Hundreds of manatees gathered at Three Sisters Springs in Crystal River to stay warm and welcome the New Year. Volunteers counted approximately 300 manatees at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, as air temperatures dipped to around 35 degrees. Manatees rely on the springs during cold winter mornings because the water maintains a consistent, warmer temperature, offering a vital refuge from chilly conditions.
Three Sisters Springs is co-owned by the Southwest Florida Water Management District and the City of Crystal River, and is managed in partnership with the City of Crystal River and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Learn more about the ongoing restoration efforts at https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/.
Video courtesy of the Southwest Florida Water Management District.
What’s on Your Mind? With Marlene Shaw
Join Councilmember Marlene Shaw for casual conversation and community connection at Wonder Works, 5314 Gulfport Blvd. S., on Wednesday, January 7th and every first Wednesday from 2-3pm. You can also join Councilmember Marlene Shaw at SumitrA Espresso Lounge, 2838 Beach Blvd. S., every second Tuesday from 11am-1pm. Whether you have questions, concerns, or ideas to share, she’s here to listen and talk about the issues that matter to you. Whether you have questions, concerns, or ideas to share, she’s here to listen and talk about the issues that matter to you. Councilmember Shaw also holds City Hall office hours every Monday from 2-3pm at 2401 53rd Street South. Appointments are available upon request.
Contact mshaw@mygulfport.us or (727) 826-7311 for more info.
Reach Locals & Visitors with a Print Ad in Paradise News
Paradise News will print & distribute 30,000 copies monthly this winter, mailing 20,000 to some of the most affected homeowners & businesses In the Tampa Bay Area. Email Peter Roos at sales@paradisenewsfl.com about placing an ad in Paradise News for 2026. Learn more about the benefits of placing an ad in Paradise News in print or online at paradisenewsfl.com/reach-pinellas-county-locals-this-november/.
NEW TIDBITS:
- The Deccember Issue is NOW online. Read it here.
- Paradise News will print & distribute 30,000 copies monthly this winter, mailing 20,000 to some of the most affected homeowners & businesses In the Tampa Bay Area. Email Peter Roos at sales@paradisenewsfl.com about placing an ad in Paradise News this summer. Learn more about the benefits of placing an ad in Paradise News in print or online at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/reach-pinellas-county-locals-this-november/.
- Let us know what you are thinking about what is happening on our local beaches and St. Petersburg by submitting a Letter to the Editor at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/letter/. Letters will be considered for inclusion in an upcoming issue of Paradise News.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
- Gulfport Night Market- First Friday & Third Saturday Every Month INFO
- Holiday Lights in the Garden- November 28, 2025- January 3, 2026 INFO
- Sun Bash Tampa Bay- January 1-3 INFO
- Downtown Dunedin Craft Festival- January 3-4 INFO
- Gulfport Community Players present “Beyond Therapy”- January 8-18 INFO
- Waves of Wellness- January 10 INFO
- The Coral Reefer Band at The Mahaffey- January 15 INFO
- MANIA: The ABBA Tribute at The Mahaffey- January 16 INFO
- Spirit Fest St. Pete: Holistic, Metaphysical, and Crystal Expo- January 17-18 INFO
- American Stage: The Scarlet Letter- January 21- February 15 INFO
- The Great Plate Fundraiser Dinner- January 23 INFO
- Pinellas TacoFest- January 24-25 INFO
- The Rocket Man Show at The Mahaffey- January 31 INFO
- Pink Floyd Laser Show at The Mahaffey- February 1 INFO
- Florida State Fair- February 5-16 INFO
- Shen Yun at The Mahaffey- February 7-8 INFO
- Annual Best Damn Race Safety Harbor- February 7 INFO
- Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta 2026- February 13-15 INFO
- St. Pete’s LOCALTOPIA- February 14 INFO
- Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival- February 14 INFO
- Festivals of Speed St. Petersburg- February 15 INFO
- Winter PRIDE St. Pete- February 15-22 INFO
- St. Petersburg Seafood & Music Festival- February 20-22 INFO
- Art & Seafood on the Waterfront- February 21-22 INFO
- Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg- February 27- March 1 INFO
- Gulfport’s Annual Get Rescued Festival- February 28 INFO
- The Sleeping Beauty by International Ballet Stars- March 5 INFO
- American Stage: Into the Woods- March 25- April 26 INFO
- Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival- Marhc 27- April 12 INFO
- A Night at the Brewseum- April 10 INFO
- Tampa Bay Blues Festival- April 10-12 INFO
REMINDERS
- The November Issue is NOW online. Read it here.
- Reach snowbirds, locals & tourists in 2025 with a print ad in Paradise News! Email Peter Roos at sales@ParadiseNewsFL.com to place your ads in Paradise News in Print.
- Pinellas County Sheriffs Offices wants you to please lock your car doors and stow valuables out of sight.
- CLICK HERE to signup for ALERT PINELLAS to get vital updates during hurricane season.
- Pinellas County’s Florida Botanical Gardens in Largo is celebrating 25 years of Holiday Lights. Experience the magic of a million twinkling lights from 5:30-9:30 p.m. every evening from Nov. 28 through Jan. 3. Bring the whole family and enjoy music, drinks and delights. There is something for everyone to do under the lights. Named one of the nation’s top 10 botanical light displays by USA Today, don’t miss the 25th Anniversary celebration of Holiday Lights in the Gardens. Learn more at www.flbgfoundation.org/holidaylights.
- The City of Madeira Beach is making it easier than ever to stay connected! MGO Connect is your one-stop online portal for city services accessible anytime, anywhere, from your computer or smartphone. Learn more at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/mgo-connect/.
- The City of St. Pete Beach has been made aware of a phishing scam targeting individuals who recently submitted planning or zoning applications. The scam involves sending applicants fake invoices requesting payment that appear to come from the City. Learn more at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/spb-phishing-scam-alert/.
- Here in Pinellas County, we’re known for sunshine, beaches, and a strong sense of community. But even in our beautiful corner of Florida, many individuals and families quietly struggle with something most of us take for granted — having enough to eat. Food insecurity affects thousands of our neighbors, from children and working parents to retirees living on fixed incomes. Learn ways you can help & who to donate to at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/facing-food-insecurity-in-pinellas/.
- Stay up-to-date with the latest Pinellas County news by signing up for their new monthly newsletter- The Wave. From beach restoration to countywide road construction, The Wave will the most important news from Pinellas County Government to your inbox each month. Sign up now at https://pinellas.gov/the-wave.
- The Madeira beach social club is an active senior group located in Madeira Beach, Florida. Their club provides a wonderful opportunity for seniors to socialize, participate in various activities, and build lasting friendships within our community. Click here to learn more.
- The City of Gulfport Senior Center’s Telephone Reassurance Program is a free service for Gulfport Residents 50 years of age or older. Volunteers provide daily phone calls to registered members and provide comfort, security, and peace of mind to members and families. Registration is simple and free. If you or someone you know could benefit from this service during this difficult time, please call (727) 893-2237 and register today.
- Reminder to our residents and visitors. No Dogs On The Beach! If you see something, say something. Contact Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Non-Emergency Line at 727-582-6200.
