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Your Observer

Sarasota Memorial Hospital is conducting 25-30 in-house COVID-19 tests daily.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 16, 2020
Sarasota Memorial Hospital begins in-house COVID-19 testing

The hospital said conducting its own tests will cut the wait time for results from up to 10 days to less than two hours.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Lakewood Ranch High community is raising money for Roosevelt Atkins, an assistant football coach at the school who has been battling COVID-19.Â
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 16, 2020
Lakewood Ranch High community raising money for assistant football coach

Roosevelt Atkins has been battling COVID-19.

  • East County
  • News
Myakka's Amy and Tyler Clites show off their LEGO trophy after winning the first season of "Lego Masters," which ran 10-episode. Photo courtesy of FOX.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 16, 2020
Myakka City couple wins 'LEGO Masters' competition

Tyler and Amy Clites, of Myakka, will have Lego art on display at future LEGOLAND New York Resort.

  • East County
  • News
  • By Freya Robbins, CDFA™
  • April 16, 2020
Freya's Personal Reflections About Mediation

Freya's Personal Reflections About Mediation

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 16, 2020
Longboat Key weather page photo: April 16

Howard Rothstein captured this image of diving pelicans in North Lido Park.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 16, 2020
Sarasota weather page photo: April 16

MaryAnn Parks captured this image of a red shouldered hawk in her yard in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 16, 2020
East County weather page photo: April 16

Gordon Silver captured this red shouldered hawk perched in a palm at Del Webb at Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The students' video focused on coral reef and how it is dying. File photo
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 16, 2020
SMA students win national video competition

Students at Sarasota Military Academy won for their video on coral reefs.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Jennifer “Lacy” Mitchell sends her daughter Callie to daycare at Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota while she works at the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office.
  • By Brynn Mechem and Harry Sayer I Staff writer and Black Tie Editor
  • April 16, 2020
Sarasota businesses band together to help first responders

Organizations like Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and Starfish Academy offer free childcare and hotel stays for those on the front lines.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Riverview High junior Daevon LeBron said the key to "Madden" is using real football strategies in the game. Photo courtesy Daevon LeBron.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 16, 2020
Sarasota athletes get their competitive sides flowing with video games

Does getting virtual victories make up for a lack of real sports?

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch Town Hall Executive Director Anne Ross leads a community development district meeting from her home. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 16, 2020
Could future hold more remote government meetings in Lakewood Ranch area?

Social distancing forces government representatives to conduct business differently.

  • East County
  • News
At the beginning of the year, The Bay said it hoped to begin construction on the first phase of the park project this summer. Now, that timeline is in question.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 16, 2020
Coronavirus could delay major projects

Phase one of The Bay Sarasota and the Selby Gardens master plan are awaiting the review of city officials.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Dave Bullock, interim CEO of the Economic Development Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County, credited his staff with moving quickly to help provide resources for businesses in the community. File photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 16, 2020
County, EDC partner on business loan program

Officials are preparing to issue up to $4.3 million to support small businesses in hopes of supplementing larger state and federal initiatives.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mark Pritchett, president and CEO of the Gulf Coast Community Foundation, said the organization has helped issue more than $1 million in grants over the past month in response to COVID-19. File photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 16, 2020
Foundations organize COVID-19 support strategies

Between struggling individuals and service providers preparing for increased demand, philanthropic groups are helping the community get through coronavirus challenges.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 16, 2020
Cops Corner: Sarasota 4.16.20

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Beachgoers keep their distance during a Longboat Key sunset.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • April 15, 2020
Beach visitors keep it few and far-between

Town Manager Tom Harmer said residents can walk the beach so long as they maintain appropriate social distancing and groups do not exceed 10 people.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Nurses Noelle Clark and Shannon Zies take a break for pizza from Marco's Pizza. They say such donations from the community make them feel appreciated and help alleviate stress.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 15, 2020
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center gets front line support

Community steps up to support Lakewood Ranch Medical Center during COVID-19 crisis.

  • East County
  • News
Brooke Martin, a Girl Scout and senior at Lakewood Ranch High School, has earned her Gold Award, which is the highest achievement for a Girl Scout.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 15, 2020
Lakewood Ranch Girl Scout's passion leads to gold

Lakewood Ranch Girl Scout's passion project leads to award

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Harry and Lynn Christensen
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 15, 2020
Harry's is here to serve

The corner store and deli are reopening.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Marcie Hackman helps her Gene Witt pre-kindergartner, Brayden, with a vowel sound art project.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 15, 2020
Lakewood Ranch area parents take on new role as teachers

Lakewood Ranch area homeschool families provide tips for those adjusting to online learning.

  • East County
  • News
Anthony Bavaro and Mikey Bavaro and their parents, Giovanna and Louis, enjoy spending time together with their dog, Luna.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 15, 2020
Challenge looms for Lakewood Ranch teen

Parents say their son ready to take on spinal injury rehab.

  • East County
  • News
Some of the Meadow Sweet Circle mailboxes featured faces to go with an Easter bonnet. Photo courtesy Deb Holton-Smith.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 15, 2020
Osprey neighborhood hops for joy over Easter decorations

Bonnets, eggs and bunnies were just some of the things put on display.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Brad Moyer and his niece Julia Devecchio, a senior at Lakewood Ranch High School, have a quarantine-style prom since Devecchio's actual prom was canceled. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 15, 2020
Lakewood Ranch area seniors miss final important high school moments

Lakewood Ranch area high school seniors share disappointment over school event cancellations.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High senior Zack Weston said his video game time has increased since social distancing began.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 15, 2020
East County high school athletes turn to esports while stuck at home.

Do video games come close to the thrill of real sports?

  • East County
  • Sports
Tara Preserve Golf Club offers 18 holes of golf.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 15, 2020
Tara Preserve Golf Club up for sale in Bradenton

Homeowners wonder if new owners will try to develop the land.

  • East County
  • News
The accelerated project is part of the overall $80.8 million plan to widen 6.75 miles of I-75 from north of University Parkway to south of S.R. 64 and reconstruct the S.R. 70/I-75 interchange. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 15, 2020
Florida governor expedites I-75/S.R. 70 project

Less traffic due to COVID-19 leads FDOT to speed up work on I-75/S.R. 70 interchange in Manatee County.

  • East County
  • News
Scott Cooper will be the new principal at R. Dan Nolan Middle School starting July 1. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 14, 2020
Nolan Middle School to have new principal next year

East County schools to see some administrative changes in 2020-2021 school year.

  • East County
  • News
Director of Shelter Service Tanjee Lane is preparing herself and other staff for a possible influx of shelter residents after the quarantine.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • April 14, 2020
SPARCC prepares during quarantine

The abuse services nonprofit views the current shutdown as a calm before the coming storm.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Parents left a basket for children to find after the Easter Bunny made an at-a-distance appearance.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 14, 2020
Who's that out the window?

Party supplier sends Easter Bunny out to brighten kids' Easters.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Siesta Key Rum created hand sanitizer to donate to first responders and physicians. Photo courtesy
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 14, 2020
Siesta Key Rum switches from alcohol to sanitizer

The distillery began making hand sanitizer to donate to first responders and physicians.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 14, 2020
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Double points

Police reports from around the town.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
The land at 1620 Gulf of Mexico Drive has been vacant since November 2018 when the last building of the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort was torn down.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 14, 2020
Settlement deadline passes in Colony case

Unicorp claims COVID-19 concerns made meeting March 31 date impossible.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Mort Skirboll became a supporter of Compeer Sarasota, the mental health organization where his wife, Bunny, was CEO.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • April 13, 2020
Mort Skirboll remembered for kindness, sense of humor

The mental health advocate and nonprofit patron was 82.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Carol Erker delivers food to first responders. Photo courtesy of Carol Erker.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 13, 2020
Longboat Key organizations step up to help

First responders and food banks will be getting extra help from Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • April 13, 2020
Longboat's Linley Street boat ramp reopens

The town of Longboat Key decided to follow Manatee County's decision to open public boat ramps.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 13, 2020
Sarasota Film Festival to be offered online

The 22nd annual film festival will be offered online from April 27 through May 3 amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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