SIESTA KEY
Observer
Colorful character.
PAGE 16
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 50, NO. 49
FREE
YOUR TOWN
•
THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2020
COVID-19 climbing
City sets meeting to consider mandating mask usage. PAGE 3
SUMMER SMILES
File photo
Breeze back on the road
Those who have a hard time finding beach parking can rejoice: The Siesta Key Breeze Trolley is running again. The trolley, which makes stops from Siesta Village to Turtle Beach, was previously closed due to COVID-19. However, Sarasota County opened the free service to all riders June 18. Patrons can catch a ride from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The trolley is cleaned nightly and high-touch surfaces, such as hand rails and seats, are disinfected at the end of each loop. Those with COVID-19 symptoms are asked to refrain from riding.
Reading program takes to the small screen. SEE PAGE 14
As it was, please
The sun on the beach can be brutal. But so can the little holes left in the sand by a beach umbrella — if you’re a baby sea turtle. Nesting season is far enough along to expect hatchlings on the beaches of Lido Key and Siesta Key, and little sea turtles can fall into former sand castles, beach umbrella holes and pretty much any kind of obstacle. Sea turtle advocates urge beach visitors to smooth over any holes or depressions in the sand before leaving.
Brynn Mechem
Beth Duda is the host of “This Book is Cool!” — an online show that promotes summer learning.
100 and still center of it all
Turtle Tracks AS OF JUNE 20 TOTAL NESTS: 2020 2019 Siesta Key 288 461 Lido Beach 76 42 Casey Key 791 1,302 TOTAL FALSE CRAWLS: 2020 2019 Siesta Key 313 717 Lido Beach 127 103 Casey Key 1,017 1,676 Source: Mote Marine Laboratory
File photo
Stanley Kane (center), with Betsy Kane-Hartnett and Margaret Wise, often hosts an opening party for Asolo.
Stanley Kane enjoys milestone with family. SEE PAGE 17
A+E
Smaller, but still funny. SEE PAGE 22