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Red tide dissipates around Pinellas

For the first time in over a month, researchers with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) did not detect bloom concentrations of Karenia brevis - the organism that causes red tide - around Pinellas County. While water samples only showed background to low levels of the harmful algae, the FWC’s Jan. 13 status update relayed that people still reported fish kills and respiratory irritation from around the area. The University of South Florida-FWC red tide forecasting model predicts continued southern and southeastern surface water movement in the coming days.

Company to relocate to St. Pete

The Superior Group of Companies, a uniform manufacturer, has recently sold its Pinellas Park for over $5 million and plans to relocate to downtown St. Petersburg, according to multiple reports. The Superior Group of Companies (NASDAQ: SGC) will lease nearly 8,200 square feet at 200 Central Ave. 

USF earns national recognition for 3D-printed nasal swabs

The University of South Florida recently received the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s Patent for Humanity award for creating 3D-printed nasal swabs after the onset of the pandemic. The organization will formally honor the partnership between USF Health, Northwell Health, Tampa General Hospital and Formlabs at a Feb. 16 ceremony. Over a week in March 2020, the team developed a 3D-printed swab prototype and provided the design files and clinical data to healthcare providers at no cost.

Pinellas graduation rate drops

According to statistics released Friday, the Pinellas County school district’s graduation rate dropped from a record-setting 92% for the 2020-21 school year to 88.1%. The decline mirrors a statewide trend - and Pinellas County Schools still bested the state average of 87.3%. In addition, Pinellas ranked third among Florida’s ten largest districts, below Palm Beach and Miami-Dade Counties and above Hillsborough County.

TGH to open region’s first proton therapy center

Tampa General Hospital announced that the hospital and the Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS) are working in a collaborative partnership to build the first proton therapy center in Tampa Bay, according to a Friday news release. Plans call for the proton therapy center to be built in the academic medical center’s Medical and Research District adjacent to downtown Tampa in three-story, 44,000-square-foot building at the intersection of West Kennedy Boulevard and South Fielding Avenue. TGH will also be expanding its technological services for its radiation oncology program at its Cancer Institue. 

SPCA Tampa Bay waives adoption fees for ‘pocket pets’

Those looking to adopt pocket pets like rabbits, guinea pigs and ferrets can do so at SPCA Tampa Bay’s Largo shelter without paying any related fees. According to Friday’s release, the special event runs until Jan. 31, and over 45 of the “furry, fluffy or bouncy” pets need a loving local home. For more information, visit the website here.

Cold night shelters open this weekend

he Homeless Leadership Alliance announced Pinellas County cold night shelters will open Friday and Saturday night as a cold front moves through the area. Officials activate the facilities when the National Weather Service expects the “feels like” temperature to fall below 40 degrees between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. The shelters will take guests until reaching capacity, and the release states that many provide meals. Visit the website here for a full list of local shelters or to register to volunteer.

County offices close Monday

All Pinellas County Government offices will close Monday, Jan. 16, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Those include the Clerk’s Office, Tax Collector, Property Appraiser and Supervisor of Elections. The Park Department’s administrative office, Heritage Village and its Education Centers will also close. However, county parks and preserves, the Fort De Soto Park campground, the Florida Botanical Gardens, county boat ramps and beach access areas will remain open.

Tampa insurance firm is acquired

Sarasota-based Purmort and Martin Insurance Agency, one of the largest locally owned insurance agencies, has acquired Tampa-based Lovinger Insurance, a property and casualty insurance firm. “As Purmort & Martin looks to further expand our presence in southwest Florida, Lovinger Insurance was a natural fit for us with its tremendous reputation for excellent customer service in the market and its combination of personal and commercial lines of coverage,” Russ Bobbitt, president and CEO of Purmort and Martin Insurance Agency, said in a release. Lovinger Insurance will keep its name as a DBA while operating under Purmort and Martin's umbrella. Financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed. 

Boyd Hill plans 10th annual Raptor Fest

Boyd Hill Nature Preserve's Raptor Fest is returning for the 10th year at the preserve on Feb. 4. The annual free event educates the public on birds of prey with showing the capabilities of raptors while allowing the public to get up close and personal with the trained birds. The event raises more than $10,000 and attracts over 5,000 visitors. 

Details emerge on plane crash that killed St. Pete family

The National Transportation Safety Board determined that a small plane carrying three St. Petersburg residents was in the air for only 16 seconds before it crashed into the Gulf of Mexico in December. The pilot, Christian Kath, his wife Misty and their daughter Lily, 12, died in the crash. The preliminary report did not list a reason for the plane traveling just 1,800 feet beyond the Venice Municipal Airport’s runway before rapidly descending towards the water on its way back to St. Pete. The plane only reached 75 feet in altitude.

St. Pete celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The City of St. Petersburg will celebrate “the life, legacy and dream” of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. throughout the upcoming weekend. The events begin Saturday, Jan. 14, with a Music & Arts Festival from 12 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Albert Whitted Park. An MLK Band Showcase takes place Sunday from 6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at the Campbell Park Football Complex. Now in its 37th year, the MLK Dream Big Parade returns to the city Monday, Jan. 16. The parade begins at 1st Avenue South at 11 a.m. and heads west from 3rd Street. MLK Family Fun Day caps off the festivities Monday at 2:30 p.m. The event runs until 6 p.m. in Tropicana Field Lot 4 at 198 17tcah St. S. For road closures and more event information, visit the website here.

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