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Opinion

Drivers should be aware as the School District of Manatee County opens its new school year Aug. 10.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 5, 2021
Beware perilous intersections in Lakewood Ranch area as school opens

As school opens in Lakewood Ranch, east Bradenton area, watch out for construction, dangerous intersections.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Deanna Murchie and Susan Giroux show the new dog kennels they have added to their Humane Society of Lakewood Ranch site in Myakka City. Could the county benefit from a public-private partnership with the nonprofit?
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 30, 2021
Manatee County should slow down on building new animal shelter

If Bishop Animal Shelter donation comes to fruition in Bradenton, Manatee County might not need to build a new shelter.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 29, 2021
It’s time for new leadership

There comes a time in the life of every company when it needs new energy, new perspectives and new ideas. Unfortunately, that also means some of those who grew the business need to go. A case in point.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Dom DiMaio has stepped down after two years as president and CEO of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 28, 2021
Search for Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance leader begins again

Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance would covet a leader who would stay longterm.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Mark, Elyse and Aaron Gordon on the first day of Kindergarten at Willis Elementary School in August, 2013
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • July 23, 2021
Bus(ted) the first day

The first day of school is full of joyous rituals and anxieties — for parents, of course.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 22, 2021
A good start for Brown

Sarasota City Manager Marlon Brown is off to a good start with this first budget. He is proposing the city lower its millage rate and wants to dissolve the city’s parks and recreation tax district.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 22, 2021
Governments as developers

The strategy is to build a venue for farmers markets, concerts and art festivals, with the hope donors and taxpayers eventually will support a cultural and community center. Hope is never a good strategy.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 22, 2021
Why should voting be easy?

The easier it is to vote, the less it is valued.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 15, 2021
Wrong time for new tax

It makes little sense for the Sarasota County Commission to adopt a new tax for mental health services — especially when living costs are rising rapidly and the county is awash in federal cash.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 15, 2021
Kill the noise with kindness

When things go wrong, we call for government intervention. Perhaps some neighborly kindness can squelch the boisterous noise near Jewfish Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 15, 2021
St. Armands master plan called for hotel 13 years ago

It goes without saying in Florida that any major development will spark vocal opposition.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Jack Zimmerman is attempting to recruit more Lakewood Ranch seniors to his Sarasota Senior Softball Association leagues.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 9, 2021
Lakewood Ranch senior softball players forced to travel to compete

Sarasota Senior Softball Association gives Lakewood Ranch players an option.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Bill and Tina Gardner (center) celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with their children, Jennifer Shimkonis, Doug Gardner, Julie Warren and Billy Gardner.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 8, 2021
Lakewood Ranch couple celebrates 60th anniversary at the Country Club

Lakewood Ranch octogenarians celebrate their 60-year marriage at the Country Club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Adrian Moore
  • July 6, 2021
Attempt to silence social media clearly unconstitutional

Legislation to control social media flies in the face of Gov. Desantis' and the GOP's free-market values.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 1, 2021
How will this end?

No one knows how the current strife in America will end. But we’ve been resilient for 245 years. And we know this, too: An essential ingredient to pursuing happiness is you must be free.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
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Santa (Steven Trudell of St. Petersburg) gets the runners fired up just before the start of the 2025 Jingle 5K Dec. 12 in Lakewood Ranch.
  • December 13, 2025
More than 500 runners go the distance in Lakewood Ranch's Jingle 5K
2
Longboat Key Police Deputy Chief Frank Rubino (left) accepts a framed display of medals, patches and pins that demonstrate his 45-year career in law enforcement.
  • December 13, 2025
Longboat deputy chief with 45 years of experience to retire
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Nicholas Savarese, a teacher who has a background in chemical engineering, judges junior Lillian Pevzner-Downer's project on the comparison of conventionally grown crops with chemicals and pesticides versus organically grown crops at the Lakewood Ranch High School Science Fair.
  • December 12, 2025
Lakewood Ranch High revives its science fair

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