Pinellas County Utilities will stop adding fluoride to the drinking water supply by July 1 to comply with a new state law that prohibits the additive. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral known to prevent or reverse tooth decay. Florida became the second state to ban fluoridating public water systems in the spring.
Einstein Bros. Bagels has opened a new location at Tyrone Boulevard and 66th Street North in St. Petersburg. The national brand offers over 15 bagel varieties, egg sandwiches and coffee. Einstein Bros. also operates locations in Clearwater, Brandon, Temple Terrace and Tampa's Carrollwood neighborhood.
Three Pinellas County destinations earned recognition from the USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice Awards under the "Best Beaches in Florida" category. Clearwater, Treasure Island and St. Pete Beach ranked second, third and seventh, respectively. Treasure Island's Sloppy Joe's on the Beach ranked seventh in the "Best Beach Bar in the U.S." category.
Pinellas County's rainy season fertilizer restrictions begin Sunday, June 1, and end Oct. 1. The ordinance prohibits buying, selling or applying fertilizers containing nitrogen or phosphorus, which cannot be used year-round without a soil test. The restrictions prevent fertilizer runoff from harming local waterways and seeping into the aquifer. Nitrogen and phosphorus fuel harmful algae blooms, like red tide. For more information, visit the website here.
The Children's Board of Hillsborough County has raised $471,329 to help the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Tampa Bay provide 422 additional summer camp scholarships across nine area sites. The organization's summer camps run from June 9 through Aug. 1. According to the announcement, the funding will ensure "more children in high-demand areas have access to safe, enriching summer experiences."
Six Pinellas County schools will have new principals in the 2025-26 academic year, including Madeira Beach Fundamental K-8, which was displaced for several months after Hurricane Helene flooded the campus. Christopher Ateek, who has led the school for 18 years, will transfer to Pasadena Fundamental Elementary. Mary Athanson will move from Meadowlawn Middle to Madeira Beach Fundamental. Carmela Haley will transfer from Pinellas Gulf Coast Academy to Nina Harris Exceptional Student Education Center. Carlmon Jones will leave John Hopkins Middle for Bay Vista Fundamental Elementary, and Donita Moody will move from Pasadena Fundamental to Azalea Elementary.
The Tampa Bay Rays will host their first postgame drone show, which will depict iconic moments in team history, after the June 17 game against the Baltimore Orioles. The second show is after a September 19 game against the Boston Red Sox and will honor fans. Parents who buy a ticket for the June 6-8 series against the Miami Marlins can receive two complimentary tickets for children aged 14 and under during Kids Cheer Free Weekend. The Rays will also launch a Summer 3-Pack ticket promotion that allows fans to attend any three home games in June and July, including a parking pass, for $99.
The City of St. Petersburg has published its draft action plan for Sunrise St. Pete, a comprehensive disaster recovery and resilience initiative supported by $159.8 million in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funding. Residents can view and offer feedback on the draft action plan through June 23. To attend a virtual public hearing June 3 at 2 p.m., visit the website here. To view the draft plan, visit the website here.
PGA Tour Superstore plans to open a new 290,000-square-foot location in the Tyrone area of West St. Petersburg. The storefront at 2020 66th St. N. in the Crosswinds Shopping Center previously housed a Bealls. PGA Tour Superstores feature golf equipment, apparel and accessories, and indoor putting greens, simulators, lessons and club repairs. The company has yet to announce an opening date.
The Tampa Bay Rays will host a yard sale, benefiting the Rays Baseball Foundation, Saturday, May 31 in Tropicana Field's Lot 7. Thousands of Rays-related items will be available at a discount; for $20, visitors can buy a bag and fill it with merchandise of their choice. Fans who purchase a bag will get one voucher for two complimentary tickets to a 2025 regular-season Rays home game at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa (certain blackout dates apply). Admission to the 11 a.m.-2 p.m. yard sale is free. Visit this link for more information.
Pinellas County officials have highlighted local park amenities that remain closed or have limited access through Memorial Day weekend due to storm damage. The east loop and portions of the seawall around the historic fort remain closed at Fort De Soto, and several shelters still lack picnic tables. Fort De Soto and War Veterans' Memorial Park also have limited boat launch access. The parking lot and public access area at Madeira Beach remain closed for "major repairs."
Pinellas County Emergency Management and other local experts will help area boaters learn how to prepare and secure their boats during hurricane season from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the St. Pete Pier docks near Doc Ford's Rum Bar and Grille. Pinellas County is home to 54,000 registered boats, the second-most in Florida. Hundreds were lost or damaged during Hurricanes Helene and Milton. For more information, visit the website here.
