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East County | Opinion

Blues artist Dylan Triplett gets into his work during his set at the Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival at Waterside Place.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 9, 2024
Should Lakewood Ranch music fans be singing the blues?

side of ranch

  • East County
  • Opinion
Poor phone etiquette at medical offices is preventing patients from connecting with the necessary medical care they deserve.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 4, 2024
Please answer the call for better doctor's office support

Trying to reach the talent and technology of the health care system can be infuriating.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Polo Club's Tim Hornung has followed a blueprint for success his entire career.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 21, 2024
Polo Club resident sets example for the ages

Tim Hornung has connected with all age groups through a career filled with success.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Carol Felts wins the District 1 race and is congratulated by friend and campaign volunteer Marnie Matarese.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 13, 2024
Lessons learned on the Ranch during the election cycle

Not having a party affiliation means doom these days when it comes to votes.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Navy vet honored to play in Lakewood Ranch concert
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 6, 2024
Navy vet honored to play in Lakewood Ranch concert

The Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble's Veterans Day Concert, "Saluting Those That Served," will be Nov. 10 at Peace Presbyterian Church.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Robert E. Willis Elementary's Kaitlyn McIntrye, Aly Martinez, Jelena Konatar and Izzy Nunez participated in the world VEX competition. If the referendum fails, STEM opportunities for students could lessen.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 29, 2024
School tax referendum poorly designed, but worth supporting

Manatee district must do better job of adding salaries to its general budget.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Give responders high-fives
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • October 16, 2024
Give responders high-fives

Two hurricanes — Helene, a Cat 4 at landfall, and Milton, a Cat 3 at landfall — brought horrific catastrophes smack dab onto Sarasota and Manatee counties.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Recommendations explained and local tax ballot questions
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • October 16, 2024
Recommendations explained and local tax ballot questions

Those of you who have slogged through the many long diatribes on this page surely are familiar by now with the predictable slant at election time.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Lisa Hastings, Ed Murphy, Kelly Jones, Hannah Nese and Alyson Battaglia of Legler, Murphy and Battaglia were sentenced to hard labor during Alliance Gives Back.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 9, 2024
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance digs deep to give back to the community

The Alliance Gives Back program continues to grow in its mission to help nonprofits.

  • East County
  • Opinion
The six amendments
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • October 9, 2024
The six amendments

Every four years, Florida voters face a flurry of proposed amendments to the state constitution. This year, six proposed amendments will be on the ballot.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Manatee County citizens should support school property tax referendum
  • By Richard Tatem
  • October 7, 2024
Manatee County citizens should support school property tax referendum

School board member Richard Tatem says passing the referendum is essential to providing a quality education.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Nov. 5: Road to serfdom or the road to liberty?
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • October 2, 2024
Nov. 5: Road to serfdom or the road to liberty?

Democracy leads to the lousy getting on top; subsidizing and producing more bad behavior; and economic fascism. The November election won’t stop all that, but the right choice can be a start.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Premier Sports Campus is one of many Manatee County amenities that the tourist development tax helps fund.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 18, 2024
Do your research on Manatee's tourist tax

The 1% increase makes sense to keep our attractions pristine.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Lifestyle investments by SMR brought entertainers such as Sheri Nadelman to Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch to make life just a little brighter.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 12, 2024
SMR takes harder path toward Lakewood Ranch success

Investments in lifestyle and conservation pay off in the long run for SMR.

  • East County
  • Opinion
SMR Senior Vice President Laura Cole talks about Lakewood Ranch's accomplishments over 30 years.
  • By Laura Cole
  • September 12, 2024
Celebrating 30 years

Lakewood Ranch represents our legacy of vision and community building.

  • East County
  • Opinion
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Latest in East County

1
Country Club's Lilly Chaddha and her daughter, Simi Ranajee, find Shanti Yoga to be a place of peace, relaxation and growth.
  • August 7, 2026
Shanti Yoga sharpens the mind, body and soul
2
Country Club East's Mark Allen Baker shows off his newest book, "Willian A. Brady — The Life of a Boxing and Broadway Impresario."
  • August 5, 2026
Classroom assignment can launch a career
3
The $2.6 million tax refund to the School District of Manatee County was voted by the county commissioners on July 28.
  • August 5, 2026
County sends $2.6 million back to Manatee schools
4
James T. Golden, who previously represented District 5 on the school board from 2018-2022, is now running once again to represent District 2.
  • August 5, 2026
Past school board chair wants to serve Manatee County School District again
5
In Denver, Colorado, Florida Premier FC SWFL played five matches in five days and came up one win short of a national title. It previously won the U.S. Club Soccer Florida Cup in May to qualify.
  • August 5, 2026
Florida Premier finishes as the runner-up in a national soccer tournament

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