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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 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…
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…