The research team at ConsumerAffairs analyzed average commute times, daily hours of congestion, fatal car crash rates and other transportation-related data to determine which metropolitan areas have the worst traffic. Tampa Bay ranked 13th, an 11-spot jump from 2024, among the 50 largest metro areas. The region's average commute time is not 28.3 minutes.
Registration is now open for We Run These Streets 5K, a new run/walk, hosted on Oct. 4 by the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg. The event is designed to build community, strengthen health, and celebrate the beauty of South St. Pete. To register, visit this website.
The St. Petersburg restaurant Allelo has been named by USA Today readers as one of the top wine bars in the country – No. 5 on a list of 10. It was the only establishment from Florida to be included. The restaurant, located at 300 Beach Drive NE, features Mediterranean-Aegean cuisine - and a wide selection of wines.
St. Petersburg-based Duke Energy Florida presented Pinellas County commissioners with a $500,000 check Tuesday for a new pedestrian bridge at Raymond H. Neri Park. The park is in underserved Lealman, an unincorporated area just outside of St. Petersburg. While the existing wooden bridge was not included in a park expansion and renovation project, county documents state the donation "may be recognized and allocated" to a replacement "via budget amendment at a later date."
Restaurants in coastal communities still reeling from the 2024 hurricane season received a boost from a friendly competition created by the Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce. The inaugural Beach Battle generated over 2,000 visits by allowing diners to redeem special offers at participating establishments and rate their experience. The Helm Seafood Parlour in St. Pete Beach took first place, followed by Slyce Madeira Beach, Sea Dogs Brewing Co. and Gateway Subs. "This initiative wasn't just about votes - it was about getting people through the doors," said chamber CEO Charlie Justice.
The City of St. Petersburg is providing residents with additional time to complete the 2025 Community Survey. The deadline to participate is now Aug. 11. Feedback will help shape the city's strategic plan, budget priorities and enhance the quality of life for all residents. To take the survey, visit the website here.
The University of South Florida will confer 2,697 degrees during summer commencement ceremonies Saturday at the Yuengling Center on the Tampa campus. Those include 1,842 bachelor's, 692 master's, 153 doctoral and nine specialist degrees. The ceremony will recognize 22 undergraduates who earned a perfect 4.0 grade point average, 82 veterans and graduates from 64 countries, 39 states and one U.S. territory.
Ferg's Sports Bar & Grill, a staple of St. Petersburg's EDGE District, currently ranks first in USA Today's "10Best" competition. Ferg's sits atop the publication's leaderboard in the "Best Local Sports Bar" category, with the public voting period ending Monday, Aug. 18, at noon. An expert panel nominated the 20 competing establishments, and USA Today will announce the winners Aug. 27. To vote, visit the website here.
WalletHub compared the 100 largest U.S. cities across 23 metrics to determine the "most pet-friendly cities" of 2025. St. Petersburg ranked No. 11 overall, No. 10 for "pet health & wellness," No. 32 for outdoor pet activities and No. 55 for pet costs. The personal finance platform ranked Tampa 2nd, and Scottsdale, Arizona, paced the nation.
St. Petersburg Fire Rescue will host a free end-of-summer celebration Tuesday to promote safety and bring families together. The department will offer ice cream, bike helmets, school supplies and the chance for kids and families to meet their local first responders at Fire Station 11. The event is from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at 5150 31st St. S.
After 29 years with the Pinellas Park Fire Department, Fire Chief Brett Schlatterer will retire effective Saturday, Aug. 23. Division Chief of EMS Andrew Hughes is being promoted to Fire Chief.
Homeowners can start applying to the My Safe Florida Home program today. The program provides wind-mitigation inspections and grants to cover certain home improvements. The Florida Legislature allocated $280 million to the initiative this year. To learn more and apply, visit this website.
