Kayak tours help veterans heal
SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - Veterans are invited to participate in free therapeutic guided kayak tours designed to help those living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) through connection with nature and camaraderie. The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP), in partnership with Wayne Adventures, launched the...
Major hotel with restaurant, bar and cafe planned for Sarasota County
South Sarasota County’s Downtown Wellen Park is once again growing . A new hotel, Wellmar, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel by Marriott, is breaking ground in the area this month, with construction beginning immediately afterward. The five-story hotel will feature 149 guestrooms, food-and-beverage venues, resort-style...
St. Pete doctor creates program to help neurodivergent thrive
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A new approach to supporting the neurodivergent community focuses on helping people thrive on their own terms. Neurodivergent is used to describe people whose brains process information, learn, and behave differently from other people, while it also encompasses conditions like autism, ADHD and...
Gran Paradiso’s water war ends, but fallout lands on former directors
A three-year legal saga between residents of Gran Paradiso and their developer-controlled government has ended — resolving a fight over irrigation water rates that divided the upscale neighborhood and exposed the power imbalance between homeowners and special-purpose districts that control essential services. The...
Financial benefits get expanded for Americans living with disabilities in 2026
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Like many Americans, 71-year-old Joanne Newton is searching for mobility solutions as movement has gotten tougher over the years. "Knee trouble, back trouble," Newton said. "I had several injuries." Newton says, each day, she's had to pay more attention to what areas are accessible and...
Southside Elementary Marks 100 Years of Academic Excellence
SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - Southside Elementary School celebrated a major milestone Friday morning, marking 100 years of academic excellence. The Centennial Celebration brought together current and former students, staff, families and community leaders for a program of memories, music and student voices that highlighted...
North Port nonprofit leaders discuss purposes, needs
NORTH PORT — Some nonprofits that have always helped keep the community grounded now are facing concerns about their own future.
Sarasota Memorial Joins Clinical Trial for Patients with Aortic Valve Disease
Calcification of the aortic valve is the leading cause of heart valve disease in older adults, and currently, there are no approved medications to slow its progression. Sarasota Memorial’s Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute is working to change that. The new KATALYST-AV trial, sponsored by Kardigan, Inc...
How a local charter captain reeled in rare bonefish in Sarasota Bay
In 2026, it’s sometimes hard to believe what you’re seeing online. AI is prevalent and with it, a skeptical eye is required. So when I see a captain who says he caught a bonefish in Sarasota Bay on a fly, I was a bit wary at first. That’s the stuff of dreams. “I’ve seen them up shallow, just never had a crack at them...
Seaside vow renewal ceremony “Say ‘I Do’ Again” returns this Valentine’s Day
SARASOTA COUNTY – Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a coastal commitment at Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources’ annual Say ‘I Do’ Again vow renewal ceremony. Ceremonies will take place at 6 p.m., Feb. 14 on both Siesta Beach, 948 Beach Road, Sarasota and Nokomis Beach,100 Casey Key Road, Nokomis.
