Girl Dismembered | Street Murals Targeted | Jannus Live Owner Sued In Ferry Crash: Top St. Pete News 2025

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — With 2025 winding down, St. Pete Patch has compiled some of the top news stories from 2025, from a mother accused of forcing her 11-year-old daughter to perform sex acts on video to a penthouse selling for a record $27 million to a driver fatally shot with a toddler in his car.

FL Animal Trapper Who Loves Reptiles Focuses On Conservation, Education

A St. Petersburg-based animal trapper dreams of opening a reptile sanctuary that educates people about FL's unique, natural ecosystems.

Artists, Activists Respond To Removal Of Street Murals By FDOT Crews

LGBTQ+ rainbow and Black History Matters murals were removed by FL Dept. of Transportation crews, drawing the ire of activists and artists.

• Also Read: 2 Religious Leaders Arrested For Blocking FDOT Street Mural Removal In St. Pete

FL Driver Shot, Killed With Toddler In Car

A driver who was shot and killed in St. Pete had an 18-month-old girl in his car at the time of the shooting, police said.

FL Polish Club Spent 3 Months Drying Out Historic Dance Floor After Hurricane Helene

Through community support, the Polish American Society of St. Pete was able to restore its historic floating dance floor after hurricanes.

Woman Shot Father During Custody Exchange Outside FL Sheriff’s Office

A woman was charged with attempted murder for shooting her father during a child custody exchange with his estranged wife, PSCO said.

Families Sue Boat Owner In Fatal Clearwater Ferry Crash: Reports

• Also Read: 5 Things To Know About Deadly FL Ferry Crash

730 HSN Workers Laid Off At St. Pete Campus

HSN cut 730 jobs as the shopping channel moved to QVC's headquarters in PA and closed its St. Petersburg campus.

Missing Girl, 16, Killed, Dismembered: St. Pete Police

A missing Gulfport girl was lured to a St. Pete home, where she was killed. Investigators are looking for her dismembered body, police said.

FL Grocery Store Is The Best In The U.S., A New Ranking Says

An Italian market in St. Petersburg is ranked as the No. 1 overall grocery store in the U.S., according to a new ranking.

FL Mom Accused Of Forcing Daughter, 11, To Perform Sexual Acts On Video

A St. Pete mother forced her 11-year-old daughter to perform sexual acts on her, a man and the family dog, the Pinellas County sheriff said.

FL Homeowner Fatally Shot Home Invasion Suspect; 2nd Suspect Sought

A St. Pete homeowner fatally shot a home invasion suspect in April, police said.

Penthouse Sells For $27M, Sets St. Pete Sales Record: Reports

The penthouse of a condo building being built along the downtown St. Pete waterfront sold for $27M, setting a new record, reports said.

Man Attacked FL Restaurant Owner Before Being Fatally Stabbed By Him, Police Say

A man was fatally stabbed during an altercation with the owner of Ahi Sushi in downtown St. Pete, police said.

Tampa Bay Rays Abandon $1.3B St. Pete Stadium Deal

St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch said the Tampa Bay Rays' decision to walk away from a $1.3B redevelopment of Tropicana Field "is not unexpected." The city is now accepting proposals for the redevelopment of 86 acres in the Historic Gas Plant District.

Body Found On Weedon Island Identified As Missing Teen: Police

A body found at Weedon Island Preserve was identified as a missing teen, 17-year-old Allister Samer Nasr, St. Pete police said.

Beloved St. Pete British Restaurant Reopening In Gulfport After Closing In 2021

A beloved Beach Drive British restaurant has found a new home in Gulfport about five years after closing its doors, owners said.