The Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce recently received three awards at the Florida Association of Chamber Professionals’ Fall Conference, including Chamber of the Year. The St. Pete Beach-based organization picked up a marketing award for its Visitor’s Guide and a communications award for its Member ToolBox. “These awards are a testament to our collective vision for the beaches, and we are deeply grateful for the recognition and support we have received from our peers,” said CEO Robin Miller.
The Tampa Police Department is investigating whether former Tampa Bay Buccaneer wide receiver was “provided unprescribed narcotics by an outside party” while hospitalized. Williams, 36, died Sept. 12 after spending over two weeks at St. Joseph’s Hospital for injuries suffered in a construction accident. The Bucs selected Williams in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL, and he spent four seasons with the team.
This weekend, Crumbl Cookies will host a grand opening celebration at 3740 Park Blvd. North in Pinellas Park. The company is known for its large cookies and creative flavors that change on a weekly basis. The franchise has stores in Seminole, Palm Habor, Clearwater, Tampa and other neighboring cities.
The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) will begin collecting fares for the region’s first bus rapid transit system Sunday, Oct. 1. SunRunner riders can use contactless payment methods and tappable cards for a $2.25 one-way ticket or $5 all-day pass. Passengers can also use the Flamingo Fares card or mobile application. Riders cannot pay with cash, and discounts are available to senior citizens, students and others at PSTA Customer Service Centers.
Pinellas County Parks officials will open the 108-year-old Turner Bungalow to the public Thursday for the first time since its acquisition in 2014. The home, built in 1915 at 801 S. Fort Harrison Ave. in Clearwater, now resides in the 21-acre Heritage Village at 11909 125th St. in Largo. The facility's staff spent the past three years completing extensive renovations to what they called an "authentic look at Florida vernacular architecture and "a glimpse into the life of the Turner family through the items that made their house a home."
TIE Tampa Bay has postponed the scheduled TIECON event, and will host "TIE Tampa Bay's Night at the Museum," Wednesday from 6-10 p.m. at the Tampa Bay History Center. Founded by businessmen from the Indus region, the local Tampa Bay TIE chapter supports "the next generation entrepreneurs" in the region. The event is open to the public.
The Florida Department of Transportation has awarded the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority a Commuter Assistance Grant totaling $700,000. The grant will allow the TECO Line Streetcar to remain fare-free for an additional year, according to HART's announcement this week. The streetcar stops at multiple locations throughout downtown and Channelside. FDOT previously awarded HART a $2.7 million Innovation Grant in 2018 for the Streetcar to go fare-free and expand service, increase frequency and service hours.
The first 50 Tampa Bay Rays fans to visit Poison Ivy Ink’s St. Petersburg and Tampa locations can select a free tattoo from five designs to commemorate the team’s fifth straight playoff appearance. The Rays Flash Tattoo event takes place Monday, Oct. 2, from 2 p.m. through 8 p.m. at 218 5th Ave. N. in St. Pete and 9722 N. 56th St. in Temple Terrace. The team will also host several Postseason Pop-Up Parties throughout the area Saturday, Sept. 30, and Sunday, Oct. 1.
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has filed an emergency rule to outlaw tianeptine, commonly known as "gas station heroin." Tianeptine is now on the Schedule I list of controlled substances in Florida. Commonly sold as a dietary supplement at gas stations, convenience stores and online, tianeptine can mimic the effects of opioids, is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for any medical use, and is attributed to five deaths nationwide.
The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration recently (AHCA) designated Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) as a Level IV facility. Johns Hopkins is the first Pinellas County hospital to receive the AHCA’s highest NICU classification. Those facilities provide the most advanced medical and surgical care for newborns and premature infants.
St. Pete Beach officials will issue “over the counter” permits for many hurricane-related repairs with a notarized application, a floorplan indicating damage and corresponding photos. That includes minor (less than 25%) roof repairs, equipment replacement, pool barrier fence repairs and all interior flood repairs. Officials will also expedite the technical review process for more extensive (over $25,000) work.
St. Petersburg Fire Rescue officials responded to a house fire on the 4700 block of 12th Ave. N. at around 7:45 p.m. Sunday. According to the report, crews found smoke emanating “from all sides” of the home. A subsequent search yielded one deceased victim. Fire Rescue officials have yet to release the victim’s identity or any additional information.
