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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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November 26, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Christmas tree lights up Bridge Street

Christmas tree lights up Bridge Street

BRADENTON BEACH – Just two months after Hurricane Helene’s storm surge pushed piles of sand and debris into the city, a concerted clean-up effort enabled the festive spirit to return to Bridge Street…
November 21, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Petition seeks governor review of 50/50 rule

Petition seeks governor review of 50/50 rule

CORTEZ – Residents of Sunny Shores want help from Gov. Ron DeSantis to keep their homes. Citing community stability and economic burdens, an online petition drive is ongoing for residents of Sunny…
November 21, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Hurricane sand cleaned, returned to beaches

Hurricane sand cleaned, returned to beaches

BRADENTON BEACH – In a large-scale beach restoration project to put back sand pushed across Gulf Drive during recent hurricanes, tons of sand are being cleaned and returned to the beaches at the Coqu…
November 21, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Cortez Fishing Festival details forthcoming

Cortez Fishing Festival details forthcoming

CORTEZ – Mindful of residents’ concerns following damage from hurricanes, FISH board members asked the Cortez community for input before scheduling the February 2025 Cortez Commercial Fishing Festiva…
November 21, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Post-hurricane property damage assessments begin

Post-hurricane property damage assessments begin

BRADENTON BEACH – Beginning with the mobile home parks, individual damage assessments are being conducted by the city along with state damage assessment teams. The city of Bradenton Beach and vendor…
November 20, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Bradenton Beach logo

Cosby offers update on sand, debris, road repairs

BRADENTON BEACH – Police Chief and Public Works Director John Cosby gave an update on sand removal, debris pickup and road repairs at an emergency city commission meeting on Nov. 13. The weekly emer…
November 20, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Pines homeowners meet with officials

Pines homeowners meet with officials

BRADENTON BEACH – Pines Trailer Park homeowners attended a Nov. 7 city commission meeting seeking answers about the continued existence of the 86-unit park following hurricane-related flooding. HELE…
November 7, 2024
By Leslie Lake
New information for Cortez mobile home owners

New information for Cortez mobile home owners

CORTEZ – Many residents in local mobile home parks received substantial damage assessments from Manatee County following water intrusion from Hurricane Helene’s storm surge. Those residents attended…
November 7, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Debris pickup complete in Bradenton Beach

Debris pickup complete in Bradenton Beach

BRADENTON BEACH—The city’s hurricane-related debris and vegetation pickup is complete, and homeowners are responsible for any further post-storm debris removal. The city’s focus is now on sand remova…
November 4, 2024
By Leslie Lake
DUI charge filed in fatal crash

DUI charge filed in fatal crash

BRADENTON – The Bradenton Police Department announced the arrest of a Bradenton man on felony charges related to a Nov. 2 crash that resulted in the death of Sara Danielle Holmes, a 37-year-old mothe…
November 3, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Mother of two killed in crash

Mother of two killed in crash

BRADENTON – The 37-year-old mother of two little girls, Sara Danielle Holmes, was struck and killed in a crash by a suspected drunk driver on Cortez Road on the way home from her job at Swordfish Gri…
November 2, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Pines Trailer Park discussion continues Nov. 7

Pines Trailer Park discussion continues Nov. 7

BRADENTON BEACH – Along with FEMA guidelines and city flood ordinances, fire code and setback regulations have become part of the discussion about the continued existence of 86 mobile homes at the Pi…
October 31, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Star Fish reopens following hurricanes

Star Fish reopens following hurricanes

CORTEZ – With weeks of hard work behind them of cleaning up flood damage caused by Hurricane Helene, Star Fish Company Dockside Restaurant and Seafood Market reopened on Oct. 31. “Mother Nature al…
October 31, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Rotary Club seeks car, bike donations for hurricane victims

Rotary seeks car, bike donations for hurricane victims

CORTEZ – The storm surge from Hurricane Helene not only flooded homes in Cortez, but it also destroyed many vehicles there. To help residents recover their means of mobility, The Rotary Club of An…
October 29, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Supply distribution continues at Sunny Shores

Supply distribution continues at Sunny Shores

CORTEZ – A community supply distribution hub for all Cortez residents at the Sunny Shores Park clubhouse opened up shortly after Hurricane Helene and will be in place as long as  possible. “We wan…