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Opinion

  • By Letter to the Editor
  • February 28, 2025
State loan program is best option for town sewer project

Voting "yes" on the town referendum in the March 11 election will save the town millions of dollars.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
There's more to the osprey on Longboat
  • By Letters to the Editor
  • February 28, 2025
There's more to the osprey on Longboat

Comments on Longboat's resident osprey, freedom of speech and red tide cleanup in letters to the editor.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
After years of working with the military and law enforcement with explosives, Lakewood Ranch's John Scomillio found his best partner was a dog. He now works part-time at Dogs Inc.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 27, 2025
Former explosives expert gets a charge out of helping dogs

Lakewood Ranch's John Scomillio has made a home for himself at Dogs Inc.

  • East County
  • 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
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Latest News

1
Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids
2
The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
  • December 20, 2025
East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy
3
Evidence discovered in the home of 33-year-old Demond L. Smith who was arrested by Sarasota police on multiple charges.
  • December 20, 2025
Repeat felon faces charges in Sarasota drug bust
4
Keera Herbst, Donn Githens, Kim Verreault and Alexa Olivas help celebrate the opening of the new Longboat Key Goodwill bookstore and donation site on Dec. 18.
  • December 20, 2025
Longboat Goodwill officially celebrates grand opening
5
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
  • December 19, 2025
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat

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