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🌱 Patch AM: Man Fled 2 Crash Sites, Filed False Stolen Car Report: St. Pete Police

Make time for In The Wake of Life on the St. Petersburg Patch calendar

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Thursday September 17th Patch AM
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Good day St. Petersburg! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • St. Pete driver accused of fleeing two crashes, faking stolen car
  • What investigators found inside two St. Petersburg gambling raids
  • What changes if The Florida Orchestra runs the Mahaffey Theater?

Also on today's calendar: In The Wake of Life and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: When geese fly, one side is longer than the other. do you know why that is ? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: A stray afternoon t-storm, with a high of 90 and low of 78 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Friday: A thunderstorm or two, temps: high: 91, low: 77.
  • Saturday: A stray afternoon t-storm, with a high of 88 and low of 77 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Man Fled 2 Crash Sites, Filed False Stolen Car Report: St. Pete Police (patch.com) — St. Petersburg readers are learning more about a Tuesday morning incident where police say a local man caused two crashes, fled both scenes, and then tried to report his own car stolen. Officers linked the hit-and-run vehicle to the false report and arrested 37-year-old Shannon Purnell on charges including providing false information, leaving crash scenes, and reckless driving.
   

2. Florida Seizes 163 Illegal Slots, $250K in St. Petersburg Raid (playusa.com) — State gaming regulators and local law enforcement just seized 163 illegal slot machines and nearly $250,000 in cash from two St. Petersburg businesses, Action Arcade and The Zoo Sports Club and Grille. Multiple people now face gambling-related charges as officials frame "Operation Final Spin" as part of a broader statewide crackdown aimed at protecting vulnerable residents and shutting down illegal gaming rooms.
   

3. The Florida Orchestra taps VenuWorks as Mahaffey operating partner (floridapolitics.com) — The Florida Orchestra plans to take over management of St. Petersburg's city-owned Mahaffey Theater, partnering with venue operator VenuWorks to handle daily operations while keeping artistic control local. If the agreement with the city is finalized, residents can expect expanded programming, more concerts and community events, and a stronger push to keep St. Petersburg at the heart of Tampa Bay's arts scene.
   

4. USF St. Petersburg launches new freshman nursing pathway program (baynews9.com) — Prospective nurses in St. Petersburg now have a direct four‑year path at USF St. Petersburg's College of Nursing, letting freshmen start nursing coursework immediately and move into upper‑division if they meet requirements. The program aims to keep local students training and working in Pinellas County hospitals like Johns Hopkins All Children's and Bayfront, helping address Florida's projected long‑term nursing shortage.
   

5. Habitat for Humanity to build 40 affordable townhomes in St. Petersburg (baynews9.com) — St. Petersburg residents looking for affordable homeownership may soon have a new option as Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside builds Pelican Place, a 40‑unit townhome development where buyers will pay no more than 30% of their income. With zero‑interest mortgages and no down payment, the project aims to help local workers like city employee Jermaine Manning stay in Pinellas County amid a severe housing shortage.
   

📸 Around St. Petersburg

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Nathaniel Beaver, a local actor and VP at St Pete City Theater prepares for opening weekend. —Jon Reynolds Read on Patch
  • SPECTRUM posted a job opening for Retail Sales Specialist - Part-Time in Pinellas Park. Apply here.
  • Dunkin' posted a job opening for Shift Leader in Pinellas Park. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near St. Petersburg here.

Ok St. Petersburg! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: because there are more geese on that side (Thank you jo L. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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