SIESTA KEY
SEASON SUMMER
Observer
2020
IDE R V E R ’S G U THE OBSE ENT R E N J OY M TO S U M M E
INSIDE
GET OUT! y Four ways to enjo summer — right . in your backyard 24 E PAG
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 50, NO. 46
FREE
YOUR TOWN
•
THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2020
Ready for reopening City plans promotional campaign for downtown. PAGE 3A
Courtesy photo
Rotary donates beach chairs
Rotary Club of Sarasota recently donated a pair of beach wheelchairs to Sarasota County. The wheelchairs, equipped with wide tires to roll over beach sand, will be put to use on Siesta Key’s public beach. They cost about $1,000 each. At Siesta Beach, beach wheelchairs are available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Anyone in need of a beach wheelchair outside those hours can contact the Sarasota County ADA Coordinator three days before their visit and make a request by calling 861-5000.
Retired dog up for award
Looking to vote for someone, but keep seeing your choice as the lesser of two evils? Vote for Rek. He’s a dog. And a vet (not that kind). The 10-year-old German shepherd who retired to Sarasota after a military career was trained in explosives detection and served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Now he’s a semifinalist for the 2020 American Humane Hero Dog Awards. He’s one of 21 still competing out of a field of 400 candidates. Learn more and cast your ballot at www.HeroDogAwards.com.
MESSAGE: DELIVERED Hundreds march through downtown to police station. SEE PAGE 14A
Harry Sayer
Jovian Battis made an emotional plea to officers during a protest Tuesday that ranged from the bayfront to Sarasota Police headquarters.
Time to kiss it goodbye?
Turtle Tracks AS OF MAY 30 TOTAL NESTS: 2020 2019 Siesta Key 126 178 Lido Beach 29 21 Casey Key 313 525 TOTAL FALSE CRAWLS: 2020 2019 Siesta Key 102 252 Lido Beach 36 47 Casey Key 356 578 Source: Mote Marine Laboratory
Future of statue is in question as roadwork looms. SEE PAGE 4A David Conway
Unconditional Surrender was installed 10 years ago.
NEIGHBORS
Moving up. SEE PAGE 1B