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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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September 9, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Bradenton Beach responds to state legislators’ letter

Bradenton Beach responds to state legislators’ letter

BRADENTON BEACH – City commis­sioners discussed an Aug. 28 letter sent to the three Island mayors from State Rep. Will Robinson Jr. (R-Bradenton) and State Sen. Jim Boyd (R-Bradenton). The state leg…
September 9, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Drift-In owner denies city attorney’s claim about FDEP complaint

Drift-In owner denies city attorney’s claim about FDEP complaint

BRADENTON BEACH – Drift-In bar owner Derek Williams denied filing a complaint with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) about the Anna Maria Oyster Bar’s (AMOB) outdoor tiki stru…
September 4, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Jason Stock remembered for his love of family, fishing, the environment

Jason Stock remembered for his love of family, fishing, the environment

BRADENTON – Jason Stock, who passed away unexpectedly on Aug. 29, is being remembered by the fishing community and many friends for his legacy as a well-respected charter fishing captain, a loving fa…
September 2, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Pines residents can stay under settlement agreement

Pines residents can stay under settlement agreement

BRADENTON BEACH – The owners of Pines Trailer Park, Pines Park Investors LLC (PPI), released a statement about their settlement agreement with the park home­owner’s association. While the settlement…
September 1, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Suncoast Waterkeeper reports heavy toll on mangroves from 2024 hurricanes

Suncoast Waterkeeper reports heavy toll on mangroves from 2024 hurricanes

The 2024 hurricane season took a heavy toll on mangroves across Sarasota and Manatee counties, according to the data from Suncoast Waterkeeper’s second year of the Mangrove Rangers program. “One of…
August 26, 2025
By Leslie Lake
AMI approaching turtle nesting record

AMI approaching turtle nesting record

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Anna Maria Island’s nesting sea turtles are approaching a record with 541 nests laid this year, two short of the 2019 record of 543. Another record was set last week when the fir…
August 25, 2025
By Leslie Lake
City defends attorney, invoices

City defends attorney, invoices

BRADENTON BEACH – Mayor John Chappie, city commissioners and Police Chief John Cosby responded to criticism of post-hurricane invoices submitted by City Attorney Ricinda Perry at an Aug. 21 commissio…
August 25, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Former building official blamed for ‘screwed-up mess’

Former building official blamed for ‘screwed-up mess’

BRADENTON BEACH – With 85% of a building project completed under a 2024 city permit, a stop work order was issued at 106 23rd St. N. by city Building Official Bill Palmer, who said the prior permit w…
August 19, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Bungalow Beach parking restrictions remain in effect

Bungalow Beach parking restrictions remain in effect

BRADENTON BEACH – Following a July 29 hearing of Luper Enterprises’ appeal of the city commission’s April 17 decision to prohibit resort fee-based parking at Bungalow Beach Resort, special master Mar…
August 19, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Bolus sends city notice of intent to file suit

Bolus sends city notice of intent to file suit

BRADENTON BEACH – Home­owner Bob Bolus, an outspoken critic of the city government, has delivered a notice of intent to file a $100 million class action lawsuit against the city based on allegations…
August 19, 2025
By Leslie Lake
SUN 3 Pines homeowners settle with park owners

Pines homeowners settle with park owners

BRADENTON BEACH – Dozens of evictions and title surrenders have thinned out the population at the 86-unit Pines Trailer Park, but those who remain participated in a settlement agreement in exchange f…
August 12, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Man accused of manslaughter now facing drug charges

Man accused of manslaughter now facing drug charge

CORTEZ – Ian Douglas, accused of manslaughter in the July 29 Baypointe Terrace shooting death of his father, Andrew “Drew” Douglas, is now facing a felony drug charge following a search of his home…
August 12, 2025
By Leslie Lake
CRA members discuss 2025-26 budget

CRA members discuss 2025-26 budget

BRADENTON BEACH – Com­munity Redevelopment Agency members discussed the proposed 2025-26 budget of $2,231,070 at a work meeting on Aug. 6 in prepara­tion for the next steps in the budget process – tw…
August 4, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Appeal hearing held on Bungalow Beach Resort parking

Appeal hearing held on Bungalow Beach Resort parking

BRADENTON BEACH – Attorneys for Luper Enterprises and the city of Bradenton Beach presented their opposing cases at a July 29 appeal hearing of a city commission’s deci­sion banning resort fee-based…
August 4, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Flesh-eating bacteria reported in Manatee County

Flesh-eating bacteria reported in Manatee County

MANATEE COUNTY – The Florida Department of Health (DOH)-Manatee County is report­ing one confirmed case of vibrio vulnificus, commonly known as flesh-eating bacteria, in Manatee County this year. Tw…