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Opinion

The Knights worked on a project Aug. 8 at the church. In the back row are Rick Kuebel, Mike Mahan and Vin Misciagna. In the front row are Gordon Shellhaas, Paul Palmeri and Rich Macklin.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 12, 2020
Knights representing Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church of Lakewood Ranch hammer out volunteer efforts

Knights representing Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church of Lakewood Ranch hammer out volunteer efforts.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Christine Johnson, president of the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast, hopes Manatee County voters understand what's involved when they vote on a referendum to create a fund to buy environmentally significant land.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 4, 2020
Manatee County has some explaining to do in terms of hefty reserves

Columnist Jay Heater writes about the probably Manatee County will get questions about tax reserves as elections approach.

  • East County
  • Opinion
  • By The Observer
  • July 29, 2020
The Observer's 2020 primary election recommendations

With absentee ballots sent out and early voting starting Aug. 8, here are some insights and opinions to consider on the region’s candidates.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Ron Turner
  • By Ron Turner
  • July 27, 2020
Vote-by-mail is not ‘all-mail voting’

Absentee voting — or voting by mail — has been a part of Florida’s election process since 2002. Every signature is checked for security.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center CEO Andy Guz said the hospital isn't near capacity yet due to COVID-19.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 22, 2020
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center busy, but not maxed out

Lakewood Ranch Medical Center busy, but not maxed out because of COVID-19

  • East County
  • Opinion
Brian Lipton
  • By Brian Lipton
  • July 21, 2020
My View: Graffiti attacks bolster resolve to assertively attack antisemitism

Improve hate-crime reporting, commit resources to bring those responsible to justice.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 15, 2020
Payback against Selby?

After the Sarasota County property appraiser lost a ruling against Selby on a technicality, its lawyers went all-out to take away its tax exemption.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
The memorial at State Road 64 and Pope Road was moved to begin construction of a roundabout.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 13, 2020
Fortitude prevails after Lakewood Ranch tragedy

Road work to build a roundabout begins at the site of fatal Lakewood Ranch accident.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Adrian Moore
  • July 8, 2020
Common sense solutions for police reform

Local police departments need to make changes to more easily help citizens.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
David Verinder, president and CEO, Sarasota Memorial Health Care System
    By
  • Guest Author
  • July 1, 2020
Masks can help slow the spread

Health care professionals urge the public to wear face masks to slow the virus spread.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Get used to ordering groceries online.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • July 1, 2020
So you have the coronavirus. What's next?

Our reporter gives his thoughts on experiencing the virus.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 1, 2020
Time for silence to end

The Fourth of July is a time for the silent majority to begin reasserting its voice for a strong defense of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
AltMed MUV Director of Corporate Affairs Todd Beckwith discusses the new store in East County.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 30, 2020
New joint in Bradenton signifies how our society adapts to change

AltMed MUV comes to Bradenton to fill a market need for medical cannabis.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • June 25, 2020
No to mandatory masks

Instead of more dictatorial mandates telling us how to live our lives, Sarasota’s elected officials could engage civic and business leaders and use their bully pulpits to urge citizens to act responsibly.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • June 24, 2020
Resist permitted parking

There are more creative and private-sector options to solving the Village’s parking problems than creating a new government department.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
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  • December 14, 2025
Eat, drink and be merry like you're in a 'Home Alone' movie
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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
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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.
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