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 car is rear ended and pushed through the Belcher Road and Gulf to Bay Boulevard intersection, making Clearwater Police's latest Red Light Camera Violator of the Week.
Take a moment to enjoy one of the reasons to live in Clearwater.
In an era of e-books, Kindles and e-readers, Tarry and Steve Schaffner decided to retire, recently shuttering the doors to Paperback Palace, home to nearly 100,000 paperback books.
Greg Brown, director of Largo's parks, talked about the popularity of Largo Central Park and its value to the community to a Clearwater neighborhood group recently.
Clearwater neighborhood leaders are interested to build from the success of Largo's park in an effort to rejuvenate beleaguered Crest Lake Park, which some say has suffered since the bathrooms there were welded shut.
Looking for a home to buy? Here are some selling in Clearwater for less than $120,000.
The Humane Society of Pinellas has many pet pals available for adoption including Nami.
Looking for a home to buy? Here are some in Largo for sale for less than $125,000.
Residents can fill out an online survey or attend one of three workshops to share their thoughts on community values and the city's future.
Scott Edward Regan, 44, was arrested and charged with burglary and grand theft at Grace Lutheran Church and burglary at Skycrest United Methodist Church, according to St. Petersburg Police.
Largo Patch readers shared their thoughts about how plans to bring a Walmart Supercenter to the former Crossroads Mall could be worth a potential $300,000 in tax incentive for the retail giant.
Seven residents are needed to serve on the city's Charter Review Committee. Applications are being accepted through March 28.
A landscape designer, mattress and leather store are some of the new businesses opened in Largo through Feb. 23.
After city leaders approved the brownfield designation for the Crossroads site, plans for a Walmart Supercenter were also granted for the area.
The Phillies play the Rays at 1:05 p.m. Saturday, March 9, at Bright House Field.
Phillies ace Cliff Lee pitches against the Twins at 1:05 p.m. Thursday at Bright House Field.
The president of the National Motorists Association, a nonprofit group that protects driver rights, shared his thoughts regarding the city's chance to get out of a contract with red light camera program Redflex Traffic Systems for about $54,000.
After hearing a report regarding the safety and effectiveness of the red light camera program, city leaders decided to continue it and expect to hear another report in six months.
Renderings of an expanded Clearwater Marine Aquarium at City Hall includes what a redeveloped Coachman Park could look like.
Aquarium officials project a possible two million visitors to the downtown area if a $160 million expanded facility at City Hall is built.
