5 Things to Know Today: Help a Neighbor

Help a Neighbor: The Gulfport Neighbors are asking for your help. A volunteer effort is being put together for Saturday at 5200 8th Ave S. in Gulfport starting at 8 a.m. The nonprofit group has learned that a neighbor is in distress and needs help on a very large home project. More details are listed on the Announcement on Gulfport Patch. For more information, contact Doug Hudson at 727-744-9248.

Early Voting: In Pinellas County, early voting will be conducted Jan. 21-28 in all three Supervisor of Elections offices. Hours will be Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.- 6 p.m., and Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. The last day for early voting is Saturday, Jan. 28, per a new state law. Early voting locations:

• County Building (Annex Conference Room) 501 First Ave. N. St. Petersburg, 33701
• Election Service Center 13001 Starkey Road, Largo, 33773
• Pinellas County Courthouse 315 Court St., Room 117, Clearwater, 33756

Concessions on the Beach, Renting Pavilions: During the Gulfport City Council Workshop Thursday afternoon, City Council agreed to move forward with allowing a vendor to provide concession services such as Kayak/Canoe/Standup Paddle Rentals at the Gulfport Beach. They also discussed and decided to move forward with establishing a beach pavilion rental policy.

Council Moves Foward: Gulfport City Council members moved forward with allowing open container and alcohol consumption in certain areas in downtown Gulfport during special events. The proposal includes allowing alcohol within an area that is included within Beach Blvd. and Shore Blvd. from 54th Street South to 56th St. South.

Friday Forecast: Grab your umbrella! We have a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms. Otherwise, it'll be mostly cloudy with a high near 74. Expect a south southwest wind 9 to 15 mph becoming northwest. Winds could gusts as high as 21 mph. Tonight, it'll be partly cloudy with a low around 57.