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Opinion

    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • June 2, 2022
Joe Biden, you are crushing the American people

Destroying our wealth, our way of life, our happiness and our liberty — your plan is pathetic. Rise up, Americans.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Tom Harmer is the town manager of Longboat Key and writes a monthly newsletter about community happenings.
  • By Tom Harmer
  • June 2, 2022
Longboat Key's June Newsletter

Town Manager Tom Harmer's monthly report on community happenings.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Betsy Benac
    By
  • Guest Author
  • June 1, 2022
Betsy Benac says Manatee County administrator, commission throw ethics out window

Former commissioner says mismanagement driving away talented Manatee County employees.

  • East County
  • Opinion
The late Craig Boots of the Country Club was a former Navy pilot who flew planes off aircraft carriers.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 26, 2022
Lakewood Ranch woman talks of Tidewell Hospice's impact

Miriam Boots says her husband's final days were made more peaceful by the hospice's care and kindness.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Commissioner Vanessa Baugh says change can be difficult even if it takes Manatee County in a positive direction.
  • By Vanessa Baugh, Manatee County Commissioner | Guest
  • May 25, 2022
Commissioner Vanessa Baugh hopes Manatee County residents embrace change

District 5 commissioner says facts show Manatee County is moving in the right direction.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Summer reading list
    By
  • Emily Walsh
  • May 25, 2022
Summer reading list

As readers head back north and embark on summer travel, stay connected with Observer news and information wherever you are.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
  • By Sen. Jeff Brandes, Florida District 24 | Guest Contributor
  • May 18, 2022
Marketplace of Ideas: A call for courage

When Florida lawmakers convene on property insurance, they will confront the biggest economic challenge in state history. They need to change the incentives to a market of free enterprise and competition that benefits consumers.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 18, 2022
Biggest economic crisis in Florida history

Florida’s $3.6 trillion property insurance market is in collapse. Whether Florida’s economy will be rescued will be a political duel: Gov. Ron DeSantis vs. Speaker Chris Sprowls and the state’s plaintiff attorneys.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
When a driver on the road is driving recklessly, law enforcement often turns to a helicopter so it's mobile units can back off.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 12, 2022
Fatal crash illustrates pursuit's difficulty

This particular accident was quite different in nature.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Adrian Moore
  • May 11, 2022
Not learning from history on affordable housing

The labor market in Sarasota is adjusting all the time — and fairly quickly.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
ODA graduate Kaylen Rivers was a Brain Health Scholar who served as a program ambassador while she was a student at ODA.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 6, 2022
Becoming a Brain Health Initiative scholar is a no-brainer

No matter what eventually comes out of the Brain Health Initiative, the scholar program should be known as its first stroke of genius.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 4, 2022
School board, part II: How to close the chasm

Rumination on Sarasota County School Board Chair Jane Goodwin and public comments.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 4, 2022
SMH board goes overboard?

SMH CEO David Verinder has shown no signs of wanting to leave, but the hospital board is making sure he won’t by going outside the industry norm.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Longboat Key town manager Tom Harmer.
  • By Tom Harmer
  • May 2, 2022
Longboat Key's May newsletter

Town manager Tom Harmer's monthly report on town happenings.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Nicole Ryskamp takes over as president of the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund June 1.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 28, 2022
Big changes for Lakewood Ranch Community Fund

Along with dedicating funds to pay a full-time employee, the board is moving toward a bigger schedule of events.

  • 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
3
Katherine Ceaser, Lydia Chapdelain and Jessica Armstrong
  • March 22, 2026
Art Center Sarasota brings Beaux Arts Ball back to celebrate centennial
4
Mike and Julie Paige, and Amber and Lenny Larson, pose by an "SRQ Wine" sign.
  • March 22, 2026
Festival pours wines from around the world, all at Selby Five Points Park
5
Sarasota's Tracy Tutton and Tania Cook, sisters from Canada, enjoy drinks while listening to Sweet Fleet at My Hometown Fest on March 21.
  • March 21, 2026
My Hometown Fest event raises funds for kids with speech needs

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