Bradenton, FL|News|
Palmetto COVID-19 Testing Site Moves To New Location
The coronavirus test site moves from Lincoln Park to the Bradenton Area Convention Center and will offer rapid and nasal swab tests.
Tiffany Razzano, Patch Staff
Florida: Finding Our Way Forward
The coronavirus shutdown brought civic life and commerce to a standstill for months. These stories of revival show how communities, businesses, schools and essential institutions in Florida are finding ways to reopen, recover and move forward.
Related:Finding Our Way Forward
Lakeland, FL|News|
Coronavirus Call Center Scheduled To Open At Polk Public Schools
A call center that will focus on coronavirus questions will soon be available to parents with children enrolled in Polk County schools.
Skyla Luckey, Patch Staff
Sarasota, FL|News|
Mask Mandate Prompts Parents To Sue Sarasota County School Board
Parents filed suit against the Sarasota County School Board​, which extended the district’s mask mandate for students, staff and teachers.
Tiffany Razzano, Patch Staff
Sarasota, FL|News|
Sarasota City Commission Resumes In-Person Meetings
The first in-person meetings will take place Nov. 2 at 1:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. at Sarasota City Hall.
Tiffany Razzano, Patch Staff
Tampa, FL|News|
Sheriff's Unit To Tackle Mental Health Repercussions Of Pandemic
The coronavirus didn't simply introduce a new pathogen into society. It brought along a mental health epidemic.
D'Ann Lawrence White, Patch Staff
Bloomingdale-Riverview, FL|News|
Chick-fil-A In Riverview Announces Opening Day
Local residents can enjoy their favorite Chick-fil-A biscuits or sandwiches at its new Riverview location.
Skyla Luckey, Patch Staff
Sarasota, FL|News|
Real Men Wear Pink: Three Friday Fundraisers Planned
Several ambassadors for Real Men Wear Pink of Sarasota-Manatee host fundraising events Friday night.
Tiffany Razzano, Patch Staff
Sarasota, FL|News|
Final Curtain Call For The Players Centre’s Downtown Theater
As The Players Centre for the Performing Arts prepares to build a new venue, supporters can say goodbye to the old theater Friday.
Tiffany Razzano, Patch Staff
Sarasota, FL|News|
Big Cat Habitat Wild-O-Ween Event Planned
This annual kid-friendly Halloween event will raise funds for Sarasota's Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary.
Tiffany Razzano, Patch Staff
Sarasota, FL|News|
Masks Still Required For Students, Teachers: Sarasota Schools
The Sarasota County Schools Board voted 3-2 at Tuesday's meeting to keep the school district’s current mask policy.
Tiffany Razzano, Patch Staff
Tampa, FL|News|
Pacira Opens Training Facility For Opioid-Free Surgery, Treatment
Pacira BioSciences Inc.​, the leading provider of non-opioid pain management, will open a new state-of-the-art medical education facility.
D'Ann Lawrence White, Patch Staff
Bradenton, FL|News|
Flavors Of Our Fair Planned At Manatee County Fairgrounds
Enjoy favorite fair concessions at the Palmetto fairgrounds Friday through Sunday. This event supports food vendors affected by COVID-19.
Tiffany Razzano, Patch Staff
Bradenton, FL|News|
Loving Hands Thrift Store Expands Presence With Furniture Shop
The thrift store opened a second location for furniture Oct. 15. They’ll split the space with Theresa’s, a café relocating from downtown.
Tiffany Razzano, Patch Staff
Land O' Lakes, FL|News|
Lennar Creates Business Center, Organic Cafe For Connerton
Crossvine at Connerton and will feature organic and ethically and responsibly grown coffees from A Cup of Organic.
D'Ann Lawrence White, Patch Staff
St. Pete, FL|News|
Young People Urged To Use Voice, Vote Early At Roll To The Polls
Organizations from across the St. Petersburg community encouraged voters to vote early at the "Roll to the Polls" kickoff event.
Skyla Luckey, Patch Staff
Gulfport, FL|News|
Gulfport Merchants Promoting Creative Businesses With IndieFaire
Third Saturday IndieFaire​, which will debut Oct. 17, is designed to showcase the rich and diverse creative landscape of the town.
D'Ann Lawrence White, Patch Staff
St. Pete, FL|News|
Harvey's 4th Street Grill Makes Upgrades During Shutdown
One of St. Petersburg's iconic restaurants reopened recently with upgrades, and brought most of its pre-coronavirus staff back to work.
Skyla Luckey, Patch Staff
New Port Richey, FL|News|
National Comedy Hall Of Fame To Bring Laughs Back Into Lives
The National Comedy Hall of Fame has taken up permanent residence in Holiday and is getting back on track after the coronavirus pandemic.
D'Ann Lawrence White, Patch Staff
New Port Richey, FL|News|
Comedy, Axe-Throwing, Legos: Revitalized Mall Will Have It All
The new tenants are Side Splitters Comedy Club, Bay Coffee Company, The Brick Jungle, Chicago Bar & Bistro and an axe-throwing range.
D'Ann Lawrence White, Patch Staff
St. Pete, FL|News|
Fashion Store Worked Around Closing Orders Using Instagram
Detox, Designer Resale Boutique in St. Petersburg reached more customers when it started modeling its clothes through Instagram Stories.
Skyla Luckey, Patch Staff
Tampa, FL|News|
Help South Tampa Restaurants Recover During Restaurant Week
Dozens of restaurants in South Tampa are offering customers discounts on food and drinks this week.
D'Ann Lawrence White, Patch Staff
New Port Richey, FL|News|
Pasco UrgentVet Bridges Gap Between Family Vet And ER Service
UrgentVet, the first dedicated urgent care clinic for pets, has expanded its presence in the Tampa Bay area by opening a third local clinic.
D'Ann Lawrence White, Patch Staff
Clearwater, FL|News|
Cheesecake Factory Now Hiring For New Clearwater Location
The restaurant officially opens to the public on Dec. 8.
D'Ann Lawrence White, Patch Staff
Tampa, FL|News|
Crunch Fitness Channelside Renovations To Allow Boutique Classes
The first of its kind in the area, this $200,000 renovation will allow Crunch Channelside to offer boutique-style fitness classes.
D'Ann Lawrence White, Patch Staff
Pinellas Beaches, FL|News|
Joella's Hot Chicken Reopens In Seminole Following Closure
Joella’s Hot Chicken has relaunched its Seminole restaurant after closing due to the pandemic
D'Ann Lawrence White, Patch Staff
Clearwater, FL|News|
Realistic Chalk Art Crops Up In Clearwater For Chalktober Fest
Each participating business is partnered with a local or visiting artist who will chalk a masterpiece in front of the business.
D'Ann Lawrence White, Patch Staff
St. Pete, FL|News|
Conversation About Unifying St. Pete Traces Racial Strife
A panelist for "We The People: In Order to Form a More Perfect Union​," shared suggestions to breakdown racial barriers in St. Pete.
Skyla Luckey, Patch Staff
Dunedin, FL|News|
Mother, Son Bond Through Art That Spreads Message Of Hope
"Our designs are intended to bring strength, hope and a sense of belonging," said Laureen Austin.
D'Ann Lawrence White, Patch Staff
New Port Richey, FL|News|
Pasco To Offer CARES Funding To Help Pay Bills Oct. 6
This one-time assistance will be available Tuesday, Oct. 6 to 800 people on a first-come, first-served basis.
D'Ann Lawrence White, Patch Staff
Tampa, FL|News|
Florida Sees 74 Percent Decrease In Coronavirus-Related Deaths
Florida received more than 420,000 of the newly approved, portable Abbott BinaxNow 15-minute rapid tests and expect six million more.
D'Ann Lawrence White, Patch Staff
St. Pete, FL|News|
Domestic Violence Increases In Pinellas County During Pandemic
October is Domestic Violence Awareness month and if you are experiencing domestic violence, there is help in Pinellas County and nationally.
Skyla Luckey, Patch Staff
Bloomingdale-Riverview, FL|News|
Mosaic Offers Limited Number Of Grants To Nonprofits
Mosaic is offering grants to support nonprofit organizations that are helping communities struggling from the coronavirus pandemic.
Skyla Luckey, Patch Staff
Lakeland, FL|News|
MLK Weekend 2021 Parade Canceled Due To COVID-19 Concerns
A video highlighting the late Dr. Martin Luther King Junior's achievements and what he stood for will be shown in place of the parade.
Skyla Luckey, Patch Staff
Across Florida|News|
FL Patch Local Business Information Center: A Community Resource
FL Patch has partnered with scores of local businesses to keep you informed about their services during the pandemic and beyond.
Deb Belt, Patch Staff
Tampa, FL|News|
Tampa Is 5th In Nation For Coffee Lovers; Here Are Some Favorites
Tampa ranks No. 5 among the top 20 cities in the country for the consumption of coffee drinks.
D'Ann Lawrence White, Patch Staff
New Port Richey, FL|News|
Newly Remodeled Hudson Walmart Supercenter Ready For Reveal
Hudson residents will soon get a first look at the newly remodeled Walmart Supercenter at 12610 U.S. 19.
D'Ann Lawrence White, Patch Staff
Tampa, FL|News|
Armature Works To Host Socially Distant Drive-In Movie Each Night
Families can enjoy a contact-free movie experience in The Heights District​ while enjoying all the food options within Armature Works​​.
D'Ann Lawrence White, Patch Staff
Tampa, FL|News|
Tampa Bay Beef O' Brady's Livestream High School Football
Ten Beef 'O' Brady's are airing Tampa Bay high school Friday night football games live this fall while stadium capacities are limited.
D'Ann Lawrence White, Patch Staff
Brandon, FL|News|
Heights Meat Market Bring Prime Cuts, Sauces To Brandon Area
Brandon and Riverview residents are a short drive away from Heights Meat Market's new location. Customers can get prime meats and sauces.
Skyla Luckey, Patch Staff
St. Pete, FL|News|
Son and Mom Help Small Businesses In St. Pete With Masks
A 30-year-old St. Petersburg man turned his disappointment at the coronavirus-related slowdown in the fashion industry into help for others.
Skyla Luckey, Patch Staff
