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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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July 8, 2026
By Leslie Lake

Judge dismisses StayTerra lawsuits against Stewart, Warren-Kaleta

The civil lawsuits StayTerra Vacations filed against Kiri Stewart and Jennifer Warren-Kaleta were dismissed on June 18 by 12th Judicial Circuit Judge Charles Sniffen.
July 7, 2026
By Leslie Lake

First of two beach renourishment projects starts soon 

To recover from sand loss on local beaches due to multiple hurricanes, two beach renourishment projects are scheduled for this year.
July 7, 2026
By Leslie Lake

Suncoast Waterkeeper offering free PFAS water testing

Suncoast Waterkeeper seeks up to 100 volunteers to submit water samples to be tested for harmful PFAS chemical compounds. 
June 30, 2026
By Leslie Lake

Bradenton Beach Commission supports raising stormwater fee rate to $8 

The Bradenton Beach City Commission has tentatively agreed to increase the annual stormwater fee rate rom $4.40 per 100 square feet of property to $8.
June 30, 2026
By Leslie Lake

Cortez Watersports owner optimistic about changes taking place

Cortez Watersports’ owner John Cadmus is optimistic about the future and the pending Cortez Bridge construction project.
June 22, 2026
By Leslie Lake

Seafood Shack property to be used as Cortez Bridge construction staging area 

The construction company contracted by FDOT to build the new Cortez Bridge wants to use the former Seafood Shack property as a staging area.
June 22, 2026
By Leslie Lake

City will pay former city attorney’s disputed invoices 

The Bradenton Beach City Commission voted to pay former city attorney Ricinda Perry’s 2025 invoices for $167,674. 
June 15, 2026
By Leslie Lake

Cortez Bridge construction expected to begin in September 

CORTEZ – The long-awaited construction of the new Cortez Bridge is anticipated to start near the beginning of September, according to Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) spokesperson Ethan Pu…
June 10, 2026
By Leslie Lake

Hearing held for Stewart, Warren-Kaleta, StayTerra motion to dismiss 

A motion to dismiss hearing for the StayTerra/Stewart/Warren-Kaleta lawsuit was conducted by Judge Charles Sniffen.
June 2, 2026
By Leslie Lake

Driver towing boat cited for Memorial Day accident

The driver towing a boat that was struck on Memorial Day morning by another vehicle on Manatee Avenue was determined by police to be at fault for the accident. 
May 29, 2026
By Leslie Lake
May 26, 2026
By Leslie Lake

Commissioner Cole not running again, Bear undecided

BRADENTON BEACH – Two Bradenton Beach City Commission seats will be filled during the upcoming city election cycle, with one commissioner saying he will not run again and the other saying he has not…
May 26, 2026
By Leslie Lake

Cosby transitioning from police chief to public works director

BRADENTON BEACH – Police Chief John Cosby will step down from his role with the Bradenton Beach Police Department later this year and serve as the city’s full-time director of public works. That t…
May 26, 2026
By Leslie Lake

Be aware of new traffic signal on Cortez Road

CORTEZ – New traffic lights recently installed on Cortez Road have unexpectedly caught some drivers off-guard. The new traffic control signals are located just east of the West Manatee Fire Rescue St…
May 26, 2026
By Leslie Lake

Memorial Day tribute held in Anna Maria 

A solemn Memorial Day ceremony was held at The Center of Anna Maria Island on Monday morning, May 25 to honor U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the armed forces.