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Opinion

The initial staff of Sarasota Memorial Hospital in November 1925. The Hospital, held a celebration for its 100th anniversary last week.
  • By David Verinder
  • November 5, 2025
Sarasota Memorial celebrates a century of care

Sarasota Memorial Hospital President and CEO David Verinder shares his thoughts about the complex's 100 years.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Patty Notarianni's work will be featured at the Creative Art Association of Lakewood Ranch's Fall Art Show and Sale Nov. 15 at the Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 5, 2025
Small events make Lakewood Ranch a big draw

As big events come and go, clubs and organizations highlight talented residents.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Panther Preserve's Emily Kasperski shows off her beloved Bam, which will be on display at the Knights of Columbus Car Show and Cookout Nov. 1 at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 29, 2025
Bam takes center stage at Our Lady of the Angels car show

The Knights of Columbus event raises funds for St Jude Children's Hospital.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Il faut cultiver notre jardin
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • October 29, 2025
Il faut cultiver notre jardin

Delving into a pile of history books during a sabbatical revealed a depressing truth: Nothing has changed. To improve society, we must tend our own garden.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Cutting care at home: A looming crisis in Florida
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • October 24, 2025
Cutting care at home: A looming crisis in Florida

Since 2019, over 173,000 patients have lost access to home health across the state of Florida, with 37% in the area losing care promised to them.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Commissioner Bob McCann has looked into the possibility of a hiring freeze in Manatee County.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 23, 2025
DOGE witch-hunt haunts Manatee County

Florida CFO Blaise Ingoglia's press conference smacks of a political ploy.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Former Lakewood Ranch barbershop owner Barry Rainwater has launched his career as an author with "2025: Gardens and Creeks."
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 16, 2025
Former Lakewood Ranch barbershop owner writes a new life chapter

Barry Rainwater's science fiction thriller "2525: Gardens and Creeks" is now available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Sarasota County’s housing yields shortages and high prices
    By
  • Adrian Moore
  • October 8, 2025
Sarasota County’s housing yields shortages and high prices

Despite the obstacles a potential local homeowner faces, there are solutions.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Mirabai Holland has developed a stretch exercise technique called Moving Free. The certified health coach has perfected and refined the craft during her 30 years of teaching.
    By
  • Mirabai Holland
  • October 7, 2025
Prevent muscle injury with appropriate tendon stretch

The Golgi tendon organs connect the muscle to the tendon and stretching can improve flexibity.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
School closures threaten Sarasota’s economy
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • September 24, 2025
School closures threaten Sarasota’s economy

Shutting down Wilkinson Elementary would just be the start of many future closures, one reader says.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
David Sessions, Andrea Saputo Cox and Joseph Najmy were the speakers at Pioneers of Progress: Founding Businesses of Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 24, 2025
Business 'pioneers' talk about Lakewood Ranch's success

Their business fortunes skyrocketed with the Ranch, and they hope smart planning keeps it that way.

  • East County
  • Opinion
For the serious cyclist, staying in top condition is the best reason for why they enjoy the type of extreme exercise.
    By
  • Mirabai Holland
  • September 15, 2025
The exercise you choose should be about pleasure, not a chore

It's important to find a physical activity you like or at least don’t hate and pursue it with pleasure.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Heather Hackett, the founder of Local Relief, Inc., earned the 2024 C. John A. Clarke Humanitarian Award for her work with her nonprofit.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 10, 2025
Local Relief seeks financial relief

Heather Hackett's disaster recovery nonprofit seeks backers.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Ron DeSantis is dead wrong about AI
  • By Max Gulker, Adrian Moore, Marc Scribner
  • September 10, 2025
Ron DeSantis is dead wrong about AI

The governor seems to convey his fears of negative results over the benefits of AI usage.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Planned ball fields at Manatee County park are beyond fiscal prudence
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • September 9, 2025
Planned ball fields at Manatee County park are beyond fiscal prudence

It's time to take a closer look before any further action is taken, a Country Club East resident writes.

  • East County
  • Opinion
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Latest News

1
Sarasota Military Academy is at 801 N. Orange Ave. in Sarasota.
  • August 5, 2026
Sarasota Military Academy's downtown campus listed for sale
2
Country Club East's Mark Allen Baker shows off his newest book, "Willian A. Brady — The Life of a Boxing and Broadway Impresario."
  • August 5, 2026
Classroom assignment can launch a career
3
The $2.6 million tax refund to the School District of Manatee County was voted by the county commissioners on July 28.
  • August 5, 2026
County sends $2.6 million back to Manatee schools
4
The Hermitage Artist Retreat programming includes free sunset concerts on the beach at its Manasota Key campus.
  • August 5, 2026
Arts incubator receives $450,000 in grants
5
Kids arrive by bus at Southside Elementary. School begins Monday in Sarasota County.
  • August 5, 2026
School zones will be active as kids return to school on Monday

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