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.
State and local leaders join in on homelessness Thanksgiving luncheon in Sarasota
SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - Across the Suncoast, people are preparing for Thanksgiving, and local organizations are making sure those experiencing homelessness have a meal. On Wednesday, hundreds of people experiencing homelessness showed up at St. Martha’s Church in Sarasota to receive a meal during the 25th annual...
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...
Owner shares emerging vision for coveted Derby Lane site
Sagi Genger believes something big is brewing at “probably one of the most important sites for development in an urban area in the United States.”. Genger is the CEO of Rally Development, which owns the 131.5-acre Derby Lane site in St. Petersburg. The property at 10490 Gandy Blvd. in St. Petersburg was formerly home...
Annual Shopapalooza Festival will be held in St. Petersburg this weekend
Every Thanksgiving weekend, millions of Americans spend their hard-earned dollars on national Black Friday deals. Ester Venouziou believes supporting local and small businesses is even more important. This led her to create the first Shopapalooza Festival in 2010 to replicate a Black Friday-style event for these...
Area moms deliver some holiday cheer to deployed troops
VENICE — As those in the military continue to serve around the world, local veterans groups have packaged up some holiday cheer to keep their spirits up.
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...

















