US News Best High Schools 2019: Tampa Bay High School Rankings

Plant High School, 2415 S. Himes Ave., Tampa, is among the best high schools in America, U.S. News & World Report said Tuesday in its most comprehensive ranking yet of the nation’s high schools. More than 17,000 schools are ranked, an increase from 2,700 last year. Plant High School ranked #582 in the National Rankings and #36 among
Tagged under: , , , , , , , ,

10 Years of Change: Urban scene evolves in Downtown Tampa, St. Pete

In Tampa Bay’s two largest cities, times have changed, to say the least. St. Petersburg’s reputation as a retirement haven, the city of green benches, and downtown Tampa’s status as a ghost town after 5 p.m. appear gone for good. Curtis Hixon Park attracts locals and tourists day and night. Today, Tampa’s downtown hums with
Tagged under: , , , , , , ,

Clearwater Beach has been named the best beach in America — again

For the third time in a few years, Clearwater Beach has claimed the top spot among favorite beaches in the country. According to TripAdvisor, the iconic beach has been named No. 1. It suggests that the best time to visit is, well, anytime of the year. “The sugar fine white sand is a trademark of

10 Places to Travel in January When You Need to Escape the Cold

January is a time for fresh starts. Whether you make a resolution or not, you’re probably looking for brighter horizons. Traveling in January comes with perks: After the holiday hustle and bustle, it gets less expensive to fly and book hotels. Sure, there are cooler temperatures to contend with, but there are also shorter lines at

Affordable ways to refresh a home

Home improvements can rejuvenate a stale dwelling. But remodeling and renovations could set you back thousands of dollars for each room. A “midrange minor kitchen remodel” – including hardware, countertops, flooring and a refrigerator – is about $21,000, on average, according to Remodeling magazine’s 2018 Cost vs. Value report. But with the right approach, you
Tagged under: , , , , , , ,

St. Petersburg home becomes finalist in HGTV contest

A house in St. Petersburg’s Old Northeast is a finalist in HGTV’s Ultimate House Hunt contest. Built in 2007 in the Mission Revival style, the 4,000-square-foot home a block from Coffee Pot Bayou is among 12 nationwide in the “curb appeal” category. Viewers can vote online through July 17 for a chance to win $10,000.
Tagged under: , ,

5 Ways to Fix Your Home’s ‘Fatal Flaw’ for Under $1,000

Most of us have a nagging issue or two in our homes that we would like to fix. Perhaps your kitchen is just too dark to work in comfortably, or your bathroom is still living in the 1960s. Good news: The update might be easier and less costly to make than you may think. Costs
Tagged under:

Related Group sees a St. Petersburg condo tower in its future

ST. PETERSBURG — Miami’s Related Group, one of Florida’s top developers, would like to build an “iconic’’ condo tower in downtown St. Petersburg, the company’s chairman and CEO says. Though the idea is very preliminary, it shows the continuing interest in what has become one of the trendiest downtowns in the state. And while Related
Tagged under: , , ,

St. Pete takes major step in building its new pier

The St. Petersburg City Council on Thursday approved an $18 million payment to the construction manager for a new pier. That payment would be the final portion of what was owed to the construction manager, Skanska, under an agreement that put a guaranteed maximum price on the work. About $13.5 million has already been spent
Tagged under: ,

New 2024 Howard Frankland plan: 8-lane bridge with bike path

The Florida Department of Transportation announced Monday that it now plans to build an eight-lane bridge, complete with a bike and pedestrian trail, to replace the northbound span of the Howard Frankland. That part of the bridge, built in 1960, is old and needs to be replaced. DOT expects the new bridge to open by