E-bike regulation considered by Longboat Key

With the rise in popularity of e-bikes, Longboat Key is mulling an ordinance to manage the rising mode of transportation.

An e-biker rides south on the sidewalk parallel to Gulf of Mexico Drive. The town of Longboat Key is having initial discussions about writing a new ordinance to regulate the use of e-bikes to increase public safety.
Serge and Sonia Gauthier, owners of Gauthier Salon & Wellness Center, commissioned artist Ludmil Iliev, joined by Vladi Iliev, to paint a mural inspired by shop greeter Ziggy the dog.
  • December 3, 2025
Furry face of St. Armands salon immortalized in new mural
Anne Vose and Jackie Donnelly peruse the works of artist Marie Therese Lacroix, center.
  • December 3, 2025
Check out these artists at Lawn Party by the Bay
A pair of Crested Caracaras become roommates at Save Our Seabirds during ongoing renovations and, as keepers noted, seem to become fast friends.
  • December 2, 2025
Learn how to safely handle wild birds with Save Our Seabirds
American Contract Bridge League-certified bridge player Patty Mayer checks out her hand while playing a round at the club's new meeting spot at the Bayfront Park Recreation Center.
  • December 2, 2025
Former Paradise Center bridge group moves to Bayfront Park

Business

Publix anchors The Shoppes at Bay Isles. To the left, Longboat Key Fitness is expanding and Reed Medical Group is moving into the corner unit.
  • December 1, 2025
Reed Medical Group finds a new Longboat Key home
Petar Sibinkic is the owner and a trainer at Longboat Key Fitness, which is expanding to the unit next door, with the new space focused on stretching and massaging.
  • November 28, 2025
Longboat Key Fitness expanding, stretching
Tommy Bahama CEO Doug Wood said he is thrilled with how the rebuilding of the restaurant and retail space at 465 John Ringling Blvd. turned out, especially the indoor bar area.
  • November 8, 2025
Tommy Bahama celebrates grand return to St. Armands Circle
Christian Delunas, retail general manager, shows one of his favorite unique purses offered at the newly opened Italian Idea boutique on St. Armands Circle. The shop recently hosted a soft opening for its third attempt to open a location on the shopping hub.
  • November 3, 2025
Boutique featuring Italian leather handbags opens on St. Armands
Piper Dawson checks out was she dubbed her favorite tree decorated by Lo' Key Island Grille at the opening evening of Christmas in the Garden on Nov. 30 at Longboat Island Chapel.
  • December 1, 2025
Christmas comes early to Longboat's north end
Alison and Eloise Fichner snap a photo with Santa Claus at Light Up Longboat on Nov. 22 at the Town Center Green.
  • November 23, 2025
Families partake in early-season cheer at Light Up Longboat
Rabbi Jessica Spitalnic Mates delivers the central sermon at the 45th interfaith Thanksgiving service hosted by St. Armands Key Lutheran Church on Nov. 18. She was joined by SAKLC's Rev. Kenneth Blyth, Longboat Island Chapel's Rev. Brock Patterson, Christ Church of Longboat Key's Rev. Julia Piermont, All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church's Rev. David Marshall and St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church's Fr. Robert Dziedziak.
  • November 19, 2025
Religious leaders across faiths celebrate unity for Thanksgiving
Bird Key Yacht Club General Manager Tammy Hackney and Commodore Tony Britt donned the hard hats for the official groundbreaking of the new clubhouse on Nov. 13 at the site of the former facility.
  • November 19, 2025
Bird Key leaders break ground on new yacht club facilities
Bert Wood, Karl Kaminski, Hudson Nesmith and Jane Conrad were among the 120 volunteers helping pack meals for Kids Against Hunger on Nov. 8 at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church. Part of the meals went to help local families, and part went to support hurricane survivors in Jamaica.
  • November 18, 2025
St. Armands church lends hand to families and hurricane survivors
Phyllis Black and Andrew Vac flag down hungry diners to join the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key's pancake breakfast fundraiser on Nov. 15 at the Lazy Lobster.
  • November 17, 2025
Longboat Kiwanis Club hosts breakfast fundraiser
Elaine Cichon, Lorri Harrison and Claudia Stieber bring their festive spirit to the St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church annual Christmas bazaar, held last weekend at the church.
  • November 17, 2025
St. Mary market fundraiser on Longboat features holiday finds
Longboat Key Police officer Mike Mathis gives his order to Brandon Clark while Sgt. Adam Montfort waits in line at Rotary Club of Longboat Key’s Food for Gratitude event where all town employees received free lunch to recognize their hard work after dual hurricanes in 2024.
  • November 13, 2025
Rotary provides thank-you lunch to town employees
Longboat Key Tennis Center held an event welcoming back seasonal residents Tuesday, Nov. 11. A tennis clinic demonstration was held, food was served and music played as Longboaters mixed and mingled on a chilly Tuesday afternoon.
  • November 12, 2025
Longboat Key Tennis Center hosts chilly event for snowbirds
The Longboat Key Club Key Niners brought their A-game for a bit of friendly competition at their opener tee off for The Women's Nine Hole Golf Association on Nov. 6.
  • November 11, 2025
Longboat Key Golf Club welcomes back winter players
Debra Sauers, Mimi Dolan, Sharon Meier, Melanie Dale and Patricia Geldermann discuss the season's upcoming events at the Longboat Key Garden Club's welcome-back luncheon on Nov. 5 at Café on St. Armands.
  • November 10, 2025
Garden club springs forward into new season
Sarasota High School Color Guard members Madisen Dwarika, Lindsey Nelson, Cyleigh Harrington and Camila Cavazos prepare to start off the celebration of Veterans Day and the Town of Longboat Key's 70th anniversary on Nov. 8 at the Town Center Green.
  • November 9, 2025
Veterans celebrated at Longboat's 70th anniversary
Tommy Bahama CEO Doug Wood said he is thrilled with how the rebuilding of the restaurant and retail space at 465 John Ringling Blvd. turned out, especially the indoor bar area.
  • November 8, 2025
Tommy Bahama celebrates grand return to St. Armands Circle
Kathy Lozano and Reuben Rivera check out the 2010 Ferrari 458 Italia that first-time registrant Jim Friedman brought to Ferraris on the Circle on Nov. 1.
  • November 3, 2025
Ferraris turn out for final Flight to the North Pole major fundraiser
Diane Weisman brings her black Labrador retrievers to join an interfaith pet blessing from Rev. David Marshall of All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church and Rabbi Jessica Spitalnic Mates of Temple Beth Israel of Longboat Key on Oct. 26.
  • November 3, 2025
Interfaith pet blessing recognizes contributions of furry companions
Tiffany Ranieri and 10-month-old Eli White patrol for mischief-makers during his first time trick-or-treating on Halloween at Fright Night on St. Armands Circle.
  • November 2, 2025
Fright Night makes robust return to St. Armands