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Your Observer

The sun sets over the Gulf.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • March 30, 2020
Finding solitude on Longboat Key

Staying home is best, but you can get away from it all relatively quickly.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 30, 2020
Event cancellations, postponements due to coronavirus concerns

This list will be updated regularly.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota Memorial Hospital said COVID-19 is having a growing effect on the health system and the Sarasota community.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 29, 2020
Second COVID-19 patient dies at Sarasota Memorial Hospital

The hospital also announced four workers tested positive for the coronavirus disease. Twenty-four COVID-19 patients are hospitalized at the facility.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota Memorial Hospital has diagnosed 30 individuals with COVID-19 this month.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 28, 2020
Sarasota Memorial Hospital worker tests positive for COVID-19

The employee had no known exposure to a positive COVID-19 patient at the hospital. Sixteen COVID-19 patients are hospitalized at Sarasota Memorial.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Bird Key Park
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 28, 2020
City to close boat ramps, Bird Key Park parking lot

The city of Sarasota is advocating for a regional safer-at-home order and asking the state to provide more detailed COVID-19 testing data.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 28, 2020
Sarasota County pauses drive-thru COVID-19 testing until Tuesday

Unable to fill all its appointment slots, the Sarasota County Department of Health said the pause will conserve resources.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 28, 2020
Chalk it up to cheer in Sarasota area

Chalk art festival inspires hope, neighborhood cheer in University Place.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 27, 2020
Sending positive messages to students in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch schools celebrate kickoff of e-learning with parades

  • East County
  • News
Goodwill stores in Sarasota and Manatee counties will lay off more than half their employees.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 27, 2020
Goodwill Manasota lays off more than half its workforce

Goodwill Manasota in Sarasota and Manatee counties lays off more than half its workforce

  • East County
  • News
Among the effects of the coronavirus pandemic: closed public facilities designed to limit social gatherings.
  • By Tom Harmer
  • March 27, 2020
Remember, we are still in an active stage of an emergency

Heed the guidelines from federal, state and local authorities.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Sarasota County Fire Chief Mike Regnier speaks at a press conference today about COVID-19 alongside Assistant Chief Carson Sanders. Image courtesy Sarasota County.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 27, 2020
Sarasota firefighter tests positive for COVID-19

County Fire Chief Mike Regnier discussed the department’s safety protocols at a press conference today.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center needs personal protection equipment for its health care professionals. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 27, 2020
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center accepting safety supplies, donations

N95 masks and other supplies will help protect workers against COVID-19.

  • East County
  • News
Suncoast Science Center employees are looking for volunteers to help make masks.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • March 27, 2020
Suncoast Science Center requests PPE needs, volunteers

The center hopes to make shields and masks to provide to non-primary healthcare facilities.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat Key firefighter and paramedic David Oliger is dressed in protective gear to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • March 27, 2020
Longboat Key first responders take precautions amid coronavirus pandemic

The Longboat Key Fire Rescue Department is taking several precautionary measures to protect first responders.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Walk-ups weren't allowed at the collection site, but motorcycles obviously were OK.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 26, 2020
Manatee County opens drive-thru COVID-19 sample collection

COVID-19 sample collection begins at the Bradenton Area Convention Center in Palmetto.

  • East County
  • News
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
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
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 26, 2020
Cops Corner: Sarasota 3.26.20

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
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
The Little Free Library at Bayfront Park on March 12.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • March 25, 2020
Little Longboat libraries allow readers to take a book, leave a book

Little Free Library "libraries" were installed at Bayfront and Bicentennial parks about two years ago. But one seems to get used more often.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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
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Latest News

1
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
2
Sue Wertman has rung the bell outside the Publix on Longboat Key on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key since 2013.
  • December 21, 2025
Longest-serving Longboat bellringer attributes motivation to family
3
Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
  • December 21, 2025
SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial
4
Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids
5
The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
  • December 20, 2025
East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy

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