Honorees named for 2026 Legacy Business Program<\/p>\n
ST. PETERSBURG \u2014 Eight local businesses and organizations have been selected by the city of St. Petersburg for the 2026 Legacy Business Program, an initiative dedicated to honoring and supporting the locally owned businesses that have helped define the character and culture of St. Petersburg for generations.<\/p>\n
The honorees are:<\/p>\n
District 1 \u2014 Parc Center for Disabilities<\/p>\n
District 2 \u2014 Indulgence Medical Day Spa<\/p>\n
District 3 \u2014 Red Mesa Restaurant<\/p>\n
District 4 \u2014 Harvey’s Restaurant LLC<\/p>\n
District 5 \u2014 Bayway Country Store and Butcher Shop<\/p>\n
District 6 \u2014 Arts Center Association\/Morean Arts Center<\/p>\n
District 7 \u2014 Reed Roofing Company<\/p>\n
District 8 \u2014 DoMA Home Furnishings LLC<\/p>\n
“Congratulations to the inaugural honorees of the 2026 Legacy Business Program. We are incredibly proud to recognize and uplift businesses that have stood the test of time and shaped our community,” said Mayor Kenneth T. Welch. “The longevity of these establishments did not happen by accident; it was earned through commitment, consistency, and deep community connection. Through this program, we look forward to supporting the continued success and growth of legacy businesses for generations to come.”<\/p>\n
Find hot and spicy at Pinellas Pepper Fest<\/p>\n
PINELLAS PARK \u2014 The 19th Annual Pinellas Pepper Fest will be held Saturday, May 2, and Sunday May 3 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at England Brothers Park, 5010 Dave McKay Way.<\/p>\n
Hundreds of samples, from mild to wild, will set your taste buds on fire, while live music will sizzle your soul as you explore pepper plants, gadgets, and kitchenware. \ufe0f<\/p>\n
Watch contestants battle the blaze for a chance to claim the coveted Tampa Belt and compete internationally.<\/p>\n
Pepper Fest veterans will brave the flames in the legendary hot pepper contests, including the Extreme Lolli Lick-A-Thon (the hottest lollypop on Earth) and the Amateur Jalapeno Eating Contest.<\/p>\n
For more information, visit Pinellas Pepper Fest on Facebook.<\/p>\n
School board member to host discussion on education policy<\/p>\n
ST. PETERSBURG \u2014 Pinellas school board member Laura Hine will host a public town hall on April 30 at the President Barack Obama Main Library. Hine recently founded the nonprofit Educating Florida\u2019s Future, a statewide organization that advocates for better education policy and strong public schools.<\/p>\n
Led by Hine, the town hall will introduce EFF\u2019s priorities, outline its vision, and invite community questions on the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing PreK\u201312 education. Florida\u2019s public school system includes more than 350,000 teachers, administrators, and staff serving approximately 2.8 million students statewide.<\/p>\n
\u201cThriving public schools are critical to thriving communities,\u201d said Hine in a press release. \u201cWe can achieve excellence in public education when we prioritize it, provide the necessary resources, and support strong, effective leadership.\u201d<\/p>\n
The town hall will cover key topics, including:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Why start Educating Florida’s Future?<\/p>\n
\u2022 Metrics that matter: Access to early education and third grade reading proficiency<\/p>\n
\u2022 Understanding your tax dollars: State and local tax funding for K12 education in Florida<\/p>\n
\u2022 Needed accountability and transparency to taxpayers for PreK-12 expenditures<\/p>\n
\u2022 Charter schools are in the news again: Why? What is happening there?<\/p>\n
\u2022 School enrollment trends and discussion of consolidating schools<\/p>\n
Attendees will have the opportunity to share their perspectives, ask questions, and engage directly in shaping the future of public education in Florida.<\/p>\n
For more information, visit educatingfloridasfuture.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n The President Barack Obama Main Library is located at 3745 Ninth Ave. N, St. Petersburg.<\/p>\n City to hold open house on Gas Plant redevelopment<\/p>\n ST. PETERSBURG \u2013\u2014Members of the public are invited to learn more and ask questions about submitted proposals for the Historic Gas Plant District redevelopment project at an open house on Thursday, April 30, at The Coliseum, 535 Fourth Ave. N.<\/p>\n The open house will begin at 5 p.m. and is an opportunity for attendees to meet the four shortlisted developers and view their proposals. Proposals can be found at https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/46j2e8a6<\/a><\/p>\n Developer presentations will start at 6 p.m. A Q&A session will follow the presentations.<\/p>\n St. Petersburg residents have multiple options to participate in the Historic Gas Plant Open House:<\/p>\n \u2022 In person: Attend the meeting in person at The Coliseum at 535 Fourth Ave. N<\/p>\n \u2022 Virtually: Zoom meeting information can be found at https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/3aay5kxx<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022 Watch post-event: The Open House will be recorded and available post-event on YouTube and SPTV.<\/p>\n For more information, visit https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/mvyjtsts<\/a><\/p>\n St. Anthony\u2019s triathlon gears up for 43rd event<\/p>\n ST. PETERSBURG \u2014 The 43rd St. Anthony\u2019s Triathlon will bring more than 3,000 participants and visitors to St. Petersburg. The three-day event features the Meek & Mighty Triathlon on Saturday, April 25, and the Olympic- and Sprint-distance races on Sunday, April 26.<\/p>\n As preparations are finalized, race officials are reminding residents that some streets will experience intermittent road closures and travel delays. The Olympic- and Sprint-distance races will follow the same route, and delays can be expected from approximately 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.<\/p>\n Most roads will be open, but traffic will be delayed at various times on several streets to accommodate the safety of both the athletes who will participate in the race and spectators who will watch from the sidelines. Local residents are encouraged to find alternate routes during race time. All course information and maps can be found on the St. Anthony\u2019s Triathlon website at https:\/\/satriathlon.com\/course-maps\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n The St. Anthony\u2019s Triathlon is open to all levels of athletes, from amateur to professional. For kids and novice adults, there is the Meek & Mighty Triathlon. Professionals and weekend warriors are invited to tackle the main Triathlon, for both Olympic- and Sprint-distance races. To be close to the action but not in the races, many volunteer opportunities also are available. Register to compete or to volunteer at www.SATriathlon.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n For a turn-by-turn look at the bike and run courses, please visit the St. Anthony\u2019s Triathlon Athlete Guide.<\/p>\n City asking residents how to make St. Pete resilient<\/p>\n