911 dispatchers left off Florida's first-responder bonus list
Governor Ron DeSantis announced Wednesday that firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, and law enforcement officer would be getting $1,000 pandemic bonuses, but 911 operators say the stress and demands of their jobs warrants putting them on that list.
Sarasota girl dies in fire, possibly trying to save dogs, witnesses say
Officials say multiple 911 calls were made about two homes on fire on Iowa Street. Witnesses said a young girl went into one of the houses and never came back out.
Sarasota PD turns on 154 body-warn cameras
The body-worn cameras were purchased for $3.2 million. The city approved funds covering training, hardware, and storage for five years. Sarasota police said the benefits far outweigh the price tag.
Sarasota Eagle Scout earns ever possible merit badge from Boy Scouts of America
Owen joined the Wolf Scouts in second grade. He's now a 16-year-old Eagle Scout and he's earned every merit badge possible. Since 1912, less than 500 scouts than out of 110 million have accomplished that feat.
North Port teens get chance to go to prom in style -- for free
North Port office space has been transformed into a prom boutique, with designer dresses, shoes, jewelry, corsages and even clothes for the guys. Everything is free for seniors attending North Port's community prom.
Giant gator shows up on front doorstep of Sarasota home
Here's one visitor you don't want at your front door. This giant gator showed up outside of a Sarasota home last night and hung out for about 10 minutes on the couple's doorstep.
COVID-19-sniffing dog adds extra layer of protection at Sarasota hospital
COVID-19 screenings have become a regular practice at Doctors Hospital of Sarasota.
Troopers, deputies team up to look for aggressive drivers, speeders on I-75
Drivers in Manatee County and Sarasota County have one more reason to be careful on the roadways.
North Port forensic supervisor arrested on drug-related charges
A forensic supervisor with the North Port Police Department is facing charges for illegally possessing drugs.
Deadly crash knocks out power to residents in southern Sarasota County
A dump truck crash near North Port left one person dead and knocked out power to the surrounding neighborhood, deputies say.
Sarasota police: 15-year-old uses stolen vehicle to break into business, steal firearms
A teenager from Palmetto is accused of using a stolen vehicle to back into the sidewall of a business and steal several firearms.
Man accused of murdering Venice housekeeper had over 30 prior felony arrests; why was he out of jail?
Stephen Havrilka had more than 30 felony arrests and 19 convictions before he allegedly beat Tina Strader to death at a Venice hotel and prosecutors did what they could to keep him locked up for as long as possible.
Husband finds wife brutally beaten in Venice motel room; guest with violent past charged with murder
A Venice man with a lengthy criminal record – an "animal," according to the sheriff – has been arrested for ambushing a motel housekeeper and beating her so badly that she later died.
Sarasota police want your unused prescription drugs 'with no questions asked'
Sarasota police are asking residents to drop off their unused prescription drugs this Saturday, April 24 as part of a partnership with the DEA to prevent pill abuse and theft.
8 accused of trying to scam $4M using falsified CARES Act applications
Eight suspects were arrested in Sarasota County for allegedly submitting fraudulent CARES Act applications.
Sarasota vaccination site scrambles to switch shots after state suspends Johnson & Johnson vaccine
St. Jude Catholic Church, which was supposed to offer the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, worked with the health departments in Sarasota and Manatee Counties to secure Moderna shots for 200 people on Saturday.
Pilot reported engine problems before crashing into Venice pond, deputies say
One person was taken to the hospital after a plane crashed into a Venice pond Saturday afternoon, according to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office.
Woman arrested after crash kills 1, seriously injures 1 in Sarasota County
A 38-year-old woman from Rotonda West was arrested Saturday morning after troopers say she was driving without a valid license when she was involved in a fatal three-vehicle collision in Sarasota County.
Open-air trolleys may make traveling easier throughout Sarasota
Getting back and forth from downtown Sarasota to St. Armand's and Lido beach could soon be easier. The city of Sarasota is looking at an open-air trolley.
Sarasota Memorial Hospital kicks off study in search of better weapons against COVID-19
Doctors at Sarasota Memorial Hospital are the first in the country to start a new COVID study looking at how to stop the body's inflammation response to COVID – and potentially other diseases, too.