The unemployment rate in the CareerSource Pinellas region (Pinellas County) was 3% this September, which is equal to the state's overall rate, according to findings from the state's latest monthly report released in late October. The Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater metro had the highest annual job growth compared to all the areas in the state in education and health services with a gain of 20,400 jobs; professional and business services with a gain of 13,000 jobs; and mining, logging, and construction industry with a gain of 5,100 jobs.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium biologists reported that they observed 75 sea turtle nests before Hurricane Idalia; the team could only recover 14. Nesting numbers decreased from 313 in 2022 to 227 this season. In addition to storm surge and flooding, biologists called disorientating artificial lighting “this year’s biggest challenge.”
Comedian Taylor Tomlinson's two sold-out Tampa Theater shows, scheduled for tonight (Saturday, Nov. 4) have been postponed. In a post on her Facebook page, Tomlinson said she was also postponing the Nov. 5 performances at St. Petersburg's Mahaffey Theater, both close to sold out. "I am so incredibly sorry, Tampa and St. Pete," she wrote. "I have been trying very hard not to get sick but unfortunately I am." She announced that tickets would be honored for the rescheduled dates, March 22 for St. Pete and March 23 for Tampa. This week, CBS announced that the comedian will host After Midnight, a new late-night comedy program, in the spring.
St. Petersburg police and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers captured two alligators Nov. 1 “who had been a nuisance” around Lake Eli and Lake Maggiore, near South St. Pete’s Dell Holmes Park. According to a social media post, the alligators were 11 feet and nine feet long, respectively. The FWC considers the reptile a nuisance if it is over four feet long and residents believe it poses a threat to people, pets or property.
Mayor Ken Welch announced Carl Lavender would serve as St. Petersburg’s interim chief equity officer after Lenice Emanuel abruptly resigned Oct. 25. Lavender formally served as the Foundation for a Healthy St. Peterburg’s interim co-CEO and chief equity officer and brings nearly 20 years of “systems change leadership” experience to his new role. His first day at City Hall as a member of Welch’s cabinet is Nov. 14.
St. Pete dessert bar and bakery Beans and Barlour, known for its alcohol-infused ice cream, will close its storefront Nov. 10, according to a social media post from the owners. The owners, who opened the shop at 407 Central Ave. in 2018, wrote, "As the demand has started to shift away from our unique desserts, so has the passion we once had for creating them ... we have reached the conclusion that the next chapter in our lives is going to be best written without the day-to-day stresses of operating a retail location."
An emergency dune reconstruction project is underway in Indian Rocks as county and city officials continue mitigating damage caused by Hurricane Idalia’s storm surge. Beach access from 19th Avenue to 28th Avenue will remain closed until Dec. 15. Local leaders urge residents and visitors to stay off the dunes and expect “extensive” traffic delays along Gulf Boulevard.
Mel Sembler, founder of St. Petersburg-based global development firm Sembler, died Oct. 31 at 93 years old. He also served as U.S. Ambassador to Australia and Italy, chaired the Republican Party’s national finance committee and founded the Drug Free America Foundation with his wife, Betty. Sembler’s eponymous firm built over 350 developments totaling 29 million square feet. Temple Beth-El hosted Sembler’s funeral service Thursday, followed by his burial at Chapel Hill Memorial Park in Largo.
The Pinellas County Tax Collector’s Office began issuing 2023 property tax bills Oct. 31, and residents who pay in November receive a 4% discount. If all 427,446 accounts totaling over $2.4 billion paid their bills this month, Pinellas property owners would collectively save $96 million. The discount decreases to 3% for December payments.
The U.S. Supreme Court recently removed a temporary hold on a 2021 gaming compact between the Seminole Tribe of Florida and state officials that allows for in-person sports betting, craps and roulette. The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa will feature all three starting Friday, Dec. 8. Tribe and casino officials plan to host “A New Era in Florida Gaming” celebrations throughout December.
Tampa General Hospital has completed an implant surgery on a 16-year-old pediatric patient diagnosed with Down syndrome and sleep apnea. The groundbreaking procedure is the first of its kind in Florida with the Inspire device, according to TGH's announcement. The device is the only implant the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved to treat sleep apnea and it is one of the few alternatives to using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. The implant is similar to a cardiac pacemaker and is placed under the collarbone during the two- to three-hour surgery.
Local nonprofit Hope Villages of America has partnered with the American Institute of Beauty in Largo and St. Petersburg for the 19th annual “Cut Out Hunger” event. Anyone who donates three or more canned goods can receive a free haircut, and those who donate six or more items also receive 50% off any services. The event runs from Wednesday, Nov. 1, through Saturday, Nov. 4.
