The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) is hosting a Nov. 4 Discovery Day event for children aged 8 to 13 at its Administration Building. Education stations include a “hands-on crime scene investigation experience,” a modified physical abilities test, a Targeted Response Against Distracted Driving course and PCSO vehicle displays. For more information and to register, visit the website here.
Tampa-based door manufacturer Masonite International Corp. has acquired California-based Fleetwood Aluminum Products in a $285 million all-cash transaction. Fleetwood designs and manufactures premium, aluminum-framed glass door and window solutions for luxury homes. The company operates a 200,000-square-foot manufacturing facility with roughly 350 total employees. Masonite plans to operate Fleetwood as an independent business unit within its North American Residential business segment, according to an Oct. 19 announcement.
The Tampa Bay Rowdies 2023 season ended Oct. 21 at Al Lang Stadium with a 3-0 loss to the Birmingham Legion FC in the United Soccer League’s (USL) Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. Saturday night marked the first time the Rowdies have failed to reach the second round of the playoffs since 2019. The team overcame myriad injuries and a mid-season coaching change to finish second in the conference.
Entrepreneurs can now apply to the St. Pete Greenhouse’s annual startup pitch competition. Event organizers will select five applicants who have presented at 1 Million Cups St. Pete or participate in an entrepreneurial program at a local college or university. Contestants will compete for $5,000 in prize money, and the deadline to apply is Nov. 1. For more information, visit the website here.
This month, crews of construction workers can be seen preparing the site at 525 Mirror Lake Drive in St. Petersburg for the future Second District Court of Appeal building. The property was the former home to the Sebring Building, which was demolished last year. The new 53,000-square-foot Bernie McCabe Second District Court of Appeal Courthouse will feature 15 judicial chambers, a courtroom and workspace. The $59 million project previously hit a funding roadblock.
St. Petersburg Fire Rescue will host its annual Haunted Fire House from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday. The free event takes place at Station #10, at 2800 30th Ave. N. The free event will feature bounce houses, face painting, trick-or-treating and free food and drinks.
Pinellas County Human Services is now accepting applications for Regional Opioid Abatement Funding leadership, planning and coordination positions. County officials need qualified consultants and experts to evaluate and analyze the local opioid epidemic and abatement programming. The application deadline is 4 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7. For more information, visit the website here.
St. Petersburg Police Department K9s King, Nacho and Axel have received bullet and stab-resistant vests valued at $1,800 each from Vested Interest in K9s. The nonprofit embroidered the body armor with “In Memory of K9” and the names Soren, Titan and Stitch. Vested Interest in K9s has donated 5,289 protective vests totaling $6.9 million since 2009.
Starting today, there will be a new stop added the Downtown Looper's route for Cross Bay Ferry passengers. The new stop at Port St. Pete, located at 850 2nd Ave. SE, will be operational after 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and all-day Friday through Sunday. The additional route comes as the Cross Bay Ferry kicked off its seventh season this month, connecting Tampa and St. Petersburg visitors. The ferry previously docked at the North Yacht Basin, a marina across from The Vinoy Resort and Golf Club; however, the marina was never intended to become the permanent home for the ferry.
As the Orange Belt cycling tour organization plans to host the Oct. 21 CRIT Championship in the city, there will be several lane closures in the Edge District during the same day of the bike race. On 1st Avenue North, one north lane will remain open to westbound traffic at all times starting at 3 a.m. Central Avenue from 11th Street North to 16th Street North, Baum Avenue from 11th Street North to 13th Street, and 13th Street North between 1st Avenue North and 1st Avenue South, will all close to traffic at approximately 5 a.m. Most of the lanes will reopen later that day. The SunRunner will have a temporary stop created on the north side of 1st Avenue North at 13th Street.
The YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg has raised an additional $3 million for the new Speer YMCA campus. Longtime YMCA supporters James Gills, and his wife, Heather, made a foundational gift in 2001 for the Jim and Heather Gills YMCA. They have made an additional $2 million donation in the form of a match challenge for the future Speer campus. Last month, the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg announced it was looking to close a funding round after raising $20 million for the new facility. The Speer Foundation previously donated $8 million for the 75,000-square-foot Speer YMCA campus that will open in December. The Hough Family Foundation also recently gave a match challenge gift of $1 million that is open to be matched and is intended to be a catalyst for additional giving to match that amount.
Pinellas County Schools (PCS) officials are showcasing over 80 magnet, fundamental and career academies at a series of events that begin Oct. 21 at Pinellas Park High School. A district spokesperson encourages parents and students to explore opportunities that “make school fun” and provide a career pathway. Programs include veterinary, nursing, performing and visual arts, engineering, programming, automotive technology and health care. For more information, visit the District Application Programs website here.
