Manatee commissioners working on plan to get residents back to work

In Manatee County, there are a lot of projects that need work, and getting them done could be key to getting residents back to work. 

Teachers surprise 250 graduating seniors by hand-delivering caps, gowns 

"It just keeps the kids feel included and important when everybody is so isolated and alone,” said one teacher. “It keeps the human touch.”

Fourth suspect arrested in 2019 smoke shop murder

Manatee County deputies say the last person suspected in a murder of a smoke shop employee was finally arrested months after the crime.

Beaches in Manatee County reopen with two-hour parking time limit

Manatee County will reopen its beaches starting at 10 a.m. Monday -- and it's not just for exercise. Beachgoers will be able to lay out under the sun as long as they social distance and are in groups of less than 10. Parking in Manatee County will have a two-hour limit, and violators will be ticketed.

State College of Florida graduates via virtual ceremony

From the State College of Florida board room, Dr. Carol Probstfeld addressed more than 600 who logged on to watch the virtual graduation of the class of 2020.

Bradenton medical assistant arrested for drug trafficking

Sarasota police arrested Kelly Gaffney, 49, on 241 felony charges and 26 misdemeanor charges after they say she wrote fraudulent prescriptions in her name and her son’s name for two years.

Manatee County reopens beaches; parking time limits, social distancing rules in place

On Thursday, Manatee County officials announced that Manatee County residents may park and visit public beaches for two hours a day as long as they practice social distancing. 

Some city leaders apprehensive beaches reopening in Manatee County

After a lengthy discussion Tuesday afternoon, Manatee County commissioners voted unanimously to reopen Coquina and Manatee beaches, starting at 10 a.m. Monday. 

Drive-through food pantry helps Parrish residents get by

Struggling families in Manatee County are getting a helping hand from a church congregation operating a drive-through food pantry. Volunteers said they have seen the need grow from a few dozen to hundreds in recent weeks.

Outlook for COVID-19 in Florida's long-term care facilities worsens as new data emerges

In Pinellas County, 40% of those whose death is attributed to COVID-19 were residents of long-term care facilities. In Manatee County, it’s 43%. In Sarasota County, it’s 44%.

Nearly 40 coronavirus-related deaths occurred among six nursing homes in Manatee, Sarasota counties

Nursing homes in Florida -- deemed as "ground zero" by the governor -- continue to face a growing number of COVID-19 cases and deaths, including facilities within Manatee and Sarasota counties.

Nursing home resident had COVID-19, family learns after his death

More families of people who lived in long-term care before they died from COVID-19 want to know why the spread of the disease was kept a secret until it was too late.

Death toll rises as Bay Area long-term care facilities fight uphill COVID-19 battle

Nursing homes and assisted living facilities are proving to be hotbeds for the novel coronavirus. A growing percentage of COVID-19 cases and deaths are attributed to long-term care facilities.

Manatee County drive-through COVID-19 test site opens April 29

Manatee County will soon have the ability to test 740 more people for COVID-19 thanks to testing materials purchased with the help of Manatee County Regional Health.

Family did not know nursing home was overrun with COVID-19 cases until it was too late

Family members in Minnesota are still trying to figure out how the nursing home in Florida where their mother lived became a hot sport for COVID-19 infection without anyone knowing.

Manatee, Sarasota school districts reschedule graduation dates

It's become much more evident that high school seniors won't have the traditional graduation ceremony they expected earlier this year after the COVID-19 outbreak.