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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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March 25, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Commissioners consider temporary shelter ordinance

Commissioners consider temporary shelter ordinance

BRADENTON BEACH – At the March 20 commission meeting, commissioners considered Ordi­nance 25-563, which would allow hurricane-impacted homeowners to place a temporary shelter – an RV or trailer – on…
March 24, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Pines residents question seawall cap permitting

Pines residents question seawall cap permitting

BRADENTON BEACH – Some Pines Trailer Park residents are questioning whether permits exist for a seawall cap built in 2024 at the park that they say may have acted as a dam during the 2024 hurricanes…
March 24, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Drift-In owners granted temporary use permit to reopen

Drift-In owners granted temporary use permit to reopen

BRADENTON BEACH – Six months after Hurricane Helene and subsequent permitting obstacles shuttered the doors to the Drift-In, the Bridge Street bar will reopen, at least temporarily pending city revie…
March 24, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Pines residents served demand for payment notices

Pines residents must pay

BRADENTON BEACH – Some Pines Trailer Park residents who withheld lot rental payments following last year’s hurricanes were served with demand for payment notices on March 17. The notices required eit…
March 18, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Annie’s Bait and Tackle given 30-day notice for demolition

Annie’s Bait and Tackle given 30-day notice for demolition

CORTEZ – Manatee County has issued a 30- day demolition notice for the removal of Annie’s Bait and Tackle Shop. “We haven’t received the letter yet, but I was told it’s coming,” Annie’s co-owner…
March 10, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Palmer lays out timeline for permit backlog

Palmer lays out timeline for permit backlog

BRADENTON BEACH – Bill Palmer, the city’s new building official, began work on March 5 and has laid out a timeline for the order of business as he steps into his new role. “My initial focus as build…
March 10, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Dates set for hearings on Drift-In application

Dates set for hearings on Drift-In application

BRADENTON BEACH – The per­mitting process is moving forward for the reopening of the Drift-In with hearings scheduled within the next several weeks. The city commission will consider a temporary use…
March 10, 2025
By Leslie Lake
County decides to demolish iconic Annie’s in Cortez

County decides to demolish iconic Annie’s in Cortez

CORTEZ – Following recommenda­tions and a review by a structural engineer, fire officials and the Florida Department of Emergency Manage­ment, Manatee County commissioners have voted 6-1 to demolish…
March 3, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Fishing Festival nets 10,000 attendees

Fishing Festival nets 10,000 attendees

CORTEZ – Nearly 10,000 people attended the 43rd Annual Cortez Com­mercial Fishing Festival on Feb. 15-16. Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (FISH) Treasurer Jane von Hahmann said on Feb. 26 t…
March 3, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Commissioners appoint vice mayor, CRA leaders

Commissioners appoint vice mayor, CRA leaders

BRADENTON BEACH – The city commission appointed CRA leaders and liaisons to community organizations at its Feb. 20 meeting, and appointed Commissioner Deborah Scaccianoce as vice mayor. “What we hav…
March 3, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Bradenton Beach permitting issues prompt home rule discussion

Bradenton Beach permitting issues prompt home rule discussion

HOLMES BEACH – The appeals of two Bradenton Beach businessmen frustrated by city permitting issues launched a discussion about home rule, consolidation and steps citizens can take when dissatisfied w…
February 26, 2025
By Leslie Lake
City considers allowing temporary shelters

City considers allowing temporary shelters

BRADENTON BEACH – The city commission discussed a Florida law at its Feb. 20 meeting that allows hurricane-impacted homeowners to place a temporary shelter, including an RV or trailer, on their resid…
February 26, 2025
By Leslie Lake
ty, not FEMA, will remove condemned buildings

City, not FEMA, will remove condemned buildings

BRADENTON BEACH – City commissioners voted to use the city’s Code Enforcement department pro­cess rather than go through FEMA to remove buildings condemned after Hurricanes Helene and Milton if prope…
February 26, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Commissioners pass resolution to protect municipal clerk privacy

Commissioners pass resolution to protect municipal clerk privacy

BRADENTON BEACH – City com­missioners have approved a resolution urging the Florida Legislature to provide a public records exemption protecting the personal information of municipal clerks and emplo…
February 24, 2025
By Leslie Lake
City outlines 'deficiencies' in Cushing's work

City outlines ‘deficiencies’ in Cushing’s work

BRADENTON BEACH – Mayor John Chappie read aloud a memo at a Feb. 20 City Commission meeting addressing the job performance of former city Building Official Darin Cushing. The memo outlined what the…