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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
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
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
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
Lakewood Ranch's Pilar Henson and her son, Nicolas Henson, still wonder whether they have been battling COVID-19.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 25, 2020
Lakewood Ranch mother and son frustrated in their attempt to have a COVID-19 test

Coronavirus symptoms aren't enough to land a test for Lakewood Ranch mother and son.

  • East County
  • News
Our Y leaders purchased both branches for $4.4 million.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • March 25, 2020
Save Our Y purchases facilities with $4.4 million transaction

After eight months of grassroots effort, Save Our Y — now called Our Y — owns the Frank G. Berlin and Evalyn Sadlier Jones branches.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Annie Leibovitz will round out the RCLA Town Hall series on Nov. 23 where she will give a talk on her career in journalism and the arts.Â
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • March 25, 2020
Final RCLA lectures moved to November

The final two Ringling College Library Association, which feature Lisa Genova and Annie Leibovitz, have been moved to Nov. 9 and 23.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A beach access point at 2825 Gulf of Mexico Drive is blocked and posted in Longboat Key.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • March 25, 2020
Longboat officials focus on education as beaches remain closed

Sarasota and Manatee County officials closed all public beaches to stop the spread of COVID-19.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Alex Colbath, a second grader, has a method to building his tower: use longer blocks to help support smaller blocks as the tower grows.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 25, 2020
Together in spirit at Tara Elementary School

Tara Elementary PTO hosts virtual spirit week

  • East County
  • News
Columbia Restaurant's outdoor dining area sits empty after the restaurant announced it would close indefinitely.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • March 25, 2020
From takeout to layoffs to closures, Longboat restaurants adjust to pandemic

Florida's decision to close restaurants' dine-in areas indefinitely means uncertainty going forward.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Cynthia Saunders, superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, is confident the district will be able to launch e-learning for its more than 50,000 students March 30.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 25, 2020
E-learning access concerns East County families

Lakewood Ranch-area parents have concerns over e-learning

  • East County
  • News
A sign indicates that the Longboat Key Tennis Center's courts are closed. The facility closed Sunday amid concerns about COVID-19.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • March 25, 2020
Longboat sports buffs seek new outlets

Some are playing their usual sports with new restrictions, while others are finding new forms of exercise.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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