Environmentalists in Pinellas County are calling for a renewed focus on electric school buses They say it could improve air quality and children’s health Leaders spoke to the media this month inside an electric bus in Campbell Park in South St Pete The park and a neighboring elementary school are located next to a major St Lorna Perez with Moms Clean Air Force says emissions from cars on the road can be harmful “This location is a powerful reminder of why we’re here To acknowledge our collective responsibility to create communities where everyone has access to clean air,” Perez said The leaders are calling on Congress to invest in cleaner specifically investments in electric school buses And Ali DySard with the Environmental Defense Fund says the issue has received bipartisan support “It’s not a Republican or a Democratic initiative – electric school buses are great for Florida great for our local air,” DySard told WMNF Governor Ron DeSantis’s Department of Enviromental PRotection purchased over 200 electric buses in 2022 statewide Pinellas County School District has 20 electric school buses operating district-wide according to Vice Chair of the Pinellas County School Board Caprice Edmond But Edmond said they must do more to reduce emissions “We know that pollution has had an impact on the community Our minority and low-income neighborhoods often bear the brunt of those impacts.” Edmond said They joined with Congress member Kathy Castor to make the call the Tampa Bay area has received $14.8 million in federal funding from the EPA’s Clean School Bus Grant Program XHTML: You can use these tags: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong> Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_3" ).setAttribute( "value" Roundup of news headlines produced for WMNF Community Radio: Trump,.. That means we don't advertise like a commercial station WMNF volunteers have fun providing a variety of needed services to keep your community radio station alive and kickin' Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_4" ).setAttribute( "value" Proud member of Project Galileo and protected by Cloudflare WMNF is a registered 501(с)3 charitable organization - The Nathan B. Stubblefield Foundation, Inc. | Online Public File Or if you just wanna let our DJ know you’re enjoying their show Signup below to get The Scoop delivered every weekday to your email inbox Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" WMNF advises you to check with the individual venues or event planners listed before heading to anything posted here There is a high likelihood that many events have been or will be canceled or postponed Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value" Text “RECOVER” to 888777 for latest storm-related financial assistance info or visit recover.pinellas.gov businesses and visitors online access to permitting The tourism site Visit St. Pete-Clearwater is the county’s main resource for visitors Know Your Risk Make a Plan Stay Informed Get Involved this page will be updated on an ongoing basis For hurricanes Milton, Helene and Debby recovery resources, including information about public input for our $813 million CDBG-DR funds, please visit recover.pinellas.gov Resolution No. 25-19 Order Extending the State of Local Emergency for Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton (2/25/25) View all recent emergency declarations and executive orders During emergencies, updates will also be posted on our Facebook and X (@PinellasGov and @PinellasEM) feeds Enter your email address to stay updated on the latest county news If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request do not send electronic mail to this entity contact this office by phone or in writing Report it to Pinellas County Government using the web page below or via our mobile app Live Chat TAMPA, Fla., March 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pickleball Kingdom the world's largest indoor pickleball entity announces its newest facility coming to Pinellas Park which will span 40,125 square feet and feature 14 professional-grade indoor courts is targeting an opening in late summer 2025 led by franchisees Steve Poborka and Kerrie Forrester is poised to become the premier pickleball destination in the region "Florida has long been a hotspot for pickleball and the demand for high-quality indoor courts has never been greater," said Ace Rodrigues Founder and CEO of Pickleball Kingdom. "This new club will be a game-changer giving players a world-class venue to enjoy the sport And Steve and Kerrie are world-class people." "We are very excited to bring Pickleball Kingdom to the Pinellas Park community," said Steve Poborka. "As avid pickleball players we understand the need for a high-quality facility that welcomes everyone—from beginners picking up a paddle for the first time to seasoned pros looking for top-tier competition Our goal is to create the best pickleball experience in the area where every visitor feels like part of our family." "We worked hard to find the perfect location and we couldn't be happier to be opening at the Shoppes at Park Place," added Kerrie Forrester. "This club will be more than just a place to play—it will be a hub for connection We can't wait to welcome players of all skill levels to experience the excitement of Pickleball Kingdom." "We're excited to collaborate with Steve Poborka and Kerrie Forrester whose passion for pickleball and dedication to building strong community ties are truly inspiring," said Rob Streett President and Chief Global Officer of Pickleball Kingdom "Their commitment to creating inclusive spaces where people can connect and grow will play a pivotal role in the success of this location and will leave a lasting impact on the community." has spent 30 years managing multi-million-dollar operations for Fortune 500 companies The couple discovered pickleball in November 2023 and quickly fell in love with the sport inspiring them to bring their passion to the Pinellas Park community through Pickleball Kingdom For more information and updates on the Pinellas Park Pickleball Kingdom is the premier indoor pickleball franchise dedicated to fostering community and providing world-class facilities With a mission to create a global network of pickleball venues Pickleball Kingdom is at the forefront of the fastest-growing sport in the U.S Pickleball Kingdom offers franchisees the highest industry AUV (average unit volume) per location demonstrating the strength of its business model and the comprehensive support provided to franchise owners As pickleball continues to surge in popularity, Pickleball Kingdom invites driven individuals to explore franchise opportunities and join this exciting growth. For more information on franchise opportunities, visit https://pickleballkingdom.com/franchise/ Mitch Kistner, Sr. Director of MarketingEmail: [email protected]Phone: 888-788-0999 announces its newest facility coming to 169 Hale Rd announces its newest facility coming to Bryan General Sports Fitness/Wellness Entertainment Health Care & Hospitals Do not sell or share my personal information: COMMUNITY PARTNER The hottest festival of the season is firing up just a short drive from St The 18th annual Pinellas Pepper Fest returns to England Brothers Park (5010 Dave McKay Way) in Pinellas Park on April 12‑13 attendees can explore an explosion of heat‑packed food trucks and live music that keeps the energy sizzling and the event is pet‑friendly—so bring your whole crew You don’t need to be a Hot Ones Champion to enjoy this event and spicy desserts from local and national vendors You’ll also find unique pepper‑themed crafts and even pepper plants to take home and grow your own heat This isn’t just a tasting event—it’s a showdown Saturday afternoon features a qualifier for the League of Fire’s Road to the Americas Belt Match where contestants go head‑to‑head in a grueling heat challenge to earn the coveted Tampa Belt Winners move on to international competition and the spectacle is worth witnessing in person Saturday’s Amateur Jalapeño Eating Contest at 12:30 p.m invites fearless foodies to push their limits things get wild with the Extreme Lolli Lick‑A‑Thon at 2 p.m. featuring what organizers call “the hottest lollipop on Earth.” The competition scene gets even spicier with Annee Boyer a world‑traveling chili champ and the only woman in the world to currently hold two League of Fire title belts “I’ve competed at pepper fests around the globe,” Boyer says “and I’m proud to represent the League of Fire the official body for pro and amateur spicy eaters.” guests can enjoy live performances throughout the weekend Highlights include the Gulfport Gecko Amalgamated Marching Band plus plenty of funky fun from Kym Kym & Scott The full weekend schedule is packed with flavor and flair, but you can come and go at your own pace. England Brothers Park is located at 5010 Dave McKay Way in Pinellas Park—just 20 minutes from downtown St For a full list of vendors, contest signups, and event updates, visit SIKPromotions.com Stay connected to All Things Good in the Burg by subscribing today Since I Love the Burg launched in May of 2009 you can hear the anger directed at a man who authorities say shot and killed a great blue heron in his backyard You can't kill the animals that live here." A neighbor confronted Joseph White on Saturday and recorded the exchange Is that what you want to do?" White asks the man in the video You can't kill these wild birds," the neighbor replied "I saw for myself a duck on the side of the house that he had shot and there was a heron—that heron—just floating in the pool Neighbors called Florida Fish and Wildlife officers who said they found one dead great blue heron where he admitted to using a pellet rifle to shoot the great blue heron He explained he was trying to keep shore birds and ducks from congregating near his pool," said FWC Officer Bradley Johnson you can hear White saying he was sorry and that he didn't mean to kill the heron The penalties for violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act are wide-ranging and can include thousands of dollars in fines and jail time and here they come down the street right now,'" said Alas Experts say you can use visual deterrents like decoys to keep birds away There are also sound deterrents and pond netting people in this neighborhood say the birds belong here ABC Action News talked to the man who shot that video on the phone but he did want people to know just how wrong he thought this was He added that anyone who's concerned should direct their outrage to something positive and donate to the Seaside Seabird Sanctuary Great blue herons and other native migratory birds are federally protected animals White was issued a Notice to Appear for violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act Anyone with information about other wildlife violations can report them to FWC's Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922) 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 Pinellas County Utilities is implementing reclaimed water restrictions for North County customers starting today in response to a supply shortage caused by limited rainfall and increased customer usage reclaimed water customers residing north of SR 580 may water no more than once a week based on their house address according to the following schedule The North County reclaimed water system will be temporarily shut down on Sundays Conserving water now will help ensure all customers have access to reclaimed water and avoid additional limitations due to excessive demand email humansvs@pinellas.gov Human Services Org Chart Cold night shelters in Pinellas County will open Tuesday night the Homeless Leadership Alliance has announced The shelters will open at the times shown below Shelter guests are accepted until the shelter is full All sites provide a warm and safe place to sleep Shelters are activated when the National Weather Service expects the “feels like” temperature to hit 40 degrees or below across the county between 6 p.m The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) will provide free bus rides to and from Cold Night Shelters starting at 5 p.m Riders must tell PSTA drivers they are going to a Pinellas Cold Night Shelter when boarding to ride fare-free The following cold weather shelters are available to adult men and women: Families with children will be placed in family shelters on cold nights (if space is available) Pinellas County has finalized the acquisition of the 14-acre West Klosterman Preserve near Tarpon Springs further demonstrating its commitment to environmental conservation The County entered into a contract to acquire the preserve from the Pinellas County School Board last December for $3 million with the County and WK Preservation Group Inc The nonprofit and local residents worked for five years to see that the property was saved for conservation The newly acquired area will be incorporated into the Mariner’s Point Management Area enhancing the County’s network of protected environmental lands managed by Pinellas County Parks and Conservation Resources This area serves as a sanctuary for protected plant and animal species ensuring the preservation of local biodiversity.​ “This is yet another example of Pinellas County collaborating with its residents to set aside vital land for future generations,” said Paul Cozzie Pinellas County Parks and Conservation Resources director Cozzie noted that this collaborative effort mirrors the successful partnership with the City of Dunedin and other donors in acquiring the Gladys Douglas Preserve underscoring the County’s dedication to preserving natural habitats.​ The WK Preservation Group played a major role in this initiative exemplifying the power of community collaboration in achieving environmental goals.​ “The acquisition of the West Klosterman Preserve proves that we can make a difference.,” said Tex Carter “We look forward to continuing to work with the County to strengthen the conservation and preservation of our natural habitats.”As a designated Management Area the West Klosterman Preserve will remain a non-public zone strictly set aside for habitat preservation This status ensures the protection of its diverse ecosystems and the species that inhabit them Click the icon to view the Required Personal Protective Equipment Click the image to view the Solid Waste Master Plan Pinellas County is encouraging residents to safely dispose of household hazardous waste as a part of their spring cleaning a last-minute rush to get rid of old gasoline and other hazardous chemicals overwhelms drop-off centers as residents prepare for incoming hurricanes This surge often leads to long lines and fills the centers’ bulk fuel tanks quickly — sometimes forcing staff to turn residents away residents are encouraged to drop off these chemicals now well ahead of the June 1 start of hurricane season “Many of these chemicals are fire hazards and could pollute your home and neighborhood during a hurricane,“ said Pinellas County Solid Waste Director Paul Sacco “You’ll have enough to worry about as you prepare for a storm Don’t wait till then to clear out these hazardous chemicals.”Pinellas County offers two free drop-off sites for household hazardous waste such as gasoline The HHW program is for Pinellas County households only. A government-issued ID is required to verify residency.For a full list of accepted items and quantity limits, visit Pinellas.gov/hhw. For business waste information, visit Pinellas.gov/bizwaste For text updates about new financial assistance programs and deadlines If you were receiving FEMA’s Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) and your eligibility expired If your home was flooded during the storms this year it’s important to protect your family from mold growth You don’t need a permit to take mold remediation steps be sure to take the following precautions when cleaning: For more information about mold cleanup and safety, visit  https://www.epa.gov/mold/brief-guide-mold-moisture-and-your-home If you have applied for FEMA assistance and your situation has changed (for example if your reported damage has changed or you are no longer able to live in your home) please call FEMA at 1-800-621-3362 to update your application If FEMA sent you a letter that you must move out of your hotel, but your home is not ready yet, you may need to update your info and file an appeal. Click here for details. If you applied for FEMA assistance, you will receive a decision letter in the mail or via email. If you disagree with the decision about your eligibility, you can appeal within 60 days from the date on that letter. Learn more about the appeal process. The deadline to apply for the Elevate Florida program has passed. For questions about your application, email the Florida Division of Emergency Management at info@elevatefl.org or call 877-ELEV8FL (877-353-8835) Monday – Friday from 7 a.m If you were displaced from your home by the hurricanes and need temporary shelter, visit pinellas.gov/HurricaneHousing for a list of resources to help you find short- and long-term housing options If you rent your home and it was destroyed through no fault of your own, you have the right to end your rental agreement and leave the property immediately, according to Chapter 83.63 of Florida Statues. For more information about landlord-tenant legal issues related to hurricanes Milton contact the Florida Disaster Legal Aid Helpline at 833-514-2940 or Bay Area Legal Services at (800) 625-2257 The Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7 toll-free, multilingual disaster crisis counseling for anyone experiencing emotional distress related to disasters. Call or text 1-800-985-5990. View more information. For Deaf and Hard of Hearing ASL Callers: To connect directly to an agent in American Sign Language, click the “ASL Now” button below or call 1-800-985-5990 from your videophone. ASL Support is available 24/7. FAQs for ASL NOW users Care About Me, Pinellas County’s access line for mental health, substance use and addiction services, can help residents or family members of individuals in non-crisis find local services. Call or text 1-888-431-1998 or chat in on careaboutme.org confidentially speak with an experienced behavioral health specialist who will triage your needs and get an appointment scheduled with a local provider The 988 Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available to assist anyone experiencing trauma or in need of support The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering low-interest Economic Injury Disaster Loans for small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and private nonprofit organizations. Visit sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance to apply. For assistance, contact disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or call 1-800-659-2955 The deadline for Economic Injury loans is June 30 please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services Florida Commerce has activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan, making $50 million available to Florida businesses impacted by Hurricane Milton and $15 million available to businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene. Apply online at http://FloridaJobs.org/EBL Individuals interested in helping in the aftermath of hurricanes Milton and Helene are encouraged to visit Pinellas County’s Volunteers and Donations in Disasters page View information for your city/municipality Pinellas County Emergency Operations Center Executive Orders: including Evacuation Orders Local State of Emergency declarations and Local State of Emergency extensions Pinellas County has been awarded $813,783,000 by the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to support long-term recovery from Hurricane Idalia in 2023 These funds from the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program can help rebuild homes and businesses restore damaged infrastructure and address other critical community needs View all news  Park Junction is a new development project that will revitalize the City Center District in Pinellas Park It will be a mixed-use community hub featuring curated retail and dining experiences Park Junction is expected to be completed in late 2025 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Plans have been unveiled for Park Junction the new groundbreaking destination that will revitalize a historic area and create a vibrant mixed-use community hub Curated retail and dining experiences will bring endless opportunities to explore and indulge Envisioned by the founder of Mastry's Brewing Co Park Junction will be a landmark converting the City Center District into a food and entertainment gathering place featuring: "Park Junction will assist in revitalizing this district and is an exciting project not only for residents but for everyone visiting the area." said City Manager Bart Diehold." Park Junction "will be a cornerstone of the City Center District," said Nick Colonna Community Development Administrator of Pinellas Park "The City expects (Park Junction) to be a space for Pinellas Park residents to congregate which will contribute to our vision for a walkable City Center District." "Park Junction will assist in revitalizing this district and is an exciting project not only for residents but for everyone visiting the area." said City Manager Bart Diehold Construction at 5805 Park Blvd is expected to be completed in late 2025 Local eateries and merchants interested in joining Park Junction are encouraged to apply at ParkJunction.com Mastry's Brewing Co continues to win awards for brewing excellence in St Operations for both the brewery and the planned craft spirits distillery will be expanded to Park Junction upon completion Follow Park Junction on social media for new project updates Mastry's Brewing Co was founded by locals Matthew and Danie Dahm Pete Beach brewery was named in honor of their enduring family history in Pinellas County They enjoy supporting the local community through philanthropic efforts and events Matthew Dahm, Founder, Mastry's Brewing Co. | [email protected] Matthew Dahm, Mastry's Brewing Co., 1 727-202-8045, [email protected] Eligabriel Caez Negron, 25, was backing the truck toward a loading bay of a building at 12210 66th St. N. about 6 a.m. when he struck a 41-year-old man standing in a parking stall, according to the Pinellas Park Police Department. The man was taken to a local hospital and died from his injuries. Police have not released his name. A police spokesperson said investigators were working to notify his family. Investigators arrested Negron on a charge of driving with a suspended license resulting in death. Negron, of Tampa, was also driving without a valid license on March 30 when a Hillsborough sheriff’s deputy spotted a Toyota Camry that had crashed into a pole near the intersection of North Dale Mabry Highway and West Waters Avenue, according to an arrest affidavit. The deputy saw signs that Negron was impaired, and he provided a breath sample that showed his blood alcohol level was 0.174 and 0.164, the affidavit states. Both levels are more than twice Florida’s legal limit of 0.08. Negron also admitted to having half of a Percocet pill in his pocket, according to the affidavit. Deputies arrested Negron on charges of DUI, knowingly driving with a suspended license and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription. The Hillsborough State Attorney’s Office dropped the drug charge, records show. The license and DUI charges are still pending. It was Negron’s second DUI arrest in less than a year. In June, a deputy stopped Negron near the intersection of West Waters and North Habana avenues in Tampa for violating the state’s move-over law, according to an arrest affidavit. Negron showed signs of impairment during field sobriety exercises and refused to provide a breath sample, the affidavit states. A deputy who searched Negron found in his pocket a baggie with a powdery substance that tested positive for cocaine. Negron was arrested on charges of DUI with property damage and cocaine possession. Negron pleaded no contest to a reduced charge of reckless driving with alcohol being a factor and ordered to pay fees and court costs, records show. Prosecutors dropped the cocaine charge because the amount of the drug in the baggie was “residual in nature,” a court document states. Tony Marrero is the criminal justice and breaking news reporter. Reach him at tmarrero@tampabay.com. — One person is dead after a truck hit a man who was attempting to cross a Pinellas Park road in a wheelchair early Monday morning The Pinellas Park Police Department said officers arrived at 66th Street North and 78th Avenue North around 6:25 a.m was heading north on 66th Street North in the curb lane who was in a wheelchair and crossing against the signal attempted to cross the street in a crosswalk The truck then struck Young while he was in the middle of the road Police said north and southbound traffic had green lights while Young attempted to cross Hogue stayed at the scene to cooperate with the investigation 38-year-old Ashley Rose and 32-year-old Matthew Hogue All northbound lanes of 66th Street North at 78th Avenue North were closed while police investigated but have since reopened — The amber alert for a 12-year-old girl from Pinellas Park was canceled after the girl was located in North Carolina Pinellas Park Police said with the help of law enforcement in Greensboro they were able to locate Aleah Conrad who was with Kassin Rodriguez Authorities are working to reunite her with her mother Authorities have arrested and charged Rodriguez with interference with child custody and false imprisonment Investigators believe Rodriguez took Aleah out of Florida without Casey's permission Police said it is still unclear how Aleah was under the care of Rodriguez and they are unsure of the exact time frame she went missing The Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners took a big step Tuesday (Jan 2025) to bring hundreds of new affordable homes into two large residential developments in the works for south Pinellas The Commission approved more than $10 million to support 223 new affordable and workforce apartments in the massive Azalea Gateway and Sky Town Apartments in St adding to hundreds of new homes supported by Pinellas County over the past year in Largo The affordably-priced apartments will represent 30 percent of the homes planned for the first phases of each development Subsequent phases call for building more than 3,000 total units with 30 percent set aside for those who earn near or below the Area’s Median Income (AMI) Both projects represent successful efforts by local governments in the Advantage Pinellas Housing Compact to incentivize traditional residential developers to include apartments that are affordable to workers and families who are struggling with the cost of housing If both projects proceed with all future planned phases they will become the largest mixed-income developments in Pinellas County Petersburg have worked together to bring affordability into other traditional and upscale developments a 415-unit apartment complex that’s currently underway with 125 affordable homes The Housing Compact partnership also resulted in developers shifting the Bayou Court Apartments to set aside all 60 apartments for affordable and workforce housing targeted at local teachers and other public servants Affordable homes are considered those priced at 30 to 80 percent of the Area’s Median Income (AMI) – up to $76,400 for a family of four while workforce housing has a cap of 120 percent of AMI Compact partners have celebrated more than 400 new affordable or workforce homes opening or starting construction unincorporated Ridgecrest and other locations Petersburg and Treasure Island have all signed the Advantage Pinellas Housing Compact an agreement by local governments to take a unified approach to address local housing needs Compact partners have made strides to fill the affordability gap by incentivizing development of homes set at affordable rents through a mix of local A new Housing Action Plan will broaden these efforts by bringing in private industry and nonprofit partners to build financial and community support for a wider range of homes linked to transportation Learn more about the Housing Compact at www.HomesforPinellas.org Americans generate 25% more waste than usual between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day almost 80% of what is thrown away during the holidays can be recycled or reused Want to be on the “Nice” list this holiday season Place only the Nice items in your recycle bin “Naughty” items contaminate recycling reuse or place Naughty items in the garbage you’re casting a vote for the kind of world you want.” There are many reasons why secondhand gifting is a great idea and why we should normalize it Buying is fun because secondhand gifts are unique According to a December 2021 article by Fast Company research found that 66% of people (and 72% of Generation Z) are open to receiving secondhand gifts. But the vast majority haven’t been willing to give it a try A Center for Biological Diversity survey found that saving money is the primary driver for secondhand gift-giving the majority of the survey respondents were likely to find alternative gift-giving options Rather than buying new items from retailers consider gifting experiences — think concert tickets a special meal or a year-round pass to a local park or museum E-gift cards and e-cards are also great low-waste gifts According to a survey by finder.com and Pureprofile Americans spent around $15.2 billion on unwanted holiday gifts in 2019 The gift economy or gift culture is an exchange in which services or goods are given freely Give unwanted gifts using local buy-nothing groups — there you can post items on social media and someone in your neighborhood can claim them for free.  The holidays are a great time to do your annual closet cleanout Letting go of unwanted items may get them into the hands of someone who needs or wants them What you’re no longer using could be just what somebody else is looking for Why wrap yourself in waste this holiday season give items a second life and save money with reused gift wrap stickers or cut-outs from a holiday magazine Sustainable decoration tips: Consider using natural materials like twine pinecones or fresh greenery for a rustic touch Pinellas County residents are encouraged to participate in available Christmas Tree-to-Mulch programs to repurpose trees into usable Trees are accepted for a nominal fee at the Pinellas County Solid Waste Disposal Complex, where trees will be ground into useable mulch that is given away for free to residents. Click here for the hours of operation and location. Click here for the Christmas Tree disposal fee Please note that customers must wear closed-toed shoes when bringing Christmas trees to the Pinellas County Solid Waste Disposal Complex Residents who live in multifamily communities should consult their association or property managers for tree disposal instructions It’s common to receive electronic items as gifts What should you do with electronic items you need to discard Pumpkins and costumes and candy wrappers, oh my! Every Halloween, according to the Stevens Institute of Technology produces over 1.4 billion pounds of pumpkins throws away about seven million costumes and buys over six million pounds of candy But don’t be scared – here are some tips on how to reduce waste this spooky season Florida’s climate does not help preserve a carved pumpkin for long, according to the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). Pumpkins are 90% water, so they break down easily, making them a great addition to your compost heap, according to the National Wildlife Federation. The texture enriches the soil of gardens. Locate composting options through the Where Does It Go? Search Tool fabric and other materials for decorating instead of slicing and dicing consider using it to decorate for Thanksgiving Or you can feed your local wildlife by turning your unpainted pumpkin into a Snack-O-Lantern Fill a carved pumpkin with bird seed and place it on the ground or on a tree stump or another object off the ground Carve them out and roast them for a tasty snack Dozens of tasty recipes are available online Throw them in the yard so critters can have a quick and easy snack Dried pumpkin seeds also can be used decoratively Save some seeds to plant so you can have your own pumpkin harvest next year Candy wrappers do not belong in your mixed recycling bin Call (727) 464-7500, email recycle@pinellas.gov or click the Live Chat button below On March 1st, Pride @ The Village returned to Studios @ 5663 transforming the space into a vibrant community The outdoor area was lined with arts and crafts vendors and a diverse lineup of community organizations Organizations such as Equality Florida, Diversity Arts, and OUTCoast among others, had booths that were packed with individuals eager to learn about ongoing advocacy efforts and resources available to the LGBTQIA+ community. Equality Florida offered information on their latest initiatives to combat anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation while OUTCoast Florida highlighted inclusive resources for exploring the Sunshine State with pride Adding to the spirit of activism and support were the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, who roamed the festival, offering blessings, glitter, and sass in equal measure. Their presence not only provided plenty of laughs but also served as a reminder of the power of camp and activism in pushing forward LGBTQIA+ rights. For animal lovers, the Friends of Strays Animal Shelter booth was a hit offering information about their work rescuing animals across Pinellas County the festivities moved indoors for an evening of performances that left the crowd both entertained and inspired. Daphne Ferraro served as the night’s emcee and her blend of sharp wit and hilarious commentary kept the audience laughing from start to finish One of the most impactful moments of the night was when Alice Marie Gripp took the stage wearing a stunning dress hand-painted with the prints of their students’ GSA (Gender-Sexuality Alliance) and emblazoned with the words “Protect Queer Kids.” The dress was both a visual masterpiece and a powerful statement drawing cheers and applause from the audience The evening’s talent didn’t stop there. Vyn Suazion delivered a vocal performance that was nothing short of spectacular With powerful runs and a voice that seemed to fill every corner of the room Vyn’s act was a masterclass in how to captivate an audience delivering a performance that combined glamour and energy Her ability to command attention was unmatched and her stage presence left the crowd roaring with appreciation There was also a Q&A with all of the performers after the show For more information about the Pinellas Arts Village, click here! Check out pictures from The Big Gay Radio Show host Messages from the General Manager are supposed to be uplifting The Top 10 Spins on WMNF 88.5 FM highlights the.. It is WMNF Tropical Heatwave Week as we get really.. Pinellas County Utilities will temporarily change its water disinfection process to chlorine from Monday drinking water may smell or taste slightly different but there will be no impact to water pressure or service This semiannual switch temporarily changes the method of water treatment from chloramine to chlorine disinfection to improve water quality and minimize the potential for any future problems in the water system Kidney dialysis patients should not be impacted but should contact their dialysis care provider for more information about chlorine disinfection and how it affects their treatment Fish owners should not be affected if they already have a system to remove chloramines but should contact local pet suppliers with any questions.   There have been no indications of significant bacteriological contamination problems in the system and the water will continue to meet all federal and state standards for safe drinking water Pinellas County Utilities water customers will benefit from this as well as customers in the cities of Clearwater Pinellas Park and Safety Harbor.   For more information, please visit pinellas.gov/utilities or contact Pinellas County Utilities Business & Customer Services at (727) 464-4000.  The Tampa Bay Automobile Museum in Pinellas Park is a huge 19,000-square-foot tribute to the cars that broke the rules and changed history the preferred time-traveling ride of Marty McFly and Doc Brown "Every vehicle here has been thoughtfully acquired," says Daniel Carpenter "There's some innovative about each one for their time." own this collection of rare and spectacular rides More than 70 vehicles are currently on display at the dazzling attraction The museum is open every day except Tuesday and children five and under are free of charge To watch more Daly Discoveries, follow Sean Daly on Instagram at @seandalytv. The study findings help the department make informed decisions find ways to improve programs and reveal what residents and businesses need to know about garbage and recycling PCSW prepares the Solid Waste Management Report for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) every spring. This report calculates the County’s recycling rate for the previous calendar year. View the results of the 2023 Solid Waste Management Report on FDEP’s website Pinellas County had the fourth-highest recycling rate in the state with a 70% overall recycling rate This means that of all the waste produced in Pinellas County The average overall recycling rate for the entire state was 49% This report provides an overview of the types and quantities of materials residents are placing in recycling bins. The study is conducted by taking samples of materials that were brought to recycling drop-off centers and placed in home and business recycling bins. Workers then sort, categorize and weigh these materials. Read the full 2024 recyclable materials composition study report online. Contamination refers to any materials placed in your recycling bin that do not belong there Pinellas County’s overall contamination rate is 21.7% That means that for every five pounds of materials placed in recycling bins The average overall contamination rate for recycling in the state is 27%, which means Pinellas County is doing slightly better than the Florida average (according to a 2020 University of Florida study) The study found that the items pictured below are the most common items placed in recycling bins that don’t belong there This survey asks Pinellas County residents about their recycling behaviors and habits. It asks if, how, and why residents recycle, about the resources residents use and seek, and more. Read the full residential recycling awareness survey report online. In other good news, most of us are on the same page about why we recycle – to protect the earth. Learn more about why recycling is important We don’t have to remind you that rechargeable batteries should never be placed in your garbage bin because, according to the Residential Recycling Awareness Study, 97% of residents already know this. However, you may not know that rechargeable batteries should also never be placed in your recycling bin. Learn how to properly dispose of batteries. we plan to conduct a waste composition study to learn what is in our garbage This will help us identify materials that could be recycled or reused instead of being thrown in the garbage This will help us modify our outreach efforts We’ll be surveying business owners on their recycling habits We alternate between conducting recycling awareness surveys of residents and businesses every other year We’ll keep you updated with the 2024 recycling rate once the data is certified by the state in July 2025 Reach out to us by emailing recycle@pinellas.gov. Hours Development Review Help– Email Building Services– Email Access Portal Google Map every Wednesday for staff training and development Pinellas County has begun notifying residents in unincorporated Pinellas County whose homes have experienced substantial damage. Residents will soon start receiving letters informing them of their substantial damage determination but they do not have to wait for their letter before taking action. Mailers will take several weeks to complete and may go on through the end of December.  Pinellas County has been actively processing permits with no fees for most properties in unincorporated Pinellas with over 700 storm-related permits issued since the hurricanes Residents in the flood hazard area don’t have to wait for a substantial damage letter if they: (1) have a permit application ready to file and (2) live in unincorporated Pinellas County Residents outside of unincorporated Pinellas should contact their city for specific information about their substantial damage program and permitting information Residents with properties in unincorporated Pinellas County that had minor damage –less than 12’’ of water and below power outlets – can apply for permits now. More information on the storm permitting process can be found at Pinellas.gov/stormpermits including shoddy work by unlicensed contractors and the possibility of having to undo the work at your own expense When a resident is not intending to “self-perform” repairs, they should be wary of contractors asking homeowners to obtain owner/builder permits. A comprehensive list of licensed and insured contractors can be found online at https://contractorsearch.pcclb.com/. State certified contractor licenses can be verified at www.myfloridalicense.com Residents who received a substantial damage letter can find essential information at www.pinellas.gov/sdsi. They may also call (727) 464-3888 Residents who received a substantial damage letter and disagree with the initial assessment, can request a reassessment. Learn more at Pinellas.gov/stormpermits Pinellas County Building & Development Review Services office at 440 Court Street is currently open extended hours Monday through Friday from 7 a.m Please note: Building and Development Review Services is closed Thursday Friday and Saturday for the Thanksgiving Holiday and will reopen Monday Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. Learn More — Pinellas Park is hosting its annual Public Works BBQ Cook-Off & Rodeo this Saturday at England Brothers Park The Public Works Department is hosting the event which will be held at 5010 81st Avenue North from noon until 10 p.m The city sees the event as offering families a distraction from the stress Hurricanes Helene and Milton have caused has sent a second letter to investigators that includes sworn statements from witnesses aboard Knight’s boat Hayslett sent written statements from three passengers on Knight’s 37-foot center console Statement powerboat Hayslett also again raised the question about whether the ferry which was carrying 45 people including two crew members One passenger on the ferry was killed and 10 others were injured in the crash on the Intracoastal Waterway near the Clearwater Memorial Causeway 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 About 10 minutes later, it began to slowly motor away from the scene, the video shows. Hayslett in his second letter highlighted excerpts from the witnesses on board Knight’s boat stating that Knight made statements immediately after the crash about not seeing lights on the ferry. Kathryn Talbert wrote that she is a former employee and friend of Knight’s and met him at his home with three other friends and a child. They had dinner at Island Way Grill in Clearwater and left as food was still arriving at the table because the sun was setting and Knight “was worried about it getting dark,” Talbert wrote. Talbert, who was sitting near the back of the boat, wrote that they had just reached “what felt like a normal cruising speed” when they hit what she thought might be a sandbar. It was dark, she wrote, and she hadn’t seen any other boats around. Talbert went to the front of the boat and realized they’d hit the back of a pontoon boat. Talbert wrote that she asked Knight what to do and he told her to call 911. Another woman on the boat made the call. Talbert wrote that she offered to help anyone on the ferry get on board Knight’s boat to be taken to shore for medical attention. “They said two people were pretty hurt but no one got aboard when we offered,” Talbert wrote. “Next thing I know we saw the cops and EMT arriving on shore. After that, Jeff said we could hang up with 911 since help had arrived.” Talbert wrote that Knight “told us that the boat was taking on water and we needed to get to shore.” After they left, a Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office boat stopped them, tied Knight’s boat to theirs and towed them to the Belleair boat ramp. Subscribe to our free Stephinitely newsletter You’re all signed up!Want more of our free, weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s get started. “There were no drugs used by anyone before Danielle Ely wrote in her statement that she’d met Knight a few months earlier through a mutual acquaintance About five minutes after they’d left the no-wake zone there was a collision and Ely “thought Jeff had hit a pole or a bridge.” “I stood up and turned around hearing people screaming and saw it was another boat,” Ely wrote Ely heard Knight direct another woman to call 911 Ely wrote that another passenger “asked Jeff to dock somewhere but he said we can’t The third witness who provided a statement wrote that the crash “felt like the boat was hitting rocks on land.” They realized they’d hit another boat where the f--k where their lights?’” Ringel wrote She wrote that Knight said to “call the cops,” and Ringel called 911 and Knight untied his boat from the ferry and began to motor away “Jeff told me to hang up because they are getting help and that they don’t need us anymore but (I) didn’t listen until told repeatedly,” Ringel wrote Jeff told us we were taking on water and needed to get back home.” Ringel wrote that she began to comfort another passenger and her baby who were “hysterical.” The child’s mother and Ringel told Knight they wanted to get off the boat “I began to yell at Jeff to stop the boat anywhere Pinellas deputies stopped them a short time later The Clearwater Ferry sits damaged after a powerboat crashed into the back of it on Sunday [ JEFFEREE WOO | Times ]Officers questioned all three women at the boat ramp Ringel wrote that the officer who interviewed her “seemed agitated because I couldn’t remember much.” She was Ely wrote that she told an officer that she didn’t see anything before the crash “because my back was turned.” Talbert did not include in her written statement details about what she told officers that night In Thursday’s letter to the wildlife commission Hayslett wrote that Knight tied his boat to the ferry and began nudging it toward the shore “to reduce reliance on water-only rescue.” The letter said Knight remained on the scene for about 15 minutes yet “has been vilified for leaving the scene.” The letter states that Knight gave a voluntary breath sample that registered no alcohol in his system and was evaluated by a “Drug Recognition Expert” who administered “horizontal and vertical gaze nystagmus testing.” The letter notes that vessels are required to have white stern lights “From the sworn statements already in your possession there is consistent and credible evidence that no stern light was visible at the time of the incident,” Hayslett wrote Hayslett wrote that his “lighting and reconstruction experts will seek to evaluate the exact position and arc of visibility of the stern light (if any) A spokesperson for the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority declined to comment Wednesday on the lighting concerns laid out in Hayslett’s first letter to the commission Jose Luis Castro a 41-year-old father of two young girls who worked for the United States Postal Service His family is calling for Knight to be criminally charged Homeowners struggling to make up the cost difference between repairing their hurricane-damaged home and their insurance policy or FEMA aid can now apply for up to $30,000 from Pinellas County.   The Hurricane Home Repair Program covers everything from direct repair costs to insurance deductibles with priority for special needs and lower-income households.   The program is available to residents in unincorporated Pinellas and most cities Petersburg have their own funding sources to help homeowners Income eligibility requirements and type of repair requirements apply The pre-screening application opened at 8 a.m. today at pinellas.gov/stormrepair.   Applicants must show both homeowners insurance information and a FEMA award or denial letter before being considered for approval so those interested should focus on pursuing those funds before applying to the County It is critical for those interested in the Pinellas County program to apply for FEMA Individual Assistance before the Jan deadline if they have not already done so.   The FEMA program can cover up to $42,500 in eligible home repairs.   Funding for the program comes from the Florida State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program (SHIP) and Pinellas County.   Qualifications for Hurricane Home Repair Program    The Hurricane Home Repair Program is available for households that earn less than 120 percent of the Area Median Income ($80,280 for an individual or $114,600 for a family of four) Applicants will be prioritized based on need and income starting with special needs households followed by those earning 50 to 80 percent of Area Median Income or less.   The home must be your primary residence and its assessed value cannot exceed $375,000 as determined by the Pinellas County Property Appraiser Mobile homes built since 1994 also qualify.   All construction work must be permitted and completed by licensed and insured contractors The scopes of work will address items in need of repair.  Examples include Additional documentation for payment of insurance deductible:  Completed applications will be reviewed and prioritized in the order submitted contact Pinellas County Housing & Community Development at (727) 464-8210.  Residents can stay informed about all new financial programs that become available in Pinellas County by texting RECOVER to 888777 for regular updates or by visiting disaster.pinellas.gov.  — A Pinellas Park councilwoman's husband died after a tragic farming accident on Wednesday The City of Pinellas Park posted on Facebook that Billy Reed died following an accident at Amber Glen Farm and Equestrian Center at 6348 102nd Ave North Amber Glen Farm and Equestrian Center posted this message on Facebook and said they are "Devastated to share that this morning we lost Billy Reed as a result of a tragic accident at the farm." Pinellas Park Police said the death is not considered criminal or suspicious A state contractor hired to evaluate hurricane-damaged homes across Pinellas County made mistake after mistake in its assessment reports muddling the rebuilding process for storm-ravaged residents Reporters with the Tampa Bay Times spoke to homeowners across six Pinellas cities who said they were flagged for damages that didn’t exist Tidal Basin staff noted a Gulfport homeowner had removed flooring assessors reported thousands of dollars in damage to the foundation roof and interior of a Redington Shores home the company relied on county property data to perform assessments often without entering homes — sometimes resulting in figures that elevated damage percentages Both Tidal Basin and Pinellas County defended their practices in statements to the Times “We are committed to the highest-quality data possible,” said Heather Stickler the county took responsibility for checking for accuracy of the data and training of Tidal Basin workers But there has been a “a robust quality control process,” county spokesperson Tony Fabrizio said “We agree that this has been a confusing topic for many residents which is why we made a thorough substantial damages webpage and explanation videos.” Homeowners who tried to fight back have been bounced across different city and county departments short-staffed city governments had to correct errors for hundreds of homes exhausted hurricane victims were left to hire appraisers to try to fix the errors themselves “The help we’ve been receiving has actually created more work for us,” said former Gulfport Mayor Sam Henderson after a campaign cycle focused on hurricane recovery including what one of his opponents called “TidalGate.” local agencies are required by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to assess buildings and determine the extent of the wreckage When the damage exceeds around half of a home’s market value — excluding the land — it’s considered “substantially damaged,” and must be demolished or rebuilt to be more resilient The process is designed to break the cycle of rebuilding properties that are vulnerable to being destroyed again requiring more taxpayer-funded help each time Pinellas scores high marks for its flood planning and as a result residents get 40% off their premiums Although there are some broad guidelines set out by FEMA each government decides for itself how officials will approach this high-stakes math problem assessors use an adjusted tax assessment of the building’s value to determine how much each property is worth they plug numbers like a home’s square footage foundation type and height of floodwaters into a calculator tool designed by FEMA The cost of repairs and the home’s value are used to estimate a damage percentage most accurate way to conduct thousands of initial assessments and follows the County’s flood recovery procedures and floodplain code,” Pinellas County spokesperson Tony Fabrizio said in an email Suzanne McDonald stands inside her gutted 1560-square-foot block construction home on Feb The house was flooded by nearly waist-high sewage water during Helene the McDonalds still hadn't received an assessment from Tidal Basin which Gulfport required before issuing any permits [ DIRK SHADD | Times ]Since last year’s hurricanes Tidal Basin signed contracts amounting to more than $82 million with the governor’s office to conduct assessments around the state When Pinellas County asked the state for help assessing homes in unincorporated areas and several smaller municipalities with overwhelmed staff Assessments are mostly completed by Tidal Basin employees using data provided by the Pinellas County Property Appraiser’s Office and a process decided by county officials The results are shared with city building departments Fabrizio said the county provided initial training with Tidal Basin and coordinated regularly to answer questions Training included how to collect assessment data and guidance on FEMA’s calculator city staff noticed issues with assessment results “The data is pretty much garbage,” Anne-Marie Brooks Curbside assessments misidentified homes as having damage that didn’t exist Brooks said the company’s reports would sometimes come in with photos of a completely different house Homeowners were confused when they started getting letters “This has to be a scam,” thought Alan Nastansky who was told in December that his Redington Shores home must be elevated or demolished Water had surged through homes in his neighborhood and tornadoes ripped off roofs But his home needed only about $400 worth of repairs — minor things like missing roof edging and damaged outdoor lights He’s reached out to town officials several times to try and get the decision reversed Alan Nastansky shows where storm damage resulted in him needing to cut open a small portion of the wall in his home on Feb Nastansky was told by a contractor Pinellas County and other governments have hired to do hurricane damage assessments that his home was 60% damaged and needs to be demolished He found that his home only had about $400 worth of repairs [ DIRK SHADD | Times ]In the end the company’s data flaws have wasted state money on “inaccurate information that doesn’t benefit anyone,” Brooks said said Pinellas County reviews its data and cities are ultimately responsible for “making the final determinations of damage.” “If issues about data quality are brought to our attention and county and municipal governments allow it Tidal Basin collaborates with property owners to conduct re-assessments and submits the updated data which runs through the same quality control and approval processes,” she said Fabrizio said there were “multiple layers.” Tidal Basin checked the data before submitting it to the county’s quality control team The data was also checked using an automated process and spot-checked before letters were sent out Substantial damage letters do not share how assessors came by their numbers some of the errors were hidden within a complex mathematical formula virtually untraceable for the average homeowner battling their results The Times reviewed Tidal Basin’s initial assessment data for thousands of properties in seven Pinellas County communities studied FEMA’s guidelines for calculating substantial damage and interviewed homeowners The initial assessments relied on data that the property appraiser’s office normally uses to calculate the building value for tax purposes a certified Florida appraiser who worked for Tidal Basin for several months last winter argues the data isn’t compatible with the FEMA tool said the costs used for some repair calculations were “in the stratosphere,” leaps and bounds beyond what outside appraisers would normally use for this purpose she reviewed more than 120 cases in which homeowners contested their substantial damage calculations The initial determination was wrong in almost every single case After her supervisor showed little interest in addressing the issues Tidal Basin did not respond to questions about her employment Pinellas County Property Appraiser Mike Twitty said the data is accurate and useful for conducting initial estimates because it’s proportionate to the structure value being used Twitty said some homes’ assessments may be skewed by technical differences in how depreciation is applied to the final home value “That is where the wheel is coming off for people That is the point of contention — the level of depreciation,” Twitty said “That’s why our values are not the end-all He noted that some discrepancies in the initial assessments are inevitable since it’s being done on a mass scale Sutton estimates as many as 75% of homes deemed substantially damaged might not have hit that threshold if different valuations were used said city staff had to correct more than 100 initial assessments from Tidal Basin about half of which included reversing the company’s finding that a home was substantially damaged Two boats crashed into the shore at the Gulfport Casino Ballroom at 5500 Shore Blvd [ DIRK SHADD | Times ]Earlier this year he sent an email to DeSantis complaining that Tidal Basin “has performed abysmally” and is “generating ill will additional delays and more work on already overtaxed residents and municipal departments.” The governor’s office did not respond to emailed questions from the Times about Henderson’s letter and the issues with Tidal Basin “We are not big enough for this lift,” Henderson wrote Fabrizio and other county officials emphasized that Tidal Basin’s assessments are meant to be a first pass Homeowners can apply for reassessments with more detailed information to potentially get their status reversed But residents across the county say in the months since receiving a substantial damage letter they’ve struggled to get more information from county officials or Tidal Basin employees a resident at Crystal Bay Mobile Home Club a 55+ community nestled along Avery Bayou in Palm Harbor Nearly every home in the community was deemed substantially damaged About half of the homeowners are still trying to appeal their fate Scattered throughout the community are patches of disturbed earth — empty lots where homes once stood An excavator stands ready at a home across the street from Durocher A mailbox is seen on the ground in front of a camper on a lot at the Crystal Bay Mobile Home Club on Wednesday in Palm Harbor Several home owners have demolished their homes and are living in campers on their lots while they wait to rebuild [ CHRIS URSO | Times ]After receiving a substantial damage letter in December she was told her repairs would cost around $42,000 – well over half her structure value of $72,000 But neither Tidal Basin nor county employees would explain how the damage estimate had been calculated She called and emailed numerous county departments on a weekly basis — each time she was told to wait or she was passed to someone else she felt she had no recourse to contest Tidal Basin’s estimate Fabrizio said residents have access to all this information via the county portal Durocher said her documents didn’t appear for months When she finally received a cost breakdown in April she learned the company had marked several things as damaged like her bathroom floors and her hot water heater They also overcharged for some items: Tidal Basin estimated she’d have to pay $425 per door Averill’s home valuation increased by more than $25,000 through this route. While he still felt the county overestimated his damage, the new valuation dropped him under the 49% threshold. He was relieved. But within a week, he was issued a new damage estimate, and then another, ultimately bumping his repair costs from $47,500 to over $65,000. No one had come to view his home. “They’re really not doing a reassessment,” Averill said. “They’re not collecting any new information.” Some residents have moved ahead with repairs. Others, afraid of sinking money into a home they can’t save, gutted the insides or demolished them altogether. Averill and other neighbors moved to Crystal Bay in search of the Florida dream: affordable, waterfront living. Now all of that may be at risk. Many residents live on fixed incomes. Skyrocketing housing costs across the region mean if they leave, they may have nowhere to go. “That is probably the most devastating thing,” Averill said. “It’s hard to talk about.” The Crystal Bay Mobile Home Club sits along canals off of Sutherland Bayou in Palm Harbor. The entire park received several feet of surge during Hurricane Helene last year. [ CHRIS URSO | Times ]A tangle of bureaucracyDeborah Adkins and her husband have been living in their Gulfport house with no walls, using folding tables and a utility sink. “We’re basically camping in the shell of our home,” said Adkins, 65, earlier this year. They received their damage letter after a five-month wait and soon found Tidal Basin’s assessment had at least two inaccuracies. Workers wrote that she hadn’t allowed them to take photos inside. Adkins said that is false. They also listed her floors as having been removed. They are still there, according to Adkins, and she has no plans to remove them. Adkins said she understands the purpose of all the regulations involved in rebuilding and is sympathetic to local governments trying to closely adhere to FEMA rules. But in the months since her house was destroyed, she described a lack of accountability that’s left her enraged. She feels like everyone in power says it’s someone else’s fault. The beach town mayors, for example, say Tidal Basin’s faulty data is leading to the inaccurate letters. But Stickler, the spokesperson for the company, said the cities are ultimately responsible for “making the final determinations.” Local government leaders have been raising their concerns with state officials, like Florida House Rep. Linda Chaney, R-St. Pete Beach, who told the Times that she discussed the concerns with the Florida Department of Emergency Management. A spokesperson for that agency, Marnie Villanueva Marrero, responded to a list of emailed questions about Tidal Basin by saying the substantial damage process is “directed and managed by the local governments.” In the absence of clarity, neighbors have tried to help each other, coaching the older residents through confusing forms. “It leaves me feeling like absolutely no one really cares,” Adkins said. “You are on your own.” A yard sign is seen in front of a home at the Crystal Bay Mobile Home Club on Wednesday in Palm Harbor. The entire park received several feet of surge during Hurricane Helene last year. [ CHRIS URSO | Times ]The layers of bureaucracy have led officials to come to opposing conclusions of what caused all these problems, leaving unresolved questions even as the next hurricane season looms. Pinellas County Commissioner Kathleen Peters criticized Tidal Basin for not entering homes for many of its assessments. “They’re making assumptions,” she said in an interview. But days earlier, a Pinellas County building official expressed the opposite opinion in an email to a reporter. “Tidal Basin (has) performed outstandingly,” Kevin McAndrew said. Times staff writer Colbi Edmonds and Times/Herald Tallahassee bureau reporter Lawrence Mower contributed to this report. Teghan Simonton is a data reporter on the business and health team. Reach her at tsimonton@tampabay.com. Rebecca Liebson is a reporter covering real estate and housing. She can be reached at rliebson@tampabay.com. about a hundred Tampa Bay cyclists and I went for a seven-mile bike ride in Pinellas Park This Saturday morning adventure was the 9th annual Bike Your City. The City of Pinellas Park hosted the event with Forward Pinellas Pinellas County’s land use and transportation planning agency public ride was designed to “try to get people out that maybe don’t normally bike,” according to Kyle Simpson “It’s an event to help people connect with their neighbors and their fellow Pinellas County or Tampa Bay residents.” Simpson kicked off the ride at the start and end point in Helen S Howarth Community Park by introducing Forward Pinellas and Pinellas Park City Council member Patti Reed You’re going to see quite a few of them today,” Reed said “So you’re going to get a really good tour of Pinellas Park.” She finished her speech by talking about the importance of infrastructure that supports pedestrian and cycling traffic to safely connect different parts of the city “It looks like we have over a hundred cyclists,” she said “I hope somebody does a head count because we might have beaten St Petersburg hosted Bike Your City last year Applause for the speeches included bells and bike horns Forward Pinellas and the City of Pinellas Park covered all bases in terms of safety The City of Pinellas Park Police Department escorted us the whole way Two officers rode on e-bikes with the pack They also had a lead vehicle and a tail vehicle and an officer and an SUV blocked every intersection along the way The fire department was on standby in case of any medical emergency though some of the roads had some potholes Notable sights along the tour included the Barbara S The route also passed two sites where Pinellas Park has planned projects to develop pedestrian “We work to make it a family friendly ride,” Simpson said He described it as “beach cruiser pace.” I don’t think our speed ever got into double digits and could easily fit four bikes abreast between the sidewalk and the double yellow line always told me that the key to riding for long stretches of time is to never work so hard that you can’t have a conversation no one was working too hard Saturday morning because everyone was chatting Each clump of cyclists talked amongst themselves Some talked about cycling and the bikes they were riding or the gear they had bought Others talked about completely non-velocipedal topics The pod I ended up riding with were two families of engineers who worked for Advanced Engineering and Design a Pinellas Park engineering firm that provided snacks for the event While I enjoyed the tour’s wild and domestic Floridian flora the children on pink bikes liked the “horseys” best The engineers riding with me pointed out ramps that they had designed and commented on the construction of the canal by Ethan Perelstein Support The Gabber Newspaper Your donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law The Florida Community News Fund is a program administered by the Florida Press Foundation All donations made at this link go to The Gabber Newspaper through the Florida Press Association Filed Under: News Tagged With: , , , Watch our LIVE streaming Gulfport Florida Webcams! Gulfport Casino Webcam Gulfport Beach Webcam Marina East Webcam Marina West Webcam Downtown Gulfport Webcam © 2025 All Rights Reserved | The Gabber Newspaper FloridaServing South Pinellas County and our Gulf Beaches in Florida including South Pasadena Pinellas County is still trying to develop a 235-acre chunk of land that used to be the Toytown landfill they’re hoping to turn it into a youth sports complex The area is located off Interstate 275 and Roosevelt Boulevard The proposal from Sports Facilities Companies includes rough plans for 20 baseball and softball fields 24 pickleball courts and a dozen sand volleyball courts Pete-Clearwater President Brian Lowack said such a complex would attract the booming industry of youth sports tourism "We know there's a strong demand for sports tournament field space venues and we see it all over the Tampa Bay area dining options and museums help make the Toytown site an attractive location for youth sports tourism which could include local and national tournaments The county was specifically looking for companies that had experience building on former landfills when they sent out the request for proposals Sports Facilities Companies said the project will bring in $350 million over five years The next step is having the developer submit a more detailed design and financial plan before the county moves forward with the project You might have seen a Florida team take home the Little League World Series earlier this month If you're looking for a place for you and your kids to train for the next LLWS or just to have fun and play sports in Pinellas County Pinellas Park is making major improvements to a sports complex to better serve the community A roughly $23 million project will transform Youth Park into the Sprowls Horizon Sports Park Developers will demolish the rundown baseball fields Pinellas Park City Manager Bart Diebold says the city wanted to make sure there are always outside areas for local residents to enjoy "We could absolutely sell this for millions and millions of dollars and put development on here keeping this low impact of growth [is important] Diebold also said the new complex will be a positive for surrounding businesses as it attracts tournaments and families Plans call for the baseball fields to be built in styles similar to local minor-league ballparks.  A state appropriation will provide more than half of the funding for the new complex Former Florida House Speaker and Pinellas County legislator Chris Sprowls will be the new facility’s namesake Local officials say his push at the state level was the main reason a project like the sports complex could get done rather quickly “The irony behind politics a lot of the time is sometimes the things we fight the most about are the things that matter least to people and their families,” Sprowls said where they spend their leisure time to play with their children where they learn character and make friends.” Pinellas Park Councilman Ricky Butler says he doesn't want to see outdoor space taken away "That's obviously a big conversation right now in the state with the state parks conversation going on so it's important to kind of manage that growth while also maintaining those green spaces and recreation areas for our residents,” Butler said The new complex will feature half a dozen baseball fields “This is better than [building new] police stations and city halls It's expected to open by Labor Day next year Will loud music blaring into the night and raucous pool parties come to an end in residential neighborhoods? County commissioners hope so, now that code enforcement has been given marching orders to strictly regulate those who don’t play by a new set of rules. “It really comes down to enforcement and whether we’re committed to enforcing what we all agree is important,” said County Commissioner Dave Eggers. At the final reading March 25, Eggers told staff and fellow commissioners he “hasn’t heard enough about the size of the rapid response team. I think we are going to have to have a lot more … people, boots on the ground, so that we can respond in a timely fashion.” He asked: “The point is if they call and we respond four hours later or six hours later, or the next morning, what good does it do?” In voicing approval for the first step, he added, “I think we really need to look at this enforcement piece,” and if it means funding additional staff, “we need to look at that.” Building and Development Review Services director Kevin McAndrew said, “The first reading provided valuable input from both residents, as well as from this board, in giving very specific direction as to the modifications to bring back in the form of the ordinance that is before you.” One of the most requested changes was to keep the maximum occupancy in a vacation rental at 10 but remove the children under 12 exemption. “The ordinance before you is based on that maximum occupancy of 10 persons,” both adults and children, he said. The noise provision brings the current quiet hours back from the first reading, which proposed an 11 p.m. start time, to be in effect from 10 p.m. to 9 a.m. There was also a discussion at the first reading to update other items in the noise ordinance, which is being worked on by the County Attorney’s Office and will be brought back at a later date, McAndrew said. The definition of a bedroom has been modified to comply with state statutes; it now includes that a bedroom must be located along an exterior wall and have a closet, door and emergency egress in compliance with the building code. It also clarifies that kitchens, sunrooms and dens do not qualify as bedrooms. Another provision says the responsible party or owner moving forward with a lease agreement has the responsibility to inform the sheriff if there is any guest who is a registered sex offender. The director noted rental agreements entered into before ordinance adoption updates, March 25, shall be considered vested. “The first hearing also included a very robust discussion about potential future regulations. Staff has already begun to evaluate those. … We’ll track the effectiveness of this ordinance and if necessary, potentially come back with revisions," McAndrew said. “One particular item of discussion that I did want to clarify had to do with the restriction of on-street parking. This is actually a policy that is in place today; it does not require any kind of modification to an existing code,” he explained. A neighborhood street, not one or three houses, can bring the Public Works Traffic Division a petition, approved by 60% of property owners, asking to self-impose parking restrictions that can be enforced by the sheriff’s office. Eggers asked if the restriction could be time-sensitive — for example, from 8 in the morning to 8 at night. McAndrew said Public Works Traffic would evaluate that type of consideration. The county’s website dedicated to short-term rentals is up and running, as is the certificate of use program. Short-term rental owners will be tracked by the advertisements they post and must be inspected and certified or face hefty fines. “This is a total reset for short-term rentals in Pinellas County; this is a comprehensive program and approach that is a new day in bringing accountability to short-term rentals,” McAndrew told commissioners. Eggers asked what is being done about precluding special events such as weddings. McAndrew said any short-term rental property owner, or any business in a residential zone, that advertises to host a party is subject to a county use approval, which would have to go through the county Board of Adjustment and Appeals for approval. Eggers said, “The state has taken our ability to have neighborhoods like we want to have them. What we’re trying to do now is navigate what the state has done to try to come up with ways to make it as palatable. … Maybe we can start zeroing in on where the bad owners are, who don’t care.” Commissioners unanimously passed the revised ordinance on final reading. Pinellas County’s new short-term rental ordinance is set to take effect upon filing with the state and will be enforced by the Code Enforcement division, with support from the Building Division. — The Pinellas Park Police Department said that Saturday night's Sacred Heart Festival in Pinellas Park was cut short because of "juvenile disruptions." Officers said that the disruptions seemed to have started with one juvenile who had intentions of causing disorder and that the juvenile didn't have any parental supervision Several officers responded to reports of a gun that was seen or shots fired as well as reports of several fights they were unable to find a gun and didn't hear any shots fired When officers made it to one of the areas where fights were reports people started running away "in a stampede-like fashion," which resulted in some minor injuries festival organizers decided to end the event early Four juveniles were arrested for disorderly conduct and one more was arrested for aggravated assault on an officer after she allegedly hit an officer with her vehicle Pinellas County is designing a new bridge to replace the existing San Martin Boulevard Bridge. The existing bridge will be replaced with a new bridge of similar design that will be shifted to the east of the existing bridge. The proposed bridge typical section includes two 11-foot travel lanes and two 7-foot buffered bike lanes A 6-foot-wide sidewalk and a 12-foot-wide shared use path is provided for pedestrian access across the bridge Since the alignment of the new bridge will be shifted the bridge will be constructed in stages to allow San Martin Boulevard to remain open during construction Replacement of the San Martin Boulevard Bridge is needed to correct the deficiencies of the existing bridge The bridge was constructed in 1962 and is nearing the end of its service life The existing bridge does not meet current design standards and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements This study was undertaken in accordance with the federal National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process Compliance with the NEPA process allows the County to remain eligible for federal funding Visit the Community Outreach page to learn more about past community engagements and current opportunities This project is supported by the Penny for Pinellas Ann Venables, AICP, ENVSPProject ManagerPublic Works / Capital Improvements14 S. Ft Harrison Ave., Clearwater, FL 33756(727) 464-3640avenables@pinellas.gov Pinellas County has accepted a $2.25 million grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for marine debris removal The County will use the grant to clean up waste tires placed in the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay as artificial reefs in the 1970s and 1980s Pinellas County stopped using tires as material for artificial reefs in the early 1990s after the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) determined they are harmful to the environment and do not make efficient or stable reef materials Tires are now prohibited from being used for artificial reefs throughout Florida The cleanup is expected to be completed by July 2027 The first stages of the project—expected to start in 2025—will include surveying the previously permitted artificial reefs known to have received tires to identify where these tires are now located and determine the best methods to remove them The project is not expected to impact the public The tires recovered from the Gulf will be brought to the County’s Solid Waste Disposal Complex where they will be processed in the Waste-to-Energy (WTE) facility and converted to electrical power Pinellas County has 43 artificial reefs made from clean debris like concrete. These reefs can be enjoyed by boaters and divers while providing habitat for marine animals. For more information about the Artificial Reef Program, including a map of the County’s artificial reefs, visit Pinellas.gov/reef A Florida AMBER Alert has been canceled for Aleah Conrad officials with the Pinellas Park Police Department confirmed that she is safe Wednesday evening.  The child was thought to be in the company of Kassin Rodriguez the Pinellas Park Police Department said: "Casey and Kassin were previously in a domestic relationship but are no longer together The facts and circumstances surrounding how Aleah was under the care of Kassin is still under investigation." — The mobile home located just minutes from the Dunedin Causeway was supposed to be Linda and Steve Lounsbury’s Florida Dream Their mobile home at Sun Retreats in Dunedin was supposed to be a reliable place for the snowbirds to vacation and spend half the year to escape the cold of Ontario Linda and her husband might have to abandon their Florida Dream Their mobile home—and dozens of others at the Sun Retreats—flooded during Hurricane Helene Along with a thousand others across the county the mobile homes were labeled “substantially damaged.” a home is deemed substantially damaged if the cost to repair the home is 49% or more of its value without the land A substantially damaged home will either have to be relocated or elevated to current flood elevations While some homes in the mobile home park were clearly damaged beyond repair when I saw that we were 83% damaged,” Linda said Linda said her home only took on an inch of water and only needed a new AC unit and flooring after Helene Others in her mobile home park tell the same painful story “We’re all going to be homeless real soon,” Kuhfahl said She and others believe Pinellas County is overestimating the damage to their homes and underestimating their homes’ cash values which means their mobile homes are easily pushed over the threshold of the 49% Rule and either have to be relocated or elevated they argue the county is not being fully transparent “They’re giving us very high repair cost estimates without itemizing what these repairs are and refusing to talk to us when we come in there and say We need to know why you’re claiming this is substantially damaged,’” Kuhfahl said Pinellas County staff members said the county is trying to help as mobile home owners across the county face uncertain futures “We’re making every effort we can to work with these residents,” said Kevin McAndrew the director of the county’s Building & Development Review Services a communications coordinator with Pinellas County told ABC Action News that mobile homeowners with specific questions about their initial substantial damage determinations can email the county at mh_sddeterminations@pinellas.gov Giovannetti said impacted homeowners can continue to seek reassessments by visiting the county office in Clearwater at 440 Court St. You can visit Pinellas.gov/sdreassessmentmh/ for detailed mobile home reassessment instructions Despite complaints about inaccurate initial substantial damage determinations she said inspections are generally supporting the county’s findings not having taken on water inundation but have damages underneath the units (e.g. etc.) that in aggregate exceed the 49% threshold of the unit value,” Giovannetti wrote “Many of the homes are older (pre-1984) and have significantly depreciated.” “The costs to repair are required to include the entire scope including labor and material,” she continued “The costs need to include items such as debris removal associated with repair and labor costs for re-use of existing materials These items are often not initially identified.” “We just want to go on with our lives,” he said “We’re getting NADA values for our places — Blue Book values — and then we’re being held to the standards of a regular single-family home.” Linda and Steve Lounsbury aren’t convinced either “I don’t even know where these costs are coming from,” a tearful Linda said