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Opinion

Stock Development Sales Associate Dominick Giallombardo stands in front of the final new home to sell in the Lake Club at 15315 Anchorage Place. It sold for $6,295,000.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 29, 2025
Lakewood Ranch's elite home market continues to grow

Stock Development closes out Lake Club with a $6.3 million sale.

  • East County
  • Opinion
The 50-year decision
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 29, 2025
The 50-year decision

The Karins report on the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall brings to the fore many dilemmas. The Van Wezel needs $17 million to keep going . It’s worth $80 million. Should the city be in the theater business?

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
The Gulf of America: Yes!
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 22, 2025
The Gulf of America: Yes!

Given what Mexico has done to the United States, Mexico doesn’t deserve to have that wonderful body of water named after it.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Celery Fields is for both people and the environment
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • January 20, 2025
Celery Fields is for both people and the environment

A housing development on adjacent property would directly impact many programs and activities, a reader says.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Florida shines fiscally
    By
  • Adrian Moore
  • January 15, 2025
Florida shines fiscally

Measured against all states, Florida’s total liabilities per capita are among the lowest, thanks to Gov. DeSantis and the Legislature paying down debt. But local governments’ debt is another story.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Blues artist Dylan Triplett ventures into the crowd to perform at the Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 8, 2025
Readers sound off about Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival

The price, length of concert and name recognition were all concerns noted by the residents.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Follow the law when it comes to pickups in driveways
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • January 8, 2025
Follow the law when it comes to pickups in driveways

Nightclub noise will have negative impact in Lakewood Ranch, readers say.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Don’t fret; growth slowing
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 8, 2025
Don’t fret; growth slowing

For those who chafe at the so-called ‘out of control’ growth, take a breath. Florida’s and the local growth rates are slowing for good.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Our priority: Developers, people?
  • By Jon Thaxton
  • January 6, 2025
Our priority: Developers, people?

Former Sarasota County Commissioner Jon Thaxton responds to Matt Walsh's Dec. 24 column regarding the possible development near the Celery Fields.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
The Word for 2025: ‘Elon’
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 1, 2025
The Word for 2025: ‘Elon’

Elon Musk is flawed. We all are. Nonetheless, Musk is emblematic of the mood of Americans. He symbolizes the can-do, pioneering spirit that made the United States. Forget the moon; shoot for Mars.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
It's time to hit the reset button with the new year
    By
  • Mirabai Holland
  • December 28, 2024
It's time to hit the reset button with the new year

Health is more than being sick or not. It is about balance and can lead to a smoother lifestyle.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Our priority: birds, people?
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 24, 2024
Our priority: birds, people?

There is a simple solution to the proposed rezoning of the Smith Farm. The Audubon Society and stargazers should buy it.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Victim-offender dialogues help victims’ healing process
  • By Vittorio Nastasi
  • December 24, 2024
Victim-offender dialogues help victims’ healing process

A growing trend known as victim-offender dialogue is showing evidence of addressing many of victims’ needs while at the same time helping prevent recidivism.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Bonnie Staley and Shannon Ford donate their time to collect funds for The Salvation Army outside the Publix at Lorraine Road and University Parkway.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 18, 2024
Ranch ringers know how to sweeten the Salvation Army pot

Collections rise past $15,000 from one spot in front of a Lakewood Ranch Publix.

  • East County
  • Opinion
How to stop hurricanes
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 11, 2024
How to stop hurricanes

Research has demonstrated that turbine-driven wind farms in the gulf and ocean can produce energy and dramatically reduce hurricane damage.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
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Katherine Ceaser, Lydia Chapdelain and Jessica Armstrong
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Divas and Dogs brings together fashion and animal lovers
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Sarasota Crew's championship-winning Women's U16 Eight boat races past opponents at Nathan Benderson Park in June 2025. The USRowing Youth National Championships are one of the biggest events on the local sports calendar for 2026.
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Watersports events line up at Benderson Park in April

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