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🌱 Patch AM: Fire Breaks Out At University Of South Florida's St. Petersburg Campus; Billowing Smoke Seen For Miles

Happening soon: Maifest in the Biergarten on the St. Petersburg Patch calendar

Monday May 4th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Good morning to you St. Petersburg! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☕️️

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In today's newsletter:

  • Massive USF St. Petersburg lab fire cancels Gibbs High prom
  • St. Petersburg teen dies after late-night crash on MLK Street North
  • Police investigate fatal crash on Tanglewood Drive Northeast

Also on today's calendar: Maifest in the Biergarten and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: Why is the mushroom always invited to the party? 🤔 (Answer below!)


Weather forecast:

  • Monday: Cloudy, with a high of 85 and low of 72 degrees.
  • Tuesday: Partly sunny, temps: high: 86, low: 74. 🌶 Hot!
  • Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high of 86 and low of 76 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Fire Breaks Out At University Of South Florida's St. Petersburg Campus; Billowing Smoke Seen For Miles (patch.com) — Residents around the University of South Florida’s St. Petersburg campus watched a massive lab-building fire Saturday evening that sent smoke plumes visible for miles and drew a huge firefighter response. No injuries were reported, but the blaze devastated research materials and forced the last-minute cancellation of Gibbs High School’s prom at the campus ballroom, which has been rescheduled for Sunday.    

2. St. Petersburg Teen Driver Killed After Car Slams Into Tree During Late-Night Crash (tampafp.com) — A St. Petersburg teen was killed early Sunday when his Dodge Charger lost control on a wet stretch of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street North and slammed into a tree near 70th Avenue North. Police say the 18-year-old driver, Angel Burke, was attempting to pass another car just after midnight when the crash happened, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.    

3. St. Petersburg Driver Dies After Possible Medical Episode Sparks Crash (tampafp.com) — A 72-year-old St. Petersburg man died Sunday afternoon after apparently suffering a medical episode and crashing into a parked SUV on Tanglewood Drive Northeast, according to city police. He was taken to Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, and investigators are still working to determine exactly what happened.    

4. This Marine-Themed Playground In Florida Is The Stuff Of Childhood Dreams (familydestinationsguide.com) — Families in St. Petersburg have a major new draw at the Glazer Family Playground by the Pier, a free, marine-themed play space packed with towering slides, climbing nets, and shaded areas. Open daily with waterfront views and accessible design, it’s become a regional destination where kids of all ages can burn energy while parents relax by the bay—no tickets or reservations required.    

5. Tampa Bay looks to lengthen gap above Blue Jays (statenews.net) — Tampa Bay Rays fans in St. Petersburg can catch a fresh three-game home series against the Toronto Blue Jays starting Monday night, as the team rides a hot 16-5 stretch. With Nick Martinez on the mound and Yandy Diaz’s health in question, the matchup could shape the early American League East race.    


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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • A Hope For Foster Children Is Heard by St. Pete Sunrise Rotary —Jon Reynolds Read on Patch
  • Sam's Club posted a job opening for Stocking Team Associate in Largo. Apply here.
  • City of Largo Florida posted a job opening for Custodial Technician I in Largo. 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: He is a fungi (Thank you Liz N. for sending it in!)Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!


👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.


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