Polk County Emergency Management received the 2025 Spirit of Leadership Polk Award for outstanding hurricane response and community collaboration. (Pictured above) Lakeland native TJ Wright, who grew up in the YMCA’s First Tee golf program, has been named chief executive officer of the YMCA of West Central Florida. Aircraft maintenance company FEAM Aero is bringing … Read more
After more than 30 years at St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport, including a decade as its director, Thomas Jewsbury plans to retire Oct. 1. Jewsbury joined PIE in 1994 and was named airport director in 2015, leading the facility through a period of record passenger growth, expanded air service and $197 million in capital improvements. Projects … Read more
News announcements from Sarasota and Manatee Counties.
The Chi Chi Rodriguez Youth Foundation is using the game of golf to transform the lives of students across Pinellas County. Founded in 1979, by professional golfer Chi Chi Rodriguez, Raymond James Financial founder Bob James and former educator and golfer Bill Hayes, the foundation serves children through education and character development programs on its … Read more
Just last night, late, as I celebrated the end of my 55th year and the start of my 56th – I read a distressing message from my daughter, the new mom of my 3-month-old granddaughter, Iris Stella. I hope you’re not weary of hearing about her yet. In this message, my daughter was lamenting about … Read more
Sandbar Seafood + Spirits, on Anna Maria Island, has unveiled a renovation featuring new concepts Beachside Bites and Sweet Willy’s, along with refreshed dining, event and retail spaces. Faith Baptist Church, in Sarasota, has sold 11 acres of its Fruitville Road property to charter school developer Red Apple Development for $3.5 million, with plans approved … Read more
The Florida Aquarium was named one of the top 10 aquariums in the country by USA Today’s 2025 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards — one of only Florida aquariums to make the list. Atlanta-based OrderlyMeds is expanding to Hillsborough County with a new pharmaceutical facility expected to bring 100 high-wage jobs by August 2025. USF faculty … Read more
Construction is underway for the St. Pete Athletic Paddle & Social, a 45,000-square-foot indoor sports and social club, in St. Petersburg’s Warehouse Arts District. Set to open in August 2025, the facility will offer 14 indoor pickleball courts, two padel courts and six cabana-style table tennis stations. Additional amenities include a boutique gym, sauna, cold … Read more
Veteran Tampa Bay banking executive Marcus Greene has been named vice chair of Copperhead Charities, the nonprofit behind the Valspar Championship PGA TOUR event. Greene, regional president of Renasant Bank, brings more than four decades of experience in the local financial sector and over 10 years of involvement with the Valspar Championship, including service on … Read more
