Sarasota County, FL, restaurants with the most health violations in October 2025
Local diners who trust their favorite restaurants to serve safe food should pay attention to recent state inspection reports. Several Sarasota County eateries failed to meet basic food safety standards during October 2025, raising concerns about health practices at establishments across the community.
Area moms deliver some holiday cheer to deployed troops (copy)
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.
For Sarasota County’s Elementary School Teacher of the Year, ‘It’s magic’
Some people know exactly what they want to be when they grow up. That wasn’t the case for Becky Hoffman, Sarasota County’s 2026 Elementary School Teacher of the Year. Growing up on a 65-acre farm in Maryland, Hoffman was surrounded by pigs, chickens, rabbits, and even a calf that she bottle-fed. After high school,...
NORTH PORT: 55+ cottage homes unveiled, available for purchase, rent
NORTH PORT — A new housing option for people 55 and older was unveiled in North Port on Wednesday.
Shopapalooza returns for 15th year, bringing hundreds of local businesses to St. Pete’s waterfront
More than 350 local shops, artists, and food vendors are filling Vinoy Park for one of the nation’s largest Small Business Saturday celebrations. The festival is organized by LocalShops1 and the city also features live music, art installations, a Kidpreneur Zone, and plenty of food. Shopapalooza continues Sunday...
St. Pete pastor turns damage into determination after stolen cars hit church building
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — St. Pete police are investigating after two cars crashed into a church last weekend. Witnesses reportedly told police that teenagers ran from the stolen cars. Rev. Louis Murphy Sr. said the cars slammed into a Mount Zion Progressive Missionary Baptist Church's care building. “Most of...
There may be hot deals for shoppers, but the weather will be cool this...
SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - If you’re heading out early for Black Friday shopping, grab a jacket. Yesterday’s cold front brought in a fresh push of chilly northern air, and this morning’s temps drop into the upper 40s to low 50s across the Suncoast. With the breeze, it will feel even colder.
Driver killed when car hits bridge support near Venice
VENICE, Fla. (WWSB) - A driver was killed Thanksgiving Day when their car crashed into a bridge support pillar on I-75 near Venice, the Florida Highway Patrol said. Investigators say the vehicle was heading north on I-75 near the River Road exit at about 2 p.m. when it left the roadway onto the grass shoulder and...
Market at Nathan Benderson Park provides midweek shopping
Selling everything from spices and honey to knitted products, 55 vendors filled the parking lot of Nathan Benderson Park on Nov. 25 and will for every Tuesday through March. The new Market at Nathan Benderson Park takes place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jessica Gill of My Promotions, the...
Fatal crashes reported in Venice, Englewood as week ends
Two people died in two separate crashes at the end of the week, both single-vehicle crashes.
