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...
Sarasota retail property across from SMH sells for $7M
Blue Waters Development Group, a Cape Coral real estate developer and property owner, has bought a retail building on Tamiami Trail in Sarasota that, along with a neighboring property it owns, could be redeveloped. The property that sold is at 1427 S. Tamiami Trail, across from Sarasota Memorial Hospital. It...
204 cats rescued in Manatee County: MCAW
The county said the resident was initially feeding local stray cats from his house, but the population kept growing due to the lack of spay and neuter interventions.
Suspect in two robberies of the same Sarasota bank is arrested
SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - A man suspected of robbing the same bank within a 30-day span has been arrested, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office said. On June 20 at 12:04 p.m., a man entered the USF Credit Union at 3487 Clark Road and demanded money from a teller. He then left the business and ran behind the bank toward...
Teen shot dead by man he was trying to buy gun from, Pinellas County...
Pinellas County detectives believe a 15-year-old boy was trying to buy a gun when he was shot dead Wednesday afternoon.
Walmart buys land on Laurel Road in Venice
VENICE — Land north of Laurel Road that has been rumored to be the future site of a Walmart was acquired in May by … Walmart.