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Your Observer

Chuck Henry, administrator of the Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County, urged the public to follow best practices for minimizing the risk of exposure to COVID-19, such as hand washing and staying home when ill.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 13, 2020
Sarasota Memorial Hospital provides update on COVID-19 patient

The hospital said a 70-year-old seasonal resident who tested positive for the coronavirus disease is “doing fine,” but health officials continue to call for more testing capacity in Florida.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Irwin Pastor poses for a picture on Friday, March 13, 2020, at The Resort at Longboat Key Club.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • March 13, 2020
Commissioner Irwin Pastor: 'It's been a privilege serving'

Longboat Key commissioner Irwin Pastor did not seek reelection after serving the town for six years.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Until Friday afternoon, Sarasota County Fair organizers maintained the event would open as scheduled today.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 13, 2020
Sarasota County Fair canceled

Shortly after the first day of the fair was scheduled to open to the public, organizers announced the 10-day event would close amid COVID-19 concerns.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is joining the list of venues scrapping scheduled events until the end of the month because of coronavirus-related concerns.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 13, 2020
City declares public health emergency, cancels Van Wezel events

Because of coronavirus concerns, the city of Sarasota is strongly advising all events through March 20 to cancel if they expect to draw more than 250 people.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 13, 2020
USRowing postpones Olympic Trials, scheduled for Benderson Park, for at least 30 days

The move was made out of COVID-19 precautions.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Lucky Leprechaun 5K and Festival has been changed to a virtual run. The festival portion of the event has been canceled.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 13, 2020
Lucky Leprechaun 5K changed to virtual run

The move was made because of COVID-19 concerns.

  • East County
  • News
Mark Famiglio, chairman and president of the Sarasota Film Festival, said the event organizers are prioritizing the health and safety of audiences and volunteers. File photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 13, 2020
Sarasota Film Festival postponed

The organizers of the annual film festival said the event will work to reschedule as Florida attempts to limit the spread of COVID-19.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Dr. Huan Wang and 7D Surgical Vice President Scott Young talk about the new Machine-Vision Image Guided Surgery Platform.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 13, 2020
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center adds a "neurological GPS"

Machine-Vision Image Guided Surgery Platform comes to Lakewood Ranch Medical Center.

  • East County
  • News
Country Meadows' Jason and Karen Olivier have dealt with the ups and downs of Karen's MS.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 13, 2020
Bradenton woman tells story of perseverance during MS Awareness Week

Bradenton woman tells her story of triumph over multiple sclerosis.

  • East County
  • News
Country Club's Deborah Jernigan wears one of her creations.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 13, 2020
Art show looms in Lakewood Ranch

Art show looms in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
David Verinder, Sarasota Memorial Hospital's president and CEO, discusses the hospital's COVID-19 response at a press conference Tuesday, March 3.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 12, 2020
Sarasota Memorial Hospital patient tests presumptively positive for COVID-19

A 70-year-old man is the first positive case at the hospital. Health officials are investigating the origins of the infection and other individuals who may have been exposed.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Although some major organizers said they won’t be postponing their events, Sarasota County is canceling anything anticipated to draw an audience larger than 250 people.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 12, 2020
Sarasota County cancels large events, citing COVID-19 concerns

The announcement followed a recommendation from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis today discouraging mass gatherings statewide.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Healthcare providers have generally advised individuals exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms not to come directly to the hospital because of exposure-related concerns.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 12, 2020
Sarasota health department sets up coronavirus call center

The Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County is asking residents with COVID-19 symptoms to call a hotline before visiting a health provider.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Workers at the Sarasota Agricultural Fair plan to sanitize surfaces and rides to address coronavirus-related concerns, but the event is set to go on as scheduled.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 12, 2020
Major Sarasota events reverse course, announce cancellations

Representatives for the Sarasota Fair and Nathan Benderson Park said Thursday upcoming events are not being canceled or postponed because of COVID-19 concerns. On Friday, both organizations said the events are now off.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 12, 2020
Longboat church cancels services

Christ Church of Longboat Key directs members to watch live streaming version until further notice.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Jose Iglesias.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 12, 2020
MLB cancels all spring training games, delays regular season

The move will bring games at Ed Smith Stadium to a halt.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 12, 2020
Longboat Key weather page photo: March 12

Michael Cohen captured this hungry squirrel at South Lido’s Ted Sperling Park.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 12, 2020
Sarasota weather page photo: March 12

Michael Cohen caught this photo of a turkey vulture flying near Marina Jack.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • March 12, 2020
Sarasota school district asking for student technology needs in case of closure

District officials are collecting information who may need a laptop or hotspot in the event of a coronavirus-related closure.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 12, 2020
East County weather page photo: March 12

Bryan Veith captured this double rainbow over the No. 9 green at Heritage Harbour Golf & Eatery in East County.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Manatee County athletic events have been canceled through March 23.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 12, 2020
Manatee County cancels athletic events until March 23

As of now, Sarasota County athletic events remain on schedule.

  • East County
  • News
Researchers at the Roskamp Institute found a drug that lowers cognitive decline in patients with Alzheimer's disease.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • March 12, 2020
Sarasota researchers find drug that cut cognitive decline in Alzheimer's patients

Researchers at the Roskamp Institute found a drug that lowers the amount of amyloids in the brain.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Water undergoes biological treatment at the facility, making it safe to water lawns with, but not to consume.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • March 12, 2020
Changes at water facility expected to reduce effect on environment

More than $170 million in changes at the Bee Ridge Water Reclamation Facility are expected to help reduce the level of nutrients in Sarasota County's ecosystem.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Northbound traffic now flows nonstop un U.S. 41 through the Fruitville Road intersection, but a detour to a temporary roadway is required.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 12, 2020
Residents launch traffic petition to stop roundabout

Document aimed at state leaders over concerns about traffic.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • March 12, 2020
Make a law and voila!

Sarasota city commissioners once again defied logic. While supporting the smart move to allow residential uses in commercial zones, they spoiled the idea with counterproductive regulations.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
John Sims
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • March 12, 2020
Happy Pi Day!

Sarasota will be home to several Pi Day events on March 14.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kerry Kirschner, former Sarasota mayor and executive director of The Argus Foundation, died March 4.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • March 12, 2020
The back of his boxing robe would have said ‘Sarasota’s Champion’

Kerry Kirschner died March 4.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Manatee County Public Safety Director Jacob Saur says the new system should help residents get the information they seek faster.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 12, 2020
Manatee County launches 311 call center

New system intended to improve customer experience in Manatee County.

  • East County
  • News
Senior midfielder Justin Clark looks for an open teammate.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 12, 2020
Rams lacrosse learns from tough OT loss

Riverview has a young but talented squad, its coach said.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Coronavirus causes the COVID-19 disease.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • March 12, 2020
Guide to cancellations

Coronavirus, which causes the COVID-19 disease has caused several Sarasota events to be canceled or postponed.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
DeSoto Hotel (right), Courtesy of Manatee County Historical Resources
    By
  • Columnist .
  • March 12, 2020
Gillespie Day

March 10 celebrates Sarasota's golf-loving first mayor.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Faith Gill, 13, and Taytum French, 13
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • March 12, 2020
'Learning by doing': Science center hosts annual car race

The fifth annual Suncoast Science Center RC Custom Car Open took place on March 7.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Sarasota Garden Club hosts Gardens in Paradise foe the seventh year.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • March 12, 2020
See Sarasota's tropical side at Gardens in Paradise

The Sarasota Garden Club will host its seventh annual Gardens in Paradise tour on March 14.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Traffic now flows northbound along U.S. 41 at Fruitville Road without a traffic signal as work on the roundabout continues.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 12, 2020
FDOT reports improvement following U.S. 41 traffic changes

As construction continues on a roundabout at Fruitville Road, Longboat Key leaders remain concerned about plans for a Gulfstream Avenue project.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The city is in the midst of renovating the Lido Beach pavilion, but restroom improvements are set to be the last phase of the project.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 12, 2020
Lido residents remain concerned about pavilion restrooms

As the city of Sarasota works through an issue with its maintenance contractor, a pavilion improvement project will continue through December.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Chief Transportation Planner Colleen McGue discusses the Sarasota in Motion master plan with resident Patrick Gannon at a workshop Tuesday, March 10.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 12, 2020
City transportation plan emphasizes biking, walking, public transit

Sarasota planning officials believe projects focused on alternate modes of travel will create a better balance on city streets.

  • Sarasota
  • 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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