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Opinion

How $115 billion is spent
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • February 27, 2025
How $115 billion is spent

We are fortunate our lawmakers are not like New York’s. Even so, we should know how lawmakers spend our money.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
City should treat public’s treasures with care
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • February 26, 2025
City should treat public’s treasures with care

Sarasota needs to invest in protecting the signature Van Wezel, a reader says.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Double turn-lane trouble
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • February 26, 2025
Double turn-lane trouble

Construction on the much-discussed left-turn lanes for the south Gulf of Mexico Drive is finally beginning (at the wrong time). But much to the chagrin of residents, the designs were a surprise — and not a pleasant one.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Vote Yes on replacing the subaqueous pipeline
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • February 24, 2025
Vote Yes on replacing the subaqueous pipeline

The current pipeline running from Longboat Key to Bradenton is more than 50 years old.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Ringling transfer to New College would be detrimental
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • February 24, 2025
Ringling transfer to New College would be detrimental

Taxpayers, the community and tourism would suffer by making the change in stewardship, one reader says.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Are we doubters or doers?
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • February 20, 2025
Are we doubters or doers?

The naysaying is bubbling up over the cost of a new performing arts center. But as we’ve said before, this is not a decision for today; it’s for the next 50 years.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Rooted in History: Ringling Museum and New College
  • By Richard Corcoran
  • February 19, 2025
Rooted in History: Ringling Museum and New College

Shifting the Ringling Museum under New College is ‘not just logical; it ensures the museum’s legacy remains deeply intertwined with Sarasota’s cultural and educational future.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Jim Keiner, Gene Tischer, Marge Slepica, Bob Keehn, Bob Smith and Diane Brune celebrate the 2024 donation to Stillpoint Mission.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 19, 2025
Stillpoint Appeal remains simple, and effective, in Lakewood Ranch

Bob Smith and his golf and poker buddies continue to have a heart of gold.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Observer recommends
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • February 19, 2025
Observer recommends

As is often the case on Longboat Key, whenever there is an election for Town Commission, Longboat Key voters have good, competent choices.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Biden, Obama, Clinton: Era of great prosperity
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • February 18, 2025
Biden, Obama, Clinton: Era of great prosperity

Readers are not ecstatic over the latest election.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Commissioner's thoughts on moratoriums are misguided
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • February 18, 2025
Commissioner's thoughts on moratoriums are misguided

Please use caution when Sandhill cranes are present, a reader says.

  • East County
  • Opinion
A cardio dance routine requires students to move forward and back, side to side and remember specific steps, which helps improve memory.
    By
  • Mirabai Holland
  • February 17, 2025
Cardio dance: Healthy heart, healthy mind!

A cardio workout promotes heart health but also creates a disciplined routine that improves memory.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Blues artist Dylan Triplett gets up close and personal with the fans during the Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 12, 2025
Local promoter plans next Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival

Morgan Bettes Angell is considering tweaks to better serve the community.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Longboat resident's idea deserves a spot at the park
    By
  • Michael Harris
  • February 12, 2025
Longboat resident's idea deserves a spot at the park

Dogs with disabilities, permanent or temporary, still need exercise at their local park.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Deaths rose under Bondi
  • By Adrian Moore, Jacob Rich
  • February 12, 2025
Deaths rose under Bondi

Fewer Americans are drug addicts, yet more people are dying from drug use. Law enforcement’s crackdown on opioids just caused users to shift to fentanyl.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
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Latest News

1
With a sparkle in his eye and a wave of the hand, jolly old St. Nick illuminated the lights on St. Armands Circle's 60-foot Christmas tree at a lighting festival on Dec. 5.
  • December 7, 2025
St. Armands celebrates magical Christmas tree lighting
2
Britnie Sutika, CEO Kristie Skoglund, Kimberly Treharne, Paola Pinillos and Kate Reed
  • December 7, 2025
Florida Center for Early Childhood hosts 2nd annual Wonder Gala
3
St. Petersburg's Ella Brown and Sarasota's Mike Chambers take full advantage of the live music to show off their best dance moves at the Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival on Dec. 6.
  • December 7, 2025
Lakewood Ranch music fans aren't crying the blues after festival
4
Students from Sarasota High School's marching band walk in the parade.
  • December 7, 2025
Sarasota's spirit goes on display in the holiday parade
5
Debi and Mike O'Leary take a look at the tree.
  • December 6, 2025
Sarasota annual tree lighting takes place at Selby Five Points

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