are not unexpected,” said Mayor Woody Brown   Post-hurricane snags have construction on Largo's Horizon West Bay project running behind schedule This photo shows the current status of the work [ JEFF ROSENFIELD | Beacon Media ]By Jeff RosenfieldBeacon MediaPublished May 3LARGO — The projected opening date for the Horizon West Bay project an $85 million mixed-use development featuring a new Largo City Hall and nearly 20,000 square feet of restaurant and retail space with late March-early April cited as a target date But then a pair of hurricanes pummeled Pinellas County in the fall and most projects came to a screeching halt as priorities shifted from new construction to assessing damage and demolishing old structures with a new opening date set for later this summer Brown said the news is unfortunate but understandable because “every person in construction in Pinellas County is working right now. So, these delays, while unfortunate, are not unexpected. But these guys have been working around the clock to try and get this project finished.” He also said the delay means retail tenants like Pappas would likely be in place before City Hall opens. According to the lease agreement, the base rent for the 1,431-square-foot eatery is between $3,600 and $4,000 per month, and the city will provide $125,000 for the buildout of the space. When asked about the arrangement, Brown said, “I don’t think the city is super concerned about bankrolling the builds of the first few tenants. Because we want them to be successful.” In addition to Pappas, representatives for Colliers International, the project’s retail broker, also inked a deal with Indiana-based Parlor Doughnuts last fall. From the nurse and the grocer to the teacher and landscaper the Upper Keys community can’t thrive without the skills and talents of local workers who serve The third “Mile Maker” of 2025 is Danielle Harrison lead instructor and the heart of Keys to Wellness Group Fitness in Key Largo.  high-energy wellness advocate who believes in the power of movement I turned my life around and created my own group fitness brand to help others do the same — physically a motivating speech or just being there when someone needs support Keys to Wellness was born out of my personal journey I weighed over 265 pounds and was battling severe asthma a low-carb lifestyle and eventually discovering Zumba I lost over 100 pounds and transformed my life That journey inspired me to create a space where others could feel safe supported and empowered to take control of their health too I officially opened Keys to Wellness Group Fitness in the Upper Keys Were you always interested in health and fitness no — I wasn’t always into health and fitness I was more focused on taking care of others as a nurse and a mom It wasn’t until I got really sick and ended up in the hospital that everything changed I realized I needed to take control of my health not just for me my passion for wellness just kept growing.  Becoming a fitness guru isn’t just about having the perfect body or doing fancy moves — it’s about passion consistency and a deep desire to help others feel their best it starts with truly loving wellness and movement but what really sets me apart is my background as a board-certified nurse practitioner That allows me to approach fitness with a deeper understanding of the body chronic conditions and how to modify workouts safely for people of all ages and abilities.  What is your least favorite exercise to teach (but you know you gotta do it) I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with them and most people groan when they hear the word — including me There’s just something magical about the energy in a dance fitness class it’s uplifting and people forget they’re even working out because they’re having such a good time.  What are some challenges you encounter in teaching fitness classes One of the biggest challenges is meeting everyone where they are — physically advanced athletes and those just coming back after a long break It takes creativity and awareness to make sure everyone feels included Another big challenge is consistency and attendance That’s why I always stress the importance of showing up when you can staying connected and having accountability I remind my team: it’s not about being perfect — it’s about coming back What is your advice for people just starting out in improving their fitness You don’t have to do everything at once or be perfect — just begin and you’re not going to change overnight either Give yourself grace but also hold yourself accountable.  My fitness philosophy is simple: move with purpose Fitness isn’t about chasing perfection — it’s about building strength I believe in progress over perfection and that everybody is a fitness body I believe in creating a welcoming space where people feel empowered I also bring my background as a nurse practitioner into every class—so safety and listening to your body are at the core of what I teach it becomes something you look forward to—not something you dread That’s the magic I try to create at Keys to Wellness What’s your favorite music genre whilst teaching Zumba that’s a tough one because I love mixing it up — but if I had to choose Latin music definitely holds a special place in my heart Cha Cha — it brings the heat and makes people feel alive and sexy I also love to blend in other genres like Hip-Hop and even a little throwback here and there My goal is always to create a party vibe where everyone can let loose Wooo!”—then I know I’m doing something right What three qualities does a fitness expert need to possess in order to be effective When you’re passionate about helping others and truly believe in the power of fitness it shows—and it inspires people to keep showing up for themselves • Knowledge – It’s more than just knowing how to move—it’s understanding the why behind it a medical background as a nurse practitioner to guide people safely and support people with all kinds of health needs • Empathy – Everyone walks into a class with a different story A great fitness expert meets people where they are People don’t just need a coach—they need someone who cares.And above all—you must live the walk too.Your example is the most powerful tool you have When your team sees you practicing what you preach Keys to Wellness is located at 835 Largo Road Key Largo Get Keys Weekly delivered right to your inbox along with a daily dose of Keys News COMMUNITY PARTNER Stay connected to All Things Good in the Burg by subscribing today Since I Love the Burg launched in May of 2009 Martin put on a night of comedy and music at Largo and her guests included Great Grandpa leader Al Menne A post shared by Largo (@largolosangeles) A post shared by Largo (@largolosangeles) A post shared by Largo (@largolosangeles) The most important stories and least important memes Show Breaking News BarCloseLocal NewsChris Gothner according to a newly-released arrest report from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Leer en español Deputies said in the report that Nadyne Marie Tillman had met her accused killer after arranging a date off of a prostitution website Deputies made the gruesome discovery at the Amoray Beach Resort at 104250 Overseas Highway after Tillman’s friends and loved ones reported her missing noting her “highly uncharacteristic” lack of a response to text messages The report states that Tillman had told a man ― described as a “known associate” ― that she had “arranged a date with someone she met through a non-dating website” at the resort Her last text messages to the man came just before 9 a.m “when she texted him saying she was at the hotel but the person wasn’t answering the door,” the report states Deputies said her final message came shortly after where its assistant general manager said she was “aware of the missing person investigation and wished to report suspicious behavior involving a former guest had booked hotel room W1A through Expedia using his mother’s phone number the assistant general manager “attempted to have Lamb move to another room during his stay” but he refused Deputies said he was allowed to stay in room W1A until Sunday morning “a housekeeper discovered three large trash bags” in room W1A that “were filled with soiled towels and bed linens and were described as heavily stained with substances consistent with blood The towels were thrown away before staff members recognized the nature of the contents “The dumpster had already been emptied by the contracted waste company rendering the items unrecoverable,” the report states Deputies pulled data from Tillman’s cellphone which showed contact between her and Lamb A detective “opened a closet housing the unit’s water heater and observed a deceased white female concealed underneath,” the report states Tillman’s partially-clothed body was placed in a fetal position swollen and lacerated lips and other facial trauma consistent with blunt force impact,” deputies said Deputies went to the kayak and clothing store and took Lamb into custody They said he had Tillman’s credit card in his wallet The report states that Lamb told detectives he met Tillman off escort website ListCrawler and agreed to pay her $200 for sex Deputies said he claimed that Tillman took the money “but attempted to leave without engaging in the agreed activity,” leading him to block the door “He stated that she began striking him and he struck her once in the face,” investigators wrote But deputies said Tillman’s injuries were not consistent with a single strike Lamb told detectives he went into the bathroom to “calm down” and came out to see Tillman not breathing “He reported that he placed her on the bed and did not find a pulse,” the report states cleaned the scene using towels and linens from the room and concealed the victim’s body inside the closet underneath the water heater.” Deputies said he went on to tell investigators that he “packed the soiled linens the victim’s cell phone and other belongings into three separate trash bags and left them in the room when he checked out.” Lamb stated that he ‘freaked out’ and did not want to get in trouble,” the report states Lamb is now facing a second-degree murder charge in addition to counts of false imprisonment destroying evidence and soliciting prostitution It’s not Lamb’s first time being accused of beating a woman He pleaded no contest to battery in May 2023 stemming from a November 2022 incident someone had arranged for Lamb to give a woman a ride home from a Florida City hotel who described Lamb as “the white guy,” passed out in his pickup truck and awoke ― still in Florida City ― outside the Country Lodge Motel at 651 N She had asked him to take her home and said she awoke at Lamb’s home in the Florida Keys Deputies said the woman again asked to be taken home but couldn’t find her cellphone Authorities said when she took Lamb’s cellphone opened the door and “began punching her in the back of the head.” “He pulled her from the truck by her hair and continued punching her while she was on the ground,” the warrant states “(Lamb) then stomped on her head with his feet He grabbed all of her belongings from the truck and threw them on the road She would later be treated at Mariners Hospital in Tavernier Deputies said she was only able to give them a description of Lamb but said she managed to identify him through Facebook in February 2023 She shared text messages between her and Lamb Deputies said after sending Lamb photos of her injuries “I went to merners (sic) hospital,” deputies said she texted him saying she was “traumatized” before telling Lamb that she now had a “huge” $16,000 medical bill to contend with “How can I make it right by you I’m broke and jobless.” Lamb is scheduled to appear in front of a Monroe County judge at around 1 p.m He has an arraignment hearing scheduled for May 13 Lamb was being held without bond in MCSO’s Key West jail facility Copyright 2025 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved Chris Gothner joined the Local 10 News team in 2022 as a Digital Journalist TV Listings Email Newsletters RSS Feeds Closed Captioning / Audio Description Contact Us Careers at WPLG Terms of Use Privacy Policy Public File FCC Applications EEO Report Do Not Sell My Info 1.0 Host Exhibit Copyright © 2025 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC. —  A 14-year-old was arrested after a 13-year-old Largo boy was shot and killed on Saturday night His death in being investigated as a homicide Hill was pronounced dead on Sunday after he was shot on Saturday night officers were called after gunshots were reported at 2421 11 St Preliminary information stated the shots came from an unknown car Pete Police stated there was no drive-by shooting Police said Hill was in the car with the 14-year-old suspect The suspect pointed a gun at Hill while Hill recorded him on his phone Authorities said Hill was then taken to the hospital Police arrested the suspect and he was charged him with second-degree murder and I feel like that's part of where the system failed" Henry Betsey Jr. is facing charges for marrying three Florida women in three different counties at the same time. Now saying the system that handles marriage licenses kept them in the dark Latest Pinellas County News from ABC Action News Report a typo This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Show Breaking News BarCloseLocal NewsJanine Stanwood Chris Gothner Sanela Sabovic KEY LARGO – Deputies found a 43-year-old woman dead at a Key Largo resort and said she was the victim of a homicide Leer en español According to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office at the Amoray Dive Resort at 104250 Overseas Highway on Saturday Deputies said Lamb beat her to death. The 33-year-old Key Largo resident was on probation for grand theft auto at the time of his arrest Tillman was reported missing on Monday after her daughter stopped hearing from her Deputies said when they went to the Amoray Dive Resort at 104250 Overseas Highway they found her body “hidden” in Lamb’s room on Monday Authorities said they found Lamb in Key Largo on Tuesday and arrested him “I want to thank the men and women of the Sheriff’s Office for working around the clock to make an arrest in this case,” Sheriff Rick Ramsay said in a news release there do not appear to be any other individuals involved in this incident.” Janine Stanwood joined Local 10 News in February 2004 as an assignment editor Before moving to South Florida from her Washington home Janine was the senior legislative correspondent for a United States senator on Capitol Hill A 71-year-old man riding on an electric bicycle died after he collided with a truck at MM 99 in Key Largo on Sunday evening the man on the bicycle was traveling north on the southbound sidewalk of U.S 1 and approaching Bay Drive on Sunday evening around 6:25 p.m A 2021 Chevy Silverado was traveling east on Bay Drive and preparing to make a right turn to proceed south on U.S the man on the bicycle failed to stop and yield at the sidewalk stop sign and collided with the truck’s front right quarter panel The man was taken to Baptist Health South Florida Mariners Hospital where he later died from his injuries Sunday’s accident marks the fifth fatal vehicle accident in the Upper Keys since March 17. Last week, a 69-year-old Florida man was struck and killed while attempting to cross U.S 1 in Key Largo the morning of April 1.  The other three accidents occurred in Islamorada at MM 79 where a husband and wife were hit and killed attempting to cross U.S where a vehicle struck and killed a 71-year-old who was walking on the sidewalk on March 21; and at MM 82 where a California bicyclist was struck and killed attempting to cross the highway on March 17 This story was corrected to reflect the man was riding on a bicycle thanks to the help of a good Samaritan who sprung into action on Monday The Largo Police Department said they received a call just before noon about a stabbing at a smoke shop at 14111 Belcher Road and the good Samaritan holding down the suspect and officers began to render aid to Dalek until paramedics arrived Dalek was taken to a local hospital with serious injuries Police said they reviewed the store's surveillance footage which showed Gonzalez-Aleaga entering the store and asking Dalek for a product on a lower shelf When Dalek bent down to retrieve the product police said Gonzalez-Aleaga grabbed a knife from her purse and stabbed him multiple times Detectives said they're still working to determine a motive for the stabbing Dalek and Gonzalez-Aleaga did not know each other before the incident Dalek is in stable condition and is expected to make a full recovery Gonzalez-Aleaga was arrested and charged with first-degree attempted murder highly curated editorial content brings attention to hidden gems and still calls The Sunshine State home today While saving lives and putting out fires during the day Megan is also passionate about writing and travel especially when it comes to sharing her knowledge of her home state A few of Megan's favorites include: favorite Florida vacation destination - New Smyrna Beach Favorite Florida restaurant - Eastside Pizza in Miami Favorite Florida hidden gem - Shibuya Sushi Art It's not polished or overly curated—it’s lived-in and authentic and even a book tree that is built carefully around the holidays which makes sense since many of the folks who shop here become loyal regulars swapping recommendations and chatting about their latest finds Facebook The Book RescuersPrices are shockingly reasonable and hardcovers often fall in the $3 to $5 range There are even “fill-a-bag” deals where you can take home an entire sack of books for under $10 Choose your stateAlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasNorthern CaliforniaSouthern CaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingSubscribe... This Airbnb with a fishing pond in Louisiana is an angler's paradise. The two-acre, catch-and-release oasis is stocked with bass, bream, and catfish. Thanks for subscribing. We’ll see you in your inbox! During a March 18 commission meeting, Largo Police Chief Mike Loux said the department’s request to enter a memorandum of agreement with ICE under terms of the Immigration and Nationality Act was “designed to improve cooperation between local law enforcement agencies and federal immigration authorities.” It would mean “increased safety and security, improved and increased training and support (and) efficient resource utilization,” Loux said. He added that the agreement “will help strengthen our department’s ability to address critical issues related to immigration enforcement while fostering a cooperative relationship with federal partners.” When Commissioner Mike DiBrizzi asked about the genesis of the request, Loux noted the state Legislature in February passed a law that “effectively gives us the ability to be trained and deputized to serve civil warrants.” DiBrizzi then asked if failure to partner with ICE would represent a violation of the law. The chief replied, “Yes, sir.” But City Attorney Alan Zimmet said, “I wouldn’t go that far,” while acknowledging Gov. Ron DeSantis wants local law enforcement agencies to comply. “I don’t see the ability to punish the city if you didn’t agree to this,” Zimmet said. “But it has been very clear from the governor’s office on down that they’re looking for every law enforcement agency to enter into this, and they will look at ramifications for any agency that doesn’t do that.” In response to questioning from Commissioner Michael Smith, Loux said he wasn’t sure how many officers would get ICE training, and he acknowledged the department hasn’t had any ICE-related cases during the past five years. He added: “Members of the police department are not going to be profiling individuals or conducting immigration raids or doing any kind of unlawful stops just to ask for immigration papers. Business will be as usual. If we encounter a person on a normal routine call for service and we run that person for warrants and one of these civil warrants come along, that’s when our enforcement will take place.” Smith asked about the duration of the agreement, and Loux replied it was “indefinite.” “I’m not supporting this one tonight, and I’ll probably be the only one,” Smith said. The motion to allow the agreement between Largo police and ICE then passed, 6-1. – A 15-year-old boy opened fire and wounded another teenager during a fight over a girl in Key Largo according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Leer en español Deputies said shots rang out Saturday night at Key Largo Community Park fired two rounds at the 16-year-old victim: One grazed the victim’s hand and the other hit his cellphone in his pants pocket Investigators said the victim suffered shrapnel injuries and required surgery at a Miami-area hospital took off and dumped his wallet and hoodie in a nearby canal He turned himself in at the Plantation Key jail on Tuesday Valerio-Paniagua is facing charges of attempted first-degree murder and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon He was being held without bond as of Tuesday afternoon “I will not tolerate violent crime in this community regardless of the age of the offender,” Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay said in a news release “I want to thank the men and women of the Sheriff’s Office who worked to resolve this case quickly.” Join us at Largo Central Park from March 7th-9th for the inaugural Largo Seafood & Music Festival this exciting new festival promises a weekend filled with delicious seafood all cooked fresh onsite by local restaurants and food vendors Complement your meal with a variety of side dishes including both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options immerse yourself in the captivating sounds of live music performed by some of Florida’s top musicians The festival will feature a range of genres ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy The entertainment schedule will be announced closer to the event date In addition to the fantastic food and music This is the perfect opportunity to find unique items and support local artisans Bring your friends and family for a memorable weekend at the Largo Seafood & Music Festival Enjoy the beautiful surroundings of Largo Central Park while celebrating great food The Monroe County State Attorney’s Office announced on April 15 that a grand jury returned a five-count indictment against Key Largo resident Jeffrey Scott Kesling charging him with the sexual abuse of two children is charged with two counts of sexual battery on a child under the age of 12 a capital felony under Florida Statute 794.011(2)(a) and three counts of lewd and lascivious molestation a life felony under Florida Statute 800.04(5) capital sexual battery carries a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment without parole and is eligible for the death penalty For the three counts of lewd and lascivious molestation Kesling’s bond has been set at $150,000 per count “There are no words strong enough to describe the cruelty of these crimes,” State Attorney Dennis Ward said following the grand jury’s indictment “A 3-year-old and a 7-year-old — these are babies The state of Florida allows the death penalty for a reason in cases like this We have a duty to protect our children and bring justice for what they’ve endured.” The grand jury’s indictment alleges repeated and predatory acts of abuse occurring between June 2023 and December 2024 The charges reflect both the severity and the sustained nature of the alleged conduct “This isn’t just criminal — it’s evil,” Chief Assistant State Attorney Joseph Mansfield said “Anyone who sexually violates a 3-year-old or a 7-year-old has no place in our society Our community needs to know that when it comes to protecting children The Monroe County State Attorney’s Office is coordinating closely with law enforcement agencies victim advocates and other agencies to ensure the continued safety and well-being of the victims Because this is an active and sensitive criminal prosecution no further information will be released at this time to protect the integrity of the case and the privacy of the victims Largo has announced the successful closing of the previously announced transaction between its subsidiary and Stryten Critical E-Storage to establish joint venture Storion Energy Vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFB) use liquid electrolytes stored in tanks circulated through a membrane to create an electrochemical reaction and generate electricity Proponents of the technology argue that it has a longer life cycle than lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries Vanadium is the most expensive part of a VRFB system but the company aims to provide a solution for this issue Storion calls its vertical supply chain strategy the ‘Earth to Energy’ model and claims that it will be able to deliver vanadium electrolyte at less than US$0.02/kWh. The company says this would accomplish the DOE’s goal of reducing the levelised cost of storage (LCOS) for LDES to US$0.05/kWh immediately which allows investors to invest in vanadium assets while they are stored in VRFBs Storion will have exclusive rights to offer LPV to the market in the form of vanadium electrolyte President of Largo Clean Energy said of the transaction: “The closing of this transaction represents a transformational step for Largo as we advance our investment strategy of integrating into the fast-growing vanadium flow battery market Storion Energy now provides a direct channel for Largo’s high-quality vanadium products into the long duration energy storage sector reinforcing our position as a leading and reliable supplier of vanadium.” VRFB have seen an increase in announced projects and funding in recent years South Korea-based H2, Inc will deploy a 1.1MW/8.8MWh vanadium flow battery (VFB) in a project commissioned by the government energy research institute as part of a programme funded by the Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge of Spain H2 is also working on what it claims is the US’ largest VFB project, a 20MWh system located in California it started work on in December 2021 Announced on 6 December 2024, technology provider Rongke Power completed a 175MW/700MWh VRFB project in China Last November, Western Australia revealed a long-duration VFB pilot in the town of Kununurra exploring the use of the technology in microgrids and off-grid power systems The 78kW/220kWh battery energy storage system (BESS) is being used to explore the usage of long-duration energy storage (LDES) technology in the state with the support of state energy provider Horizon Power In 2023, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and technology provider Invinity Energy Systems announced that a VRFB with a 24-hour discharge duration would be built and tested at PNNL’s Richland Campus in Washington state Recently, researchers at PNNL developed the EZBattery Model a simulation tool for predicting the performance of VRFB systems The physics-based simulation tool takes less than a second to predict the performance of redox flow batteries Pete Rising in this year\u2019s Best of the Bay Awards By using this website, you agree to our use of cookies. We use cookies to provide you with a great experience and to help our website run effectively. Learn more aerial of oasis at bayside | apartments.com The Oasis at Bayside apartment complex in Largo has been purchased and is set to undergo a major renovation as it transitions into workforce housing preserving much-needed affordable living options in the area Washington, DC and Greenwich, Connecticut-based multifamily investor Gravel Road Partners and Salt Lake City, Utah-based Bridge Investment Group purchased the 304-unit property at 305 Glades Circle on March 12th for $42.25 million Berkadia Senior Managing Director Jason Stanton represented the seller Latitude Management Real Estate Investors of Beverly Hills The new owners are partnering with Pinellas County to renovate the 1974-built property and dedicate 258 units for tenants earning 50% to 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) Currently the property has no affordability requirements 247 units will be reserved for tenants earning 80% AMI or below These affordability requirements will remain in place indefinitely oasis at bayside will reserve 258 units for tenants earning between 50% and 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) | apartments.com “This was a collaborative effort to achieve the affordability mix we did or we can't raise the equity to complete the capital stack,” said Tyler Herbert The project, including land acquisition, will cost nearly $60 million, with Pinellas County contributing $9.91 million toward the purchase and capital improvements to support workforce housing. Pinellas County's funding comes from the Penny for Pinellas sales tax “Oasis at Bayside offers a rare investment opportunity balancing social impact with stable returns Pinellas County’s housing team played a key role in crafting a creative approach to preserving vital housing,” said Tyler Herbert Existing residents were notified of the ownership change and will not be displaced Rather than relying on traditional underwriting—renovating to increase rents potentially displacing residents—Gravel Road and its partners took a different approach with county support and affordable while upgrading amenities and units to market standards without materially raising rents There’s no silver bullet to solve the housing crisis Some municipalities want to implement solutions but lack the budget or legislative approval—this is where creative structuring comes in,” Herbert said the new ownership will update the existing amenities | Apartments.com they will still increase and adhere to the set aside tables and be restricted to annual growth rates as indicated by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Capital improvements will include roof repairs and three-bedroom apartments ranging from 650 to 1,100 square feet and a renovated sports court with new netting and the work is expected to be completed within three years Partially and fully renovated units feature granite countertops and stainless-steel appliances one of the renovated units at oasis at bayside | apartments.com The reimagined Oasis at Bayside reflects Gravel Road’s ongoing investment in Pinellas County The company is also developing Bayou Court Apartments a 60-unit affordable housing community in South St The project prioritizes rental opportunities for local school staff and city employees “Our ideal scenario is to provide housing for teachers and local municipal workers,” Herbert said Pre-leasing for Bayou Court has just begun A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for May 7th Additionally, Gravel Road is planning a 23-story, 218-unit apartment tower at 699 1st Avenue North Want to be the first to know what’s coming soon to the Sunshine City Sign up to receive the latest news straight to your inbox Contact - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy© 2024 St Niche grocer Sprouts Farmers Market has opened its new Largo store offering farm-fresh natural and organic foods local management and city officials celebrated the grand opening at 2156 East Bay Drive in the Keene Plaza Shopping Center The new 23,266-square-foot Largo store is open daily from 7 a.m including a “pop-up party” featuring seasonal produce at a tasting bar a “guess the weight” contest with an oversized piece of produce The first 200 shoppers on Friday and Saturday will receive a free reusable goodie bag filled with special products and samples the first 400 guests on Friday will receive a free long-stem rose Shoppers can receive 20% off their purchase during the grand opening weekend by texting LARGO to 777-688 and scanning their app account barcode at checkout with up to two redemptions per Sprouts account per day City of Largo officials and Sprouts Farmers Market staff celebrated the opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in front of the new store Friday morning | LinkedIn “This investment in our city reflects Largo’s dedication to fostering a vibrant business environment that enhances the quality of life for its residents,” Largo Mayor Woody Brown said in a statement “Sprouts Farmers Market brings valuable jobs to Largo healthy food options that align with our city’s commitment toward wellness and sustainability,” Mayor Brown continued St. Petersburg-based commercial real estate firm Paradise Ventures, which is redeveloping the Sundial shopping complex in downtown St. Pete, demolished 35,500 square feet of retail space at the northeast end of the plaza to make way for Sprouts Farmers Market and another tenant The space previously housed a Save A Lot and Bealls Outlet Every Sprouts Farmers Market is intentionally designed to feel like a farmer’s market with an open layout and fresh produce at the heart of the store shoppers enter the new largo sprouts farmers market friday morning | city of largo It offers healthy proteins such as grass-fed beef The store also has its own private-label products and offers ready-made meals Each location features a butcher station where shoppers can purchase hand-cut meat and seafood The Largo Sprouts opening marks another regional expansion for the Phoenix-based grocer, which now operates over 50 stores in Florida, including locations in Clearwater, Palm Harbor, Seminole, Kenneth City, and the future mixed-use Sky Town development in St Sprouts was founded by members of the Boney family long-time San Diego grocers focused on making fresh foods affordable The company opened its first store in Chandler one of the largest and fastest-growing specialty retailers of fresh employs approximately 32,000 team members and operates more than 415 stores Show Breaking News BarCloseLocal NewsRyan Mackey – A man riding an electric scooter died Sunday evening after colliding with a pickup truck in Key Largo the Florida Highway Patrol confirmed Monday They said the crash happened just before 6:30 p.m Troopers said the man was riding north on the southbound sidewalk of U.S 1 when he struck the right side of a black Chevrolet pickup truck that was turning right from Bay Drive onto the highway The man was taken to Baptist Health Mariner’s Hospital in Tavernier where authorities said he died from his injuries Troopers did not disclose the man’s age or identity More Stories Like This In Our Email Newsletter Ryan Mackey is a Digital Journalist at WPLG Last summer, representatives of Colliers International, the project’s commercial real estate broker, said there was no need to worry, because most tenants do not come on board until they get closer to the project’s completion date. Ten months later, that prediction is beginning to prove true: The city recently agreed to a 10-year lease with Louis Pappas Fresh Greek restaurant to become a tenant of the Horizon development. In September, Parlor Doughnuts became the first to sign a lease for the new facility. “Colliers International, the city’s leasing firm for Horizon West Bay, has worked closely with city staff to finalize a lease agreement with Louis Pappas Fresh Greek,” said Charles Stanton, the Horizon project’s operations manager, during an April 15 meeting of the City Commission. Stanton noted the restaurant would occupy 1,431 square feet in the new City Hall building at West Bay Drive and Fourth Street Southwest. The initial 10-year lease will carry two five-year renewal options. The Pappas family’s long history in the restaurant industry started with a unique take on Greek salad that helped put Tarpon Springs, and the Pappas family, on the culinary map. “In 1904, Louis M. Pappamichalopoulos immigrated to the United States from Greece,” Stanton said, noting he later shortened his name to Pappas. It was while he was serving as a chef in World War I that Pappas created his world-famous Greek salad that featured a dollop of potato salad that “was designed to help sustain troops during challenging times,” according to Stanton. “In 1925, the original Louis Pappas Riverside Cafe was established in Tarpon Springs,” Stanton said, where his “signature Greek salad gained international recognition and became a beloved staple of the restaurant.” The family business is now in its third generation, Stanton said, with six Louis Pappas Fresh Greek spots operating in the Tampa Bay area and the Largo location set to become the seventh. When Vice Mayor Curtis Holmes asked about Pappas’ onetime Sponge Docks site, Stanton said it closed in 2005 primarily due to the overhead costs associated with the massive waterfront restaurant. “But the same owner that owned it then — obviously not the one who founded it — is the same one that will be operating this one,” Stanton said. He said Pappas Fresh Greek will have a similar menu. Several commissioners asked Stanton to bring a sample of the famous salad next time, while Mayor Woody Brown noted potato salad is not a traditional Greek salad ingredient. Subscribe to our free Do & Dine newsletter You’re all signed up!Want more of our free, weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s get started. “I understand that some people don’t eat potato salad in their Greek salad,” Brown said, adding he only “found that out recently.” “That’s quite a debate,” Stanton said. “I always thought Greek salad came with potato salad.” “That’s because you’re from here!” Brown replied. Holmes’ motion to approve the lease agreement passed 6-0. Commissioner Donna Holck was absent. A Pinellas judge on Thursday granted a request by Tomasz Kosowski’s attorneys after a hearing. The development is expected to delay Kosowski’s first-degree murder trial, scheduled to begin May 19, in the death of Steven Cozzi. If convicted, he could face the death penalty. Defense attorneys Bjorn Brunvand, J. Jervis Wise, Amanda Powers Sellers and Debra Tuomey filed a motion to withdraw Wednesday, citing an unspecified “ethical conflict of interest.” Judge Joseph Bulone granted the motion during a hearing Thursday. In a phone interview after the hearing, Brunvand said one factor that prompted the request to withdraw was comments Kosowski made during jail video visits with his mother. The comments, which came to light this week, indicated Kosowski was unhappy with Brunvand’s representation. “He was giving her instructions about making sure that I don’t get paid, about how they’re going to file a grievance against me, how they’re going to sue me,” Brunvand said. When Kosowski was asked in court Thursday if he wanted to fire Brunvand and hire another attorney, “he just wouldn’t respond to any of that,” Brunvand said. Brunvand told Bulone he had concerns about other issues that prompted the request to withdraw but did not feel comfortable discussing them in open court, so he asked if he could meet privately with the judge without Kosowski present. Kosowski objected to that and said he would waive attorney-client privilege, but Brunvand held firm. “The judge agreed that the law is pretty clear that, if it potentially hurts the client, I don’t have to elaborate on those types of things,“ Brunvand said. Defense attorney Bjorn Brunvand speaks to reporters at the Pinellas County Courthouse in Largo on March 27, 2023 about his then-client Tomasz Kosowski, a plastic surgeon arrested in the death of missing Largo attorney Steve Cozzi. [ MARTHA ASENCIO-RHINE | Times ]Bulone then granted the motion to withdraw and set a hearing for May 9. Kosowski now must decide whether he wants to represent himself or hire another attorney. Even before Thursday’s development, it was questionable whether the trial would begin on May 19. Brunvand on Monday filed a motion to continue the proceeding, stating that he and his co-counsel did not have enough time to prepare properly to provide Kosowski with an effective defense. The motion states that discovery material in the case “is very voluminous and not complete.” “While the defense team has been extremely diligent in conducting discovery depositions, reviewing the voluminous discovery and consulting confidential experts based on new experts listed by the state, additional time is required to evaluate the same,” the motion states. A photo of Pinellas attorney Steven Cozzi is pictured during a vigil held by friends, family and members of the legal community on March 29, 2023. [ MARTHA ASENCIO-RHINE | Times ]Want breaking news in your inbox?Subscribe to our free News Alerts newsletter is a plastic surgeon who worked in Pinellas County and Miami he was representing himself in a lawsuit he filed over a medical billing dispute The doctor and the lawyer had faced each other in a series of depositions some of which reportedly became contentious the doctor accosted the lawyer in a law office restroom Cozzi vanished one morning in March 2023 after showing up for work at his Largo office Surveillance videos showed him arriving at the office but never leaving He did not call in to a telephone hearing in Kosowski’s lawsuit scheduled for that morning A fellow lawyer found Cozzi’s phone and personal items at his desk where his computer was open to the text of an unsent email Investigators would find blood in the office’s restroom entering the law office that morning with a cart and later leaving with a large object on top of it Cellphone records, among other evidence, led authorities to charge Kosowski with murder. Cozzi’s body has never been found. Tony Marrero is the criminal justice and breaking news reporter. Reach him at tmarrero@tampabay.com. Calling or texting 911 connects you to law enforcement The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office also has a non-emergency number – 727-582-6200 – for crimes that are not in progress If you are unsure whether your situation is a true emergency please call 911 and the call taker will determine if you need emergency assistance Email addresses are public record under Florida law and are not exempt from public records requirements If you do not want your email address to be subject to release pursuant to a public records request do not send electronic mail to this entity contact this office by telephone or in writing — A child was airlifted to the hospital after a crash in Largo injured multiple people on Monday The Largo Police Department said the driver that caused the crash experienced a medical episode on East Bay Drive Five people were taken to local hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries while the child was airlifted to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries Police said everyone remained at the scene Parts of East Bay Drive are still closed as police continue to investigate Leer en español an Indian restaurant at 105045 Overseas Highway in Key Largo after receiving a report that a man “had exited his vehicle and was hitting other vehicles stuck in traffic.” a woman pointed to a black SUV and its driver An MCSO arrest report states that Nalywajko told deputies that “multiple vehicles were driving (past) him on the shoulder and he exited the car to have them stop and wait as he was in traffic,” denying that he was hitting other vehicles But the report states that a woman — and a witness — presented a different story The woman told investigators that her vehicle had overheated after being stuck in traffic so she pulled to the shoulder to cool it down Nalywajko “jumped out of the passenger side of his vehicle and blocked her car while cursing at her” and said he pushed another car’s mirror as it drove by; she took out her phone and began recording the incident Deputies said the woman got back on the road and her car overheated again so she pulled into the Indian restaurant parking lot to let it cool down They said Nalywajko followed her and tried pulling on the door handles to get inside of her vehicle the woman had her windows down and was punched in the arm as Nalywajko swung at her and her mirror Another driver reported seeing Nalywajko “reaching into her vehicle” and punching her Deputies arrested Nalywajko on a charge of burglary with assault or battery MCSO records show he was being held without bond at the agency’s Plantation Key jail facility and is scheduled to be arraigned in Monroe County court on April 15 Local 10 News reporter Janine Stanwood contributed to this story — The plastic surgeon accused of killing a Largo attorney appeared before a judge in Pinellas County on Thursday morning Tomasz Kosowski is facing a first-degree murder charge in the death of Steven Cozzi State prosecutors are seeking the death penalty Largo Police said Kosowski killed Cozzi at his law office in Largo in March of 2023 Investigators also stated Cozzi was never seen exiting the building or leaving his vehicle behind MORE COVERAGE | Police detail blood, video evidence linking Largo surgeon to lawyer's disappearance Investigators believe he was killed in the restroom The two were tied together in a civil court case Kosowski's defense attorney filed a motion in January asking a judge to release transcripts of grand jury testimony "conduct an in camera inspection of the transcripts of the grand jury testimony and to thereafter release the transcripts to the Defense in furtherance of justice and to determine if material inconsistencies exist between grand jury testimony and other sworn testimony given in this case and/or to determine if the grand jury testimony contained any false representations." Judge Bulone considered that motion in court on Thursday Prosecutors argued at least 95% of witnesses in the case have been deposed and those depositions are available to the defense and the public "There's been no allegation anywhere that they've testified inconsistently in any of those forms from March 21 to present day," said the state Judge Joseph Bulone denied the defense's motion "I would grant your motion to have me inspect it because I think in death penalty cases the smart thing to do is always grant things in an abundance of caution but quite frankly I don’t even think this is close so I’m going to deny the motion," said Judge Bulone The defense has also filed motions related to unlawful searches of his home and vehicle A judge is expected to hear those motions at a later date The two parties are expected back in court in mid-April Add tegus to the list of invasive species posing an environmental threat to the Florida Keys.  the Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges alerted the public to the black and white tegu sighting The tegu was found hit and killed by a vehicle on County Road 905 in North Key Largo Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation spokeswoman “Staff at the Crocodile Lake Wildlife Refuge was given the carcass and sent it to either (U.S Geological Survey) or University of Florida  for necropsy,” she said.  “Public assistance in reporting sightings is crucial for slowing their spread and protecting vulnerable species from predation including the American crocodile and the Key Largo woodrat,” said the Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges which oversees refuges including Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge in North Key Largo.  According to the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission Argentine black and white tegus aren’t native to Florida and are considered invasive due to their effects on native wildlife They have a black and white coloration that is often arranged in a banding pattern across the back and tail Not only can they climb a few feet off the ground “Reproducing populations of Argentine black and white tegus are established in Hillsborough and Miami-Dade and Charlotte counties,” FWC says “An emerging population was recently discovered in St Lucie County after several confirmed reports were received through the FWC’s exotic species hotline.” A large population is centered in Florida City and spreading into new areas according to the Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health at the University of Georgia “Researchers believe the emergence of tegus in South Florida occurred either through escapes intentional captive animal or pet releases,” FWC says.  The March 4 tegu sighting wasn’t the first State wildlife officials were called to Islamorada for a spotted tegu Tegus usually become a problem in February when they begin to emerge from their burrows after going into a hibernation-like period known as brumation Females can lay an average of 35 eggs per year Eggs incubate for 60 days and require stable temperatures for successful hatching.  Tegus pose a threat to Florida’s native wildlife as they tend to eat American alligator eggs and disturb American crocodile nests in Florida Research by FWC also found they consume juvenile gopher tortoises and agriculturally valuable foods.  Tegus were added to Florida’s prohibited species list meaning these species held by eligible entities are limited to research Those who own them as a pet prior to 2021 needed to apply for a permit Like all nonnative reptile species, FWC says tegus are not protected in Florida except by anti-cruelty law and can be humanely killed on private property with landowner permission. This species can be humanely killed year-round and without a permit or hunting license on 32 commission-managed lands in south Florida Those who spot a black and white tegu should call 1-888-Ive-Got1.  Tegus and Burmese pythons are among the invasive species posing dangers to the environment in South Florida and the Keys The python population was centered within Everglades National Park but has since expanded to just south of Lake Okeechobee to Key Largo and from western Broward County west to Collier County the pythons pose a significant threat to the federally-designated endangered Key Largo woodrat.  The new 11,175-square-foot building would have a mix of retail on the ground floor and causal dining restaurants with a rooftop component | the ardent companies | colliers As new transformative projects are underway in Largo, a vacant property near the city's future Horizon West Bay mixed-use development will be redeveloped into a new retail and restaurant destination Atlanta-based real estate investment firm The Ardent Companies plans to construct a 11,175-square-foot building at the southwest corner of 4th Street Southwest and West Bay Drive The company acquired the Largo property for $1.85 million last year from the church directly across the street site plan of Liberty yards | the ardent companies dubbed Liberty Yards as a nod to the Liberty Worship Center will have a mix of ground-floor retail and restaurants “We believe the investment in the downtown corridor along West Bay will be transformational and we want to be part of that creating an experience for those to dine and shop downtown,” The Ardent Companies Executive Director Jay Douglas said to St The two end cap retail spaces will offer flexible space from 2,000 to 4,000 square feet The remaining 8,000 square feet between the two units will consists of Class A retailers “It’s important to us to have the rooftop terraces at the end caps We are working with a couple of restaurant groups for those spaces,” Douglas said A rendering of liberty landings on west bay drive | the ardent companies | colliers The commercial space is currently being marketed for lease by Jaclyn Langholz of Colliers Douglas said the team is in conversations with several potential tenants and construction will commence once they have secured leases for the end cap units he anticipates Liberty Yards will open by early 2026 Liberty Yards will have around 44 surface parking spaces including street parking and shared parking with the church which was a condition of the purchase agreement The Ardent Companies is working with local civil engineering and landscape firm Kimley-Horn Associates and Phillips Partnership A rendering of the Horizon West Bay development which is under construction and will be completed later this year | City of lARGO Liberty Yards will be directly across the street from the Horizon West Bay project The Horizon West Bay is an $81 million dollar mixed-use development that includes a new Largo City Hall 18,000 square feet of retail space and a parking garage Completion on Horizon West Bay is expected in mid-2025 Douglas said Ardent may explore additional development opportunities in the Tampa Bay region Liberty Yards is the only project the team is actively developing in Tampa Bay the curtain is set to rise on Disney’s “Moana Jr.” The cast of this musical presented by the Key Largo School Drama Club “The character I play is Moana and I think she’s very inspiring because she became a wayfinder despite all the people pressuring her to stay in the village,” said KLS fifth grader Gabby Castano a wayfinder is someone who navigates the ocean using cues from nature “One of the cool things about this show is we made a majority of the islander costumes,” said KLS drama teacher Michele Zofchak “We have been learning about Pacific Islander culture we’ve been learning about how we can show respect for that culture.” The musical follows the adventures of strong-willed princess Moana follows her calling and sails out to sea in order to save her village I feel like she kind of relates to me because we’re on an island,” said 13-year-old Kaelyn McMahon who plays the chief ancestor and is also a Moana understudy.  With the help of grants from the Keys Children’s Foundation and the Ocean Reef Community Foundation Zofchak says she and others have been able to make the show “pretty spectacular” with beautiful sets and backdrops KLS music and movement teacher Kelly Shaw has been helping the students perfect their Polynesian dance moves “They really come out of their shells when they’re in drama and there’s a little bit of everything for everybody,” said Shaw “I get to do roles and I get to be characters with my friends,” she explained This will be the first time acting in a show for eighth grader Caedyn Perdomo He landed the role of Chief Tui and is also an understudy for Maui Learning his lines and song lyrics came easily so the songs were really easy to memorize,” said Perdomo volunteered to help sew costumes and even built a gigantic papier mache crab shell used in the show.  “These kids have been putting so much into this and I felt like I wanted to do everything I could to help out as well,” said Caitlin KLS eighth-grader Lillian Simmons found her role in the production as a backstage worker I was in drama club and I always kind of liked it but wasn’t sure if I wanted to be a part of it like in the cast,” said Simmons “I’m excited but I’m also very nervous,” said eighth-grader Gabriel Matus Andrea Lopez said the show is a lot of fun The almost daily rehearsals teach discipline and time management “Another thing I like about these shows is it teaches you a lot of responsibility,” said Lopez I would love to get some sleep after this,” joked 9-year-old Hannah Qually of the long rehearsal hours There will be a total of five performances of Moana Jr at the Coral Shores High School Performing Arts Center Get Keys Weekly delivered right to your inbox along with 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