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Longboat Key

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
Author Alan Cross signs his newly released second book, "Tales from the Island: The Kingfish Boat Ramp Murders," on Sept. 13 at Three Island Monkeys.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • September 16, 2025
Local author aims to shed light on cold-case murders

Writer Alan Cross visited Longboat Key's Three Island Monkeys for a signing event for his second published work.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Police respond to Longboat home after snake slithers in
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • September 16, 2025
Police respond to Longboat home after snake slithers in

Snakes, flying planks, night terrors and pickup attempts prompted calls to police on the Key in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
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
For the serious cyclist, staying in top condition is the best reason for why they enjoy the type of extreme exercise.
    By
  • Mirabai Holland
  • September 15, 2025
The exercise you choose should be about pleasure, not a chore

It's important to find a physical activity you like or at least don’t hate and pursue it with pleasure.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
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
Bradenton photographer Jimmy Chadsey hangs a painting on the wall.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 14, 2025
Artists showcase unique creations at St. Armands Art Festival

The festival with craft marketplace brought an assortment of puzzles, NASA photos and even unzipped rocks..

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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
Plymouth Harbor resident Joslyn Kirkegaard purchases a painting by Barbara Jendrysik at the debut art exhibition evening organized by the local chapter of the National League of American Pen Women on Sept. 9 at Plymouth Harbour. The show will be open for the next few months.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • September 13, 2025
Longboat exhibition to showcase multimedia artists

The local branch of the National League of American Pen Women is showcasing some of the latest works by local artists for the next two months.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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
Volunteer Peter Bonk spools out line for the grid-based search for scallops in Sarasota Bay during the Great Scallop Search of 2025.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • September 12, 2025
Great Scallop Search yields 20 sightings in Sarasota Bay

Despite spotting plenty of healthy seagrass habitat, volunteer snorkelers said scallops remain fairly scarce in Sarasota Bay.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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
Town Center Green will be the focal point of celebrations when Longboat Key celebrates its 70th anniversary.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • September 11, 2025
Save the date for Longboat Key's 70th anniversary bash

The town of Longboat Key is ringing in 70 years of existence in a big way.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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 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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