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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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January 18, 2025
By Leslie Lake
City commission discussing building department restructuring

Commissioners discuss restructuring building department

BRADENTON BEACH – Following discussion at a Jan. 16 city commission meeting about a possible restructuring of the city’s building department, commissioners decided to meet on Tuesday, Jan. 28 for a w…
January 18, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Construction to begin on Bridge Street hotel project

City attorney: Hotel project will begin construction this year

BRADENTON BEACH – Construction is expected to begin this summer on the Bridge Street hotel project, according to City Attorney Ricinda Perry. “By way of keeping you in the loop with development ac…
January 14, 2025
By Leslie Lake
FISH Preserve being restored following hurricanes

FISH Preserve being restored following hurricanes

CORTEZ – The recent hurricanes took their toll on the 98-acre FISH (Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage) Preserve. Allen Garner, a retired landscape architect who has been working on the preser…
January 13, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Pines homeowners caught off guard by closure

Pines homeowners caught off guard by closure

BRADENTON BEACH – In a community that Pines Trailer Park homeowners expected to be bustling with activity once again after receiving the city’s permission to repair their hurricane-damaged mobile hom…
January 12, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Seafood Shack parcel sale closes

Seafood Shack parcel sale closes

CORTEZ – Manatee County purchased the Seafood Shack and Marina on Dec. 31 after delays caused in part by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Manatee County Property Acquisition Division Manager Charles…
January 8, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Shamrock Shiver moves from beach to bar

Shamrock Shiver moves from beach to bar

CORTEZ – The annual Clancy’s New Year’s Day Shamrock Shiver charity event looked a little different from prior years, but the goal was still the same – to raise money for local charities. In previou…
January 8, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Cortez fire destroys business

Cortez fire destroys business

CORTEZ – Multiple fire crews quickly knocked down an early morning fire on Dec. 29 at a boat repair business at 4412 123rd St. W., preventing damage to adjacent homes. The fire, however, destroyed a…
January 8, 2025
By Leslie Lake
AMI Christmas Bird Count reveals some surprises

AMI Christmas Bird Count reveals some surprises

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The 125th Annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count on Anna Maria Island was completed on Dec. 29 and counters found a few surprises. “We were interested in what impact the hurricanes…
January 5, 2025
By Leslie Lake

Owner closes Pines Trailer Park

BRADENTON BEACH –  Pines Trailer Park residents who recently received city approval to repair their hurricane-damaged mobile homes received a letter on Jan. 4 from Pines Park Investors LLC stating th…
January 4, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Commission receives Seafood Shack purchase update

Commission receives Seafood Shack purchase update

CORTEZ – The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) will receive an update at its Jan. 8 meeting on the stalled Seafood Shack and Marina acquisition. Property Acquisition Division Mana…
January 1, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Bradenton Beach: Year in Review

Bradenton Beach: Year in Review

PALM TREES In a partnership between the City of Bradenton Beach and developer Shawn Kaleta, 80 coconut palm trees were planted along Bridge Street on April 23. At an April 3 Community Redevelo…
December 19, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Wildlife Inc. co-founders hope to re-open soon

Wildlife Inc. co-founders hope to re-open soon

BRADENTON BEACH – Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center Inc. co-founders Gail and Ed Straight are working toward rebuilding not only their hurricane-damaged home, but restoring the non-profit…
December 16, 2024
By Leslie Lake
City gives green light to Pines repairs

City gives green light to Pines repairs

BRADENTON BEACH – After nearly three months of uncertainty, 83 of the 86 Pines Trailer Park owners received a notice from the city that they may repair their hurricane-damaged mobile homes with the p…
December 9, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Pines Trailer Park parking lot converted to Pines Trailer Park parking lot converted to paid parking

Pines Trailer Park parking lot converted to public paid parking

BRADENTON BEACH – The park­ing lot for Pines Trailer Park residents at 201 First St. N. has been converted to a public paid parking lot. Signs went up in the past week indicating a pay-by-plate sy…
December 9, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Bradenton Beach condemns 25 properties

Bradenton Beach condemns 25 properties

BRADENTON BEACH – City Building Official Darin Cushing has released a list of 25 con­demned properties in the city. It is the only city on Anna Maria Island where properties have been condemned af…