United States
I've been an active Journalist since 2016. I write regularly and have edited papers for colleagues, friends and family since 2010.
I've worked with the Department of Defense for six years and enjoyed the challenging work that made a greater impact than just my immediate circle. I also learned how to speak to and communicate with an eclectic group of people from all backgrounds and different levels of experience.
In my 14 years of military experience, I've learned the importance of a deadline and how to work within the constraints of an always changing, fast paced environment. Problem-solving is what I do on a regular basis, whether its at home or in the field as a journalist or soldier.
I like the opportunity for constant change, a different flow each work week. I also am passionate about writing and creating varied engaging products.I believe you cannot write efficiently or effectively if you don't understand the material you're writing about. I believe people should constantly learn, it is the only way to stay young and healthy minded.
On May 28, 2019 Salty's Gulfport was sold for the sum of $1 million. Since the deal, not much else has been heard about the redevelopment of 5413 Shore Blvd. S. The initial proposition from the purchasing group, 5427 LLC, a Delaware Limited Liability Company, was a restaurant that needed several variances approved before developing could start.
On the sixth evening of Hanukkah, Friday, December 27, "Rabbi Jeff" Zaremsky, celebrated the season with his followers at Beth-El Shalom Messianic Congregation, 1701 29th Ave. N. in St. Petersburg. The event started off with Hanukkah songs and prayer. Soon, it transitioned into a lesson about the "Festival of Lights."
Local business briefs highlights openings, closings and other business items of note in our distribution area. Got business news you'd like to share? Email [email protected] . Within the last two months two new gyro places have opened. Full Plate Chicken and Gyro On November 3, 2019 Tamer Abou El Maged opened the doors to Full Plate Chicken and Gyro at 1431 49th St.
By Laura Mulrooney After some internal changes, Debbie and Mark Amis held their Grand Re-Opening of The Tiki Bar and Grill at 56th Street South and Shore Boulevard Sunday, November 10. Formally Tommie's Tiki, the Amises have teamed up with new Gulfport business owners Michelle and Allan Bishop of GulfPerk Coffee Bar to make necessary changes to their business structure and plan.
City Council gathered for the first meeting of 2020, Tuesday, January 7 at 6 p.m. The first topic of discussion featured a special guest from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation (FWC), Angeline Scotten, Senior Wildlife Assistance Biologist. City council members requested Scotten's expertise concerning urban wildlife in Gulfport.
At some point in the last two weeks, an unidentified person or persons has altered 75-year-old muralist Keith Stillwagon's wildlife scene that adorns the entrance of Gulfport Garage located at 2731 Beach Blvd. S. On Monday, January 13, Gulfport Garage owner Eric Cudar and Stillwagon contacted the Gulfport Police Department to report the vandalism that recently occurred.
Local business briefs highlights openings, closings and other business items of note in our distribution area. Got business news you'd like to share? Email Fortunato's Pizzeria Al Fresco [email protected] . Since 1976, Vinny Fortunato has opened 34 restaurants. His latest is Fortunato's Pizzeria Al Fresco at 3038 Beach Blvd.
Early Saturday evening, October 12, Pass-a-Grille celebrated the completion of the historical 8th Avenue renovation. The asphalt that once smoothed over a rocky past has been removed, baring its worn Augusta block bones for all to see. According to St.
Spooky season was in full swing Saturday evening, October 26, as folks danced the night away at the Gulfport Senior Center Foundation's Sixth Annual Monster Mash at the Gulfport Casino ballroom. The Casino, listed as one of Creative Loafing's 20 most haunted places in Tampa Bay, was the perfect backdrop for the event, with the theme and decor of "black cats, pumpkins and magik."
he Factory Saint Pete hosted Saint Petersburg's Fifth Annual SHINE Mural Festival finale Saturday, October 26, from to 2 p.m. to sundown at 28th Street South and Fairfield Avenue South in St. Petersburg. The Factory, an art and cultural center still growing within the womb of Saint Petersburg's Art District, is projected to be a six-and-a-half-acre, 90,000-square foot, eight-building campus along the Pinellas Trail.
Two-years ago Michelle and Allan Bishop, pictured, had a plan to open a comfortable cafe where Gulfport residents and snowbirds could go for a coffee and a bagel. On Monday, October 28, GulfPerk Coffee Bar welcomed their first guests at 3107 Beach Blvd. S. It's been a long road for renovations, say the owners.
Over the past month, the Gulfport city charter review has been high priority at city council meetings. At their regular meeting Tuesday evening, November 5, council decided not to take action on amending section 302 of the charter, which covers term limits for elected officials.
Baked goods just like mom used to make adorned the tables at the Town Shores Clubhouse on Saturday, November 9, for The Gulfport Town Shores Women's Club's 3rd Annual Bake, Purse and Jewelry sale from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The baked good bounty of rum cakes, cookies, pumpkin squares and brownies were more than half gone by noon.
Beach Boulevard and Shore Boulevard were packed Sunday, November 10, during Gulfport's 2019 Heroes Weekend veteran's parade. Folks gathered on every corner, balcony and rooftop to get the best view of the city's and nation's heroes and their supporters as they paraded by.
Lisa Taylor opened her first yoga studio this past April, expanding from her solo massage practice to an all-encompassing therapeutic center. The Red Elephant Yoga and Massage Studio held their official ribbon cutting ceremony this past Saturday evening, November 16, at 1509 49th St. S.
The Fountains at Boca Ciega has maintained one of their most beloved events for the past 11 years, a Chili Cook Off and Kiss the Pig Contest. Thursday afternoon, November 14, The Fountain's event room was packed to the brim with residents, associates and visitors for light-hearted entertainment from the Hatley Band, Buster T Bones and flavor-packed pots of chili.
At the regular Gulfport City Council meeting on Tuesday, November 20, City Manager Jim O'Reilly proposed a new formulized property usage request form for organizations within the community that lease city facilities. Council had previously requested a more consistent vetting process during the August 6 meeting discussion of the budget.
Over 50 people inhaled the sage-filled air at Sacred Lands as they presented the "Ohenton Kariwahtekwen," also known as the Iroquois Thanksgiving Address, at 7 p.m. on Saturday, November 23 at 1700 Park St. N. The ceremonial address is intended as a communal offering of love and gratitude to all of creation.
Treasure Island's invitational 11th Annual Sanding Ovations Masters Cup took place November 20 through 24 on the beach at 10400 Gulf Boulevard. Ten competitors from seven different countries and thousands of visitors helped make Sanding Ovations the largest sand sculpture masters competition in the southeastern United States.
Saturday morning, November 23, an eclectic group of concerned citizens gathered at the Gulfport Library to talk trees. Hosted by Crea Starelk Egan of Artful Earthscapes, founder of nonprofit Eat Be Grow Sustain and the Gulfport Food Forest, the event welcomed over 40 people into a small room at the library to discuss the importance of trees and their impact on the local community.
Late Tuesday evening on November 25, a Gulfport Police Officer was involved in a crash while driving her marked police vehicle at the intersection of 49th Street South and Gulfport Boulevard. At about 11:12 p.m., Cameron Daynard, 19, was driving eastbound on Gulfport Boulevard and failed to stop at a red light.
Immediately following the Tuesday, November 19, Gulfport City Council meeting, the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) met again to discuss building within the Waterfront Redevelopment District (WRD). On July 16, Mayor Sam Henderson submitted a "hybrid" redevelopment proposal for review to the CRA.
At 7 p.m. on the dot, Monday, December 2, Gulfport Mayor Sam Henderson beckoned all the joyful children to flip the switch on the holidays. On the count of three, the children of Gulfport exclaimed "Light this tree!" and all was merry and bright at Clymer Park.
First order of business during Gulfport's Tuesday, December 3, regular city council meeting was Fire Chief James Marenkovic's introduction of Gulfport Fire Department's newest fire captains, James Lundh and Rene Fernandez. "All firefighters and fire chiefs agree that company officer is one of the most important positions for the organization," Marenkovic prefaced the promotion ceremony.
By Laura Mulrooney After some internal changes, Debbie and Mark Amis held their Grand Re-Opening of The Tiki Bar and Grill at 56th Street South and Shore Boulevard Sunday, November 10. Formally Tommie's Tiki, the Amises have teamed up with new Gulfport business owners Michelle and Allan Bishop of GulfPerk Coffee Bar to make necessary changes to their business structure and plan.
Laura Mulrooney The Clearwater building at 1343 Cleveland St. that stood empty for 20 years has transformed into a posh speakeasy and supper club: Dolce. With password entry after 10 p.m. daily, the dress code standard starts at business casual and encourages Prohibition-era attire.
Friday night, October 11, Brian Longstreth and Jim Woodfield, board members for Come Out St. Pete, sat comfortably inside St. Pete's Grand Central District's Metro LGBTQ Welcome Center, sipped on cocktails and reflected on a year's worth of planning. In tandem with National Coming Out Day, October 11, Come Out St.
Early Saturday evening, October 12, Pass-a-Grille celebrated the completion of the historical 8th Avenue renovation. The asphalt that once smoothed over a rocky past has been removed, baring its worn Augusta block bones for all to see. According to St.
BY LAURA MULROONEY, Staff Writer Two elementary school girls have spearheaded an organization that helps fight poverty and gives hope to those in need. Calling it Little Hands for Hope, Hailey Duval, five, and Zaire Carter, seven, aim to help low-income families and individuals with basic needs such as food, clothing, shoes and resources.
BY LAURA MULROONEY, Staff Writer ST. PETERSBURG - The National Organization for Women (NOW) Pinellas County chapter is seeking expansion through diversity. Founded in 1966, NOW has earned itself the title of largest and oldest feminist advocacy organization in the nation. NOW's purpose is to take action through intersectional grassroots activism to promote feminist ideals, lead [...]
B. Lively Images Two local service industry pioneers are back at it again. Partners Jeremy Wallace and Jeff Catherell are stepping away from Cask & Ale, the celebrated craft cocktail-driven watering hole they started in 2013, for their third project in downtown St.
Wikimedia Commons As debate rages over President Trump's proposed wall between the United States and Mexico, some Florida business owners are attempting to tear down a wall of their own. Dubbed the "liquor wall," current Florida law requires liquor stores to be separated from grocery and other retail stores by a physical wall and a separate entrance from outside of the establishment.
wikimedia commons/Angie Garrett The Prohibition Era came about at a time when some considered drunkenness a disease. The mandated sobriety that resulted spawned outfits like speakeasies and moonshiners seeking to meet the demands of thirsty Americans, criminal activity that led to onerous rules on liquor producers.
SCLC members stopped to pose for a photo, and quickly went back to preparing for their MLK Day of Service project and the MLK festivities happening next week BY LAURA MULROONEY, Staff Writer ST. PETERSBURG - For the first time, the Pinellas County chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) has been awarded the [...]
Laura Mulrooney Ristorante Acqua Alta wants to whisk you 5,000 miles away. Owners Leonardo and Rimma Castaldi and Paolo Polo, recent immigrants from Venice, Italy, have debuted their authentic Venetian restaurant to transport their patrons to the northeastern city - all by taste. Chef Polo and Leonardo chose Clearwater for the new restaurant at 2454 N.
The Cider Press Café via Facebook Eating vegan on the 600 Block is about to become more simple and affordable. Downtown St. Pete's Cider Press Café, a raw plant-based eatery that tapped into some cooked menu items not too long ago, is set to open a grab-and-goroomnext week.
Carolyn Swanson BY LAURA MULROONEY, Staff Writer ST. PETERSBURG - Churches United for a Healthy Congregation (CUFHC), a program of the James B. Sanderlin Neighborhood Family Center, will answer Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s question of: "What are you doing for others?" by conducting workshops designed for health promoters, church health ambassadors and residents of [...]
American Freedom Distillery For most folks, a time comes when we ask ourselves, "What are we going to do for the second half of our lives?" You've worked for 20 years. You've earned your pension. Or maybe your body, or your mind, won't let you continue the same work.
BY LAURA MULROONEY, Staff Writer ST. PETERSBURG - Body shaming is the act of making critical comments about one's size or weight, whether it is toward oneself or another, according to popular sociological and psychological definitions. Self-esteem reflects a person's overall subjective emotional evaluation of his or her own worth.
Josh Thomas, left, and TBABJ President Rod Carter BY LAURA MULROONEY, Staff Writer TAMPA - Students, novices and veterans of the journalism community gathered last Thursday, Nov. 17, to celebrate the craft of journalism, to honor the leaders and encourage the recently inspired. The Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists (TBABJ) honored five veteran journalists at [...]
Laura Mulrooney After a three-year hunt, veteran caterer Mike Silverstein is gearing up to launch a brick-and-mortar barbecuery in the St. Petersburg neighborhood he's lived in since 1990. You may know Sliverstein's M-N-M BBQ from its 14-year vendor status at the Saturday Morning Market, or from the many events it's catered around the Tampa Bay area over the last 16 years.
Antwan Jennings cuts Stephanie Wynn's hair. BY LAURA MULROONEY, Staff Writer ST. PETERSBURG - Barbershops and salons are places you go to talk, where you find out what's going on in your neighborhood and in your community believes Antwan Jennings, St. Pete native and owner of MisTer'z Barber Lounge.
Laura Mulrooney Two St. Petersburg natives have started putting their sweat equity into a downtown St. Pete gastropub where guests will gather to eat and stay to drink. Pete Boland and Ian Taylor, who met while wrestling at St. Pete High, are transforming 27 Fourth St.
Laura Mulrooney It may not look like Mom's house, but one new Tampa restaurant sure feels like home. "Upscale casual" is what owner Joseph Busicchia and executive chef Primo Amicucci are calling their Westchase eatery, Mother's. According to the duo, the restaurant offers a great time and great food, with all the perks of feeling at home.
BY LAURA MULROONEY, Staff Writer The largest demographic of people opening business in the United States are black women, television personality Star Jones stated. About 75 percent of women-owned business makes less than $50,000 a year. "It's really imperative that we infuse money, capital into businesses so that they can grow," Jones said.
BY LAURA MULROONEY, Staff Writer ST. PETERSBURG - After a trip to Belize this summer, community outreach was forever changed in the eyes of some local teens. Mt. Zion Progressive Missionary Baptist Church took a group of 8-10 youths to rural villages in Santana, Lucky Strike, Maskell and Bomba, Belize, to focus on working with children [...]
LaDonna Butler, PCUL health program coordinator BY LAURA MULROONEY, Staff Writer ST. PETERSBURG - An event that normally talks about the community wants to talk with the community. The Pinellas County Urban League (PCUL), in collaboration with Connect 4 Families, Deuces Live, Department of Children and Families -System of Care, will hold a mental health [...]
Karen Davis-Pritchett BY LAURA MULROONEY, Staff Writer ST. PETERSBURG - She walked up to her mother's house, who had recently returned home from a recent short term stay in hospice care, with a crowd of people outside of her mother's front door. She cried with worry, wondering why all these people were here.
The Black Men and Boys Week event brought in some of the most renowned black thinkers of the modern era to address the misconceptions and stigmas surrounding young black males. BY LAURA MULROONEY, Contributor ST. PETERSBURG - Black men and boys have been stigmatized throughout the country based off of a few facts and many [...]
BY LAURA MULROONEY, Staff Writer ST. PETERSBURG - She opened the door and walked through the aisles walking over the cracked and worn, decades old linoleum. Brightly colored, brand name salty and sweet snacks adorned the entryway. Her items were chosen quickly from the shelves of packaged treats, Sour Cream and Onion Lays potato chips, Smartfood [...]
Priscilla Johnson BY LAURA MULROONEY, Staff Writer PINELLAS PARK - Born to be different, struggled to fit in, Priscilla Johnson paved her own path to success by building confidence in others. Johnson struggled with her weight her entire life, tipping the scales at 450 pounds at 19 years old.
Outdoor Afro, where black people get in touch with nature. BY LAURA MULROONEY, Staff Writer TAMPA BAY - Walking the uneven paths of Boyd Hill Nature Preserve lined with signs that read "Do not molest the alligators," mosquitoes swarming, birds chirping, leaves rustling from the wind or some unknown creature, as the humidity dampens the skin.
Principal Johnnie Crawford III BY LAURA MULROONEY, Staff Writer ST. PETERSBURG - In the past, discipline has been a primary issue at Lakewood Elementary, in some cases with discipline referrals being twice that of the other Transformation Zone schools. "Discipline will be the focus," this year according to Johnnie Crawford III, new principal at Lakewood [...]
Twenty-five percent of Pinellas County's underage population, 18 and younger, and 17 percent of its adult population has no idea where their next meal will come from. BY LAURA MULROONEY, Staff Writer ST. PETERSBURG - Roy Henry never felt stigmatized as a senior citizen using food stamps, but nearly 50 years earlier, being a kid whose family [...]
BY LAURA MULROONEY, Staff Writer ST. PETERSBURG - It's back to school and Maximo Elementary is on the rise. Since becoming a Transformation Zone two years ago, Maximo Elementary has increased its school assessment by two letter grades. Principal LaKisha Falana, who is beginning her third year as principal at Maximo, believes that since they [...]
BY LAURA MULROONEY, Staff Writer ST. PETERSBURG - Campbell Park Elementary has been dodging furtive glances from the community for the last two years; it's now time for great things to happen according to Christine Hoffman, new principal and former vice principal. This is the year for family engagement at Campbell Park Elementary, and Hoffman [...]
Lisa Wheeler-Brown BY LAURA MULROONEY, Staff Writer ST. PETERSBURG - While the street filled with music, eager dancers, red hot charcoal grills and cold beverages for the Deuces' weekly Thursday evening street party, city officials and community partners rallied for the safety and enrichment of each and every child and teen in the area.
BY LAURA MULROONEY, Staff Writer ST. PETERSBURG - Imagine a program that teaches young men important life skills without judgment of who they are or where they come from. A program where young black men look up to, respect and build positive relationships with local authorities and community entrepreneurs.
Earlier this spring, Gulfport Elementary found itself among the latest Pinellas schools to be designated a "turnaround" school, meaning it joins a list of troubled schools in predominantly African-American areas south of St. Petersburg's Central Avenue (Gulfport Elementary is technically in the city of Gulfport, but students from St.
STREET SCENES: The Gas Plant neighborhood (now the site of the Trop) in the 1920s. Special Collections, Poynter Library, USF St. Petersburg T here are some things we just don't talk about. Florida led the nation in lynchings per capita from 1880 to 1940, according to historical archives and court records.
By LAURA MULROONEY, Neighborhood News Bureau ST. PETERSBURG - When a child reads a book, they're shown the entrance to a world they've never seen before. Once they walk through that door, they are given the ability to form new images and sensations in their minds that are not perceived through senses such as sight or [...]
By Laura Mulrooney, Neighborhood News Bureau ST. PETERSBURG - "Stay positive and keep it moving," said Niki Johnson, president and founder of the grassroots initiative called Project Felons. The goal of her organization is to change the stereotype of how society views ex-offenders (returned citizens). Johnson, a recent St.
BY LAURA MULROONEY, Neighborhood New Bureau ST. PETERSBURG - It comes as a surprise that a person who's taken it upon herself to travel the country and beautify bustling cities would ever live in an environment that she'd be embarrassed of. Ya La'ford, artist and educator, and her husband Victor received a dramatic outdoor renovation from [...]
That was the message from retired Army Gen. Ann Dunwoody, who addressed more than 50 people on April 19 in the University Student Center ballroom. Her appearance was part of USFSP Celebrates 50, in conjunction with USF's Women in Leadership & Philanthropy and the Kate Tiedemann College of Business.
BY LAURA MULROONEY, Neighborhood News Bureau ST. PETERSBURG - Ya La'ford hits another one out of the park with her newest installation at gate six inside Tropicana Field. La'ford teamed up with the Rays and their community partner, a local chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America last week to create a new mural titled [...]
click to enlarge They pulled up, exited their vehicles and moved as a group. When the vigil ended, personal security elements interrupted the flow of traffic as they convoyed to their next destination.
BY LAURA MULROONEY, Neighborhood News Bureau St. Petersburg- After a debilitating fall last year, Betty Brown, an elderly Midtown resident came home to a house in desperate need of repair. In addition to her recent physical limitations and exuberate utility bills, Betty had no idea how she was going to afford much needed upgrades that would [...]
click to enlarge A handful of activists with the Uhuru Solidarity Movement gathered Thursday on the steps of St. Petersburg City Hall to demand the city take responsibility for the 1914 lynching of John Evans. A mob of some 1,500 white men, women and children lynched Evans, and was purportedly headed by St.
BY LAURA MULROONEY, Neighborhood News Bureau ST. PETERSBURG -"After about two weeks you find strength through your diversity," as former Navy Petty Officer Donald Holly anecdotally recalled his time spent drifting through the depths of the ocean in a submarine. "You learn to identify the things that don't really matter...
BY LAURA MULROONEY Neighborhood News Bureau [Edited By Ivelliam Ceballo] Twenty-five percent of Pinellas County's underage population has no idea where their next meal will come from, the definition of chronic hunger. Approximately 86 percent of people in this country take for granted food choices available to them, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.
BY LAURA MULROONEY, Neighborhood News Bureau ST PETERSBURG - The St. Petersburg chapter of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) held the Speakers for Justice Seminar last Sat., Jan. 23 honoring Justice Thurgood Marshall at the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American History Museum.
BY LAURA MULROONEY, Neighborhood News Bureau ST. PETERSBURG - As part of the nationwide Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, a substantial crowd gathered as a mural by local artist Ya La'ford was unveiled on the north side of the historic Manhattan Casino in Midtown Monday.
BY LAURA MULROONEY, Neighborhood News Bureau ST. PETERSBURG - The excitement builds as the parents, grandparents, guardians and supporters of this year's finalists file in for the 35th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. High School Essay Contest Finals held at the Enoch Davis Community Center Thurs., Jan 14.
By Laura Mulrooney, Neighborhood News Bureau ST. PETERSBURG - History was made Mon., Feb. 1 over city hall. Mayor Rick Kriseman raised a flag over city hall commemorating 40 years of Black History Month. The flag featured the likeness of Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the "Father of Black History Month."
BY LAURA MULROONEY, Neighborhood News Bureau ST. PETERSBURG- Ya La'ford and the Florida Holocaust Museum hosted the third installment in a series of storytelling events Feb. 12 at the "Blue Sunnel." The Blue Sunnel mural was designed and painted by La'ford, an internationally known artist, with the intent to remind city residents that one can find hope [...]
On Feb. 1, history was made in St. Petersburg. Amid applause, whoops and laughter, Mayor Rick Kriseman raised a flag over City Hall commemorating 40 years of Black History Month. The flag featured the likeness of Dr. Carter G. Woodson, an educator, author and historian who is known as the father of Black History Month.
BY LAURA MULROONEY AND JASON SAAB NNB Reporters Constructed by Elder Jordan Sr., one of the first African American businessmen in St. Petersburg, FL and his sons was and has remained a quintessential establishment in Midtown since 1925. For 40 years, the Manhattan Casino played a significant role as a social hub for the community.
REPORTING BY ANNA STEBBINS, VIDEO BY JADE ISAACS, AND PHOTOS BY LAURA MULROONEY NNB Reporters This story was originally published by The Weekly Challenger at: http://theweeklychallenger.com/family-day-celebration-draws-a-crowd-to-the-deuces/ ST. PETERSBURG - The renaissance of the 22nd Street corridor, also known as the Deuces, continues to build up steam.
WUSF News has embarked on a new storytelling mission called "Telling Tampa Bay Stories," where our journalists will be visiting some of the region's lesser-known spots to record interviews with members of those communities. We're beginning with stories from the historic African-American community in south St. Petersburg known as Midtown.