• Alternate Text

  • Loading

  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Opinion

The republic that’s failing
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • September 25, 2024
The republic that’s failing

All the talk about ‘threats to democracy’ and ‘destroying democracy’ are totally off the mark. It’s mob-rule democracy that is destroying the republic and destroying Americans’ individual liberty.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Ford-Coates refutes Moran's charges
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • September 23, 2024
Ford-Coates refutes Moran's charges

The Sarasota County Tax Collector answers allegations made by her challenger in the November election.

  • 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
Observer recommends …
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • September 18, 2024
Observer recommends …

This week begins the Observer’s general election recommendations for a few races and the state amendments.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Incumbent's rhetoric lacks accuracy
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • September 17, 2024
Incumbent's rhetoric lacks accuracy

Candidate Mike Moran responds to Tax Collector Barbara Ford-Coates' letter to the editor.

  • Sarasota
  • 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
Incumbent tax collector addresses budget claims
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • September 11, 2024
Incumbent tax collector addresses budget claims

Barbara Ford-Coates writes to debunk claims about her budget and operations as Sarasota County tax collector.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Extraordinary content
    By
  • Emily Walsh
  • September 11, 2024
Extraordinary content

Winning awards is one thing, but making a difference in our readers’ lives and helping our partners grow is our mission.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Opening of St. Regis is not all good news
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • September 5, 2024
Opening of St. Regis is not all good news

Some Longboaters are disappointed in what the St. Regis development could have been.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
This is the latest rendering that shows the aquatics and pickleball complex (top right), the library, a parking garage and a Sheriff's Office substation at Premier Park. Could a events center be next?
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 4, 2024
Hopefully, Manatee County is about to rain transparency

Whether it comes to road projects or an indoor facility, the residents need to be better informed.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Speak now, or forever …
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • September 4, 2024
Speak now, or forever …

Time is running out for taxpayers to let elected officials know what they think of the way they’re spending your money.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Walking has all kinds of cardiac benefits, and it can make you feel younger.
    By
  • Mirabai Holland
  • September 1, 2024
For good health, the answer is simple: Take a walk

Getting your steps in can help keep you feeling younger and protect against multiple maladies.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Janet Reardon was at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall Aug. 20 to show support for Scott Farrington and George Kruse.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 28, 2024
Angry Manatee taxpayers release their wrath by voting

The new commission must embrace smart growth and bring environmental issues to forefront.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Backlash and affirmation
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • August 28, 2024
Backlash and affirmation

Negative campaigning backfired in the Manatee primary, while Sarasota voters showed rejection of two incumbents and affirmation for two others.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
« 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 »
The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest News

1
Carrie Walden, the Project Edge classroom instructor, is teaching 10 students including Mia Pardella and Justin Torres in the Project Edge program at MTC East.
  • December 10, 2025
MTC program teaches students with disabilities skills to enter workforce
2
Samara Williamson has been at the Lake Club for more than four years, moving to her general manager position from that of assistant general manager in 2023.
  • December 10, 2025
Lake Club manager named tops in her field
3
Gabriella Rawles holds a Fighting Irish tennis ball and poses for a photo at Notre Dame Stadium. The senior at ICL Academy online is headed to South Bend, Indiana, in January as an early enrollee.
  • December 10, 2025
Notre Dame commit rekindles love for tennis after recovery from a shoulder injury
4
The Tides of Longboat is one of several condo complexes in Manatee County where the first floor units saw a significantly reduced property tax assessment despite being undamaged by the 2024 hurricanes due to the first floor units’ elevations.
  • December 10, 2025
Town of Longboat has questions after property valuations decrease
5
The moon rises as German and English troops gather together in "No Man's Land" to celebrate the birth of Christ in Asolo Rep's "All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914."
  • December 10, 2025
'All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914' returns to Historic Asolo Theater

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2025 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.

The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now