Charliebird Stuns at Sarasota Film Festival
The 2026 Sarasota Film Festival brought an assortment of varied and powerful stories to the Gulf Coast. One such was the Narrative Feature Competition winner, Charliebird. Directed by Libby Ewing, Charliebird follows Al (Samantha Stuart), a music therapist at a children’s hospital in Texas, who begins to work with a troubled young patient, Charlie (Gabriela Ochoa Perez).
Manatee workforce housing project secures $15M construction loan
A workforce housing project planned for Bradenton achieved a milestone this week, after securing $15 million in construction financing. Ian Fitzgerald, an originator for Largo Capital, arranged the loan from Cogent Bank for Forest Cove, a workforce housing complex that will be built by affordable housing developer One Stop Housing.
Michael’s On East Mother’s Day Brunch
SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - Executive Catering Chef, Carlos Avella, joined us in our kitchen today to preview the upcoming Mother’s Day Menu items. The Mother’s Day Brunch is still available for reservations but spots are going fast! Book your table now for Sunday, May 10th from 10:30am to 3:30pm.
City of Venice announces new pickup days for garbage, recycling and yard waste
VENICE, Fla. — Starting in June, be aware of the pickup days for garbage, yard waste and recycling if you reside in the City of Venice. Officials in Venice announced Thursday that on June 1, the city will begin implementing an updated residential and commercial collection routes. Venice authorities...
‘Room to grow.’ Palmetto leaders seek new home for city hall building
Palmetto leaders are considering moving city hall, addressing the city’s projected growth and the need for more full-time employees. The decision comes as city officials are looking to the future of Palmetto, and expect that the city’s operational needs will soon outgrow its office space. Looking 15 years ahead, projected staff increases — to accommodate more city residents — will require more space. Several new...
City of Venice changing residents’ trash pickup schedules
VENICE, Fla. (WWSB) - Starting June 1, the City of Venice is changing residential trash collection routes to improve efficiency and reliability, it was announced April 30. Residents will still have collections twice a week for garbage and recycling, but collection days may change, the city says. Wednesday and Saturday...
Sarasota neighbors gear up for continued fight against city’s tallest proposed tower: ‘It has...
City of Sarasota residents are fighting a revised 18-story condo proposal that, at 330 feet, would officially become the tallest building in the city. A mediation settlement adds a "green wall" and loading zones. Neighbors argue the new plans are worse because they remove trees and reduce sidewalk space. After...
Las Vegas connection indicated between suspects and victim in late-night burglary within Talon Preserve...
Sheriff’s Office charges two natives of Hawaii after Air 1 helicopter assists with arrests. Two Las Vegas residents have been charged in connection with a late-night, April 25 armed burglary and shooting of a firearm into a sliding glass door of a residence in the Talon Preserve community on Palmer Ranch in Nokomis, The Sarasota News Leader has learned.
Overturned car crash blocks US-301 Thursday afternoon
BRADENTON, Fla. (WWSB) - At least one person was injured in a major rollover crash on US-301, Thursday afternoon. The crash is blocking southbound lanes in the intersection at 63rd Ave E. Traffic is backed up over 1 mile, as drivers are detoured around the crash location. While crews work...
Meet Spinning Coffee, Bradenton’s new vinyl cafe and Vietnamese coffee shop
It’s not often I find myself in Bradenton, much less with time to kill. Out of my element, craving caffeine, and searching for something intimate, I surfed the web until I landed on Spinning Coffee. I didn’t know anything about this place before going, but, from the pictures I viewed online, I knew the interior seating would be enough to satiate the supplemental time...
