Common fraud trends: How you can identify, avoid and report

By Roxanne Chance-Chin, Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) Officer and Fraud Investigations Manager, The Bank of Tampa Unfortunately, fraud is on the rise. In addition to existing schemes, fraudsters are using the health and economic uncertainties presented by COVID-19 to perpetrate fraud. As a consumer and/or business owner it’s important to be mindful of fraud trends … Read more

One Liners Polk: Watson Clinic, Checkers and more

► Board-certified rheumatologist Lilliam E. Ayala Garcia joined Watson Clinic Main at 1600 Lakeland Hills Blvd., Lakeland. ► Dream Finders Homes is selling five different floor plans at pre-construction prices in Haines City’s Hammock Reserve, being developed off Prado Grande Street near the intersection of Old Haines City/Lake Alfred Road and U.S. Highway 27. ► … Read more

On the Scene: EmpowHERment HER Gala

EmpowHERment, a nonprofit organization based in Clearwater that works to empower women with resources to build their success through financial, mental and emotional wellness, held its inaugural HER Gala at the Magic Dance Club Ballroom Studio and Event Venue in Largo. [image_slider_no_space on_click=”prettyphoto” height=”300″ images=”11168,11167,11166,11165,11164″]

No tickets? Where to watch the Super Bowl in Tampa Bay

With limited capacity at this year’s Super Bowl, chances are if you were hoping to score tickets, you were not able to for a myriad of reasons. Not to fear, there are places holding Super Bowl watch parties. Please remember, if you do decide to venture out, gather safely. If you are hosting a gathering … Read more

On the Scene: The St. Petersburg Power And Sailboat Show’s Big Success (PHOTOS)

The 43rd annual St. Petersburg Power and Sailboat Show took place on January 14-17 at the Duke Energy Center for the Arts, Mahaffey Theater Yacht Basin and Albert Whitted Park. Our Downtown was jammed with visitors strolling around the waterfront with big grins of anticipation. Young couples with toddlers, and older retirees, all dreaming of … Read more

Walking the walk

For Tash Elwyn, president and CEO of Raymond James & Associates, there is no better service than actively giving your time. Whether it’s smoking 99.3 pounds of pulled pork and giving out 44 pizzas in meal donations during two recent backyard fundraisers to support the St. Petersburg Free Clinic, or his decade-long commitment to making … Read more

Avalanche or revival: What’s ahead for retail real estate in 2021

It’s been a slow burn in the retail market for some time. Some brands were long predicted to be phasing out, like the Sears and Dillard’s of the world. Analysts saw the writing on the wall for these long before a global pandemic ripped off the bandages and revealed the real wound. California Pizza Kitchen, … Read more

Palm Harbor company pledges support to prevent blindness this holiday season

Regener-Eyes, a subsidiary of Regenerative Processing Plant, in Palm Harbor, will give back this holiday season by launching a campaign to help support the ongoing efforts of Prevent Blindness, the nation’s oldest non-profit eye health organization. Through January 15, 2021, Regener-Eyes will donate $1 to Prevent Blindness for each purchase of either Regener-Eyes LITE or … Read more

Women of Influence: Dawn Hackney

Dawn Hackney is blazing a trail of hemp, and hope, as CEO and president of GreenTree Natural Wellness Center. Hers is a cannabis category crusade: helping people achieve wellness through third-party-tested products free of THC and pesticides. She describes ‘business as usual’ in her industry as a constant onslaught of regulatory mandates and a pervasive … Read more