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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 4, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Palm tree landscaper awaiting payment from city

Palm tree landscaper awaiting payment from city

BRADENTON BEACH – Since April 24, Miguel Mancera’s landscaping crews have been busy laying stone, planting and, in some cases, removing and replanting multiple coconut palm trees on and around Bridge…
June 4, 2024
By Leslie Lake

Jewfish Key withdraws application to be removed from LBK

LONGBOAT KEY – The Jewfish Key Preservation Association has withdrawn its application to be removed from the jurisdiction of the Town of Longboat Key. Attorney Aaron Thomas of the Najmy Thompson law…
June 3, 2024
By Leslie Lake
City releases signed coconut palms agreement

City releases signed coconut palms agreement

BRADENTON BEACH – The fully signed agreement between the city and developer Shawn Kaleta for the maintenance of the coconut palm trees on and around Bridge Street was signed by Mayor John Chappie on…
May 28, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Least tern colony thriving on beach

Least tern colony thriving on beach

BRADENTON BEACH – Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring reports that a colony of least terns on the beach is thriving. As of May 24, there are 15 birds on nests and 29 individuals…
May 28, 2024
By Leslie Lake

Longboat Key considers joint regulation of mangroves with AMI cities

LONGBOAT KEY – With an eye toward teaming up with the three Anna Maria Island cities to obtain Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) authorization to regulate mangroves, the Longboat…
May 28, 2024
By Leslie Lake
No signed agreement released on palm trees

No signed agreement released on palm trees

BRADENTON BEACH – After multiple requests by The Sun to the city for the release of a signed agreement in a city partnership with developer Shawn Kaleta for the installation and maintenance of coconu…
May 28, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Signed palm tree agreement remains elusive

Expert outlines optimum coconut palm maintenance

BRADENTON BEACH – With 80 coconut palms planted on Bridge Street last month, questions have arisen among commissioners, downtown merchants and residents about the safety of the trees and their potent…
May 28, 2024
By Leslie Lake
FDOT: Wrong trees, wrong place

FDOT: Wrong trees, wrong place

BRADENTON BEACH – In what Mayor John Chappie characterized as a “mistake,” the city learned the hard way that coconut palm trees are not allowed by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) on…
May 21, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Turtle, bird nesting seasons in full swing

Turtle, bird nesting seasons in full swing

Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring Director Kristen Mazzarella said the past week has been a strong one for local sea turtles and shorebirds. “There was a great increase in the…
May 21, 2024
By Leslie Lake
FISH board outlines successes, plans

FISH board outlines successes, plans

CORTEZ – It’s been a year filled with successes and a few challenges for the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (FISH) as the board laid out plans for enhancements to the FISH Preserve at its a…
May 21, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Officers issuing citations for unregistered boats

Officers issuing citations for unregistered boats

CORTEZ – Marine law enforcement agencies have issued more than 20 citations recently for multiple unregistered and derelict vessels moored in the waters just south of the Cortez Bridge. “The Manatee…
May 21, 2024
By Leslie Lake

Bridge Street Merchants plans monthly street festival

BRADENTON BEACH – The Bridge Street Merchants Association (BSMA) has big plans for the coming year, including monthly street parties on Bridge Street. The new monthly event, billed as “Sun Down Get…
May 20, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Signed palm tree agreement remains elusive

Signed palm tree agreement remains elusive

BRADENTON BEACH – A newly-planted coconut palm tree that fell over on Bridge Street last week has raised questions about whether the city obtained a signed indemnification agreement prior to planting…
May 13, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Captain: Derelict boats looming issue

Captain: Derelict boats looming issue

CORTEZ – Tour boat Capt. Kathe Fannon is questioning why authorities are focusing on the removal of Raymond “Junior” Guthrie’s net camp from the waters off Cortez while ignoring more than 20 derelict…
May 13, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Season’s first shorebird nest discovered

Season’s first shorebird nest discovered

BRADENTON BEACH – The first shorebird nests this year on Anna Maria Island have been spotted and marked by Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring volunteers. A colony of least terns…