Beth Rousseau

6 days ago | wfla.com | Beth Rousseau

CLEARWATER, Fla. (WFLA) – The Clearwater Ferry resumed services Thursday for the first time since the deadly crash on April 27. Leaders with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said a private boat crashed into the ferry near the Memorial Causeway Bridge. According to FWC, of the 45 people onboard the vessel, one person died and several others were injured. Attorney Michael Wyatt said his client, Nicole Makelele, was among those injured.

1 week ago | wfla.com | Beth Rousseau

CLEARWATER BEACH, Fla. (WFLA) – Crews are at work stabilizing and repairing a cracked pillar in a Clearwater Beach condo building. On Tuesday, residents were forced to evacuate from the South Beach condo structure. Aurora Donnelly is one of dozens who received evacuation orders. “What goes through your head is Miami, right? So, I’m running down the stairs saying, ‘Oh my gosh, I hope the building doesn’t fall down,'” Donnelly said. Support columns in the back of the building are taped off.

1 week ago | wfla.com | Beth Rousseau

PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — Pinellas County commissioners lay out their plan to spend $813 million in storm recovery money. While the plan isn’t final, it’s based off input from the community. Lingering damage from hurricanes Helene and Milton is obvious around the county. Pinellas leaders say there’s an estimated $5.2 billion of damage. Diane Stephens is one of many waiting to get back into their homes while bracing for the start of another storm season.

1 week ago | wfla.com | Beth Rousseau

PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) – A former U.S. attorney accused of stabbing a driver on the Howard Frankland Bridge heads back to court, Monday. Patrick Scruggs is facing aggravated assault charges and argues the ‘Stand Your Ground’ defense. Witnesses recorded cell phone video of the traffic confrontation in September 2023. Ahmad Gahan said he saw a silver Lexus stopped in the middle of the road, tried to wake the driver who was passed out, and assumed he was drunk.

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Beth Rousseau

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – Tampa city leaders will discuss ways to mitigate the effects of the South Howard Flood Project, Thursday. Neighbors and business owners are split over the traffic and economic impacts along the narrow road. “You got to be kidding me, this plan is terrible,” One owner said during a recent meeting. Water inundates South Howard Avenue and the surrounding areas when there’s a hurricane or heavy rainfall.