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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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October 8, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Mounds of debris remain as hurricane approaches

Mounds of debris remain as hurricane approaches

CORTEZ — Hurricane Milton is expected to bring high winds and a storm surge to the area late Wednesday night, and time was running short on Tuesday to remove household debris left out following Hurri…
October 6, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Sea turtle nesting season comes to an end

Sea turtle nesting season comes to an end

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Sea turtle nesting season comes to an early close due to the remaining nests being washed out by Hurricane Helene. “We had eight nests left prior to Hurricane Helene and it’s l…
October 6, 2024
By Leslie Lake
No moratorium on rentals in Bradenton Beach

No rental moratorium in Bradenton Beach

BRADENTON BEACH – No rental moratorium is in place in Anna Maria Island’s southernmost city. Prior to the adoption of a resolution Thursday requiring residents and business owners to have structur…
October 4, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Commissioners receive update on Hurricane Helene recovery

Commissioners receive update on Hurricane Helene recovery

BRADENTON BEACH – In what Police Chief and Public Works Director John Cosby described as an ever-changing situation, he gave commissioners the latest update on progress and steps forward for storm re…
October 3, 2024
By Leslie Lake

It takes a (fishing) village

CORTEZ – Many individuals and groups have stepped up to help Cortez residents who lost so much in last week’s hurricane. The Cortez Church of Christ is a distribution center for residents of donat…
October 3, 2024
By Leslie Lake

City requires structural, electrical inspections prior to occupancy

BRADENTON BEACH – City commissioners unanimously approved an emergency resolution on Thursday afternoon that will allow residential occupancy only following satisfactory structural and electrical ins…
September 30, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Residents urged to take precautions when returning to Island

Residents urged to take precautions when returning to Island

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – As residents and business owners return to the Island, officials remind them to be mindful of inherent hazards following a flooding storm. The Holmes Beach building official’s of…
September 30, 2024
By Leslie Lake
DeSantis prioritizes temporary Gulf Drive repairs

DeSantis prioritizes temporary Gulf Drive repairs

BRADENTON BEACH – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, along with federal and state officials, was in Bradenton Beach on Saturday to provide an update on Hurricane Helene recovery efforts locally and statewide…
September 28, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Stewart Elementary to host AME students

Stewart Elementary to host AME students

BRADENTON – Stewart Elementary School, 7905 15th Ave. N.W., has opened its doors to Anna Maria Elementary (AME) students temporarily beginning on Monday, Sept. 30. In a Saturday afternoon email to…
September 28, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Cortez cleans up after storm surge flooding

Cortez cleans up after Helene

CORTEZ – Cortez fishing villagers are accustomed to sharks, but not in their backyards. One longtime resident said a shark brushed against her as she was cleaning up the yard before the floodwaters…
September 23, 2024
By Leslie Lake
FWC offers funds for derelict boat removal

FWC offers funds for derelict boat removal

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is rolling out an initiative to assist in the derelict boat removal process for some municipalities. At a September meeting, FWC commissio…
September 23, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Shack tenants receive eviction notices

Shack tenants receive eviction notices

CORTEZ – Business owners on the Seafood Shack property received eviction letters effective Sept. 30, but a Manatee County spokesperson said new agreements with those businesses are possible after the…
September 23, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Former Piney Point owner fined for 2021 dumping

Former Piney Point owner fined for 2021 dumping

ST. PETERSBURG – A federal judge has found HRK Holdings LLC liable for the intentional dumping of wastewater from Piney Point into Tampa Bay in 2021. The discharge from the former phosphate processi…
September 17, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Sea turtle season slowing to a crawl

Sea turtle season slowing to a crawl

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – As the sea turtle nesting season slows down, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring volunteers continue excavating hatched nests on local beaches. High surf caus…
September 16, 2024
By Leslie Lake
One parking lot meets city deadline; three closed

One parking lot meets city deadline; three closed

BRADENTON BEACH – One of four paid parking lots owned by Shawn Kaleta was brought into compliance by the city’s Sept. 9 deadline for adherence to several requirements. The applicants opted to close…