Media Central

General:

Make Reservations Online for Pinellas County Destinations

Available now 24 hours a day, Pinellas County Parks & Recreation Department and Heritage Village offer its reservation services. From beautiful beaches to a natural pine forest oasis, your next event can be surrounded by Florida’s outdoor beauty. Covered shelters, located near amenities, are great for celebrations or gatherings. Make your reservations by phone, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at (727) 453-3171, or online 24 hours a day at the Parks & Recreation Department. more>> (posted 10-14-08)

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Employees lead by example during Commuter Choices Week - watch video

Exchanging car keys for paddles, several employees took to the water to commute to work in the kick-off of Commuter Choices Week, celebrated this year during the entire month of October. more>> (posted 10-9-08)

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ATVs banned from public roadways

All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are now banned from all public roadways within the county, regardless of the speed limit, time of day, or whether the road is paved or unpaved. On Oct. 7, the Board of County Commissioners voted to exempt Pinellas County from the state statute regarding the ATVs. (posted 10-07-08)

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Water conservation begins at home

It is estimated that 50 percent of households have a water leak … somewhere. According to the American Water Works Association, studies have shown that dripping faucets and leaking toilets account for as much as 14 percent of all indoor water use, which is equivalent to 10 gallons per person of water waste per day.

Residents are reminded to make it a routine to check for and repair household leaks. For a free leak detection guide and leak tablets call (727) 464-4000. For an online copy of the guide visit www.pinellascounty.org/utilities. (posted 10-07-08)

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New Segment of Pinellas Trail Opens - watch video

A 2-mile segment of the Pinellas Trail opened on Saturday, Oct. 4, as part of the St. Petersburg’s City Trails Bicycle and Pedestrian program. The expansion links the Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail to the St. Petersburg waterfront. more>> (posted 10-07-08)

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Raccoon Tests Positive for Rabies

Pinellas County Animal Services received results on Oct. 3 of a rabid raccoon that fought with two dogs in Tarpon Springs. The dogs, who encountered the raccoon on Old East Lake Road on Sept. 29, already had been previously vaccinated for rabies. They received a booster shot and are being observed by the owners for a 180-day period. The raccoon did not survive the fight. more>> (posted 10-07-08)

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Extension Shares Expertise with Community

The Pinellas County Extension Lawn & Garden Hotline at (727) 582-2110 begins a new schedule of hours starting Monday, Oct. 13. The new hours are every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 4 p.m. Citizens are welcome to call and get answers to questions about how best to maintain and improve their landscapes from Extension pros backed up with expertise and research from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. more>> (posted 10-06-08)

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Health Department Offers Flu Shots

Flu season has begun, and can continue through February or later. Influenza (the flu) is a contagious and potentially serious illness that can lead to hospitalization and even death. more>> (posted 10-01-08)

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County to Complete Water Conversion

Pinellas County Utilities’ water system maintenance program, which temporarily modified the method of treatment from chloramine to chlorine disinfection, is in its final week. The process of transitioning the system back to chloramine disinfection was scheduled to be completed Friday, Oct. 3. more>> (posted 10-01-08)

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Rays Get Hometown-Hero Welcome - watch video

More than 1,500 jubilant fans cheered as the Tampa Bay Rays’aircraft taxied onto the runway at the St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport Sunday night. The fans assembled at the airport to meet the team as it arrived from Detroit, where the Rays won their last game of the regular season 8-7 in the 11th inning. The Rays had been crowned American League East Champions on Friday, Sept. 26, and the Tampa Bay area spent the weekend celebrating. more>> (posted 09-29-08)

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Three Little Kittens Found During Ike

Three kittens, survivors of Hurricane Ike, have made their way to Pinellas County Animal Services. They are getting plenty of attention at the shelter and adoption center. more>> (posted 09-26-08)

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Water Conservation: A Florida Lifestyle

Despite being at the height of the 2008 hurricane season, the Tampa Bay region has not seen the typical benefits of the rainy season. Regional rainfall was below normal for the month of August and is five to six inches below normal for the month of September. This deficit adds to the growing multi-year rainfall deficit in both the Hillsborough and Alafia river watersheds. more>> (posted 09-26-08)

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Foreclosure Prevention Workshop on Tap - watch video

Worried about foreclosure? Don’t wait. Get help now.

Pinellas County, St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Largo governments will host a free one-day Foreclosure Prevention Workshop on Saturday, Oct. 18, at the Coliseum, 525 Fourth Ave. N., St. Petersburg. more>> (posted 09-26-08)

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Event to Connect Help With Homeless

Organizers of Project Homeless Connect are reaching out to those in Pinellas County who are homeless or who are in need of services. Hundreds of volunteers are expected to assist with the one-day event, which will be held on Saturday, Sept. 27, at the Harborview Center in downtown Clearwater, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. more>> (posted 09-26-08)

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PSTA To Change Bus Routes

The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) will hold a public information session to tell passengers about the bus route changes that will be effective on Oct. 5. The first session was held Tuesday; the second will be on Thursday. All but four routes in the system are changing. Passengers can also visit www.PSTA.net for comprehensive materials describing the changes or call the InfoLine at (727) 540-1900 and speak with a customer service representative. more>> (posted 09-17-08)

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Olympic Sailors Receive Keys to the County

The Pinellas County Commission honored local Olympians Zach Railey and Ben Barger at the commission meeting Sept. 16. The two received keys to the county and recognition of their achievements as members of the 2008 U.S. Beijing Olympic Team. more>> (posted 09-17-08)

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Animal Services to be Closed Thursdays

Citizens are reminded that starting Sept. 25, Pinellas County Animal Services shelter and adoption center will be closed to the public Thursdays. The new hours of Pinellas County Animal Services are: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The shelter will not be open to the public on Thursdays, Sundays or holidays. more>> watch video (posted 09-17-08)

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Voting by Mail Trend Gathers Momentum

Supervisor of Elections Deborah Clark is scheduled to mail more than 99,700 ballots to voters who requested mail ballots for the Nov. 4 General Election – more than double the total number of requests for the August Primary Election. more>> (posted 09-17-08)

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We Don’t Like Ike

Hurricane Ike’s path of destruction ran through the Bahamas and the Greater Antilles before making landfall in Galveston, Texas. While the storm approached Category 5 strength at its peak intensity, it never exceeded Category 2 strength as it crossed the Gulf of Mexico. more>> (posted 09-17-08)

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North County Tax Collector Office Temporarily Closes

The Pinellas County Tax Collector Office at 29399 U.S. 19 N., Suite 100, Clearwater, will temporarily close on Sept. 22, for renovation. more>> (posted 09-17-08)

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County Purchases Wilde Property

The County Commission approved a purchase on Sept. 16 that will add approximately 771 acres to Brooker Creek Preserve in Tarpon Springs and 100 acres for recreational fields. The purchase provides a wildlife corridor stretching west, from the Brooker Creek Preserve, through the Anclote Islands Management Area, and to the Gulf of Mexico. It also completes a major ecological corridor, connecting the north and south sections of the Brooker Creek Preserve to the 1,047-acre Lake Dan Environmental Lands Acquisition Protection Program Site to the east. more>> (posted 09-17-08)

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Pinellas County Commission Hires Administrator -
watch video

The Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners hired Robert S. LaSala as the county’s new administrator. The approval of the contract with LaSala was approved by the commissioners at their Sept. 9 workshop meeting. more>> (posted 09-09-08)

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Animobile Brings Free Pet Services

The Animobile is on the road again, bringing free veterinary services, including spaying or neutering and $1 rabies vaccinations, for pets of eligible citizens. Find out where the Pinellas County Animal Services’ mobile veterinary vehicle will be next. more>>

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Communications Department
333 Chestnut Street
Clearwater, FL 33756
(727) 464-4600  FAX (727) 464-4432