Suspected hazardous material found in Venice self-storage facility
SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - The Sarasota County Fire Department was called to a self-storage facility in Venice Thursday afternoon when a 911 caller reported finding two Mason jars filled with cyanide. County spokeswoman Sara Nealeigh told ABC7 the material was reported to be sealed containers of cyanide, but the actual...
Friday fire burns Suncoast apartment
SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - A fire broke out in south Sarasota Friday, forcing residents out of their homes while emergency crews fought the flames. According to Florida Highway Patrol, the fire broke out shortly after 10 p.m. Friday. Firefighters brought the blaze under control within minutes. The exact cause of...
FEMA Rebuild Rules Upend Florida’s Waterfront Towns
FEMA Rebuild Rules Upend Florida's Waterfront Towns
Venice Fire Rescue deploys drone with lifesaving equipment for water rescues: ‘It’s a key...
Venice Fire Rescue has utilized a drone for the past year to help with search and rescue and fire calls. The drone has now been outfitted with an attachment to carry an inflatable rescue tube for water rescues. The focus is to help cut down on response times and get...
Bean Point swimming remains ‘At Your Own Risk’ as Anna Maria mayor vetoes ban
BEAN POINT, Fla. (WWSB) - During an Anna Maria City Commission meeting on Thursday, September 26, officials once again discussed the push to restrict swimming at Bean Point. The debate stems from a recently passed ordinance that sought to enforce a swim ban at the popular beach. Mayor Mark Short vetoed it, calling...
TRAFFIC ALERT: Crash on I-75 shuts down NB Lanes
The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office says all lanes on I-75 North Bound are shut down at MM195 due to a truck fire.
Sarasota activists condemn ‘hostile takeover’ by charter schools
A controversial new law could force most local elementary and middle schools to make space for for-profits. Host: Fort Walton Beach is located on the western tip of the Florida Panhandle, a seven-hour drive from Sarasota and 10 hours from Miami. That’s where a governor-appointed panel met this Wednesday to figure out...
Manatee County Sheriff’s Office searching for missing woman
MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. (WWSB) - The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help finding a missing and potentially endangered woman. 26-year-old Aaliyah Ramirez was last seen around 3:45 a.m. on September 27, 2025, in the 5400 block of 18th Street East in Bradenton. Officials say...
Palmetto Woman Shot Dead by Boyfriend, 9-Day-Old Baby Unharmed
A devastating tragedy has struck the Palmetto community with the shooting death of Blanca Guzman-Bartolon, a 30-year-old mother, daughter, and beloved friend. According to officials, the incident occurred late Sunday evening, September 21, 2025, when Palmetto police responded to reports of gunfire at the 1400 block...
Manatee Co. mother of 3 says leg amputation could’ve been prevented, calls for accountability
A Manatee County mother of three wants someone held accountable. Hailey Van Dam had an above-the-knee amputation, which she believes could have been prevented.
