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Leslie Lake

Leslie Lake

July 11, 2022
Leslie Lake covers Bradenton Beach, Cortez, the environment and Anna Maria Elementary School.
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June 2, 2026
By Leslie Lake

Driver towing boat cited for Memorial Day accident

The driver towing a boat that was struck on Memorial Day morning by another vehicle on Manatee Avenue was determined by police to be at fault for the accident. 
May 29, 2026
By Leslie Lake
May 26, 2026
By Leslie Lake

Commissioner Cole not running again, Bear undecided

BRADENTON BEACH – Two Bradenton Beach City Commission seats will be filled during the upcoming city election cycle, with one commissioner saying he will not run again and the other saying he has not…
May 26, 2026
By Leslie Lake

Cosby transitioning from police chief to public works director

BRADENTON BEACH – Police Chief John Cosby will step down from his role with the Bradenton Beach Police Department later this year and serve as the city’s full-time director of public works. That t…
May 26, 2026
By Leslie Lake

Be aware of new traffic signal on Cortez Road

CORTEZ – New traffic lights recently installed on Cortez Road have unexpectedly caught some drivers off-guard. The new traffic control signals are located just east of the West Manatee Fire Rescue St…
May 26, 2026
By Leslie Lake

Memorial Day tribute held in Anna Maria 

A solemn Memorial Day ceremony was held at The Center of Anna Maria Island on Monday morning, May 25 to honor U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the armed forces. 
May 19, 2026
By Leslie Lake
Mike Alexander is now serving as the Bradenton Beach building official. - LinkedIn | Submitted

Bradenton Beach has a new building official

Mike Alexander is now serving as the Bradenton Beach building official.
May 19, 2026
By Leslie Lake

First loggerhead sea turtle nest of season found

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The first loggerhead sea turtle nest of the season has been located in Bradenton Beach by volunteers from the Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring organization…
May 19, 2026
By Leslie Lake

Coast Guard terminates charter voyage near Bradenton Beach

BRADENTON BEACH – On Thursday, May 7, a Coast Guard Station Cortez law enforcement crew terminated the activities of an illegal charter vessel that was acting as a bareboat charter with 11 passengers…
May 19, 2026
By Leslie Lake

Learn about sea turtles at weekly Turtle Talks

Sea turtle hatchlings face an uphill battle to reach adulthood with obstacles including disorientation, beach holes, predators and litter. 
May 12, 2026
By Leslie Lake

Commission chooses police department over sheriff’s office 

The Bradenton Beach City Commission decided to retain the Bradenton Beach Police Department and discontinue the discussions about the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office possibly serving as the city’s co…
May 12, 2026
By Leslie Lake

County and city to negotiate plan for Tingley Library support 

MANATEE COUNTY – On May 5, the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) unanimously directed county staff to negotiate a plan with the city of Bradenton Beach for county contributions to h…
May 11, 2026
By Leslie Lake

Black skimmer colony gathering in Bradenton Beach

BRADENTON BEACH – Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring volunteers have cordoned off an area in Bradenton Beach where more than 100 black skimmer seabirds have been gathering for th…
May 5, 2026
By Leslie Lake

Pines’ ownership group declines residents’ retention proposal 

BRADENTON BEACH – An April 10 proposal submitted by the Pines Trailer Park homeowners for the long-term retention of the mobile park was declined by the park’s ownership group.  The proposal, titl…
May 5, 2026
By Leslie Lake

Sea turtle nesting season begins

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The official May 1 start to sea turtle nesting season was celebrated at Coquina Beach Café in Bradenton Beach with educational materials and displays provided by Anna Maria Island…