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Opinion

The Sarasota City Commission will once again consider an agreement with the Bay Park Conservancy to manage the 53 acres of bayfront surrounding the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • April 9, 2019
Commissioners: Sign the conservancy agreement

Yes, the city can hardly afford more financial burdens. But the best bet for the bayfront is to seize an opportunity that likely won’t come again.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • April 4, 2019
State amendments need transparency

Two bills would bring an end to Florida's confusing constitutional amendments.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Blue Oyster Cult's Eric Bloom sings at Premier Sports Campus in January, 2017. Lakewood Ranch still has no amphitheater or events center.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 3, 2019
Embrace Temptations ... build an amphitheater in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch could use an amphitheater to draw rockers, other music acts.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Guest Author
  • April 2, 2019
Letters to the editor

Readers sound off on key issues.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • March 29, 2019
Really? Straws take priority over pensions?

Sarasota City Commission has its priorities wrong.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • March 29, 2019
Teachers with guns

The thought of teachers carrying concealed firearms triggers passions against guns, but when you look at the details of Senate Bill 7030, it presents sensible safeguards. Data also convincingly show guns deter criminals.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • March 29, 2019
Milestones of our times

Often times, noteworthy historical events pass us by with little fanfare or recognition. Here are two that illustrate the richness of Longboat Key and one that's just plain fun.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
John Cannon is hands-on with every aspect of the building process, such as these barn doors.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 22, 2019
Lakewood Ranch builder John Cannon a master of tree forts to mansions

Lakewood Ranch builder John Cannon a master of tree forts to mansions

  • East County
  • Opinion
Tallahassee is abuzz when the Legislature is in session.
    By
  • Emily Walsh
  • March 14, 2019
A Capitol show of force

Voters be reassured: A day in Tallahassee demonstrates how smart and competent our area's legislators really are.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Adrian Moore
  • March 14, 2019
Kudos to Sarasota County for criminal justice innovations

Strategies to hold the line on jail population are working.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Guest Author
  • March 12, 2019
Letters to the editor

Readers sound off on key issues.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Guest Author
  • March 11, 2019
Letters to the editor

Island residents sound off on key issues.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
The Royal Opera House at Covent Garden in London.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • March 7, 2019
Sarasota’s cultural vision

Sarasota Orchestra’s vision to move to a facility in Payne Park should prompt discussions and decisions on prioritizing what Sarasota wants to be and how to get there.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • March 6, 2019
New site for the center?

It makes sense to leave out the black box theater. A new location may make sense, too.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
H. Terrell Griffin with his seventh novel, “Fatal Decree.”
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • March 6, 2019
Griffin’s writing, and himself, made him a Longboat treasure

Popular novelist dies at age 76.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
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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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