Man Kept St. Petersburg Tesla Dealership Cybertruck for Two Days, Caused $20K Damage
PINELLAS COUNTY, FL – A St. Petersburg man was arrested after deputies say he failed to return a Tesla Cybertruck taken out for a scheduled demo drive and later caused significant damage to the vehicle. According to arrest affidavits from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, 26-year-old Richel J. Valdivia...
Ex-Florida deputy sentenced to 5 years of probation in animal abuse case
A former Florida deputy was sentenced to five years of probation and is prohibited from owning, possessing or caring for any animal after he was found guilty of aggravated animal cruelty . Nicholas Anthony Zotto, 31, was arrested in December 2023 after he failed to shut down his dog-sitting business , Pawesome...
Popular Sarasota restaurateur set to open new dining, drinking concept
After an acclaimed Sarasota restaurant closed earlier this year , a new dining and drinking concept will soon open at the same location, with one of the same owners from the previous establishment. Mimi Brasserie & Speakeasy will open Monday, Dec. 1 in Southside Village, according to co-owner Edward Zaki. Along with...
‘I couldn’t move’: Crossing guard severely injured after bike crash in Sarasota
A crossing guard at Lakeview Elementary School was rushed to the hospital after a collision with a bike rider during the school day.
Briandi’s Restaurant in Sarasota County, FL, reopens after temporarily closing with 12 violations
Local restaurants are important to the community, so when one of the local eateries closes, it can very well disrupt the flow of diners' daily lives. A recent inspection showed Briandi's Restaurant at 202 Tamiami Trail South in Nokomis, Sarasota County, Florida, closed briefly with double-digit violations, but...
Lakewood Ranch nonprofit feeds veterans for Thanksgiving
Even in the 110-degree jungle of Vietnam in 1971, Thanksgiving was celebrated. “The helicopters came in on Thanksgiving and dropped off a turkey dinner,” said Richard Greenberg, a former U.S. Army platoon leader in the 101st Airborne Division and a current Del Webb of Lakewood Ranch resident. “Turkey, gravy...
Family-owned nursery in Bradenton gears up for return of annual holiday flower event
The folks at Orban's Nursery in Bradenton are getting ready for a busy weekend. The nursery will host its annual Poinsettia Open House event this Saturday.
Florida’s Oldest Tiki Bar Named One Of America’s Best Dive Bars
A Sarasota landmark that has operated for more than 70 years has been recognized as one of the best dive bars in the country, according to a recent USA TODAY feature highlighting notable drinking establishments across the United States.
Driver hospitalized, dog dead after crashing into tree in Bradenton neighborhood
BRADENTON, Fla. (WWSB) - A 43-year-old male driver was hospitalized after crashing into a tree with a dog inside the vehicle in a Bradenton neighborhood on Nov 26, according to police. The crash happened in the Tidewater Preserve neighborhood, north of Highway 64 and 48th Street Court East. The driver...
Thousands of pies prepped for Yoder’s Thanksgiving pick-up day
SARASOTA, Fla. (WFLA) — Yoder’s is running this operation as smooth as silk pie! Thanksgiving pie day pick-up is underway with pre-ordered ticket holders ready to snag one of their 6,000 pies baked for the occasion. Yoder’s Amish Village restaurant is a Sarasota staple, established in 1975. Everything is fresh made...
