Tampa Bay

Janelle Irwin TaylorJanuary 3, 2019

St. Pete City Council will consider changes to its sustainability and resiliency ordinance approved in 2017 that would broaden its application and take into account potential conflicts with projects receiving state or federal funding. Under the city’s current ordinance, new construction and substantial renovations to city property require third-party sustainability and resiliency verification through LEED […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorJanuary 2, 2019

The first St. Petersburg City Council meeting of 2019 Thursday will include several updates to construction contracts for the new pier. City Council members will vote on a series of budget changes to accommodate continued construction activity and increases to initial cost projections. That includes $47,000 to the city’s contract with Florida Associated Space Design in […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorJanuary 2, 2019

St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman is meeting with Michael Bloomberg to make an announcement concerning his administration’s efforts to combat climate change. Kriseman is meeting with the former New York City Mayor for coffee Thursday morning and then the two will deliver a news conference at Albert Whitted Park at 10 a.m. The two will also meet […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorJanuary 2, 2019

The case of a man suspected of burglary in Hillsborough County is the latest in a string of cell phone-related cases that could further define privacy rights in a digital world. Taphone Prince is refusing to give investigators the passcode to his Alcatel 7 cell phone even after a judge issued a warrant for its […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorDecember 28, 2018

The town of North Redington Beach is joining the list of Pinellas County municipalities that won’t be holding a 2019 local election. The town’s mayor and two town commissioners were re-elected without opposition. The town’s qualifying period for candidates closed earlier this month with no challengers filing to run against incumbents. That means Mayor Bill […]

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 […]

Tampa Bay
Mario Cristobal. Image via AP.

With climate change in mind St. Pete plans update to sustainability policies

2019 brings latest St. Pete pier updates

Michael Bloomberg coming to St. Pete to talk climate change

Hillsborough robbery case raises cell phone privacy questions

North Redington Beach incumbents re-elected unopposed

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