SPC to offer semiconductor cleanroom certificate
ST. PETERSBURG — St. Petersburg College will begin offering classes this fall toward a new semiconductor cleanroom operator certificate, an 18-credit program intended to prepare students for jobs in chip manufacturing.
Cleanrooms are the tightly controlled production environments where airborne particles are filtered out to protect the chips being made. Those chips run smartphones, computers, medical devices, artificial intelligence systems and advanced manufacturing equipment.
Students can use the certificate to enter the workforce directly or apply the coursework toward the college’s applied engineering technology associate degree.
The global semiconductor industry is projected to reach a record $975 billion in annual sales this year, according to Deloitte, driven by demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure.
For more information, visit spcollege.edu.
Back-to-school guide lists free events, resources
ST. PETERSBURG — The city has compiled a list of free back-to-school events offered by community organizations ahead of the 2026-27 school year, including backpack and school supply giveaways, health fairs and family festivals.
Saturday, Aug. 1
• Pinellas PAL back-to-school event, 9 a.m. to noon, the Lealman Exchange, 5175 45th St. N.
• Young Influencers Program back-to-school event, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Thomas “Jet” Jackson Recreation Center, 1000 28th St. S.
• Bounce Back to School backpack giveaway, 4 to 7 p.m., Deuces Park, 2185 Ninth Ave. S.
Tuesday, Aug. 4
• St. Pete Fire Rescue Cool Treats and Safe Streets, 4 to 6 p.m., Fire Station 11, 5100 31st St. S.
Thursday, Aug. 6
• Prints for Purpose, noon to 3 p.m., President Barack Obama Main Library, 3745 Ninth Ave. N. The city will cover the cost of the fingerprinting required to volunteer or mentor in Pinellas County schools. Space is limited to 100 people. Register at stpete.org/printsforpurpose.
Friday, Aug. 7
• End of Summer Bash, 5 to 8 p.m., Campbell Park, 601 14th St. S.
Saturday, Aug. 8
• Crunk Coco’s Back 2 School Festival, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Childs Park Recreation Center, 4301 13th Ave. S.
Pinellas County Schools posts information on student registration, bell times, school bus transportation, free and reduced-price meals and a directory of schools at pcsb.org.
City hosts hurricane prep expo for seniors
ST. PETERSBURG — The city Parks and Recreation Department will hold a free hurricane preparedness expo for older residents from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday, July 31 at the Sunshine Senior Center, 330 Fifth St. N.
The midseason event will include presentations by emergency management officials, vendor booths, help registering for special needs shelters, and guidance on medication planning and home safety. The first 80 people to register will receive preparedness kits. Ice cream will be served.
Registration is required. Call the center at 727-893-7101 to register or for more information.
Pinellas Park earns flood insurance discount
PINELLAS PARK — Pinellas Park property owners will be eligible for a 25% discount on flood insurance premiums after the city earned a Class 5 rating from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, city officials said.
The rating comes through the National Flood Insurance Program’s Community Rating System, which lowers premiums in communities that exceed minimum floodplain management standards. The discount applies to policies issued or renewed on or after Oct. 1.
Pinellas Park is one of three municipalities in Pinellas County with a Class 5 rating, along with Dunedin and St. Petersburg, according to FEMA’s community status book.
Grand Prix sets 2027 race dates
ST. PETERSBURG — The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg will return March 5-7, 2027, promoter Green Savoree Racing Promotions announced.
The weekend will be headlined by the IndyCar Series. The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will race on the downtown street circuit for a second time on Saturday, March 6.
Tickets go on sale in the fall. Updates will be posted at gpstpete.com.