Decades later, barbecue returns to ‘The Deuces’

BY BRYANA PERKINS NNB Student Reporter ST. PETERSBURG – It’s been decades since the aroma of smoked barbecue wafted along the city’s historic 22nd Street S. For years, Geech’s was the place to get barbecue, a popular spot that John “Geech” Black ran when 22nd Street – “the Deuces” – was the main street of… Continue reading Decades later, barbecue returns to ‘The Deuces’

New chief wants his officers to park, walk and talk

BY KELSEY AL and ANDREW CAPLAN NNB Student Reporters ST. PETERSBURG – When police officers appear in a high-income neighborhood, residents often assume one of their neighbors is hurt. But when the neighborhood is low-income and predominantly black, people wonder who is going to be arrested. And that, said police Chief Tony Holloway, is a… Continue reading New chief wants his officers to park, walk and talk

His roots and commitment run deep in Midtown

BY LAUREN HENSLEY and REBEKAH DAVILA NNB Student Reporters ST. PETERSBURG – His family’s church once stood in a neighborhood where Tropicana Field is today. His father’s boyhood home was on the site of today’s John Hopkins Middle School, which was two blocks from his grandfather’s wood business and nine blocks from the family’s tax… Continue reading His roots and commitment run deep in Midtown

An educator by day, artist by night, he paints to celebrate jazz

By JEFFREY ZANKER NNB Student Reporter ST. PETERSBURG – When he finds himself in boring meetings, middle school principal Dallas Jackson likes to sketch on a small piece of paper. But Jackson is not an ordinary doodler. He is a painter, and some of his sketches have led to colorful work and exhibits. His latest… Continue reading An educator by day, artist by night, he paints to celebrate jazz

From the ashes, a resurgent church emerges to serve its community

BY JEFFREY ZANKER and PHIL LAVERY NNB Student Reporters ST. PETERSBURG – When Louis M. Murphy Sr. became senior pastor at Mt. Zion Progressive Missionary Baptist Church in 1999, he found a congregation in turmoil. The charismatic minister who had built Mt. Zion into a huge, dynamic church had suddenly resigned. The institution’s finances were… Continue reading From the ashes, a resurgent church emerges to serve its community

Nude photos? Controversy follows when he gets ‘creative’

BY KRISTIN STIGAARD NNB Student Reporter ST. PETERSBURG – Shortly after Cory Allen opened what he calls the “world’s first public relations gallery” at 2121 Second Ave. S last year, he announced plans for a provocative exhibit: Nude photos of actress Jennifer Lawrence, actress-model Kate Upton and others that had been hacked from the Internet.… Continue reading Nude photos? Controversy follows when he gets ‘creative’

Her credo? Expect the worst and hope for the best

BY ALYSSA MILES NNB Student Reporter ST. PETERSBURG— The excitement was palpable when the staff of Gov. Rick Scott phoned Marsha Strickhouser, the public relations manager for Valpak, to arrange a press conference March 26 at the company’s manufacturing center. The governor needed a place to discuss job creation and local tourism. Company executives rearranged… Continue reading Her credo? Expect the worst and hope for the best

Since he became pastor, attendance and membership have grown

BY CHELSI KALLIS NNB Student Reporter ST. PETERSBURG — It wasn’t a resume that landed the Rev. Doral R. Pulley the pastor position at the Unity of Midtown Church. It wasn’t his years of experience either. It was YouTube. The tiny church at 511 Prescott St. S was looking for a pastor when members saw… Continue reading Since he became pastor, attendance and membership have grown