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East County | Opinion

    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • November 12, 2020
A shoutout to Florida’s elections officials and staffs

With each screw-up, elections supervisors and the Legislature reformed and refined the system to the point now that Florida’s elections system is a national model and gold standard.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Stephanie Peabody (center), the Brain Health Initiative executive director, warms up for last year's Mindful Triathlon.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 10, 2020
Mindful Triathlon another Lakewood Ranch event that will have a different look during pandemic

Event planner Monaca Onstad of Lakewood Ranch Communities conquers challenge of keeping the local residents involved with smaller events such as the Mindful Triathlon.

  • East County
  • News
Psyciatrist W. Nate Upshaw has brought NeuroSpa TMS to Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 4, 2020
NeuroSpa gives those with clinical depression new hope in Lakewood Ranch

NeuroSpa brings Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Guest Author
  • November 4, 2020
Character matters, as does common good writes Lakewood Ranch resident

Lakewood Ranch resident writes letter to the editor as rebutattal.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • October 28, 2020
How Florida goes, the US goes

Florida is often called a microcosm of the U.S. electorate. Our state has sided with nine of the past 10 winners.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • October 21, 2020
Liberty or enslavement

If you’re still undecided, forget the candidates’ personalities. It’s the philosophies that matter.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Twinkle will rock My Hometown Fest.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 20, 2020
Concert at Premier could be glimpse of future in Lakewood Ranch

Reverend Barry and the Funk joins Twinkle to rock the Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch on Halloween night.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 20, 2020
The Observer's 2020 general election recommendations

Here are some insights and opinions to consider on the region’s candidates.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Elliott, Penelope, Pam, Abigail and Andy Eubanks are sad to leave the Lakewood Ranch community, but excited to learn new languages and cultures.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 15, 2020
Thank you for the memories

Longtime Observer writer bids farewell.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Shaina and Kevin Swan are appearing in social media videos to answer questions about living with ALS.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 19, 2020
A Life Story Foundation of Lakewood Ranch tries videos to raise ALS awareness

A Life Story Foundation of Lakewood Ranch tries YouTube videos to raise ALS awareness.

  • East County
  • Opinion
The Knights worked on a project Aug. 8 at the church. In the back row are Rick Kuebel, Mike Mahan and Vin Misciagna.  In the front row are Gordon Shellhaas, Paul Palmeri and Rich Macklin.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 12, 2020
Knights representing Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church of Lakewood Ranch hammer out volunteer efforts

Knights representing Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church of Lakewood Ranch hammer out volunteer efforts.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Christine Johnson, president of the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast, hopes Manatee County voters understand what's involved when they vote on a referendum to create a fund to buy environmentally significant land.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 4, 2020
Manatee County has some explaining to do in terms of hefty reserves

Columnist Jay Heater writes about the probably Manatee County will get questions about tax reserves as elections approach.

  • East County
  • Opinion
  • By The Observer
  • July 29, 2020
The Observer's 2020 primary election recommendations

With absentee ballots sent out and early voting starting Aug. 8, here are some insights and opinions to consider on the region’s candidates.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Ron Turner
  • By Ron Turner
  • July 27, 2020
Vote-by-mail is not ‘all-mail voting’

Absentee voting — or voting by mail — has been a part of Florida’s election process since 2002. Every signature is checked for security.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center CEO Andy Guz said the hospital isn't near capacity yet due to COVID-19.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 22, 2020
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center busy, but not maxed out

Lakewood Ranch Medical Center busy, but not maxed out because of COVID-19

  • East County
  • Opinion
« 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 »
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Latest in East County

1
Tony Barrett is running for the at-large District 6 commission seat in Manatee County.
  • April 1, 2026
East Manatee fire commissioner enters at-large County Commission race
2
Myakka's Sydney McCullough shows off the first place ribbon and belt buckle she won in January for whip cracking in the senior division at the Manatee County Fair.
  • April 1, 2026
Cracking a whip has been a snap for Myakka teenager
3
Manatee County commissioners unanimously approve the purchase of 9000 Town Center Parkway May 6.
  • April 1, 2026
DOGE questions Manatee County's capital expenditures, additional staff
4
John Saputo (left), Denise Saputo (top center), Lorraine Vitale (right) and Dick Vitale (bottom center) at the "March Mayhem" fundraiser and Elite Eight watch party. The Saputos were the hosts March 28 at Gold Coast Eagle Distributing.
  • April 1, 2026
March Mayhem fundraiser in Lakewood Ranch benefits pediatric cancer research
5
Lakewood Ranch Little League plays at Lakewood Ranch Park March 25.
  • April 1, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Little League expands to improve accessibility

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