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Tag: Sarah Blazonis

  • Pinellas fishermen say dredging barges threaten stone crab season

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    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Pinellas County fishermen are sounding the alarm just days into this year’s stone crab season.

    Some told Spectrum News they’ve lost thousands of dollars’ worth of equipment already, and they said dredging for the ongoing beach nourishment project off the Pinellas coast is to blame.

    What You Need To Know

    • Florida’s stone crab season began October 15

    • Pinellas County fishermen said they’ve lost thousands of dollars in equipment and crab they could have sold due to damaged equipment and traps

    • The fishermen say the cause is tug boats and barges working on the beach nourishment project running over their equipment

    • Fishermen’s hope is that Weeks Marine, the barge operator, will compensate them for losses and let them know what routes they plan to take so they can avoid those spots when setting traps


    “This guy right here — this is our livelihood,” Tommy Laronge said, holding a stone crab he’d just taken out of one of Capt. Tommy Markham’s traps.

    When Markham set the trap ahead of the start of stone crab season on October 15, it was attached to a buoy he’d painted red and green. He’d also burned his X-number into it. Laronge said that’s an identification all crabbers get from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). On Friday, the third day of the season, one side of the spherical buoy was flat, and some of the paint and part of the X-number were worn away.

    “That’s from the barges sucking it under and driving over it like this,” said Laronge. “You can see it’s hit a couple times now.”

    “We’re just watching the tug boats that are pulling the barges, and their tugs are literally grinding our traps to pieces,” said Jason Underwood, another stone crab fisherman.

    Underwood said he’s lost around 200 traps so far. That’s about a 25% to 30% loss in the opening days compared to his usual five-to-ten percent loss in an entire season. Laronge said his business, Family Jewels Stone Crab and Seafood, is out an estimated $7,000 in damaged equipment and crabs that could’ve been in destroyed traps. Another problem is the loss of the orange tags from FWC that have to be attached to every trap. Laronge said only so many of those are available, and when traps are destroyed, those tags are lost.

    Florida’s stone crab season began October 15. (Spectrum News/Sarah Blazonis)

    “These guys have lost their livelihood,” said Frank Chivas.

    Chivas is the founder of Baystar Restaurant Group and also owns a mail order stone crab company, We Got The Crabs. He said he has about 6,000 traps in the water between his own and those of the fishermen who work for him. Chivas said he moved his traps out of the way of the dredging, and his business will be fine.

    “It’s the little guys that I’m concerned about because it’s their livelihood,” he said. 

    Chivas, Underwood, and others said it’s been a challenge trying to get in touch with barge operator Weeks Marine.

    “It’s just an ongoing thing, trying to get in contact, trying to find out what their plan is, where we should put our traps,” said Underwood. “Our crabbing area is only a small area where we can make a living, and their area of work is in that area.”

    Pinellas County said in a statement that the beach nourishment project involves dredging sand from portions of Egmont Shoal, Blind Pass, and John’s Pass. It says the county worked with Weeks and the U.S. Coast Guard to notify waterway users of the ongoing construction and advise them to use caution in the area.

    Pinellas County fishermen are sounding the alarm just days into this year's stone crab season. (Spectrum News/Sarah Blazonis)

    Pinellas County fishermen are sounding the alarm just days into this year’s stone crab season. (Spectrum News/Sarah Blazonis)

    “We understand and respect the hard work of local mariners in our area and the important role they play in our coastal community,” the statement reads.

    R.J. Schwab, a fisherman and member of Florida’s Commercial Stone Crab Advisory Panel, said he was told the county would issue traffic lanes but never received more information. Fishermen said barges don’t seem to be sticking to regular routes. Now, for local operations, costs are adding up. Chivas said they’re working with FWC to get emergency tags to replace those lost on traps and are hoping Weeks will work with them to make impacted fishermen whole.

    “We don’t want to get attorneys involved,” Chivas said. “We just want to get compensated for what we’ve lost from their barges running back and forth.”

    FWC said its division of law enforcement and marine fisheries management has been notified of the complaint, but no further information was available. Weeks did not immediately respond to requests for comment, but Schwab forwarded an e-mail he received saying a form and information about other details needed to file a claim for damages with the company was attached.

    How individual fishermen will move forward varies. Underwood said he’s considering pulling his remaining traps from the water to save them. Schwab said that’s not an option for him since buyers from around the country will still expect their shipments. Then, there’s the mounting costs. Laronge said he budgets to lose about 100 traps out of his total 1,000 every year and has already used that. 

    “I may lose 200 or 300 traps. I don’t have the money to do it, and the crabs that I’m catching are paying my bills,” Laronge said. 

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    Sarah Blazonis

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  • Hillsborough school board terminates Walton Academy charter

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    TAMPA, Fla. — More than 100 students at a Tampa charter school will have to report to new schools in the coming days.

    Hillsborough County Public Schools board members voted unanimously Tuesday to terminate the charter for Walton Academy for the Performing Arts.

    It came at the recommendation of Superintendent Van Ayres, and both Ayres and the board said the decision was all about safety. 

    What You Need To Know

    •  The Hillsborough school board voted to terminate Walton Academy for Performing Arts’ charter at Tuesday’s meeting

    •  Safety was cited as the reason for termination, with both state and district inspections recently finding security issues 

    •  Problem areas highlighted include an open gate, malfunctioning alert systems, and unmarked safe areas

    • A district spokesperson said the termination is immediate, and Walton’s 117 students are expected to attend other schools starting Wednesday


    The district received a letter from the Florida Department of Education last week saying a recent inspection of Walton identified a number of safety concerns. About 20 parents, teachers, and former students asked that the school be given time to correct issues, but board members said they couldn’t risk students’ wellbeing.

    “This school’s not just about classrooms and hallways. It’s a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment where children are not only educated, but truly cared for,” one woman told the board.

    One after another, speakers addressed board members during public comment to explain what Walton means to its students.

    “It’s where my daughter discovered her voice – literally and figuratively – through performing arts,” said WAPA parent Ashley Anderson. “It’s where she learned to collaborate, to lead, and to believe in herself.”

    But both the state and district are raising security concerns about the charter school.

    A letter from the department of education to Ayres dated October 9 outlines a number of issues. They include unmarked safe areas in classrooms, a non-functioning Alyssa’s Alert system, and lack of emergency drills. A letter to the school from attorney Jeffrey W. Gibson with the firm Gray Robinson dated October 10 listed similar concerns – among them, that a district inspection found an unlocked front gate and staff who were unable to use the Raptor system to communicate with first responders. That letter says Walton has been warned about security issues multiple times since the school year started, but its principal said those have been tackled.

    Hillsborough County Public Schools board members voted unanimously Tuesday to terminate the charter for Walton Academy for the Performing Arts. (Spectrum News/Sarah Blazonis)

    “The concerns outlined by the district and state have been fully addressed, corrected, and documented. There are no ongoing safety and health issues at Walton Academy,” said Principal Tanika Walton. 

    One woman who told the board she was fired from her teaching job at Walton earlier this year was the lone speaker in favor of closing the school.

    “I have several videos and pictures of the school being in horrible condition, from rat poop, ceiling leaking, and floor dismantled,” she said.

    In the end, the board’s decision was unanimous, minus a vote from member Patti Rendon, who was absent. 

    “The protection and the security of our students is first and foremost to me,” said member Karen Perez.

    Member Nadia Combs said she has other concerns, as well, pointing out that large percentages of Walton students aren’t performing at grade level in reading and math.

    “We have 236 schools in Hillsborough County, and not a single one has an administrator that doesn’t have administration background or a teaching background. Since 2004, this school has been run by somebody that doesn’t have an education background,” said Combs.

    Principal Tanika Walton, as well as multiple parents and others connected with the school, declined to comment to Spectrum News after the vote. Board Attorney Jim Porter said during the meeting he was told the school will be appealing the decision.

    A district spokesperson said Walton’s 117 families were contacted Monday and Tuesday to let them know a charter termination was possible. It takes effect immediately, and students will have a few options moving forward. They can attend their neighborhood school or use school choice to enroll in others nearby, including Muller and Shore Elementary Magnet Schools that focus on performing arts. 

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    Sarah Blazonis

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  • Tampa Bay Jewish, Palestinian communities react to ceasefire

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Tampa Bay’s Jewish and Palestinian communities are weighing in on the ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.

    The ceasefire agreement, along with the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, is being met with hope, but also some caution among these communities.

    What You Need To Know

    • Jewish and Palestinian residents in Tampa Bay are reacting to the latest developments out of the Middle East

    • The CEO of the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee called the video of Israeli hostages being reunited with their families “overwhelming” and said he’s hopeful a ceasefire will last

    • Leali Shalabi, a Palestinian-American woman, said she’s happy for the Palestinian prisoners who were released but is concerned for those who remain in custody

    • PREVIOUS COVERAGE: As hostages and prisoners are freed, complex issues remain for Israel-Hamas ceasefire


    Shepard Englander, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee, said even though the violence of Oct. 7, 2023 happened across the globe, the pain of it was felt locally.

    Englander said there are a number of people in the area the federation serves whose relatives were taken hostage or killed.

    He told Spectrum News he wore a pendant with the words “Bring them home now” on it from just after the attacks until Monday morning. Englander called the support the local Jewish community has received “unbelievable” including when it came to organizing a gathering just after the Oct. 7 attacks.

    “We called the city. They opened the municipal auditorium, they staffed it, they welcomed us. We had over 800 people,” Englander said. “At least a third of them were not members of the Jewish community. They just cared about us. They were just friends.”

    Palestinian-Americans, like Leali Shalabi, have also been watching the violence in Gaza unfold.

    Shalabi said she felt a flood of relief for the families of the Palestinian prisoners released Monday, but also immense sadness for those still being held. When it comes to the ceasefire deal, she said she has doubts it will hold up.

    “I think this ceasefire is probably only going to end at its phase one, same way the last one did. It’s very hard to be hopeful when there’s a pattern, and we are looking at the patterns, and the pattern time and time again is that these ceasefires have been broken,” Shalabi said.

    Englander said he’s optimistic the ceasefire will last. The freeing of hostages was the first step, but there are other issues, like whether Hamas will disarm and who will govern Gaza, that still have to be worked out.

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    Sarah Blazonis

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  • Clearwater votes to further examine dropping Duke Energy

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    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Clearwater is moving forward with an appraisal and potential timeline for switching electric providers from Duke Energy to a municipal utility.

    City council members voted unanimously Monday night on the move at last night’s meeting.

    What You Need To Know

    • City of Clearwater has voted to move forward with dropping Duke Energy as its energy provider

    • Lawmakers said the goal is to save residents money. But according to Duke, switching could cost the city as much as $1 billion

    • St. Petersburg is another municipality examining no longer using Duke Energy

    Lawmakers said the goal is to save residents money. But according to Duke, switching could cost the city as much as $1 billion.

    Nearly two dozen residents weighed in during public comment, with one suggesting Clearwater join forces with other cities.

    “Why aren’t we doing this together?” said Clearwater resident Mike Reardon. “It might take a decade. But how about a utility company for all of Pinellas County?”

    Among the speakers were several current and former Duke employers.

    They spoke about the expertise of Duke crews, including when it comes to restoring power after storms.

    Others say they’re frustrated that Duke’s rates keep going up, and urged the council to move forward with creating its own utility.

    “Their motivation is always going to be how to make the most money for the shareholders to the tune of, what? Nineteen or $20 billion? They are never going to have our best interests at heart.”

    A representative from NewGen Strategies & Solutions says a feasibility study found a municipal utility could save residents $17 a month on their electric bill.

    Duke questions that, saying the study includes misleading assumptions.

    St. Pete is also thinking about dropping Duke Energy. Last month, City Council asked Mayor Ken Welch to consider ending their agreement, which is up for renewal next year.

    The mayor’s next step is to hire consultants who will study how feasible it is for St. Pete to run its own utility.

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    Sarah Blazonis

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  • Crystal River business owner reflects on Helene one year later

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    CRYSTAL RIVER, Fla. — Citrus County was among the areas where communities were hit hard by Hurricane Helene. Businesses along Citrus Avenue were inundated by several feet of storm surge. Kane’s Cattle Co. was one of them.

    What You Need To Know

    • Kane’s Cattle Co. in Crystal River was among the businesses and homes that flooded during Hurricane Helene last year

    • Co-owner Morgan Sundberg said the restaurant was able to reopen after six months of repairs

    • That work was done with possible future flooding in mind, including replacing drywall with a water-resistant material

    • Read previous coverage here


    “The last time you guys were here, everything was turned upside down,” said Morgan Sundberg, who co-owns the restaurant with her husband, Kason Sundberg.

    That’s not an exaggeration. A Spectrum News crew first visited the restaurant on Sept. 27, 2024. The water had receded, but storm surge tipped a huge walk-in cooler and freezer on their sides and carried away the cow figure that sits outside.

    “All right, Bessie, you come on now. Time to go back to the barn,” Morgan says in a video she shared with Spectrum News, where she can be seen dragging the cow back to Kane’s patio.

    Then, there was the damage inside. Sundberg said there was nothing to do but take it in stride.

    “Helene just, she came in strong, and she wasn’t giving way for anything,” she said.

    Sundberg said flood panels worked well to a point but couldn’t stop the several feet of water that flooded Citrus Ave. Kane’s ended up getting even more water inside than during Hurricane Idalia the year before.

    “I was watching a live Ring door camera,” Sundberg said. “I could see that we maybe had an inch of water inside while I couldn’t even see the trees and the shrubs on our patio. They were completely submerged. But then, I switched to audio, and I could hear it lapping over the top of our flood panels.”

    Walking down Citrus Avenue on Friday, “open” signs could be seen in windows, and customers were going in and out of businesses. Kane’s is open, as well, but Sundberg said it took six and a half months of work to make that happen.

    “We did have to, from this high up, cut out all the drywall, pull out all the insulation,” she said, gesturing to a point several feet off the ground. “I could literally wring the water from the insulation.”

    She said one of the biggest challenges was shortages of equipment and materials. Repairs were also made with possible future flooding in mind, including replacing ripped out drywall with a water-resistant material.

    “We decided to go with this so that if, in the future, we get water in the building again, we simply remove this, replace whatever needs to be replaced behind it, and we can smack it right back up there,” Sundberg said.

    While the hope is that day won’t come anytime soon, Morgan said she doesn’t stress when it comes to hurricane season.

    “I’ve kind of gotten to the point where I will ask, ‘Is it Idalia? Is it Helene? Or does it not touch any of those?’” she said. “Unless it’s going to be Helene level, it doesn’t really get me excited.”

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    Sarah Blazonis

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  • Projects aim to harden Pinellas utilities against next big storm

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    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Thursday marks one year since Hurricane Helene covered parts of Pinellas County in feet of storm surge. It didn’t just take a toll on homes and businesses — infrastructure for utilities also suffered.

    What You Need To Know

    • Pinellas County’s deputy director for utilities says infrastructure upgrades have been underway in the year since Hurricane Helene

    • One major project is the construction of a new Gulf Beach Water Booster Station to pump drinking water to homes and businesses

    • That booster station was non-operational after being flooded with storm surge during Helene, prompting boil water notices and low water pressure

    • Elevating critical equipment is something seen across projects. For instance, electrical panels were lifted during the rehab of the Oakhurst Shores Wastewater Pump Station


    “Helene showed us how dangerous the storm surge can be and how it can impact our utilities infrastructure,” said Nory Hancock, deputy director of utilities for Pinellas County.

    One example is the Gulf Beach Water Booster Station on Gulf Boulevard in St. Pete Beach. Hancock said the teal and white building pumps drinking water to homes and businesses. During Helene, it was no match for storm surge.

    “The sea water intrusion took the station completely out. It was non-operational,” she said.

    Hancock said boil water notices were issued and water pressure was low for customers. The station is back up and running, but it’s more than 50 years old and getting some major upgrades.

    One recent project is the rehab of the Oakhurst Shores Wastewater Pump Station in Seminole. (Spectrum News/Sarah Blazonis)

    “So, we are looking at the proposed new station that will be going under construction next year,” Hancock said, referring to a rendering of another teal and white striped building – with a few differences.

    The new facility will have a second floor, and that’s where the electrical and pumping equipment will be located. It will also have a standby generator and pumps so that if power is lost, customers won’t be impacted.

    “These upgrades will provide reliable drinking water, safe drinking water, will safeguard our customers, our public health, and the environment,” said Hancock.

    Another recent project is the rehab of the Oakhurst Shores Wastewater Pump Station in Seminole. Electrical panels were lifted, and valves were raised for easier access and better safety for employees. The county is waiting on a new generator to arrive for it.

    Hancock said she understands the uncertainty hurricane season can bring but wants residents to know the utilities team is prepared.

    “I am very sure that they will be ready. We have invested. We have added additional training here to respond when the community needs us most,” she said.

    According to Hancock, the new booster station is expected to be operational in three or four years. She also urged residents to sign up for the new Pinellas County Utilities Customer Portal to get information and updates.

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    Sarah Blazonis

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  • Pasco County woman fights off gator to save puppy

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    LAND O’ LAKES, Fla. — A Pasco County woman and her dog are both OK after an alligator attacked them while on a walk.

    What You Need To Know

    • Danie Wright said she and her puppy, Dex, are doing well after being attacked by an alligator last week

    • Wright said it happened while she walked Dex near a creek behind her house on Sept. 3

    • According to Wright, she was able to grab Dex by the collar and get him on land before the gator clamped down on her left arm

    • Wright said she was able to fight the 5-foot-long gator off. She has minor injuries, while Dex was unharmed


    “He really dug in right here, but it was another, the other side of his mouth that dug in here that’s a lot deeper,” Danie Wright said, referring to scratches visible under and just outside a bandage on her left arm during the Sept. 3 attack.

    Wright’s wounds may be healing, but the memory of what happened to her and her 4-month-old puppy, Dex, is still fresh.

    “I heard a squeal you never, ever want to hear, and I looked and the alligator was pulling him into the water,” said Wright.

    Wright said she was walking Dex on his leash near a creek behind her home when the gator came out of the water and grabbed him while she was not looking. She told Spectrum News there was only one thing to do: jump into the water after them.

    “Option B was I was just going to kind of step back because I don’t want to fight an alligator, and then not only have to watch my dog get murdered, but hear it,” she said.

    Wright said that was never an option. In the water, she grabbed Dex by the collar.

    “The alligator had him by the front teeth, wasn’t like it was back far,” Wright said. “I took him, and I tossed him up onto the bank. By then, my arm was in the alligator’s mouth.”

    So, the Massachusetts native fought off the Florida predator the only way she could.

    “My dad was a Brockton cop. There’s two famous people from Brockton: Rocky Marciano and Marvin Hagler, two boxers. So, they always say, you know, ‘Brockton tough.’ But my dad always said, ‘You know, if anyone ever gets you, fight for your life,’” said Wright. “I literally just started punching and kicking and elbowing.”

    Wright said she was able to flip the 5-foot-long gator on its back and thinks it was a punch near his eye that got him to loosen his grip and let her get away.

    “So, then, I literally just come walking out of here looking like Swamp Thing and Carrie from the movie,” she said.

    She provided Spectrum News with video of a trapper catching and hauling the gator off, with Dex barking after it. Luckily, he wasn’t hurt at all.

    “This AirTag saved his life because the alligator got his teeth under it,” Wright said, referring to a small disk on his collar. “If he had gone a centimeter more, he would have punctured his throat.”

    While Wright said she’s never seen a gator in the creek in the 20 years she’s owned the property, she said a 13-foot gator was recently trapped nearby. She said she knows things could have gone differently.

    “Just this five-foot gator, how strong his, I mean, I could not get my arm out of his mouth. He was so strong. But I am so, so thankful, I’m thankful that this guy is fine,” she said about Dex.

    The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office confirmed deputies assisted with an animal complaint involving an alligator on Wright’s street on Sept. 3 and referred Spectrum News to FWC for details.

    FWC did not respond to a request for more information.

    Wright is urging dog owners to stay away from bodies of water while on walks and to always be vigilant.

    “If you’re looking at something or listening to something, you’re not watching your dog,” Wright said. “This guy came out of nowhere. Never saw him. So, you have to have your eyes on your dog the entire time you walk.”

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    Sarah Blazonis

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  • Pasco County woman fights off gator to save puppy

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    LAND O’ LAKES, Fla. — A Pasco County woman and her dog are both OK after an alligator attacked them while on a walk.

    What You Need To Know

    • Danie Wright said she and her puppy, Dex, are doing well after being attacked by an alligator last week

    • Wright said it happened while she walked Dex near a creek behind her house on Sept. 3

    • According to Wright, she was able to grab Dex by the collar and get him on land before the gator clamped down on her left arm

    • Wright said she was able to fight the 5-foot-long gator off. She has minor injuries, while Dex was unharmed


    “He really dug in right here, but it was another, the other side of his mouth that dug in here that’s a lot deeper,” Danie Wright said, referring to scratches visible under and just outside a bandage on her left arm during the Sept. 3 attack.

    Wright’s wounds may be healing, but the memory of what happened to her and her 4-month-old puppy, Dex, is still fresh.

    “I heard a squeal you never, ever want to hear, and I looked and the alligator was pulling him into the water,” said Wright.

    Wright said she was walking Dex on his leash near a creek behind her home when the gator came out of the water and grabbed him while she was not looking. She told Spectrum News there was only one thing to do: jump into the water after them.

    “Option B was I was just going to kind of step back because I don’t want to fight an alligator, and then not only have to watch my dog get murdered, but hear it,” she said.

    Wright said that was never an option. In the water, she grabbed Dex by the collar.

    “The alligator had him by the front teeth, wasn’t like it was back far,” Wright said. “I took him, and I tossed him up onto the bank. By then, my arm was in the alligator’s mouth.”

    So, the Massachusetts native fought off the Florida predator the only way she could.

    “My dad was a Brockton cop. There’s two famous people from Brockton: Rocky Marciano and Marvin Hagler, two boxers. So, they always say, you know, ‘Brockton tough.’ But my dad always said, ‘You know, if anyone ever gets you, fight for your life,’” said Wright. “I literally just started punching and kicking and elbowing.”

    Wright said she was able to flip the 5-foot-long gator on its back and thinks it was a punch near his eye that got him to loosen his grip and let her get away.

    “So, then, I literally just come walking out of here looking like Swamp Thing and Carrie from the movie,” she said.

    She provided Spectrum News with video of a trapper catching and hauling the gator off, with Dex barking after it. Luckily, he wasn’t hurt at all.

    “This AirTag saved his life because the alligator got his teeth under it,” Wright said, referring to a small disk on his collar. “If he had gone a centimeter more, he would have punctured his throat.”

    While Wright said she’s never seen a gator in the creek in the 20 years she’s owned the property, she said a 13-foot gator was recently trapped nearby. She said she knows things could have gone differently.

    “Just this five-foot gator, how strong his, I mean, I could not get my arm out of his mouth. He was so strong. But I am so, so thankful, I’m thankful that this guy is fine,” she said about Dex.

    The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office confirmed deputies assisted with an animal complaint involving an alligator on Wright’s street on Sept. 3 and referred Spectrum News to FWC for details.

    FWC did not respond to a request for more information.

    Wright is urging dog owners to stay away from bodies of water while on walks and to always be vigilant.

    “If you’re looking at something or listening to something, you’re not watching your dog,” Wright said. “This guy came out of nowhere. Never saw him. So, you have to have your eyes on your dog the entire time you walk.”

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    Sarah Blazonis

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  • Professionals in Tampa Bay react to possible vaccine requirement rollback

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    PINELLAS PARK, Fla. — People in the medical and education fields are reacting to the announcement from Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo that he wants to get rid of all vaccine mandates in Florida. That would include vaccinations required for school children.

    “The word I keep using is ‘devastating’. There is no mild way to put this. This is really very dangerous, and it’s going to put our children and our communities at risk,” said Dr. Jill Roberts with the University of South Florida’s College of Public Health.

    Roberts said physicians, especially in decades past, have seen it before — the potentially devastating impacts from diseases like measles.

    “One of the last big measles outbreaks, 83 kids died — mostly kids that were too young to be vaccinated,” Roberts said. “Probably, a kid’s going to recover from measles and be fine, but maybe not. Some kids lose their vision. Some kids have a long-term disability.”

    The measles vaccine is one of those the state requires kids to get before they enroll in school. Ladapo said he thinks any shot should be a personal choice.

    “That is a moral, ethical universe, not this nonsense where people who don’t know you are telling you what to put in your temple,” Ladapo said.

    Roberts said it’s at school that families sometimes learn their child is missing a vaccine because of the mandates. She told Spectrum News it not only protects them, but also grandparents, unvaccinated siblings and teachers.

    “My immediate reaction was — how will I even be able to visit my dad, because I have to be so concerned about bringing things to him just regularly?” said Tracey McConnell of hearing vaccines may no longer be required to enroll in school.

    McConnell is a teacher at Pinellas Central Elementary School and vice president of the Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association. Her father is a transplant recipient, and she said rolling back the requirements would ramp up her concern for him and others at high risk.

    “What about teachers who are pregnant? What about teachers that have cancer?” she asked. “What about kids who have cancers?…If this goes into effect, is going to make it so unsafe for anybody who has any kind of health issue in a classroom.”

    Ladapo’s announcement has seen pushback from a number of organizations, including the Florida Education Association. It issued a statement that reads in part, “When leaders talk about pulling back vaccines, they’re talking about disrupting student learning and making schools less safe.” 

    FEA said it’s reviewing the potential impact on schools and communities.

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    Sarah Blazonis

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  • Kirkland Ranch to remain a green space among Pasco development

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

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

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

    What You Need To Know

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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  • Changes to FEMA maps could mean Clearwater residents will need flood insurance

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    CLEARWATER, Fla. — Hundreds of Clearwater homes could be added to special flood hazard areas on FEMA maps. That would mean some homeowners would be newly required to buy flood insurance. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Changes may be coming to FEMA flood insurance rate maps for the Alligator Creek Watershed

    • Clearwater’s floodplain administrator says 369 buildings in the city are added to the special flood hazard area on the preliminary maps, while 203 others are removed

    • Homeowners added to the hazard area with federally backed loans or a mortgage would be required to get flood insurance

    • A 90-day comment period on the preliminary maps is expected later this year


    “This is very similar to what we currently have,” Clearwater Floodplain Administrator Gene Henry said of the preliminary maps.

    Henry said the city started gathering data for the updated flood insurance rate maps five years ago. That information was passed on to FEMA, which created the new maps. 

    “You’ll get this blue area, and that’s called the special flood hazard area,” Henry said, gesturing to one of the maps. “So, there are going to be changes on people’s properties.”

    According to Henry, the preliminary maps for the Alligator Creek Watershed add 369 buildings in the city to that hazard area, while another 203 would be removed.

    “It’s better data. So, more accuracy,” Henry said of the reason for the changes. “They’ve got the LIDAR now, they’ve got better contour interval information.”

    Clearwater Floodplain Administrator Gene Henry said that the owners of any homes added who have a federally backed loan or a mortgage will now need to get flood insurance. (Spectrum News/Sarah Blazonis)

    Henry said that the owners of any homes added who have a federally backed loan or a mortgage will now need to get flood insurance. Residents outside the hazard areas can learn from the updated maps about spots around them that are now in the hazard areas.

    “The orange areas are the .2%, or what we call the 500-year. Flood insurance is not required, but if someone would ask me, I would say get the low-risk policy,” Henry said. “That flood hazard area may not have been there before, or it may not have gone down that street, but you saw the water there in Milton, or you saw it in one of the other events. So, the models pick it up because we have to know that.”

    Henry told Spectrum News the city has time to work through what the maps mean for residents. A 90-day comment period will be held later this year for residents and businesses to weigh in on the maps and let the city know if they think any of the changes are incorrect. That will be passed on to FEMA for consideration. The city also created a website where residents can enter their address and see if they’re impacted by the changes.

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  • Water still on at The Morgan after St. Pete says owner missed bill deadline

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — People who live at The Morgan apartments still had water Thursday night, but the city of St. Petersburg said that could change if its owner doesn’t pay its water bill.

    What You Need To Know

    • The city of St. Petersburg said Lurin Real Estate Holdings missed the Aug. 21 deadline to pay off its water bill on The Morgan apartments

    • A Lurin spokesperson said the company paid in full, but the city says it still owes $162,000

    • The city did not shut off water service to the complex, but that could still happen if payments are completed

    • PREVIOUS COVERAGE: St. Pete apartment tenants face possible water shut off


    “As previously stated, an interruption of services is a last resort action for the city,” Alizza Punzalan-Randle, managing director of communications and community engagement for the city, said in an email.

    According to Punzalan-Randle, Lurin Real Estate Holdings owed $452,995.33 on its two water accounts at The Morgan as of July 24. She said as of Thursday, Aug. 21, $290,063.37 had been paid. A payment of $72,647 was received Thursday, following one for $70,000 on Wednesday. Punzalan-Randle said those transactions hadn’t cleared the banking system as of late Thursday afternoon, and if they do, Lurin still owes $162,931.96. 

    “I really hate to have to spend money to move for a reason that’s not my fault,” said Michael Williams, who’s lived at The Morgan for 14 years. “I mean, I’m paying to be here. The water bill’s included in the rent. We’re paying the rent. So, where’s the money been going?”

    Paulette Hines, who’s lived in the complex for ten years, said it’s a question many residents have.

    “As long as I’ve been out here, I have never witnessed or been through the experience that myself and the other tenants are going through with this whole water shut-off situation,” Hines said.

    Williams shared an email with Spectrum News he received Thursday from “The Morgan Team.” It begins, “Payment for all past due water bills for The Morgan has been sent to the City of St. Petersburg and should be reflected soon in the City’s records.” Lurin spokesman Ed Cafasso sent a similar statement. 

    “We thank residents for their patience as we worked to resolve this matter, as promised, with no interruption in service. We will now turn our attention to catching up on certain maintenance needs at the property,” Cafasso’s statement read.

    Williams and Hines pointed out a number of such needs, from a tarp-covered roof Hines said still needs repairs following last year’s hurricanes to the complex’s closed pools.

    “Not even the ducks want to swim in it,” Hines said.

    The grass hasn’t been mowed in about two weeks, according to Williams, but he said this isn’t the worst it’s been.

    “It had been sitting a good month or two months without being mowed. It was, like, up to here,” Williams said, holding his arm about waist high. “You walk your dog, you lose your dog inside.”

    The city previously urged residents to start looking at alternate housing options in case Lurin doesn’t pay in full. That’s easier said than done for some residents.

    “It’s a horrible situation because I’m on a fixed income,” said Williams. “My VA payment doesn’t come until the first of the month, and if we have to leave now or between then, I have no money or no place to really go. I mean, it’s frightening to think that we may get a notice saying, ‘Get out,’ or whatever, but I have no place to go right now until I have money in my pocket.”

    “That is going to be a financial burden, plus a big stressor. You know, I have myself plus my two daughters that reside with me,” Hines said.

    Punzalan-Randle said sufficient notice will be given to residents if the water does get shut off. Hines questioned what that means since finding a new place could be difficult for some.

    Groups have been reaching out to residents to offer help. The St. Petersburg Tenants Union held a meeting Tuesday to discuss organizing with residents, and Punzalan-Randle said city staff was available at the Enoch Davis Center and South Branch Library Thursday to connect residents with legal resources and aid. They also distributed a flyer Wednesday at the complex with information on renter’s rights and resources.

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

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

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

    What You Need To Know

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

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

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

    • Read previous coverage here


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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  • With new boutique, Pasco County nonprofit helps kids in need of clothes

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    PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — From school supplies to prom attire, the nonprofit Marjorie’s Hope has long been a resource for Pasco County students in need. 

    It recently marked the grand opening of a new boutique.

    Danisha Harris was among the shoppers there on the first day.

    What You Need To Know

    • Majorie’s Hope was founded by Debi Shackowsky and named in memory of her sister, who was killed by a drunk driver in 1996

    • It recently opened a new boutique, where kids can pick out clothes and supplies

    • The nonprofit was damaged by Hurricane Helene but turned an old classroom at Wendell Krinn Technical High School into the chic boutique it is now


    “Whatever can last within two-to-three years because I have to pass it down,” Harris said of her clothing choices.

    She has six kids, ages 1 to 12, all in need of new clothes.

    “I was actually trying to figure out how to get stuff for my kids at that moment. I was going to try to make ends meet, and then Ms. Sarah inboxed me and let me know about it, and I was, basically, hopeful,” Harris said.

    Pasco Schools Head Start connected her with Marjorie’s Hope.

    “It’s amazing,” said Majorie’s Hope founder Debi Shackowsky. “It’s a place where every kid should want to come and shop free of charge.”

    Majorie’s Hope founder Debi Shackowsky says families are referred by partner organizations. (Spectrum News/Sarah Blazonis)

    Shackowsky said families are referred by partner organizations.

    Kids can pick out five pairs of pants, shorts, shirts, socks, underwear and a pair of shoes.

    “Ninety-five percent of everything today is new,” Shackowsky said.

    She named Marjorie’s Hope in memory of her sister.

    “She started out giving backpacks to kids, and then she was always helping kids in trailer parks that most people wouldn’t do anything with, including clothing them,” she said.

    Marjorie was killed by a drunk driver in 1996, but her mission lives on through Debi’s work.

    Debi Shackowsky said Majorie's Hope was named in honor of her sister, who was killed by a drunk driver in 1996. (Spectrum News/Sarah Blazonis)

    Debi Shackowsky said Majorie’s Hope was named in honor of her sister, who was killed by a drunk driver in 1996. (Spectrum News/Sarah Blazonis)

    Last year, the nonprofit was dealt a major blow when its storage facilities were damaged during Hurricane Helene.

    “We went three feet underwater, like everybody else out there. Never had a history of flooding,” Shackowsky said. “We lost count, or stopped counting, at $179,000 that we lost in inventory.”

    She said the new boutique wouldn’t have been possible without Leadership Pasco.

    “I call them ‘mountain movers,’” she said.

    The group chose Majorie’s Hope from among multiple projects proposed by local nonprofits.

    They raised $42,000 and turned an old classroom at Wendell Krinn Technical High School into the chic boutique it is now.

    “Debi raises a lot of money and gives back so much to the kids, and I think that’s the main focus of all this, is that they’re making an impact everyday on the kids in Pasco County,” said Garrett Early, Leadership Pasco Class of 2025 president.

    At the ribbon cutting, Shackowsky told the crowd she wasn’t involved in decorating the space, and one detail in particular stood out to her.

    “That was the last photo of my sister and I and my other sister. She was killed six weeks later,” she said. “To pick that picture out of all the pictures, it just, it hit my soul.”

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  • Loved ones call for justice for Manatee County teen fatally shot last year

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    BRADENTON, Fla. — A vigil was held Wednesday in honor of a Manatee High School student who was fatally shot last year.

    Jann Michael “JM” Feeney was just 17 years old when he was shot in the backyard of a home at 5912 8th Ave. Dr. W. in March 2024.

    According to a probable cause affidavit from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, Carter Layne, also 17, was playing with a gun he said wasn’t loaded when it fired, killing Feeney.

    Layne was charged as an adult with manslaughter with a weapon (firearm) and recently pleaded no contest. His sentencing is scheduled for next month, and at the vigil, those who knew Feeney called for justice.

    What You Need To Know

    • A vigil was held Wednesday evening for Jann Michael “JM” Feeney

    • Feeney, a 17-year-old Manatee High School student, was fatally shot by a fellow teen at a backyard party in Bradenton last year

    • Carter Layne, 19, recently pleaded no contest to the charge of manslaughter with a weapon (firearm)

    • Vigil organizers asked attendees to write letters for the judge, saying a concern is that Layne’s age at the time of the shooting could impact sentencing


    “JM was super nice. That JM smile was unlike any smile you’ve ever seen,” said Julian Smith, who was a teammate of his with Manatee High wrestling.

    “He was energetic, electric,” said Feeney’s wrestling coach, Andrew Gugliemini.

    “He brightened my day every day,” said Feeney’s neighbor, Nancy Ambrose. “He had the most beautiful hair you’ve ever seen, and he would come out of the garage I don’t know how many times a day and flip that hair.”

    Those were some of the memories of Feeney shared in the shadow of Manatee County’s historic courthouse. Gugliemini said it’s a loss that still stings.


    “I mean, I broke down in tears on the way here,” said Gugliemini. “I just see something or hear something, and I just get teary-eyed. I wish I was coming here to see him rather than coming here to do this.”

    Many at the vigil wore the same green T-shirt calling for “Justice for JM”.

    “As far as I’m concerned, there will never really be justice served because we can’t bring JM back,” said Ambrose. “But to see Carter Layne in handcuffs and walked out of the courtroom, a little, tiny slice of justice because now, he can’t hurt anybody else.”

    Ambrose asked those at the vigil to write letters to the judge in the case.

    “There is a chance he could get youth offender status. He is eligible for it. However, the severity of the crime, we don’t feel he should ever receive youthful offender status,” she said. 

    Layne’s sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 24.

    “I feel bad for the Layne family, too,” said Ambrose. “There’s no winners. I mean, it’s just so devastating for so many people, but it’s devastating for our community because JM was such a vital part of our community.”

    Ambrose also urged parents to talk with their kids about guns and encouraged young people to leave any situation where a peer pulls out a gun.

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  • State funding expected to help Pasco Fire Station 4 project get started

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    PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — Pasco County Fire Rescue is celebrating a win in the state budget just signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

    Chief Ryan Guynn said it includes $3.4 million in funding that will allow PCFR to move forward with plans for a new fire station that has been years in the making.

    What You Need To Know

    • Pasco County Fire Rescue Chief Ryan Guynn said $3.4 million was allocated in the new state budget for the planned new Station 4

    • The chief said Station 4 has been in the works for eight years, but funding has been a challenge

    • Station 4 will be located on SR-54 near Portico Street in Odessa, an area the chief says is seeing fast growth

    • According to Guynn, call volumes have increased by 35% since 2020 – from 75,000 per year to an expected 105,000 calls this year


    “We’ve identified the property for quite some time now. As with any capital project, funding is always a challenge,” said Guynn.

    So, he said the fire administration, along with county and union leaders, decided to try for state funding.

    “This county’s growing fast, particularly this area,” Guynn said of the area along SR-54 near Portico St. in Odessa, the planned home of the future Station 4.

    “The residential increase, the commercial increase – they’ve been lacking for some time,” said Guynn.

    He he said what they’ve been lacking is another fire station to better serve that part of West Pasco. Guynn said PCFR first set sights on the Odessa site eight years ago.

    “The neighborhoods of Asturia and Bexley are in need of some extra service, and we purchased this property quite awhile ago and have been waiting for the funds to be able to actually build,” he said.

    The chief said Station 4 will also help reduce call volumes – particularly for Station 37 in Lutz, as well as Station 15 in Trinity. Guynn said calls county wide have increased from about 75,000 per year five years ago to an expected 105,000 calls this year.

    “This is really going to help the response times. It’s going to really help the citizens’ safety,” Guynn said.

    According to Guynn, Station 4 will include features seen in other new stations in the county aimed at preventing cancer in firefighters, like hot, warm, and cold zones and separate areas for contaminated bunker gear. The total cost is expected to be between $9 million-$11 million. The chief said the next step will be securing the rest of that funding.

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  • South African club soccer team trains in Bradenton ahead of FIFA Club World Cup

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    BRADENTON, Fla. — This year’s FIFA Club World Cup kicks off next week. Tampa Bay will be home to South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns as they train for that tournament and work towards next year’s World Cup. 

    What You Need To Know

    • The FIFA Club World Cup begins next week in cities around the United States, including Orlando and Miami

    •  South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns are staying and training at IMG Academy in Bradenton while they prepare for the tournament

    • The team’s coach said the quality of IMG’s training facilities, food, and more are among the reasons they chose this site to prepare

    • The Sundowns take on South Korea’s team on Tuesday in Orlando


    “Beautiful environment,” said Coach Steve Komphela of his first impressions of Tampa Bay. “The skies are open, blue — like South Africa.”

    “In our country, it’s winter right now. So, it’s actually nice to be chasing summer,” said Mamelodi Sundowns player Neo Maema.

    The team arrived from South Africa earlier this week to compete in their first FIFA Club World Cup in nearly a decade.

    “Obviously, we have a bit of nerves, but we’re playing against the best clubs in the world, and we just have to apply ourselves like we know how to play football in South Africa,” said Maema.

    “The most important thing is the preparation now, starting from the training ground, the meeting room, the food you eat. Those are all components that end up helping you or assisting you in your performance,” said Komphela.

    The Mamelodi Sundowns’ logo. (Spectrum News/Sarah Blazonis)

    That’s what Komphela said the team has found at IMG Academy, where a welcome reception was held for the team Friday evening.

    IMG’s chief operating officer, Mike Milliron, said in a statement that the academy is honored to host the Sundowns. It reads in part:

    “Having an international team of this caliber train on our campus is a testament to the world-class facilities, environment, and support systems we’ve built and are recognized for globally. We’ve proudly hosted elite teams and athletes from around the world and each time it reinforces IMG Academy’s reputation as the premier training destination for those competing at the highest levels.”

    The FIFA Club World Cup is a revamped tournament featuring 32 teams from around the world. They’ll compete in 12 U.S. cities, including Orlando and Miami. 

    “We know the 32 teams who are here are top dogs of the world and therefore sometimes, must assume and embrace the challenge of being a top dog. It’s going to be quite steep,” said Komphela.

    “It’s never going to be easy, but we have to compete and just put our flair and our culture into our football,” said Maema.

    The Sundowns are scheduled to take on South Korea’s team in Orlando on Tuesday at Inter & Co Stadium. Komphela said they’ll be at IMG until at least June 25, but their stay could be extended if they move onto the next round of the tournament.

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  • Pasco launches program to lower risk of mosquito-borne disease

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    ODESSA, Fla. — The Pasco County Mosquito Control District launched an effort this week to lower the risk of mosquito-borne illnesses by targeting the population of one of the primary disease-carrying species. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Pasco County Mosquito Control District launched its Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) program on May 8

    • The proof-of-concept trial is testing whether releasing sterilized male aedes aegypti mosquitoes into the wild helps decrease the population

    • The district’s executive director, Adriane Rogers, says that while aedes aegypti make up less than 2% of the mosquito population in Pasco, it’s a primary carrier of diseases, like dengue

    • Rogers said nine locally-transmitted cases of dengue were reported in the county last year


    “The idea behind the Sterile Insect Technique is that you release sterilized male insects in the environment, and they’re out there to just mate with the wild female aedes aegypti in the area,” said Adriane Rogers, the district’s executive director. “So, they produce eggs still when they mate with these sterilized males, but the offspring don’t actually — it’s not viable. So, the eggs don’t hatch.”

    Rogers said aedes aegypti is one of 47 mosquito species in Pasco County and makes up about 1.6% of the total population. But she said it’s a primary carrier of diseases like yellow fever, Zika, and dengue. According to Rogers, nine locally-transmitted cases of dengue were reported in Pasco last year. 

    “The two things that you need for mosquito production are high temperatures and rainfall, and we’re getting a lot of that,” she said. “We’re starting to get the rainfall now, and so we’re seeing those numbers in our traps already start to tick up a little bit. So, now is a really good time to launch this project before we see a really big spike in those populations.”

    The eight-week proof-of-concept trial started May 8. A district spokesperson said about 30,000 sterilized male mosquitoes will be released each week on a 30-acre site in Holiday that’s historically been home to large numbers of aedes aegypti. The district will then compare population numbers there with a site where releases aren’t happening. 

    “Other programs that have used this have shown that it is quite successful in reducing that risk of mosquito-borne disease,” Rogers said. “So, that’s what we’re doing here in Pasco County to make sure — is it going to work here in our local environment?”

    Rogers said male aedes aegypti don’t bite, so residents in the area won’t have to worry about more annoying bites or increased risk of disease. If the program is successful, she told Spectrum News the goal is to add it to the number of methods used to control and monitor the mosquito population. 

    With rainy season coming up, Rogers said there are steps residents can take to protect themselves from aedes aegypti. She said anything that can hold water — things like tires, bird baths and wheelbarrows — should be emptied to stop females from laying eggs there.

    Rogers also noted that this species of mosquito is also active during the day, unlike others that are mainly seen at dawn and dusk. She suggests wearing bug spray with DEET listed as the active ingredient, and covering up skin with long sleeves and pants, along with shoes and socks, if possible. 

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  • Passengers react to end of Cross Bay Ferry contract

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — People getting ready to board the Cross Bay Ferry headed for Tampa Wednesday afternoon said they were disappointed to learn service will end five months early.

    It comes after Hillsborough County commissioners voted to end a contract with the ferry’s operator, which officials say defaulted on the agreement.

    What You Need To Know

    •  Passengers boarding the Cross Bay Ferry in St. Petersburg said they were disappointed by the news service will end April 30

    •  Avoiding traffic and getting out on the water were among the benefits they highlighted

    •  Commissioner Harry Cohen said the ferry pilot program laid the groundwork for looking at waterways as a mode of transit

    • Read previous coverage here


    “I was sad to hear that it was going to be no more, and that’s why we’re here right now — to take one last ride before it closes,” said Michelle Hamm, who lives part time in Tampa Bay.

    Hamm and Mark Toffolo said they’ve made the trip across the bay several times.

    “It’s just a really nice way to go,” Toffolo said. “You’re out on the water, and it probably takes you the same amount of time to drive with no traffic for a Lightning game, for example, than it does to take the ferry.”

    “It’s so quintessential Florida,” said Hamm. “It’s just a Floridian way of getting somewhere and not having to get in the car and battle traffic.”

    Hamm and Toffolo’s friend, Tracy McCollum, was making her first ferry trip with them during a visit from Illinois.

    “I think something like this would be a great addition to any city that has it. What’s nice is, I mean, I’m used to Tampa — crazy busy,” said McCollum. “To come here, where they live, and not have to deal with the traffic and get over to Tampa is a great way to do it.”

    Commissioner Harry Cohen said the unanimous vote to end the contract didn’t come as a surprise. He said the ferry’s operator, HMS Ferries, wanted to swap out the vessels used for the ferry trips, which would double the travel time to two hours. 

    “I think this was something that was popular with the public, but it really didn’t emerge as a true alternative for commuting, for avoiding the traffic on the bridges and getting across the bay,” Cohen said.

    Cohen said he believes talks are in the works within transportation groups about a ferry service. If a new plan does emerge, he said the county doesn’t want to run it but may be open to a private operator. He told Spectrum News there were lessons learned from this pilot program.

    “It laid the groundwork for the fact that we do need to look at our waterways as a mode of transit. There’s no right of way cost to taking people over the water. At some point, this is going to be a very viable way to move people around,” said Cohen.

    The commissioner said he thinks that information will help any group that may step forward to revive the ferry, which he does think will happen at some point.

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  • Residents highlight housing as a main need at first Pasco meeting on funds

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    HOLIDAY, Fla. — Pasco County is the latest Tampa Bay government turning to the community for input on how to spend millions in federal hurricane relief funds.

    The first public meeting was held Monday night at the J. Ben Harrill Recreation Complex to give residents the chance to weigh in.

    “I think this has definitely been the hardest hit that Pasco has had,” said Marcy Esbjerg, senior program administrator with the Office of Disaster Recovery.

    Esbjerg said Hurricanes Idalia, Helene and Milton destroyed 800 homes and damaged 7,600 more in the county. One of those belongs to Stacey Van Schenk.

    What You Need To Know

    • Pasco County received $585 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to help with recovery from Hurricanes Idalia, Helene and Milton 
    • The county is turning to the public to help determine what unmet needs the money should be spent on 
    • View details about the funding and how to participate

    “I’ve never in my life experienced anything like this,” said Van Schenk, a lifelong Tampa Bay resident.

    Van Schenk said the gulf took over her neighborhood during Helene, tossing a neighbor’s dock on top of her own and damaging her home with three feet of storm surge.

    “My bottom floor is a shell,” she said. “I have severe structural damage to my property, and I didn’t have flood insurance. So, now I’m trying to get with FEMA to get assistance, and I’m getting nowhere.”

    Van Schenk said she came to the meeting to find out if the funds could help her.

    “Do you pay it back? Is it a gift? What’s the terms of it? I mean, I’ll work really hard to pay it back, but I have to get the funds. My house is literally settling, and I’ve got to do remediation,” she said.

    Esbjerg said hearing from people like Van Schenk will help the county put together an action plan for the money. It’s meant to help with unmet needs — what insurance, FEMA and other resources didn’t cover. 

    Mollyanna Ward also came to the meeting to learn. She said as a member of the Florida Realtors’ task force on affordable and workforce housing, she was particularly interested in what could be done to help in those areas. She noted that the hurricanes made an existing problem worse — lack of workforce housing.

    “Sixty percent less than what we should have, at least in our area. So, because of interest rates, because of storms, because of different regulations, there are people who really are needing homes,” said Ward.

    Affordable housing was one example officials gave of how the money can be used, along with loans or grants to businesses and infrastructure projects.

    The county is asking for residents’ patience, saying details of specific programs will be released in the coming months. 

    Van Schenk said for now, she’s taking it day by day and trying not to focus on what she lost.

    “I know material items can be replaced — lives can’t. So, I’m OK with that, but I just want my house safe again,” she said.

    Part of the requirements of these federal dollars state 70% of the money has to be spent on households and areas that are low-to-moderate income. A program administrator pointed out that still leaves $175 million for people who aren’t in that income category.

    The county has more meetings scheduled for the public to give input:

    Thursday, April 17 at 6 p.m.

    Hudson Regional Library, 8012 Library Rd., Hudson

    Monday, April 21 at 6 p.m.

    Moore-Mickens Education Center, 38301 Martin Luther King Blvd., Dade City

    A virtual meeting is scheduled for May 1. Ideas can also be submitted through an online survey or e-mailed to BetterFuture@mypasco.net. 

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    Sarah Blazonis

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