Stay updated on January 2025 events, festivals, concerts, and local news in St. Pete and Pinellas County in our tidbits from the January 2025 issue.
Find them online now at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/tidbits-january-2025/.
Buy A Gulf Beaches Historical Museum Calendar
Support our local Gulf Beaches Historical Museum by purchasing one of their 2025 calendars featuring historic photographs from around Pass-a-Grille & St. Pete Beach. You can pick up your calendars at Island Life Pass a Grille , Bamboozle & The Brass Monkey.
Learn more about the Gulf Beaches Historical Museum at https://gulfbeachesmuseum.org/.
APPROACHING DEADLINE FOR FEMA ASSISTANCE:
Floridians who sustained loss from Hurricanes Milton or Helene have one week remaining to apply for federal assistance. The deadline is Jan. 7, 2025.
There are new relief programs that will become available in the new year, but some will require that you applied for FEMA first.
If you applied for FEMA assistance after Hurricane Helene and have additional damage from Hurricane Milton, you will need to apply separately for Milton and provide the dates of your most recent damage.
Homeowners and renters are encouraged to apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by using the FEMA App. You may also apply by phone at 800-621-3362. Lines are open every day and help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service.
(Information from the City of St. Pete Beach)
Elevate Florida FDEM Residential Mitigation Program
The Florida Division of Emergency Management is excited to announce Florida’s first Statewide Residential Mitigation Program, Elevate Florida. The goal of this program is to enhance community resilience by mitigating private residences against natural hazards. Project types eligible under the Statewide Residential Mitigation Program:
Structure Acquisition: Generally, acquisition projects consist of a community purchasing at-risk structures from voluntary sellers and demolishing them. The purchased property is then maintained, in perpetuity, for open-space purposes and to restore or conserve the site’s natural floodplain functions.
Structure Elevation: Structure elevation activities generally involve physically raising an existing structure utilizing a variety of methods. Utilities must also be properly elevated. Buildings proposed for elevation must be structurally sound and capable of being elevated safely.
Mitigation Reconstruction: The construction of an improved, elevated building on the same site where an existing building and/or foundation has been partially or completely demolished or destroyed.
Learn more at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/elevate-florida/.
Get Your Local Business Noticed in Paradise News!
Its more than luck with Paradise News this snowbird season! Reach more locals and visitors in print or online by placing your ad or advertorial in the April issue of Paradise NEWS- read by 100,000 locals and visitors online and in print. Book your ad or advertorial now for 2025 for our best rates and placement. Deadline for ads & advertorials in our April Spring issue is March 10th. To place your ad, contact PETER ROOS by email at sales@ParadiseNewsFL.com or call 727.363.6888!
NEW TIDBITS:
- The January Issue is NOW online. Read it here.
- Paradise News will print & distribute 30,000 copies monthly this winter, mailing 20,000 to some of the most affected homeowners & businesses In the Tampa Bay Area. Email Peter Roos at sales@paradisenewsfl.com about placing an ad in Paradise News this November. Learn more about the benefits of placing an ad in Paradise News in print or online at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/reach-pinellas-county-locals-this-november/.
- Let us know what you are thinking about what is happening on our local beaches and St. Petersburg by submitting a Letter to the Editor at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/letter/. Letters will be considered for inclusion in an upcoming issue of Paradise News.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
- Special Exhibit at the Chihuly Collection | Burst: Akiko Kotani- December 14- March 8 INFO
- Birding on the Bay with the MFA & Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center- Jan 4 & 12, Feb 1 & 9 INFO
- Swan Lake at The Mahaffey- January 3 TICKETS
- St. Pete Beach Corey Avenue Craft Festival- January 4-5 INFO
- Downtown Dunedin Craft Festival- January 4-5 INFO
- The Rocket Man Show at The Mahaffey- January 10 INFO
- St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show- January 16-19 INFO
- Gulfport Community Players presents “Four Old Broads”- January 16-26 TICKETS
FIND EVENT MORE WINTER EVENTS AT https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/winter-2024/.
REMINDERS
- The January Issue is NOW online. Read it here.
- Reach snowbirds, locals & tourists in 2024 with a print ad in Paradise News! Email Peter Roos at sales@ParadiseNewsFL.com to place your ads in Paradise News in Print.
- Pinellas County Sheriffs Offices wants you to please lock your car doors and stow valuables out of sight.
- CLICK HERE to signup for ALERT PINELLAS to get vital updates during hurricane season.
- Coyotes call Pinellas County home too! CLICK HERE for safety tips for you & your pets.
- Based on the direction from the City Commission, The City of St. Pete Beach has authorized an immediate waiver on 100% of the fees for storm-related work permits. This applies to both residential and commercial permits. Permit fee waivers began on Wednesday November 6th, 2024, and are retroactive to October 1st, 2024. The waivers will last through Tuesday January 14, 2025. At that time, the City Commission will meet and evaluate the possibility of extending the waiver. Learn more at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/spb-permit-waiver/.
- Property values and tax bills for the 2024 tax year are based on values as of January 1, 2024. While 2024 tax bills will not be reduced, residential property owners are eligible for a partial property tax refund due to damage associated with a catastrophic event if certain conditions are met. Please CLICK HERE to learn more and apply.
- Explore more than 50 deals and discounts with Visit St. Pete/Clearwater’s new FREE FunShine Savings Passport, featuring museums, attractions, tours, local restaurants and shops. Click here to learn more.
- Learn more about boating safety and how you can take a course in Pinellas County at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/safe-boating/.
- Stay up-to-date with the latest Pinellas County news by signing up for their new monthly newsletter- The Wave. From beach restoration to countywide road construction, The Wave will the most important news from Pinellas County Government to your inbox each month. Sign up now at https://pinellas.gov/the-wave.
- The Madeira beach social club is an active senior group located in Madeira Beach, Florida. Their club provides a wonderful opportunity for seniors to socialize, participate in various activities, and build lasting friendships within our community. Click here to learn more.
- The City of Gulfport Senior Center’s Telephone Reassurance Program is a free service for Gulfport Residents 50 years of age or older. Volunteers provide daily phone calls to registered members and provide comfort, security, and peace of mind to members and families. Registration is simple and free. If you or someone you know could benefit from this service during this difficult time, please call (727) 893-2237 and register today.
- Reminder to our residents and visitors. No Dogs On The Beach! If you see something, say something. Contact Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Non-Emergency Line at 727-582-6200.
- Connect with the City of Gulfport through their app! CLICK HERE to learn more and download it.
- The City of St. Pete Beach is now using See Click Fix for residents to submit issues to the city. Click here to learn more.
