The historic Roser Park Neighborhood Association has partnered with the City of St. Petersburg to celebrate the start of spring in one of the city's most picturesque areas. Creekfest 2025 is a free, family-friendly event featuring live music and poetry underneath the oak trees that line a wide section of Booker Creek. The festival is Saturday, April 19, from 3 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at 835 7th Ave. S.
St. Petersburg College will launch a Digital Media Bachelor of Applied Science Degree created by industry and academic leaders this fall. The school believes the program, which offers hands-on training in content creation, design and emerging technologies, will help meet growing workforce demands. The University of South Florida, Pinellas County Schools and WEDU-PBS supported the program's formation.
The Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg will soon provide four multi-sector, collaborative initiatives that help systemically change social and environmental determinants of health with up to $250,000. The $1 million in funding stems from the foundation's Healthy People 2025 program. A launch event begins at 9 a.m. April 23 at 2333 34th St. S. For more information, visit the website here.
St. Petersburg College announced Wednesday that the school added $3.2 billion in local salaries during the 2022-23 fiscal year. An independent economic impact study also found that SPC's operational activities generated $190.9 million and supported 3,200 jobs throughout the Tampa Bay region. School alumni contributed $2.9 billion in added income and supported over 31,000 jobs, equivalent to hosting eight Super Bowls.
The Tampa Bay Rays celebrated the 78th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking Major League Baseball's color barrier Tuesday by awarding five local organizations and recognizing several community leaders before their game against the Boston Red Sox. Embracing our Difference, Infinite Potential Learning Academy, Project Prosper, Redlands Christian Migrant Association and Supportive Equity Connections of Tampa Bay each received $20,000 from the Rays Baseball Foundation and Rowdies Soccer Fund. Since 2020, the Rays have recognized nonprofits that reflect Robinson's core values of courage, determination, teamwork, persistence, integrity, citizenship, justice, commitment and excellence.
A SmartAsset report released Tuesday found that grocery prices in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater metro area increased by 4.3% year-over-year, the nation's second-highest spike. Honolulu, at 5.3%, ranked first. Tampa Bay residents now pay 7.8% more for eggs, meats and poultry, and an additional 5.3% for cereals and bakery products.
Forbes recently released its annual list of "America's Best Large Employers" and ranked the University of South Florida No. 1 among all public or private universities in Florida. USF ranked No. 4 among all large employers statewide and No. 101 out of 701 nationally. The university employs about 16,000 people at its Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health campuses.
According to Redfin, the average monthly rent price in Tampa Bay was $1,793 in March, a .2% year-over-year decrease. The national median asking price fell by .6%, representing 13 consecutive months of relatively stable rents. However, the real estate platform's economists warn that new tariffs on building materials could increase construction costs, hinder new development, increase demand and cause rents to spike.
Florida residents have until May 1 to file their tax returns due to Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The IRS automatically offers the extension to anyone whose address is in a declared disaster area. For more disaster-related tax information, call 866-562-5227.
Terry Marks, CEO of the nonprofit St. Petersburg Arts Alliance, is stepping down, it was announced Tuesday afternoon. Marks, who took over from the organization's founder John Collins in 2021, will stay in the position through May 9. “It has been an honor to work with the board, our staff and volunteers to make a meaningful impact through SPAA,” she said in a prepared statement. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to engage the community in significant ways, and I look forward to the organization’s continued success in its next chapter.”
LaundroLab Laundromat, 4910 Central Avenue in St. Petersburg, will provide free laundry service for families Tuesday, April 15 from 1 to 4 p.m., as part of National Laundry Day.
Johny Nevada's food truck has quietly opened a pop-up kitchen inside Ride 'em Cowboy at 2451 Central Ave. in St. Petersburg. The Mexican-inspired concept will remain at the Grand Central District bar for at least a year after temporarily closing following Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Johnny Nevada's is known for its tamales and tacos and now has the space to expand its food truck menu.
