuffleboard courts say they’re not going down without a fight and may take legal action
    • RELATED coverage: Leesburg to decide who gets shuffleboard property


    A lot of the city commissioners focused on the need. In a 4-1 vote, the majority felt the need to offer stable housing for youth outweighed the need for the historical Leesburg Shuffleboard Club and its courts, which has major ties in the city.

    “They celebrated their 100-year anniversary back in 2013,” said Leesburg Shuffleboard Club (LSC) member Rick Tallman.

    The club has been playing at the site on Palmetto Street for 54 years.

    The city of Leesburg owns the property, but the LSC has been running and operating the courts and even hosts tournaments there.

    But the future of the property is now in jeopardy with the Leesburg City Commission moving to donate land, including the shuffleboard courts, to a nonprofit foster youth called Forward Paths Foundation.

    “Somebody decided that this was a property to offer forward paths,” Tallman said. “We don’t know who that somebody was.”

    Forward Paths Foundation stated the donation of the land would go towards building 10 tiny homes that would house 20 youths who are aging out of the foster care system or at risk of homelessness.

    Foundation officials spent time at the meeting sharing their history of success stories as they now house 42 youth with more on the waiting list.

    Those in support of the program showed up to speak at the meeting but the majority of public speakers were in support of keeping the shuffleboard courts. 

    The shuffleboard supporters shared that they had more than a 1,000 signatures combined with handwritten and online petitions to keep the courts.

    Despite this, the commission moved forward with the donation of the land, which came with mixed reviews.

    “Well, we won. But it’s always hard when others leave with hurt feelings,” explained Forward Paths Foundation Executive Director Denise Burry. “So, that’s not a good feeling but it’s my job to look out for our at-risk youth aging out of foster care and in need in Lake County. That’s what I did and luckily we came out on top.”

    “It’s very disappointing. This isn’t the end. It’s really the beginning because now the lawsuit comes,” Tallman shared. “What they’ve done is very wrong. Very wrong, they didn’t listen to the people.”

    And while this has brought some divide in the City of Leesburg, the Forward Paths Foundation hopes the community can embrace this project just as the town of Eustice did after completing a similar project there.

    “I hope people will see the good that it brings to these youth and hopefully they’ll come around us and support us,” Burry said.

    The Leesburg City Commission also voted to give Forward Paths Foundation two and a half years to finish the project as opposed to five. Burry says she believes they can accomplish it.

    But supporters of the shuffleboard court say they’re not going down without a fight and say they have already filed a claim against the City of Leesburg with the Florida Commission on Ethics.

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    Brandon Spencer

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  • St. Pete mayor pushes back on murals but will comply with removals

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    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch and other community leaders pushed back on the state’s recent order to remove street murals.

    In a news conference Monday morning, Welch said the targeted murals are an integral part of St. Petersburg, but he also said that the city will comply with their removal.

    What You Need To Know

    • In a news conference Monday morning, St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch said the targeted murals are an integral part of St. Petersburg, but he also said that the city will comply with their removal

    • The murals in question are at the intersection of Central Avenue and Fifth Street, a Pride rainbow at Central Avenue and 25th Street, a USF crosswalk at the St. Pete campus on Sixth Street South and Black History mural at Ninth Avenue South near 22nd Lane

    • RELATED: FDOT crews repaint crosswalk near Pulse memorial site
    • SEE ALSO: City of Tampa Pavement Art Locations (PDF)

    The murals in question are at the intersection of Central Avenue and Fifth Street, a Pride rainbow at Central Avenue and 25th Street, a USF crosswalk at the St. Pete campus on Sixth Street South and Black History mural at Ninth Avenue South near 22nd Lane (which previously was a Black Lives Matter mural).  

    “While these specific art murals will be removed, the spirit of what makes St. Pete a special place can’t be suppressed by legislative fiat, and we will find meaningful ways to express our shared values,” the mayor said earlier on social media.

    Multiple Florida cities are now facing state deadlines in the coming days after being ordered to paint over or remove so-called rainbow crosswalks, brightly colored street crossings meant to celebrate pride and minority rights.

    The issue has been simmering since a July 1 directive from U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who gave U.S. governors 60 days to identify what he called safety improvements.

    Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday amplified those comments, saying on X: “We will not allow our state roads to be commandeered for political purposes.”

    Welch encouraged the public to visit the murals and share on social media before they are removed. He added that any protests about their removal be peaceful and obey all laws.

    He said the murals will live on in other city properties and private property, on flags and banners.

    Because the city of St. Petersburg is allowing FDOT to remove the murals, instead of using city crews, the city of St. Pete will reimburse the state for the work. No timeline has been released on when the state will remove them.

    “We made it clear that these murals are more than paint on pavement,” Welch said during Monday’s news conference. “They are expressions of our community, identity and values. But through meetings and correspondence, FDOT made their position clear in the U.S., and they have the authority, backed by the governor and the U.S. Department of Transportation. And they threatened penalties that would jeopardize millions of dollars in state transportation funding and potentially tens of millions more in broader state funding in other areas.

    As mayor of our city, I will not risk these essential investments in a fight that I don’t believe we can win. That would be irresponsible leadership and detrimental to our city in the long run. But make no mistake, this is not the end of the story. Our response will be strategic, not reactionary. It may not be as emotionally satisfying as a street brawl.”

    Welch went on to say that the murals will live on in new ways.

    “The state can remove the paint from our streets,” Welch said. “They can remove those symbols but they can not bind the spirit of St. Petersburg or silence our voice.

    “When we say ‘We Are St. Pete’ that means all of us and we will stand by that.”

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Veterans hopeful the Major Richard Star Act gets through Congress

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    PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — The Major Richard Star Act is a piece of legislation that could change the lives of thousands of veterans across the country.

    What You Need To Know

    • Under current law, only veterans with 20 years of service and a disability rating of at least 50 percent can collect both retirement and disability pay

    • The Major Richard Star Act would change this for veterans like Bill Puopolo

    • Puopolo said he’s been hoping to see the legislation passed since 2018

    • BELOW: Read the proposed legislation


    Currently, when vets retire, only those with 20 years of service and a disability rating of at least 50 percent can collect both retirement and disability pay. 

    Rep. Gus Bilirakis said this needs to change.

    “These are veterans in this particular case, Chapter 61 veterans who were injured in action,” he said. “They should be entitled to their full VA disability as well as their pension.”

    A Chapter 61 retiree is anyone who was medically retired from military service with a 30% or greater rated disability, according to United States Army Human Resources Command.

    Bill Puopolo lives in New Port Richey and served in both the Army and the National Guard. 

    He dealt with multiple injuries over 22 years of service from both training and active duty. 

    Those injuries caught up with him, and he left the military in 2018.

    However, when he tried to collect his retirement and disability pay, he discovered he couldn’t get both.

    “Unfortunately, I found out that because I didn’t reach that 20 full years of service — some of my service was in the inactive reserve — and I was going to school,” he said. “I wasn’t actively drilling. I only ended up with 18 years, so I found out I wasn’t allowed to get both benefits. Nobody told me.” 

    Bilirakis said there are nearly 300 co-sponsors in the House and 75 in the Senate. 

    With the support clear, Puopolo wants to see the legislation come to a vote. 

    “Hopefully, this gets rectified because I feel it’s going to be a tremendous lifeline to our medically retired soldiers,” Puopolo said.  

    Bilirakis believes that if the bill can get to the House floor, the legislation will pass.

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    Matt Lackritz

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  • RNC picks Trump-backed Florida politician Joe Gruters as new chairman

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    ATLANTA, Ga. — Florida conservative Joe Gruters is now the Republican National Committee chairman. Having no opposition after being tapped by President Donald Trump, Gruters was elected Friday at the Republicans’ summer meeting in Atlanta.

    What You Need To Know

    •  Florida Republican Joe Gruters was elected to head the Republican National Committee in Atlanta

    •  Gruters has been a long-time fan of President Donald Trump

    •  The move could mean that Trump is able to have an impact in guiding the party after he leaves office


    For Gruters, the vote completes a steady climb from county party leader into the top ranks of Trump’s second presidency.

    After the vote Friday, Gruters thanked Trump for choosing him and promised RNC members he would focus on “election integrity,” expanding Republican voter registration and preventing internal party discord.

    Elections, Gruters said, are won by “whatever party does a better job of uniting the factions and bringing everybody together.”

    Here is a look at Gruters’ history with Trump and Republicans and what that means as he becomes chairman.

    Gruters was with his ‘Statesman of the Year’ from the start

    Gruters was a true believer years before Trump launched his first campaign in 2015.

    “Joe bet on the horse before the track was even built,” said Christian Ziegler, a former Florida Republican chair and friend of Gruters.

    In 2012, Gruters led the Sarasota County GOP, and Republicans were nominating Mitt Romney for president at their convention in nearby Tampa, Florida.

    Romney had embraced Trump. Still, Trump was widely considered a liability for Romney against Obama, and Romney’s team was circumspect about whether Trump would have a convention role. While Trump was eventually confirmed as a speaker, an approaching tropical storm shortened the convention schedule, and his slot was among the casualties.

    Enter Gruters.

    The eager Sarasotan had already picked Trump as his county party’s “Statesman of the Year,” slotting a dinner gala at Sarasota’s Ritz-Carlton hotel on convention eve with 1,000 guests. It cemented an enduring friendship.

    Gruters climbed the Florida ladder alongside Trump

    Gruters’ support for Trump’s first presidential bid in 2015 stood out in Florida, given that Rubio and former Gov. Jeb Bush also were running.

    In October, Gruters became co-chairman of Trump’s Florida campaign. His fellow chair was Susie Wiles, who is now Trump’s White House chief of staff. Bush didn’t make it to the Florida primary, and Trump trounced Rubio, ending the senator’s campaign.

    Gruters was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2016 at the same time Trump won Florida’s electoral votes and the presidency. And Wiles, Gruters’ old Trump campaign partner, was the mastermind behind Florida Gov. DeSantis’ narrow 2018 victory.

    So when it mattered, Gruters was well-positioned with a friend in the Oval Office and the governor’s office — buoyed by Wiles, who had distinguished herself as a Florida kingmaker.

    Gruters navigated nasty party splits and Trump’s election lies

    All those powerful allies backed Gruters’ successful bid for Florida GOP chairman in 2019.

    Gruters and the party increased GOP registration across the state and helped push battleground Florida to a clearer conservative advantage. In 2020, as Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden flipped Sun Belt battlegrounds Arizona and Georgia, Trump won Florida comfortably.

    “Florida has been the center of everything,” said current state Chairman Evan Power. “Joe knows the successes and the lessons from Florida — he can bring that to the national level.”

    Florida’s rightward shift yielded dominating reelection victories for DeSantis and Rubio in 2022. The win made DeSantis a presumed front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024.

    A certain Palm Beach resident, however, was not finished.

    As Trump built his third campaign, Wiles stuck with him — not DeSantis. The governor ultimately broke with Wiles and Gruters. Then Trump buried DeSantis, just as he’d crushed Bush and Rubio. DeSantis made peace with Trump, but not with Gruters, describing him as recently as last month as having a “linguine spine.”

    Gruters reaffirms Trump’s hold on the Republican Party

    Trump has cycled through multiple national GOP chairs. Reince Priebus in 2016 was the reluctant Trump backer who became the president’s chief of staff in 2017, only to be fired via social media post. Trump then turned to Ronna Romney McDaniel, Mitt’s niece. He eventually pushed out McDaniel and tapped North Carolina’s Michael Whatley as chairman, with daughter-in-law Lara Trump as family stand-in at party headquarters.

    As chairman, Gruters will be a fundraising partner with the White House. The RNC is a key cog in joint party fundraising efforts that the president headlines.

    Trump has always been his own primary messenger, but Gruters will be another notable face as the president approaches the 2026 midterms. That doesn’t just mean policy and branding but also the mechanics of elections. Gruters will now be partly responsible for building teams of lawyers and poll watchers for a president who openly questions the efficacy of U.S. elections.

    Beyond the midterms, Gruters will help set the presidential primary calendar, debate rules and other nuts and bolts of the 2028 campaign. While Trump is term-limited by the Constitution, he’s made clear that he will not stay in the shadows as voters choose his successor. With Gruters, he has a direct line into that process.

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    Associated Press

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  • Madeira Beach City Manager Robin Gomez offers separation agreement

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    MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. — Madeira Beach City Manager Robin Gomez offered to end his employment contract more than three years early, during a Thursday workshop, where his work performance was under scrutiny. 

    “Lack of leadership and accountability,” Mayor Anne-Marie Brooks said about Gomez. “Too often, communication has been delayed, incomplete or just dismissive.”

    What You Need To Know

    • A workshop was held on Thursday to discuss City Manager Robin Gomez’s work performance

    • Nearly all of the residents spoke out against Gomez 

    • A majority of the Madeira Beach Board of Commissioners said they wanted to find a new city manager 

    • Gomez offered a separation agreement to end his contract which expires in 2028


    Brooks called for the workshop to see how her fellow commissioners and the residents felt about Gomez continuing to lead the city. Brooks said she wanted to begin a search for a new city manager because Gomez had lost her confidence.

    Residents and business owners packed the commission chambers for the workshop. Nearly all of the public speakers talked about the problems they have experienced with Gomez.

    “My big issue is once you’re on his bad side, you’re alienated and vilified,” said Capt. Dylan Hubbard, owner Hubbard’s Marina. “Unfortunately, things went sour when the dredge situation came up.”

    Hubbard pointed out the city got a $1.5 million state grant to dredge John’s Pass in September 2022 and the project has still not been completed due to Gomez’s mismanagement. Brooks also cited the long-delayed dredge project as a major problem.

    “(He) reported incorrect information on the permit process and has not provided timely updates,” she said. “Misstated the permit, status and process timelines, agency steps.”

    Only one resident urged commissioners to keep Gomez and put him under probation.

    “It’s hard to get good people. It’s hard to get average people to want to come into small communities,” said Charles Lunsford. “We’ve all had issues with… the manager, but not all of them are bad.”

    Commissioner Ray Kerr said Gomez had done a good job since last year’s hurricanes and supported keeping him on as city manager. At last week’s meeting, it was revealed Gomez was living at city hall in the days following Hurricane Helene because his home was flooded and he was working at all hours.

    “The last 10 months have been something above and beyond,” Kerr said. “I’m going to support the city manager.”

    Commissioner David Tagliarini also said he supported Gomez along with most department heads in the city. Tagliarini read some anonymous comments from those city leaders.

    “Mr. Gomez is completely involved and engaged in our city’s success,” he said. “He’s the best manager in 10 years. Treats all employees with respect.”

    Commissioner Housh Ghovaee said he was hoping to hear some positive comments from residents about Gomez but they were all negative.

    “I’m a public servant and serving these folks and I’m listening to them,” he said. “So I am not in favor of holding onto our city manager.”

    With Ghovaee and Brooks in favor of finding a new city manager, while Tagliarini and Kerr wanted to keep Gomez, only Commissioner Eddie McGeehen was left as a potential swing vote.

    McGeehen said he was friends with Gomez but had to listen to his constituents.

    “As a military veteran, I believe in the chain of command. The chain of command in this city, number one on top is the residents,” he said. “Never forget who is number one, what they want to achieve.”

    Once it was clear Gomez did not have the votes to keep his job, he offered to resign.

    “At this point, my suggestion would be if the commission would be amenable to a separation agreement,” he said. “Move forward… simply ending the agreement.”

    Gomez did not address any of the concerns raised and declined a Spectrum News request for an interview. Brooks said Gomez did the right thing for the city and for himself.

    “It will be the best thing for the residents and the city moving forward,” she said. “I’m happy that he made that decision.”

    Brooks said Gomez will likely stay on the job for a couple of weeks as they work out the separation agreement. Last year, the board of commissioners extended Gomez’s contract through 2028.

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    Josh Rojas

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  • Pulse Memorial crosswalk on Orange Avenue repainted to meet state standards

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    ORLANDO, Fla. — Calling it a “cruel political act,” Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer is speaking out after the Florida Department of Transportation repainted a rainbow-colored crosswalk in Orlando overnight, which honored the 49 victims of the Pulse nightclub attack.

    However, the crosswalk was repainted to meet state standards after FDOT issued a memorandum in June stating that “all traffic control devices, including pavement surface markings, be compliant with the FDOT Design Manual and the Manual of Uniform Minimum Standards for Design, Construction and Maintenance for Streets and Highways, on all public roads, as applicable.”

    “This callous action of hastily removing part of a memorial to what was at the time our nation’s largest mass shooting, without any supporting safety data or discussion, is a cruel political act,” Dyer said in a Facebook post on Thursday.

    According to the memo, “non-standard surface markings, signage, and signals that do not directly contribute to traffic safety or control can lead to distractions or misunderstandings, jeopardizing both driver and pedestrian safety.

    Examples of non-compliant surface pavement would include any pavement markings that do not meet the color, shape or dimensions provided in the MUTCD or FDOT Standard Plans … or other pavement surface art that is associated with social, political, or ideological messages or images and does not serve the purpose of traffic control.”

    However, Dyer argues that it enhances safety and visibility for pedestrians visiting the Pulse memorial, and says it was approved by FDOT when it was installed in 2017. 

    “While the state works to erase the memory of the victims of the Pulse tragedy by painting over the crosswalk, our community’s commitment to honoring the 49, and completing the memorial, will never waver,” he said on Facebook.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Volusia County votes to move forward with beach horseback riding proposal

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    ORMOND-BY-THE-SEA, Fla. — Volusia County beaches could soon welcome horseback riders under a proposal that council members approved to move forward with on Tuesday night. 

    The county council voted 5-2 to proceed with a beach horseback riding proposal in the northern part of the county before an ordinance is presented to members. 

    The council asked staff to bring back the proposal with some options to questions the council had regarding waste, safety, locations, parking, permitting, regulations, etc. 

    Volusia County Council member Troy Kent suggested for horses to wear bags that catch their waste. However, the pros and cons of mandating bags will be addressed.  

    What You Need To Know

    • Members of the Volusia County Council are looking into implementing beach horseback riding in northern parts of the county

    • The two locations being considered are Al Weeks North Shore Park and the Neptune Beach Approach
    • Council members plan to discuss regulatory requirements, programs that already exist, potential impacts and implementation strategies before moving forward with the plan
    • Some factors they will have to consider include access to parking, environmental impacts and waste management


    If the plan was to be implemented, nine miles of coastline at the Al Weeks North Shore Park in Ormond-by-the-Sea would serve as a riding corridor from Flagler County line to Granada Boulevard.

    The other location of interest for this proposal is at the Neptune Beach Approach. However, the more popular location seemed to be Al Weeks North Shore Park. 

    But before anything official can happen, discussions took place since both of the proposed areas are within a Natural Beach Management Area — which require a close monitoring of turtle nests and the potential impact on protected species.

    Council member Kent is behind the idea and he says parts of the county already allow for beach-side driving and dogs on the beach.

    That is why he believes that allowing beach horseback riding would be a great addition.

    Another council member was concerned about the implementation of horses on the beach and taking away nine miles of the beach for residents and visitors.

    Right now, eight counties across the Sunshine State allow beach horseback riding, including Flagler and St. Johns counties. According to the county, these programs typically feature permits, designated areas and times, trailer parking and low-tide restrictions with fees that range from free to $200 annually.

    Recommendations for the proposal include:

    • Implementing beach horseback riding in non-beach driving areas
    • Only allowing it during daylight hours
    • Operating outside of sea turtle nesting season
    • Ensuring that horses are ridden below the high tide and not interfering with turtle nests
    • Ensuring that horse owners are responsible for their horses’ waste

    Members heard from Jessica Fentress, Volusia County Coastal Director, and two residents — one of which owned a horseback riding business — before voting to advance the proposal to a trial stage.

    Since it passed, Kent said he will direct county staff to bring the matter back as an ordinance, which could be taken up by the county council in the next six to eight weeks. They will likely approve a trial period for beach horseback riding. 

    View the council discussion from 5:48 to 6:42:



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    Sasha Teman

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  • O’Neil, Jaycox advance in race for Groveland’s District 4 City Council seat

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    GROVELAND, Fla. — Retired veteran and educator Jim O’Neil and Air Force veteran Michael Jaycox edged out incumbent Judith Fike Tuesday to move on in the race for Groveland’s District 4 City Council seat.

    O’Neil came out in front with 50.2% of the vote, with Jaycox coming in second with 35.7%. Fike trailed the pair significantly with only 14.1%.

    Fike had been appointed to her seat in 2024, and drew a lot of attention in July when she was suspended by the council over a social media scandal.

    She was later reinstated by a judge, who ruled that neither the city’s charter, nor its ethics policy, gave the council the power to suspend her for that reason. 

    O’Neil and Jaycox will face off again on Nov. 4 in a municipal election.

    Editor’s note: The original version of this story reported the outcome of this race incorrectly. The information now reflects the results accurately.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Tenants told to look for alternate housing as water bill deadline looms

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — People who live at The Morgan apartments were left in limbo Tuesday. The company that owns the complex has until August 21 to pay its utility bill or residents could face possible water shut-offs.

    In the meantime, the city is urging residents to find other places to stay.

    What You Need To Know

    •  A St. Petersburg spokesperson says Lurin Real Estate Holdings has paid its water bill for the Elements on Third apartments but still owes $350,000 on its accounts for The Morgan

    •  The city previously sent a notice to residents that service would be interrupted on August 21 if the company didn’t pay

    •  A spokesperson now says the city may not take immediate action on Thursday, but residents of The Morgan are urged to look for alternative housing as soon as possible

    • Read previous coverage here


    “We want to be clear – an interruption of services is a last resort action for the city,” said St. Petersburg Public Information Officer Samantha Bequer. “While the city may not take immediate action to suspend services on August 21, residents at this property are strongly encouraged to begin exploring alternative housing solutions as soon as possible.”

    Residents at two apartment complexes owned by Lurin Real Estate Holdings – The Morgan and Elements on Third – got a notice from the city on August 1 letting them know the company hadn’t paid its utility bills on the complexes.

    “We have exhausted all attempts to resolve this issue with Lurin Real Estate Holdings LXIV LLC over an extended period of time with no success,” read the notice from the city’s billing and collections customer service.

    The notice said service was scheduled to be interrupted on August 21 unless the city was paid.

    Bequer said that as of August 19, the outstanding balance for Elements on Third was paid and there was no longer a risk of water being shut off to that property.

    “I’m very, very relieved, to put it mildly,” said Thomas Sullivan, who lives at the complex.

    Sullivan is retired and said he likes living at Elements on Third in part because of the walkable neighborhood. If his water was shut off and he had to leave, his plan was to stay with his sister in the West Palm Beach area.

    “I don’t drive, so getting over there would be time consuming by public transport, but I was going to say that I might have to do it,” he said. 

    It’s uncertainty that people who live in The Morgan still face.

    “Well, it’s ridiculous,” said William Kilgore, an organizer with the St. Petersburg Tenants Union. “It’s an example of this out-of-state, corporate landlord, like we see so many times over, coming in here, buying up properties. They don’t have an interest for their tenants.”

    The tenants union held a meeting Tuesday night for residents of the complexes to see how the group can help them organize. Kilgore said it would be a mistake for the city to shut off utilities.

    “All that’s going to do is make the property untenable, and you’re going to have mass eviction on your hands. So, that’s not an option. The city has plenty of avenues it can take to put pressure on the landlord,” he said.

    “The City will explore all possible avenues to resolve this situation and to protect impacted tenants,” Bequer said via e-mail.

    She said St. Pete’s Guide for Renters is a good tool for residents to learn about available resources.

    Sullivan said he’s not considering moving after the shut-off scare, but it has impacted him.

    “Our homes are our sanctuaries. They are our safe spaces, and the people that we let into our homes is – it’s a matter of trust. But I really feel betrayed,” Sullivan said.

    Lurin spokesperson Ed Cafasso said in a statement, “We are pleased to have completely avoided any service disruptions for households at The Elements, as we had promised. We continue to work constructively with the City regarding its records for water use at The Morgan. We hope to resolve that issue as well, again without any impact on residents. The comfort and well being of our residents are our top priorities, and we thank them for their patience as we move past these challenges to make sure they have safe, comfortable apartment homes.”

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    Sarah Blazonis

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  • Companies can submit proposals to replace Cross Bay Ferry service

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    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — A decision is expected at some point about what company will replace the Cross Bay Ferry Service.

    Companies have until Aug. 28 to submit their proposals to the Pinellas County Transit Authority.

    Once an operator is in place, the company would collaborate with PSTA to acquire two ferries and begin operating the service early next year.

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

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

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

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Lake Wales social district to allow take-out alcohol

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    LAKE WALES, Fla. – City officials in Lake Wales are fine tuning details of its new arts, culture, and entertainment district program.

    Part of that plan will allow people to grab alcoholic drinks to go.

    What You Need To Know

    • City officials in Lake Wales are fine tuning details of its new arts, culture, and entertainment district program

    • Part of that plan will allow people to grab alcoholic drinks to go

    • The city’s market plaza will be one of the designated outdoor areas where people can enjoy beer, wine, or mixed drinks to go

    The district will be bounded bounded by Central and Orange Avenues, First Street and Scenic Highway. 

    The city’s market plaza will be one of the designated outdoor areas where people can enjoy beer, wine, or mixed drinks to go.

    The goal is to boost foot traffic and bring in more businesses downtown.

    Local restaurant owners say they will have to serve alcohol in marked cups.

    “So that anyone who walks off our property, with that cup, the authorities can identify where that person came from,” said Robert Connors, co-owner of The Thirsty Dragon. “It’s our policy to not over serve anybody. We’ve never had that as an issue here, happily. But we’re very careful about it and they want to be careful about it too.”

    The Lake Wales arts, culture, and entertainment district is expected to launch this fall.

    Liquor stores and nightclubs will not be allowed to participate.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Caution, awareness stressed around school buses as students return to school

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    TAMPA, Fla. – As students return to classrooms today, school officials in Tampa Bay and statewide are reminding the public about school bus safety.

    Hillsborough County Public Schools, along with school bus safety organization BusPatrol, has released a report card detailing last year’s school bus stop-arm safety camera program results.


    Florida law requires drivers to stop when a school bus displays a stop signal. Drivers can only resume driving when the stop signal is withdrawn. 

    Last year, the number of violations issued per school bus per day dropped month-over-month as driver awareness of the Hillsborough stop-arm camera program took hold.

    In the program’s first month, the number of violations issued, on average, per school bus, per school day, was 1.34. In the last month of the school year, this number was .38. Moreover, the program saw an under 5% recidivism rate, meaning over 95% of drivers cited for a stop-arm camera violation did not repeat offend. 

    For more information on HCPS’s partnership with BusPatrol and to learn more about school bus safety, click here.

    “As drivers, we all have the power to protect our children,” said Hillsborough Superintendent Van Ayres. “Our district transports nearly 80,000 students each day and their safety is our number one priority.”

     

    In a recent AAA survey, 38% of drivers admitted to speeding and 31% conceded that they used a hand-held cell phone in active school zones.

    FLHSMV said drivers need to pay extra attention to lower speed limits, watch for and obey signals from school crossing guards and to only drive or park in authorized areas to pick up or drop off kids at school. Parents are also encouraged to go over safety tips with their children to make sure they are safe around school buses and school zones.

    (Courtesy of FLHSMV)

    Motorists are required to stop when approaching a school bus that is stopped with its red lights flashing and STOP arms extended. Other rules about navigating areas near school buses include:

    • On two-lane roads, all drivers moving in either direction on a two-way street must stop for a school bus displaying a stop signal, and must remain stopped until the road is clear of children and the school bus stop arm is withdrawn.
    • On a highway divided by a paved median, all drivers moving in either direction must stop for a school bus displaying a stop signal and must remain stopped until the road is clear of children and the school bus stop arm is withdrawn.
    • Divided highways, where there is a raised barrier such as a concrete divider or at least 5 feet of unpaved space separating the lanes of traffic, are the only roadways where traffic approaching an oncoming school bus does not need to stop. On a highway divided by a raised barrier or an unpaved median at least 5 feet wide, drivers moving in the opposite direction do not have to stop for the bus (painted lines or pavement markings are not considered barriers). However, these motorists should slow down and watch for students loading or unloading from the bus. 

    Penalties for passing a stopped school bus include a moving violation to citation, a requirement to complete a basic driver improvement course upon conviction, four points on your driver’s license and a minimum fine of $165. Motorists who pass on the side where children enter and exit will receive a minimum fine of $265.

    If a driver passes a school bus and causes serious bodily injury or death of another person, penalties include serving 120 community service hours in a trauma center or hospital, participating in a victim’s impact panel session (or if such a panel does not exist, attending a FLHSMV-approved driver improvement course), six points on your driver’s license, suspension of your license for a minimum of one year and a $1,500 fine.

    FLHSMV and AAA provide additional school safety tips for parents and their children.

    For drivers:

    • Slow down.
    • Come to a complete stop at stop signs in school zones or neighborhoods, and check carefully for children on sidewalks and in crosswalks before proceeding. 
    • Keep your eyes on the road.
    • Slow down and allow at least 3 feet of passing distance between your vehicle and a bicyclist. 

    For pedestrians:

    • Pay attention at all times. Avoid texting or wearing headphones, so you can detect nearby traffic.  
    • Use sidewalks where available. If not, walk against the direction of traffic so you can see oncoming vehicles.
    • Make yourself easier to be seen by wearing reflective, bright-colored clothing. 

    For bicyclists:

    • Wear a helmet and neon or bright-colored clothes. 
    • Ride in the same direction as traffic and stay as far to the right as possible. Use bike lanes when you can. 
    • Do not wear headphones so you can detect approaching traffic. 
    • Cross the street at intersections. Do not pull into the roadway from between parked cars. 

    On and around school buses:

    • Arrive at the bus stop about five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive.
    • At bus stops, children should wait five steps away from the curb. Never sit on the roadway or curb while waiting for the bus.
    • Be alert and remove headphones so you can hear oncoming traffic.
    • Make sure children know their bus driver’s name and bus number.
    • Tell children to never speak to strangers at the bus stop or get into the car with a stranger. Children should tell parents, the bus driver and a teacher at school if a stranger tries to talk to them or pick them up.
    • Children should never walk behind a bus and should stay away from bus wheels at all times. When the bus stops, children should wait for the driver’s signal that it is safe to cross the road or board the bus.
    • Children should look both ways before crossing the street- look left, right and left again. They should make eye contact to make sure the bus driver can see them as they cross the street.
    • On the bus, children should remain seated at all times, keep the aisle clear and not put their head, hands or arms out the window.
    • Children should stop talking and remain silent when the bus comes to a railroad crossing so the driver can hear if a train is approaching.
    • Children should avoid any loud or disruptive behavior that could distract the bus driver from safely operating the bus.
    • Refer to the official Florida Driver License Handbook for more information on school bus safety.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Trapped in Israel, Bradenton couple shares rescue experience

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    BRADENTON, Fla. — Tampa-based Grey Bull Rescue has brought home more than 7,000 people from dangerous and deadly situations worldwide. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Grey Bull Rescue helped bring a Bradenton couple home

    • Robyn and Neil Spirtas traveled to Israel to volunteer and originally planned to stay for two weeks

    • The couple returned home on June 20

    The nonprofit is an international organization, and its mission is to bring Americans home safely.

    Recently, a Bradenton couple was among the people rescued from Israel during the country’s war with Iran.

    Robyn and Neil Spirtas traveled to Israel to volunteer and planned to stay for two weeks. 

    However, as they reached the end of their trip, they said everything changed. 

    “We started getting the warnings about going to the bomb shelter,” Neil said. “We got word that our flight was canceled, that all our flights in and out of the area were stopping.”

    At the time, they said the fighting had calmed down, and they felt safe going.  

    Once they realized they couldn’t go home, the couple called everyone they could think of and were connected with Grey Bull Rescue.

    Connecting with Grey Bull was a way to get back home, but it wasn’t an easy trip.

    It included a three-day journey of buses and border crossings before a final flight home.

    “When the plane touched down and everyone started cheering on the plane and the pilot came on and he said, ‘Welcome to Tampa,’” Robyn said. 

    “Just very emotional,” Neil said.  

    It’s not the trip the couple expected, but they’re undeterred and hope to go back and help those in need.

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    Matt Lackritz

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  • Some Pasco schools may no longer qualify for free meal programs

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    NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. — The Pasco County School District says big changes are on the way for its Community Eligibility Provision regarding free school lunches.

    For several years, Pasco County Schools has not charged for school breakfast and lunch under the federal CEP Program.

    What You Need To Know

    •  Pasco County Schools is making changes to its CEP free and reduced price meal program 

    •  Only schools in high-poverty areas now qualify for CEP benefits 

    • Students who don’t attend CEP schools can fill out an online application to see if they still qualify for free and reduced-price meals 

    • The changes to Pasco’s CEP Program take effect in August when school resumes 
    • PASCO COUNTY SCHOOL LUNCH INFORMATION (.pdf)


    But changes to funding and rising costs have forced changes in the district that will require some students to start purchasing school meals.

    Beginning with the new school year in August, only schools in high-poverty areas will qualify for free school breakfast and lunch.

    Students attending schools that no longer qualify for CEP benefits will need to fill out an application online to determine if they qualify for free and reduced school meals.

    Pasco Schools Food and Nutrition Services Director Stephanie Spicknall says the changes will not impact any students that are in need of free or reduced meals, regardless of the school’s CEP status.

    “The non-CEP areas, students that attend those sites that need assistance, all they have to do is complete the free and reduced application and as long as they meet those eligibility requirements for their household size and their family income, they will get a letter from us that states that they are on a free or reduced lunch for the school year,” said Spicknall.

    Pasco Schools is encouraging all parents to check their students’ schools for CEP status before the school year starts, and to fill out an application to determine if their students will continue receiving free or reduced-price meals, or if they will need to load money into the students account for meals.

    The first week of school will serve as a grace period for students, but after that, students not qualifying for CEP will be charged on their online accounts.

    View more information on CEP schools and fill out a free and reduced meal application.

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    Jason Lanning

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