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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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June 25, 2024
By Leslie Lake
City commission approves Bridge Street parties

City commission approves Bridge Street parties

BRADENTON BEACH – City commissioners approved Australian pine tree removals, monthly street parties on Bridge Street, a new member of the Scenic Highway Committee and donations to local community cen…
June 25, 2024
By Leslie Lake

Earthy drinking water smell, taste caused by algae

MANATEE COUNTY – If you’re noticing a musty or earthy taste or odor in your drinking water, it’s being caused by algae that grows in all lakes, including Lake Manatee, the source for two-thirds of th…
June 25, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Local candidates meet and greet potential constituents

Local candidates meet and greet potential constituents

CORTEZ – Karen Bell hosted five candidates running in local political races at a meet and greet event at the Star Fish Co. dock on Sunday evening. Invited candidates were Scott Farrington (R) for Ma…
June 24, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Sea turtle release attracts crowds Monday

Sea turtle release attracts crowds Monday

BRADENTON BEACH – To the delight of hundreds of spectators at Coquina Beach this morning for a publicized turtle release, loggerhead sea turtle Henrietta stopped several times as she made her way dow…
June 19, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Nesting loggerhead sea turtle struck, killed by vehicle

Sea turtle struck, killed by vehicle

BRADENTON BEACH – Likely disoriented by streetlights on Gulf Drive, a loggerhead sea turtle that had just nested wandered onto the road and was struck and killed by a vehicle in the early morning of…
June 19, 2024
By Leslie Lake

Loggerhead, least tern nests weather heavy rains

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Both loggerhead sea turtle and least tern nests fared well during last week’s heavy rains, according to Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring. “The storm was pr…
June 19, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Sea Turtle Conservancy to release turtle

Sea Turtle Conservancy to release turtle

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The Sea Turtle Conservancy plans to release a satellite-tagged loggerhead sea turtle after it nests on Anna Maria Island as part of the annual Tour de Turtles event. The release…
June 17, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Tingley Library to be tented for termites

Tingley Library to be tented for termites

BRADENTON BEACH – Commissioners approved termite tenting at Tingley Memorial Library on June 6. “We have to tent,” said Bradenton Beach Police Chief John Cosby, who is also acting as interim Public…
June 17, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Coast Guard investigates tour boat striking bridge

Coast Guard investigates tour boat striking bridge

LONGBOAT PASS – What began as a leisurely sunset boat ride turned into a frightening experience for a family of tourists on June 9. In a lengthy Facebook post, Georgia resident Stephanie Bridges wro…
June 17, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Another coconut palm falls on Bridge Street

Another coconut palm falls on Bridge Street

BRADENTON BEACH – One of the recently-planted coconut palm trees on Bridge Street toppled over onto the sidewalk during heavy rains on Sunday evening and city workers attended to it on Monday morning…
June 11, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Net camp refurbishment continues

Net camp refurbishment continues

CORTEZ – The historic net camp just offshore of the fishing village is being refurbished thanks to the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (FISH) and some local commercial fishermen. Nathan Mes…
June 11, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Least tern numbers increasing

Least tern numbers increasing

BRADENTON BEACH – A colony of least terns is continuing to grow and now has 36 birds with 20 of those sitting on eggs in the sand. Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring has been wa…
June 11, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Bradenton Beach logo

City’s busy sidewalks to be repaired

BRADENTON BEACH – Police Chief John Cosby, who is serving as interim public works director, told the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) about upcoming improvements, including sidewalk repairs, at i…
June 10, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Bradenton Beach logo

Drainage improvement project progressing

BRADENTON BEACH – City Attorney Ricinda Perry updated commissioners on June 6 about the drainage project on Avenues A and B. “This commission made a major improvement to an area in need without burd…
June 10, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Mayor accepts responsibility for misplacement of palms

Mayor accepts responsibility for misplacement of palms

BRADENTON BEACH – At the June 5 Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meeting, Mayor John Chappie accepted responsibility for the Florida Department of Transportation-mandated removal of the newly pla…