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Longboat Key | News

A Flock camera takes pictures of vehicles that drive on Gulf of Mexico Drive on Longboat Key.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • July 22, 2026
Flock cameras photograph every car that enters Longboat Key

The automatic license plate readers are a vital tool for the police department and have helped solve crimes, but privacy concerns have led to nationwide backlash.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A firefighter sprays the roof of a Dock on the Bay condo building Wednesday morning, July 15.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • July 15, 2026
Fire engulfs Dock on the Bay condo units

Longboat Key firefighters were dispatched a little after 3 a.m. July 15.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
From left to right: Avery Mathis, Charlie Mathis, Michael Mathis and Jessica Mathis grin at a badge pinning ceremony where Michael Mathis was promoted to sergeant of the Longboat Key Police Department.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • July 17, 2026
Longboat police officer promoted to sergeant

Michael Mathis has been with the Longboat Key Police Department since 2023.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
White sand beaches, boating and preserved nature are a few of the draws the barrier island of Longboat Key has to offer visitors.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • July 16, 2026
Longboat Key named No. 9 island in U.S.

Travel + Leisure included Longboat Key on its annual World’s Best Awards list.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
At 15 stories, the Islands West condominium building constructed in 1972 is one of the tallest buildings on Longboat Key. Driving north on the island, it’s the last taller condo building, as the north end features more single family homes and shorter hotel buildings like Four Winds Beach Resort pictured to the right.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • July 15, 2026
The great freeze of 1985 still impacts Longboat Key today

Surging development on Longboat Key was stopped in its tracks when voters approved a charter amendment that required resident approval for density increases. Now, the charter is being looked at again.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Whitney’s Restaurant on the north end of Longboat Key is planning to expand to the office building next door, pictured to the right.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • July 15, 2026
Whitney's restaurant plans expansion

The Longboat Key restaurant owners paid $1.2 million for the property next door last October.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Longboat Key emergency responders posted this photo of Tuesday night's crash scene on social media platforms.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • July 14, 2026
'Major' two-car accident shuts down Gulf of Mexico Drive both ways

Responders anticipate the investigation will require the complete shutdown of the area for an extended period of time.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Manasota League of Cities met on July 9 at Longboat Key Town Hall. Brian Williams from Palmetto and Debbie Scaccianoce from Bradenton Beach were absent.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • July 14, 2026
Local leaders updated on property tax referendum

Elected representatives from North Port to Anna Maria Island gathered in Longboat Key for a Manasota League of Cities meeting.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Executive Assistant Savannah Cobb will take over as the lead of communications for the town, aside from fire rescue and police communications, starting in October.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • July 13, 2026
Longboat Key communications department evolves

Savannah Cobb will take the lead of the communications team as Tina Adams shifts back to solely police and fire communications.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Manatee County Property Appraiser is located at 915 4th Ave. W. in downtown Bradenton.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 8, 2026
How your home is appraised in Manatee County

The process of appraising approximately 236,000 parcels takes a staff of 65 and a year-round effort.

  • East County
  • News
The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort installed a stainless steel arch on a private groin, leading to a lengthy dispute with the town of Longboat Key, with leaders claiming it violates the town’s sign code.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • July 8, 2026
St. Regis lawyers respond to Longboat arched sign lawsuit

A trial date has been set for January 2028.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The primary election in Florida will be held Tuesday, Aug. 18.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • July 7, 2026
Registration deadline for August primary is July 20

Because Florida is a closed-primary state, voters may only vote for candidates in the party they are registered with in partisan races.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Le Gardenia Bleu's John and Lita Brannan showcase their ornament tree filled with Florida's iconic flamingos and more at the 20th annual Meet Greet Eat.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • July 6, 2026
Le Gardenia Bleu closes on Longboat Key

The well-known flower and gift shop on Longboat Key said it made the decision to close "with a heavy heart."

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
The 1,475 square foot Udermann house has been partially raised using about 50 hydraulic jacks in The Village in Longboat Key. It currently sits 4 and a half feet up and will eventually be raised to 12 feet.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • July 4, 2026
Town may encourage home raising through code amendment

There have been 30 applications received by the town of Longboat Key to put existing houses on stilts for storm protection.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Longboat Key has 88 canals according to a report by the town’s costal engineering consultant firm First Line Coastal. The canals have not been dredged since 2003.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • July 2, 2026
Canal dredging assessment passes unanimously

Flat fees per boat slip and islandwide property taxes will be charged starting this fall.

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

1
A Flock camera takes pictures of vehicles that drive on Gulf of Mexico Drive on Longboat Key.
  • July 22, 2026
Flock cameras photograph every car that enters Longboat Key
2
The home at 344 W. Royal Flamingo Drive sold for $6.55 million. Built in 1998, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,344 square feet of living area.
  • July 22, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for July 6-10 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key
3
Mother-daughter duo Bridgette, left, and Giana Clark make a doubly positive difference in their community by monitoring sea turtle nests and clearing litter from the beach as volunteers with the Longboat Key Turtle Watch. The group recently celebrated seeing their new "Adopt A Shore" signage.
  • July 22, 2026
Clean beaches are a 'shore' thing under Turtle Watch's eye
4
Multiple species of starfish have found a home on the "Living Wall" at Longboat Key's Bayfront Park. The innovative project uses 3D-printed concrete slabs modeled after mangrove roots to provide better habitat for aquatic animals.
  • July 21, 2026
Longboat's living seawall recognized for creativity
5
Melinda Zarzycki-Harris, founder and executive director of Bring on the Ministry, and Pastor Julia Wharff Piermont of Christ Church of Longboat Key are all smiles with their new ministry partnership.
  • July 21, 2026
Christ Church gets new charitable partner

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