How the Sarasota Garden Club discovered Ringling’s Secret Garden
The jardiniere would never have been standing alone in a field of grass. It was an indication that there had been a garden there. As Merle Suave walked the grounds of the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in 1978, she noticed that between the blades of grass, bits of concrete were visible.
Sarasota County seeks to curb spending to avert budget crisis
The story was updated with additional information from Sarasota County. Sarasota County is aiming to reduce its government spending next year to avoid a budget shortfall. A model from August 2025 showed that the county would be underwater on its general fund by 2028, with a $37.8 million deficit the next year....
The Queen of Broadway Comes to Sarasota
On March 6, The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall and Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation will welcome the award-winning superstar, Idina Menzel, to the stage to perform as part of the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation Gala: Defying Expectations: An Evening in Three Acts. The Foundation’s Gala will showcase Menzel’s...
Lakewood Ranch murder-suicide leaves 11-year-old, 14-year-old dead
The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the circumstances leading up to a murder-suicide that left a 44-year-old mother and her two children, a 14-year-old boy and 11-year-old girl, dead Thursday in Lakewood Ranch. Deputies responded around 8:30 p.m. to a residence in the 8200 block of Pavia Way — in the...
Swine discovery has Sarasota officers seeking pig’s owner
Sarasota Police took into custody an unlikely fugitive overnight — a 100-pound, pot-bellied pig. No, there won’t be any swine/law enforcement jokes here, but the friendly and cooperative runaway porker wore no collar and carried no sign of whom it belongs to, other than its black spots on generally white hair with a...
Brush fire threatened homes in Englewood, Port Charlotte
SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - A brush fire that threatened homes in Englewood and Port Charlotte has been largely put out, the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office said. The Friday afternoon fire was active in the area near Gisinger, Jennings and Gillot boulevards, adjacent to the Myakka State Forest’s Jennings Trailhead.
South Florida Spring Break Rules
SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - Fun, Smart, Talk. Our take on what’s making headlines on the Suncoast. Today, one of our Hot Topics included a discussion about new and old rules attracting visitors. If you have ideas for what topics we should discuss next, email us at [email protected]!
Second suspect arrested in connection with Englewood burglary spree
ENGLEWOOD, Fla. — A second suspect was arrested Friday in connection with a string of unoccupied home burglaries in Englewood dating back to the end of 2025. The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office said deputies arrested Mark A. Brown, 46, a week after Shyla M. Robinett, 44, was arrested Feb. 19 on two charges of...
Sarasota’s First Greek Restaurant, El Greco, Reopening This Year
After becoming Sarasota’s first Greek restaurant when it opened in 1990, El Greco Cafe had a storied life on Main Street, owned and operated by George and Paulene Soublis until 2007, when it was sold. The restaurant stayed in action until 2017 before closing. And now, it’s preparing to make a comeback: El Greco Cafe...
Tequila Fever Hits Parrish as Aqua Tequila Finally Lands at Creekside Commons
Aqua Tequila, a tequila-focused Mexican restaurant concept, officially opened Friday in Parrish, giving Manatee County one more full-service spot for margaritas and street tacos at the growing Creekside Commons plaza. The long-awaited arrival fills out another slot in the center's evolving dining lineup. New neighbor...
