Venice High transforms into shelter for those displaced by Hurricane Ian

The grounds of Venice High School have transformed into a shelter for people in Sarasota County who have lost everything from Hurricane Ian. 

Five days after Hurricane Ian, flooding, rescue efforts persist in North Port

The city of North Port says floodwater is finally receding, days after Hurricane Ian, but some areas, like North Port Estates, remain under 3-4' of water. 

As flooding continues in North Port, Tampa sends officers, firefighters to help

Before the 40 TPD officers and 15 Tampa firefighters left early Saturday morning, they were told, “You guys are gonna be exposed to stuff that nobody’s ever seen before but you guys.”

Waters rise from Myakka River, forcing rescues, closures in North Port

First responders have shut down I-75 in both direction at Sumter Boulevard in North Port due to flooding Friday night. North Port has continued to see flooding impacts in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. 

North Port braces for rising water levels as neighborhoods remain flooded after Ian

Flooding remains an issue for parts of Florida, including in North Port where thousands remain without power, water, and even cell phone service. That water is not receding fast enough, in fact, levels will continue to rise over the coming days.

Sarasota County schools closed until further notice

The Sarasota County school system says all public schools are closed, until further notice, due to Hurricane Ian.

Englewood residents pick up the pieces in wake of Hurricane Ian

Sarasota County residents are left to salvage what they can from their homes Thursday, especially in the southern part of the county where Hurricane Ian hit hardest.

Venice mobile home residents scrambled to safety as Hurricane Ian blew through

Sarasota County residents spent Thursday picking up the pieces after Hurricane Ian left a mess in its wake. The Venice area suffered a lot of wind damage, especially in mobile home communities.

Historic Venice Theatre gutted from Hurricane Ian's winds

Hurricane Ian's winds ripped through Venice Theatre, peeling the roof back and damaging other parts of the historic building as well.

Sarasota Bradenton International Airport aims to reopen by weekend after roof, water damage

A large part of the roof at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport was ripped off and water poured inside the terminal during Hurricane Ian. Officials are aiming to reopen by late Friday or early Saturday.

Holmes Beach prepares for storm surge coming from Hurricane Ian

Coastal towns are preparing for rain and storm surge from Hurricane Ian. On Anna Maria Island in Manatee County, storm shutters are going up and plywood is being hammered into place. 

The Pickleball Club plans expansions across Florida as sport continues to grow

The Pickleball Club, based in Sarasota, is building a 33,000 square foot club in Lakewood Ranch complete with 12 indoor courts and two outdoors. That is just the beginning of their pickleball plans in Florida.

Sarasota County airport community concerned about proposed cell phone tower in direct flight path

Hidden River is a unique community in Sarasota County where pilots are neighbors and planes are used to commute for fun. Several residents, though, are worried their open airspace could be invaded by plans to build a nearly 200-foot cell phone tower. 

Venice woman, dog make it out of burning mobile home

A Venice woman is crediting her smoke detector for saving her life – and her dog's – after a fire destroyed her mobile home early Tuesday morning. 

Sarasota adaptive golf group proves to have no limitations

A Sarasota group is out to prove that the game of golf knows no limitations. The chapter of the Adaptive Golf Association is mainly made up of stroke survivors who only have partial use of their bodies.