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Neighbors

The Longboat Key Police Department has four vessels in its marine fleet, including a 26-foot Boston Whaler that is out of commission awaiting repairs to its canopy.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • July 19, 2026
LBK Foundation asks for community help with police boat repair fundraiser

A $7,000 donation by a Longboat family will cover about half of the repairs, and the Longboat Key Foundation is asking for donations to bridge the remaining gap.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Toby reaches up to greet a new helping of foam.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 18, 2026
Dog Bar Sarasota celebrates one-year anniversary

The beloved dog bar celebrated its one-year anniversary after reopening with a foam party benefiting Donte's Den.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Amanda Eyer, internal communications and community relations director at Boar’s Head and Amber Lee, senior director of programs at All Faiths Food Bank, stand in front of one of the new vans.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 18, 2026
Boar's Head gifts two refrigerated vans to All Faiths Food Bank

The organization raised over $100,000 for the food bank through its annual Circle of Friends fundraising campaign.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Addison Gutowitz, 13, and Harriet Shore, 11, learn skills on electric guitar from 17-year-old Max Froemel in the guitar breakout session.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 17, 2026
Campers come together at School of Rock Lakewood Ranch

During the Modern Rock music camp, students learn songs to perform for family and friends.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Alexander Fine (center) presented first responders from Longboat Key Fire Rescue with a pizza lunch last week for their efforts.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • July 17, 2026
Longboat resident celebrates first responders with pizza party

The presenting resident thanked first responders for their heroic efforts during a cardiac-related emergency.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Visit Sarasota County President and CEO Erin Duggan (left), past President Virginia Haley (center), and Board Chair John LaCivita (second from left) recognize representatives of Watershed Hospitality Concepts with the 2026 Business Excellence Haley Award.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 17, 2026
Visitors bureau opens nominations for annual Haley honors

Visit Sarasota County will accept tourism industry nominations for the annual Haley Hall of Fame Awards through Aug. 28.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
About 120 people attended an evening sea turtle nest excavation on Longboat Key conducted by permitted experts.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • July 16, 2026
Experts invite public to turtle nest dig

Despite predation, 40 baby turtles hatched from an excavated sea turtle nest.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Ginger Kreithen works on "The Legacy," amid other artists at the wall.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 16, 2026
Local artists create mural in contest by Sarasota business

The wall of Epic Rockworks became a canvas for four local artists, who each produced a piece of art featuring rocks.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Logan Shaw, Wolfe Shaw, Michael Garey and Calvin Shaw, the team behind the new M & W Sweet Spot frozen treat shop on Longboat Key, showcase a variety of their offerings, including frozen custard sandwiches and drinks.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • July 15, 2026
From frozen custard to soft serve, Longboat's treats help locals stay cool

Those seeking to satisfy their sweet tooth have plenty of options with shops including the newly opened M & W Sweet Spot on Longboat Key's north end.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Linda Matte, Theresa Langston and Rosemary Cummings of Stitchers welcome people of all skill levels to join the group on Mondays and learn about sewing, quilting and more.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 15, 2026
Neighbors create threads of friendship with Lakewood Ranch club

Stitchers, a club that meets in Lakewood Ranch, aims to bring creative people together to quilt, sew and more.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Reuben Fernandez leads Tai Chi classes on Mondays and Wednesdays at The Paradise Center, and many of his students have stuck with him since he first started teaching at the Longboat Key community center.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • July 15, 2026
Tai chi brings mind, body, spirit benefits, Paradise Center students say

Longtime attendees of Reuben Fernandez's twice-weekly tai chi classes say they appreciate not only the physical benefits but also the social boost.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Jon Mongeau and Lita and John Brannan accept the award for Emerging Business of the Year on Oct. 23 at the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce 2025 membership awards banquet at Lido Beach Resort. Following the shop's recent closure announcement, John Brannan explained their team is proud of everything it did, but knew this was a tough decision they had to make.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • July 14, 2026
Le Gardenia Bleu thanks community for support

The founders of the Longboat Key flower and gift shop announced earlier this month their shop was closed.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
The Governor's Award recognizes the work of the Rotary Club of Longboat Key on community projects, like the installation of monofilament recycling receptacles at local parks.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • July 14, 2026
Longboat Rotary earns Governor's Award recognition

The district-level commendation recognizes Longboat Key's local branch for all-around success.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Coastwise student development team members Charles Mesia, Justin Kim (back), Colton McGill, Gabi Otera (back) and John Onesti gather to utilize a NASA STELLA Q-2 VNIR spectrometer, a handheld device that measures light intensity and plant health.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 14, 2026
Free Coastwise summer camp seeks more Manatee student sign-ups

A $4,500 grant from the Manatee Community Foundation will make the program free for students who participate.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Frank Kelleher stands with former Rotary Club of Sarasota president Lee-En Chung and president Bob Stobaugh.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 14, 2026
Daytona International Speedway president visits Sarasota Rotary Club

Frank Kelleher shared what the Daytona International Speedway offers with club members and also responded to their questions.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

1
The glass building at 6960 Gulf of Mexico Drive was built in 1976 and housed a bank before the chamber of commerce moved in.
  • September 7, 2026
Failed hotel, convicted fraudster, chamber, bank all in building's 50-year history
2
The Longboat Key Town Commission poses for a photo after the March 23 statutory meeting where new and returning commissioners were sworn in.
  • September 6, 2026
Gold, Bishop, Karon receive Florida League of Cities awards
3
Junior running back Antonio Jackson (center) of Braden River finds a gap in Lakewood Ranch's defense. The Pirates won this year's rivalry game.
  • September 5, 2026
High school football results from Week 3
4
Sarasota Chief Transportation Planner Corinne Arriaga makes opening remarks at the May 21 Main Street complete street public meeting.
  • September 5, 2026
Sarasota transportation planner elected to trade association leadership role
5
The intersection of Broadway Street and Gulf of Mexico Drive can get busy with traffic coming from multiple directions. A roundabout is planned at that location, but was pushed back at least a year.
  • September 5, 2026
Broadway roundabout delayed despite finalized design

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