Saturday, May 11, 2013
From fundraisers in Gulfport to celebrations at Fort De Soto and John's Pass, there's plenty to do this weekend! How are you spending your time off?
Fort De Soto Celebration: The popular south county park is celebrating its 50th Anniversary on Saturday, May 11. The $5 parking fee will be waived all day. For a complete look at the events - sea oats planting, Tampa Bay Ski Show and more, check out our article, "Parking Fees Waived at Fort De Soto's 50th Anniversary Celebration." Pirate Days: The 12th Annual John Levique Pirate Days feature a family treasure hunt, boat parade, pub crawl and more! For a complete look at the entire weekend of events check out the event listing "John Levique Pirate Days." YNOT Ministries Rummage Sale and Car Wash: YNOT Minsitries will be holding a Rummage Sale and Car Wash fundrasier on Saturday, May 11 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. to help raise money for …
Friday, May 10, 2013
The $5 entrance fee to Fort De Soto will be waived Saturday for the 50th Anniversary Celebration.
The 50th Anniversary Celebration is packed full of activities for the entire family. Everyone is invited to watch a ski show, re-dedication ceremony and even help plant sea oats on Saturday, May 11. There's a special treat for early birds! The $5 parking fee will be waived all day! Check out a list of the days events: For more information check out the special announcement by Pinellas County - "The 50th Anniversary of Pinellas County's Fort De Soto Park." Do you have a few special pics of you and your family at Fort De Soto? Add them to our growing gallery "Fort De Soto Still a Beauty at 50 Years Old." _______________________________________________________________ Sign up for the Gulfport Patch email newsletter to stay connected to your …
Monday, April 8, 2013
Michael Douglas Rhine's wife said that her husband was working on his boat's engine when he fell into the water, authorities say.
Rescuers, including a dive team, plan to search Tuesday for a man who fell off his 24-foot boat near Fort De Soto Park and never resurfaced. The Pinellas County Sheirff's Office disclosed details about the boater, missing since Sunday. Michael Douglas Rhine, 49, of Pinellas Park fell overboard at about 4:30 p.m. while working on his boat's outboard engine near the Fort De Soto boat ramp. His wife was with him at the time, and told authorities that she never saw him come up. He was not wearing a life vest. The U.S. Coast Guard, Pinellas County Sheriff's Office and other water rescue crews have searched for hours near Bunces Pass, which is known for its strong current. The search has included a Jayhawk helicopter, sonar equipment and divers…
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Fort De Soto Park has been enjoyed as a public park since the spring of 1963.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Ana Gloria Garcia Gutierrez claimed that she didn't realize riding a manatee is illegal.
A woman caught in photos riding a manatee at Fort De Soto Park turned herself in Tuesday, after the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office launched a high-profile search for her. Ana Gloria Garcia Gutierrez, 52, called into the Pinellas County Communications Center Tuesday afternoon to say that she was the woman seen in photographs riding an endangered manatee. The photos appeared on television and were posted to online news sites, including Patch. Deputies met Gutierrez at her St. Petersburg home Tuesday afternoon, where she claimed she was new to the area and didn't realize it was illegal to touch sea cows. The mammals are more commonly seen this time of year because it is their breeding season, where they head to shallower waters to mate. The…
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office is searching for a woman seen riding and handling a manatee, an endangered species.
The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office is asking the public for helping in identifying and finding a woman spotted astride a manatee in the waters off Fort De Soto Park Sunday. Deputies responded to a call from park rangers at Fort De Soto that a woman was riding a manatee in the waters north of the Gulf Pier. The woman was unable to be found when deputies arrived, but witnesses were able to provide descriptions and photos of the woman, which also were posted to Facebook. According to a post on the Friends of Fort De Soto Facebook page, the manatees that the woman was riding were mating at the time of the incident. One of the commenters wrote: "I was shocked when I saw this lady in the water with the Manatees that were mating, It got worse …
Sunday, September 23, 2012
We want to see your photos! We know we live in paradise and part of that is enjoying a beautiful sunset everyday. Starting today, we want you to send in your sunset photos from around the area and every Sunday, we'll share it on Gulfport Patch.
Welcome to your Sunday Sunset, a weekly photo feature that reminds us to take a moment and appreciate what it means to live in Gulfport. I always LOVE when readers and Facebook friends send in sunset photos but I decided to pick out a photo I snapped earlier this month. I took a photo of the sun setting at Fort De Soto park the night Friends of Fort De Soto released 40 baby Loggerhead turtles into the bay on September 6, 2012. The view was beautiful and the evening was one of the most memorable nights of my life. Watching the baby turtles start their journey was incredible. If you haven't already, check out the video I shot that night. If you would like to submit a photo for our next "Sunday Sunset", email it to the editor at cherlene.…
Friday, September 7, 2012
Volunteers released 40 baby Loggerhead turtles after sunset Thursday night at Fort De Soto Park. We caught the little guys heading out to sea on video!
Children cheered and volunteers quizzed the crowd about turtle facts Thursday night at Fort De Soto Park. About three dozen onlookers came out, mostly from reading a post on the Friends of Fort De Soto Park's Facebook page, to watch 40 baby Loggerhead turtles start their journey out to sea. Park Supervisor Jim Wilson says they have about 50 turtle nests at Fort De Soto alone. Wilson added that they are always looking for more volunteers to help with their efforts. For more information check out the group's Facebook page. Contact organizers by emailing friendsoffortdesoto@gmail.com.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Fort De Soto, Fred Howard and Sand Key close due to rough surf and tidal flooding.
If you had any plans to take a gander at the rough seas at Fort DeSoto or another popular Pinellas County beach, you're out of luck. Pinellas County closed Fort De Soto, Fred Howard and Sand Key because of the unsafe surf from Tropical Storm Debby. Pinellas County Parks and Conservation Resources Department temporarily closed portions of Fort De Soto, Fred Howard and Sand Key. Park staff are monitoring the beaches and hope to open the parks Wednesday.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Just as he did before, Bob Worthington invited my husband and me to catch our dinner!
It's that time of year again! It's time to go shrimping according to Bob Worthington! As I've explained it to my friends and family, it time to create the perfect shrimp Alfredo from the very first step, catching my shrimp one at time. That's right, one by one, filling my bucket with small, medium and large shrimp. Trust me, it isn't easy! Last year lifelong Gulfport resident Bob Worthington invited my husband and me out to go "shrimping" near Fort DeSoto Park in Boca Ciega Bay. We went and we had fun. Of course, I caught the least amount of shrimp, but Bob and my husband praised me for trying. This year, when Bob invited us again! Worthington provided the boat ride, equipment and full demonstration on how to catch shrimp with the Ozello …
Cherlene Willis
10:19 am on Friday, May 10, 2013
Guess what everyone! I just heard from Pinellas County that the parking fees will be waived ALL DAY on Saturday! Originally, it was just for guests who arrived before 10 a.m. I updated the article above! - Cherlene more ›