A patchy bloom of red tide offshore Pinellas County has resulted in reports of respiratory irritation and dead fish coming in from locations stretching from Fort De Soto in Tierra Verde north to Honeymoon Island in Dunedin, as well as in the Intracoastal Waterway and Boca Ciega Bay.
Florida Department of Health reported 10,629 new COVID-19 cases statewide during the week of June 11-17, bringing the cumulative total since March 2020 to 2,310,881. Forty-three more people died, upping the death toll to 37,555.
LARGO — Tierra Verde residents say something needs to be done sooner rather than later to stop the flow of sand that is quickly closing the entrance to the Grand Canal, and they don’t like the way Pinellas County proposes to pay to get the job done.
Pinellas tourism making a big comeback
As effects of red tide continue to move north along Pinellas County’s Gulf coast, officials are beginning efforts to clean up dead fish and other marine life from local beaches.
Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County is cautioning beachgoers about possible effects from a patchy bloom of red tide reported in and offshore parts of the county’s Gulf coast.
Florida Department of Health reported 12,157 new COVID-19 cases statewide during the week of June 4-10, bringing the cumulative total since March 2020 to 2,300,786. Forty more people died, upping the death toll to 37,265.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has been reporting a patchy bloom of the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, for the past several weeks. Concentrations in Pinellas had not been worrisome.
Florida Department of Health has ended its daily reports of COVID-19 activity and has shuttered its dashboard that had provided a visual account of cases, deaths, testing and other information since March 2020.
Motorists traveling on Interstate 275 shouldn’t be surprised if they see Pinellas Suncoast Transit buses traveling on the shoulders.
SAFETY HARBOR — Philippe Park, 2525 Philippe Parkway in Safety Harbor, reopened at noon Thursday, June 3, after it was closed temporarily due to a black bear sighting by a park ranger.
LARGO — Pinellas County commissioners voted 6-1 May 25 to approve an interlocal agreement with municipalities for distribution of a proposed increase in the local option fuel tax.
LARGO — Pinellas County commissioners unanimously approved on May 25 nearly $120,000 in municipal services taxing unit funding.
Allegiant announces new nonstop routes
SAFETY HARBOR — Philippe Park, 2525 Philippe Parkway in Safety Harbor, is temporarily closed due to the sighting of a black bear.
From May 24-27, Florida Department of Health reported 212 new COVID-19 cases and 11 deaths in Pinellas County. The case count grew to 81,289 and the death toll increased to 1,667.
After listening to almost three hours of presentations May 25, Pinellas County commissioners voted unanimously to deny a future land use map amendment, which ended the latest attempt to develop land formerly known as the Tides Golf Club in Seminole.
Floridians have three sales tax holidays to look forward to this year, including one to promote disaster preparedness coming up on May 28-June 6.
Unlike last year, people planning to take a trip for the Memorial Day holiday can expect busy roadways and airports as more than 37 million are expected to travel at least 50 miles from May 27-31.
Pinellas County’s not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for April was 4.4%, the same as March. But compared to April 2020 with a rate of 14.7%, the May 21 report from the Department of Economic Opportunity shows the county is on a definite upswing toward getting people back to work after…
FDOT seeks community input on Howard Frankland Bridge sail design
Florida Department of Health continues to report declining numbers of new COVID-19 cases and deaths in Pinellas County. For the week of May 17-23, only 474 cases were added to the tally, bringing the count to 81,077. Seven more died, upping the death toll to 1,656.
Experts at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center say the 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season probably won’t be as busy as 2020, but they are still forecasting another above-normal season.
LARGO — After Pinellas County’s tourism experienced its worst-ever April in 2020 due to the pandemic, signs are strong that things are improving.
LARGO — Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office hosted the 31st annual Fallen Law Enforcement Memorial May 12 and, for the first time in the agency’s 109-year history, it included one of its own.
LARGO — As part of the marking of Emergency Medical Services Week, Pinellas County commissioners heard the reading of a proclamation at their May 11 meeting, as well as the names of this year’s EMS Professionals of the Year.
Housing development for homeless gains national recognition
Florida Department of Health reported yet another week with decreasing numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths in Pinellas County. From May 10-16, DOH reported 656 new cases, bringing the count to 80,603. Sixteen more people died, upping the death toll to 1,649.
The Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County is scheduling appointments for Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine for ages 12-15, as well as those 16 and up.
LARGO — During an May 6 work session, Pinellas County commissioners took time to talk about future meetings as the response to COVID-19 begins to ramp down.
LARGO — After listening to objections from the neighbors, Pinellas County Commissioners approved only one of two requests that would allow development on 21.5 acres in Palm Harbor.
After announcing that all but one of the large COVID-19 vaccination sites managed by the Department of Health in Pinellas and county government would be closing, DOH announced May 10 that its centers would soon be offering appointments again.
St. Pete-Clearwater airport announces big increase in passengers
For the third consecutive week, Florida Department of Health reported fewer COVID-19 cases in Pinellas County. From May 3-9, 801 new cases were reported, bringing the total to 79,947. Twenty people died due to the novel coronavirus, upping the death toll to 1,633.
LARGO — Pinellas County’s transportation trust fund is quickly running out of money.
LARGO — Pinellas County’s director of Housing and Community Development communicated some recommended changes to the Penny IV Affordable Housing program during an April 22 work session.
LARGO — A group of neighbors in unincorporated Largo got together and objected to requests that would have allowed a single family home development on lot sizes smaller than those in the surrounding area.
County consolidates vaccination and testing sites
CLEARWATER — Pinellas County government announced on Tuesday morning it was rescinding its ordinance requiring facial coverings and other safety protocols related to COVID-19.
New guidance on the best use of facial coverings to combat the COVID-19 pandemic has been released recently, and they may leave some people uncertain about what they should do.
For the second consecutive week, Florida Department of Health reported fewer COVID-19 cases in Pinellas County. From April 26-May 2, 1,062 cases were reported, bringing the total to 79,146. The same as last week, 17 people died due to the novel coronavirus, upping the death toll to 1,613.
ST. PETERSBURG — Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an executive order Monday morning that suspends all remaining local restrictions connected to the COVID-19 pandemic
LARGO — In the not-so-distant future, Pinellas County commissioners will have decisions to make that could greatly affect the solid waste department and budget.
LARGO — Pinellas County commissioners listened to updates during an April 22 work session about what has been going on in unincorporated areas since employees had been assigned to oversee their needs.
LARGO — Five special districts made their fiscal year 2021-22 budget presentations to Pinellas County commissioners during an April 22 budget information session.
Forward Pinellas launches equity assessment
LARGO — Pinellas County commissioners voted unanimously April 27 to extend the local state of emergency through May 7. That same day, Gov. Ron DeSantis extended the state’s emergency order for another 60 days.
After weeks of increases, Florida Department of Health reported a decline in COVID-19 cases in Pinellas last week. From April 19-25, 1,292 cases were reported, bringing the total to 78,084. Seventeen people died due to the novel coronavirus, upping the death toll to 1,596.
Indian Shores and Indian Rocks Beach say it is past time for a project planned in 2003 to be completed — or at least be given higher priority.
Pinellas County’s not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 4.4% in March up from 4.1% in February, according to a report released April 16 by the state Department of Economic Opportunity.
Forward Pinellas was recently named the 2020 Planning Organization of the Year by the Florida Department of Transportation.
Florida Department of Health reported 10,629 new COVID-19 cases statewide during the week of June 11-17, bringing the cumulative total since March 2020 to 2,310,881. Forty-three more people died, upping the death toll to 37,555.
