Longboat Key, FL

The Broadway roundabout is stopped at a red light.Originally scheduled to go out to bid in July, the project has instead been shelved for at least another year.Florida Department of Transportation District One Director of Public Information Janella Newsome wrote in an email that budget constraints have led to a rescheduled timeframe on the project. The new target for project letting is July 2027. District 5 Longboat Key Commissioner Sarah Karon represents the north end of the island where

Manatee County is adding a third stop to the Gulf Islands Ferry, the closest one yet to Longboat Key.Beginning Thursday, Coquina Beach’s south boat ramp is a landing and departure point for the vessels that previously connected just downtown Bradenton and the Bridge Street Pier in Bradenton Beach.The new service launches Thursday and will operate through the Labor Day holiday weekend. The system normally operates five days a week, with a break on Mondays and Tuesdays. Next week, the break

The pink house on Longboat Key that has grabbed the attention of neighbors due to its lack of maintenance has a new foreclosure auction date after a canceled auction last month.The new date is set for Sept. 24.The house, located at 501 General Harris St. on the north end of Longboat Key, was originally set to go to auction on the Manatee County website Aug. 19. Assistant Town Manager Isaac Brownman shared in an email to commissioners “some frustrating news” after that auction was ca

Voter turnout in primary elections is generally low, and even lower in non-presidential elections. But, for the 2026 primary held Aug. 18, Longboat Key voters came out in higher numbers than usual in Sarasota and Manatee counties.Turnout in primary elections is about 20%, according to an article in the Journal of Political Institutions and Political Economy. This year, 33% of Sarasota County registered voters cast a ballot, while Manatee County saw 30% turnout. Precinct 201 at Longboat Key Town

Voter turnout in Manatee and Sarasota counties was running in the mid-20s at midday, with six hours remaining to cast primary ballots in city, county, state and congressional races.In Manatee County, turnout at 1 p.m. stood at about 23.45%, while in Sarasota, turnout stood at 26.36%.A West Bradenton precinct tallied up the highest turnout thus far at 36%, with the voting precinct located in University Park was at 33.7%. Turnout in the Manatee section of Longboat Key was 26% as of 1 p.m.In Saras

On Election Day, Longboat Island Chapel and Longboat Key Town Hall are bustling with residents wishing to cast their vote, but early voting is only available on the mainland.For Longboat Key residents, the closest early voting location depends on what side of the island they’re on. The town is in Sarasota County to the south and Manatee County to the north.For the 4,174 registered Longboat Key voters in Sarasota County, the closest early voting location is downtown at the Sarasota County

The Suncoast is in for a classic August weekend. Saturday and Sunday will start off mostly sunny, making it tempting to head straight to Siesta Key or Longboat Key for a morning swim. But don’t let the blue skies fool you. Scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop after 1 p.m. on both days. Some areas…