Antonio Brown, a former wide receiver with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has yet to turn himself in to authorities after the Tampa Police Department issues a warrant for his arrest Thursday. According to police, the seven-time Pro Bowler was allegedly involved in a verbal altercation with the victim at a home in South Tampa last week. The Bucs released Brown in January after he dramatically walked off the field during a game against the New York Jets. He is now wanted for battery by the TPD.
Hunter Smith, founder and CEO of Phospholutions, was recently named to the Forbes 30 under 30 list. He founded the Pennsylvania-based sustainable fertilizer startup as a student at Penn State and moved to St. Petersburg in 2020. In May, Swisher opened a local office on Central Avenue. According to Forbes, Phospholutions has raised $22 million in combined equity and debt financing.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) red tide update Friday, low concentrations of Karenia brevis, the organism that causes red tide, were again detected around Pinellas County. Meanwhile, harmful algal blooms are rampant across Sarasota County. The FWC reports respiratory irritation and fish kills related to red tide from Collier County north to Manatee County.
The South Florida Chapter of the Huntington’s Disease Society of America (HDSA) will host its Team Hope Walk at Tampa’s Lowry Park. The release states that Team Hope is HDSA’s largest national grassroots event, taking place in over 100 cities and raising more than $20 million since its inception in 2007. Huntington’s is a fatal genetic disease affecting the brain’s nerve cells, and compared to having ALS, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease simultaneously. The walk begins at 10 a.m. Saturday at 7525 North Blvd. in Tampa, Shelter 120. For more information, visit the website here.
The City of St. Petersburg has received four proposals in response to the Historic Gas Plant District request for proposals (RFP). The proposals were submitted by: 50 Plus 1 Sports, Hines and Tampa Bay Rays (a joint proposal), Restoration Associates and Sugar Hill Community Partners. Today, Dec. 2, was the deadline to submit proposals. "We commend 50 Plus 1 Sports, Hines & Tampa Bay Rays, Restoration Associates, and Sugar Hill Community Partners for their diligent efforts to submit proposals that will fuel inclusive progress and equitable development for future generations who will live, visit and do business in our city," St. Petersburg Mayor Kenneth Welch said in the city's news alert. "We will review the proposers' plans with a keen eye on their interpretation of affordable and workforce housing; office and meeting space; arts and culture; research, innovation, and education; recreation; open space, healthy and sustainable development; and intentional equity. We look forward to engaging the community as we determine the future of this historically and economically vital part of St. Petersburg, and the Tampa Bay region." All proposals will be posted on the City's website after an expeditious review by City staff to ensure that each proposal is ADA compliant. The selection process will also include a community presentation on Jan. 4 at the Coliseum. A final decision will be announced by Welch at his first State of the City address scheduled at the end of January.
The Tampa Bay Rays are unable to hold Spring Training in Port Charlotte next year due to Hurricane Ian. The team has played its spring ball at that Charlotte Sports Park since 2009. According to a statement, Charlotte County and team officials will develop a restoration plan for the facility in the coming weeks. MLB.com reports that the Rays could play Grapefruit League games at Tropicana Field, but likely need a larger space with multiple fields for workouts.
What organizers have billed as Tampa Bay’s biggest World Cup watch party will take over Jannus Live starting at 9 a.m. Saturday morning. The event - co-hosted by American Outlaws St. Petersburg, the Tampa Bay Rowdies, The Galley and Mary Margaret’s Irish Pub - brought thousands to Williams Park last week. The U.S. Men’s National Team takes the pitch against the Netherlands at 10 a.m. in the knockout round.
St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway told city council members that his department continues to aid communities devasted by Hurricane Ian during Thursday morning’s update. He said a contingent of one sergeant and six officers would continue rotating shifts in Sanibel Island through Christmas. An influx of contractors clearing debris and repairing homes in the area has led to a surge in burglaries, explained Holloway. At one point, he said local officials reported 200 thefts of equipment and supplies in just one week.
The Tampa International Airport is asking for the public to come up with a name for the towering flamingo structure that's installed inside the main terminal. The winner of the naming contest will win free tickets from Silver Airways and VIP passes to Busch Gardens. People can enter the contest here.
Officials with the Cross-Bay Ferry announced they are changing the Sunday schedule to meet riders’ needs. Starting Dec. 11, the first ferry service of the day will launch from St. Petersburg at 10 a.m., with its new final departure time from the city at 4:45 p.m. The last departure from Tampa is now 6:15 p.m. Sunday. Additionally, the ferry will run Jan. 16 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day - since it cannot provide service Jan. 28 due to Gasparilla restrictions.
The Florida Department of Transportation (District Seven) is hosting a virtual public meeting on Dec. 8 to cover the proposed access changes of Alt US 19 (5th Ave N.) from 6th Street to Tyrone Boulevard and from 22nd Street N. to 55th Street. The proposed project will repave 5th Avenue N., close medians to vehicular traffic at four intersections and add several pedestrian crossings as well as sidewalk improvements, according to the city's media alert. Community members can attend the public meeting in one of three formats - virtually, in-person drive-thru location or by phone. The presentation will be played at 5 p.m. and replayed at 5:30 p.m. Those attending in-person can travel to Childs Park at 4301 13th Ave. S. Those attending virtually are referred to the following link: http://bitly.ws/vMv5.
In honor of the franchise’s 25th anniversary, Tampa Bay Rays officials announced they will open single-game ticket sales for the 2023 season to the general public Friday, Dec. 2. Fans can purchase tickets through the MLB Ballpark app and RaysBaseball.com beginning at 2 p.m. Friday. In addition, home game times for the 2023 season are now available at RaysBaseball.com/Schedule. Opening Day of the 25th-anniversary campaign is March 30 at Tropicana Field against the Detroit Tigers at 3:10 p.m.
