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Your Observer | All

Mayor Jen Ahearn-Koch has asked to hold a special emergency meeting to discuss the city's ongoing COVID-19 response.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 26, 2020
City prohibits social gatherings with 10 or more people

The city has authorized the Sarasota Police Department to break up gatherings and issue citations to those who do not comply. The city's mayor is advocating for a statewide shelter-in-place order.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • March 26, 2020
Drive-thru COVID-19 testing begins Friday in Sarasota County

Visitors to the site must be referred by a physician to be tested.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Alfie Ratner is reaching out to kids everywhere to join in parents Paul and Petra Ratner's project, the "World's Largest Zombie Movie."
    By
  • Klint Lowry
  • March 26, 2020
Just what we need right now — zombies!

Filmmakers start 'World's Largest Zombie Movie' project for kids to battle boredom

  • Arts + Culture
Pines of Sarasota Foundation is asking the community to send notes and drawings to its residents.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • March 26, 2020
Small acts of kindness

Pines of Sarasota Foundation is asking the community to send notes and drawings to its residents.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The main beach access on Siesta Key is blocked with signs and concrete barricades.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • March 26, 2020
Officers focus on education over enforcement during beach closures

As Sarasota County beaches remain closed, local law enforcement is upping its beach patrol.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 26, 2020
Longboat Key weather page photo: March 26

John Caviglia captured this image of an osprey in flight while kayaking at Buttonwood Cove on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 26, 2020
Sarasota weather page photo: March 26

Chris Tarrant captured this sunset on Siesta Key.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 26, 2020
East County weather page photo: March 26

Paula Hancock captured this sunset in Central Park in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Executive Director Michelle Kapreilian tells guests about the mission of Forty Carrots Family Center at the 2019 Firefly Gala.
  • By Brynn Mechem, Staff reporter and Harry Sayer, Black Tie Editor
  • March 26, 2020
COVID-19 fundraiser cancellations cause nonprofits to lose millions in donations

Fundraiser cancellations send organizations scrambling to help residents now while also plotting replacement events online or in the future.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Reverend Christian Wood and Reverend Charleston Wilson from Church of the Redeemer.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • March 26, 2020
Sarasota churches, temples focus on virtual presence

Local churches and temples are holding online services amid the coronavirus pandemic

  • Sarasota
  • News
Dick Vitale said he has been sanitizing his hands too many times to count while social distancing. Here, Vitale stands with his "All-Courageous Team" at the 2019 Dick Vitale Gala.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 26, 2020
Prose and Kohn: A slam dunk decision

Dick Vitale talks postponing his Sarasota gala and staying healthy while social distancing.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Cardinal Mooney senior Sophia Hritz, here with coach Chad Sutton, said not being able to practice volleyball with her teammates has been difficult.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 26, 2020
Sarasota athletes stay active despite social distancing

Sometimes unconventional methods have to be used to exercise at home.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Suzy Brenner teaches zumba to three students before The Paradise Center closed its doors.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • March 26, 2020
Loneliness threatens normally social Longboat Key lifestyle

The highly contagious pandemic is keeping the socially active island at home.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota Memorial Hospital Chief Medical Officer James Fiorica speaks at a March 3 press conference after the first patient tested positive for COVID-19 at a Sarasota hospital. Since then, 21 SMH patients have tested positive.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 26, 2020
Sarasota Memorial Hospital discusses COVID-19 response

The hospital is working with its partner foundation and accepting public donations to ensure it continues to have the equipment it needs to address coronavirus cases.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Solorzano Bros. pizza on Webber St. has closed the interior of the store and switched to a pickup window for orders, but business isn't slowing down at the restaurant. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 26, 2020
Businesses get creative in response to coronavirus challenges

From virtual piano lessons to prepackaged pizza quarantine kits, Sarasota business owners are trying to stay afloat and keep the community engaged.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Latest News

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St. Lucie County Administrator George Landry has been recommended by Howard Tipton to replace him as town manager as Tipton prepares to retire.
  • June 19, 2026
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