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Tag: Pinellas County

  • St. Pete company tracks ships trying to avoid detection around the globe

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Working out of the Maritime Defense and Technology Hub in St. Petersburg, Pole Star Defense managing director Alex Field said the company is using innovative technology to track large cargo ships and oil tankers around the globe — including vessels trying to avoid detection.

    “Primarily, we track large commercial vessels across the world,” he said. “We currently support the U.S. Coast Guard.”

    What You Need To Know

    • Pole Star Defense is based out of the Maritime Defense and Technology Hub in St. Petersburg

    • According to managing director Alex Field, the company uses innovative technology to track large cargo ships and oil tankers around the globe, including vessels trying to avoid detection

    • Pole Star Defense has been monitoring a growing number of illicit ship-to-ship transfers in the middle of the ocean 


    The International Maritime Organization passed regulation after 9/11 mandating commercial vessels share their location with their flag states and other countries as the ships enter those waters. Pole Star Defense is part of that large global data-sharing operation.

    “The vessels will send their vessel position and other vessel data up to the satellite,” said Field. “That satellite will then send it to us as an ASP (application service provider) and then ultimately we send it to what’s called a national data center for that flag registry.”

    Field said some vessels, which include sanctioned oil tankers, go to great lengths to spoof or hide their location. Field said a growing problem the defense maritime company has been monitoring is illicit ship-to-ship transfers in the middle of the ocean.

    “What you ultimately see is one vessel coming from a sanctioned port, doing a ship-to-ship transfer in the middle of the ocean to another one,” he said. “Then that vessel will also take it to another vessel that then can go off to another port and they’ve blended product to that point. All these are bulk carriers and so now what’s Iranian oil versus what’s Venezuelan oil?”

    Senior Solutions Engineer Richard Aguilar said he has been investigating an oil tanker which caught his attention on Jan. 9, when it stopped off the coast of Guyana, near Venezuela, and conducted a ship-to-ship transfer with two other ships. Aguilar said an STS is common with two vessels, but three raises suspicion.

    “When you start seeing more than two, then it becomes, ‘Why?’” he said. “Especially in different areas where it’s known to have sanctioned or illicit activity occurring.”

    Field said Pole Star Defense played an adjacent role to the U.S. blockade of sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers, referred to as the dark fleet, which began last December.

    “We’re helping gather information around what’s going on. Much of those vessels go dark,” he said. “Tracking all the vessels that we could coming out of Venezuela, coming into Venezuela and where they were going. As each of those vessels, I think it’s up to seven now, have been seized by U.S. Coast Guard.”

    Field said the U.S. Coast Guard is his company’s primary customer and the reason it chose to locate its U.S. headquarters in St. Petersburg. The company also supports 65 other countries. Pole Star Defense is a subsidiary of Pole Star Global, a company based in the U.K., with about 20 years of experience in the maritime business.

    Pole Star Defense is one of the first companies which moved into the Hub when it opened nearly five years ago. Field said he expects the company — which began with three employees but has now grown to a 24/7 operation with nearly 50 — to be in St. Petersburg for the long haul.

    “The area is great. The ecosystem in St. Pete, lots of other small businesses focused on maritime space,” he said. “We’ve got the Coast Guard right next door here, which is our primary customer.” 

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    Josh Rojas

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  • Councilman pushes Rays to pay for new stadium; team CEO says partnership needed

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    TAMPA, Fla. — Leaders in Hillsborough County could soon be asked to take a deeper look at the financial picture of building a baseball stadium in Tampa.


    The owners of the Tampa Bay Rays have picked Hillsborough College’s Dale Mabry campus site to build a new ballpark.

    The project could cost more than $2 billion.

    On Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis stressed again his support for that move and the state’s willingness to secure the spot on the HC campus.

    “I do think Tampa Bay, that’s where the team was berthed. We do it want to see it succeed in this region,” he said. “I think it can succeed. A hundred percent, I think it can succeed. Our role can be just to help HC negotiate something that’s going to be good for them and be good for the Rays. And we’re happy to do that.”

    But the money has to be there. According to our newsgathering partners at the Tampa Bay Times, building the stadium would cost about $2.3 billion.

    That is a billion dollars more than a previous proposal for a new stadium in St. Petersburg two years ago.

    Tampa Councilman Charlie Miranda on Wednesday said the Rays ownership should foot the entire bill for it.

    “If they have the money to buy it, they should have the money to build their own house,” he said.

    Two weeks ago, Rays CEO Ken Babby spoke on the Hunks Talk Junk podcast about the need for a partnership.

    “We’re going to do our part. We’re going to write a big check. We already wrote one to buy the team,” Babby said at the time. “We are going to write another big one to buy the ballpark, but we need a good public-private partnership.” 

    Next week, the Tampa Sports Authority is expected to vote on whether there first should be an economic study done for the city and the county.

    Miranda said he welcomes it — as long as it is by an independent group.

    “I support any study, but it’s got to be verified,” Miranda said. “I want it statistically from a non-committed organization — not committed to them, not committed to us. An unbiased study that’s done so everybody understands where you’re at, including the land that they’re going to have, that they pay no tax. How would, we the city, benefit from that if they weren’t here? It’s got to be a two-way study, it can’t just be one way.”

    Spectrum Bay News 9 reached out to the Rays on Wednesday but didn’t hear back.

    Most professional stadiums have been built using public-private partnerships, but there are exceptions. Gilette Stadium, home of the NFL’s New England Patriots, recently got a $225 million renovation that was completely funded by the owner.

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    Spectrum News Staff, Dalia Dangerfield

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  • Authorities: Mother of stabbed 4-year-old arrested, charged with murder

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The 43-year-old mother of a 4-year-old child found stabbed to death was taken into custody early Wednesday and charged with first-degree murder.

    City police responded to a call about a dead child and an injured adult on Tuesday afternoon.

    What You Need To Know

    • 43-year-old mother of a 4-year-old child found stabbed to death was taken into custody early Wednesday and charged with first-degree murder

    • Incident happened Tuesday afternoon at home in 1700 block of Tanglewood Drive NE, St. Petersburg 
    • Police said a 16-year-old girl called around 3:30 p.m. to say she found her 4-year-old brother inside the home and that he had stab wounds. The boy died
    • The suspect, identified by police as Diana Cullom, was taken to Bayfront Hospital with injuries. She was later taken into custody

    The location was a home in the 1700 block of Tanglewood Drive NE.

    Police said a 16-year-old girl called around 3:30 p.m. to say she found her 4-year-old brother inside the home and that he had stab wounds. The boy died.

    The woman, identified by police as Diana Cullom, was taken to Bayfront Hospital with injuries. Preliminary reports, according to police, say that Cullom stabbed the child and herself.

    “Preliminary investigation leads toward the mom, but again, we’re going to make sure that we investigate everything,” said Chief Anthony Holloway. “But with the note and the way the scene is right now, the mom appears to be the suspect. But again, we’re not going to say definitely yet until we get all of the information.”

    The father wasn’t at the home and was called to the scene, according to investigators.

    Police said a teenage girl called around 3:30 p.m. to say she found her 4-year-old brother inside the home and that he had stab wounds. (Spectrum Bay News 9/Melissa Eichman)

    Police said a note was found at the scene, but they didn’t provide details about what it said.

    The police chief added that there is no threat to the public.

    The investigation is still underway.

    Stay with Spectrum Bay News 9 on-air, online and the Spectrum News app for udpates.


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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Florida invests in state college nursing programs to address workforce shortages

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    PINELLAS PARK, Fla. — A new state investment is helping train the next generation of nurses in Florida, with more than $20 million going to nursing programs across the state.

    What You Need To Know

    • A new state investment is helping train the next generation of nurses in Florida

    • More than $20 million is going to nursing programs across the state

    • The state says it has invested $485 million in nursing programs since 2022


    Gov. Ron DeSantis says the expanded funding and scholarships could help fill critical health care jobs, and it’s already making a difference for students at St. Pete College.

    While it looks like a hospital, it’s actually Kaylee Wynn’s classroom at St. Pete College, and Mr. Hercules, a simulation mannequin, is her patient.

    “You don’t expect it, you go up to a mannequin and it’s breathing, so it’s the weirdest thing at first. But you kind of get used to it,” she said.

    Kaylee is a fourth-semester nursing student and will graduate in May. Nursing will be Kaylee’s second career — she was a special needs teacher, until something happened in her life that prompted her to make a change.

    “When my dad was hit by a drunk driver, I saw him in and out of hospitals having experiences, good and bad ones. Those things change how you feel about things, so I wanted to make an impact on people,” she said.

    Kaylee received the LINE scholarship from the state to help her pay for nursing school. DeSantis recently awarded $20 million to LINE funding, saying Florida is investing to strengthen the health care workforce.

    “While you’re in nursing school, it’s hard to get the hours for work. You go from full-time to not working much, so any scholarship opportunity is great,” said Kaylee.

    SPC Dean of Nursing Jean Lee, who has been in nursing since 1991, says the demand for nurses is always there, but especially now. SPC recently expanded its program, and she says state funding is crucial to provide students with the essential equipment they need, like simulation mannequins.

    “The idea is that the simulation center mimics the real-world hospital, and so we have to provide experiences for them in simulation that will equate to what they experience when they go into the hospital and take care of real patients,” said Lee.

    Kaylee says that experience means when she graduates, she’ll be confident caring for patients from day one. 

    The state says it has invested $485 million in nursing programs since 2022.

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    Fallon Silcox

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  • SPC offers free SMART Tech certifications for students

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — In a room with more buttons than a pilot’s dashboard, Jose Rivera shows prospective students different training systems they will learn in two new SMART Tech courses.

    “So this room is going to be one of the newest labs for the program that we have here at SPC,” Rivera said.

    Rivera is one of the instructors. Each box-like system teaches a different manufacturing skill.

    “Pneumatics, AC/DC electronics, robotics,” said Rivera, listing just a few.

    St. Petersburg College Dean of Workforce Development and Corporate Partnerships Belinthia Berry said those courses will lead to employment.

    “And not just any job, a high skill, high wage job,” Berry said.

    The equipment is all to support SPC’s SMART Tech program, which is offering a variety of certifications.

    “Semiconductor, mechatronics, artificial intelligence, your robotics, your technician-type courses that are in your advanced manufacturing,” Berry said.

    Two new courses starting in February include electronic board assembly operations and robotic and semiconductor technician operations.

    For SPC student Kalon Houston, who spent his 20s working in the culinary world, these skills equate to a future with more financial stability.

    “It gives you an opportunity to find, skill-set a job that people are paying you that 20 threshold or more. Like as soon as you get the degrees for it,” Houston said.

    But the biggest selling point for these new courses at SPC — they are all free. They are funded through the Florida Job Growth Grant.

    “So the state says, you know what, we’re going to give scholarships to everyone for the first two years. And so we’re in our first year all the way up until next year of 2027. All of our courses are free,” Berry said.

    For Houston and others, these free certifications are a step toward finding more than just a job. He is on the hunt for a career. 

    “I think it’s good for people to know that, like, it doesn’t really matter your age or what route you took in life. Like, it’s never too late to take another route,” Houston said.

    Coming later this year, SPC said it will also launch an Automated Production Technician Program.

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    Erin Murray

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  • Clearwater calls duck’s stay a ’bigger success than ever expected’

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    CLEARWATER, Fla. — After nearly three weeks, the World’s Largest Duck has left the city of Clearwater and is moving on to her next destination.

    The city says Mama Duck’s stay brought in more than double the amount of people they usually see, with one of the biggest days being January 17 for the duck’s “birthday bash,” which brought in roughly 3,500 people.

    What You Need To Know

    • So far this year, the city has made $23,931 in parking revenue

    • People from 46 countries accessed the city’s website so far in 2026

    • Downtown restaurants report spike in business 

    • COST BREAKDOWN: World’s Largest Duck visits Clearwater


    “We’ve had more people come to this park than we have since we did our grand reopening in 2023,” said Leanne Bell with the city of Clearwater. “We’ve had people come as far as Denver from what we’ve heard. They’ve flown and made a vacation out of seeing this duck, which is exactly what we were aiming to do.”

    An analysis of the city’s preliminary parking revenue data revealed more than twice as many people visited Clearwater this January as compared to January 2025. So far this year, the city has made $23,931 in parking revenue, compared to $10,894 for the entire month of January last year.

    Bell said web traffic also saw a significant spike because the live stream of Mama Duck was available on the city’s website. He said they received clicks to their live stream from people in 46 countries on at least four continents.

    “This shows international impact and awareness of Clearwater and the destination at large,” said Bell, who added that downtown businesses reported an increase in sales in January, including some spots selling out their duck-themed specials.

    Craig Samborski, who started taking Mama Duck around the country in 2014, said this was the first time he’s had a 3-week stay in any one city. He says he was surprised by how many people would come by on the average weekday.

    “I was thinking…oh, like we’ll do 50-60 people a day but, its been much more than that,” he said.

    Mama Duck’s stay in Clearwater costs approximately $45,000.

    There were no concerts or shows at the BayCare Sound during the nearly three-week event. Bell says that signals most people visiting the Coachman Park area were visiting Mama Duck.

     

    [ad_2] Angie Angers
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  • FDOT: Howard Frankland Bridge lanes to close Wednesday night

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    TAMPA, Fla. — The southbound lanes of the Howard Frankland Bridge will be closed Wednesday night into Thursday morning.

    According to Florida Department of Transportation officials, the bridge lanes are closing for sign construction work on the bridge.

    Drivers will have to detour off the interstate using SR 60 (Exit 39) from 11 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 28, to 5 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 29.

    Message boards and temporary signage will assist southbound I-275 drivers traveling around the closure via Memorial Highway, Courtney Campbell Causeway, Bayside Bridge and Roosevelt Boulevard SR 686).

    Other roadways (Kennedy Boulevard, Dale Mabry Highway and Gandy Boulevard) will be accessible and may provide an alternate route.

    This closure is necessary for crews to finalize the installation of overhead signage as part of the new southbound I-275 (Howard Frankland Bridge) project, located between Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.


     

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • K-8 plan met with support, questions at Oldsmar Elementary

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    OLDSMAR, Fla. — Oldsmar Elementary parents and students heard what a possible K-8 expansion could mean for them at a meeting Monday evening.

    That recommendation is just part of what Pinellas County Schools is considering to adjust for a declining student population. If approved by the Pinellas County School Board, Oldsmar would add sixth grade next school year, then seventh and eighth in the following two years. 

    At a meeting held at the school Monday evening, Pinellas County Schools Chief Operating Officer Jennifer Dull told parents the county’s birth rate and kindergarten enrollment trends have been declining for decades.

    Her presentation included data from the Florida Department of Health and Florida Department of Education.

    It showed 10,264 children were born in the county in 1990 and kindergarten enrollment in the 1995-96 school year, the year those 1990 babies would have enrolled, was 8,346. In 2020, data showed 7,609 babies were born in Pinellas County, and 5,208 kindergarteners enrolled in 2025-26.

    Dull cited a University of Florida report that found Pinellas County’s school-age population is expected to decrease through 2050, then plateau. 

    “As the district and board started looking into this, we were really looking at solving, ‘What can we do for now?’ and to future-proof and look at through 2050,” Dull said.

    She said that with 383 current students, Oldsmar is at 53% utilization. She told meeting attendees that if every current third, fourth, and fifth grader stayed at the expanded K-8 instead of moving onto Carwise Middle School, that number would increase to 97%.

    “I really support Oldsmar turning into a K-8,” said Alisha Reith.

    Reith said she’s not only a former student and employee, but her third grader was once a student there.

    “It’s such a family environment, and for the people who get nervous about going to middle school, the family environment really helps,” Reith said. “It really keeps the kids comfortable.”

    “We like the proximity,” said Emily Fuchs, whose child is in fourth grade at Oldsmar. “It’s a five-minute drive from the house. We’re zoned for Carwise, and it’s just — it’s far.”

    Fuchs told Spectrum News that without traffic, the middle school is a 20 minute drive from her home.

    Matin Norozzy, who has a daughter in kindergarten at Oldsmar, said the presentation left him with questions.

    “It seems like the county’s plan is not very clear,” he said. “As we heard tonight, a lot of their fundamental aspects of this school are still in the ‘We’ll figure it out when we get there’ stage. Who the teachers are going to be. What the courses will be. What the potential electives will be. We still don’t have any of those answers.”

    He was also among those who brought up concerns about adding older students to the school.

    “Oldsmar is not an outlier that needs to be fixed,” Norozzy said. “So, why Oldsmar? Why make my kindergartener go to school with sixth graders when she’s in first grade?”

    Dull said older and younger students would be separated.

    “What a kindergarten space looks like, or a pre-K space looks like, has very different needs than what a middle school space looks like,” Dull said. “That doesn’t mean that the climate and the culture of a campus isn’t supportive throughout.”

    As for questions about courses and activities, Dull told parents during the meeting that’s going to depend on student interest. She said the district would survey parents and students to find out what they’d like to see at the school, but there may be fewer options than at an established middle school because there will be a smaller number of students.

    Dull also said if the expansion is approved by the School Board, students who live in the Oldsmar Elementary zone would be able to choose to stay at the school or move on to Carwise. They would also still be able to apply to other schools through the choice/district application program process.

    The school board is expected to vote on this and other possible changes at its meeting on Feb. 24.

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    Sarah Blazonis

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  • Colder than normal temperatures expected for several days

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    A strong cold front has brought in much cooler air, with another reinforcing shot of cold air this weekend.

    What You Need To Know

    • Freezing temperatures are expected north of Tampa

    • Highs will only be in the 50s and 60s the rest of the work week

    • It could get even colder next weekend


    Low temperatures on Tuesday morning will fall to the mid-to-upper 30s for Tampa, but expect some areas near freezing in eastern Hillsborough and Polk counties.

    A freeze warning is in effect for Pasco, Hernando, and Citrus counties, where lows in the mid-20s to near 30 are likely.

    Wind chills near or even below 20 are possible north of Tampa, with 20s to low 30s wind chills possible elsewhere. 

    Wednesday morning will be a touch colder, so expect freezing temperatures north of Tampa once again.

    Expect another cold morning with a freeze north on Thursday, but it will be slightly milder to start Friday. 

    This Weekend

    Another strong cold front will come through during the day on Saturday.

    This will bring a chance of showers during the day, then falling temperatures Saturday night.

    Sunday morning could be the coldest of the winter, with temperatures near freezing in Tampa and possibly in the teens in Hernando and Citrus counties.

    Long Term Forecast

    Beyond the weekend, there is no sign of the colder air letting up.

    A big dip in the jet stream across the eastern United States will continue to drive cold fronts south.

    Below-normal temperatures are expected through at least the first week of February. 

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

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    Meteorologist Kyle Hanson

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  • Latest airport delays and cancellations due to winter weather

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    TAMPA, Fla. — The winter storm that swept across the nation is causing delays and cancellations at our local airports.

    Check below to see the status of all the flights at Tampa International Airport as well as St. Pete / Clearwater airport.

    **Be sure to double check your flight status on the airport websites as information could be delayed**

    Tampa International Arrivals

    Tampa International Departures

    St. Pete Clearwater Arrivals

    St. Pete Clearwater Departures

    [ad_2] Spectrum News Staff
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  • Winter storm flight disruptions reaching Tampa International

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    The winter storm sweeping across the nation made for difficult travel conditions this weekend, canceling and delaying flights across the country.

    Tampa International Airport is seeing its share of disruptions, with dozens of delays and cancellations Sunday into Monday morning.


    The numbers are expected to climb today in Tampa and across the nation.

    More than 11,400 flights were canceled on Sunday, according to flight-tracking site FlightAware.

    Early Monday, Tampa had 69 canceled flights and 22 delays.

    Airline officials are advising anyone flying out of Tampa today to check with their airline before leaving for the airport.

    Even those flying to an area not impacted by the weather could still run into flight issues.

    Operations are expected to return to normal conditions likely by mid-week.

    What you do if your flight is canceled

    If you’re already at the airport, get in line to speak to a customer service representative. If you’re still at home or at your hotel, call or go online to connect to your airline’s reservations staff. Either way, it helps to also research alternate flights while you wait to talk to an agent.

    Most airlines will rebook you on a later flight for no additional charge, but it depends on the availability of open seats.

    Other carriers’ flights aren’t always an option

    You can, but airlines aren’t required to put you on another carrier’s flight. Some airlines, including most of the biggest carriers, say they can put you on a partner airline, but even then, it can be a hit or miss.

    You are owed a refund for a cancellation

    If your flight was canceled and you no longer want to take the trip, or you’ve found another way to get to your destination, the airline is legally required to refund your money — even if you bought a non-refundable ticket. It doesn’t matter why the flight was canceled.

    The airline might offer you a travel credit, but you are entitled to a full refund. You are also entitled to a refund of any bag fees, seat upgrades or other extras that you didn’t get to use. 

    Information from the Associated Press was used in this report. 

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    Jason Lanning

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  • Century-old Clearwater Beach restaurant Palm Pavilion gets new owners

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    CLEARWATER, Fla. — Palm Pavilion in Clearwater Beach is just a few months away from celebrating 100 years.

    What You Need To Know

    • Palm Pavilion is being taken over by new ownership

    • The Hamilton family has run the restaurant since 1964

    • Dozens of patrons spent Sunday at Palm Pavilion and thanked the current owners


    However, that birthday will be under new ownership.

    Sunday is the last day the current owners will be running the bar and grill.

    Dustin Denunzio said Palm Pavilion has been one of his favorite places in the area for a long time.

    “History in Florida is not that deep compared to New York or Boston, and some of these other cities,” he said. “This is as historic as it gets.”

    Co-owner Hoyt Hamilton said his family has owned the place since 1964, but it’s been going strong since 1926.

    He said there are a lot of emotions when moving on from a place he and his siblings have spent so much time running, but added that now is the right time for them to move on.

    “I hope the people of Clearwater and from all over the world that have come here understand and remember us. Thank you so much,” Hamilton said.

    Beachside Hospitality Group will be the new owner.

    The restaurant will be closed for a few days while the group makes a few changes.

    According to the Tampa Bay Times, the company has 15 different restaurants across the state, including three in the Tampa Bay area.

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    Matt Lackritz

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  • Pinellas County to open cold weather shelter Monday night

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    With colder weather back in next week’s forecast, look for some counties in the Bay area to open cold weather shelters.

    We’ll update the list below, so make sure to check back.

    PINELLAS COUNTY

    Cold night shelters in Pinellas County will be open Monday night, Jan. 26, the Homeless Leadership Alliance has announced. The shelters will be open from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.

    Shelter guests are accepted until the shelter is full. All sites provide a warm and safe place to sleep, and many sites also serve a meal. 

    The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) will provide free bus rides to and from Cold Night Shelters Monday evening from 5 p.m. through 7 a.m. the next day. Riders must tell PSTA drivers they are going to a Pinellas Cold Night Shelter when boarding to ride fare-free.

    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

    Northwest Church 

    • 6330 54th Ave. N, St. Petersburg
    • Allows leashed/contained pets
    • PSTA Route #54, #66

    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.

    The Homeless Leadership Alliance is in need of volunteers for this and future activations. Those interested in volunteering should visit pinellashomeless.org/become-a-volunteer to learn more.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Dredging project to begin next month at John’s Pass

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    MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. — A long-delayed project to dredge all the sand that has been choking John’s Pass for years will start next month.

    City officials said Friday that work will begin Feb. 9 and that the project will take anywhere from 60 to 90 days to complete.

    It will remove up to 12,900 cubic yards of sand from John’s Pass.

    Madeira Beach city commissioners approved a $1.5 million contract last month for the work.

    The sand has created dangerous swimming conditions. Former Madeira Beach Mayor John Hendricks first warned the public about the sand buildup problem in 2020.

    Spectrum Bay News 9 reported in December that it has since become the number one spot for water rescues in the county.

    The project has taken years to get off the ground.

    State Rep. Linda Chaney presented the city commission with a $1.5 million state grant to pay for the sand to be dredged in 2022.

    In the time after that, the project never got underway, and the city was forced to ask the state for an extension to the grant, which was approved.

    The dredged sand will be trucked to the property at 555 150th Ave., where it will be used to help fill and grade the site for future use. 

    Residents and visitors are asked to use extra caution when accessing the park during the project.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Indian Rocks Beach Library readies for grand re-opening after hurricane damage

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    INDIAN ROCKS BEACH, Fla. — After being destroyed by hurricanes in 2024, work has been going on for more than a year to reopen the shuttered Indian Rocks Beach Library.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Indian Rocks Beach Library grand re-opening is scheduled for Saturday  

    • Of the 22,000 books and materials in their collection, only 7,000 could be salvaged after Hurricane Helene

    • Roughly $300,000 in renovations were made to the building 


    After a $300,000 renovation, librarians are ready to reopen and share their love of books with the community. 

    Set to launch with a grand re-opening on Saturday morning, librarian Lee Miller is thrilled that the day has come. 

    “I really didn’t know whether or not the library would be open again,” Miller said. 

    Miller has worked at the Pinellas County library for the last eight years and is passionate about her job. But after the storm surge from Hurricane Helene, she says the future seemed bleak.

    The memories of walking back into the building for the first time after the storms are still with her No power, water lingering on the carpet and books fallen off the shelves. 

    Of the 22,000 books and materials in the library’s collection, only 7,000 could be salvaged after the storm.

    “We had to remove everything from inside the building,” Lee said. “And that required filling dumpsters of wet books and hauling them out.”

    The journey to recovery has been slow, but the renovations were made possible with the help of insurance and community donations.

    Indian Rocks Beach Mayor Denise Houseberg said the library is an integral part of the community.

    “It took a lot of people, a lot of manpower, and a lot of volunteers to pull this beautiful library back together,” she said. “It is something the community really adores.” 

    The library’s hours will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

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    Matt Lackritz

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  • Duke Energy crews head north ahead of winter storms, anticipated outages

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Millions of people are bracing for severe winter weather this weekend as a winter storm is approaching states stretching from Texas to New England.

    Bay area energy companies are sending crews to the Carolinas ahead of expected outages due to snow and ice.

    Duke Energy sent out 500 linemen and contractors from St. Petersburg early Friday. Meanwhile, Tampa Electric is sending nearly 200 people to help restore power in Georgia and other areas. 

    “(We) set up what we call a staging site,” said Spokesperson Aly Raschid. “That’s where the crews will be until after the storm passes, and then after the storm passes, and it’s safe to do so, they will go to the impacted areas and start restoration.”

    The winter weather, expected to bring heavy snowfall, dangerous ice and frigid cold, also likely will impact air travel.

    Anyone with a flight out of the Bay area this weekend should stay in touch with their airline for updates.


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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Clearwater Historical Society exhibition celebrates America’s 250th anniversary

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    CLEARWATER, Fla. — The Clearwater Historical Society is celebrating the United States turning 250 years old.

    Its exhibition showcases what the average person experienced during the war for independence.

    Spectrum Bay News 9’s Jeff Van Sant has more about the American Revolution Experience. Use the video player above to watch.

    You can visit the experience at the Clearwater Historical Society and meet the descendants of American patriots until Monday.

    The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Advocates push for city to take over troubled apartment complex in St. Pete

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The St. Petersburg Tenants Union is calling on the city to take over The Morgan Apartments. That’s the property that was in danger of having its water shut off last summer because the city said the property owner wasn’t paying its bills. 

    At Thursday’s council meeting, SPTU Organizer William Kilgore told members the concern is that foreclosure proceedings could lead to the building being sold at auction.

    Rather than have another corporate landlord come in, he said a city acquisition could offer residents of the troubled complex some stability.

    What You Need To Know

    • The St. Petersburg Tenants Union told city council members Thursday that residents want the city to take over The Morgan Apartments

    • The city warned tenants last summer that a water shut-off was possible to The Morgan and another complex owned by Lurin Real Estate Holdings because the company was thousands of dollars behind on its water bill

    • A tenants union organizer says the concern is that the foreclosure process could lead to the building being sold at auction to another corporate landlord

    • The city says there are no plans to acquire The Morgan, and a Lurin spokesperson says the company doesn’t believe that step is justified


    “The city has a responsibility to step in,” Kilgore told council.

    “The city needs to take care of its residents,” said another speaker. “The out-of-state landlords do not care about us.”

    Nat Pudlak didn’t attend the meeting. She said she’s lived at The Morgan for three years and describes her time there as not the worst, but also not the best.

    “I had a pipe bust on me,” she said. “Then, my ceiling caved in because of a pest problem that we had. So, they had a rat infestation.”

    From shuttered pools to mold, Pudlak said The Morgan has its share of issues. So, when she heard about the push to get the city to take over the property, she wasn’t against it.

    “We are fixed income. So, being owned by the city at least has that security for a lot of us,” said Pudlak. “Originally, when the water was going to get shut off, I didn’t have a backup plan.“

    St. Petersburg Public Information Officer Samantha Bequer said in a statement, “At this time, the city does not have plans to acquire the Morgan property. Right now, our focus is on collecting the remainder of the outstanding water services balance and providing assistance and information to residents wanting to relocate from the property.”

    “They do have the money. They do have the ability. It’s a matter of political will, is what it is, and they don’t have the will to do it,” said Kilgore.

    Kilgore praised city staff for the help provided to residents so far, but he said more needs to be done for tenants.

    “I agree with exactly where they’re coming from,” said Councilmember Richie Floyd. “I think when the private sector fails, the public sector needs to step in.”

    According to Floyd, codes staff visited The Morgan frequently to address issues. He said he’s supported a possible city takeover at past council meetings.

    “I think we definitely need to be involved in this process, even if the administration’s not interested in going the direction I am,” he said. “But I would love to continue the conversation any way I can.”

    As for Pudlak, she said of the residents who lived at the complex when she moved in, she’s one of the few who remain — but not for long.

    “Nope. No. Instant no,” she said when asked if she planned to stay. “As soon as my lease is up in October, I’m personally moving over to Bradenton.”

    Lurin spokesperson Ed Cafasso said in a statement that The Morgan is operating normally, and the company is working to strengthen its longterm financial stability. It reads in part, “While we understand the demand by some residents for the city to seize the property, we do not believe such an unusual step is justified or in the community’s best interest.”

    Bequer said the city is monitoring the potential foreclosure of the property and is working through the litigation process related to unpaid water bills.

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    Sarah Blazonis

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  • Parents plan to push back against Cross Bayou Elementary closure

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    PINELLAS PARK, Fla. — A number of parents plan to speak out at Thursday’s community meeting regarding the proposed closure of Cross Bayou Elementary in Pinellas Park.

    The family and community meeting is set for 6 p.m. Thursday in the cafeteria of Cross Bayou Elementary.

    Citing declining enrollment district wide, Pinellas County Superintendent Kevin Hendrick recommended a handful of school consolidations and closures in order to cut down on costs and reduce the amount of student seats available.

    What You Need To Know

    • Family meeting set for Thursday at 6 p.m. at Cross Bayou

    • District says the Deaf/Hard of Hearing program, which is run out of the school, would be relocated to Walsingham Oaks K-8

    • Low enrollment, aging building cited as reasons for potential closure 

    • MORE: Full breakdown of proposed closures, consolidations 


    Hendrick recommended Cross Bayou Elementary close at the end of the 2025-2026 school year, and students be rezoned to nearby Pinellas Central and Bardmoor elementary schools. The Deaf/Hard of Hearing program, which is run out of the school, would be relocated to Walsingham Oaks K-8.

    The decades-old school building is in need of roughly $5.1 million in capital improvements in the coming years, Hendrick said. In order to keep the school up and running it would need a new roof, front office expansion, and refrigerator replacements. The district hopes to sell or lease the property as-is after student depart for the final time in May. The district expects to save about $3 million a year by closing the school.

    Cross Bayou Elementary currently has 245 students with a maximum capacity of 610 students. This is a steep drop from its peak of 427 students during the 2018-2019 school year.

    Parent and school volunteer Michael Gerke says he plans to speak at Thursday’s meeting and plead with district officials to reconsider.

    “The principal has a better chance of having a relationship with 300 kids than she does with 600 kids,” he said. “That’s what matters to me most is the children, it’s more than any budget. More than any bill. I just really hope they change their minds.”

    Parent James King says his son loves his teachers and friends he’s made at Cross Bayou.

    “One fear he does have is going to a new school and losing his friends, he’s made friends here,” King said. “Parents are real nervous, they don’t know what direction it’s headed.”

    A second family and community meeting on the recommended closure is set for Feb. 5 at 6 p.m.

    The closure is pending a school board vote, which is set for late February.

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    Angie Angers

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  • New report may shape solutions for Tampa Bay’s housing crisis

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    TAMPA, Fla. — Housing affordability issues in the Tampa Bay area are nothing new, but the Tampa Bay Partnership is hoping its recently released regional housing affordability report will help bring about solutions now and in the future for residents.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Tampa Bay Partnership recently released the regional housing affordability report and is hoping it will help bring about solutions now and in the future for residents

    • According to the report, median rent surged nearly 50% in five years, while wages rose nearly 30%

    • Tampa Bay is projected to add 564,000 residents and 211,000 households by 2035, a surge that will reshape housing needs

    • Yet, recent production hasn’t kept pace, according to the research


    The 137-page report is called The Housing Equation, Supply, Demand & Affordability in the Tampa Bay Region. The report focused on Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco Counties.

    Sarah Burgoyne is a senior director with the Tampa Bay Partnership. She said leaders had been asking for the data that examines past, present and future housing prices.

    “This report was made possible with funding from J.P Morgan and Chase, and it allowed the partnership to hire a team of researchers to provide data that our leaders in the community had been asking for,” Burgoyne said.

    According to the report, median rent surged nearly 50% in five years, while wages rose nearly 30%.

    Homes under $200K made up 30% of sales in 2019 and dropped to just 5% in 2022. Tampa Bay is projected to add 564,000 residents and 211,000 households by 2035, a surge that will reshape housing needs.

    Yet, recent production hasn’t kept pace. The research shows that between 2018 and 2023, the region added nearly 100,000 households but built only 82,000 units, fueling rising costs and widening affordability gaps.

    When looking to the future, the report details that by 2035, the region needs to add approximately 254,700 new housing units, an average of 21,225 units per year, to keep pace with projected growth. That includes 10,685 single-family units and 10,540 multifamily units annually.

    One of the possible solutions is a regional action plan and a regional action plan committee. Community input is also needed. The Tampa Bay Partnership is hosting a webinar Feb. 5, from 10 a.m to 11 a.m. Click here and scroll down the page to register.

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    Saundra Weathers

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