Multiple sporting events will add to New Year’s crowds across the area this weekend. The University of Wisconsin and Louisiana State University’s football teams, cheerleaders, bands and fans will take over Clearwater Beach today as part of Monday’s ReliaQuest Bowl festivities. In addition, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the New Orleans Saints at 1 p.m. Sunday, followed by a 7 p.m. matchup between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Montreal Canadiens. Local officials have warned residents to prepare for traffic delays.
Those spending a night on the town New Year’s Eve have a safe and affordable way to return home, thanks to the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority. In addition to offering free services, the SunRunner, the Suncoast Beach Trolley and routes 4, 52,59 60 will continue carrying passengers until 1:00 a.m. Buses will run on a holiday/Sunday schedule New Year’s Day.
Learn Euphoria will become Florida’s first school with a psychedelic curriculum when it opens inside Chillum Mushroom and Hemp Dispensary at 1916 Central Avenue in January. According to its website, the goal is to create “a supportive community where individuals can engage in meaningful discussion about psychedelics without the risks associated with illegal activities.” Workshops begin Jan. 5, with topics including “How to Microdose,” "Psilocybin Crashcourse” and “Advanced Mushroom Growing.”
Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco failed to appear before Dominican Republic officials with the Offices of the Specialized Prosecutors Office for Children and Adolescents Thursday morning. For the past four months, Dominican authorities have investigated allegations into whether Franco had inappropriate relationships with minors and began searching for him Tuesday, to no avail. The Specialized Prosecutors Office then issued his lawyers a summons for Franco to appear, although Franco reportedly fired his attorneys.
Florida's "back-to-school" sales tax holiday starts Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, and goes to Sunday, Jan. 14. The "no sales tax" initiative covers clothing, shoes and accessories that cost $100 or less per item, school supplies costing $50 or less per item, as well as some personal computers and learning aids.
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast has joined the Catalyst Impact Council. Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast’s vision is a Pinellas County community where all youth have access to quality out-of-school-time programs that enable them to become productive, caring and responsible citizens. Freddy Williams is President and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast.
Redington Shores Mayor MaryBeth Henderson has submitted her resignation, effective Dec. 29. She joins dozens of local elected officials - many serving Pinellas County’s beach communities - who left their posts due to concerns over new financial disclosure requirements. State law mandates that anyone holding elected office after Dec. 30 must file a Form 6 and disclose their net worth and dollar amounts of assets, debts and income over $1,000.
WalletHub has ranked Tampa 24th and St. Petersburg 37th in its annual “Best Cities for New Year’s” list. The personal finance platform’s researchers compared the nation’s 100 largest cities according to 26 key indicators, including the legality of fireworks, nightlife options, food affordability and weather. Tampa placed considerably higher in entertainment and food offerings, while St. Petersburg led the region in costs, safety and accessibility.
Pinellas County officials encourage residents to utilize an online database that includes Christmas tree collection and disposal information for all municipalities and unincorporated areas. Many local governments repurpose the trees into mulch, which helps to conserve limited landfill space. For more information, visit the website here, select “for homes” and click on the picture of a Christmas tree.
U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor announced Wednesday that 207 federal grants totaling $1.03 billion “bolstered neighborhoods from West Tampa to South St. Petersburg” in 2023. The congresswoman said she and her office helped deliver over $13.3 million in aid, benefits and refunds to Tampa Bay veterans, seniors, small businesses and families this year. Castor pledged to continue focusing on area infrastructure, environmental resiliency and neighborhood health and safety in 2024.
Tampa International Airport (TPA) recorded over 240 delayed flights Tuesday (Dec. 26), many from Southwest Airlines, due to an influx of holiday passengers. Airport officials blamed the Federal Aviation Administration’s delay program, triggered when traffic demand exceeds allowable acceptance rates, for the disruptions in a social media post. Dozens of flights arriving and departing from TPA between Wednesday and Thursday morning remain delayed.
The annual Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival will bring its celebration of community, culture, health and soul food to South St. Petersburg Feb. 17 at the Woodson African American Museum. James Beard Award-winning culinary historian Adrian E. Miller will also host an informative presentation titled “Black Chefs in the White House.” For more information, visit the website here.
