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Tag: tampa

  • St. Petersburg offering Free Museum Day on Saturday

    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The City of St. Petersburg invites the community to participate and celebrate Free Museum Day on Saturday, Sept. 20.

    Museums and cultural spots across the city will open their doors to the public with free admission. The event is coordinated by the City of St. Petersburg and the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance.

    A list of participating museums is below. Some museums require tickets to be reserved in advance and require ID. In addition, some museums limit free access to Pinellas County or St. Pete residents.

    At the bottom of the list are transit options.

    The Dali Museum
    1 Dali Blvd.
    Advance online reservations are required on this day to control capacities. Upon arrival, guests will need to show both their pre-reserved ticket and resident ID. Reserve a Ticket: https://thedali.org/event/arts-alive-2025/

    The Florida Holocaust Museum
    55 5th St. S
    Admission is first-come, first-served. Reservations are not required.

    Imagine Museum
    1901 Central Ave.
    To ensure a comfortable experience, entry will be based on timed tickets. Time tickets are available at the door after sold out online.
    Reserve a Ticket: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/free-museum-days-supporting-the-national-pediatric-cancer-foundation-tickets-1411196429509?aff=oddtdtcreator

    The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art
    150 Central Ave.
    Reserve your tickets online in advance to guarantee admission.
    Reserve a Ticket: https://thejamesmuseum.org/eventarchive/free-museum-day-2025/

    The Museum of Fine Arts
    255 Beach Dr. NE
    Advance registration is required.
    Visitors must present a valid ID showing Pinellas County residency to receive complimentary admission.
    Reserve a Ticket: https://mfastpete.org/event/arts-alive-museum-day-2025/

    Museum of Motherhood
    2606 Fairfield Ave. S
    Located inside Gallery Row at The Factory

    St. Petersburg Museum of History
    335 2nd Ave. NE
    The Museum of History has shared stories of the Sunshine City for a century.

    Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center
    700 2nd Ave. NE
    Located at the St. Pete Pier
    Throughout the day, guests can enjoy tank talks with animal feedings and ecosystem insights.

    The Woodson African American Museum of Florida
    2240 9th Ave. S
    Enjoy an exciting new exhibition and fun programs for all ages throughout the day.

    Getting There
    – SunRunner: Find schedules, stops, and more information at www.psta.net
    – Central Avenue Trolley: Find schedules, stops, and more information at www.psta.net
    – Downtown Looper: Find schedules, stops, and more information at www.loopertrolley.com

    Spectrum News Staff

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  • First courthouse facility dog for Circuit 6 offers comfort, support for children

    CLEARWATER, Fla. — A new, and furry, face in the Circuit Six courthouse is helping make children feel a little more comfortable in the courtroom.

    What You Need To Know

    • Polar is the first official courthouse facility dog for both the Circuit Six court and Hero To A Child, offering comfort and support in what can be an otherwise intimidating setting

    • His job is to provide emotional support to children who have to go through such things as medical examinations, forensic interviews and testify in the courtroom
    • Polar was trained by a professional puppy raiser for the first year and a half of his life, also taking part in Duke University’s canine cognition program


    Polar is the first official courthouse facility dog for both the Circuit Six court and Hero To A Child, offering comfort and support in what can be an otherwise intimidating setting.

    “My biggest job for him is, actually, I’m his chauffeur,” said Tammie McQueeney, program coordinator and dog handler for Hero To A Child. “I make sure he gets to where he needs to be and that he’s taken care of appropriately.”

    Together, they make a pretty formidable team.

    “He has these trading cards, which is the front side of the big picture that you just took,” says McQueeney. “But the kids get these when they meet him.”

    Polar isn’t just any ordinary dog.

    “His job is to provide emotional support to children who have to go through such things as medical examinations, forensic interviews and — God forbid — they have to sit in the courthouse across from maybe their abuser and testify,” said McQueeney. “He’s there to provide emotional support for those children and impact is immediate.”

    The training both Polar and McQueeney went through is quite extensive. He was trained by a professional puppy raiser for the first year and a half of his life. Polar also took part in Duke University’s canine cognition program.

    “They teach him the basics,” she said. “They give him exposure to pretty much as much as they can in the world around him because, obviously, these dogs have to be bombproof. So the more they do, the better they are. And then in a year and a half, they go back to an official Canine Companions campus where they have six months of formal, in-depth service dog training.”

    McQueeney and Polar graduated from the program in November. Though still fresh to his new role, the impact Polar has had, McQueeney said, has been immediate.

    “He knows who needs him most. Whoever in the room seems to be carrying the most stress at that point in time, he will go straight to them and just lay down and put his head on their lap, and hang out and let them pet him and make them feel better.”

    Being the first of his kind, Polar may pave the way for other aspiring canines to join him in the future.

    “We have so many requests and so much community support that one team can’t handle it all,” McQueeney said. “So we could, potentially, bring in another handler and dog and serve even more children because both Pinellas and Pasco counties are pretty big. And there’s a lot of kids that need his help.”

    It’s all helping provide comfort with a wag of the tail and one big smile.

    McQueeney said Polar works solely on donations and community partnerships. Learn more about supporting Polar and his work.

    Calvin Lewis

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  • Pasco County woman fights off gator to save puppy

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

    What You Need To Know

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    FWC did not respond to a request for more information.

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

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

    Sarah Blazonis

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  • Lingering hotel and rental closures impact bed tax collections in Pinellas

    ST. PETE BEACH, Fla. — Bed tax collections in Pinellas County have been down for two months in a row with a major contributing factor coming from hotels and short term vacation rentals which have remained closed since last year’s hurricanes, according to Visit St. Pete-Clearwater.

    What You Need To Know

    • St. Pete Beach currently has four large hotels which have not yet reopened

    • Those hotels include The Postcard Inn, The Beachcomber, The Bellwether and the Dolphin Resort

    • The Beachcomber will reopen on Oct. 30

    • Bed tax collections in Pinellas County were down for June and July 


    “The majority of the shortfall is coming from… vacation rentals and some of our lower areas of Pinellas County,” said Eddie Kirsch, VSPC Dir. Digital and Data. “St. Pete Beach and a little bit of Madeira and Treasure Island areas as well.”

    St. Pete Beach currently has four large hotels that have not yet reopened. These include The Postcard Inn, The Beachcomber, The Bellwether and the Dolphin Resort. According to the latest VSPC data, 704 rooms remain closed in St. Pete Beach, with only 66 percent of the hotels open.

    “The Postcard’s coming back, the Beachcomber’s coming back. We all expect those pretty soon,” said Charlie Justice, Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce Pres. & CEO. “The Bellwether’s still a little bit longer term, the Dolphin still a little bit longer term. And so we’re seeing it’s a long haul for some of these folks.”

    The Beachcomber has confirmed it will reopen on October 30.

    “Since closing, the iconic property that’s home to the legendary Jimmy B’s Beach Bar has restored its hurricane-damaged areas,” stated spokesperson Jessica Milton. “Including its first-floor guest rooms, meeting and event spaces, hotel lobby, swimming pool, and courtyard.”

    Justice said The Bellwether was severely damaged by the hurricanes and he expects the hotel to reopen in 2026.

    “They had so much of their infrastructure in the lower levels where the sand and the water infiltrated everything,” he said. “The damage was worse than they thought. So this does take a little bit longer.”

    At the Tourist Development Council meeting in August, it was revealed that bed tax collections were unusually down.

    “The TDT collections in June of 2025 was just shy of $7.5 million,” said Kirsch. “This was a little bit irregular from the previous few fiscal years for June. Ultimately, it was down about 12.2%.”

    Kirsch also said demand has slowed a lot in many areas of Florida. The Tourist Development Tax collections for July, the most recent data VSPC has available, showed the month was down 9.8% from the previous year. The total fiscal year to date TDT collections are down 5.46%.

    While the overall numbers have been down recently, Clearwater Mayor Bruce Rector pointed out that some areas of Pinellas County are still doing well.

    “Dunedin, St. Pete and Clearwater had a really good month,” he said. “We spent as a city $85 million to get back quickly.”

    According to VSPC, 94.8% of hotel rooms in Pinellas County are open. Captain Dylan Hubbard, the owner of Hubbard’s Marina at John’s Pass in Madeira Beach, said his business had its best June ever.

    “It’s tough because right to our south, right to our north, we have neighbors that are suffering,” he said. “So it’s hard to be on top of a mountaintop screaming, ‘Hey, this is the best year ever. We’re doing great.’ When other people around us still haven’t been able to open up or haven’t been able to recover or are still struggling.”

    Justice said the hotel closures in the south Pinellas County have caused a major drop in foot traffic, which has been affecting nearby businesses. He’s encouraging locals to visit those beach towns.

    “Be a tourist in your own hometown,” he said. “Come out to the beaches and enjoy what the tourists get to enjoy.”

    Josh Rojas

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  • Turning Points hopes to bring homeless services into Manatee schools

    PALMETTO, Fla. — Turning Points, a nonprofit that provides homeless assistance, will bring services to help prevent homelessness directly to two Manatee County schools, if approved by school board members Tuesday.

    What You Need To Know

    • Services to prevent homelessness could be coming to two Manatee County schools 

    • Provided services would include rental and utility assistance, help with SNAP benefits 

    • Pilot program would be out of Lincoln Memorial Middle School Family Welcome Center

    • Pending school board vote Tuesday 


    Kathleen Cramer, executive director of Turning Points, says they hope to start providing services at the Lincoln Memorial Middle School Family Welcome Center in Palmetto. Rental assistance, help with utility payments, assistance with SNAP benefit applications and Medicaid will be available on the campus of Lincoln Middle, if approved.

    As part of an 18-month pilot program, these services would be solely for the families of Lincoln Memorial Middle School students and Palmetto Elementary students. School District of Manatee County employees would also be eligible, as well as students already served through the Project Heart Program.

    “This is much more directed on serving the parents and making the family stable,” Cramer said. “Many other programs have focused on food insecurity, or focused on the student. We’ll not be calling the kids out of class. Our work is with the parents, making sure we can stabilize the household.”

    Cramer says families can call and schedule an appointment themselves, or teachers can refer students and their families who may be struggling. Turning Points estimates about 2,000 students in Manatee County are homeless.

    “When families are unstable, the children cannot focus on their academics,” Cramer said. “If we can stabilize the families and the home situation, we believe it will allow children to continue to focus on their academics and really invest in that.”

    After the pilot program is complete, Turning Points hopes to expand to four locations over the next 10 years and be available to all students and families.

    The school board plans to discuss and vote on the new partnership during a meeting set for Tuesday evening.

    Angie Angers

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  • School-to-Work: Kids learn first-hand life at a hospital

    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — For kids in their final years of high school, the pressure starts to build about what they plan to do following graduation. Some have no idea what they will do. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital staff are now mentors to 25 kids in the Big Brothers Big Sisters School-To-Work program

    • The School-to-Work program gives students exposure to workplace environments, and matches them with mentors who can encourage them to stay in school and make an empowered transition to the work world

    • Bigs and Littles will be paired for two years, with the option of being paired for a third year. Students can maintain relationships with their Big until the age of 26

    • Carly Gerdes is a sepsis clinical coordinator at Orlando Health Bayfront. She is mentoring 16-year-old Dorine Banyeretse


    To help, Big Brothers Big Sisters Tampa Bay created the School-To-Work program, connecting at-risk kids with professionals in the workplace. 

    “We’re here to help them navigate that transition from high school to life after and to make sure that they have that plan in place to be successful,” said Laura Petitt, the program director. 

    A new partnership this year was made with Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital in St. Petersburg. 

    Carly Gerdes is the sepsis clinical coordinator at the hospital, but now she also has an additional title: Big Sister. 

    Her “Little” is Dorine Banyeretse, 16.

    “We were looking at stroke alert sepsis, and we see how the doctors treat the patients and also common procedures that she goes through,” said Banyeretse.

    The two have been paired since the spring semester.

    “It’s a nice experience,” said Banyeretse. “Overall, you get to make new friends, and they feel like meeting your big is just a wonderful connection to have.”

    She is one of 25 students paired up with medical staff at Orlando Health Bayfront.

    They spend two hours, once a month, for two school years together. That length of time allows for strong bonds to form.

    “So we’ll continue together until she graduates and leaves me,” said Gerdes with a sad laugh.

    The pair are very close, though Banyeretse admits she does not want to be an ER nurse. 

    “After high school, I’m looking forward to going into neurology. Or like, majoring in neuroscience,” said Banyeretse. 

    Gerdes fully supports her dream and works to make sure Banyeretse is exposed to situations a neurologist would be called in for. 

    “It can help them decide what path they might want to take,” said Gerdes. “She’s interested in the neuro paths. So even though I do sepsis and then in the E.R., we still we have stroke alerts and stuff that I’m exposing her to so she can see all different sides of the E.R.” 

    They also set yearly goals together. Banyeretse’s goal is to keep straight As and to bump her GPA by .1. 

    “Currently I have a 4.49,” Banyeretse said with a laugh. 

    Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital is one of many workplaces students are visiting. 

    Big Brothers Big Sisters said in total there are 400 kids in the program, spread out between Hillsborough, Pinellas, Polk and Pasco counties. 

    Erin Murray

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  • Pasco County woman fights off gator to save puppy

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

    What You Need To Know

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    FWC did not respond to a request for more information.

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

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

    Sarah Blazonis

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  • Universal Orlando announces ‘Rock the Universe’ music festival lineup

    ORLANDO, Fla. — Universal Orlando’s “Rock the Universe” returns to Universal Studios Florida from January 23 – 24, 2026, featuring a weekend of music from some of today’s most popular Christian artists.

    What You Need To Know

    •  Universal Orlando’s “Rock the Universe” returns to Universal Studios Florida from January 23 – 24, 2026

    •  The music festival features an array of today’s most popular Christian artists

    • In addition to the music festival, attendees will have access to Universal Studios Florida’s rides and attractions

    • For additional information about Rock the Universe and to purchase tickets, visit Universal Orlando’s website


    The event will include headline performances by Billboard Christian chart-topper Forrest Frank, Grammy-nominated singer Phil Wickham, Grammy and Dove award-winning band Switchfoot, and multi-platinum artist LECRAE.

    See below for the complete concert lineup:

    Rock the Universe 2026 Weekend Lineup

    Friday, January 23

    Saturday, January 24

    Forrest Frank

    LECRAE

    Switchfoot

    Phil Wickham

    KB

    Colton Dixon

    Blessing Offor

    Passion

    Hulvey

    Terrian

    bodie

    Sam Rivera

    Eli Gable

    Caleb and John

    Hopeful.

    Bay Turner

    Claire Leslie

    Megan Danielle

    Universal officials said those who attend the music festival will also be able to enjoy worship experiences that will take place throughout the entire weekend, including a Sunday morning service on Jan. 25 to close out the event.

    Attendees will also enjoy access to Universal Studios Florida’s attractions during the event, including “Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts,” “Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon,” “Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem,” “Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast,” “Revenge of the Mummy,” and more.

    For additional information about Rock the Universe and to purchase tickets, visit Universal Orlando’s website.

    DeJanae Phillips

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  • 5 things to know about The Gantry at Launch Complex 39

    CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — A whole new kind of “liftoff” is taking place on the Space Coast. It’s an interactive attraction celebrating space exploration in engaging new ways.

    1. The Gantry at Launch Complex (LC) 39 adds a second stop to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex bus tour.
    2. A gantry is an overhead, bridge-like structure. This one is four levels. At the top, guests can build their own rockets and test their launch skills with simulators.
    3. Perhaps the most photographed moment happens every 30 minutes or so. That’s when a full-scale rocket engine simulates a static fire test. “It’s cool mist instead of hot fire and steam,” said Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Communications Manager Russell Bruhn.
    4. Bruhn added that brand-new bleachers and seating allow for unprecedented viewing. “We’ll be the closest you can get to seeing a launch.”
    5. The Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour is included with admission. It also stops at the Apollo/Saturn V Center. The Saturn V was the largest rocket ever flown until SpaceX’s Starship came along. Starship is 397 feet tall, making it taller than the 363-foot Saturn V.

    Allison Walker

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  • 5 things to know about The Gantry at Launch Complex 39

    CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — A whole new kind of “liftoff” is taking place on the Space Coast. It’s an interactive attraction celebrating space exploration in engaging new ways.

    1. The Gantry at Launch Complex (LC) 39 adds a second stop to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex bus tour.
    2. A gantry is an overhead, bridge-like structure. This one is four levels. At the top, guests can build their own rockets and test their launch skills with simulators.
    3. Perhaps the most photographed moment happens every 30 minutes or so. That’s when a full-scale rocket engine simulates a static fire test. “It’s cool mist instead of hot fire and steam,” said Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Communications Manager Russell Bruhn.
    4. Bruhn added that brand-new bleachers and seating allow for unprecedented viewing. “We’ll be the closest you can get to seeing a launch.”
    5. The Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour is included with admission. It also stops at the Apollo/Saturn V Center. The Saturn V was the largest rocket ever flown until SpaceX’s Starship came along. Starship is 397 feet tall, making it taller than the 363-foot Saturn V.

    Allison Walker

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  • Residents at assisted living facility want safety fixes on Dunedin road

    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Residents at an assisted living facility in Dunedin are concerned about the busy traffic on Curlew Road, especially when they’re trying to cross without a crosswalk.

    What You Need To Know

    • Residents at Bayou Gardens Dunedin are hoping for safety improvements on Curlew Road

    • They’d like a crosswalk and turning lane outside the facility

    • FDOT is conducting a traffic study there over the next several weeks

    • Have a Traffic Inbox suggestion? Click here


    As the owner of Bayou Gardens Dunedin, Carrie Helm says many of the residents stay active.

    “Most of my residents have been with me over five years,” Helm said. “They are still physically able to walk. They don’t drive anymore. They want to walk.”

    The sidewalk on their side of Curlew Road cuts off, leaving the residents to cross the road to the sidewalk on the other side. However, there’s no crosswalk there.

    “For the most part, our residents want to cross over, right there. And then go down to the shopping center. They like to get their nails done, they like to get their hair cut down there, they go to Publix,” Helm said.

    Helm’s other concern is the increase in traffic on Curlew Road, especially on busy beach days as drivers head to Honeymoon Island.There is no turn lane into the facility, which can lead to other drivers using the shoulder to get around stopped traffic.

    “People get frustrated. And they go around the car really fast. So anybody turning left into here usually gets honked at, and people zoom by,” Helm said.

    Curlew Road is a state road that is managed by the Florida Department of Transportation. FDOT officials said they are now going evaluate the crossing on Curlew Road and collect traffic data there, which is expected to be done over the next two to three weeks.

    Helm hopes they consider making changes.

    “I just am worried about an accident happening. I have residents that are so mobile. And they’re independent. And they go across the street often and I just don’t want them to continue to have to do that without having a crosswalk,” Helm said.

    Tim Wronka

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  • Schröder takes over late as Germany tops Turkey for EuroBasket gold

    RIGA, Latvia — The Orlando Magic’s Franz Wagner and Tristan da Silva combined for 31 points, and Dennis Schröder took over to deliver more gold for Germany.

    Schröder, who will play for the Sacramento Kings in the upcoming season, had the game’s final six points, Isaac Bonga scored a team-best 20 points and Germany topped Turkey 88-83 on Sunday in the gold medal game at the European championship.

    It was Germany’s first EuroBasket title since 1993 and comes two years after the team — largely with the same core — won the World Cup title in 2023.

    “We never shy away from the big moments. … Everybody is so confident,” Schröder said. “Just big-time plays from big-time character people.”

    Wagner scored 18 points, pulled down eight rebounds and blocked two shots, and Schröder finished with 16 points and 12 assists for Germany, which finished the tournament 9-0. Da Silva added 13 points and four rebounds for Germany.

    The game had 15 lead changes and 11 ties, with the final lead change coming when Schröder scored on a drive to put Germany up by one with 1 minute, 15 seconds left.

    He added a jumper with 18.7 seconds remaining and after Turkey’s Alperen Sengun of the Houston Rockets hit a 3-pointer that would have tied it, Schröder sealed gold with a pair of free throws.

    “To be a World Cup winner and a European champion, that’s big time,” Schröder said.

    Sengun had 28 points for Turkey, which got 23 from Cedi Osman and a 13-point, nine-assist, six-rebound game from Shane Larkin, who played for Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando and for the Miami Hurricanes. Larkin is the son of baseball Hall of Famer Barry Larkin.

    Schröder, Wagner, Sengun, Greece’s Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks, Slovenia’s Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers were named to the Eurobasket 2025 All-Tournament Team.

    Bronze: Greece 92, Finland 89

    Antetokounmpo scored 30 points and grabbed 17 rebounds, leading Greece past Finland for the bronze medal earlier Sunday.

    It was Greece’s first EuroBasket medal since winning bronze in 2009.

    “We did it. This is probably one of the biggest accomplishments that I’ve ever accomplished as an athlete,” said Antetokounmpo, a past NBA champion and MVP. “I know I’ve won an NBA championship, but there’s no feeling like representing your national team and representing 12 million people that breathe and live this national team. This is probably the greatest accomplishment so far in my life.”

    It was the sixth time that Greece finished on the podium at the EuroBasket, with two golds, one silver and three bronze medals.

    Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen had 19 points and 10 rebounds for Finland.

    Greece — which never trailed and led by 17 at one point — had an 11-point lead with less than two minutes remaining, but Finland rallied.

    Elias Valtonen had a chance to tie the game with three free throws with five seconds left but missed the third. Antetokounmpo eventually controlled the rebound for Greece and sealed the game with a pair of free throws.

    Spectrum Sports Staff, Associated Press

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  • St. Pete motions to dismiss public sleeping suit filed by restaurant owner

    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The city of St. Petersburg has responded to the public sleeping lawsuit filed by downtown restaurant owner Ronicca Whaley by asking a judge to dismiss it due to vague assertions.

    What You Need To Know

    • The city of St. Petersburg filed a motion to dismiss a public sleeping lawsuit 

    • Ronicca Whaley’s one of the first people in Florida to file a suit under the new state law  

    • The city states the lawsuit makes vague assertions about Whaley’s beliefs

    • Whaley’s attorney stated she only has to show any person is being regularly allowed to sleep on public property under the law


    The city’s motion filed last month states, “The complaint warrants dismissal because it is replete with vague, conclusory and immaterial facts not obviously connected to any particular cause of action.”

    In July, Whaley accused the city of failing to enforce a new state law which prohibits local governments from regularly allowing overnight sleeping on public property, which she said has been harming her business Shiso Crispy.

    “The City’s failure to enforce this statute, particularly in Williams Park and the surrounding sidewalks near Plaintiff’s restaurants, constituents a blatant disregard for state law and undermines the safety, economic vitality and aesthetic integrity of the community,” states the complaint.

    According to the city, Whaley’s lawsuit makes vague assertions “based on information and belief” and should not be a catchall to assert a laundry list of real or perceived personal grievances.

    “Plaintiff’s ‘beliefs’ are not facts. There are no dates, times, nor names… this type of allegation is impossible to defend,” the motion stated.

    Last week, Whaley’s attorney, Sandford Kinne, responded to the city’s motion to dismiss. Kinne said the state law does not require Whaley to identify specific individuals. Instead, she only has to show any person is being regularly allowed to sleep on public property.

    “Defendant’s insistence that Plaintiff must produce the names of each individual sleeper, along with dates and times, would impose a burden that is neither found in the statute nor compatible with its purpose,” stated the opposition motion.

    Kinne stated his client is not required to perform a census of those experiencing homelessness and the court should allow the case to proceed to discovery.

    “Plaintiff’s factual allegations are neither vague, conclusory or irrelevant,” he stated. “The complaint is replete with specific instances of her personal observations of individuals sleeping in Williams Park and outside her restaurant.”   

    Whaley has said her goal is to get the city and county to create an area where the homeless are allowed to sleep overnight and get wraparound services. She also wanted to raise awareness about the problem downtown.

    Whaley’s one of the first people to file a lawsuit in Florida under the new state law.

    Attorney Kinne did not respond to a request for an interview. The city has a policy of not commenting on lawsuits. A court hearing on the matter has not yet been scheduled.

    Josh Rojas

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  • Foster parents Aaron and Jolene Slavik adopt five children

    PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — A Pasco County couple has adopted five children over the past three years. Jolene and Aaron Slavik adopted the children after taking in dozens of foster children. 

    The first child the couple adopted was a boy who they had taken in as a foster child.

    The adoption was finalized in 2022. That boy is now 14-years-old. Then, they adopted three young siblings in 2023. Finally, they adopted a little girl in 2024.

    “Then I said there is no more room in the inn, and we are done,” Aaron said with a smile and a laugh.

    What You Need To Know

    • Aaron and Jolene Slavik have been foster parents to dozens of children

    • Their two biological children encouraged the foster home idea

    • The couple decided to start adopting foster children several years ago

    • The Slaviks stay very busy caring for the special needs of their five adopted children


    The couple has a very busy schedule keeping up with the special needs of the children. The children have various physical and other issues that require trips to specialists. Aaron says he keeps up with all the appointments by using an online calendar.

    “I haven’t been bored in seven years. I don’t remember what that’s like anymore,” said Aaron.

    The Slaviks try to keep a very structured environment in their home. That includes special exercises for the children.

    “We do occupational therapy with our children to help regulate their system,” said Jolene. “We have learned through our OT (occupational therapist) to do different exercises that get all their large motor skills going to regulate their systems. Because if the children are dysregulated when they go to school today their brain is not going to be set to learn,” she said.

    The Slaviks have pictures of many of their former foster children on a wall along the stairs leading to the second floor. One of the reasons they chose to adopt was because of the heartbreak of the foster children leaving their home.

    “All of our foster kids we considered ours as well, said Aaron. “And we loved them like they were ours. We never went on a vacation without them.”

    Jolene said it was a special moment when adoptions were finalized. “Once you are told they are yours it’s like your heart just explodes.”

    The couple’s two biological children were 11 and 14-years-old when they started fostering children. They encouraged their parents to take in foster children and then to adopt.

    “And because they came to us and asked us, it became a family ministry for us,” said Jolene. The biological children are now adults. “Our daughter does their hair, and our son comes and brings them to the park or brings them to Disney.”

    “We have looked at this like it was a higher calling for us,” said Aaron. “It was something I never planned on. I planned on two kids and being done. But it’s kind of that old phrase,” he said. “Man makes plans and God laughs.”

    Rick Elmhorst

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  • Aviation group looks for would-be pilots at Girls in Aviation event

    TAMPA, Fla. — The office view is a little different if you’re a pilot.

    What You Need To Know

    • 11th Girls in Aviation, courtesy of Women in Aviation, this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

    • Location: Tampa International Airport’s Sheltair, 4751 Jim Walter Blvd., Tampa

    • Free event, but registration is required here


    Victoria Jones used to be a salesperson for the banking industry in a building.

    Now she’s a flight instructor at Peter O. Knight Airport on Davis Islands in Tampa, and a leader at the Women in Aviation organization.

    “I used to travel a lot for my job, so every time I got on an airplane, I would peek inside the cockpit,” Jones said. “I’d just see all the buttons and switches and just thought, ‘I wonder how hard that would be.’”

    So she took what’s called a discovery flight with a flight instructor.

    “You get to have your hands on the controls and fly around. I loved that feeling. And I haven’t looked back ever since,” said Jones.

    One of the planes she flies is the Skyhawk Cessna 172.

    Jones follows a pre-flight checklist on the tarmac before taking to the skies, inspecting wings and lights.

    Was she ever nervous about all this?

    “Yes, it just takes repetition,” she said. “Checking the plane’s oil.”

    It’s all good.

    What’s not good?

    There aren’t many female pilots around.

    “Six percent of pilots in the U.S. are female. So, in the state of Florida, there are only a few thousand female pilots,” said Jones.

    This weekend’s event, “Girls in Aviation,” puts young women inside the planes.

    Everyone is welcome, especially those who may not have been exposed to this kind of opportunity in this kind of field.

    And Jones is making a difference.

    “It’s very exciting; each year we have more young women — and women of all ages — that are getting involved in aviation,” said Jones.

    Tickets are free, but signing up for “Girls in Aviation Day 2025” is mandatory.


    Virginia Johnson

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  • No. 5 Miami rolls past No. 18 USF, 49-12

    By  TIM REYNOLDS

    MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — The last team that started a season with three consecutive wins over AP-ranked opponents was Miami in 1987.

    And the Hurricanes made sure that didn’t change.

    Carson Beck threw three touchdown passes, Mark Fletcher Jr. rushed for 120 yards and two touchdowns, and No. 5 Miami remained unbeaten with a 49-12 win over No. 18 USF on Saturday.

    It was Miami’s biggest victory margin over a ranked opponent since beating Washington 65-7 in 2001, the Hurricanes’ most recent national championship season. And it denied USF (2-1) the chance at a third straight ranked win to start this season, following victories over Boise State and Florida.

    “There was a lot of motivation going into this thing, besides the fact that they were a ranked football team because I have a lot of respect for their coaches and their players,” Miami coach Mario Cristobal said. “This was an in-state game. And those games, you have to play your very best.”

    The Hurricanes are 6-0 since the start of last season against in-state opponents, winning those games by an average of 34.5 points.

    Beck completed 23 of 28 passes for 340 yards and ran for a touchdown for Miami (3-0). Fletcher had a two-TD game for the second consecutive week and Joshua Moore had two first-quarter scoring catches.

    “The young man’s lost three games in his college career,” USF coach Alex Golesh said of Beck, a Georgia transfer. “He’s tough. He’s gritty. I thought he was super accurate tonight. … I think that young man’s really, really good.”

    Byrum Brown completed 20 of 36 passes for 274 yards and a touchdown for USF. Brown threw an interception late in the first half, ending his school-record streak of 252 passes without being picked off.

    Christian Neptune had a 12-yard touchdown catch for the Bulls, who got 128 yards on four catches from Chas Nimrod. USF had four passes go for more than 25 yards, including 53- and 43-yarders to Nimrod.

    The game was delayed for 1 hour, 41 minutes in the first half because of severe weather in the area. It ended just shy of five hours after kickoff.

    “We certainly didn’t execute like we have been,” Golesh said. “Just didn’t look like us.”

    The takeaway

    South Florida: USF led Miami 15-14 with 2 minutes left in the half of their game last year. Miami outscored the Bulls 36-0 the rest of the way in that game — and was up 28-6 with 2 minutes left in the half this year. Add it up, and USF was outscored 64-6 by the Hurricanes over 60 minutes of play.

    Miami: The game was essentially sealed when the Hurricanes’ Rueben Bain Jr. stopped Brown on a fourth-and-3 carry from the Miami 9 late in the third quarter, with the hosts leading 28-6. Miami needed only six plays to go 91 yards; Beck had three passes for 64 yards on the drive and Fletcher capped it with a 13-yard TD run.

    Up next

    South Florida: Hosts South Carolina State next Saturday.

    Miami: Hosts Florida next Saturday.

    Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

    Associated Press

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  • LSU intercepts 5 of DJ Lagway’s passes in 20-10 victory

    By  BRETT MARTEL

    BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Garrett Nussmeier threw for 220 yards and a touchdown, Dashawn Spears returned one of his first two career interceptions 58 yards for a touchdown and No. 3 LSU beat Florida 20-10 on Saturday night.

    After the ejection of LSU preseason AP All-America linebacker Whit Weeks for a targeting penalty in the game’s opening minutes, the Tigers (3-0, 1-0 Southeastern Conference) intercepted five of Florida quarterback DJ Lagway’s passes and sacked him three times.

    Lagway’s career high in interceptions came in what was widely seen as a pivotal bounce-back game for the Gators (1-2, 0-1) and fourth-year coach Billy Napier after a surprising home loss to South Florida a week earlier.

    The Gators amped up the intensity more than an hour before kickoff when many of them jogged or walked a lap around the entire field — a route that took them near the tunnel to the LSU locker room.

    As Florida players stared down hecklers in the LSU student section, several Tigers players warming up in the area began shouting as well as they advanced toward the Gators. Shoving ensued, and as officials and uniformed officers on the field diffused the standoff, an official threw a “sideline warning” flag.

    After kickoff, the game was hard fought, with defenders hitting hard and offensive linemen vigorously finishing blocks — including one by LSU lineman Weston Davis that wiped out Tigers coach Brian Kelly along the sideline. Kelly was uninjured.

    But both offenses stumbled.

    LSU, which had starting center Braelen Moore back in the lineup after an ankle injury last week, gained just 96 yards rushing (with 51 coming on a late run by Caden Durham) and punted seven times. Nussmeier also was intercepted on a risky throw back across the middle that infuriated Kelly.

    Florida, which punted five times, finished with 366 total yards to LSU’s 316. Lagway finished 33 of 49 for 287 yards and one TD passing.

    Nussmeier’s 23-yard scoring pass to Zavion Thomas gave LSU a 10-3 lead in the second quarter.

    Florida responded with Lagway’s floating 10-yard pass to Aiden Mizell as he crossed the back of the end zone in tight coverage from Tamarcus Cooley, who disgustedly kicked the ball after the play, drawing an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

    Lagway’s second turnover was AJ Haulcy’s interception that set up Damian Ramos’ 45-yard field goal, giving LSU a 13-10 lead as time expired in the first half.

    Spears’ second interception and long return put LSU up 20-10. And after Cooley redeemed himself with an interception of Lagway’s pass in the end zone with less than seven minutes remaining, cornerback DJ Pickett had an interception to end Florida’s final possession.

    The takeaway

    Florida: The Gators’ evident intensity and effort was canceled out by turnovers and other mistakes, including an offensive holding call that nullified an 87-yard touchdown pass to Jadan Baugh in the first half.

    LSU: The defense has been good enough to compensate for an offense that has been inconsistent and less explosive than expected with the experienced Nussmeier — a preseason Heisman Trophy favorite who passed for 4,052 yards last season — under center.

    Up next

    Florida: At Miami next Saturday.

    LSU: Hosts Southeastern Louisiana next Saturday.

    ___

    Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

    Associated Press

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  • LSU intercepts 5 of DJ Lagway’s passes in 20-10 victory

    By  BRETT MARTEL

    BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Garrett Nussmeier threw for 220 yards and a touchdown, Dashawn Spears returned one of his first two career interceptions 58 yards for a touchdown and No. 3 LSU beat Florida 20-10 on Saturday night.

    After the ejection of LSU preseason AP All-America linebacker Whit Weeks for a targeting penalty in the game’s opening minutes, the Tigers (3-0, 1-0 Southeastern Conference) intercepted five of Florida quarterback DJ Lagway’s passes and sacked him three times.

    Lagway’s career high in interceptions came in what was widely seen as a pivotal bounce-back game for the Gators (1-2, 0-1) and fourth-year coach Billy Napier after a surprising home loss to South Florida a week earlier.

    The Gators amped up the intensity more than an hour before kickoff when many of them jogged or walked a lap around the entire field — a route that took them near the tunnel to the LSU locker room.

    As Florida players stared down hecklers in the LSU student section, several Tigers players warming up in the area began shouting as well as they advanced toward the Gators. Shoving ensued, and as officials and uniformed officers on the field diffused the standoff, an official threw a “sideline warning” flag.

    After kickoff, the game was hard fought, with defenders hitting hard and offensive linemen vigorously finishing blocks — including one by LSU lineman Weston Davis that wiped out Tigers coach Brian Kelly along the sideline. Kelly was uninjured.

    But both offenses stumbled.

    LSU, which had starting center Braelen Moore back in the lineup after an ankle injury last week, gained just 96 yards rushing (with 51 coming on a late run by Caden Durham) and punted seven times. Nussmeier also was intercepted on a risky throw back across the middle that infuriated Kelly.

    Florida, which punted five times, finished with 366 total yards to LSU’s 316. Lagway finished 33 of 49 for 287 yards and one TD passing.

    Nussmeier’s 23-yard scoring pass to Zavion Thomas gave LSU a 10-3 lead in the second quarter.

    Florida responded with Lagway’s floating 10-yard pass to Aiden Mizell as he crossed the back of the end zone in tight coverage from Tamarcus Cooley, who disgustedly kicked the ball after the play, drawing an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

    Lagway’s second turnover was AJ Haulcy’s interception that set up Damian Ramos’ 45-yard field goal, giving LSU a 13-10 lead as time expired in the first half.

    Spears’ second interception and long return put LSU up 20-10. And after Cooley redeemed himself with an interception of Lagway’s pass in the end zone with less than seven minutes remaining, cornerback DJ Pickett had an interception to end Florida’s final possession.

    The takeaway

    Florida: The Gators’ evident intensity and effort was canceled out by turnovers and other mistakes, including an offensive holding call that nullified an 87-yard touchdown pass to Jadan Baugh in the first half.

    LSU: The defense has been good enough to compensate for an offense that has been inconsistent and less explosive than expected with the experienced Nussmeier — a preseason Heisman Trophy favorite who passed for 4,052 yards last season — under center.

    Up next

    Florida: At Miami next Saturday.

    LSU: Hosts Southeastern Louisiana next Saturday.

    ___

    Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

    Associated Press

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  • SpaceX, Northrop Grumman launch supplies to ISS

    CAPE CANAVERAL SPACE FORCE STATION — SpaceX launched Northrop Grumman’s latest cargo craft to the International Space Station on Sunday night, which is filled with more than 11,000 pounds of supplies and scientific equipment.

    What You Need To Know

    • The NG-23 mission was the fourth one for SpaceX’s Falcon 9 first-stage booster B1094
    • The Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus XL cargo spacecraft is named in honor of the late NASA astronaut William “Willie” C. McCool
    • Learn more about the various equipment being launch

    SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket took off from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, stated the California-based company.

    The launch happened at 6:11 p.m. ET. The launch window was from 6:02 p.m. ET to 6:22 p.m. ET. That means SpaceX had during that timeframe to launch the mission.

    Taking a trip to the ISS

    The NG-23 mission was the fourth one for SpaceX’s Falcon 9 first-stage booster B1094.

    This booster has flown two crewed missions.

    Once the first-stage separation was completed, the first-stage booster landed at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Landing Zone 2.

    About the mission

    This will be the first mission for the solar-powered Cygnus XL cargo spacecraft, according to Northrop Grumman.

    The pressurized craft will be delivering more than 11,000 pounds (5,000 kilograms) of supplies and scientific equipment to the International Space Station.

    This craft has a storage capacity that is larger than other versions of itself, stated Northrop Grumman.

    “Following arrival, astronauts aboard the space station will use the Canadarm2 to grapple Cygnus XL on Wednesday, Sept. 17, before robotically installing the spacecraft to the Unity module’s Earth-facing port for cargo unloading,” NASA explained.

    Northrop Grumman has named the NG-23 Cygnus spacecraft in honor of NASA astronaut William “Willie” C. McCool, who died while piloting the space shuttle Columbia during its final mission in 2003.

    Some of the supplies, hardware and scientific equipment being sent up are, according to NASA:

    “IDA Planar Reflector — This is a reflective element used by visiting spacecraft during docking. The spacecraft bounces a laser off the reflector to compute relative range, velocity, and attitude on approach to the International Space Station.”

    “Urine Processing Assembly (UPA) Distillation Assembly — The urine processor on the space station uses filtration and distillation to separate water from wastewater to produce potable water. This unit is launching as a spare.”

    “Air Selector Valve — This electro-mechanical assembly is used to direct airflow through the Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly. Two units are launching as spares.”

    “Quick Don Mask Assembly — This mask is used by the crew, along with the Pre-Breath Assembly, in emergency situations. This unit is launching to replace a unit aboard station.”

    Learn more about what is being sent up here.

    The spacecraft will be docked to the International Space Station until March of 2026, when it will be filled with trash and undocked, where it will meet its end when it burns up in Earth’s atmosphere during re-entry, stated NASA during a teleconference on Friday. 

    Anthony Leone

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  • No. 5 Miami rolls past No. 18 USF, 49-12

    By  TIM REYNOLDS

    MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — The last team that started a season with three consecutive wins over AP-ranked opponents was Miami in 1987.

    And the Hurricanes made sure that didn’t change.

    Carson Beck threw three touchdown passes, Mark Fletcher Jr. rushed for 120 yards and two touchdowns, and No. 5 Miami remained unbeaten with a 49-12 win over No. 18 USF on Saturday.

    It was Miami’s biggest victory margin over a ranked opponent since beating Washington 65-7 in 2001, the Hurricanes’ most recent national championship season. And it denied USF (2-1) the chance at a third straight ranked win to start this season, following victories over Boise State and Florida.

    “There was a lot of motivation going into this thing, besides the fact that they were a ranked football team because I have a lot of respect for their coaches and their players,” Miami coach Mario Cristobal said. “This was an in-state game. And those games, you have to play your very best.”

    The Hurricanes are 6-0 since the start of last season against in-state opponents, winning those games by an average of 34.5 points.

    Beck completed 23 of 28 passes for 340 yards and ran for a touchdown for Miami (3-0). Fletcher had a two-TD game for the second consecutive week and Joshua Moore had two first-quarter scoring catches.

    “The young man’s lost three games in his college career,” USF coach Alex Golesh said of Beck, a Georgia transfer. “He’s tough. He’s gritty. I thought he was super accurate tonight. … I think that young man’s really, really good.”

    Byrum Brown completed 20 of 36 passes for 274 yards and a touchdown for USF. Brown threw an interception late in the first half, ending his school-record streak of 252 passes without being picked off.

    Christian Neptune had a 12-yard touchdown catch for the Bulls, who got 128 yards on four catches from Chas Nimrod. USF had four passes go for more than 25 yards, including 53- and 43-yarders to Nimrod.

    The game was delayed for 1 hour, 41 minutes in the first half because of severe weather in the area. It ended just shy of five hours after kickoff.

    “We certainly didn’t execute like we have been,” Golesh said. “Just didn’t look like us.”

    The takeaway

    South Florida: USF led Miami 15-14 with 2 minutes left in the half of their game last year. Miami outscored the Bulls 36-0 the rest of the way in that game — and was up 28-6 with 2 minutes left in the half this year. Add it up, and USF was outscored 64-6 by the Hurricanes over 60 minutes of play.

    Miami: The game was essentially sealed when the Hurricanes’ Rueben Bain Jr. stopped Brown on a fourth-and-3 carry from the Miami 9 late in the third quarter, with the hosts leading 28-6. Miami needed only six plays to go 91 yards; Beck had three passes for 64 yards on the drive and Fletcher capped it with a 13-yard TD run.

    Up next

    South Florida: Hosts South Carolina State next Saturday.

    Miami: Hosts Florida next Saturday.

    Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

    Associated Press

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