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Opinion

    By
  • Adrian Moore
  • September 7, 2022
Do not hand your power to politicians

An initiative on the November ballot could abolish the Constitution Revision Commission, which meets every 20 years to consider changes to the state constitution.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
(File photos)
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 1, 2022
New schools continue to be a growing topic

The big question is when to forge ahead with new schools in a slowing real estate market.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • August 31, 2022
Voters spoke: They’re PO’d

Politicians take note: The results in Sarasota’s school and hospital board elections and Manatee’s commission elections sent a clear message.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Pumpkin has beautiful eyes among other qualities. Ava Biasini is trying to find a home for Pumpkin. (Photo by Jay Heater)
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 25, 2022
Bradenton 18-year-old spends summer finding homes for stray cats

Chemical engineering will have to wait for the cat-loving University of Florida student.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Emily Walsh
  • August 24, 2022
Excitement on Election Day

Casting the ballot is a key ingredient to our liberty. Sarasota and Manatee candidates and constituents alike make it count.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
  • By Jay Derr and Adrian Moore
  • August 17, 2022
Traffic and pedestrian safety require realism, not slogans

Although the Vision Zero program sounds like a good idea to make roads safer for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians, governments should still measure its trade-offs.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Joe Martinez started Friends of Lakewood Ranch Performing Arts Center to promote interest in building a theater. (Photo by Jay Heater)
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 16, 2022
Is performing arts center in Lakewood Ranch just a dream?

The organization Friends of Lakewood Ranch Performing Arts Center forms to stir up support to build a theater.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Joe Di Bartolomeo
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 15, 2022
Tara CDD, Seat 1: Joe Di Bartolomeo

Meet the candidate.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 11, 2022
Windward at Lakewood Ranch launches latest salvo in amenities race

The Neal Communities property shows how middle- to upper-middle-class families are living the country club lifestyle.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • August 10, 2022
The school board dilemma

After Tom Edwards declared he is working for woke-ism, he triggered questions about Lauren Kurnov.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
The plaques are being slowly taken out, cleaned and returned. (Photo by Harry Sayer)
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • August 10, 2022
St. Armands circus plaques removed for cleaning

Don't worry about possible thievery. The missing Circus Ring of Fame plaques are part of a process.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High student Kathleen Cravens just returned from an internship sponsored by NASA. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 8, 2022
Lakewood Ranch High student finds the perfect space for her astronomic career goals

"I like the whole concept of exploration. It's humanity pushing its limits. It the curiosity. There is going to be another space race. But it's going to be Mars."

  • East County
  • Opinion
  • By Morgan Bentley
  • August 5, 2022
My View: Hospital board deserves re-election

Under this board’s oversight, Sarasota Memorial Healthcare has accomplished remarkable achievements. There is no need to change horses.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Lake Club Giving Circle founder Barbara Najmy and member Julie Swan show off some of the sneakers the giving circle collected for The Twig nonprofit. (Photo by Jay Heater)
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 28, 2022
The Lake Club's circle of giving increases

"If you stay the course and continue to surround yourself with like-minded women, then great things come of it," founder Barbara Najmy says.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 28, 2022
The Observer's 2022 primary election recommendations

CEO Matt Walsh shares his recommendations for races in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
« 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 »
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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 22, 2026
Festival pours wines from around the world, all at Selby Five Points Park
5
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  • March 21, 2026
My Hometown Fest event raises funds for kids with speech needs

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