Monday, December 31, 2012
St. Pete Patch has compiled a list of the top local stories of 2012. What was the biggest story of 2012 for you?
1. The "Lens" and the St. Petersburg Pier There was this story and then there was everything else in St. Petersburg in 2012. The ongoing controversy of the Michael Maltzan "Lens" design and the St. Petersburg Pier dominated our coverage, your comments and public action. What other story involved dozens of public meetings, two petitions and an unfinished lawsuit? If you like this story, well, it won't be ending anytime soon. The Pier is still set to close May 31, 2013 and be demolished in August. Recently, council approved the next phase of funding for the "Lens" but with speed bumps along the way incase council wishes to halt construction. 2. Weird Florida Florida has been known for its beautiful beaches, warm winters and even Disney …
Friday, August 31, 2012
The National Guard member from Ocala was shot twice by another guardsman. Deputies say it was an accident.
A National Guardsman in town for the Republican National Convention was shot twice in his St. Petersburg hotel room Thursday night, when a 357 revolver another guardsman was holding discharged, authorities said. Michael Wdowiak, 21, was undergoing surgery Thursday night at a local hospital for gunshot wounds to his upper body and hand, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. Wdowiak is from Weirsdale, FL. Jeffrey A. Spurr, 26, who is from Bronson, was holding the gun when it went off accidentally, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. Three other people were in the hotel room at the time of the shooting. Wdowiak and Spurr are attached to a Florida National Guard contingent from Ocala. The unit is here to assist at …
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Small business has been a major theme both inside and outside the Tampa Bay Times Forum this week.
Small business has been a major theme both inside and outside the Tampa Bay Times Forum this week. With events tied to the 2012 Republican National Convention taking place in all parts of the Tampa Bay area, many local business owners prepared to have the biggest money making week of their year. At the beginning of the convention, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn and the 2012 Tampa Host Committee projected a $150 – 175 million boost to Tampa’s economy because of the 2012 RNC. "The way the City (of Tampa) and the Downtown Partnership put it out, we'd have 50,000 visitors and we'd be swamped," said Marc Zolkowski earlier this week. Zolkowski is the co-owner of the Metro Lounge and Restaurant in downtown Tampa. His neighboring business owner, …
We've compiled some of the best, funniest, oddest or most interesting Republican National Convention stories from Patch and other local and national media.
Are you a political junkie? Can't get enough of all the headlines about the Republican National Convention? Patch is bringing you hyperlocal coverage of the RNC, from the floor at the Tampa Bay Times Forum and from local angles in 23 different Patch towns across the region. We're also pulling some of the best, funniest, oddest or most interesting RNC stories from around the web and compiling the links here for your convenience. Below is just a sampling that we'll continue to update, and if you find an RNC-related link that's interesting, feel free to post it in the comments section at the bottom. Patch: Other Local Media: National Media:
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
They’ll have to make a 15-minute hike to the convention tomorrow.
First they were left without transportation from Palm Harbor’s Innisbrook Resort to the Republican National Convention in downtown Tampa. Then they were stuck on a bus for hours following the convention Tuesday night – not making it back to the resort until after 3 a.m. Wednesday, according to TBO. Now, Florida’s Republican delegation is facing a 15-minute hike from the security perimeter to the convention as officials try to straighten out the transportation problems facing the state’s top GOPers. "The (Republican National Committee) needs to fix this bus problem … We need to take care of our delegates," TBO quoted Adam Putnam, Florida’s agriculture commissioner as saying. “It was a complete breakdown.” According to TBO, the Republican …
We've compiled some of the best, funniest, oddest or most interesting Republican National Convention stories from Patch and other local and national media.
Are you a political junkie? Can't get enough of all the headlines about the Republican National Convention? Patch is bringing you hyperlocal coverage of the RNC, from the floor at the Tampa Bay Times Forum and from local angles in 23 different Patch towns across the region. We're also pulling some of the best, funniest, oddest or most interesting RNC stories from around the web and compiling the links here for your convenience. Below is just a sampling that we'll continue to update, and if you find an RNC-related link that's interesting, feel free to post it in the comments section at the bottom. Patch: 13 Protesters Booted from Innisbrook After Marco Rubio Heckled (Palm Harbor) Newt U is Now in Session (Old Northeast-Downtown St. Pete) …
What is giving President Obama the edge in Florida?
A new Time/CNN/Opinion Research poll in Florida shows President Obama leading Mitt Romney by four points among likely voters, 50% to 46%. "Obama's edge in Florida is bolstered by women voters, among whom he's beating Romney, 54%-42%, and by nonwhite voters, with whom he boasts a 70%-29% advantage. There are signs the incumbent is stitching together the same demographic coalitions that helped him capture Florida's 29 electoral votes four years ago." 'I Am Who I Am," Romney Tells Politico Three Times Mitt Romney conceded President Obama has succeeded in making him a less likable person in an interview with Politico but he offered a defiant retort to those hoping he will open up this week: "I am who I am." Romney quoted that Popeye line three…
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Visitors in town for the 2012 Republican National Convention share their impressions of the Tampa Bay area.
As Patch covers the local impact of the 2012 Republican National Convention, we're asking visitors we encounter what they think of our Tampa Bay community. If you're visiting Tampa for the RNC, please feel free to share photos and memories of your Tampa experience with our local residents by clicking the "Upload Photos and Videos" button above!
The protesters stood up, one by one, at Tuesday's breakfast at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Clubs. 'The Republican agenda doesn't work for America,' one said.
Deputies escorted a group of about 10 hecklers off Innisbrook property Tuesday, after they interrupted U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio's address to delegates during a breakfast at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club Tuesday. No one was arrested in the incident, but it called attention to protesters and their demands. The scene unfolded as a middle-aged man with a tattoo on his neck sitting at one of the tables shouted, "Hey Rubio!" about midway through the senator's speech. "We demand that the GOP stop whoring themselves out to the big money interests that are raping this planet and trying to squeeze every last dime out of the working class," he yelled, according to the Tampa Bay Times. Rubio shot back with a humorous response while delegates showed …
Delegates were ready to go today at Palm Harbor’s Innisbrook Resort, but the buses didn’t arrive to take them into Tampa.
Florida’s Republicans are already in trouble with their party for holding the primary earlier than desired. They paid the price in the number of delegates allowed at this year's Republican National Convention. They may have also helped add fuel to a fire to enhance the penalties for states that host early primaries. Now it looks like might be paying more. According to the Tampa Bay Times, the buses meant to pick up the Florida delegation at Palm Harbor’s Innisbrook Resort today at noon never arrived to bring them into downtown. “The RNC forgot to send them,” the Times story said. "Well, that sucks," the Times reported Hillsborough County GOP chair Art Wood as saying. "I guess it won't be the first glitch." Do you agree with Wood? Was it a …
Tom Tito
2:59 pm on Monday, December 31, 2012
Do you have an update on the $580,000 in RNC expenses paid by St. Pete taxpayers? There was said to be $3 million left over and the host committee was looking for a charity to give it to. Why not pay back local taxpayers who also gave $600,000 for the party from Pinellas county hotel taxes. more ›