Dunedin is initiating its annual Operation Santa to spread holiday joy with Santa and elves visiting local areas, offering a live Santa Tracker and stressing safety and practicality in its route planning.

Charlotte County has a week of key public meetings on local governance, starting Dec. 8 at the Administration Center, with planning, zoning, and infrastructure topics discussed.

Intermittent lane closures on Peachland Boulevard for underground power line installation by Irby Construction from December 8-19 could complicate commutes.

South Kings Avenue in Brandon will close overnight on Dec. 3 for pipeline work and implement a new traffic pattern with reduced lanes starting Dec. 4.

The Charlotte County Commission plans to discuss potential utility rate increases at a public hearing on January 13, 2026, inviting resident feedback.

Centennial Park Pool in Port Charlotte is closed for annual maintenance from Dec. 8-14, 2025, and will reopen on Dec. 15. Katelynn Crockett is the contact for more information.

Firefighters quickly contained a significant fire in a St. Petersburg home, with all residents evacuating safely and one with non-critical injuries. The fire's cause is under investigation.

Tampa announces festive activities for the holiday season, including tree-lighting ceremonies, dance performances, and Santa Fest, starting December 3.

Hillsborough County is set to open cold weather shelters on Nov. 27 due to expected low temperatures. The shelters are for the homeless and have limited capacity, with options for adults and families.

A man was arrested for shooting his pregnant girlfriend in Hillsborough County, endangering her, her unborn baby, and other children; both mother and baby survived, requiring surgeries.

A bus collision in Clearwater resulted in multiple injuries, traffic disruptions, and a toppled traffic signal. Authorities are investigating the incident.

Manatee County's RunManatee series concluded its first season successfully, thanking Run With Purpose Nutrition for their role in the event. The county encourages early prep for the 2026 season at mymanatee.org/runmanatee.

Hernando County man, Miguel Gonzalez-Nunez, was arrested for illegal dumping after he reported being followed, which led authorities to a video of his act. He also faces an immigration detainer.