CLEARWATER — Clearwater leaders are no longer hiding their impatience as blocks of downtown properties tied to the Church of Scientology remain empty, despite years of closed-door talks.

It’s a situation that’s been around as long as downtown districts have existed: the densely populated areas produce a certain level of noise, and some people who live nearby don’t like it.

SAFETY HARBOR — Matt Spoor attended his final meeting as Safety Harbor’s city manager May 6, ending a near 20-year career that saw him exit as the longest-tenured city manager in Pinellas County.

For days last week a bobcat, once lithe and powerful, hung limp from a Safety Harbor tree.

Growing up in Clearwater as a big sports fan and athlete in high school and college, Samantha Rubin might have figured she would end up working for a sports team, but might not have guessed that in a few short years she would enter an exclusive club, that of becoming a general manager.

CLEARWATER — Pinellas County officials could change how tax money collected from hotel and short-term rental stays is allocated, with an eye toward making more of those dollars available to capital projects such as beach renourishment and sports venues.

CLEARWATER — When Kirstie Alley joined the cast of “Cheers” in 1987, the Boston bar-set show was in its fifth season and had already proven to be a breakout hit, while her acting career was just taking off.

As Mother's Day approaches, it is the perfect moment to explore the city through the experiences of three Hispanic mothers who have witnessed their children grow where different cultures converge. From arriving in new lands to celebrating the rich Hispanic cultural heritage, these women share their stories of love, sacrifice, and growth in the Tampa Bay as mothers.

The Florida Commission on Ethics has dismissed a complaint that accused former Clearwater City Council member Kathleen Beckman of using her public office for personal gain during her unsuccessful campaign for mayor earlier this year.

Key to lead Flagship Bank

CLEARWATER — David Siracusa thinks the movie “The Uncivil War — America Divided” came out “spectacularly.”

Last fall, he logged more snaps than any major-college defensive tackle despite a midseason foot injury. On April 26, Jer’Zhan “Johnny” Newton parlayed that pain into NFL prosperity.

Herbert G. Brown, an entrepreneur who built multiple business empires and spread his fortune in Clearwater while advocating for polio vaccines around the world, died April 23.

CLEARWATER — It was a night for the dogs at BayCare Ballpark recently, and it seemed as good a time as any to sit with my old buddy Malachi and get his thoughts on the glories of being at the ballpark, the quality of the hot dogs and the state of baseball itself.

It was the home opener for the Clearwater Threshers on April 9, but if you arrived a couple hours before the first pitch there were few signs the home team would be playing the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels anytime soon.

The Clearwater event saw some of the premier canine athletes in the country competing in several challenges, including the agility course, flying disc retrieval and the popular water tank dive.

CLEARWATER — After more than a decade of planning, county officials expect to break ground on a new public transportation center in downtown Clearwater by fall 2025.

CLEARWATER — Two landowners have sold an office tower and seven other properties to companies managed by developer Moises Agami in a deal that broadens control of the city’s downtown by Church of Scientology members.

After his time as Clearwater mayor ended April 1 and he gaveled a work session into recess, Brian Aungst Sr. stood behind the City Council dais and turned to a man in the audience who was giving him what Aungst termed the “one-finger salute.”

CLEARWATER — Julie Webster says she has no intention of letting Duke Energy cut down the massive laurel oak that shades much of her one-story home on Allard Drive.

Last week was Opening Week 2024.

CLEARWATER — It was a contentious election season in Clearwater, but as three new City Council members took office on April 1, Mayor Bruce Rector said he felt “an enthusiasm and a sense of optimism” for Tampa Bay’s third-largest city.

CLEARWATER - By the time Mayme Hodges retired after 34 years of teaching in Pinellas County Schools, she had already influenced generations of young people.

CLEARWATER — The city will not be able to accelerate the planned installation of a rotating beacon to improve visibility for night landings at Clearwater Airpark, the airpark’s advisory board was told March 28.

The Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival returns to Clearwater Beach on March 29-April 14, with a back-to-the future theme for the event’s 10th anniversary.

The big boys have left town.

CLEARWATER — The orange Village Inn sign glowed, a familiar beacon of comfort food and steaming coffee along Pinellas County’s Roosevelt Boulevard.

Significant conservative turnout in Tuesday’s election helped GOP-backed candidates unseat two City Council members in Clearwater’s nonpartisan races.

CLEARWATER — A sea of green jerseys mixed with the Philadelphia Phillies’ traditional red togs to form a festive scene on March 17, as thousands of sun-seeking fans packed BayCare Ballpark for the team’s annual St. Patrick’s Day spring training game.

SAFETY HARBOR — The shelves are stocked with hard cider, smoked fish dip, raw milk, spice rubs, fresh flowers and honey.

PALM HARBOR — Trader Joe’s announced it will open another grocery store in Pinellas County this year.

SAFETY HARBOR — For more than 25 years, the Mattie Williams Neighborhood Family Center has been providing goods, services, and programs to north county families from a small facility outside downtown.

CLEARWATER — A handful of the best female golfers — including Lexi Thompson, Charley Hull, Carlotta Ciganda and local favorite Brittney Lincicome — played the scenic, manicured course at Feather Sound Country Club course last weekend. 

One year into a five-year lease between the city and the new Clearwater Airpark operator, that commitment has been extended by decades.

The great New Yorker magazine baseball writer, Roger Angell, once described as foolish and childish the crazy devotion of committing oneself to “anything so insignificant and patently contrived and commercially exploitive as a professional sports team.”

Dance has long been a part of the lives of Juliana Cortes and Trinity Kuether. 

CLEARWATER — A 42.57-acre beachfront estate on the north end of Clearwater Beach hit the market for $37.5 million.

CLEARWATER — Before a single-engine plane crashed into a mobile home park, killing three after dark on Feb. 1, radio transmissions make clear that the pilot couldn’t find where he was supposed to land — the runway at Clearwater Airpark.