The Wave

Resident Begins Home Restoration, Thanks to Pinellas Recovers

Pinellas senior Martha Cannon was overcome with gratitude upon hearing the banging and buzzing of hammers and electric saws as workers tore into the ceiling of her storm-damaged East Lake home.

She had applied to other programs, haggled with insurance, but still couldn’t find financial help to finish repairs more than a year after hurricanes Helene and Milton flooded her neighborhood – until she applied to Pinellas Recovers.

“I applied to FEMA and actually was denied. I applied to my homeowners insurance and they weren’t very cooperative,” she said. “The Pinellas Recovers program actually is doing the work and I’m so happy and excited about getting my home back together again.”

Cannon’s home is the first to start construction through the County’s People First Home Rehabilitation and Reconstruction program, which offers up to $375,000 for unrepaired damage left over from the 2023-2024 hurricanes. Construction is set to begin on dozens more in the coming weeks across Pinellas, ranging from replacing storm-damaged flooring to completely rebuilding substantially damaged homes.

If you still have unfinished repairs or other unmet storm-related needs, or if you know someone who does, apply today at recover.pinellas.gov.

Keep Your Home Storm-Ready: Safely Dispose of Old Chemicals

It’s spring cleaning time! Safely clear out old gas, household chemicals, paint and certain batteries at our free household hazardous waste (HHW) drop‑off locations before the June 1 start of hurricane season. These materials can ignite fires and pollute homes and neighborhoods during storms, so don’t wait. Dropping them off now will help you save time and avoid long lines right before a storm.

Drop‑off locations:

• HHW Center: 2855 109th Ave. N., St. Petersburg (select days, 7 a.m.–5 p.m.)
• HHW North: 29582 U.S. 19 N, Clearwater (select Saturdays, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.) 
• Barrier island event: Sat., May 30, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. at Treasure Island Community Center Park (150 106th Ave.)

Learn what’s accepted and plan your drop‑off.

Future of our downtown campus properties

The Pinellas County Commission held a Town Hall on April 29 to share information and listen to feedback about the future of the County’s downtown campus. The County is building a new campus near U.S. 19 and Ulmerton Road that will be smaller and more efficient. We’ll be participating in another Town Hall with Largo residents soon. To learn more, visit pinellas.gov/moving.

Sea Turtle Nesting Season is Here

Florida hosts 90% of U.S. sea turtle nesting, and our beaches play a big role. But only about 1 in 1,000 hatchlings make it to adulthood. Nesting season in Pinellas County runs May 1 - Oct. 31 and simple actions can make a real difference. Zach Westfall, one of our coastal scientists, shares quick tips to help sea turtles during nesting season.

Removing the "Monsters" Hiding in Taylor Lake

Lurking in the depths of Taylor Lake is a monster... an invasive hydrilla monster, that is!

Our goal at Pinellas County Vegetation Management is to protect our stormwater system by tackling invasive and weedy vegetation, like hydrilla, on county-owned and managed properties that can clog our lakes, ponds, ditches, and canals. This keeps the waters flowing and creates healthier habitats for native species to thrive.

Come Work with Us! Visit our Job Fair

Pinellas County Government is hosting a Career Fair on June 5 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Florida Botanical Gardens in Largo. Come speak with hiring managers about current full-time jobs and volunteer opportunities.

We are seeking dedicated professionals in areas such as administrative support, civil engineering, court professionals, customer service, finance, skilled trades, water utilities, and many other essential services that make an impact in the community.

Bring copies of your resume to share with various hiring teams. Apply for a job on the spot. Learn about our outstanding benefits and how to join our growing team of 3,200 employees.

To learn more, visit pinellas.gov/career-fair. No registration needed.

Celebrating our Pinellas County Volunteers

The Board of County Commissioners recently declared the week of April 19-25, 2026, as Volunteer Appreciation Week in Pinellas County to mark National Volunteer Week. Each month, nearly 500 volunteers contribute over 6,000 hours to supporting Pinellas County. Thank you to our volunteers for all that you do! We appreciate you! If you or someone you know wants to join our volunteers, visit pinellas.gov/volunteer.

Care About Me Community Wellness Festival

In honor of National Mental Health Awareness Month in May, Care About Me is hosting a Community Wellness Festival on May 30 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at England Brothers Park. The family-friendly festival highlights the strong link between overall wellness and emotional well-being with fitness classes, mindful experiences, a wellness zone, a mental health panel featuring experts, a kids' zone and more.