Coffee in hand, Clearwater? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Mahjong Open Play In Clearwater and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: Why did the girl pig break up with the boy pig? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. Spirit Christmas To Open 4 FL Stores This Holiday Season (patch.com) — Holiday shoppers in Clearwater can look forward to a new Spirit Christmas store opening in the former Stein Mart space on McMullen Booth Road this November, bringing seasonal décor, apparel, and stocking stuffers. The pop-up chain, a spin-off of Spirit Halloween, is entering Florida for the first time with four locations statewide and promises a festive, one-stop shopping experience.
2. Motion filed to stop prior boating incident to be introduced in Clearwater Ferry case (tampabay28.com) — A Clearwater boat captain on trial over a deadly 2025 ferry crash is asking a judge to block jurors from hearing about a separate 2019 boating incident that was later dismissed. His attorneys argue the old case is unrelated, unfairly prejudicial, and could create reversible error, making this motion an important step in how the high‑profile Clearwater ferry trial will unfold.
3. Company settles with Clearwater CRA in erased African-American cemetery case (baynews9.com) — Clearwater's Community Redevelopment Agency and Crum Properties have reached a proposed settlement over the former St. Matthew Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery site at 100 S. Missouri Ave., where hundreds of graves remain. Descendants and the Clearwater Colored Cemetery Society hope the Oct. 12 CRA meeting will finally clarify how the city will honor those buried there and involve families in future plans.
4. Clearwater City Council votes 3-2 to vacate more streets in downtown Clearwater (tampabay28.com) — Clearwater residents just saw their City Council narrowly approve giving up parts of Laura Street, Grove Street, and an alley downtown to support a $200 million EVO Family Entertainment Center tied to the Church of Scientology. The 3–2 vote, despite vocal opposition and a petition drive, clears the way for construction next year and reignites debate over whether downtown streets should stay public or be privatized.
5. Florida Suncoast Live Music Guide: Where to Hear Live Music October 2–4, 2026 (suncoastpost.com) — If you're looking for live music close to home this weekend, Clearwater venues like OCC Road House & Museum and Ruth Eckerd Hall are hosting tribute shows and touring acts from Friday through Sunday. The expanded Suncoast guide also highlights performances from Tampa to Naples, with links so you can double-check times and lineups before heading out.
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Ok Clearwater! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: "Why did the girl pig break up with the boy pig?" — Because he was such a boar! (Thank you Theresa H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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