The City of St. Petersburg will celebrate “the life, legacy and dream” of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. throughout the upcoming weekend. The events begin Saturday, Jan. 14, with a Music & Arts Festival from 12 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Albert Whitted Park. An MLK Band Showcase takes place Sunday from 6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at the Campbell Park Football Complex. Now in its 37th year, the MLK Dream Big Parade returns to the city Monday, Jan. 16. The parade begins at 1st Avenue South at 11 a.m. and heads west from 3rd Street. MLK Family Fun Day caps off the festivities Monday at 2:30 p.m. The event runs until 6 p.m. in Tropicana Field Lot 4 at 198 17tcah St. S. For road closures and more event information, visit the website here.
Spectrum Bay News 9 reported that Tampa broke its previous record for average annual temperature in 2022. The average temperature at Tampa International Airport (TPA) was 76.4 last year, edging out 2017 and 2020 to set the new benchmark by a tenth of a degree. Spectrum Bay News 9 also noted that overnight lows at TPA are warmer than nearby sites, partly due to urbanization around the airport. The outlet also reported that 2022 was the 13th-wettest year in Tampa, with 61.95 inches of rain. That is well above the annual average of 49.48 inches.
St. Petersburg native Angela Bassett won her second Golden Globe Award Tuesday, for her performance as Queen Ramonda in the Marvel Comics film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The 64-year-old actress, a graduate of Boca Ciega High School, took her first Golden Globe in 1993 for What's Love Got to Do With It, in which she starred as singer Tina Turner.
St. Petersburg Fire Rescue (SPFR) responded to a fire at the construction site for a new YMCA complex and magnet middle school Tuesday afternoon. According to the SPFR press release, the department responded to reports of smoke emanating from a building at 501 62nd Ave. N. in St. Petersburg, the location of the former Riviera Middle School. The release states that first responders found a 50-square-foot area of fire isolated to the roof. Fire personnel used an aerial ladder truck to extinguish the blaze, which is currently under investigation. Workers broke ground on the complex in June 2022, and officials expect the YMCA portion to open by the end of the year.
Clearwater-based BayCare Health System and the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast (BFCS) are providing teens with tangible work experience to boost employability following high school graduation. According to a BGCS release Monday, current Pinellas County high school seniors can now explore in-demand healthcare careers, receive paid work-based learning experiences and receive guidance from local healthcare professionals. The inaugural program will offer certifications for completing training as a nurse helper and patient transporter. “This innovative partnership transcends our work with at-risk youth from a moral imperative to an economic necessity for the Tampa Bay region,” said Freddy Williams, BGCS president, in a statement.
The St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport has set an all-time passenger record in 2022. The airport saw over 2.44 million passengers, representing a 20% increase over 2021 and a 7% increase over 2019. PIE also reported that domestic travel for 2022 increased overall by 19% and international travel increase by 819% over 2021. Allegiant Air is the primary airline at PIE and the airport has several connections to destinations in Canada.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Jan. 6 red tide update, Karenia brevis, the red tide organism, is still present around Pinellas County. While the organization’s researchers found just one bloom concentration of the harmful algae offshore, the status map shows several low concentrations around the mouth of Tampa Bay and the Pinellas beaches. In addition, the FWC states that it is still receiving reports of associated fish kills and respiratory irritation.
Tampa-based Ideal Image, an international laser hair removal company, has named Sharon M. Leite as its new CEO. Leite will succeed David Prokupek, the current CEO, effective today. Prokupek will continue to be with the company, serving as an advisor. “I am delighted to join the team at Ideal Image, with its strong track record. There is tremendous opportunity to reimagine the brand in the dynamic aesthetics, beauty and wellness categories,” Leite said in the company's new release. “Ideal Image has set itself apart in the industry and has been the market leader. I look forward to working with Ideal’s leadership team and dedicated associates and thank David for creating a platform which allows us to accelerate our plan to deliver affordable luxury through our treatments across North America.” Leite has 25 years of experience under her belt and most recently served as the CEO of The Vitamin Shoppe.
The 2023 State of the City address will take place on Jan. 30th and will include the announcement of the selected master developer for the redevelopment of the Gas Plant District/Tropicana Field. The city announced the event will be held on the steps of City Hall at 11 a.m. that Monday. The event will recognize the city's milestone markers achieved during Mayor Welch's first year and what's planned for the new year. Those interested in attending can RSVP here.
St. Petersburg Chief of Police Anthony Holloway presented $58,000 in checks from his department’s asset forfeiture fund to 13 community-based programs Monday morning. According to a release, the recipients hope to improve neighborhood safety and promote crime and substance abuse prevention. The release states that Holloway is especially interested “in assisting programs promoting positive behavior for children and teens. The funds come from the department’s seizure of money and assets involved in criminal activity.
The call for applicants for the Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts (TBBCA) Charlie Hounchell Art Stars Scholarships is open to qualified Tampa Bay area high school juniors and seniors. TBBCA annually awards six or more scholarships to students with exceptional talents in instrumental and vocal music, theater, dance, and visual and literary arts. All details are available here.
The city has published a full video showing each of the pitches from the four development teams that presented their proposals during a Jan. 4 public meeting at The Coliseum. The full video can be accessed here. People can submit their feedback regarding the proposals online or at a feedback pop-up station through Jan. 23.
