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— Neighbors are concerned about crossing a busy road in Palm Harbor
Carla Schutte has lived in Palm Harbor for 20 years
She says the increasing traffic on Nebraska Avenue makes it difficult to cross
She’s talking about the crosswalk on Nebraska Avenue and Sunray Drive
She says she feels there’s not enough warning for drivers that pedestrians are trying to cross
“I have problems taking my car across this intersection
Schutte points out how faded the markings on the crosswalk are
She also says some of the road signs are hard to see for drivers
Owner Carrie Helm says she’d also love to have a safer crossing for her residents
“We have residents that are very independent,” Helm said
“They walk and use wheelchairs and walkers to go over there
And we want them to be able to do that safer.”
Helm and Schutte say they feel that better markings and the addition of flashing lights would make the crosswalk stand out more to drivers
Pinellas County officials say there is a roadway and drainage improvement project planned for Nebraska Avenue
Plans include a roundabout nearby at Nebraska and 16th Street
the county will now review the crosswalk to see if any improvements should be made
“People will start using it more if they’re going to feel safe
They’ve stopped using this crosswalk because they don’t feel safe,” Schutte said
who enjoyed the cheap tickets and relaxing ride after long shifts as a U.S
Castro, 41, was the sole person killed aboard a Clearwater ferry that was plowed from behind by another boater
No one has been arrested in the wake of the crash, described as a maritime hit-and-run in early accounts by police. Castro’s family doesn’t understand why.
“I want this guy to pay for what he did, for what we’re going through right now,” said Castro’s sister, Sandy Todd. “My family is destroyed.”
Investigators search the wreckage of the Clearwater Ferry in Clearwater Harbor, near the Clearwater Memorial Causeway Bridge, on Sunday after a crash that caused multiple injuries and one death. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times ]Todd said she and her brother emigrated from Peru about 20 years ago, when Castro was 18. As his older sister, she was protective of him.
Family was important to Castro even back then. After the births of his two daughters, they became his entire life, Todd said.
Telling the girls — Ivory, 8, and Jolene, 3 — that their father was gone devastated them, said their mother, Jenny Hernandez.
Jolene is too young to understand what’s happening, she said, but her older sister is distraught.
“She’s just crying for her dad,” Hernandez, 27, said. “She was just in shock. She couldn’t believe that there was an accident and that he was the only one that didn’t survive.”
Castro took his daughters everywhere, the family said. After school each day, he would bring them to the YMCA, where he would work out and they would play with the other kids. He often took the girls to a nearby park, the public pool and Chuck E. Cheese.
At home, Castro would dance and sing to salsa music with the girls.
“He dedicated his life to just being the best father to them,” Hernandez said.
Castro didn’t like the beach, the water or the hot Florida sun. So family members were surprised to learn he had been aboard the ferry, touted as a safer alternative to busy roads and highways.
The family’s grief mixed with outrage as more details about the collision surfaced this week. Todd said it was difficult to watch video of the crash, which circulated on social media before Clearwater police released an edited version Monday.
The time-stamped video recorded by a city web camera at Coachman Park shows the boat crashing into the back of the ferry at 8:40 p.m. It then pulled away from the ferry and remained in the area as the ferry appeared to drift.
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a tourist cruise ship that had been heading north when the crash happened
pulled close and shone a spotlight on the ferry
The blue boat that had hit the ferry circled around and pulled closer to the ferry as it drifted into shallower water near the south side of the Clearwater Causeway
the cruise ship’s crew called the Coast Guard and scanned the water for people needing rescue
many people on the ferry had made it to a nearby sandbar after another boat had nudged the vessel toward shallower waters
Leogrande listened from the shore as his crew described the scene over the radio
He couldn’t tell whether the boat that had pushed the ferry to safety was the same one responsible for the crash
Investigators couldn’t yet answer that question either
“If it was another person nearby … they’re heroes," Leogrande said
at least that shows you that they thought about it a minute before they took off.”
came into camera view as they crossed the causeway on the way to the scene
the boat that officials say was operated by Knight began to slowly motor away from the scene
heading south out of the camera’s view at 8:53 p.m
Video that appears to have been shot by a bystander from atop the causeway and posted to Facebook showed the blue boat backing away from the ferry as the two vessels are near the shoreline
and more emergency vehicles were pulling up
Investigators found the boat 3½ miles away at the Belleair boat ramp
Wildlife officials said “approximately six passengers” were on board the boat
but they haven’t released their identities
The agency is working with the Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney’s Office to determine if the incident fits the legal definition of a hit-and-run
State Attorney Bruce Bartlett declined to comment on the case
Jeff Knight is seen on the phone while sitting in a boat that collided with the Clearwater Ferry on Sunday
He has been arrested three times on charges of driving while impaired
He pleaded no contest each time and received probation and fines
In 2012, Knight was on his yacht, Pure Knight Life, in the waters off the Renaissance Vinoy Resort with a group of friends after a night of partying, police said, when one of them fell off the boat. The man hit his head on the way down and drowned
The Medical Examiner’s Office found the man had alcohol and cocaine in his system
Knight’s prior record aroused the family’s suspicions
“This is a rich businessman that seems like he could do whatever he wants,” said Castro’s brother-in-law
Knight’s attorney, J. Kevin Hayslett, sent a letter to investigators on Tuesday that says Knight did not commit a hit-and-run
The letter states that Knight had someone on board call 911 after the crash and that he stayed on scene and offered help until first responders arrived
The letter says Knight left the scene because his boat was taking on water and he feared it might sink
The letter also suggests that the ferry was not properly lit and that the crew and passengers were distracted by dolphins just before the crash
A statement posted to social media by Jannus Live on Tuesday referred to the crash as an “accident” and asked that “judgment be reserved” until the investigation is completed
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims
their families and all those impacted during this incredibly difficult time,” the statement said
worked as a clerk at its Tampa distribution center
“The Postal Service is deeply saddened by the loss of our postal family member
Our sincere condolences and thoughts go out to his family
friends and co-workers,” a spokesperson wrote in an emailed statement
“If we could raise a lot of money, we’d like to pay for the girls’ college,” Rodriguez said. “They’ve lost the only breadwinner in their family. Who’s going to take care of those kids for the rest of their lives?”
Times staff writers Zachary T. Sampson, Emily L. Mahoney, Michaela Mulligan, Tony Marrero and Teghan Simonton contributed to this report.
Jack Prator is a reporter covering breaking news and environment. Reach him at jprator@tampabay.com.
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Carved between palm trees and old oaks cradled with Spanish moss
Palm Harbor’s natural beauty requires accuracy and creativity
This daily fee municipal course presents a challenge for golfers of all skill levels while providing a memorable experience
The current status of the Palm Harbor Golf Club is :
Thank you all for your continued patronage
We are consistently looking for ways to strengthen our golf course operations to ensure longevity and quality of services
Many of you have shared your feedback with us and we sincerely appreciate your insight
We will continue to seek and incorporate your ideas as we all work together to make Palm Harbor Golf Course the best it can be
Palm Harbor Golf Club will be implementing a 3% credit card surcharge on all credit card transactions
This will help us to sustain this individual benefit
credit cards will no longer be stored on-file
Please bring your form of payment with you when paying for your tee time
We appreciate your support and understanding in this
2025, City Council will host a workshop that will include a Palm Harbor Golf Club operations presentation as part of its agenda
This is a follow-up to the presentation that was provided to City Council earlier this year
All City Council meetings are open to the public and incorporate an opportunity for feedback
We value your opinions as they support the decision-making process going forward
along with the scheduled annual Summer rate greens fee adjustment
we will also increase the range tokens from $4+tax to $5+tax
Palm Harbor Golf Club features a full-service practice facility with a driving range
With its creative hazards and unique character
the Palm Harbor Golf Course provides a competitive experience with each swing of the club.
An on-site restaurant makes Palm Harbor the ideal place to spend the day
Loopers Par & Grill opened in April 2023 and offers a varied menu of hand-held items
and luxurious entrees for a sit-down experience
For more information about Loopers Par & Grille
Proper golf attire is required at all times
Please note Palm Harbor Golf Club is a soft spike facility only.
The course has a pro shop carrying men’s and women’s name-brand apparel and equipment.
My golf career started late in life at the age of 27
I knew immediately this game would become my passion
I captured numerous wins within my first three years of playing golf
I turned professional and joined the Futures Tour along with the South African Tour and West Coast Tour
I studied and learned how to teach by one of the best teachers in the business
Two-Time Hall of Fame Instructor Bob Toski
Bob has developed some of the best golfing minds in the business such as Jim Flick
and fundamentals of the golf swing for 20 years
I was the Head Varsity Girls’ Golf Coach at American Heritage School in Delray Beach for 7 years
My team captured District and Regional Championships five years in a row
Sun-Sentinel voted me Coach of the Year five times and Palm Beach Post three
My teaching philosophy is that everyBODY is different and I will help each student find their own swing in ways THEY like to learn
There is no one way to swing the club and no one way for the ball to reach its target
Students will learn how to build a strong foundation of fundamentals
I communicate in a simple and relatable way so each student can reach their goals
Book a lesson here
Palm Harbor Golf Club is home to three local golf leagues
The Men's Golf Association plays every Wednesday morning with an 8:30am shotgun start
members must be in good standing with the MGA and signed up by the Pro Shop by Monday at 12pm
To join the association or for more information, please visit palmharbormga.com
Women's Golf Association Leagues18-holers Women's League (competitive league)
Palm Harbor Niners9-Holers Women's League (competitive league)
Women's Social LeagueNifty-Niners Women's League (social league)
For information on joining women's leagues
please call the pro shop at 386-986-GOLF (4653)
Winter Hours (November 1 - March 8) Monday-Sunday: 7am-5pm
Summer Hours (March 9 - October 31) Monday-Sunday: 7am-6pm
Loopers Par & Grill Hours of Operation
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— The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) identified the victim who died in the ferry boat crash near the Memorial Causeway on Sunday evening
was identified as the victim who died in the ferry boat crash
The City of Clearwater said one person has died and 10 people were injured following a boat crash near the Memorial Causeway bridge
Two of the trauma alerts were flown to Baycare Health with various minor injuries
44 people were on board the ferry at the time of the crash
ABC Action News spoke with Clearwater Mayor Bruce Rector
who said the Clearwater Ferry was in a collision with a privately owned boat carrying six people
FWC said that after the collision with the ferry
the boat captain then left the scene and traveled to Belleair Boat Ramp
The Ferry boat captain was identified as Dennis Kimerer
and the captain of the private boat was identified as Jeffry Knight
Officials have not filed any charges in this case
Clearwater Ferry's Mayday call to Coast Guard
WATCH: Boat collides with ferry in Clearwater
WATCH: Clearwater Police gives update on Monday afternoon after deadly ferry crash
"We are actually going to go to the hospital right now to get checked because I'm a little worried I haven't felt the baby move
We just wanted to get to our cars and get home
We can't understand how fast they were going
like how that was even logically possible that they hit and were able to get off like that
We have a 3-year-old and 1-year-old with us
the doctor checked her out and said she and the baby will be okay after an ultrasound
Officials said Clearwater Police and Clearwater Fire and Rescue were on scene following a call at 8:43 p.m
It was the end of the 17-day Sugar Sand Festival tonight
so a lot of people were taking the ferry back and forth for the festival
Officials said that they believe everyone has been accounted for and no one was reported missing
The FWC is continuing to canvas the area for surveillance footage and witnesses
The United States Coast Guard is also investigating
PSTA and Clearwater Ferry released a joint statement following the incident:
"We are heartbroken for the person who lost their life
We deeply appreciate the dedication of the first responders and others who rushed to help Sunday night
Safety is the top priority for PSTA and the Clearwater Ferry."
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
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April 22, 2025 | FlaglerLive | 16 Comments
Possibly ending the city’s 17-year ownership of the Palm Harbor Golf Club
the Palm Coast City Council will look for a buyer for the 146-acre course and backyard to hundreds of properties in the C-Section
Several residents addressing the council today begged it not to sell the grounds or to permit it to be sued for anything other than a golf course
“I absolutely 100 percent agree that this property should and always remain a golf course,” Council member Charles Gambaro said
“It’s had a long history with our city
is it worth the time to take a look to see if a private entity would do a better job in running it.”
A council member and even the acting city manager were under the impression that previous councils had not made “cost recovery” a priority at the golf course
The Palm Harbor Golf Club’s moss-shaded greens symbolize the original Palm Coast and tug at the hearts of its users
But the course’s bunkers could be metaphors for money pits: the 18-hole course has been deficit-ridden since the city took ownership in 2008
with operational deficits exceeding $3.5 million and capital deficits closer to $9 million
taxpayers are subsidizing a fee-based golf club where they may not play unless they pay
“Previous city councils have considered the golf course an amenity
and it’s been in our capital improvement program
like other parks and facilities,” Johnston said
Miller wants that capital cost included in future budgets
“This is a true cost recovery versus cost recovery for operations,” he said
though she had other reasons to oppose continuing to carry the course on the city’s books as well
“I have a really big issue with spending taxpayer dollars each year to undercut private business
which is why we decided in the last year or two to try to be cost recovery,” she said
She was “disappointed that capital improvements were not included in that
because I don’t think it really allowed us to fairly say we were cost recovery if we’re not looking at capital improvements as a part of what that actual cost recovery looks like.”
The city administration will appraise the property
as that is required for any sale of city land
The RFP will be submitted to the council for approval in coming weeks
declare golf is dead when actually they killed the quality of the course
Where else in the middle of a city can you get 140 acres of already cleared land
Golf courses are worth more dead than alive
The city should subsidize it for tax paying adult/senior recreation like they do all the playgrounds and ballfields for kids who don’t pay taxes
Poorly run by a manager who doesn’t know a golf ball from a tennis ball
I’m tired of my taxes going to subsidize their payroll
Slowest greens in the country and poorly maintained
A private owner can turn that place around and make a profit if properly managed
Here we go again – sounds like a captain’s bbq deal all over again
Get ready – Palm Coast Taxpayers – to get ripped off !!
Which builder will be the 1st to stake claim
PLAM COAST IS DYING RIGHT IN FRONT OF OUR EYES
Increase green fees and cart fees to make it self sustaining and reduce non essential staff like bag drop who have 2-3 on and so city payroll
I suggested long ago to start charging people who reserve a time and then dont show up
This leaves open time with no one playing in that time frame
Im told they had some groups that reserved the whole course for am play
Another dirty trick between city council and developers
Sell it to stay a golf course but Lord and behold it goes belly up and then the crooked and greedy politicians and developers get what they want
Why isn’t there an outcry for all the other sports complexes which do not generate any revenue
tennis and soccer fields are taxpayer funded as a part of the city ‘landscape’ and attracts new residents for the amenities we have
Having a golf course which revenue offsets the expenses of operations and which has been a ‘part’ of this community for many years is a worthwhile investment for our city
Trying to get a morning tee time for 4 or more golfers is imposible
Someone is not telling the truth about where the money is going
I gone to Cyprus Knolls and Pine Lake golf courses
and they have less players playing there and there able to survive
This year both those courses are in much better condition than Palm Harbor
The City needs to step up and make this a pristine golf course like it was
Almost every large city has a city owned golf course and they make it work
In my eyes it seam like the mangement of this course has been bad
So relook at who’s runnng the course
apparently there not doing there job to make it work
The city needs to take pride in this gem of a golf course and make it happen for the people of Palm Coast
The golf course was taken over by the City to protect the quality of the surrounding neighborhood
and just as importantly to provide golfing opportunity for residents at an affordable prices
For adults as we have parks and ball fields for youngsters
you should at least get someone able to oversee it
Getting a competent professional manager to run the City would be a good and long overdue start
Who’s going to rent the nearby Condo’s
And DOZE the staffing to that of what a profitable course has
If you let it go it will be a MAJOR mistake
Like the song says ” You don’t know what you had
untill its GONE” ………………
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Text “RECOVER” to 888777 for latest storm-related financial assistance info or visit recover.pinellas.gov
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The tourism site Visit St. Pete-Clearwater is the county’s main resource for visitors
The intersection of Alderman Road and County Road 1 (Omaha Street)
along with the westbound lane of Alderman Road between Enisgrove Drive and Eniswood Parkway
will be closed for approximately one month while Pinellas County Utilities completes a sewer line repair
Eastbound traffic on Alderman Road will turn right at County Road 1 and either detour to Nebraska Avenue or make a U-turn and return to Alderman Road
Northbound traffic on County Road 1 will only be able to turn right on Alderman Road
Motorists are advised to follow all traffic signs while driving through the area or seek an alternate route to avoid delays
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The victim of Sunday night’s fatal hit-and-run boat crash in Clearwater Bay has been identified as Jose Castro
Additional details are emerging in about the incident
in which a 37-foot pleasure boat with six persons aboard struck the 40-foot Clearwater Ferry
which transports passengers to and from the mainland and the beaches
The operator of the recreational vehicle has been identified as Jeffry Knight
He is the longtime owner of the Jannus Live outdoor concert venue in downtown St
The multi-agency investigation into the incident is ongoing
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission captain Matthew Dallarosa said the victim was one of 45 persons aboard the ferry
At least 10 were injured in what Clearwater Emergency Medical System chief Tony Tedesco called a “Level One Mass Casualty.”
Clearwater Police and Clearwater Fire & Rescue responded to a 911 call at 8:43 p.m
The United States Coast Guard received a maritime distress call from the ferry crew: “Mayday
underneath the Clearwater Memorial Causeway
and this big yacht just came through the boat.”
Several passengers were able to get out and walk to shore; some were aided by good Samaritans
All victims were triaged at the Seminole Boat Ramp
Two people were airlifted to area hospitals
Screengrab from a City of Clearwater video
A dimly-lit video from a nearby city park shows the ferry moving slowly
eastward in the channel under the Memorial Causeway bridge
and overtaken by a recreational boat – identified as a blue-and-white center console model – operated at a much higher rate of speed
The smaller craft strikes the ferry’s stern
and its bow is seen rising almost vertically in the air
The brief video ends with the recreational vessel backing up and separating from the ferry
although officials say the smaller boat left the scene within minutes and came ashore at the Belleair Boat Ramp
authorities said; the presence of alcohol was not detected
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Coast Guard are also taking part in the investigation
The Clearwater Ferry is operated by the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority
this guy needs to take full responsibility and serve a long sentence
Billionaire with his lawyer in speed dial and severe corruption going on
No blood test (he is knownto like his cocaine)
He was on the run to his house ithat is on the water in Largo
Thank goodness his boat was taking in water
otherwise we would never know who did this
however the sandbar is where the accident happened
While it’s stated that the supposed driver of the 37ft cc was given a breath test
Knight had previous boating incident years ago docked at Vinoy Yacht basin .Fatality involved when a guest fell and drowned off his party yacht
They elites think that they can commit crimes and just drive away and carry on their normal life
It’s kind of getting common around here
then they come with their hoards of lawyers to tell us different
Looks like the boat creating the accident had no running lights on
That’s what I’m wondering was someone else driving they had time to switch
I call BS..by the time the alleged driver was beath tested
enough time had passed or actual driver left the area
a blood test should have been drawn immediately upon supposition of drivers idendity
Had 3 miles to travel and get their stories straight
Even though Florida does not require a pleasure boat license the captain of the overtaking vessel was responsible for the six passengers on his boat
he is now responsible for the 45 persons on the ferry
Was the person given the breathalyzer test actually operating the boat
Why did the offending vessel not stop and render assistance instead of fleeing the scene
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PALM HARBOR — Family meant everything to Jose Castro
But now those young girls are without a father
and Sandy is planning a funeral for her brother
"My family is coming [from] all over to be the last time with my brother
The post office worker from Palm Harbor was returning from a day off at the beach
He was one of 44 people on the Clearwater Ferry when investigators say a boat captained by Jeff Knight slammed into them
Florida Fish and Wildlife towed the mangled ferry away as the investigation into the crash continues
FWC says Knight's boat left the scene after the crash and went to the Belleair Boat Ramp
Castro's family reached out to ABC Action News in part because they are angry that no charges have been filed
He's going to be here killing one person today that was my brother
Can be another family member suffering while we are suffering today
Records show Knight was charged in a 2019 boating accident where he crashed into a pontoon boat
And while the charges were later dismissed
Knight was also sued in 2012 after a friend died after slipping off Knight's yacht
Knight's attorney provided a letter that they had sent to FWC requesting "the preservation of evidence."
The concert venue released a statement asking that “judgment be reserved” while authorities investigate what happened
they say they will miss his smile and positive vibe
"If you met Jose one time in your life my brother was always the person that was the happiest man in this world,” Todd said
Deputies obtained footage from two doorbell cameras that showed Kyrie walking out of his home and heading south to a pond in the complex about three buildings away.
Deputies searched the area with dogs and a helicopter. A dive team also arrived and searched the pond, where they found the boy dead, Danzig said.
Investigators believe the boy drowned, Danzig said. The medical examiner will confirm his cause of death.
The boy’s parents, who are hearing impaired, told deputies they were watching television and thought Kyrie was playing with his brother at the time he wandered off, Danzig said.
“At this point, it does appear to be a tragic accident,” Danzig said.
Tony Marrero is the criminal justice and breaking news reporter. Reach him at tmarrero@tampabay.com.
— After years of fundraising and planning
a Palm Harbor food pantry is opening its brand-new facility
FEAST Food Pantry had spent the last nine months operating out of a fire department building and now has its own building ready to go
can go a long way — especially if you’re hungry but can’t afford groceries
but the folks at FEAST Food Pantry see each donation and food item as a true gift for someone who needs sustenance
That’s why Joe Cilento has been volunteering here for nearly six years
The volunteers I’ve met here are great people.”
Cilento suffered a stroke before volunteering and said if he got better
sometimes by the truckful and has them sorted and eventually bagged to give to people
it was operating out of an old building where Cilento says there were holes in the floor and had just run its course
that changes with this new building on Nebraska Avenue
we had two dilapidated trailers that were kind of cobbled together that were a mess,” said Tamara Black
last year they gave food to roughly 54,000 people
so the need to update and enhance their space was huge
“it’s been very fulfilling for me personally to see families in need who are suffering from food insecurity
be able to come here to a safe and welcoming environment and obtain food for their families,” Black said
But that suffering isn’t expected to drop in the near future
Department of Agriculture canceled food deliveries to food banks and cut back assistance by hundreds of millions of dollars
While the funding isn’t impacting FEAST specifically
they do anticipate that recent federal cuts will impact people in Pinellas County who will ultimately need food assistance as a result
“We’re projecting that we’re going to see 75,000 people in 2025 because of those cuts,” Black said
he sees the upgrades FEAST has made and knows higher ups
are moving the food pantry in the right direction to help as many people as they possibly can
Having that can-do attitude makes all the difference
FEAST Food Pantry’s building is right next to Grace Community Church in Palm Harbor
it has four other donation boxes where people can donate food 24/7
April 21, 2025 | FlaglerLive | 4 Comments
The Palm Coast Parks and Recreation Department is expecting to almost break even this year and to generate a $93,000 surplus next year at the city-owned Palm Harbor Golf Club
the surplus would decline if the city were to take over course maintenance from a private contractor
The club made a small surplus of $10,000 three years ago but returned to deficits–$435,000 in 2023
$168,000 last year–until the city raised group rates from $43 to $46 for a round
raised all rates an additional 3% to keep up with inflation
and on April 1 started charging a 3 percent fee for anyone paying by credit card
The club also added four tee times between the morning and the evening
From last Oct. 1 to April 10, the course generated revenue of $984,000 with $977,000 in expenses. By the end of the fiscal year the course is expected to essentially break even (running a rounding-error deficit of $2,300 on revenue of $1.83 million). In 2024, the course hosted 26 tournaments. The course is overwhelmingly used by local residents (locals accounted for 91 percent of 52,661 rounds last year)
It’s also not clear how that surplus fits with needed capital improvements at the course. When Parks and Recreation Director James Hirst presented a summary analysis of the course’s operations to the council last January, he included almost $700,000 in needed priority improvements
including half a million dollars to renovate the greens and $150,000 for an irrigation pump station
the analysis did not include a substantial
intangible benefit the course provides almost 1,000 properties adjacent to it or neighboring it–properties where values
quality of life and aesthetic perks are at least in some ways greened by the club’s proximity
But parks are free to use. Since the golf club is a fee-based operation with restricted public access, some council members have more recently asked the administration to find ways to end deficit spending there. Council member Charles Gambaro floated the idea of selling the golf course if necessary. (Flagler Beach is moving toward just such a sale of the nine-hole golf course it bought the same year Palm Coast bought Palm Harbor.)
who say the city-owned course unfairly competes with theirs thanks to subsidies or rates
Palm Harbor Golf Course Projections, 2025
Just sell it and build a mega storage facility
Should be able to make millions a year for the town if run properly
what other public recreation do you subsidize for seniors while you subsidize youth sports
I think there is a couple things that are notable and questionable with this
this narrative that we should accept amenities we charge for operating at a loss is acceptable needs to be rejected
The bottom line is that golf course is a business and as it being publicly owned it should at least break even
Draining millions for City coffers is not ok
If we don’t have the talent and expertise to operate it at a minimum of break even then we need to get the expertise to do that including outsourcing the management of it
We need to outsource more for a lot of operations
2002/2023 we see almost $500k in “catch up” fleet costs but is the next round planned for and when
we have had basically a lot of the same leadership in Parks and this continues to be an issue and we are looking at them to solve it
like other stuff we need expert golf folks to be brought in for an expert assessment suggestions
As the mayor confirmed in one past meeting when uninformed councilman Gambaro brought the idea of selling our PHGC probably pressured by developers historically since 2000’s
drooling over building profitable condos on it as we originally and successfully defeated
Now can’t be sold as is a historical amenity provided in our original properties easements by ITT only to be used as a golf course or other sport only
Mayor Norris confirmed contesting anti residents non elected
appointed Councilman Gambaro that the Southern Recreation Center cost us all $600,000 a year
What about the cost to Holland Park debacled Splash Pad still open wallet in court
What about Carter Park and the milloins spent In Water Front Park new Kayak pad
These are all amenities and all cost us bigger monies than the PHGC but you do not see us like you
We are for preserving all amenities wheter we used them all or not
You also fixed in the PHGC because your house is not anywhere near it and will not be affected if sold and you can care less about our homes devaluation if PHGC gone
Gambaro get busy doing positive things until your reelection comes around
Hope your Tallahassee visit in our dime will bring the needed financial help for our depleted utility by the growth making developers rich while expecting us to foot their bill
A proposed resolution from Pinellas County Commissioner Vince Nowicki that would have banned displays in the Palm Harbor Library depicting topics related to sexual identity and diversity
equity and inclusion (DEI) principles has been tabled
During a new business discussion at its regular board meeting
Pinellas County Commissioners considered whether the board should assert its authority over the library to ensure “a family-focused environment that is free from any form of sexual identity promotion or discussion in the children’s section.”
including Chair Brian Scott and Commissioners Chris Latvala and Dave Eggers
suggested giving the library advisory board and other leaders time to assuage concerns about recent displays spotlighting LGBTQ+ issues
though they agreed with the resolution’s sentiment
but the proposed resolution prompted concerns from the LGBTQ+ community and its allies that the board was attempting to remove items related to LGBTQ+ issues and content deemed related to DEI initiatives and theories
Nowicki described such fears as “misinformation” and claimed pushback was coming from outside the Palm Harbor community
He further argued that his resolution didn’t call for books to be banned or removed
but rather addressed displays and brochures
His resolution included six actionable items
including the prohibition of “the active promotion or endorsement of sexual identity in the children’s section.” That item specifically listed “visual displays
or artwork that reference or depict any themes related to sexual identity,” as well as “oral presentations
or programs that include references to sexual identity.” It also specifically would have banned pamphlets
brochures or handouts that promote sexual identity
The resolution also directly stated that books referencing sexual identity “shall not be restricted from the library’s collection,” but that such items “shall not be highlighted
It further called for regular audits of displays and programs within the children’s section of the library and for the immediate removal of any noncompliant materials or displays
as well as accountability measures for staff who violate policy
the resolution called for “clear signage” in the children’s section outlining policy
and a strategic plan within 120 days of adoption
The resolution called for a strategic plan “free of Diversity
The issue came up after Nowicki learned of a display at Palm Harbor Library authors in the LGBTQ+ community with a sign showing a rainbow heart saying “everyone is welcome here.” The display also included a Lego set entitled “Everyone is Awesome” and a brochure with lists of LGBTQ+ books
Library staff has since removed the display
Library Director Matthew David told Nowicki that his staff would remove “sexual identity” stickers from books after Nowicki expressed concerns about such stickers possibly embarrassing parents who pulled the book from the shelf
he also explained that they were not just to identify books with a particular topic
but to inform parents who may wish to avoid such content for their children
This isn’t the first time the Palm Harbor Library has been targeted over LGBTQ+ displays. Latvala two years ago expressed concern about a Pride display in the children’s section
which was ultimately removed after pushback
Now, Commissioners are leaving it to the Palm Harbor Community Services Agency (PHCSA)
to ensure age-appropriate content that aligns with Commission priorities
At least one commissioner had a backbone to stand by his campaign
Latvala is probably the most disappointing out of the 7
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— Britty Viazzi has big plans for downtown Palm Harbor
Her first big boost for the community is perhaps the most unique coffee shop in Tampa Bay
Little Brew Play Cafe, located at 1202 Nebraska Ave in Palm Harbor
is where grownups can have a morning cup of joe and a snack
and young children can play in seven themed playrooms
"It has a real feeling of community, and that was important to me," said Britty, a mom herself, who provides food via her second inspired business, the Pop Up Picnic Girl
But her biggest venture to bring new life into Palm Harbor is a new outdoor Downtown Market
Britty has gathered dozens of the area's top artisans, vendors and small businesses to participate in the market, including painter Fonda Wirth and Hat Bar queen Lauren Grace
who sells personalized trucker and cowboy hats
and Britty has done an amazing job with this," said Grace
For more "Daly Discoveries," follow Sean on Instagram @seandalytv.
— A young woman is asking people in Palm Harbor for a sentimental gesture to honor her father
Shiyenne Muentes hopes the community will stop by and leave flowers at the memorial she created for her dad
when he attempted to cross Tampa Road near U.S
Words often fall short at a time like this — they never seem to be enough
he was always the kind of person to do anything for everybody
He always tried his best with everything he did
and so I’m trying to do the most that I can for him.”
It was still dark when he left the gym to head home
I don’t really know how to process this right now
and I can only imagine it’s going to get harder once I start accomplishing things in my life and he can’t be there," she said
Muentes served in the Coast Guard for 20 years and had just retired
“He was so excited and so happy to be home and this upcoming year
he was going to make it his year," Shiyenne said
“I’m grateful that we got to see him in the ER before he was taken away," she said
Sam wasn’t in a crosswalk when he was hit — Shiyenne said the crosswalk down the street at U.S
She’d like to see one farther away from busy US 19 that people who go to the gym and church in the shopping center across the street can use
with flashing lights on it so people can really see
She and her family also noticed several street lights are out in the area where he crossed
and they wonder that if those lights had been on
would the driver have been able to see him better
she’s hoping the poster-sized photo of her dad reminds people he was loved as they drive by
and to recognize that this is someone who was really loved in our community who had passed away," she said
"It warms my heart to know that he was so well loved by so many people in the community
and even people who are passing by will share an interaction they may have had with my dad
and it really just warms my heart to know how much he was loved.”
Pinellas County officials said they are checking with Duke Energy on when they expect streetlights to be repaired
The county said they would review pedestrian cross demands in the area to see if changes need to be made
In the meantime, if you'd like to donate to the family to help pay for funeral expenses, click here.
Beloved seafood restaurant Crabby Bill’s debuted its new location in Palm Harbor (1114 Florida Ave)
joining The Original Crabby Bill’s in Indian Rocks (401 Gulf Blvd) and the St
Known for its no-frills seafood—especially its crab and grouper—and its casual
Crabby Bill’s epitomizes Florida’s coastal charm
Originally opening as Captain Bill’s in the 1970s
the restaurant rebranded in the 1980s after the family established its business in a humble 800-square-foot building in Indian Rocks
is easily recognizable and has become a beacon in the community
The Crabby Bill’s family keeps growing
and the Palm Harbor location marks another significant milestone in the brand’s impressive expansion over the last 50+ years
Crabby Bill’s has grown into a family of brands
the brand has expanded to include Crabby Gifts
Follow Crabby Bill’s on Instagram
has set the opening timeline for Crunch Palm Harbor
55,000-square-foot fitness facility to open in late Summer 2025
The “Mega Crunch” facility will be in the former Esporta location in Palm Harbor
Crunch Palm Harbor will be among the first fitness facilities showcasing the company’s 3.0 design
Their combined experience in the fitness industry is over 150 years
CR Fitness Holdings LLC has 74 locations open in Florida
The franchisee also announced plans to reach 100 clubs by 2026
Crunch Palm Harbor will be the 23rd venue to open in the Tampa Bay area and represents a key market expansion for CR Fitness Holdings
Read More SGB Update Stories
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except with the prior written permission of SGB Media
January 27, 2025 | FlaglerLive | 41 Comments
Since it opened in 2009 as a city-owned facility
Palm Coast’s Palm Harbor golf course has not only not made money
The course has run combined losses of $3.44 million in the last 16 years
the course needs $670,000 in capital repairs–to its irrigation pump station
referred to the 2023 loss several times in his last months on the council
Council member Charles Gambaro took the matter further as he addressed his colleagues on the council
recent financial accounts of the golf course in hand
“We lose hundreds of 1000s of dollars every year,” he said
“I would ask the council’s consensus to look at options of how we can run it better
Because I think that’s important that that land remains a golf course for our community
Could an investor come in and turn into something different
But I think those are all options that we should consider
because losing an average of $500,000 a year
it’s not good.” The figure he cited likely included depreciation and capital costs
Gulp….how many MILLIONS of tax dollars lost!?
And the local government went after the SWIM CLUB for hemorrhaging money
I thought Golf Courses were THE THING in Florida!?
I would suggest conducting a poll as to why it’s not being self supporting ( why aren’t people using it)
is it “too cheap” to cover even MOST of its own expense ( and allow SOME government loss as a community recreation facility)
Would it be more financially attractive with adding a few pickleball courts
A small playground where non-golfing family members could spend time
If there just isn’t enough interest to make it financially feasible ( good golf courses are expensive to maintain)…then maybe it’s time to look at other uses…PLEASE don’t IMMEDIATELY say 250 houses!!
Why has it been so long to address this problem,it is just piss poor management of the city
The restaurant that previously held that concession was the highest-rated in the county
I wonder where the revenue generated by the restaurant at the golf course now (Loopers) goes
I didn’t see where that concession income is factored in anywhere
What about the golf shop that used to share space with the restaurant
Does the contract with an LPGA teaching professional generate revenue or cost
does every other recreation item make money in Palm Coast
How much profit does that monstrosity of a bridge over 100 bring in each year
In all the months it has been open I have never seen over 3 people using it yet thousands of people use the golf course every year
Palm Harbor Golf Course is open to the public
How much is Palm Coast willing to pay to provide this amenity to its residents
How much is Palm Coast willing to pay (or contribute in this case) for any amenity
If the golf course expense is $2MM a year and there are 50K rounds per year do the math… An average cost to play of $40 should cover it
Figure out a fair cost to play and keep Palm Harbor Golf
Does this city know how to operate correctly
It doesn’t seem as though they know what they are doing
The golf course folly was a loser even before it began
I fully support putting this golf course out to bid to the private sector
It is completely unfair that our two privately owned golf courses
has to compete against a city run golf course that bleeds lots of tax dollars
government does not know how to run a business
Let’s level the playing field and let private business compete against private business
Let’s not forget that the city run Golf Course does not pay property taxes or city utilities
We have nothing to lose by putting this course to bid
and we have everything to gain if the right bidder comes along
you bullshit the baker…you get a bun
& voted in are stabbing us in the back
Just keep raising taxes & our water bill
It all started with the biulding of City Hall…
Just be honest when the people when you fight this battle OK
They always have two bag handlers at all time as pine lakes and cypress has one at minimum wage
And the inside employees got to be at $20 plus
That’s a minimum wage job because they get $5 golf
$500k increase in expense and a decrease in revenue
It is shocking that that aren’t making a very solid profit
There is no reason that the course is not covering its costs
Since the tennis courts were merged money from golf has subsidized tennis
How many people actually use the tennis facility versus the golf course
How much does it cost to use the tennis courts
To solve the problem sell off the tennis facility to private mgmt and charge appropriate fees to use
the new owner (developer) will then demand changes in the land use designation and variances
Just like every other large piece of property sold in Flagler County
The only difference this time is it is currently a golf course instead of virgin land
that’s a great piece of back-of-the-envelope math
If the city staff haven’t done a pricing analysis as part of whatever they’re presenting to the council
Lots of other good questions among these comments
Thanks to the newly-elected council for deciding to take a hard look
What would your feeling be if the green space were to be replaced by townhomes and condominiums
We were wondering why Danko’s comment used the word “unfair” when describing the impact on privately run golf courses
Palm coast not knowing what to do and run a shock lmao
I wonder why this amenity is any different then the new tennis facility
publix tax money was used to build this “extensive” facility that is only available to those taxpayers by buying a membership
This amenity is part of the reason that many folks moved to Palm Coast
While losing an average of $215,000 a year is never a good thing
there are things I am sure that can be done once you really look at Palm Harbor Golf Course
against the wishes of those who golfed there
The city had to take the course back in 2008 (per the agreement I believe)
then put money (5.5 million) into it to get it operable
The city decided it was not in the course operating business and contracted it out to one group
The contracted group had difficulty getting the city to do anything and then was booted (remember the red shirt group at the meetings–they saw and understood what was happening and tried to make a difference.) for a more “favored” group Well
that group just sucked money out of everything it could and then the city took it over
This was all the “early leadership” in the city
those leading Palm Coast after that were more concerned with the Tennis (Southern Rec Ctr) & expansion
the Holland Park debacle and never paid attention to the Golf Course unless it was regarding the food tenant there
The only time the course was referenced was about the renewal contract of the Green Lion
now known as the Next-Door Bistro–doing amazing
took a while to get open due to issues the city had to take care of and is also an amazing place
Next up is the current leadership and they are left holding the bag
Let’s not forget city has difficulty all around in “maintaining” things be it the Golf Course
Since the current leadership is left holding the bag
I certainly hope they do not have a knee jerk reaction to this issue and really look at the potential Palm Harbor has as a public course
our Mayor and the council should not be rushing to judgement
as there are plenty of pressing issues in the city and money budgeted for Parks & Rec (assuming that is where the course is in the city budget) has already been allocated for 2025
Everyone also needs to remember that the privately held courses are just that “private” Pine Lakes and Cypress Knoll are Private
Somehow folks seem to only equate private courses with gated communities and that’s just not how things go
the city of Palm Coast needs a PUBLIC COURSE
There were over 50,000 rounds of golf played there in 2024–imagine how many more rounds would be played if the city made the effort to really promote the course
The only effort the city seems to make at Palm Harbor is for a one-day event in the spring at the course with the National Christian College Association
Matanzas and FPC play home golf matches (boys & girls) as well as practice at Palm Harbor
I’m sure that MHS & FPC don’t play or practice for free and both of our High Schools have very good golf programs
it might come into question City owned “businesses” competing with private businesses
there is SOMETHING to be said about providing an AFFORDABLE alternative for those that can’t afford
what are USUALLY exorbitant greens and membership fees
What does it cost for an 18 hole round of golf at the City golf course vs at the 2 private local courses (not including equipment rentals
but mentioning any ADDITIONAL membership fees)
Just as there are County Recreational programs and PRIVATE gyms and exercise facilities
SOME provision should be made for those not making the BIG $$$ for private facilities to have SOME access to the SPORT
but not at the expense of $$$ millions of taxpayers money
I never did see any comment about the restaurant or the golf pro income for the golf course
Charge the 8% more that will equal it to the resort priced
This should help with the shortages and may even end up with it making money
I’m sure it’s a nice thing for many to have access to
And if it’s shut down then other courses will take advantage and will raise rates
You cannot include capital expenses in the overall losses of the golf course
Those capex items flow to the asset side of the balance sheet and are depreciated over time (probably 30 years)
If you include both capex and depreciation when examine the overall losses
you are duplicating the expense over the life of the asset
You can really only calc the loss after depreciation
seems like a simple fix of increasing rates a few buck a round and maybe consider hiring nicer people to operate the daily operations that don’t scare people away
I never play there anymore because it’s nothing but a bunch of old grumpy employees who search for a reason to be upset and take it out on players
Your greedy wishes Adios on the meeting PHGC not for sale and maybe not for lease either but an oversight and audit of financials of the big unexplained charges to the court’s 1.6 million revenue of golfers fees
Only city amenity whether sports rec center
courts or parks that generates a revenue other than all expenditures and nor a penny in income
This was my favorite course to play but over the past few years it’s like playing on a communist field
It’s become overly strict for local hacker play
You’ve run off so many like me with the gestapo
Put new ownership on it with a customer focus and it could be profitable
The city shouldn’t be in the golf business
Pretty simple math here…based on the number of rounds and the total revenue….they are averaging about $28 per round
That’s hard to fathom for the year 2024 with one of the largest golf booms in decades
raise out of state prices and they will still be competitive with other courses in the region
No reason they can not break even at a minimum with professional management
I’ve read some of the comments on here and they are not accurate
First of all pine lakes and cypress are not private golf courses
They are privately owned but anyone can play there both are open to the public
Second the schools do not pay to play at palm harbor
As far as the comment about the red shirts
As far as the rowing club goes they use the water from the city and I do believe there is no fee
I agree with there should be an itemized audit to breakdown on how much monies are being spent on all expenditures at the course
I don’t need my taxes being raised every year to subsidize this course
What about this I heard the mayor in today’s meeting saying that the Southern Sports Rec
center will cost $600,000 a year to operate…So Mr
Gambaro will you out loud ask to sell it too as we just spent 13.7 millions in building it
Pierre please do a research in how much cost us all the other (Holland Park 17 millions at least) and the yearly Carter Park
Linear and Creek Preserve Park to build and maintain with all our tax dollars
how much tax revenue would Palm Coast receive each year
This comes up every couple of years with the tennis center both being huge money pits.If they can’t break even year to year they should be sold and put back on the books and pay property tax’s
Can the 967 property owners along the course create an HOA to pay any differences
they’re the benefactors of their property being on a golf course and the subsequent extra home value
That’s a big fat nothingburger for that kind of amenity
It would be a shame to sell that place designed by Arnold Palmer himself
It’s got a one of a kind restaurant with an outrageous view of the course
Why would anyone want to sell an amazing Palm coast destination
You should make it into a Lodge with a golfing theme
Put in a couple jacuzzis and see what can happen
What moron came up with these “loss” numbers
There are over 200 homes on the golf course that pay higher taxes and have higher home values because they are on the golf course
If you don’t live on the golf course and you don’t think any of your tax dollars should go to it
People moved here because its a beautiful part of our city
I could save the city by cutting off the salaries of the council members AND THE MAYOR
It should be a “volunteer” position
Spending money on the golf course adds value to our city
Council members and a mayor that we spend too much money on do not add anything but stupidity
PALM HARBOR – Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office detectives are conducting a homicide investigation in Palm Harbor
deputies responded to 302 Shore Drive in Palm Harbor
after a 911 caller stated his neighbor told him that he killed someone
in front of the residence covered in blood
Weldon told deputies “He is dead” and pointed towards the residence
later identified as 49-year-old Carroll Bryan
lying on the back patio of the residence suffering from multiple blunt force injuries to his head
Bryan was pronounced deceased at the scene
Throughout the course of the investigation
detectives learned Weldon and Bryan met at a local bar in Clearwater approximately two weeks ago
Weldon offered help to Bryan and loaned him his vehicle about one week ago
Bryan did not return the vehicle when he agreed to
Detectives say Bryan arrived at the residence with Weldon’s vehicle on May 21
Detectives say that based on the evidence at the scene
it appears that Bryan was on the rear patio of the residence when he was struck in the back of the head
Bryan was then struck repeatedly while on the ground
Weldon was charged with Murder in the Second Degree and transported to the Pinellas County Jail
Carroll Edwin Bryan (Victim - Deceased)DOB: 6/5/1974Address: 2301 Murilla Way South
Matthew Weldon (Suspect – Arrested)DOB: 8/2/1986Address: 302 Shore Drive
Palm HarborCharge: Murder in the Second Degree
On Fridays, in the cafeteria at Palm Harbor's Carwise Middle School
the 84-year-old volunteer is the most popular person on campus
Students at Carwise Middle earn "Shark Bite" coupons for good deeds and good behavior
they can use those Shark Bites at the school store — or right next door at Grandpa Bob's candy cart
You'll never guess who has the longest lines
aka Robert Walker was an electrical engineer
When his wife died a couple years ago..."Rather than sit at home moping
I decided to get out and do something," he says
Grandpa Bob volunteers all over Tampa Bay: at hospitals
The school provides the candy; he provides the manpower
For more information on Carwise Middle School, go here.
January 28, 2025 | FlaglerLive | 27 Comments
When Palm Coast City Council member Theresa Pontieri said she was “adamantly against” any suggestion to sell the city-owned Palm Harbor Golf Course in the heart of the C-Section
She was responding to a city presentation to the council today prompted by Council member Charles Gambaro’s assertion that the city cannot keep losing money on the course
and that selling the property should be at least an option to explore
Mayor Mike Norris attempted to pre-empt discussions of development on the grounds when he asked City Attorney Marcus Duffy to summarize the legal status of the land. The property is part of a planned unit development
It is controlled by a deed that requires the land to be used either as a golf course or as a park or a recreational facility
But it would not generate much. For comparison’s sake, the 170-acre Pine Lakes Golf Club off Pine Lakes Parkway in Palm Coast paid $21,750 in total property taxes last year
Currently the Flagler County Property Appraiser gives the Palm Harbor course a lower just market value than that of the Pine Lakes course ($1.19 million compared with $848,000)
“I’m adamantly against that course of action. I am seeing right now coming through the pipeline requests to change fairways out at the Matanzas golf course for Lakeview Estates, to change fairways to residential, and that’s my fear.” In 2021, the Palm Coast City Council cleared the way for a residential development of more than 200 homes on what had been the Matanzas golf course in the L-Section
Other ways of increasing revenue are limited
“We could pass on a credit card convenience fee to the customer
eliminate about $50,000 to our budget,” James Hirst
the city’s parks and recreation director
the city would have to spend money out of its capital improvement plan
“There’s no reason why we’re having over 50,000 rounds of golf play there every year
That’s just ridiculous,” Norris said
“I think it goes a lot into the management.”
none of the residents who spoke favored selling the golf course
One called it “a jewel of an amenity.” Most believe the course should not be losing money with as many rounds as it sells
“I am there all the time,” another resident said
recalling how local residents successfully prevented the city from building a cell tower there
to preserve the “jewel.” Several spoke of the value of a municipal golf course against private courses
Some spoke of the course as a protection for their property value
But that’s not reflective of the purpose of government-0-anymore than Belle Terre Parkway or Palm Coast Parkway
which cost millions to build and cost millions to maintain
The arguable difference with a city-run golf club is that
as the resident who addressed the council today had noted
it is not a unique municipal service–it is not an essential municipal service
as regular parks and community centers and roads are
“Let’s make all of it public,” Gambaro said
without specifying what “all” means
“I think if we’re going to take a look at all the numbers and see how we can better operate
if this is the consensus that this council decides to go with
because if we’re bleeding millions of dollars over time
then we obviously need to do a better job in managing it.” He suggested creating a committee to study the matter
The council eliminated it on the recommendation of Lauren Johnston
The most concrete direction the administration got today was merely to end cash transactions at the golf course, limiting them to credit cards or (presumably) cash apps, and to get profit and loss statements for an undefined list of other amenities, even though those numbers are posted routinely on the city’s financial transparency dashboard
The city will bring a cost and staffing analysis in a few months and attempt a full cost-recovery model
“We’re operating on previous philosophies of previous city council
of what they want to invest in and what services they want to provide,” Acting City Manager Lauren Johnston said
“and then what cost recovery level that we’re asking to bring forth.”
it was not clear how different today’s discussion was from the recurring discussions on the same topic that took place year after year
when the golf course officially was redefined as an amenity
I noted that nowhere in the discussion did the Council or anyone else suggest benchmarking other City’s course ops to determine some best practices/ efficiencies
There are many small city’s with “munys”…why stare at your navel for a solution
Isn’t a government owned amenity that is expected to turn a profit considered socialism
All the MAGA folk here should not approve
Gonna cost between the new schools they want to build & the Sewage Treatment Facility $ 650 million
Grossly underfunded growth that nobody wanted/wants are legitimate expenditures
This golf course is the same one that City of Palm Coast chased off the restaurant there for higher lease revenue
Put it back on the tax roll and derive some tax income
cypress and Halifax are in better shape than palm harbor
slowest greens anywhere and a manager who knows nothing about golf
Sell it with the provisions that it has to remain a golf course
I started in 2018 and played maybe 5 rounds from 2018-2020
I remember going to courses thinking how beautiful the grass was and how I couldn’t believe we were playing on them for $50
I now play about 5 times a month since 2020
and the same courses I always enjoyed are now double the price or more and half the quality
Every course I played on pre 2020 has yet to invest back into their course or equipment even with their insane surge in revenue
I recently moved from the northeast to Florida and was hopeful that some of these Florida courses would be great
Over 3 years ago people used to rave about how amazing some of these courses were
they can’t believe the horrible quality of the courses….Palm Harbor included!!
One could argue that the increased play on these courses are part of the lowered quality but I’ve seen a good handful of courses that maintained great quality while dealing with the surge in popularity
The problem is that ~90% of courses don’t do this and the golfer/customer is the one who suffers
I feel as a collective of golfers we need to do something to show courses we won’t stand for their lack of upkeep while raking in record profits
(Not the case with PH) Whether it be making sure we leave honest reviews of courses to even boycotting some courses
Otherwise they will keep taking advantage of us and we will be left playing poor quality courses for $120 on a Sunday morning
Feel free to offer up some ideas or tell me to F off
“any of various egalitarian economic and political theories or movements advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods.”
When the British government nationalized its entire automobile industry in the 1960s
because the government entirely controlled the means of automotive production and the distribution of automotive goods
When a government owns only one of four golf courses
Were the government to own all four of Flagler County’s golf courses and were it to prohibit the construction of competing private golf courses
International Speedway Corporation does not own the land on which Daytona International Speedway sits
the military built an airstrip to train pilots
the land was deeded by the federal government to local government
the land is jointly owned by the City of Daytona Beach and by Volusia County and is administered by an authority comprising five members
Two are appointed to four-year terms by the political leaders of the City of Daytona Beach
Two more are appointed by the political leaders of Volusia County
The fifth is appointed jointly by both councils
The land on which the speedway sits is leased by the Authority to ISC
under the terms of the lease dating back to the mid-50’s
both of which having established a long history of profitability
The Authority’s mandate is to use its profits to support sporting and recreational activities throughout the city and county
I know that some people define right and wrong not by dictionaries
Intellectual rigor means nothing to certain people
the meaning of words and phrases can change like the wind
Sounds to me like there’s some sticky fingers around the cash register
then when the patches give way comes back and patches the patched pot hole
Yet the city has money for a renewed tennis center
a failed splash park and a money losing golf course
accept a performance bond that can be collected should a failure happen
Companies that run golf courses for a living will out perform the City
Then they should sell also Holland Park cost us 17.5 millions and we will learn how much a year and sell also the newly built for 13,7 millions Southern Recreation Sports Center that we will learn that cost us $600,00 a year to manage also
Waht about selling all the other courses and parks like Carter
Linear and Creek preserve park over the cost of replacement and maintenance
These are pour city amenities and should remain as such along the gold f course
Complaining about these needed public amenities cost that are minimal in a city with over a 421 millions budget
Some need to start doing the work they promised in the campaign trail and not at selling our public used assets
What about properly resolving the flooded yards
pool or lanais given approval of high back fill in infill lots
Resolve the cost of our utilities rates incorrectly subsidizing gr
Slow down growth until our old decaying infrastructure can catch up
Reduce the size of overpaid unneeded government administrators and some staff and will save at least a million sufficient to fund our amenities including the swimming memberships in both pool
until proper financial audit is completed and waste is reduced
Elected officials need to get busy demanding P and L’s from administrators to correct and avoid waste
Is watching our hard earned taxes to be spent in what we need and not what the ones in power want
Example at least we have an administrator costing us about $200,000 or more a year in pay and benefits and he spent two years of our pay
in lobbying Wawa to come to Palm Coast Parkway
Is this the economic development we need and services we pay for
Its time Palm Coast elected put these administrators to work for us and not against as usual.
add add a shooting range an a gift shop selling all of his Chinese garbage and the MAGA crowd will make it a success
It’s hard to imagine Palm Harbor not turning a profit with the massive amount of play they get
Weekend tee times are all booked as well as league play on the weekdays
FACT: THE PHGC HAS BEEN RUNNING IN THE BLACK THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN UNDER THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATORS LEADERSHIP ONE FORMER 20 YEAR TALLAHASSEE LOBBYIST FOR DEVELOPERS
DO YOU FIND IT ODD THAT THE NEWLY APPOINTED FILL IN COUNCILMAN GAMBARO IS LEADING THE “PACK” WITH FORMER VICE MAYOR DANKO [THAT NEVER VOTED NO ON PACKING IN MORE HOMES] SEEM TO BE OPERATING IN CONCERT TO SELL THIS PUBLIC AMENITY THAT HAS BEEN IN THE BLACK
Get people to stop moving here & destroying the area
Local government is not a private business
nor do local governments have the same business models
goals and strategies as private businesses
We all pay taxes and have expectations for the kind of services and amenities we would like to have in our communities
The city already has a fee structure for those who use the city owned golf course to offset some of the expenses
People need to stop complaining about this city’s amenities
We spend over a million every time the orange stain terrorist wants to play golf
And that’s not even counting paying to put people up in his properties
Now bend over and take it from a convicted sex offender
Haha called it millions will suffer from the orange stain
How about just sell the property or just demolish it
Put nice upscale condos or a nice walking trail with couple of benches for a breather
or a great idea make a very 1st palm coast Zoo or Aquarium great for kids n parents to learn n great for school trips or make it a fun park
stuff for kids to do to keep them out of trouble or a teen center
something to keep the kids/teens out of trouble & out of jail
REALLY missed you on this blog while you were gone….the voice of FACTS
The city has no business undercutting our privately owned golf courses
just like they have no business competing unfairly against any other business in town
“Tax & Spend Theresa” is wrong in her delusional belief that Palm Harbor is an amenity
and our city can not continue to bleed millions of dollars just so a minority of citizens can play golf for a cheap price while the majority of taxpayers subsidize it
The city’s golf course needs to go out to bid to private enterprise who will be required by law to keep it a golf course and who will complete on a level playing field with our two other privately owned courses
Government has no business being in business
Gotta laugh at the crowd saying to sell it to developers all the while complaining about over development
we spent money at the course and restaurant
And shame on the guy driving the expensive SUV and wearing expensive clothes for sneaking onto the course on the back side of the parking lot by the rowing shells
TY Grassy K probably more of that is happening…and ad to ending yearly financials in the red
We didn’t elect our council to do away with our amenities specially with the only one that generates 1.7 millions a year in players fees!
We need to investigates the charges to it specially what are we paying for maybe 60 Golf carts…that cost us up to 438,000-over 300,000 a year and additional line charges in the financials
Lets see the purchase contracts and prices
TG that our councilwoman Pontieri leaded the charge with the “PHGC is not for sale”
backed by Mayor Norris and councilman Ray Stevens
Also TY to all the golfers that are home owners as well and the non golfers home owners affected that showed up in droves Tuesday 28 at 9 am and had to endure item 2 first for way over 70 minutes presentation when our Mayor and Council could have changed in agenda at meeting start and place PHGC #2 item instead
After all the well paid consultant by the city looking for his 35 city manager suggested candidates could have waited a litter longer after all as gets paid by us to attend the meeting and us all some elderly
some like in my case caring for a relative at home that needs us to get back soon are considered
Some of our elderly and non golfers attending had to leave given the long item 2 presentation
This is something that has to change in our council meetings
The hot community items for which we show in droves to oppose or discuss need priority in council agendas
Our PHGC is not for sale but let do not laid down our watch
Lets see what will happen with the Southern Recreation Center incoming $600,000 a year cost then too.We need the proper financial management of our amenities tp preserve them all
We elderly that never even had students in our schools
gladly pay the school high taxes of those complaining about PHGC cost
so then you better THINK why did you move to Palm Coast
If as another article claims that the course loses approximately $215,000.00 per year with over 50,000 rounds played there is something wrong with the management of the golf course
You have another golf course willing to open its profit and loss statement for comparison and you ignore
It appears Mike Norris and his new council are falling in step with the old council
they know better than anyone and don’t care what people say
If they didn’t lose this money yearly could they make my property taxes less
How can you lose money when you subsidize operations
Maybe all the city workers need to find another city breast to suckle on and get off the golf course
I again quit playing here as the course is in rough shape and repairs are not being completed
killing one person and injuring several others Sunday night
showed no signs of impairment during a sobriety test
but investigators are working to determine whether to charge him with leaving the scene of a crash
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
identified Jeff Knight as the operator of the 37-foot center console boat
owns Jannus Live and also has been involved in local restaurants over the years
The wildlife commission said Knight was cooperative and voluntarily took a Breathalyzer test Sunday night
Matthew Dallarosa with the wildlife commission said the commercial boat remained at the scene “for a period of time” before it was found 3 ½ miles away at the Belleair boat ramp
whom authorities on Monday identified as Jose Castro
Dallarosa said the agency is working with the Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney’s office to determine if the incident fits the legal definition of a hit-and-run
we’re committed to working those charges all the way through,” Dallarosa said
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Capt
speaks while flanked by Clearwater Police Chief Eric Gandy
Evan Laskowski during a news conference on Sunday night’s boat crash involving a Clearwater Ferry
[ CHRIS URSO | Times ]Knight’s attorney
declined to comment about the crash but provided a statement
“This is a heartbreaking situation for everyone involved,” the statement said
Knight’s attorney believes it would be inappropriate to comment publicly at this time.”
“Mayday, mayday, mayday. There’s been a boat collision. The Clearwater Ferry, uh, underneath the Clearwater Memorial Causeway. The Clearwater Ferry is adrift.”
Because of the number of injuries, Clearwater’s fire department declared the crash a “mass casualty event.” That meant all local hospitals were alerted to expect patients.
“Even before the first responders arrived on scene, we knew we were dealing with a major situation,” Clearwater Police Chief Eric Gandy said Monday.
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Emergency call takers heard “horrific screaming in the background” of 911 calls
the Clearwater Fire and Rescue emergency medical services chief
trying to rescue people out of the water,” Tedesco said
He described a chaotic scene in which victims were arriving to shore by good Samaritan boats and law enforcement boats
while some were able to walk through shallow water
“You could imagine being on scene with only a few personnel and being inundated with probably 30
40 people at a time coming towards you at all ends,” he said
Law enforcement officials investigate a crash involving a Clearwater Ferry at the Memorial Causeway on Sunday
[ JEFFEREE WOO | Times ]By Monday morning
eight of the injured had been discharged from BayCare hospitals in Pinellas County and Tampa
One passenger was still being treated at Mease Countryside Hospital
Two passengers who were taken to Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital on Sunday night are stable
Video of the incident released by the Clearwater Police Department shows the ferry traveling east of the channel near the Memorial Causeway bridge
and the recreational boat coming up from behind
This video was released by the Clearwater Police Department at a news conference this afternoon related to Sunday night's boat crash that left one person dead and 10 injured on the Clearwater Ferry. The view is from a live web cam at Coachman Park that shows the park and the… pic.twitter.com/wrP6RER6fo
“There’s a point of impact where it looks to be that it overrode nearly three-quarters of the ferry,” Gandy said
Knight left after the crash and was found about 3 ½ miles south near the Belleair Causeway
Coast Guard is conducting its own investigation into the ferry to make sure it followed all federal regulations
Wildlife officials will complete a damage assessment on both boats and revisit the scene to understand what the boaters might have seen before and after the collision
Such investigations are difficult and lengthy
“You’re dealing with a dynamic environment,” Dallarosa said
Things don’t tend to sit in exactly the same place.”
Dallarosa could not say how fast Knight’s boat was going
but damages to both vessels may provide that answer
The area where the crash occurred is “exceptionally busy,” Gandy said
The channel is an intersection near the Clearwater Marina and the Intracoastal Waterway
The area has no restriction on speed other than safe operation
An investigator leads Jeff Knight up a gangway at the Belleair boat ramp south of the site of a crash involving a Clearwater Ferry in Clearwater Harbor
off the Clearwater Memorial Causeway Bridge
CLIFFORD | Times ]Knight closed a deal in 2009 to take over the well-known downtown St
Petersburg live music venue Jannus Landing
after the previous operator ran into legal issues
The Medical Examiner’s Office determined the man had a blood-alcohol content of 0.239
nearly three times the level that Florida law presumes impairment and also had cocaine in his system
The man’s family filed a wrongful death suit against Knight later that year
claiming a gangplank on the vessel was “inherently dangerous” because it didn’t have a two-sided railing
The results of that suit could not be determined on Monday
Records show Knight has been arrested three times on charges of driving while impaired — in 1992
He also was cited in 2017 on a charge of careless operation of a vessel after he allowed a boy under the age of 14 to operate a personal watercraft in John’s Pass without adult supervision
Damage to the exterior of a center console boat made by Statement Marine of Clearwater is documented as it remains parked at the Belleair boat ramp south of the site of a crash involving the boat and a Clearwater Ferry
CLIFFORD | Times ]The crash Sunday was a sudden and violent setback for the ferry
the Clearwater Ferry was initially a privately owned water taxi to shuttle between downtown Clearwater and Clearwater Beach
It set out to provide relief for congestion-weary motorists
Instead of traveling on the Memorial Causeway
passengers of the ferry would sail below it
It was such a hit that by 2023, the state granted the company running it $1 million to buy two other boats to ramp up service. As of Sunday, the ferry’s website said that the service was composed of three vessels
The ferry routes had served Clearwater and Dunedin with stops at downtown Clearwater
Clearwater Beach Marina and Dunedin Marina
But last year’s hurricanes interrupted service to Dunedin because the docks had been severely damaged
The Pinellas transit agency took over the Clearwater Ferry earlier this year
expanding its frequency because of growing demand
31 launch event at Clearwater Harbor Marina
the CEO of Pinellas County’s transit agency
said the ferry was part of an effort to provide more transit options for residents
Times staff writers Christopher O’Donnell, Zachary T. Sampson, Emily L. Mahoney, Tony Marrero, Jack Prator, Teghan Simonton and Bethany Barnes contributed to this report.
Michaela Mulligan a climate and environment reporter. Reach her at mmulligan@tampabay.com.
This video was released by the Clearwater Police Department at a news conference this afternoon related to Sunday night's boat crash that left one person dead and 10 injured on the Clearwater Ferry. The view is from a live web cam at Coachman Park that shows the park and the… pic.twitter.com/wrP6RER6fo
WFLA
'We need justice': Palm Harbor father of two killed in terrifying boat crash
'We need justice': Palm Harbor father of two killed in terrifying boat crash
Pinellas commission reviews final plan for $800 million in hurricane aid
A Polk County man was sentenced to life in prison for a double murder in 2020
It will be warm and a bit muggy Tuesday morning with temperatures in the upper 60s to mid 70s across the Bay Area
It stays sunny along the coast with inland showers this afternoon and evening as highs warm to around 90 degrees
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cars were lining a portion of Harbor Drive S Indian Rocks Beach
heard a loud boom followed by a pink plume of smoke
Lee Hughes was arrested Thursday and has since been fired from Pinellas Preparatory Academy
Tampa Fire Rescue said crews were battling a fire at a mechanic shop and scrap yard facility on West Osborne Avenue Monday evening
'We've got to get this right': Attorney representing ferry crash survivors weighs in on case
The News Channel 8 Team presents the latest information on the events of the day and timely updates on local sports
Rebecca's forecast for Monday night- increasing chances for rain this week
Moore Softball Complex in Clearwater over the last few days was the Palm Harbor Lady Canes Invitational
which featured some of the high school softball teams from around the Sunshine State
Calvary Christian and Newsome ended up winning their respective bracket championships on Saturday
with plenty of great games taking place over the course of the previous few days of action
Down below are the scores from the Palm Harbor Lady Canes Invitational:
Be sure to Bookmark High School on SI for all of the latest high school softball news
To get live updates on your phone - as well as follow your favorite teams and top games - you can download the SBLive Sports app: Download iPhone App| Download Android App
-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @highschoolonsi
ANDY VILLAMARZOAndy Villamarzo has been a sports writer in the Tampa Bay (FL) Area since 2007
writing for publications such as Tampa Bay Times
FL area and started as a writer with SB Live Sports in the summer of 2022 covering the Tampa Bay Area
He has quickly become one of Florida's foremost authorities on high school sports
radio programs and digital broadcasts as an expert on team rankings
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A highly anticipated second Pinellas County grocery store opened this week
The California-based grocery chain announced that the 9,700-square-foot store located at 33597 U.S
The grand opening festivities began with a ribbon-cutting ceremony before the doors officially opened at 9 a.m
It’s the fifth store in the Tampa Bay area, following St. Petersburg, Tampa, Sarasota and most recently Lakewood Ranch locations
And it’s the chain’s 10th store to open in Florida
The store has taken over a former SteinMart space and joins a Michael’s craft store
Orangetheory and Famous Footwear in the Highland Lakes Plaza
Store Captain Scott Merino and Trader Joe’s crew members were present to welcome shoppers
The celebration included several giveaways
True to its mission as a neighborhood grocery store
Trader Joe’s hired the Palm Harbor team locally
employing more than 65 people from the surrounding areas
The opening comes with much fanfare to North Pinellas residents
who have petitioned to bring the chain with a cult-like following to the area for years
Dozens of customers braved the chilly morning temperatures to be among the first in line to sample a curated selection of private-label products from frozen foods
sauces and desserts to signature flavors like the beloved “Everything But the Bagel” seasoning
Detectives added additional charges to Karl George III
detectives learned that in October of 2022
George sexually battered an unconscious adult female
George was charged with Sexual Battery (physically helpless) and Video Voyeurism and remains in the Pinellas County Jail
PALM HARBOR – Detectives assigned to the Crimes Against Children Unit (CAC) have arrested a Palm Harbor man for possession of child pornography
Detectives began their investigation after receiving information that child pornography was being accessed and stored via the internet
detectives identified the suspect as 29-year-old Karl George III
the videos were of children between the ages of five and eleven years old
detectives located a video depicting a woman inserting a live snake into her vagina
detectives arrested George and charged him with seven counts of Possession of Child Pornography
five counts of Transmission of Child Pornography and one count of Sexual Activity Involving Animals
George was transported to the Pinellas County Jail
Karl George III (Suspect – Arrested)DOB: 03/15/1995Address: 1261 Seagate Drive #306
Palm HarborCharges: Seven counts of Possession of Child Pornography
five counts of Transmission of Child Pornography
one count of Sexual Activity Involving Animals
it has four other donation boxes where people can donate food 24/7.