The Sarasota County School Board and Superintendent Todd Bowden have reached a mutual separation agreement that if approved by the board will result in Bowden’s tenure ending on December 31.
"I am speechless and I usually talk nonstop," said Donna McGarry. That was her response when ABC 7 and Gettel Automotive surprised her classroom with $500.
As more and more people move into this area, neighbors said they now consider this intersection deadly. Thursday morning, there was another crash there where a semi truck flipped over.
The day after a blistering special meeting of the Sarasota County School Board, Superintendent Dr. Todd Bowden came to ABC7 to share his perspective as he awaits a decision by the board on what, if any, disciplinary action he should face over his handling of sexual harassment allegations.
At a special meeting of the School Board on Tuesday, board members voted to give superintendent Dr. Todd Bowden 30-day notice before a December 10th meeting where they will decide if any disciplinary action, including a reprimand, suspension or termination, will be taken against him.
The report found Superintendent Dr. Todd Bowden “did not take prompt or appropriate steps to investigate Bonner’s claims” of sexual harassment, a hostile work environment, retaliation and threatening behavior.
Volunteers teach Manatee County residents from 38 different countries to read and write through two programs that offer free, weekly one-on-one tutoring at the office for the Manatee Literacy Council on Cortez Road in Bradenton.
Six months ago, county commissioners asked the county's attorney's office to research possible options for an ordinance that would restrict the retail sales of puppies and kittens.
Their neighborhood is right behind the gun range, about 0.2 miles away. The owner of the range said his building is soundproof and beyond code compliant, but from the neighborhood, gunfire can be heard from off in the distance.
Sproat Workplace Investigations was hired by the School Board in June, examining the claims that a district employee Bonner was being sexually harassed by her boss, Assistant Superintendent Jeff Maultsby.
A school board member tells ABC7 that the district’s COO and assistant superintendent Jeffrey Maultsby turned in his resignation to Superintendent Dr. Todd Bowden on Monday, who accepted the resignation.
The Sarasota County School District has notified its chief operating officer that his contract will be terminated after a months-long investigation into sexual harassment allegations was finalized.
It’s common knowledge to be careful of scams, but many don’t realize the risk they take when connecting to public WiFi networks in places like coffee shops and the airport.
Staff at the Sarasota Memorial Hospital’s Trauma Center said falls are among the most common injury, second only to injuries from car crashes. Doctors see about 4,000 injured patients at the Trauma Center per year and about 60 percent of them involve falls.
A third party was hired by the Sarasota County School Board to investigate the claims made by Cheraina Bonner against her boss, COO and assistant superintendent, Jeffrey Maultsby.
The Senior Friendship Center has multiple locations in Sarasota County, and each has its own caregiving services. There are dozens of resources that they can connect you with for support, as well as an adult daycare to give caregivers a break when they need it.
The Sarasota County School Board hired a third party back in June to investigate the claims made by Jeffrey Maultsby’s then-assistant, Cheraina Bonner.
School is back in session and so is the ABC 7 and Gettel Automotive surprise squad. Each month, we recognize a teacher who has gone above and beyond to make a difference in the lives of their students.
In August 2018, Manatee County contracted with the Mellgren Planning Group to draft this proposal. The 137-page ‘Parrish Village Neighborhood Action Plan’ lists three primary goals: economic/business development, placemaking, and infrastructure improvements.
Tuesday afternoon, thousands of people came from near and far to pay their respects for 80-year-old Edward Pearson at Sarasota National Cemetery. He was a Naples man who died on August 31 without any family, but Tuesday, that changed.
Lillian Parks, 87, is accused of killing 30-year-old Joel Parks. Bradenton Police said the man’s sister discovered his body Sunday afternoon at the Carlton Arms apartments.
There’s been a substantial increase in overdoses on the Suncoast this year. The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office said it has seen 494 overdoses and 57 deaths in 2019, so far.
Focusing on the numbers from the summer alone, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office said there’s been a big spike in overdoses compared to last summer. From June to August of 2019, there were 26 overdoses where six people died. Last summer, there were only 13 overdoses with no deaths.
Troopers say around 8pm, as three vehicles heading eastbound were turning left onto Lockwood Ridge Road, 34-year-old David Buncik of Sarasota, who was driving westbound, ran a red light, hitting all three vehicles.
Sarasota will be transitioning to a new bid solicitation program that will help improve the procurement for the ‘Purchasing Division’ and any vendors who do business with the City.
Next, the Commission talked about marijuana. They voted unanimously to approve a new Cannabis Civil Citation Ordinance. This decriminalizes marijuana in the City of Sarasota, turning it instead to a civil matter.
Opponents accuse the Commission of wanting to redistrict for political reasons, but County Commissioners insist the purpose is to even out the population among districts.
Changes have been made to the initial proposal to include a better noise barrier between the new homes and the farm. That plan will be presented to the council.
A non-profit organization in Newtown is on a mission to empower people in crisis and a community that continually struggles with crime, drugs, domestic violence and unemployment.
This year, we wanted to do more to help teachers on the Suncoast. On Friday, August 2, all six Gettel locations opened their doors to the community. ABC7 was there as donations poured in and many teachers, past and present, stopped by to give their thanks.
The day after ABC7 told you that a business owner has lost at least $50,000 in business due to construction, the City of Sarasota kept their promise to construct a new entrance for Zsolt Lele’s business.
Construction workers are putting the finishing touches on Parrish Community High School on Erie Road as teachers and staff are waiting anxiously for 7:30 a.m. Monday morning.
State Senator Joe Gruters and Representative Cord Byrd announced Thursday that they'll be embarking on a listening tour across seven cities in three days.
Every month during the school year, ABC7 honors an educator in Sarasota County and Manatee County as the “Chalkboard Champion" and now you can get involved!
In Manatee County, an 18 piece Florida Highwaymen art exhibit at the Palmetto Historical Park and Manatee County Agricultural Museum will run through the end of August.
More than 1,200 people came out to Wednesday night’s community meeting at the YMCA at Potter Park, scrambling to save this Y and the one on South Euclid Avenue.
