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Colbi Edmonds - Clearwater Reporter
Colbi Edmonds

Clearwater Reporter

I cover Clearwater city government and the Church of Scientology, which has headquarters downtown. I’m interested in everything affecting residents — from City Council votes to the pothole that bugs you on your morning commute. Please reach out with any tips or story ideas! I graduated from Boston University in May 2023 with degrees in journalism and political science, as well as a minor in African American studies. Prior to joining the Times, I was a national reporting fellow at The New York Times.

  1. Clearwater City Attorney David Margolis submits resignation letter
    • Clearwater
    In a resignation letter addressed to the City Council Friday, Clearwater City Attorney David Margolis said he intends for his last day of employment to be in April.
  2. In East Tampa, new neighbors clash with church over redevelopment plans
    • Tampa
    The family behind Deeper Life Christian Church is looking to redevelop its properties in East Tampa. Some neighbors say they're skeptical, after dozens of the family's properties have fallen into disrepair.
  3. Activists honor Scientologist Lisa McPherson 30 years after her death
    • Clearwater
    Activists gathered in Clearwater Friday to honor the life of Lisa McPherson, who died 30 years ago after spending 17 days in the care of the Church of Scientology.
  5. Some Clearwater residents skeptical of AG’s response to Scientology dispute
    • Clearwater
    Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has intervened in a debate between the city of Clearwater and the Church of Scientology.
  6. Why is the state involved in a dispute between Scientology and Clearwater?
    • Clearwater
    Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier sided with the Church of Scientology in a Clearwater land dispute.
  7. Top Scientology donor emerges as a major contributor to Donald Trump
    • Clearwater
    Trish Duggan has been hailed as the top donor to the Church of Scientology. In recent years, her spending has turned political.
  8. Clearwater council member seeks Florida AG guidance on Scientology dispute
    • Clearwater
    Clearwater City Council member David Allbritton said during a meeting Thursday he met with the Church of Scientology before sending a letter to the state attorney general seeking a legal opinion on a land dispute between the city and church.
  9. State bills seek $16M from Clearwater for traffic crash victim
    • Clearwater
    In 2019, a tourist visiting Clearwater was severely injured after a vehicle hit him while he was crossing a busy intersection. Two state legislators have filed bills that would require the city to pay the victim more than $16 million in compensation.
  10. Pinellas commissioner who was hospitalized for a month set to return
    • Pinellas
    Pinellas County Commissioner Chris Latvala was in intensive care the past month, recovering from four surgeries. He said he plans to attend county meetings virtually in November.
  11. Shipping container mini-mall planned north of downtown Clearwater
    • Clearwater
    Prospective businesses for The Grove @ 1105 retail village met with community partners at a networking event on Monday.
  12. Florida executes Plant City’s ‘Deacon of Death’ for murders of 2 women
    • Crime
    Samuel Lee Smithers listens to the proceedings during his sentencing hearing in 1999 in Tampa. Smithers, 72, was executed Tuesday. In 1998, a jury found Smithers guilty of killing Christie Elizabeth Cowan and Denise Elaine Roach, Tampa sex workers who were found dead in a pond in east Hillsborough County.
  13. Fearing Trump crackdown, Tampa ends Racial Reconciliation Committee
    • Tampa
    The Tampa City Council dissolved the Racial Reconciliation Committee Thursday, following guidance from a city attorney.
  14. Pinellas Commissioner Latvala in recovery after surgery, family says
    • Pinellas
    Pinellas County Commissioner Chris Latvala is in the hospital, but his father told the Tampa Bay Times he is expected to make a full recovery.
  15. DeSantis dedicates portion of Clearwater Trail to Hulk Hogan
    • Clearwater
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  16. How much would it cost Clearwater to leave Duke Energy? City works toward answer
    • Clearwater
    “The study before us shows something remarkable,” said Clearwater City Council member Ryan Cotton about the idea of the city leaving Duke Energy. “We have an opportunity to do good things every day, to do great things now and then, but this is one of those rare opportunities to do something monumental.”
  17. Clearwater study says leaving Duke could drop residents’ electric bills
    • Business
    Vehicles are parked under Duke Energy’s high-voltage transmission lines on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, in a designated parking area at Starkey Market in New Port Richey.
  18. State Democrat joins in seeking to scrutinize psychotropic medication
    • The Buzz on Florida Politics
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  19. The Tampa Bay Rays will have new owners. Here’s what we know
    • Rays
    Tampa Bay Rays players celebrate a victory on Sept. 4. Major League Baseball this week approved the sale of the team to a group led by Jacksonville-based developer Patrick Zalupski.
  20. Tampa Bay leaders react to MLB approving Rays sale: ‘renewed optimism’
    • Rays
    Major League Baseball approved a roughly $1.7 billion sale of the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday, and the deal is expected to be finalized this week.
  21. Tampa Bay governments face waiting game after DOGE audits
    • The Buzz on Florida Politics
    Blaise Ingoglia, Florida’s chief financial officer, speaks about the state's DOGE effort during a news conference at St. Petersburg City Hall in August. Local governments around Tampa Bay, including St. Petersburg, are waiting for reports on last month's audits.
  22. Pinellas OKs hurricane recovery contract with Mississippi firm
    • Pinellas
    Pinellas County was awarded more than $813 million to distribute to residents recovering from hurricanes, and it approved a contract with a consulting firm Thursday to help manage the funds.
  23. Pinellas County begins beach renourishment without federal support
    • Pinellas
    Pinellas County has begun beach renourishment for the first time since 2018. Officials are still working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to loosen requirements for funding assistance.
  24. St. Pete residents to pay more for their utilities starting Oct. 1
    • St. Petersburg
    Most St. Petersburg residents can expect an 8-10% increase in their utility bills starting Oct. 1.