At Selby Gardens, thousands of hand-strung preserved flowers make for an ethereal art exhibit
The British contemporary artist creates large-scale installations where natural materials are hand-sewn onto copper wire and suspended from gallery walls. Viewers navigate around and through them, discovering colors, textures and smells. The artist said working with something as ephemeral as a flower is meant to...
Lights are Bright, but the Ghosts are Restless
My sons and I visited Selby Gardens’ Lights at Spooky Point on Saturday, and it did not disappoint. From red eyes blinking in the middle of the woods to animatronics and good old-fashioned mannequins washed in dramatic lighting, this attraction had it all. Maybe a little too real in places. Take the graveyard, for...
State claims Manatee County is ‘overspending’ in push to limit property taxes
State officials are continuing their push to reduce or eliminate property taxes by highlighting what they call wasteful spending. The latest example came Thursday, when Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia said his audit showed Manatee County is spending $112 million more than they think it should. It's...
St. Pete shelter in need of new van after crash with 17 animals onboard
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — A local animal shelter is raising money for a new transport van after a crash on Wednesday left them without one. The crash happened on the Sunshine Skyway Bridge when a Friends of Strays Inc. van that was carrying 17 dogs and cats suffered a mechanical issue, causing the vehicle to...
North Port’s Drug-Free Youth Program Empowers Teens to Lead Healthy Lives
Drug-Free Youth, also known as D-Fy, continues to make a lasting impact in North Port by empowering students in grades 6 through 12 to make responsible choices and live free from drugs, alcohol and tobacco. The program provides a positive, peer-supported environment where young people encourage one another to stay...
$314M nonprofit charter school operator targets region for major expansion
Key takeaway: A charter school operator from the Miami area seeks to occupy space in more than 40 schools on the west coast of Florida, using new provisions of state law. Core challenge: Some district leaders say the law is costly and confusing. What's next: Appeals against the nonprofit charter...
Americans Keep Heading South as Affordability Drives Moving Trends
Southeastern and Sun Belt cities continue to be top destinations for movers, according to PODS. Followings its annual Moving Trends Report in May, PODS analyzed long-distance moves between May and August of this year. The inbound list is topped by Sarasota, Florida, and Ocala, Florida, followed by Myrtle Beach,...
Manatee County Responds to CFO’s Audit Findings
BRADENTON — In the wake of Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia's Thursday press conference, delivering the long-awaited results of his Florida Agency for Fiscal Oversight audit of the county budget, Manatee County has issued the following statement:. Manatee County has been fully cooperative with the...
Sarasota officer surprises Starbucks barista with new bike
SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - One Suncoast Starbucks employee had a one-of-a-kind experience with law enforcement on Friday. Officer Grahling with the Sarasota Police Department says Starbucks is part of his daily routine and he has a good relationship with the baristas, so when one of them told him that their bike was...
One person found dead after report of a local shooting according to the Sarasota...
SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) deputies responded to a call on Kingston Boulevard after a report of a shooting on Oct. 18. Upon the arrival of deputies, one person was found dead inside. SCSO has said the incident appears to be isolated and there is...
