Calls to reopen Midnight Pass grow with nearby waterway behind it 'dying'
A grassroots effort to restore a precious Tampa Bay area waterway is gaining traction, but the fix is highly controversial. It involves messing with mother nature – something that's rarely done.
A grassroots effort to restore a precious Tampa Bay area waterway is gaining traction, but the fix is highly controversial. It involves messing with mother nature – something that's rarely done.
Man accused of trying to buy $23M worth of properties, luxury car with fake name, pledged $3M to foundation
A Sarasota man was arrested for using a false identity to try and buy two properties and a luxury car valued at more than $23 million, deputies said. He's also accused of pledging more than $3 million to former sportscaster Dick Vitale's foundation.
A Sarasota man was arrested for using a false identity to try and buy two properties and a luxury car valued at more than $23 million, deputies said. He's also accused of pledging more than $3 million to former sportscaster Dick Vitale's foundation.
Elevated red tide levels detected at Sarasota County beaches after Hurricane Ian
Public health officials in Sarasota County are once again warning the public of elevated red tide levels detected at local beaches.
Public health officials in Sarasota County are once again warning the public of elevated red tide levels detected at local beaches.
Sarasota man gave LSD to 11-year-old girl he met on Instagram, deputies say
The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office issued a warning for parents after an 11-year-old took LSD she allegedly got from a man she met on Instagram.
The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office issued a warning for parents after an 11-year-old took LSD she allegedly got from a man she met on Instagram.
After choking death of teen with special needs, parents seek clarity on staff response at Riverview High
After an 18-year-old with cerebral palsy died after choking at school, the school wrote in a report that the girl had a seizure. Her parents hope the school will provide clarity around what happened and the staff response, in order to prevent another tragedy.
After an 18-year-old with cerebral palsy died after choking at school, the school wrote in a report that the girl had a seizure. Her parents hope the school will provide clarity around what happened and the staff response, in order to prevent another tragedy.
Habitat for Humanity offering free furniture vouchers to help Hurricane Ian victims replace their belongings
Flooding during Hurricane Ian took everything from some residents in Sarasota County. Habitat for Humanity's ReStore is helping families get back what they lost.
Flooding during Hurricane Ian took everything from some residents in Sarasota County. Habitat for Humanity's ReStore is helping families get back what they lost.
Mote Marine's shark tank diver had love for aquariums while growing up: 'I’ve always been amazed by sharks'
Rachel is the one who dives into shark tanks at Mote Marine and maintains their habitat. She knew she wanted to work at Mote even when she was as young as 12. "I’ve always been amazed by sharks. I used to come to Mote as a kid and I always thought the sharks were the coolest."
Rachel is the one who dives into shark tanks at Mote Marine and maintains their habitat. She knew she wanted to work at Mote even when she was as young as 12. "I’ve always been amazed by sharks. I used to come to Mote as a kid and I always thought the sharks were the coolest."
Sarasota County continues cleanup one month after Hurricane Ian
One month after Hurricane Ian devastated parts of the Tampa Bay area, the cleanup continues in Sarasota County, with several communities still waiting for working electricity and water.
One month after Hurricane Ian devastated parts of the Tampa Bay area, the cleanup continues in Sarasota County, with several communities still waiting for working electricity and water.
Brian Laundrie's parents request limiting depositions about son's 'history and last days' in Petito lawsuit
The parents of Brian Laundrie have asked a judge to limit depositions in the civil suit filed by Gabby Petito's family, saying it will “protect them from annoyance, embarrassment, oppression, undue burden and expense."
The parents of Brian Laundrie have asked a judge to limit depositions in the civil suit filed by Gabby Petito's family, saying it will “protect them from annoyance, embarrassment, oppression, undue burden and expense."
Small helicopter crashes in Myakka River State Park, deputies say
A small helicopter crashed in Myakka River State Park in Sarasota County Thursday afternoon, deputies said.
A small helicopter crashed in Myakka River State Park in Sarasota County Thursday afternoon, deputies said.
Crews still working in Sarasota County to clear debris left behind by Hurricane Ian
Trucks and crews cleaning up debris have become a familiar sight in Sarasota County. They are still working as fast and as hard as they can to get debris left behind by Hurricane Ian out of yards.
Trucks and crews cleaning up debris have become a familiar sight in Sarasota County. They are still working as fast and as hard as they can to get debris left behind by Hurricane Ian out of yards.
Wildlife center volunteers care for hundreds of animals injured during Hurricane Ian
It’s difficult to measure the impact Hurricane Ian had on Florida’s wildlife, but volunteers at the Wildlife Center of Southwest Florida are seeing it first-hand.
It’s difficult to measure the impact Hurricane Ian had on Florida’s wildlife, but volunteers at the Wildlife Center of Southwest Florida are seeing it first-hand.
Hundreds of Hurricane Ian survivors denied FEMA help after being approved
Hundreds of survivors of Hurricane Ian applied for FEMA's help. They were approved, but the money never came and neither did an explanation.
Hundreds of survivors of Hurricane Ian applied for FEMA's help. They were approved, but the money never came and neither did an explanation.
North Port works to fix eroded water control structures to help make them stronger before future storms
The City of North Port said its water control structures did their job despite some erosion. Now, work is underway to fix the damage and make them stronger.
The City of North Port said its water control structures did their job despite some erosion. Now, work is underway to fix the damage and make them stronger.
Breast cancer survivor creates horseback riding event to support Making Strides
Horses are a comfort for Lisa Fields. The animals have been part of the support team for Fields and her mother during their breast cancer battles.
Horses are a comfort for Lisa Fields. The animals have been part of the support team for Fields and her mother during their breast cancer battles.
Venice Theatre plans December reopening with 'A Christmas Carol' following Ian damage
The show must go on, and officials at the Venice Theatre committed to that immediately after Hurricane Ian tore through the southwest region of Florida.
The show must go on, and officials at the Venice Theatre committed to that immediately after Hurricane Ian tore through the southwest region of Florida.
Florida issuing relief funds for residents in hard-hit counties to help pay insurance deductibles
Millions of dollars will be allocated from the state to housing partners in six counties, including DeSoto, Hardee, and Sarasota, to help residents pay their home insurance deductibles.
Millions of dollars will be allocated from the state to housing partners in six counties, including DeSoto, Hardee, and Sarasota, to help residents pay their home insurance deductibles.
Sarasota County dispatcher gets special farewell from father who serves as police officer
As a dispatcher with Sarasota County got ready for her last shift, officers signed on to say goodbye. The voice on the other side of the radio was the dispatcher's father.
As a dispatcher with Sarasota County got ready for her last shift, officers signed on to say goodbye. The voice on the other side of the radio was the dispatcher's father.
Warm Mineral Springs Park may have fallen victim to Hurricane Ian, but may be salvageable down the road
Buildings at Warm Mineral Springs Park in North Port may have been condemned due to damaged caused by Hurricane Ian but it may not mean the end of the historical tourist attraction.
Buildings at Warm Mineral Springs Park in North Port may have been condemned due to damaged caused by Hurricane Ian but it may not mean the end of the historical tourist attraction.
Operation Blue Roof extended through Nov. 1 for Sarasota, DeSoto, Charlotte, Lee and Charlotte residents
Homeowners living in hard-hit areas after Hurricane Ian have more time to get a temporary roof through the Operation Blue Roof program.
Homeowners living in hard-hit areas after Hurricane Ian have more time to get a temporary roof through the Operation Blue Roof program.