Workscapes, a full-service office dealership offering furniture, walls, flooring and architectural products, has expanded its presence in Tampa with the opening of a new HQ. The company recently celebrated the opening of its 33,000-square-foot at Keating Resources’ distribution center at 101 S. 34th St., near downtown Tampa. Workscapes is a woman-owned contract furniture company that has other locations in Fort Myers, Jacksonville and Orlando.
The City of St. Petersburg is hosting a citywide hurricane preparedness webinar Tuesday night, from 6:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. Councilmember Brandi Gabbard will moderate a discussion with a panel of administrators and directors. Residents can watch live on St. Pete TV or by visiting the Zoom link here. The city website will also air the meeting throughout the hurricane season. For more storm preparation information, visit StPetePrepares.com.
Pinellas County Schools Police Chief Luke Williams is one of just six finalists for Campus Safety Magazine’s Director of the Year award. The national publication is a source for campus police and security directors for schools, universities and hospitals across the country. According to the release, Williams has served on the force for over 30 years, helping to define and improve law enforcement’s roles in schools. Williams also led an initiative to provide 3,000 duffle bags for students in foster care, offering a more dignified alternative to carrying personal belonging in garbage bags. Campus Safety Magazine will announce its Director of the Year during a safety conference in Bethesda, Maryland, held June 20-22.
The Pinellas County Commission, in collaboration with the St. Pete Free Clinic and other community partners, is hosting a free fresh food giveaway on Friday, June 10. The drive-through event takes place at England Brothers Park, located at 5010 81st Ave. N. in Pinellas Park. Distribution is open to all county residents from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m., or while supplies last. According to the release, food insecurity is on the rise in the community and the St. Pete Free Clinic is working to ensure everyone has access to quality food.
Traub Lieberman, a St. Petersburg-based law firm working with insurance companies and their insureds, has relocated its office to the James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art building. “As our office continuously grows, this new space will offer our team an environment where they can connect with colleagues and work collaboratively,” Michael Kiernan, partner in charge of the St. Petersburg office, said in a statement. The new office site at 150 Central Ave. is a few blocks from the firm’s previous St. Petersburg address.
The St. Petersburg Library System has begun loaning WiFi hotspots to library card holders, as a means of promoting access to online information, resources and culture. Hotspots can be borrowed for up to 14 days at a time; they must be returned to the same library branch circulation desk. Click here for details on the "WiFi on the Go" program.
In a social media post Friday night, the Tampa Bay Rowdies announced they are postponing Saturday night's match against Louisville City FC to Sunday, June 5, at 7:30 p.m. Team officials blamed unforeseen delays for Tampa Bay players and staff as they traveled back from Wednesday’s match against Tulsa. Tickets for Saturday are valid for Sunday, and the team said fans should email all questions regarding tickets to tickets@rowdiessoccer.com.
The idea to allow John's Pass to become a "wet zone," allowing people to consume alcohol along the boardwalk and area outside of restaurants, was tossed out by city commissioners. During a recent meeting, City Manager Robin Gomez brought up the topic, which surfaced last year. He cited potential issues that were discussed such as liability issues the wet zone would create for the popular tourist destination and how one commissioner previously said a wet zone could alter the character of the village and boardwalk. The commissioners did not entertain the concept any further.
The revitalization of the Pinellas Science Center remains on track, as Governor Ron DeSantis approved $2 million in funding for the St. Petersburg staple. State Rep. Linda Chaney, R-St. Pete Beach, appropriated $1.5 million for the facility, which first opened in 1959. The Legislature provided an additional $500,000 to teach area children science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics curriculum, or STEAM education.
The Bay Pines VA Healthcare System (BPVAHCS) will host a stand down for homeless veterans on June 4. The hospital will feature its free services available to homeless veterans and those at risk of becoming homeless. The free services include access to medical care, toiletries, clothing items, meals, benefits and housing information, employment assistance, veterinarian services and DMV services, according to the VA's announcement. Veterans will also be able to speak with various legal experts from Pinellas County to address their outstanding legal issues.The event will take place in the courtyard between buildings 2 and 37 on the main campus at 10000 Bay Pines Blvd.
Despite the state legislature increasing the allocated funding for the University of South Florida St. Petersburg’s proposed Environmental & Oceanographic Science Research & Teaching facility (EOS) from $60 million to $75 million in March, Governor Ron DeSantis vetoed the entire project on Thursday. USF President Rhea Law and USFSP Regional Chancellor Martin Tadlock repeatedly referred to the EOS as a “game-changer” and “transformative” project. In a statement Thursday, Law said the university remains committed to the development of the St. Petersburg campus, specifically as an international destination for environmental and oceanographic research, and the funding that was approved will help reach that goal.
