Buyers Gain Leverage as Prices Drop and Listings Climb in Sarasota and Manatee
The housing market in Sarasota and Manatee counties continued its cooling trend in June, with sale prices dropping, inventory climbing and homes sitting longer before closing. According to the latest data from the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee, the shift marks a more favorable landscape for buyers than...
Meet the CERT volunteers who jump into action after Florida storms
TAMPA, Fla. - CERT volunteers are everyday citizens trained to assist when hurricanes and other disasters hit the Tampa Bay area. They don’t wear badges — but their work is crucial. Volunteers are trained in basic first aid, fire suppression, search and rescue and disaster psychology. In Lakewood...
Hometown Desserts: Anna Maria Island’s Sweetest Bakery for Custom Cakes, Pies & Treats”
Hometown Desserts, nestled at 507 Pine Avenue in Anna Maria, Florida, is a charming bakery and dessert shop beloved by locals and visitors alike. Serving from Monday to Friday, 10 AM to 4 PM, and on Saturday until 5 PM, this sweet destination brings smiles with custom cakes, pies, cheesecakes, cookies, brownies,...
Former Sarasota Memorial CEO, physician leader dies at 85
Dr. G. Duncan Finlay, CEO of Sarasota Memorial Hospital for five years and a longtime prominent physician and leader in town, died Friday. Finlay was 85. Finlay died at SMH’s Rehabilitation Pavilion, “surrounded by the care of the dedicated staff at the institution he had led with vision, expertise and compassion,”...
7 people, 2 dogs rescued from boat that began taking on water during storm:...
A boat carrying several people and two dogs was rescued after it began taking on water during a storm Wednesday.
St. Pete council approves controversial tower’s height increase
A local developer can add four stories to a tower in downtown St. Petersburg that once included short-term rentals, despite one city council member calling it a “monstrosity.”. The Roche Bobois Tower is no longer a “condotel” with a rooftop Sky Bar, two previous causes for community and council...
St. Petersburg approves Rays’ $1.3B ballpark project
St. Petersburg City Council voted 5-3 today to approve the Rays and Hines’ $1.3B ballpark and mixed-use development project. “It literally has taken a village, and a city, to get to this point right now,” Rays owner Stuart Sternberg said before the council vote. “I’ve been at this personally now for 20 years-plus. It...
Advocates call on St. Pete leaders to prioritize youth, safe streets in upcoming budget
Residents and community organizers are calling for greater investment in St. Petersburg’s youth — especially in neighborhoods plagued by gun violence. The Dream Defenders rallied outside City Hall, urging St. Pete's mayor to include their "Save Our Streets" initiative in the upcoming city budget. The campaign focuses...
Two retail theft suspects part of a larger crime ring, Venice police say
VENICE, Fla. (WWSB) - Two men arrested recently on suspicion of retail theft are part of a larger ring targeting stores in the area, Venice police say. Detectives say a man identified as Yordan Prats Piloto, 43, was seen inside a retail store July 18 removing anti-theft devices from merchandise including shoes and...
‘Whatever makes you happy.’ New sub shop opens in Manatee County
Grant Strayer was polishing off a finance degree from Indiana University at the height of COVID-19. “And then I started thinking about just what would I like to do, if I could do anything,” he said. From that thought, a restaurant was born. Strayer recruited high school and college friends to launch a new sandwich...
