ReportWire

Tag: manatee county

  • Could a retractable wall in Tampa Bay prevent storm surge flooding?

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The immediate past president of the Shore Acres Civic Association, Kevin Batdorf, has pitched lawmakers on a big idea to install a retractable wall at the entrance of Tampa Bay to protect against storm surge flooding from hurricanes.  

    Batdorf lives in the lowest lying neighborhood in St. Petersburg, Shore Acres, which has experienced repeated flooding from storms in the past five  years. Batdorf said he’s constantly looking for solutions to mitigate the rising problem.

    “Create a floodgate system that crosses from Pinellas County to Manatee or Hillsborough County at the narrowest point that rises 12-to-15 feet high when a storm is coming,” he said. “It would prevent the water from coming into Tampa Bay and save billions of dollars of damage.”

    What You Need To Know

    • Kevin Batdorf has pitched lawmakers on a big idea to install a retractable wall at the entrance of Tampa Bay

    • Batdorf wants the 14 mile long wall to be 12-to-15 feet high to prevent storm surge flooding from hurricanes  

    • State Senator Nick DeCeglie said “it’s a great concept” but he’s skeptical it could actually be implemented

    • Sen. DeCeglie said he’s focused on more realistic solutions which include stormwater and seawall infrastructure improvements


    “In the Netherlands, they had a similar situation to us,” he said. “Meaning they were inundated by rising tides, changing climate. So they had their engineers come up with a solution.”

    State Senator Nick DeCeglie, R-Indian Rocks Beach, represents District 18, which covers most of Pinellas County. Senator DeCeglie said “it’s a great concept” but he’s skeptical a 14 mile long retractable wall in Tampa Bay could actually be implemented.

    “Something like this would be billions and billions of dollars,” he said. “My question is immediately, what about the coastal communities? How does the water interacting with a dam, essentially, how does that impact areas North of the Bay? South of the Bay? That water has to go somewhere.”

    DeCeglie said he’s focused on more realistic solutions and has been working on a permitting bill this session to make it easier for homeowners to install flood barriers.

    “What we can actually accomplish in the near mid and long term is infrastructure improvements,” he said. “Whether that be stormwater, whether that be seawalls.”

    Batdorf said he realizes there are big challenges with his idea from jurisdictional, funding and environmental.

    “I think it’s going to be the State of Florida and the federal government that are going to have to come in and do the engineering and frankly, pay for it,” he said. “FEMA’s paying out billions of dollars in claims, there’s money available to stop paying those claims.”

    “There are going to be environmental concerns and I get that it’s going to disturb the environment by installing it,” he added. “But I think it’s going to enhance the environment for sea life. Once it’s built, becomes a natural reef.”

    Batdorf points out Tampa General Hospital and the City of St. Petersburg have purchased an Aqua Fence to prevent flooding and he wants to do the same for residents on a much larger scale.

    “This idea is just common sense. If there’s a wall of water coming in, you put something up to stop it from coming in,” he said. “You see all these other entities putting up barriers to keep water out. Here’s a barrier to keep it out of everybody’s home.”

    Batdorf has announced he’s going to run in the St. Petersburg mayor’s race but has not yet officially filed.

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    Josh Rojas

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  • Anna Maria City Pier set for comeback after $2 million county approval

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    MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Manatee County commissioners have approved a grant of up to $2 million to help rebuild the Anna Maria City Pier. In total, it’s a $7 to $8 million project.

    Anna Maria City Mayor Mark Short said right now, the city is paying for the work, but will soon receive money from FEMA, the state and the county.

    Members of the community can’t contain their anticipation for when the rebuilt pier will be complete.

    What You Need To Know

    • Manatee County commissioners approved a grant of up to $2 million to help rebuild the Anna Maria City Pier — part of a $7 to $8 million total project
    • The mayor says the pier is coming back stronger built with solid cement pilings and reinforced connections designed to better withstand major storms
    • Local business owners and residents say the pier is a vital landmark and gathering place, and its return will boost both community spirit and local businesses

    Kitchen Manager Michael Rain has been working at The Waterfront Restaurant in Anna Maria for 17 years.

    “I love it,” he said. “Love the people I get to meet that work here. They’re fun.”

    What wasn’t fun, he said, was dealing with the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024. Right across the street from his restaurant, the iconic Anna Maria City Pier was significantly damaged.

    But now it’s being rebuilt, with help from the Manatee County commissioners’ grant.

    The pier is special to many people in the community, including Rain.

    “I grew up coming out here visiting my cousin, fishing on the pier. So that’ll be exciting,” he said.

    He says a rebuilt pier will also be good for business.

    “I believe so, especially locals from in town,” he said. “You get to come out and it gives them just one more thing to do while out here.”

    Short said they’re not just rebuilding the pier, but it is coming back stronger than ever.

    Short said the walkway this time around is being built with solid cement pilings. The prior walkway, built after Hurricane Irma, was constructed with precast pilings that had a hole in the middle. In addition, they will all be connected by cement bents and stringers.

    He said they’re focused on making this new pier more resilient than the last.

    “Now, there’s never a guarantee,” Short said, adding the rebuilt pier is on track to be completed by the end of the year. “We do believe that this walkway will survive a significant storm.”

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    Julia Hazel

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  • Despite some public objections, Palmetto approves teen curfew

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    PALMETTO, Fla. — Despite some pushback from the community, members of the Palmetto City Commission voted 4-1 Monday to adopt a new curfew ordinance for minors.

    What You Need To Know

    • Despite some pushback from the community, members of the Palmetto City Commission voted 4-1 Monday to adopt a new curfew ordinance for minors

    • Children under 16 will not be allowed out without a parent between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and midnight to 6 a.m. Friday and Saturday

    • Some parents and community members spoke against the ordinance, saying they worry teens in minority groups might be targeted

    Children under 16 will not be allowed out without a parent between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and midnight to 6 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

    The city’s ordinance mirrors the ordinance passed by the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners in November.

    Some parents and community members spoke against the city’s ordinance, saying they worry teens in minority groups might be targeted.

    “I just don’t want our children ending up caught up into the system or having any fines imposed on them when they’re not the responsible ones for all of that,” said Manatee County NAACP President Tracey Washington.


    Palmetto Police Chief Scott Tyler said the rule will help protect teens, and they will not be charged criminally for violating it.

    “We enforce the law impartially, effectively,” Tyler said. “This isn’t an ordinance where we’re going to be out there stopping kids. When we encounter kids, we’re trying to get them home. Also, remember that this ordinance and the statute that backs it up, it’s not criminal.”

    Tyler added there could be a $50 fine, but that will be reserved for repeat violations.

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    Sarah Blazonis

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  • Manatee County Commissioner Carol Felts dies

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    MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Commissioner Carol Felts has died, according to a statement by District 5 Commissioner Dr. Bob McCann on Tuesday.

    Felts represented District 1 after being elected to the post in November 2024.

    McCann called Felts a “true friend to the people.”

    “As the Manatee County Commissioner for District 1, Carol Felts was a devoted public servant, people person, and someone who spoke from the heart,” McCann said.

    Before she took office, she was a regular at county meetings, McCann said.

    She also served on several boards and councils in the county.

    In a news release, the county said: “Throughout her tenure, she worked diligently to represent her constituents, strengthen community partnerships, and advance initiatives that supported the well-being of Manatee County and its residents.”

    Commission Chair Tal Siddique said Felts cared deeply about the people she served.

    “Her commitment to District 1 and to the future of our county was evident in her leadership and service. She will be greatly missed by her colleagues, County staff, and the community,” Siddique said.

    The county will formally recognize Felts during its meeting on March 3.

    The cause of her death wasn’t released.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Del Couch gives aspiring musicians the tools they need

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    PALMETTO, Fla. — Through his Del Couch Music Education Foundation, a Manatee County man is helping young people pursue their goal of being musicians, singers or even recording studio engineers.

    What You Need To Know

    • Dell Couch started the Del Couch Music Education Foundation to give back to the community after a career in music and real estate

    • The foundation provides musical instruments, lessons and opportunities to perform

    • Couch operates a production studio for student training inside the Manatee School for the Arts


    Longtime musician Del Couch said an act of kindness in high school motivated him to start his nonprofit — his band instructor gave him a trumpet so he could play in the high school band. Couch went on to play in the United States Air Force Band for several years, and then performed in bands for decades.

    Couch eventually transitioned into a real estate career, but in the 1990s he went to the Berklee College of Music and got a master’s degree in music production. He opened his own music production studio and started his foundation.

    In 2012, the Manatee School for the Arts allowed Couch to move the studio into the school.

    Couch now teaches students how to use the studio to produce music. His foundation also provides students with musical instruments and lessons, among other things.

    “It’s an opportunity rare to get,” Couch said. “Especially at no cost. That’s the biggest thing. No parent or student pays for anything.”

    On a recent morning Couch was in the studio with high school senior Jayden Bell to work on the mix for some Latin-style music.

    “And we are doctoring the mix,” Couch said. “So, he is going to add a little sparkle to the drums. And a little bottom to the bass.”

    Bell has been training in the recording studio for four years and sees it as invaluable.

    “Well, I get the opportunity to do stuff that you can’t really do anywhere else in the country with people that have been doing this a long time that want to do this for the love of it,” he said.

    Dell also works with lots of the students at the school who are forming bands. He gives them advice on their performances and sets up music events where the bands can play in front of large crowds.

    “They get an opportunity to play in these events on major stages that they would never get before,” he said.

    Many of Couch’s students have gone on to success in the music business.

    “For example, Bella Garland, who is our latest girl in Nashville, won the Bluebird Café songwriting competition,” Couch said. “It is huge and is recognized by the national songwriter’s competition.”

    Couch said he gets a great deal of satisfaction from working with the students.

    “The biggest thing is their enthusiasm,” he said. “They are willing to learn. They want this knowledge and to see them become successful.”

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    Rick Elmhorst

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  • Cold weather shelters to open across Tampa Bay

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    TAMPA, Fla. — A cold front on the way could bring overnight temperatures to the 30s during the early part of the week.

    Counties are once again preparing to open up cold weather shelters for people in need of a warm place to sleep.

    What You Need To Know

    • A cold front on the way could bring overnight temperatures to the 30s during the early part of the week

    • Counties across Central Florida are opening cold weather shelters for people in need 

    • Monitor the conditions with our Weather Experts


    HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY

    These shelters will take in guests from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 22, 23 and 24, unless they reach capacity prior to that time. 

     

    MANATEE COUNTY

    Manatee County will open cold shelters on Monday, February 23, and Tuesday, February 24. 

    Transportation to both locations will be available through Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) at 2:30 p.m. from Turning Points, located at 701 17th Ave. W. in Bradenton. Turning Points will also be open to provide warmth and coffee during the cold weather.

    For more information on cold weather safety and shelter updates, visit mymanatee.org/cold.

     

    PASCO COUNTY

    Pasco County will open cold shelters Monday, February 23, and Tuesday, February 24. The shelters will open at 6 p.m. each day and close at 10 a.m. the following day.

     

    PINELLAS COUNTY

    Cold night shelters in Pinellas County will be open Monday night, Feb. 23, the Homeless Leadership Alliance has announced. The shelters will be open from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.

    The following cold weather shelters are available to adult men and women:

    Tarpon Springs

    • St. Timothy Luthern Church
      • 812 E. Tarpon Ave., Tarpon Springs
      • PSTA Route #19

    Clearwater

    • First United Methodist Church of Clearwater
      • 411 Turner Street, Clearwater
      • Allows leashed/contained pets
      • PSTA Route #52A

    Pinellas Park

    • Boys & Girls Club of Pinellas Park
      • 7790 61st St. N, Pinellas Park
      • PSTA Route #74
    • First United Methodist Church of Pinellas Park
      • 9025 49th St. N, Pinellas Park
      • Allows leashed/contained pets
      • PSTA Route #49

    St. Petersburg

    • Unitarian Universalist Church
      • 100 Mirror Lake Drive N, St. Petersburg
      • Requires the use of stairs
      • PSTA Routes #9, #20, #24, SunRunner
    • Salvation Army
      • 1400 4th Street South, St. Petersburg
      • Requires valid ID for entry
      • PSTA Route #4A or B
    • Allendale Church
      • 3803 Haines Rd. N, St. Petersburg
      • PSTA Route #16, #38

    Families with children will be placed in family shelters on cold nights (if space is available). Families should call 2-1-1, First Contact, for information about family shelters.

    Monitor the weather conditions with our Spectrum Bay News 9 Weather Experts.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Lawmakers, residents push to protect Terra Ceia, oppose Manatee cruise port

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    TERRA CEIA, Fla. — A Florida Senate bill that would protect the ecosystem near Rattlesnake Key has passed unanimously.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Florida Senate unanimously passed SB 302, which includes an amendment to prohibit dredging in the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve, a key environmental protection near Rattlesnake Key

    • A proposed cruise port could still move forward because the House companion bill does not yet include the same dredging ban language

    • Manatee County business owner Corey McKeever of McKeever’s Marine gathered more than 19,000 petition signatures opposing the cruise terminal


    SB 302 includes an amendment from State Sen. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton, that prohibits dredging in the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve.

    However, the companion bill in the House does not include that specific provision, meaning a proposed cruise port south of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, where larger ships could dock, could still move forward if the House bill is not revised.

    Corey McKeever, owner of McKeever’s Marine, recently took on a passion project to protect that area from a cruise terminal.

    “I knew it would destroy everything about Manatee County,” he said.

    He has lived in Manatee County for decades and has owned the business for 15 years.

    “I do everything on boats. When I was younger, I went fishing every day. I would skip school to go fishing at the Skyway,” he said. “We do 10 boats a week.”

    McKeever believes his petition against the cruise port — which more than 19,000 people signed — has helped the effort to stop the project.

    “It did help. I would think with the amount of outreach people had, reaching out to the commissioners, the senators directly, anyone that could do anything for this,” he said.

    SSA Marine, which submitted the proposal for the cruise port, declined an interview but provided a statement.

    “SSA Marine is committed to environmental stewardship and creating long-term economic opportunities that we are confident will be transformative for Manatee County. We look forward to continuing to engage with residents, officials, and community leaders in meaningful dialogue to discuss a shared vision for the region,” the company said.

    Manatee County Commissioner Tal Siddique says he supports the amendment that would prohibit dredging in Terra Ceia.

    “I spoke to our delegation and with some members of the State Affairs Committee, which is where it will be going through. I have been told there will be some companion language coming through to match the Senate version,” he said.

    He also says he does not believe the cruise port project would come before county commissioners anytime soon.

    “This is such a massive project, and there are single-family home projects that take a long time to come to us. I would suspect next year, maybe even bleeding into 2028, if this moves forward,” he said.

    For McKeever, if the proposal does not move forward, he says it will be a job well done.

    “I think it’s going to be great for Florida in general, keeping the environment — what we moved here for — to enjoy Florida,” he said.

    McKeever says he believes in protecting the environment and hopes others will continue working with him to preserve Manatee County’s ecosystem.

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    Julia Hazel

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  • New $59M state appeal courthouse opens in St. Petersburg

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A ceremonial ribbon cutting for the new $59 million Bernie McCabe Second District Court of Appeal courthouse in downtown St. Petersburg will be held on Saturday, along with a tour for community leaders.

    What You Need To Know

    • A ceremonial ribbon cutting for the new Bernie McCabe Second District Court of Appeal courthouse in downtown St. Petersburg will be held on Saturday

    • The three-story courthouse along Mirror Lake in downtown St. Petersburg cost $59 million

    • It serves six counties: Pinellas, Pasco, Hillsborough, Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto

    • The courthouse is named after Bernie McCabe, who was the State Attorney for Pinellas and Pasco Counties for nearly 30 years, before his death in 2021


    “This is a way for us to recognize all of the partners who have helped us along the way to make this happen,” said Chief Judge Matt Lucas. “A way for us to formally announce to everyone, ‘Hey, we’re here, we’re open for business, we’re part of this community and we’re excited to get to work.’”

    Lucas said staff began moving into the courthouse in December, with the first oral arguments held last month. Construction at the site, located at 525 Mirror Lake Drive North, began in 2023. The appeal courthouse opened on budget and on time, according to Lucas.

    The 59,000 square-foot building features a single courtroom, suites for 15 judges and workspace for 96 staff members. Lucas said the community room, which the court provides as a meeting space for local bar associations, has become very popular.

    “I will tell you, my phone has been ringing off the hook,” he said. “I had no idea there was so much pent up demand in St Petersburg, but we’re thrilled it’s getting used.” 

    The courtroom is the crown jewel of the three-story building featuring the latest technology and sound absorbing acoustic panels on the walls. Attorney Kevin Hayslett said it’s the envy of most judges in the state.

    “It is pristine. It’s the talk of every appellate judge in the state,” he said. “We’ve got the best courtroom in the state right here in St. Pete.”

    Chief Judge Matt Lucas in the new courtroom. (Spectrum News/Josh Rojas)

    A panel of three appellate court judges serve the Sixth Judicial Circuit (Pinellas and Pasco counties), the 13th Circuit (Hillsborough County) and the 12th Circuit (Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties). Lucas said the state chose to build the courthouse in St. Petersburg because of its centralized location.

    “Being right in the center downtown, it’s fitting. It makes sense,” he said. “It’s a place where everyone, when they walk by, whether they have business here or not, they know, yeah, the second DCA is doing the work that they’re supposed to be doing for the people in our district.”

    Before moving into the new courthouse, the judges and staff were working out of the Stetson Law Center in Tampa and a leased building in Lakeland. In 2016, the second DCA had to abandon its courthouse in Lakeland due to structural and air-quality issues.

    Lucas said while everything in the courtroom is brand new, they did bring a few pieces of the past to honor traditions.

    “These oak tables are the original council tables from the Lakeland courthouse,” he said. “We have the original gavel up on the bench there.”

    The courthouse is named after Bernie McCabe, who was the State Attorney for Pinellas and Pasco Counties for nearly 30 years. He died on Jan. 1, 2021, at the age of 73. Hayslett worked as a prosecutor under McCabe. He said naming the courthouse after McCabe honors his legacy of public service.

    “When you think about Bernie McCabe, you think of a person that he believed in law and order,” Lucas said. “He believed in the right of law and people to appeal their sentences even when it didn’t go their way. That’s Bernie McCabe.” 

    Lucas said a modern courthouse must have two important functions to fulfill, security and technology.

    “Keeping up with technology and leaving room for new technology,” he said. “This building has numerous security features and layered security features.”  

    Having an office overlooking Mirror Lake makes it really easy to work at the courthouse, Lucas said, and he’s not looking to leave anytime soon.

    “We are here to stay,” he said. “I have every intention of being here for as long as the people of Florida will have me.”

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    Josh Rojas

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  • Bradenton River Regatta back with more high-speed racing

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    BRADENTON, Fla. — The biggest event of the year for the cities of Bradenton and Palmetto kicks off Friday evening with a high-energy start before a weekend packed with world-class racing, family-friendly events and an expected crowd topping 100,000. 

    The 11th annual Bradenton Area River Regatta begins with “Friday Night Flash” from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., featuring live music, food vendors, entertainment and a drone show that will light up the sky over the Manatee River.

    What You Need To Know

    • Bradenton Area Regatta to feature Formula 1 and tri-hull boats this year

    • Race gets underway at 10 a.m. Saturday 

    • The Green Bridge will be closed to traffic Saturday that spans the Manatee River between Bradenton and Palmetto  

    • Friday Night Flash kicks off on Friday at 5 p.m. with live music and food vendors, followed by a drone show over the Manatee River 


    But this year’s regatta is being described as a turning point for the event — thanks to major additions on the water.

    For the first time, Formula 1 powerboats will headline the races, replacing Formula 2 boats. The difference is speed.

    Formula 1 boats can top 150 miles per hour and accelerate from 0 to 100 miles per hour in under five seconds. At peak speed, the boats skim so lightly across the surface that they are barely touching the water.

    Another new category will feature tri-hull boats, capable of reaching speeds up to 100 miles per hour.

    Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown says with new racing categories, the more than decade-old regatta feels like year one all over again.

    “This is kind of year one. Because when you think about it, going into the 11th year, with bringing in the new boats and really having 40 boats, that is going to change the dynamics of what is happening,” said Brown. “But without the sponsorships, without all the city staff, with everybody over the 11 years, we wouldn’t be anywhere where we are.”

    The regatta will also host the first-ever Florida Formula 1 Championships.

    While high-speed racing is the main attraction, the weekend will see several community events on and off the water, including the LECOM 5k Run and the DeSoto Little Anglers Fishing Tournament. 

    Brown says the event has grown significantly over the past decade and helped define the area.

    The races begin at 10 a.m. Saturday. The best viewing location is the Green Bridge, which spans the Manatee River between Bradenton and Palmetto.

    However, the bridge will be closed all day Saturday during the races.

    Organizers say there will be plenty of parking available on both sides of the river.

    With a drone show Friday night, faster boats on the water and tens of thousands expected to attend, this year’s regatta is shaping up to be one of the biggest yet.

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    Jason Lanning

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  • Interactive Map: Track Florida Wildfires

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    TAMPA, Fla. — The Florida dry season usually runs from November through May, and with that comes fire danger. This is usually due to low humidity and reduced rainfall. 

    Due to the enhanced fire danger, burn bans are in effect for the Tampa Bay area. A burn ban prohibits burning outdoors as well as fireworks, sparklers and fire pits. Outdoor grilling is allowed as long as flames are contained within a grill and the fire is constantly attended. 

    Here are some safety tips to prevent fires:

    • Remove fuels that can lead flames to your home or that can be ignited by windblown embers.
    • Clear away dead grass, leaves, twigs, and branches from structures, roofs, rain gutters, decks, and walkways.
    • Store firewood at least 30 feet from occupied structures.
    • Plant landscaping that retains moisture and resists ignition, such as native, fire-resistant vegetation.
    • Help emergency responders find your home faster by making sure that street numbers are easy to read.
    • Know where the closest firefighting water source is to your home or building.
    • Dispose of cigarette butts properly.
    • Pick up light-refracting metal items, such as soda cans, that can spark a fire.     
    • Don’t park vehicles over high grass that could come into contact with hot engines and other components.

    INTERACTIVE MAP: LATEST WILDFIRES

    Click/tap on the fire icons to get more information on that particular fire.


    If the map does not load, try this link

    Florida Wildfire Resource Links:

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Proposed Manatee cruise port could be stopped with bill

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    MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — State lawmakers have advanced a bill that could put a stop to proposed plans to build a new cruise port in Manatee County.

    Sen. Jim Boyd filed an amendment to a coastal resiliency bill that would restrict dredging in the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve. 

    That is next to the private property where cruise company SSA Marina has said it wants to build a new cruise port.

    That’s according to our newsgathering partners at the Tampa Bay Times.

    The amendment clarifies that dredging would only be allowed to improve the quality of the preserve, remove stagnant waters or maintain marinas, boat ramps and piers.

    The cruise company announced last month that it wants to build a terminal capable of docking larger cruise ships that can’t fit under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.

    Hundreds of people rallied against the proposal.

    The pushback against the port has also led to some Manatee County government employees to receive threats.

    A similar bill is headed to the House for a vote.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • FDOT seeks public input on options for Longboat Key Bridge

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    MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — State transportation officials are asking the public for input on the future of the State Road 789 Bridge on Longboat Key — a decision that could significantly affect traffic and businesses on the island.

    The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is holding public hearings next month to discuss several options for the bridge’s future.

    What You Need To Know

    • FDOT is asking for the public’s opinion on the Longboat Key Bridge

    • Public hearings next month will help determine which option on the future design could move forward

    • The in-person hearing is set for March 12 at 5 p.m. at Christ Church of Longboat Key, with a virtual option on March 17


    For Harvinder Mirchandani, customer service is everything.

    She has owned Longboat Resort Wear in Longboat Key for 37 years, but her commute from Bradenton can be unpredictable.

    “The traffic in the season keeps us here sometimes at night ’til 8 o’clock, and still we have to sit in traffic for half an hour more,” she said.

    One major factor is the drawbridge openings on the Longboat Key Bridge, she said. When the drawbridge is raised for boat traffic, cars can quickly become backed up in both directions.

    FDOT is moving into the design phase for a possible replacement. Options include a low-level drawbridge, a midlevel drawbridge, a high-level fixed-span bridge, or a no-build option.

    Mirchandani said she prefers a fixed-span bridge.

    “Fixed span, then we don’t have to wait for the bridge to go up and down every 15 to 40 minutes,” she said.

    Heather Rippy, owner of Driftwood Beach Home & Garden, said the current drawbridge is part of island life.

    “Yes, there’s traffic on the bridge, but it’s part of living on the island,” she said. “The bridge seems to be working fine. It doesn’t bother me.”

    She said she also wants to preserve walkability and the character of the area.

    Meanwhile, other business owners, like Irina LaRose, who is the owner of Design 2000, said traffic backups are costing them.

    “Well, it’s pretty frustrating because for us as a business, we have clients that are coming for an appointment. So we start getting phone calls from clients who are sitting in traffic saying, ‘I’m sorry, I’m running late, but I’m sitting in traffic. I could walk here faster than I’m driving’,” she said.

    In a statement, FDOT said that regardless of which option is selected, the new bridge will include roadway shoulders and enhanced pedestrian features to improve safety.

    Public hearings next month will help determine which option moves forward.

    The in-person hearing is set for 5 p.m. March 12 at Christ Church of Longboat Key, with a virtual option on March 17.

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    Julia Hazel

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  • Spring Training games set to begin across the Bay area

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    TAMPA, Fla. — Baseball fans are heading back to Florida as Grapefruit League spring training games begin this weekend across the state, with matchups scheduled in cities including Tampa, Clearwater, Bradenton, Dunedin, Lakeland, and Sarasota.

     The annual preseason tradition is expected to draw thousands of visitors, providing a significant boost for local tourism, hotels, and restaurants.

    What You Need To Know

    •  Florida’s Grapefruit League says it has spured a $679-million-dollar ecomnomic ompact to the State of Florida 

    • Games begin this Friday and run through the end of March 

    • Hotels in Tampa’s midtown district are seeing a spike in occupancy as it is in close proximity to Steinbrenner Field and the Yankees spring training facility  

    • For the scheudle of the Grapefruit Leagues spring training games, visit here: BN9 Spring Traing Guide 2026


    One of the biggest attractions each year is the New York Yankees, who play their spring training games at Steinbrenner Field.

    Located near Tampa’s rapidly growing Midtown district, the stadium sits close to a range of hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues that benefit from the seasonal influx of fans.

    Local hospitality leaders said the spring training season consistently brings a surge of visitors.

    Brittany Mattix, assistant general manager of the Midtown Aloft hotel, says the area becomes especially lively during rivalry games, when passionate fans from across the country travel to see their teams play.

    “Very busy. We’re super excited,” said Mattix. “We encounter every year during this time for spring training, especially during the rival game, such an influx of passionate people that are just very, very overwhelmed with joy to see their teams playing here. 

    “With it being in such close proximity, Midtown is a great place to be for this.”

    Spring training runs through late March, leading up to Opening Day March 26. During that time, many fans travel to Florida for extended stays—some remaining for the entire six-week season—helping sustain strong business activity throughout the region.

    The Yankees open their home schedule Friday at 1:05 p.m., facing the Baltimore Orioles.

    Local fans will also be heading south to Port Charlotte, where the Tampa Bay Rays hold spring training at Charlotte Sports Park.

    The Rays begin their preseason schedule Saturday at 1:05 p.m. against the Atlanta Braves.

    With multiple teams playing across Florida and fans arriving from around the country, regional tourism officials and local businesses expect another busy and economically important spring training season.

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    Jason Lanning

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  • Strong storms possible later today

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    TAMPA, Fla. — A line of thunderstorms will move through our area between 5 p.m. and midnight tonight.

    Winds will be gusty out ahead of this line, and brief gusts of 40 mph or greater are possible as the line comes through.

    Strong wind gusts are the primary concern, but a brief, isolated tornado cannot be ruled out in some of these thunderstorms.

    Showers and storms exit the area after midnight, giving way to a breezy, cooler, and drier Monday.

    BE WEATHER AWARE

    Watch Spectrum Bay News 9 LIVE anytime on our website and our app for the latest updates. Scroll down for the latest important weather information and the latest watches and warnings for the Tampa Bay area.

    We encourage everyone to download the Spectrum news app and enable weather alerts to be notified when severe weather is in your area. Be sure to check in with Klystron 9 throughout the day.

    Manage your weather notifications in the Spectrum Bay News 9 app.

    LATEST WATCHES/WARNINGS

    Click/tap on the warning areas on the Klystron 9 map for more information on watches/warnings. Turn on the Klystron 9 layer to track storms. More watches/warnings information below the map.

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  • Protesters rally in opposition of cruise port proposal

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    MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Protesters met on Terra Ceia Island Saturday morning to speak out against a proposed cruise terminal.  

    What You Need To Know

    • Protesters gathered Saturday at Terra Ceia Island 

    • Many spoke of concerns about the nearby preserve 

    • The cruise port proposal is still in the pre-application phase 


    This is a response to a national cruise terminal operator that has proposed a large-scale port at the northwest tip of Manatee County. 

    If built, the port would allow for larger ships to use the Tampa Bay area as a port of call.

    Monika Beard was one of the dozens of attending protesters.

    “I would hate to see one less natural area for Floridians to enjoy,” she said.  

    Thousands of signatures have already been collected in support of this cause, but Beard took an additional step. 

    She wrote a letter to Manatee County commissioners.

    “This environment is what makes Tampa Bay inviting,” she said. “It makes people want to come here and spend time and money. So, I think it’s a long-term investment keeping this place how it should be.”

    Nell McPhillips, the president of the Terra Ceia Village Improvement Association, said her group is one of the many to take part in the protest. 

    She said the widespread support from various organizations is what it will take to stop this port.

    “We’re not fighting this alone as the 400 lonely residents of Terra Ceia,” she said. “We’re working together with everybody because this is something that’s going to affect everybody in Manatee County.” 

    A Manatee County spokesperson said that because the cruise terminal proposal is in the pre-application phase, they can only comment on the process. 

    “A pre-application request allows staff to provide preliminary feedback to an applicant but does not authorize construction or constitute project approval. Should a formal application be submitted, it would undergo the standard public review process, including opportunities for community input.”

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    Matt Lackritz

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  • Manatee and Sarasota residents compete in the Gulf Coast Games for Life

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    BRADENTON, Fla. — For Janet Rumig of Sarasota, the bowling alley is a second home.

    She is so comfortable walking up to the lane that it is hard to tell this is a competition, specifically the Gulf Coast Games for Life.

    What You Need To Know

    • Gulf Coast Games for Life is a program that encourages seniors to train and exercise year-round

    • Now through February 21, seniors will compete in sixteen different sports
    • Winners of the matches can qualify for the Florida Senior Games State Championships

    • Research from the National Institutes of Health reports that both men and women can add at least a decade to their life expectancy by prioritizing a healthy lifestyle


    “I think I am the only person in my age group, so I should win,” said Rumig.

    This is the qualifying match for the Florida Senior Games State Championships. Andrea King with Sarasota County Parks and Recreation says it has been a tradition for nearly 40 years, and the primary goal is not to necessarily come home with a medal.

    “They get to be together with other people. There is a social component which is as important as the physical side,” King explained.

    Whether it is bowling or another sport, the purpose of the Gulf Coast Games for Life is to incentivize seniors to train and exercise year-round.

    Research from the National Institutes of Health reports that both men and women can add at least a decade to their life expectancy by prioritizing a healthy lifestyle.

    For Rumig, bowling has always been a part of her routine.

    “As kids, we could go bowling, one game for a quarter. But if we were willing to set pins for somebody else, then we could bowl for free,” Rumig added.

    Competing, however, Rumig did not start until her golden years.

    “I would have done more competitive bowling, except we had kids,” she mentioned.

    She does not hide her age or her secret to staying in shape.

    “Just did it for fun. Being healthier is just a benefit,” said Rumig.

    Her true motivation for bowling multiple times a week is sharing the lane with her friends and husband, Mike.

    Bowling better than the boys is something her husband says she has done for the past 42 years of marriage.

    Just like getting a strike again and again, bowling is like taking her daily medication for life — a daily dose of life.

    The Gulf Coast Games for Life are far from over. Now through February 21, seniors will compete in sixteen different sports. Those who come home with a medal will qualify for the Florida Senior Games state championships, competing again against other amateur and aging athletes across the state this December.

    [ad_2] Claire Alfree
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  • Palmetto hosts 3-day Multicultural Festival

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    PALMETTO, Fla. — The city of Palmetto is hosting its 2026 Multicultural Festival. The event will run from Friday, Feb. 13 through Sunday Feb. 15, with the main festival happening on Saturday Feb. 14.

    The festival is a free event “designed to celebrate the cultures that thrive in Palmetto and Manatee County,” according to organizers.

    Friday: Battle of the Bands, 6-10 p.m., Lincoln Park

    Saturday: Festival, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Lincoln Park

    Sunday: Community Prayer Brunch, 2-4 p.m., Palmetto Boys and Girls Club

    The festival will feature live music performances, including celebrity artist Glenn Jones. Organizers are also promising international food and family-friendly activities.

    “Fun, food, music, the arts, great poetry,” said Xtavia Bailey, leader organizer for the festival, when asked what people could expect.

    Bailey told Spectrum Bay News 9 that last year’s event drew 1,800 people. She is expecting more people to attend this year.

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    Jeff Butera

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  • Bay area schools weigh adding 2% and whole milk as options

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    TAMPA, Fla. — When President Donald Trump signed the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act in January, it paved the way for 2% and whole milk to return to schools after a nearly 15-year absence.

    What You Need To Know

    • School districts have the option to bring back 2% and whole milk as options

    • No Bay area school district has committed to having these milks as options but are considering them

    • M&B Products said it will work with schools on what they need 


    The Obama administration originally removed those milks in an effort to fight childhood obesity.

    Now, school districts will once again have the option to provide a wider range of milk options. 

    Dale McClellan, the President of M&B Products, a Bay area dairy company, has been working with schools since 2004. 

    The majority of the milk they supply is low fat, but now school districts have more options.

    So far, the response has been limited. 

    “There’s been a little bit of a handful of phone calls from systems wanting to know, do we plan on doing a bigger variety of butterfat percentages? And we’ve told them we would entertain anything that makes sense,” he said.

    Christie Roberts, the Director of Patient Nutrition Services at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, said more options may encourage children to drink more milk.

    “If you’re a child that doesn’t like skim milk and then you have the option of a 2% or whole, then it’s going to increase your consumption of milk,” she said. 

    No matter the type of milk, Roberts said children should have between two and three servings of milk a day.

    “Younger children, we do recommend the more full or fat options for their growth and development,” she said. “But as they get older and they’re trying to work towards a healthy, lean physique and health, then the lower-fat options might be good.” 

    Spectrum News reached out to local school districts to find out if they are considering adding 2% and whole milk as options. 

    No districts have committed to adding the products, but are considering it.  

    Most provided statements that were similar to this from Hillsborough County Schools:

    “We are exploring how we might add whole milk and 2% milk to our offerings, as these products are not part of our current contracts with our dairy vendor.”

    Sarasota County Schools provided this statement:

    “If it is ultimately determined that Sarasota County Schools will move forward with offering 2% and whole milk as part of the National School Lunch Program, the earliest anticipated implementation would be the 2026–2027 school year.”

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    Matt Lackritz

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  • Lawn watering restrictions in effect for the Tampa Bay area

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    TAMPA, Fla. — We have had cold weather this year, but we have not had a lot of rain. So, starting Sunday, water restrictions will be in effect.

    According to the Southwest Florida Water Management District, our area has a rainfall deficit of more than a foot. This is because of the drier than normal rainy season we had last summer.

    In response, the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s order will reduce lawn watering to one day a week.

    If you’re wondering what day you can water, it will depend on the last number of your address. 

     
    DAY OF THE WEEK ADDRESS ENDING IN
    MONDAY 0 or 1
    TUESDAY 2 or 3
    WEDNESDAY 4 or 5
    THURSDAY 6 or 7
    FRIDAY 8 or 9

    Source: Southwest Florida Water Management District

    Watering hours will be reduced to 12:01 a.m. to 8 a.m. or 6 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. If your property is less than one acre in size, you may only use one of the those time windows.

    If you have a low-volume watering system (micro-irrigation, soaker hoses, hand watering) used for watering plants and shrubs, not lawns, you are allowed to water any day and any time.

    The Southwest Florida Water Management District is also asking you to check with your local government for allowable hours or whether there are stricter hours.

    These restrictions will be in place until July 1.


    PDF: Phase II Water Shortage FAQ

    PDF: Phase II Water Shortage Fact Sheet

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • New Cortez Bridge construction to start in June; some businesses concerned

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    MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Crews are set to begin construction this summer on a new Cortez Bridge.

    It’s a $128 million project to replace the span connecting Bradenton to Anna Maria Island.

    What You Need To Know

    • Construction for the Cortez Bridge Project is to begin in June 2026.

    • According to FDOT, it will take four years for the new Cortez Bridge to be completed.

    • Officials say regular repairs are no longer an effective or long-term option. Instead, crews will begin building a four-lane bridge this summer.

    Change can happen fast or slow.

    But for this area in Manatee County, a new Cortez Bridge has been years in the making.

    For the businesses and workers rooted in this historic Cortez Village, like James Gowett with the Star Fish Company, construction is a concern.

    “You know, it’s going to affect business. People just won’t be able to get here,” he said.

    James has been working there for 25 years and knows how busy traffic gets, especially during the busy season. He hopes when construction begins this summer, it won’t interfere with customers coming in.

    “We are going to wait and see,” he said.

    FDOT says, “We are going to be working and coordinating with the locals in the area and the businesses to try to ensure that they still have access to their businesses and their homes. We’ve had coordination with them during the design process as well.”

    FDOT tells us the Cortez Bridge was built in the 1950s and connects Cortez to Anna Maria Island. Officials say regular repairs are no longer an effective or long-term option. Instead, crews will begin building a four-lane bridge this summer.

    “Cortez Bridge has to be replaced,” he said.

    John Chappie, the mayor of Bradenton Beach, agrees the new bridge will help reduce traffic.

    “The bridge is going to help traffic off the island, I think, a lot more than it will coming onto the island,” he said.

    “It’s safer because traffic will be able to flow easier, with less opportunity for people getting upset in traffic,” he said.

    Animation from FDOT’s YouTube page shows the new bridge will have four lanes instead of two and will not include a drawbridge. FDOT says once the new bridge is complete, the old one will be demolished.

    One of the biggest differences between the Cortez Bridge and the new bridge is the height. The current bridge is 22 feet high and must open for boats to pass underneath. The new bridge will be 65 feet high, allowing ships to pass without stopping traffic, which could reduce congestion.

    James worries the new bridge won’t make a difference in regards to the traffic.

    “It gets so backed up because the bridge has to keep going up and down, and it gets really crazy on Cortez Road. I don’t see how that’s going to help because you’re just allowing more and more people to flow over it, which is going to be the same problem,” he said.

    It’s a big change people are preparing for.

    According to FDOT, it will take four years for the new Cortez Bridge to be completed.

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    Julia Hazel

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