Skip to main content
Leslie Lake

Leslie Lake

July 11, 2022
Leslie Lake covers Bradenton Beach, Cortez, the environment and Anna Maria Elementary School.
Email Leslie Lake
July 1, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Pines, Bridge Street parking lots reviewed by building official

Pines, Bridge Street parking lots reviewed by building official

BRADENTON BEACH – Tasked by city commissioners in May to conduct a code compliance review of the parking lot at 205 First St. N. historically used by Pines Trailer Park residents and the 101 Bridge S…
July 1, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Island police prepare for July Fourth weekend crowds

Island police prepare for July Fourth weekend crowds

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Local police departments are gearing up for the long holiday weekend with increased presence and reminders to visitors about parking, fireworks and alcohol restrictions. All hand…
July 1, 2025
By Leslie Lake
New law in effect to reduce derelict vessels

New law in effect to reduce derelict vessels

TALLAHASSEE – New legislation effective statewide on July 1 is designed to help reduce the number of at-risk and derelict vessels across the state and improve enforcement tools for Florida Fish and W…
June 24, 2025
By Leslie Lake
County, city officials discuss traffic management

County, city officials discuss traffic management

BRADENTON BEACH – Manatee County and Bradenton Beach officials discussed lengthening the eastbound merge lane on Cortez Road to improve traffic flow at the intersection of Cortez Road and Gulf Drive…
June 23, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Manatee County, Bradenton Beach officials discuss ferry options

Manatee County, Bradenton Beach officials discuss ferry options

BRADENTON BEACH – The future Cortez Marina at the site of the former Seafood Shack restaurant is expected to become an integral part of Manatee County’s Gulf Islands Ferry system. County commissione…
June 23, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Winnie released at Coquina Beach

Winnie released at Coquina Beach

BRADENTON BEACH – Hundreds of onlookers gathered at Coquina Beach on Monday morning for a scheduled loggerhead sea turtle release. The turtle, Winnie, did not disappoint as she made her way to the w…
June 17, 2025
By Leslie Lake
92-year-old Pines resident talks about eviction

92-year-old Pines resident talks about eviction

BRADENTON BEACH – Rained-soaked eviction notices taped to trailers and littering the ground at the Pines Trailer Park, along with screws driven into some front doors to prevent entry, have effectivel…
June 17, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Bradenton Beach commissioners discuss beach hole ordinance

Bradenton Beach commissioners discuss beach hole ordinance

BRADENTON BEACH – City com­missioners discussed the current city ordinance prohibiting the digging of holes on public beaches at the June 5 meeting. “This was brought up by (Manatee County Natural R…
June 17, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Pines Trailer Park post-Helene timeline

Pines Trailer Park post-Helene timeline

BRADENTON BEACH – Here is a timeline of events that have transpired at the Pines Trailer Park since Hurricane Helene struck last fall. 2024 On Sept. 26, storm surge from Hurricane Helene caused w…
June 16, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Sea turtle false crawls on the rise

Sea turtle false crawls on the rise

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring reported sea turtle nesting was a little slower this week than last week, and while it’s unclear whether any records will b…
June 9, 2025
By Leslie Lake
City declares local state of emergency in advance of July 4 weekend

City declares local state of emergency in advance of July 4 weekend

BRADENTON BEACH – In the aftermath of large holiday crowds on the Island and at the request of Police Chief John Cosby the city commission approved a declaration of a local state of emergency for Jul…
June 9, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Commissioners pursue palm tree removal

Commissioners pursue palm tree removal

BRADENTON BEACH – A new look may be coming to the roundabout at Bridge Street and along Gulf Drive. Mayor John Chappie said at a June 5 city commission meeting that the Washingtonian palms there hav…
June 9, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Tingley library clerk Adams retires

Tingley library clerk Adams retires

BRADENTON BEACH – Tingley Memorial Library clerk Eveann Adams is retiring effective June 21. In a May 27 letter to the city, Adams stated, “After being the clerk at Tingley Memorial Library for 22 y…
June 3, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Turtle Watch rescues sea turtle from swimming pool

Turtle Watch rescues sea turtle from swimming pool

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The number of sea turtle disorienta­tions in the past week is cause for concern to Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring volunteers. “We had eight adult disorie…
June 3, 2025
By Leslie Lake

NOAA hurricane season forecast ‘above normal’

A combination of warmer ocean temperatures, forecasted weak wind shear and other factors has resulted in predictions for a higher-than-average 2025 Atlantic hurricane season. The National Oceanic an…