MANATEE COUNTY

An Amber alert activated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for 7-year-old Ashley Ordaz was canceled Saturday night after the girl was found safe, according to FDLE and the Palmetto Police Department.

The city of Bradenton could find itself in the same seat as other local governments that have been accused of breaking federal law with repeated sewage spills.

The Orange County sheriff and detectives from the violent crimes unit will be holding a news conference Friday morning.

A manatee is in SeaWorld Orlando's care after it nearly drowned in Manatee County after eating seagrass contaminated with toxic red tide. Fortunately, people were there to help get results and save the sea cow.

Gov. DeSantis faces a political predicament amid efforts to re-create the Texas abortion law in Florida.

Officials say a man walked into a Florida sheriff’s office and confessed to killing a woman a decade ago because he “found Jehovah and couldn’t live with the guilt anymore."

MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — A 19-year-old was killed by a lightning strike Tuesday, according to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. The United States now has 9 known #lightning fatalities this year after a lifeguard was killed and 7 others injured on a #NJwx beach last night. It's almost the end of lightning season, but it's important to pay attention to the skies whenever you're outside! #LightningSafety pic.twitter.com/Qe2x0VexpA — Lightning Safety Council (@LtgSafeCouncil) August 31, 2021The man was pronounced dead at the scene. It was the tenth known lightning death in the United States this year, and the third in Florida according to the Lightning Safety Council.

Religious organizations pay no property taxes and no taxes on investments, robbing the public treasury of colossal revenue.

Environmental groups claim in a lawsuit that efforts to clean up a leaky Florida reservoir that dumped tens of millions of gallons of potentially hazardous gypsum wastewater into Tampa Bay must be overseen by a federal judge to guard against continued mismanagement.

A Florida county has shuttered its main administration building after several employees contracted COVID-19 and two people died.

A sixth person in contact with those who were infected was vaccinated and did not contract the virus, a county official told the Bradenton Herald.

Florida’s Department of Health on Monday announced 1,606 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 — the lowest single-day case count recorded since October. The state also announced 28 new deaths. Of those who died, 27 were residents.

Environmentalists are worried that a recent discharge of wastewater into Tampa Bay could exacerbate a new outbreak of the dreaded red tide algal blooms.

The state expects to put more than $115 million toward closing the site of a former phosphate plant where a reservoir leak set off a wastewater crisis in Manatee County.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will hold a news conference in Manatee County to provide an update on wastewater discharges from the old Piney Point fertilizer plant.

Officials are still working to avoid a structural collapse of the former phosphate mining facility.

A Florida state agency says dam safety experts consider the risk of a possible second breach in a leaking wastewater reservoir to be “unsubstantiated.”.

A mandatory evacuation order near a leaking Florida wastewater reservoir that affected more than 300 homes and additional businesses has been lifted.

A mandatory evacuation order near a leaking Florida wastewater reservoir that affected more than 300 homes and additional businesses has been lifted.

County commissioners have extended the local state of emergency as the situation remains "dynamic."

Water from the breached wastewater pond was tested on Monday, and officials said that it is not radioactive. They have not yet released the water analysis report.

If the reservoir were to collapse, officials said there could be a "20-foot wall of water" within "minutes."

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says crews are working to prevent the collapse of a large wastewater pond to avoid a “catastrophic flood."

Florida Gov_ Ron DeSantis says crews are working to prevent the collapse of a large wastewater pond to avoid a “catastrophic flood."

Florida's governor has declared a state of emergency after a significant leak at a large storage pond of wastewater threatened to flood roads and burst a system that stores polluted waters.

The reservoir has been leaking for more than 10 days, and a representative for the company who owns the property has said that they have been working around the clock to prevent a "true catastrophe."

MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. – When Nicholas Lynch went fishing Tuesday off the coast of St. Petersburg, he thought he might come home with some grouper and snapper. He did, however, he also came home with a rare once-in-a-lifetime story with video to share. “I was like, ‘Guys I think it’s a whale,’ and they were like ‘What, a whale?’” he said. Today, humpback whales can be found in all major oceans feeding on krill and small fish. Experts say it’s rare for the whales to swim into the northern waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

In Manatee County, Florida, this week, thousands of people got called to come to the affluent Lakewood Ranch development and get a coronavirus vaccine. Their doses came through a deal struck by Florida's Republican Governor Ron DeSantis and the CEO of Lakewood Ranch's parent company, owned by major Republican donors. "So rather than this randomized pool where everybody gets a fair shake, these two zip codes were going to receive preferential treatment," she said. The zip codes are two of the county's wealthiest and whitest, and they're in the bottom half of COVID-19 rates countywide. Governor DeSantis."

In Manatee County, Florida, this week, thousands of people got called to come to the affluent Lakewood Ranch development and get a coronavirus vaccine. Their doses came through a deal struck by Florida's Republican Governor Ron DeSantis and the CEO of Lakewood Ranch's parent company, owned by major Republican donors. "So rather than this randomized pool where everybody gets a fair shake, these two zip codes were going to receive preferential treatment," she said. The zip codes are two of the county's wealthiest and whitest, and they're in the bottom half of COVID-19 rates countywide. Governor DeSantis."

Ron DeSantis said Florida will get previously delayed shipments of coronavirus vaccine before the weekend. Florida’s Division of Emergency Management confirmed Tuesday that weather conditions across the U.S. are also impacting the state’s shipment of Moderna vaccine. Typically, the state receives its shipments of Moderna on Tuesday or Wednesday, but 200,000 doses have yet made their way to Florida. As the state makes plans to quickly distribute the 209,000 doses of the delayed vaccine, DeSantis said Florida can only plan to receive them and not necessarily how they make it to the state. “We are going to get the Moderna but it is not here when it would normally be here,” he said.

This brush truck belonging to the Bayshore Fire Rescue was found about 80 miles away in Manatee County. NORTH FORT MYERS, Fla. – A firetruck was stolen from a Florida fire station while the crew was responding to a call Sunday. The Bayshore Fire Rescue department returned from the call to find a brush truck was missing. Several people posted sightings of the truck, which was eventually found about 80 miles away in Manatee County. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”The truck wasn’t damaged.

MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. – A woman faces multiple charges after she slammed a stolen car into a Manatee County deputy, according to the sheriff. The sheriff’s aviation unit managed to find the car again, parked near a car stereo business near South Bradenton and deputies moved in to make an arrest. A deputy in an unmarked cruiser blocked the stolen car and Vanfossen put the vehicle into reverse, backing away from the deputy, according to the sheriff’s office. The deputy then got out of her car and gave commands to Vanfossen, according to investigators, but the driver hit the gas, slamming into the deputy and her cruiser. Records show Vanfossen then got out of the stolen car and was quickly arrested.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – Seminole County’s Supervisor of Elections Chris Anderson said they have systems in place to catch voter fraud. News 6 asked Anderson specifically about what checks happen if someone tries to vote for a deceased relative. But if they were to receive a fraudulent ballot, Anderson said, there’s only one check point in place -- the signature check. “Oh, very confident, like I said, it is not easy to forge someone’s signature, folks, it’s going to catch it, it will catch it,” Anderson said. Anderson also said that supervisor of elections are constantly looking at their processes to make sure all of the proper checks are in place.

MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. – A Florida man who requested a mail-in ballot for his wife who died in 2018 said he just "wanted to test the system,” according to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. A search was conducted that showed the woman’s address was the same as her husband’s, Larry Wiggins, and he, too, had requested a mail-in ballot and the signature on his form matched the signature on his late wife’s form, according to authorities. [TRENDING: DeSantis to lift restaurant limits in Fla. | Here’s how to track your mail-in ballot | How can I tell difference between flu and COVID-19?] Deputies said they went to Wiggins' home in Sarasota and Wiggins said he had seen recent reports on TV about voter fraud with mail-in ballots and he “wanted to test the system.”Records show Wiggins admitted to filling out the mail-in ballot request form for his wife. “I heard so much about ballots being sent in and people just having found them in different places,” Wiggins told the TV station.

In less than a week the coronavirus has now been detected in five Florida counties, with six confirmed cases in the state and two deaths. As of Friday, cases of the virus have been confirmed in Manatee County, Hillsborough County, Lee County, Broward County and Santa Rosa County. Since then the virus has been detected in three other counties, the latest two cases being in Broward County. On Friday Doctors Hospital of Sarasota discharged one of the first coronavirus cases in Florida. The five counties with coronavirus cases encompass a broad swath of the state that extends from the Panhandle down to Tampa Bay and Southwest Florida, and over to heavily populated South Florida.

In less than a week the coronavirus has now been detected in five Florida counties, with six confirmed cases in the state and two deaths. As of Friday, cases of the virus have been confirmed in Manatee County, Hillsborough County, Lee County, Broward County and Santa Rosa County. Since then the virus has been detected in three other counties, the latest two cases being in Broward County. On Friday Doctors Hospital of Sarasota discharged one of the first coronavirus cases in Florida. The five counties with coronavirus cases encompass a broad swath of the state that extends from the Panhandle down to Tampa Bay and Southwest Florida, and over to heavily populated South Florida.

In less than a week the coronavirus has now been detected in five Florida counties, with six confirmed cases in the state and two deaths. As of Friday, cases of the virus have been confirmed in Manatee County, Hillsborough County, Lee County, Broward County and Santa Rosa County. Since then the virus has been detected in three other counties, the latest two cases being in Broward County. On Friday Doctors Hospital of Sarasota discharged one of the first coronavirus cases in Florida. The five counties with coronavirus cases encompass a broad swath of the state that extends from the Panhandle down to Tampa Bay and Southwest Florida, and over to heavily populated South Florida.

In less than a week the coronavirus has now been detected in five Florida counties, with six confirmed cases in the state and two deaths. As of Friday, cases of the virus have been confirmed in Manatee County, Hillsborough County, Lee County, Broward County and Santa Rosa County. Since then the virus has been detected in three other counties, the latest two cases being in Broward County. On Friday Doctors Hospital of Sarasota discharged one of the first coronavirus cases in Florida. The five counties with coronavirus cases encompass a broad swath of the state that extends from the Panhandle down to Tampa Bay and Southwest Florida, and over to heavily populated South Florida.

In less than a week the coronavirus has now been detected in five Florida counties, with six confirmed cases in the state and two deaths. As of Friday, cases of the virus have been confirmed in Manatee County, Hillsborough County, Lee County, Broward County and Santa Rosa County. They are a Manatee County man in his 60s and a Hillsborough County woman in her 20s. Since then the virus has been detected in three other counties, the latest two cases being in Broward County. On Friday Doctors Hospital of Sarasota discharged one of the first coronavirus cases in Florida.

In less than a week the coronavirus has now been detected in five Florida counties, with six confirmed cases in the state and two deaths. As of Friday, cases of the virus have been confirmed in Manatee County, Hillsborough County, Lee County, Broward County and Santa Rosa County. They are a Manatee County man in his 60s and a Hillsborough County woman in her 20s. Since then the virus has been detected in three other counties, the latest two cases being in Broward County. On Friday Doctors Hospital of Sarasota discharged one of the first coronavirus cases in Florida.

In less than a week the coronavirus has now been detected in five Florida counties, with six confirmed cases in the state and two deaths. As of Friday, cases of the virus have been confirmed in Manatee County, Hillsborough County, Lee County, Broward County and Santa Rosa County. They are a Manatee County man in his 60s and a Hillsborough County woman in her 20s. Since then the virus has been detected in three other counties, the latest two cases being in Broward County. On Friday Doctors Hospital of Sarasota discharged one of the first coronavirus cases in Florida.

In less than a week the coronavirus has now been detected in five Florida counties, with six confirmed cases in the state and two deaths. As of Friday, cases of the virus have been confirmed in Manatee County, Hillsborough County, Lee County, Broward County and Santa Rosa County. They are a Manatee County man in his 60s and a Hillsborough County woman in her 20s. On Friday Doctors Hospital of Sarasota discharged one of the first coronavirus cases in Florida. The five counties with coronavirus cases encompass a broad swath of the state that extends from the Panhandle down to Tampa Bay and Southwest Florida, and over to heavily populated South Florida.

In less than a week the coronavirus has now been detected in five Florida counties, with six confirmed cases in the state and two deaths. As of Friday, cases of the virus have been confirmed in Manatee County, Hillsborough County, Lee County, Broward County and Santa Rosa County. They are a Manatee County man in his 60s and a Hillsborough County woman in her 20s. On Friday Doctors Hospital of Sarasota discharged one of the first coronavirus cases in Florida. The five counties with coronavirus cases encompass a broad swath of the state that extends from the Panhandle down to Tampa Bay and Southwest Florida, and over to heavily populated South Florida.

The two deaths confirmed Friday are a 72-year-old Santa Rosa County man and a Lee County woman in her 70s. As of Saturday, cases of the virus had been confirmed in Manatee County (2), Charlotte County, Volusia County, Okaloosa County, Hillsborough County (2), Lee County (2), Broward County (2) and Santa Rosa County. The DOH also announced a second Lee County case, the second Manatee County case, a Charlotte County case of a woman in her 50s, a Volusia County case of a 66-year-old woman and an Okaloosa County case of a 61-year-old woman Saturday. The Lee County woman with coronavirus who died was treated at Gulf Coast Medical Center in Fort Myers. The other coronavirus case in Florida is a sister of the Hillsborough County woman.

She is the sister of one of the first two cases identified in Florida, a Hillsborough County woman who traveled to ItalyTALLAHASSEE Gov. The Florida Department of Health said Sunday that Floridas first two coronavirus cases are a Manatee County man in his 60s and a Hillsborough County woman in her 20s who traveled to Italy. "Shes been in isolation since this all was identified," DeSantis said. Because of the highly infectious nature of unique coronavirus, a roommate of the Hillsborough County woman also is in isolation, the governor said. He and the Hillsborough woman are reported in stable condition and being kept in isolation until they are medically clear.

She is the sister of one of the first two cases identified in Florida, a Hillsborough County woman who traveled to ItalyTALLAHASSEE Gov. The Florida Department of Health said Sunday that Floridas first two coronavirus cases are a Manatee County man in his 60s and a Hillsborough County woman in her 20s who traveled to Italy. "Shes been in isolation since this all was identified," DeSantis said. Because of the highly infectious nature of unique coronavirus, a roommate of the Hillsborough County woman also is in isolation, the governor said. He and the Hillsborough woman are reported in stable condition and being kept in isolation until they are medically clear.

She is the sister of one of the first two cases identified in Florida, a Hillsborough County woman who traveled to ItalyTALLAHASSEE Gov. The Florida Department of Health said Sunday that Floridas first two coronavirus cases are a Manatee County man in his 60s and a Hillsborough County woman in her 20s who traveled to Italy. "Shes been in isolation since this all was identified," DeSantis said. Because of the highly infectious nature of unique coronavirus, a roommate of the Hillsborough County woman also is in isolation, the governor said. He and the Hillsborough woman are reported in stable condition and being kept in isolation until they are medically clear.

A Manatee County resident is one of two individuals to test presumptively positive for COVID-19SARASOTA Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a public health emergency Sunday after two Florida residents one from Manatee County and another from Hillsborough County tested presumptively positive for coronavirus. A couple of Sarasota Memorial Hospital doctors told the hospitals administration that they received the letter from Doctors Hospital about the coronavirus case, but the Herald-Tribune was unable to confirm the letters authenticity directly with anyone at Doctors Hospital Sunday. Upon recognizing that the patient was a potential coronavirus case, Doctors Hospital immediately activated its protocols, which included immediate isolation, the letter states. DeSantis said in his executive order declaring a public health emergency that the Florida Department of Health will lead the response.

A Manatee County resident is one of two individuals to test presumptively positive for COVID-19SARASOTA Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a public health emergency Sunday after two Florida residents one from Manatee County and another from Hillsborough County tested presumptively positive for coronavirus. A couple of Sarasota Memorial Hospital doctors told the hospitals administration that they received the letter from Doctors Hospital about the coronavirus case, but the Herald-Tribune was unable to confirm the letters authenticity directly with anyone at Doctors Hospital Sunday. Upon recognizing that the patient was a potential coronavirus case, Doctors Hospital immediately activated its protocols, which included immediate isolation, the letter states. DeSantis said in his executive order declaring a public health emergency that the Florida Department of Health will lead the response.

A Manatee County resident is one of two individuals to test presumptively positive for COVID-19SARASOTA Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a public health emergency Sunday after two Florida residents one from Manatee County and another from Hillsborough County tested presumptively positive for coronavirus. A couple of Sarasota Memorial Hospital doctors told the hospitals administration that they received the letter from Doctors Hospital about the coronavirus case, but the Herald-Tribune was unable to confirm the letters authenticity directly with anyone at Doctors Hospital Sunday. Upon recognizing that the patient was a potential coronavirus case, Doctors Hospital immediately activated its protocols, which included immediate isolation, the letter states. DeSantis said in his executive order declaring a public health emergency that the Florida Department of Health will lead the response.

Ron DeSantis declared a public health emergency Sunday after two Florida residents one from Manatee County and another from Hillsborough County tested presumptively positive for coronavirus. Ron DeSantis declared a public health emergency Sunday after two Florida residents one from Manatee County and another from Hillsborough County tested presumptively positive for coronavirus. The Florida Department of Health said in a press release that Both individuals remain in isolation at this time.Despite these cases in Florida, the overall immediate threat to the public remains low, the release adds. A couple of Sarasota Memorial Hospital doctors told the hospitals administration that they received the letter from Doctors Hospital about the coronavirus case, but the Herald-Tribune was unable to confirm the letters authenticity directly with anyone at Doctors Hospital Sunday. DeSantis said in his executive order declaring a public health emergency that the Florida Department of Health will lead the response.

Ron DeSantis declared a public health emergency Sunday after two Florida residents one from Manatee County and another from Hillsborough County tested presumptively positive for coronavirus. Ron DeSantis declared a public health emergency Sunday after two Florida residents one from Manatee County and another from Hillsborough County tested presumptively positive for coronavirus. The Florida Department of Health said in a press release that Both individuals remain in isolation at this time.Despite these cases in Florida, the overall immediate threat to the public remains low, the release adds. A couple of Sarasota Memorial Hospital doctors told the hospitals administration that they received the letter from Doctors Hospital about the coronavirus case, but the Herald-Tribune was unable to confirm the letters authenticity directly with anyone at Doctors Hospital Sunday. DeSantis said in his executive order declaring a public health emergency that the Florida Department of Health will lead the response.

The Florida Highway Patrol and other law enforcement agencies are honoring the man killed in the line of duty with a funeral in Manatee County and burial in Sarasota National Cemetery. The Florida Highway Patrol is honoring the life and career of Trooper Joseph Bullock, who was killed this month in the line of duty. A funeral is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Bayside Community Church, 15800 State Road 64, Bradenton. A Committal Service will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Sarasota National Cemetery, 9810 State Road 72, Sarasota. Joseph Bullock funeral - Curated tweets by AlanCShawThis story originally published to heraldtribune.com, and was shared to other Florida newspapers in the new Gannett Media network.

The Florida Highway Patrol and other law enforcement agencies are honoring the man killed in the line of duty with a funeral in Manatee County and burial in Sarasota National Cemetery. The Florida Highway Patrol is honoring the life and career of Trooper Joseph Bullock, who was killed this month in the line of duty. A funeral is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Bayside Community Church, 15800 State Road 64, Bradenton. A Committal Service will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Sarasota National Cemetery, 9810 State Road 72, Sarasota. Joseph Bullock funeral - Curated tweets by AlanCShawThis story originally published to heraldtribune.com, and was shared to other Florida newspapers in the new Gannett Media network.

The Florida Highway Patrol and other law enforcement agencies are honoring the man killed in the line of duty with a funeral in Manatee County and burial in Sarasota National Cemetery. The Florida Highway Patrol is honoring the life and career of Trooper Joseph Bullock, who was killed this month in the line of duty. A funeral is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Bayside Community Church, 15800 State Road 64, Bradenton. A Committal Service will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Sarasota National Cemetery, 9810 State Road 72, Sarasota. Joseph Bullock funeral - Curated tweets by AlanCShawThis story originally published to heraldtribune.com, and was shared to other Florida newspapers in the new Gannett Media network.

Only Gainesville Republican Ted Yoho who is not running for reelection voted against the trade deal, which is one of President Donald Trumps top priorities. As USMCA heads toward likely approval in the Senate and Trumps signature, Florida farmers are continuing to raise concerns about the agreement. Bipartisan criticismThe lack of protection for Florida farmers in the USMCA has led both Republicans and Democrats to criticize the deal. That means he is not impacted as much by Mexican imports because one of the biggest advantages Mexican producers have is cheaper labor. But Jones shares his fellow Florida farmers disdain for NAFTA, and their concerns that USMCA will not be an improvement.

As USMCA heads toward likely approval in the Senate and Trumps signature, Florida farmers are continuing to raise concerns about the agreement. Florida farmers compete with their Mexican counterparts to supply the U.S. with fresh fruits and vegetables in the winter months. But Jones shares his fellow Florida farmers disdain for NAFTA, and their concerns that USMCA will not be an improvement. But even if Florida farmers lose out, Jones said USMCA is still "a step in the right direction." U.S. Sen. Rick Scotts office said the senator has pressed Trumps trade negotiator on the concerns raised by Florida farmers.

As USMCA heads toward likely approval in the Senate and Trumps signature, Florida farmers are continuing to raise concerns about the agreement. Florida farmers compete with their Mexican counterparts to supply the U.S. with fresh fruits and vegetables in the winter months. But Jones shares his fellow Florida farmers disdain for NAFTA, and their concerns that USMCA will not be an improvement. But even if Florida farmers lose out, Jones said USMCA is still "a step in the right direction." U.S. Sen. Rick Scotts office said the senator has pressed Trumps trade negotiator on the concerns raised by Florida farmers.

click to enlarge Photo via Adobe StockThe night before Christmas was certainly stirring for one Manatee County resident awakened by a toe-sucking burglar.The Manatee County Sheriffs Office says a man awoke Christmas Eve to a man sucking his toes. According to the incident report, when the victim asked the assailant what he was doing, the alleged culprit said he "was there to suck toes," reports WKMG News 6 We atare the last to kink shame. You wanna suck a toe? Suck a toe! Outside, the victim told deputies, the perpetrator said he had a gun and attempted to fondle the victim's genitals.The victim says he continued to punch the accused attacker outside for a bit before running inside to call 911.

Video shot by Pinkney's grandson's wife shows the septuagenarian trying to close the door on the deputies, then a deputy grabs the grandmother by the wrist and Pinkney is tased. "I was just hollering. I was scared. I didnt know what else to do. I was just hollering," Pinkney told WFLA, which reported that she was hit with a taser in her left arm, back and upper back, and was held to the ground by a deputy's knee.Shortly after deputies arrived at 7:30 a.m. the day after Christmas, Pinkney was arrested for obstruction and resisting an officer.Manatee County Sheriffs Office said it will investigate why deputies used the taser three times on the 70-year-old.