Twos, a Tampa-based startup that has developed a notetaking app and sharing platform, has launched its own search engine: Twos World. It's a marketplace where users can search for lists and information such as recipe lists and how-tos in the app, according to Grit Daily. The search engine launch comes after Twos raised a $1.4 million pre-seed investment round led by TampaBay.Ventures.
George Lopez has postponed his Thursday performance at the Seminole Hard Rock Event Center in Tampa; according to the venue, the comedian has tested positive for Covid-19. The show has been rescheduled for June 1, 2023.
The Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners unanimously elected a new chair and vice-chair Tuesday during the last scheduled meeting of the year. Janet C. Long will serve as chair, a position she held in 2017. Residents elected Long, a former member of the Florida Legislature, to represent the county’s at-large District 1 in 2012, 2016 and 2020. Kathleen Peters assumes Long’s former role as vice chair. Residents in the county’s single-member District 6 elected Peters to the board in 2018 and reelected the former legislator in November.
Pinellas County Schools (PCS) will open Monday, March 20, 2023, to account for missing a day due to Hurricane Nicole. The school board unanimously decided Tuesday morning to utilize the "non-student" day following Spring Break. District officials closed schools Nov. 10 due to the storm, and the lost day put PCS below the state’s minimum instructional requirements. Hurricane Ian caused county schools to close for four days in September, but the release stated the district does not need to make up that lost time.
St. Petersburg city officials still seek residents to fill several board and committee vacancies. Two openings are available on the Code Enforcement Board, which conducts hearings related to enforcing city codes and ordinances. The Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, responsible for reviewing new incentive strategies and implementing established initiatives, needs three volunteers. Additionally, the Citizens Advisory Committee, Civil Services Board and Community Planning and Preservation Committee each need two new members. To apply, visit the website here.
The beloved St. Petersburg bagel shop Pete's General will open a cafe and bagel store in Ybor City. The shop will be called Pete's and open in spring 2023. It will feature a full coffee bar, bagels, sandwiches, salads, beer and wine. "The idea is to create a community focused space where you can grab your morning coffee, eat lunch and meet your friends for happy hour. We will have lots of community-focused events as well," the owners wrote on Facebook. The shop will overlook a new dog park. The owners said customers can expect to see more information about the shop in the next few weeks.
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office deputies, staff members and volunteers will help nearly 300 families through its “Shop for Santa” event this year. According to Monday’s announcement, over 700 children will benefit from the program. Shoppers will spend about $80,000 raised at the 28th annual “Ride and Run With the Stars” event recently held at Fort DeSoto Park. The release states that while toys are on the wish lists, the families registered with the Christmas Sharing Project desperately need basic necessities.
Cross-Bay Ferry officials announced the opening of a new Community Partner Program Monday that provides marketing to connect downtown St. Petersburg and Tampa businesses with passengers by offering exclusive discounts and deals. According to the release, the free program allows local merchants, museums and attractions to post logos and special offers on the Cross-Bay Ferry Website. Riders redeem offers by showing proof of purchase of a ferry ticket. The release states that a pilot program launched earlier this year attracted over 15 business partners, and officials expect to build on its success.
Tampa Electric and Peoples Gas will move to a new headquarters building in Midtown Tampa in 2025. It will own 11 floors of the Midtown East building, at 1 Midtown Place. With more than 900 employees reporting to this facility, it will be the largest employer in Midtown Tampa, according to TECO's announcement last week. TECO said it conducted an extensive site search and found the new site caters to its needs as it is inland, protecting it from flooding, and is close to interstate I-275, among other factors. “In the heart of the community that our companies have called home for more than a century, our new location will be situated on higher ground and readily accessible to employees at all times, including during storm response, which is an important part of our service to customers,” Archie Collins, president and CEO of Tampa Electric, said in the news release. “This is an investment in resiliency, allowing us to continue to reliably serve our customers as we strive to provide power that’s always on.” The companies have occupied TECO Plaza, 702 N. Franklin St., in downtown Tampa since 1981.
Kirk Ray Smith, former president and CEO of Clearwater-based Hope Villages of America (HVA), resigned earlier this week. His departure follows an emergency board meeting to discuss allegations that he “ranted” at a volunteer committee after they raised $70,000 for an HVA women’s shelter. Melinda Perry, the nonprofit’s chief operating officer, will serve as interim president. The Juvenile Welfare Board stopped funding an HVA family homeless shelter in December 2020 due to management and financial concerns.
This week, Raymond James Ltd., the Canadian-based arm of Raymond James Financial (NYSE: RJF), and Raymond James Trust (Canada) announced the acquisition of Solus Trust. The Vancouver-based company, which provides independent trust and estate planning solutions, manages more than $400 million in assets. The terms of the acquisition were not disclosed, but the deal will combine Canada's largest independent trust company with Canada's largest independent investment dealer, according to reports.
The Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County (DOH) issued a health alert Friday for Pinellas County beaches due to a red tide bloom along the coast. According to the release, some people may experience mild respiratory symptoms such as eye, nose, and throat irritation. The DOH states that those with asthma or breathing problems might have more severe symptoms that typically dissipate when a person leaves the area. The release also encourages people and their pets to stay away from any dead fish.
