Residents angered by vote to extend terms in Safety Harbor

At least on paper, Monday was a good night for Mayor Joe Ayoub.

He secured an extra eight months in the mayor's post.

And he finally overcame months of resistance from his City Commission colleagues to obtain more than $2 million for Waterfront Park, a 13-acre parcel designated for pedestrian trails, benches and a boat launch.

The latter might be Ayoub's first policy victory since he took office in January. But it was his vote to extend his own term that had people seething....

Tarpon Springs awaits arrival of My Big Fat Greek Wedding actress

There are three things every Greek young woman must do, actor Nia Vardalos lamented as Toula Portokalos in My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

Marry Greek boys, make Greek babies and feed everyone.

Portokalos — the movie character in the semiautobiographical film — chose her own destiny despite her hilariously intrusive family. And in real life, Vardalos has carved out her own path as well....

Residents angered by vote to extend Safety Harbor terms

SAFETY HARBOR — At least on paper, Monday was a good night for Mayor Joe Ayoub.

He secured an extra eight months in the mayor's post.

And he finally overcame months of resistance from his City Commission colleagues to obtain more than $2 million for Waterfront Park, a 13-acre parcel designated for pedestrian trails, benches and a boat launch.

The latter might be Ayoub's first policy victory since he took office in January. But it was his vote to extend his own term that had people seething....

East Lake tries to move on after turmoil

While still dealing with infighting and an independent discrimination investigation, East Lake Fire Rescue is trying to move past the alleged racial slurs and erratic governance that earned the department negative headlines and landed it in legal hot water.

All department employees, from the top brass to rank-and-file firefighters, are taking classes online and at the fire station on issues like harassment, ethics and conflict in the workplace....

Tampa woman tricked into abortion inspires Rep. Larry Ahern to try again on bill

Before she was tricked into taking abortion pills, Remee Lee planned to name her baby Memphis Remington, she said.

Now Lee and her attorney, Gil Sanchez, hope that name will give new impetus to a state bill that would more often ban crimes against fetuses.

The Offenses Against Unborn Children bill, sponsored in 2013 by state Rep. Larry Ahern, R-St. Petersburg, has failed at least three years in a row....

One dies in Clearwater crash

CLEARWATER — A 20-year-old Tarpon Springs man died after he lost control of his car and spun into oncoming traffic Sunday on U.S. 19, authorities said.

Jezreel Lamont Saunders died on the scene, just north of Hammock Pine Boulevard, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

He was driving south at a high speed when he spiraled out of control and crossed the grass median into the path of Norman Kenneth Ertel, 36, of St. Petersburg, who was driving north....

Tarpon not seeking oil spill money

From Tampa and Dunedin to Panama City and Key West, cities along Florida's west coast have filed claims against BP for lost tourism and other revenue, seeking damages as a result of an oil rig explosion that sullied the Gulf of Mexico and killed 11 workers in 2010.

But Tarpon Springs, despite an economy based on tourism, fishing and sponge diving, did not seek damages.

Why? According to Tarpon Springs leaders, there wasn't any evidence the spill harmed the city....

Over objections from hospital, Tarpon officials approve employee clinic

A city face-off with local hospital leaders ended abruptly last week after commissioners narrowly approved a deal to launch a city-run employee medical clinic.

The decision came after an emotional three-hour discussion over whether Tarpon Springs has an obligation to give Florida Hospital North Pinellas the opportunity to serve city employees before the city opens a clinic.

The clinic would be designed to provide easy access to health care for employees, encourage preventive care and reduce insurance costs....

Tarpon Springs employee clinic dispute resolved — kind of

TARPON SPRINGS — A city face-off with local hospital leaders ended abruptly last week after commissioners narrowly approved a deal to launch a city-run employee medical clinic.

The decision came after an emotional three-hour discussion over whether Tarpon Springs has an obligation to give Florida Hospital North Pinellas the opportunity to serve city employees before the city opens a clinic....

Rumors fuel Safety Harbor commission protests

Worked up by rumors and mass emails, Safety Harbor residents packed City Hall on Monday to protest, well, they didn't know what, exactly.

They were unsure of the city's plans. And their issue of concern wasn't on the City Commission's agenda.

But residents wanted to halt, in advance, any possible proposal to sell, pave or build something on the city-owned Messenger property or the adjacent Harborside Church property at 2200 Marshall St....