Allegiant begins nonstop service to New Jersey cities<\/p>\n
ST. PETERSBURG \u2014 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.<\/p>\n
The new routes include:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Atlantic City, via Atlantic City International Airport (ACY), began Feb. 13.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Trenton via Trenton-Mercer Airport (TTN) beginning Feb. 20.<\/p>\n
The new flights will operate up to twice weekly. Flight days, times and the lowest fares can be found only at Allegiant.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n Data finds SPC economic impact at $3.5B<\/p>\n St. Petersburg College generates $3.5 billion to the regional economy through alumni productivity and career training programs, an independent economic analysis has determined.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n The college\u2019s economic influence is driven largely by its role as a workforce engine for Tampa Bay\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Doc Ford\u2019s cocktails raise $3,300 for hospitals<\/p>\n ST. PETERSBURG \u2014 Doc Ford\u2019s Rum Bar & Grille locations at the St. Petersburg Pier and Jungle Terrace raised $3,394 in 2025 for Johns Hopkins All Children\u2019s Hospital and the C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center \u2014 one specialty cocktail at a time.<\/p>\n The St. Petersburg Pier location contributed $2,220, while the Jungle Terrace restaurant donated $1,174. Through the restaurant\u2019s hospital drink program, one dollar from every specialty cocktail sold from the bar menu is donated to local hospitals.<\/p>\n Since the program launched in 2006, Doc Ford\u2019s four locations, including two in Southwest Florida, have donated a cumulative $140,309 to Johns Hopkins All Children\u2019s Hospital and Golisano Children\u2019s Hospital of Southwest Florida. In St. Petersburg, proceeds from the Pier location benefit Johns Hopkins All Children\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n This year marks the first time Doc Ford\u2019s has supported the C.W. Bill Young Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Student ambassador program to Japan accepting applications<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Eligibility requirements:<\/p>\n \u2022 Applicants must be St. Pete residents currently in their junior year of high school.<\/p>\n \u2022 Applicants must be dedicated, enthusiastic students who demonstrate civic pride and would confidently represent St. Pete while sharing our culture with the Takamatsu community.<\/p>\n \u2022 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.<\/p>\n \u2022Students and their families must host a Student Exchange Ambassador from Takamatsu for 10 days shortly after their return from Japan.<\/p>\n For more information about the program, eligibility criteria, and how to apply, visit https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/yxd52uk9<\/a><\/p>\n Learn how to save water, money with free programs<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n The educational sessions cover topics ranging from rain barrels and rain gardens to efficient irrigation, drought-tolerant plants, and water-smart landscaping.<\/p>\n These interactive webinars are open to the public and designed for all experience levels. Registration is required to attend.<\/p>\n Workshops schedule:<\/p>\n \u2022 Intro to Micro Irrigation<\/p>\n Wednesday, March 4, from noon-2:45 p.m.<\/p>\n \u2022 Water Wise Living \u2014 Do’s, Don’ts. and How To’s<\/p>\n Monday, March 16, from noon-12:45 p.m.<\/p>\n \u2022 Rainwater Guardian<\/p>\n Wednesday, March 25, from 6-7:30 p.m.<\/p>\n Wednesday, April 29, from 6-7:30 p.m.<\/p>\n Saturday, June 6, from 9:30-11 a.m.<\/p>\n \u2022 Transitioning to a More Natural Landscape<\/p>\n Tuesday, April 7, from 6-7:30 p.m.<\/p>\n \u2022 Drought Tolerant Plants for Local Landscapes<\/p>\n Tuesday, May 12, from 6-7:30 p.m.<\/p>\n \u2022 Every Drop Counts<\/p>\n Thursday, May 21, from noon-12:45 p.m.<\/p>\n Registration and additional information are available at https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/344nn9hh<\/a><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n This free service is available to city water customers with operable, in-ground sprinkler systems using potable, reclaimed, or well water.<\/p>\n