Dave Canales is leaving the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after one season to become the head coach of the Carolina Panthers, an NFC South rival. While Canales has no head coaching experience, and 2023 was his first season calling plays, he is widely credited for helping turn around quarterback Baker Mayfield’s career. Offensive coordinator is a key role for the Bucs, as Todd Bowles is a defensive-minded head coach.
The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) will increase its service Saturday to accommodate the 40,000 people expected to attend World Wrestling Entertainment’s (WWE) Royal Rumble at Tropicana Field. The agency will have 11 buses available and provide free shuttle service through the Downtown Looper. The Flamingo Fares app will also offer $3 unlimited rides and group promotions.
Tampa Bay Innovation Center officials are recruiting early-stage climate tech startups to participate in their accelerator program, which launches in late February. Mentors from ARK Invest, Duke Energy and PODS Moving & Storage will provide industry insight and resources. The accelerator is open to entrepreneurs developing “new products that unlock the environmental and economic potential of clean-tech and climate-tech innovation.” For more information, visit the website here.
Webb’s City Cellar, a tasting room at downtown St. Petersburg’s Green Bench Brewery, is a 2024 James Beard Awards semifinalist in the “Outstanding Bar” category. No other Tampa Bay establishments made the list. The category includes businesses “whose primary offering is beverage and that demonstrates excellence in the preparations of drinks, along with outstanding atmosphere, hospitality and operations, while contributing positively to its broader community.”
The St. Petersburg Police Department has awarded $164,455 to five community youth programs focused on the arts and educational mentorship. The initiative was created to remove economic barriers to participation, divert teens from potential criminal activity and steer them toward positive accomplishments. The funds were awarded to: Shirley Proctor Puller Foundation - $84,455.00 to assist transitioning middle school students to succeed in high school; Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts - $10,000 to provide art education field trips; Great Explorations - $5,000 for educational materials for after-school programs for Title 1 children; Morean Arts Center - $15,000 for scholarships for students to attend art camp; Arts Conservatory for Teens - $50,000 to support staffing to increase youth participation in performance arts.
The popular St. Pete bagel and pastry shop Pete's Bagels is opening a new location in Gulfport. In an Instagram post, the store owners said the new location will feature a walk-up window for bagels, cream cheese and coffee. The owners are converting the space at 1407 49th Street S. into a production warehouse with a pick-up window for customers.
Chantale Begin, a University of South Florida biology professor, and her team, Salty Science, finished first among the women’s division in the “World’s Toughest Row.” The four-person team rowed 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean in less than 39 days, placing seventh overall. Begin visited St. Petersburg’s Maritime and Defense Technology Hub before embarking on the trip in December. Salty Science is the first North American team to win the endurance race.
Smith & Associates Real Estate has added boutique real estate agency Preston & Farley - operated by Marie and Michael Preston - to its team of associates. “By joining forces, our collaboration aims to leverage the unique strengths and expertise of both of our successful agencies," said Marie Preston in a prepared statement.
Mio’s Grill & Café at 119 2nd St. N. in St. Petersburg ranked 12th nationally in Yelp’s recently released “Top 100 Place to Eat” list. Reviewers credited the Mediterranean eatery’s “absolute fire baba ganoush, “smooth and garlicky hummus, “moist and flavorful falafel and “hands down the best Greek salad in town.” Bayshore Mediterranean Grill in Tampa placed 75th, while Oldmar’s Shaker & Peel came in at No. 80.
St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) served 2.49 million passengers in 2023, a new record. The facility also set new monthly benchmarks in January, June, July, September, October and November. July 2023 was PIE’s busiest month in its history with 279,622 passengers.
The Early Learning Coalition of Pinellas County is celebrating Florida's Literacy Week, an annual initiative to inspire children and their families to make reading part of their daily routines. Literacy week also falls during the open enrollment period for the state-funded Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten Program (VPK).
Tickets go on sale Friday for performances by Bob Dylan March 5 and 6 at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater. Dylan, 82, is on his "Rough and Rowdy Ways" tour. Tickets will be $67.25, $97.25 and $147.
