The City of St. Petersburg will host a free tree giveaway Saturday, Oct. 11, during the Autumn Harvest Festival at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve. The event is part of the city's Community Canopy Initiative, an ambitious effort to plant 1,000 trees citywide in 2025. Approximately 400 trees are available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 11 at 3010 31st St. S.
Despite playing without both of their offensive tackles, two of their wide receivers and a defensive tackle, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers came from behind in the final two minutes to beat the Texans 20-19 in Houston on Monday Night Football. Battered quarterback Baker Mayfield scrambled for 15 yards on fourth and 10 with 90 seconds remaining to keep the game-winning drive alive. Running back Rachad White rushed for a two-yard touchdown a few plays later with six seconds remaining on the clock to seal Tampa Bay's fifth-consecutive 2-0 start to a season.
The Pinellas County Jail is launching a remote communications platform that will change how inmates interact with family, friends and legal professionals. Officials believe the format, conducted via video through kiosks and tablets in every housing unit, will provide "enhanced flexibility, security and accessibility." However, they will also restrict in-person visits to attorneys or those authorized by Jail Command when the system launches Oct. 1.
A delayed condo and hotel development in downtown Tampa has secured $520 million in construction financing. Two Roads Development, the South Florida-based firm behind The Pendry Tampa and The Pendry Residences Tampa, announced Monday that Sculptor Real Estate and Nuveen Green Capital will provide the financing for the 38-story, 220-key hotel and 207 condominiums. The announcement notes that Florida's Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) initiative facilitated the financing, which is the "largest-ever C-PACE transaction to date."
The University of South Florida Bulls failed to become the first major college football program in 38 years to open a season with three consecutive wins against ranked teams. The previously No. 18 Bulls lost 42-12 on the road Saturday night to the No. 5 University of Miami Hurricanes. USF fell out of the AP Top 25 poll following the blowout, and Miami moved up to No. 4. The Bulls do not play another team that is currently ranked in the Top 25, but could earn a spot in the playoffs by winning the American Athletic Conference.
Tampa Bay Buccaneer legend and NFL Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks has joined Embarc Collective's board of directors. The Tampa-based startup hub noted that Brooks has "built an impressive track record in leadership, workforce development and community building - skills that directly align with our mission to support ambitious founders - since he retired as one of the most prolific linebackers in NFL history. Brooks currently serves as the executive vice president of corporate and community development for Vinik Sports Group.
Halloween on Central has partnered with Sunshine City with Kids to establish the BOOlevard of Play Family Zone during the annual event. The 2800 and 2900 block areas in St. Petersburg's Grand Central District will feature myriad hands-on activities, games, vendors, food, costumes and entertainment. Halloween on Central is Oct. 26, from noon to 5 p.m.
Multiple local nonprofits are inviting volunteers to help restore Eggmont Key, which remains in disarray following the 2024 hurricane season. The Great Egmont Key Cleanup event is Saturday, Sept. 27, at 9 a.m. Volunteers can receive a free ride from the Hubbard's Marina Ferry at Fort De Soto to the island, where they will haul debris to barges for removal. Participants will also receive a free lunch, snacks, Gatorade and water. For more information, visit the website here.
Neptune Grill and Let it Be Ice Cream have reopened in Gulfport nearly a year after Hurricane Helene's storm surge inundated the coastal community. Neptune Grill is offering a limited menu through Sunday while a contractor completes extensive renovations at 5501 Shore Blvd. S. Let it Be Ice Cream reopened Aug. 22 at 3127 Beach Blvd. S. However, two of the building's other tenants, Qi Crystal Energy and Paw Paw's Pet Boutique, have permanently closed.
The Lealman Exchange, operated by the St. Petersburg Foundation, will begin providing free swim lessons for local children and teens Oct. 4. The free Lealman Swim Program, made possible through partnerships with Community Foundation Tampa Bay, Step Into Swim and the Jim & Heather Gills YMCA, will host Saturday sessions for eight weeks. An ASL interpreter will support deaf or hard-of-hearing participants. For more information, visit the website here.
The St. Petersburg Police Department arrested Nirav Pandya, CEO of Space Machine and Engineering Corporation, Monday for embezzling nearly $192,000 in company funds. He allegedly used the St. Petersburg-based company's money to purchase private flights, Tampa Bay Buccaneers tickets and a water softener for his home. As of Tuesday, he remained in the Pinellas County Jail without bond.
St. Petersburg-based Duke Energy Florida will distribute "shelter in place" hurricane kits to the city's seniors Friday. The packages include a large, rolling cooler, a collapsible water container, shelf-stable food, hygiene products and other items. Attendees who bring a dog or cat can also receive a limited number of pet preparedness bags. The event is from noon to 1 p.m. at the Sunshine Center in downtown St. Petersburg.
