Email: jared.leone@patch.com
Phone: (727) 252-8886
Hometown: Largo, Fla.
Birthday: June 3
Bio: Jared Leone is the editor of Clearwater Patch. A long-time Largo resident, he has lived in Clearwater since 2008. He worked for the St. Petersburg Times for nearly four years in Clearwater, Carrollwood and downtown Tampa. Before that, he worked as a freelance writer for the Associated Press, the St. Petersburg Times and Tampa Bay Newspapers. He is a graduate of the University of Florida where he wrote for the Independent Florida Alligator. When he is not a newshound he enjoys biking, skateboarding, kayaking and riding his motorcycle.
Politics
I believe in the candidate not the party. I believe the two party system has hurt the country. I think a valid three party, or more, system that incorporates indepedents and other voices helps bolster political discussion. With that in mind, I am registered non-partisan and have taken part in every election since 2000, when I first could vote.
Religion
Casual Jew. I try to keep kosher but only seem to make it to synagogue for the High Holy days.
Local Hot-Button Issues
How will Clearwater maintain the level of service its residents expect while cutting budgets? It is tough to maintain recreation and library and even law enforcement services with dwindling budgets. I look forward to see how Clearwater deals with the challenge while still giving residents what they want. Scientology has been a part of the landscape of Clearwater for more than 30 years. As the religion grows so will the group's membership in and around the city.
What will the future of downtown look like? With Coachman Park, the Main Library and Harborview Center all looking at major changes as well as facelifts on Cleveland Street and condos filling up, will this usher in a downtown renaissance?
A 25-year-old woman suffered a cut to her back after two men knocked her to the ground early Monday morning as she walked home in the High Point area of unincorporated Clearwater.
A Palmetto man critically injured when he was thrown from his motor scooter a few days ago in Bradenton has died.
Manatee County Sheriff's deputies are searching for a man who took two shots at another driver early Sunday morning.
Coast Guard crews rescued four adults and a child after their boat started taking on water about 15 miles west of Clearwater Saturday afternoon.
Coast Guard crews from Air Station Clearwater performed a sea-to-air rescue of a sick boater about 46 miles west of Tarpon Springs late Friday night.
The accelerator on a motorcycle got stuck sending the rider into the back of a car near 18th Street and U.S. 301 Saturday afternoon, according to Sarasota Police. The road was closed at 1:30 p.m. while tow trucks arrived.
A handful of supporters to expand gun background checks met in North Greenwood on the six month anniversary of the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary.
Coast Guard crews at Sector St. Petersburg helped a sick boater about 46 miles west of Tarpon Springs late Friday night.
Coast Guard crews from Air Station Clearwater performed a sea-to-air rescue of a sick boater about 46 miles west of Tarpon Springs late Friday night.
A Chunky Sunday supporter shares her thoughts on the community gathering that occurs Sundays in the North Greenwood neighborhood.
Briarwood RV Park owners met with residents to talked about moving options before the park is redeveloped into a 260-unit apartment complex.
Did you see the hit and run accident near 5th Street and 30th Avenue East Friday afternoon? Find out how to help Florida Highway Patrol investigators find the driver of a grey car involved.
Palm Harbor driver Gary Steven Cook is accused of punching a Clearwater Fire and Rescue investigator. Ron Neuberger says he was trying to find out what went wrong with Cook's car after a crash in Clearwater Wednesday when he was punched.
Palm Harbor driver Gary Steven Cook is accused of punching a Clearwater Fire and Rescue investigator. Ron Neuberger says he was trying to find out what went wrong with Cook's car after a crash in Clearwater Wednesday when he was punched.
It was the first time Ron Neuberger, a Clearwater Fire and Rescue investigator, was punched while helping rescue a victim in 27 years. Find out which other recent story he was also a part of.
Clearwater Police say the man wore a hat and jacket that have "detailed markings" on them. Do you recognize him?
Some members of the Dascaloja Puppeteer troupe offered their thoughts about what they learned from dad before Father's Day.
The world's largest retailer plans to build three stores in Largo including a Neighborhood Market at Ulmerton and Starkey roads by the end of the year.
Find out about the project that is expected to add sanitary sewer service to more than 450 homes in the Idlewild neighborhood at an open house Tuesday.
"No Parking" signs recently installed near some North Greenwood parks may have pushed the Chunky Sunday onto Clearwater Beach.
