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Tampa Bay homebuyers must now make six figures

According to a study by Redfin, residents in the Tampa Bay metro area must earn 62.4% more than they did last year to buy a home. The real estate platform’s statistics show that in 2021, homebuyers needed to make $62,615 annually. That number is now up to $101,682. Tampa residents saw the nation’s fourth-largest increase, and eight Florida cities made the top 15.

Frontier launches nonstop connection to St. Louis

Denver-based Frontier Airlines is launching its nonstop service today, Nov. 16, from Tampa International Airport to St. Louis. The new nonstop connection will be offered four times weekly. Frontier now serves 18 nonstop destinations from TPA. The introductory fares start at $49. 

County provides $8 million for PSTA terminal

The Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners allocated $8 million Tuesday to help the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) build its long-planned downtown Clearwater transit center. Officials expect construction to begin next year. According to a release, PSTA lowered its original ask of $15 million after securing additional funding. The project’s cost increased from $34 million to nearly $45 million, and the county money - not available until PSTA exhausts other funding - will help close that gap.

Local organizations host World Cup watch parties

The City of St. Petersburg, in collaboration with several local partners, is hosting three watch parties as the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team is back in the World Cup. The events take place Nov. 21, 25 and 29 in Williams Park, located at 350 2nd Ave. N. Gates open at 11 a.m., with the Tampa Bay Rowdies hosting a kids zone with player meet and greet sessions. All matches kick off at 2 p.m., and the watch parties feature an 18-foot screen, surround sound, food, drinks and live music. For tickets and more information, visit the website here.

Climate First Bank purchases social justice platform

St. Petersburg-based Climate First Bancorp, the holding company for Climate First Bank, announced Tuesday it purchased the climate and social justice fintech platform developed by the startup Ecountabl. The platform indexes data on over 10,000 companies, analyzing environmental, social and governance performance to help customers track how their purchases with brands align with their personal values. The purchase closed Oct. 31. As a result, two Ecountabl co-founders joined the OneEthos team, a digital banking fintech operation under the Climate First Bancorp umbrella. Andy Burr, Ecountabl CEO, was named Chief Growth Officer of OneEthos. Additionally, Justin Bretting, Ecountabl CTO, was named CTO of OneEthos, according to the announcement. Details of the financial terms of the purchase were not disclosed. 

City officials break ground on firefighter memorial

Mayor Ken Welch, Fire Chief James Large and city council members participated in a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday morning for a new memorial honoring St. Petersburg’s firefighters who died in the line of duty. MGA Sculpture Studio is constructing the memorial, located on the east shore of Demens Landing Park and overlooking Tampa Bay. According to a press release, the memorial features a bell, obelisk, aluminum plate, flag and bunker gear to symbolize the dedication, commitment and collective spirit of the city’s firefighters.

St. Pete welcomes military retirees

SmartAsset recently listed St. Petersburg as its 13th-best city for military retirees. The financial information platform compared the nation’s 200 largest cities according to eight metrics across three categories: military retirement friendliness, veteran resources and economic environment. St. Pete was the only city in the top 25 to score a perfect 100 in the friendliness score. Anchorage, Alaska, came in first, while Port St. Lucie was the second-highest-rated city in Florida at 22.

Bucs make history in Germany

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Seattle Seahawks 21-16 Sunday at Allianz Arena in Germany, the NFL’s first game in the country. Quarterback Tom Brady also made history in the win, becoming the first quarterback to win an NFL game in three different countries outside of the U.S. He previously won two games in London and one in Mexico City as a New England Patriot. The Bucs improve to 5-5 on the season and head into their bye week atop the NFC South division.

St. Pete Catalyst has Run Fest race results and more

The 2022 St. Pete Run Fest is in the history books - find all the race results on the Catalyst's Run Fest results page. And there's still time to sign up for your exclusive Run Fest 5th anniversary NFT, courtesy of Cityverse. Click here to find out how.

Rowdies’ Fernandes named MVP

Leo Fernandes, an attacking midfielder for the Tampa Bay Rowdies, was named the USL Championship’s Most Valuable Player. Receiving the MVP award caps a stellar year for Fernandez that saw the six-year Rowdies veteran lead the league in combined goals and assists. The team’s longest-tenured player is the first to win the USL MVP since the club joined the USL in 2017.

Red tide increases around Tampa Bay

According to the latest Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) red tide update, toxic algal blooms have increased around Tampa Bay. Samples collected in Manatee County and the mouth of Tampa Bay now show medium concentrations of Karenia brevis - the organism that causes red tide - with low levels persisting off Bunces Pass. The FWC also reports fish kills and respiratory irritation due to high concentrations in Sarasota County. The red tide forecast map, created in conjunction with the University of South Florida College of Marine Science, predicts variable movement “with net southern transport in most areas over the next 3.5 days.”

City officials name Honored Veterans

While the City of St. Petersburg postponed its annual Veterans Day Celebration at Williams Park due to Hurricane Nicole, officials recently named this year’s Honored Veteran Award recipients. John Green, an aviation survival technician in the Coast Guard, played a critical role in the night rescue of 51 people aboard a burning oil rig. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his efforts. Pat Mack, a St. Pete native, received the Bronze Star and several other awards during a long career with the Navy. He has since relocated his data analytics company to the city and strives to provide opportunities for underserved populations. The awards ceremony is now set for Friday, Dec. 9, at 8 a.m. in Williams Park.

The St. Pete Catalyst

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