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Longboat Key | News

St. Lucie County Administrator George Landry has been recommended by Howard Tipton to replace him as town manager as Tipton prepares to retire.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • June 19, 2026
New town manager recommended for Longboat Key

An in-state county administrator has been recommended for the town job with a start date in September.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Work was underway along Madison Drive at Boulevard of the Presidents in late May.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • June 18, 2026
St. Armands landlord formally applies for Shore restaurant remake work

Kauffman Shore Properties LLC is seeking approval for its development plans on St. Armands Circle.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Howard Tipton is retiring from his position of town manager with Longboat Key. He was hired in 2022 and started in January 2023.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • June 17, 2026
LBK Town Manager Howard Tipton announces retirement

The Longboat Key town manager will continue in his position through the summer.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A piece of driftwood that juts from the shallow water off Beer Can Island is decorated with paint.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • June 17, 2026
Art or graffiti? Painting on driftwood at Beer Can Island prompts pushback

Manatee County workers scratch the paintings off the driftwood regularly, but the trend has persisted.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Positano condominium complex was one of the properties in Manatee County that had incorrect property evaluations in the 2026 fiscal year.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • June 17, 2026
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.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • June 16, 2026
Two new shops coming to St. Armands Circle

Two new stores are preparing to open, one under new ownership and the other as a new location.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
The pickleball courts and basketball courts at Longboat Key’s Bayfront Park will be renovated over the summer.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • June 16, 2026
Pickleball courts closed for major renovations

Bayfront Park in Longboat Key is down a popular amenity as the pickleball courts are redone.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Fire Station 92 is one of two stations on the barrier island of Longboat Key.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • June 16, 2026
Ambulances, equipment, labor costs pay off for Longboat Key Fire Rescue

The town of Longboat Key provides a high level of first responder service, but it comes at a cost that is increasing each year.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A drone flies over the Longboat Pass Bridge at an 80-foot elevation to contextualize what a fixed-span bridge would look like over the pass. Looking on (from left to right) are Longboat Key Commissioner Steve Branham, FDOT Southwest Area Office Director Wayne Gaither, FDOT Professional Engineer Trainee Stephen Pack, FDOT Project Manager David Turley, FDOT Project Development Manager Jimmy Vilce, FDOT Interim District One Secretary Jamie Driggers, Longboat Key Town Manager Howard Tipton and Longboat Key IT Director Jason Keen.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • June 15, 2026
Drone used to advocate against 78-foot-tall bridge option for Longboat Pass

Longboat Key leaders and FDOT reps met at Coquina Beach as the town continues to push for a drawbridge over FDOT’s fixed-span design.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Though homesteaded residents would gain property tax savings if Florida's overhaul proposal gains 60% of support in the November elections, even non-homesteaded property owners would see new protections from sharply rising property assessments.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • June 11, 2026
Property tax overhaul: What you should know

Here are the basics of what Florida voters will be deciding in November and what it might mean for property owners.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat Key Fire Rescue has two ladder trucks that can reach 75 feet, including this Sutphen engine built in 2020, which serves as the primary engine at Fire Station 92.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • June 10, 2026
Cost to replace fire trucks continues to rise

Higher costs, lengthy turnaround times and threats to revenue make replacing Longboat Key’s fire apparatuses a complicated endeavor.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The owner of the Half Moon House at 6541 Gulfside Road has until Aug. 1 to complete repairs to the pilings of the house.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • June 10, 2026
Final deadline set for Half Moon House repairs

The support pilings on the Half Moon House at Gulfside Road will need to be replaced for the house to be spared from town-ordered demolition.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Longboat Key Police Chief Russ Mager (right) presents Lee Smith with a plaque recognizing his years with the police department at the June 1 Town Commission meeting. Smith retired from his position as sergeant on May 29.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • June 9, 2026
Sgt. Smith retires from Longboat Key Police Department

Lee Smith was honored for his decades of service at a Longboat Key Town Commission meeting.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Taxable property values at the Gulf Shore and Twin Shores communities on Longboat Key are an anomaly for Longboat Key, with properties valued from $100,000 to $300,000.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • June 9, 2026
Longboat mobile home owner files appeal against canal assessment

A letter addressed to the town asks for the Gulf Shore and Twin Shores communities to be exempt from the canal assessment.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Trish Shinkle served as Town Clerk for the town of Longboat Key from June 2006 to June 2026.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • June 8, 2026
Trish Shinkle, who recorded town history for 20 years, has retired

Shinkle started as town clerk in 2006. She’s witnessed plenty of contentious issues while she took meticulous notes.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
1 2 3 4 5 »
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Latest in Longboat Key

1
St. Lucie County Administrator George Landry has been recommended by Howard Tipton to replace him as town manager as Tipton prepares to retire.
  • June 19, 2026
New town manager recommended for Longboat Key
2
Attendees were impressed by the fireworks across Sarasota Bay.
  • June 19, 2026
Fourth of July 2026 events in Sarasota, Longboat Key and Lakewood Ranch
3
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
4
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
5
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

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