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Variety of food trucks offered at UTC Mall
SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - University Town Center Mall located in Sarasota offered something unique to Suncoast residents. Over 40+ Food trucks, trailers, and pop-up tents were featured at parking lot 4 near the East Side/Main entrance. The event offered free admission and parking and last until 8:00 p.m.
Two late-night Sarasota fires close out Independence Day
SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - Two fires broke out a little before midnight on Thursday in Sarasota. The first happened at Arbor Village apartments at about 11:00 p.m. Fire crews rushed out en masse to the four-story apartment building, but they had the crisis in hand well before midnight. Another call...
St. Pete Fourth of July fireworks display wows large crowd at the pier
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Thousands of people braved the heat at the St. Pete Pier Fourth of July celebration Thursday, and it all ended with a spectacular fireworks show. America’s birthday was a time to celebrate with music, dancing and other festive activities. "I love celebrating independence around people...
Fireworks light up skies across Tampa Bay on incredibly hot Fourth of July
TAMPA, Fla. — On both sides of the bay, Fourth of July was capped off by grand fireworks displays. There was “The Fourth” at St. Pete Pier and Boom by the Bay in Tampa. But enjoying those views meant braving a heat advisory for many on a day that was hot even by Florida standards.
Leaders look to address one of the deadliest roads in Pinellas County
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Gulfport and St. Pete leaders are addressing one of the deadliest roads in Pinellas County. A study highlighted the dangers of 49th Street South from St. Pete to Gulfport. Forward Pinellas said their traffic study shows 49th Street South has had numerous fatal and significant...
84-unit affordable housing community to open in Sarasota
Work on an 84-unit affordable housing community in Sarasota is complete and it will officially open Monday afternoon. That’s when the Sarasota Housing Authority will hold a ceremonial grand opening on the site of the Cypress Square apartments at 1672 21st St. The community was built with funds from...
Done Deals: Rays select construction firm for new ballpark, Stella’s expands in Gulfport, Mid-century home lists
Done Deals is a weekly column by St. Pete Rising spotlighting recent real estate market insight and significant deals happening in the Sunshine City and beyond. The following information is sourced from public records and trusted intel. Have real estate news to share? Send us an email at hello@stpeterising.com. The...
Teach for America is a good program but a bad fit for Florida | Letters
Teach for America coming to Hillsborough | June 30. While head of a teacher preparation program at a New York college, I worked with Teach for America for 10 years. Though an admirable organization, it is no solution for Florida’s teaching shortage; think of its “fellows” as long-term substitute teachers, not professionals who will commit long-term to our schools and children. Many join the program to get free or reduced-rate master’s degrees or to pause earlier student loans. Others think Florida may be a wonderful place to spend three or four years, then return home. Many are graduates from elite universities and have little in common with the students they will teach. They and the program are to be commended, but they are no substitute for decent salaries (not just decent starting pay) and professional respect, things our Republican legislators and governor refuse to provide.
Newtown Receives “Stewards of Heritage” Award
This comes after Newtown’s addition to the National Register of Historic Places. Host: Sarasota’s historically African American neighborhood was recently added to the National Register of Historic Places. And now Newtown is getting more recognition. Ramon Lopez reports. Ramon Lopez: Newtown Community’s recent listing in the National Register...
Complete Streets Improvement study underway on Anna Maria Island
The Florida Department of Transportation is conducting a Project Development and Environment Study for potential improvements to the corridor from State Road 789 from north of the Longboat Pass Bridge to State Road 64, and Gulf Drive from State Road 64 to White Avenue. The project length is about six...
Around Town: South Pinellas news briefs
ST. PETERSBURG — Lukacz Grabowski of Lealman Fire District has been named HCA Florida Pinellas Market's newest EMS All-Star. Grabowshi was nominated by his Lealman Fire District peers. His nomination read, in part: “Throughout his time at Lealman Fire District, Lukacz has gone above and beyond the call of duty to provide high-quality care to patients in their times of greatest need. His quick thinking, decisive actions, and calm demeanor under pressure have saved countless lives and eased the suffering of many. Not only does Lukas excel in his clinical abilities, but he also embodies the values of teamwork and professionalism. He is highly respected by his colleagues for his leadership on the field and his willingness to support others in their roles.”
Construction Starts on 73-Unit ‘Vincentian Village’ at 401 13th Street North, St. Petersburg, Florida
General contractor Bradley Construction Company has recently broken ground on an affordable housing development near downtown St. Petersburg. Vincentian Village will offer 73 units; 50 one-bedroom and 23 two-bedroom residences in a six-story building. St. Pete Rising reports that residency is reserved for those earning less than 60 percent of...
Bayfront Fireworks Spectacular sets sky alight
Gwyn Dotson and Spencer Menke took to the treetops to view the fireworks. The fireworks came in many varieties. Russa Fecteau and his girlfriend Estefani Gillum, and Carmen Altman and her fiancée Zack Altman. Alexandra Osipyan, 11, celebrates with a sparkler. Siblings Thomas Sutton, Charlotte Sutton, 13, Violet Sutton,...
Sarasota Hospital Board candidates to appear at League of Women Voters forum July 11
Democrat hospital board candidates will host Democrat school board candidates on July 9 Zoom meeting hosted by the Longboat Key Democratic Club. The League of Women Voters of Sarasota County will host a forum for Republican candidates running for four seats in the Aug. 20 primary for the Sarasota County Public Hospital Board on July 11, while Democratic hopefuls are scheduled to make their case July 9 on a Zoom forum hosted by the Longboat Key Democratic Club.
St. Pete council member’s PAC polls on Rays stadium, other city issues
Another poll has found public support for a proposal to build a new Tampa Bay Rays stadium, but respondents indicated they didn’t think it was one of the city’s most important issues. The poll was commissioned by the political action committee Friends of Gina Driscoll that has backed...
Pre-storm sandbag operations continue monthly through September
Residents who want to be even more prepared for storm season are invited to the town’s pre-storm sandbag operations this summer. Though the July 1 date has passed, the town still has two more scheduled for Aug. 1 and Sept. 3. The operations will take place at the Broadway...
State College of Florida dedicates Dr. Carol F. Probstfeld Library & Learning Center
State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota has named a hub for student studies and socialization, community partnerships, and collaboration in honor of recently retired SCF President Carol F. Probstfeld. The Dr. Carol F. Probstfeld Library & Learning Center was dedicated at a brief ceremony on June 25 at the Atrium at...
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