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Opinion

Population growth spawns prosperity. Development comes with it.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 17, 2024
Population growth spawns prosperity. Development comes with it.

Anyone who lives in Florida, full or part time, and thinks they have the right to keep others from having what you have is delusional. Don’t like it? Go back to New Jersey.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Selby Gardens: A vision comes to life; a shinier gem
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 17, 2024
Selby Gardens: A vision comes to life; a shinier gem

The opening last week of the first phase of the Gardens’ $92 million master plan was a monumental culmination.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Water taxi for Whitney? No way
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 17, 2024
Water taxi for Whitney? No way

While a water taxi sounds like a good idea, by our way of thinking if it were such a good idea, typically the private sector would fill the need.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Vaccine deaths higher than COVID deaths, entrepreneur and author say
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 17, 2024
Vaccine deaths higher than COVID deaths, entrepreneur and author say

Here are shocking statements of late, from Steve Kirsch and Bret Weinstein, both early dissenters to the COVID vaccines.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
The city needs to simplify zoning for bars and restaurants
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • January 11, 2024
The city needs to simplify zoning for bars and restaurants

An Observer reader attempts to streamline the city's zoning language for bars and restaurants.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Performance appraisals for City Commission
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • January 11, 2024
Performance appraisals for City Commission

A former city commissioner encourages residents to make sure the commission is serving the public good.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Blue Oyster Cult's Eric Bloom sings at Premier Sports Campus in January, 2017. Lakewood Ranch still has no amphitheater or events center.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 11, 2024
Manatee County does well on roads, flunks wetland protections

Our columnist responds to Manatee County's online survey.

  • East County
  • Opinion
  • By Adrian Moore, Max Gulker
  • January 10, 2024
Florida social media law: Unconstitutional

Gov. DeSantis and the Legislature claim they are taking back the public square from big tech. But what they are doing is infringing on free speech.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Bayfront Park doesn't need more pickleball courts
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • January 9, 2024
Bayfront Park doesn't need more pickleball courts

A Longboat Key resident writes that the sounds of pickleball are the most annoying in all of sports.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
If you want to keep those New Year's resolutions, break them down into three-month goals and apply the SMART methodology.
    By
  • Mirabai Holland
  • January 8, 2024
Set smarter goals for yourself this year

If you want to actually keep those New Year's resolutions, here's the experts' way.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Kudos to the Observer for a commitment to environmental reporting
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • January 4, 2024
Kudos to the Observer for a commitment to environmental reporting

The chair of Suncoast Waterkeeper notes the Observer Media Group's contributions to environmental initiatives.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
District 5 Commissioner Ray Turner says the Commission must do a better job explaining the reasons for its decisions to the public as well as communicating its vision.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 4, 2024
Commissioner says communication with Manatee constituents must improve

District 5's Ray Turner says his constituents "will know what he stands for."

  • East County
  • Opinion
How little has changed
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 3, 2024
How little has changed

A new year is a time for optimism. But four books remind us the fight for liberty is forever. "Never give in."

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Words for 2024
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 27, 2023
Words for 2024

At the start of each year, we pick a word to live by. We asked others to give us their word for 2024. They all make persuasive cases.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Team USA's David Toms and Brett Quigley look over the green on the No. 9 hole at The Concession Golf Club during the World Champions Cup at The Concession.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 14, 2023
Concession Golf Club makes a major statement during World Champions Cup

Could the 2031 PGA Championship now go to the Lakewood Ranch-area course?

  • East County
  • Opinion
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Latest News

1
Jennifer Rominiecki brought the living museum concept to Marie Selby Botanical Gardens when she was named president and CEO in 2015.
  • February 5, 2026
Botanical gardens' potential lured Rominiecki family to Sarasota
2
Capt. A.J. Grande operates a "six pack" fishing charter business who often picks up and drops off customers at Nora Patterson Park.
  • February 5, 2026
Permits will be required for charter boat operators using county parks
3
The home at 3851 Tangier Terrace was built in 2024 and has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,379 square feet of living area.
  • February 5, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for Jan. 19-23 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis
4
District 2 Commissioner Penny Gold walks in a parade in 2021.
  • February 5, 2026
Longboat commissioner appointed to National League of Cities committee
5
Sarasota residents Erma and Dave Miller were drawn into the world of bicycle motocross because of their son, Doug Miller, and have spent decades in the sport.
  • February 5, 2026
Sarasota couple stand side by side with BMX

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