News Briefs

+ Former Hilton closes, prepares for renovations
The former Longboat Key Hilton Beachfront Resort closed its doors Monday to guests and is preparing to begin its renovation and expansion project soon.

Longboat Key Club Director of Communications Sandra Rios told the Longboat Observer Monday that Ocean Properties officials just need to file for their building permit.

“Renovations will begin soon,” Rios said. “The project will take 14 to 16 months to complete.”

A white tarp was placed over the Hilton sign in June, dubbing the hotel property at 4711 Gulf of Mexico Drive as the Gulfside Beach Resort. Hilton removed its flag from the property and the resort stayed open for more than a month under the new name while final permits were being obtained.

The site-plan application submitted calls for redeveloping existing Hilton buildings and the 102 rooms that currently sit on the site, while also acquiring those 85 additional units that would be used for a new tower on the property.

+ Marine patrol officers rescue woman from bay
Two Longboat Key Police marine patrol officers rescued a woman July 2 who went under water in Sarasota Bay near the Longbeach Village coastline.

Marine Patrol Officer Shawn Nagell was patrolling the bay near the area of Moore’s Stonecrab Restaurant when they noticed a disabled boat drifting toward an anchored sailboat.

The occupants, a 54-year-old man and a 67-year-old woman, told officers their motor broke.

Marine Patrol Officer John Majka responded to the area to assist and watched as the boat drifted onto a sandbar. The couple then jumped out of the boat to try to move the boat off the sandbar.

The woman walked into grass flats that were in deeper water and called out for help before her head went under water, explaining to police that she can’t swim.

Majka quickly removed his duty belt and electronics and jumped into the bay to rescue the woman.

The couple was transported to the Linley Street boat ramp and the woman refused medical treatment.

“Because of the quick actions of Officers Majka and Nagell, no medical attention was necessary,” wrote Deputy Police Chief Frank Rubin in a July 2 email to Town Manager Dave Bullock.

Meetings & agendas
Police Officers’ Retirement System Board Meeting — 8 a.m. Wednesday, Aug 20

General Employees’ Retirement System Board Meeting — 10:30 a.m. Wed., Aug. 20

Firefighters’ Retirement System Board Meeting — 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug 27

All meetings take place at Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road, unless otherwise noted.