By Christiana Eckard, Kylie Perz, Emma Lamison and Ailyn Garcia When Hurricane Helene swept through St. Petersburg in September 2024, followed by Hurricane Milton just a month later, the storms left behind more than just debris and flooded streets. For Shore Acres and Gulfport residents, the hurricanes underscored a harsh reality: the increasing threat of flooding… Continue reading Locals brace for more flooding as storms become routine
Author: ajtaylor3
Kava bars offer a calm alternative to nightlife in St. Petersburg
By Julian Borrmann In recent years, St. Petersburg’s social scene has started to look a little different. Kava bars, which serve a calming drink made from a South Pacific root, are replacing some of the usual party spots. With more than a dozen now open, they’ve become a go-to for people looking for a different… Continue reading Kava bars offer a calm alternative to nightlife in St. Petersburg
USF students struggle with lack of direct campus transportation
By Pedro Cruz When Heitor Cocentino, a senior finance student at the University of South Florida, joined an investment club every Monday on the Tampa campus, he did not know commuting would be a challenge. He also didn’t expect to spend three hours of his day trying to attend a student organization meeting. “I used… Continue reading USF students struggle with lack of direct campus transportation
Young bowlers bring fresh energy to Sunrise Lanes
By Emma Lamison At Sunrise Lanes in St. Petersburg, bowling has been a common activity for older players, but now people on the younger side are also joining leagues, bringing new energy to the lanes and helping the sport stay alive. “We still have our regulars that come in for each season, but now we are… Continue reading Young bowlers bring fresh energy to Sunrise Lanes
Sidewalk chalk art spreads important messages in St. Petersburg
By Jensen Horvath Before Julia Morris ever picked up a piece of chalk, she was inspired by the temporary messages she saw scattered across downtown St. Petersburg. Now, as a dedicated participant in the Global Love Project, she’s made it a weekly ritual to share uplifting messages through chalk art, impacting the community one sidewalk… Continue reading Sidewalk chalk art spreads important messages in St. Petersburg
A local company embraces change as Gen Z enters the workforce
By Mahika Kukday When Nicole Andersen was gearing up to graduate from the University of South Florida last year, she was also picturing her future employer, but the image in her head didn’t look like what it used to for previous generations. At 22, Andersen is part of Generation Z, those born between 1997 and… Continue reading A local company embraces change as Gen Z enters the workforce
Your Neighborhood Produce aims to provide fresh food at affordable prices
By Ailyn Garcia Your Neighborhood Produce is a storefront that sells fresh and affordable produce, helping fund and further the mission of Kelli Casto’s non-profit organization, Saving Our Seniors. Its mission is to fill the gap between Medicare and seniors suffering from financial limitations. “What is the primary goal of this?” Casto said. “To create… Continue reading Your Neighborhood Produce aims to provide fresh food at affordable prices
St. Petersburg’s hidden nature preserves need vital protection
By London Evans While many locals and tourists who come to St. Petersburg know about the beach, St. Petersburg is full of hidden parks, green spaces and nature spots that are often overlooked. The History of St. Petersburg explains why officials kept the nature preserves and parks over time. StPete.org tells the lost stories of… Continue reading St. Petersburg’s hidden nature preserves need vital protection
Ready for Life offers stability to foster youth facing homelessness
By Dayana Melendez For many young people who have gone through the turbulence and instability of growing up in foster care, moving from group home to group home, what they hope for most is a sense of normalcy. “I want a career, a wife [and] a family of my own one day,” said Nicolas Burke,… Continue reading Ready for Life offers stability to foster youth facing homelessness
Underage drinking remains a major problem in Florida
By Paola Bisbal Alcohol continues to be the most widely abused substance amongst underage youth in the United States, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. It is a prevalent issue that poses serious public health problems and legal consequences. Data collected and analyzed by the Oxford Treatment Center found that people… Continue reading Underage drinking remains a major problem in Florida