Local Government
Local Government
Latest reporting from the Local Government desk.
Local Government
Latest reporting from the Local Government desk.
Local Government
Latest reporting from the Local Government desk.
Local Government
BayCare reports $5.1 billion economic impact in Pinellas County
A study commissioned by Clearwater-based BayCare Health System finds the health system generates $5.1 billion annually for the Pinellas County economy, with $6.6 billion in capital projects planned through 2030.
Local Government
Clearwater tap water switches to chlorine Sept. 21
Pinellas County Utilities will switch Clearwater's water disinfection from chloramine to chlorine from Sept. 21 through Oct. 10, which may change the taste and smell of tap water but poses no health risk to the general population.
Local Government
Clearwater Seat 5 runoff pits Scientology critic against Wilson
Local Government
Clearwater locks in 30-year Duke deal as St. Pete eyes exit
Local Government
BayCare reports $5.1 billion economic impact in Pinellas County
A study commissioned by Clearwater-based BayCare Health System finds the health system generates $5.1 billion annually for the Pinellas County economy, with $6.6 billion in capital projects planned through 2030.
Local Government
Clearwater tap water switches to chlorine Sept. 21
Local Government
Pinellas County water and sewer rates rise Oct. 1
Local Government
Clearwater Seat 5 runoff pits Scientology critic against Wilson
Local Government
BayCare reports $5.1 billion economic impact in Pinellas County
A study commissioned by Clearwater-based BayCare Health System finds the health system generates $5.1 billion annually for the Pinellas County economy, with $6.6 billion in capital projects planned through 2030.
Local Government
Clearwater tap water switches to chlorine Sept. 21
Local Government
Pinellas County water and sewer rates rise Oct. 1
Local Government
Clearwater Seat 5 runoff pits Scientology critic against Wilson
Local Government
Clearwater locks in 30-year Duke deal as St. Pete eyes exit
Local Government
PSTA holds final hearing on Clearwater Beach shuttle, bus cuts
PSTA holds its second and final public hearing Wednesday, Aug. 26, on a proposal to eliminate the Grouper Airport Shuttle to Clearwater Beach, the Snapper on-demand service in Clearwater and Safety Harbor, and three bus routes as part of FY27 budget cuts.
Local Government
New FEMA flood maps could force insurance changes for eastern Clearwater
FEMA's preliminary flood maps for Clearwater's Alligator Creek Watershed went live Aug. 21, potentially requiring hundreds of homeowners to buy flood insurance; the city has scheduled three open houses starting Sept. 12.
Local Government
Clearwater council to vote on Scientology-backed entertainment complex
The Clearwater City Council will vote in September on right-of-way requests for two streets and an alleyway needed for the $50 million Scientology-backed EVO Entertainment complex downtown, which developers claim will feature the world's largest cinema screen at more than 130 feet wide.
Local Government
Kohler named Clearwater city attorney; council OKs beach hotel
The Clearwater City Council formalized Owen Kohler's appointment as city attorney at its Aug. 20 meeting, advanced a Stevenson Creek Manatee Protection Zone on first reading, approved a development agreement for the Palm Pavilion Hotel on Bay Esplanade and OK'd a $19 million water-system contract.
Local Government
Constantine, Jack, Fiorentino win Pinellas judicial races
Clearwater FOP-endorsed prosecutor Elizabeth Constantine won the Circuit Judge Group 39 race with 75% of the Pinellas vote, incumbent Judge Liz Jack defeated Clearwater attorney Oxalis Garcia in Group 44, and Nick Fiorentino captured the County Judge Group 10 seat in Tuesday's primary.
Local Government
Pinellas Bayway toll plaza coming down to speed beach-bound traffic
FDOT is demolishing the Pinellas Bayway toll plaza in a $1.2 million project that converts the corridor to all-electronic tolling, aiming to reduce congestion for Clearwater-area drivers heading to southern Pinellas beaches by fall 2026.
Local Government
Leone upsets Latvala in Clearwater Seat 4 race
Jared Leone defeated Bianca Latvala with more than 53% of the vote in Clearwater's Seat 4 council race on Aug. 18, an upset shaped by the Church of Scientology's push to acquire South Garden Avenue and more than $90,000 in Scientology-linked PAC spending backing Leone.
Local Government
Pinellas backs federal study of aging Lake Tarpon flood structure
Pinellas County commissioners unanimously voted to support a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers feasibility study of the 1969-built Lake Tarpon Outfall Structure after Hurricanes Idalia and Debby overwhelmed the flood control system, with the Southwest Florida Water Management District committing $1.5 million in matching funds.
Local Government
What PIE's $145M modernization buys travelers
St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport's $145 million modernization will replace sewer lines, the terminal roof and jet bridges while adding four new bridges to fix a bottleneck that stretches plane turnaround times to two hours; design takes 18 months with construction starting in 2028.
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Local Government
Pinellas commissioners reject proposed cuts to nature preserves
Pinellas County commissioners pushed back at their Aug. 12 budget meeting against a proposal to strip funding from Weedon Island and Shell Key preserves and end lifeguard services at Sand Key, with Commissioner Vince Nowicki declaring he is "100% opposed" to the cuts as the county faces a $30 million-plus General Fund deficit.
Local Government
PIE shelves terminal expansion, pivots to $145M modernization
St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport has formally shelved its terminal expansion after costs exceeded $200 million, pivoting to a $145 million modernization of the existing facility that Pinellas County commissioners will vote on in September.
Local Government
Pinellas seeks $148M for East Lake Road widening, safety fixes
Pinellas County commissioners voted unanimously to seek nearly $148 million in state and federal grants to widen East Lake Road from four to six lanes and redesign a deadly Keystone Road intersection, with Clearwater-area taxpayers helping cover about $37 million through the Penny for Pinellas sales tax.
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©2026 Clearwater Sentinel
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