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Longboat Key | News

Traffic headed north off Longboat Key often backs up onto the Longboat Pass Bridge as Anna Maria Island has become a congestion hotspot on the barrier islands.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • April 1, 2026
Citizen survey shows love of Longboat, but road issues remain

Most takeaways weren’t a surprise, but the data still has value to town leaders.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Coquina Beach parking lot has dozens of free spots for beachgoers. There were plenty of open spaces Monday, March 30 as rain began to fall.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 31, 2026
Paid parking considered on Anna Maria Island

Manatee County Board Chair Tal Siddique said the idea is to reduce the tax burden of lot maintenance away from those who don’t utilize the beaches.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Manatee County Commission Chair Tal Siddique speaks with community group Longboat North at Longboat Island Chapel Thursday, March 19.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 31, 2026
Some north-end community center details emerge, others remain unknown

Manatee County will invest hundreds of thousands, Longboat Island Chapel will provide space, and The Paradise Center will provide programming. Other details are less clear.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The white shell median on Bay Isles Road near Town Hall will be refreshed in a landscaping project set to wrap up before Independence Day.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 30, 2026
Landscaping work planned on Bay Isles Road

Saltwater tolerant plants will be used on the medians, and the project is expected to wrap up in time for the Fourth of July parade.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Traffic often backs up from the Cortez Bridge intersection onto Longboat Key during peak season.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 30, 2026
Manatee looking for MPO citizens advisory committee members

The Metropolitan Planning Organization develops plans, policies and priorities that guide transportation decision making.

  • East County
  • News
The Longboat Pass drawbridge opens anywhere from 100 to 300 times per month, according to an FDOT engineering study.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 29, 2026
Town reiterates stance against fixed-span bridge

About two years after Longboat Key Mayor Ken Schneier sent a letter to FDOT advocating against a fixed-span bridge, newly picked Mayor Debra Williams has done the same.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Ohana seawall is having repairs done in March. The seawall extends into the Gulf, cutting off public beach access as the seawall is part of the Gulf-facing home’s property.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 26, 2026
Seawall repairs underway at Ohana

The Ohana estate in Longboat Key has a locally famous seawall that extends into the Gulf and cuts off beach access for the public.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Co-owner Chris Carter works with a barista behind the counter of the second location of Sips, which opened at 3172 Gulf of Mexico Drive this month.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 25, 2026
Second Sips debuts on Longboat Key

Build-your-own sandwiches and cozy space sets second branch apart from original.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
St. Regis Longboat Key Resort installed a stainless steel metal arch on a converted groin extending into the Gulf. Longboat Key town staff asked the hotel to take the arch down because it does not follow town code.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 25, 2026
Planning and Zoning Board gives thumbs down to St. Regis arch

The issue of whether to amend the town’s sign code to allow the St. Regis arch will come to the Longboat Key commission with a "no" recommendation from the PZB.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Eddie Abrams stands at the base of his raised lot on Longboat Drive North where he is building his insulating concrete form house. Abrams and his son are both rebuilding on raised lots after Hurricane Helene caused severe flooding on Longboat Key.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 25, 2026
Annual report highlights a year defined by rebuilding

The town of Longboat Key issued 2,183 permits for storm damage repairs in the 2025 fiscal year, according to its 2025 annual report.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Debra Williams (standing left) and Penny Gold (standing right) were picked as mayor and vice mayor, respectively, at Longboat Key’s Town Commission meeting Monday, March 23.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 24, 2026
Williams picked as mayor, Gold as vice mayor of Longboat Key Town Commission

District 4 Commissioner Debra Williams will serve a one-year term as mayor, replacing Ken Schneier in the position.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Speaks Clam Bar, pictured after its 2018 opening, closed on St. Armands Key earlier this month.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 24, 2026
Speaks Clam Bar shutters St. Armands location

The original Lakewood Ranch location of the Italian and Seafood restaurant will remain open.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
From left to right: Sarasota County Commissioner Mark Smith, Gulf Coast Community Foundation Senior Vice President Jon Thaxton and One Stop Housing CEO Mark Vengroff made up a panel hosted by Miracle on the Key Thursday, March 19 on the subject of affordable housing.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 24, 2026
Panel discusses the thorny problem of affordable housing

Although there are developments that provide affordable housing in the area, the need is not nearly met.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Board at a November meeting. Nick Gladding, third from the right, is stepping down as he prepares to take his oath of office for Town Commission on March 23.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 23, 2026
Town to host meet and greet with board applicants

Longboat Key has three open positions for boards and committees that have attracted nine applicants.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Beachgoers set up near and rest on one of two concrete permeable adjustable groins on the north end of Longboat Key.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 18, 2026
Town eyes Gulfside Road for next beach groin project

Longboat Key spends a lot on beach renourishment but also uses engineering to reduce erosion.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
1 2 3 4 5 »
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Latest in Longboat Key

1
Garden Club President Melanie Dale helps lead efforts to beautify and support the Longboat Key community. Butterflies visit flowering plants cultivated to support pollinators, reflecting the club's focus on sustainable, Florida-friendly landscapes.
  • April 1, 2026
Longboat Garden Club's efforts help beautify and nurture a community
2
Harry's Continental Kitchens has been a local favorite for decades.
  • April 1, 2026
A staple of Longboat Key for over 40 years, Harry's Continental Kitchens keeps it fresh
3
The home at 590 Birdie Lane sold for $5.5 million. Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,297 square feet of living area.
  • April 1, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for March 16-20 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key
4
Traffic headed north off Longboat Key often backs up onto the Longboat Pass Bridge as Anna Maria Island has become a congestion hotspot on the barrier islands.
  • April 1, 2026
Citizen survey shows love of Longboat, but road issues remain
5
Bird Key Yacht Club members Carol Smith, Amy Lazarus and Beth Nothstine played instrumental roles in keeping the club's lecture series fresh this season by inviting friends to tell their fascinating life stories. Closing out the series, Bobbi Brown shared tales from her journey starting a makeup empire.
  • March 31, 2026
Longtime friendships make Bird Key lecture series possible

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