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Janelle Irwin - page 126

Janelle Irwin has 1517 articles published.

Janelle Irwin has been a professional journalist covering local news and politics in the Tampa Bay area since 2003. She also hosts a weekly political talk show on WMNF Community radio. Janelle formerly served as the sole staff reporter for WMNF News and previously covered news for Patch.com and various local neighborhood newsletters. Her work has been featured in the New York Daily News, Free Speech Radio News and Florida Public Radio and she's been interviewed by radio stations across the nation for her coverage of the 2012 Republican National Convention. Janelle is a diehard news junkie who isn't afraid to take on big names in local politics including Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, the dirty business of trash and recycling in St. Pete and the ongoing Pier debacle. Her work as a reporter and radio host has earned her two WMNF awards including News Volunteer of the Year and Public Affairs Volunteer of the Year. Janelle is also the devoted mother to three brilliant and beautiful daughters who are a constant source of inspiration and occasional blogging fodder. To contact, email [email protected].

Despite community outcry, Tampa Bay Times columnist Ernest Hooper defends Bob Buckhorn

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

Following the May 31Ā shooting death of 14-year-old Edward Harris, I wrote about Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhornā€™s statement following the tragedy. ā€œThese young people, if they want to end up a statistic, either incarcerated or dead, the choice is theirs,” Buckhorn told the Times. Ā “Either get out of the life and find good role models, or you end up in the street in a pool of blood at age 14. That’s the reality.” The statement came across as cold and out…

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John Morgan writes a ‘big check’ to get medical marijuana amendment 2.0 up and running

in Statewide/Top Headlines by

John Morgan just wrote a ā€œbig checkā€ to get a second medical marijuana ballot initiative off the ground. And a big check it was. $150,000. ā€œIā€™m going to do whatever it takes to put medical marijuana back to the people of Florida to make it your decision,ā€ Morgan said in a video statement posted on the website for his group, United for Care. Morgan said it wonā€™t be the last check he writes, but implores supporters to write their own…

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Times’ editorial compares targeted bike citations to homicides in Tampa

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

The Tampa Bay Times is not backing down on its investigative report showing Tampa Police actively target individuals for minor bike thefts. The report uncovered citations issued to bike rule-violators overwhelmingly went to minority riders in low-income areas. The report documented personal stories from people in communities like East Tampa and West Tampa near North Boulevard Homes. One person had his bike confiscated because he couldnā€™t produce a receipt showing he had purchased it. I donā€™t ride my bike with…

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Pinellas sheriff wants legislative fix to medical pot, not an amendment

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri wants the Florida Legislature to figure something out when it comes to medical marijuana. During a Suncoast Tiger Bay luncheon Thursday, marijuana reform was the talk of the day. Gualtieri was asked several times about medical marijuana and once about recreational. He told the group of about 50 Tiger Bay members and guests he was actively supportive of the stateā€™s Charlotteā€™s Web bill that passed during the 2014 Legislature. Charlotteā€™s Web is a strain of…

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Old Northeast HOA supports recycling, but not as-is

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

The Historic Old Northeast Neighborhood Association has officially come forward with complaints about St. Peteā€™s new curbside recycling program. Itā€™s the curbside part they have a problem with. While several residents in the neighborhood have sent emails to city staff, the Mayorā€™s office and City Council, the association has now put itā€™s group into the mix. In a letter sent to Mayor Rick Kriseman and City Council, HONNA president Peter Motzenbecker said the association supports recycling, but not curbside pickup.…

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The end for SaintPetersBlog

Ever since I acquired the rights to the perfect domain for my efforts ā€” FloridaPolitics.com ā€” I knew that one

Online petition calls for Bob Buckhorn to publicly apologize for Edward Harris shooting comment

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

Community activists are calling on Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn to apologize to the family of a 14-year-old who was gunned down late last month for inappropriate comments he made immediately following the shooting. Edward Harris was fatally shot in Woodland Terrace Park by an unknown shooter in a passing vehicle. Harris was transported to Tampa General Hospital, where he died from his injury. Buckhorn responded to the neighborhood to speak with residents in the community. While there, he spoke with…

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Darden Rice encourages flexibility in fixing recycling kinks

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

Thereā€™s been a vocal pouring of criticism over St. Peteā€™s recycling program rollout. For weeks residents in single-family or small multi-family homes have been receiving recycling bins at their homes. Theyā€™re big. Theyā€™re blue. And theyā€™re being dropped off in front yards all over the city. Some people think theyā€™re ugly. Some are mad they canā€™t put the bins in an alley for pickup instead of the curb. Some donā€™t want the government telling them what to do and some…

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