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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, 2024
By Leslie Lake

Turtle nesting record broken

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – A 42-year record for sea turtle nests was shattered on July 2 when Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring volunteers counted 2024’s 546th nest, exceeding the 2019…
July 2, 2024
By Leslie Lake
City’s vulnerable areas identified

City’s vulnerable areas identified

BRADENTON BEACH – In the second step required by a Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) grant to prepare a vulnerability assessment document for the city, a town hall meeting was hel…
July 1, 2024
By Leslie Lake
FWC offers free program to remove at-risk vessels

FWC offers free program to remove at-risk vessels

CORTEZ – Before an unwanted boat reaches the condition of the abandoned, partially-sunken vessels littering the waters south of the Cortez Bridge, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commissio…
July 1, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Growing least tern colony vulnerable to firework

Growing least tern colony vulnerable to fireworks

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring and Audubon Florida remind beachgoers to avoid disturbing nesting shorebirds with fireworks. Setting off fireworks on AMI…
July 1, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Pier team discusses Bridge Street improvements

Pier team discusses Bridge Street improvements

BRADENTON BEACH – A monthly pier team meeting on June 26 at city hall covered a host of topics including feedback about the Gulf Island Ferry, the installation of cameras on the city pier, road closu…
June 28, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Hot Dog Guy coming to Jewfish Key sandbar

Hot Dog Guy coming to Jewfish Key sandbar

JEWFISH KEY – The sandbar off Jewfish Key, a popular spot for weekend boaters to drop anchor, now has a floating food service option in the form of Capt. Marc Bouclier’s The Hot Dog Guy boat. Boucli…
June 25, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Public access project at FISH Preserve begins in July

Public access project at FISH Preserve begins in July

CORTEZ – The Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (FISH) board unanimously approved a proposal by Allen Garner to complete a public accessibility project at the FISH Preserve at the eastern edge…
June 25, 2024
By Leslie Lake
City commissioners question paid parking contract

City commissioners question paid parking contract

BRADENTON BEACH – City commissioners took issue with multiple provisions of a proposed parking lot management contract between the city and Shawn Kaleta-owned Beach to Bay Investments Inc., opting to…
June 25, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Least tern chicks hatch in Bradenton Beach

Least tern chicks hatch in Bradenton Beach

BRADENTON BEACH – Since a colony of least terns began nesting the week of May 6, their numbers have grown to include 45 birds, with 20 of them sitting on eggs, along with five new hatchlings. Rainfa…
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…