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Longboat Key | News

Signs on Longboat Key's public beaches caution swimmers about the dangers of rip tides.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • October 1, 2025
How to spot and escape Gulf rip currents

On beaches with no lifeguards, like Longboat Key, knowing what to look for and how to escape a rip current might just save a life.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sharon Hillstrom, president and CEO of the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation, asks commissioners to extend the contract through December, but commissioners opt to let it expire Sept. 30.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • October 1, 2025
Manatee cuts funds to EDC, Longboat impacts likely limited

The Bradenton Area EDC is jointly funded by public investments and private donors, according to its annual report, which shows $1.1 million in revenue in 2024.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A driver was measured at 88 mph over the Ringling Bridge, which has a 35 mph, leading to their arrest, according to the Sarasota Police Department.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 30, 2025
'Super speeder' arrested for driving 88 mph on Ringling Bridge

Sarasota Police stopped a driver who was clocked going 53 mph over the speed limit Tuesday morning on Ringling Bridge.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Commissioner-At-Large BJ Bishop (left) Town Attorney Maggie Mooney (right).
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • September 30, 2025
Longboat Key to overhaul town communication policy

The policy change would require elected and appointed officials to use town phones and email addresses to increase cybersecurity measures.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Cannons Marina is at 6040 Gulf of Mexico Drive on Longboat Key. The 70-plus year-old business started as a fish camp in the late 40s opened by Ernie Cannon.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • September 26, 2025
Cannons Marina changes hands

Port-Charlotte-based Ingman Marine is acquiring the 70-plus-year-old Longboat Key marina.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Longboat Key finalizes $24.1 million budget
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • September 25, 2025
Longboat Key finalizes $24.1 million budget

The unanimous approval was a formality after months of discussions about funding priorities in a year following back-to-back hurricanes in 2024.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Kilwins Sarasota is located at 312 John Ringling Blvd., St. Armands Key.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • September 25, 2025
Kilwins makes sweet return to St. Armands Circle

Following a nearly yearlong closure from hurricane damage, the fudge and ice cream shop is reopening this weekend.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
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
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Latest in Longboat Key

1
With a sparkle in his eye and a wave of the hand, jolly old St. Nick illuminated the lights on St. Armands Circle's 60-foot Christmas tree at a lighting festival on Dec. 5.
  • December 7, 2025
St. Armands celebrates magical Christmas tree lighting
2
Brent Piersma and Beverly Sutton fill seed packets for Hope Seeds.
  • December 5, 2025
Hope Seeds seeks extra hands
3
A satellite image of Hurricane Irma.
  • December 4, 2025
Hurricane season ends without Florida landfall
4
Longboat Key Police Chief Russ Mager speaks at a Rotary Club of Longboat Key meeting Tuesday, Sept. 16. Mager, who spent nearly three decades in law enforcement primarily in Delray Beach, said LBKPD has training requirements similar to the much larger city of Delray and that officers on the Key are well prepared for any event that may take place thanks to partnerships the department has with neighboring jurisdictions.
  • December 4, 2025
Longboat police chief begins community video series
5
Sidewalks on the southern portion of Gulf of Mexico Drive will be closed nightly as construction crews begin work to install a gas line to accommodate a dredging project in Sarasota Bay.
  • December 3, 2025
Expect road, sidewalk closures on Longboat Key

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