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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
Work will soon begin on replacing anbd raising 1,500 linear feet of seawall at the Bayfront Park marina.
  • May 7, 2026
Bayfront Park marina seawall to be rebuilt
2
Tammy King talks with fourth graders Dylan Amador-Guerra and Knox Smith about their journals.
  • May 7, 2026
Program helps elementary students explore who they want to be when they grow up
3
Ben Milliken is the all-time leading passer in program history for Sarasota Christian football. Now, he's the first Blazer headed to an NCAA Division I program.
  • May 7, 2026
Sarasota Christian quarterback caps legacy with history-making commitment
4
The home at 843 Norsta Way was built in 1963 and has two bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,467 square feet of living area.
  • May 7, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for April 20-24 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis
5
A rendering of the street level of 1260 North Palm Residences.
  • May 7, 2026
Condo tower controversy appears headed back to mediation

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