Latest News

A Venice retirement center has a new owner. The Herald-Tribune reports a subsidiary of Fortress Investment Group has bought Venetian Gardens for $21.5. million. This marks the New York company's fourth purchase in Southwest Florida in... Read More.

A much improved Blackburn Point Park officially opens Thursday..... http://blogaudio.virtualnewscenter.com/WENG-042815-Jennings-Blackburn Point VO.mp3 Sarasota County invested over $4-million in the park and the Herald-Tribune reports some area residents have given it the once over and... Read More.

Blackburn Point Park opens with some improvements Thursday, including $4-million plus worth of parking, boardwalks, ramps, and picnic areas. The Herald-Tribune reports Sarasota County bought the land for about $16-million 9 years ago,... Read More.

Deputies have stationed themselves for speeders this week in Charlotte County. They most strictly enforce the speed limit along two streches of road: All of Taylor Road in Punta Gorda Veterans Boulevard in Port Charlotte between Highway... Read More.

Thursday ends the 90-day appeal period on FEMA's proposed flood risk maps for Sarasota County, and some experts want changes.... http://blogaudio.virtualnewscenter.com/WENG-042715-Jennings-Sarasota Flood Risk Maps VO.mp3 County and city officials say there are too many properties on... Read More.

An ex-medical office assistant's been arrested by Sarasota County Sheriff's deputies for allegedly taking a shortcut to pain medication prescriptions. Deputies say 38-year old Heather Zawacki was done in by an Englewood... Read More.

Authorities say that crews have a handle on a brush fire burning in Charlotte County. NBC2 reports the blaze has scorched 15 acres and is 95% contained. The fire was reported a... Read More.

Deputies continue looking for a young Port Charlotte lady who disappeared from school Tuesday. The sheriff's office says relatives last saw 16-year-old Ashley Warner get on the school bus that morning. She apparently left Port Charlotte... Read More.

Myakka River State Park, home of wildflowers, birds, 'gators, and cows???? http://blogaudio.virtualnewscenter.com/WENG-042415-Jennings-Myakka Grazing VO.mp3 Florida DEP's been very quietly considering a proposal to lease 6630 acres of the 37,000 plus acre Park for grazing by domesticated... Read More.

Florida DEP's been very quietly considering the idea of leasing 6630 of the Myakka River State Park's almost 38,000 acres for grazing by domesticated livestock. According to the Herald-Tribune, the idea may getting... Read More.