Due to safety concerns associated with Tropical Storm Nicole, Creative Pinellas has canceling its Arts Annual "THE PARTY" event Thursday (Nov. 10). Arts Annual events for Friday and Saturday will go on as planned.
Following a call with Pinellas County Emergency Management and the National Weather Service, Pinellas County Schools and district offices have decided to close all schools Thursday as a result of Tropicana Storm Nicole. The county schools will reopen Friday, Nov. 11. All afterschool activities scheduled for Thursday will also be canceled (events scheduled for Nov. 9 and 11 will occur a scheduled), according to PCS's Wednesday announcement. The district will have to schedule a make-up date to meet statutorily required instructional hours.
Randall Russell, the embattled CEO of the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg (FHSP), has resigned following a nearly five-month internal investigation. An emailed statement from Donna Peterson, board chair, stated that the nonprofit accepted Russel's resignation, effective immediately. Peterson said the search for a new president and CEO is now underway, and the Foundation's board will not provide further comment. The board placed Russell, who took the helm in 2015, on administrative leave in June due to unspecified concerns.
The U.S. Attorney for Florida’s Middle District recently indicted Matthew Walker Meredith of St. Petersburg for requesting over $170 million in fraudulent tax refunds. According to the indictment, Meredith, 39, submitted five claims between August 2019 and February 2020 while on supervised release from prison. In November 2019, the IRS issued him a refund check for $6.4 million. Meredith, who now faces 75 years in federal prison, bought several luxury vehicles and a waterfront St. Petersburg mansion with the money.
Clearwater-based AmeriLife Group, a national leader in marketing, and distributing life and health insurance products, announced Monday it will acquire Minneapolis-based TruChoice Financial Group in what's described as an industry-altering deal. The company said it has purchased TruChoice Financial Group and its affiliate Inforce Solutions from Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America. The terms of the deal were not disclosed. It is expected to close on Nov. 30. TruChoice is one of the largest field marketing organizations (FMO) in the financial services industry. Last year, TruChoice covered $2.34 billion in annuity premiums and $21.8 in total life premiums. “Today’s announcement brings together two incredible companies that not only share similar values, but also a deep, unwavering commitment to empowering agents and advisors to help their clients live more financially secure lives,” AmeriLife CEO and chairperson Scott Perry said in a statement. TruChoice is expected to continue working with Allianz Life as an independent distributor.
Golf legends Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy will compete against Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair in December. This will be the seventh edition of "The Match" golf tournament. The 12-hole competition will be played under the lights at the golf club on Dec. 10.
The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) is offering free rides to polling locations Tuesday to help increase voter turnout. Polls opened at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. To find your polling location, visit the website here. To plan a route, visit the PSTA schedule planner here. In addition, PSTA will also offer free rides to military veterans Friday for Veterans Day.
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) is hosting its annual Day of Giving Telethon to raise money for animals in need Nov. 10. According to a release, SPCA’s goal is to raise $120,000 for medical care and to return the animals to their natural habitat or find their “forever homes.” Sponsors will match the community’s donations Thursday, Nov. 10 when they call 844-SPCA-PAW, text “PAW” to 243-725 or donate online at spcatampabay.org. For more information, visit the website here.
Travis Jennings, founder and CEO of Finance CAPE, is the new president of the TIE Tampa Bay chapter, replacing longtime leader Rich Heruska. Jennings has been a charter member for five years and board member for two years. He has also served as a previous mentor, judge and instructor for many TIE programs, according to the chapter. Heruska will continue to serve as a board member.
The University of South Florida's head football coach Jeff Scott has been "relieved of his duties effective immediately," Vice President and Director of Athletics Michael Kelly announced Sunday. Daniel Da Prato, special teams coordinator, will serve as the interim head coach for the remainder of the season. "When Jeff came to Tampa in December of 2019, we had high expectations for where he could take our football program," Kelly said in USF's press release. "While he did so many things right, including rebuilding our culture, pushing forward our Indoor Performance Facility, and engaging our community, the on-the-field results fell well below our standards. He is a tremendous person and class individual, and we wish him, Sara, Savannah and Hunter all the best in the future." USF President Rhea Law also tweeted a statement about his exit. Additionally, Kelly also announced that defensive coordinator and safeties coach Bob Shoop has also been fired and co-defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Ernie Sims will assume leadership of the Bulls' defense.
The Tampa Bay Rowdies’ season ended Saturday night after the club lost 1-0 to Louisville FC in their third consecutive USL Eastern Conference Final. The two teams ended regular time scoreless before Louisville, down a man due to a red card in the 82nd minute, rallied to score in the 108th minute and seal the victory in front of their home crowd at Lynn Family Stadium. Elijah Wynder found the Tampa Bay net deep into extra minutes after the Rowdies failed to clear a corner kick.
The popular Cider Press Cafe, which occupied the corner of the 600 Block of Central Avenue for years before it recently exited, will host a soft opening at its new gastrobar location. The new site in the historic Kenwood neighborhood, at 3118 3rd Ave. N., will have a soft opening next week on Nov. 9. The 2,275-square-foot space was formerly the home of the gay bar, Georgie’s Alibi.
