A crash left her in a coma for nearly a month. 2 years later,...
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — For Shelly Graham, it wasn’t just another evening in St. Petersburg on Tuesday — it was a moment she’s been waiting for since the night her life changed forever. "This was a way for me to remember who saved me," she said,...
Applications Open for Habitat for Humanity South Sarasota County’s Homeownership Program
Habitat for Humanity South Sarasota County has opened the application window for its Homeownership Program, giving local individuals and families the opportunity to achieve safe, stable, and affordable housing. Applications will be accepted through August 29. The program provides eligible participants with the chance...
Once-powerful Sarasota developer Henry Rodriguez reshapes, refocuses life
Henry Rodriguez grew up poor in Washington Heights, a tough New York City neighborhood in Manhattan bordering the Bronx. His parents — a seamstress and a building superintendent — were Cuban immigrants. That should have made his top-of-the-world success story even more satisfying. This is when, in his...
Sarasota County sounds early warning of coming budget deficits
By the time fiscal year 2028 arrives, Sarasota County could be facing a $25.22 million deficit according to budget projections provided to the County Commission by staff. Based on current spending increases year over year, the inevitable deceleration of assessed property value increases and the county’s lack of...
Residents frustrated by water bills as St. Pete utility bills under city, state review
St. Petersburg residents said they’re still being hit with water bills they can’t explain, some in the thousands.
Two Bay Area non-profits team up to launch residential housing program
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Two area non-profits are teaming up to open the doors to a new housing program for families experiencing homelessness. Wednesday, Metropolitan Ministries, St. Petersburg Free Clinic and local leaders made a house a home, cutting the ribbon on a building near Mirror Lake. \. "We know...
Community rallies as Sarasota begins to remove art from sidewalks and crosswalks
SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) -The city of Sarasota is next in line to remove asphalt artwork off sidewalks and crosswalks. It’s a move by the Florida Department of Transportation. Dozens of people showed up on Wednesday to rally outside of the Social Equity through Education Alliance (SEE Alliance) building. Zander...
New housing program aims to address families at risk of homelessness
Metropolitan Ministries has launched its first-ever residential housing program for families at risk of homelessness.
Florida Woman Buys $5 Million Scratch-Off Ticket
ELLENTON, Florida – The Florida Lottery announced that Judith Van Hauer, of Ellenton, claimed a top prize of $5 million from the MONOPOLY SECRET VAULT Scratch-Off game at the Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee. The Manatee County woman chose to receive her winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $2,884,920.00.
A woman’s choice to self-deport from Sarasota pushes her family to consider the same
On a July afternoon, at her home in Sarasota, Lourdes Martinez runs her hands over the clothes hanging in her daughter's closet. She's packing a suitcase to send to Mexico, where her daughter, Maria, will be in a week after choosing to self-deport. "It's painful," Lourdes said in Spanish, "to...
