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Tag: Sarah Blazonis

  • Pinellas County nonprofit helps save West Klosterman Preserve from development

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    TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. — Pinellas County announced Thursday it had finalized the purchase of the West Klosterman Preserve, following five years of effort from a citizens group to save the 14 acres from development.

    What You Need To Know

    • Pinellas County says it completed the $3 million purchase of the 14-acre West Klosterman Preserve

    • A group of residents has been trying to save the land from development for five years

    • The president of the nonprofit WK Preservation Group calls the purchase “wonderful,” saying it’s important to preserve the habitats on the land

    • PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Fundraising efforts continue to save preserve in Pinellas County


    “It’s wonderful,” said Tex Carter, president of the nonprofit WK Preservation Group. “We wanted to save this piece of property and make it part of the Mariner’s Point Management Area and preserve a pretty good-sized chunk of natural Florida.”

    Carter said it started with a dozen people trying to raise $3 million in six months. Back in 2020, Pinellas County Schools was considering selling the land to a developer for $3.3 million. 

    “The school board was almost ready to do a contract with the developer to turn this into 76 condos and bulldoze all the trees and all the wildlife that’s here,” Carter said.

    When residents spoke out against the move, he said the district offered them the chance to buy it for $3 million. According to Carter, the steps they took to become a nonprofit prompted an extension of the original six-month deadline. Eventually, Pinellas County offered to share the cost. The preserve borders the county’s 76-acre Mariner’s Point Management Area.

    “This is one active ecosystem integrated with different kinds of habitat for different kinds of plants and animals,” Carter said of the two properties. “If you took this out and turned it into condos, it would destroy the ecosystem all the way down to the ocean.”

    Pinellas County announced Thursday it had finalized the purchase of the West Klosterman Preserve, following five years of effort from a citizens group to save the 14 acres from development. (Spectrum News/Sarah Blazonis)

    He told Spectrum News the nonprofit collected more than 2,000 donations ranging from $10 to $350,000. 

    “That brought us together, the county and us together, to do more than we would have been able to do as individuals, and that’s a good thing,” said Carter. “It’s really great for people when people realize they can make a difference with government, and it’s always great when government responds to its people.”

    According to the county, the West Klosterman Preserve is specifically meant for habitat preservation and will remain a non-public zone. Carter said as part of the nonprofit’s agreement with the county, there is a chance it could eventually include walking trails. That would only happen if it can be shown there would be no impact on the environment.

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    Sarah Blazonis

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  • Treasure Island Fire Department continues search for permanent home

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    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Treasure Island Fire Rescue is the only fire department in Florida that doesn’t have a physical headquarters.

    That’s according to the city’s mayor, John Doctor.

    The building shared by the fire and police was severely damaged in Hurricane Helene. For about six months, they’ve been working out of pods next door to city hall. It’s where the fire and police chiefs want the city to build a new public safety building.

    What You Need To Know

    • Treasure Island Fire Rescue in search of permanent building after last year’s storms damaged their headquarters

    • It is the only fire department in Florida that doesn’t have a physical headquarters

    • Treasure Island Fire Rescue

    Commissioners held a workshop Tuesday to discuss plans for the department’s future home. They approved that location in February, but changes to the board since then have led to some questions about the project.

    Fire Chief Trip Barrs says his team has adapted to the pods, just like they did to the many changes since Hurricane Helene brought three feet of storm surge into their nearly 70-year-old former building.

    He said in the two weeks between Helene and Milton, they were stationed in seven different places.

    “The floor of a library at St. Pete College, a church facility, some condo owners allowed us to use multiple condos in a building,” Barrs said of the locations. “It’s utterly important that we get a new facility, a permanent facility, underway and being built.”

    Barrs said talks have revolved around building a 12,000-square-foot combined fire and police facility where the pods are now.

    The estimated cost is about $12 million.

    “It was kind of conditional, based upon how expensive it was, because we don’t have any money set aside at this point for that,” said Doctor.

    Three new commissioners have also been sworn in since then. Doctor said the workshop was a chance for them to talk about possible next steps.

    Some of the new lawmakers said they don’t want to raise taxes to pay for a new facility. There was also talk of building a new fire department while moving police into city hall.

    Barrs said they’ll ultimately do whatever the commission authorizes, but he thinks a combined fire and police station would best serve residents.

    “The fourth floor is wide open,” Barrs said. “So, what we’re trying to do is be very efficient with our buildings, with our costs, with our maintenance.

    “It’s the most economical to build and located here on Gulf Boulevard next to City Hall. From a fire standpoint, it decreases our overall response time by an estimated 38 seconds.”

    Commissioners did give the OK Tuesday for fire and police to move their temporary facilities to a parking lot near their old station.

    As for a permanent home, the city also still needs information on what insurance and FEMA funds could still be to come.

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    Sarah Blazonis

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  • Public weighs in on HUD hurricane recovery funds

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Monday marked the first chance for Pinellas County residents to let leaders know how they want to see more than $800 million in federal hurricane recovery funds spent. 

    “I think businesses should be at the top of the list because there’s so many businesses that are completely gone, people’s life savings,” said Pass-a-Grille resident Roger Kazanowski. “I was a small business man, and to see that happen to people is just horrendous.”

    “Certainly to help everyone get back into their homes and their businesses back operating,” said Gulfport City council member Marlene Shaw.

    What You Need To Know

    •  Pinellas County held its first meeting to get public input on how $813 million in hurricane recovery funds should be spent

    •  The money is meant to help with unmet needs following Hurricanes Idalia, Helene, and Milton

    •  According to the county, housing is the biggest need, followed by the economy

    • Read previous coverage here


    Kazanowski and Shaw were among the more than 50 people who gathered at the Lealman Exchange for a public meeting on the funds — $813 million from the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development.

    The money is meant to help people impacted by Hurricanes Idalia, Helene, and Milton, with 70% meant to help households and areas considered low-to-moderate income. Pinellas Board of County Commissioners Chair Brian Scott said the goal is to fulfill unmet needs. 

    “What happened six months ago with these back-to-back hurricanes never happened in Pinellas County. So, these listening sessions are really intended to explore what those needs are,” Scott said.

    A presentation given during the meeting showed that data pointed to housing being the biggest need by far, followed by the economy, infrastructure, and public services.

    Draft proposals of programs that can be funded with the money include $500 million for home rehabilitation and reconstruction, as well as $57 million for rental rehab and reconstruction for local landlords and $32 million for disaster relief payments to cover reimbursements for expenses like rent and utilities.

    Other programs would budget $32 million to help small businesses and nonprofits and $105 million for infrastructure mitigation projects. Scott said the first programs will likely roll out this fall, and he’s asking for residents’ patience.

    “We’re going to be at this for probably a number of years. If you think about even just the ARPA money we got, which was $189 million due to COVID a few years back, it took us years to work through those funds,” he said.

    The estimated budgets for the proposed programs could change based on input the county gets from the public.

    Seventy percent of the funds are meant to help households and areas that are considered low-to-moderate income, and income requirements will likely be part of some of the programs. More details are expected to be included in a draft action plan the county expects to release in coming weeks. 

    Three more community meetings are planned. The next one is scheduled for Thursday, April 10, at Dunedin City Hall from 6 to 8 p.m. Residents can also fill out an online survey. 

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    Sarah Blazonis

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  • DEP wants public to weigh in on Mosaic exploratory well

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    PLANT CITY, Fla. — Leaders at the former Mosaic fertilizer facility in Plant City want the state to let them drill a well to possibly dispose of wastewater.

    According to information provided by the company, there’s less likely to be spills if it’s underground, but some residents say they’re worried about what doing that would mean for their water supply. 

    What You Need To Know

    • The Florida Department of Environmental Protection held an open house Tuesday for the public to weigh in on Mosaic’s application to drill an exploratory well at its Plant City site

    • A geologist who consults with Mosaic said it could eventually be used to dispose of wastewater from crop nutrients production at the plant

    • First, it must be determined if the rock layers where the well would be drilled are suitable for this purpose

    • Attendees were concerned about what the well would mean for water quality 
    • The DEP is accepting public comment until 11:59 p.m. Friday. Comments can be e-mailed to app@floridadep.gov


    The Florida Department of Environmental Protection held an open house Tuesday evening where people could speak with subject matter experts about the plan. Lakeland resident Magdalene attended dressed as the Green Arrow, holding a sign that read, “Mosaic you have failed this city.”

    “I went to high school in Bartow,” she said. “It was always well known that, because of the history of mining in that area, we could not drink the water that came out of the taps in our high school.”

    It’s because of that experience that she said she wanted to voice her opposition to the exploratory well.

    “I know this does not mean that they’re going to immediately put wastewater in, but why do they need to even do the exploration? Why don’t you spend that money on purifying the water?” said Magdalene.

     


    David Brown is a geologist who consults with Mosaic. He said the water that could one day be injected into the well was once used by the plant to make crop nutrients. Brown told Spectrum News that water will be treated and has to be non-hazardous. One of the goals is resiliency. Information provided by Mosaic from the H2O Coalition says getting rid of wastewater deep underground can prevent spills during hurricanes or other events that can damage wastewater facilities.

    “If you have a house that only has one door, you can only come and go out of one door, but you’ve got two doors, now, you’ve got two options. So, it gives them another option for disposal of water other than just surface water,” Brown said.

    He said while drilling, the team will look at the thickness and other properties of rock called “confining layers” to make sure they’ll prevent water from seeping through. Casings are set into the well until the disposal zone, which can go from 3,700 ft. to 8,000 ft. deep.

    Like Magdalene, others said they were concerned with water quality.

    Monica Balicki was one of the members of the group Florida Right to Clean and Healthy Waters Initiative who worked outside the event to get people to sign a petition. The group is working to get a clean water amendment on next year’s ballot. She said she’s worried about potential health impacts if wastewater is eventually injected into the well.

    “In our opinion, they have a lot of work to do before they can start on an exploratory well,” Balicki said.

    Brown said there would be no chance of contamination.

    “We will be thousands of feet below the level that their wells are at,” he said. “If there was any potential that that would occur, the permit would not be authorized to go to the next phase.

    “At DEP, we’re committed to enforcing Florida’s environmental rules and laws. We certainly would not issue any permit that does not align with that,” said Alexandra Kuchta, communications director for the DEP.

    Kuchta said public comment will be taken into account when deciding whether or not to approve Mosaic’s permit application. If the company does want to move forward with injecting wastewater into the well, that would require another permit application process, complete with public input.

    The DEP is accepting public comment until 11:59 p.m. Friday. Comments can be e-mailed to app@floridadep.gov.

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    Sarah Blazonis

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  • East Pasco Incubator Kitchen marks five years of cooking up success

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    DADE CITY, Fla. — For five years, the East Pasco Incubator Kitchen has given entrepreneurs a place to fine tune their personal recipe for success and get their food startups going.

    Arlettle Williams said it helped her get her catering operation, Mz. Letts Kitchen LLC, off the ground.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Fifth Annual SMARTstart Food Vendor Fair was recently held at the UF/IFAS Pasco Extension One Stop Shop 

    • People were able to sample and purchase products developed by local entrepreneurs in the East Pasco Incubator Kitchen

    • The kitchen opened in 2019 and has incubated 55 food businesses

    • PREVIOUS COVERAGE: East Pasco Incubator Kitchen Offers New Resource For Entrepreneurs


    “It was very instrumental because I needed this kitchen in order to get my catering license,” Williams said. “I wouldn’t have been able to get it without it.”

    Williams has been cooking pretty much her whole life.

    “Since I was eight years old,” she said. “My first cooking lesson was collard greens and snapping peas.”

    She was hooked.

    “I’m actually living out my dreams. So, when people say, ‘What did you want to be when you were growing up?’ I wanted to be a chef, and I’m actually doing that,” Williams said. 

    Williams, 41, started her business two years ago, but three days a week, you’ll still find her in the incubator kitchen, making lunch specials she delivers to customers.

    “It’s such a blessing because I don’t know how I would be doing this and making this extra money that I’m making during the week,” she said. 

    The kitchen opened at the UF/IFAS Pasco Extension’s One Stop Shop in 2019. The Pasco Economic Development Council’s SMARTstart Program Director, Daniel Mitchell, said the kitchen lets people test out and launch an idea without some of the financial risk.

    “We’ve got a fully licensed and inspected commercial kitchen that’s licensed for manufactured, wholesale, retail, food permits, catering. So, you don’t need to go spend $30,000, $40,000, $100,000 equipping your own kitchen. You can do it here,” Mitchell said. 

    Coaching and collaboration with other business owners is also offered at the center.

    The incubator kitchen is part of a growing movement. According to a 2020 report on survey responses from 180 shared kitchen facilities nationwide, two-thirds of those kitchens were established after 2010. Earlier research cited in the report states incubated businesses have more than double the success rate after six years in operation compared to non-incubated businesses.

    Mitchell said 55 food businesses have incubated at the one stop shop. This month, the public got to sample some of their work at the Fifth Annual SMARTstart Food Vendor Fair. Williams featured her seasoning line. It’s the latest step for a business that she said has already changed her life.

    She said there are many perks that come with turning a lifelong love into a livelihood.

    “It’s given me so much freedom,” Williams said. “Financial freedom, freedom with my time. I can create my own schedule.”

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    Sarah Blazonis

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  • Pasco business cooks 500 Thanksgiving meals for hurricane victims

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    HOLIDAY, Fla. — Robert’s Smokin’ BBQ is preparing Thanksgiving meals for 500 families impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

    It comes after the restaurant’s first location was destroyed in floodwaters during Helene.

    What You Need To Know

    • Robert’s Smokin’ BBQ in Holiday is preparing 500 Thanksgiving meals for people impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton

    • They’re doing it with the help of a donation from Lantern Specialty Care

    • The restaurant’s original location in Port Richey was destroyed by floodwaters during Helene

    • Owner Robert Luke said he wants to reopen in a new location in Port Richey


    “I’ll tell you, that probably was the hardest three days after that for me, as a person. I was devastated mentally, psychologically, emotionally. I was destroyed,” said owner Robert Luke.

    Luke opened his original location in 2016, but he said he’s been perfecting his barbecue recipe since 1972.

    “Since I was a little kid, following behind Mr. Pretty, my granddaddy. You know, trying to get in his way, never knowing that this would be my way,” said Luke.

    He’s tried to foster that same close-knit environment in his restaurants. Luke works with a number of his actual family members, but he refers even to those not related to him as family.

    “I don’t have any employees,” he said.

    That extends to some customers, too.

    “He treats everybody as though they are family, and how can you not support a local business that’s like that?” said Ryan Burke. “Plus, he makes the best barbecue I’ve ever had, so that makes it easy.”

    Burke is someone Luke calls a brother. They got to know each other after Luke catered events for him. Now, they’ve teamed up to get meals to those in need.

    “This is the only holiday that is really centered around family,” said Luke. “I’m a family-style restaurant. Family first.”

    Burke said it was his 11-year-old daughter, Calleigh’s, idea: give people impacted by the storms a Thanksgiving dinner. He said his employer, Lantern Specialty Care, donated $50,000. Luke’s team is donating their time and skills to barbecue 500 turkeys. They’re part of a full meal that will be picked up or delivered in time for the big day.

    “They’re going to families that may not be able to have a normal Thanksgiving because they lost their appliances, they don’t have a kitchen, they’re living in a temporary space, an RV,” Burke said. 

    They’re circumstances that hold a special place in Luke’s heart.

    “When you talk about devastation to a small business, this is devastation,” Luke can be heard saying on a video he took of the inside of his Port Richey location after floodwaters receded.

    “We lost every piece of equipment we had,” Luke told Spectrum News. “We had every reason to give up, too. It ain’t in me.”

    Luke and his team have kept going at their holiday location, Robert’s Smokin’ BBQ 2. That’s where they’re barbecuing for this epic undertaking.

    “I think when you do anything, except you do it with your heart and you’re really doing it, then it’s not work. So, it becomes a very easy task,” said Luke.

    Luke said he wants to find a new location in Port Richey. For now, he’s focused on the task at hand: giving families who’ve lost so much a reason to give thanks.

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    Sarah Blazonis

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  • Health expo to connect Sarasota caregivers with resources

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    SARASOTA, Fla. — Town Square University Parkway is holding its second annual health expo on Saturday, Nov. 9.

    More than 100 businesses that provide services for people living with dementia and related illnesses will be in attendance.

    “We’re really excited this year because it’s come on the heels of the hurricane,” said Town Square University Parkway Co-owner Catherine McDermott. “We really learned a lot from our families and those in the community that need us that the resources that we’re going to be able to provide for them at the health expo is really coming at a time when folks really need these resources, this education.”

    What You Need To Know

    •  Town Square University Parkway’s second annual health expo is being held on Saturday, November 9

    •  The event is meant to connect caregivers and family of people with dementia and related illnesses with resources

    •  The adult day center’s co-owner said post-hurricane, Town Square heard from families and the community about the need for education about what help is available locally

    • Read previous coverage here


    The free expo is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 8450 Lockwood Ridge Road in Sarasota.

    Arlene Locola, of Lakewood Ranch, said she went to last year’s expo.

    “I just took a bag, and I threw everything in there,” Arlene said. “I went home, and I studied the resources.”

    Arlene’s husband, Tom, attends the adult day center. She called it the perfect match.

    “In addition to my having a little bit of a break. Tom is deliriously happy,” Arlene said.

    Tom has Parkinsonism and mild cognitive impairment. Arlene is his caregiver and said Town Square has provided more than activities — it has created a second family for Tom.

    “Tom comes out with two pretty girls on his arm,” she said, describing pickup at the end of the day. “They’re holding him, right? Two young, pretty girls, and then they’re doing a little dance. Then he goes, ‘Oh, you’re here.’”

    “I just love the camaraderie of the people, and the staff is right there all the time to help you,” said Tom.

    Like families throughout Tampa Bay, the couple braced for Hurricanes Helene and Milton. But for Arlene, there were worries many didn’t have to consider.

    “It was anxiety-provoking because I was alone with Tom, and if something did happen, I would have to handle it really alone,” Arlene said. “The caregiving job is a lot of necessities of daily life. I have a lot of decisions to make, and it’s not as shared as it was. We’re married 31 years, so this changes.”

    Arlene said she did look into staying in a special needs shelter in Manatee County but didn’t think it was the right fit.

    “She says, ‘Is he on oxygen?’ ‘No.’ ‘Does he have any special medical needs?’ I said, ‘No, not really,’” she said, recalling a phone call from the county.

    Bradenton resident Irene Rivera’s husband, Rich, also attends Town Square. She said he was already in respite memory care as she recovered from rotator cuff surgery when she learned she was going to have to leave her home, which is in a flood zone. Irene decided to extend his stay.

    “I knew if he was home, evacuating with him was just going to be a nightmare. You know, trying to lock up the house and move things and just him getting anxious,” Rivera said. 

    In addition to concerns like Arlene’s and Irene’s, McDermott said the disruption in routine that storms can bring can cause patients to decline. She told Spectrum News that’s what happened to a former patient of hers years ago.

    “His wife and he had to go to a shelter during the hurricane, and he never got back to his baseline,” she said. “He was agitated and paranoid with her afterwards and eventually had to be placed. So, we really want to give families and caregivers the resources that they need and the education that they need to know how to get through these trying times with someone with dementia.”

    The Alzheimer’s Association calls the disease a growing public health crisis in Florida. According to the association, 580,000 people ages 65 and older in the state are living with the disease. It estimates there are 840,000 family caregivers in Florida, with 1.3 billion hours of unpaid care provided.

    “The stress of the caregiving role is much harder than the person who has dementia,” said McDermott, who’s also a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner who specializes in caring for patients with dementia.

    When it comes to storm preparation, McDermott said she thinks classes offered at the expo will be helpful to caregivers.

    “I think people understanding the disease process helps them understand how they need to change and navigate things that they’re doing with their loved one,” she said.

    “Any presentation that’s given to help consumers is a blessing, because then you don’t have to do it on your own,” Arlene said.

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  • Pasco mail carrier helps baby choking on Halloween candy

    Pasco mail carrier helps baby choking on Halloween candy

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    PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — A Pasco County postal worker is being hailed as a Halloween hero. It comes after she jumped into action to help a child choking on a piece of candy. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Pasco County mail carrier Kandi Young is being praised for her actions in helping an 18-month-old who was choking on a piece of Halloween candy

    • Young was heading back to the office after finishing her route on Oct. 31 when she saw the child’s mother, Morgan Osborne, standing in the road calling for help

    • Osborne said her three-year-old gave the candy to her younger child after a trunk-or-treat event

    • Young’s supervisor tells us she’s been nominated for the Postmaster General Heroes’ Program for her actions


    “Honestly, it’s almost surreal, because I was not at all thinking. It just was pure drive. I wanted to make sure that baby was safe,” said Kandi Young, a rural part-time flexible mail carrier.

    Young was heading back to the Trinity Carrier Annex after finishing her mail route on Oct. 31. At the same time, Morgan Osborne, of Moon Lake, was leaving a trunk-or-treat event at her daughters’ school. Neither woman knew they were about to find themselves in the middle of a real life Halloween horror.

    “She wasn’t breathing. She was actually foaming at the mouth,” said Young.

    “She 100% turned purple,” said Osborne. “It was the scariest thing that ever happened to me.”

    Osborne’s three-year-old daughter had given a WarHeads candy to her 18-month-old, and she was choking.

    “I pulled her out of the car. I started screaming, freaking out. I’ve never freaked out this bad in my whole, entire life,” Osborne said.

    It happened at the intersection of Little Road. and Plathe Road in New Port Richey. 

    “All I see is a postal truck fly around the corner,” Osborne said.

    “She was yelling, and I believe she was screaming, ‘My baby!’” said Young.

    Young took the girl and performed the Heimlich maneuver.

    “I threw that candy — I don’t even know where it’s at — and I just hugged the baby, and I was holding her to me,” she said. “I could hear her gasping for breath when she finally was able to.”

    She said her quick thinking was part instinct — she’s a mom to two girls as well — and part training.

    “When my youngest was born in 2020, she had a disorder that caused her to be in the NICU for 13 days,” Young said. “For babies to come out of the NICU, to ‘graduate’, as they say, you have to, as a parent, have CPR and Heimlich maneuver training.”

    After handing the baby over to Osborne, it was right back to work.

    “I went back so I could get the mail in on time, since we’re also in the middle of an election and we have ballots,” said Young.

    “We did get to text each other, and I did let her know how grateful I am for her. Honestly, she saved my child’s life,” Osborne said.

    Osborne said her daughter was examined by paramedics after the incident and is doing well.

    Young’s supervisor, Allen Milletics, said he nominated her for the Postmaster General Heroes’ Program. According to USPS’s website, it honors postal workers who go above and beyond to help their communities.

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  • Hurricane recovery involves a job search for some hospitality workers

    Hurricane recovery involves a job search for some hospitality workers

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    LARGO, Fla. — A number of Tampa Bay restaurants were left shuttered after Hurricanes Helene and Milton — some temporarily, and others longer term.

    That left employees wondering what was next.

    Jonathan Hewett, founder and owner of Service Station, said many turned to his website.

    What You Need To Know

    • The founder of Service Station said the website saw a jump in people looking for hospitality jobs after Hurricanes Helene and Milton

    • Owner Jonathan Hewett said there were about 1,500 job seekers on the site in October, compared to the usual 1,000

    • According to the U.S. Dept. of Labor, statewide unemployment claims jumped by more than 4,000 the week after Helene and by more than 4,500 the week after Milton

    • Hewett said the storms came at the end of the slow season, making it an even tougher time for workers


    “Two or three days following the storm, I mean, my phone was just ringing every two minutes. A job seeker — ‘Hey, my restaurant’s been shut down.’ They’re sending me pictures of the bar that’s just, like, completely ruined and not even there anymore,” said Hewett.

    Hewett created Service Station in 2021. The website connects job seekers and employers in the hospitality industry. He said he was inspired by his family’s business — his wife and father-in-law own Finley’s Irish Pub — and the challenges restaurants faced during the pandemic. Hewett said this latest blow comes at a particularly bad time for workers.

    “They have bills to pay, they have kids to feed, and because those storms happened towards the end of the slow season and we are getting into the busy season now, a few weeks out from the storm, but there weren’t really many jobs open,” he said.

    Data from the U.S. Dept. of Labor shows unemployment claims statewide jumped by more than 4,000 the week after Hurricane Helene and by more than 4,500 the week after Milton. That’s not broken down by industry, but Hewett said traffic on Service Station’s website saw a big increase after the storms. While a normal month would involve about 1,000 job seekers looking for work, he said this month saw about 1,500.

    “I’ve been trying my best to get in contact with employers all over Tampa Bay to either make room to employ one extra person, bring them on part time, or find those places that are getting ready for the busy season,” Hewett said.

    Finley’s hired two full-time employees from storm damaged businesses Caddy’s and Frenchy’s.

    Hewett said Service Station is always free for people looking for work, but he offered the site’s platform to employers at no cost during October. He said Nov. 1 is the last day to take advantage of that. Hewett estimates he and his team helped as many as 300 people get interviews since the storms. While demand has slowed down on the site, he said there’s still work to be done to help those suddenly without a job get back on their feet.

    Visit St. Pete-Clearwater launched its “Still Shining” campaign this week to get the word out to visitors that the destination, and many of its shops and restaurants, are open for business.

    Director of Public Relations Jason Latimer said it’s estimated 80% of the area’s hotels, attractions and restaurants are up and running and welcoming guests.

    He said roughly one in ten jobs in Pinellas County is tourism-related.

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  • Storm recovery the focus of new Treasure Island mayor’s first days on the job

    Storm recovery the focus of new Treasure Island mayor’s first days on the job

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    TREASURE ISLAND, Fla. — The latest change to impact Treasure Island as a result of Hurricanes Helene and Milton came in the form of a leadership shift.

    On Tuesday, John Doctor was sworn in as Treasure Island’s new mayor following the resignation of former mayor Tyler Payne.

    What You Need To Know

    •  Treasure Island’s new mayor, John Doctor, was sworn in Tuesday

    •  Doctor served as vice mayor with former mayor Tyler Payne, who resigned this week

    •  The mayor spent his first two days in his new position focusing on storm recovery

    • Read previous coverage here


    “I was surprised. I actually heard it from the mayor,” said Doctor. “He gave me a call on Monday afternoon and told me what he was going to be doing and why.”

    Payne posted to Facebook that he was resigning “with a heavy heart” after three and a half years.

    He wrote that both his parents’ home, where he grew up, and his own home were damaged beyond repair. The post reads in part, “As we recover from these storms, it is going to be critical for the mayor to dedicate a significant amount of time to lead our community through the process. At this point in my professional and personal life, I unfortunately do not have the necessary bandwidth to fulfill that need.”

    Doctor said he’s served as a city commissioner, most recently as vice mayor, for nearly four years. He said he wanted to take part in local government after seeing some of the city’s businesses, like Gator’s Cafe in John’s Pass, close down and sit vacant.

    “We have too great of a community here and too great of people here that we have all of this empty land. So, I decided I would get involved,” he said. 

    The new mayor’s first days in office have been spent focused on storm recovery. Immediately following his swearing-in, Doctor presided over a city commission meeting that he said addressed the permitting process residents have to go through to make repairs to flood-damaged homes. On Wednesday, he attended a meeting where residents could meet with FEMA representatives and ask questions, including about the 50% rule. That limits the cost of repairs to a home in flood prone areas to half its market value.

    “If it goes above that, then they may have to demolish their home and either start over or sell. We don’t want to see that,” Doctor said. 

    Doctor said the next steps toward recovery at the city level have to do with that permitting process. He said the hope is that the city can accelerate getting permits to residents in the coming weeks to help them get back into their homes. 

    Spectrum News asked Doctor about taking on the role of mayor at such a challenging time for the city.

    “It is overwhelming, and I do accept the challenge,” he said. “I had a good career that gave me a lot of tools to use, and I think that we will be back on track within a couple of months. Not that we’re going to be rebuilt or anything else, but we will be back on track as far as a city and moving forward.”

    Doctor is retired after 35 years working in cable television with Time Warner, Bright House Networks, and Spectrum, where he was the corporate vice president of field operations.

    He said he’s lived in Florida for 30 years, 16 of those in Treasure Island.

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    Sarah Blazonis

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  • Pumps installed to help with flooding near Lake Bonny

    Pumps installed to help with flooding near Lake Bonny

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    LAKELAND, Fla. — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers installed pumps in Lake Bonny Wednesday to help ease flooding in nearby neighborhoods.

    Homes in the area were still underwater two weeks after Hurricane Milton dropped massive amounts of rain on the area.

    What You Need To Know

    • Pumps installed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are meant to move water from Lake Bonny to a tributary of the Peace River

    • The goal is to reduce flooding to neighborhoods near Lake Bonny, where some homes were still underwater as of Wednesday

    • One resident said he’ll be happy to see water levels drop, but noted the move was too little, too late for some people whose homes were badly damaged

    • PREVIOUS COVERAGE: ‘We have nowhere to live’: Lake Bonny residents voice frustrations over flooding


    “Purpose for this is to lower the lake so that the water that’s currently impacting the community will recede back into Lake Bonny and take those water levels down to where they can begin their recovery process,” said Major Matthew Westcott, deputy commander of the Jacksonville District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

    Westcott said the corps received a call Tuesday from the Southwest Florida Water Management District asking for help in the area. He said pumps will move water from the lake to a tributary of the Peace River about 9,000 ft. away.

    “There’s a lot of water here to move. I brought the biggest pumps that I have on stock here. That should be enough to start moving that water as quickly as possible,” Westcott said.

    “It’s a huge relief to be able to do something as drastic as necessary,” said Lakeland Mayor Bill Mutz, who came out to watch corps members work Wednesday afternoon. 

    Mutz said the effort was made possible through collaboration among city departments and other partners, including City Manager Shawn Sherrouse, Public Works Director Heath Frederick and his team, and Florida Rep. Jennifer Canady.

    “What we have happening here is a solution that everybody’s weighed in on and says, ‘This can happen. This can work, and we can not threaten something else downstream,’” Mutz said.

    For some impacted by the flooding, the arrival of the pumps brought up mixed emotions.

    “I’m grateful for the response that the city did make. However, the other side of me standing in front of my house that’s still sitting in water — we’re on day number 13 here, okay? And I’m sorry, but too little, too late,” said Chad Smith.

    Smith and his wife, Pamela, told Spectrum News Milton left their home near Lake Bonny uninhabitable, filled with flood water and sewage. They were among the residents who pleaded for help from leaders at a city commission meeting Monday. 

    “There are no words to verbalize to your friends, family and loved ones to say exactly how it’s like,” Smith said.

    He said his family found out Wednesday their homeowners insurance claim was denied. They don’t have flood insurance, and Smith said he’s not sure what comes next.

    “I got that woman right there and that daughter right there that I have to provide for,” he said, gesturing to his family. “I have to be the man of the house and say, ‘Look, it’s horrible circumstances, horrible situations, but I need to find a way to find a home for my family and figure out how to rebuild this one.’”

    The Smiths said they’re also frustrated the city didn’t respond sooner to concerns about an emergency pump in the area. Commissioners previously told Spectrum News a pump moving water from Lake Bonny to Lake Parker was working, just not as effectively as needed. Going forward, Smith said he’d like to see the city come up with a more solid solution for flooding and make other changes to help neighbors.

    “How about we let the citizens know that topographically, you are going to flood in a catastrophic event? And that means you should carry flood insurance and you should be in a flood plain,” Smith said. “If we would have known that as citizens, we would have been better prepared for this tragedy.”

    Westcott said residents should begin to see results from the pumps on Thursday or Friday.

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    Sarah Blazonis

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  • Gulfport businesses reopen doors to customers, reach out to merchants who can’t

    Gulfport businesses reopen doors to customers, reach out to merchants who can’t

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    GULFPORT, Fla. — Scenes of devastation were among the first glimpses of Gulfport after Hurricane Helene. Since then, a number of city businesses have reopened, and they’re working to spread the word to customers.

    Late Friday afternoon, customers crowded the bar area of Gulfport Brewery and Eatery on Beach Boulevard South. Owner Paige Valensky-Acree said it’s a welcome change from recent weeks.

    What You Need To Know

    • Some Gulfport businesses have reopened following Hurricanes Helene and Milton

    • The executive director of the Gulfport Merchants Chamber of Commerce said shops and restaurants along Beach Boulevard, Gulfport Boulevard, and 49th Street are among those that are welcoming customers

    • The owner of Gulfport Brewery and Eatery says businesses like hers that weren’t severely impacted are reaching out to help those that were

    • Fundraisers are planned for this weekend to help Gulfport community members and employees in need


    “I think we counted in, like, three weeks, we were open maybe seven days,” Valensky-Acree said of how normal hours were upended by hurricanes Helene and Milton. “That’s tough on business owners in town, that’s tough on staff, and really, it’s tough on the community because these are all really tight — this is a tight community.”

    The Wine House + BBQ owner Paige Valensky-Acree (left), pit master Jeremiah Griffin (center), and general manager Stephen DiMarco inside the restaurant. (Spectrum News/Sarah Blazonis)

    Valensky-Acree’s businesses, which also include The Wine House and BBQ, are among a number of establishments that are welcoming customers back after the storms.

    “Our businesses that are open, they’re open, and we want people to come,” said Aimee Kosta, executive director of The Gulfport Merchants Chamber of Commerce.

    Kosta said big outdoor events, like First Friday, are on hold for now. While businesses on and near Shore Boulevard saw heavy damage, she said customers can come out to their favorite spots in other parts of the city.

    “Not only here on Beach Boulevard, but Gulfport Boulevard. There’s a few restaurants, some shops up there. We have some art galleries, a DRIP! Art Lounge, where they do painting and craft stuff. We have 49th Street,” Kosta said.

    Pia’s Trattoria and Tommy’s Hideaway on Beach Boulevard South and Island Flavors and Tings on 49th Street South are among the businesses that are open, but Gulfport is still in a transition period. Next to diners enjoying a meal at Tommy’s, crews worked to repair damage to Qi Crystal Energy.

    “The devastation in this town is real,” Valensky-Acree said.

    She said businesses like hers that weren’t as impacted are working to help those that were. Starting Saturday, Valensky-Acree said she’s opening the doors of The Wine House to GulfPerk Coffee Bar. She said that business was flooded, so its employees will serve up customer favorites Wednesday-Sunday from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. Her staff will take over with the restaurant’s usual offerings later in the day.

    “He can keep his employees working. He can keep working,” Valensky-Acree said of the owner, who’s a friend. “We’re all small business owners, and so this is our livelihoods, too. It’s not a big corporation where we have 75 other locations that are doing well.”

    Kosta said fundraisers are planned to help the Gulfport community. “Gulfport Rising” is scheduled for Saturday at the North End Tap House from 12 p.m. – 10 p.m. It will feature all-day musical acts and proceeds will go to the John Prine Hello in There Foundation specifically to help with relief in Gulfport.

    On Sunday, Oct. 20, The Salty Nun on Central Avenue in St. Petersburg is hosting a fundraiser for staff at Gulfport’s Neptune Grill. A drag show begins at noon, followed by entertainment throughout the day. Also on Sunday, Tommy’s Hideaway is offering free slices of pizza and a free soft drink for anyone in need from 1 p.m. -4 p.m., as well as holding a toy donation drive for children impacted by the hurricanes.

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    Sarah Blazonis

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  • Fire at St. Pete scrap metal debris site causes evacuations, affects power lines

    Fire at St. Pete scrap metal debris site causes evacuations, affects power lines

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — UPDATE: St. Petersburg Fire Rescue said crews had extinguished the fire at Aceros America St. Pete and were working to put out hot spots Thursday night. The cause of the fire was still under investigation, but early reports suggested hurricane debris, including appliances with flammable insulation, motors, and batteries may have sparked the flames. 

    “We are putting a lot of water on it,” St. Pete Fire Rescue Capt. Garth Swingle said Thursday afternoon as crews fought the fire. “It’s going to take a long time and a lot of water because of how deep the pile is because they’re containing it, keeping it, because it’s already a hazardous pile. Don’t know how it started, why it started – it’s debris. Anybody can throw something away.”

    A St. Petersburg spokesperson told Spectrum News the site wasn’t a city designated site for debris drop-off, but Swingle said Aceros had opened its doors to people who wanted to get rid of flood-damaged items.

    “They’re doing a great job of putting it in one pile, and that is the reason why it is contained in one pile,” Swingle said.

    Fire rescue said more than 40 firefighters worked to put out the two-alarm fire. Two ladder trucks and four engines remained on site Thursday night, and street closures remained in effect. No injuries were reported. Officials are also reminding residents about the importance of sorting debris.

    “It would be great if people can pay attention to anything that’s hazardous, that might catch fire, or any hazards to the environment or people or animals, to separate that. Make sure you keep that separate so we can dispose of that properly,” Swingle said.

    PREVIOUS STORY

    Crews with St. Petersburg Fire Rescue responded Thursday afternoon to a structure fire at Aceros America St. Pete, located at 2550 30th Ave N.

    The fire appeared to involve a large debris pile in the scrap yard, officials said.

    The call was reported just before 2 p.m. The fire, which was eventually contained to the location, was extinguished by 9 p.m. officials said. 

    St. Pete Police blocked off all streets from Morris Street to 28th Street and from 30th Avenue to 26th Avenue.


    Meanwhile, residents were evacuated from the Ponce De Leon neighborhood due to the large amounts of smoke from the two-alarm fire.

    St. Petersburg Fire Rescue said crews had extinguished the fire at Aceros America St. Pete and were working to put out hot spots Thursday night. The cause of the fire was still under investigation, but early reports suggested hurricane debris — including appliances with flammable insulation, motors, and batteries — may have sparked the flames. 

    “We are putting a lot of water on it,” St. Pete Fire Rescue Capt. Garth Swingle said Thursday afternoon as crews fought the fire. “It’s going to take a long time and a lot of water because of how deep the pile is because they’re containing it, keeping it, because it’s already a hazardous pile. Don’t know how it started, why it started — it’s debris. Anybody can throw something away.”

    A St. Petersburg spokesperson told Spectrum News that the site was not a city-designated site for debris drop-off, but Swingle said Aceros had opened its doors to people who wanted to get rid of flood-damaged items.

    “They’re doing a great job of putting it in one pile, and that is the reason why it is contained in one pile,” Swingle said.

    Fire rescue said more than 40 firefighters worked to put out the two-alarm fire. Two ladder trucks and four engines remained on site Thursday night, and street closures remained in effect. No injuries were reported. Officials are also reminding residents about the importance of sorting debris.

    “It would be great if people can pay attention to anything that’s hazardous, that might catch fire, or any hazards to the environment or people or animals, to separate that,” Swingle said. “Make sure you keep that separate so we can dispose of that properly.”

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    Sarah Blazonis, Spectrum News Staff

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  • Pasco County residents talk with local officials and FEMA

    Pasco County residents talk with local officials and FEMA

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    HUDSON, Fla. — Picking up the pieces from Hurricanes Helene and Milton can be an overwhelming task.

    Monday, people in Pasco County got the chance to talk with local officials and FEMA representatives about what comes next at a town hall-style meeting.

    What You Need To Know

    • Pasco residents got the chance to talk with local officials and FEMA representatives 

    • The packed meeting at Hudson Regional Library was meant to make the path to recovery easier to navigate

    • Representatives with FEMA, the Florida Division of Emergency Management, and more were on hand to answer questions


    “It’s exhausting. I think everybody I speak to is just at their emotional – you know. So, it’s exhausting,” Hudson resident Iris Orlando said of what the past three weeks have been like.

    “The ground level houses – ugh. It’s terrible. You see people’s lives are so affected,” said Bruce Markey, another attendee at the meeting.

    The packed meeting at Hudson Regional Library was meant to make the path to recovery easier to navigate. Representatives with FEMA, the Florida Division of Emergency Management, and more were on hand to answer questions. They covered everything from displacement and rental assistance to when payments from approved claims could be expected.

    Markey showed Spectrum News photos of the water line on his garage post-Helene, which was more than halfway up the height of the door. Still, he said he’s in a stilt house and didn’t suffer as much damage as some of his neighbors. He said he came to the meeting on behalf of those still busy cleaning out their homes.

    “Try to perhaps be a little bit of a liaison for them and have some good information. There’s been a lot of – I’ve noticed with social media – there’s a lot of bad information out there,” Markey said.

    Orlando had 12 inches of water throughout her home after Helene.

    “I applied for FEMA assistance on October the first, and I haven’t heard anything as far as an inspection,” she said.

    A FEMA representative said during the meeting there are 700 agency inspectors in Florida, but they’re behind on their work due to the huge number of registrations – an expected 1.2 million from Milton alone.

    Orlando said what would really be a weight lifted is if the piles of debris in her neighborhood – and countless others – were removed. Debris is something that was brought up at the meeting, as well, with one speaker saying, and others agreeing, that they’re frustrated piles haven’t been removed from their neighborhoods. Pasco commissioners say this is something the county has been working on since two days after Helene.

    “The magnitude of debris that’s out there is greater than anything we’ve ever had,” said Pasco Board of County Commissioners Chair Ron Oakley.

    “We are trying to get the same waiver that we were able to get during Irma that allowed us to go out and hire more contractors and waive the 60-day federal contract requirement,” said BOCC Vice Chair Kathryn Starkey.

    Starkey said county representatives and members of Pasco’s federal delegation spoke about that with the White House Monday. She and Oakley said debris clean-up will take several weeks.

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  • Pasco County calls post-Milton flooding ‘historic’

    Pasco County calls post-Milton flooding ‘historic’

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    PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — First responders rescued 150 people across Pasco County as communities from Elfers to Zephyrhills saw what the county referred to in media alerts and on social media as “historical flooding.”

    What You Need To Know

    •  A Pasco County spokesperson said heavy rain from Hurricane Milton overflowed rivers and caused historic flooding in the county

    •  According to the county, 150 people had to be rescued after water inundated their neighborhoods

    •  Both the east and west sides of the county were impacted, from Zephyrhills to Elfers

    • People are being encouraged not to drive through flood waters and to be prepared to leave their homes if necessary


    “It’s unbelievable,” said Nick Burgess, who lives in the Silver Oaks community in Zephyrhills.

    Nick and his family said they woke up Thursday morning thinking they’d made it through Hurricane Milton mostly unscathed. Their power is out, and a large tree Nick’s grandfather planted in the front yard of his home — which was once owned by his grandparents — was uprooted.

    Burgess pointed out a bench he put in the yard in honor of them wasn’t damaged, and neither was his home. Then, they saw the water rising.

    “We’ve never seen anything like this before,” said Nick’s father, Dan Burgess, Sr. “In 1998, we had half of what you see there.”

    Water now covers a chunk of the community, spreading from the front entrance on Eiland Boulevard. The Burgesses said the only water in the immediate area is a large pond in the neighborhood, and the water levels keep rising further into the neighborhood.

    Friday evening, they were creeping closer to Nick’s house. He used sandbags and plastic to seal off his front entrance, and he also planned to set up a Tiger Dam.

    Nick Burgess prepares his home in the Silver Oaks neighborhood in Zephyrhills for possible flooding on October 11, 2024. (Spectrum News/Sarah Blazonis)

    “It was actually given to me by one of my wonderful neighbors who, unfortunately, has flooded out. He said, ‘I don’t have any need for this because the water’s waist high in my house,’” Nick said.

    A Pasco County spokesperson said the Hillsborough River to the south of the city is in major flood stage. On top of that, Zephyrhills got a huge amount of rain from Milton.

    According to Spectrum News Meteorologist Brian McClure, the city was in a heavy rain band to the north of Milton’s eye and saw 14 inches fall. That’s an amount the area would normally see throughout several days — not all at once.

    The west side of the county saw unprecedented flooding, too. Water covered the parking lot of the Wyndlake plaza on Old County Road 54 near the intersection of State Road 54 in New Port Richey Friday afternoon. Nearby, the Seven Springs Travel Park RV Resort and Best Treatment Network were also surrounded by water.

    Flooding at the Seven Springs Travel Park RV Resort on Old County Rd. 54 in New Port Richey. (Photo: David Hodge)

    The county is recommending voluntary evacuations for Elfers, Cypress Creek at Worthington Gardens, Thousand Oaks, and anyone in low-lying areas prone to flooding. A spokesperson said flooding in these communities was caused by the overflowing of the Anclote River, as well as pockets of very heavy rain.

    Nick said he’s hopeful things don’t get worse in Silver Oaks, but also notes he’s grateful.

    “We thank God we have our health and our life and we made it through the storm. At the end of the day, this is just material items,” he said.

    Brian McClure said the Hillsborough River crested Friday night at 16.6 ft. flood stage and is expected to go down through the weekend and into next week. He said the Anclote also crested Friday at 26.3 feet and would drop in the coming days. 

    The county posted to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, that water levels in neighborhoods were expected to continue to rise. People are reminded not to drive through flood waters and to be prepared to leave their home if they live in an impacted area.

    A new shelter for flood victims was opened at the Wesley Chapel Recreation Complex at 7727 Boyette Creek Road. A full list of shelters can be found here.

     

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  • Local businesses help with debris clean-up ahead of Milton

    Local businesses help with debris clean-up ahead of Milton

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    CLEARWATER, Fla. — A group of private companies joined forces to help get debris out of neighborhoods in North Clearwater Beach ahead of the storm.

    Arnie Bellini said his company, Bellini Capital, put up a half million-dollar fund Monday morning to assemble the group.

    What You Need To Know

    • A group of private businesses worked Monday to clean Clearwater neighborhoods of debris ahead of Hurricane Milton

    • Arnie Bellini said his company, Bellini Capital, put up a half million dollar fund Monday morning to assemble businesses

    • Bellini said 16 dump trucks worked throughout the day and had removed 260 tons of debris by early evening

    • He said the goal was to remove as much debris as possible to prevent it from becoming dangerous projectiles during Hurricane Milton


    “It’s ‘Apocalypse Now’ down here in the Tampa Bay area,” Bellini said of the scene in neighborhoods where residents had to throw piles of flood-damaged belongings to the curb. “There’s just — there’s mountains and mountains and mountains of debris, drywall — just garbage.”

    Bellini said businesses that stepped forward to help include Doganiero Construction, AguaCulture, and Dr. Pit Gills with St. Luke’s Cataract and Laser Institute.

    “We’ve been blessed with some great fortune and great businesses, but it was only because we were able to build it in such a great place, and so this is our way of giving back to that great place and trying to keep it great still,” Bellini said.

    Bellini said his venture capital firm invests in start-up technology companies in Tampa Bay.

    “I was able to build my company here, ConnectWise, very successfully,” Bellini said. “We had a very successful exit. With all the money they gave me, I pledged to give 70,000 high-paying, high tech jobs back to the Tampa Bay area and to help the community in any way I could. So, this is just one of the ways that we’re doing it.”

    He said 16 dump trucks were running all day on the project. By early evening, he said they’d removed 260 tons of debris.

    “Neighbors helping neighbors, community helping community — we’ve got to get back to that in the United States of America. We’ve got to start working together instead of fighting each other,” Bellini said.

    Bellini said the group started at the north point of Clearwater Beach and plan to go as far as they can before Milton hits.

    Cities and counties around Tampa Bay have opened debris dump sites for residents, as well. Hours of operation are subject to change due to Milton. They include:

    St. Petersburg

    1953 72nd St.

    Open 7 AM-7 PM

    Pinellas County Solid Waste Disposal Facility

    Via 34th St. Gate

    Open 24/7

    Tampa

    McKay Bay Transfer Station

    114 S. 34th St.

    Open 7 AM-5PM Tuesday, Oct. 8

    Hillsborough County

    Resource Recovery Facility

    350 N. Falkenburg Rd.

    Tampa

    Open 24 hours

    Pasco County

    West Pasco Resource Recovery Center

    14606 Hays Rd.

    Spring Hill

    Open 24/7

    Hernando County

    West Hernando Convenience Center and Main Landfill

    Open 24/7

    Citrus County

    Landfill

    Open 24/7

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    Sarah Blazonis

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  • Indian Rocks Beach man paddleboards to get to neighbors in need during Helene

    Indian Rocks Beach man paddleboards to get to neighbors in need during Helene

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    INDIAN ROCKS BEACH, Fla. — Marty Thomas is being praised by neighbors for using his paddleboard to rescue a number of people as Hurricane Helene’s storm surge rose.

    What You Need To Know

    •  Marty Thomas said he grabbed his paddleboard to head to a friend’s house as storm surge rose in Indian Rocks Beach last week

    •  Once he arrived, Thomas said neighbors told him someone was trapped in their home, and he paddled to them and helped bring them to safety

    •  While the water was deep, Thomas said he’s a longtime paddleboarder and wasn’t scared

    • Thomas and neighbors estimate he helped about a dozen people that night


    “The angel of Indian Rocks Beach,” Thomas’ neighbor Ann McIntosh called him Friday.

    One look down First Street, where the two live, and the toll Hurricane Helene took is evident. Piles of flood damaged belongings sit in front of each home.

    “You’re looking at all my neighbors’ stuff, everything from start to finish — grills, clothes, everything — everything, it’s wasted,” Thomas said. “I mean, it’s completely drenched in saltwater and sewer water.”

    Thomas said he had to get rid of most of his belongings, too. Still in his apartment, though, are several surfboards and paddleboards.

    “I grew up in the water, and I’ve lived on the beach my whole life,” said Thomas, 51.

    He told Spectrum News his family moved to Indian Rocks Beach more than 40 years ago. 

    When the storm surge during Helene started to invade the neighborhood, Thomas said he grabbed a paddleboard.

    “Once I seen the water was coming up to the window, I just knew it was time to go,” he said.

    The plan was to head to his friend’s house.

    “He told me, you know, ‘I got five beers left. So, better bring me some beer,’” Thomas said. “So, I threw some beer in the backpack and my phone.”

    He said he made his way down First Street in water that was chest-high in some spots. Once he got to his friend’s place, a neighbor called out to him.

    “There was a lady trapped,” Thomas said. “My buddy’s neighbor said, ‘Hey, there’s a lady over there. Can you help her?’ I just paddled over there.”

    After he got to that woman, Thomas said the calls for help kept coming, including from McIntosh.

    “I’ve lived here 27 years. I’ve never flooded,” she said.

    But late that Thursday, the water rose fast.

    “Pretty soon, my bed is floating, all my furniture is floating, the refrigerator blew over, and about 11:30, I’m up to water about my hip,” McIntosh said.

    She said that after he rescued her brother and sister-in-law and their two dogs, Thomas came back for her. Thomas and neighbors estimate he helped about a dozen people that night.

    “They were definitely more scared,” Thomas said. “I don’t know if they were in imminent danger.”

    “Virtually saved our lives,” said McIntosh. “I really believe he did.”

    Thomas said the entire community has come together following Helene. He praised local businesses for bringing water and more to people in affected neighborhoods starting the morning after the storm.

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  • Crystal River residents and business owners get first look at damage from Helene

    Crystal River residents and business owners get first look at damage from Helene

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    CRYSTAL RIVER, Fla. — Citrus County residents and business owners are beginning the process of cleaning up after Hurricane Helene brought several feet of storm surge to their doors.

    What You Need To Know

    •  On Friday, residents and business owners in Citrus County got a look at damage left behind by Hurricane Helene

    •  Some residents who said they have never had to deal with flooding before say Helene caused water to flow into their homes

    • Business owners, too, say the storm caused significant damage to their properties



    “When he got to the corner, he called me back and said, ‘I can’t come. It’s an ocean,’” Ann Jackson said, remembering a conversation she had with her brother early Friday morning.

    Jackson owns a home not far from the intersection of U.S. 19 and NE Fifth Street, an area that saw water rise quickly. She said the neighborhood floods, but water’s never gotten into the home she inherited from her mother nearly 30 years ago, where her brothers now live. Until, that is, Friday morning. By afternoon, the family had called in friends to help rip up carpeting and move water damaged items outside.

    “We’re gonna stay here. We’re not leaving,” said Jackson. “This is family property, and this is the first time that it has ever happened. Hopefully, it won’t again – we can’t say.”

    Even while dealing with her own flood damage, Jackson said she can’t help but think of her neighbors elsewhere in the city.

    “I just wish luck to everybody that was affected by this, because I know it’s hard. I know a lot of people that live on the water, it’s just a turnaround for them,” Jackson said, referring to those impacted by Debby flooding last month and Hurricane Idalia flooding last year. The owners of Kane’s Cattle Co. along N. Citrus Ave. are among them.

    “I could say, ‘not again’, but it’s also one of the risks we know we’re taking by having a business in downtown Crystal River,” said Morgan Sundberg, who owns Kane’s along with her husband, Kason Sundberg. “It’s nothing new that we see water and we see high water. However, it is pretty shocking that it was so close together.”

    Morgan said Kane’s was closed for 90 days following Hurricane Idalia, but she said this time, the steakhouse was inundated with even more water.

    “I got a walk-in cooler and a walk-in freezer right there — that storm surge picked them up and floated them over,” said Kason about two large coolers, now tipped on their sides outside the restaurant.

    Water still filled Kane’s when the Sundbergs came to assess the damage Friday morning. Now that it’s gone, they say the real work begins.

    “Pulling out the drywall, pulling out the insulation and drying it up and making sure it’s dry before we put it all back together,” Morgan said.

    The Sundbergs said they’re trying to focus on staying positive.

    “At the end of the day, we’re gonna want everybody safe,” Morgan said. “This can be fixed, this can be replaced. This is all material. So, at the end of the day, we’re gonna smile.”

    As for when they’ll reopen, Morgan told Spectrum News the goal is to beat that post-Idalia 90-day mark.

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  • Victory High School’s footprint continues to grow three years after opening

    Victory High School’s footprint continues to grow three years after opening

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    PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — For more than three years, Tampa Bay’s first recovery school has offered hope to teens who’ve struggled with addiction at no cost to their families.

    Victory High School is now getting ready to open its third location, the latest in Hillsborough County, following schools in Pasco and Pinellas counties.

    The nonprofit is holding a golf tournament fundraiser on Sept. 30 to help continue its mission, and it’s asking for the public’s help. One of the teams already signed up is the father-son duo of Chris and Alex Finch.

    Alex said his dad is the one who introduced him to the sport.

    What You Need To Know

    • Victory High School is holding its “Golfing for Victory” charity golf tournament on Sept. 30

    • Proceeds will benefit the nonprofit recovery school, which helps students dealing with addiction at no cost to families

    • Since opening its original school in Pasco County, Victory has also established a location in Pinellas County, with another opening in Hillsborough County next month

    • PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Tampa Bay’s First Recovery High School to Open in Pasco County


    “I wasn’t really good at all, and I’m still not too good, but I started trying it a lot and playing with him,” said Alex. “Now, I go out with some of my friends sometimes.”

    The Finches recently honed their putting skills at Seven Springs Golf Course and Country Club in New Port Richey, where the “Golfing for Victory” tournament will take place. It’s a cause close to both of their hearts. Alex enrolled at Victory last year.

    “At first, I was, like, kind of weird about it. I didn’t like it very much, and slowly, I started getting used to it,” Alex said.

    Victory combines academics with non-traditional lessons, like equine therapy. The ultimate goal is to help students stay sober. 

    Alex struggled with drugs and alcohol. He went to rehab, which he said helped, but his parents suggested Victory when he started to run into trouble.

    “It would be a place where he would be accepted, he would have the space that he needed to be able to work on his education, but at the same time, also continue to work to his recovery,” said Chris.

    “At first, it was that there were people there who can help me and be there for me, and that just slowly kept me going,” Alex said of why he thinks Victory worked for him. “To be honest, by now, it’s also that I can try to help other people that are there.”

    Victory’s founder, Tina Miller, said the student attendance rate is 96 percent, their recovery rate is 93 percent, eight students have graduated and the highest graduate GPA was 4.11.

    “It’s mind-blowing to me because this was a dream I had for, like, five years before I actually started it,” Miller said.

    And Miller’s dream is catching — especially since she and a student appeared on “The Kelly Clarkson Show” earlier this year.

    “I actually heard from folks around the United States that wanted Victory High School in different states — Ohio, LA, New York, you name it,” Miller said.

    This month’s fundraiser is about helping Victory continue its work. Alex said the school’s got him thinking about his own future.

    “I really want to go to, like, a cool, amazing college or university,” he said.

    “Those were things that, when he was in the midst of going through the struggles that he was going through, those were things he wasn’t thinking about,” said Chris. “So, that’s a big change.”

    Anyone interested in taking part in Golfing for Victory can sign up on at event website, Golfing for Victory Charity Tournament.

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    Sarah Blazonis

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  • St. Pete residents tout youth programs at budget public hearing

    St. Pete residents tout youth programs at budget public hearing

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — St. Petersburg City Council members unanimously passed a tentative budget Thursday night.

    Residents got to weigh in on the $902 million spending plan, and the half-dozen speakers all said they think it falls short when it comes to programs for kids and teens.

    What You Need To Know

    •  The St. Petersburg City Council approved the first reading of the proposed fiscal year 2025 budget

    •  The council also held a public hearing on the $902 million spending plan

    •  A half dozen residents told council members they didn’t think the budget does enough to fund youth programs

    • Council members expressed frustration that the same group has been requesting funding for two years and have struggled to see results



    “This is so important because not only is it dealing with the youth, it is also dealing with my community, where I live and work,” said Keesha Brundridge King, who lives in the city’s Child’s Park neighborhood. “I see every day as I wake up in the morning to get my child to school, hoping that he’s safe and he’ll return back to me. I’m looking every day at the rec center and the programs that we consistently are fighting for that we don’t have.”

    Brundridge King was one of a handful of members from the group Dream Defenders who told council during the first public hearing on the budget that such programs are key to curbing youth violence and the tentative budget doesn’t do enough to support them.

    The group made the same case at a budget open house in April. University of South Florida student Nathan Tout-Puissant was there, too, and has asked the council to consider spending $4 million during a five year period to create his Fund Our Futures after-school program in Child’s Park.

    “Time and again, I’ve heard that there is a need for these programs in Child’s Park,” Tout-Puissant said. “And every person I’ve spoken to approaches the same consensus. Yet, there is little to no tangible action that we can see.”

    Councilmember Brandi Gabbard asked if anyone from the city had met with members from the group, and interim Chief Equity Officer Carl R. Lavender, Jr. said he had. 

    “I assured them — we agreed that there’ll be other meetings to talk about what we can do together,” Lavender said. “The initial request of about $4 million is up for much considerable debate, if you will, but nevertheless, yes, we have met. We’ve chatted for a few minutes and looking forward to meeting again.”

    A few council members pointed out that Thursday’s meeting was not the first time the group has made its case.

    “I’m going to express some frustration,” said Councilmember John Muhammad. “When they were coming last year, they were informed, ‘You’re too late in the process. Get in the process earlier.’ So, they began in January — scheduling times, having conversations, having meetings.”

    Muhammad said it seems those conversations are lacking follow-up.

    “It’s becoming the symbolic, ‘Yeah, we met with them, we talked with them, and we’re scheduling another meeting,’” he said. “And so now, here we are in year two, scheduling another meeting, and it’s very unfortunate.”

    Muhammad noted that Lavender, who was named to his position in November, wasn’t involved in that first round of talks. 

    Council Chair Deborah Figgs-Sanders said other organizations have had similar challenges seeking funding.

    She suggested coming up with a process to ask other departments to find money in their budgets for initiatives proposed by local groups that are approved by council. Other members encouraged advocates to reach out to them one-on-one, which could help their cause get listed as a budget priority for the following year. 

    Brundridge King and Tout-Puissant said they’re not giving up hope.

    “Because of where we’re at in the process, it’s not going to be the easiest ask, but I do extend that hope that we can at least get something within this upcoming fiscal budget,” Tout-Puissant said.

    A second budget public hearing is scheduled for Sept. 26 at 6 p.m. in council chambers.

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    Sarah Blazonis

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