Covid-19

Coronavirus

Sarasota County Government to Loosen More Beach Restrictions

Parking will be available at county-owned beaches, and chairs, coolers and canopies will also now be allowed.

04/30/2020 By Staff

Coronavirus

DeSantis Introduces Reopening Plan for Florida

The 'Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step Plan for Florida's Recovery' would allow restaurants to open indoor seating at 25 percent capacity with appropriate social distancing.

04/30/2020 By Megan McDonald

Video

Let's Learn How to Make Edamame Succotash With Nancy Krohngold

Via Zoom, the owner of Nancy's Bar-B-Q gives us the recipe for one of her most beloved side dishes.

04/30/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Good Deeds

Neal Land & Neighborhoods Donates $10,000 to Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee

Since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee has seen a 30 percent increase in meal requests.

04/29/2020 By Staff

Coronavirus

Sarasota County Extends Event Cancellation Through May 17

Utility shutoffs and service fees are also suspended through May 31.

04/29/2020 By Staff

Stargaze

Celebrate National Astronomy Day with The Bishop Museum

Learn all about the night sky with these free virtual lectures on Saturday, May 2.

04/29/2020 By Allison Forsyth

Science and COVID-19

Can High Humidity Slow the Spread of COVID-19?

Research by a retired Longboat Key engineer suggests it might.

04/29/2020 With Pam Daniel

Bear With Us

St. Petersburg Couple Marries With an Actual Bear as Their Ring Bearer

Animal lovers Rita Janecek and Joseph Schaar marry at Bearadise Ranch alongside Carol the bear, after plans to wed in Alaska fell through.

04/28/2020 By Allison Forsyth

Porch-raits

Local Photographers Capture Life During COVID-19

Andrea Hillebrand and Cliff Roles are taking front-porch portraits to help area families document these strange times.

04/28/2020 Photography by Cliff Roles and Andrea Hillebrand

Coronavirus

Foundation Grants $470,000 to Arts Groups in Response to Pandemic

The emergency grants represent an unscheduled second round of Gulf Coast Community Foundation's arts grants program during its current fiscal year.

04/27/2020 By Staff

Medical History

Lessons From Past Pandemics Can Provide a Road Map for the Future

Every pandemic reveals more than it creates.

04/27/2020 By David Hackett

Coronavirus

Citywide Public Health Emergency Extended Through May 1

Lido Beach and the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall also remain closed.

04/24/2020 By Staff

Coronavirus

Mattison's Donates More Than 600 Meals for COVID-19 Relief

The restaurant group is partnering with local businesses to prepare and deliver meals to first responders and underserved populations.

04/24/2020 By Staff

Coronavirus

Sweet Sparkman Is Creating Face Shields for Healthcare Workers

Using 3-D printers, Sweet Sparkman and MRG 3D have printed and distributed more than 14,000 shields to local medical professionals.

04/24/2020 By Staff

Coronavirus

COVID-19 Drive-Thru Testing Available Tuesday in North Sarasota

A second round of testing will take place at the Robert L. Taylor Community Complex. Appointments are required.

04/24/2020 By Staff

Economy

Is an Economic Shutdown Worse Than COVID-19? A State Economist Weighs In

Sean Snaith, one of Florida’s best-known economists, says “self-inflicted” damage to the economy has become more devastating than the virus itself.

04/24/2020 By David Hackett

Coronavirus

Our New Normal: Scenes From a Masked Sarasota

Photographer Barbara Banks snapped these portraits of masked Sarasotans as they try to go about their lives—sometimes cautiously, sometimes joyfully, sometimes in spite of all the odds.

04/24/2020 Photography by Barbara Banks

Can do

How to Get Your Hands on Local Beer Despite Taproom Closures

There's no reason to subsist on substandard beer while you ride this thing out.

04/24/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Coronavirus

Tidewell Hospice Opens 'Community Hope Line'

Grief support, spiritual support and social support assistance are all available.

04/23/2020 By Staff

Coronavirus

Another 4.4 Million People Filed Unemployment Claims Last Week

Those claims bring the unemployment total to more than 26 million people, or 11.3 percent.

04/23/2020 By Megan McDonald