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Your Observer

    In Memoriam |
  • March 17, 2020
Robert Gray

Robert Gray, 82, of Weems, Virginia, formerly of Longboat Key, Florida, passed away March 15, 2020.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
The April 6 City Commission is canceled because of concerns related to COVID-19.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 16, 2020
City to close recreational facilities

The City Commission agreed to close the Robert L. Taylor Community Complex, Bobby Jones Golf Club and more as part of a coronavirus response effort. Action on bars and restaurants could be forthcoming.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Four confirmed coronavirus cases are undergoing treatment at Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • March 16, 2020
Longboat resident tests positive for COVID-19, undergoing treatment at SMH

A man who lives at the Privateer condo building in Longboat Key has tested positive for coronavirus, according to an email sent to condo owners and guests.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • March 16, 2020
Longboat Key Town Hall showcases local artists

For many years, the town of Longboat Key has provided a space for local artists to shine.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Memorial Hospital facilities remain open, but visiting policies have been adjusted after for patients there have tested positive for COVID-19.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 16, 2020
Two more Sarasota Memorial patients test positive for COVID-19

An 87-year-old man and an 80-year-old man are hospitalized and isolated after testing positive for the coronavirus March 13 and 14.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Ed Chiles and Barron Schimberg are teaming up with artisan Dale Rieke of Wood Street Studios to create furniture from cut down Australian pines.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 16, 2020
Chiles and partners aim to make furniture from Australian pines

Invasive trees on parking lot land will be milled, dried and turned into custom tables and benches.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • March 16, 2020
John Oliver Summers

John Oliver Summers, 81, of Longboat Key, peacefully passed away Saturday, February 29th at his residence surrounded by his family.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • March 16, 2020
Longboat Key Club takes precautions after possible virus exposure to staffer

All Longboat Key Club activities, meetings and lessons are suspended for at least two weeks after a person working at the club's outdoor golf facility may be have been exposed to coronavirus.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • March 15, 2020
Baywood Colony Westport home sells for $2.35 million

Residential real estate transactions for March 2-6.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • March 14, 2020
Bird Key Yacht Club hosts St. Patrick's Day Party

The party was held March 14.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 14, 2020
Steady flow at Creative Arts Association of Lakewood Ranch Spring Art Show and Sale

Steady flow at Creative Arts Association of Lakewood Ranch Spring Art Show and Sale

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 14, 2020
A professional touch on Lakewood Ranch Winter Fine Art Show

A professional touch on Lakewood Ranch Winter Fine Art Show

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Guest Author
  • March 14, 2020
Letter to the editor: Doctors Hospital releases first COVID-19 patient

The Sarasota hospital has discharged the first Florida patient with COVID-19 and has cleared all involved physicians and employees to return to work.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Following the second positive test, Sarasota Memorial Hospital is working to evaluate the exposure risk for workers and other individuals at the facility.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 13, 2020
Second Sarasota Memorial Hospital patient tests positive for COVID-19

A 67-year-old-Manatee County woman is the third Sarasota-linked coronavirus case announced in the past two days.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The announcement of new polling places in Sarasota comes four days before Florida’s presidential primary election.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 13, 2020
Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections announces polling place changes

Sixteen polling places are being relocated for Tuesday’s primary election as an emergency measure because of concerns about COVID-19.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Students at Sarasota County Schools will not attend class from March 16-27.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 13, 2020
Sarasota County Schools to close the week after spring break

The school district said the directive to cancel classes the week of March 23 came from the state as Florida officials respond to coronavirus concerns.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota and Manatee County schools have both suspended athletics and other extracurricular activities.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 13, 2020
Sarasota County Schools suspends athletics until further notice

The announcement comes alongside news of all Florida schools closing through March 30.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
As the School District of Manatee County closes schools to students until March 30, Malea Sauer, a custodian at Ida M. Stewart Elementary School, conducts a deep clean throughout the school.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 13, 2020
School District of Manatee County and Out-of-Door Academy closed to students

School District of Manatee County closed to students until end of March

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 13, 2020
Longboat shuts down plans for large gatherings

Restriction set to last 30 days.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Randy Clair poses for a photo on Friday, March 13, 2020, at Longboat Key Town Hall.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • March 13, 2020
Longboat Key commissioner Randy Clair reflects on his tenure

Realtor and retired lawyer Sherry Dominick will succeed Randy Clair on March 23.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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
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