Erik Waxler

This church is more than just a place to sleep on cold nights. They have a food pantry every Wednesday and visits from a mobile medical clinic.

Controlled burns used to prevent large-scale fires Prev Next Photo by: WFTS Posted 1 minute ago NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. — Inside the Starkey Wilderness Preserve, the fire danger meter shows moderate. But there is a fire burning. It's a 175-acre prescribed burn directed by the Southwest Water Management District. “I have seen the smoke, but I haven't thought too much about it,” said Ross Kirtley. Kirtley brings his dog Chewie to the Starkey Preserve multiple times a day. “If it got dry and a fire caught this whole place would light up quick. We were literally just talking about it,” said Kirtley. That's just what happened in 2017 in Starkey, as more than 2000 acres burned. Smoke filled the air at nearby schools in New Port Richey. Pasco County Fire Chief Ryan Guynn said the fire never reached any neighborhoods, but they did have to shut down part of the Suncoast Expressway. “It was a rather large fire for our area and we were able to successfully mitigate that without losing any homes,” said Guynn. You can go online to the Florida Forest Service's website and keep track of fires and see which ones are prescribed burns and which are not. Guynn said the controlled burns help eliminate dried-out vegetation and all the debris left behind from the hurricanes. It can all turn into fuel for fires. He said his firefighters are ready with brush trucks all around Pasco County. He also said its gut wrenching to watch what fellow firefighters are dealing with in Southern California. “We did the same things with the hurricanes. They're out there trying to save homes, possibly while their homes are burning at the same time,” said Guynn. "He was just a very outstanding person." Pat Carter, second cousin to Jimmy Carter, thinks back on her happy memories with the late president, including movie nights and lunches with special guests like the Pope. Tampa woman and second cousin to Jimmy Carter recalls his character Copyright 2025 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Sign up for the Morning Headlines Newsletter and receive up to date information. CURATION BY Personalised advertising and content, advertising and content measurement, audience research and services development Store and/or access information on a device Consent (119 vendors) Consent (70 vendors) Consent (96 vendors) Consent (91 vendors) Consent (28 vendors) Consent (24 vendors) Consent (77 vendors) Consent (32 vendors) Consent (57 vendors) Consent (67 vendors) Consent (12 vendors) Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent

Phyllis Miller helps motivate players or honor them for work in the community

They are part of Visit Tampa Bay's tourism promotion in England TAMPA — Ya La'ford has been an artist since she was in her mother's womb.

The condo association told residents they’d have to leave for as long as a year while repairs were made. Three months later no work has been done.

Even on a chilly day, people like Tom and Connie are enjoying the outdoors at Walsingham Park in Seminole.

CEOs from around Tampa Bay are getting together to help build a house for a St. Petersburg family. This year, more than 75 CEOs helped raise $300,000 to sponsor the home build.

Pasco sheriff Chris Nocco says Jean Cebollero-Arias was offering up an elementary school-age girl in his custody to men online for sexual abuse.

Tampa’s Krewe Of Europa goes to festivals around the world. They’ve spent recent years talking up Tampa to other members of the Federation of European Carnival Cities.

Members of Congregation Rodeph Shalom said they are struggling to stay at their home on Bayshore Boulevard.