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Your Observer

    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
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
Jo-Ann Yermak (center) is worried about providing childcare for her two children, Mikenna and Hayden, who are students at Braden River Elementary School, while she works full time and they start e-learning.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 25, 2020
E-learning poses child-care difficulties in Lakewood Ranch area

Challenges in childcare concern Lakewood Ranch parents during e-learning

  • East County
  • News
Earth Fare began liquidating assets at its 50 locations nationwide in early February. The Lakewood Ranch store closed Feb. 24.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 25, 2020
Wish list for Earth Fare space in Lakewood Ranch

East County shoppers hope for another specialty grocer at The Green.

  • East County
  • News
Beth Peace has been working at Peach's Restaurant for 16 years. As a result of the restaurant closing due to the coronavirus, Peace has lost her job.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 25, 2020
Lakewood Ranch-area employees out of service

'It's day-by-day' for employees affected by business closures in Lakewood Ranch area

  • East County
  • News
Please continue to heed the advice of state and local authorities, practice social distancing, and wash your hands. We want to see you all back on April 15th!
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 25, 2020
East County athletes stay prepared with lonely workouts

In their minds, they have no choice but to be as sharp as possible.

  • East County
  • Sports
Stephanie Peabody
    By
  • Guest Author
  • March 25, 2020
Letter to the editor: Take positive action during COVID-19 threat

Brain Health Initiative founder gives important advice to heed during coronavirus threat.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Karen Medford, who owns Sirius Day Spas in Lakewood Ranch and University Park, worries about the effect the coronavirus will have on her out-of-work employees.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 25, 2020
Local Lakewood Ranch area businesses search for answers during COVID-19 threat

COVID-19 leaves Lakewood Ranch businesses searching for answers.

  • East County
  • News
Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee President and CEO Maribeth Phillips says the greatest need her organization has is for donations of food or money. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 25, 2020
Food demands rise in Manatee County

Meals on Wheels Plus seeks community support to meet the growing need.

  • East County
  • News
Being kind can mean painting a rainbow, such as this one on a sidewalk in Greenbrook, to make people smile. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 25, 2020
Under lockdown in the Lakewood Ranch area, we can still be kind

Time to give back to a Lakewood Ranch business

  • East County
  • Opinion
Pre-kindergartners Teddy Page, Morgan Drackett and Elise Serrano write letters and draw pictures. More children will have access to early education at the new Primrose School. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 25, 2020
Primrose Schools to expand in Lakewood Ranch

Primrose Schools to expand in Lakewood Ranch

  • East County
  • News
Marty Duffany, the regional manager for Whiskey Joe's, said the site on the Manatee River was perfect.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 25, 2020
EYE ON BUSINESS — Ellenton lands a waterside attraction

Whiskey Joe's gives Ellenton and Bradenton areas another waterside choice.

  • East County
  • Business
Michael Garey
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • March 25, 2020
Customer donates $2,000 to Garey's Lazy Lobster staff

The Lazy Lobster patron, who donated the money to help tipped employees, wishes to remain anonymous.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Although amenities such as playgrounds will be closed, open park space will remain open and accessible to the public.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 24, 2020
County, city to shut down park amenities

Sarasota County and the city of Sarasota are closing playgrounds and athletic courts Wednesday as part of an effort to combat the spread of COVID-19.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 24, 2020
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Tree-trunk travel delays

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
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