The City of St. Petersburg and its Office of Supplier Diversity will host a two-day event to provide local businesses with purchasing and contracting opportunities. The St. Pete Supplier Summit combines elements from previous Supplier Diversity Day and Build St. Pete events. A Supplier Success Symposium is from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. May 13 at The Coliseum. Al Lang Stadium will host a Supplier Connection Expo from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. May 14. For more information, visit the website here.
Pinellas County is now accepting applications for federal grants that help prevent crime, improve the criminal justice system and mitigate drug abuse. Officials anticipate distributing $270,837 to local governments, political or law enforcement agencies and nonprofits through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Countywide. Licensed substance abuse treatment providers can receive awards ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 through the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Trust Fund. For more information, visit the website here.
Cheeky's, a new neighborhood seafood restaurant and raw bar, will open May 7 at 2823 Central Avenue in St. Petersburg's Grand Central District. Owner Nate Siegel, co-founder of Tampa's award-winning Willa's and Willa's Provvisions, first announced the concept in 2023. Cheeky's was inspired by New England oyster bars and Southern fish shacks.
Clearwater-based KnowBe4, the world's first and largest cybersecurity awareness training platform, has appointed Bryan Palma as its next president and CEO. Palma, former CEO of cybersecurity firm Trellix, will replace Stu Sjouwerman on May 5. Sjouwerman, who founded KnowBe4, will serve as executive chairman and focus on artificial intelligence initiatives. In July 2024, the company admitted it had unwittingly hired a "fake IT worker from North Korea" who immediately attempted to download malware.
Busch Gardens has announced major upgrades totally nearly $40 million, including the debut of Wild Oasis at Jungala in May, described as "A new world of kid-friendly adventure," new animal encounters, elevated dining, enhanced guest experiences and a "major transformation of Adventure Island." Said Jeff Davis, new president of the Tampa theme park, in a prepared statement: “The additions and improvements will be made across our infrastructure, operations, staff recruiting, equipment, as well as adding to our aesthetics with more beautiful gardens and plant life. New animal arrivals are also in the plans."
The St. Petersburg Arts Alliance has announced the winners of its MUSE Awards for 2025: Visual Arts Award Recipient - Creative Clay; Performance Arts Award Recipient - Nate Najar; Literary Arts Award Recipient - Peter Kageyama; Art & Technology Award Recipient - USF - College of Design, Art & Performance; Patron of the Arts Award Recipient - Milkey Family Foundation; Arts Ambassador Award Recipient - Daryl DeBerry. They will be honored at a May 14 event at Bayboro Brewing Co.
Students from East Lake, Hollins, Largo, Palm Harbor University and St. Petersburg High Schools won the Division I State Championship at the Commissioner's Academic Team Challenge, held April 24 in Orlando. The prestigious tournament tests knowledge across several subjects. Ayden Khalil of Palm Harbor University High and James Michalski from Hollins High earned a spot on the 2025 Florida Academic Team and a $1,000 scholarship.
The President has appointed Tampa Mayor Jane Castor to serve on the recently created Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) review council. According to the announcement, the 20-person council is a "bipartisan group tasked with reforming and streamlining the nation's emergency management and disaster response system." Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who threatened to abolish FEMA in March, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth will lead the council.
The City of St. Petersburg will host a public input meeting regarding the San Martin Boulevard Forcemain and Watermain Relocation Project at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. Officials will relocate the underground utilities to improve long-term reliability and environmental resilience. Officials must relocate the infrastructure before Pinellas County replaces the San Martin Bridge over Riviera Bay. The meeting is at the Willis S. Johns Recreation Center at 6635 Dr. MLK Jr St. N.
The Pinellas County Regional 9-1-1 Communications Centers has implemented new technology that allows callers to share live video with first responders. Authorities say the platform enables callers to share critical, detailed information. The technology has already helped callers perform CPR and domestic abuse victims safely escape dangerous situations.
St. Petersburg police have arrested a motorist who drove into Tampa Bay early Monday morning. Officers said the vehicle drove east through the intersection of Central Avenue and Bayshore Drive Northeast and into the water near Demen's Landing at approximately 2:30 a.m. The driver, a 27-year-old woman, escaped the vehicle and swam to shore. She was subsequently charged with driving under the influence.
At least one person has died and several others were injured Sunday night after the Clearwater Ferry was involved in a waterborne hit-and-run collision while carrying 45 passengers. The driver who hit the ferry and fled the scene was apprehended hours later. Clearwater's fire department declared the crash, first reported at 8:43 p.m., a mass casualty event due to the number and severity of injuries. Six patients were declared trauma alerts.
