Digital Inclusion St. Pete is collecting gadgets to support people who do not have access to technology, and help to bridge the digital divide. Residents can drop off unused electronics such as old mobile phones, laptops and printers at the Foundation for a Healthy St. Pete (2333 34th St. S.) Jan. 6 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg announced the appointment of Kimberly G. Jackson, Esq., as Chair of its Board of Directors for the 2024-2025 term. Jackson has served on the YMCA's Board of Directors since early 2018 and has a background in law, education and advocacy. She currently serves as Executive Director at the Institute for Strategic Policy Solutions (ISPS).
Personal finance website WalletHub released its “Best and Worst Cities for Keeping your New Year’s Resolutions” report Wednesday, and St. Petersburg ranked 31st. However, the city placed 11th out of 180 cities for school and work resolutions and 16th in the health category. WalletHub’s researchers believe residents will have difficulty improving bad habits as St. Petersburg ranked 137th in metrics that included binge drinking, marijuana use, access to opioids and sleep inadequacies.
Attorneys for Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital (JHACH) presented extensive evidence showing what they considered juror misconduct in the so-called “Take Care of Maya” trial. Judge Hunter Carrol briefly interviewed the jury’s foreman in a Sarasota County courtroom Wednesday and determined that Paul Lengyel did not violate orders. The St. Petersburg hospital’s attorneys will continue to seek a mistrial after a jury awarded Maya Kowalski and her family $261 million for false imprisonment, severe emotional distress and several other allegations related to the girl’s October 2016 stay at JHACH.
Ringside Cafe manager Mitch Gray confirmed Thursday afternoon that the long-running St. Pete live music venue closed "for good" on New Year's Day. "It was a good long run and lots of fun was had and good music was heard," Gray wrote in a Facebook post. "Big thanks to all who supported us through the years."
Pinellas County residents can help secure critical funding and inform public policy to help end homelessness by volunteering with the Homeless Leadership Alliance during its Point in Time Count event Thursday, Jan. 25. The initiative is an annual, national event that provides a snapshot of those experiencing sheltered and unsheltered homelessness in the county. Collected data is sent to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Florida Department of Children and Families to help secure millions in resources. For more information, visit the website here.
The Lights by the Bay Drone Show will be held at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Saturday, Jan. 13 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. The pirate-themed event will feature over 150 drones performing aerial maneuvers and light displays against the backdrop of the Aquarium and Clearwater Bay. There will also be live music, food and beverage and exclusive access to the Ruth and J.O. Stone Dolphin Complex.
In an effort to enforce housing habitability standards and discourage evictions through tenant protection, the City of St. Petersburg has compiled tips, resources and information for renters in the new St. Pete’s Guide for Renters. The downloadable guide is available at www.stpete.org/renters.
Friends of Albert Whitted Airport, an organization dedicated to raising awareness of Albert Whitted Airport as an asset to the city of St. Petersburg, is soliciting applications for its 2024 scholarship program. Three categories have been added to the program this year, including a $1,000 Starter scholarship to introduce young people to aviation, a $5,000 Intermediate scholarship for 16 to 24-year-olds who are already taking flying lessons, and a $10,000 Advanced scholarship for 17 to 24-year-olds who hold a pilot certificate and are working on becoming a commercial pilot. Visit foawa.org/
St. Petersburg-based RxLive will receive a $150,000 grant from the NCPDP Foundation to automate tracking of physician adoption of pharmacists' clinical recommendations. The data will be used to demonstrate the impact and value that pharmacist-led clinical interventions can have on patient care. RxLive has received investment from Seedfunders and participated in accelerators with Tampa Bay Wave, Embarc Collective and Dreamit Ventures.
Saltaire, a 192-unit luxury condominium tower in Downtown St. Petersburg, is officially sold out after its four penthouses recently closed for between $7.28 million and $7.7 million, according to Pinellas County property records. Construction began on the 35-story building at 301 1st St. S. in April 2020. Kolter Urban developed the $250 million tower.
ESPN reported that Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco was arrested Monday in the Dominican Republic after an interview with prosecutors investigating him for alleged inappropriate relationships with minors. Francos’s arrest was due to failing to comply with a Dec. 28 summons. Authorities have yet to file charges related to the initial investigation.
