Allegiant announces four new non-stops from PIE

ST. PETERSBURG — Allegiant Travel Company has announced 30 new nonstop routes connecting 35 cities across the country, including four new markets.

The new route between St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport (PIE) and Trenton, New Jersey via Trenton-Mercer Airport (TTN) begins Feb. 20, 2026, with one-way fares as low as $49.

Doc Ford’s boosts CASA’s outreach during Domestic Violence Awareness Month

ST. PETERSBURG — Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille helped support CASA during National Domestic Violence Awareness Month with a specialty drink, a scavenger hunt and direct contribution.

During October, the restaurant sold 182 purple-tinted CASA Coolers, donating $500 for CASA’s programs. Doc Ford’s was also a stop on the Oct. 25 scavenger hunt and fielded a six-person team who raised funds and raced around downtown looking for clues.

“This is the second year Doc Ford’s has stood as a partner with CASA in ending domestic violence,” said Meredith Rickards, general manager of Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille at the St. Pete Pier. “We support the organization’s important work and successes throughout our community.”

CASA, an acronym for Community Action Stops Abuse, is the official certified domestic violence center serving Pinellas and Marion counties with the mission “Stand Up to Silence.” The organization operates the area’s 24-hour hotline and emergency shelter, support groups and additional services, including legal and housing assistance, a kennel for pets, and school-aged anti-bullying programs

Registration open for Fit City 5K, 1-Mile Walk

ST. PETERSBURG — The annual Fit City 5K and 1-mile walk returns to downtown St. Petersburg on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. Healthy St. Pete, a division of the city of St. Petersburg’s Parks and Recreation Department, is hosting the Glow in the Park-themed event with activities for all ages starting at 5 p.m. in Vinoy Park.

Fit City is a catalyst to foster a healthier, more active community, encouraging residents to come together and promote health and wellness in St. Petersburg.

Registration for the event is now open. The 5K race registration includes a free T-shirt, race bib, medal, and glow kit if participants register by January 5, 2026. Racers can register online at https://tinyurl.com/yyavheye

Registration fees:

• 5K race: $25 through Dec.30. $30 from Dec. 31 through Feb. 5. Day-of registration is $35, based on availability.

• 1-mile walk: $10 through Dec. 30. $15 from Dec. 31 through Feb. 5. Day-of registration is $20, based on availability.

Limited scholarships are available for race registration. Contact Rhenelle McSween-Navarro, health program supervisor, at Rhenelle.McSween-Navarro@stpete.org for more information.

St. Petersburg earns perfect score on equality index

ST. PETERSBURG — For the twelfth consecutive year, the city of St. Petersburg has scored a perfect 100, plus five bonus points, on the 2025 Human Rights Campaign’s annual Municipal Equality Index (MEI) — the only nationwide assessment of LGBTQ inclusion in municipal law, policy, and services.

The 2025 MEI evaluates 506 cities on how inclusive municipal laws, policies, and services are of LGBTQ+ people who live and work there.

The city of St. Petersburg’s Municipal Equality Index Scorecard can be found at https://tinyurl.com/2tw22fd9

“For the twelfth consecutive year, the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index has recognized that the city of St. Petersburg is built on intentional inclusivity and inclusive progress that represents all of our residents,” said Mayor Kenneth T. Welch. “I’m proud that our community has received this honor. As we continue to build on this progress, we remain committed to making St. Pete a city that advances equity for all of its residents.”

Cities are rated based on non-discrimination laws, the municipality as an employer, municipal services, law enforcement and leadership on LGBTQ+ equality.

St. Pete extends deadline for Gas Plant proposals

ST. PETERSBURG — The city has extended its deadline to receive proposals to redevelop the 86-acre Historic Gas Plant District.

The city will publish the notice for alternate proposals on Jan. 4, 2026. Responses will be due by Feb. 3, 2026.

The notice will include detailed instructions on how proposals should be submitted. Once released, it will be available at https://tinyurl.com/42nkmsn5

Those interested in submitting a proposal and have questions can reach out to the city’s Real Estate and Property Management Department at business@stpete.org for more information.

‘Holiday Biz Bingo in the ‘Burg’ to support local businesses

ST. PETERSBURG — The city of St. Petersburg is encouraging residents and visitors to shop local and celebrate the spirit of community through a new citywide initiative called Holiday Biz Bingo in the ‘Burg.

Launching the week of Thanksgiving and running through Dec. 31, Holiday Biz Bingo invites residents and visitors on a citywide effort to discover and support St. Petersburg’s small businesses.

Participants can grab a Holiday Biz Bingo card from participating businesses, city facilities, community events, or download one at https://tinyurl.com/bdzacjr4

Complete local challenges or collect stickers each time an activity is completed. Participants who collect five stickers in a row (BINGO) can redeem their cards at City Hall, local recreation centers, or libraries for a city-branded prize while supplies last.

SPC president named to federal Pell Grants committee.

The U.S. Department of Education has selected St. Petersburg College President Dr. Tonjua Williams to serve on the national Accountability in Higher Education and Access through Demand-Driven Workforce Pell (AHEAD) committee.

The AHEAD committee will shape how updated Pell Grant policies, including the new Workforce Pell option for short-term, career-focused programs, roll out across the country. Committee members will advise the Department of Education on several key areas, including:

• Determining program eligibility for Workforce Pell

• Strengthening institutional and program accountability

• Aligning regulations with gainful employment and financial-value transparency rules

• Ensuring that Pell dollars help students enter high-demand, good-wage jobs

The AHEAD committee will meet over several sessions to negotiate proposed regulatory language before the Department of Education finalizes new rules. Each member’s expertise will help ensure the resulting policies strengthen the nation’s workforce pipeline and advance equitable access to higher education.