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Girl Swept Down Storm Drain Died | Kids Robbed At Gunpoint | 14-Vehicle Crash: Top Sarasota News 2025
Petito Netflix Documentary | Mother, 2 Kids Killed In Hit-And-Run | Grand Prix Canceled | Shooting Targeted Vacationers | 600-Pound Gator
SARASOTA, FL — With 2025 winding down, Sarasota Patch has compiled some of the top news stories from 2025, from a 72-year-old woman arrested in a hit-and-run crash that killed a mother and two children to a girl dying after being swept down a storm drain to a 14-vehicle crash involving a dump truck.
Woman, 72, Charged In Hit-And-Run That Killed 2 Kids: Sarasota Police
The suspect, who hit a family with her Lexus and drove away, was arrested weeks after the hit-and-run crash, Sarasota police said.
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FL Property With Liveable Lighthouse, Boat-Shaped House To Appear On HGTV
A Sarasota property with both a liveable boat-shaped house and a lighthouse is on the market — and it's appearing on HGTV.
Find out what's happening in Sarasotafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
KY Man Targeted FL Vacationers In Shooting, Kidnapping, Police Say
A KY man was charged with kidnapping and attempted murder after a shooting at a gathering of vacationers in Sarasota, SCSO said.
Brian Laundrie’s Parents Slam Netflix Gabby Petito Documentary
An attorney for Brian Laundrie's parents said a new Netflix documentary about Gabby Petito's death has "many inaccuracies," a report said.
Man Robbed Two Children At Gunpoint: North Port Police
A Bradenton man traveled to North Port to rob two children he met online at gunpoint, police said.
14-Vehicle Crash Involving Dump Truck Injures 2 In Sarasota Area: FL Troopers
A dump truck hit 13 vehicles stopped for a red light on Fruitville Road, Florida Highway Patrol said.
Champagne Bar With $150 Minimum Tab Sets Opening Date In Sarasota
A new champagne bar with a $150 minimum tab for those who make reservations for indoor seating opened in March.
1 Killed, 2 Injured In Sarasota County Crash: FL Highway Patrol
One woman was killed and two people injured, one critically, in a southern Sarasota County Crash, FL Highway Patrol said.
Girl Dies Days After Being Swept Down Storm Drain: Family
A girl playing in her Sarasota neighborhood and was swept down a storm drain during a water main break has died days later, her family said.
14-Foot, 600-Pound Gator Wrangled By FL Deputies
It took eight people, including seven deputies, to wrangle a 14-foot-long, 600-pound gator in Sarasota County.
Man Shot Wife At Sarasota Home: Sheriff
A woman was treated at Sarasota Memorial Hospital after being shot by her husband, the sheriff's office said.
Gators Prevented FL Rescue Crew From Saving Man After Truck Plunged Into Canal: Police
With 2 large gators nearby, rescue swimmers were unable to reach a man trapped in a truck after it plunged into a Venice canal, police said.
FL Honors Student, 22, Detained By ICE, Faces Deportation To Mexico
Maria "Lulu" Martinez's family is calling for the Sarasota County honor student's release by ICE as she faces deportation, reports said.
Ice Cream Shop In FL Tourist Area Reopens Nearly A Year After Hurricane Milton
A popular Sarasota ice cream and candy shop reopened in St. Armands Circle in September after being damaged in Hurricane Milton.
GA Inmate Scammed Sarasota Woman Of $12K: U.S. DOJ
A GA inmate who was part of a jury duty scam received pre-paid phones in prison via drone, the U.S. Department of Justice said.
Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix 2025 Races Canceled: Reports
Powerboat P1, the organizers behind the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix, are hopeful it will return to the area in 2026, reports said.
The Florida couple told the boy they were either going to travel to Idaho or Guam before abandoning him on I-75, media reports say.
Man Who Saved Girl From FL Shark Attack Detained By ICE, Faces Deportation: Reports
A man who rescued a girl from a Boca Grande shark attack is being held by ICE for not having a driver's license, reports said.Livestream Of Racially Motivated Attack Planned By FL Man: DOJ
A 20-year-old Sarasota man planning a racially motivated attack was arrested on gun and child porn charges, federal officials said.
Couple Engaged In Sexual Acts Near Kids Aboard FL-Bound Flight, Report Says
The couple was arrested after the children and their mother reported the suspected sexual acts on a plane headed to FL, a media report says.
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