Tarpon Springs, Fla. -- Feel like you're missing out on what makes Florida so unique?  You can learn more about Florida culture from Tampa Bay Times writer Jeff Klinkenberg. Klinkenberg has been with the Times since 1977 and writes the popular "Real Florida" column.  He'll share some of his stories in the next "Lunch and Learn" […]

Pinellas County Extension, in partnership with the University of Florida’s Program for Resource Efficient Communities, will offer Green Advantage professional training on Thursday, Feb. 23, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Pinellas County Extension.The 8-hour course will provide professionals with an overview of key provisions in the Florida Building Code that af […]

Tarpon Springs, Florida - A helicopter and two boats from the St. Petersburg Coast Guard station spent most of Sunday morning searching for a 25-year-old kayaker who had been missing since Saturday. David Hoffmann launched his 15-foot, one-person kayak from Bayshore Drive in Tarpon Springs Saturday afternoon. Hoffmann was found Sunday before noon paddling to […]

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Several Pinellas Sheriff's deputies and employees are facing suspensions following a series of Internal Affairs investigations. Deputy Jason Bahret will be suspended for 40 hours for giving a confidential informant money without another detective witnessing the transaction; Deputy Brian Berry gets a written reprimand for tracking fam […]

The Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners voted to unanimously oppose the budget cuts proposed for the University of South Florida.At its Feb.14 meeting, the board called on state leaders to develop a more fair and equitable approach to balancing the state’s education and overall budget than the 58 percent cut in USF funding that is included in the p […]

Some Pinellas County government offices will be closed on Monday, Feb. 20, for training.The tax collector and supervisor of elections offices will be closed. Animal Services will also be closed, as well as the Household Electronics and Chemical Collection Center.The Pinellas County Courthouse will be open, as will the offices of the property appraiser and cl […]

Sarasota, Fla. -- Need to find a boat ramp or really see what it looks like? A new state database can help you out. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission or FWC has a new feature on its website. Boaters can visit the Public Boat Ramp finder site to locate and obtain details on more than 3,000 public and commercially run boat ramps. "Prov […]

Tarpon Springs, Florida -- Love bugs will be invading the Sponge Docks on Saturday, but you won't need to head to the car wash. These love bugs have wheels, not wings. They are actually Volkswagen Beetles. The 2nd Annual Tarpon Springs Love Bug Show will be held Saturday, Feb. 18 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. at the Sponge Docks on Dodecanese Blvd. Organizers a […]

Tarpon Springs, Florida -- A city known for its Greek heritage is now home to all of Florida's folklife traditions. The Gulf Coast Folklife Center opens its first exhibit at the Tarpon Springs Cultural Center on Friday.  The exhibit explores aspects of Haitian history and traditional culture that are reflected through domestic and decorative arts, music […]

Pinellas County, FL -- Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri has announced the sheriff's office will begin DUI checkpoints and Wolfpack patrols once a month starting in February.The first DUI checkpoint is scheduled for Friday Feb. 17, from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m., at 9001 US Highway 19 N (in front of Hudson's Furniture) in Pinellas Park.The DUI checkpoin […]