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Opinion

Sarasota Suncoast Academy is one of 12 charter schools in Sarasota County.
    By
  • Adrian Moore
  • March 4, 2020
If charter schools are 'not as good as advertised,' why are families flocking to them?

Charter schools provide greater benefits than a report appears to show.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • February 26, 2020
He should be fired

FDOT is not the one to blame for the traffic backups on the Ringling Causeway. The city is. It controls the timing of the projects.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Troopers Ryan Dwyer and Alec Ritter of the Florida Highway Patrol's Central Region Honor Guard lead the casket of Trooper Joseph Bullock into Bayside Community Church Feb. 13.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 19, 2020
Trooper's funeral in Lakewood Ranch stirs emotions, thoughts

Bayside Community Church in Lakewood Ranch hosts trooper's funeral.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • February 19, 2020
How not to make law

Although the idea of merging FSU and New College came as a shock, it is worth exploring. That should have been done before drafting a bill. Lawmakers often forget they are the servants, not kings.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
New College has become a top producer of students who earn prestigious fellowships. They have awarded 74 Fulbright Fellowships to their students over the past 15 years.
  • By Sen. Joe Gruters and Reps.Wengay “Newt” Newton, Will Robinson, Margaret Good, Tommy Gregory and James Buchanan
  • February 18, 2020
My View: New College is a premier institution, let's not break it

Bill in Tallahassee would make Sarasota college part of FSU system.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
  • By Ken Shelin
  • February 13, 2020
My View: City lacks leadership in development issues

Commissioners, Planning Board members aren't experts on land-use.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
(Courtesy rendering) The Bath & Racquet Club property proposed buildings up to five stories tall adjacent to some single-family homes, a scale residents called unacceptable but city planners endorsed.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • February 13, 2020
The vision-less continues

We knew how the Bath & Racquet Club proposal would go — Sarasota’s own ‘Groundhog Day.’ At least Mayor Ahearn-Koch, a no voter again, has this right: The process needs to change.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Adrian Moore
  • February 6, 2020
Vacation-rental regulations come down to local control versus state preemption

With so many cities going too far with regulations, state control makes sense. If you don’t like vacation rentals, form an HOA.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Rosedale's Hal Ross is a former Canadian toy industry executive who now will concentrate on writing suspense novels.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 5, 2020
Nothing fictional about Bradenton writer's goals

Former Canadian toy industry executive enjoying life as an author in Bradenton.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • February 5, 2020
Traffic: Officials respond

Longboat town commissioners sent comments about traffic to Sarasota commissioners and FDOT, requesting immediate action and better coordination. And the city’s response? The usual nothing.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 29, 2020
Islanders to city: Fix 41-bridge backups now

Call city commissioners, and demand they do more to eliminate the backups. Their inaction is hurting the economy.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 23, 2020
Another tee shot goes 'OB'

Taxpayers are expected to subsidize the Bobby Jones Golf Club in the current fiscal year.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 23, 2020
The pressure is on, Mote

With the Sarasota County Commission agreeing to front $20 million to Mote Marine for its aquarium from bed taxes, the bigger challenge is yet to come: proving its vision is real.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 23, 2020
Who should rule vacation rentals?

Local governments across Florida struggle to deal with regulating vacation rentals.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 22, 2020
How to make Longboat's Gulf of Mexico Drive safer

Keep the transports out of the middle of GMD, let lights shine on the road, and buy GMD from the state.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
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Latest News

1
Longboat Key Police Department Customer Service Specialist Ivan Zunz shakes hands with Police Chief Russ Mager at a Town Commission meeting Monday, Feb. 2. Zunz was recognized for 10 years with LKPD at the meeting.
  • February 5, 2026
Ivan Zunz recognized for a decade with LKPD
2
Jennifer Rominiecki brought the living museum concept to Marie Selby Botanical Gardens when she was named president and CEO in 2015.
  • February 5, 2026
Botanical gardens' potential lured Rominiecki family to Sarasota
3
Capt. A.J. Grande operates a "six pack" fishing charter business who often picks up and drops off customers at Nora Patterson Park.
  • February 5, 2026
Permits will be required for charter boat operators using county parks
4
The home at 3851 Tangier Terrace was built in 2024 and has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,379 square feet of living area.
  • February 5, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for Jan. 19-23 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis
5
District 2 Commissioner Penny Gold walks in a parade in 2021.
  • February 5, 2026
Longboat commissioner appointed to National League of Cities committee

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