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Longboat Key

Santa Claus welcomes Ketia Alennsia Joachim, Henry Lerricia Jeanbaptiste and John Kerry Jeanbaptiste for a morning of family holiday fun at Stillpoint Mission. Longboat Island Chapel and other local groups helped make the Dec. 6 toy distribution happen.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 9, 2025
Stillpoint Mission brings holiday spirit to community

With the support of Longboat Island Chapel and other local organizations, the group delivered toys, clothes and fun.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Rev. Brock Patterson raises his right hand as he is sworn in as Longboat Key Fire Rescue’s second ever chaplain at the department’s awards ceremony Thursday, Dec. 4.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • December 9, 2025
Longboat Fire Rescue welcomes new chaplain

The Longboat Island Chapel's Rev. Brock Patterson becomes a resource for first responders.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Kirt F. Bopp (1950-2025)
    In Memoriam |
  • December 8, 2025
Kirt F. Bopp

Kirt F. Bopp, 75, passed away on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, in an accident while cleaning his windows at home—a task so characteristic of the care and pride he took in everything he touched.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Violinist and pianist Donna Smith performs with singer Johanna Davis at a special Christmas concert for attendees at All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church on Dec. 6.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 8, 2025
Angelic voices ring throughout All Angels for Christmas concert

All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church invited musicians Johanna Davis and Donna Smith to perform holiday tunes for attendees.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Emily Burns and Jack Coleman of Poppo's Taqueria dish up their popular pork tacos at the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key's Lawn Party on Dec. 6 at Ken Thompson Park.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 8, 2025
Longboat's Lawn Party returns following hurricane hiatus

More than 30 restaurants participated after a year off as Kiwanis Club of Longboat raises money for the Children's Guardian Fund.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Susan Borden, Kelli Veit and Nancy Harris shared a bit about the goods and games available at Temple Beth Israel's Hanukkah open house on Dec. 7.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 8, 2025
Temple Beth Israel hosts Hanukkah open house for third year

From dreidel games to holiday market stalls, visitors took in plenty of entertainment to kickstart the holiday early.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 7, 2025
St. Armands celebrates magical Christmas tree lighting

With an appearance from Santa Claus, music by the Sarasota Academy of Arts and festive treats, the Christmas kickoff delighted attendees of all ages.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key Turtle Watch members presented a nearly $12,000 donation to Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium to support rehabilitating sea turtles like Ellie, one of the current residents.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 7, 2025
Turtle watch contributes nearly $12K to Mote

The Longboat environmental group gifted Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium funds to support sea turtle conservation and education programs.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Brent Piersma and Beverly Sutton fill seed packets for Hope Seeds.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 5, 2025
Hope Seeds seeks extra hands

Increased need in Caribbean regions means Christ Church of Longboat Key is seeking extra volunteers to pack seeds.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A satellite image of Hurricane Irma.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • December 4, 2025
Hurricane season ends without Florida landfall

No hurricanes hit the continental United States in 2025, though the Atlantic hurricane season did see the second most Category 5 storms ever.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • December 4, 2025
Longboat police chief begins community video series

Russ Mager will share monthly updates with the community on social media in an effort to show the department's transparency.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Paul Emil Geck
    In Memoriam |
  • December 3, 2025
Paul Emil Geck

Paul Emil Geck, age 81, passed away peacefully at his home in Longboat Key, Florida, on November 18, 2025.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
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.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • December 3, 2025
Expect road, sidewalk closures on Longboat Key

The southmost segment of Gulf of Mexico Drive will be impacted as crews install a gas line and complete road work.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lucie Lapovsky, president of the Longboat Key Democratic Club, and Nick Gladding, president of the Republican Club of Longboat Key, are two members of Miracle on the Key, a group which aims to find common ground among hot-button political issues.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • December 3, 2025
Longboat Dems, GOP join together to find common ground

Miracle on the Key is a group of Longboat Key residents with opposing political viewpoints who get together to find common ground.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A leatherback turtle hatchling crosses the beach.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • December 3, 2025
Turtles born on Longboat return home to nest decades later

Using brain-embedded magnetite crystals, sea turtles will make a 10,000-mile trek as adults back to their birthplace to nest.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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Latest in Longboat Key

1
Longboat Key Police Deputy Chief Frank Rubino (left) accepts a framed display of medals, patches and pins that demonstrate his 45-year career in law enforcement.
  • December 13, 2025
Longboat deputy chief with 45 years of experience to retire
2
The building at the corner of N. Boulevard of the Presidents and Madison Drive may be the location of a revived Shore Restaurant on St. Armands Circle.
  • December 12, 2025
Shore Restaurant could return to St. Armands
3
Beth Stewart and Christine Parseghian joined in the festive fun of the Frosty Frolic golf tournament on Dec. 9 at Harbourside Golf Course.
  • December 11, 2025
Ladies dress to impress at Frosty Frolic
4
The team including Rick and Josie Bertie and Paul Christenson won second place overall and the award for best "docktail" at the Lighting of the Docks on Dec. 6 at Longboat Harbour.
  • December 11, 2025
Longboat Harbour light competition delights viewers
5
Many holiday events took place the first weekend of December, but there are still plenty of opportunities for festive fun to have on the keys.
  • December 11, 2025
Catch Santa on Longboat Key before Christmas

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