Tampa Bay

Mitch PerryDecember 18, 2017

Tampa’s City Council is poised to vote Thursday on the first reading of an ordinance seeking to reduce human trafficking by cracking down on massage parlors. The proposal was introduced earlier this month by the city’s legal department. It came following months of concerned citizens coming before the Council, asking them to crack down on […]

Drew WilsonDecember 18, 2017

Mike Wells announced Monday that Senate Majority Leader Wilton Simpson is endorsing his re-election campaign for the Pasco County Commission. “Mike Wells is a proven leader who is committed to protecting the values of Pasco County residents,” the Trilby Republican said. “Mike is a compassionate and principled conservative, with a vision of making Pasco County’s […]

Drew WilsonDecember 18, 2017

The qualifying period for three seats on the Treasure Island City Commission opens noon Monday and runs through noon Jan. 3. On the March 13 municipal ballot are the office of mayor and the District 2 and District 4 seats on the five-member commission. Commission seats are put up for election every two years, with […]

Mitch PerryDecember 18, 2017

Mary Thomas, the former top lawyer at the Department of Elder Affairs under Gov. Rick Scott, is on a list of finalists to become a Pinellas-Pasco circuit judge. The 6th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC) sent 11 names, including Thomas, to Scott last month to fill two vacancies created by the retirements of Mark I. Shames […]

Mitch PerryDecember 18, 2017

Knox Medical, which operates medical marijuana dispensaries in five separate locations throughout Florida, is opening its sixth such facility this week in St. Petersburg. After receiving approval to dispense medicinal cannabis from the Florida Department of Health, the Knox dispensary — located at 601 34th St. N. in St. Pete — will open at 12:30 p.m. […]

Staff ReportsDecember 17, 2017

A deadly 2016 fight outside a St. Petersburg bar is the subject of a lawsuit by the wife of the victim, while the man who threw the fatal blow faces an appeal of his Stand Your Ground self-defense protection. On Feb. 10, 2016, Bobby Ryan and Christopher Motlenski were at Angelo’s Grill and Bar on First […]

Mitch PerryDecember 15, 2017

25358252_897824240399287_6098520123816551399_o-e1513358613202.jpg

Like most of his colleagues, Mike Suarez will soon be heading into his final year on the Tampa City Council—he’s term-limited in 2019. But the 54-year-old West Tampa native and District 1 councilman is considered to be set on staying in city government once his term ends. How? By becoming the next mayor, succeeding a similarly term-limited […]

Drew WilsonDecember 14, 2017

Clearwater Republican Ed Hooper announced Thursday that U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis is backing his campaign for the Florida Senate seat currently held by Jack Latvala, who faces term limits in 2018. “I am excited to have a partner to work with in Ed Hooper. I know of few better prepared to work on the issues […]

Staff ReportsDecember 14, 2017

Proper_Kitchen___Cocktails_interior002.5857d06d330c7.jpg

A renowned St. Petersburg restaurateur faces accusations of refusing to pay back wages to the former general manager of Proper Kitchen. In a lawsuit filed Dec. 6 in Pinellas County Circuit Court, Michael Rideout, a 35-year-old St. Petersburg resident, claims he is a minority owner of Watch the Throne, which does business as Proper Kitchen […]

Mitch PerryDecember 13, 2017

Every day of the year, Americans are shot to death by either current or former domestic partners. From 2012 to 2017, Hillsborough County experienced 61 domestic violence homicides, with over 200 such deaths in Florida last year alone. Citing those statistics, Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren vowed Wednesday to take action, saying he refused to […]

Tampa Bay
Family members appear behind a pile of debris outside their home in Steinhatchee, Fla., Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, after Hurricane Helene slammed Florida's Big Bend as a Category 4 storm Thursday night. (Ashleigh Lucas/WUFT News)

Not everyone’s happy with proposed crackdown on Tampa massage parlors

Pasco Commissioner Mike Wells adds Wilton Simpson endorsement

Qualifying period begins for Treasure Island commission seats

Former Rick Scott official in line for Pinellas-Pasco judgeship

Medical marijuana dispensary to open in St. Petersburg Wednesday

Widow sues St. Pete bar over fatal fight; Stand Your Ground appeal continues

Mike Suarez talks Tampa—but not own political future

Gus Bilirakis backs Ed Hooper for Florida Senate

Former Proper Kitchen general manager sues owner for back wages

Andrew Warren announces plan to ‘aggressively’ disarm domestic abusers