Sarasota
CRIME & SAFETY
Sarasota Caught in the Middle of a Ziegler vs. Media Tug-of-War
Media companies believe the public deserves to know the details of the investigation; the Zieglers disagree. Host: The Sarasota Police Department led the criminal investigation of alleged rape against former Florida Republican Party Chair Christian Ziegler. All charges were dropped in early March, but the case continues to be politically explosive because the digital evidence police detectives collected is still sitting in police computers. Now, the City of Sarasota is in a legally delicate place, torn between two lawsuits trying to achieve diametrically opposed outcomes.
Bradenton Police investigating double shooting
BRADENTON, Fla. (WWSB) - Bradenton Police are investigating a double shooting that occurred shortly after midnight at a bar in the 400 block of 12th St. W. Two victims were taken to the hospital for treatment. The victims did not shoot each other and there is no reason to believe the public is in any danger.
‘I thought he was going to kill me:’ Ashley Benefield takes stand in murder trial
SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - Ashley Benefield took the stand in her own murder trial Friday. She testified in her own defense, trying to convince the jury that she had no choice but to shoot her husband, Doug, because she feared for her life. Ashley described their “rollercoaster relationship” from the...
Loud argument over commitment issues causes hotel disturbance
4:35 p.m., 1500 block of Benjamin Franklin Boulevard. Disturbance: Pool floats were snatched from children by adults who claimed ownership of them at a hotel swimming pool. An officer met with a complainant who stated that she was watching her children at the pool when an unknown group of subjects approached and requested the floats because they owned them.
Bradenton Man Sentenced To 30 Years For Drug Trafficking Conspiracy
U.S. District Judge William Jung sentenced Pierre C. Marc, a 37-year-old resident of Bradenton, to 30 years in federal prison for his role in a major drug distribution operation in the Middle District of Florida. Marc was found guilty by a jury on April 9, 2024, of conspiracy to distribute...
Shuttered Sarasota window and door company faces complaints, investigations
The abrupt July closure of a Sarasota window and door business has led to dozens of complaints from customers claiming they are out thousands of dollars and multiple law enforcement investigations. Allegations against the company, Sash & Sill, and its owner, Todd Hoch, include:. Multiple customers contend they put down...
Florida murder suspect captured in Alabama after being spotted at restaurant
A suspect wanted for murder in Florida was captured Wednesday in Alabama after he was spotted at an Autauga County restaurant, authorities said. The suspect, who was not publicly identified, was wanted for murder out of Manatee County, Florida. The suspect was at Daisy’s in Autaugaville when they were taken...
Brian Battie ‘determined to make a full recovery,’ graduate from Auburn, family says
Auburn running back Brian Battie has his sights on making a full recovery and eventually graduating from Auburn despite being critically injured during a May shooting in his hometown of Sarasota, Florida, his family wrote in an update to their GoFundMe campaign on Friday. "Despite facing challenges that would make...
Bradenton salon owner adds domestic violence awareness to summer camp for teens after deadly shooting spree
BRADENTON, Fla. - Cosmetologist Sequoya Brown taught teens how to install wigs on Wednesday at a Bradenton salon. Her class was one of several at Yamies Divine Beauty Bar this week that’s part of owner Kathleen Moore’s summer camp. "My idea was to have intro classes so they...
Bradenton suspends officer involved in fatal Taser incident with Palmetto police
Bradenton Police administrators have concluded an internal investigation into Officer Julian Jackson’s involvement in the detaining death of Breonte Johnson-Davis last November resulting in Jackson's brief suspension from duty and a probation period of six months. Findings in the 170-page investigation determined that Jackson’s assistance with the Palmetto police officers' detaining and the...
GOP candidate running against Rep. James Buchanan reports sign vandalism in North Port
Michelle Pozzie, a Republican candidate for state House District 74, reported vandalism of her political sign in North Port on Monday. The sign was spray-painted blue with a racial slur and a phallic symbol, according to a North Port Police report. Officers responded to the corner of North Cranberry Boulevard and West...
Chief's Corner: Melanie Bevan, BPD
The Bradenton Police Department is accepting applications for its 7th Annual Florida Contraband Forfeiture Grant Program. The program provides financial support to neighborhood agencies and organizations engaged in projects to improve neighborhood safety, promote crime or drug prevention, offer drug education or drug treatment services, and support school resource programs.
Lightning strike ignites large shed in Palmetto
PALMETTO, Fla. (WWSB) - A lightning strike ignited a large shed in Palmetto on Thursday night. North River Fire District responded and said the fire was under control within five minutes of their arrival. No one was home at the time of the fire. Officials want to remind the public...
Longboat PD chief attributes increased calls to full staff and training
A fully staffed department and continuous training allowed the Longboat Key Police Department to stay on top of this year’s busy season, which led to increases in total service calls, traffic warnings and misdemeanor arrests, said Chief of Police George Turner. From fiscal year 2023 to fiscal year 2024...
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