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East County | Opinion

Dr. Leigh Samanowitz watches as Chewy gets an up-close look at an oxygen chamber on the hand of Florida West Coast Avian Board Member Cindy Gordon.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 26, 2026
Polly want an oxygen chamber?

Florida West Coast Avian Society receives a grant to purchase oxygen chambers that can help a parrot survive.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Have you suffered trying to get a human being on the telephone?
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 20, 2026
I wish AI was just a sauce you put on steak

An Observer columnist is defeated in trying to speak with a human being to pay his telephone bill.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Nastiness of campaigns
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 12, 2026
Nastiness of campaigns

Elections have always had smears and lies. And with first-time candidates, voters have only faith that, if elected, those candidates will do the right thing.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Country Club East's Mark Allen Baker shows off his newest book, "Willian A. Brady — The Life of a Boxing and Broadway Impresario."
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 5, 2026
Classroom assignment can launch a career

Lakewood Ranch's Mark Allen Baker says one teacher's assignment launched his successful writing career.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Conductor Joe Martinez leads the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble with Waterside Place in the background. Could the ensemble be playing at the new Rangeland High theater?
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 30, 2026
Manatee County should take a starring role with theater project

Helping the school district expand its Rangeland High theater is common sense.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Where are the statesmen?
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 29, 2026
Where are the statesmen?

Too many county commission candidates can make old-timers nostalgic for past public servants. And how sad: The drumbeat to stop development and vilify developers is myopic and dangerous rhetoric.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Observer recommends: Local races
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 29, 2026
Observer recommends: Local races

The Observer’s recommendations for primary races for Manatee County Commission and Manatee School Board; Sarasota County Commission, Sarasota City Commission, Sarasota School Board, Sarasota Hospital Board and Charter Review Board.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Carol Ricks, principal at Myakka City Elementary, says the point of the Jump a Bucket event was to motivate the students and take the anxiety out of the equation while test taking.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 22, 2026
Manatee School District teachers deserve our thanks

Fifteen schools in East County are awarded an A rating by the state.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Work has either started or will begin soon on four roundabouts on University Parkway, east of Lakewood Ranch Boulevard. University Parkway also is being widened from Lorraine Road to Bourneside Boulevard.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 8, 2026
Necessary construction will snarl University Parkway in Lakewood Ranch

Motorists should avoid as much of the congestion as possible by planning their trips ahead.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Boston's Simeon John of Community Rowing celebrates his title in the USRowing Junior National Championships Sunday at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota. Would Nathan Benderson Park be around if Sarasota County didn't have access to property taxes?
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 17, 2026
Will Sarasota, Manatee counties lose their luxury living with reduced property taxes?

Both counties' signature amenities could be affected if amendment passes.

  • East County
  • Opinion
An aerial rendering of Premier Park's upcoming racket and aquatic center.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 4, 2026
Residents receive little warning about Premier plan detours

Several of the minor plans for the park in Lakewood Ranch have been scrubbed.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Cash grab in Manatee, too
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 28, 2026
Cash grab in Manatee, too

While the Sarasota County tax collector has drawn ire for taking school district money, the Manatee County tax collector has taken even more and been doing it longer.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Take a long look at contributions
  • By Letter to the editor
  • May 20, 2026
Take a long look at contributions

East County Observer Editor writes fiction

  • East County
  • Opinion
Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Michelson Fleurant places a rose on a plaque at the Manatee County Law Enforcement Memorial Service May 14 in Bradenton.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 20, 2026
Law enforcement officers' calling demands our attention

The Manatee County Law Enforcement Memorial Service is a reminder that men and women place their lives at risk for our safety.

  • East County
  • Opinion
The main building at the Bishop Animal Shelter has 52 dog kennels. The expansion adds 120 more kennels.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 13, 2026
Dog tired of spending money on Manatee County's animal shelters

After $12 million of improvements at the Bishop Animal Shelter, some county residents aren't satisfied with the conditions.

  • East County
  • Opinion
1 2 3 4 5 »
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Latest in East County

1
Junior running back Antonio Jackson (center) of Braden River finds a gap in Lakewood Ranch's defense. The Pirates won this year's rivalry game.
  • September 5, 2026
High school football results from Week 3
2
Fifth graders Amilia Dragovoy, Betsi Branscomb and Raegan Standifer are able to work at their own pace on state standards through the Ethos AI Experiential Academy at Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy.
  • September 2, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Prep embraces personalized AI academy
3
Dr. Samuel Yelverton is proud Universal Health Services is purchasing the most advanced technology for Lakewood Ranch Medical Center.
  • September 2, 2026
Da Vinci 5: A robotic masterpiece at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center
4
Owen Gellatly, pictured here in 2025, is one of two seniors for Lakewood Ranch boys golf this season alongside Donovan Plakyda. Both of them were on last year's team which reached the state championship.
  • September 2, 2026
After 12th-place state finish in 2025, LRHS boys golf team aims higher
5
For security reasons, Commissioner Jason Bearden is wary of giving a private company so much data on Manatee County. He wants to "push the brakes" on AI.
  • September 2, 2026
AI pilot program says it can save Manatee County up to $110 million

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