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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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February 14, 2024
By Leslie Lake
City commission to consider paid parking lots

City commission to consider paid parking lots

BRADENTON BEACH – If approved by the city commission on Feb. 15, paid parking will cover much of the footprint of a future 106-room hotel/restaurant/retail complex for the next year. A temporary use…
February 14, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Mangrove removal under Army Corps review

Mangrove removal under Army Corps review

ANNA MARIA – Nearly two months after a contractor destroyed 67 feet of mangroves to build a seawall at 111 Gull Drive without all the required approvals, one of the permitting entities – the U.S. Arm…
February 14, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Turtle Watch releases stranding report

Turtle Watch releases stranding report

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – 2023 was a busy year for the Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring Turtle Stranding and Salvage Team. From January 2023 through January 2024, the team responded…
February 5, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Marina seeks partnership with city on mooring field

Marina seeks partnership with city on mooring field

BRADENTON BEACH – In what was described as a potential public/private partnership to protect the city’s dinghy docks and control derelict vessels, City Attorney Ricinda Perry presented an offer to ci…
February 5, 2024
By Leslie Lake
City ward boundaries under revision

City ward boundaries under revision

BRADENTON BEACH – The first reading of a proposed ordinance outlining the details of a Land Development Code (LDC) revision of ward boundaries was approved by the city commission last Thursday night…
February 5, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Paid parking lot opens in Bradenton Beach

Paid parking lot opens in Bradenton Beach

BRADENTON BEACH – Following the demolition of the colorful Joe’s Eats N Sweets building to make way for a 106-room hotel/restaurant/retail project, the cleared site is being used as an interim paid p…
January 29, 2024
By Leslie Lake

Captains for Clean Water invites community to join cause

ANNA MARIA – In an uphill battle against corporate interests to maintain healthy water quality, Capt. Chris Wittman said mobilized individuals can make a big difference. Wittman, co-founder of Capta…
January 29, 2024
By Leslie Lake

Manatee County makes strides in improving water quality

Manatee County – Local water quality is improving through the efforts of Manatee County environmental staff, according to the county’s Natural Resources Director Charlie Hunsicker. “Our people in wa…
January 29, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Magnolia Inn demolished for hotel project

Magnolia Inn demolished for hotel project

BRADENTON BEACH – The third of four buildings has come down to clear the way for a 106-room resort hotel/restaurant/retail complex at the corner of Bridge Street and Gulf Drive South. On Jan. 26, de…
January 23, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Commission approves ward redistricting

Commission approves ward redistricting

BRADENTON BEACH – Two residents have expressed interest in filling the vacancy left by the Dec. 28 resignation of City Commissioner Jake Spooner. Spooner, a commissioner since 2015 from Ward 1, resi…
January 23, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Bradenton Beach hires new building official

Bradenton Beach hires new building official

BRADENTON BEACH – A new building official has been hired following the Dec. 15 retirement of Steve Gilbert. Commissioners approved a contract for Darin Cushing on Jan. 18 as city building official f…
January 23, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival to celebrate 42 years

Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival to celebrate 42 years

CORTEZ – The Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (FISH) is gearing up for the 42nd Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival. The first festival in 1981 drew just 500 people, but an average of 15,000…
January 23, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Cortez Cultural Center showcases 140 years of history

Cortez Cultural Center showcases 140 years of history

CORTEZ – While the charming white cottage with blue shutters on Cortez Road may seem somewhat nondescript to passersby, in reality it is chock full of artifacts and photos depicting the roots of the…
January 16, 2024
By Leslie Lake
FDEP: Mangrove removal requires additional approval

FDEP: Mangrove removal requires additional approval

ANNA MARIA – When contractors Mason Martin LLC removed 67 feet of mangroves at a canal-front home on Dec. 12, they did so without all of the required approval, according to the Florida Department of…
January 16, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Restaurant demolished to make way for hotel project

Restaurant demolished to make way for hotel project

BRADENTON BEACH – Demolition began Saturday on 101 Bridge St., the second of four buildings slated to be torn down to make way for a 106-room resort hotel/restaurant/retail project. Developer Shawn…