Parents have 3 days to excuse kids with new Sarasota Schools policy
The Sarasota County School Board voted to approve an attendance policy on Jan. 21 that specifies a three-day window for parents to send in an attendance note following an excused absence. The new policy also more clearly defines what counts as excused and unexcused absences, replacing the more general language...
Inside Sarasota’s Ringling Museum
The Official State Art Museum in Sarasota celebrated a successful 25-years under the stewardship of Florida State University.
Palmetto man sentenced to prison for killing 18-year-old at graduation party
A Palmetto man will spend the next three decades in state prison after a jury found he shot and killed an 18-year-old at a graduation party, a judge ruled Wednesday. A Manatee County judge sentenced 23-year-old Jose Alfredo Gomez to 30 years in prison for aggravated battery with great bodily harm with a firearm in a...
Sarasota’s Hob Nob Drive-In Is Reopening Under New Ownership
“We’ve been keeping a little secret…” says a post published on Instagram yesterday by popular Sarasota-born breakfast spot The Breakfast Company. “THE HOB NOB is coming back, and we’re proud to be a part of it.”. Coverage published by Patch described the transition, telling of...
Sarasota man, 65, arrested for trafficking over 400 grams of cocaine: police
SARASOTA, Fla. - A 65-year-old Sarasota man has been arrested for trafficking more than 400 grams of cocaine, according to police. Lazaro Gomez was taken into custody after detectives received a tip that he was selling drugs out of a home at 2105 8th St. in Sarasota. During a search...
Manatee superintendent ushers change after misconduct investigation
The Manatee County School District has implemented new teacher training and reinforced hiring practices following a Suncoast Searchlight and Bradenton Herald investigation into staff misconduct toward students. At least a dozen incidents during the past two years have sparked arrests, costly lawsuits and outcry from...
New Sarasota restaurant with a beloved sandwich opens with big buzz
The only notice Michael Panto gave that his new shop Johnny Longhots Philly Steaks Sarasota would have its soft opening on Jan. 16 was a handwritten note taped to the front door — they sold about 600 sandwiches that day. The pace has barely slowed since the store opened for good the following Monday, in the same...
Big Storm Brewing sells at auction for $5.5M — far less than what former...
A federal bankruptcy judge approved the $5.5 million auction sale of Big Storm Brewing, one of the largest remaining assets tied to Pinellas County businessman Leo Govoni, who faces federal fraud and money laundering charges. Prosecutors say the sale is part of a broader effort to recover money Govoni allegedly...
Opposition grows to proposed cruise port near Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve
MANATEE COUNTY — A proposal by global terminal operator SSA Marine to build a private cruise port near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Manatee County has sparked intense public opposition, particularly from environmental groups and residents concerned about its proximity to the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve. While no...
Manatee County cruise port proposal faces opposition
BRADENTON, Fla. — A cruise terminal proposal has generated pushback from Manatee County residents and raised concern from environmental groups. A cruise terminal proposal in Manatee County raises environmental concerns. Enironmental advocates say the project could impact coastal wetlands, mangroves, and seagrass...
