• Alternate Text

  • Loading

  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Elections
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Elections
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

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
Commissioner George Kruse proved you can govern without letting special interests influence your decisions after substantial campaign donations.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 6, 2026
Don't judge Manatee County candidates solely on campaign contributions

Developers and builders have every right to contribute to candidates that represent their best interests.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Love local news? There's an app for that. The Observer recently rolled out a smartphone application that makes it even easier to stay connected.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 22, 2026
App makes local news even easier to find

The Observer rolls out a new digital feature to connect with the community.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Steve Herrig, the owner of the Miakka Golf Club, which is expected to open in November, stands in front of a fairway and one of the many wetland areas formed by his course's construction.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 14, 2026
Miakka Golf Club's commitment to nature isn't enough for some neighbors

Steve Herrig says he has done everything possible to assure his Myakka City land is in better shape than when he brought it.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Readers responded to Jay Heater's column, asking if they enjoy the April Fools' edition. Were you fooled by the story about speed bumps on White Eagle Boulevard?
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 8, 2026
East County Observer readers have last word on April Fools

Most of the readers who responded love the April Fools tradition.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Did our Pig-Away story and photo fool you in our April Fools edition?
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 2, 2026
Is the Observer's April Fools edition foolish or just plain fun?

The East County Observer gets plenty of reactions from the 2026 April Fools edition.

  • East County
  • Opinion
The LECOM Suncoast Classic has averaged about 20,000 fans per year and has given back more than $1 million to the community.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 25, 2026
LECOM Suncoast Classic generates more than $1 million for students and charities

LECOM's Student Scholarship Fund has benefited by more than $700,000 for its Lakewood Ranch campus students.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Ted Lindenberg thanks students from Rogers Garden Elementary for singing a couple songs during the Books for Kids annual luncheon at Lakewood Ranch Country Club March 12.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 18, 2026
Books for Kids' passion runs cover to cover

Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch's reading program spells out success.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Morgan Bettes Angell and Paul Benjamin thought a blues festival in Lakewood Ranch would be sustainable on an annual basis, but after two years, it is out.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 11, 2026
When it comes to the blues festival, we blew it in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival promoter says he will move the festival to G.T. Bray for 2026.

  • East County
  • Opinion
1 2 3 4 5 ยป
The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in East County

1
Tom Bleakley's "The Preacher" follows a young Detroit lawyer who takes on the defense of a woman charged with the killing of her husband. It is co-authored by Marcia Krajewski, another Lakewood Ranch resident.
  • July 21, 2026
Lakewood Ranch author uses 50-year law career to write fiction novels
2
The playground is open daily from sunrise to sunset.
  • July 21, 2026
Manatee County moves forward with Mixon Farms makeover
3
About 50 local, state and federal candidates attended "Meet the Candidates" at Gold Coast Eagle Distributing July 16.
  • July 20, 2026
Meet the candidates event draws hundreds to Lakewood Ranch
4
Swimming is a sport Izzy DiPasquale got into because of her older sister, Ava DiPasquale. She's now assembling a career of her own.
  • July 20, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Izzy DiPasquale
5
Mike Mullen, the new principal of Lakewood Ranch High School, is ready to take on the role he applied for in 2019.
  • July 19, 2026
Educator returns to area as principal of Lakewood Ranch High

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.

Anytime. Anywhere. Observer.

From in-depth local reporting to real-time breaking news, stay connected to the stories shaping our community with the Your Observer app.

Download Now for Free