Excelsior University launches hybrid nursing program

ST. PETERSBURG — Excelsior University has begun a Bachelor of Science in Nursing prelicensure program, a hybrid learning experience designed to create new opportunities for Florida students in the health care field. The program is the first health care offering at Excelsior University St. Petersburg, the institution’s new immersive learning site in Florida. Students can learn more and apply at open house events on Feb. 3 and 4 from 4–7 p.m. at the St. Petersburg site, located at 9400 Fourth St. N., Suite 100.

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing prelicensure program combines online coursework with in-person training at Excelsior University St. Petersburg’s nursing lab facilities and partnering health care sites. Clinical credits are completed in direct-care settings, helping students develop practice-ready skills. The program is designed to be completed in three years or less of year-round study, creating an accelerated path to Registered Nurse licensure and sustainable careers.

For more information on the prelicensure program and enrollment materials, visit the program page. https://www.excelsior.edu/program/bachelor-of-science-in-nursing-hybrid/

Pinellas Park man graduates Wisconsin Lutheran

MILWAUKEE, Wis. – David Sell of Pinellas Park has graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics. He is a graduate of Great Plains Lutheran High School.

Boat show to support Tampa Bay Watch

ST. PETERSBURG — Anyone can support the restoration of Tampa Bay waterways just by buying a ticket to the St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show this weekend.

The boat show, presented by Progressive on St. Pete’s downtown waterfront Jan. 15-18, is a supporter of Tampa Bay Watch, a nonprofit dedicated to restoring and preserving the Tampa Bay watershed through projects such as living shorelines, oyster reef ball installations, and marine education programs.

On the ticketing platform for this year’s show a donation may be made to Tampa Bay Watch, the local charity partner.

Proceeds help fund the organization’s hands-on restoration projects, marine science field trips, and education programs.

Tampa Bay Watch has a Discovery Center on The St. Pete Pier downtown, not far from the boat show. Boat show ticket holders may show their tickets for free admission to The Discovery Center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15, through Sunday, Jan. 18.

On Saturday and Sunday, a seminar called “Hook the Future” will be presented at the boat show by Captain Don Dingman. This free fishing clinic for families takes place at noon and 2 p.m. on Saturday, and on Sunday for children ages 4-16. All children in attendance receive a complimentary fishing pole.

Tickets for the St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show must be purchased in advance online at Stpeteboatshow.com. General admission is $24 for adults. Active military and veterans are eligible for complimentary one-day general admission. To avoid delays upon arrival, a complimentary military active duty or veteran ticket may be obtained in advance using the link https://informamarkets.jotform.com/252513285345153. On-site, military ID will be required at the entrance before admission is granted. Friends and family are not eligible to redeem this offer. Children ages 15 and under are free.

Show hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, January 15-17; and Sunday, January 18, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Volunteer recruitment fair set at St. Anthony’s

ST. PETERSBURG — St. Anthony’s Hospital will host a Volunteer Recruitment Fair from 9-11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21, in the Jackson Street Conference Room at the hospital, 1200 Seventh Ave. N.

The hospital’s Volunteer Resources Department currently is recruiting for the Guest Services/Front Information Desk; Guest Services/Professional Office Building; BayCare Medical Group Suncoast Infusion/Lab; Volunteer Resources/Cookies; Outpatient Registration; and the Susan Sheppard McGillicudy Breast Center. Adults are needed for all shifts on weekdays to make deliveries to rooms, assist the hospital’s care team and greet visitors.

During the recruitment event, the Volunteer Resources team will provide information on departments and units that need assistance.

For more information, contact Volunteer Resources at 727-825-1548 or visit the volunteer website at Volunteers (BayCare.org).

City Council swears in new Chair, Vice-Chair

ST. PETERSBURG — St. Petersburg City Council members Lisset Hanewicz of District 4 and Richie Floyd of District 8 were officially sworn in Jan. 8 as the 2026 City Council Chair and Vice-Chair.

Born in Tampa and raised in Miami, Hanewicz is the daughter of Cuban exiles who came to the United States during the Freedom Flights. She was the first in her family to attend college and later law school. She is a former Assistant State Attorney in Pinellas County and Assistant United States Attorney in the Middle District of Florida.

Elected in 2021, Hanewicz has served on committees ranging from the Arts Advisory Committee to the Budget, Finance, and Taxation Committee and has served as the city’s representative on the Tampa Bay Water Board of Directors since 2022.

A Florida native, Floyd is originally from Fort Walton Beach and moved to St. Petersburg after college. He is an engineer by trade and has held positions with Pinellas County Schools, Honeywell Aerospace and Micro Systems Inc. Elected in 2021, Floyd has served on various committees and was chair for the Health, Energy, Resilience and Sustainability Committee and the Housing, Land Use and Transportation Committee. Floyd is also a member on the city’s Public Arts Commission since 2022.

City okays $6M for readiness, development program

ST. PETERSBURG — St. Petersburg City Council has approved a resolution for a three-year, $6 million workforce development program administered by St. Petersburg College.

Through this partnership, the city and St. Petersburg College are launching the St. Pete Works: Employment & Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) Initiative. This new program is designed to support workforce readiness and development in the South St. Pete Community Redevelopment Area (CRA). The EDGE Initiative will focus on linking CRA residents with employment in the city’s targeted industries, as well as providing training in technical and construction trades. The program is expected to launch in early 2026.

“Developing and maintaining a qualified and robust workforce is a top priority for my administration, and I thank City Council for supporting a program that will benefit hundreds of St. Pete residents,” said Mayor Kenneth Welch. “This program was intentionally designed to connect participants with the right resources, education, and support so they can fully focus on further developing their skills and completing their training.”

“This program represents a major commitment by our city, thoughtfully designed in a way to directly support residents seeking new careers with our business community seeking ready to go workers,” said Chris Steinocher, president/CEO for St. Pete Chamber of Commerce. “These are the smart economic development investments that continue to rise our city to the top as one of the hottest destinations for business.”

Welch to present State of the City on Feb. 18

ST. PETERSBURG — Mayor Kenneth T. Welch will present the annual “State of the City” at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 18, at the Palladium.

The presentation will serve as an opportunity for Welch to celebrate achievements, milestones, and successes during his fourth year in office, and a look forward to what lies ahead in 2026.

Seating at the Palladium, 253 Fifth Ave. N, is limited and attendees are encouraged to RSVP at https://tinyurl.com/39bcwvxy

The event will also be streamed live on Facebook and YouTube, in addition to live TV, Frontier channel 20, Spectrum 641, and WOW! Cable 15.

DeSantis names 5 as SPC trustees

TALLAHASSEE — Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Richard Franz III and Danielle Marolf and the reappointment of Jason Butts, Katherine Cole, and Thomas Kidwell to the St. Petersburg College District Board of Trustees.

Franz is the chief operating officer and Southeast Regional Managing Partner at Sorren, Inc. He is a member of the American and Florida Institutes of Certified Public Accountants and previously worked as a Certified Public Accountant at PricewaterhouseCoopers. Franz earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Florida.

Marolf is the president, founder, and head of school for Wellmont Academy. She is the Vice Chair and Treasurer for the Florida Coalition of Christian Private Schools Accreditation. Marolf earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and music from Houghton College.

Butts is the president of SimplyIOA, a division of Insurance Office of America. He currently serves as a member of the Citizens Property Insurance Corporation Board of Governors and the Florida Association of Insurance Agents. Butts earned his bachelor’s degree in telecommunications from the University of Florida.

Cole is an attorney and shareholder at Hill Ward Henderson. She is the chair-elect for the Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce, is a member of the Morton Plant Mease Hospital Board of Directors and has served as a member of the Pinellas County and City of Clearwater Charter Review Committees. Cole earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee and her juris doctor from Stetson University.

Kidwell is the vice president of wealth management at Cyndeo Wealth Partners. Previously, he served as an account vice president for UBS and was a Minor League baseball player and coach for the St. Louis Cardinals Organization. Kidwell earned his bachelor’s degree in American studies from Yale University.

These appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.