logo
Months after Helene, popular Treasure Island bar and restaurant to reopen with a bang

Months after Helene, popular Treasure Island bar and restaurant to reopen with a bang

Yahoo27-02-2025

The Brief
Treasure Island's popular bar and restaurant, Ricky T's, is hosting a re-opening block party on Friday night.
The restaurant has been closed since Hurricane Helene flooded it with a nearly nine-foot storm surge, destroying its interior.
The restaurant's owner said that the re-opening is a monumental accomplishment and credits the hard work of his staff for allowing it.
TREASURE ISLAND, Fla. - Workers bolted on Ricky T's sign on Wednesday – a sure sign of things to come on Treasure Island.
"We have food trucks coming here," Ricky T's owner, Brad Piche, said. "We have bands, and we have one hell of a party planned."
The backstory
After five months of rebuilding the popular bar and restaurant from Hurricane Helene's damage, Piche said they're re-opening Friday with a block party.
CLICK HERE:>>>Follow FOX 13 on YouTube
"It's pretty extensive," Piche said about the damage. "When you get a tidal surge of nine feet, we're standing five feet above sea level, so nine feet is four feet up the walls. It brings in the beach sand. It brings in the dirty water flood."
READ: Actress Michelle Trachtenberg found dead in Manhattan apartment
Piche said, "Primarily, everything from five feet and down was destroyed."
Piche said they're building back stronger, installing concrete bars and floodgates, and waterproofing the inside.
What they're saying
As crews continue to work on the building itself, Ricky T's' staff is getting ready for customers.
"We're trying to rally the troops for sure. This is the first staff meeting that we've had in quite some time," Piche said Wednesday about the employee meeting.
"It's more than a business. It's a home, for sure. This is a family business. So, it's not a typical corporate-run place. This is very family-oriented," Piche said. "The people that have been working here, a lot of them, have been here a long time. A lot of our customers and people have been here a long time. So, the relations go a lot deeper."
Piche said the work on the inside is a little behind schedule, but they'll announce the re-opening date for the inside of the restaurant at the party on Friday night.
READ: Trump administration directs agencies to plan for massive layoffs
"It's a big step. It's another chapter moving forward. Everybody's been sort of misplaced for the last four-plus months," Piche said. "Everybody's been trying to find work, find a place to live, get their vehicle situations straightened out. It has been a challenge for everybody."
"It's a big deal for all of us," Piche said about Friday's party. "I think we're excited. The community is excited, and we're expecting it to be a huge success," Piche said.
What's next
The party starts at 4 p.m. on Friday, and the Big Brother Band will start at 6 p.m.
Staff said it's full circle because the storms forced them to cancel Big Brother's concert at Ricky T's in November.
The Source
FOX 13's Kailey Tracy collected the information in this story.
STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA:
Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV
Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android
Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines
Download the SkyTower Radar app
Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Lu, beloved Homosassa Springs hippo, dies at 65
Lu, beloved Homosassa Springs hippo, dies at 65

Yahoo

time4 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Lu, beloved Homosassa Springs hippo, dies at 65

The Brief Lu, a hippo who spent more than 60 years in Citrus County, has died. He was brought to Homosassa Springs in 1964 and appeared in various movies and TV shows. Park officials say Lu will be "deeply missed and forever remembered." HOMOSASSA SPRINGS, Fla. - Lu, a hippopotamus who spent more than 60 years at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, has died, park officials announced late Sunday. The backstory According to the state park's official website, Lu was born at the San Diego Zoo on Jan. 26, 1960, and was brought to Homosassa Springs in 1964. Lu gained popularity in the 1960s as an actor with the Ivan Tors Animal Actors troupe, appearing in various movies and TV series. He was also known for what park officials described as "his calm presence and gentle personality that endeared him to generations of Floridians and visitors alike." What they're saying A statement from the park reads, in part: "For more than 60 years, Lu was not just an animal in the park; he was a friend, a fixture and a treasured member of the community. Children grew up visiting him, and many returned as adults with children of their own to say hello to the gentle giant. His legacy extends beyond his impressive lifespan — he represented the deep connection between people and the animals who inspire wonder, empathy and stewardship. Lu is survived in spirit by the devoted park rangers who cared for him, the millions of visitors whose lives he touched and the wildlife community he helped anchor. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered." Follow FOX 13 on YouTube The Source This story was written with information from Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter

American Coastal Insurance Corporation (ACIC): A Bull Case Theory
American Coastal Insurance Corporation (ACIC): A Bull Case Theory

Yahoo

time5 hours ago

  • Yahoo

American Coastal Insurance Corporation (ACIC): A Bull Case Theory

We came across a bullish thesis on American Coastal Insurance Corporation (ACIC) on Miroslav Štěpánek's Substack. In this article, we will summarize the bulls' thesis on ACIC. American Coastal Insurance Corporation (ACIC)'s share was trading at $11.75 as of 4th June. ACIC's trailing P/E was 7.99 according to Yahoo Finance. An insurance agent at their desk consulting a customer about property & casualty insurance. American Coastal is a Florida-based property insurer that stands out in a typically commoditized industry due to its strategic niche, disciplined underwriting, and exposure to a high-premium market shaped by hurricane risk. Despite operating in a state where insurers have frequently gone bankrupt due to underpricing and fraud, American Coastal has maintained resilience through selective client screening and rigorous risk assessment, especially in its focus on residential-commercial properties with gardens. The company's 2022 combined ratio of 86.5%—even after Hurricane Ian—demonstrated its superior underwriting discipline. Trading at a 2024 P/E of 6.9 and boasting a high-teens free cash flow yield, the stock appears significantly undervalued. The company is now well-capitalized post-separation from UPC, with founder Daniel Peed still on the board despite stepping down as CEO. American Coastal is actively returning capital to shareholders via dividends and opportunistic buybacks and has initiated a $0.50/share dividend, reflecting confidence in its financial health. While core insurance operations are mature, modest organic growth is expected from Florida's demographic shifts, and a new MGU business could generate $20 million in annual profits over time. The hurricane risk remains real, but even recent storms like Helene and Milton only caused a modest financial impact, and major hurricanes may sustain high pricing. Investor sentiment remains cautious due to lingering concerns from its UPC past and weather-driven volatility, but those willing to look past episodic turbulence may find compelling upside. A conservative valuation model suggests potential returns of 2–3x over the next few years, making American Coastal a high-yield, asymmetric value play in a misunderstood niche. Previously, we covered a on RLI Corp. (RLI) by Serhio MaxDividends on Substack, operating within the same industry as ACIC, praising its 50-year dividend growth streak, robust underwriting, and strong balance sheet despite a dip in Q1 earnings. Miroslav Štěpánek's thesis on American Coastal Insurance Corporation (ACIC) offers a more contrarian angle, spotlighting a Florida-focused insurer with disciplined underwriting and a high cash flow yield. While RLI offers stability and long-term compounding, ACIC presents an asymmetric value bet with 2–3x upside potential for those willing to brave weather-driven volatility. American Coastal Insurance Corporation (ACIC) is not on our list of the 30 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. As per our database, 20 hedge fund portfolios held ACIC at the end of the first quarter which was 18 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the risk and potential of ACIC as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an extremely cheap AI stock that is also a major beneficiary of Trump tariffs and onshoring, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 8 Best Wide Moat Stocks to Buy Now and 30 Most Important AI Stocks According to BlackRock. Disclosure: None. This article was originally published at Insider Monkey.

Southern Company's Georgia Power Prepares for a Storm-Heavy 2025
Southern Company's Georgia Power Prepares for a Storm-Heavy 2025

Yahoo

time6 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Southern Company's Georgia Power Prepares for a Storm-Heavy 2025

The Southern Company's SO subsidiary, Georgia Power, is doubling down on efforts to maintain safe and reliable electricity service ahead of the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season amid the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) forecast of above-average storm activity. The utility company has significantly enhanced its storm response capabilities, including investments in smart grid technologies and infrastructure upgrades designed to limit the impact of outages and speed up recovery. Self-healing technology now embedded across the state's power grid allows crews to reroute power and segment a power line, which isolates issues, minimizing the number of affected customers and restoring power faster. This approach proved invaluable during 2024's Hurricane Helene, the most destructive in Georgia Power's history, where it played a key role in accelerating power restoration. Georgia Power is urging all customers to take proactive safety measures this season. From avoiding downed power lines to using generators properly, the company emphasizes that preparation can save lives. To stay informed during emergencies, customers are encouraged to use Georgia Power's digital tools: Outage Alerts: Free text notifications with personalized updates Outage & Storm Center: A 24/7 resource for reporting and tracking outages Outage Map: Real-time statewide view of current outages Mobile App & Social Media: On-the-go access to safety tips, updates and support The utility also reminds drivers to follow Georgia's Move Over Law, giving space to utility crews working roadside during or after storms. In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which left over a million Georgians without power, Georgia Power was honored with the Edison Electric Institute's Emergency Recovery Award. The recognition highlights the extraordinary work of thousands of line workers and support staff who helped rebuild critical parts of the grid, replacing over 11,000 power poles, repairing 1,000 miles of wire and removing more than 3,000 damaged trees. The company informs that as storm threats loom in 2025, Georgia Power stands ready to respond with resilience and innovation. The Southern Company deals with the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity and serves approximately nine million customers through its seven electric and natural gas distribution units. Currently, SO has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Investors interested in the utility sector might look at some better-ranked stocks like EDP, S.A. EDPFY, Engie SA ENGIY and CenterPoint Energy, Inc. CNP. While EDP and Engie currently sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) each, CenterPoint Energy carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. EDP ranks among Europe's major electricity operators, as well as being one of Portugal's largest business groups. EngieSA engages in the power, natural gas and energy services businesses. It operates through Renewables, Networks, Energy Solutions, FlexGen, Retail, Nuclear and Others segments. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ENGIY's 2025 earnings indicates 19.55% year-over-year growth. Houston, TX-based CenterPoint Energy is a domestic energy delivery company that provides electric transmission and distribution, power generation, and natural gas distribution operations. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CNP's 2025 earnings indicates 8.02% year-over-year growth. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Southern Company (The) (SO) : Free Stock Analysis Report CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (CNP) : Free Stock Analysis Report Energias de Portugal (EDPFY) : Free Stock Analysis Report ENGIE - Sponsored ADR (ENGIY) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store