Tampa Bay

Staff ReportsDecember 28, 2018

‘Stand your ground’ case in St. Pete A Jabil employee is using Florida’s “stand your ground” law to defend himself against charges of culpable negligence for allegedly inflicting personal injury on his wife, Jennifer Chandler, in June. Charges were filed July. In a filing this month, St. Pete resident Jay Edward Chandler claims he was […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorDecember 27, 2018

The city of Belleair Bluffs has canceled its March municipal elections. The city’s mayor and two of its city commissioners were re-elected without opposition. Chris Arbutine, Sr. has served as mayor of the coastal north Pinellas community since 2001. He was first elected as a city commissioner in 2000. Arbutine owns The Silver Queen and Belleair […]

Staff ReportsDecember 25, 2018

Three Florida cities have spilled almost 1 million gallons (3.8 million liters) of wastewater in recent days. Records from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection show that Clearwater was responsible for the largest spill. Around 750,000 gallons (2.8 million liters) of wastewater was discharged last Friday. Tampa had a 38,000-gallon (140,000-liter) spill on the same […]

Drew WilsonDecember 21, 2018

The first candidate has filed for what could soon be a special election to replace Zephyrhills Republican Rep. Danny Burgess. Dade City Republican Randy Maggard on Thursday filed his paperwork to run for Pasco County’s House District 38. Burgess is expected to be confirmed as the next head of the state Department of Veterans’ Affairs […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorDecember 21, 2018

Pinellas County Congressman Charlie Crist was recognized Thursday night on the House floor for his efforts to bring more civility to the U.S. House of Representatives. Rep. Claudia Tenney, a Republican from New York, thanked Crist during a speech before the freshman class of Congress for bracelets he gifted members. “It says, ‘practice the Golden […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorDecember 21, 2018

UPDATE: Following news of David Straz’s refusal to participate in a debate closed off to some candidates, Bay News 9 has decided to allow all Tampa mayoral candidates to participate in the televised debate next month regardless of how much money they’ve raised. “We have decided to open the Spectrum Bay News 9 Tampa Mayoral […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorDecember 21, 2018

Virgin Trains U.S.A., formerly Brightline, could serve Tampa sooner than expected. Bob O’Malley, Vice President of Government Affairs, told the Hillsborough County Legislative Delegation Thursday the company now thinks it could combine work on two legs of its project, speeding up the timeline to “far less than a decade.” The company had planned to expand […]

Drew WilsonDecember 20, 2018

Medical marijuana company Surterra Wellness cut the ribbon on its first “Wellness Center” in Lakeland Wednesday, marking the company’s 15th dispensary in the Sunshine State. “We’re thrilled to be so warmly welcomed in by the Lakeland community at the opening of our newest Wellness Center. Polk County residents now have an education hub to come […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorDecember 20, 2018

Attorneys seeking to overturn the voter-approved transportation tax in Hillsborough County are asking the judge to expedite the case, according to court filings. The motion calls for an expedited case management conference to settle the lawsuit brought forth by Hillsborough County Commissioner Stacy White. Its basis for a speedy judgment in the plaintiff’s favor is […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorDecember 20, 2018

The All For Transportation campaign filed a motion Wednesday to have a team of its own lawyers intervene in the defense of its transportation referendum increasing sales tax by 1 percent, which voters approved last month. That motion provides some insight into how defending entities might argue their case. The primary argument is simple: “Counties […]

Tampa Bay

Stand your ground, medical malpractice suits filed in Pinellas County

No need for Belleair Bluffs vote — three elected without opposition

Report: 3 Florida cities responsible for wastewater spills

First candidate files to succeed Danny Burgess in HD 38

Charlie Crist recognized for civility in politics

David Straz won’t participate in Bay News 9 debate—unless all candidates are included

Private high-speed rail could serve Tampa sooner than expected

Surterra Wellness sets up shop in Polk County

Overturning Hillsborough transportation tax rests on argument denied by Florida Supreme Court

All For Transportation court filing hints at possible transportation tax defense