• 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
    • Elections
    • 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
    • Elections
    • 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
  • December 27, 2017
We’re Main Street; not ‘mainstream’

The national news media have smeared all of journalism, while the media tech giants admit they ‘are destroying how society works.’ Whom can you trust? Some of us still place a high value on credibility, reliability and trustworthiness.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 20, 2017
At the time of Christ’s birth

It's a story that crosses religions and faiths.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Eric Garwood rang the bell at Longboat Key's Publix for the first time this season.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 16, 2017
Ringing in the holiday spirit

A stint for the Kiwanis Club at the Salvation Army kettle puts a jingle in the season.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Kristine Nickel
  • December 14, 2017
Don't stress — declutter

Is your ‘stuff’ weighing you down? Follow these practical steps to lighten your load.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 13, 2017
Find a way to say yes

This time, the next step in the Colony saga is for real. As Longboat’s P&Z board weighs Unicorp’s plans, it also should consider the alternative: more of the same.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Longboaters having fun and supporting a cause at the Lawn Party
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 6, 2017
In the end, well worth it

Every year, the Lawn Party organizers fret and worry about how they’re going to pull it off. It’s a miracle — of American generosity, volunteerism and capitalism.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 6, 2017
Dec. 7, 1941

Longboat's Pearl Harbor hero

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Bridget Ziegler
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • November 30, 2017
The board ceiling is broken

Tension has permeated the Sarasota School Board for three years. But with a new chair (a disrupter) and vice chair (the establishment), this is welcomed progress.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • November 29, 2017
Unfair for 155 years

Sen. Bill Nelson laments how the Republicans’ proposed tax reform is unfair. Duh. The U.S. tax system has never been fair. But we’ll take the corporate tax cut over no cut.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • November 29, 2017
Make them pay — with their own money, boot them out

The rules need to be the same across the board.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • November 21, 2017
What drove the Pilgrims to America?

'Their desires were set on the ways of God and to enjoy his ordinances.'

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • November 21, 2017
The Bedrock of America

Thanksgiving is much more than being thankful and remembering the Pilgrims and Indians’ first feast. It reminds us why the Pilgrims came: for the freedom to worship.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • November 15, 2017
Start over on Lido Beach

All Lido Key residents wanted was an updated pavilion, restaurant and pool. But here it is six years later, and the city has faltered again. That seems to be a recurring theme.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • November 8, 2017
Give all veterans their due

We owe more than ‘Thank you for your service.’ Veterans committed their lives to keep us free — a priceless virtue.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • November 8, 2017
More mush from the wimps

Sadly, we know how this is going to turn out.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
« 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 »
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
Jerome and Kathryn Chesley pose in their living room surrounded by colorful glass art that they've collected over the years.
  • June 22, 2026
Sarasota couple are cultural ambassadors, together and separately
2
Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key Past President Michael Garey said he heard of the Miracle League of Manasota when his daughter, Amelia, volunteered as a buddy to the athletes. Garey suggested the 501(c)(3) as the club's new charitable partner, which board members recently accepted.
  • June 22, 2026
Accessible baseball league benefits from Kiwanis pancake breakfast funds
3
Kiki Bullas will be busy over the next few weeks competing in the USATF and AAU regional track and field junior olympics, hoping to reach the national competition in both.
  • June 22, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Kiki Bullas
4
A May 2024 rendering of the Sarasota County library on Longboat Key.
  • June 22, 2026
Property tax overhaul may put Longboat Key library in jeopardy
5
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

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.


Anytime. Anywhere. Observer.

From in-depth local reporting to real-time breaking news, stay connected to the stories shaping our community with the Your Observer app.

Download Now for Free