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Opinion

    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • August 29, 2019
Our View: What's the strategy?

Add up all the projects the city talks about, and the total would top $600 million. Is there really a plan or strategy for all this?

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • August 29, 2019
Our View: More gun laws won't matter

In the wake of shooting tragedies, state lawmakers always want to adopt more laws, bloviating they will be the cure to stopping evil or a mangled mind. The lack of laws is not the problem. It's how we've devalued life.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Emily Walsh
  • August 26, 2019
Anti-semitism is on the rise

It’s not just in Europe. It’s rising in the U.S., too — thanks to social media. The Trump administration is making the fight against anti-Semitism a priority.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Dora Walters, longtime Longboat Observer reporter, died this month at age 92.
    By
  • Guest Author
  • August 23, 2019
Letters to the editor: Missing Dora and Longbeach Village peacocks

Observer readers sound off on local events.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • August 22, 2019
Lakewood Ranch is mastering the art of reinvention

Don’t settle for a home you don’t love. Radical reinvention is possible. Jason and Tracy Cotterill proved it in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Manatee County Administrator Cheri Coryea and Sarasota County Administrator Jonathan Lewis both say they must react to growth in the eastern portions of their counties.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 14, 2019
Growth in eastern Manatee and Sarasota counties key to administrators

Growth in eastern Manatee and Sarasota counties key to administrators

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • August 14, 2019
The consummate journalist

In her 70s, former Longboat Observer senior editor Dora Walters ran circles around the young Turks in the newsroom. She knew everyone and everything about Longboat Key. "She was our best reporter."

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Adrian Moore
  • August 8, 2019
The power and limits of home rule

In recent years the Florida Legislature has gone after home rule polices restricting guns, vacation rentals, plastic bags and tree ordinances, just to name a few. When is overriding home rule merited?

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Pickleball is one sure bet as Manatee County builds a new park adjacent to Premier.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 6, 2019
Have you voiced your hopes for Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch?

Pickleball definitely is coming, but your opinion could form the way the area around Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch is built out.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • August 1, 2019
Letters to the Editor: Readers go round and round about St. Armands speed humps

Road changes are designed to slow traffic around pedestrians.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Shaina Swan checks out a Jalisco Mule, made by Grove GM and Executive Chef Greg Campbell, and which will be featured at the Celebrity Bartender Challenge.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 31, 2019
ALS fundraiser in Lakewood Ranch of Primo importance

ALS fundraiser in Lakewood Ranch of Primo importance

  • East County
  • News
Jack Cox said his Halfacre Construction company continues to enjoy the growth being experienced in Lakewood Ranch and the surrounding area.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 25, 2019
Lakewood Ranch's Halfacre Construction enjoys success with an eye on the future

Lakewood Ranch's Halfacre Construction enjoys success with an eye on the future

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 25, 2019
Involvement was in Dave Brenner's DNA

Over the past 25 years, almost everywhere you turned on Longboat Key, David Brenner was involved, giving to make the town a better place.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
  • By Adrian Moore and Corey DeAngelis
  • July 18, 2019
Evidence clearly supports school choice

Florida families have five private school choice programs from which to select.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
David Brenner was 83.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 18, 2019
Dave Brenner made a big difference

Former vice mayor, who died last week at age 83, was devoted to family and his community.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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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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