Sheriff’s Office toy drive exceeds expectations
SARASOTA — The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office ninth annual Holiday Toy Drive exceeded its goals, according to a news release from Sheriff Kurt Hoffman's office.
Will Manatee County scrap Cortez boat ramp plan? Officials consider new idea
Neighbors say they’re against Manatee County Government’s plan to add a new public boat ramp just north of the Cortez Bridge — and county officials are considering an alternate plan. The county purchased the 9-acre site that used to be the Seafood Shack Marina, Bar & Grill and Annie’s Bait and Tackle for $13 million...
After five decades, this Lakewood Ranch Santa continues to spread joy and more
Although it would seem that being a Santa for 50 years might have clouded his memory or even slightly fogged his cognitive abilities, Rich Vannucci swears that two particular instances point to the fact he is more than just a Santa's helper. The first was a Christmas Eve mishap as...
FWC Busts Major Alligator Poaching Ring in Sarasota; Dozens of Felonies Filed
SARASOTA, FL — A year-long investigation into illegal wildlife activity has culminated in the arrest of two men and a minor, facing nearly 100 combined charges for the illegal killing of American alligators across three Florida counties. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced the...
Mote releases two manatees after rehabilitation in Sarasota
Sleet and Cabbage , the first two patients at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium’s rehabilitation facility, were released back into Florida waters earlier this month, after months of dedicated rehabilitation from Mote’s expert animal care teams. The manatees are Mote’s first rehabilitation patients following its new...
The Philadelphia Orchestra Returns to Sarasota
The world-renowned Philadelphia Orchestra returns to Sarasota for a transformative evening on Monday, February 16, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. Presented by the Sarasota Concert Association, the Philadelphia Orchestra will be led by its charismatic Music Director, Yannick Nézet-Séguin. The all-Brahms program opens with the...
Former mayor, columnist passes at 82
PALMETTO, Fla. — Bob Johnson, a former Islamorada mayor, marina owner and Florida Keys Free Press columnist with a passion for public service, died on Dec. 15. He was 82. Robert Eliot Johnson was born in 1943 in Detroit, Michigan, and most recently lived in Palmetto, just north of Bradenton. He spent 40 years in...
Downtown Sarasota Is Building Up and Locals Are Feeling It
*** DRAFT *** THIS POST IS SPONSORED **** THIS TEXT WILL BE REMOVED AS SOON AS PAYMENT IS MADE. Downtown Sarasota used to feel like a place where the skyline stayed politely in the background. Water, palms, arts venues, and low-rise blocks did most of the talking. Lately, height has started to take the microphone....
Ambulance transporting patient involved in 3-vehicle crash in Bradenton
BRADENTON, Fla. (WFLA) — The Bradenton Police Department said an ambulance was involved in a crash that shut down an intersection for a few hours on Saturday night. Just before 10 p.m. on Dec. 20, the ambulance, with emergency lights activated, was transporting a patient on Manatee Avenue West.
Lower speed limits coming to 10 Manatee County roads
MANATEE COUNTY (WFLA) — Manatee County drivers will soon see changes to the speed limit on a number of roadways. Commissioners approved the ordinance to make the changes last week. Public Works Director Chad Butzow explains it was a combination of things that prompted staff to analyze the speed along different...
