• Alternate Text

  • Loading

  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Opinion

    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 11, 2019
Sarasota's spending is outpacing its growth

It is symbolic of a bigger issue: Who's in charge? Citizens? Commissioners? City manager?

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
It's hard enough to avoid sandhill cranes in the roadway when not speeding.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 9, 2019
Slower pace would protect our wildlife in Lakewood Ranch

Slower pace would protect our wildlife in Lakewood Ranch

  • East County
  • Opinion
Dan Knop, T.J. Bishop and Bryan McManis are all PGA teaching professionals who are excited by their new camp reward system.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 2, 2019
Lakewood Ranch Golf Summer Camps score with U.S. Kids Golf Curriculum and Awards Program

Lakewood Ranch Golf Summer Camps score with U.S, Kids Golf Curriculum and Awards Program.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • June 27, 2019
Selby: What's not to like?

The directors and CEO of Selby Gardens are doing their job: enacting a vision to turn the endangered asset into the jewel is deserves to be.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Town Commissioners on July 1 will set a tentative millage rate for the town. From there, the rate can't be raised but can be reduced.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • June 27, 2019
Where your money goes

Longboat Key's tax rates are expected to remain steady, and its financial state is strong. But the town's debt will reach historic highs.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Hall of Fame basketball coach and announcer Dick Vitale has signed with ESPN through the 2022 season.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 26, 2019
Eighty a perfect age for respect for Lakewood Ranch's Dick Vitale

Eighty is perfect age for respect for Lakewood Ranch's Dick Vitale, who just signed a contract extension with ESPN.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Dr. Elizabeth Callahan wants people to know there is no such thing as a healthy tan.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 20, 2019
Top-rated dermatologist in Sarasota struggles with our society's love of a suntan

Top-rated Sarasota dermatologist Elizabeth Callahan struggles to with our society's love of a suntan.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Eileen Walsh Normile is chairwoman of the Sarasota Planning Board.
  • By Eileen Walsh Normile
  • June 20, 2019
My View: Blank slates or informed volunteers?

Questions over Epoch appeal raise a broader issue of expertise, involvement on advisory boards.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Canals benefit the whole town, letter writer says.
    By
  • Guest Author
  • June 13, 2019
Letters to the editor: Everyone should pay for canals

Longboat residents sound off on island topics.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • June 13, 2019
Apparently, it's OK when Democrats use voter registration

Debate goes on over County Commission's plan to draw new districts.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • June 13, 2019
Consider the consequences

When city commissioners take up the volatile topic of the development review process, they should probe deeply the likely effects of adding more regulation.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Guest Author
  • June 12, 2019
Letters to the editor Readers sound off on: Epoch, Selby, Orchestra

STOP organizer says group wouldn't object to a specific project.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
The Longboat Key Library: Best use of this property? Why not a multipurpose community center here, including a library, gallery space for art exhibitions, public forums and speakers?
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • June 12, 2019
Someone make the case

Why should the town own the four acres near Publix? The city of Sarasota shows the perils of too many parks.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Bill Kelley
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • June 6, 2019
D-Day: The high price of freedom

Will future generations ever really understand the value of freedom? They should know the enormity, horrors and human toll of The Longest Day.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Pat Neal said his Neal Communities is focusing on family home sales in Indigo more than ever before in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 5, 2019
Indigo and developer Pat Neal take a turn toward family homes in Lakewood Ranch

Indigo and developer Pat Neal take a turn toward family homes in Lakewood Ranch

  • East County
  • News
« 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 »
The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest News

1
When he's not painting, artist Tom Stephens makes fishing rods.
  • March 23, 2026
Sarasota artist lives the life aquatic
2
Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School fourth graders Leona Killion and Michael Chmielarski created business cards as a dancer and a soccer player for the Project T.E.A.C.H. activity on March 12.
  • March 23, 2026
Project TEACH volunteers work to inspire young minds in Manatee County
3
They are goons who don't understand Jesus
  • March 23, 2026
They are goons who don't understand Jesus
4
Jenna Jahn notched a pair of top-two finishes at the Eddie Starling Memorial Invite on March 13 — including a record-breaking performance.
  • March 23, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Jenna Jahn
5
Terri King, Rocky and Liza Pappas
  • March 23, 2026
USF enjoys picture-perfect day for Brunch on the Bay

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.

The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now