County Clerk weds 106 in Valentine’s ceremony
LARGO — Love was in full bloom as the Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller Ken Burke hosted his 20th Annual Valentine’s Day Group Wedding and Vow Renewal Ceremonies on Saturday, Feb. 14, at the Florida Botanical Gardens.
Burke officiated ceremonies for 106 participants who chose to say “I do” or reaffirm their love on the most romantic day of the year.
The event was filled with music, joy, and sweet moments. The string ensemble from Seminole High School performed several timeless selections under the direction of Steven Harris and accompanied soloist and Clerk team member Sequoyah Ryan.
Couples were treated to celebratory Bundt cake towers provided by community sponsor Nothing Bundt Cakes in Clearwater. Additional support was provided by valued community partners including The Fresh Market, Publix, Pinellas County Schools Extended Transition and Pinellas Technical College students, Jeff Wilson of The Sound Guyz, and Vernon Bryant of Bryant Productions.
Volunteers, sponsors sought for Cross Bayou/Joe’s Creek cleanup
Volunteers are needed to join Pinellas County Environmental Management and Keep Pinellas Beautiful for a spring cleanup event at Cross Bayou Canal and Joe’s Creek on Saturday, March 7, from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Part of the Great American Cleanup, the event involves trash and debris removal in Cross Bayou Canal and Joe’s Creek. Volunteers can bring their own canoe or kayak or reserve a canoe when registering (while supplies last). Life jackets are required and will be provided to those borrowing a canoe. Volunteers must be 18 or over. Paddleboards are not permitted.
Volunteers should register at https://tinyurl.com/33vyxw68 by March 5.
Check-in begins at 8 a.m. Go to 78th Street N and 70th Avenue N. Enter the gate and follow the signs. Launching is from Pinellas County property. A water truck is provided to clean canoes and kayaks following the event. Lunch and a free raffle drawing will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Volunteers should wear comfortable clothing, closed-toe shoes, a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen, and bring a chair or towel to sit on. Trash grabbers, bags, gloves and drinking water will be provided.
Pinellas County is also recruiting sponsors for this event. The contact for prospective sponsors is Ryan Ryczek at 727-464-4462 or email watershed@pinellas.gov.
New county parks reservation system delayed
Due to technical issues, rollout of the new Pinellas County Parks & Conservation Resources online reservation system has been delayed by one week. The new system will be available Monday, March 9.
The new system will be used to make reservations and registrations for all Pinellas County Parks & Conservation Resources Department programs, campsites, shelters, beach and boat passes, and events requiring registration.
The current system is offline, and reservation services will be suspended through March 8 for data migration.
The new system will accept all major credit cards, automatically notify users waitlisted for programs, and provide full mobile access across all platforms and browsers.
Bridge renaming honors Dillinger, McCabe
Pinellas County recently unveiled signs for the renamed Dillinger McCabe Bayside Bridge at a roadside ceremony featuring members of the Dillinger and McCabe families, Pinellas County Commission Chair Dave Eggers, Commission Vice-Chair Chris Latvala, Chief Judge of the Sixth Judicial Circuit Shawn Crane, and Clearwater Mayor Bruce Rector.
County commissioners approved a resolution on Jan. 20 officially renaming the Bayside Bridge the “Dillinger McCabe Bayside Bridge,” honoring the extraordinary public service of Robert “Bob” Dillinger and Bernard “Bernie” McCabe to Pinellas County and the state of Florida. Adversaries in the courtroom, Dillinger and McCabe collaborated to improve the justice system, enhance community safety, and protect the rights and dignity of all citizens.
After joining the Office of the Public Defender for the Sixth Judicial Circuit in 1976 as an Assistant Public Defender, Dillinger was elected Public Defender in 1996. He served the Sixth Circuit from 1997 until his retirement in 2024.
He pioneered innovative programs addressing mental health and substance abuse, expanded diversion opportunities, and led efforts to reduce recidivism. These initiatives changed countless lives and became a statewide model for defender services.
McCabe devoted 48 years to public service in Florida. Beginning as an Assistant State Attorney, he was first elected Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney in 1992 and served in that role for over 25 years.
Known for pairing firm prosecution with fairness and compassion, McCabe was a trailblazer who established specialized units focused on domestic violence, child abuse, and white-collar crime. He championed juvenile diversion programs that connect youth to community services rather than incarceration and supported similar diversion efforts for adults accused of minor offenses.
This Spring Break, ride PSTA to skip parking fees, avoid traffic
Through May 3, the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority is making spring break travel easier for residents and visitors alike. Whether heading to the beach, the airport, or downtown hotspots, PSTA offers convenient, affordable options to get you there stress-free.
In partnership with the city of Clearwater, PSTA is once again offering its free Park & Ride service to Clearwater Beach. On weekends through May 3, riders can park for free at the Gould Street Lot and hop on a bus running every 15 minutes. Service operates Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to midnight and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Visitors may also park for free on weekends at the Garden Avenue Parking Garage or the Osceola Street Garage. Trolleys serving these locations operate with the same frequency and hours.
PSTA’s Grouper service provides direct transportation between St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport and anywhere on Clearwater Beach.
If waterfront travel is part of your spring break plans, hop aboard the Clearwater Ferry, offering service between Downtown Clearwater, Clearwater Beach, and Dunedin.
Heading to South Pinellas beaches? PSTA’s newest service, Spark, connects with the SunRunner, providing a direct route from Downtown St. Petersburg to St. Pete Beach.