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Tampa man embezzles $240,000 from St. Pete Salvation Army

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida recently charged Kenneth Fowler, of Tampa, with embezzling nearly $240,000. He allegedly stole the money while working as a payroll coordinator at the Salvation Army Suncoast Adult Rehabilitation Center in St. Petersburg. According to the indictment, Fowler misdirected former employees’ direct deposit checks into his personal bank account from December 2013 until August 2018.

Rays celebrate 6-0 start with discounted tickets, beer

The last remaining unbeaten team in Major League Baseball is commemorating its hot start to the season this weekend. The Tampa Bay Rays have added thousands of lower-level, $10 seats for the weekend homestand against the Oakland A’s. In addition, the team is offering $6 Bud and Bud Lights to match its win total.

High school robotics team heads to world championship

Team Nerdvana will represent St. Petersburg’s Hollins High School at the first World Robotics Championship. The local students will compete against 192 national and global teams in Houston, Texas, from April 19-22. Nerdvana qualified for the international competition after placing first among 57 teams in a statewide competition.

Home down payments decrease in Tampa Bay

Real estate platform Redfin recently highlighted how Tampa Bay homebuyers are putting less money down towards new purchases. The study found the area’s median down payment in January was $32,250, a 14.4% year-over-year decrease. However, St. Petersburg home prices have increased nearly 14% compared to 2022.

Law firm relocates to Water Street

Birmingham, Alabama-based law firm Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP has inked a lease to occupy 37,000 square feet in the Thousand & One in Water Street Tampa, real estate development firm Strategic Property Partners announced this week. Bradley Arant Cummings will have space on the 10th and 11th floors of Thousand & One, relocating from its current office on North Tampa Street.

St. Pete ranks among nation’s ‘party capitals’

Online sports betting platform Betsperts recently analyzed taxi rates, Airbnb rates and the number of nightlife attractions and casinos per 100,000 people in cities nationwide to determine its Party Capitals of the U.S. St. Petersburg placed 10th, just behind Miami. The study found that St. Pete features 21.7 nightlife attractions per 100,000 people, the fifth most on the list.

HCA Largo promotes exec to CEO

HCA Healthcare West Florida Division has named Sebastian Strom as the new CEO of the HCA Florida Largo Hospital. Strom was the CMO of the Largo campus. “I have known Sebastian since our time together at Vanderbilt in 2007 and have watched him grow as a leader and operator in HCA Healthcare over the last eight years," Dr. Ravi Chari, president of HCA Healthcare West Florida Division, stated in a news release.

Embarc Collective announces new cohort

Embarc Collective, a startup incubator hub in Tampa, has announced the new cohort of its Freelancer Program, which is designed for local freelancers to effectively learn how to serve the needs and challenges of startups. The new lineup of participants can be found here

New St. Pete brewery opens

Sesh, a new brewery and restaurant concept, is opening today at the former site of the Melting Pot. Business owner Matt Powers took to Instagram to announce the opening at 2221 4th St. N. Powers, who owns the Madeira Beach-based Mad Beach Craft Brewing Company, purchased the property in 2021 and started renovating the existing two buildings. 

Are the Rays the best team in baseball?

While the 2023 season is less than a week old, the Tampa Bay Rays are now the only undefeated team in Major League Baseball at 5-0. The team earned that designation with a 10-6 win Tuesday night over the Washington Nationals. Tampa Bay’s bats, thought to be a question mark alongside another strong pitching core, provided three homers and propelled the Rays to victory.

County’s quality of life survey ends Thursday

Residents have two days to help Pinellas County Commissioners and administrators identify community priorities to improve the local quality of life. The National Community Survey platform - endorsed by the National League of Cities - opened March 23 and will close Thursday, April 6. To participate, visit the website here.

How to attend a live taping of ‘Pawn Stars’

The History Channel’s Pawn Stars Do America - a spinoff of the original hit show Pawn Stars - begins filming in downtown St. Petersburg Wednesday. Producers will film in the city from April 5-7 and April 11-13. Residents can apply to attend a live taping on those dates by visiting the website here.

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