Officials with Uber Eats recently announced a unique partnership with Tampa International Airport (TPA) that will allow travelers and staff to place mobile orders. Through “TPA to Go,” customers can order food and drinks ahead and skip the line at over 20 airport concessions locations. Tampa International is the first U.S. airport to partner with the delivery service, and the program’s launch coincides with Spring Break.
The Indian Rocks Beach Homeowners Association, in consultation with city and Pinellas County Health Department officials, has canceled BeachFest due to persistent red tide conditions. The association scheduled the annual fundraising event for April 15. However, a joint press release states that “red tide is currently present on the beach and is forecasted to remain in the area in the weeks to come.”
Spring Break season began this week, and Tampa International Airport (TPA) officials are preparing for a record number of travelers. Adam Bouchard, vice president of operations, told WTVT-TV that he expects to see 90,000 to 100,000 people enter and exit the airport daily through April. That is nearly double the typical 50,000 to 60,000 average.
The Made in Tampa Bay Expo, taking place March 8, will be a public event where local manufacturers will be able to showcase their products to the public while recruiting talent. The free event runs from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Hillsborough Community College's Tampa campus on West Tampa Bay Boulevard. Advanced manufacturing is among the region's top targeted workforce sectors.
According to a Facebook post from U.S. Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, crews responded in the early morning hours of March 4 to reports of "a person in the water in the vicinity of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge." The unidentified person was discovered in Tampa Bay, near Egmont Key, at approximately 4:30 a.m. by Coast Guard and St. Petersburg Fire Rescue personnel. According to the social media post, the victim had been "dragged by a barge" and was in the water for nearly eight hours when discovered, "alert and conscious."
Hamburger Mary's, a restaurant chain known for its drag shows and entertainment, is closing its Clearwater restaurant at 28910 U.S. 19, according to the business's post on Facebook. The Clearwater restaurant was the last Hamburger Mary's location operating in the Tampa Bay metro. The chain previously had restaurants in Ybor, St. Pete and Brandon.
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor joined developer Darryl Shaw and Kettler CEO Bob Kettler among dozens of other community leaders Monday morning to mark the official groundbreaking of Gas Worx, a new 50-acre development that will be built between the Ybor Historic District and Channel District. Once complete, Gas Worx will include nearly 5,000 new residences, over 500,000 square feet of office space, and more than 140,000 square feet of new retail. Additionally, the development includes more than 300 units of affordable housing – the biggest private investment in affordable housing in the city’s history, according to the announcement.
Officials with 3 Daughters Brewing announced they are hosting a celebration of life at the facility Wednesday, March 8, at 4 p.m., for Tyre “Ty” Weaver IV, following his memorial service. Weaver, 50, died March 2 due to injuries sustained from a motorcycle crash. For more information and to help support his family, visit the website here.
The youngest driver to participate in the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg earned his first USF 2000 developmental series just seven miles from home. Nikita Johnson, 14, lives in nearby Gulfport. He led 18 out of 20 laps to win his first race at his home track by .5627 seconds.
St. Petersburg Police officers arrested Jeremiah Davis, 18, Friday for the Dec. 29 death of Zy’Kiquiro Lofton, 15. Davis, the third suspect charged with 1st-degree murder for Lofton’s homicide, is a senior at Gibbs High School. Police took Davis into custody following school dismissal and found he also possessed a handgun on school property.
California-based burger behemoth Jack in the Box is coming to Florida, and corporate officials are looking to open franchises in Tampa and St. Petersburg. One franchisee agreed to open a location in Orlando, and the restaurant’s website has a page highlighting Tampa Bay opportunities.
This week, Tampa General Hospital launched its primary care services at its new diagnostic center in St. Petersburg with the hiring of Dr. Anastasios Mavrakis. The center, located at 4949 4th St. North in St. Petersburg, opened in the fall of 2022, providing urgent care services. The TGH Cancer Institute surgical oncology services will be coming online soon at the St. Pete site.
