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Opinion

The war is here, personal
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • November 8, 2023
The war is here, personal

The Israel-Hamas War is being fought 7,000 miles away. But within the Sarasota-Manatee Jewish community, the war is touching families directly. Everyone "must thrust himself … into this struggle."

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Tennis Coach Dickie Herbst and Cornell Professor Emeritus Joe Novak formed a friendship after Herbst read a story about Novak in the East County Observer. Novak died in September.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 2, 2023
It's always story time at the East County Observer

The Lakewood Ranch-area newspaper celebrates 25 years at the Nov. 3 Music on Main.

  • East County
  • Opinion
The root of it all: Education
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • November 1, 2023
The root of it all: Education

The high-voltage, sometimes violent, anti-Israel protests on college campuses are one of the inevitable results of state-run education. It shows how little college students know about history and how easily they are "manipulated and mobilized."

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Parallels to 1930s Nazis
  • By Llewellyn Rockwell Jr.
  • November 1, 2023
Parallels to 1930s Nazis

The Nazis' demonic evil began long before the Holocaust. It began with policies similar to what we see in the U.S. today.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Leslie Richards and Deb Anderson of Lakewood Ranch say they haven't played a match on hard courts in years. They oppose hard courts being built at Premier Park.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 26, 2023
Will Premier Park tennis courts in Lakewood Ranch be hard on the body?

Lakewood Ranch-area tennis players say Manatee County shouldn't build hard-surface tennis courts.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Every day is a Chamber of Commerce Day
    By
  • Emily Walsh
  • October 25, 2023
Every day is a Chamber of Commerce Day

Much more than networking and mixers, the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce is making an economic impact on our community by focusing on key issues, such as affordable housing and workforce development.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Dan and Deborah Slottke of Mill Creek enjoy their ride through life with their 1979 Trans Am playing a big part.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 18, 2023
On the road with a couple of Bradenton Bandits

The upcoming car show at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church showcases unrelenting passion.

  • East County
  • Opinion
The invincibly ignorant
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • October 18, 2023
The invincibly ignorant

The antisemitic protesters are so brainwashed that truth and evidence make no difference. Have faith: "Remnants" will prevail.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
‘Live Local’ will help affordability — a bit
    By
  • Adrian Moore
  • October 18, 2023
‘Live Local’ will help affordability — a bit

The lack of affordably priced housing, especially rental housing near wage-earner jobs, remains one of Sarasota’s most vexing economic and social challenges.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Manatee County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 13, 2023
Will Manatee County commissioners' wetlands decision impact 2024 election?

One commissioner suggests that it is mostly Democrats who oppose decision to decrease wetland buffers.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Deadly cost of appeasing
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • October 12, 2023
Deadly cost of appeasing

Because of Presidents Obama and Biden’s evasion of the facts — e.g. Putin’s stated objective to retake Ukraine and Iran’s objective to destroy Israel — we now have what we have: death, destruction and war.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Mirabai Holland
  • October 8, 2023
New study suggests common cancers are preventable with lifestyle changes

Adopting healthy dietary and exercise habits is a cornerstone of prevention.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Is Gaetz really the bad guy?
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • October 4, 2023
Is Gaetz really the bad guy?

Matt Gaetz’s outspokenness wouldn’t make it in a business. But his brazenness just may be the disruption that is needed in Washington. Finally.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Why they voted the way they did
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • October 4, 2023
Why they voted the way they did

We contacted Florida’s two U.S. senators and three Florida House members from Florida’s west coast to ask why they voted the way they did on the continuing resolution that prevented a government shutdown.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Sandy Ulrickson, a volunteer for the Wildlife Center of Southwest Florida, holds a rescued baby rabbit.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 28, 2023
Wildlife, flag-raising events should pique interest in Bradenton

Two unique events top the calendar and offer educational opportunities.

  • 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.
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Permits will be required for charter boat operators using county parks
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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.
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Top residential real estate sales for Jan. 19-23 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis
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District 2 Commissioner Penny Gold walks in a parade in 2021.
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Sarasota couple stand side by side with BMX

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