🌱 School Meal Program Terminated + City Hall Construction Update

Hello, it's Kristen, your host of the Dunedin Daily — back in your inbox with the top news for today!

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First, today's weather:

Partly sunny. High: 91 Low: 75.

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Here are the top three stories in Dunedin today:

1. The Pinellas County School District announced that the Free School Meals for All nationwide program has been terminated, which will affect meal prices at some schools for the 2022-23 school year. School breakfast will remain free for Pinellas County Schools students and Community Eligible Program (CEP) schools will continue to serve free lunch to all students. Non-CEP schools, including Dunedin High School, will return to regularly priced lunches. Students can still apply for free and reduced meal benefits online beginning August 1. (PCSB | Pinellas County Schools via Facebook)
2. Pinellas County has received a $1.5 million grant to help offset the costs of purchasing the Gladys E. Douglas Preserve. The 44-acre preserve is located at Keene Road and Virginia Avenue and is the largest piece of open land in Pinellas County. The city purchased the property last year with plans to unite the preserve with a bordering 55-acre lake, currently owned by the Southwest Florida Water Management District. Combined, they'll be able to create a nearly 100-acre public park with just under 15 acres preserved to protect animals and plant life found in the area. (St. Pete Catalyst)
3. The new City Hall construction moved to Phase 3 congruently with Phase 2 on Monday, June 20. Phase 2 of the project will address the western areas of Wood Street and Milwaukee Avenue while Phase 3 will address a portion of Virginia Street. For this reason, you can expect traffic delays in the area as Virginia Street will be impacted. Construction is still expected to be finished by the end of this year. (Dunedin Gov | City of Dunedin via Facebook)

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Today in Dunedin:

• Pop Performance kids' class at Creative Keys Music School (11 a.m.)
• Canva Lunch at The Hub (noon)
• Kids' Canvas Class at Art from the Heart Cafe (3 p.m.)
• Bradenton Marauders vs Dunedin Blue Jays at TD Ballpark (6 p.m.)
• Dunedin Toastmasters meeting at Unity Community Church (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• The SPCA of Tampa Bay would like you to meet Hatcher, the 10-year-old senior pup who has been at their shelter since April. He's in search of a loving home to retire to and would love a family who can provide him with some basic training and lots of treats. How can you resist those big blue eyes? (SPCA Tampa Bay via Facebook)
• In honor of National Go Fishing Day (which was on Saturday), the City of Dunedin wants to remind residents to get a fishing license before taking the fishing rods out of storage. Fishing access is available at the Dunedin Causeway, Dunedin Marina and Weaver Park. (City of Dunedin via Facebook)
• Reminder: Registration is going on now for this year's Kiwanis Midnight Run. Sign up for either the live race happening on July 3 or the virtual option which begins June 24. More details can be found at the link. (Kiwanis Midnight Run)
• Did you miss Dunedin's Juneteenth Celebration this weekend? Check out some of the photos posted online, captioning the post with: "Dunedin, we are delightfully different." (City of Dunedin via Facebook)
• The Friends of the Island Parks have spotted a second sea turtle nest on Caladesi Island this season! You can see some of the photos they shared of their evidence online. (Friends of the Island Parks via Facebook)
• The City of Dunedin asks boat owners not to wait for a Tropical Storm or Hurricane Warning to secure their boat. Listen to weather forecasts and plan ahead. Haul out your boat or add additional lines as soon as a tropical storm or hurricane watch is issued. This will typically give you 48 hours before the anticipated onset of storm winds and will allow you to safely secure your boat. (Dunedin Gov | City of Dunedin via Facebook)

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• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (June 23)
• Gallery of Fun Finds Grand Opening of Unique, Vintage Garden Shed (June 25)
• Taxes in Retirement Seminar (June 27)
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• Dreaming of an Exotic Vacation? Call M and D Travel-Dream Vacations Today!! (Details)
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That's it for today. I'll be in your inbox tomorrow with a new update!