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Longboat Key

Susan Benjamin, The Education Center's biographical historian who is praised for her engaging presentations about the lives of some of the industry's most famous musicians, turns her attention to Billy Joel, Gene Kelly and Bob Fosse this season.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 3, 2026
Education Center dives into the stories and music of Billy Joel

Biographical historian Susan Benjamin teams up with singer Jay O'Brien to celebrate the life and times of the Piano Man at their latest presentation with The Education Center.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Tides of Longboat is one of several condo complexes in Manatee County where the first floor units saw a significantly reduced property tax assessment despite being undamaged by the 2024 hurricanes due to the first floor units’ elevations.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • February 3, 2026
Manatee County Appraiser promises to fix costly mistake in this year's tax rolls

The town of Longboat Key doesn't know how much an error by the Manatee County Property Appraiser cost it in 2025 tax revenue, estimating it to be at least $500,000.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Woman tried to pay for groceries with a fake $100 bill
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • February 3, 2026
Woman tried to pay for groceries with a fake $100 bill

Police were called on a woman who tried to use a counterfeit bill who then made an angry phone call to whomever gave her the bill. This and other Longboat Key police reports in this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Ann-Marie Thompson and Cheryl Mulherin, attendees at the St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church Women's Guild new members luncheon on Jan. 29, applaud the soon-to-be-outgoing board members.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 2, 2026
New Women's Guild members share stories of togetherness

From planning for a Valentine's Day art fest to reviewing scholarship fundraising efforts, guild members prepped for the 2026 season.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Christ Church pastor Julia Piermont (standing, left) attended a Lonbgoat Key Planning Board quasi-judicial hearing where the board approved the redevelopment of a neighboring lot into 58 parking spaces.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • February 2, 2026
Christ Church approved for 58 new parking spaces

The Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Board voted to allow Christ Church to develop the parcel across the street into a parking lot.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Hurricanes Milton and Helene caused some $4 million in damage to the Sarasota Sailing Squadron facilities.
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • February 2, 2026
Sarasota Sailing Squadron continues its path of recovery

The Sarasota Sailing Squadron has come a long way since hurricanes Milton and Helene. More work remains.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mary Baker, board president of the Longboat Library, says guests can plan a fun book date for Valentine's Day to shop the annual sale.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 30, 2026
Plan a book date for Valentine's Day on Longboat Key

Longboat Library is bringing back its annual book sale on Feb. 14, which organizers say is the perfect time for couples to make a book date.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
David Crawford is 2026 president of Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 29, 2026
Real estate market conditions show signs of a more robust 2026

As memories of 2024 storms fade, insurance and mortgage rates stabilize and in-migration continues, the Sarasota-Manatee region's real estate organization points to a growth in sales.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Watering restrictions are in place for Manatee and Sarasota counties.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • January 28, 2026
Water authority's restrictions include Manatee, Sarasota

Once-a-week irrigation rules are in effect. Rain is forecast this weekend, and even the possibility of snow flurries.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat Key water main break cuts north-end service
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 28, 2026
Longboat Key water main break cuts north-end service

North end residents between Broadway Street and Reclinata Drive are affected, the town says.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Rather than tackling everything at once, attaining small habit changes can help you meet bigger goals and better health in the new year.
    By
  • Mirabai Holland
  • January 28, 2026
Use your healthy habits to find fabulosity

When considering goals, it's easy to get overwhelmed. But small habits gives us the power to achieve larger — and lasting — change.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Longboat Key Town Commission met for a workshop meeting Tuesday, Jan. 20 to discuss food truck regulations, temporary certificates of occupancy and police department crime statistics.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • January 28, 2026
Defining 'temporary' in temporary certificates of occupancy

As a landmark development continues to operate under a temporary certificate of occupancy 17 months after opening, Longboat Key commissioners and counsel discussed the rules of TCOs.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Longboat Key resident Sarah Frederick, pictured above in one of her favorite competitions, said she knew from the age of five that she loved working with horses. Little did she know then that she would go on to craft a 55-year career in racing, breeding and caring for them.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 28, 2026
Longboat Key resident jockeys for space on the track

Sarah Frederick recounted her 55-year career riding as a jockey, part of an early wave of women in the sport.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key Police Department officer Michael Mathis measures the speed of drivers on Gulf of Mexico Drive. LKPD issued 4,000 traffic warnings and 1,900 citations in the 2025 fiscal year.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • January 28, 2026
Longboat Key isn't crime-free, but it's close

The Florida barrier island has a lower crime rate than the national average in every category, but the town's new police chief still has goals for the new year.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The home at 598 Lyons Lane sold for $2,700,400.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 28, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for Jan. 12-16 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A condominium in Aria on Gulf of Mexico Drive tops the week's sales at $7.65 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
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Latest in Longboat Key

1
The home at 6161 Gulf of Mexico Drive sold for $8 million. Built in 1997, it has three bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,224 square feet of living area.
  • June 3, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for May 18-22 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key
2
Plastic bottles have been separated from other recyclables as they travel along a conveyor line at the Circular Services materials recovery facility in Sarasota.
  • June 3, 2026
From shelf to floor: A plastic bottle's journey
3
A proposal that could eliminate property taxes in the state of Florida, would damage the funding of Longboat Key police and fire departments.
  • June 3, 2026
Longboat Key pushes against Gov. DeSantis property tax reform proposal
4
An American flag flies on Gulf of Mexico Drive, the town’s main thoroughfare that will soon see much more red, white and blue as the town prepares to install 56 light pole banners.
  • June 3, 2026
Town works to unveil patriotic banners ahead of July 4
5
Municipalities across the region limit fertilizer use during the summer to protect local waterways.
  • June 2, 2026
Fertilizer restrictions in place on Longboat Key

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