FDOT shares fixed-span Longboat Pass bridge plans, community shares feedback

Opinions varied on FDOT’s proposal to construct a 78-foot clearance fixed span bridge connecting Longboat to Anna Maria Island.

Longboat Key resident Cathy Ross looks at FDOT plans for a fixed-span bridge to replace the drawbridge currently connecting Longboat Key to Anna Maria Island at a public meeting at Christ Church Thursday, March 13.
  • March 20, 2026
Longboat Key's Cops, Cars & Coffee rescheduled
Paul Dezzi is the fire chief of the Longboat Key Fire Rescue Department and the town's emergency manager.
  • March 19, 2026
Longboat Key fire station to host open house March 25
Edward Lyon, Excel Empire's chief tax planner and the 'funniest tax guy in America,' shares tips with residents as they gear up for tax season at a March 10 workshop at Lido Beach Resort.
  • March 18, 2026
America's 'Funniest Tax Guy' offers tips to Longboaters
  • March 17, 2026
Temple members encouraged to reflect at outdoor art exhibit

Business

Diners sit outside at Lazy Lobster. Owner Michael Garey said business really starts to ramp up in February before March, April and May, the busiest months of the year for the restaurant.
  • March 4, 2026
Seasonal upswing back to 'normal' on Longboat Key
Susan Phillips retired in 2025 from her role as the town manager's assistant.
  • March 3, 2026
Phillips named chair of Longboat Key Foundation
Longboat Key resident Patrice Fanning started off serving as an officiant for friends, and she is now expending her work into an official business.
  • February 11, 2026
Longboaters in love can keep it local with new wedding officiant business
Herb Methodology co-owner Tryla Brown Larson celebrates the launch of her line of locally made products at Longboat Key's Design 2000 Salon on Jan. 29.
  • February 4, 2026
Herb Methodology launches at Design 2000
  • March 17, 2026
Temple members encouraged to reflect at outdoor art exhibit
Flamenco dancer Carolina Esparza performs with Los Rumberos on March 15 at The Education Center for the final Sunday Performing Arts Program installment this season.
  • March 17, 2026
Los Rumberos close out Education Center's Sunday shows
Ashley Dawson and Kristen Laviolette share what the Ladies of Longboat social group has meant to them as they greet members at the March 11 meetup at Ventura's Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar.
  • March 16, 2026
'Ladies of Longboat' social group enjoys new energy
Marc and Susan Benjamin are all smiles on the dance floor as they groove to the Aloha Sharks band March 14 at The Sanctuary.
  • March 16, 2026
The Sanctuary celebrates season with annual poolside party
Al Van Iten helps out shopper Jenny Phillips with her purchase of a teak shower set at the Royal Rummage Sale. Van Iten said he appreciates helping out the charitable effort while getting to meet interesting people.
  • March 9, 2026
Crowds come out en force for Royal Rummage Sale
Mark Daunt from The Resort at Longboat Key Club doles out a sweet pick-me-up from the organization’s booth at the 3rd annual Town of Longboat Key Open House on March 7 at the Town Center Green.
  • March 9, 2026
Longboat town open house features nearly 40 reps
Jim and Ellen Kelleher take in the breeze from Sarasota Bay while socializing at the March 3 St. Armands Key Residents Association dinner at the Sarasota Yacht Club.
  • March 6, 2026
St. Armands residents hone long-term, community-based vision
Javaughn Wallace and executive chef Michael from Drift at Lido Beach Resort dish up a poached pear and prosciutto bite at the 15th annual Taste of the Keys on Feb. 26 at the Longboat Key Club Harbourside Ballroom.
  • March 2, 2026
Taste of the Keys bigger than ever in 15th year
Pat O'Connell, Brenda Baril, Beth Scheible and Kim Lawrence said winning the championship Swing for the Cure annual golf day on Feb. 24 was especially meaningful to them, considering Lawrence is a cancer survivor.
  • February 25, 2026
Swing for the Cure unites golfers in fight against breast cancer
Rabbi Howard Simon, master of ceremonies at Temple Beth Israel's 47th annual gala, welcomes attendees to the event on Feb. 22 at the Sarasota Yacht Club.
  • February 23, 2026
47th Temple Beth Israel gala centers on community
Artist Kathleen Murphy Willer, based in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, said she has fun incorporating elements evocative of childhood in her acrylic paintings. She was one of the artists to brave the sun and rain at last weekend's fine art festival on Longboat Key.
  • February 23, 2026
Specialized artists turn out for fifth Longboat Fine Art Fest
Executive directors Brian Walton, Jessica Ryherd and Amy Steinhauser respectively from Save Our Seabirds, Feeding Empty Little Tummies, Inc. and The Paradise Center, pitched their future development ideas to attendees at the inaugural Longboat Key 100 fundraiser Feb. 17 at The Resort at Longboat Key Club.
  • February 22, 2026
Inaugural fundraiser awards $100K to combat childhood hunger
Golfers competing in "Pittsburgh vs. The World" may be rivals out on the green, but at the celebration afterward, they have nothing but smiles for one another. Jan Van Iten and Carol Westwood are the original captains in the friendly tournament, which marked 25 years on Feb. 16.
  • February 20, 2026
Longboat golfers celebrate 25 years of friendly competition
Terry Creighton lines up a shot at a Feb. 15 tennis session at The Sanctuary.
  • February 20, 2026
The Sanctuary kicks off season's activity with tennis pro
Artist Jonell Yoekel showcases her nature photography at the Women's Guild Valentine's Day-themed art show on Feb. 10 at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church.
  • February 16, 2026
Valentine's Day-themed art show gives back to community
About 130 Longboaters turned out to join "Choirpalooza" at the Feb. 15 service at Christ Church of Longboat Key to sing "The Old Hundredth Psalm Tune."
  • February 15, 2026
'Choirpalooza' unites 100-plus community members in song
Diane Collins, Sandy Ruppert and Linda Pike were among the record 150 attendees at the Feb. 11 at the Longboat Key Resort for the Go for the Cure kick-off game day.
  • February 13, 2026
Go for the Cure kickoff sees record attendance
Frank Martucci, joined by Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key President Danielle Gladding and his wife, Katherine Martucci, explains what compelled him to give back his 50/50 raffle winnings from the Lawn Party to support the Children's Guardian Fund.
  • February 8, 2026
Kiwanians present record-breaking check from Lawn Party