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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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February 24, 2025
By Leslie Lake
City releases audio of Cushing suspension

City releases audio of Cushing suspension

BRADENTON BEACH – The city has released a Jan. 22 audio re­cording from the meeting between Mayor John Chappie and former Building Official Darin Cushing in which Cushing was suspended from the city’…
February 24, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Cosby responds to Cushing allegations

Cosby responds to Cushing allegations

BRADENTON BEACH – Police Chief and Public Works Director John Cosby responded at a Feb. 20 commission meeting to allegations made by former Building Official Darin Cushing that he was pres­sured to a…
February 24, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Pines residents ask commission to deny zoning change requests

Pines residents ask commission to deny zoning change requests

BRADENTON BEACH – Pines residents asked the city on Feb. 20 to deny any future land use or zoning change requests for the Pines Trailer Park by Pines Park Investors LLC or its manager, Shawn Kaleta…
February 18, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Siddique discusses future of Cortez Marina at town hall meeting

Siddique discusses future of Cortez Marina at town hall meeting

MANATEE COUNTY – Com­missioners are floating the idea of charging for ramp access at the yet-to-be constructed Cortez Marina. Manatee County purchased the Seafood Shack property in December for $13…
February 18, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Pines homeowners offered more time in exchange for titles

Pines homeowners offered more time in exchange for titles

BRADENTON BEACH – Pines Park homeowners may be able to extend their tenancy under conditions that include relinquishing the titles to their mobile homes to the park ownership. In a Feb. 4 email to P…
February 17, 2025
By Leslie Lake
City approves building official, floodplain manager candidates

City approves building official, floodplain manager candidates

BRADENTON BEACH – The city has gotten one step closer to finding a full-time replacement for former Building Official Darin Cush­ing. Cushing, a contractual employee of M.T. Causley, was suspended by…
February 17, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Fishing Festival proves ‘Swamped, but never sunk’

Fishing Festival proves ‘Swamped, but never sunk’

CORTEZ – For the first time in the five months since a hurricane swamped the area, people were once again smiling and enjoying the camaraderie of their friends and neighbors at the 43rd Annual Cortez…
February 15, 2025
By Leslie Lake

Slicker’s Eatery reopens following storm damage

CORTEZ – The doors to Slicker’s Eatery, 12012 Cortez Road W., reopened 128 days after the flooding from Hurricane Helene swamped the restaurant. “It feels tremendous to be open,” Slicker said. “We’r…
February 10, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Public speaks out in favor of Drift-In reopening

Public speaks out in favor of Drift-In reopening

BRADENTON BEACH – Despite approval for the tiki hut construction at the Drift-In by recently-terminated Building Official Darin Cushing, the city has put the project on hold and determined that a maj…
February 10, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival this weekend

Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival this weekend

CORTEZ – The two-day 43rd Annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival will bring local seafood, live music, local art and educational talks to the historic fishing village this weekend from 10 a.m. to…
February 10, 2025
By Leslie Lake
FEMA review may jeopardize flood insurance, buildings

FEMA review may jeopardize flood insurance, buildings

BRADENTON BEACH – The city’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) insurance rate discounts, the ability to obtain flood insurance, and even some buildings may be in jeopardy after FEMA reviews the…
January 31, 2025
By Leslie Lake

Commissioners discuss restructuring building department

BRADENTON BEACH – The city commission conducted a work meeting on Jan. 28 to focus on restructuring the building department and the challenges the city faces in finding a permanent replacement for re…
January 29, 2025
By Leslie Lake
County staff inspects Annie's Bait and Tackle

County staff inspects Annie’s Bait and Tackle

CORTEZ – Just one day after the Manatee County Board of Commissioners’ Jan. 28 vote to direct staff to explore ways to bring the hurricane-damaged Annie’s Bait and Tackle up to code, a contingent of…
January 29, 2025
By Leslie Lake

County to review Annie’s rebuild

BRADENTON – Following a strong showing of public support for the continued existence of Annie’s Bait and Tackle at a Jan. 28 Manatee County Commission meeting, coupled with the insistence of County C…
January 27, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Wildlife signs installed at Chappie Park

Wildlife signs installed at Chappie Park

BRADENTON BEACH – The city’s Scenic Waves Partnership Committee held a ribbon-cutting on Jan. 24 to showcase the first installation of “Wildlife of Anna Maria Island” signs on the Bradenton Beach Sce…