ThurSt. Pete
The St. Petersburg Pier is scheduled to close on May 31. The inverted pyramid, which opened in 1973, is to be demolished later this year. As the days count down, here's where you'll find both the daily news and snippets and observations from the Pier.
WedHuman Interest
Five hundred years ago this year, Ponce de Leon landed on the east coast of the state and gave the region a name: La Florida. Florida is marking the anniversary with a year-long, statewide celebration called "Viva Florida 500." Visitors to Heritage Village will find plenty of Florida history Sunday, including an exhibit and lecture.
LARGO — Christopher Jennings, a Sunstar paramedic not prone to tears, thought he was all cried out.

MADEIRA BEACH — To universal praise and a glowing review, City Manager Shane Crawford was given a 3 percent raise last week, bringing his annual salary to $120,510 and his total package, with benefits, to slightly more than $168,000.

TREASURE ISLAND
Gene Evans will celebrate more than two years of being cancer-free on Saturday with fellow paddleboard enthusiasts, raising money to fight the disease.

GULFPORT — If you've ever been the least bit curious about where artists live and work, Gulfport's SoStudio Tour is your ticket to browse. This Saturday and Sunday artists are opening their homes and studios and offering art aficionados a rare opportunity to peer inside their personal space and even catch …
KENNETH CITY — Almost 20 years ago, a Pinellas grand jury released a scathing report that condemned this town's government for bickering, infighting, lack of leadership and overall dysfunction.
ST. PETERSBURG — Two longtime local retailers have bought another retail landmark. Jeffrey and Katrina Hess, owners of Old Northeast Jewelers and Hess Fine Art for 27 years, recently acquired the 33-year-old Patty and Friends Antique Mall.
ST. PETERSBURG — Rebuild it and they will come.

ST. PETERSBURG — The new owners of the Palazzo Di Oro, an assisted living facility that closed suddenly two years ago amid financial turmoil, may have problems of their own.
Only in St. Petersburg
Theatrics are common when controversial votes go before the City Council. And Thursday was no different.

The mentors have been quietly molding their young charges for most of the school year.

TREASURE ISLAND — Beachgoers are now using a newly rehabilitated beach pavilion on Sunset Beach, thanks to the completion of a $231,030 renovation.
Yoga Village at Sunken Gardens: Breathe in yoga's meditative benefits at 12:30 p.m. today and 10:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday at 1825 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg. For information, call (727) 551-3102 or visit stpete.org/sunken.
Heart Gallery event Wednesday at Trop
TREASURE ISLAND
In celebration of National Tourism Week, the Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce brings chamber members together for a day of fun in the sun and some friendly, healthy competition. Event includes a sand sculpture contest, water balloon toss, the dolphin relay race and the silly spin …
MADEIRA BEACH — Opposition to planned construction of a $9 million City Hall, fire station and recreational complex sharpened last week as a group of former city officials filed papers for a citywide vote on the issue.