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Opinion

    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • October 27, 2022
A vote to save the republic

Our final installment of recommendations for the Nov. 8 elections.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Janet and Dean Mixon might have to sell their beloved Mixon Fruit Farms in East County. (File photo)
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 27, 2022
Days numbered for historic Mixon Fruit Farms in Bradenton

After crushing agricultural factors hit Florida, owners Janet and Dean Mixon say they will listen to offers for their farmland.

  • East County
  • News
Palm Aire's Nick Barbi is seeking members for his new Science and Technology Society.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 21, 2022
Unique club seeks science-minded members in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch

Nick Barbi hosts his first Science and Technology Society event with restaurateur Ed Chiles as the main speaker.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • October 20, 2022
Observer recommends . . .

City and county charter questions in Manatee and Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • October 14, 2022
Observer recommends: State constitutional amendments

A key measure for voters to consider: do the amendments limit your freedom?

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance volunteer Patrick Larivaud takes a break from packing food to visit with Meals On Wheels Plus CEO/President Maribeth Phillips.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 12, 2022
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance volunteers give back to help hurricane victims

The LWRBA's annual "Alliance Gives Back " event takes on extra meaning after Hurricane Ian.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Monica Welde shows a porcelain angel that flew from her Welcome Barn to a spot under her bedroom window during Hurricane Ian. (Photo by Jay Heater)
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 5, 2022
Angel flies through the storm at Bearadise in Myakka

Bearadise owner Monica Welde says miracle flight of a porcelain angel during Hurricane Ian was a sign from her late husband.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Michael's On East staff Scott West, Margaux Arthur, Matt Merriman, Co-Proprietor Phil Mancini and Lavardo Morely stand next to food crates ready for delivery. The restaurant made more than 3,000 meals by noon Sept. 30.
  • By Kat Hughes and Emily Walsh
  • October 4, 2022
Thankful? Great. Now be helpful.

Amidst the wreckage Hurricane Ian left behind, the rainbow after the storm emerges: When our neighbors need help, we know how to respond.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
  • By Ken Shelin
  • September 26, 2022
My View: New performance hall critical for city

Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall does not work for the future.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Rosedale Golf and Country Club resident Fred Booth said Rosedale maintains 87th Street East and residents would be upset if cement trucks use the entrance to get to State Road 70. (File photo)
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 22, 2022
Rosedale residents struggle with Lena Road extension

Manatee County is planning to connect the two lengths of Lena Road, but residents worry that turning Lena into a frontage road is going to greatly increase traffic overall, especially truck traffic.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • September 21, 2022
It’s all ‘Planned Chaos’

If the White House wizards and congressional Democrats knew anything about history, they would know all of their policies will bring economic and social chaos and are doomed to fail.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Joel Schleicher
  • By Joel Schleicher
  • September 16, 2022
My View: 'Mad as hell' — and not willing to take it any longer

It is unconscionable for our president, Joe Biden, to call half of American voters “fascists.”

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • September 16, 2022
Who are the real fascists?

Biden's tactics of vilifying Republicans has a sickening similarity to a German maniac in 1933.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 14, 2022
East Lakewood Ranch home highlights Sotheby's first live real estate auction

Just off State Road 70 near Myakka City, the 41.9-acre ranch is expected to soar high above its current $2.01 million bid.

  • East County
  • News
Commissioner Vanessa Baugh wasn't even up for election in the primaries but had a major impact on the winners. (File photo)
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 8, 2022
Constant attacks on Manatee commissioner backfired during election

Intensified attacks on Vanessa Baugh could have hurt incumbents' run for reelection.

  • East County
  • Opinion
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Latest News

1
The Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Board at a November meeting. Nick Gladding, third from the right, is stepping down as he prepares to take his oath of office for Town Commission on March 23.
  • March 23, 2026
Town to host meet and greet with board applicants
2
Manatee County staffers flew DJI drones in 2021 to help the town of Longboat Key monitor red tide blooms in the gulf.
  • March 23, 2026
Drone replacement costs add to Manatee County expenses
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Katherine Ceaser, Lydia Chapdelain and Jessica Armstrong
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  • March 21, 2026
My Hometown Fest event raises funds for kids with speech needs

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