Penny shortfall has projects in limbo
SARASOTA COUNTY - The pennies are not adding up. Sarasota County leaders say they're more than $200 million below expected numbers for the penny surtax money. The shortfall means more than 24 planned projects are in limbo.
|
Englewood Beach business owners petitioning county
ENGLEWOOD BEACH - Some Englewood Beach business owners say a proposed concession stand is a slap in the face. They say the county is looking to put in what they call a "mobile restaurant" right on the beach, taking away their business and creating an eyesore.
|
Serious accusations within Suncoast fire department
SARASOTA COUNTY - A current employee of the Southern Manatee Fire and Rescue District is accusing the current and former chief of some serious allegations. It involves the misuse of funds, pornographic pictures and sexual harassment.
|
Ralph Loosman wants to clear his name after charges dropped
CHARLOTTE COUNTY - He says he wants the world to know he never had anything to do with Alex Teehee's death. He says he wanted a trial to prove his innocence. He didn't get that chance because the charges of manslaughter were dropped. Now Ralph Loosman is talking to ABC 7.
|
Ancient artifacts excavated in North Port spring
SARASOTA COUNTY - An ancient find at a North Port spring may date back 13,000 years.
|
Authorities look into ways to clear up foul waterway
SARASOTA COUNTY - Representatives from around Sarasota County visited the Jeffrey Waterway Tuesday, where residents have been dealing with a stinky mess from dead plant life.
|
More concerns in North Port waterway
SARASOTA COUNTY - In a follow-up to a story ABC 7 first brought you Friday, a North Port neighborhood is dealing with a stinky mess in the waterway behind their homes. Now testing has revealed it could also become a health hazard.
|
Algae taking over waterway
SARASOTA COUNTY - Some North Port neighbors say they have a growing problem...literally. They say for some reason an algae bloom has exploded in their backyard waterway. Now they say it's choking out wildlife and creating a smelly mess.
|
North Port family still looking for justice
SARASOTA COUNTY - Alex Teehee of North Port was killed more than two years ago. In less than two weeks, acquaintance Ralph Loosman will go on trial for vehicular homicide. Teehee's family says they now have proof the charges should be changed to at least second degree murder.
|
Billboard catching eyes in North Port
Updated:
Driving through North Port on I-75 you will see a new sign greeting you. Not a welcome sign, but a billboard condemning the phosphate industry. A local group is paying for the billboard which says the industry doesn't feed the world rather it pollutes it.
|
Scammers targeting job seekers
Updated:
These days people are willing to do just about anything to land a job. Including sending out personal information to people they don't know. That makes it easy for online scamers to take advantage.
|
Homeless students heading back to school
Updated:
A surprising number of homeless students in our area will be returning to school soon. It's believed more than 1,000 students in Sarasota county were homeless last year alone. Those numbers have prompted one organization to form and lend a helping hand.
|
Suncoast firefighter arrested for battery on the elderly
Updated:
CHARLOTTE COUNTY - A Suncoast firefighter is out of jail this evening after being arrested for battery on an 80-year old man and his daughter.
|
Sarasota County resident gets Dengue virus
SARASOTA COUNTY - After going unreported in Florida for decades, cases of Dengue fever are back. The disease is transmitted by mosquitoes, and so far 24 people have tested positive. Now Sarasota County Health Department workers say someone who lives on the Suncoast has been infected.
|
A broken dishwasher or a bigger problem?
SARASOTA COUNTY - A North Port man says he's suing the city over his dishwasher. He claims the city's water is full of calcium and is destroying appliances and fixtures. City leaders say it's the first they're hearing of a potential problem.
|
Final pieces of Legacy Trail set to open
VENICE - Sarasota County's Legacy Trail is nearly complete. Construction on two bridge trestles will at last connect the trail that spans from South Sarasota to Venice.
|
Fire truck staffing questioned in Sarasota County
SARASOTA COUNTY - A plan to add more firefighters onto Sarasota County fire trucks over the next decade is on hold. The reason is money and an effort by the county to save cash on overtime.
|
More room for more arrests in Charlotte County
PUNTA GORDA - there's a new $40 million facility in our area that you probably never want to find yourself at. Charlotte County doubled the size of it's jail with a new expansion Friday.
|
Rare coin helps lead to arrest in Englewood jewelry heist
SARASOTA COUNTY - An Englewood jewelry store owner says more than $130,000 worth of gold was stolen from their shop this week. The crook broke in, spray painted the security cameras, grabbed the goods and took off.
|
Local charities get boost from firefighter and paramedic union
SARASOTA COUNTY - The area firefighters and paramedics union handed out some help for local charities Tuesday.
|
Haiti help on the Suncoast 6 months later
VENICE, Fla. - Six months ago, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake ravaged the island nation of Haiti, killing hundreds of thousands of people and injuring many more. Today the country remains in need, and that's where Agape Flights in Venice steps in.
|
New projections show worst case storm surge
SARASOTA COUNTY - The National Flood Insurance Program has once again started writing policies; this after a lapse which lasted more than a month. It's perhaps even more important now because here at home new maps show storm surge in our area could go further inland then previously thought.
|
Warm Mineral Springs possible deal
SARASOTA COUNTY - North Port's plan to buy Warm Mineral Springs is not a done deal. Right now the city is drawing up its proposal to the current owners for more than $6 million. But why buy it all?
|
With rain comes a biting pest
SARASOTA COUNTY - The recent rains are not only bring some wet conditions, but also a few pests. More mosquitoes will soon be buzzing the area, bringing with them more than just bites.
|
Chinese drywall recovery
VENICE - Thousands of homes in our area could have it - Chinese drywall. Now, with little help available, some are taking matters into their own hands.
|
A helping hand across the Gulf
SARASOTA COUNTY - Some Suncoast churches have come together to aid those affected by the oil spill. Church members are on their way with supplies to a Native American tribe now struggling to feed their families. That's because the oil has shut down their fishing operations.
|
It's tough to be a turtle these days
SARASOTA COUNTY - Sea turtle nesting numbers on the Suncoast are down significantly so far this year. A colder than normal winter, oil...even boats are battering the population.
|
Local college lending expertise to oil disaster
SARASOTA - Some New College professors from Sarasota are joining a state-wide task force to help study the gulf oil disaster. Nine of them will lend their expertise in environmental, marine, and biological sciences to assess and analyze the damage.
|
Water park on North Port agenda
SARASOTA COUNTY - Despite the economic downturn, the city of North Port is looking for ways to come up with more than $20 million to build a water park. But before they can get their feet wet they also need a location.
|
Venice mayor will not seek re-election
SARASOTA COUNTY - There will be no re-election for the mayor of Venice.
|
Port Charlotte couple arrested after missing boy is found
CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. - Five hours in, a search for a missing Port Charlotte boy was canceled after he was found hiding under a sink. That's not all investigators found.
|
Emergency officials on stand by for hot weather
VENICE - It's another hot day on the Suncoast and many are feeling the heat, especially those who work outside.
|
Waiting to help oil stricken wildlife
Updated:
The Save Our Seabirds organization in Sarasota has 35 hazmat trained volunteers and even a mobile command unit ready. They're frustrated after being told to stay away.
|
Website shows our Suncoast beaches are free of oil
Updated:
VENICE - A Suncoast company is hoping to show the world that our beaches are free of oil.
|
Oil and Suncoast tourism
SARASOTA COUNTY - Even if oil doesn't wash ashore on the Suncoast, the perception of crude and Florida could have a huge impact on where summer vacationers go. Right now promoters are busy getting the word out that the Sunshine State is open and ready for business.
|
Oil turtle troubles
SARASOTA COUNTY - Nearly 275 dead sea turtles have been found since oil began spewing into the Gulf. Locally, scientists say nests are beginning to pop up as usual. Their biggest concern is for those not yet even born.
|
County leaders say oil disaster response appalling
SARASOTA - Sarasota County leaders say they're fed up with the Fed's response to the oil spill disaster, signing a resolution Tuesday morning looking for answers and more leadership.
|
Oil: Are we ready just in case?
SARASOTA COUNTY - Many people in areas already affected by the oil have complained about BP's response. Now oil is washing ashore closer to us at home in the Florida Panhandle. So what can we expect?
|
Remembering D-Day on the Suncoast
SARASOTA COUNTY - This Sunday marks the anniversary of D-Day. The battle marked the beginning of the march across Europe to defeat Hitler and Nazi Germany. One Suncoast man played an important role.
|
Industrial park plan proposed
SARASOTA COUNTY - A proposed large industrial park off State Road 681 has some homeowners upset. They say the project will affect wildlife and be unsightly. Sarasota County officials say they want to diversify the economy, and bring green jobs closer to where people live and work.
|
Video game addiction getting serious attention
SARASOTA COUNTY - It's an addiction just now starting to get some serious attention: video games. Summer break is about to start and a study by the American Medical Association says it's possible up to five million kids in America show symptoms.
|
Oil spill recovery invention from the Suncoast
SARASOTA COUNTY - As we wait for BP's latest plan to work, nearly 800,000 gallons of oil a day continue to gush into the Gulf of Mexico. In the meantime, thousands of quicker ideas have been coming in. One of them is from a North Port man who says he has a plan.
|
Veterans honored in Venice
VENICE - Hundreds gathered at Patriots Park in Venice Monday morning to honor service men and women with a presentation of wreaths and to listen to music from the Venice High School band.
|
Experts predict active to very active hurricane season
SARASOTA COUNTY - You might want to get ready for a wild hurricane season. National scientists are now predicting the most active year since 2005. The season is set to begin on Tuesday.
|
Fleas in full force
VENICE - It's the perfect time of year for some unwanted guests in your home and on your pet. Right now veterinarians say the temperature is just right for fleas in Florida: around 85 degrees with high humidity.
|
$5 billion dollar drop in Sarasota county home values
SARASOTA COUNTY - It appears property values in Sarasota County have once again dropped this year. It may mean a few extra dollars in your pocket come tax time, but it means the county will be looking to make up the lost $16 million.
|
Man charged with killing his wife in Venice hotel room
VENICE - A North Carolina man has been charged with killing his wife in a Venice hotel room, allegedly wrapping her in a comforter, tying up the body, and pushing her through the hotel on a luggage cart.
|
Slain trooper remembered 37 years later
VENICE - A memorial for a slain trooper will take place 37 years after his murder later this weekend. Claude Baker Jr. was the first Florida Highway Patrol trooper in the area to be killed in the line of duty back in 1973.
|
New Venice park to close temporarily
SARASOTA COUNTY - A Venice park which recently opened will soon be temporarily closed. Part of a $33 million water line project is scheduled to go right through it.
|
New life in the Suncoast air
SARASOTA COUNTY - It's spring and that means hatchling season here on the Suncoast. Local wildlife rescue experts say it's also their busy season. More and more people are coming in contact with the animals.
|
Free rent to a good business
SARASOTA COUNTY - A Venice man known for some unique ways to attract business has a deal you may not be able to refuse. Frank Bates of Bates RV is offering free rent for any entrepreneur looking to start or move a business. You only pay if you start making money.
|
Celebrating 911 victory in Venice
VENICE - They're celebrating a landmark victory for 911 reform in Venice. Florida lawmakers passed the Denise Amber Lee Bill last month, now Lee's family and friends hope the law will help keep all of us safer when we call for help.
|
Foreclosures down means prices up
SARASOTA COUNTY - Foreclosures are slowing on the Suncoast -- new filings are down by nearly half from a year ago. Local realtors say it's great news and could mean homes not for sale begin to rise in value once again.
|
Local Habitat for Humanity getting sued
SARASOTA COUNTY - For two years, Habitat for Humanity in South Sarasota County has battled to build. Construction on an 18-family home project in Nokomis has drawn the ire of neighbors, and a possible Ponzi scheme has cost the not for profit more than $100,000. Now those who live next door are suing.
|
Fallen war hero returns home 38-years later
ARCADIA - 38 years after he went missing, a Vietnam war hero has returned home. The remains of Sgt. James Alley were recently found in Vietnam.
|
North Port gets a college
SARASOTA COUNTY - North Port is getting a college. The University of South Florida is celebrating higher education in the south Sarasota County city, and about 500 students will soon call a foreclosed building their new campus.
|
Rebuild of Lemon Bay High gets under way
CHARLOTTE COUNTY - Those getting ready for college at Lemon Bay High School in Englewood will soon be doing so at new state-of-the-art facility.
|
Airport protestors speak out in Venice
VENICE - Dozens of protestors demonstrated in front of the Venice Municipal Airport Wednesday, trying to get the attention of FAA officials who are meeting in the area. They say the FAA has pushed through a bigger classification for the airport.
|
Calls for cool air coming in
SARASOTA COUNTY - Many residents were turning their air conditioner on this past weekend and finding out something isn't right. One business we talked to says thousands of people in our area just got the bad news.
|
Ramp inspires uplifting story
SARASOTA COUNTY - A 7-year-old Nokomis boy with cerebral palsy has never been able to get his wheelchair into his own home. This week a local contracting company giving their time with donated materials to make a world of difference.
|
Venice woman dies in mobile home park fire
VENICE - A cigarette may have been the cause of a fatal fire Wednesday night. Neighbors say they tried to save 70-year-old Pat Feeney, seeing her inside the home, but the flames were just too much.
|
Manatee County schools asking for input on further budget cuts
BRADENTON - Manatee County School officials are watching the Florida legislation with great worry. They say they've already been cut to the bone -- down $44 million over the past two years. But they fear more cuts are coming.
|
Fake Amber Alert text message circulating in Charlotte County
PORT CHARLOTTE - The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office received several phone calls Tuesday night at its dispatch center about a possible abduction in Port Charlotte that appears to be a hoax.
|
Removing a Chinese drywall nightmare
It's been nearly two years with little if any help for families with toxic Chinese drywall. Those in one Suncoast neighborhood say they can't wait any longer. Home and health problems forcing them to take matters into their own hands. They're now ripping out the product which is costing them tens of thousands of dollars.
|
Stimulus job doing little to stimulate local economy
NORTH PORT - It's a big project with few local jobs -- nearly $3 million worth of improvements to parts of Sumter Boulevard in North Port. However, we found only a few working on the project are from here.
|
Venice family gives nearly $1 million to Habitat for Humanity
SARASOTA COUNTY - A husband and wife in Venice have made it their mission to help out the South Sarasota County Habitat for Humanity. So much so, they just gave them close to a million dollar donation.
|
PGT hiring again after years of layoffs
VENICE - After 1,300 layoffs, PGT Industries in Venice will once again start hiring new employees.
|
Hundreds come out to remember young man shot by Venice deputy
VENICE, FL - Hundreds turned out to remember a Venice man shot and killed by an off-duty sheriff's deputy Friday. Tyler Spann is being remembered by family and friends as a good kid who respected authority.
|
Tourism numbers look down
VENICE - The winter tourist season winding down on the Suncoast. Some numbers show visitors were down by about 10%. Some businesses were affected even more by the cold weather.
|
Accused killer of Coralrose Fullwood enters plea of guilty
SARASOTA, FL. - An accused child killer was in court Wednesday to enter a plea in the murder of Coralrose Fullwood.
|
Aqua park for North Port?
NORTH PORT - City leaders may be ready to jump in. They've approved city staff to look for ways to come up with more than $5 million to build an aquatic center. It's a tough challenge these days, but some commissioners say it will pay off for the city.
|
Venice group given a chance to save old circus arena
VENICE - A group in Venice has spared their beloved circus arena from demolition...at least for now.
|
Push to save circus arena heating up
SARASOTA COUNTY - The future of the old circus arena will go before Venice City Commissioners Tuesday.
|
Father runs over infant son after fight with mother
NOKOMIS, FL. - A 4-month-old baby boy in Nokomis has been run over by his father and killed in an early morning accident.
|
Fishing tournament kicks off Shark's Tooth Festival
SARASOTA COUNTY - The Shark's Tooth Festival is back again in Venice this weekend. Each year a special event kicks it off: the 8th annual Special Olympics Fishing Tournament.
|
Arrest made in murder of Venice Woman
SARASOTA COUNTY - A Venice man has been charged with murder and attempted murder. 29-year-old Justin Abercrombie is charged with the murder of 30-year-old Candace Hillock, who was shot and killed Monday.
|
Woman killed in early morning Venice shooting
VENICE - Police in Venice are looking for a suspect who shot two people early Monday morning.
|
Man sells deputies more than 1,000 pills
VENICE - Thousands of illegal prescription pills have been pulled off the street. The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office says they've arrested a South Venice man who they say is a large distributor in the area.
|
Video of armed pharmacy robber released
NORTH PORT - New video was released Thursday of a pharmacy robbery at gun point in North Port. It happened Wednesday in broad daylight. Now detectives are looking for your help in identifying the woman responsible.
|
Business at local airport taking off
PUNTA GORDA - Some air travelers on the Suncoast say they're getting some great deals with a lot of convenience too. It's all happening at an airport which didn't have a single flight just two years ago.
|
Plane crashes at Venice Municipal Airport
VENICE - A crash landing Friday afternoon at the Venice Airport left the plane upside down, but the pilot uninjured.
|
Toledo Blade officially reopens in North Port
NORTH PORT - Construction on a major roadway in North Port and Charlotte County is officially done. Friday, local leaders cut the ribbon on Toledo Blade Boulevard.
|
State budget cuts may be affecting local libraries
SARASOTA COUNTY - County libraries saw more than three million visitors last year. But those guests may soon have less to check out if the state decides to go ahead with plans to cut library aid all together.
|
North Port giddy for Google
NORTH PORT, FL - Another Suncoast community is getting giddy for Google. North Port city leaders say they also want a shot at becoming the test town for a high speed Internet network.
|
Students donate books to reading program
SARASOTA COUNTY - It was a case of students helping students. Tuesday, kindergartners at Laurel Nokomis School were giving away 500 books to a local after-school program.
|
Group looks to save circus arena
VENICE - City leaders are about to put the demolition of the old circus arena out for bid. But a group led by a former performer is trying to save the former winter quarters of the Ringling Brothers circus.
|
Chief Justice pays tribute to local volunteers
LAKEWOOD RANCH - More than 900 children on the Suncoast are in the custody of the state. Friday, Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Peggy Quince came to town to recognize those who stand up for those kids.
|
Pine View student passes away after two weeks in a coma
SARASOTA COUNTY - Heartbreak and sadness were filling the hallways and classrooms at Pine View school Wednesday, as students and staff learned 17-year-old Alton Yung died from injuries suffered about two weeks ago in a crash on I-75.
|
Sarasota woman arrested for trying to kill her own children, grandmother speaks
SARASOTA COUNTY - A Sarasota mother has been charged with trying to kill her two children back in February. Her mother is pleading for medical help, not jail time.
|
Governor requests Chinese drywall assessment from FEMA
VENICE - Last week, Governor Charlie Crist sent a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency requesting an assessment of tainted drywall in the state. Many living with it say they need emergency funds now.
|
Venice Airport runway reopens after repairs
VENICE - An airport runway that was closed for emergency repairs at the Venice Airport is now back open.
|
Acid bomber arrested after attack on dog
Updated:
Acid bombs. Local law enforcement officials say they're nothing new but they're once again popping up on the Suncoast. Three teenagers are facing felony charges after two blew up a mailbox and another threw one hitting a dog and his owner.
|
Investigation into possible mishandled 911 call in Punta Gorda
CHARLOTTE COUNTY - The Punta Gorda Police Chief says he has re-assigned his emergency call supervisor after she waited 14-minutes to send an ambulance for a 91-year-old woman in cardiac arrest.
|
3 legged dog needs a home
ENGLEWOOD - There's been an increase of pets being abandoned on the Suncoast, and it's partially because of the economy. The Suncoast Humane Society is now having a hard time adopting out the pets...especially one dog.
|
Mental health help in Venice
VENICE - It's making a big difference in a Suncoast community you don't often hear about: the Beacon House in Venice. It's helping people dealing with mental illnesses like Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression.
|
Fires flaring up in North Port
NORTH PORT - Red flag fire danger warnings have been issued for the Suncoast our area, and North Port officials say they're seeing the first signs of what could be a busy wildfire season. A fire has already threatened about a dozen homes there.
|
Otter attacks, injures 96-year-old man
VENICE - An otter was shot and killed Friday morning after mauling a 96-year-old Venice man and biting another. Both men are out of the hospital and recovering after the odd otter ordeal.
|
Suncoast company feeding baseball
SARASOTA COUNTY - A Suncoast catering company says they're proof baseball is creating jobs here at home. They're responsible for feeding more than 1,000 ball players, coaches, and staff for both the Orioles and the Rays.
|
Proposed eco-tourism attraction for North Port
SARASOTA COUNTY - A tree group is looking to build a nature center in North Port. Members say it could be the entrance to thousands of acres of set-aside green space. Some neighbors nearby have raised some concerns.
|
Group that stopped woman from drowning her children being hailed as heroes
CHARLOTTE COUNTY - The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office says there are four heroes credited with keeping a Sarasota woman from trying to drown her two children. Tuesday we got to meet one some of them.
|
7 South Newsroom Archives - 2010 Stories
| 7 South Newsroom Archives - 2009 Stories
|
7 South Newsroom Archives - 2008 Stories
| 7 South Newsroom Archives - 2007 Stories
|
