A long-planned Sweetgreen location has opened in St. Petersburg’s Edge District. The Los Angeles-based salad chain now occupies a 1,975-square-foot space at 1114 Central Avenue that seats 40 diners inside and 16 outside. Sweetgreen is open daily from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m., and, in addition to its popular salads, offers warm bowls, protein plates and sides.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced Monday that President Joe Biden has made additional disaster assistance available for Florida to bolster recovery efforts in areas affected by Hurricane Milton. The federal cost-share for debris removal and other emergency measures, including direct assistance, is now 100% for 120 days “of the state’s choosing within the first 180 days from the start of the incident period.”
The University of South Florida announced today that it received a record-breaking $738 million in research funding during fiscal year 2024. That represents a 7% year-over-year increase and a 35% spike since 2022. The windfall coincides with USF’s first full fiscal year as a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities.
L.J. Govoni has stepped down as president of Clearwater-based Big Storm Brewing after his father and co-owner, Leo Govoni, was accused in court of embezzling $100 million in trust fund money for people with severe disabilities. The elder Govoni founded the St. Petersburg-based Center for Special Needs Trust Administration, which has since filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. L.J. Govoni announced his resignation in a Friday afternoon LinkedIn post that did not mention his father.
WalletHub compared the nation’s 100 largest cities across 38 metrics, including volunteer hours completed per capita and percentage of income donated to charities, to determine its annual “Most Caring Cities in America” report released Monday. St. Petersburg placed 55th, four spots below Tampa. However, St. Petersburg’s “caring for the vulnerable” ranking (No. 35) far surpassed its sister city (No. 58). Virginia Beach placed first.
ReliaQuest Bowl officials announced Sunday that the University of Alabama and University of Michigan football teams will conclude their seasons in Tampa on New Year’s Eve. The 39th annual bowl game kicks off at noon in Raymon James Stadium. Officials claim the local postseason tradition has generated an estimated $1.2 billion economic impact.
The Downtown St. Pete Lighted Boat Parade begins at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the St. Petersburg Municipal Marina. Ideal locations to view the procession of illuminated boats include the St. Pete Pier, the Vinoy Yacht Basin, North Shore Park and Flora Wylie Park. Madeira Beach’s 58th annual Holiday Boat Parade will weave through the city’s canals Dec. 14 before ending at John’s Pass Village.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission water samples have recently found increasing concentrations of Karenia brevis, the organism that causes red tide, around St. Petersburg. However, the only bloom levels were recorded around Pass-a-Grille Beach. Water samples from Maximo Park showed low concentrations. The organism was found in “medium” amounts around Eggmont Key.
St. Petersburg Police officers will give away 150 bicycles, helmets, locks and lights to needy kids at a holiday event today thanks to the generosity of the St. Pete Fools Charities. The nonprofit will also provide food for the families – and the opportunity for positive interactions with officers. The holiday tradition began in Dec. 2019 when St. Pete Fools Club member Alex DeJesus spotted an officer buying a bicycle for a teen at Walmart.
After 14 years as police chief and nearly 31 years with the force, Robert Vincent has retired as Gulfport Police Chief. Vincent has named Commander Joshua Stone to serve as the acting chief of police until a permanent replacement is selected.
St. Petersburg Innovation District officials have invited public stakeholders to participate in their ongoing master planning initiative. Those with an innovative idea, like a new use for an existing building or technological tool, can share their thoughts through an online platform. For more information on the master plan and to add your thoughts, visit the website here.
A recent report found that the median home age in Pinellas County is 45 years, the highest in Florida. Utilizing U.S. Census Bureau data, Today’s Homeowner reported that Miami-Dade County has the state’s second-oldest homes, with a median age of 43. The median age of homes in neighboring Hillsborough, Pasco and Manatee Counties is 32, 33 and 34 years, respectively.
