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Here are some things to do this weekend in Manatee and Sarasota counties.

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Local News

Southern Manatee Fire Rescue entered "Good Morning America's" video contest called "5 Alarm Challenge Video Contest." This is their video, which will be featured this week on the program.

Southern Manatee firefighters to heat up 'Good Morning America' on Friday

Southern Manatee firefighters -- including the topless one -- will be heating up the screen on Friday on "Good Morning America." Watch the video here. 3 hours ago

Crime

Matthew Ovens, violation of pretrial release, no bond.

PHOTO GALLERY | Inmates booked in at Manatee jail on July 10, 2014

Some of the latest arrivals at the Manatee County jail. 3 hours ago

Police: Prostitute sought defense online in death 6 minutes ago
Florida to execute man for rape, murder of girl 56 minutes ago
Florida warden suspended over prisoner's scalding death 3 hours ago
Sentencing for hijacker who flew to Cuba hits snag

Sports

Tampa Bay Rays starter Alex Cobb pitches against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, July 9, 2014 in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Perez hits 3-run HR in 9th, Royals beat Rays 5-4

Salvador Perez gave the Royals a late lift Wednesday night heading into a key midseason series.

Business

Nancy Krohngold began her passion for catering in 2004 and is planning to expand to the University Park area near Lakewood Ranch. PHOTO PROVIDED

Nancy’s Bar-B-Que expanding near Lakewood Ranch to meet demand for catering

Sarasota barbecue restaurant and catering business set to expand to a shopping plaza near the new mall.

Opinion

Sean Allison, CEO of the Manatee County YMCA, holds a press conference at Pride Park to address the findings of a Clerk of Courts audit of the use of funds for their programs. According to the report, auditors found the YMCA defrauded the county more than $100,000. TIFFANY TOMPKINS-CONDIE/Bradenton Herald

YMCA's explanation for fraudulent billing to Manatee County inadequate

The Manatee County YMCA cannot minimize a detailed audit into billing to county taxpayers for after-school and gang-prevention programs as mere "flaws" in documentation.

Living

Semha Zimmerman and her close friend, Karl Ahern, on one of their many cruises.
*****do not use this photo without the accompaning photo of Zimmerman and her husband at their wedding)***************

Bradenton woman bequests $1 million to Jewish organization

The late Semha Zimmerman, 92, donates $1 million to the Manatee-Sarasota Jewish Federation.

State wants mediation over Xerox billing system 6 minutes ago
Royals place Vargas on DL after appendectomy 6 minutes ago
Opponents say 12-week abortion ban won't stand 15 minutes ago
Parts of US Capitol closed after incident 15 minutes ago

Entertainment

A dragon breathes fire from atop Gringnotts Bank during a preview of Diagon Alley at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando, Thursday, June 19, 2014, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

10 things to love about Diagon Alley

In honor of this week's opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Orlando, we share 10 favorite things about the new attraction.

Lakewood Ranch

Members of the Survivors In Sync dragon boat racing team are all breast cancer survivors from the Bradentona-Sarasota area. They are shown above at a weekly practice session at Nathan Benderson Park.
JAMES A. JONES JR./Bradenton Herald

Manatee-Sarasota Dragon Boat Festival to stage preview rally in August

On Aug. 9, seven of the Florida dragon boat teams and more than 100 breast cancer survivors will converge on Nathan Benderson Park to offer a preview of the October festival. 3 hours ago