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Sarasota

Administrators surprise Kari Johnson, a kindergarten teacher at Fruitville Elementary School. Photo courtesy
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • December 15, 2020
Finalists named for Sarasota Teacher of the Year

The finalists teach at Fruitville Elementary, Sarasota Military Academy Prep, Alta Vista Elementary and Booker High School.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
First Step CEO Gwen MacKenzie discusses the Behavioral Health Response Team program during a press conference on Tuesday, Dec. 15, at the Kreisman Center Crisis Stabilization Unit.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 15, 2020
First Step, law enforcement launch crisis intervention program

The Behavioral Health Response Team is an initiative designed to produce better outcomes for individuals dealing with issues related to mental health and substance abuse.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A memorial featuring a plaque, a portrait of Shackelford and his favorite painting hangs in the school's media center. Photo courtesy
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • December 15, 2020
Sarasota High remembers teacher with memorial, scholarship

Robert Shackelford was a teacher at Sarasota High School. He died after testing positive for COVID-19.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Al Maio, left, will take over as chair of the Sarasota County Commission in 2021. Christian Ziegler, right, will serve as vice chair.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • December 11, 2020
Maio selected as new county commission chair

Maio previously served as chair in 2016 and as vice chair in 2015 and 2020.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • December 10, 2020
Selby Gardens previews 2020 Lights in Bloom

Selby VIP guests received a look at the annual lights show ahead of its Dec. 12 opening.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Following a state directive that requires struggling remote learnings to return to brick-and-mortar, more students are expected to return to the classroom for second semester. Photo courtesy Sarasota Schools
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • December 10, 2020
Changes coming to schools in new semester

Following a state directive, struggling remote students will be asked to return to in-person classes.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
    In Memoriam |
  • December 10, 2020
Lillian Janice Howle

Lillian Janice Howle, fondly known as “Miss Janice”, 91, passed away peacefully in Sarasota, Florida on Monday, November 30, 2020.

  • Sarasota
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 10, 2020
Sarasota weather page photo: December 10

MaryAnn Parks captured this parakeet having a snack near her home in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Deputy Police Chief Pat Robinson will join interim City Manager Marlon Brown as the city transitions to a new top administrator following Tom Barwin's retirement. Image courtesy Sarasota Police Department.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 10, 2020
Brown appoints deputy police chief as deputy city manager

Pat Robinson will move from the Sarasota Police Department to City Hall to join the city's administrative team on an interim basis.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 10, 2020
Our challenge: Keep Florida Florida

You can interpret Florida’s presidential election results as delivering two messages.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Jazmene Perez scored a goal in the Booker's first win in three years.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 10, 2020
Booker girls soccer nabs first win in three years

The Tornadoes are not satisfied yet, however.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 10, 2020
Stay the course, governor

The media chafes that DeSantis is an outlier. But his approach is helping 95% of Floridians not infected with the coronavirus.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Caroline King's defensive effort forces a Newsome player into a bad spot. The Rams are focused on defensive energy this season.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 10, 2020
Prose and Kohn: Healthy Rams girls basketball team is a defensive threat

There are no easy points against Riverview.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Gulf Coast Maritime Museum board members Chad Weiss, John Pether and Pat Ball stand in the former boat-building studio of George Luzier. The group wants to build a museum to chronicle the history of boating in Florida.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 10, 2020
Group pitches maritime museum at Bobby Jones

Although a group of boating enthusiasts are passionate about the concept, city officials have recommended against the request for public land.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A concept rendering included with the application material shows the proposed facade of the hotel along Fourth Street and Lemon Avenue. Image via city of Sarasota.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 10, 2020
Planning Board overrules staff on Rosemary sidewalk plans

Although city planners recommended against it, the Planning Board authorized a curb cut on Fourth Street to accommodate a two-lane parking entrance for a forthcoming hotel.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Latest in Sarasota

1
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
  • December 19, 2025
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
2
District 5 representative Ron Cutsinger will be the 2026 chairman of the Sarasota County Commission.
  • December 19, 2025
Sarasota County commissioners pick chair, vice chair
3
Locations of the new St. Armands speed tables are marked in red.
  • December 19, 2025
St. Armands speed humps will be replaced with permanent speed tables
4
All games in the 2027 Sarasota College Softball Classic will be played on the championship field (lower left) at the new 17th Street Park Regional Sports Complex.
  • December 18, 2025
New north Sarasota park draws major collegiate softball tournament
5
Sarasota Police Department personnel monitor Sarasota's network of cameras, license plate readers, gunshot detectors and other devices in the nearly completed Real-Time Operations Center.
  • December 18, 2025
Police foil developing bank scam as it unfolds

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