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East County | Opinion

The pigs at the Manatee County Fair had plenty of room, the motorists trying to get there ... not so much.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 21, 2019
Not so fair traffic on way to Manatee County Fair

East County Observer columnist Jay Heater talks about a bad traffic day on the way to the Manatee County Fair.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Richard Reskow at Tidewell Hospice Ellenton
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 18, 2019
Death of a true Tidewell Hospice hero in Lakewood Ranch

Tidewell Hospice volunteer Richard Reskow demonstrated the value for his work before his death.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 2, 2019
2019 word: Chivalry

Men, 2018 was a lousy year. We need to change the trend lines. Adopting the codes of the honorable knights of the Middle Ages would be a good way to start.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Matt Walsh says a tree and green was chosen for the first East County Observers because "that was all that was out there."
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • November 30, 2018
Many said: 'You're nuts' when it came to starting the East County Observer in Lakewood Ranch

Many said Matt Walsh was nuts when it came to starting the East County Observer in Lakewood Ranch 20 years ago.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • November 20, 2018
A tradition rooted in God

From George Washington on, our presidents have reaffirmed every Thanksgiving our nation’s belief in what inspired the Pilgrims.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Potential homeowners check out a model in the Lake Club's Lake View Estates neighborhood.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 14, 2018
Take a ride on Lakewood Ranch's bullish bus

Columnist Jay Heater takes a tour of Lakewood Ranch and finds it is going full speed ahead in the home sales market.

  • East County
  • Opinion
The Observer endorses Ron DeSantis for governor and Rick Scott for U.S. Senate.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • October 24, 2018
We’ll take liberty

A letter to no-party affiliated voters: You have the power.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • August 15, 2018
We recommend …

‘All politics is local,’ said late House Speaker Tip O’Neill. These are the candidates whose races can change the quality of life in your community.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Rick Piccolo, the president of Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, said more major airlines could be headed to Sarasota in the next year.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 27, 2018
Side of Ranch: Jay Heater

Better deals will land in Sarasota

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 4, 2018
Ben Franklin, we need you more than ever

To preserve what our founders created, Ben Franklin knew it depended on our having the proper temper in the public square.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • March 7, 2018
Hopes, Miner should go

Manatee schools need the proposed 1-mill tax if they are to get on a path of consistently rising success. But voters also need a sign that the board can be trusted.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 3, 2018
THE WORD: 20-GREAT-TEEN!

Despite the World of Trump, Washington and the national media, we can continue to turn the tide with our own decorum and the push for economic freedom and prosperity.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 27, 2017
We’re Main Street; not ‘mainstream’

The national news media have smeared all of journalism, while the media tech giants admit they ‘are destroying how society works.’ Whom can you trust? Some of us still place a high value on credibility, reliability and trustworthiness.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
The New Zealand Women's Four team works out at Nathan Benderson Park in preparation for the 2017 World Rowing Championships.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 20, 2017
Side of Ranch

Take advantage of some world championship passion.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • June 28, 2017
Ben Franklin, we need you more than ever

To preserve what our Founders created, Ben Franklin knew it depended on our having the proper temper in the public square.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
« 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 »
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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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