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Opinion

Morgan Bettes Angell and Paul Benjamin thought a blues festival in Lakewood Ranch would be sustainable on an annual basis, but after two years, it is out.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 11, 2026
When it comes to the blues festival, we blew it in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival promoter says he will move the festival to G.T. Bray for 2026.

  • East County
  • Opinion
DeSantis has better policy than rhetoric on data centers
  • By Adrian Moore, Max Gulker
  • March 11, 2026
DeSantis has better policy than rhetoric on data centers

Gov. Ron DeSantis is eager to be seen as a crusader against data centers, but the major piece of legislation on data centers connected to his AI Bill of Rights enables building to continue while addressing major concerns.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Gail Cristello will be a featured artist at the Creative Arts Association of Lakewood Ranch's Spring Art Show and Sale March 14 at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 5, 2026
Late start doesn't keep Lakewood Ranch artist from success

Country Club's Gail Cristello will be a featured artist at the Creative Art Association's Spring Art Show and Sale.

  • East County
  • Opinion
This is justified retaliation
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • March 4, 2026
This is justified retaliation

The leadership of the Islamic Republic of Iran declared war on the U.S. in 1979 and continued ever since. We always had the right to respond.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Perez may pull off an extraordinary feat
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • March 4, 2026
Perez may pull off an extraordinary feat

Plus: Why the Senate hasn’t touched the bill that would cut property taxes.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Fixed-span bridge is the right choice for Longboat for many reasons
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • February 28, 2026
Fixed-span bridge is the right choice for Longboat for many reasons

In addition to being a lower-cost, more fiscally responsible option to construct, a fixed-span bridge is cheaper to maintain and operate over the long run as well.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Commissioner Bob McCann pulled the proposed ice arena project at Premier off the consent agenda to be discussed by commissioners.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 25, 2026
Does ice arena project melt your heart?

Lakewood Ranch residents might be surprised about Manatee's proposed plan for Premier Sports Campus North.

  • East County
  • Opinion
The $21 million, 2-acre park
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • February 25, 2026
The $21 million, 2-acre park

Sarasota County is paying twice as much for property than the seller paid two years ago. It's another sign of a concerning spending trend.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Declan Waters (left) of the Sarasota Paradise celebrates a goal against New York City FC II on Feb. 13 at Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 18, 2026
Will local soccer fans embrace Paradise in Lakewood Ranch?

The local team tests the professional level in 2026 at Premier Sports Campus.

  • East County
  • Opinion
County facing budget consequences
  • By Christine Robinson
  • February 16, 2026
County facing budget consequences

The 9.2% increase in spending in 2026 has commissioners starting the budget process with a $7.1 million gap between expenses and revenues.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Neal Shipley was all smiles after winning the 2025 LECOM Suncoast Classic at Lakewood National Golf Club.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 11, 2026
Lakewood Ranch golf fans now asked to support two pro golf tournaments

The LECOM Suncoast Classic has long established itself as a fan favorite, but now the Senior PGA Championship will arrive.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Village Idiots Cycling Club member Patrick Franklin Sr. (center) was killed riding his bicycle Jan. 22 when hit by a truck pulling a trailer on Conquistador Parkway in Bradenton.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 4, 2026
Building safer roads for cyclists worth a discussion in Manatee County

The death of a Village Idiots Cycling Club member leaves the community in shock.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Legislature tackles housing affordability again
  • By Adrian Moore, Christina Mojica, Eliza Terziev
  • February 4, 2026
Legislature tackles housing affordability again

With the introduction of two bills, the state attempts to address underlying issues that increase the costs of developing new homes.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Property tax issue is a big one for Longboaters
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • February 3, 2026
Property tax issue is a big one for Longboaters

If the elimination of property taxes is being discussed, school taxes must also be considered for communities such as Longboat Key, a reader says.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Rather than tackling everything at once, attaining small habit changes can help you meet bigger goals and better health in the new year.
    By
  • Mirabai Holland
  • January 28, 2026
Use your healthy habits to find fabulosity

When considering goals, it's easy to get overwhelmed. But small habits gives us the power to achieve larger — and lasting — change.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
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Latest News

1
Among Overland Partners designs at Selby Gardens is the new welcome center.
  • June 13, 2026
Architect wins industry award for Selby Gardens design work
2
Peculiar Pub takes the place of Twisted Pit BBQ on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.
  • June 12, 2026
Peculiar Pub crawls across Main Street in Lakewood Ranch
3
Carlos Pagán, a fixture of the Sarasota jazz scene, passed away June 7 at age 78.
  • June 12, 2026
Sarasota jazz crusader and filmmaker Carlos Pagán dies at age 78
4
Congressman Greg Steube speaks at the ribbon cutting for the completion of the renourishment project at Lido Beach.
  • June 12, 2026
Steube named an MVP in Congressional ballgame
5
Sarasota Crew's Gabrielle DeLeo heads to the finish of the Women's Youth 1x Thursday at the USRowing Youth National Championships at Nathan Benderson Park. She qualified for Friday's semifinal by placing eighth in 7:54.36.
  • June 11, 2026
USRowing National Championships opens in Sarasota

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