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Longboat Key

The original 1957 Longboat Key Town Charter is printed on rice paper and stored at Town Hall, along with copies of the original document printed in 1959.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • May 5, 2026
Charter review presents opportunity for change for Longboat Key

The town is due for its once-a-decade review of its charter, which means a chance to look at bigger policy and governance matters on the Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Samantha Esposito celebrates her graduation with grandparents Mabel and Anthony.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • May 4, 2026
Help celebrate new grads

Send information about graduates living on Longboat, Lido, St. Armands or Bird keys who deserve celebration this season.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
At his first time participating in Corevettes on the Circle, newcomer Bob Hanstra took home the award for Best in Show. Car enthusiasts brought 150 Corvettes of all sorts of years, models and colors for the May 2 car show on St. Armands Circle.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • May 4, 2026
Corvettes on the Circle welcomes 150 vehicles to showcase

The annual exhibition of new and classic cars supports honor flights for veterans in Southwest Florida.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
My oath to the law and the taxpayers of Sarasota County
  • By Mike Moran
  • May 3, 2026
My oath to the law and the taxpayers of Sarasota County

While waiting for the attorney general to rule on a disagreement over how to implement state law, costly litigation could have been avoided.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
An overflow parking lot with 10 spots is open during the day at Bayfront Park accessible via Gulf of Mexico Drive.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • May 3, 2026
Bayfront Park neighbors express frustrations over parking, litter and more

Residents near Longboat Key’s Bayfront Park have raised the issue with town leaders, who have urged residents to report code violations.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Longboaters met some of the current residents at the Humane Society of Longboat Key headquarters for the latest Off the Clock social on April 29, including Light. Light is a member of the "Hidden Gem Club" and promises to light up a room for his future adoptive family.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • May 1, 2026
Chamber members see behind the scenes at Humane Society social

The Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce brought its latest Off the Clock social to the Humane Society of Sarasota County headquarters.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key Fire Rescue Chief Paul Dezzi explains how robust community education contributes to the island's success in responding to cardiac distress calls. He touched on response times, disaster response and more at the April 30 meeting of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • April 30, 2026
Fire chief explains Longboat's high cardiac rescue success rates

Longboat Key Fire Rescue Chief Paul Dezzi spoke about how vital it is for community members to learn CPR and be ready to act.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Hurricane Milton at 8:05 p.m. Oct. 9, 2024.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 29, 2026
Climate Adaptation Center predicts fewer storms this hurricane season

The annual forecast by the local nonprofit predicted a total of two major hurricanes.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Volunteer Linda Gass helped organize a Beachplace fundraiser for All Faiths Food Bank, which included a golf tournament and tabletop games.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • April 29, 2026
Beachplace hosts food bank fundraiser

Golfers and friends made a $7,056 contribution to All Faiths Food Bank to support its campaign combating summer hunger.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key Fire Rescue received a grant for an extra set of protective equipment that will allow firefighters to wash equipment after every fire.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • April 29, 2026
Fire department receives new protective equipment thanks to grant

The 35 sets of gloves and neck protectors will allow Longboat Key Fire Rescue to wash equipment without down time.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Aerial view of Gulfside Road in September 2023.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • April 29, 2026
Erosion on Gulfside Road prevalent even before seawalls

Seawalls, the solution to constant erosion on a portion of Longboat Key, exacerbate the problem the town hopes to solve with a groin field, but are not the sole cause.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The home at 171 Whittier Drive sold for $15.8 million. Built in 2023, it has five bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 6,367 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 29, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for April 13-17 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A John Ringling Estates home on Whittier Drive tops the week’s sales at $15.8 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Outgoing board members for the St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church Women's Guild passed the torch to new leaders at the April 14 installation service. The outgoing board includes President Kay Kochenderfer, Vice President Lyn Kennelly, Treasurer Marilyn Davol, Recording Secretary Susan Gilmore Clarke and Corresponding Secretary Mary del Pup. The new board is President Barb Sikora, Vice President Mary McGinn, Treasurer Susan Hartrick, Recording Secretary Carol Basi and Corresponding Secretary Paula Sharp.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • April 29, 2026
Longboat Women's Guild welcomes new board

The St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church Women's Guild saw a complete turnover of board members, who recently had their official installation Mass.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Tax collector's money grab
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • April 29, 2026
Tax collector's money grab

Mike Moran needs cash to "modernize" his operations. His target: taking money from the schools, in spite of what voters approved.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Jodene Moneuse shares a smile with Longboat Key Police Sergeant Lee Smith while Hagan Lyssy looks on at the first "Cops, Cars & Coffee" social event on April 25 at Whitney Plaza.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • April 28, 2026
Officers, community connect over coffee at new social event

As part of its latest outreach efforts, the Longboat Key Police Department invited residents to bring and chat about their interesting rides for a "Cops, Cars and Coffee" themed meetup.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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Latest in Longboat Key

1
'Jesus lizard' rescued on Longboat Key
  • June 2, 2026
'Jesus lizard' rescued on Longboat Key
2
Lido Shores Property Owners Association board members, including President Michelle Swartz, Vice President Jon Tilkemeier, Tom Fitzgerald and Jan Farber, joined team members from New Pass Dock & Seawall, including Co-Owner Jonathon Sisler, President and Co-Owner Todd Wagner and Sales Manager Matt Billib, to break ground on a new beachside pavilion to replace one destroyed by the 2024 hurricanes.
  • June 2, 2026
Lido Shores breaks ground rebuilding meeting space
3
The home on Jewfish Key opposite Longboat Key is listed at $5.995 million.
  • June 1, 2026
Selling the island life on Longboat Key takes a big step to boat-only enclave
4
A Longboat Key police officer measures the speed of vehicles traveling on Gulf of Mexico Drive. Traffic enforcement in gated communities require a memorandum of understanding with the Homeowners Association, said Longboat Key Police Chief Russ Mager.
  • May 31, 2026
Speeding enforcement in gated communities requires HOA permission
5
A car carrier operator unloads a Corvette on Bay Isles Road, the town of Longboat Key’s designated dropoff and pickup area for car carriers.
  • May 30, 2026
With fines locked in, Longboat leans on education for car-carrier scofflaws

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