Around town: South Pinellas news briefs | St. Petersburg

Roof restoration completed at Tropicana

ST. PETERSBURG — The city of St. Petersburg announced Nov. 21 that installation of the final roof panel on Tropicana Field was complete, finishing ahead of schedule. The roof was damaged during Hurricane Milton in October 2024 and the city is obligated to make the stadium suitable for Tampa Bay Rays home games again. All stadium repairs are currently scheduled to be complete by April.

City contractors will now begin focusing on internal repairs, including projects like turf installation, audio visual repairs and replacement, sports lighting, and more. City Council has approved a total of $60 million for Tropicana Field remediation and repair expenses.

The schedule for further repairs is:

• December — Audio system installation begins, backstop netting and outfield wall padding installation, interior repairs continue

• January — Turf installation, interior repairs continue

• March — Substantial completion

PSTA, Sunken Gardens to partner on mobility, admissions

ST. PETERSBURG — The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) and Sunken Gardens have announced a new partnership designed to strengthen community engagement and encourage alternative transportation throughout St. Petersburg.

This month, both organizations will offer exclusive benefits to their riders, members, and visitors as part of a shared commitment to enhancing mobility and enriching the community through art, culture, and education.

Special December benefits include:

• Free admission to Sunken Gardens for PSTA riders using Flamingo Fares

• Free bus transit for Sunken Gardens members

Sunken Gardens members will enjoy free rides on PSTA buses throughout December by presenting their membership card to the driver upon boarding.

City seeks entries to MLK essay, oratory contests

ST. PETERSBURG — The St. Petersburg Parks & Recreation Department’s Enoch Davis Center, in collaboration with the Dr. Martin Luther Jr. Commemorative Organization Inc. and the Pinellas County Pan-Hellenic Council, is proud to announce the 36th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Essay & Oratorical Contest. The competition invites young people to explore the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Deadline for Entries is Dec. 14 at 11:59 p.m. Finalists will be announced Dec. 29.

An Oratorical Workshop and Rule Review will be held Jan. 6, from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Enoch Davis Center, 1111 18th Ave. S.

The finalist competition for the oratorical contest will be Jan. 16, 6 p.m., at the Enoch Davis Center.

The contest is open to students in a Pinellas County public or private middle or high school. The top four applicants in each grade level will advance to the oratorical competition.

Finalists will compete for a $500 scholarship, awarded to those demonstrating exceptional insight.

For contest guidelines, submission instructions, and additional information, visit https://tinyurl.com/yzbudvxe

Bay Pines VA closes east gate

ST. PETERSBURG — For safety reasons the East Gate of the C.W.Y. VAMC Campus has been closed to all traffic. This includes the entrance lane, center exit lanes, and the right-turn exit lane. The closure will remain in place for approximately four weeks as part of the hospital’s ongoing physical security project.

During this time, the West Gate will serve as the only point of entry and exit to the campus. The West Gate is located at the intersection of Bay Pines Blvd. and 100th Way N, across the street from Dunkin’.

Bay Pines VA to host Last Roll Call ceremony

ST. PETERSBURG — On Thursday, Dec. 11, Bay Pines VA Healthcare System’s Chaplain Service will host the organization’s annual Last Roll Call Ceremony of Remembrance at the C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center. Families and friends of veterans who have passed this year are asked to join the pastoral care team for the 1 p.m. ceremony.

The event will be held at the C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center in the J.C. Cobb (first floor, room 1D-127).

Families and friends who expect to attend are asked to RSVP to the Bay Pines VA Chaplain’s Office by calling 727-398-6661, ext. 14389 or 15547 as soon as possible.