Tampa Tribune: Tampa makes Cuba inroads in first year of normalization    

 

If there were any doubts Tampa was eager to make the most of better relations between the U.S. and Cuba, the year since it happened puts them to rest.

"They have been serious, respectful and insightful negotiations," Fox said. "I believe Mayor Rick Kriseman and the St. Pete Downtown Partnership did more for U.S.-Cuba relations in their first 55 days on the issue than Florida has done in 55 years."   

Tampa Bay Times: St.Pete's Albert Whitted Airport to get seaplane charter service to Fort Lauderdale  

 

Tropic Ocean Airways, a private seaplane company, will bring commercial service back to Albert Whitted Airport in St. Petersburg, according to the company's website.

The South Florida airline's website lists flights available to and from Albert Whitted Airport in St. Petersburg and Fort Lauderdale International Airport. The company's CEO, Rob Ceravolo, will be at the airport in St. Petersburg today to make an announcement with officials from the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and Mayor Rick Kriseman.
  

Tampa Bay Times: No long-term damage to Clam Bayou from sewage spill  

 

A consultant's study has concluded that the 170-acre Clam Bayou didn't suffer any longterm damage from a 15-million gallon sewage dump after weeks of heavy rains this summer.

Environmental Consulting and Technology Inc. of Gainesville took water samples from the stormwater pond on the edge of the bayou where St. Petersburg dumped the untreated sewage in early August after its sewer system became overloaded with rainwater that seeped through aging pipes. 

Tampa Bay Newspapers: Tampa Bay Export Alliance projects $4.1 million in sales 

 

Leaders of the Tampa Bay Export Alliance, a cooperative effort of Pinellas County Economic Development and the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation announced $4.1 million in projected sales Dec. 7, because of the Trade Mission to Toronto, Canada from Oct. 19-22, as well as foreign direct investment leads from Canadian operations looking to expand into the region.  

Tampa Bay Times: Visit from Cuba's arts leaders sparks hope for cultural exchanges with St. Petersburg 

 

A year ago, President Barack Obama announced that the United States would normalize diplomatic relations with Cuba.

A year later, nine Cubans prominent in the country's arts community, including representatives of Cuba's Ministry of Culture, took advantage of new travel opportunities to visit St. Petersburg. Their hosts are the city's Downtown Partnership and St. Petersburg officials.

ABC Action News: Bids for ferry service between St. Petersburg and Tampa due Friday    

 

Plans for a ferry service between St. Petersburg and Tampa are moving forward. Ferry companies have until Friday night to submit final bids to the city of St. Pete for the pilot program that would run from October 2016 until April 2017.

ABC Action News: Mayor Rick Kriseman holds 'March Against Gun Violence' in St. Petersburg 

 

St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman is holding a "March Against Gun Violence" on Friday evening.

The march is in response to six shooting deaths in the last 6 weeks in the sunshine city.

Tampa Bay Times: St. Pete Council elects Foster, Rice to leadership positions  

 

Come January, they'll be leading the show.

The council at a Thursday workshop picked Foster to be chairwoman of the council, meaning she'll run the meetings and met weekly with Mayor Rick Kriseman.