Manatee property values rebound on Longboat after mistake in 2025

After a Manatee County Property Appraiser mistake cost the town at least $500,000 last year, town leaders are paying close attention to preliminary values.

The Positano condominium complex was one of the properties in Manatee County that had incorrect property evaluations in the 2026 fiscal year.
Attendees were impressed by the fireworks across Sarasota Bay.
  • June 19, 2026
Fourth of July 2026 events in Sarasota, Longboat Key and Lakewood Ranch
The town of Longboat Key has installed new signage at beach access points on the island.
  • June 18, 2026
Informational signs posted on Longboat beaches
Class participant Michael Hartman begins to put on the AED pads to the CPR mannequin.
  • June 18, 2026
Learn a life-saving skill this summer
Waves of red, white and blue flooded Bay Isles Road for the 2024 Freedom Fest parade. While the patriotic display was impressive, organizers of the upcoming Fourth of July festivities believe the activities planned for this special 250th edition will be bigger and better than ever.
  • June 17, 2026
Get ready for a special edition of Longboat's 'shortest parade in America'

Business

Work was underway along Madison Drive at Boulevard of the Presidents in late May.
  • June 18, 2026
St. Armands landlord formally applies for Shore restaurant remake work
Diane DelloRusso, who has worked in the jewelry business for 36 years and been a longtime manager at Jewelry by Cole, said she believes customers will appreciate the new St. Armands Jewelry store with its blend of classic and contemporary styles. She came out of retirement to assist with the transition and can't wait for longtime patrons to see the boutique's new look.
  • June 16, 2026
Two new shops coming to St. Armands Circle
Costello’s Neighborhood Pizza owner Kenny Palin takes a pie out of the oven at the Longboat Key branch of Costello’s.
  • May 12, 2026
Owner rebrands Longboat, Gulf Gate pizza joints to Costello's Neighborhood Pizza
Couch LBK co-founders Noel Ladd — who happened to be celebrating his birthday — and Ken Rushing connect with community members at the entrance to the 20th annual Meet Greet Eat social. The Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce organized the April 14 networking event at The Resort at Longboat Key Club.
  • April 18, 2026
Meet Greet Eat welcomes new businesses on Longboat Key
Former Rotary Club of Longboat Key President Jan Wallace congratulates current President Terri Driver, who made club history in accepting the role two years in a row at the June 11 cerermony.
  • June 15, 2026
Longboat Rotarians reflect on community impact at annual gathering
The dozen volunteers assisting the Manasota Track and Field summer cleanup on June 13 collected an estimated 75 pounds of trash from along the roadway near Longboat Key Little Beach in only an hour.
  • June 15, 2026
Volunteers step into summer with fun run and cleanup
Members of the public curious to learn more about Longboat Key's sea turtle population ask questions of the experts at the first Turtle Walk of the nesting season on June 6 beside the newly staked nest.
  • June 9, 2026
Following record year, turtle nesting season off to strong start on Longboat
Mark Akerman, Jay Plager and Past Commodore Michael Landis carry away the colors at the conclusion of Bird Key Yacht Club's Memorial Day ceremony on May 25.
  • May 28, 2026
Dedication to service celebrated at Bird Key's Memorial Day ceremony
Andres and Liliana Mendez are continuing their family legacy of bronze sculpting, examples of which they shared at the St. Armands Fine Art Festival on May 23 and 24.
  • May 26, 2026
Bronze sculpture, 3D paintings and more impress at St. Armands art fest
Karen and Gregg Sweeney, Chris and Cathy Goglia, and Debbie McPeak socialize at the Longboat Key Club's farewell lawn party on May 15.
  • May 20, 2026
Longboaters jam with Big Z Band to close out season
In a room packed with family members — adjacent to another room with several times as many additional friends — longtime Longboat Key resident Harold Goldstein celebrated his 100th birthday on May 11 at Rosemary and Thyme.
  • May 19, 2026
100 years young takes on new meaning for mold-breaker Harold Goldstein
Photographer Rick Waid looks on as curator Anita Pihl affixes a blue ribbon to his piece, "Wild Mare with Foal," at the May 12 reception for a gallery by local photographers up now at Plymouth Harbor.
  • May 18, 2026
Local photographers get exposure at new Plymouth Harbor showcase
Michael Garey, owner of the Lazy Lobster restaurant, greets a table full of attendees on their second stop for the first Longboat Key Turtle Crawl fundraiser on May 7. The foodie fundraiser benefits sea turtle research being done this nesting season by Longboat Key Turtle Watch and Mote Marine.
  • May 11, 2026
Debut Turtle Crawl fundraiser sees strong turnout
Don Schultz of Windward Bay celebrates as his top pick, Golden Tempo, crosses the finish line first at the Kentucky Derby. Schultz was the only person at the watch party to pick the long-shot horse.
  • May 5, 2026
Birthday boy beats derby odds
At the Women's Golf Association season farewell on April 28 at the Longboat Key Club, players enjoyed perfect golfing conditions. Pictured, Brenda Baril, Donna Newton, Jennifer Cahill, Regina Repenning, Michelle Swartz, Katie Moulton, Louise Berg and Joyce Welch.
  • May 5, 2026
Women's Golf Association scrambles to close out season
At his first time participating in Corevettes on the Circle, newcomer Bob Hanstra took home the award for Best in Show. Car enthusiasts brought 150 Corvettes of all sorts of years, models and colors for the May 2 car show on St. Armands Circle.
  • May 4, 2026
Corvettes on the Circle welcomes 150 vehicles to showcase
Longboaters met some of the current residents at the Humane Society of Longboat Key headquarters for the latest Off the Clock social on April 29, including Light. Light is a member of the "Hidden Gem Club" and promises to light up a room for his future adoptive family.
  • May 1, 2026
Chamber members see behind the scenes at Humane Society social