Local Government
TODAY
Frenchy's acquires former Bar Fly space in Safety Harbor for sixth restaurantKellyPartners+FRS moves to Clearwater with $1M office investmentClearwater Seat 5 runoff pits Scientology critic against WilsonClearwater previews shipping-container village for North GreenwoodClearwater Marine Aquarium taps Cuban-born biologist as research chief
Community
Clearwater events anchor new Art Everywhere arts campaign
A new regional arts campaign called Art Everywhere runs Nov. 1 through Dec. 6 across St. Pete-Clearwater, with $350,000 in grants funding more than 30 events including several in Clearwater, and a free mobile passport that lets attendees earn prizes.
Business
Dr. BBQ brings Squiki Tiki restaurant to Clearwater Beach
Pitmaster Ray "Dr. BBQ" Lampe plans to open Squiki Tiki, a tiki-themed barbecue restaurant, at the Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach in December, featuring smoked meats, tiki cocktails and tropical decor.
Community
Clearwater events anchor new Art Everywhere arts campaign
A new regional arts campaign called Art Everywhere runs Nov. 1 through Dec. 6 across St. Pete-Clearwater, with $350,000 in grants funding more than 30 events including several in Clearwater, and a free mobile passport that lets attendees earn prizes.
Community
Clearwater events anchor new Art Everywhere arts campaign
A new regional arts campaign called Art Everywhere runs Nov. 1 through Dec. 6 across St. Pete-Clearwater, with $350,000 in grants funding more than 30 events including several in Clearwater, and a free mobile passport that lets attendees earn prizes.
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Health
Health
Health
Health
Clearwater Free Clinic opens wellness center amid 91% enrollment surge
The Clearwater Free Clinic has opened the 8,500-square-foot Ruth and J.O. Stone Wellness Center on Court Street, adding behavioral health, therapy and nutrition services as the nonprofit reports an 18% patient increase and 91% enrollment surge in fiscal year 2026.
Health
Honeywell adds $3.5M centrifuge lab at Clearwater campus
Pinellas County has permitted a $3.5 million, 3,300-square-foot centrifuge testing addition at Honeywell's Plant 6 on U.S. 19 N in Clearwater, expanding the aerospace campus that employs roughly 2,200 people and builds components for NASA's Artemis program.
Local Government
Local Government
Local Government
Local Government
Pinellas County cuts property tax rate to 38-year low
Pinellas County commissioners voted 6-1 on Sept. 24 to set the General Fund property tax rate at 4.4989 mills, the lowest since 1989, but the $5.14 billion FY2027 budget required eliminating dozens of positions, cutting more than $16 million in departmental spending and reducing road and human services funding.
Local Government
Kings Highway closure vote stays on Oct. 13 as Pinellas revises school plan
Superintendent Kevin Hendrick revised his Planning for Progress recommendations at an Oct. 6 workshop, pulling Sexton Elementary from the Oct. 13 closure vote and proposing two K-8 schools in Tarpon Springs, while Kings Highway Elementary in Clearwater and three other schools still face a board vote next week.
Local Government
Clearwater sells downtown lot to Scientology-linked firm for $1M
Clearwater's CRA voted 4-1 to sell a city-owned parcel at 103 N. East Ave. to Scientology-affiliated Myrtle Development for $1 million, with Mayor Bruce Rector dissenting in favor of a lease; the land will become parking for the planned EVO Entertainment center downtown.
Local Government
Clearwater police pull 14 Flock cameras off state roads
Clearwater Police asked Flock Safety to remove 14 license plate reader cameras from state highway property before a Wednesday, Sept. 30 FDOT deadline, part of a statewide crackdown on ALPRs that has sparked debate between law enforcement and privacy advocates in Pinellas County.
Local Government
Clearwater council votes 3-2 to advance EVO street vacations
Clearwater's City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance vacating Grove Street, portions of Laura Street and a 15-foot alley for a $50 million EVO Entertainment complex tied to the Church of Scientology, while a grassroots petition challenging a separate downtown land transfer gathered more than 10,000 signatures.
Local Government
Jolly refuses debate as Donalds campaigns in Clearwater
Democratic gubernatorial nominee David Jolly announced he will not debate Republican nominee Byron Donalds before the Nov. 3 election, citing bad faith, one day after Donalds addressed the dispute during a Clearwater campaign stop.
Education
Education
Education
Public Safety
Public Safety
Public Safety
Public Safety
Pinellas County receives $2.6M in FEMA hurricane recovery grants
FEMA awarded Pinellas County more than $2.6 million for post-hurricane recovery work and the planning of a hurricane safe room at the Logan Utilities Operations Center, part of a $116 million Florida package announced Sept. 29.
Public Safety
Clearwater police charge Safety Harbor woman with elder neglect
Clearwater police arrested Lisa Beckford, 57, of Safety Harbor on a felony elder neglect charge after an elderly woman in her care was found unclothed, unresponsive and severely malnourished at a Clearwater home on Sept. 20.
Community
Community
Community
Community
Clearwater events anchor new Art Everywhere arts campaign
A new regional arts campaign called Art Everywhere runs Nov. 1 through Dec. 6 across St. Pete-Clearwater, with $350,000 in grants funding more than 30 events including several in Clearwater, and a free mobile passport that lets attendees earn prizes.
Community
Moccasin Lake hosts free nocturnal pollinator walk Oct. 8
Moccasin Lake Nature Park in Clearwater hosts a free evening program on nocturnal pollinators Thursday, Oct. 8, featuring a presentation and guided night hike led by recreation supervisor Andrea Andersen.
Community
Clearwater Jazz Holiday brings Botti, Sheila E. Oct. 15
The 47th Clearwater Jazz Holiday runs Oct. 15–18 at Coachman Park with headliners Chris Botti, Arturo Sandoval, Sheila E. and Larkin Poe, plus free nightly pre-parties on two side stages overlooking Clearwater Harbor.
Community
Tampa Bay home prices fall 6.6%, steepest drop among top metros
Home prices in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater metro fell 6.6% year over year to $385,398 in September, the steepest headline decline among the nation's 50 largest metros, according to Realtor.com data.
Business
Business
Business
Sports
Sports
Sports
Sports
Former Thresher Painter becomes youngest Phillies postseason winner
Former Clearwater Thresher Andrew Painter, 23, threw three scoreless innings of relief in the Phillies' 4-3 Game 2 win over the Braves on Wednesday, Sept. 30, becoming the youngest pitcher in franchise history to win a postseason game.
Sports
FSU, USF set Oct. 24 fall baseball game at BayCare Ballpark
Florida State and South Florida will play a fall exhibition baseball game at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 1 p.m., with tickets on sale through the Threshers' website.
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Megan O'Neill
Editor
Megan published her first poem in the Sun Sentinel at the age of 11 and has been locked in ever since. She attended UF and FIU and has a degree in Communication Arts. Her professional background includes photography, editing, writing, translation, and graphic design. Megan enjoys learning language, art and vegan foods.
Megan O'Neill
Editor
Megan published her first poem in the Sun Sentinel at the age of 11 and has been locked in ever since. She attended UF and FIU and has a degree in Communication Arts. Her professional background includes photography, editing, writing, translation, and graphic design. Megan enjoys learning language, art and vegan foods.
Megan O'Neill
Editor
Megan published her first poem in the Sun Sentinel at the age of 11 and has been locked in ever since. She attended UF and FIU and has a degree in Communication Arts. Her professional background includes photography, editing, writing, translation, and graphic design. Megan enjoys learning language, art and vegan foods.
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©2026 Clearwater Sentinel
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©2026 Clearwater Sentinel
Powered by Surround Sound Media