Marla Spence
ABC 7 WWSB
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Past articles by Marla:
Owner of “dumpster dog” relieved to see animal cruelty bill signed
ABC7 got a chance to catch up with the owner of Daisy, who now goes by Liberty, alongside her sister Daphne, who is also a victim of animal cruelty. → Read More
Archaeologist set to excavate Manatee Mineral Springs Park before Bradenton Riverwalk expansion
Reflections of Manatee, a local museum and preservation group, got the green light from the Bradenton City Council to move forward with their plans to find out. → Read More
Bradenton approves public safety ordinance curtailing panhandling
After weeks of discussion and a recent ordinance approved in Manatee County, the City of Bradenton is following the county’s lead on an ordinance to curtail panhandling. → Read More
Ellenton home covered in bees after owner extracts honey in his garage
Local beekeeper Pedro Mello says the bees began swarming his home Monday after he extracted honey from his beehives inside of his garage. He says after that, the bees smelled the honey and came from everywhere trying to get into his garage. → Read More
City leaders want downtown Bradenton to be more inviting to younger generations
Realize Bradenton, the City of Bradenton and the Manatee Chamber of Commerce are putting their heads together to revitalize downtown Bradenton. → Read More
Teacher adopts student with Down syndrome after his mom dies of cancer
After talking to her family, the Massachusetts teacher made an offer, mom-to-mom, to take care of the teenager, should it be needed. → Read More
Sarasota woman accused of overdosing and killing her mother for financial gain
Prosecutors allege Josephine Scheid killed her mother, 58-year-old Gabrielle Michaelis, using a lethal amount of sedatives and painkillers in order to benefit financially before returning home to the Suncoast. → Read More
Thousands of dollars in monetary gifts stolen from a couple after their wedding in Bradenton
The search is on for the person who stole Emma and Chris Cox’s joy of tying the knot by pilfering between $3,000 to $5,000 in gift cards and cash they received on their wedding night at Mixon Fruit Farms in Bradenton. → Read More
One community fighting to get FDOT to include them in plans for a noise barrier wall
Homeowners and a County Commissioner gathered in the University Place community Tuesday morning. All of them say FDOT should reconsider and include the community in their plans because they are faced with loud traffic noise daily. → Read More
Pinellas County pass ordinance banning horses in the Bay, will Bradenton do the same?
The Palma Sola Bay has been known to have fecal bacteria causing several no swim advisories this year. Some say it’s due to horseback riding tours that happen in that water nearly everyday. → Read More
City of Palmetto working to increase buying age of tobacco-related products, including vaping products
Officials with city, concerned over the nationwide epidemic of illnesses and deaths related to vaping, are on board with the idea of increasing the age limit to purchase the products, a change that could take as little as six months to be in place. → Read More
New program to help pull Samoset residents out of poverty may be implemented soon
Around 12% of households in Samoset and 34% in West Samoset are considered to be living in poverty. This month county leaders will be reviewing an initiative called “Inclusive Manatee” to improve economic opportunity for those living in the historic neighborhood. → Read More
Troubled Bradenton nightclub temporarily closed, neighbors say they hope it’s for good
There’s a sign on the front door of Spot 26 saying it’s closed for renovations for 2-3 weeks. → Read More
Food Bank of Manatee loses USDA contract, vows to continue serving community
Right now there are pounds and pounds of USDA food left on shelves inside the Food Bank of Manatee, a place where local food pantries come to get their supplies. But starting October 1, the Food Bank of Manatee can no longer distribute the food. It is the responsibility of Feeding Tampa Bay. → Read More
New police substation, affordable housing apartments and storage unit coming to City of Bradenton
1404 14th Street West is where the Bradenton Police Substation sits, the property adjacent to it is the open lot where the Manatee Inns once were. The area has been vacant for about 20 years and at one time was considered an eyesore to that neighborhood. → Read More
Manatee County commissioners consider ban on panhandling
A new proposed ordinance was debated among county commissioners Tuesday. Under the new rules, panhandlers would be banned from begging in the roadway or on a median. → Read More
More red light cameras to be installed in Manatee County
The proposed locations will be on Bayshore Gardens Parkway & U.S 41 and Lockwood Ridge Road & State Road 70. Tuesday, Manatee County Commissions approved a total of eight new red light camera lights at those two busy intersections. → Read More
Bradenton family loses everything to fire, including dog that saved them
The family of five lived there for 18 years but now their home is filled with ashes and burned memories. Thomas, his wife, son and two grand kids have very little left. → Read More
Hundreds of animals fly into Florida from the Bahamas, Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue takes them in
A van full of Dorian refugees pulled into Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue in Lakewood Ranch after being picked up from the Fort Lauderdale Airport. Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue is one of 11 shelters in the state where 158 animals will now call home. → Read More
Divers head to Manatee County to examine damage of Anna Maria Island City Pier
Divers head to Manatee County to examine damage of Anna Maria Island City Pier → Read More