July was the warmest month ever recorded in Tampa, according to Bay News 9 meteorologist Kyle Hanson. The average high was 93.3, and the average low was 79.7, about 2.7 degrees above normal temperatures. Hanson said a lack of rainfall contributed to the heat, with St. Petersburg, Tampa and Bradenton well below typical monthly totals.
Tampa-based insurer Slide has been approved by the Florida regulator to take up to 100,000 policies from Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, the "last resort" taxpayer-subsidized insurance group. Slide currently has 175,000 policies and may not assume all of the additional policies. "I don’t think we’re going to get 100,000, that’s just an approval number,” Slide CEO Bruce Lucas told media outlets. “We still have Citizens policies that almost uniformly across the board are underpriced for the market, and that’s going to hamper our ability to take policies out.” Slide also recently acquired the exclusive renewal rights for over 91,400 Florida homeowners insurance policies from UPC.
After a two-week delay caused by an electrical malfunction, the Dali Museum's "Dali Alive 360" immersive experience will officially open Thursday. The a 40-minute, interpretive video/audio tour of Salvador Dali’s works takes place in the museum's outdoor, 45x60 foot geodesic dome.
The Center for First-generation Student Success recently announced that St. Petersburg College (SPC) is one of 76 new members of its First Scholars Network. The national network now includes over 350 higher-learning institutions with demonstrable success supporting first-generation students. Membership provides engagement opportunities with peer institutions and development resources.
The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office reported receiving numerous 911 calls from concerned beachgoers due to herds of manatees mating close to shorelines in a July 28 social media post. A short video states the manatees "are more than fine." The caption explained that they often mate in herds during the summer and reminds viewers that touching or disturbing manatees is illegal.
Wawa, the Pennsylvania-based gas station and convenience store chain, will open its first Florida drive-thru restaurant in Largo. The company will construct a 2,036-square-foot building at 2530 East Bay Drive, which previously housed a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant. The freestanding restaurant will serve the chain's popular hoagies, beverages and sides. Wawa has not announced an opening date.
Guinea pigs, birds, rabbits and other pocket pet animals will be free to adopt through Aug. 31. SPCA Tampa Bay is waiving adoption fees for the pocket pets and livestock animals as part of its Livestock-Pocket Pet Palooza event.
State prosecutors decided they will not pursue child neglect charges against a local man whose 13-year-old son died at a late-night street racing event in St. Petersburg. The teen was struck by a motorcyclist traveling over 100 mph in February, according to the St. Pete Police Department. Prosecutors dropped culpable negligence manslaughter charges against the motorcyclist in March.
Bridgewater Commercial Real Estate has sold the eight-unit multifamily property at 7027 4th Ave. N. in a $1.2 million deal, or $150,000 per unit. The renovated apartments are near the Pinellas Trail and a SunRunner station. The buyer, Bizlift LLC, was represented by Kyle Keelan and Phil Ginexi of the Multifamily Firm, LLC. "The current rents are below market and mostly month-to-month – so rental rates can be increased quickly. The units are not in a flood zone and are essentially turn-key with minimal monthly maintenance necessary,” said Bridgewater associate Davis Nunneley, who represented the seller alongside associate Shane Billings.
Pinellas County Emergency Management and the Family Center on Deafness will host the second annual Deaf Day Saturday to provide storm and emergency-related resources. Officials will give away hurricane kits and Florida Telecommunications Relay phones and provide information on local emergency features for the deaf and hard of hearing. The event is in the Magnolia Room at the Pinellas County Cooperative Extension at 12520 Ulmerton Rd. in Largo.
The University of South Florida received over $157 million from nearly 12,000 donors over the past fiscal year, a new record in both categories. Among the gifts was an $11.7 million research vessel from the Monterey Bay Aquarium to the Florida Institute of Oceanography at the USF St. Petersburg campus.
Freya’s Diner, located at 2462 Central Ave. in St. Petersburg, will serve its last meal on Aug. 6 as the restaurant will close. The owners announced the planned closure via Instagram, stating, "We want to take this time to thank everyone for their support this last year and for weathering so many changes that came our way. Unfortunately, St. Pete is seeing its slowest season to date and has left us with no other option but to close our doors. We’ve spoken to so many others that are feeling the effects of today’s economy. We aren’t the first to close this season, and we definitely won’t be the last.”
