Pinellas County officials are accepting applications for three appointments on the 12-person Tourist Development Council, which offers recommendations on the most effective use of tourist development tax revenues. The county’s bed tax - a 6% surcharge on overnight stays - generated a record $98 million in fiscal year 2023. Applications are due by 3 p.m. Oct. 4, and for more information, visit the website here.
Former City Councilmember Robert Blackmon, founder of several real estate ventures, has joined Tampa Bay Times CEO Conan Gallaty, Tampa Bay Rays President Brian Auld and ARK Invest Chief Investment Officer Cathie Wood on the Cityverse board of advisors. Cityverse is a geographically-focused civic media platform, powered by local news and content. Blackmon will help build capacity in the real estate space and facilitate bringing news and content from the community, to the community.
Publix Super Markets plans to demolish its store at 3900 66th St. N. in St. Petersburg and build a new facility. The building opened in 1976, according to Pinellas County property records. The store will close Saturday.
The City of St. Petersburg is commemorating the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with a Community Engagement Event and survey. The celebration is from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. July 28 at the Coliseum. It will feature live music, free food, a silent auction, a raffle and food trucks. The Community Disability Needs and Satisfaction Survey is open until Oct. 31 at the website here.
Pinellas County Schools received an “A” grade from the Florida Department of Education for the first time in the district’s 112-year-old history Wednesday. The 2024 district-level results also marked the first time that every county school has earned an “A,” “B,” or “C” grade. Superintendent Kevin Hendrick called it a “great day for our community” in a prepared statement.
Gov. Ron DeSantis held a press conference Wednesday at St. Petersburg College’s Midtown Center to announce a $7.2 million investment in the school’s manufacturing workforce training programs. SPC received $3.2 million from the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund and a $4 million Workforce Capitalization Incentive Grant. Scholl officials will utilize the funding to develop a state-of-the-art Industry 4.0 Lab at its Midtown campus and expand short-term semiconductor, mechatronics, automation and robotics training programs.
Gary King, founder of the Happiness Experiment, wants to donate one of his trademark red and white signs to the first local school willing to display it in a cafeteria. He estimates the eight-foot-long “Happiness” sign, similar to the much smaller ones found throughout St. Petersburg, is worth $350. In a social media post Tuesday, King said its display would cause “a profound change that is beyond believable.”
University of South Florida officials announced Tuesday that the school set new fundraising records for the third consecutive year with over $168 million in philanthropic support from more than 54,000 donors in the fiscal year that ended June 30. The number of donors increased by 44% over the previous fiscal year. President Rhea Law credited USF’s invitation to join the prestigious Association of American Universities for propelling fundraising efforts.
The City of St. Petersburg will host a hurricane expo dedicated to senior citizens Thursday at the Sunshine Center. Emergency management personnel will provide crucial preparation tips, and the first 30 households to register will receive a complimentary hurricane kit. The expo is from 1 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. at 330 5th St. N.
The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office (PSCO) has received a contract from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for High Visibility Enforcement (HVE) Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety. Deputies will be conducting high visibility education and enforcement that could result in warnings or citations at 15 locations throughout Pinellas County that have been identified as high crash areas for pedestrians and bicyclists. PSCO said the goal is to educate and enforce safe pedestrian, bicyclist and motorist behavior
Former First Lady, Senator from New York and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will speak Oct. 15 at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa. Clinton's latest book, Something Lost, Something Gained: Reflections on Life, Love, and Liberty will be published in September. Tickets go on sale Aug. 2 at www.strazcenter.org.
Former Mayor Rick Kriseman recently told Pinellas County’s Tourist Development Council that FOX Sports will now broadcast the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. He and other stakeholders believe the switch from NBC will increase viewership for the March 2 race. FOX Deportes will carry exclusive Spanish-language coverage, and FS1 and FS2 will telecast all practice and qualifying sessions on cable.
