ReportWire

Tag: local-politics

  • Clearwater to consider its own utility company instead of Duke Energy

    Clearwater to consider its own utility company instead of Duke Energy

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    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — The City of Clearwater is considering dropping Duke Energy and creating a utility service ran by the city.

    The council will vote this week on whether to hire a consultant to look into the logistics of a switch.

    According to Spectrum Bay News 9 newspaper partners, the Tampa Bay Times, Clearwater’s 30-year agreement with Duke Energy is set to expire in December next year.

    The last city in Florida to end its relationship with an electric utility was Winter Park, back in 2005.

    Winter Park City Manager Randy Knight said that their customer bills are roughly 28 percent lower than Duke customers.

    The council will vote Thursday on whether to conduct a study looking into the change that would cost around $500,000 and take nine months to complete.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Final vote in Rays stadium deal could happen Tuesday

    Final vote in Rays stadium deal could happen Tuesday

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    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — The last and final vote regarding a new St. Pete ballpark for the Tampa Bay Rays is scheduled for Tuesday.

    In order to make the plans for a new stadium and redevelopment of the adjacent Historic Gas Plant District a reality, four of seven county commissioners must vote in favor of the deal. Pinellas County is being asked to contribute just shy of $313 million in bed tax dollars to the stadium. 

    During a workshop session last week among county commissioners, county and city staff, and St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch, a couple of county commissioners expressed concerns about the plans.

    District 4 commissioner Dave Eggers brought up questions over how the Rays stadium deal could impact future beach renourishment projects.

    “How vulnerable does this leave us in the event of something that’s not normal from a beach renourishment standpoint?” he said. “I’m talking about storm generated or emergencies that come up.”

    He also expressed concerns over the city selling the land below appraised value and what would happen should Rays ownership change hands. Eggers told commissioners if he felt rushed to vote on Tuesday, he would be a ‘no’ vote.

    “I don’t want to be rushed. I don’t think we need to be rushed… this is our time to make sure that we are clear about what the ramifications of what the stadium deal are,” he said.

    Following the workshop, Mayor Welch said he felt county commissioners voicing their concerns is all part of the process and he remained confident the vote would pass.

    “We’re shooting for a unanimous vote because this makes so much sense for our county and our city moving forward… in terms of economic benefit and keeping the Rays here,” he said. 

    The Pinellas County commission meeting is scheduled to begin a 2 p.m. in the Palm Room located at 333 Chestnut Street in Clearwater.

    A public hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. Residents who want their voices heard ahead of the final vote will have the opportunity to speak during the public comment session.

    To follow along in real time, the county meeting will be broadcast on Spectrum Channel 637.

    It also will be streamed on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCakmugpSeqsZbfF5P5P90Dg and on the Pinellas County website at https://pinellas.gov/live-webcast-meetings/.

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    Angie Angers

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  • No free parking: Sunset Beach in Treasure Island starts charging

    No free parking: Sunset Beach in Treasure Island starts charging

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    TREASURE ISLAND, Fla. — Parking along Sunset Beach in Treasure Island comes at a bit more of a cost.

    What You Need To Know

    • Side street parking at Sunset Beach in Treasure Island will now cost $5 an hour

    • Visitors will have to use the ParkMobile app to pay for parking

    • Treasure Island parking

    • According to a news release from the city, the new rule “aims to encourage visitors to use city parking lots first and ensure public safety”


    Starting Monday, the city announced that side street parking, which had been free, will now cost visitors $5 an hour.

    The city says they’re doing this to encourage people to use their lots designed for the beach.

    There’s a reason why locals in Pinellas County love coming to Sunset Beach. To Nichole Baker, it’s paradise.

    “It’s just been a place that I’ve come my whole life, and it’s beautiful here, and it’s more laid back,” Baker, a Pinellas County resident, said. “There’s not bars and there are not a whole lot of tourists. So, it’s really just homey.”

    Baker has been coming to Sunset Beach for decades. This place is home to her.

    “I was born and raised here,” Baker said. “And you get to know everybody, and it becomes like a big family.”

    So much so that she even works in the area.

    But Monday morning, it’s a little different at Sunset Beach because now a sign warning visitors of parking on side streets now welcomes folks to West Gulf Boulevard.

    According to the city of Treasure Island, they’re testing a program that requires folks to pay $5 an hour to park on the beach’s side streets.

    Using the Park Mobile app, paying for parking on these streets is now enforced 24/7.

    Officials say the rules exist for public safety, so first responders can access all the roads and so there is a lesser chance beach goers block residential driveways.

    Residents with homes here can pay for two city parking passes for $45 a year.

    But locals to Pinellas County, like Baker, who says she always would park on side streets Isn’t happy with the change.

    “It’s already so difficult out here to live in Paradise,” Baker said. “We’re already paying so much. So, to try to go into our own backyard, to have a little bit of relaxation and have to pay such exorbitant prices, it’s defeating almost.”

    Erinne Mickle lives in Pasadena but is staying at a friend’s place right now at Sunset Beach. She likes coming here to ride her bike and work out.

    “If you just want to park your car, go for a walk or run on the beach, you got to pay for it,” she said.

    While she says it’s a shame people have to pay for side street parking, she understands why homeowners might be happy with it.

    “I think the residents like to have the parking available to them and driving through into their, you know, their driveways and not having all these cars smacked up against their driveway entrance,” Mickle said.

    That’s how Baker feels, too. She gets how this is beneficial to folks with homes here but argues that’s sort of the price of paradise.

    “It’s kind of like the seesaw effect of living on the beach, of living in Paradise,” Baker said. “You have to deal with the people that do make their way down here.”

    When she’s not working her three different jobs, it costs her about $15 to park for four hours here at the beach, so while she plans to still come here, the frequency in which she visits her piece of heaven on earth, she says, will drastically change.

    The city-owned lots at Sunset Beach will be lowered to $3.75 an hour to encourage people to park there instead.

    Parking enforcement is now using license plate readers to see if people are paying for the spot they’re parked in.

    If they aren’t, they could get a ticket with a $60 fine.

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    Nick Popham

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  • Lakeland nonprofit seeing impact after Florida opts out of Sun Bucks program

    Lakeland nonprofit seeing impact after Florida opts out of Sun Bucks program

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    TAMPA, Fla. — Florida is one of about a dozen states that opted out of a federal program, a decision that nonprofits say could increase food insecurity for low-income families during the summer, when children do not have easy access to school meals.

    What You Need To Know

    • Florida opted out of the Sun Bucks Program that would have helped hundreds of families with food
    • Local nonprofits are urging the governor to apply for the Sun Bucks benefit for 2025
    • KidsPack in Lakeland says they’re seeing more people turning to them for food this summer


    The USDA estimates over 2 million kids in Florida would be eligible, totaling more than $250 million in benefits.

    Now organizations that help with hunger are asking state officials to re-consider with a deadline for next year looming.

    Amy Royal is a hands-on kind of person, especially when it comes to helping children. 

    “Right now, we are predicting for the (2024-2025) school year over 4,000 children throughout Polk County that we will provide meals to,” she says.

    Royal is the program and finance manager for KidsPack, an organization that helps feed children in Polk County.

    It’s like a conveyor belt to get the meals packed and ready to go. Packages include non-perishable items children can eat at home.

    Royal says, “We pack about half inside here and half is done out in the community through churches and organizations.”

    Since the nonprofit started, Royal says the need has continued to grow, and recently it’s gotten even worse.

    “Our numbers are going up because of the economic conditions that we have. When funding is taken away from children and food, it really impacts our families,” she says.

    According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Florida is one of about a dozen states that decided to opt out of a new federal benefit called Sun Bucks or summer EBT.

    It provides eligible families $120 per child to buy groceries during the summer. But the state would have had to cover 50% of the administrative costs.

    Royal says without this benefit, more families have had to turn to KidsPack for help.

    She says that is causing a strain on the non-profit which is not federally, or state funded. Instead, they rely on sponsors. 

    “It really impacts our families, which in turn impacts our children, which in turn impacts every organization that is feeding families or children,” Royal said.

    Over 150 organizations from across the state have signed a letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida Department of Children and Families, urging the state to participate in the program next summer. They would need to apply by Aug. 15.

    “Children are still hungry during the summer, children are still homeless during the summer, and they still need to eat during the summer,” says Royal.

    Whether the state reconsiders or not, Royal says it won’t change the need.

    So, she says at KidsPack, they will continue to pack up and distribute as much food as they can.

    Spectrum Bay News 9 reached out to Florida’s Department of Children and Families for comment and it issued a statement, saying existing programs are enough.

    They also say the federal program came with “strings attached” in the form of operational costs that would be shared with the state.

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    Lizbeth Gutierrez

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  • Republicans hold a voter advantage over Democrats in Florida

    Republicans hold a voter advantage over Democrats in Florida

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

    What You Need To Know

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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    Erica Riggins

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  • Tampa Democrat Rep. Kathy Castor backs Harris for president

    Tampa Democrat Rep. Kathy Castor backs Harris for president

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    TAMPA, Fla. — U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, who represents part of the Tampa Bay area in Florida’s 14th Congressional District, says she will be supporting Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee.

    What You Need To Know

    • Throwing her support behind Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor says the Democratic Party is energized with a “deep bench” of potential VP picks 

    • Democratic National Committee’s Rules Committee will meet Wednesday to outline the plan for a virtual roll call to select Harris as the party’s official nominee

    • The committee’s chair says the party will have a nominee by Aug. 7  

    • MORE: Democratic delegates cite new energy while rallying behind Kamala Harris for president


    The first step in the process of securing a presidential pick will begin Wednesday during a meeting of the Democratic National Committee’s Rules Committee.

    The group plans to outline rules for a virtual roll call, which is a process that could make the party’s presidential nominee final before the start of the Democratic National Convention on Aug. 19.

    In a post on X, Rule Committee Chair Jaime Harrison said they are moving to the next phase of selecting a nominee. After the Rules Committee Meeting Wednesday, the party will open the window for candidates to secure at least 300 delegate nomination signatures.

    Then the electronic voting process will begin, when delegates can select their pick for presidential nominee.

    Harrison said he was confident the party will have a nominee by Aug. 7 — the deadline for a candidate to be submitted to appear on the ballot in Ohio.

    Castor, who serves as a party delegate, says she endorses Harris, and the Democratic Party has a deep bench when it comes to her pick for a running mate. Castor said it is an exciting time for the party because voters are energized and engaged, and she believes Harris is going to have a campaign based on the future.

    “She is a patriotic hard working American who, as opposed to President Biden, will be able to articulate our accomplishments and then share a vision for the future,” Castor said. “And I think the race for VP on her ticket is going to be quite exciting.”

    Wednesday’s Democratic National Committee’s Rules Committee will be live streamed on YouTube.

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    Angie Angers

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  • Pasco County leaders approve road tax, plan to pave 4,200 lane miles

    Pasco County leaders approve road tax, plan to pave 4,200 lane miles

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    LACOOCHEE, Fla. — Changes are on the way for Pasco County homeowners when it comes to paying for road paving and maintenance.

    What You Need To Know

    • A new countywide tax is changing the way road maintenance and improvements are being made in Pasco County

    • The new tax replaces a program that required residents to vote on road projects, instead opting with a tax that all homeowners will have to pay

    • For the average homeowner, officials say the tax would equate between $85 and $100 a year

    • The county has a total of 4,200 lane miles and the plan is to pave, on average, 130 lane miles per year


    County leaders recently approved a new countywide tax that changes how much homeowners pay for road improvements. The new tax replaces a program that required residents to vote on road projects.

    But the new tax is raising some concerns among existing homeowners.

    “Born here, raised here, all my life,” said Lacoochee homeowner Leon Mercer.

    Living on what was once a farm, Mercer’s home is surrounded by many unpaved roads. But due to the new countywide road tax, that may all change.

    Charging homeowners a tax to help with road maintenance, including paving, was a worrying thought for Mercer.

    “When they do that, they’re going to put a cul-de-sac at the end and more people are going to want to come down here and buy out some of these pieces like mine and my neighbor’s,” said Mercer. “If they sell, that’s the way of life.”

    But those within Pasco County government say that’s not the case. Instead, under the new tax, roads under the worst condition will be repaired first.

    “We’re going to equally base it out throughout five districts, five commissioners,” said Pasco County Commissioner Ronald Oakley. “So we’ll get paving in all of these districts that will help all across the county to improve our roads and they very much need to be improved.”

    Each homeowner’s tax, Oakley said, will be dependent on their property value.

    “It charges $51.84 per $100,000 value,” said Oakley. “To let you know what that means to a taxpayer, the median value of homes in Pasco County is $163,579.”

    Oakley said for the average homeowner this would equate to between $85 and $100 a year.

    Mercer’s only other concern is equal distribution of that tax money. Ensuring that all roads throughout the county are maintained.

    “If they do anything, put some money on this side of the county and don’t restrict anybody,” he said.

    Pasco County officials say they expect road work to start next year. Also saying they will stop billing property owners during paving projects under the old system.

    The county has a total of 4,200 lane miles and county leaders say the plan is to pave an average of 130 lane miles per year.

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    Calvin Lewis

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  • Pinellas sees dozens of voters sign-up at election offices at primary deadline

    Pinellas sees dozens of voters sign-up at election offices at primary deadline

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    LARGO, Fla. — Inside the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections Office, ballots upon ballots are being sorted. Ready to be mailed out to registered voters ahead of next month’s Aug. 20 primary.

    What You Need To Know

    • Monday marked the deadline for Floridians to register to vote in the Aug. 20 primary election

    • The deadline brought out dozens to get signed up at various tax collector’s offices, including first-time voters

    • Those working at registration locations say they have seen a noticeable uptick in the amount of people registering

    • The deadline to register for 2024 General Election is Oct. 7, 2024

    “Florida has a registration deadline which is 29 days prior to the election, and we also have closed primaries, with the exceptions of universal primary contests,” says Marcus. “It’s really important to check your voter registration status, you can do that on your supervisor’s website- for Pinellas it’s VotePinellas.gov and just get election ready today.”

    And getting election ready is what many across Pinellas were doing. Such as getting registered to vote at one of the county’s tax collector’s offices.

    “In all the different places I’ve worked, I’ve never seen the amount of activity and the interest as I have today!” said Maura Sweeney, Pinellas County Election Ambassador. “It’s really been remarkable. It’s very encouraging and inspiring.”

    The deadline to register brought out dozens to get signed up, including first-time voters.

    “When I saw them here, I was like, ‘Oh- well it would be a good time because I’m sure I’m going to be waiting a little while,’” said Alexa Cooper, who was registering to vote for the first time. “It’s busy.”

    And plenty have taken that same opportunity to register.

    “Things like that are so exciting for us because our whole incentive at our election’s office is to make sure we’re out there,” says Sweeney. “That the community knows we’re out there and we want to make sure that everybody has an opportunity to get registered and also get current as a voter.”

    Showing that this upcoming election is sure to have a decent turnout.

    “I’ve been doing this for 22 years and what we traditionally see is the highest participation rates in general Presidential election years,” said Marcus. “So in November, Pinellas County has always been highly engaged and I do not expect anything different going into 2024.”

    Shaping up for what is sure to be a busy November election.

    If you are requesting a mail-in ballot, requests need to be made by Aug. 8 in order to receive one for the Aug. 20 primary.

    The deadline to register for the 2024 General Election is Oct. 7, 2024.

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    Calvin Lewis

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  • Important deadlines for Florida’s primary election

    Important deadlines for Florida’s primary election

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    The 2024 presidential race is well underway. Florida’s primary election is slated for Aug. 20, and voters have until Monday, July 22 to register to vote or update their registration.


    Florida is a closed primary state, which means voters will need to lock in their party affiliation by that date in order to participate in their chosen primary elections.

    Voters looking to vote by mail should make sure to get their applications in before Thursday, August 8. Those who already signed up for vote by mail ballots will be recieving them soon. The first round of ballots started being sent out July 6.

    Residents of Central Florida looking to avoid potentially long lines at their polling places can take part in early voting, which will be open from August 5 through August 18.

    After the primary, the general election, where voters can choose who takes up residency in the White House will take place on November 5. Before that, voters should make sure to be registered or update their registration on or before October 7, and early voting will take place from October 21 through November 3.

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    Phillip Stucky

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  • Election office remind public of deadline ahead of August primaries

    Election office remind public of deadline ahead of August primaries

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    HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — Monday is the deadline to register to vote or change your party affiliation ahead of Florida’s primary elections next month.

    Bay area residents can register online, by mail, or stop by their county’s elections’ office in person.


    Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Craig Latimer said it’s important to come out and vote in the other race, including the democratic senate primary.

    “In a primary election, a no party affiliate or a minor party can vote in all of the nonpartisan races,” Latimer said. “That means they can vote in school boards; judges and we also have what’s called a universal primary for public defenders.”

    Latimer says the county has already sent out 150,000 vote by mail ballots for the upcoming primary around 2,500 of those are heading out overseas to military members and residents abroad.

    Primary Election Day is August 20. 

    SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS OFFICES: 

     

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Pasco Elections officials share important information for primary election

    Pasco Elections officials share important information for primary election

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    PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — Florida’s Primary Election is less than 5 weeks away, and the deadline to register to vote is fast approaching.

    What You Need To Know

    • Pasco County officials shared important information for the election primary taking place in August
    • The deadline to register to vote for the primary, and to change your political party, is Monday, July 22
    • Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley said people can register and make any changes in person, but the most common way to do this is right from the comfort of your home on the Supervisor of Elections website for your particular county


    While primary ballots will include partisan races for such things as the U.S. Senate seat held by Republican Rick Scott, they will also include nonpartisan races in many areas of the state.

    Election officials want to make sure people understand that if they are not registered, they can’t vote. Monday is the deadline if you want to change your party for the August primary.

    Pasco County’s Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley said people can register and make any changes in person, but the most common way to do this is right from the comfort of your home on the Supervisor of Elections website for your particular county.  

    Officials also want to remind residents that if you plan to vote-by-mail to that ballot now.

    Corley said primary elections tend to see fewer voters, but he says they’re extremely important to local government.

    “A county commissioner, a school board candidate, has more of a direct impact on our lives as citizens than some at the federal level. Certainly, the president day-to-day, and yet the irony is the turnout is inverted. It also should be opposite for some local office consideration,” he says.

    Corley said his officials are seeing a number of people changing their political affiliation, but he says the trend seems to be voters leaving the major parties to become independent.

    He does say typically after Labor Day they see more people registering to vote in the presidential election.

    Since Florida is a closed primary state, only voters who are registered political party members may vote for their respective party’s candidate in a primary election.

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    Lizbeth Gutierrez

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  • UF President Ben Sasse is resigning after his wife was diagnosed with epilepsy

    UF President Ben Sasse is resigning after his wife was diagnosed with epilepsy

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    GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — University of Florida President Ben Sasse announced late Thursday that he will leave his position of nearly two years to focus on taking care of his family after his wife was diagnosed with epilepsy.

    In a post on the social platform X, the former U.S. senator from Nebraska said that “after extensive prayer and lots of family tears,” he asked university officials that day to start looking for a new president. In a statement, the university said his resignation is effective July 31.

    What You Need To Know

    • UF President Ben Sasse announced late Thursday that he will leave his position

    • His resignation is effective July 31

    • Sasse’s wife, Melissa, who had an aneurysm and a series of strokes in 2007, was recently diagnosed with epilepsy

    “I need to step back for a time and focus more on the needs of my family while we rebuild more stable household systems,” Sasse said, adding that he would continue to teach at the university.

    Sasse’s wife, Melissa, who had an aneurysm and a series of strokes in 2007, was recently diagnosed with epilepsy and has been having “a new batch of memory issues,” he said.

    “We’ve battled some nasty seizures the last couple years, but she’s always remained a warrior,” he said.

    The couple has two daughters in college, and their youngest child is turning 13, he said.


    Sasse, a Republican, left the senate last year after being named the 13th president of the university.

    While in the Senate, he was a prominent critic of former President Donald Trump who joined with a handful of other Republicans to vote in favor of conviction his impeachment trial after the 2021 Capitol riot. That led to criticism from within Sasse’s own party even though he voted with Trump 85% of the time and helped get his three Supreme Court nominees confirmed.

    The chair of the university’s board of trustees, Mori Hosseini, thanked Sasse for his leadership.

    “He has left a lasting impact on the university and all of those associated with it. We wish Ben all the best as he steps back to focus on his family,” Hosseini said.

    Sasse thanked the university for welcoming his family and said he was grateful for the professors and students as well those behind the scenes, like third-shift maintenance crews and the early morning cafeteria workers.

    “We love you. You touched our hearts and made this more than a job — you made it our community,” Sasse said. “That’s why we’re not going anywhere.”

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    Associated Press

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  • With 5-3 vote, St. Pete City Council approves Rays stadium deal project

    With 5-3 vote, St. Pete City Council approves Rays stadium deal project

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The St. Petersburg City Council voted 5-3 Thursday to approve plans for a new ballpark and redevelopment of the surrounding Historic Gas Plant district.

    The vote, which largely determines the future of the Tampa Bay Rays in St. Petersburg, happened shortly before 4 p.m. The Rays have played at Tropicana Field since their debut season in 1998.

    “This is not an easy vote, but this is the right thing for the city of St. Petersburg, for Pinellas County, for our region,” said Councilman Ed Montanari.

    The city agreed to spend nearly $430 million over the length of the deal and sell 65 acres of public land to the Rays. The total cost of the redevelopment project is roughly $6.5 billion, which includes the $1.3 billion ballpark.

    The project will still need approval from the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners. Pinellas County is being asked to contribute $313 million in tourism tax. That vote is scheduled for July 30.


    Council members Copley Gerdes, Brandi Gabbard, Montanari, Deborah Figgs-Sanders and Gina Driscoll voted in favor.

    Mayor Ken Welch added, “This process worked, and it’s something we can be proud of.”

    He later said at a news conference, “Today is a major milestone in a 40-year journey.”

    In a prepared statement, Tampa Bay Rays Principal Owner Stuart Sternberg, said:  “Thursday’s St. Petersburg City Council approvals of the Historic Gas Plant District Development and a new ballpark for the Rays is a significant milestone for our city, Pinellas County and the entire Tampa Bay region — and for the Rays and our fans.”

    Thursday’s St. Pete City Council vote was one officials with the Rays had been preparing for for more than a year. (Spectrum Bay News 9/Eddie Jackson)

    He added: “We look forward to working with our Pinellas County partners on the next and final step in the process to secure the future of the Rays for generations to come.”

    City council members had voted 5-3 in favor of the new ballpark and redevelopment plans during a preliminary vote in June.

    At that time, council members Lisset Hanewicz, Richie Floyd, and John Muhammad voted against the deal and raised concerns over the finances and speed in which the process was taking place.

    While the vote didn’t hold any weight, it gave the development team a chance to address council members’ concerns ahead of Thursday’s final vote.

    Hanewicz, Floyd and Muhammad also cast no votes on Thursday.

    “Under the current terms, in my opinion, we’re giving far too much public money with too few concrete obligations and city council oversight,” Hanewicz said. “I want the Rays to stay, but I can’t vote for this deal.”

    Concern over possible graves 

    One of the major concerns the community has with the Gas Plant district development is about the possible graves that may still be there.

    On Thursday, a company scanned the area using ground penetrating radar to try to figure out if there are human remains underground.

    Spectrum News Photo

    Spectrum News Photo

    Experts say a parking area for Tropicana Field, along with the area just under the bridge of I-275, was once home to two African American cemeteries and one segregated cemetery.

    The bodies were said to be relocated, but human remains have been discovered over the years during different development projects on the property.

    A memorial to honor those who might still be buried here is part of the proposed plan, but during a meeting this week one council member asked about possible excavation of the property.

    The results of the ground penetrating radar aren’t expected for another couple of months.

    “Here to Stay” event

    On Wednesday, The Tampa Bay Rays and a group of its community partners held a “Here to Stay” press conference and pop-up party in order to drum up support ahead of the vote.

    When asked about his feelings on the impending St. Pete City Council vote, Tampa Bay Rays owner Stu Sternberg remained positive.

    “I believe that many of them believe in our vision. The questions have been there, he probing has been there. There’s been numerous meetings with many, many, many hours of Committee of the Whole meetings the council has had,” he said. “But it’s not for us to say and not for us to speculate.”

     

    Breakdown of Thursday’s resolutions

     

    Passed – 5-3: A resolution for the 12 agreements that provide the framework necessary to redevelop the current Tropicana Field site, ensuring the continued operations of the Tampa Bay Rays, approximately $6.5 billion of new development, significant job creation and community benefits, and one of the largest economic development projects in the region’s history;

    Passed – 5-3: An ordinance adopting amendments to Intown Redevelopment Plan to increase the Redevelopment Program budget to fund the New Stadium Project and the Historic Gas Plant Redevelopment Infrastructure;

    Passed – 5-3: An ordinance approving the Development Agreement for the Historic Gas Plant District Redevelopment;

    Passed – 5-3: Two resolutions to approve the issuance of bonds to finance the project costs relating to A) the New Stadium project and B) the infrastructure required for the Historic Gas Plant District Redevelopment Plan, and confirm the appointment of special legal counsel for related legal services;

    Passed – 5-3: A resolution acknowledging the selection of Skanksa USA Building Inc. for construction services for the Historic Gas Plant District Redevelopment project, including the new Tampa Bay Rays stadium.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • City council approves million-dollar rebuild of Clearwater Marina

    City council approves million-dollar rebuild of Clearwater Marina

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

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

    What You Need To Know

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

     

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    Erica Riggins

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  • Rays host ‘Here to Stay’ event at Tropicana Field today

    Rays host ‘Here to Stay’ event at Tropicana Field today

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    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — The owner of the Tampa Bay Rays, along with city leaders, are drumming up support ahead of Thursday’s vote on redevelopment of the Historic Gas Plant District.

    The team held a “We’re Here to Stay” press conference this morning.


    Rays’ officials said they wanted to hold this event on the eve of the final St. Pete city council vote to show the support they’ve got and their gratitude.

    The team’s principal owner Stu Sternberg said they’re on the cusp of getting a new ballpark, something the team has been trying to do for nearly 20 years.

    Sternberg acknowledged there were some missteps along the way but said he wants everyone to know the organization is committed to the Tampa Bay region.

    The St. Pete Chamber of Commerce and NAACP showed up in support of the $6.5-billion project.    

    Sternberg said he’s got his fingers crossed about tomorrow’s vote, where the city would spend $429 million and sell 65 acres of public land, to the Rays.

    Sternberg talked about garnering as much support as possible.

    “I would put it on each and every one of you and myself and our staff as well to convert those who have been naysayers to all of this,” Sternberg said. “They don’t have to be rah-rah supporters but you know what, if they can at least take a step back and just accept what we’re trying to do and be a part of it and feel rewarded as opposed to saying ‘I told you so, I told you so’ kind of a thing.

    “That would go a long way.”

    Sternberg did not want to speculate on the vote, which needs five votes to pass.

    During Tuesday’s meeting, city council members asked additional questions about the project. Mayor Ken Welch said he’s optimistic for tomorrow’s vote.

    “A day in St. Pete’s history will look back on it and see this is the next step in a very long journey in almost four decades to really realize the promises of the Historic Gas Plant,” Welch said. “Great feedback from council as many of them said we incorporate a lot of their suggestions, made the agreement stronger.”

    Even though Welch is hoping the deal goes through, there are community members speaking out against it.

    A protest was held last night, where residents voiced their concerns.

    Again, the city council will vote on this plan tomorrow.

    If they approve it, it then goes to Pinellas County commissioners for a vote.

    That is set for July 30.

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    Josh Rojas

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  • USF moving toward pre-approval on all campus activities

    USF moving toward pre-approval on all campus activities

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    TAMPA, Fla. — The University of South Florida is considering changes to on campus activities.

    This comes after a group held a pro-Palestine protest on campus earlier this year. That demonstration was broken up by law enforcement and several people were arrested.


    It also led to students being suspended or expelled from USF.

    Now the university wants all planned activities on school grounds to be pre-approved.

    They also want to limit how long signs promoting the activities can stay up, to just two weeks. No activities would be allowed after 5 p.m. during the week. Nor would they be allowed on weekends or when campus is closed unless the school approves it.

    Finally, no protests or demonstrations could be held the last two weeks of a semester.

    This is to allow for proper exam preparations for both students and staff.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Clearwater city council moves to calm “disruptive” public comments

    Clearwater city council moves to calm “disruptive” public comments

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    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — The Clearwater city council meeting got heated Monday night as members talked about making changes to public comments.

    Two people were escorted out of the meeting by police for being disruptive.

    What You Need To Know

    • Clearwater city council meeting got heated Monday night as members talked about making changes to public comments

    • Two people were escorted out of the meeting by police for being disruptive

    • Mayor Bruce Rector said the council will discuss the measure again in three months

    It came just before council members decided to do away with the open forum part of their meetings for three months.

    That’s when attendees can comment on topics not on that day’s agenda. Those against the move say it’s a violation of first amendment rights.

    Clearwater Mayor Bruce Rector said the tone of meetings has gotten very heated in recent months, leading to violent e-mail and phone threats against council members and staff.

    The hope is pausing open forum will cool things down.

    “We have incidents that happen like happened in Pennsylvania on Saturday, and I don’t know how these people get to the point where they want to cause harm to others, but certainly it’s a threat that we need to take seriously,” Rector said.

    Meanwhile, Clearwater resident John Filax spoke out against the new rule.

    “We have the right to redress our grievances whether they like it, whether they’re cuss words, as long as we’re not threatening them, which no one has done, fighting words or causing a riot, per se,” he said. “We should be allowed to speak.”

    Rector said the council will discuss the measure again in three months.

    He said an open forum could return to meeting agendas, but with rules focusing on decorum.


     

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    Sarah Blazonis

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  • Pinellas County seeks resident input on flooding issues via survey

    Pinellas County seeks resident input on flooding issues via survey

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    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Pinellas County is asking resident who have experienced flooding to complete a survey that could lead to millions in grant money to protect community assets.

    “We need the public’s input in order to make this assessment successful,” said Lauren Wolf, Pinellas County Sustainability & Resiliency coordinator. “The vulnerability assessment will help us determine what kind of solutions we need.”

    What You Need To Know

    • The flood impact survey could lead to millions in DEP grant money

    • Pinellas County wants to know which community assets to protect from flooding  

    • The grant money will help the county build permanent solutions to mitigate the growing flood threat 

    • The survey must be completed by July 31


    The county will use the information to map locations at risk of flooding in the future during high tides, heavy rain and storm surge. Wolf said the impact survey asks residents about their personal experiences with flooding and what community assets they want protected.  

    “Community assets can include things like the airport, hospitals, schools, parks,” she said. “We want to know what the community would like to see protected from future flooding.”

    Wolf said it takes less than 10 minutes to complete the survey which is funded by Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection. The same agency which will award the grant money based on the sea level rise and storm surge vulnerability assessment.

    “They are going to be releasing funds that will help us put together projects to address flooding,” she said. “The future flooding that we’re expecting and the current flooding that we’re already experiencing.”

    The deadline to complete the survey is July 31. Wolf said so far 250 residents have taken the survey, which is more than halfway to her goal.

    “We’re so grateful that folks are really chiming in with their input,” she said. “We would love to get at least 400 folks. As many as possible.”

    Wolf said the county wants to build more permanent solutions to flooding with any grant money received.

    “Pinellas County is constantly working to address flooding today. There are crews that will go out and maintain our storm water systems,” she said. “We’ve got several capital projects that are going on throughout the county and this assessment is going to help us do more of that in the future.”

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    Josh Rojas

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  • Former Homeland Security Advisor on Trump rally security: ‘catastrophic failure’

    Former Homeland Security Advisor on Trump rally security: ‘catastrophic failure’

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A former Homeland Security advisor is calling the security this weekend at former President Donald Trump’s rally was a catastrophic failure.

    Speaking with Spectrum Bay News 9 over the weekend, Former New York Homeland Security advisor Michael Balboni said one of the first priorities at an event like Saturday’s is to send in a team ahead of time to examine the layout of the area.

    What You Need To Know

    • Ex-Homeland Security advisor is calling the security this weekend at former President Donald Trump’s rally a catastrophic failure

    • Former New York Homeland Security advisor Michael Balboni cited multiple failures 
    • THE LATEST: Assassination attempt at former President Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday left one person killed and two others injured

    The assassination attempt at Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday left one person killed and two others injured.

    The suspected shooter, identified by federal authorities as Thomas Matthew Crooks, was killed by U.S. Secret Service gunmen.

    Balboni highlighted things like how many buildings are on the property and where people could get in front of or behind the politician.

    He said the mistake during Saturday’s rally was the security around the structure where the gunman was. Balboni notes it was roughly 400 meters away with an open line of sight. He suggests there should have been someone from security on the roof. Overall, he says former, current and future presidents need better protection.

    “I was very fearful that our country has gotten to a point where we are truly looking at the abyss. In my adult life, I’ve never known a more polarized time,” Balboni said. “I just hope there’s a lot of call for calm. I hope that everybody takes a step back and recognizes that we avoided a major, major tragedy.

    “Whether this was Donald Trump or Joe Biden or anybody who wants to seek to lead this great nation, they deserve to be protected at the highest level of our capabilities.”

    Congressional lawmakers on both sides are calling for a hearing to discuss the attempted assassination.

    The House Oversight Chairman has contacted the Secret Service for a briefing. That hearing will be on July 22.

    Speaking with Spectrum Bay News 9 over the weekend, Former New York Homeland Security advisor Michael Balboni said one of the first priorities at an event like Saturday’s is to send in a team ahead of time to examine the layout of the area. (Spectrum News image)

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    Julia Hazel

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  • Bay area delegate preps for RNC with creative headwear

    Bay area delegate preps for RNC with creative headwear

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    WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — When the Republican National Convention (RNC) begins, delegates will be wearing their pride on their heads.

    It’s part of a longstanding hat tradition at political conventions.

    What You Need To Know

    • Polk County delegate Kat Gates-Skipper prepares for the Republican National Convention (RNC) by making political hats

    • It’s part of a longstanding hat tradition at political conventions
    • Back in 2016, Smithsonian curators asked her to donate her headwear to the National Museum of American History

    • The RNC begins July 15


    Polk County resident Kat Gates-Skipper spent time adding pins and buttons to the hats she’ll wear in Milwaukee. This is her third convention.

    “I’m really excited about going back,” Gates-Skipper said.

    The alternate delegate said she loves the creativity that goes into crafting her convention hats. 

    “It kind of tells a story about who I am and what I do, and of course, supporting President Trump,” Gates-Skipper said. “And it’s a lot of fun.”

    Gates-Skipper has three original political hats she’ll take to the Republican National Convention this year.

    Back in 2016, she said the hat she wore gained national attention. Smithsonian curators asked her to donate the fancy headwear to the National Museum of American History. Gates-Skipper said she received that hat as a gift — and she’s not ready to hand it over to a museum.

    “I said no, I got more work to do,” Gates-Skipper said, laughing. “I wouldn’t give it up.”

    The RNC kicks off July 15.

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    Dalia Dangerfield

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