Pinellas County and WK Preserve Group, Inc. each contributed $1.5 million to purchase the West Klosterman Preserve in Tarpon Springs for $3 million. The 14-acre site, previously owned by the Pinellas County School Board, borders the 76-acre Mariner's Point Management Area. Neighbors began raising money to protect the property from development in 2020.
The Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater metro area's inflation rate increased .7% from January to March and 2.1% year-over-year. However, that represents a slight dip from February's 1.2% and 2.3% increases, respectively. Personal finance platform WalletHub now ranks Tampa No. 14, tied with Atlanta, among metros with the "biggest inflation problems."
The St. Petersburg Police Department welcomes community members to gather in front of the department's headquarters Thursday evening for a candlelight vigil that honors local lives lost to violence. Shannon Turner, who lost her son to a road rage incident, and Ellen Mullinex, a domestic violence survivor, will offer remarks. A Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Children Services representative will provide information on mental health services. The vigil begins at 7 p.m. at 1301 1st Ave. N.
Casey Phillips, a team reporter for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, will teach the University of South Florida St. Petersburg's first sports broadcasting class in the school's history. The "On-Camera Sports Reporting" course is now open to aspiring journalists. Phillips, who has been with the Bucs for 10 years, will teach students the ins and outs of live sports coverage, sideline reporting and how to ask the right questions and build relationships.
St. Petersburg's City of the Arts Grant program is now accepting applications from eligible nonprofits. Arts and culture-focused organizations with budgets over $50,000 can apply to receive up to $20,000 in funding through June 13. For more information, visit the website here.
St. Petersburg's Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital, Orlando Health Emergency Room - Crossroads and the Orlando Health Emergency Room - Pinellas Park will participate in the state's largest coordinated mass casualty drill Thursday. The extensive exercise is from 8 a.m. until noon and bystanders should not be alarmed when they see hundreds of volunteers - some with injury-simulating makeup - descend upon local health care facilities. More than 60 central Florida hospitals, the FBI, local law enforcement, emergency agencies, schools and universities and the Florida Poison Control Hotline will participate in the cross-regional drill, coordinated by the Central Florida Disaster Medical Coalition.
The Tampa Bay Rays and FanDuel Sports Network have announced that a local independent TV station will simulcast 15 games during the 2025 season. Games on Tampa Bay 44, a CBS-owned station, will mirror FanDuel Sports Network's official broadcast. Over-the-air coverage begins Friday at 6:30 p.m. when the Rays host the Atlanta Braves.
Pinellas County needs additional volunteers and sponsors for a Cross Bayou Canal and Joe's Creek cleanup event Saturday from 8 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Participants must register for the event, part of the Great American Cleanup campaign, by April 10. Volunteers can bring their own watercraft or borrow a canoe and will receive lunch. For more information, visit the website here.
The Tampa Bay Rays will embark on their first 13-game homestand since 2005 Tuesday evening at Steinbrenner Field. Major League Baseball front-loaded the team's schedule with home - temporarily - games to mitigate rainouts and heat at the outdoor stadium in Tampa. The Rays have lost four-straight games since April 1 and face the Los Angeles Angels at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday.
Tampa International Airport has opened a 20,560-square-foot security checkpoint at Airside A, a month after completing a similar project at Airside E. The previous checkpoint was built in 1995, before the Transportation Security Administration was established. Five of the area's seven lanes feature new computed tomography machines, eliminating the need for travelers to remove their shoes or electronics from their baggage.
St. Petersburg College's EpiCenter at 13805 58th St. N. in Clearwater will host the free Made in Tampa Bay Expo & Job Fair from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. Wednesday. Attendees can meet local manufacturers, apply for open positions and browse locally made products. The event will also feature several breakout sessions with industry experts. For more information, visit the website here.
Mary Brown, who became the first African American elected to the Pinellas County School Board in 2002, died March 29 at age 89. Mayor Ken Welch noted that Brown "dedicated her life to uplifting children and families." Brown operated a daycare in South St. Petersburg's Jordan Park and coordinated childcare for the Juvenile Welfare Board before securing a seat on the school board. Her family asked well-wishers to send donations to the PARC Center for Disabilities instead of flowers.
