Tampa International Airport (TPA) officials announced Wednesday that they expect 3.4 million passengers between Memorial Day and mid-August, a 4% year-over-year increase. Nearly 80,000 people will travel through TPA daily on the weekends before and after Memorial Day. Officials urge passengers to arrive at least two hours before domestic departures and three hours prior to international flights.
CareerSource Pinellas, the Pinellas Tech Network and Computer Coach IT Training will host an upcoming Tech Resume Workshop for residents hoping to enter the industry. Attendees will receive expert feedback on their resumes and insight into tech career development. The event is Thursday from 6 until 8 p.m. at the St. Petersburg College Epicenter in Clearwater. For more information, visit the website here.
Jimmy B’s Beach Bar has received national acclaim from the lifestyle magazine Southern Living. Its editors included the waterfront establishment at 6200 Gulf Blvd. in St. Pete Beach in their list of “Florida’s 12 Best Beach Bars." Jimmy B’s tropical drinks, menu, live music and “large, breezy deck” earned recognition.
Mayor Ken Welch submitted a letter Monday urging Congress to increase available funding for environmental resilience programs that mitigate the effects of natural disasters and climate change. He called related grant programs “woefully underfunded” relative to the “massive need” in the letter cosigned by 12 Pinellas County mayors. Local Congresswomen Kathy Castor and Anna Paulina Luna support the request.
Husband and wife duo Hope Montgomery and Jason Ruhe, owners of downtown St. Petersburg’s Brick & Mortar restaurant, have announced a June opening date for a new concept in the city’s Grand Central District. Pulpo Kitchen + Lounge will bring Latin-inspired food, live music and two bars to 2147 Central Ave. Pulpo will seat roughly 150 people between its indoor and outdoor dining areas.
Jabil’s board of directors has terminated former CEO Kenny Wilson following an investigation into potential corporate policy violations that began in mid-April. The St. Petersburg-based global electronics manufacturer’s board announced Monday that interim CEO and chief financial officer Michael Dastoor will now assume the permanent role. Gregory Hebard, senior vice president and treasurer, will succeed Dastoor as chief financial officer.
Community Action Stops Abuse (CASA) of Pinellas County recently received a $175,000 “Housing for Everyone” grant from the TD Charitable Foundation. The money will help provide emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, transitional housing and permanent supportive housing for domestic violence survivors. Domestic violence is the leading cause of homelessness among mothers and their children.
WalletHub compared the market strength and overall livability of 180 cities across 26 metrics, including job availability, average starting salary and housing affordability, to determine the best places to start a career. The personal finance platform ranked Tampa 4th and St. Petersburg 42nd nationally. Tampa’s professional opportunities score significantly outpaced the Sunshine City.
Pinellas County Utilities will use chlorine rather than chloramine to disinfect drinking water from May 20 through June 8, potentially causing a slight difference in taste and smell. Officials say the semiannual temporary change improves water quality and mitigates opportunities for future problems. The change applies to all county utility customers and those in the Cities of Clearwater, Pinellas Park and Safety Harbor.
The St. Petersburg Library system welcomes readers of all ages to explore the Adventure Begins at Your Library program this summer. Programming includes take-home crafts, reading challenges and prizes, curated book bundles, the Reading with the Rays initiative, adult lectures and lunches for children at participating locations. The free initiative begins June 1 and concludes Aug. 4. For more information, visit the website here.
Distinctive Living, a New Jersey-based senior living management firm and developer, recently acquired Ivy Ridge, a St. Petersburg facility dedicated to elderly residents with memory-related issues. Ivy Ridge is part of Florida-based Validus Senior Living Management’s portfolio, which Distinctive purchased for an undisclosed amount. The new ownership group will assess opportunities for changes or improvements over the coming months.
St. Petersburg residents and business owners can now submit their votes for the City Beautification Awards, which celebrate excellence in landscaping and building design throughout the community. City officials will accept nominations through August 1. The awards recognize “outstanding achievements” in residential and commercial curb appeal, landscaping design, yard maintenance and enhancing a neighborhood’s character. For more information, visit the website here.
