Sunken Gardens, the botanical garden and longtime tourist destination on 4th Street N. in St. Petersburg, has added a state-of-the-art, hurricane wind-proof Animal Care Center. Mayor Ken Welch cut the ribbon Tuesday on the nearly $1 million, climate-controlled facility.
Tampa International Airport and Delta Air Lines are bringing back nonstop seasonal service to Amsterdam. The Netherlands route is scheduled to start Oct. 26 and run through March 29, 20225. TPA last offered Delta seasonal nonstop service to Amsterdam in 2019. The daily flights are now for sale on Delta’s website.
Seventy-one babies in Tampa Bay born on “Fifth Third Day” (5/3 on the calendar) recently received a gift of $1,053 from Fifth Third Bank, to be put toward a 529 savings account. The gift was designed by Fifth Third Bank, in collaboration with hospital systems, to help parents start saving for their child’s education early.
The Tampa Bay Rays beat the Chicago White Sox 5-1 Tuesday night at Tropicana Field to pick up their fifth straight win in new City Connect uniforms. The Rays debuted the “Grit x Glow” themed gear May 3 and earned their first sweep of the season against the New York Mets. The team decided to keep wearing the skate culture-inspired uniforms against the White Sox and picked up two more wins. Tampa Bay is now 19-18 on the season.
The Pinellas County Property Appraiser’s office will offer a public education workshop Thursday to help real estate stakeholders and professionals better understand property valuation, tax laws, exemptions and market trends. The South County Office at 2500 34th Street N. will host the event, with doors opening at 11:30 a.m. Those interested can also watch a recording via a YouTube channel at the link here.
The Tampa Bay Rowdies will enter the U.S. Open Cup tournament Wednesday with a matchup against USL Championship rival Birmingham Legion FC. The Rowdies earned a spot in the Round of 32 after finishing as one of the USL's top teams in 2023. The tournament, U.S. Soccer’s Club Championship, is now in its 109th year. Winners receive $300,000 in prize money and have their names engraved on the Dewar Challenge Trophy, one of the oldest in American team sports.
David Deno, CEO of Tampa-based restaurant conglomerate Bloomin’ Brands, has announced his impending retirement. Bloomin’ is the parent company of Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill and Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse. Its board of directors has launched a search for Deno's replacement, and he will remain in his role until they name a successor. Deno started his career with Bloomin’ in 2012 and became CEO in 2019.
Data from Visit Florida shows that in 2023, Florida’s market share of domestic tourists increased to 14.8%, up from 13.8% in 2022. This surge in market share represents the largest increase of any state. Florida also saw a noticeable uptick in overseas tourism in 2022, garnering 25.2% of the overseas market share of travelers to the U.S.
According to the K-12 School Shooting Database, Florida's K-12 schools saw 71 firearm incidents from 2013 to 2023 — more than three times the prior decade's 21 incidents. The data shows Florida had the third most incidents of any state, following California and Texas. The database documents when a gun is fired, brandished or a bullet hits school property.
Smith & Associates Real Estate recently announced that a penthouse in the Salataire condominium tower sold for $8.25 million. According to the firm, that is the highest-priced condo sale in St. Petersburg’s history. The “blank slate” penthouse is on the 35th floor of Saltaire, at 301 1st St. S.
Jabil shareholders have hired New York-based law firm Pomerantz LLP to determine if company executives or board members committed security fraud or other unlawful business practices. Pomerantz officials said they began the investigation after Jabil suspended its CEO, Kenny Wilson, on April 18 for potentially violating corporate policies. Michael Dastoor, Jabil’s chief financial officer, is acting as interim CEO.
The Tampa Bay Rays beat the New York Mets for a third consecutive game Sunday afternoon to complete the team’s first sweep of the season. Outfielder Jonny DeLuca lined a two-run triple into center field in the bottom of the 10th inning to give the Rays a 7-6 walk-off win at Tropicana Field. It was the second walk-off win of the season for the Rays (17-18) and the first for DeLuca.
