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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 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…
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…