Tampa International Airport (TPA) unveiled a new, permanent flag display during a ceremony Friday morning. The display, outside of TPA's USO Center, showcases a historic American flag flown over both the U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom and the Multi-National Force West Headquarters in Fallujah during Operation Iraqi Freedom. USMS Col. Elieser R. Smith donated the flag and delivered remarks with Marine veteran Michael Delancey, who was critically wounded during a sniper attack while serving in Iraq. Service members from MacDill Air Force Base and U.S. Central Command attended the ceremony.
Lakeland-based Publix Super Markets Inc. filed a permit June 10 to build a new, 51,908-square-foot grocery store at 10500 Ulmerton Rd. Publix will demolish its existing 72,484-square-foot store, which was formerly an Albertsons and Safeway. The location is part of the Largo Mall, a major retail center with about 60 tenants and anchored by Target.
The Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater metro area's inflation rate increased by .4% from April through May and 2.6% year-over-year. Those numbers represent a .3% bimonthly decrease and a .5% year-over-year increase. Personal finance platform WalletHub ranked Tampa Bay No. 16 on its list of "cities with the biggest inflation problems," a six-spot improvement from the previous month.
Multiple first-responder agencies responded to a 911 call reporting a person yelling for help near the east side of the Treasure Island Causeway bridge shortly after midnight Thursday morning. According to the City of Treasure Island, preliminary information suggests a man approached the bridge, closed for overnight repairs, to observe the work and fell approximately 20 feet into the water. A St. Pete Beach Fire Rescue boat located the man with a head injury, and St. Petersburg Fire Rescue paramedics transported him to Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
South Florida-based Silver Airways announced Wednesday morning that it has immediately ceased all operations and warned customers not to head to the airport for scheduled flights. Those included trips to Fort Lauderdale, Pensacola and Key West from Tampa International Airport (TPA). However, other carriers serve those destinations at TPA.
St. Petersburg-based BayFirst National Bank has announced that all 12 of its retail banking centers have achieved 100% carbon neutrality and received LEED certification for environmental sustainability from the U.S. Green Building Council. BayFirst is the nation's first bank to accomplish both goals. Regional facilities manager Alex Hagush pledged that BayFirst remains "committed to maintaining this standard at every future location we open."
Orlando-based development firm Archway Partners has commenced construction on Flats on 4th, an affordable housing project for low-income seniors in St. Petersburg's Gateway area. Flats on 4th will offer 75 apartments for households who earn between 40% and 60% of the area median income, and five for those who earn just 22%. The project at 438 106th Ave. N. received support from Pinellas County, the City of St. Petersburg, the Housing Finance Authority of Pinellas County, the Pinellas County Housing Authority and the Florida Housing Finance Corporation.
The City of St. Petersburg will reinstate permitting fees Monday, June 30, after waiving the charges after the 2024 hurricane season. Homeowners who sustained storm damage, including those who filed a flood insurance claim and received a reimbursement, can also avoid inspection fees by applying for permits by June 30. Those who need to file permits for home repairs or improvements can visit the office at the Municipal Services Center between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information, visit the website here.
Florida's House and Senate agreed Monday that the FY 2025-26 budget will include $20,825,297 for Cultural and Museum Grants. The final, full budget will be submitted to Governor Ron DeSantis by June 16, for his approval or line-item veto. In 2024, DeSantis vetoed the legislature's entire recommendation for Cultural and Museum Grants ($32 million), from which arts organizations statewide are still reeling. The governor has 15 days from the day he receives the budget to exercise his authority to pass or veto lines. There is no modifying amounts; his mandate is only to accept or not accept.
Pinellas County will host self-serve sandbag distribution events at two parks Friday and Saturday to help residents prepare for the 2025 Hurricane Season and avoid long lines as storms approach the area. The temporary sandbag sites are open from noon until 6 p.m. at John Chesnut Sr. Park in Palm Harbor and Walsingham Park in Seminole. The City of St. Petersburg will also offer sandbags to residents Saturday, and the second Saturday of every month, from 7 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. at the Pavement and Traffic Operations Building at 1744 9th Ave. N.
The City of St. Petersburg will comply with a new state law and stop adding fluoride to its public drinking water system the week of June 16. However, Senate Bill 700 does not require the removal of naturally occurring fluoride in St. Petersburg's drinking water source. Mayor Ken Welch pledged that his administration will "work with community partners to explore ways that help impacted residents maintain their dental health," and provide updates and resources.
Former Tampa Bay Rays pitcher and longtime team broadcaster Doug Waechter has joined global commercial real estate firm JLL. The Rays drafted Waechter, a St. Petersburg native, after he graduated from Northeast High School. Waechter previously worked as a realtor for the DMK Group, where he specialized in luxury real estate sales throughout Tampa and St. Petersburg.
