Little Llamas Boutique in St. Petersburg will host a Hurricane Relief Clothing Giveaway and Trunk-or-Treat event Sunday, Oct. 20 from 4-6 p.m. Families impacted by the recent hurricanes can sign up to receive new, donated clothing here.
Pinellas County residents with roof damage from Hurricane Milton can get a temporary blue tarp to prevent further damage by signing up for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and FEMA's Operation Blue Roof program. Impacted residents with a driver's license or other proof of residency can sign up through Tuesday, Nov. 5. online at BlueRoof.gov or by calling 888-ROOF-BLU (888-766-3258).
Following closures related to Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Pinellas County Parks & Conservation Resources will reopen the following parks Saturday, Oct. 19:
City officials opened three remote permitting sites Wednesday in St. Petersburg to make the storm recovery process more efficient, accessible and convenient. Locations include the Azalea Recreation Center, at 1600 72nd St. N; the Enoch D. Davis Center, at 1111 18th Ave. S; and the Roberts Recreation Center, at 1246 50th Ave. N. The sites are open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., and officials have waived application and inspection fees related to storm repairs.
St. Petersburg College, which operates the Palladium Theater, has announced the downtown St. Petersburg performance venue will be closed for repairs through Oct. 27.
The Florida Department of Financial Services opened an insurance village Tuesday at 1501 North Belcher Rd. in Clearwater. The facility allows policyholders to meet with insurance representatives in person and collaboratively file claims from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Attendees should bring identification, policy information, damage documentation and repair estimates.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has launched Operation Blue Roof to aid Pinellas County residents impacted by Hurricane Milton’s winds. The initiative provides homeowners and permanently occupied rental properties with fiber-reinforced sheeting to cover damaged roofs while waiting for permanent repairs. To apply for the free service, visit the website here.
Spectrum has announced the creation of 700 new call center jobs at its new Largo call center, 6451 126th Ave. Applications are available at this link.
St. Petersburg Police Department (SPPD) traffic investigators said a Pinellas Suncoast Transit Agency (PSTA) bus failed to yield to pedestrian traffic when it struck and killed an unidentified man, 65, on a motorized scooter. SPPD officials announced Wednesday morning that the driver was St. Petersburg resident Deanna Leigh Grayston, 53. The crash occurred at approximately 11:12 Tuesday as Grayston and 10 passengers approached an activated Pinellas Trail crosswalk signal on 22nd Avenue North.
Pinellas County officials will open a storm-related sand drop-off site at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Sand Key Park. The facility at 1060 Gulf Blvd. will subsequently open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m., seven days per week, to all residents and business owners. County inspectors will not accept sandbags or vegetative debris.
Ravaged by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium will re-open to the public Monday, Oct. 21 (hours will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily). A special ticketed event, Aqua Lanterns: A Chinese Festival of Lights, takes place this Friday (Oct. 18) from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets and details are available here.
Pinellas County officials have invited residents and business owners to participate in a virtual Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS) workshop from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m. Thursday. The LMS identifies natural and manmade hazards and sets goals to reduce risks and minimize the loss of life, property and resources. To register, visit the website here.
