Pinellas County’s not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for August was 4.2%, down from the 4.4% reported in July and the 6.9% reported in August 2020, or so says the report released Sept. 17 by the state Department of Economic Opportunity.
LARGO — During a Sept. 16 discussion on the best use of American Rescue Plan funds, Pinellas County Administrator Barry Burton asked commissioners if they would consider spending up to $4 million to incentivize employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
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The number of new cases of COVID-19 in Florida and the positivity rate continues to go down; however, reported deaths are increasing every week. And the transmission rate is still high.
LARGO — The Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County (DOH-Pinellas) has issued a health alert for the presence of harmful blue-green algal toxins in Eagle Lake Park (Lake #2), 1800 Keene Road in Largo.
LARGO — Pinellas County commissioners approved tentative millage rates and budgets for fiscal year 2022 during the first public hearings Sept. 9; however, the vote wasn't unanimous for the general fund.
LARGO — COVID-19 continues to cause problems throughout Pinellas, especially among the younger population, according to County Administrator Barry Burton.
LARGO — Pinellas County Commissioners unanimously approved four requests totaling $71,431 for special projects in unincorporated parts of the county. The money will come from a Municipal Services Taxing Unit Fund.
Pinellas County has named Chris Rose as its new Office of Management and Budget director and Dr. Cynthia Johnson, Ph.D., has been named as new director of Economic Development.
The Pinellas County Emergency Rental Assistance Program is expanding its eligibility criteria and streamlining application processing to help more renters who have faced financial hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic.
SEMINOLE — With state lawmakers heading to Tallahassee next week for pre-session committee hearings, local activists got one last chance for a face-to-face pitch on issues near to their hearts or for the dollars needed to advance them.
CLEARWATER — The annual charity softball game between the Clearwater and Largo police departments is usually all about having fun for a good cause, as the opposing officers have squared off in a friendly ballfield battle to benefit Sun Coast Law Enforcement Charities each spring for nearly 2…
For the second week in a row, Florida Department of Health reported fewer new COVID-19 cases; however, the opposite is true for deaths with an increase of nearly 2,500 for the week of Sept. 3-9.
Megan Eakins is leading more than just an organization dedicated to clean water in Tampa Bay.
LARGO — Pinellas County is working on plans that transition its fleet from internal combustion engine vehicles to those powered by electricity over the next 10 years.
Safe streets summit tackles regional safety issues
Florida Department of Health reported fewer new COVID-19 cases for the week of Aug. 27-Sept. 2. Statewide, there were 129,240 new cases, or 18,463 a day, bringing the cumulative total since March 2020 to 3,308,916.
LARGO — Pinellas County commissioners voted unanimously Aug. 24 to delay a vote on a four-year interlocal agreement to fund the Cross Bay Ferry until Sept. 21.
LARGO — One citizen who spoke during the public comment period of the Pinellas County Commission’s Aug. 24 meeting was upset because COVID-19 was not on the agenda.
Emergency eviction help still available in Pinellas
The regional affiliate of Habitat for Humanity — one of the nation’s busiest — recently marked its 700th home build, adding some 100 affordable properties since just 2019 and set to maintain that momentum in the coming year.
Florida Department of Health reported another increase in the number of new COVID-19 cases for the week of Aug. 20-26 with 151,749, or 21,678 a day, to bring the cumulative total since March 2020 to 3,179,714.
ST. PETERSBURG — Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority Board of Directors unanimously approved a three-year contract with Florida Public Service Union Aug. 18.
LARGO — Pinellas County’s tentative general fund millage rate for fiscal year 2022 remains uncertain, due to a split decision made reluctantly during an Aug. 19 work session.
Despite growing numbers of COVID-19 cases throughout the state and county, the economic recovery still seems to be faring well. In July, Pinellas County’s not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 4.4% compared to 4.9% in June, which was much improved over the rate of 10.1% reported …
Allegiant announces new nonstop service to Key West
The Pinellas County School Board on Tuesday cut short any further discussion of a mask mandate for students and staff, narrowly rejecting a proposal to meet on the topic.
Florida Department of Health reported a slight decrease in the number of new COVID-19 cases reported during the week of Aug. 13-19 with 150,118 more, or 21,445 a day, to bring the cumulative total since March 2020 to 3,027,954.
For the first time in since June, Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission reported zero water samples with bloom concentrations of the red tide organism taken offshore or alongshore Pinellas County.
LARGO — COVID-19 cases are increasing. The positivity rate is up. The emergency medical services system and local hospitals are struggling to keep up. More people need to be vaccinated.
Most Floridians can rest easy; Tropical Storms Fred and Grace will not be causing major problems as they continue their journey’s through the Gulf of Mexico.
Florida Department of Health reported yet another week of record-breaking numbers of new COVID-19 numbers, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the state’s transmission rate remains high.
National Hurricane Center continued to monitor two tropical systems on Saturday — the remnants of Tropical Storm Fred and Tropical Storm Grace. Neither is a threat to Pinellas County at this time.
LARGO — Pinellas County Commissioners said nay Aug. 3 to a plan by staff to increase the local option fuel tax to make up a $3.3 million deficit in the transportation trust fund.
PIE celebrates biggest month in history
The entire state of Florida was in the forecast cone of Tropical Storm Fred on Wednesday. National Weather is forecasting tropical storm conditions for Pinellas County on Saturday night and Sunday.
LARGO — Ambulance wait times are up. Hospitals are restricting visitation, and some are temporarily halting elective procedures. COVID-19 is having a negative effect on local hospitals.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center issued its mid-point outlook for the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season on Aug. 4.
Reports of fish kills and respiratory irritation were fewer last week as a patchy bloom of the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, persists on the Gulf Coast of Florida.
Florida Department of Health continues to report record-breaking numbers of new COVID-19 cases. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the state’s transmission rate remains high.
ST. PETERSBURG — Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority Board of Directors unanimously approved two contract extensions for work on the SunRunner BRT, as well as the tentative millage rate for fiscal year 2022 during a July 28 meeting.
LARGO — Pinellas County commissioners gave conditional approval for funding July 13 to three applications submitted during the first round of funding for the Penny for Pinellas Employment Sites Program.
Gateway Master Plan wins Award of Merit
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports an alarming uptick in COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations nationwide, especially among young adults. Florida’s COVID-19 numbers are following the same trend and the transmission rate is high.
Fish kills and respiratory irritation related to a bloom of the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, continue to occur at locations along Pinellas County Gulf Coast, the Intracoastal Waterway and Tampa Bay.
Just in time for the opening of Pinellas County schools on Aug. 11, the state is offering help for students gearing up for classes.
Pinellas County’s unemployment rate for June increased to 4.9%, up from 4.3% in May, according to a report released July 16 from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. Still the rate was a marked improvement from June 2020 with 10.3%.
No cost at home COVID-19 vaccination available
Florida’s COVID-19 case numbers are climbing, as are new case positivity rates. For the week of July 16-22, Florida Department of Health added 73,199 more cases to the tally, upping the state’s cumulative total since March to 2,479,975.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported improvement in red tide conditions in Tampa Bay; however, the same can’t be said for Pinellas County’s beaches.
LARGO — Pinellas County commissioners got a first look at the proposed budget for fiscal year 2022 during a July 13 meeting.
Latest numbers
The number of new cases of COVID-19 in Florida and the positivity rate continues to go down; however, reported deaths are increasing every week. And the transmission rate is still high.
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