What you need to know in Sarasota-Manatee, Tuesday, September 29

We will update this story throughout the day with the latest news from around the area.

As of Monday, 701,302 people in Florida have tested positive for COVID-19. There have been 14,037 COVID-19 deaths in Florida.

TOP STORIES

4:24 p.m.: Manatee County repeals COVID-19 mask mandate but encourages people to wear them

After Gov. Ron DeSantis announced last week that local governments could not fine individuals for violating local COVID-19 restrictions, Manatee County commissioners on Tuesday repealed the emergency resolution requiring face coverings in indoor spaces where social distancing isn’t possible.

3:51 p.m.: IT security issue affects Manatee Memorial Hospital and Lakewood Ranch Medical Center

The company that owns Manatee Memorial Hospital and Lakewood Ranch Medical Center said in a statement that an IT security problem has rendered its IT network offline.

2:53 p.m.: Consumer confidence rebounds in Florida and nationwide

Consumer confidence rallied in Florida this month, but it remains well below pre-coronavirus levels.

2:17 p.m.: COVID-19 could mean a smaller-scale Halloween

So many things have happened this year that Halloween almost feels like an afterthought.

2:05 p.m.: Season of Sharing helps the Micheli family return to normalcy

Over the last six months, Michael Micheli, his wife, Kelly, and his 15-year-old son Nikko each had their routine upended. 

1:34 p.m.: North Port adopts Phase 3 guidelines, lifts restrictions at recreational amenities

In accordance with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ move to Phase 3 of the state’s reopening plan, the city of North Port will fully reopen walk-in services at City Hall and North Port Police Department as well lift capacity restrictions at city owned recreational facilities.

8:00 a.m.: SEIDMAN: The different but indelible legacies of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Annie Solomon

Annie Solomon’s death at the age of 102 came on September 25 – precisely one week after Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg succumbed to pancreatic cancer at the age of 87. Both women were petite, feisty and greatly beloved but, separated by a generation in which a woman’s primary role began to shift from wife to work, they lived very different lives.

8:00 a.m.: School Board member Eric Robinson under potential criminal investigation

State Attorney Ed Brodsky has asked Gov. Ron DeSantis to appoint another state attorney to investigate criminal allegations against his campaign treasurer, Eric Robinson, who is “under investigation for a potential election criminal misconduct,” according to an executive order DeSantis signed last week.

8:00 a.m.: Southwest Florida could feel second early cool front this week

A second September cool front is expected to bump through Southwest Florida this week, bringing a slight temperature dip and drier air. 

8:00 a.m.: SarasotaMOD Weekend set to return this year

Sarasota Architectural Foundation's SarasotaMOD Weekend is still set to take place this year, honoring architect Carl Abbott and featuring events with timed entries, open-air venues and more.

8:00 a.m.: Mail ballots pour into elections offices across Florida

A steady stream of voters descended on the Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections downtown office Monday and dropped their ballots into a shiny silver metal box in the lobby marked "official vote-by-mail ballot drop box."

8:00 a.m.: Venice council candidates to share their views Tuesday at League of Women Voters forum

The two men hoping to succeed Chuck Newsom in Seat 2 on the Venice City Council, will share their philosophies at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, at a virtual forum hosted by the League of Women Voters.

8:00 a.m.: OPINION: Election Day approaches, and VOTE411 can help you make up your mind

One thing about participatory democracy I've always found interesting is that as we grow older and more mature – although some us only manage the first part of that process and botch the second – voting as a rule becomes less personal and more political.

YESTERDAY'S TOP STORIES

Retail properties on St. Armands Circle in Sarasota sell for $15.5 million

Investors from Miami purchased two retail properties in the iconic St. Armands Circle shipping district for $15.5 million.

Restaurant News: Sage in downtown Sarasota announces reopening date

Sage Restaurant, which occupies the historic Sarasota Times newspaper building on First Street in downtown, plans to reopen after temporarily closing in June following the second ban on drinking at bars.

Restaurant News: Bootsy’s Pot Pies & Other Good Stuff opens in Sarasota

As curbside and delivery remain popular dining options amid the pandemic, a new Sarasota business focuses on those options exclusively.

Farmers market returns to Englewood Thursday morning

The Englewood Farmers Market will reopen for season using social distancing practices that the Friends of Sarasota County Parks have put in place since the nonprofit reopened the Venice Farmers Market in June.

Sarasota County voters urged to return vote-by-mail ballots early

The coming Nov. 3 election is closer than it may seem — and the Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections is urging voters to return vote-by-mail ballots quickly. 

Sarasota childcare centers struggle to regain footing after COVID-19 closures

Childcare centers throughout the county took a devastating blow from COVID-19, with roughly 70% of the centers in Sarasota closing their doors in April. But since June, the majority of childcare centers have reopened, with none of the sound and fury that has marked the reopening of schools.

Season of Sharing: A single mother is thankful for the help, though she still struggles

Collins is the only caregiver for her sons. Now that her two boys are at home each day, taking care of them requires her full attention. Day care is not an option, Collins said. She is unemployed and provides the basic needs for her family with her Supplemental Security Income, Collins said.

Former candidate, protester swarmed by Bradenton police during Black Lives Matter protest

After an orderly two-hour protest in Bradenton on Thursday, Eleuterio “Junior” Salazar hopped in his car and pulled onto Ninth Street West with water and snacks. Moments later, he was swarmed by police. 

Democrats try to recapture 2018 magic in Sarasota state House race as GOP tries to flip seat

Sarasota attorney Drake Buckman entered the race to try to keep the District 72 seat blue, facing off against GOP Navy veteran Fiona McFarland in a match-up of first time candidates.

GUEST EDITORIAL: Republican Party's message is a formula full of manufactured grievances

"Their tactics are reminiscent of a broader Republican Party trend, where candidates have shifted to national media talking points while eschewing the localized and pertinent needs of the communities they’re elected to serve."

Monday's letters: open for business, time for competence, transfer of power, more

Readers speak out about recent news events.

FCC’s Lifeline program providing free phone and internet confronts a crisis

Public interest groups fear the impasse, if left unresolved, could undermine the premise of the 35-year-old program, which is to “ensure that all Americans have the opportunities and security that phone service brings, including being able to connect to jobs, family and emergency services,” as the FCC describes Lifeline.