The Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce will distribute recently raised storm recovery funding to hospitality workers Tuesday, Dec. 3. Chamber officials will provide gift cards on a first-come, first-serve basis to eligible recipients with a valid driver's license and proof of prior hospitality employment on Pinellas County beaches. The distribution event is at Madeira Beach City Hall from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m.
St. Petersburg College recently received a $677,351 grant from the U.S. Department of Education for the American History and Civics National Activities Program. The funding will support a six-week History and Civics academy for students in SPC’s three collegiate high schools. The grant will also support an academy for teachers and staff.
One of the deadliest and most destructive hurricane seasons officially ended Saturday. Hurricane Debby brought torrential downpours to the area in August, and Hurricane Helene’s storm surge and rain killed 14 people throughout Tampa Bay in late September. Local officials attributed two deaths in St. Petersburg to Hurricane Milton, which brought over 100 mph wind gusts to the city on Oct. 9.
U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor has invited the community to help recognize neighbors, friends and family who went above and beyond to help others amid recent hurricanes. The congresswoman will highlight selected honorees for their contributions and the “vital role they played in bringing the community together during recovery efforts.” Constituents can submit nominations through the form here.
Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital's emergency room team has won the 2024 HealthImpact DAISY Nurse Leader Team Award in Compassionate Policy for their work to advance care for patients struggling with addiction. The awards are given out annually by the DAISY Foundation to nurses who show compassion for underserved communities through hospital policy change.
So that we can enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends, the St. Pete Catalyst staff won't publish Thursday and Friday, Nov. 28 and 29. We'll be back Saturday. Happy Thanksgiving!
The Tampa Bay Rays face a dramatically altered 2025 season schedule as Major League Baseball hopes to avoid summer rain at open-air Steinbrenner Field, the team’s temporary home. The Rays will play 19 of their first 22 and 47 of their first 59 games in Tampa. The team will then play 64 of its 103 games on the road. The Rays will play just eight home games in July and again in August.
The Raytheon Debris Management Site and several other drop-off locations in St. Petersburg will close Thursday for Thanksgiving but reopen for normal business hours Friday. The Disaster Recovery Center at the Enoch Davis Center will close Thursday and Friday and reopen Saturday. The city will pick up residential trash and recycling normally scheduled for Thursday on Wednesday.
The Pinellas Education Foundation announced Tuesday that it provided $1.6 million in support and resources to Pinellas County Schools (PCS) as part of ongoing hurricane relief efforts. The foundation raised over $1 million in donations and its board added another $600,000 from reserve funding. Over 500 PCS employees have received awards ranging from $500 to $5,000.
Residents who live in flood hazard areas within unincorporated Pinellas County will soon receive letters informing them of their home’s substantial storm damage determination. However, they can apply for repair permits before receiving the letter. A substantial damage determination means a homeowner’s estimated repair costs will likely exceed 49% of the structure’s cash value. For more information, visit the website here.
City officials and community stakeholders recently planted 183 trees in St. Petersburg’s Child’s Park neighborhood. A U.S. Forest Service grant funded the project to increase the tree canopy, improve air quality, mitigate the urban heat effect and reduce stormwater flooding. The city plans to plant additional trees in Childs Park over the next two years as part of a continued commitment to enhance the environment and engage the community.
Pinellas County has extended the deadline for two companion surveys that help shape how officials spend millions of dollars in public funding and prioritize community development over the next five years. Residents can now participate in the Fair Housing and Community Needs Assessment Surveys until Friday, Dec. 6. To take the Fair Housing Survey, visit the website here. To participate in the Community Needs Assessment Survey, visit the website here.
