Vote to Change 911 Dispatch is Jan. 15

Under the proposed change, firefighters and paramedics would no longer both be dispatched to minor 911 calls, such as those about a fall or a sick person.

Next week, Pinellas County Commissioners are scheduled to vote on a resolution that will change the way firefighters and ambulances respond to emergency 911 calls throughout the county. The vote is the third phase in Pinellas County's effort to streamline its 911 dispatch system. In September, the Largo City Commission supported Pinellas County Administrator Bob LaSala's recommendation to dispatch just Sunstar ambulances on certain calls for emergency service. "We have the Cadillac of systems in Pinellas County, and we can no longer afford it. We need to get costs under control," said Pinellas County Commissioner Susan Latvala. Under the proposed change, firefighters and paramedics, or "first responders," would no longer both be dispatched…

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Largo Recycles Christmas Trees

Largo offers a curbside Christmas tree recycling program.

When you are ready to say good-bye to your live Christmas tree, Largo offers a tree recycling program. Decoration-free trees should be placed by the curb on your regular recycling day from Dec. 26 until Jan. 8. Trees should not be wrapped in a plastic bag. Call (727) 587-6760 for more information. Pinellas Park residents can drop trees off at 12950 40th St., Pinellas Park. Call (727) 541-0711 for more information. Belleair Bluffs and Seminole residents can place their trees curbside on their regular trash day. The tree won't be recycled but it will be picked-up. For more information Belleair Bluffs residents can call (727) 584-2151 and Seminole residents can call (727) 397-6383. Check with Pinellas County Utilities for more tree recycling …

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Largo's Sahara Deli Is Mediterranean Oasis

A new Largo grocery store and deli offers a wide selection of food from the Middle East.

A new Largo grocery store and deli provides the community with flavorful and healthy foods from the Middle East. Sahara Mediterranean Foods & Deli, on West Bay Drive, sells a wide selection of foods from the Middle East, Greece, Bulgaria and Turkey.  "People like the healthy foods like tabouli, gyros, falafel and grape leaves," said Sahara co-owner Omar Younes. Younes, who is from Lebanon, loves sharing specialties from his home region with the greater Largo and Belleair Bluffs community. Sahara's deli counter offers hot pita wraps including gyros, broiled chicken pitas, kebabs, Greek salads, hummus, meat platters, freshly baked vegetarian pies and more. Plus, there is ample space to sit at booths and dine in the deli with music and photos…

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New Business on the Block

A Sick Family Pet Inspires New Belleair Bluffs Business

Munchies Natural Pet Food opened its second location in August. The original Oldsmar location is now joined by a new Belleair Bluffs store.

Ann Hurley's childhood pet dog had some health issues, so the family took him to the veterinarian, where they learned the problem was the dog's diet. "We learned there were corn and fillers in the food ... and we started buying the good food," she said. Some 20 years later, when Ann Hurley's mom, Carla Wiza, wanted to start her own business, the family decided to sell the types of healthy pet foods they had purchased for years. So Wiza bought her first Munchies Natural Pet Foods location in Oldsmar around 2006 from its previous owner. In August, the Palm Harbor family branched out and opened a second location in Belleair Bluffs on West Bay Drive. The new store is owned by Hurley and her husband, Chad. The pet supply store carries premium …

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Three New Shops Come to Antique Alley in Belleair Bluffs

The row of stores offers one-stop shopping for unique gifts and home furnishings.

Three new shops opened recently in Antique Alley along Indian Rocks Road.  Junk in the Trunk, which sells repurposed furniture and home decor, is the collaborative effort of mom Julie Quinn and her two daughters, Meagan and Heather Quinn.   "My mom has done this ... she has given us the creative gene," said Meagan Quinn, pointing to the showroom filled with cheerful and versatile home furnishings.  The shop is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Call (727) 772-3925 or email for more information. Roadside Attraction showcases the work of at least a dozen artists and allows customers to create their own art with drop-in craft projects and scheduled classes. Proprietor Carol Cortright said she always wanted to have …

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42 Chickens Found at Belleair Bluffs Home

The owner voluntarily surrendered the chickens, which were not neglected or harmed, officials said.

The SPCA Tampa Bay in Largo handles more than just the welfare of cats and dogs. Wednesday afternoon the SPCA medical staff was checking 42 chickens and roosters, which were found at a Belleair Bluffs home. The owner surrendered most of the chickens to the SPCA. Someone called the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office complaining about "odor" coming from the Belleair Bluffs home. Then the SPCA was called, and they found the chickens inside and outside of the house. When animals are surrendered by owners the SPCA finds homes for them unless they are not adoptable for behavioral or medical reasons. In the case of chickens, the SPCA has a farm it works with for placement of chickens and roosters. The owner of the chickens was just "overwhelmed," …

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