Sarasota County's stadium graduation ceremony canceled

Postponed until July, graduation was the only part of 2020 mother Susannah Johnson and her family held out hope for.

City of Sarasota makes masks mandatory for most indoor and outdoor public settings

After several hours of discussion, city of Sarasota commissioners voted Monday to make face-coverings mandatory at most indoor and outdoor public spaces as part of the effort to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Black community leaders and local law enforcement agencies virtually gather for town hall

Protests across the county over the death of George Floyd are kicking starting conversations within local Bay Area communities between Black community leaders and local law enforcement agencies. Sunday, the Manatee and Sarasota county chapters of the NAACP and local law enforcement agencies held their first town hall.

Nik Wallenda hosting final weekend of drive-in daredevil show

Sarasota-native Nik Wallenda has been keeping people on the edge of their seats for years now with his high-wire act. He’s walked a wire across an active volcano, the Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls -- just to name a few.  

Sarasota County man threatened shooting at 'Black Lives Matter' demonstration, deputies say

A Nokomis man is accused of sharing threatening messages on social media, showing himself holding several weapons and threatening to use them at a "Black Lives Matter" event, according to Sarasota County deputies.

As coronavirus patients return to hospitals, need for plasma increases

"The uptick in the amount of COVID cases in the community is real," said Dr. Kirk Voelker, a critical care specialist and Sarasota Memorial Hospital's director of clinical research. 

Desk barriers, staggered schedules, masks may be standard for Sarasota students in 2020

For parents and students, as they look ahead to the upcoming school year, the big question is: What will next year look like? In Sarasota County, the 2020 school year will bring changes for students.

Sarasota pushes police body camera program over past hurdles

With police actions increasingly under scrutiny, many departments are speeding the process of equipping every officer with a body camera.

1 dead following shooting at Big Boy Hookah Lounge in Sarasota

Morris Dewayne Shepherd, 33, of Bradenton, died after being shot at the Big Boy Hookah Lounge in Sarasota located at 4034 N. Washington Street, according to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office.

Friends honor Pulse shooting victim with a message: 'Love should overtake hate'

Standing under flags lowered at half-staff, friends and family of Eddie Sotomayor gathered to honor his life, along with 48 others killed four years ago at Pulse nightclub in Orlando.

COVID-19 fears may be keeping patients out of emergency room

The medical director for Doctors Hospital's emergency department believes fear is keeping patients from coming to the E.R., ignoring symptoms of a heart attack, stroke, or other serious medical emergencies. 

Sarasota detectives are searching for missing man with dementia

Detectives in Sarasota are asking for the public’s help in locating 92-year-old Harold Carroll. He suffers from dementia and was last seen Friday around 6 p.m. in the 2800 block of Seasons Blvd. in Sarasota.

Mote Aquarium reopens with safety measures in place

After being closed for almost 12 weeks, Mote Aquarium in Sarasota reopened with some changes to protect visitors and staff.

Venice restaurant creates free food pantry for people in need

Inside Gold Rush BBQ in Venice co-owner Patrick Caudill checks on customers. "How was lunch today? Was everything good?” he asked.