MADEIRA BEACH – Clara VanBlargan was wrapping up a typically busy morning at City Hall on June 3 attending to her duties as City Clerk of Madeira Beach, when she was visited by Mayor Maggi Black along with City Manager Jonathan Evans.

ST. PETE BEACH — The third annual powerboat and personal watercraft racing event in the city set for June 15-16 is touting a new name and location.

MADEIRA BEACH — A discussion of the city’s upcoming Fourth of July fireworks display erupted in fireworks of its own, with the City Commission’s May 28 meeting ending in an explosive grand finale.

INDIAN ROCKS BEACH — Residents and other city stakeholders will be asked to share their thoughts on the future of Gulf Boulevard at a meeting June 19.

MADEIRA BEACH — Stand-alone parking lots in the city operated by private firms have been growing in size and number in recent years. They have become a lucrative business, responding to the city’s growing tourist economy.

TREASURE ISLAND — U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, D-St. Petersburg, says the fight against red tide must continue. Speaking to the regular meeting of the Barrier Islands Governmental Council on May 29, Crist announced that he was able to secure $10 million for research into red tide.

INDIAN SHORES — Chief of Police Rick Swann was sworn in two months ago, and now that he has his sea legs, he is doing some “housekeeping” at the Indian Shores Police Department. At the chief’s recommendation, two resignations, two new hires, and a pay increase were all unanimously approved b…

INDIAN ROCKS BEACH — The city's first microbrewery will begin serving growlers and pints by late summer.

REDINGTON SHORES — The town’s fireworks display, a years-long tradition watched by thousands, will be held on the Fourth of July this year, after all.

NORTH REDINGTON BEACH — A changing of the guard took place at the May 9 Town Hall meeting as the town said a fond farewell to retiring Vice Mayor Ted Dahl and welcomed Corey Thornton as the newly appointed commissioner for Seat 3.

TREASURE ISLAND — The city is negotiating with owners of the four-story, 61.78 feet tall Allied office building at 10451 Gulf Blvd. to purchase the structure for a future city hall municipal services complex.

NORTH REDINGTON BEACH — The town of North Redington Beach on May 1 reached a settlement with John Messmore, the owner of Sweet Sage Café, regarding the last unresolved segment of Messmore’s ongoing lawsuits against the town.

REDINGTON BEACH — Town commissioners approved a controversial land development ordinance May 1 that residents protested as too restrictive. Even as they voted unanimously, commissioners hinted that a more acceptable change would soon be coming.

MADEIRA BEACH — Members of the Barrier Islands Governmental Council got a lesson in how fragile Florida’s waters are and how problems can be dealt with.

MADEIRA BEACH — Speeding boaters and the behavior of people who live on boats have become a concern of residents, Community Development Director Linda Portal said at the April 23 City Commission workshop meeting.

NORTH REDINGTON BEACH — Vice Mayor Ted Dahl delivered his handwritten letter of resignation to the town of North Redington Beach the afternoon of April 17. The resignation goes into effect May 9, the day of the next scheduled town hall meeting.

REDINGTON BEACH — Town commissioners were urged to add “no parking” signs to several park-like areas along Second Street by a resident who said conditions along that street raise concerns about child safety and “future crime.”

GULFPORT — For 25 years, one of Gulfport’s staple events, Gulfport Springfest, a garden, art and faerie festival, has brought a sense of whimsy to the city.

NORTH REDINGTON BEACH — A dispute between the town and the Sweet Sage Café on Gulf Boulevard has been going on since 2014. Since then tens of thousands of dollars have been spent in legal fees and there is more to come.

MADEIRA BEACH — An agreement between the city and the John’s Pass Village Association to continue the Seafood Festival for another year was approved by the City Commission at its April 9 regular meeting. The vote confirms a proposal worked out at previous commission workshop sessions.

INDIAN ROCKS BEACH — City commissioners April 9 gave City Manager Gregg Mims the go-ahead to have several new crosswalks installed along Gulf Boulevard and move others to more practical locations.

GULFPORT — The Gulfport Historical Society will introduce its newest historic walking tour, which retraces part of the historic Veteran’s City trolley line, Friday, April 19, following the dedication of Trolley Market Square, 4900 Tangerine Ave. S., at 7:15 p.m.

REDINGTON BEACH — Town commissioners, facing a packed assembly hall, approved a proposed ordinance April 3 that some residents claimed would reduce property values and kill home sales. Immediately after, commissioners promised to change it.

INDIAN SHORES — Richard H. Swann was sworn in as the new police chief at the March 26 Town Council meeting.

ST. PETE BEACH — A last-minute email from the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority, asking for time to plead their case for the Rapid Transit Project, caused city commissioners to delay adopting a resolution opposing the plan.

After months of uncertainty, the City Commission has reached a consensus on a partnership agreement with the John’s Pass Merchants Association that would keep the annual Seafood Festival in Madeira Beach, at least for the coming year.