BELLEAIR BLUFFS — The city’s crime rate fell by nearly one-fourth between 2010 and 2019. The significant drop in serious crime was announced in a recent letter from Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri to Belleair Bluffs Mayor Chris Arbutine.

BELLEAIR BLUFFS — There will be a new face on the City Commission for the first time in 11 years. Joining the commission will be Steve McNally, a Bluffs resident for six years who has not run for political office before. In a three-way race, McNally and incumbent Commissioners Jack Nazario a…

BELLEAIR BLUFFS — Commissioners Jack Nazario and Suzy Sofer are up for reelection this year, and are being challenged by Steve McNally, a newcomer to city politics.

BELLEAIR BLUFFS — Mayor Chris Arbutine was recognized at the Jan. 11 City Commission meeting for serving 20 years as the city’s chief executive. That is longer than any other mayor in Pinellas County.

BELLEAIR BLUFFS — There will be a contested election this year, the city’s first in five years. Longtime commissioners Jack Nazario and Suzy Sofer are being challenged by Steve McNally, a newcomer to city politics. The top two vote-getters will win seats on the commission. The election is March 9.

BELLEAIR BLUFFS — This summer, the city received a $50,000 grant for improvements to the playground next to City Hall. Now, that money has tripled, thanks to “a very generous gift” that honors David Berolzheimer, longtime owner of the Bluffs Plaza shopping center on Indian Rocks Road, who di…

BELLEAIR BLUFFS — A plan to revise the city’s commercial parking code to accommodate more businesses and fill vacant shops has drawn opposition from one major owner, a city commissioner, who said it may put her out of business.

BELLEAIR BLUFFS — Mayor Chris Arbutine said he strongly disagreed with a recent request by Belleair Beach Mayor Joseph Manzo, with the backing of that city’s council, to have Pinellas County “investigate the possibility of a toll for the Belleair Beach Causeway.” The bridge is a county bridge.

BELLEAIR BLUFFS — As neighboring Belleair gets ready to host the largest event in the area’s history, Belleair Bluffs city officials at their Feb. 10 commission meeting took steps to address concerns arising from the LPGA tournament coming to the Pelican Golf Club in three months.

How sweet it is to be a successful chocolatier this time of year. The two busiest days of the year on the retail side for nationally recognized William Dean Chocolates will be Feb. 13-14, founder Bill Brown said.

BELLEAIR BLUFFS — Businesses wanting to locate in vacant retail space in shopping areas throughout the city are facing a roadblock, City Administrator Debra Sullivan said at the Jan. 13 City Commission meeting.

BELLEAIR BLUFFS — Concerns about the dangers posed by coyotes in urban environments have likely been overblown. That was the message from wildlife experts who spoke at a presentation on coyotes at the Dec. 16 City Commission meeting.

BELLEAIR BLUFFS — Mayor Chris Arbutine is tired of hearing that nothing can be done about coyotes in the area.

BELLEAIR BLUFFS — The Thorn Collection of Coldwell Banker will host its sixth annual Lemonade Stand fundraising event for the Pediatric Cancer Foundation on Thursday, Sept. 12, 4-6 p.m., at 598 Indian Rocks Road N., Belleair Bluffs.

BELLEAIR BLUFFS — Concepts for a West Bay Drive improvement project hit a speed bump at the City Commission’s Aug. 12 meeting when Mayor Chris Arbutine expressed frustration about not having enough information on all segments of the corridor.

BELLEAIR BLUFFS — The old fire station 43 on Indian Rocks Road is slated to be renovated. City Administrator Debra Sullivan showed drawings and described the features of the redesign at the May 13 City Commission workshop.

BELLEAIR BLUFFS — Belleair Bazaar, the city’s gateway shopping center on the north side of West Bay Drive, is getting new owners and a major renovation.

BELLEAIR BLUFFS — The Belleair Bluffs Business Association’s Wine Walk on March 30 attracted more than 800 guests, up from 500 in years past.

BELLEAIR BLUFFS — The Bluffs Business Association will host the Bluffs Wine Walk on Saturday, March 30, 4 to 8 p.m.

There will be no election in Belleair Bluffs this year after Mayor Chris Arbutine and Commissioners Suzy Sofer and Jack Nazario were re-elected when no one stepped up to challenge them.

BELLEAIR BLUFFS – Upscale townhouses may yet become a part of the city’s housing mix.

Taylour Shimkus joined the Belleair Bluffs City Commission seven years ago. She said then that her decision to run for office was based on a desire to serve the community and represent the residents of Belleair Bluffs. That choice for Shimkus has recently been put to the test, when she was forced by her employer to make a gut-wrenching decision – between her service on the City Commission and her job.

BELLEAIR BLUFFS – The City Commission agreed by consensus at its Aug. 13 workshop to code and zoning changes that would allow the construction of upscale town houses not currently permitted in the city. The changes will now be presented as an ordinance the commission will vote on at a future…

BELLEAIR BLUFFS – A proposal to raise the city’s tax rate from 5.35 to 5.57 mills, to make up for an anticipated revenue loss if a state constitutional amendment to raise the homestead exemption passes, has been dropped.

BELLEAIR BLUFFS – It was a big day for Shepherd’s Village, a Christian organization that is focused on providing low-cost housing and other services to single-parent families. A ribbon-cutting held on June 28 celebrated the wrap-up of a 15-year campaign to refurbish all of the Village’s two-…