Pinellas County voters have until 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24, to request a mailed ballot. Residents can request ballots online or by calling (727) 464-8683. Voters can return ballots at one of 21 secure locations countywide through Nov. 3, or one of three Supervisor of Elections Offices by 7 p.m. on Election Day (Nov. 5).
WalletHub compared 330 U.S. cities with at least one college or professional baseball team across 31 sport-related metrics, including ticket prices and engagement, to determine the best places for fans. St. Petersburg ranked 2nd among midsize cities and 14th overall. The city placed in the top 10 for the Tampa Bay Rays’ performance (3rd), average ticket price (7th) and fan engagement (9th).
Pinellas County officials have partnered with the City of Largo to gather public feedback that will help shape local housing and community development goals over the next five years. The Consolidated Plan for 2025-2029 will outline countywide priorities for the Community Block Grant, HOME Investment Partnerships and Emergency Solutions Grant Programs that assist low and moderate-income residents and their neighborhoods. To participate in the online Community Needs Assessment, visit the website here. To complete the online Fair Housing Survey, visit the website here.
The Tampa Bay Rowdies recently announced that the team will play its final two regular season home games at IMG Academy in Bradenton. However, only season ticket holders can attend Wednesday and Saturday’s matches due to the school’s limited seating capacity. Impacts from Hurricanes Helene and Milton force the Rowdies to relocate from their typical waterfront home at St. Petersburg’s Al Lang Stadium.
Star wide receiver Chris Godwin will not play another down for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this season after suffering a gruesome ankle dislocation Monday night in the final minute of a 41-31 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Fellow star wide receiver Mike Evans left the game with a hamstring injury in the first half. The Bucs placed starting cornerback Jame Dean on injured reserve Monday afternoon, and safety Tykee left the game with a concussion in the second quarter. The team is now 4-3 on the season with a depleted wide receiving corps and defensive backfield ahead of a key divisional matchup Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons.
Clearwater-based Hope Villages of American will host its annual “Faces of Domestic Violence” Nov. 14 at the Central Park Performing Arts Center in Largo. The local nonprofit postponed the event, originally scheduled for Oct. 15, due to Hurricane Milton. Faces of Domestic Violence showcases stories of resilience and runs from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. For more information, visit the website here.
The City of St. Petersburg has launched a new interactive Debris Collection Map to provide residents with real-time updates on the cleanup process. The announcement coincides with crews collecting over 100,000 cubic yards of debris following Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Officials plan to complete the extensive process within 90 days. To view the map, visit the website here.
Front Office Sports recently named University of South Florida Athletics one of the nation’s best college sports departments. USF joined Clemson University, the University of Oregon, the University of Oklahoma, Fairfield University, Old Dominion University and Wake Forest University on the list. Front Office Sports credited USF for raising $42 million this year and “investing heavily in its facilities, including a new 35,000-seat stadium.”
WalletHub recently compared the nation’s 100 largest cities across 28 “key green indicators,” like greenhouse gas emissions per capita and water quality, to determine its annual “Greenest Cities in America” list. St. Petersburg placed 84th, 14 spots below Tampa. The personal finance platform ranked St. Pete 26th for overall environmental efforts; however, the city placed 90th out of 100 for energy sources and 79th in transportation.
As of Thursday, 98, 619 Pinella County residents have applied for individual assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for Hurricane Milton, and 67,289 applied for Hurricane Helene. The agency has distributed over $80.6 million for Helene and $26.3 million for Milton. At least 12,560 homes were damaged during Milton; Helene impacted 28,350 residences.
The Enoch D. Davis Center at 1111 18th Ave. S. in St. Petersburg serves as a one-stop-shop for residents seeking disaster assistance; it also provides air conditioning, a place to charge devices and, typically, hot meals. Local, state and federal government officials have partnered to open a Multiagency Resource Center at Enoch Davis from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m., seven days a week. Participating organizations include the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, the Department of Insurance Regulation and the Department of Children and Families.
City officials announced Friday that they have committed to collecting a “massive” amount of storm-related debris within 90 days. Crews have cleared 47,000 cubic yards since Hurricane Helene, and 67 city trucks and 61 contracted haulers will continue working seven days a week. Hometown Recovery Haulers have completed over 2,200 debris pickups in some of St. Petersburg’s hardest-hit areas.
