The University of South Florida Foundation has created a Marine Science Operating Fund in the wake of the Marine Science Lab fire on the USF St. Petersburg campus. According to USF's website, the extent of the damage is still being evaluated and the fund will help support students, faculty and researchers. Individuals can donate at this link.
The Tampa Bay Sun Football Club will play its season home finale Saturday against Dallas Trinity FC at the Suncoast Credit Union Field (on the Howard W. Blake High School campus). According to a prepared statement, there will be a variety of fan appreciation activities to mark the occasion including giveaways and a merchandise sale. The match will start at 7:30 p.m. To learn more, visit this link.
Leaders of the national insurance company GEICO celebrated the opening of a new Tampa complex Thursday at Corporate Oaks Business Park. The 190,000-square foot campus features three buildings. According to a prepared statement, GEICO plans to create 1,500 new jobs in Tampa.
Hubbard's Marina, located on John's Pass in Madeira Beach, been named the #1 Best Fishing Charter in the Country in the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, for the fifth consecutive year. Nominees for the awards are selected by a panel of industry experts and editors, with final rankings determined by public vote.
The "Dump Duke FL" campaign will host a community town hall with St. Petersburg City Council member Richie Floyd May 27, at the Sunshine Senior Center (at 330 5th Street N.) beginning at 6:30 p.m. According to a prepared statement, the theme will be "Electric Bills 101." Attendees will learn more about their bills, why costs change over time and what the upcoming public power study means for the future. This initiative will help determine whether St. Petersburg should create its own municipal electric utility or continue to work with Duke Energy. For more information, visit this link.
Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital leaders will come together Friday to celebrate the topping out of the organization's new $300 million Wesley Chapel facility (at 29999 Boyette Road) from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. According to a prepared statement, the 239,000-square-foot "full-service pediatric hospital is on track to open in fall 2027."
Tickets go on sale to the public at noon today for The Art of Banksy, a traveling exhibition of more than 160 original and authenticated works - prints, canvases, screenprints, sculpture and more - by the anyonymous British street artist. Visiting Tampa's Straz Center for the Performing Arts' Morsani Hall stage Aug. 1-30, the show includes a signed, previously unseen work: Banksy’s Mona Lisa, originally purchased directly from Banksy by actor Brad Pitt and returned to the artist in 2022. Find tickets and additional information at this link.
Preserve the 'Burg’s annual Restoration & Design Expo will take place, Saturday, May 16 at the St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club. The 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., presented in partnership with the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation, coinciding with the Trust's Preserve Florida Conference taking place May 14 and 15 in St. Petersburg, will offer guided tours of the Historic Mirror Lake District; more than two dozen expo vendors include specialists in historic restoration, period-appropriate home décor and vintage-inspired design. Details are available at this link.
Publix Super Markets executive chairman Todd Jones will retire effective May 31 after serving 46 years with the company. He began his career at Publix as a front-service clerk in New Smyrna Beach, Florida and eventually would become a store manager in 1988. Jones was named the organization's president in 2008 and CEO and president in 2016. According to a prepared statement, he will serve as the chairman of the board of directors.
St. Petersburg College will host the College for Kids summer camp from June 1 through July 30 at the St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus. The program is for students in kindergarten through 8th grade. According to a prepared statement, the camp "offers hands-on learning in areas such as STEM, arts, music and wellness, giving young learners a fun and engaging introduction to college life." For more information, visit this link.
The trial of Jeffry Knight, the owner and driver of the 37-foot powerboat that struck the Clearwater Ferry in April 2025, ressulting in the death of a passenger, has been delayed until Feb. 1, 2027. Knight is facing eight felony counts of leaving the scene of a boat crash. He pled not guilty to the charges.
Texas-based Shipley Do-Nuts, which opened it first Pinellas County franchise location in Clearwater last December, is coming to St. Petersburg. Although the company did not announce an openng date, it will take over the former Starbucks location at 946 4th Street N.
