🌱 Patch AM: How Gulfport PD’s newest four-legged recruit is calming stressed neighbors

Good morning Gulfport! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How Gulfport PD’s newest four-legged recruit is calming stressed neighbors
• Why a popular St. Pete cheesesteak spot suddenly shut its doors

Also on today's calendar: Corey Avenue Art & Craft Festival.

Today's riddle: The world champion tongue twister just got arrested! 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Tuesday: Cooler; breezy in the morning, with a high of 60 and low of 46 degrees.
• Wednesday: Plenty of sunshine, but cool, temps: high: 59, low: 51.
• Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 67 and low of 52 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Gulfport PD's first therapy dog easing stresses of officer, community members (fox13news.com) — Gulfport’s police department now has its first therapy dog, Raya, a two-year-old rescue helping both officers and residents decompress at the station and community events. Trained through the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office program, she’s already comforting anxious kids at city celebrations and supporting victims during tough conversations, with more local appearances planned in the new year.
   

• Little Philly Closes St. Petersburg Shop (thegabber.com) — Gulfport readers who dined across the bay may notice Little Philly has closed its Central Avenue shop in St. Petersburg after a lease dispute and eviction. The owners, who thanked loyal customers, plan to keep the brand alive with a future food truck and are exploring a new brick-and-mortar location, while The Gabber’s calendar still highlights things to do in Gulfport and nearby beaches.
   

📸 Around Gulfport

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Gulfport

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Saturday January 3

• Corey Avenue Art & Craft Festival
  Corey Avenue, Corey Ave, St Pete Beach
  10:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 Gulfport Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Tuesday December 30

• Chair Yoga
  Pinellas Park, FL Calendar Pinellas Park, FL 33781
  10:00 am
• Story Time
  St. Pete Beach, FL Calendar , 365 73rd Ave , St. Pete Beach
  10:00 am
• Story Time Adventures
  St. Pete Beach, FL Calendar , 365 73rd Ave , St. Pete Beach
  4:00 pm
• LIVE MUSIC @ Ka’ Tiki (Treasure Island)
  Ka'Tiki , 8803 W Gulf Blvd , Treasure Island
  6:00 pm
• Seminole - SPC Toastmasters
  Seminole Community Library , 9200 113th St N , Seminole
  6:00 pm

Wednesday December 31

• Madeira Beach Wednesday Market
  Madeira Wed Market , 15022 Madeira Wy , Madeira Beach
  10:00 am
• Madeira Beach Wednesday Market – December 31, 2025, Madeira Beach, FL
  Madeira Wed Market , 15022 Madeira Wy , Madeira Beach
  10:00 am
• NYE Celebration with DEN OF THIEVES!
  RockHouse Live IRB Largo , 14219 Walsingham Rd F , Largo
  4:00 pm
• Cambria Rooftop NYE Glow Party 6PM - 12AM
  Ember Rooftop Lounge at the Cambria Madeira Beach , 15015 Madeira Wy , Madeira Beach
  6:00 pm
• NYE 70s Disco Casino Night
  Central Park Performing Arts Center , 105 Central Park Dr , Largo
  7:00 pm

Thursday January 1

• New Years Day: ALL CITY STAFFED FACILITIES CLOSED
  Pinellas Park, FL Calendar Pinellas Park, FL 33781
• Library Closed: New Years Day
  St. Pete Beach, FL Calendar , 365 73rd Ave , St. Pete Beach
  10:00 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Gulfport PatchAM possible:

• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Black-bellied Plover (winter form) aka Grey Plover.
  I almost missed this little bird. It was in with a large flock of Willets. I didn't notice it until I zoomed in and realized that it had a very short… (Nextdoor 19th Ave / 60th Street)

🗞 Nearby News

St. Petersburg

• New orthopedic facility opens in St. Petersburg (tbnweekly.com)
• Lady Jets secure 67 – 64 win over St. Petersburg Titans (americustimesrecorder.com)

Bradenton

• HOTWORX Bradenton Celebrating Grand Opening Jan. 9 (patch.com)
• Make-A-Wish Recipient Trains With Tennis Pros At IMG Academy (patch.com)

Ok Gulfport! 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: I hear they’re giving him a really tough sentence.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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