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Opinion

In defense of developers
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • August 14, 2024
In defense of developers

It was certainly a cringe moment recently when former Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight, who is running for the District 3 Sarasota County Commission seat, made a comment about the region’s most prominent developers.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Final Observer recommendations
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • August 14, 2024
Final Observer recommendations

Here is why U.S. elections should revert to occurring only on election day: Things happen up to the last day that can change voters’ minds. Such is the case this cycle.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Don't let mistruths spread about SMH distract from hospital board's real issues
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • August 13, 2024
Don't let mistruths spread about SMH distract from hospital board's real issues

The chair of the Sarasota County Hospital Board debunks claims made about SMH during election season.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Regarding the Longboat Key library proposal
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • August 12, 2024
Regarding the Longboat Key library proposal

A reader writes that Sarasota County library on Longboat Key is a mistake.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Aquatic exercise offers a host of benefits for "vintage bodies," including low-impact resistance training, stress relief and cardiovascular fitness.
    By
  • Mirabai Holland
  • August 11, 2024
The way of water: How aquatic exercise can benefit seniors

Aqua workouts are easy on joints, relief stress and can improve strength and cardiovascular fitness.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Siesta Key legal arguments based on longstanding laws
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • August 11, 2024
Siesta Key legal arguments based on longstanding laws

A reader weighs in on the upcoming Sarasota County Commission election and development on Siesta Key.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Enough of the smearing
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • August 7, 2024
Enough of the smearing

Dishonest tactics and dirty falsehoods disgust voters. One Manatee candidate decided not to take it anymore.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Observer recommends
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 31, 2024
Observer recommends

Republican voters have solid choices to replace Rep. Tommy Gregory for House District 72. One candidate’s qualifications stand above the others.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Lion and the ostrich
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 31, 2024
Lion and the ostrich

The contrast between the speeches of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Congress and that of Vice President Kamala Harris after meeting with Netanyahu was frightening, demoralizing and distressing.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Sarasota County Commission cuts will affect at-risk children
  • By Christine Robinson
  • July 29, 2024
Sarasota County Commission cuts will affect at-risk children

When county commissioners cut $510,000 from early learning, they created devastating, far-reaching negative effects.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Keep politics out of medicine, SMH
  • By Patricia Maraia
  • July 29, 2024
Keep politics out of medicine, SMH

The Medical Freedom movement has morphed into polarizing agendas that present an imminent threat to the quality and longevity of our valued community hospital.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Stop the roundabout madness
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • July 26, 2024
Stop the roundabout madness

A Longboat resident writes that a roundabout isn't needed on the north end of the Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Correcting your mischaracterization of Manatee County District 5 candidates
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • July 26, 2024
Correcting your mischaracterization of Manatee County District 5 candidates

District 5 candidate Robert McCann sets the record straight.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Source of Manatee's strife
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 24, 2024
Source of Manatee's strife

The Manatee County Commission primary races are not elections between liberal and conservative. They are about whether to eliminate antagonizing behavior.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Observer recommends: Manatee
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 24, 2024
Observer recommends: Manatee

Recommendations for the Manatee County Commission, School Board, Supervisor of Elections and Property Appraiser races.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
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Latest News

1
Hospital system expands prenatal care access for expecting mothers in need
  • February 4, 2026
Hospital system expands prenatal care access for expecting mothers in need
2
Herb Methodology co-owner Tryla Brown Larson celebrates the launch of her line of locally made products at Longboat Key's Design 2000 Salon on Jan. 29.
  • February 4, 2026
Herb Methodology launches at Design 2000
3
Davin Davidson reeled in 20 offers from NCAA Division I FBS programs from Jan. 20 through 31.
  • February 4, 2026
Cardinal Mooney quarterback's recruitment takes off
4
Golf pro Stephen Arnold succeeded in his goal of playing 100 holes of golf in a single day to benefit families involved with First 1,000 Days Suncoast.
  • February 4, 2026
Golfing feat makes a difference for area families
5
The Lakewood Ranch Garden Club Butterfly Symposium will take place at 9 a.m. on Feb. 7 at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.
  • February 4, 2026
Butterfly symposium lands at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall

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