All articles tagged with #pinellas county
Originally Published 6 months ago — by Tampa Bay Times
St. Petersburg and Pinellas County are exploring the possibility of transforming Tropicana Field into a convention center as part of a broader redevelopment plan for the Historic Gas Plant District, with a feasibility study underway to assess market demand and potential benefits for regional tourism and economic growth.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by The Athletic
The St. Petersburg City Council has approved bonds to fund a new stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays, with a narrow 4-3 vote. This decision shifts the responsibility to the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners, who will vote on the funding in December. The Rays have expressed concerns over increased costs due to delays, but council members believe approving the bonds will compel the team to adhere to the original deal. The Rays' current venue, Tropicana Field, is unplayable for 2025 due to hurricane damage, adding urgency to the situation.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Tampa Bay Times
The St. Petersburg City Council voted to delay a decision on issuing bonds for a new $1.3 billion stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays, aligning with Pinellas County's earlier decision to postpone its financing vote. The delay, pushed to no later than January 9, allows newly elected council members critical of the deal to participate. The Rays have indicated they may terminate the agreement under current terms, casting doubt on the future of the project. The council also reversed a decision to fund repairs to Tropicana Field's roof, further complicating the situation.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by The Athletic
The Tampa Bay Rays' plans for a new stadium in St. Petersburg face uncertainty after the Pinellas County Board postponed a vote on bond financing for the second time, potentially delaying or jeopardizing the project. The delay follows comments by Rays owner Stu Sternberg, which frustrated commissioners. The Rays, currently displaced from Tropicana Field due to hurricane damage, may play 2025 home games at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. The future of the Rays in the Tampa Bay area remains unclear as the team and county officials navigate financial and logistical challenges.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Tampa Bay Times
The Tampa Bay Rays have halted their current stadium deal with Pinellas County due to delays in finalizing bond financing, which has made a 2028 stadium opening impossible. The team, responsible for $700 million of the $1.3 billion project, is open to negotiating a new solution to keep Major League Baseball in Tampa Bay. The delay in bond votes, influenced by recent elections and concerns over temporary playing locations, has led to a potential anti-stadium majority in the county commission.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by MLB Trade Rumors
The Tampa Bay Rays' plans for a new stadium by 2028 are in jeopardy following Hurricane Milton's damage to Tropicana Field, leading to delays in crucial bond votes for financing. The Rays will play their 2025 games at Steinbrenner Field, sparking criticism from Pinellas County officials who are investing $1 billion in public funding. Owner Stu Sternberg has mentioned relocation as a possibility if the situation doesn't improve, with potential delays and increased costs threatening the project.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Tampa Bay Times
The Tampa Bay Rays' plan to build a new $1.3 billion stadium at the Tropicana Field site is likely dead due to delays by the Pinellas County Commission in approving bond financing. This jeopardizes the future of Major League Baseball in St. Petersburg, as the Rays may consider relocating if the stadium deal falls through. The team has already announced plans to play the 2025 season at the Yankees' spring training stadium in Tampa, and concerns over costly repairs to Tropicana Field's roof add to the uncertainty.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by WFLA
The body of a 49-year-old man who went missing while paddleboarding off of Dunedin, Florida was found dead in the Intracoastal waterway. Ziad Abdeen was reported missing on Friday and his body was recovered on Sunday. The cause of death is yet to be determined as the investigation continues.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by WFLA
Pinellas County deputies have identified the victims of a double homicide in Largo as 61-year-old James McKinley Barber, Sr. and 62-year-old Wesley Barber. The suspect, James McKinley Barber Jr., was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder after allegedly shooting his brothers multiple times. The incident was captured on surveillance footage, and the investigation is ongoing.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by WFLA
Pinellas County deputies have identified the victims of a double homicide in Largo as 61-year-old James McKinley Barber, Sr. and 62-year-old Wesley Barber. The suspect, James McKinley Barber Jr., was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder after allegedly shooting his brothers multiple times. The incident was captured on surveillance footage, and the investigation is ongoing.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by FOX 13 Tampa
Pinellas County officials have issued an alert for pet owners after the highly contagious canine distemper virus was found at Ft. De Soto Park Campground, warning that the virus can be deadly for unvaccinated or vulnerable dogs. Symptoms include gastrointestinal and respiratory issues, as well as neurological dysfunction. Visitors are advised not to interact with park wildlife and to contact authorities if they notice sick or unusual behavior in animals.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by FOX 13 Tampa
Pinellas County coastal communities in Florida are preparing for the impact of a weather system expected to bring strong winds and storm surge. Captain Dylan Hubbard has been taking precautions at his marina, such as bringing possible projectiles indoors and preparing low-level doors. A Pinellas County Emergency Beach Erosion Control Project is also wrapping up, aiming to mitigate potential damage caused by high water and strong winds. Despite the weather, beach visitors remain optimistic about the dunes holding up.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by WFLA
Sean Williams, a prison escapee who had been on the run for over a month, was apprehended in Pinellas County, Florida. Williams had escaped from a prison van while being transported from Kentucky to Tennessee. He was located and captured by a K-9 officer after being spotted in Pinellas County. Williams is facing state charges in Tennessee related to child rape and federal charges for escape.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by WJHL-TV News Channel 11
The FBI has reported that fugitive and accused child rapist Sean Williams was spotted in Pinellas County, Florida, after being seen in western North Carolina. Williams, who escaped police custody over a month ago, is wanted on federal child porn production charges and state child rape charges. Authorities are actively searching for him.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by WKMG News 6 & ClickOrlando
The daughter of Sabrina Peckham, whose body was found in the mouth of an alligator in Pinellas County, Florida, released a statement expressing the devastating impact of her mother's death on their family. Peckham, a homeless Florida native, was likely attacked while going to or from her campsite near the waterway. The 13-foot alligator responsible for the attack was euthanized. The cause of death is pending, and the family is struggling to come to terms with the tragedy.