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Opinion

    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • April 8, 2020
What about the 99%?

One-size-fits-all shutdowns don’t make sense. Public officials should shift their focus to reopening the economy.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • April 1, 2020
More steps for the state

Economist Arthur Laffer says state and local governments should be cutting expenses now.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Among the effects of the coronavirus pandemic: closed public facilities designed to limit social gatherings.
  • By Tom Harmer
  • March 27, 2020
Remember, we are still in an active stage of an emergency

Heed the guidelines from federal, state and local authorities.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Stephanie Peabody
    By
  • Guest Author
  • March 25, 2020
Letter to the editor: Take positive action during COVID-19 threat

Brain Health Initiative founder gives important advice to heed during coronavirus threat.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Being kind can mean painting a rainbow, such as this one on a sidewalk in Greenbrook, to make people smile. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 25, 2020
Under lockdown in the Lakewood Ranch area, we can still be kind

Time to give back to a Lakewood Ranch business

  • East County
  • Opinion
  • By Matt Walsh and Joel Schleicher
  • March 22, 2020
Gov. DeSantis: We need economic hope

This is now a two-front war. Unless there is decisive action, Florida’s economy is facing an epic catastrophe.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • March 18, 2020
Support local businesses

Great advice: ‘Calm breeds calm.’ But one of the best ways we can help beat COVID-19 is to do what Americans always do — fight back. Do what you can to keep our local economy healthy.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Guest Author
  • March 14, 2020
Letter to the editor: Doctors Hospital releases first COVID-19 patient

The Sarasota hospital has discharged the first Florida patient with COVID-19 and has cleared all involved physicians and employees to return to work.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • March 12, 2020
Make a law and voila!

Sarasota city commissioners once again defied logic. While supporting the smart move to allow residential uses in commercial zones, they spoiled the idea with counterproductive regulations.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Kerry Kirschner, former Sarasota mayor and executive director of The Argus Foundation, died March 4.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • March 12, 2020
The back of his boxing robe would have said ‘Sarasota’s Champion’

Kerry Kirschner died March 4.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
DeSoto Hotel (right), Courtesy of Manatee County Historical Resources
    By
  • Columnist .
  • March 12, 2020
Gillespie Day

March 10 celebrates Sarasota's golf-loving first mayor.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • March 11, 2020
A necessary investment

Longboaters have accepted that a price of paradise is maintaining the Key’s No. 1 asset: the beach.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • March 11, 2020
Role models for their successors

BJ Bishop and Sherry Dominick begin their terms on Town Commission as Irwin Pastor and Randy Clair exit.

  • Longboat Key
  • 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
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Latest News

1
Palmetto community leaders showed up strong at Longboat Island Chapel's latest charity drive to support Mt. Carmel Resource Center on June 16. From left, Deputy Ken Jewett, Sgt. Joy Jewett, Chief of Police Scott Tyler, City of Palmetto Mayor Daniel West, Shirley Pearson, executive director of Strength in Action, Inc., Rev. Brock Patterson, Pearson's sister Laura Wallace, and Town of Longboat Key Town Manager Howard Tipton.
  • June 20, 2026
From food to furniture, chapel's programs continue to make an impact
2
St. Lucie County Administrator George Landry has been recommended by Howard Tipton to replace him as town manager as Tipton prepares to retire.
  • June 19, 2026
New town manager recommended for Longboat Key
3
Attendees were impressed by the fireworks across Sarasota Bay.
  • June 19, 2026
Fourth of July 2026 events in Sarasota, Longboat Key and Lakewood Ranch
4
Woman charged in three high-profile Sarasota burglaries
  • June 18, 2026
Woman charged in three high-profile Sarasota burglaries
5
Tony Barrett speaks at a candidate forum in April at the Lakewood Ranch Country Club.
  • June 18, 2026
Manatee County Commission candidate charged with domestic battery

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