State prosecutors decided they will not pursue child neglect charges against a local man whose 13-year-old son died at a late-night street racing event in St. Petersburg. The teen was struck by a motorcyclist traveling over 100 mph in February, according to the St. Pete Police Department. Prosecutors dropped culpable negligence manslaughter charges against the motorcyclist in March.
Bridgewater Commercial Real Estate has sold the eight-unit multifamily property at 7027 4th Ave. N. in a $1.2 million deal, or $150,000 per unit. The renovated apartments are near the Pinellas Trail and a SunRunner station. The buyer, Bizlift LLC, was represented by Kyle Keelan and Phil Ginexi of the Multifamily Firm, LLC. "The current rents are below market and mostly month-to-month – so rental rates can be increased quickly. The units are not in a flood zone and are essentially turn-key with minimal monthly maintenance necessary,” said Bridgewater associate Davis Nunneley, who represented the seller alongside associate Shane Billings.
Pinellas County Emergency Management and the Family Center on Deafness will host the second annual Deaf Day Saturday to provide storm and emergency-related resources. Officials will give away hurricane kits and Florida Telecommunications Relay phones and provide information on local emergency features for the deaf and hard of hearing. The event is in the Magnolia Room at the Pinellas County Cooperative Extension at 12520 Ulmerton Rd. in Largo.
The University of South Florida received over $157 million from nearly 12,000 donors over the past fiscal year, a new record in both categories. Among the gifts was an $11.7 million research vessel from the Monterey Bay Aquarium to the Florida Institute of Oceanography at the USF St. Petersburg campus.
Freya’s Diner, located at 2462 Central Ave. in St. Petersburg, will serve its last meal on Aug. 6 as the restaurant will close. The owners announced the planned closure via Instagram, stating, "We want to take this time to thank everyone for their support this last year and for weathering so many changes that came our way. Unfortunately, St. Pete is seeing its slowest season to date and has left us with no other option but to close our doors. We’ve spoken to so many others that are feeling the effects of today’s economy. We aren’t the first to close this season, and we definitely won’t be the last.”
Fourteen new murals will be created downtown Oct. 13-22 during the 2023 SHINE Mural Festival, the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance has announced, along with a series of Bright Spot community mural projects.
Tampa Bay Rowdies officials announced Thursday that former player Nicky Law will serve as head coach for the remainder of the season. Law, 35, finished the 2022 season with the club and clinched a victory over Miami FC in the opening round of the playoffs. The Englishman left St. Petersburg to assume a player-coach role with the Huntsville City FC in MLS Next Pro.
The St. Petersburg Police Department is now accepting applications for its annual Forfeiture Grant Program. The initiative supports neighborhood groups and nonprofits that work to address safety or mitigate drug abuse. Program funding stems from money or assets seized during arrests. To apply, visit the website here.
The foundation pour is now completed for the 42-story Art House condominium tower under construction at 235 1st Ave. S. in downtown St. Petersburg. Conducted by general contractor Coastal Construction, the foundation pour began Friday, July 21, and lasted a total of 18 hours. It utilized a steady rotation of 65 cement trucks to lay 3,132 cubic yards of concrete. With the foundation pour completed, the group can now start vertical construction on Kolter Group's tower.
The 11th annual Florida Automated Vehicle Summit will feature Cathie Wood, founder and CEO of St. Petersburg-based ARK Invest, as its keynote speaker. The event takes place Sept. 6-8 at the Tampa Marriott Water Street. Former St. Pete Sen. Jeff Brandes helped launch the summit in 2012, and Wood has long touted the benefits of automation.
The University of South Florida is ranked among the best places to work in the United States in Newsweek's list of America’s greatest workplaces for 2023. The list compiles the top 1,000 companies with at least 1,000 employees. USF is the only university in Florida to appear on the list, according to a news release. The rankings are based on information collected through an employer survey where employees answer questions regarding workplace culture, work-life balance, training and career progression, and compensation and benefits.
The Candle Pour, a DIY candle shop that first debuted in Tampa's Hyde Park, has opened its doors in the Edge District. Owners Mistry and Dennis Akers are celebrating the grand opening today, July 26, at 1128 Central Ave. The new store has over 100 different fragrance oils.
