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Airline to establish new crew base at Tampa airport

Frontier Airlines plans to open a new crew base at Tampa International Airport in May. According to a news release, about 250 flight attendants and 140 pilots will be based at TIA, with more expected to use Tampa as their base in the future. Tampa, the release states, has become an important hub for Frontier, which operates nearly 20 nonstop routes to and from TIA. The airline also plans to establish a new crew base at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport later in the year.

Five more Covid deaths recorded in Pinellas County

The Florida Department of Health reported another 301 cases of Covid-19 in Pinellas County Thursday and five additional deaths, bringing the cumulative county total since March to 60,623 cases and 1,312 deaths. The two-week percent positivity rate now stands at 7.58 percent. As of Thursday afternoon, Pinellas County's acute-care hospitals had 17.4 percent of adult ICU beds available. More than 80,000 people have been , vaccinated against the virus countywide. To view an interactive ZIP code map of Covid cases in Pinellas County, click here

All PSTA routes to return to normal schedule Sunday

Beginning on Sunday, Feb. 7, all PSTA routes will return to their normal operating schedules with all service ending at approximately 10 p.m. Passenger limits to allow for social distancing will remain at 15 plus two passengers with mobility devices per bus. Passengers should check the PSTA website for complete schedule information. To accommodate demand caused by maximum passenger safety limits, routes 19, 34, and 52 will have temporary “Covid Relief” trips added to regular service. To get the bus schedule, click here

Pharmaceutical company settles with government for $325,000

Vistapharm Inc., a New Jersey-based pharmaceutical company that has a manufacturing and distribution facility in Largo, has agreed to pay $325,000 in civil penalties to settle a federal case that alleged it had violated the Controlled Substances Act. The U.S. government claimed that Vistapharm had failed to maintain proper Drug Enforcement Agency forms regarding the purchase and sale of Schedule II controlled substances. The company was also accused of inadequate record keeping in regard to six types of controlled substances at its Largo facility. The case was investigated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida and the Tampa District Office of the DEA’s Miami Field Division.

Owner of several St. Pete bars sues state over mask order

Knight Global Entertainment — the parent company of several downtown St. Petersburg bars and entertainment venues, including Jannus Live, Ringside Cafe, Pelican Pub and MacDinton’s Irish Pub — has filed a lawsuit against the state of Florida, alleging that a mask order issued by St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman is not enforceable by local courts. Knight Global Entertainment, whose president is Largo resident Jeffry Knight, claims it has been cited 16 times by the City of St. Petersburg for violating the order, and that city officials have threatened to revoke the extended-hours permit that allows it to operate its venues after midnight. Such an action, the company claims, would effectively put it out of business.  

Allendale church gets go-ahead for garden

The St. Petersburg Development Review Commission voted late Wednesday to allow Allendale United Methodist Church to keep its controversial vegetable gardens, with a key condition. The DRC approved one motion to allow food gardening within the property boundaries and a separate motion that expressly prohibits vertical structures within the adjacent public right of way. The church’s gardens have generated a lot of debate over the past several weeks, as the St. Pete Catalyst reported previously, with supporters arguing the garden is needed to feed hungry people and opponents saying the garden is not consistent with the character of the neighborhood. The DRC vote followed a more than three-hour public hearing.

Museum of History issues RFP for new on-site cafe

The St. Petersburg Museum of History, which will turn 100 in 2022, has announced a Request for Proposals from qualified respondents for the development and operation of a café on the west side of the building, 325 2nd Avenue NE (on the runup to the St. Pete Pier). The cafe, utilizing approximately 1,500 square feet of indoor space and 1,200 square feet of outdoor space, is part of a multi-million-dollar expansion at the museum. Paper copies of the proposal guidelines and application are available for pickup at the museum, or digitally from director Rui Farias at rui@spmoh.org.

St. Pete commission advances downtown mixed-use project

A site plan for a 28-story high-rise in downtown St. Petersburg won approval Wednesday from the St. Petersburg Development Review Commission. The panel voted unanimously to approve the DeNunzio Group project, which includes a hotel, housing and an office space at 450 1st Ave. N. The project came before the commission because of its proximity to several historic sites, including the Historic Open Air Post Office just to the east. An attorney for the developer said the new building would not obstruct those historic sites in any way. The modern architectural style of the planned DeNunzio building will make the historic structures stand out, one commissioner said. Other commissioners cited the much-needed parking and office space the project would provide. There was no public comment on the plan, which still needs final approval from the City Council, meeting as the Community Redevelopment Agency.

Another 192 cases of Covid reported in Pinellas County

The Florida Department of Health reported another 192 cases of Covid-19 in Pinellas County Wednesday and two additional deaths, bringing the cumulative county total since March to 60,322 cases and 1,307 deaths. The two-week percent positivity rate now stands at 7.34 percent. As of Wednesday afternoon, there were 292 people hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of Covid-19 in Pinellas County's acute-care hospitals, with 15.5 percent of adult ICU beds available. More than 78,000 people have been vaccinated against the virus countywide. To view an interactive ZIP code map of Covid cases in Pinellas County, click here

Suzuki spinoff company to be headquartered in Tampa

Suzuki Motor of America Inc. has chosen Tampa as the corporate headquarters location of its new company, Suzuki Marine USA LLC, effective April 1. Located at 13521 Prestige Place, Suzuki Marine has already begun the hiring process for jobs in corporate operations, dealer support and sales support. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor called Suzuki’s choice an “incredible win for our community and further evidence that we can support corporate headquarter operations for global companies.” She added, "Tampa's business advantages, including its strong public-private partnerships, access to a highly skilled workforce and outstanding quality of life, helped attract Suzuki Marine to our community."

Pinellas County Publix vaccine appointments to reopen Friday at 7 a.m.

The Pinellas County government and the Florida Department of Health have announced that a second round of vaccine appointments at select Publix pharmacies in Pinellas County will open Friday, Feb. 5, at 7 a.m. Those appointments will be scheduled between Feb. 8 and Feb. 11. appointments will open up for Monday to Thursday (Feb. 8-11). Appointments can only be made at www.publix.com/covidvaccine and all patients will be required to show proof of Florida residency. Appointment times will not be visible before the scheduled launch time and slots are expected to go quickly.

Cross Bay Ferry to offer extended service for Super Bowl events beginning today

The Cross Bay Ferry will add extra service for the Super Bowl on February 3 and 4 to allow visitors in the St. Petersburg area to easily access events happening on Tampa’s Riverwalk. The ferry traditionally begins its weekly service Wednesday and Thursday at 4:45 p.m. from St. Pete and 6:15 p.m from Tampa. On Wednesday, February 3 and Thursday, February 4, there will be an additional roundtrip, leaving at 1 p.m. from St. Petersburg, followed by a departure from Tampa at 2:30 p.m. The Sunday departure has also been delayed for the game, now scheduled to depart at 10:30 p.m. rather than the standard 9:30 p.m. The Tampa dock location is still at the temporary Sparkman Wharf location until Feb. 17. Tickets are available online or at the dockside ticket booths. Reservations are highly encouraged.  

The St. Pete Catalyst

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