IN BRIEF: Special blessing for new Epiphany Cathedral church bells; SPD supports Special Olympics; new Venice Middle School principal; Pinewood Derby.

Sea cows, chubby mermaids, floaty potatoes: manatees bear many silly nicknames, but their importance to Florida’s environment and economy is serious. Wednesday (March 25) is Manatee Appreciation Day, ...

Three orphaned manatees have arrived at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium from the Cincinnati Zoo. The young manatees were all rescued from Florida waters and are in a rehabilitation program. They join ...

Spotted on the Bradenton calendar: Irish Folksinger Brendan Nolan Performs May 8th ...

Six young manatees are being transferred from the Columbus Zoo to Florida for eventual release into the wild. All six manatees were orphaned and have been rehabilitated as part of the Manatee Rescue & ...

Christopher Columbus gets credit for the first written record of manatees in North America, ones he saw near the Dominican Republic in 1492. West Indian manatees, also called Florida manatees, are ...