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Earth Fare to reopen in Seminole Saturday

Organic and health food grocery store Earth Fare will reopen under new ownership in Seminole City Center, 11201 Park Blvd. North Saturday, Jan. 23 at 8 a.m. The reopening celebration will feature prizes including a wellness basket and a dinner for two. This marks a reversal of the Asheville-based's supermarket chain February 2020 announcement that it would close all its stores and liquidate its inventory due to continued challenges in the retail industry. 

SBA opens second round of Paycheck Protection Program

Banks and credit unions around the country on Tuesday began processing applications for a second round of the Paycheck Protection Program, the popular Small Business Administration initiative that has been a lifeline for small- and medium-size businesses affected by the Covid-19 crisis. PPP offers loans of up to $2 million that are forgivable if certain requirements are met, such as using at least 60 percent of the funds to cover payroll costs. Businesses that received first-round PPP funds can apply for a new loan as long as they have fully spent their initial disbursement. 

FitLife Foods faces lawsuit filed by whistleblower

Tampa-based FitLife Foods has been hit with a lawsuit filed by a former employee who claims the company ignored temperature-control protocols, causing food to spoil. Thomas Kelly’s complaint says he was fired from his post as FitLife’s director of processing improvement in January 2020, about two months after he began expressing concerns about food safety to an operations manager at the firm’s culinary center. FitLife Foods founder and CEO David Osterweil, speaking with the St. Pete Catalyst, called Kelly’s claims “baseless” and said the former employee is concerned only with financial gain. Osterweil also said FitLife had not been served with any papers related to the lawsuit, which was filed Dec. 31 in Hillsborough County Circuit Court. 

Community Foundation of Tampa Bay and Stetson University College of Law welcome new Community Fellows

The Community Foundation of Tampa Bay and Stetson University College of Law have welcomed three new Community Fellows as part of the Alliance for Advocacy and Philanthropy partnership. As part of this collaboration, the Foundation offers paid fellowships each semester for students attending Stetson. The fellows will have the opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of community philanthropy and have hands-on experience in working with nonprofit organizations. The recipients are Bailey Peterson and Shannon Walker, who will receive their degrees in 2021 and Blake Radford, who will receive his degree in 2023.

18 more deaths recorded in Pinellas County Tuesday

The Florida Department of Health reported another 395  cases of Covid-19 in Pinellas County Tuesday and 18 additional deaths, bringing the cumulative county total since March to 54,5924 cases and 1,202 deaths. The two-week percent positivity rate now stands at 8.91 percent. As of Tuesday afternoon, there were 346 people hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of Covid-19 in Pinellas County's acute-care hospitals, with 21.6 percent of adult ICU beds available. More than 45,000 people have been vaccinated against the virus countywide. To view an interactive ZIP code map of Covid cases in Pinellas County, click here

City of St. Pete seeking feedback through community needs assessment survey

The City of St. Petersburg is developing a consolidated plan for community resources and is seeking input from residents through a survey which can be accessed here. Feedback will help city officials decide how money is spent on affordable housing and expanding economic opportunities for low and moderate-income individuals. 

Advanced orthopedics company opens office in St. Pete

Regenexx, a regenerative interventional orthopedics firm headquartered in Tampa, has opened an office in downtown St. Petersburg. Founded by Dr. James Leiber in 2012, Regenexx specializes in advanced medical procedures that it says have been shown to help ease joint pain, injury and arthritis without the need for lengthy recovery times and painful physical rehabilitation. Its orthobiologic treatments utilize stem cell therapy to help the body heal naturally, without the need for cortisone injections. Regenexx’s St. Pete office is located at 100 2nd Ave. S., Suite 904S. 

Prominent NFL team owner joins cancer center’s board of advisors

A week after welcoming a Paramount Pictures executive to its national board of advisors, Tampa-based Moffitt Cancer Center has added Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones to the group, as well. Jones, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, has owned the Cowboys since 1989; during that time, he has been active in marketing, corporate sponsorships, television, stadium management, stadium development, labor negotiations and community service. Most recently, he provided much of the vision for the Cowboys’ acclaimed new home stadium: AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. 

Tampa to get another shot at WrestleMania

For the second year in a row, Tampa has been selected as the host city for WrestleMania, the WWE’s signature event. Because of the Covid-19 crisis, the 2020 edition of WrestleMania was moved from Raymond James Stadium to the WWE training facility in Orlando and filmed with no fans in attendance. WrestleMania 37, according to a statement released by the Stamford, Conn.-based company, will take place on April 10 and 11 at Raymond James Stadium, with reduced seating capacity and other Covid-19 protocols expected to be in effect. 

Pinellas Covid percent positivity rate back in single digits; nine new deaths reported

The Florida Department of Health reported another 317  cases of Covid-19 in Pinellas County Monday and nine additional deaths, bringing the cumulative county total since March to 54,529 cases and 1,184 deaths. The two-week percent positivity rate now stands at 9.13 percent. As of Monday afternoon, there were 366 people hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of Covid-19 in Pinellas County's acute-care hospitals, with 22.3 percent of adult ICU beds available. More than 33,000 people have been vaccinated against the virus countywide. To view an interactive ZIP code map of Covid cases in Pinellas County, click here

Bucs defeat Saints, move one step closer to Super Bowl

With a huge victory over their archrival New Orleans Saints on Sunday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are now one win away from becoming the first team in NFL history to vie for the Super Bowl on home turf. Led by quarterback Tom Brady and a defense that forced four turnovers, the Bucs defeated Drew Brees and the Saints 30-20. The Bucs now travel to Wisconsin to face the Green Bay Packers in the NFC championship game. With a win there, they would face either the Buffalo Bills or Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV on Feb. 7 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. 

PGA Tour moves tournament from Mexico to Tampa Bay area

Citing logistical challenges stemming from the Covid-19 crisis, the PGA Tour has moved the World Golf Championships-Mexico Championship from Mexico City to The Concession Golf Club in Bradenton, a course designed by legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus. The event takes place place Feb. 25-28 and will be followed by a series of tournaments that were already slated to be played in Florida: The Arnold Palmer Invitational, The Players Championship and The Honda Classic. The PGA Tour intends to return the tournament to Mexico City in 2022. 

The St. Pete Catalyst

The Catalyst honors its name by aggregating & curating the sparks that propel the St Pete engine.  It is a modern news platform, powered by community sourced content and augmented with directed coverage.  Bring your news, your perspective and your spark to the St Pete Catalyst and take your seat at the table.

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