INTERVIEW: Expert gives insight into Giovanni Pelletier’s death investigation as family seeks answers
MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. (WWSB) - The family of 18-year-old Giovanni Pelletier is still searching for answers after his body was discovered in a pond off I-75 in Manatee County. Dr. Melanie Neuilly, chair of criminal justice at Washington State University, spoke with ABC7 via Zoom about the case. Pelletier had...
St. Pete Police’s specialized unit works to connect those facing homelessness to resources
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — St. Petersburg Police are helping people facing homelessness, while connecting them with resources. For officers in the PATH Unit, it’s not so much about making arrests, these officers want to ensure this vulnerable community is connected to any resources they need, while treating them...
I’m retired, 68, single and child-free. My Social Security covers all my living costs...
While we adhere to strict editorial guidelines, partners on this page may provide us earnings. Retirement often marks the beginning of a new chapter, though this chapter unfolds uniquely for each individual. Consider the life of a 68-year-old retiree in Sarasota, Florida — single, childless and thoroughly enjoying...
Gabby Petito’s mother to discuss daughter’s disappearance, death
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Nichole Schmidt, the mother of Gabby Petito, is set to speak on the years after her daughter’s disappearance and death. Petito went missing on Aug. 27, 2021 while on a cross-country trip with her fiancé, Brian Laundrie. Wednesday marks the fourth anniversary of her initial disappearance. The...
Hurricanes loom as the newest challenge to threatened mangroves
The storms did a number on mangrove forests, which protect much of Sarasota Bay in Manatee County. One of the most-protected sites saw nearly half the mangroves destroyed, including huge old-growth trees snapped in half by hurricane winds. The survey came during the second year of the Mangrove Ranger program,...
‘Wind event’ left damage at Palmetto mobile home park, officials say
MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — A "wind event" on Sunday left damage at a mobile home park in Manatee County, according to fire rescue officials. Crews with the North River Fire District say they were initially dispatched for a reported tornado through Shadow Brook Mobile Home Park, located on 63rd St. E in Palmetto. After...
COLUMN: Let’s Eat! Englewood Chamber celebrates local restaurants
Get ready, food lovers, it’s that time of year again!
Sunday Thunderstorm Chances Stay High
SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - Saturday rainfall included 0.34” at SRQ, bringing the August total to 5.86”, which is over a half inch below average. We have the potential to make up that deficit Sunday. Areas around Venice received over an inch of rain (1.29”), and north in Pinellas County St. Petersburg was drenched with...
Storms cause damage at Manatee County mobile home park
PALMETTO, Fla. - Sunday's strong storms caused damage to homes in a Manatee County community, with crews helping homeowners clean up the mess. According to the North River Fire District, firefighters responded along with Manatee County first responders to the Shadow Brook Mobile Home Park in the Palmetto area on...
Girl sucked down storm drain while playing found 100 yards away, FL cops say
A child swept into a storm drain during a water main break in Florida has been hospitalized in critical condition, deputies said. A 911 call came in at 6:14 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 24, reporting that a girl was sucked down a storm drain on Bahia Vista Street, according to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies...
