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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
Another travesty of power
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • June 17, 2026
Another travesty of power

Everyone knows we need more affordable housing. But Sarasota County commissioners are more concerned about losing their home rule power.

  • Sarasota
  • 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
This is not how to 'cut' taxes
  • By Jeff Brandes
  • June 2, 2026
This is not how to 'cut' taxes

The governor’s property tax plan won’t eliminate taxes. It will just shift them. Your city will become increasingly dependent on the state.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
The gentle, warm waters of the Gulf can be an aid to mobility for those with arthritis.
    By
  • Mirabai Holland
  • May 29, 2026
It's possible to live with arthritis. Here's how.

Exercise, as counter-intuitive as it might seem, can go a long way toward relief.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
No good deed goes unpunished
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 28, 2026
No good deed goes unpunished

St. Regis fight with town is a Longboat Key classic.

  • Longboat Key
  • 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
It’s time to remove our own regimes
  • By Joel Schleicher
  • May 15, 2026
It’s time to remove our own regimes

Our local, state and federal governments don’t slaughter citizens as they do in Iran, but there are similarities. We’ve become servants to our regimes.

  • Sarasota
  • 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
Lessons on how not to do it
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 13, 2026
Lessons on how not to do it

The Sarasota tax collector-school board dispute has reached a partial resolution. Taking the high road can bring it to the best ending.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Letter to our legislators: Don't turn USFSM over to New College
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • May 12, 2026
Letter to our legislators: Don't turn USFSM over to New College

The fate of USF Sarasota-Manatee depends on the Legislature's special budget session. It will decide whether to shut down the college and transfer the buildings to New College.

  • Longboat Key
  • 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
Is the only way to protect kids online for all of us to give up our data?
  • By Adrian Moore, Nicole Shekhovtsova
  • May 6, 2026
Is the only way to protect kids online for all of us to give up our data?

Legislators are passing laws to verify the age of social media users — but does it inadvertently require these sites to keep more data than necessary?

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
1 2 3 4 5 »
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Latest News

1
St. Lucie County Administrator George Landry has been recommended by Howard Tipton to replace him as town manager as Tipton prepares to retire.
  • June 19, 2026
New town manager recommended for Longboat Key
2
Attendees were impressed by the fireworks across Sarasota Bay.
  • June 19, 2026
Fourth of July 2026 events in Sarasota, Longboat Key and Lakewood Ranch
3
Woman charged in three high-profile Sarasota burglaries
  • June 18, 2026
Woman charged in three high-profile Sarasota burglaries
4
Tony Barrett speaks at a candidate forum in April at the Lakewood Ranch Country Club.
  • June 18, 2026
Manatee County Commission candidate charged with domestic battery
5
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.
  • June 18, 2026
Driver dies of injuries in blowout-triggered crash in Sarasota

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