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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
Michael Drake struck a deal to relocate the cottages on vacant property on Broadway Street next to the Century 21 office at the entrance to Longbeach Village
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 11, 2019
Preserve Longboat's history

That history should not be forgotten. It deserves to be on display.

  • Longboat Key
  • 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
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Latest News

1
Manatee County staff and key stakeholders toss ceremonial dirt to kick off construction on a half-mile trail segment that will span from the Lake Manatee Water Treatment Plant to Rye Preserver.
  • June 22, 2026
Trail system breaks ground near Lake Manatee
2
Sienna Linn, a rising first grader at Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy, says she has no pets at home but has had a blast with her dog, Mia, at the Little Vet School camp.
  • June 20, 2026
Little Vet School teaches skills at The Out-of-Door Academy's summer camp
3
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
4
Eadon Foster, a rising fourth grader at Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary, and Zion Stenzler, a rising fifth grader at Rowlett Elementary Academy, each use microscopes to look at a goldfish scale, dandelion fuzz, pollen, and more.
  • June 19, 2026
Mad Scientist Adventures Camp presents students with scientific challenges
5
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

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