Major League Pickleball officials announced Wednesday that Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady and four-time Grand Slam tennis champion Kim Clijsters have purchased an expansion franchise. The league will expand from 12 to 16 teams next season and award over $2 million in prize money. According to the release, the ownership group is led by Knighthead Capital Management. Pickleball’s popularity continues to soar in St. Petersburg and across the nation, with Sports Illustrated calling it the fastest-growing sport earlier this year.
During Tuesday’s board meeting, Pinellas County Commissioners honored the 2022 Fire Professionals of the Year for going above and beyond the call of duty. Michael Ross, a firefighter and paramedic with Palm Harbor Fire Rescue, received the top honor. While off-duty, Ross saved the life of a neighbor whose car slipped into the water at a county boat ramp. Calvin Hunsinger, regional 911 supervisor, was named Fire Dispatcher of the year for helping a panicked resident as flames and smoke engulfed their home. The Pinellas County Technical Rescue Team, comprised of 120 members from the St. Petersburg, Pinellas Park, Largo and Clearwater Fire Departments, was named the Special Operations Team of the Year. According to the release, the team uses special equipment and techniques to perform high-risk rescues.
The Tampa Bay Rays and ZooTampa have entered a multifaceted, long-term partnership aimed at enhancing the shared commitment to conservation. Part of the new collaboration will include cross-promotional opportunities and the development of a unique up-close animal experience that connects guests with wildlife, according to the Wednesday announcement. Tampa Bay Rays Chief Business Officer Bill Walsh said it was "a natural fit." ZooTampa President and CEO Joe Couceiro said in a statement, “We are proud to join forces with another iconic Tampa Bay community asset. Partnering with the Tampa Bay Rays will be instrumental in sharing our vision of inspiring a healthy respect for wildlife. We look forward to doing great work together.”
VistaPharm Inc., a New Jersey-based pharmaceutical company with a manufacturing and distribution facility in Largo, has notified the state it will cut its workers at the local pharmaceutical manufacturing facility as the company has been acquired by Greenville, South Carolina-based PAI Pharma. "Products and equipment will be moved to Greenville from Largo as it has been determined to be more cost effective and efficient to operate from the South Carolina facility," the Oct. 11 notice read. The first round of terminations will take place on Jan. 13, affecting 36 employees working as chemists, microbiologists and those who are also involved in packaging and inspections. Additional layoffs are expected to occur at the facility, which currently has 177 full-time workers. However, "many employees will be provided an opportunity to relocate to South Carolina but we do expect several to desire to stay in our area and will be in need of job search assistance," the letter read.
Bayfront Health St. Petersburg officials announced applications for the 2023 Community Grant Program opened Monday. According to the release, the grants support important work addressing health inequities, with over $107,000 awarded during the 2022 cycle. Interested organizations must first submit a letter of intent by Wednesday, Oct. 19, at 11:59 p.m. Program organizers encourage applicants to request grants between $500 and $50,000. The release states that a limited number of applicants will receive an invitation to participate in the second phase of the process. That requires a grant proposal that is due by Monday, Nov. 7. For more information, visit the website here.
The prestigious Florida-based law firm Gunster, one of the state's largest firms, has acquired Tampa-based Barnett, formerly known as Barnett, Kirkwood, Koche, Long and Foster. The merger was completed Oct. 1, according to a news release from Gunster. The merger boosts Gunster’s presence in the Tampa Bay region to 51 attorneys and 39 professional staff members. “After diligent consideration, the shareholders of Barnett determined that Gunster was the best fit for continuing and broadening the level of service and care we provide to our wonderful clients, while strengthening the professional culture for our exceptional attorneys and staff,” Barnett Managing Partner Peter Kirkwood said in the release. “There are many outstanding law firms in Tampa, but we believe Gunster shares our commitment to excellence. Gunster has a great focus on its people, they provide best-in-class legal services and are fully committed to the Tampa Bay community. We are very excited for this next chapter.”
The public are now able to nominate local St. Pete veterans for the Honored Veteran Award through Monday, Oct. 24. One or more veterans will be chosen to receive the award at the ninth annual Veterans Day Celebration on Nov. 11, according to the city's announcement. This annual event will be held at Williams Park with St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch honoring the veterans and presenting the awards. The nomination form can be found here.
Well-known attorney David Fugett has been named vice president and general counsel at Florida Polytechnic University in Lakeland. Fugett joins the university with over 25 years of experience in law and served four years as general counsel and prelaw advisor at New College of Florida. Prior to that, he was general counsel and chief litigation attorney at the Florida Department of State, and assistant attorney general at Florida’s Office of the Attorney General, according to Florida Ploy's announcement. “I enjoy working in the State University System. Having the chance to work at Florida Poly affords me the opportunity to continue my work in the SUS and at a bit of a younger school that I think is hitting the target really well with what the State University System wants to do in terms of preparing students for the next step,” Fugett said in a statement. “Just one good example is how Florida Poly extensively uses project-based learning.”
The Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections is reminding voters that Tuesday, Oct. 11, is the deadline to vote in the Nov. 8 elections. Residents must register to participate in city, county, state and national elections on that date. Applications are available at all three county Elections Offices, which will also stay open until 6 p.m. Tuesday. Residents can also apply online at VotePinellas.gov. St. Petersburg voters will decide on two City Charter Amendments and two Ballot Referendum Questions encompassing election cycles, city council residency requirements, Dali Museum expansion and economic development ad valorem tax exemptions.
Pinellas County Schools will not need to make up days lost due to Hurricane Ian, the school district announced Monday. Oct. 17 will remain a non-student day. At this time, the district has enough hours scheduled for the 2022-2023 school year to meet all state requirements without adding additional days, according to the district.
Following the impact of Hurricane Ian on coastal communities to the south, the Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce is donating proceeds from its annual Taste of the Beaches event to The Islands of Sanibel-Captiva Chamber of Commerce. Taste of the Beaches began Saturday and runs through Friday, Oct. 14. Leadership for this year’s selected nonprofit, Parc Center for Disabilities, endorsed the shift. To purchase tickets to the event and support relief efforts, visit the website here.
The Tampa Bay Rowdies have made the USL playoffs for the fourth straight season, and team officials announced Monday that tickets are now on sale. The Rowdies begin the chase for a championship Saturday, Oct. 22. However, officials have yet to name a start time or opponent. Discounted rates are available to those who buy 2023 season tickets Monday. To purchase playoff tickets, visit the website here.
