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St. Petersburg distributes sandbags ahead of storm

St. Petersburg city officials are proactively preparing for residential flooding in low-lying areas ahead of an approaching cold front. Three sandbag distribution sites are open until 6 p.m., with crews offering door-to-door delivery in the flood-prone Shore Acres and Riviera Bay neighborhoods. Weather conditions will deteriorate Monday night, with flooding expected Tuesday afternoon. For sandbag locations, visit the website here.

Bucs win division, will host Eagles in playoffs

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won their third straight NFC South title with a 9-0 road win Sunday over the Carolina Panthers. The Bucs finished their first season in the post-Tom Brady era with a 9-8 record. New quarterback Baker Mayfield earned over $1 million in incentives by securing a playoff berth. Tampa Bay and the Philadelphia Eagles will cap the NFL’s “Super Wild Card Weekend” at 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 15, at Raymond James Stadium.

St. Pete startup receives global recognition

United Kingdom-based DataCentre Magazine recently published a list of the world’s leading data center startups. Lonestar Data Holdings, headquartered at St. Petersburg’s Maritime and Defense Technology Hub, ranked third. Lonestar plans to deploy data centers on the Moon, and its first mission launches Jan. 12.

Local doctor is state’s first to complete novel heart procedure

Saurabh Sanon, a structural interventional cardiologist at HCA Florida Largo Hospital, recently became Florida’s first healthcare provider to remove a patient’s heart tumor using a catheter. The procedure is significantly less invasive than open-heart surgery. The local patient was the nation’s 10th to undergo the procedure, first performed in 2022.

Tampa’s job market ranks second nationally

Personal finance website WalletHub recently released its “Best Cities for Job 2024” report by comparing 180 cities across 31 key job-market strength indicators. Tampa placed second to Scottsdale, Arizona, while St. Petersburg ranked 30th. The Sunshine City’s socioeconomics scored lowest (53rd) in socioeconomic metrics.

Donate to weekend technology drive

Digital Inclusion St. Pete is collecting gadgets to support people who do not have access to technology, and help to bridge the digital divide. Residents can drop off unused electronics such as old mobile phones, laptops and printers at the Foundation for a Healthy St. Pete (2333 34th St. S.) Jan. 6 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

YMCA appoints new Board of Directors Chair

YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg announced the appointment of Kimberly G. Jackson, Esq., as Chair of its Board of Directors for the 2024-2025 term. Jackson has served on the YMCA's Board of Directors since early 2018 and has a background in law, education and advocacy. She currently serves as Executive Director at the Institute for Strategic Policy Solutions (ISPS). 

St. Pete is among top cities for keeping resolutions

Personal finance website WalletHub released its “Best and Worst Cities for Keeping your New Year’s Resolutions” report Wednesday, and St. Petersburg ranked 31st. However, the city placed 11th out of 180 cities for school and work resolutions and 16th in the health category. WalletHub’s researchers believe residents will have difficulty improving bad habits as St. Petersburg ranked 137th in metrics that included binge drinking, marijuana use, access to opioids and sleep inadequacies.

Judge: No juror misconduct occurred in ‘Maya trial’

Attorneys for Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital (JHACH) presented extensive evidence showing what they considered juror misconduct in the so-called “Take Care of Maya” trial. Judge Hunter Carrol briefly interviewed the jury’s foreman in a Sarasota County courtroom Wednesday and determined that Paul Lengyel did not violate orders. The St. Petersburg hospital’s attorneys will continue to seek a mistrial after a jury awarded Maya Kowalski and her family $261 million for false imprisonment, severe emotional distress and several other allegations related to the girl’s October 2016 stay at JHACH.

Live music nightspot Ringside Cafe has closed

Ringside Cafe manager Mitch Gray confirmed Thursday afternoon that the long-running St. Pete live music venue closed "for good" on New Year's Day. "It was a good long run and lots of fun was had and good music was heard," Gray wrote in a Facebook post. "Big thanks to all who supported us through the years."

Homeless Leadership Alliance needs survey volunteers

Pinellas County residents can help secure critical funding and inform public policy to help end homelessness by volunteering with the Homeless Leadership Alliance during its Point in Time Count event Thursday, Jan. 25. The initiative is an annual, national event that provides a snapshot of those experiencing sheltered and unsheltered homelessness in the county. Collected data is sent to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Florida Department of Children and Families to help secure millions in resources. For more information, visit the website here.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium sets drone light show

The Lights by the Bay Drone Show will be held at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Saturday, Jan. 13 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. The pirate-themed event will feature over 150 drones performing aerial maneuvers and light displays against the backdrop of the Aquarium and Clearwater Bay. There will also be live music, food and beverage and exclusive access to the Ruth and J.O. Stone Dolphin Complex. 

The St. Pete Catalyst

The Catalyst honors its name by aggregating & curating the sparks that propel the St Pete engine.  It is a modern news platform, powered by community sourced content and augmented with directed coverage.  Bring your news, your perspective and your spark to the St Pete Catalyst and take your seat at the table.

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