• Alternate Text

  • Loading

  • Valentine's Day Gift Guide
  • 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
  • Key Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • 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
  • Key Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Valentine's Day Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Opinion

Robin Hartill
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • November 30, 2016
MY VIEW: Observations from a decade of memories

Longboat Observer, Sarasota Observer, Longboat Key, Robin Hartill

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
  • By Meghan Sasser
  • November 23, 2016
Gratitude for our liberties

The persecution of the Pilgrims before they celebrated their first Thanksgiving has many parallels to today’s events. They make us thankful for the liberties we enjoy.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • November 17, 2016
Why Trump won here

Historical trends pointed toward a Hillary Clinton victory in Florida. Three factors beat her: third-party/independent voters; her own party’s turnout; and Trump’s message.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Lt. Col. James Doolittle, left foreground, and Navy Capt. Marc A. Mitscher, skipper of the USS Hornet, gathered the 79 other Raiders for a group photo prior to launching the Raid over Tokyo on April 18, 1942. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • November 10, 2016
A tribute to veterans

Take a break from the elections. Take in a good story of old-fashioned American patriotism and heroism to remind you of the America you love. On Friday, thank a vet.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 3, 2016
Longboat Key Letter to the Editor

Isn’t marijuana also a pursuit of happiness?

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • November 3, 2016
Leadership for others

While many Americans lament public office seekers and their sycophants who are in it for themselves, here are four volunteer civic leaders contributing for the right reasons.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Marty Rappaport
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • November 3, 2016
Pray for new role models

Our republic has survived plenty of strife in our polity. Out of this election, let’s pray the pendulum swings to elected officeholders pledged to lifelong honesty and decency.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • October 27, 2016
What’s the best path?

Put aside the candidates’ sins and flaws. Think instead about the best path forward to lighten the next generations’ debt burden and improve their standard of living.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 26, 2016
Longboat Key Letters to the Editor

Observer ignores Charter Review Board issues; Media bias is bad for democracy

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • October 20, 2016
We recommend …

If you’re an independent voter or still undecided on the local races, this might help you decide. Reader beware: We always favor candidates who back the freedom agenda.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • October 20, 2016
We recommend …

If you’re an independent voter or still undecided on the local races, this might help you decide. Reader beware: We always favor candidates who back the freedom agenda.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • October 13, 2016
The amendments …

Once again, Florida voters will find their ballot full of proposed constitutional amendments. Don’t let the wording fool you. Here is what they really mean.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Although many readers were critical of downtown Sarasota, others criticized the proliferation of bars and spoke positively about the city.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 13, 2016
Readers respond: Is Sarasota Fun?

We asked, and you told us whether you thought the city of Sarasota was an exciting place to be — and what officials should do to make it more fun.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 12, 2016
Longboat Key Letters to the Editor

Roundabout will worsen traffic woes

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Adrian Moore
  • October 6, 2016
Amendment 1: Bad for the future

This proposed amendment appears to be for solar power. A closer look reveals its true intent is to protect utility companies’ profits.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
« 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 »
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
Three comedians including Bradenton's Tim Boyd will perform at the “Hearts of Hope: A Valentine’s Comedy Night” fundraiser to benefit Harbor 58, Foster the Family, and Bring on the Ministry on Feb. 13.
  • February 6, 2026
Nonprofits to host Valentine's comedy fundraiser in Lakewood Ranch
2
Sarasota nonprofit Casting For The Kids helps children with cancer and their families breathe a little easier.
  • February 6, 2026
Annual fishing tournament casts for a cause
3
Work by Janet Echelman in “Radical Softness” at Sarasota Art Museum through April 26.
  • February 6, 2026
New creations, global voices, celebrations light up our cultural horizon
4
Chefs Justin Kurtz and Ismael Flores showcase some of Mar Vista’s signature dishes.
  • February 6, 2026
Innovative chef at Mar Vista honors tradition — and keeps reinventing it
5
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

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.

The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now