First wastewater pond closed at Piney Point

PALMETTO – The environmentally unstable Piney Point phosphate processing site is moving towards closure with the completion of work on the first of four...

County commissioners vote to reduce wetland buffers

BRADENTON – Manatee County commissioners reduced wetland buffers in a 5-1 vote on Oct. 5, defaulting to the less restrictive state of Florida minimums...

Expert to review ‘big red flag’ in zoning irregularities

BRADENTON BEACH – In what City Attorney Ricinda Perry described as a “concerning situation” at an Oct. 5 city commission meeting, a city building...

Coquina Beach Market reopens after more than a year

BRADENTON BEACH – Coquina Beach Market vendor Christine Barrett loves her new office. “Look at this,” she said. “My ‘office’ has the most beautiful view....

Coast Guard suspends investigation into oil spill

PALMETTO – Following testing of multiple potential sources, and with no responsible party identified, the U.S. Coast Guard suspended its investigation on Sept. 26...

Leslie Lake

Sun correspondent Leslie Lake covers the environment and Cortez. Email