2022 Fall Newcomers Guide
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NEWCOMERS GUIDE TO PARADISE 84 Local Award-Winning Journalism Subscribe today Get 13 weeks delivered to your door PLUS 24/7 digital access to YourSun.com for only $49.00 12 months Digital only for $119.00 Start your subscription today! hello.yoursun.com adno=3859664-1 7 05252 00075 3 2016 PULITZER PRIZE WINNER VOL. 129, NO. 269 | $3.00 How an Arcadia boy wound up at the White House PAGE 1C Biden risks losing support from Democrats PAGE 8A SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2021 | $3.00 SUN The Daily Charlotte • DeSoto • Sarasota SUN COAST NEWS & VIEWS YOURSUN.COM High 89, Low 68 Mainly clear SEE PAGE 2C TODAY'S WEATHER INSIDE TODAY Bible verse 2A SPORTS Lottery 2B Sports on TV 2B LOCAL Obituaries 5C Opinion 6-7C Police Beat 2C SUNDAY BREAK By PATRICK OBLEY SPORTS WRITER The ruling was three years in the making, 23 years after the fact and 43 years too late to have prevented anything. When U.S. District Judge Michael Watson on Wednesday ruled on a series of lawsuits against Ohio State University regarding decades of sexual abuse by Dr. Richard Strauss, he had biting words for the school. A whistleblower first brought the scandal to light in 2018. Since, 400 male survivors across 17 sports have detailed how, from 1978 to 1998, Strauss violated them and got away with it. The actions taken by the university and those in positions of power since the stories came out have demonstrably reduced the visibil- ity of the scandal. In virtually every way, it resembles the accounts of 332 female survivors who successfully sued Michigan State University over the actions of Dr. Larry Nassar. Strauss undeniably was a predator. No one defends him. He committed suicide in 2005, seven years after his career ended at Ohio State. "For decades, many at Ohio State tasked with protecting and training students and young ath- letes instead turned a blind eye to Strauss's exploitations," Watson wrote. "From 1979 to 2018, Ohio State utterly failed these victims. Plaintiffs beseech this Court to hold Ohio State accountable." Despite his words, Watson ruled the Ohio State lawsuits dismissed since the statute of limitations had passed, a detail the lawsuits vehemently dispute on Title IX grounds. One of those survivors is entering his sixth season as wrestling coach at Lemon Bay. Michael Schyck has told his story of abuse before the Ohio State University board of trustees and on the floor of the Ohio Statehouse. He has told it to Esquire magazine and other national media outlets. In the process, he has endured insults, victim-blaming and other criticism, much of it gender-based. He can feel the stares and carries the weight of the judgment with him every day, be it in line at a grocery store or while coaching at wrestling tournaments around the country. The abuse he suffered at the hand of Strauss occurred from 1988-1996, the effect shapes who he is today. His story is grim. It is sordid. It embarrasses and maddens him. And his story continues, one among hundreds. Read his story beginning today in the Sports section of The Daily Sun, 1B SUN PHOTO BY TIM KERN Michael Schyck, Lemon Bay High School wrestling coach, tells his story of surviving abuse. ONE IN 400: The story of Michael Schyck By ALAN FRAM ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON — Democrats pushed a $3.5 trillion, 10-year bill strengthening social safety net and climate programs through the House Budget Committee on Saturday, but one Democrat voted "no," illustrating the challenges party leaders face in winning the near unanimity they'll need to push the sprawling package through Congress. The Democratic-dominated panel, meeting virtually, approved the measure on a near party-line vote, 20-17. Passage marked a necessary but minor checking of a procedural box for Democrats by edging it a step closer to debate by the full House. Under budget rules, the committee wasn't allowed to significantly amend the 2,465-page measure, the product of 13 other More important work has been happening in an opaque procession of mostly unannounced phone calls, meetings and other bargaining sessions among party leaders and Panel OKs Dems' $3.5T bill, crunch time for Biden agenda SEE BILL, 5A By MORGAN SIMPSON STAFF WRITER NORTH PORT — Beneath pink and purple skies, North Port residents somberly gathered Saturday evening at North Port City Hall to release butterflies and light candles in honor of Gabrielle "Gabby" Petito. "It's a sad occasion, an angel gone too soon," said Cherylann Francis from Port Charlotte. People watched as monarch butterflies were released at City Hall. The butterflies signified Petito's last Instagram post in front of a butterfly mural at The Monarch, an art center in Ogden, Utah. The memorial event, Butterfly Wings to Heaven for Gabby, was organized by Lisa Correll. Petito, 22, was reported missing Sept. 11. The North Port resident had been on a months-long journey with her boyfriend, Brian Laundrie, 23. The couple had dated for years and were, at one point, engaged. They lived with his parents in the 4300 block of Wabasso Avenue, in North Port. the trip on Sept. 1, driving Petito's Ford van. Sept. 19 in the Spread NORTH PORT REMEMBERS GABBY Mourners release butterflies, light candles at dusk Cherylann Francis traveled from Port Charlotte to light a candle in memory of Gabrielle "Gabby" Petito on Saturday. Call now to learn about our SURGERY-FREE offi ce treatment. www.PhysiciansRehab.com 3417 Tamiami Tr., Unit A • Port Charlotte, FL 33952 KNEE PAIN? (941) 787-2987 World Class Arts Center BIG NEWS! ® shellpoint.org/BIG adno=3810697-1 MONDAY, JULY 26, 2021 | YOURSUN.COM | $1.50 High 89, Low 77 Partly cloudy SEE PAGE 2C TODAY'S WEATHER Charlie on Cayo Costa: swimming to next! INSIDE TODAY Bible verse 2A Stocks 7A SPORTS Lottery 2B Sports on TV 2B LOCAL Obituaries 6C Opinion 5C Police Beat 2C DAILY BREAK Comics and Puzzles 2-5D Dear Abby 5D Heloise 4D Horoscopes 3D France ends USA's basketball dominance of Olympics PAGE 1B Urn doubles as planter. PAGE 1D SUN The Daily Charlotte • DeSoto • Sarasota SUN COAST NEWS & VIEWS Babcock storm shelter, high school going up. PAGE 1C Cayo Costa is one of Charlotte Harbor's least-known islands By PATRICK OBLEY STAFF WRITER I 'm in trouble. Making use of their overwhelming numbers since my arrival on shore, the Mosquito Air Corps had launched ceaseless squadrons against the bulwark of my smelly, toxic, DNA-dissolving insect repellent. Now, two hours into my incursion, the needle noses are breaking through. The heavily wooded and spider-infested trail I'm struggling to follow has vanished. I have less than 60 minutes to get back to the boat. Yeah, I'm in trouble. Welcome to Cayo Costa. How did I end up here? A SHORT HISTORY I have lived in Charlotte County off -and-on for more than 25 years and have seen much of Charlotte Harbor in that time, save one lonely little island south of Boca Grande. It has served as the Gulf Coast-facing windshield for hurricanes to splatter against whenever they made a hard right turn The Helen M of the King Fisher Fleet pulls away from the dock at Cayo Costa after dropping off passengers. King Fisher off ers trips to Cayo Costa on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The cost is $34 for children, $44 for adults. The $2 admission to Cayo Costa State Park is included. SUN PHOTOS BY PATRICK OBLEY The view looking south from the Gulf Trail terminus near the northern end of Cayo Costa State Park. Cayo Costa State Park off ers a number of primitive cabins; as well as a camping ground; on the west side of the island. The cabins are in high demand; especially during the winter months. SEE CAYO, 3A WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — The United States is in an "unnecessary predicament" of soaring COVID-19 cases fueled by unvaccinated Americans and the virulent delta variant, the nation's top infectious diseases expert said Sunday. "We're going in the wrong direction," said Dr. Anthony Fauci, describing himself as "very frustrated." He said recommending that the vaccinated wear masks is "under active consideration" by the government's leading public health offi cials. Also, booster shots may be suggested for people with sup- pressed immune systems who have been vaccinated, Fauci said. Fauci, who also serves as President Joe Biden's chief medical adviser, told CNN's "State of the Union" that he has taken part in conversations about altering the mask guidelines. He noted that some local jurisdic- tions where infection rates are surg- ing, such as Los Angeles County, are already calling on individuals to wear masks in indoor public spaces regardless of vaccination status. Fauci said those local rules are compatible with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendation that the vaccinated do not need to wear masks in public. Nearly 163 million people, or 49% of the eligible U.S. population, are vaccinated, according to CDC data. "This is an issue predominantly Fauci says US headed in 'wrong direction' on coronavirus AP PHOTO Top infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci SEE FAUCI, 5A By PAUL GUZZO TAMPA BAY TIMES TAMPA — Locals have taken to the streets in solidarity with those in Cuba protesting the island nation's Communist leadership. The Tampa City Council approved a resolution voicing their support of the Cuban protestors. And Tampa Mayor Jane Castor declared on Twitter, "The fi ght for freedom and against repression is all of our fi ght." third-largest Cuban-American population in the country, has made it clear that Cuban dissidents have their backing — indirectly. But Tampa was once known for getting more directly involved in Cuban revolutions. Residents fought in battles, smuggled guns, fundraised for causes and participated in attacks against the Cuban government. According to news archives, Tampa's connection to Cuban revolutions began with Cuba's beloved freedom fi ghter, Jose Marti. Cuba became a Spanish colony in the 15th century and remained in the European nation's possession for the next 400 years. By the late 1800s, Cubans clamored for independence. Marti was among the most vocal. A poet, he wrote and disseminated well-read essays about the nation's need for independence. In the 1890s, he took his movement to the United States, including some 20 trips to Ybor City, where Cuban immigrants had settled and formed a cigar industry. Marti's 1893 speech to Ybor cigar workers is credited as the fi rst U.S. fundraising eff ort to Tampa residents once had direct role in Cuban revolutions ORT tery rts U p ly Sarasota WS rlotte Harbor' I 'm in t Mak numb Mosquit squadro toxic, D two hou noses a The Helen M o dock at Cayo Fisher off ers ff and Saturda The $2 adm WILMING United State predicamen cases fueled Americans variant, the diseases ex "We're g direction," Fauci, des frustrated He said vaccinate active con ded i or Jane Twitter om and is all o n-Ame ountr hat Cu r bac nce nce France ends b ketbal etball SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2021 | YOURSUN.COM | facebook.com/SunPreps | @Sun_Preps | SECTION B GOLF: Americans take largest lead against Europe in Ryder Cup. PAGE 8B INDEX | Lottery 2 | MLB 2 | College 3 | NFL 5-6 | Boxing 7 | Scoreboard 7 | Auto racing MLB By MARK DIDTLER ASSOCIATED PRESS ST. PETERSBURG — The Tampa Bay Rays clinched their second straight AL East title, with Mike Zunino hitting a go-ahead homer and Brandon Lowe later adding a pair of RBI doubles to beat the Miami Marlins 7-3 on Saturday night. Reliever Pete Fairbanks retired Lewis Brinson on a foul popup with the bases loaded for the final out, giving the Rays the chance to celebrate on the field. Earlier in the day, Tampa Bay's magic number was cut to one when the New York Yankees beat Boston 5-3. There was a standing ovation from the season-high announced crowd of 23,783 at Tropicana Field when the Yankees' victory was announced after the top of the sixth inning. Tampa Bay improved to 96-59 and won its fourth division title since becoming a major league team for the 1998 season. The club debuted as the Devil Rays then, and wore jerseys with that name during this clinching victory. The Rays, who lost the World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers in six games last season, have never won the championship. Shane McClanahan (10-6) allowed one run and six hits over five innings. The lefty worked out of several jams, holding the Marlins to 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position. Brett Phillips reached to begin the fifth on a fielding error by second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Zunino then hit his 32nd homer, connecting off Sandy Alcantara (9-14) for a 3-1 lead. After the Marlins twice got within one, Lowe's RBI double in the seventh gave Tampa Bay a 5-3 lead. Phillips had a sacrifice fly and Lowe, who was nearly hit by Yandy Díaz's foul while in the on- deck circle, extended the lead to 7-3 with another run-scoring double. Alcantara gave up five runs — three earned — and nine hits over six-plus in- nings. He became the third major leaguer to reach 200 innings this season, and the first Marlins pitcher since Mark Buerhle in 2012. By PATRICK OBLEY SPORTS WRITER Reader's note: This story contains explicit language and recounts situations that could be traumatic for survivors of sexual abuse. When the ruling came down this week, there was no doubt who was guilty. There was no attempt to defend the guilty man's enablers. From 1978 to 1998, Ohio State University employed Dr. Richard Strauss, diminutive in stature, dominant in authority, who sexually abused hundreds of athletes across 17 sports programs. That it happened has never been disputed. That those who could do something, did not, cannot be denied. When a whistleblower came forward in 2018, U.S. District Judge Michael Watson was tasked with determining whether several of the largest lawsuits against Ohio State seeking compensation, an admis- sion of wrongdoing and sweeping overhaul of the university's oversight of sports medicine could proceed. Wednesday, after three years of legal maneuvering, seman- tics and witness wrangling, Watson issued his opinion and ruling. "For decades, many at Ohio State tasked with protecting and training students and young athletes instead turned a blind eye to Strauss's exploitations," Watson wrote. "From 1979 to 2018, Ohio State utterly failed these victims. Plaintiffs beseech this Court to hold Ohio State account- able …" COLLEGE FOOTBALL By MARK LONG AP SPORTS WRITER GAINESVILLE — Emory Jones had two touchdown passes to go with a career-high 144 yards rushing, leading No. 11 Florida to a 38-14 victory over Tennessee on Saturday night and extending nearly two decades of dominance in the series. The Gators (3-1, 1-1 Southeastern Conference) won their fifth straight and 16th in 17 years in a series that used to go a long way toward deciding the Eastern Division. First-year Tennessee coach Josh Heupel is trying to get it back there. The second half showed he's still got a way to go. The Gators, who bounced back from a gut-wrenching loss against top-ranked Alabama in the Swamp a week ago, scored on consecutive drives in the third quarter to turn a three-point game into comfort- able lead. Jones was at his best during those possessions. With dynamic backup Anthony Richardson still nursing a strained right hamstring, Jones completed three straight passes that set NFL By GREG BEACHAM AP SPORTS WRITER INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Whenever Bruce Arians' teams face Matthew Stafford, the veter- an coach makes a point to hit the field early on Sunday morning just to watch the quarterback's pregame workout. Even after nearly two years of watching Tom Brady on a weekly basis, Arians plans to check out Stafford's talents again Sunday at SoFi Stadium when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0) visit the Los Angeles Rams (2-0) for an early season showdown between the team that won the Super Bowl in its home stadium last season and a team that hopes to duplicate that feat this year. "He's one of the most talented guys that I've ever seen," Arians said of Stafford, who spent the past 12 seasons in Detroit. "He can make every single throw on the field, and with ease. He can stretch you all kind of ways, horizontally and vertically. You have to be in great position defensively to stop him." Tampa Bay and Los Angeles have been two of the most impressive teams in the NFL over the first two weeks of the season. Much of that success is down to the smooth, prolific performances of their veteran quarterbacks, who have thrown for 1,254 combined yards with 14 TDs and two of the NFL's top passer ratings. Stafford is among the handful of quarterbacks talented enough to last 13 years as an NFL starter, yet he is winless in the playoffs while Brady has 34 victories and seven rings. The first-year Rams passer doesn't wonder what might have been if he had been drafted by a coach like Bill Belichick rather than a team like the Lions. ONE IN 400 Schyck's fights for justice against Ohio State in Strauss scandal PHOTO PROVIDED Michael Schyck, second from right, wrestled and coached at Ohio State University from 1988-1996. He is one of 400 sexual assault survivors of Dr. Richard Strauss's 20-year tenure at the school. Pictured with Schyck, from left to right, are Rex Holman, Kevin Randleman and Adam Disabato, who along with Schyck is one of the faces of the scandal which first came to light in 2018. SCHYCK SEE SCHYCK, 4B Rams host Bucs in early meeting of NFC contenders SEE BUCS, 6B Rays clinch 2nd straight AL East title SEE TITLE, 2B Gators rout Tennessee, again AP PHOTO/ JOHN RAOUX Florida quarterback Emory Jones tries to get past Tennessee defensive back Jaylen McCollough during the second half of Saturday's game. SEE GATORS, 3B WALKING PUT YOUR BEST FOOT FORWARD CALL TODAY! FAMILY FOOT & LEG CENTER FOOT & ANKLE PAIN INGROWN TOENAILS MORTONS NEUROMA PLANTAR FASCIITIS WOUND CARE SPORTS INJURY BUNIONECTOMY HEEL PAIN COMMON CONDITIONS 239-430-3668 (FOOT) NAPLESPODIATRIST.COM adno=3810716-1 MBER 26, 2021 | YOURSUN.COM | facebook.com/SunPreps | @Sun_Preps | SECTION B F: F Americans take largest lead against Europe in Ryder Cup. PAGE 8B y 2 | MLB 2 | | | | College 3 | NFL 5-6 | Boxing 7 | Scoreboard 7 | Auto racing MLB By MARK DIDTLER ASSOCIATED PRESS ST. PETERSBURG — The Tampa Bay Rays clinched their second strai ght AL East title, with Mike Zunino hitting a go-ahead homer and Brandon Lowe later adding a pair of RBI doubles to beat the Miami Marlins 7-3 on Saturday night. Reliever Pete Fairbanks retired Lewis Brinson on a foul popup with the bases loaded for the final out, giving the Rays the chance to celebrate on the field. Earlier in the day, Tampa Bay's magic number was cut to one when the New York Yankees beat Boston 5-3. There was a standing ovation from the season-high announced crowd of 23,783 at Tropicana Field when the Yankees' victory was announced after the top of the sixth inning. Tampa Bay improved to 96-59 and won its fourth division title since becoming a major league team for the 1998 season. The club debuted as the Devil Rays then, and wore jerseys with that name during this clinching victory. The Rays, who lost the World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers in six games last season, have never won the championship. Shane McClanahan (10-6) allowed one run and six hits over five innings. The lefty worked out of several jams, holding the Marlins to 0 for 7 with runn ers in scoring position. Brett Phillips reached to begin the fifth on a fielding error by second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Zunino then hit his 32nd homer, connecting off Sandy Alcantara (9-14) for a 3-1 lead. After the Marlins twice got within one, Lowe's RBI double in the seventh gave Tampa Bay a 5-3 lead. Phillips had a sacrifice fly and Lowe, who was nearly hit by Yandy Díaz's foul while in the on- deck circle, extended the lead to 7-3 with another run-scoring double. Alcantara gave up five runs — three earned — and nine hits over six- plus in- nings. He became the third major leaguer to reach 200 innings this season, and the first Marlins pitcher since Mark Buerhle in 2012. Y ntains nts umatic e. n this o was o ers. e rd xually abused hundreds of athletes across 17 sports programs. That it happened has never been dispu ted. That those who could do something, did not, cannot be denied. When a whistleblower came forward in 2018, U.S. District Judge Michael Watson was tasked with determining whether several of the largest lawsuits against Ohio State seeking compensation, an admis- sion of wrongdoing and sweeping overhaul of the university's oversight of sports medicine could proceed. Wednesday, after three years of legal maneuvering, sema n- tics and witness wrangling, Watson issued his opinion and ruling. "For decades, many at Ohio State tasked with protecting and training students and young athletes instead turned a blind eye to Strauss's exploitations," Watson wrote. "From 1979 to 2018, Ohio State utterly failed these victims. Plaintiffs beseech this Court to hold Ohio State account- able …" COLLEGE FOOTBALL By MARK LONG AP SPORTS WRITER GAINESVILLE — Emory Jones had two touchdown passes to go with a career-high 144 yards rushing, leading No. 11 Florida to a 38-14 victory over Tennessee on Saturday night and extending nearly two decades of dominance in the series. The Gators (3-1, 1-1 Southeastern Conference) won their fifth straight and 16th in 17 years in a series that used to go a long way toward deciding the Eastern Division. First-year Tennessee coach Josh Heupel is t rying to get it back there. The second half showed he's still got a way to go. The Gators, who bounced back from a gut-wrenching loss against top-ranked Alabama in the Swamp a week ago, scored on consecutive drives in the third quarter to turn a three-point game into comfort- able lead. Jones was at his best during those possessions. With dynamic backup Anthony Richardson still nursing a strain ed right hamstring, Jones completed three straight passes that set tretch you all kind of ways, ontally and vertically. have to be in great position sively to stop him." mpa Bay and Los Angeles been two of the most ssive teams in the NFL he first two weeks of the Much of that success n to the smooth, prolific mances of their veteran backs, who have thrown combin ed yards with nd two of the NFL's top atings. d is among the handful rbacks talented enough years as an NFL starter, winless in the playoffs dy has 34 victories rings. The first-year er doesn't wonder t have been if he had ed by a coach like Bill ather than a team like ONE IN 400 ts for justice against Ohio State in Strauss scandal PHOTO PROVIDED from right, wrestled and coached at Ohio State University from 1988-1996. He is ult survivors of Dr. Richard Strauss's 20-year tenure at the school. Pictured with t, are Rex Holman, Kevin Randleman and Adam Disaba to, who along with Schyck is candal which first came to light in 2018. SCHYCK SEE SCHYCK, 4B cs in early contenders SEE BUCS, 6B Rays clinch 2nd straight AL East title SEE TITLE, 2B Gators rout Tennessee, again AP PHOTO/ JOHN RAOU X Florida quarterback Emory Jones tries to get past Tennessee defensive back Jaylen McCollough during the second half of Saturday's game. SEE GATORS, 3B WALKING ST RD NTER E URY MY (FOOT) ST.COM Punta Gorda one of nation's fastest growing housing markets PAGE 1C Pelosi vows to pass infrastructure, eyes smaller social bill. PAGE 2A Americans win Ryder Cup in rout. PAGE 1B MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2021 | $1.50 SUN The Daily Charlotte • DeSoto • Sarasota SUN COAST NEWS & VIEWS YOURSUN.COM 7 05252 00025 8 High 90, Low 69 Nice with sunshine SEE PAGE 2C TODAY'S WEATHER 2016 PULITZER PRIZE WINNER VOL. 129, NO. 270 | $1.50 Charlie on Punta Gorda: My backyard is beautiful INSIDE TODAY Bible verse 2A Stocks 7A SPORTS Lottery 2B Sports on TV 2B LOCAL Obituaries 5C Opinion 6-7C Police Beat 2C DAILY BREAK Comics and Puzzles 2-5D Dear Abby 5D Heloise 4D Horoscopes 3D By NANCY J. SEMON STAFF WRITER NORTH PORT — K-9 units and their handlers have been called in to help search for Brian Laundrie who has a warrant for his arrest and is a person of interest in the homicide of Gabrielle "Gabby" Petito. The dogs come from law enforcement departments and from vol- unteer groups; the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office has sent in one of its K-9 teams to assist. "We have one K-9 spe- cifically for search and rescue which is Copper," said Claudette Smith, public information officer for Charlotte County Sheriff's Office. Copper's handler is Deputy First Class Steven Sella. Brian Laundrie's family turned over some of his clothing so the dogs could pick up his scent. The family told authorities Laundrie went to the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park in North Port, which connects to the much larger T. Mabry Carlton Jr. Memorial Reserve in Sarasota County. So far, authorities have not said if they've found anything of substance in the more than week-long search in the more than 24,000 acres being checked. Sarasota K9 Search and K-9 units assist in search for Brian Laundrie Missing person of interest in Gabby Petito disappearance subject of manhunt PHOTO PROVIDED A K-9 with a search team awaits work at T. Mabry Carlton Jr. Memorial Reserve near Venice on Wednesday in the search for Brian Laundrie, 23, a person of interest in the disappearance of his girlfriend, Gabby Petito. Petito was found dead Sept. 19 and her death was ruled a homicide on Sept. 21. Laundrie disappeared a week earlier. STAFF REPORT SARASOTA — After spik- ing into the high teens for positivity rates at the start of the school year, leading Sarasota County Schools to mandate masks, the rate of COVID-19 is coming down enough for students to take masks off, if they wish. The district announced Sunday afternoon that the emergency policy that took effect earlier in September "is automatically suspend- ed" after the positivity rate for COVID-19 infections came down below 8% for three days in a row. "We strongly encourage everyone to continue to wear a face mask when indoors to help keep the positivity rate below 8%," it said in a news release. The face mask policy, which was followed relative- ly without issue last school year, became a hot-topic as this school year was underway — despite an obvious spike in COVID-19 infections throughout Florida. The district, threat- ened by state officials and local residents alike, passed a temporary emergency face mask policy on Aug. 20, saying it was good for 90 days or would be lifted once three days of lower than 8% positivity rate was accomplished. That rate was measured over the weekend through the data maintained by the Florida Department of Health, it said. The delta variant of COVID-19 raced through Charlotte, Sarasota and DeSoto counties early in the school year, with 251 stu- dents and 12 staff members of Sarasota County Schools diagnosed with coronavirus the first week of the month. District: Masks optional starting today By ARIJETA LAJKA ASSOCIATED PRESS HOLBROOK, N.Y. — Lines of mourners paid their respects Sunday for Gabby Petito, the 22-year-old whose death on a cross-country trip has sparked a manhunt for her boyfriend. Among those who con- gregated in Holbrook, about 35 miles east of New York City, were family members, friends, co-workers and people who were touched by Petito's story even though they didn't know her. "She was a beautiful soul; she was full of life, always smiling," said Desiree Keeffe, a friend of Petito's mother, Nichole. "She gave you love. She was just a beautiful soul. She touched everybody like she did now." Two fire trucks were positioned one on either side of the funeral home, each with its ladder extended, and a line of firefighters was seen filing into the building. Across the street, a chain link fence was adorned with posters featuring Petito's image and messages such as, "She touched the world." Petito was reported miss- ing Sept. 11 by her parents after she didn't respond to calls and texts for several days while she and Brian Laundrie visited parks in the West. Her body was discovered last Sunday in a remote area in northwestern Wyoming. Laundrie and Petito grew up on Long Island but in recent years moved to Florida. 'She was a beautiful soul' Friends, family gather in Long Island to mourn Gabby Petito AP PHOTOS A woman places a decoration near a poster Sunday after attending the funeral home viewing of Gabby Petito at Moloney's Funeral Home in Holbrook, N.Y. A woman wipes her tears Sunday after attending the funeral home viewing of Gabby Petito in Holbrook, N.Y. SEE MASKS, 4A SEE GABBY, 4A SEE K-9 , 4A LAUNDRIE Schools have been under 8% positivity rate for three days "We strongly encourage everyone to continue to wear a face mask when indoors to help keep the positivity rate below 8%." 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