Allegiant begins nonstop service to New Jersey cities
ST. PETERSBURG — Allegiant Airlines has begun service from St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) to two destinations in New Jersey. To celebrate, the company is offering one-way fares on the new routes as low as $39.
The new routes include:
• Atlantic City, via Atlantic City International Airport (ACY), began Feb. 13.
• Trenton via Trenton-Mercer Airport (TTN) beginning Feb. 20.
The new flights will operate up to twice weekly. Flight days, times and the lowest fares can be found only at Allegiant.com.
Data finds SPC economic impact at $3.5B
St. Petersburg College generates $3.5 billion to the regional economy through alumni productivity and career training programs, an independent economic analysis has determined.
Data from Lightcast, which collects and analyses labor market information, looked at the long-term productivity of SPC alumni employed throughout Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco and Hernando counties. Reviewing data from the 2023-24 fiscal year, Lightcast found SPC contributed $3.5 billion in total economic impact in the Tampa Bay area, supporting 37,083 or roughly one in every 60 jobs in the region.
The college’s economic influence is driven largely by its role as a workforce engine for Tampa Bay’s key industries, the analysis said, including health care, business, technology, public safety, and advanced manufacturing. SPC offers more than 300 degrees, certificates and workforce training pathways.
Doc Ford’s cocktails raise $3,300 for hospitals
ST. PETERSBURG — Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille locations at the St. Petersburg Pier and Jungle Terrace raised $3,394 in 2025 for Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital and the C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center — one specialty cocktail at a time.
The St. Petersburg Pier location contributed $2,220, while the Jungle Terrace restaurant donated $1,174. Through the restaurant’s hospital drink program, one dollar from every specialty cocktail sold from the bar menu is donated to local hospitals.
Since the program launched in 2006, Doc Ford’s four locations, including two in Southwest Florida, have donated a cumulative $140,309 to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital and Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida. In St. Petersburg, proceeds from the Pier location benefit Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, while the Jungle Terrace restaurant directs its donations to the C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center. The Southwest Florida restaurants raised $3,915 in 2025.
This year marks the first time Doc Ford’s has supported the C.W. Bill Young Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
The program earmarks a dollar from the sale of five cocktails inspired by the past and created by customers, including Sanibel Stoop, Hook Line & Sinker and My Rummy Valentine.
Student ambassador program to Japan accepting applications
The city of St. Petersburg is now accepting applications for its Student Ambassador Program, an immersive cultural exchange initiative with sister city, Takamatsu, Japan. The application window is open through March 27 at 5 p.m.
The Student Ambassador Program offers high school students from St. Petersburg an opportunity to serve as cultural ambassadors for their city. Selected students will spend up to three weeks in Takamatsu during the summer, experiencing Japanese culture through a homestay with a local family. In return, students from Takamatsu will visit St. Petersburg and stay with host families to experience American culture. Serving as a host family is required for program eligibility, and all prospective host families will participate in an interview process.
Eligibility requirements:
• Applicants must be St. Pete residents currently in their junior year of high school.
• Applicants must be dedicated, enthusiastic students who demonstrate civic pride and would confidently represent St. Pete while sharing our culture with the Takamatsu community.
• Upon returning home, students will share their experiences through presentations to student groups, civic organizations, and other community members, including a formal presentation to the Mayor and City Council.
•Students and their families must host a Student Exchange Ambassador from Takamatsu for 10 days shortly after their return from Japan.
For more information about the program, eligibility criteria, and how to apply, visit https://tinyurl.com/yxd52uk9
Learn how to save water, money with free programs
The city of St. Petersburg has scheduled a series of free water conservation webinars through June for residents to learn practical, effective ways to save water and create more sustainable home landscapes.
The educational sessions cover topics ranging from rain barrels and rain gardens to efficient irrigation, drought-tolerant plants, and water-smart landscaping.
These interactive webinars are open to the public and designed for all experience levels. Registration is required to attend.
Workshops schedule:
• Intro to Micro Irrigation
Wednesday, March 4, from noon-2:45 p.m.
• Water Wise Living — Do’s, Don’ts. and How To’s
Monday, March 16, from noon-12:45 p.m.
• Rainwater Guardian
Wednesday, March 25, from 6-7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 29, from 6-7:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 6, from 9:30-11 a.m.
• Transitioning to a More Natural Landscape
Tuesday, April 7, from 6-7:30 p.m.
• Drought Tolerant Plants for Local Landscapes
Tuesday, May 12, from 6-7:30 p.m.
• Every Drop Counts
Thursday, May 21, from noon-12:45 p.m.
Registration and additional information are available at https://tinyurl.com/344nn9hh
In addition, the city’s free Sensible Sprinkling Program, which helps residents and businesses improve the efficiency of their irrigation systems with the guidance of a local expert, is back for a limited time.
This free service is available to city water customers with operable, in-ground sprinkler systems using potable, reclaimed, or well water.
More information and the program application are available at https://tinyurl.com/y3nmnc6e
Police issue 200+ citations in safety campaign
ST PETERSBURG — St. Petersburg police officers wrote 230 citations in November during the first month of a campaign to keep pedestrians and bicyclists safe.
During that same period, officers made nearly 600 contacts with cyclists, pedestrians and motorists, and 107 bicycle lights were issued.
The “high visibility enforcement” operation will continue through May.
‘Spirit’ to support history museum
ST. PETERSBURG — The St. Petersburg Museum of History & the Red Apple Group will celebrate the “Spirit of St. Petersburg,” Saturday, Feb. 21, 6-10 p.m., at the Vinoy Resort Hotel & Golf Club.
The event will mark St. Pete’s 134th birthday and honor community leaders in an evening of cocktails, dinner and live music, as well as silent and live auctions and awards presentations.
Cost is $250 a person.
Proceeds from the evening will support the preservation, educational initiatives, and ongoing development of the museum’s expansion, collections, and programs.
Purchase tickets at https://tinyurl.com/mr7fz825
Palm Lake Urban Sanctuary breaks ground on affordable housing
ST. PETERSBURG — Newstar Development, Palm Lake Christian Church, and the Pinellas County Housing Authority have broken ground for Palm Lake Urban Sanctuary, an 86-unit affordable housing community in the heart of St. Petersburg. The Feb. 6 event included a cornerstone blessing ceremony at Palm Lake Christian Church.
The development, at 5401 22nd Ave. N., marks the first affordable housing development approved under a city ordinance enabling approval of affordable housing development on residential, commercial or industrial zoned land.
Palm Lake Urban Sanctuary (PLUS) consists of 86 one- and two-bedroom apartments reserved for households earning up to 80% of Area Media Income (AMI). PLUS is developed on previously underutilized Palm Lake Christian Church property, and will feature energy-efficient appliances and fixtures, elevator service, a community garden, and a playground.
Financing for the development includes low-income housing tax credit equity and construction and permanent loans from Bank of America, Pinellas County HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP), and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the city of St. Petersburg and Pinellas County Housing Authority funds.