ReportWire

Tag: Sarah Blazonis

  • St. Pete approves $7.8 million for Shore Acres flood mitigation project

    St. Pete approves $7.8 million for Shore Acres flood mitigation project

    [ad_1]

    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — St. Petersburg City Council on Thursday approved $28 million in standard grant agreements with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for projects meant to help with flooding in the city.

    “One of the grants helps us ensure that our wastewater treatment plants can operate safely during a storm,” said St. Pete’s Public Works Administrator Claude Tankersley. “Our plants are older. They were built back in the 50s, and some of the buildings and equipment are too low in the floodplain. That would put them at risk if we were to get a storm surge.”

    The grant would allow the buildings to be rebuilt above the flood zone. Three other grants focus on improving flood-prone neighborhoods. Tankersley said this is just the beginning of flood mitigation efforts. He told Spectrum News the city’s recently released stormwater master plan includes $760 million in projects all over the city.

    “It’ll take time, but in addition to those projects that are in the stormwater master plan, we’re not just focusing on those. We’re also going to be focusing on the smaller projects scattered throughout the city to make sure that we’re not leaving anybody out,” Tankersley said.

    One of the agreements approved is meant to help people who live in flood-prone Shore Acres. Gary Rosseter has lived in his Arkansas Avenue home in the neighborhood for 24 years and said while flood waters have gotten close, they’ve never come inside until Hurricane Idalia hit last August.

    “When I opened up the front door to load the dogs, the water came gushing into the house — a mess,” said Rosseter.

    His next-door neighbor, Tim Swartz, said he moved into his home four years ago but has lived throughout Shore Acres for more than two decades. Swartz said flooding inside the house was a new experience for him, as well.

    “I stayed, and I kept towels and tape and things over the door,” said Swartz. “I’ve been here for 22 years. I’ve gotten kind of used to it, but I will say, this is the first time that I’ve ever had it come in the house.”

    Rosseter and Swartz said their corner of the neighborhood isn’t where the worst of the flooding is seen. They said that’s further down Connecticut Avenue, which is the focus of the Shore Acres Resiliency Infrastructure Project.

    “That’s really one of the lowest parts of the neighborhood, and that leads toward our strategic approach of really first installing the backflow preventers from a previous capital project we recently got approved by council that we’re also moving forward on,” said St. Petersburg Director of Engineering and Capital Improvements Brejesh Prayman.

    Tankersley said storm drains and pump stations are also planned as part of the project. The $7.8 million DEP grant will pay for half the cost of the project, with utility fees covering the rest.

    “We’ll see how it goes, but we are very low. We’re one of the lowest areas in St. Petersburg,” said Swartz. “So, once you get the wind going and the tide, it’s going to be hard to get that water out of here quickly enough to keep it from flooding.”

    Prayman said people who live along the ten-mile stretch of the project should see benefits. He noted it’s hard to say when work could begin on the project because there are a few more steps before that can happen. Next up, he said the city will look for firms to work on design and construction.

    [ad_2]

    Sarah Blazonis

    Source link

  • Two arrested in shooting of Longleaf homes

    Two arrested in shooting of Longleaf homes

    [ad_1]

    NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. — The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office said Monday night it arrested two suspects in connection with a shooting that left homes in the Longleaf neighborhood peppered with bullets.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office said it arrested two people in connection with a Sunday night shooting in New Port Richey’s Longleaf neighborhood

    • Anthony Calderon, 31, and Giacomo Bonacasa, Jr., 19, were taken into custody 

    • The sheriff’s office said about 20 shots were fired at 11:45 Sunday night. No injuries were reported

    • PCSO says the car involved was also located

    Anthony Calderon, 31, and Giacomo Bonacasa, Jr., 19, were taken into custody and the car used in the shooting was recovered.

    The sheriff’s office said about 20 shots were fired around 11:45 p.m. Sunday night along Town Avenue, with no injuries reported.

    Spectrum News was told by repair crews and homeowners that two homes were fired at during the incident, and a third resident said a shot was fired into her 17-year-old son’s bedroom while he was in it.

    Another neighbor who didn’t want her name to be published said she heard the shots.

    “I was kind of like, ‘Oh, my goodness.’ I didn’t know if it was kids playing with fireworks,” she said.

    Neighbors said crime like this doesn’t happen in Longleaf.

    “We should be worried about alligators and stuff, not people coming in, shooting up our houses,” the resident said.

    She said the outcome of the shooting could’ve been worse. Right across the street from the homes that were hit is Pioneer Green, a park area. She said that the night before the shooting, the HOA hosted an overnight camp-out there for the neighborhood’s kids.

    “Kids and teenagers were just enjoying themselves. It could have been a lot worse. So, we’re all grateful,” she said.

    The sheriff’s office said all parties are accounted for, and there is no public safety threat.

    [ad_2]

    Sarah Blazonis

    Source link

  • Treasure Island Police warn against jumping off John’s Pass Bridge

    Treasure Island Police warn against jumping off John’s Pass Bridge

    [ad_1]

    TREASURE ISLAND, Fla. — With spring break well underway in Tampa Bay, Treasure Island police are getting the word out about a spot they say poses a particular risk all year long: The area under the John’s Pass Bridge.

    What You Need To Know

    •  Treasure Island Police are cautioning visitors and residents about the dangers of jumping off the John’s Pass Bridge

    •  A city spokesperson said police have responded to 18 calls at the bridge in the last year

    •  A marine patrol officer with TIPD said dangers include low water levels and strong currents in the area of the bridge

    • The officer said injuries range from scrapes to broken bones to spinal fractures

    “We have a lot of juveniles yearly that like to jump off the bridge, and we understand that they mean well, that they’re trying to have fun,” said TIPD Marine Patrol Officer Cody Malander. “They don’t realize it’s not only a city ordinance and a state law that you’re prohibited from jumping from any public bridges, but it’s also a danger.” 

    Malander said part of the issue is water depth: While high tide can bring depths of 5-6 feet, low tide levels are around 2-3 feet.

    “If they’re jumping on a low tide, you’d be jumping into two feet of water and probably the better part of a 30-foot drop,” said Malander.

    He said the consequences in that scenario can be devastating.

    “Everything from superficial injuries to, we’ve had broken bones and permanent, disabling injuries like spinal fractures,” Malander said.

    A city spokesperson said TIPD responded to 18 calls at the bridge within the last year for juvenile trouble, water rescues, or people jumping from the bridge. That does not include instances where officers responded and people may have left the scene.

    Malander said water levels aren’t the only danger.

    “The current is very strong in our incoming and outgoing tides, and people don’t realize that when they jump off the bridge that in a matter of a few seconds, you could be sitting out here at the waterline, the mile markers, that you’re 500-1,000 feet out from shore in just a few seconds,” he said.

    Malander urged visitors and residents alike to know the local waterways, know the rules, and know the laws to stay safe during spring break and all year long. He said people can also reach out to local law enforcement to learn about safe places to swim and enjoy the water. 

    [ad_2]

    Sarah Blazonis

    Source link

  • Pasco veteran says adaptive sports helped him overcome a life-changing injury

    Pasco veteran says adaptive sports helped him overcome a life-changing injury

    [ad_1]

    LAND O’ LAKES, Fla. — A lifelong drive to give back – that’s what Sualauvi Tuimalealiifano III said led him to join the Army at 18 years old.

    “I wanted to, more than anything, give back, and the Army was one thing I always had in mind to do,” said Tuimalealiifano.

    What You Need To Know

    • Army veteran Sualauvi Tuimalealiifano became paralyzed from the shoulders down after being injured during a deployment in Afghanistan in 2007 

    • Tuimalealiifano said he isolated himself at home for four years after his injury

    • He said fellow service members helped pull him out of isolation by introducing him to adaptive sports and the Warrior Games

    • Tuimalealiifano was part of the Team USA wheelchair rugby team to win gold at the 2016 Invictus Games in Orlando

    Born in American Samoa, his family moved to Hawaii when he was young.

    The Army was also a way to provide. By 2007, 28-year-old Tuimalealiifano was married and the father of three young children. He was nearing the end of his third deployment – this time, in Afghanistan – when he was thrown from a humvee.

    “I broke my neck from C5, C6, and I was paralyzed from the shoulders down,” he said. “I did what most of us do and went to a dark place, and I sat there. I sat in that, in those four walls in Hawaii, my home in Kapolei, for about four years.”

    Tuimalealiifano, who said physical activity had always been a way of life for him, describes the time after his injury as a nightmare.

    “The only thing that gets us going and keeps us going is a mission and a vision, something greater than ourselves. It’s the reason why we joined the service – to accomplish and do much more,” Tuimalealiifano said. “And now, we are alone and isolated and there is no mission.”

    He said it was fellow service members from the U.S. Special Operations Command‘s MASP team (military adaptive sports program) who helped pull him out of that by introducing him to adaptive sports and the Warrior Games. 

    “They still showed that there are adaptive sports to be played. There’s still a world still to see and people still to be spoken to, stories that can help mend things,” Tuimalealiifano said.

    His sport of choice: wheelchair rugby.

    “It’s the fastest-growing adaptive sport there is, and I think that’s a lot to do with the impact and hard hitting. It’s a fast sport. It’s an amazing sport,” he said. 

    Tuimalealiifano said he and his family moved to Tampa Bay in 2015. That’s also when he got connected with Semper Fi & America’s Fund, a non-profit that provides financial help to veterans, service members, and their families dealing with major injuries and illnesses. It helped Tuimalealiifano get a special wheelchair designed for adaptive sports.  

    “There’s a lot of things that they’ve helped us out with. There’s a lot of stuff that they work outside of the box of what the VA can or cannot provide, which they do amazing. But the Fund comes in when covering down on equipment like these rehabbing equipment, which helps me get strengthened and back into the game,” Tuimalealiifano said, motioning to pieces of equipment in his living room.

    He became the first person with the tetraplegia form of paralysis to compete in the Invictus Games held in Orlando in 2016 as part of the wheelchair rugby team. That year, Team USA beat Denmark to take home the gold.

    “We were able to take gold from the Brits and enjoyed every bit of it,” Tuimalealiifano said, referring to the previous games’ champs.

    Tuimalealiifano said medical issues and an injury have kept him out of the game for three years. He’s working to recover, and said his message to others facing struggle is that there’s always hope and there’s always help.

    “The mission is now far more difficult than the others,” he said. “It’s because you don’t have, you know – your spirit’s been tested, your soul has been challenged, your body has been disabled. And now, what can you do with that?”

    [ad_2]

    Sarah Blazonis

    Source link

  • Haley stays in GOP race; civil liablities bill pulled

    Haley stays in GOP race; civil liablities bill pulled

    [ad_1]

    Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley is staying in the Republican primary for president, and lawmakers debate a bill that would increase civil liabilities in Florida.


    Haley stays in race ahead of Michigan’s primary

    There’s been a number of developments on the presidential campaign trail.

    Starting with a shakeup at the Republican National Committee. The party’s chair, Ronna McDaniel, announced she will officially relinquish that role next month.

    She said she will allow the party to select a new chair of their choosing, following the tradition of letting a party’s presidential nominee pick a new chair.

    Former President Donald Trump has already suggested North Carolina GOP chair Michael Whatley for the job.

    Meanwhile, Trump is leading the Republican primary field, with 110 bound delegates compared to former Gov. Nikki Haley’s 20.

    Michigan’s primary election takes place Tuesday, where Trump and Haley remain on the Republican ballot alongside several candidates who have dropped out, including Gov. Ron DeSantis

    Michigan has been a crucial battleground state in the last two presidential elections and candidates will be looking not just to win the primary, but to see where they stand for the November general election as well.

    After Saturday’s loss in her home state of South Carolina, Haley is facing growing calls from fellow Republicans to end her presidential candidacy.

    “The sooner we come together, the better. There’s really no pathway for her after tonight,” Sen. Lindsey Graham said.

    Haley trails in the delegate count and in the polls, and late Sunday, Americans for Prosperity announced it will no longer spend money on behalf of her campaign.

    But Haley is vowing to stay in the race, both in Michigan on Tuesday and through March 5, Super Tuesday.

    She says her ability to win four out of 10 voters in the South Carolina primary Saturday is a danger sign for Trump’s campaign.

    “You can’t win a general election if you don’t acknowledge the 40% of Republicans who are saying we don’t want Donald Trump,” Haley said.

    There are 874 delegates at stake on Super Tuesday, when 15 states and one U.S. territory hold primaries, but experts say it will be nearly impossible for Haley to catch up.

    “They’ve redesigned the rules in a lot of these states. Trump and his team have been working on this for a couple of years. Most of them are now winner-take-all, or winner-take almost all, delegates,” University of Virginia professor Larry Sabato said.

    President Joe Biden is expected to easily win Michigan’s Democratic primary, but some left-wing Democrats are urging votes for uncommitted delegates, to protest Biden not being more critical of Israel’s tactics in its war against Hamas. Because Michigan has a large concentration of Arab-American voters, the protest vote could be significant. Some of Biden’s supporters are pushing back.

    “I think the progressives always had trouble with the perfect being the enemy of the good,” former DNC charman Howard Dean said.

    The results on Tuesday will be closely watched for any clues about where Michigan is trending before the November election. The state was critical to Trump winning the White House in 2016 and then Biden winning it in 2020. 

    Civil liabilities bill gets pulled from Committee

    A controversial bill concerning wrongful death lawsuits and the unborn could see big changes before it reaches the Senate floor, if it gets there at all.

    Lawmakers in Tallahassee Monday are busy renegotiating a bill that would give liability protections to Florida’s unborn with only one day left to advance bills in committee.

    Senate bill 476 would empower parents sue over the wrongful death of their unborn child. 

    For Florida Democrats, though, this is a veiled threat against access to abortion. 

    “We’ve been working with the sponsor but she doesn’t seem interested in taking some of the suggestions we have so again it begs the question… what are you actually doing?” Senate Minority Leader Lauren Book said.

    Under the bill, pregnant mothers would get immunity against civil lawsuits. Plus, a proposed amendment seemed to offer at least some protections to abortion providers too. 

    But after some outspoken skepticism, the bill sponsor pulled the bill out of committee.

    “Although I have worked diligently to respond to questions and concerns, I understand there is still work that needs to be done,” State. Sen. Erin Grall said.

    Meanwhile, in the house, Republicans are dismissive about those concerns.

    “This bill is narrowly tailored. It only applies to the wrongful death statute so while I’m happen to discuss personhood and whether a child should be a person, this is not that bigger conversation,” State Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka said.

    It’s unclear as of now what changes could be on the horizon for this bill, if any.

    New bill would increase penalties for youth gun crimes

    A bill that would toughen penalties for kids caught with guns is one step closer to becoming law.

    The Florida House of Representatives approved HB 1181 Thursday with a vote of 83-29. Under the bill, minors who illegally possess guns would be charged with a third-degree felony.

    That’s up from a first-degree misdemeanor. They’d also be detained longer — five days for a first offense and 21 days for a second offense. For third and subsequent offenses, they could be adjudicated delinquent and committed to a residential program. 

    Florida Rep. Berny Jacques sponsors the bill. He pointed to a Christmas Eve shooting in Pinellas County as an example of why it’s needed. A 14-year-old boy shot and killed his sister after an argument with his 15-year-old brother about Christmas presents. That 15-year-old then shot the 14-year-old.

    “It’s tragic, because now a young man is charged with first degree murder and the other is charged with attempted first degree murder, and it’s tragic because this could have been prevented,” Jacques said during debate. “It could have been prevented because these youth were known not only to carry their firearms, but they had multiple run-ins with the law, including on firearm offenses — one of them at 12 years old. Had a charge with minor in possession of a firearm, but at the time and at this current time, it’s only a misdemeanor, and there was no real mechanism to hold that child accountable. And who knows, if there were mechanisms in place, who knows what could have been prevented?”

    Those against the bill said they’re concerned the extended time teens can be detained is too harsh. According to the bill, if an adjudicatory hearing doesn’t take place after a young person has been detained for 60 days, the court must hold a review hearing within each successive seven-day review period until the hearing is held or the child is placed on supervised release.

    “If law enforcement is investigating what has happened in a matter, we get to hold a child basically until law enforcement and the state attorney can make a charging decision,” said Florida Rep. Michele Rayner. “That flies in the face of the Constitution, that flies in the face of human decency, that flies in the face of protecting our children.”

    Freddy Barton, executive director of Safe & Sound Hillsborough, said he and his team reviewed the bill Thursday with teens in its youth gun offender program.

    “I think that the bill does give a little bit more teeth to the existing language that’s out there, but I don’t think that it answers all of the concerns,” Barton said. “We still need to have parents to come to the forefront and make sure that they have a role and responsibility in keeping guns out of the hands of kids, and we need to look at more prevention-based programming.”

    Safe and Sound works with young people facing charges to help get them back on the right track.

    “Here in the pink and in the blue, those are kids that either are on probation or they’ve got some type of gun charge,” Barton said, referring to a map of Hillsborough County with colored stickers on it, representing teens currently taking part in the group’s programming.

    According to Barton, they were all court-ordered to work with Safe and Sound in the last month.

    “Unfortunately, the numbers are growing, and so we’re trying to do as much as we can early because we’re getting ready to go into spring break. We already know if we don’t have active programming in place for kids and they’re out of school, we see the numbers increase,” Barton said.

    He said it was important to talk with teens in the youth gun offender program about the bill to give them a better idea of the impact their actions today could have on their lives going forward.

    “You need to understand there are going to be deeper consequences for making some of these choices. So, let’s make better choices now so you don’t find yourself on the other end of that,” Barton said.

    Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said that’s the point of the bill — toughening consequences to stop kids from committing gun crimes.

    “It’s probably the worst that it’s ever been,” Gualtieri said of gun-related crime involving teens. “I think what it’s being caused by is all these kids are out in the middle of the night, breaking into all these cars, and there’s a lot more guns out there. There’s a lot more guns in cars.”

    Gualtieri helped work on the bill and said it’s about making sure the consequences match the crime.

    “Everything in 1181 focuses on gun crimes and also being reasonable about it and making sure that we give kids the opportunity to get on the right side of it. We’re using detention centers as a place those kids would be incarcerated for a minimum period of time to get the message across,” Gualtieri said. “Kids at 14, 15, 16 years old, 2 to 3 in the morning, standing on the street corner, should not have a gun sitting in their waistband.”

    Barton said he does share the concerns of critics about the length of time teens could be detained, saying it could set them far back when it comes to school.

    “If you can imagine when you were in high school and you were sick two, three days, you were already behind when you went back to school. Now, you’re being securely confined for 21, 30 days for the state to come back or someone to come back and say that, ‘Hey, this kid needs to be detained for another 21 days,’” said Barton. “Well, it’s almost a death sentence for the kids when we try to get them back in their school environment.”

    Gualtieri said the proposed new detention times are reasonable.

    “At the end of the day, there’s an easy solution to the problem for young kids: don’t commit gun crimes. If you don’t commit gun crimes, you don’t have to worry about it,” Gualtieri said. 

    [ad_2]

    Gary Darling

    Source link

  • Marathon meeting and hours of public comments on Sirata

    Marathon meeting and hours of public comments on Sirata

    [ad_1]

    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — City commissioners in St. Pete Beach postponed a vote on a major redevelopment project at the Sirata Beach Resort.

    There was a big turnout at the meeting, with presentations from experts and hours of public comment from residents.

    What You Need To Know

    • Commissioners pushed back a vote on Sirata Beach Resort expansion until Tuesday 

    • Wednesday meeting went until 2:30 a.m. with no vote 

    • Big turnout at the meeting, with presentations from experts and hours of public comment from residents 
    • Mayor Adrian Petrila was asked to recuse himself from this decision because he founded and chaired the group Protect St. Pete Beach, which is against the plan. He did not

    The public comments did not begin until six hours into the meeting. The comments lasted until 2:30 a.m.

    That was when, without a decision, the commission decided to wrap up the meeting and pick up the issue again next Tuesday.

    Commissioners heard hours of presentations from attorneys and others connected with the project, including an architect, transportation engineer and landscape engineer. All told commissioners they think the project meets city standards.

    The plan is to tear down two buildings on the Sirata site and build two new hotels.

    During public comment, speakers told commissioners they’re worried the project will block views, create traffic headaches and change the character of the city.

    “There are small hotels, yes, some larger than others,” said St. Pete Beach resident Jerry Carrier. “This is going to be a monster. It’s going to change the whole nature of St. Pete Beach. That’s not what we came here for.”

    An attorney with the project said it comes with community benefits, like new sidewalks on Gulf Boulevard and dune restoration.

    PREVIOUS CONCERNS

    A December 2023 meeting ran well into the night with hours of public comment. Commissioners decided to continue the meeting to a future date, but then the change in leadership took place. Mark Grill says for many residents, it’s been a nerving topic because of the varying opinions on what the future of St. Pete Beach should look like.

    “How big is big enough? How much tourism can the state support and what should our towns look like?” Grill asked. “There’s a few other commercial properties that are looking to redevelop and I’m sure that they’re watching this.”

    Over the last few months, residents have shared concerns about the strain on the town’s resources and adding more traffic to the already congested Gulf Boulevard.

    [ad_2]

    Sarah Blazonis

    Source link

  • Haines City commissioners to discuss future of food trucks

    Haines City commissioners to discuss future of food trucks

    [ad_1]

    HAINES CITY, Fla. — Haines City commissioners scheduled a workshop for later this month to talk about possible changes to the city’s food truck ordinance.

    According to city documents, the goal of the changes is to “foster an environment that attracts economic opportunity and sustains economic viability,” but opponents say it amounts to a food truck ban.

    What You Need To Know

    • Haines City commissioners are considering changes to its food truck ordinance
    • Opponents say the updates would amount to a food truck ban

    • The city’s mayor says the plan isn’t to eliminate the trucks, but to make adjustments to the ordinance that create a fair situation for all food businesses

    • The national nonprofit, Institute for Justice, wrote a letter to city officials asking them not to pass the changed ordinance, saying it violates both state law and Florida’s constitution

    “I think what we’re going to need to do is obviously flesh it out thoroughly so that we’re fair to what’s commonly called ‘brick and mortar’ restaurants and to the young entrepreneurs that run the mobile part of it,” said Haines City Mayor Roy Tyler.

    Under the updated ordinance, the city would stop issuing business tax receipts food trucks need to operate. Current receipts won’t be renewed after October unless trucks are in industrial or commercial zones. Food trucks would also have to stay at least 500 feet away from any existing food business. City documents also state that trucks that meet all requirements can participate in city sponsored special events. The city adopted a first reading of the ordinance on January 16.

    Food truck owners, like Gloribel Zamora and Pamela Bridges, said this raises serious questions about the future of their livelihoods. Zamora and her husband launched their Chaufa Mania food truck in July. They rent space on private property along Main Street East. Zamora said they’ve built a loyal following.

    “They say they really love it and they keep coming back. That means a lot to us,” Zamora said.

    Zamora said the couple started the business as a new way to earn money.

    “As an occupational therapist, I lost my right leg. So, I was figuring out what we can do together that will be a little different. I can do the paperwork, because physical labor is not so easy,” she said.

    Their time in Haines City could be coming to an end if the ordinance updates pass.

    “I would have to find another place, and I would have to start all over again,” Zamora said.

    Bridges said her Soul Train Express food truck offers customers unique options with its menu of soul food.

    “The community is appreciative that I’m here, so I don’t want to leave,” Bridges said. “But, you know, this is just going to put a big damper. Not even that — it’s really going to change more than they think it would. I mean, this is our livelihood.”

    Zamora and another owner reached out to the national nonprofit Institute for Justice. The law firm has sued cities nationwide, including Fort Pierce in Florida, for what it says are “unreasonable and burdensome rules” for food trucks. It sent a letter to Haines City officials this week urging commissioners not to approve the changes.

    “This is the most egregious food truck ordinance that I’ve seen in quite a while. This one is pretty bad,” said Erica Smith Ewing, an Institute for Justice senior attorney.

    Ewing said the updated ordinance would violate both state law and the Florida constitution. According to IJ, state law blocks local governments from making food trucks get separate permits to operate other than what’s required by the state. It also notes there’s a state ban on cities not allowing any space within their jurisdiction for food trucks to set up. When it comes to Florida’s constitution, Institute for Justice said the ordinance goes against a due process clause that protects residents’ right to earn an honest living. 

    Commissioners were expected to take a final vote on the ordinance Thursday. Instead, Mayor Tyler said he wanted to schedule a workshop to give members more time to talk about the issue in depth.

    “The state has kind of thrown a big pebble into the water of how we could handle food trucks,” Tyler told Spectrum Bay News 9 in an interview before the meeting.

    Tyler said the city is not trying to eliminate food trucks.

    “Never has been the plan to do that,” he said. “I think what happens is people kind of get entrenched in their side of the fence, so to speak, and then everything on the other side of the fence becomes the enemy,” Tyler said.

    The mayor said the city had around 15 food trucks when its ordinance regarding mobile vendors was first created. Now that there are more and some have more permanent set-ups, he said the city is looking to adjust the ordinance to the changing situation.

    “We’re going to be working on something that allows them the best opportunity to do business. This is still America, where small enterprise begets success. So, you know, you can’t stamp that down at any level. So, you’ve got to allow the opportunity for those businesses to keep doing business,” Tyler said. 

    The workshop is scheduled for 6 p.m on February 12.

    [ad_2]

    Sarah Blazonis

    Source link

  • Zephyrhills seeks public input on Community Redevelopment Area update

    Zephyrhills seeks public input on Community Redevelopment Area update

    [ad_1]

    ZEPHYRHILLS, Fla. — A community workshop held Thursday marked the beginning of Zephyrhills’ efforts to update the master plan for its community redevelopment area.

    The 500 acres includes the downtown, Plaza District, Hercules, Historic Jeffries, Oakside, Historic Abbot, Zephyr Lake, and Moores Estates areas, but CRA Director Gail Hamilton told attendees ripple effects of projects in the district can be felt beyond its borders. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Zephyrhills held a workshop Thursday to hear suggestions from the community on updating its community redevelopment agency master plan

    • CRA Director Gail Hamilton said the plan outlines how the group’s money will be spent for the next 5-10 years

    • Hamilton said possible projects could deal with bringing businesses downtown and improving parks, sidewalks, and lighting

    • The CRA district covers 500 acres in the city, including the Plaza District, downtown, and Moores Estates

    “We are incredibly excited,” said CRA Director Gail Hamilton. “There’s a new attitude in the city and a new attitude for the citizens. They want to see more, they want to have more, and they’re moving in from other places and other cities that have more recreational activities. The city has, in turn, really looked at how we can meet those needs.”

    Hamilton said the city is looking for insight from all demographics when it comes to updating the plan, which happens every five-to-seven years. The plan will outline how CRA funds will be spent for the next five-to-ten years. 

    “The big thing that we hear right now is parks – they want better recreation. So, we’re looking at that. We need more businesses downtown. So, what will it take to get a business to move to Zephyrhills? Do we need to upgrade our grants? Do we need to put more money into enticing businesses here?” said Hamilton. She went on to say, “We have too many residents that get in their car on Friday afternoon and go to Tampa and don’t spend their time here in Zephyrhills. And that’s what we want – we want those businesses, the mom and pops that are starting out that are trying a new idea. That’s what we’re looking for in the downtown.”

    There will be one less vacant storefront on 5th Avenue when Uptown Creamery opens its second location there. Owner Whitney Maxwell said that will come soon after the business gets some final approvals from the state.

    “Our motto is basically, ‘Once you come into our place, you’re family,’” Maxwell said. “We have a lot of repeat customers in our Dade City location, and we’ve built a lot of relationships and a lot of friendships with the people there, and we hope to do the same here in Zephyrhills.”

    Uptown Creamery owner Whitney Maxwell in her business’ soon-to-be second location on 5th Ave. in Zephyrhills. (Spectrum News/Sarah Blazonis)

    Maxwell said she picked the downtown spot because of the growth the area is seeing. Another expected bonus – help with outside signage through a CRA grant she’s applying for. Hamilton said this particular type of grant provides up to $1,000 in matching funds.

    “The city’s been absolutely amazing, and everybody’s super excited about us opening here,” Maxwell said.

    People who came out to Thursday’s meeting were given stickers to mark on map spots in the district with features they like, as well as areas that need improvement. Next to the map, they posted notes giving details about the suggested change. That’s something Zephyrhills has seen a lot of in recent years. Hamilton said during her presentation that the city’s population is up 64% in the past decade, something she noted likely isn’t too different from other Florida cities. It became the largest city in Pasco County last year. The CRA has also seen growth.

    “When I came seven years ago, the CRA was bringing in $14,000. This year, we’ll bring in a million dollars in revenue from increased value in properties,” Hamilton said. She also said improvements made by CRA projects contributed to those increased values. 

    Hamilton said the workshop was just the beginning of the process to update the master plan. A draft plan is expected to be presented at another meeting this spring. Residents will have the chance to let officials know what they think then. They can keep up with the latest details on the city’s website and reach out to Hamilton with any questions at (813) 780-0202 or GHamilton@ci.zephyrhills.fl.us.

    [ad_2]

    Sarah Blazonis

    Source link

  • Pasco groups awarded funds from opioid settlement money

    Pasco groups awarded funds from opioid settlement money

    [ad_1]

    NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. — Pasco County commissioners approved recommendations this week from the county’s opioid task force about how settlement money from lawsuits against the drug industry should be spent to help curb the opioid crisis.

    What You Need To Know

    • Pasco commissioners approved the county’s opioid task force recommendations for allocating opioid settlement money 

    • Nine projects received a total of more than $8 million in funding

    • BayCare Behavioral Health received the most funding — more than $3 million for a behavioral health urgent care

    • The director of operations for behavioral health at BayCare said it will be the first facility of its kind in Tampa Bay and, possibly, in the entire state

    “One of the priorities of the opioid task force has been to try to distribute these funds in a manner where we are impacting all segments of the population that we can — from expectant mothers all the way to veterans, homeless individuals in our community, individuals who may be struggling and don’t even know that they’re having a struggle because they’re just getting those symptoms identified by their primary care doctors,” said Paula Baracaldo, Pasco County’s director of support services and task force member. “So, through these funds, we’re actually going to be able to make those connections and provide additional services to them. So, it’s going to be a widespread impact, and we’re also forging partnerships, which is really important.

    According to information from the county, $8.4 million was allocated to nine projects.

     

    They included $600,000 for Premier Community Healthcare Group, Inc. for expansion of support services and behavioral health staff, education and case management; $286,000 for Pasco Kids First for mobile outreach and personnel, outreach, supplies and equipment; $25,000 for Ace Opportunities for treatment and recovery support services and transitional housing; $297,803 for WestCare GulfCoast-Florida, Inc. for direct services, case management, outreach and education; $200,000 for the Alliance for Healthy Communities, Inc. for education, stigma reduction and awareness for youth, $138,950 for The Hope Shot, Inc. for recovery housing; and $61,000 for Florida Recovery Schools of Tampa Bay, Inc. to fund Victory High School, mental health and recovery services, rent and partial salaries.

     

    The biggest award went to BayCare Behavioral Health, with more than $3 million to establish a behavioral health urgent care.

    “When you need to go to urgent care, you can make an appointment same day, you can walk in if you need to, there’s extended hours, right? So, that’s the same concept, except for behavioral health needs,” said Tracy Kaly, director of operations for Behavioral Health at BayCare and a task force member. 

    Kaly said that can include anything from someone dealing with grief who needs to talk with a therapist to someone who wants to detox and needs to access services.

    “What is that service that that individual really needs? Maybe it’s something more routine, maybe it is something more urgent, but they could come here, and we could help them figure it out because, oftentimes, navigating the behavioral health system is tricky,” she said.

    According to Kaly, the urgent care would be the first facility of its kind in Tampa Bay and, possibly, in the entire state.

    A building on BayCare’s behavioral health campus on King Helie Boulevard that’s currently being used by the facilities team and for office space is going to undergo renovations to become the urgent care. Funding for the project will be released during the next three years. Kaly said the first year of funds is going toward construction and the next two are going to operational costs. 

    “This felt like the ideal place because right across the street, we have our integrated stabilization unit. So, if individuals do need detoxification or withdrawal management, we’re able to connect them right to those services. Also across the street is our outpatient center, so where we offer medication assisted treatment, where we offer groups, where we have doctors and therapists,” Kaly said.

    Baracaldo said when it comes to the opioid crisis in Pasco, the county has seen an increase in overdoses but a decrease in deaths.

    “We’re still higher than the state average in Pasco County when it comes to both fatal and non-fatal overdoses due to opioid use,” said Kaly. “The numbers are improving, and I think with this level of care also being added to the continuum, that will continue in that direction.”

    Kaly said the goal is to have the urgent care opened by the end of the year. 

    [ad_2]

    Sarah Blazonis

    Source link

  • Severe weather brings storm damages around the Bay area

    Severe weather brings storm damages around the Bay area

    [ad_1]

    TAMPA, Fla. — Tuesday’s line of severe storms have left impacts around Tampa Bay, including flooding, debris and power outages. 

    View our gallery to see photos of the storm’s aftermath below.

     

    Send us your photos! Here’s what to do:

    • Take your picture in the horizontal perspective (not vertical).
    • Please take your photos when you’re in a safe environment. Do not put yourself in harm’s way for a photo.
    • Please don’t take pictures while driving. (It’s okay if a passenger takes the picture.) Any pictures taken while driving, we don’t show on the air.
    • If using the form below is not an option, you can post your photos on one of our Facebook pages: Spectrum Bay News 9 | Spectrum Bay News 9 Weather 
    • Tag us on Twitter: @BN9 | @BN9Weather

    Submit your photos below:

    [ad_2]

    Spectrum News Staff

    Source link

  • Father of drunk driving victim shares son’s story to prevent tragedy

    Father of drunk driving victim shares son’s story to prevent tragedy

    [ad_1]

    ZEPHYRHILLS, Fla. — Advocates are encouraging people to celebrate safely this New Year’s Eve and avoid drunk driving. 

    “Think about other people. There’s going to be other people out there,” said Wade Angel of Zephyrhills.

    What You Need To Know

    • Mothers Against Drunk Driving is urging people to make plans to celebrate New Year’s Eve safely

    • MADD says party hosts should make sure they have room for people to stay the night and be ready to call a rideshare for anyone who’s been drinking

    • Wade Angel, who lost his son, William, in a drunk driving crash in 2012, says people need to plan for a designated driver or other safe ways to get home if they’ll be drinking

    • Angel said people need to remember drunk drivers don’t just impact those in the car they hit, but their families and friends, as well

    Angel knows the impact of drunk driving all too well. His son, William Angel, was just 20 years old when he was killed by a drunk wrong way driver on I-275 in 2012. Angel was out of town for work at the time but called home before William headed out with friends that night.

    “I could hear him in the background, and then my wife says, ‘You want to talk to William?’ And I said, ‘No, I can hear he’s in the background talking with everybody. Tell him I’ll talk to him in the morning.’ Never got a chance to talk to him again. But what they were discussing was who’s driving. Of course, William was like, ‘I’ll drive,’” said Angel of how his son became the designated driver that night. “That’s what you have to do: make plans. If you’re going to go someplace, go with somebody else and see if they’ll be the designated driver or be the designated driver yourself, but it’s not so hard.”

    The West Central Florida Office of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) also recommends planning. Program Manager Sharon Hall said it’s everyone’s responsibility to prevent impaired driving. She urges people hosting parties to arrange rideshares or have room available for people to stay the night if they’ve been drinking. Hall said any amount of alcohol will impair judgment and decision-making skills.

    “This is a lifelong sentence that families and friends endure when a loved one is taken from us,” said Hall, who lost her son to a drunk driver 15 years ago. 

    Hall said the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office arrested and charged 3,882 people with DUI so far in 2023 and there were nearly 800 crashes involving an impaired driver. She reminds drivers that the sheriff’s office, Tampa Police, and Florida Highway Patrol will all be conducting saturation patrols this weekend. 

    Drunk driving is a year-round problem, with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reporting 13,384 people died in alcohol-related crashes in 2021 — up 14% from the year before. When it comes to New Year’s Eve, the National Safety Council reports that records show 40% of traffic fatalities for the New Year’s Day holiday period in that same year involved an alcohol-impaired driver.

    Angel said the ripple effects from his son’s death continue to be felt years later.

    “Imagine where every joyous occasion is immediately followed by sorrow,” he said. “When William’s brother came home and said, ‘I proposed to my girlfriend, we’re getting married,’ we were so happy. And its immediately followed with, ‘That’s something we’ll never experience with William.’”

    Before the pandemic, Angel spoke on MADD’s victim impact panel. He said that hasn’t yet resumed, but he continues to share William’s story.

    “It’s not just the person you hit. You’re affecting their entire family and everybody that knew them. So, that’s what I’m trying to push on people. Really, it’s the reason why I talk about it is to get through to people, and maybe it’ll save their life,” Angel said.

    AAA’s Tow to Go program is currently activated for the holidays. Members and nonmembers can call (855) 2-TOW-2-GO or (855) 286-9246 if they’re impaired and a tow truck will come to take drivers and their vehicles home or to a safe place within ten miles. According to AAA, the program is meant as a safety net for drivers who haven’t planned ahead. It encourages people to find a designated driver ahead of time if they know they’ll be drinking.

    [ad_2]

    Sarah Blazonis

    Source link

  • City Council to hear recommendations on future of Schwettman site

    City Council to hear recommendations on future of Schwettman site

    [ad_1]

    NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. —  The New Port Richey City Council is expected to discuss the future of the former Schwettman Education Center on Tuesday.

    What You Need To Know

    • The City of New Port Richey had originally bought the property in the fall for $1.7 million

    • The outcome would mean new economic development to the area

    • The redevelopment agency meeting is set for 5 p.m.

    The goal of these future projects would be to bring an economic development project to the area. The city originally had bought this property in the fall for $1.7 million.

    “The majority of (the) council thought that there was benefit in redevelopment of the piece, in large part because it is situated at a prominent corner in the city,” City Manager Debbie Manns said of the eight-acre property’s location at Grand Boulevard. and Gulf Drive.

    Manns said proposed development at the site of the former Community Hospital on Grand and Marine Parkway is seen as another benefit of redeveloping Schwettman.

    She is recommending the council look into selling it to a private developer. She said it would help in garnering a good amount of reinvestment in the Marine District and guide their plans to upgrade the neighborhood overall. Manns plans to suggest that the land not be re-purposed as residential space.

    Former Mayor Rob Marlowe says the area is underutilized and this would be a prime time to redo it all.

    “This is one of the last undeveloped sections of the Cotee River inside of New Port Richey. It’s totally undeveloped. That gets cleaned up, it would be easy enough to put in docks,” Marlowe said.

    Marlowe also said that if done right, the redevelopment of Schewettman could have a promising impact. He also would like to see the building used as a public space.

    Councilmembers are expected to talk about the future of Schwettman and other properties in store at today’s community redevelopment agency meeting at 5 p.m.

    The council may decide to take action Tuesday or choose to discuss the issue further at another time. There are currently plans to recommend the city issue a request for proposals on the site in the first quarter of 2024, according to Manns.

    [ad_2]

    Reina Nieves

    Source link

  • Family, community remember Pasco teen hit by car on the way to school

    Family, community remember Pasco teen hit by car on the way to school

    [ad_1]

    PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — Bonnie Farago remembers her nephew, Myles Farago, as a smart, witty kid who loved animals, excelled in art and music and enjoyed getting outdoors to hike and camp.

    What You Need To Know

    • Myles Farago, 15, died after being hit by a car while bicycling to school early Thursday

    • His aunt, Bonnie Farago, describes him as a smart kid who loved animals, the arts, and outdoors

    • A memorial honoring Myles has been set up along Kitten Trail, near the scene of the crash
    • Pasco County says safety improvements are planned for the area

    “Myles was supposed to be at Christmas with us. I had already bought him Christmas presents, and he was supposed to be one of the groomsmen in my wedding in March. So, that will not happen now,” Farago said.

    According to Florida Highway Patrol, Myles, 15, was hit by a car while riding his bike to school along Kitten Trail in Hudson just after 6:30 a.m. Thursday. FHP said the driver didn’t see him due to dark conditions.

    “His bike that he normally rides, it does have lights on it,” Farago said. “But because he had a flat tire, he had to take a friend’s bike to school at that particular moment, so he didn’t have a light on his bike.”

    That area of Kitten Trail has no lighting and no sidewalks. Farago said her brother, Myles’ father, mentioned his concerns about road safety in the area many times.

    “He actually did go with Myles a few times to find the safest way to get to school. He wasn’t even going the quickest way,” she said.

    On Friday, students and community members stopped by a memorial cross set up on Kitten Trail in his honor. Among them was Brittany Nichols. She lives near the crash scene and said she called 911. She told Spectrum Bay News 9 that she and another person attempted to perform CPR on Myles.

    “My heart really does go out to his family, and I hope his family can find some peace,” Nichols said. 

    Hudson High School student Maria Gomez said she and others with the school’s Dungeons and Dragons Club came to the memorial because a fellow member was best friends with Myles.

    “It felt a lot more painful, and really the more you started to hear what was going on, you learned different details throughout the day about what had happened to the kid, and all you could feel was guilt the entire time,” Maria said.

    Maria’s mother, Lazara Gomez, said she spent the morning calling school and county officials, asking for lights, signs indicating a school is nearby, and sidewalks to be installed in the area.

    “They’re having to share this road at six-something in the morning,” Gomez said. “The sun hasn’t even risen yet, and these kids are having to trek through here.”

    Pasco County said in a statement that it secured grant funding to build a sidewalk on the south side of Kitten Trail that will go from Hicks Road to Giddyup Lane. A school speed zone will also be in place on Kitten Trail from Hicks Road. to a quarter mile east of Cobra Way. The county also said it’s including the area in its annual review of roads that need street lights. Farago said that the news is a relief.

    “I don’t want any other parents, any other family, to have to go through exactly what we are going through right now. It should never happen again,” Farago said.

    Farago said she wants people to remember Myles’ story when they find themselves driving on dark roads. She urges drivers to slow down and be vigilant – especially before school.

    [ad_2]

    Sarah Blazonis

    Source link

  • Sarasota School Board votes to ask Bridget Ziegler to resign

    Sarasota School Board votes to ask Bridget Ziegler to resign

    [ad_1]

    SARASOTA, Fla. — The Sarasota School Board voted to call on board member and Moms For Liberty co-founder Bridget Ziegler to resign from her post.

    The vote was 4-to-1 to ask Ziegler to resign from her post. She was the lone dissenting vote, making it clear she’s not stepping down.

    Ziegler has served on the board since 2014.


    The resolution is non-binding, meaning Gov. Ron DeSantis would have to step in to remove Ziegler from the board. There’s been no indication he will do that.

    Board Chair Karen Rose called the vote following a sexual assault investigation into Ziegler’s husband, Florida Republican Party Chairman Christian Ziegler.

    He is facing allegations of rape.

    “I personally care about Bridget and her family and deeply regret the necessity for this course of action, but given the intense media scrutiny locally and nationally, her continued presence on the Board would cause irreparably harmful distractions to our critical mission,” Rose wrote.

    Ziegler spoke briefly about the resolution during the board meeting.

    “You know, I am disappointed,” said Ziegler. “As people may know, I serve on another public board, and this issue did not come up, and we were able to forge ahead with the business of the board.”

    The alleged victim says she had previously been in a three-way sexual relationship with the Zieglers.

    According to the affidavit, she canceled a meet-up with the couple when she found out Bridget would not be there. She told police Christian Ziegler allegedly still showed up at her apartment and that’s when she says the attack happened, stated the affidavit.

    Christian Ziegler said he has been falsely accused and will not resign as GOP party chair. No criminal charges have been filed against him.

    But the Republican Party of Florida is holding a special meeting this weekend to discuss his future.

     

    Prior to the meeting, several dozen people marched outside carrying signs and chanting, “Hey hey, ho ho, Bridget Ziegler has got to go.” Among the signs’ slogans were “Ban Bridget, not books” and “Real women aren’t homophobes.”

    “Bridget Ziegler must apologize and resign,” said Carol Lerner of Support Our Schools, a nonprofit group that supports public education. “The Zieglers are through and through grifters.”

    Board member Tim Enos said it’s up to Bridget Ziegler to decide whether to quit. Only Florida’s governor can remove a school board member, and only under certain conditions, such as a criminal charge.

    “If she continues and doesn’t resign and stays, we have an obligation that we all need to be focused on education,” Enos said. “The politics have to get outside the boardroom. It should be only about the kids.”

    Bridget Ziegler has long been active in conservative politics. She was a champion of the DeSantis-backed law known by critics as “Don’t Say Gay,” which restricts teaching of sexual and gender material in early school grades. Moms for Liberty, which she co-founded in 2021, aims to inject more conservative viewpoints into schools, restrict transgender rights, battle pandemic mask mandates and remove books the group objects to from school classrooms and libraries.

    [ad_2]

    Julia Hazel

    Source link