Sand Key Park in Clearwater will reopen to the public Saturday following hurricane cleanup and restoration efforts. However, Fred Howard Park and Redington Shores and Madeira Beach beach access points remain closed for repairs and debris removal. Fort De Soto Park’s Campground 3 and East Beach have reopened, while areas north of the park headquarters remain closed.
National discount retailer Big Lots announced Thursday that it will not proceed with a previously announced sale and instead close its doors. The company will soon commence going out of business sales at its remaining locations. Big Lots operates two stores in St. Petersburg, one in Largo, two in Clearwater and one in Tampa.
John Hopkins All Children's Hospital has earned national recognition for its patient safety, quality and transparency. The St. Petersburg-based institution was one of eight pediatric hospitals nationwide to receive a Top Hospital Award from the Leapfrog Group, a nonprofit that measures and rates facilities across several patient care metrics. Less than 8% of all eligible U.S. hospitals received the designation.
St. Petersburg’s Temporary Debris Management Site at the former Raytheon site will close Dec. 22 at 5:30 p.m. However, the city will resume accepting requests for “Special Pickups” of large items unrelated to the storms, like car tires and furniture. A contractor is still making citywide sweeps for storm debris. For more information on the Special Pickup program, visit the website here.
Visit St. Pete-Clearwater announced Wednesday that tourism generated an $11.2 billion economic impact in Pinellas County through fiscal year 2024. The area welcomed over 15.4 million visitors and accommodated 6.4 million overnight stays. Pinellas collected more than $96 million in bed taxes used to support capital projects that promote tourism.
Tampa International Airport (TPA) and state transportation officials celebrated construction commencing on a long-planned new Airside D terminal at a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday. The $1.5 billion project will encompass over 600,000 square feet and feature 16 gates. Airside D is TPA’s first in 20 years and should open in 2028.
Approximately 275 seniors living in a downtown St. Petersburg apartment building stay in hotels or with family after an electrical fire Monday night. The fire occurred in a first-floor mechanical room at the Lutheran Apartments, an affordable complex for seniors at 550 1st Ave. S. The blaze damaged the tower’s electrical system, and city officials subsequently deemed it uninhabitable. Residents can return to the Lutheran Apartments in seven to 10 days.
Pinellas County School will begin 2025 with a new panic alert system officials believe will make it easier for teachers and staff to initiate lockdowns and contact law enforcement. The school board approved a $3.8 million contract Tuesday to provide employees with a specialized badge that replaces the current phone app system. Employees will wear the geofenced cards with a panic button on lanyards, next to their identification.
Registration has opened for the eighth annual Fit City 5K and one-mile walk in downtown St. Petersburg on Saturday, Feb. 1. Health St. Pete, a division of the city’s parks and recreation department, will also host its eighth annual Glow in the Park themed event with activities for all ages at 5 p.m. Feb. 1 in Vinoy Park. For more information on Fit City, visit the website here.
The United States Department of Transportation announced that the Pinellas Suncoast Transportation Authority (PSTA) has been awarded $1 million for new technology to streamline reduced fare enrollment for veterans and seniors. These funds will connect PSTA's enrollment system for reduced bus fares to Login.gov in an effort to make it easier for veterans and seniors to apply online for free or lower bus fares.
David Dennis, President and CEO of Eckerd Connects, announced today he will retire June 30, 2025, after 18 years with the nonprofit. The Eckerd Connects Board of Directors has hired consulting firm Korn Ferry to conduct a national executive search for Dennis' replacement.
St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch announced Tuesday that he will present the annual State of the City address Tuesday, Feb. 4, at 10:00 a.m. The Palladium Theater will host the public event, which will celebrate the community’s resilience amid “unprecedented” hurricanes, recognize achievements during Welch’s third year in office and “look forward to what lies ahead in 2025.” To register, visit the website here.
