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  • Shane McClanahan ready to ‘enjoy the game again’ after 2 injured seasons

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    PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — There have been a ton of smiles this week at the Charlotte Sports Complex, the spring training home of the Tampa Bay Rays, as pitchers and catchers reported.

    Perhaps the brightest smile of all came from Shane McClanahan on Thursday.

    What You Need To Know

    •  Shane McClanahan is a starting pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays

    •  He has missed the last two seasons because of injury

    •  Prior to the injury, he was one of the best pitchers in baseball and a two-time All-Star

    •  McClanahan has rejoined his teammates in Port Charlotte, with pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training


    McClanahan has missed the past two full seasons because of injuries. Last spring, he could not feel his fingers in his left hand. Now, he’s throwing a baseball and doing what he loves here at spring training.

    “It’s crazy how much you miss this, just the little things like the playing catch, being around the guys, the working out and, you know, just enjoying the game again,” McClanahan said.

    After a strong rookie year, McClanahan caught fire in 2022, posting an earned run average under 2.00 in the first half of the season, and was the American League starting pitcher in the All-Star Game. In 2023, he had an 11-2 record until August, when he experienced forearm tightness. Tommy John surgery ended his season and started a long road to recovery.


    “It gives me a better appreciation for what I’ve missed,” he said. “I’ve missed the little things being in the clubhouse with the guys and the bus rides out to the fields, the plane rides, like you obviously missed playing, but you don’t realize, I think until you get it taken away from you, how special this atmosphere is.”

    McClanahan got off to a good start in last year’s spring training, but a triceps injury uncovered a nerve issue that required surgery, keeping him out.

    Now, the flame-throwing lefty is finally back. He told the media on Thursday that his arm feels good, he had a normal offseason workout program and is still being careful but is ready to get back out on the mound and in front of Rays fans.

    More Tampa Bay Rays spring training headlines


    “I mean they’re gonna see me on the mound, which is different from the past two years, but no, I think they’re still gonna see that same guy that loves this community loves this team, loves to win,” McClanahan said.

    His fellow pitchers are excited for him to play, too.

    “His presence and having that type of pitcher back in the rotation, that’s only gonna make us better, and we’re gonna try to do what we can so that he doesn’t have to take the brunt of the load and try to be the guy, the two-time All-Star that he is, and he can kinda ease himself back into it after not pitching for a while. But I’ve seen him throw a lot on TV and it’s nasty, so I’m excited to see it from the dugout,” Rays starting pitcher Ryan Pepoit said.

    McClanahan is expected to lead a revamped rotation, with Drew Rasmussen and Pepoit returning and a couple new faces in Nick Martinez and Steven Matz joining them.

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    Michael Epps

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  • SpaceX’s Falcon 9 successfully launches and lands after Crew-12 liftoff

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    CAPE CANAVERAL SPACE FORCE STATION — For the first time ever in Florida, SpaceX was able to land one of its Falcon 9 rockets just minutes after lifting off from an adjacent launch pad.

    It also means that NASA’s four Crew-12 members are on their long commute to the International Space Station.

    What You Need To Know

    • For the first time in Florida, a SpaceX rocket returned near the launch site
    • Learn more about the four astronauts as they will spend eight months on the ISS
    • They will be doing various experiments to learn more about the human body in space as well as moon-landing simulations


    During the early morning hours on Friday, NASA astronauts Cmdr. Jessica Meir and pilot Jack Hathaway, and mission specialists European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev climbed into the Falcon 9 to take off from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, according to both NASA and SpaceX.

    The instantaneous launch took place at 5:15 a.m. ET.

    The Falcon 9 jumped off the launch pad and screamed into the early morning sky as space fans cheered and then were in awe as a jellyfish was seen.

    The jellyfish effect is when the Falcon 9 rocket’s (or any rocket’s) exhaust plume grows and creates a jellyfish-like “cloud” from the exhaust that has a glowing appearance if the launch is near dawn and dusk.

    After the launch, NASA officials held a press conference, where Spectrum News asked Admin. Jared Isaacman about his thoughts on seeing the first crewed launch as the U.S. space agency’s new administrator.

    The 45th Weather Squadron gave a 90% chance of favorable launch conditions, with the only concerns being the cumulus cloud rule and flight through precipitation.

    The forecast was higher than the original 85% the squadron gave for Friday’s launch. 

    If the launch was a scrub, the next attempt would have been Sunday, Feb. 15.

    Originally, the launch was set for Wednesday at 6:01 a.m. ET and then it was pushed to 5:38 a.m. ET, Thursday, until finally settled on Friday.

    The reason for this was due to the upper-level winds.

    The commute to the ISS and a historical landing

    This is the first crewed launch of 2026 and SpaceX’s Dragon capsule called Freedom was moving around 17,500 mph (28,164 kph) as it went into the black of space.

    Freedom has had an impressive resume, having been used for four crewed missions.

    For the first-stage Falcon 9 rocket booster B1101, this will be its second mission. Its first mission was last month and it was the first launch of 2026: Starlink 6-88 mission.

    And it will be a long commute to work for them. The astronauts are expected to arrive at the International Space Station at around 3:15 p.m. ET on Valentine’s Day.

    And this was a historical landing for the Sunshine State. Because the Crew-12 mission has four people onboard, the first-stage booster must land at the brand new Landing Zone 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, which is adjacent to the launch pad at Space Launch Complex 40, as seen in this embedded Facebook post.

    A sonic boom cracked across the early morning sky as the Falcon 9 rocket came down for a landing.

    Landing Zone 40 is at the top right of the photo.  

    SpaceX’s lease on Landing Zone 1 and 2, located at Space Launch Complex (SLC) 13 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS) ended in July 2025, after the Space Launch Delta (SLD) 45 decided to allow new, incoming Commercial Launch Service Providers (CLPS), to perform launch operations out at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station under their new Launch Pad Allocation Strategy (LPAS).

    Back in May 2023, Space Launch Delta 45 issued a press release, stating that Space Launch Complex (SLC) 15 would go to ABL Space Systems, SLC 14 to Stoke Space, and SLC 13 to Phantom Space and Vaya Space.

    The relocation of landing zone 1 & 2 from SLC 13 to Landing Zone 40 at SLC 40 allows SpaceX the opportunity to process and refurbish the returned flight proven Falcon 9 booster quicker to keep pace with their launch manifest. The move also maximizes the launch capacity along the Eastern Range, but also minimizing the impacts that CLSPs create for other CLSPs or government programs across CCSFS, because instead of the Falcon booster landing 7 miles to the south, it now returns only 1,000 feet away from where it launched from.

    “Commercial Launch Service Providers with landing operations can submit a request to SLD 45 for consideration of landing capability at their complex, which will then go through an extensive evaluation process” said Erin White, Delta planning specialist, stated in a press release in 2023.  “Requests for landing operations will be evaluated for safety implications and their impacts to other programs on CCSFS.”

    So, going forward, crewed SpaceX launches in Florida will see the first-stage rocket returning on a landing pad near the launch site, which does not pose a higher safety risk. 

    However, Landing Zone 2 will still be available for Falcon Heavy launches. Since a Falcon Heavy has three boosters, one would go on a droneship (or be expended), the next one would land on Landing Zone 40 and the third would land on Landing Zone 2, since each landing zone can only handle one booster at a time.

    Understanding the Crew-12 mission

    The quartet is not going to the International Space Station empty-handed and checking out the views of Earth from space.

    They will be busy little beavers as they conduct medical experiments during their eight-month stay.

    “The experiments, led by NASA’s Human Research Program, include astronauts performing ultrasounds of their blood vessels to study altered circulation and completing simulated lunar landings to assess disorientation during gravitational transitions, among other tasks,” NASA stated.

    NASA Public Affairs specialist Steven Siceloff shared about some of the experiments that the Crew-12 will be doing. 

    Another experiment is called Venous Flow, which will look at how time on the floating laboratory may increase the chance of astronauts developing blood clots.

    “In weightlessness, blood and other bodily fluids can move toward the head, potentially altering circulation. Any resulting blood clots could pose serious health risks, including strokes,” the U.S. space agency explained.

    For the experiment, the astronauts will undergo preflight and postflight MRIs, ultrasound scans, blood draws and blood pressure readings so scientists can compare the findings.

    But it is not all medical experiments. During the Manual Piloting study, certain crew members will conduct simulated moon landings before, during and after this mission.

    “Designed to assess their piloting and decision-making skills, participants attempt to fly a virtual spacecraft toward the lunar South Pole region — the same area future Artemis crews plan to explore,” NASA explained.

    Other experiments will be conducted.

    Meet Crew-12

    Crew-12 will not have a traditional welcome

    Usually, a crewed mission will have a welcome party, where the previous mission (in this case, Crew-11), welcomes the new arrivals.

    Pleasantries and workload are exchanged during this transition. 

    However, Crew-11 was cut short after one of its members suffered a medical episode.

    The crewmember has not been named and his or her medical issue was not disclosed.

    The event happened days before a planned spacewalk for NASA astronauts Cmdr. Zena Cardman and pilot Michael Fincke.

    NASA officials decided to cut the mission short and return Cardman, Fincke and mission specialists Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Kimiya Yui and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov to Earth.

    It was the first medical evacuation in the space station’s 25 years of full service. Originally, the mission was going to end in February.

    NASA officials stressed that the person was in stable condition and the four Crew-11 members appeared together in a press conference nearly a week after returning to Earth in a splashdown.

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  • Ohio elementary student brings cursive back to class

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    COLUMBUS, Ohio — It’s a skill many adults learned in school, but for some younger students today, it can feel almost foreign — because it isn’t as commonly taught in classrooms anymore.

    What You Need To Know

    • A fourth grader at West Mound Elementary started a cursive club to teach classmates a skill that’s become less common in schools

    • Educators say increased technology and computer-based testing have reduced time spent on handwritten skills like cursive

    • Teachers say cursive still plays an important role in everyday life, especially for tasks like signing documents

    That’s not the case for fourth grader E’lon Hamilton at West Mound Elementary School in Columbus. Cursive comes so naturally to him that he’s now teaching it to others.

    “I got it (cursive) from my parents. I used it on occasions when I needed to, like when I was writing something very important,” Hamilton said.

    Once a week during lunch at West Mound Elementary School in Columbus, Hamilton runs a cursive club he started himself. He gives tips, demonstrates letters, and watches closely as his classmates practice.

    “Because I wanted not just myself to know cursive. I want other people to know cursive as well. A lot of other people,” Hamilton said.

    For many of the kids in the club, cursive is a handwriting skill they might not have learned otherwise.

    “At the club, I think I’m a little bit good. Like, like connecting them is kind of, like, hard to not let go,” said club member Diana Oitiz.

    Educators say cursive has become less common as priorities in schools have shifted.

    “We have a lot of tests now that are on the computers that need to learn how to use the keyboards. So I can see that technology is probably taking over a lot of the handwritten things,” said Margaret Brown, principal of West Mound Elementary School.

    Still, educators say cursive can matter — not just for school, but for everyday life.

    “You have to sign a check. Right? You gotta pay your bills. You have to do this in your signature, in cursive. So at least being able to sign your name in cursive is important for us,” Brown said.

    When asked his favorite word to write in cursive, Hamilton didn’t just choose a word; he shared a message.

    “Happiness. I want everybody to be happy in this class. What I want, like, is the more we learn teamwork, the more we get along with each other, the more we make friends. Happiness is key. Teamwork is key,” Hamilton said.

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    Aliah Keller

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  • Nonprofit gifts flower bouquets to widows, widowers on Valentine’s Day

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Charlotte-area nonprofit is brightening Valentine’s Day for those who lost their significant other. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Watch Love Grow plans to gift 2,000 flower bouquets and gift bags to widows and widowers this Valentine’s Day

    • Ashley Manning in Charlotte started this program in 2021 with 125 recipients, and this initiative has grown ever since 

    • Around 1,500 volunteers participated over the course of three days to get the bouquets and gift bags ready

    • Widow Lauren DiFrank is one of the volunteers at the event who is participating after receiving two bouquets from the program in the past


    Watch Love Grow is delivering free bouquets and goodie bags to widows and widowers in our state and beyond.

    Ashley Manning is the founder of Watch Love Grow. Manning, who is also a flower shop owner, started this effort in 2021 after she made a bouquet for her son’s preschool teacher who was grieving the loss of her husband.

    “She just looked at me and she said something along the lines of ‘this meant more than you’ll ever know, like you seeing me and seeing my pain,’” Manning said. 

    Lauren DiFrank is one of the dozens of volunteers who participated in the initiative this year, creating arrangements for widows and widowers at a Charlotte church Friday.

    “You have no idea where this widow is on that journey. And so even the first year or the 15th year without their husband, this just makes such an impact, knowing that they’re not forgotten and just helps bring their spirits up,” DiFrank said. 

    The program has been a blessing to DiFrank, who lost her husband Rob to cancer in 2023. 

    “Valentine’s was always a big deal for my husband and I, but it’s definitely one where you’re seeing a lot of couples together. It’s tugging at emotionally,” DiFrank said.

    They met in a cancer survivorship program in 2016, and both were cancer survivors at the time. 

    “We fell in love pretty instantly, and we got married a couple years later. We have a 6-year-old son who is and looks just like him,” DiFrank said. 

    She received a bouquet from Watch Love Grow two years in a row after his passing. 

    “I came home and saw this beautiful bouquet at my doorstep, just really meant a lot that other people in my life saw the need to nominate me, and I was able to receive flowers on Valentine’s Day,” DiFrank said. 

    According to Manning, the first year, the effort had 125 recipients. 

    “The first three years we worked out of my house, my driveway. It was beautiful. It was so beautiful,” Manning said. 

    This year, 2,000 recipients are expected to receive bouquets and gift bags with the help of donations and nearly 1,500 volunteers.

    They’ll go to people in Charlotte, Denver (N.C.), Winston-Salem, Raleigh and eight other locations in other states.

    “Can you believe how much it’s grown? It’s been such a blessing to me,” Manning told the crowd before they prayed and kicked off the volunteering opportunity. 

    She also said this initiative has taught her a lot.

    “Pain is real and we all have pain in our lives. And just looking at somebody and saying, like, I see your pain and like you’re not forgotten today. It’s just such a beautiful blessing to them,” Manning said. 

    At the volunteering event, widows were recognized with boutonnieres — a symbol prompting connection.

    “It’s so nice to know that they’re just people willing to just give you a hug and just know that that’s making you feel extra special today. Making connections with people who are here and hearing their stories as to why they’re here,” DiFrank said. 

    This Valentine’s Day blessing has not only helped the heartbroken, but Manning too. 

    “It has sustained me through really hard times. I’ve been through a lot in the last six years, and the same people that we served have come and served me,” Manning said. 

    DiFrank said she’s participating in the event as a way to give back. She plans to spend Valentine’s Day with her son. 

    The bouquets and gift bags for this Valentine’s Day Widow Outreach Project are prepared over the course of three days. It culminates with volunteers delivering the boxes with flowers and gift bags Saturday. 

    The group is also now gifting bouquets on Mother’s Day to mothers who lost a child.

    Follow us on Instagram at spectrumnews1nc for news and other happenings across North Carolina.

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    Estephany Escobar

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  • Businesses accepting bitcoin surge across North Carolina

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Cash, cards and now crypto. Using bitcoin to pay for a slice of pizza or a trip to the barber is becoming easier across North Carolina as more businesses begin to accept the digital currency.

    What You Need To Know

    •  A new feature from Square now allows millions of businesses to accept bitcoin as payment 

    •  There are more than 400 businesses in North Carolina that take bitcoin as payment

    •  The Great Wagon Road Distillery is one of roughly 90 businesses in Charlotte that accept bitcoin 


    According to BTC Map, a dashboard that tracks merchants accepting bitcoin, verified bitcoin businesses are already up more than 50% over the past year.

    The surge is in part to a new feature recently rolled out by Square that allows millions of businesses to take bitcoin payments at the tap of a button.

    For owner Oliver Mulligan, the feature also allows his business to reach new clients. Mulligan owns the Great Wagon Road Distilling Company, one of the oldest distilleries in Mecklenburg County.

    “We were the first people in Mecklenburg County to get a distillation permit, and we were the first company in the state to have its own cocktail bar,” Mulligan said.

    But if you ask Mulligan, creating a distillery from scratch didn’t just come on a whim.

    “My grandfather was arrested for making moonshine in Ireland, so myself and a buddy of mine decided I did enough of the engineering business, and we decided to open a distillery together,” Mulligan said.

    Thirteen years later, the distillery is still paving the way, pouring whiskey, vodka and accepting bitcoin.

    “I knew about bitcoin from my engineering days. And actually there was a bar in Dublin maybe 15 years ago that was taking bitcoin. So I thought, ‘this is interesting.’ So I said, ‘well let’s go, let’s give it a go,’” Mulligan said.

    Bitcoin can sound complicated, but at the distillery, Mulligan says it’s simple.

    “We process the payment through this little terminal and then we convert it to cash so we can pay our staff and pay our taxes at the end of the night,” Mulligan said.

    Bitcoin is digital currency that can be bought and traded online that does not involve a bank.

    “It’s a sound monetary instrument that allows people to take what they’ve earned while they’re working and hold onto it and not have it changed through inflation,” said Maxx Mannheimer, a bitcoin consultant with Sovereign Bitcoin Consulting.

    At the distillery, the cryptocurrency is also simple to use. Through Square, customers scan a QR code with their phone and the payment goes through in seconds.

    Mannheimer says it’s a win-win for customers and business owners.

    “When you pay for it, it’s the same to the business. They receive it in whatever currency they want. They get to reduce their fees through credit cards because credit cards are charging 3%, and bitcoin charges significantly less than that,” Mannheimer said.

    The Great Wagon Road Distillery is part of roughly 90 other businesses across Charlotte that take bitcoin as payment, a trend that Mannheimer says is not going anywhere anytime soon.

    “It’s gone from almost absolute obscurity into something that’s incredibly important. I think that trend will continue, everything’s going digital. That trend is not reversing,” Mannheimer said.

    For Mulligan, he says accepting digital dollars has brought new customers and conversations.

    “It is growing, which is good, and I think it’s worth the risk. And you know what? It’s kind of fun, because we hold on to the bitcoin, convert it to cash and pay our staff and our taxes and it’s fun to log in every now and again and see how it’s going,” Mulligan said.

    Right now, Mulligan says bitcoin only makes up a small part of the distillery’s sales but believes adding digital dollars to the mix is only the beginning.

    “As the old saying goes, the tide lifts all boats. So the more places that begin to take bitcoin, we’ll just see the whole industry grow,” Mulligan said.

    According to Bitbo, there are over 106 million people who own bitcoin and over 400 businesses that accept the currency across North Carolina.

    Follow us on Instagram at spectrumnews1nc for news and other happenings across North Carolina.

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    Claudia Puente

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  • Tropicana Field will be ready for Rays home opener, city says

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    TAMPA — In less than two months, Tampa Bay Rays fans will be back inside Tropicana Field for the first time since Hurricane Milton ripped off the roof and damaged the inside. Spectrum News was given a final look inside ahead of the home opener.

    What You Need To Know

    • Tropicana Field was heavily damaged during Hurricane Milton in October 2024 

    • Since then, crews have replaced roof and gutted any areas where water intruded

    • St. Petersburg’s city council approved $59.7 million for the project

    • City officials maintain the Trop will be open for the Rays home opener on April 6


    Work has been underway for more than a year to bring baseball back to the Trop. Crews have racked up an impressive quarter million man hours replacing the roof and gutting and repairing areas where water came in.

    City of St. Petersburg officials say they’re on track to open on time and remain within their nearly $60 million budget.

    “Once the roof came back on, it really was warp speed with all the drywall, all the finishes, the paint. Even just remediating anything that had gotten wet over the last few months, getting all that out,” said Beth Herendeen with the City of St Petersburg.

    On Friday, city officials celebrated lots of construction milestones. The new net has been hung, data and fiber cable have been laid, and audio is in. And with crews finishing up work on the new $1.3 million artificial turf, Tropicana Field is starting to look like a baseball stadium again. 

    By the end of the month, crews will have the field stripped, allowing the new lights to be aimed at the refurbished diamond.

    More Tampa Bay Rays spring training headlines


    Meantime, air quality tests are underway to ensure that the facility is safe for fans to return.

    “Some things are minor, some things are major, but those areas that did get water intrusion really did get a significant amount of water intrusion,” Herendeen said.

    While construction continues, city officials confirm FEMA has approved $16.5 million in reimbursements for their work on the Trop. The city’s insurance is paying out another $10.8 million, and the city is expecting $2.7 million more from the state when it’s all said and done. But there is much work left to do.

    “We’re going to be putting the outfield padding, there’s a lot of drywall, lot of carpet replacement, the locker rooms for both the home and visiting teams remains to be done. We have those materials on site and are getting started. But a lot of it is just buttoning up the little things that need to be done,” said Catherine Corcoran, senior capital projects coordinator with the City of St. Petersburg.

    There may be paintbrushes out touching up early the morning of the home opener, but officials stress they will be ready.

    The Rays are set to take on the Chicago Cubs on April 6. The cheapest ticket, as of Feb. 13, will run you $80.

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    Andy Cole

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  • NASA, SpaceX defy superstitions with successful launch on Friday the 13th

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    TEXAS — For those who are superstitious, Friday the 13th may seem like an unlucky day. But for Texas-based company SpaceX and NASA, it’s quite the opposite. The two organizations’ joint launch went on without a hitch. 

    “I understand it’s the first time NASA has ever launched on Friday the 13th, so, pretty amazing times. Really appreciate all the hard work between NASA and SpaceX and on the Crew-12,” said Steve Stich, program manager for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.

    Friday morning, four crew members of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 mission successfully launched. Astronauts took off from Space Launch Complex 40 in Florida for a science expedition aboard the International Space Station.

    “It was just wonderful to see everything in motion, felt very privileged to be here alongside an extraordinary team preparing for an excellent mission like Crew-12,” said Jared Isaacman, a NASA administrator. 

    The crews up in space will conduct a variety of science experiments aimed at advancing research and technology for missions to the moon and Mars.

    “We are going to get our highest potential science and research up there with the aim of cracking the code and igniting an orbital economy,” said Isaacman.

    Astronauts will aim to understand and overcome the challenges of long-duration spaceflight and to expand commercial opportunities in low-Earth orbit.

    “What we may find, what we could learn, which could have meaningful benefit back here on Earth,” said Isaacman.

    Crew-12’s Freedom spacecraft will spend approximately 34 hours traveling to the International Space Station, according to NASA. It’s expected to dock on Valentine’s Day. 

    “Looking forward to docking. Hope our teams get some rest today,” said Stich.

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    Barbara Fox

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  • Palmetto hosts 3-day Multicultural Festival

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    PALMETTO, Fla. — The city of Palmetto is hosting its 2026 Multicultural Festival. The event will run from Friday, Feb. 13 through Sunday Feb. 15, with the main festival happening on Saturday Feb. 14.

    The festival is a free event “designed to celebrate the cultures that thrive in Palmetto and Manatee County,” according to organizers.

    Friday: Battle of the Bands, 6-10 p.m., Lincoln Park

    Saturday: Festival, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Lincoln Park

    Sunday: Community Prayer Brunch, 2-4 p.m., Palmetto Boys and Girls Club

    The festival will feature live music performances, including celebrity artist Glenn Jones. Organizers are also promising international food and family-friendly activities.

    “Fun, food, music, the arts, great poetry,” said Xtavia Bailey, leader organizer for the festival, when asked what people could expect.

    Bailey told Spectrum Bay News 9 that last year’s event drew 1,800 people. She is expecting more people to attend this year.

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    Jeff Butera

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  • AI helping more medical offices improve patient interaction

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    TAMPA, Fla. — A new part of a doctor’s greeting with a patient now involves a bit of a new explanation. 

    More medical offices are implementing the use of artificial intelligence to summarize patient visits to help reduce documentation, time, and improve patient interactions. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Orlando Health interventional cardiologist confirmed AI use has immensely helped office efficiency and understanding from patients of their current state of health

    • Dr. Jesal Popat, cardiologist at Orlando Health, said the AI app used is HIPPA compliant, and patients are told and asked for their consent before it is used for information
    • Some patients have been hesitant about AI use in professional, medical settings, but Popat said after understanding how it works that almost all patients in his office are on board 

    “We are using artificial intelligence today in the office,” said Dr. Jesal Popat, an Interventional Cardiologist with Orlando Health.

    Popat said his office at Orlando Health has begun to use AI to summarize his visits with patient, like Maureen Cravey and others. 

    Popat’s cell phone utilizes a secure application with Orlando Health to listen and understand what is said during appointments. 

    “I kind of saw it as sort of a court stenographer,” said Cravey. “Just somebody taking notes, which allowed then my provider, which of course is Dr. Popat, to stay focused on me.”

    The entire visit, Popat never looks at a computer screen or any other technology, keeping his full attention on Cravey. The two discuss her current medical heart needs and future procedures.

    When Orlando Health first launched this, Popat admits some of his clients were wary for their safety.

    Dr. Jesal Popat, an Interventional Cardiologist with Orlando Health, talks with patient Maureen Cravey. (Spectrum News/Erin Murray)

    “There was apprehension about privacy concerns and just reassuring the patients that all of the technology that we use is HIPPA compliant and health care quality grade. If it wasn’t, we would have nothing to do with it,” Popat said.

    Once the visit ended, the information gathered via AI is turned into a summary and printed out. Cravey was given the printout when she checked out. 

    On the paper it showed everything discussed including medications and doses, upcoming procedures, and any lifestyle modifications she may need to make. 

    “Since we started using AI in the office, the phone calls to our office from patients or patients’ family members has gone down by about 50%,” said Popat.

    Popat said that AI has helped in a big way with family of patients who cannot attend checkups with their loved ones, keeping ever the furthest family members up to date with instant information. 

    “It’s just a wonderful thing to be able to look at that hard copy, because it’s hard to retain everything when somebody is telling you something about your health,” said Cravey. 

    Popat said the AI recording from appointments is deleted instantly after a patient’s visit, ensuring none are saved for client privacy, and no identifiable patient information is entered into the AI application other than a person’s name. 

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    Erin Murray

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  • President Trump, first lady to visit Fort Bragg Friday

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    President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump will visit Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, North Carolina, on Friday. 

    The president will meet with military families and members of the special forces who took part in the operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a news conference Tuesday.  

    Trump is a regular visitor to North Carolina. In December, Trump visited Rocky Mount. The president visited Fort Bragg last summer for a military celebration. 

    Fort Bragg is the home of the Joint Special Operations Command. 

    Last year, the base went through controversial change. It was re-branded as Fort Liberty in 2023, going from a base that carried the name of a former Confederate soldier to Liberty instead. 

    In 2025, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signed an order to reinstating the Bragg name, but this time to honor a World War II paratrooper. 

    Trump’s trip to the base comes as early voting begins in North Carolina’s primary elections. The midterm primary is set for March 3, with a competitive U.S. Senate seat, every U.S. House seat and the entire state legislature up for election.

    President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump walk from Marine One to board Air Force One, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, at Joint Base Andrews, Md., en route to Norfolk, Va. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

     

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    Elizabeth Townsend

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  • A Saturday Valentine’s Day means dip in business for florists

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    CLEARWATER, Fla. — With Valentine’s Day falling on a Saturday is a plus for many couples, it’s not a best-case scenario for local flower shops.

    Lu Cushing, owner of Janie Beane Florist in Clearwater, said that they typically see a 20% dip in sales on the years Valentine’s Day hits on a weekend when compared to the holiday hitting on a weekday.

    While a big money-maker as the historically biggest flower-buying holiday of the year, Cushing says Feb. 14 being on a Saturday has made a difference in buying habits.

    “Men love to send flowers to work, in a place where she can enjoy them and everyone can see them,” Cushing said. “This year, we’re getting some orders for earlier in the week because they want them to last all week at the office.”

    What You Need To Know

    •  Major flower suppliers in Columbia and Ecuador are subject to tariffs

    •  Price of flowers has increased as florists find ways to keep costs down for customers 

    •  Valentine’s Day falling on Saturday is not best case scenario for florists 

    • Owner of Janie Beane Florist estimates 20% dip in sales compared to weekday Valentines Day 


    Instead of making dozens of deliveries to offices on Valentine’s Day morning, Cushing says they’ve been scattered throughout the week. There’s also more home deliveries and pickups this year set for Valentine’s Day morning.

    Overall, Cushing says, this hasn’t been the busiest Valentine’s Day in history.

    That’s on par with what she’s seen over the last few decades when the holiday hits over a weekend. Cushing is now in her 54th year at Janie Beane Florist, a shop she opened alongside her late mother.

    The flower industry has had to adjust after the U.S. imposed tariffs on imported cut flowers. More than 80% of flowers found in the U.S. are from major suppliers in Ecuador and Columbia.

    “Flowers are up more … definitely,” Cushing said. “Vases are up more.”

    Vases that used to cost Cushing roughly $6 a piece are now between $8 to $9. Cushing said she’s shifted to finding more suppliers from North America to help curb the costs.

    “We’ve adjusted,” she said.

    Cushing said she offers options for those looking for flowers on budget by offering wrapped bouquets. She will wrap the stems of flowers in a sponge and a bag so a customer can take them home and use a vase they already have.

    “I shop small business as well so its important to me that I accommodate everybody,” she said.

    What has improved over the last year, Cushing said, is predictability. Before the tariffs went into effect, she said prices would bounce and make it difficult to quote large events like weddings. Now that prices have stabilized, the shop is taking less of a hit.

    After over five decades, they also relocated to Imperial Square in Clearwater, to a family-owned plaza in a smaller more budget friendly space.

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    Angie Angers

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  • Withlacoochee River could be headed toward record low water levels this summer

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    DUNNELLON, Fla. — Conservation leaders say lakes, rivers and the aquifer in Citrus County could be headed toward record low levels by this summer.

    What You Need To Know

    • Lakes, rivers and the aquifer in Citrus County could be headed toward record low levels by this summer

    • In last month’s hydrologic report, the Southwest Florida Water Management District says current water levels along the Withlacoochee River are 2 to 3 feet lower than a year ago
    • The dip in water levels could affect businesses along the river, such as Rainbow River Canoe and Kayak
    • SWFWMD officials say they do not expect conditions to improve until the summer with some much-needed rain in the wet season


    A recent hydrologic report from the Southwest Florida Water Management District shows that current water levels along the Withlacoochee River are 2 to 3 feet lower than a year ago because of the shortfall of rain we’re seeing across the region.

    “Our shop does both a trip on the Rainbow (River), a trip on the Withlacoochee, and I always tell people, no matter what, that the confluence is the coolest spot,” Rainbow River and Kayak owner Meriah Kirk said.

    Tucked away amongst the trees in Dunnellon, you’ll come across Rainbow River Canoe and Kayak — a business that thrives on both the Rainbow and Withlacoochee rivers. But recently, something about the water is being noticed.

    “Usually they’re at least, this time of year, about up to here,” Kirk said, pointing out water lines. “They’ve been about up to here, but now even further.”

    Kirk said staff and visitors alike have noticed a dip in the river’s level.

    “We have had some people comment on the flows being lower, being a little more stagnant,” she said. “And then with the way over in the marina, the way the cove is very stagnant, we’ve had some of our boat owners there kind of comment on that.”

    Following the river south into Pasco County, Mark Fulkerson with the Southwest Florida Water Management District surveys the river.

    “Over the past three decades, we’ve had four severe droughts that hit the Withlacoochee River,” Fulkerson said. “Just in those 30 years, it’s only happened four times. But this year, just looking at the data, we’re shaping into a fifth one of those.”

    In last month’s hydrologic report, Fulkerson noted water levels are 2 to 3 feet lower than a year ago. A big change for the river and surrounding ecosystem.

    “Last year at this time, we were three months after Milton,” Fulkerson said. “The water was probably 3 feet higher than it is now. So that’s kind of the difference between last year and this year. This year, we didn’t have a Milton. We didn’t have a big, real wet season to fill things up.”

    Just looking at the surrounding trees, you’ll notice water lines from Milton are still there, showing just how low the river has become. Fulkerson said he does not expect conditions to improve until the summer with some much-needed rain in the wet season.

    “Those summer rains are going to have to materialize a lot better than what we had last year, or we’re going to go into maybe an additional year of very low water levels.”

    As for Kirk and her business, she said she remains optimistic for rainfall — even with the business’ busiest time of year, spring break, just around the corner.

    “The springs are really important, so I think it’s important to make sure we’re taking care of them and making sure we’re doing as much as we can to take care of them,” Kirk said.

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    Calvin Lewis

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  • Gamble Creek Farms offers group tours, free family seasonal events

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    PARRISH, Fla. — Just steps off the Gamble Creek Farms market in Parrish lie acres of organic food, real and certified. 

    “We grow several types of lettuces,” said farm manager Natasha Ahuja. “Gold beets, red beets, candy cane beets. We grow kale. The curly kale, black magic kale.”

    And produce like that is helped along with animals on the farm. Red wigglers, better known as worms, make worm babies and manure — called castings.

    “And it’s really, really rich in complex microbes and nutrition for plant health,” said the farm’s General Manager Zachary Rasmussen. “We actually call them the hardest workers on the farm because they work 24 hours a day, they don’t complain, and they only eat your waste.”

    The goal here is organic food helped along by nature’s super-pooping, baby-making red wigglers.

    Gamble Creek Farms offers group tours and free family seasonal events.

    The next Health Harvest Festival is happening on March 28, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

    Admission is free, and there will be live music, local vendors, a bounce house and wine and beer tasting.

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    Virginia Johnson

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  • Foreclosure complaint filed against Elements on Third owner

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — People who live at the Elements on Third apartment complex say they’ve dealt with everything from maintenance issues to a possible water shut-off that could’ve resulted in them needing to find new places to live.

    That’s all within the past six months.

    Now, a foreclosure complaint has been filed against the complex’s owner. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Court records show a mortgage lender has filed a complaint for foreclosure against Lurin Real Estate Holdings for a loan it issued for the Elements on Third apartment complex

    • In the complaint, lawyers for BDS IV Mortgage Capital say Lurin failed to make payments starting in August and now owes more than $110 million

    • Lurin previously came under scrutiny when the city of St. Petersburg said a water shut-off at two properties, including Elements, was possible after Lurin failed to pay its utility bills

    • Read previous coverage here


    “Am I surprised? No, not really,” said Boshko Stanisic, an organizer with the St. Petersburg Tenants Union. “Lurin has been in kind of a financial fall for quite awhile.”

    The complaint was filed on Feb. 6 against Lurin Real Estate Holdings. Lawyers for BDS IV Mortgage Capital claim Lurin failed to make payments on a $110 million loan starting in August.

    “I didn’t know this was an ongoing thing. So, it’s a little concerning,” said Elements on Third resident Mitchell Williams.

    In the nearly three years Williams has lived at the complex, he’s seen it go through ups and downs.


    “I think they were running out of cash or something,” he said. “The property started to get a little bit dirty.”

    Then, the city said Lurin wasn’t paying its water bill at Elements and another of its properties, The Morgan Apartments.

    “It was a little scary when we were notified that we might be without water and might have to make other accommodations when we’d been paying for it the whole time,” Williams said. “So, that was definitely frustrating.”

    Williams said things started getting better in the fall, with maintenance and amenities being brought up to par. A city spokesperson also said back in August that Lurin paid its outstanding utility balance on the property. 

    Now, the BDS is seeking for force Lurin to pay the principal of the loan, plus interest and expenses, in full. 

    Stanisic said he’s working with residents at The Morgan as they navigate their own uncertain situation. He said tenants of a property facing foreclosure wouldn’t necessarily see immediate impacts.

    “A lot of it is just a change in ownership, a little bit of uncertainty,” he said. “A new owner, they might purchase the property, they might come in and change up the property manager.”

    Williams said residents haven’t been notified of the proceedings or any changes.

    “We’re happy at the moment, but hopefully nothing goes downhill to where we were a few months ago,” he said.

    A spokesperson for Lurin did not immediately respond to requests for comment. 

    The complaint says BDS is requesting the court appoint a receiver for Elements on Third. It also asks that the property be sold at a public sale if Lurin doesn’t pay the debt.

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    Sarah Blazonis

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  • Clearwater gets national attention as spring tourism season starts

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    CLEARWATER, Fla. — The spring tourism season has started in the Tampa area.

    From Major League Baseball to college softball, fans and athletes heading to the diamonds are bringing with them welcome exposure and an economic boost to the Bay area.

    While spring training for the MLB is already underway in Pinellas County for the Philadelphia Phillies and Toronto Blue Jays, Clearwater kicked off the Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational softball tournament at Eddie C. Moore Complex Thursday.

    “Clearwater’s becoming the diamond capital of the county in the month of February,” said Clearwater Mayor Bruce Rector. “Diamond sports, softball and baseball, so ESPN is broadcasting all 40 games on one of their various platforms.”

    Rector is proud the national attention shines the spotlight on Clearwater.

    “The road to the World Series starts in Clearwater,” said Brian Lowack, President and CEO of Visit St. Pete-Clearwater.

    He says tickets to the tournament were sold through 47 states and three countries. Fans from across the country and around the world will cheer on 16 college softball teams — 10 of them ranked top 25 in the country.

    The Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational runs Feb. 12-15. (Spectrum News/Melissa Eichman)

    “Tens of thousands are going to be here over the course of the next four days. That’s thousands of hotel room nights and ultimately leading towards over $10 million in economic impact,” Lowack said of the impact.

    Lenny’s Restaurant feels that impact, reporting that business more than doubles this time of year. Loraine Bates has been a server at Lenny’s for more than 25 years and says the restaurant will be ready.

    “It’s means we’re going to be fully staffed,” said Bates. “It’s going to be like a Sunday every day of the week. We’re all hyped for it, we’re all looking for it.”

    Visitors working up an appetite while cheering on their favorite teams.

    “If you’re hungry or hung over, come to Lenny’s. We’ll feed you and we’ll take care of you,” said Bates.

    A host city taking care of fans while they take in Tampa Bay’s sunshine and beaches, whether it’s from the stands or while watching on TV.

    The Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational runs Feb. 12-15.

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    Melissa Eichman

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  • Pinellas County Meals on Wheels requests funding to keep seniors off waitlist

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    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Feeding America data shows that the number of food-insecure seniors is rising. 

    Based on its research, it says nine million seniors could be food insecure by 2050. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Neighborly Senior Care Network requested $1 million in funding in the 2026-27 state budget

    • The nonprofit said the dollars will keep seniors from returning to the waitlist

    • While the program is mostly funded by federal money, the organization said those dollars are uncertain

    • Neighborly served more than 500,000 meals in 2025


    Neighborly Senior Care Network’s Meals on Wheels in Pinellas County has a waitlist that it’s looking to shrink. 

    To help accomplish that, they are requesting additional state funding. 

    With the delivery bags loaded with food, volunteers are ready to feed hungry seniors.

    “I do it because it’s something that I feel like you should be doing to give back to the community,” said Tom Henkel, a volunteer.

    Henkel has been volunteering with Neighborly Senior Care Network’s Meals on Wheels for more than five years, and he goes the extra mile.

    “Everybody gets a banana on Tuesdays. They all look forward to it,” Henkel said.

    While the number of people he delivers to has fluctuated over the years, Henkel said the need is great.

    “I’ve seen a lot of folks who this is the only meal they get all day and how important it is for them to receive a meal that’s nutritionally balanced like these meals are,” Henkel said.

    Neighborly now serves 500,000+ meals every year. Last year’s total was a more than 30,000 increase from the number of meals provided in 2023.

    James White has been using Meals on Wheels for over a year. He said it’s a great financial help.

    “I’m disabled, so I don’t have to go out as much. I don’t have to do all the walking through the store and plus food today, it’s just real expensive,” said James White.

    Most of Neighborly’s clients are served through approximately $2.5 million in federal funding, but the nonprofit said that money is always uncertain. State funding helped in the last two fiscal years. The $750,000 from last year’s Florida’s budget, Neighborly said, helped get hundreds of people off its waitlist.

    “Right now, we’re lucky that it’s, it’s all-time low, about 600 people because of the state appropriation that we’ve received recently,” said Anita Cihlar, nutrition director, Neighborly Care Network.

    The nonprofit is requesting $1 million in funding in the 2026-27 state budget. Cihlar said the funding will prevent seniors from returning to the waitlist.

    “We want to just keep those people fed — it’s about almost 800 people. That’s a lot of seniors that could go without meals and go back on the waitlist if we didn’t get the funding again,” Cihlar said.

    Henkel, who sees the impact firsthand, said the money would help many seniors in the county that he enjoys serving every week.

    “I would highly recommend that if anybody is interested in volunteering, that they look up their local Meals on Wheels program and see how they can go about doing so,” Henkel said.

    The Older Americans Act, which provides about $2.5 million to Neighborly’s nutrition program, expired in 2024. 

    A reauthorization act was introduced in June 2025. It has had no movement through Congress yet.

    Neighborly said their OAA funding has remained steady even without its reauthorization.

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    Tyler O’Neill

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  • 2026 Tampa Bay Rays Fan Fest: What you need to know

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays will be spending Valentine’s Day showing some love to their fans. The team is hosting a Fan Fest block party this Saturday right next to Tropicana Field. 

    The party will take place outside of Tropicana Field because the team is still making repairs inside the ballpark.

    Make sure you get there early if you would like to be able to get in there and get first pick on any items you may be looking for.

    Admission is free, but you will still need to claim a ticket on the Rays website. Parking will be available for free in lots 1, 2, 6 and 7 at Tropicana Field. Be aware of traffic as there will be no vehicle traffic permitted on 16th Street South. You can access lots 1,2 via 17th Street S or 5th Ave S.

    Event Information:

    Activities:

    • A community yard sale that will benefit the official charity of the Tampa Bay Rays
    • Opportunities to interact with players
    • Games, mascots and entertainment
    • And more…

    Security and What You Can Bring:

    Guests will be required to clear a security screening before entry. Bags will also NOT BE permitted into the event. This includes purses, duffle bags, backpacks, string/cinch bags and or coolers. If you have a small item that is 4″ x 6″ or less, such as a fanny pack or small clutch, that will be allowed. 

    You are allowed to bring water bottles, strollers, umbrellas, accessibility or medical equipment, cameras with lenses smaller than 12-inches.

    Map:

    For more information, visit the Rays Fan Fest website.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Downtown Greensboro leaders seek solutions after multiple business closures

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    GREENSBORO, N.C. — Several well-known businesses in and around downtown Greensboro have recently closed their doors, sparking concern among city leaders and business owners about the future of the area’s commercial district. 

       What You Need To Know

    • Several well-known businesses in and around downtown Greensboro have recently closed their doors, sparking concern among city leaders and business owners about the future of the area’s commercial district
    • Among the closures are Dame’s Chicken and Waffles, Red Cinemas, M’Coul’s Public House and Liberty Oak Restaurant and Bar

    • Business owners raised a range of challenges, including parking issues, supply chain disruptions, tariffs and the rising cost of operating a business

    • On Tuesday, Feb. 10, some Greensboro City Council members met face-to-face with downtown business owners and community leaders, walking through the area and listening to concerns about what is making it difficult to stay open


    Among the closures are Dame’s Chicken and Waffles, Red Cinemas, M’Coul’s Public House and Liberty Oak Restaurant and Bar. Another downtown restaurant, Cille and Scoe, has also announced it will be closing soon.

    On Tuesday, Feb. 10, some Greensboro City Council members met face-to-face with downtown business owners and community leaders, walking through the area and listening to concerns about what is making it difficult to stay open.

    “It’s an American, a cultural problem, it’s an epidemic,” said Daniel Craft, a realtor in downtown Greensboro.

    Business owners raised a range of challenges, including parking issues, supply chain disruptions, tariffs and the rising cost of operating a business.

    Tanya Dickens, owner of Savor the Moment Dessert Bar, says food and beverage businesses are being hit especially hard.

    “The increased cost of everything, ingredients and use. The food and beverage industry has been hit really hard because everything fluctuates so much. But it’s usually going up right. And you can only charge so much to your customer for what it is that you’re selling,” Dickens said.

    Greensboro City Council member Cecile “CC” Crawford says the walk is the first step toward building strategies to support downtown businesses.

    On Tuesday, Feb. 10, Greensboro city council members, downtown business owners and other city leaders walk throughout downtown to talk about concerns and issues. (Spectrum News 1/Ashley Van Havere)

    “We’re going to get all of the feedback and begin working on strategies to help the businesses downtown thrive a little more,” Crawford said. “What I’m hearing on my side of downtown is that South Elm Street is developing, and they want a little more support, and so, just trying to get a full picture around that as well.” 

    City leaders say feedback gathered from these conversations could help shape future policy changes aimed at increasing foot traffic and encouraging more people to visit downtown Greensboro.

    Council members also plan to hold additional walks and discussions in the coming weeks and encourage any downtown business owners who could not attend Tuesday’s meeting to reach out and share their concerns.

    Follow us on Instagram at spectrumnews1nc for news and other happenings across North Carolina.

     

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    Ashley Van Havere

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  • Pasco County voters may be asked to extend school tax

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    LAND O’ LAKES, Fla. — In November, Pasco County voters may have a decision to make: Continue paying a school tax referendum, or let it expire. 

    In 2022, Pasco voters approved a referendum to support school employee salaries, but it expires in June 2027. The school board voted last week to ask taxpayers for a renewal.

    What You Need To Know

    • Pasco school board voted last week to ask taxpayers for a renewal of a school tax referendum 

    • The tax money is used to supplement pay for both instructional and non-instructional positions, including bus drivers, teachers, custodians, and other school support staff

    • Superintendent John Legg the referendum is a needed source of income that helps the school district keep up with other districts

    • What is millage? One mill is equal to $1 for every $1,000 of assessed property value. It’s how the taxing authorities calculate your property tax. Want to know more about millage rates? Visit the Pinellas County Tax Collector website.


    The tax money is used to supplement pay for both instructional and non-instructional positions, including bus drivers, teachers, custodians, and other school support staff.

    Without it, Superintendent Dr. John Legg said it’ll be tough for Pasco to compete with neighboring districts, which have referendums.

    “What this referendum does is it continues the pay we’ve been doing the last several years,” Legg said.

    Legg said since voters approved the initial tax referendum in 2022, classroom vacancies decreased by nearly 83%, and without it, “If the voters say no to this, it would mean a drastic cut in our teachers’ pay. 

    “It would drop our teacher pay by 12% on average.”

    The Pasco County School Board is seeking a renewal of its one mill property tax. 

    If passed, nothing would really change for Pasco County homeowners; they would continue paying the same tax, which Dr. Legg says is $300 per year for the average homeowner.

    A Pasco school bus driver and teacher, both in their professions for over 18 years, said both they’ve personally noticed positive changes since receiving the referendum.

    “The morale of faculty members has increased,” said James Washington, a Pasco County teacher. “The idea that we’ve got a community that supports us, there was a lot of vitriol in the news for months and months and months four years ago, and now it’s starting to swell in the opposite direction where people validate what teachers are again.”

    Bur driver Mary Ann Brini said the referendum has made a difference.

    “It’s very important to keep new staff moving in,” Brini said. “If we don’t have this, in my personal opinion, I don’t know what will happen down the line.”

    Critics of the referendum say teachers and school staff shouldn’t have to rely on voters to maintain their raises. 

    Michelle Mandarin, a parent who hosts an education podcast, said teachers need sustainability in their salaries.

    “We knew it was coming,” said Mandarin, who also is running for the District 5 school board seat. “But we did warn the board that it’s not a sustainable way to increase the pay of our teachers. We really feel like there is a way we can restructure the budget and put it into the core budget.”

    Meanwhile, Legg said he is confident Pasco County voters will continue supporting education. 

    “The people of Pasco County value education and believe that education is important and essential for our thriving economy so I’m confident that our voters will re-affirm what they’ve already said.”

    The next step is for the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners to vote on whether to put this on November’s ballot. Legg said he plans on meeting with them and he doesn’t expect any issues. 

    The vote may happen as soon as March.

    The referendum adds from around $3,000 to $5,500 per year for staff, depending on their position.

    Hillsborough and Pinellas County schools both have referendums that voters approved in recent years.

    Polk County voters will be deciding on a school tax referendum in November. 

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    Fallon Silcox

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  • Thai green coconut curry with chicken and vegetables, from scratch

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Julian Pancer loves to cook almost as much as he loves to teach people to cook.


    His family has owned and run a Jewish deli in Ontario, Canada, since 1957.

    Pancer and his wife, Danielle, moved from Canada to the Tampa Bay area recently to be near family.  

    Luckily, they were familiar with the St. Petersburg area after so many annual pilgrimages.

    Pancer is building on his family’s long culinary tradition.

    The duo brings their cooking classes.


    Thai Green Coconut Curry with Chicken and Vegetables     (serves 4-6)


    Ingredients:

    Roasted Chicken & Vegetables

    1½ lb. boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into large bite-size pieces
    1 red bell pepper, sliced
    1 zucchini, sliced into half-moons
    1½ cups mushrooms (shiitake or cremini), halved
    1 cup sugar snap peas
    2 tablespoons avocado oil
    Salt and pepper, to taste

    Green Coconut Curry Base

    2 tablespoons avocado oil
    4 cloves garlic, crushed
    3 shallots, thinly sliced
    2 tablespoons fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
    1 stalk lemongrass, tender inner portion sliced
    4–5 kaffir lime leaves
    1 teaspoon ground cumin
    1 bird’s eye chili, finely sliced (adjust to taste)
    1½ cups coconut cream
    ½ cup chicken stock

    Herb Blend (Blended Curry Sauce)

    1 bunch Thai basil
    1 bunch scallions
    1 bunch cilantro


    To Finish

    Fresh lime juice, to taste
    Fish sauce, to taste


    Directions:

    Preheat oven to 400°F.
    Toss chicken thighs, red pepper, zucchini and mushrooms with avocado oil, salt and pepper.
    Spread evenly on a lined baking sheet.
    Roast for 12 minutes, stirring once halfway.
    Add sugar snap peas during the final minute of roasting.
    Remove from oven and reserve warm.
    Heat avocado oil in a wide saucepan over medium heat.
    Add garlic, shallots, ginger, lemongrass and lime leaves.
    Cook gently until aromatic and softened, without browning.
    Stir in ground cumin and bird’s eye chili.
    Cook for 30 seconds to bloom the spices.
    Deglaze with coconut cream and chicken stock.
    Bring to a gentle simmer and reduce by half, allowing flavors to concentrate.
    Remove lemongrass.
    Transfer the reduced coconut broth to a blender.
    Add Thai basil, scallions and cilantro.
    Blend until completely smooth and vibrant green.
    Return sauce to the saucepan over low heat.
    Adjust seasoning with fresh lime juice and fish sauce to taste.
    Gently fold in the roasted chicken and vegetables.
    Warm through without boiling.
    Serve hot, spooning curry generously over rice or noodles if desired.


    Optional Class Notes / Variations

    Substitute shrimp or tofu for chicken using the same roasting method.
    Add bamboo shoots or baby corn for extra texture.
    Finish with fresh Thai basil leaves for garnish.


    Thai Jasmine Rice     (serves 4)


    Ingredients:

    2 cups jasmine rice
    1 stalk lemon grass


    Directions:

    To begin making the Thai Lemongrass Rice recipe, remove the outer skin of lemongrass and cut the lemongrass into three pieces.
    Wash the rice until water runs almost clear.
    Add the rice and 3 1/2 cups cold water to a medium pot.
    Add lemongrass and the lid.
    On high heat, bring the rice to a boil. Lower the heat to low and cook for 13 minutes.
    Then remove the pot from the heat and rest for 5 minutes with the lid on.
    Remove the lid and fluff the rice with a fork.
    Remove the lemongrass.

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    Virginia Johnson

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