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Longboat Key | News

From left to right: Chris Vito, Penny Sellers, Dave Boone and Cathy Boone play a game of pickleball at the multipurpose Bayfront Park courts in Longboat Key Friday, Sept. 19.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • September 24, 2025
With the popularity of pickleball, is there still room for tennis?

The tidal-wave growth of pickleball in the past decade has splashed down in Longboat Key's Bayfront Park and changed the landscape of the only venue for free racket play on the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Longboat Key Town Commission met at town hall Monday, Sept. 22 to hold a workshop where legislative priorities, canal dredging and more were discussed.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • September 24, 2025
Early results say no to changing Gulf of Mexico Drive

A mention of Gulf of Mexico on the town's list of legislative priorities launched the Longboat Key Town Commission into debate.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Longboat Key commissioners continue to meet about a fair canal maintenance tax for town residents.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • September 23, 2025
Canal sediment may be reused for Sarasota Bay pipeline

The $9.2 million canal dredging project planned years from now could benefit another major infrastructure project and save the town of Longboat Key money.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Dozens gathered at the Longboat Key Club Thursday, Sept. 18 for a symposium to explain how state laws have changed in the wake of the 2021 Surfside condominium collapse.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • September 23, 2025
Condo owners on Longboat gather to navigate regulation changes

When Miami's Surfside condominium tower collapsed in 2021, the ripple effects extended across the whole state.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Staff at the newly opened Spartina 449 on St. Armands Circle celebrate the opening of the clothing boutique this month. The brand blends flowery linens and leather goods.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • September 22, 2025
South Carolina-inspired boutique comes to St. Armands

Spartina 449 hopes to help the rebuilding process of St. Armands Circle with the opening of its newest clothing shop.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Longboat Key Police Chief Russ Mager spoke at the Rotary Club of Longboat Key's monthly meeting Tuesday, Sept. 16, where he shared his background in Delray Beach, his wife's connection to the Gulf Coast and his priorities for the department as he establishes himself in the new role.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • September 18, 2025
Longboat police chief stresses community visibility

Visibility, transparency and collaboration have been priorities for the department as Chief Russ Mager gets accustomed to leading the Longboat Key Police Department.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Longboat Key police Sgt. Adam Montfort speaks with bikers pulled over on Gulf of Mexico Drive Friday, Sept. 12 while the department was performing “high visibility enforcement.”
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • September 17, 2025
Police presence increases on Longboat for pedestrian safety initiative

The Longboat Key Police Department uses FDOT grant money to have three to four more officers patrolling during its "high visibility enforcement" initiative to educate first, enforce second.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A street sign marking the 6000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive owned by the town will remain for now as discussions on whether to rename the main thoroughfare are underway
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • September 16, 2025
Longboat Parkway was almost the Key's main road name

It wasn't always Gulf of Mexico Drive. Town Council minutes from 1957 show the name Longboat Parkway scribbled out by hand, with Gulf of Mexico Drive scrawled above.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium is opening its SEA site in early October.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • September 15, 2025
New Mote SEA facility will open in early October

Members get first views on Oct. 6-7 and public on Oct. 8 at its aquarium located near University and I-75 in Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A proposal that could eliminate property taxes in the state of Florida, would damage the funding of Longboat Key police and fire departments.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • September 15, 2025
Mayor says Longboat Key will suffer without property taxes

DeSantis has spoken on the possibility of eliminating property taxes altogether. But local leaders worry about how they would pay for police and fire without their largest revenue stream.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Columbia Restaurant’s fourth-generation owner Casey Gonzmart Sr., believes that passion and fun are essential in running a restaurant empire.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • September 14, 2025
Family legacy at Columbia Restaurant carries to next generation

Casey Gonzmart Sr. is passing the torch to family members as he steps down as chairman of the board of the 1905 Family of Restaurants.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Jim Whitman performs at the 2022 Kiwanis Lawn Party. The 20-year Longboat Key resident who often shared his musical talents on the Key died Sunday.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • September 13, 2025
Jim Whitman's death leaves Longboat community void of song

“Dr. Jim” was a longtime presence on Longboat Key known for his community involvement and on-pitch vocals.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A partially destroyed home in the Twin Shores community on Longboat Key after Hurricane Milton.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • September 12, 2025
Free permits for Longboat storm damage likely to extend

Going against staff recommendation, town commissioners said they plan to introduce a resolution that will keep the permit fee waiver for hurricane-related repairs through December.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Charlie Kirk, left, and Chris Pavlovski share the stage at a Turning Point USA event. Pavloski, chairman and CEO of the video platform Rumble, said Kirk was an early investor in Rumble and played a large part in bringing Rumble's headquarters to Longboat Key.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • September 12, 2025
Charlie Kirk was influential in bringing Rumble to Longboat Key

Chris Pavlovski, the chairman and CEO of the YouTube competitor popular in the right-wing political sphere, said he and Kirk decided to relocate the company to Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Chris and Sue Udermann stand outside their partially-raised house in The Village in Longboat Key, nearly a year after Hurricane Helene dumped feet of floodwater into their retirement home.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • September 10, 2025
Longboat residents raise houses, foundations in storm rebuild

Stilts, raised lot elevations and unique construction techniques are all being utilized by Longboaters.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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Latest in Longboat Key

1
The St. Regis Longboat Key arch is installed on a private groin that extends into the Gulf.
  • May 18, 2026
Longboat Key makes case against St. Regis arch
2
City of Anna Maria Mayor Mark Short shares an update on the Anna Maria Pier to Longboat Key Mayor Debra Williams (left) and Longboat Key Town Manager Howard Tipton (right) at a Barrier Island Elected Officials meeting May 6.
  • May 18, 2026
Barrier island mayors meet to discuss pier, parking and phone pings
3
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
4
Author Susan Hanafee speaks to the evolution of the character Leslie Elliott, who goes on a truth-seeking adventure set in Sarasota in the murder mystery "Scavenger Tides." Bird Key Women's Association members read the book before hearing from the author at their May 13 meeting.
  • May 18, 2026
Local murder-mystery author shares insights with Bird Key group
5
Debby Debile joins fellow Longboaters in enjoying a relaxing afternoon at The Paradise Center, where a summer kick-off event featured tea and coloring.
  • May 17, 2026
It's time for tea on Longboat Key

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