Pinellas County officials encourage residents to utilize an online database that includes Christmas tree collection and disposal information for all municipalities and unincorporated areas. Many local governments repurpose the trees into mulch, which helps to conserve limited landfill space. For more information, visit the website here, select “for homes” and click on the picture of a Christmas tree.
U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor announced Wednesday that 207 federal grants totaling $1.03 billion “bolstered neighborhoods from West Tampa to South St. Petersburg” in 2023. The congresswoman said she and her office helped deliver over $13.3 million in aid, benefits and refunds to Tampa Bay veterans, seniors, small businesses and families this year. Castor pledged to continue focusing on area infrastructure, environmental resiliency and neighborhood health and safety in 2024.
Tampa International Airport (TPA) recorded over 240 delayed flights Tuesday (Dec. 26), many from Southwest Airlines, due to an influx of holiday passengers. Airport officials blamed the Federal Aviation Administration’s delay program, triggered when traffic demand exceeds allowable acceptance rates, for the disruptions in a social media post. Dozens of flights arriving and departing from TPA between Wednesday and Thursday morning remain delayed.
The annual Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival will bring its celebration of community, culture, health and soul food to South St. Petersburg Feb. 17 at the Woodson African American Museum. James Beard Award-winning culinary historian Adrian E. Miller will also host an informative presentation titled “Black Chefs in the White House.” For more information, visit the website here.
Kimberly DiVito, Director of Tourism Product Development and Strategy at Creative Pinellas, will serve as the arts organization's interim CEO until a new executive director is brought on board. Longtime CEO Barbara St. Clair retired Dec. 20.
The St. Pete Catalyst staff is taking a few days off for family time; we'll be back Wednesday, Dec. 27. Happy holidays!
SPCA Tampa Bay is waiving adoption fees for dogs that are 2 years old and up through Sunday, Dec. 24. View adoptable dogs at spcatampabay.org/dogs.
Digital Inclusion St. Pete is hosting an after-Christmas Gadgets for Good event Jan. 6 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. People can bring their old electronic devices (excluding televisions) to the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg at 2333 34th St. S. and give someone the gift of digital inclusion. ESmart Recycling will donate refurbished computers according to the amount collected.
Mike Williams, the former receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, died from bacterial sepsis. The Hillsborough Medical Examiners office detailed "cerebral abscesses and necrotizing lobar pneumonia due to multiple dental caries and retained dental roots." Williams died Sept 12, days after being struck on his head by heavy supplies at a job site where he was working as a contractor.
The University of South Florida Bulls finished their 2023 season in dominating fashion, drubbing the Syracuse Orangemen 45-0 in Thursday night’s Boca Raton Bowl. The Bulls finished the season 7-6, their first season above .500 since 2018, and first shutout in 14 years. Quarterback Byrum Brown led the way, tossing three touchdown passes.
The Indian Shores Police Department's 2023 Charity Toy Drive and No Shave fundraiser exceeded all goals, Chief Rick Swann announced Thursday; the Indian Shores-Redington Shores departments delivered five truckloads of toys to the Santa’s Angels distribution facility over the past 10 days. The departments also raised $12,171 in direct and in-kind monetary donations to be shared between four charities serving Pinellas County. Santa’s Angels will provide toys, food and other essential items to 88 local families.
St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce officials are hiring two new coordinators to work in the organization’s downtown office. The community alliance coordinator will serve a critical role in supporting the recently established We Are St. Pete Community Alliance, which will help ensure equitable economic development. The Chamber is also hiring a marketing and communications coordinator.
