Aug 27 – Sep 2, 2015

Aug 27 - Sep 2, 2015 / Vol. 28 / No. 25

Neighborhood Issue: St. Pete Beach destinations

Food, booze, shopping and more in St. Pete Beach, a gorgeous getaway community just minutes from downtown. EATS & DRINKS1200 Chophouse Meat eaters swoon over this sophisticated chophouse’s steaks, seafood and wine selection. 5007 Gulf Blvd., 367-1300, 1200chophouse.com. A Slice Of New York This authentic pizzeria operates 'til 4 a.m. to satisfy your Italian cravings…

Sh*t happened 9/3/15: Poop beaches, Clearwater hotel fire, not-grenade

Sometimes it seems our species won't be totally happy until we've relegated ourselves to bathing in waste to cool off from the heat in our pay-by-the-week motel rooms while we wait for the nightly fireworks that reaffirm our faith in our chosen nation's supremacy. Or, whatever, maybe it was just Thursday all over again. So,…

Neighborhood Issue: Pass-A-Grille destinations

While technically a part of St. Pete Beach, Pass-A-Grille — located at the southern end of the barrier island — boasts a laid-back character all its own. EATS & DRINKSThe Brass Monkey Sure, the Brass Monkey is a refuge for Baltimore Ravens fans and the Pass-a-Grille sports bar and restaurant is widely known for its…

FWC weakens panther management policy, sets bear kill quotas

After hours and hours of public comment, Florida Fish and Wildlife Commissioners approved a measure that modifies its role in a federal management plan for the state animal, the Florida panther. The cats have been on the endangered species list for decades, and are still believed to not exceed 200 in number. The FWC coordinates…

Welcome back, disgraced ultra-conservative ex-commissioner Jim Norman!

You've probably heard by now that former State Senator and Hillsborough County Commissioner Jim Norman has jumped back into politics this week by filing to run for the commission's District 6 seat. Norman, a Republican who previously served on the commission for 18 years until terming out in 2010, faces a crowded field, including two other…

State supreme court weighs an amendment to make solar easier

Earlier today, backers of a state constitutional amendment that aims to make solar power more affordable for consumers argued their case before the state supreme court. The court has to approve the language of the amendment — making sure that it does what it says it will do and only that — in order for it…

Sitting in the sweet spot: Tampa Bay and hurricanes

Another swing and a miss for named storms that could have come to the Tampa Bay Area. Whether we are the pet of the gods, in some kind of geographical sweet-spot, or just lucky, Tropical Storm Erika lost her gumption before she could get to us, just like so many before her. The last time…

Buckhorn announces citizen review board, activists skeptical

In response to loud public outcry for an independent body to hold police accountable, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn today announced he'll assemble a citizen review board to investigate instances of police force and other issues. Tensions between police and African-Americans in low-income parts of the city have seen a spike in recent months, punctuated by…

Group seeks to restore misplaced conservation dollars

Remember last November, when you voted for Amendment 1, the law that sets aside a third of document stamp tax dollars (a funding source that is already there) explicitly for land and water conservation? Well, if you voted for it, chances are you were probably pretty disgusted with the state legislature's "interpretation" of the new…


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