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Sarasota | Opinion

Sarasota’s own answer to crime reduction
    By
  • Adrian Moore
  • March 13, 2024
Sarasota’s own answer to crime reduction

The most intractable problem of crime is that of repeat offenders. Solving that is no easy task, but in Sarasota, an impressive nonprofit called Project 180 is showing it can be done.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Biden’s fantasia vs. Florida’s fiscal responsibleness
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • March 13, 2024
Biden’s fantasia vs. Florida’s fiscal responsibleness

What a contrast — the Biden proposed budget and the historical federal deficits versus the Florida budget for 2024-2025.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
New College plan makes no sense for taxpayers
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • March 7, 2024
New College plan makes no sense for taxpayers

New College of Florida’s new president, Richard Corcoran, and the DeSantis board appointees have an ambitious plan. But when you analyze the economics, you can’t justify the $400 million-plus cost to taxpayers.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Start spreading the news
    By
  • Emily Walsh
  • February 28, 2024
Start spreading the news

Out with the old, in the with the new. The Observer may be the only newspaper company in the country installing new news racks.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
The answer: Urban villages
  • By Edward J. Pinto
  • February 15, 2024
The answer: Urban villages

Mid-priced, working-class housing would expand with light-touch density in the city’s urban mixed-use areas.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
What’s in it for neighbors?
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • February 8, 2024
What’s in it for neighbors?

Surely, Ride Entertainment knows what kind of storms it is about to encounter in its dream to add commercial amusements at City Island. You know the saying: Know your audience. Same applies: Know your neighbors.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Florida leads on health care innovation
  • By Adrian Moore, Vittorio Nastasi
  • February 7, 2024
Florida leads on health care innovation

Telehealth is helping ease the doctor shortage. Dental therapists are next.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
How to attract more health care practitioners
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 31, 2024
How to attract more health care practitioners

Florida needs thousands more doctors, nurses and mental health specialists. The Legislature wants to attract them by paying their medical school loans and making it easier to get a license.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
In awe of the Ora
    By
  • Emily Walsh
  • January 24, 2024
In awe of the Ora

Taking a gamble on the lack of event space in Sarasota, the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee seems to have a winning bet with its new venue, the Ora.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Electric vehicle chargers are often out of commission
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • January 23, 2024
Electric vehicle chargers are often out of commission

A reader would like to charge his electric vehicle but has found that to be challenging in the area.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Population growth spawns prosperity. Development comes with it.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 17, 2024
Population growth spawns prosperity. Development comes with it.

Anyone who lives in Florida, full or part time, and thinks they have the right to keep others from having what you have is delusional. Don’t like it? Go back to New Jersey.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Selby Gardens: A vision comes to life; a shinier gem
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 17, 2024
Selby Gardens: A vision comes to life; a shinier gem

The opening last week of the first phase of the Gardens’ $92 million master plan was a monumental culmination.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Vaccine deaths higher than COVID deaths, entrepreneur and author say
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 17, 2024
Vaccine deaths higher than COVID deaths, entrepreneur and author say

Here are shocking statements of late, from Steve Kirsch and Bret Weinstein, both early dissenters to the COVID vaccines.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
The city needs to simplify zoning for bars and restaurants
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • January 11, 2024
The city needs to simplify zoning for bars and restaurants

An Observer reader attempts to streamline the city's zoning language for bars and restaurants.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Performance appraisals for City Commission
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • January 11, 2024
Performance appraisals for City Commission

A former city commissioner encourages residents to make sure the commission is serving the public good.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
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Latest in Sarasota

1
Jing Herman stands amongst prints of her artwork.
  • July 9, 2026
Sarasota artist plans to create series of 50 American flags
2
The Patio coffee cart once operated in the parking lot at Swim City on North Tamiami Boulevard.
  • July 9, 2026
Coffee cart brews up downtown food truck expansion proposal
3
Tons of sand were removed from roadways along Sarasota County beaches in the wake of the 2024 hurricanes.
  • July 9, 2026
Sarasota County still awaits $225M in FEMA, state disaster funds
4
Benjamin Franklin Drive on Lido Key was left covered in sand after storm surge from Hurricane Helene swept the road.
  • July 9, 2026
City to repair damaged streetlights on Lido Key
5
Meadows Golf Club off of Longmeadow Road in Sarasota has been with Arnold Palmer Golf Management since March 9. The company restored its 18-hole Meadows Course and is working to restore its 18-hole Groves Course.
  • July 9, 2026
Meadows Golf Club hunts a hole-in-one

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