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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
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
Insanity: St. Armands floods
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 4, 2024
Insanity: St. Armands floods

Given St. Armands Circle's economic importance, it makes sense to explore preventing annual flooding.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
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1
Sarasota Military Academy is at 801 N. Orange Ave. in Sarasota.
  • August 5, 2026
Sarasota Military Academy's downtown campus listed for sale
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
The Hermitage Artist Retreat programming includes free sunset concerts on the beach at its Manasota Key campus.
  • August 5, 2026
Arts incubator receives $450,000 in grants
5
Kids arrive by bus at Southside Elementary. School begins Monday in Sarasota County.
  • August 5, 2026
School zones will be active as kids return to school on Monday

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