Latest reporting from the Local Government desk.
Local Government
Pinellas County's 2026 point-in-time count found 1,949 people experiencing homelessness, up 5%, with the unsheltered population jumping 18% to 635 as agencies report more families and seniors losing housing for the first time.
Local Government
The Pinellas County School Board voted 6-1 on Oct. 13 to close six schools, including Clearwater's Kings Highway Elementary, while a last-minute addition of Sunset Hills Elementary to the restructuring plan drew protests and a walkout from Tarpon Springs parents.
Local Government
Local Government
Local Government
Visit St. Pete-Clearwater's 727 Day Weekend expands to three days for 2026, offering residents a free mobile passport to unlock more than 100 deals at local restaurants, attractions, and spas from Saturday, July 25, through Monday, July 27.
Local Government
Duke Energy connected Clearwater residents to its free EnergyWise Home program on Tuesday, July 14, offering up to $141 in annual bill credits by installing devices that cycle down appliances during peak demand periods.
Local Government
A wave of downtown Clearwater construction projects will close Pierce Street for two months starting Aug. 1 and restrict lanes on Osceola Avenue through at least October, forcing shoppers and diners to reroute while a new parking garage, hotel, and apartment tower take shape.
Local Government
Rango, a cat with cerebellar hypoplasia found in a Clearwater duplex driveway, is available for adoption through AnimalLuvr's Dream Rescue alongside an 8-year-old Corgi mix named Big Mac and four confiscated tarantulas.
Local Government
Eight Pinellas County Schools students earned national awards at the 2026 FBLA National Leadership Conference in San Antonio, including first-place wins by Emira Sayeed of Palm Harbor University High and Madeleine Harrison of Fitzgerald Middle School.
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