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Opinion

Sarasota’s own answer to crime reduction
    By
  • Adrian Moore
  • March 13, 2024
Sarasota’s own answer to crime reduction

The most intractable problem of crime is that of repeat offenders. Solving that is no easy task, but in Sarasota, an impressive nonprofit called Project 180 is showing it can be done.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Biden’s fantasia vs. Florida’s fiscal responsibleness
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • March 13, 2024
Biden’s fantasia vs. Florida’s fiscal responsibleness

What a contrast — the Biden proposed budget and the historical federal deficits versus the Florida budget for 2024-2025.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Commissioner Ray Turner emcees the celebration ceremony for the Crooked River Ranch on March 1.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 7, 2024
Are Manatee County commissioners really interested in the environment?

Crooked River Ranch acquisition is a step in the right direction for the county.

  • East County
  • Opinion
New College plan makes no sense for taxpayers
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • March 7, 2024
New College plan makes no sense for taxpayers

New College of Florida’s new president, Richard Corcoran, and the DeSantis board appointees have an ambitious plan. But when you analyze the economics, you can’t justify the $400 million-plus cost to taxpayers.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Here is what LBK needs
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • March 6, 2024
Here is what LBK needs

Sure, Longboat residents would like all three venues — a community center, a dedicated education center and a library branch. The county has the cash for all three.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Scott Gutschewski holds up the 2023 LECOM Suncoast Classic trophy.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 29, 2024
Director gears up for 2024 LECOM Suncoast Classic

Justin Kristich says increasing the seating is a priority for the Lakewood Ranch event.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Start spreading the news
    By
  • Emily Walsh
  • February 28, 2024
Start spreading the news

Out with the old, in the with the new. The Observer may be the only newspaper company in the country installing new news racks.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
The 25,000-square-foot Lakewood Ranch Library is the only project that has been completed at Premier Park.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 22, 2024
No money, but Manatee County plans for new Palmetto park?

Premier project drags, but $30 million will be spent on a veterans' memorial park.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Don’t stop. Complete Longboat Key library project now.
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • February 21, 2024
Don’t stop. Complete Longboat Key library project now.

Longboat's mayor writes to urge on progress for the library project at the Town Center Green.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Clash of merit vs. politics
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • February 21, 2024
Clash of merit vs. politics

After 11 years as Manatee’s supervisor of elections, Mike Bennett is retiring March 1. He has recommended an obvious choice: his chief of staff. But a surprise candidate has also applied: Commissioner James Satcher.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Yes, don’t derail the town project, but get control of it
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • February 21, 2024
Yes, don’t derail the town project, but get control of it

We are in agreement with Mayor Ken Schneier. We don’t want Phase 3 of the town center project to be derailed.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Braden River Library is one of seven locations in the Manatee County Public Library System.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 15, 2024
Don't be a knucklehead. Take an eBay class at the Braden River Library.

Mike Ivankovich, an eBay guru, offers free seminar about how to buy and sell online.

  • East County
  • Opinion
The answer: Urban villages
  • By Edward J. Pinto
  • February 15, 2024
The answer: Urban villages

Mid-priced, working-class housing would expand with light-touch density in the city’s urban mixed-use areas.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Florida needs to do more to attract doctors
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • February 14, 2024
Florida needs to do more to attract doctors

An area doctor writes that Florida has several hurdles to clear in order to draw more medical professionals.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
This is what LBK wants
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • February 14, 2024
This is what LBK wants

Longboaters want a community center and education center. A library branch is tertiary. Commissioners: Take control of the process.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
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Latest News

1
Katherine Ceaser, Lydia Chapdelain and Jessica Armstrong
  • March 22, 2026
Art Center Sarasota brings Beaux Arts Ball back to celebrate centennial
2
Mike and Julie Paige, and Amber and Lenny Larson, pose by an "SRQ Wine" sign.
  • March 22, 2026
Festival pours wines from around the world, all at Selby Five Points Park
3
Sarasota's Tracy Tutton and Tania Cook, sisters from Canada, enjoy drinks while listening to Sweet Fleet at My Hometown Fest on March 21.
  • March 21, 2026
My Hometown Fest event raises funds for kids with speech needs
4
Lakewood Ranch's Kathleen Flesch, Sonia Levy, Jane Imperiale and Peri Ann Aptaker dress for the Palm Royale-themed Divas and Dogs fundraiser that will benefit The Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch.
  • March 21, 2026
Divas and Dogs brings together fashion and animal lovers
5
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.
  • March 20, 2026
Watersports events line up at Benderson Park in April

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