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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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December 13, 2023
By Leslie Lake
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CRA funding cut for Old Town Tram

BRADENTON BEACH – If the Old Town Tram continues providing rides within the city, it will do so without the financial support of the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). At its Dec. 6 meeting, the…
December 13, 2023
By Leslie Lake
Mayor: Don’t break up the team

Mayor: Don’t break up the team

BRADENTON BEACH – Characterizing the possible consolidation of the three island cities as “breaking up the team,” Mayor John Chappie spoke out against consolidation efforts at a Dec. 6 Community Rede…
December 12, 2023
By Leslie Lake
Bridge Street hotel project approved unanimously

Bridge Street hotel project approved unanimously

BRADENTON BEACH – The proposed hotel/restaurant/retail project on Bridge Street is a go, with 106 rooms, a 60-seat restaurant, 5,396 square feet of retail space and 154 on-site parking spaces. At th…
December 5, 2023
By Leslie Lake
Sparkling boats draw crowds to Christmas on Bridge Street

Sparkling boats draw crowds to Christmas on Bridge Street

BRADENTON BEACH – Crowds lined the Bradenton Beach Pier early to get the best view of the Fifth Annual Holiday Boat Parade on Saturday. Once the sun went down, a line of boats decked out with flashi…
November 28, 2023
By Leslie Lake
Christmas on Bridge Street to spotlight holiday boat parade

Christmas on Bridge Street to spotlight holiday boat parade

BRADENTON BEACH – The fifth annual Christmas on Bridge Street on Saturday, Dec. 2 will include a holiday boat parade, live music and family-friendly activities. Beginning at 3 p.m., the Strolling Cr…
November 20, 2023
By Leslie Lake
P&Z members reverse public comment closure

P&Z members reverse public comment closure

BRADENTON BEACH – The Planning and Zoning Board unexpectedly reversed its decision to close the public comment session at its second public hearing on a 106-room hotel/restaurant/retail project on Br…
November 20, 2023
By Leslie Lake
P&Z unanimously recommends approval of hotel project

P&Z recommends approval of hotel project

BRADENTON BEACH – It’s all in the hands of city commission­ers now. Following a unanimous recom­mendation for approval from the city Planning and Zoning Board, the future of a 106-room hotel/resta…
November 20, 2023
By Leslie Lake
Commissioners review hotel project

Commissioners review hotel project

BRADENTON BEACH – A 6.5-hour city commission public hearing on Nov. 16 for a proposed hotel/restaurant/retail project on Bridge Street and Gulf Drive led to warnings that something more impactful cou…
November 20, 2023
By Leslie Lake
Christmas tree lights up Bridge Street

Christmas tree lights up Bridge Street

BRADENTON BEACH – The Christmas season officially began on Bridge Street with the Nov. 18 lighting of the city Christmas tree. Prior to the event, the Magic of Manatee chapter of the Sweet Adeline…
November 13, 2023
By Leslie Lake
County plans tree removal in Manatee Avenue medians

County plans tree removal in Manatee Avenue medians

BRADENTON – Eighteen trees that were installed in medians in 2006 on Manatee Avenue, using Bradenton Tree Funds, state grants and private donations, are slated for removal by Manatee County. Ingri…
November 13, 2023
By Leslie Lake
Birdie for the Birdies tournament to benefit Wildlife Inc.

Birdie for the Birdies tournament to benefit Wildlife Inc.

BRADENTON BEACH – 2023 has been a challenging year for Wildlife Education and Reha­bilitation Center Inc. and a local business is stepping up to help. With a record number of animals rehabilitated…
November 13, 2023
By Leslie Lake
Stone Crab Festival draws crowd to Cortez

Stone Crab Festival draws crowd to Cortez

CORTEZ – The stone crab harvest season was celebrated under sunny skies at the two-day 11th Annual Cortez Stone Crab and Music Festival. Held on Nov. 11-12 at the Swordfish Grill and Tiki Bar park…
November 13, 2023
By Leslie Lake
Candy cane-making tradition will be demonstrated at Fudge Factory

Candy cane-making tradition will be demonstrated at Fudge Factory

BRADENTON BEACH – A sweet holiday tradition that began with Peter Vriner’s grandfather in 1898 in Champaign, Illinois lives on in Bradenton Beach. Using his grandfather’s recipe and original equip…
November 13, 2023
By Leslie Lake
Christmas tree lighting to spark holiday season

Christmas tree lighting to spark holiday season

BRADENTON BEACH – The Christmas season will be sparked with the illumination of more than 20,000 lights on a 42’ Christmas tree on Saturday, Nov. 18. The Light Up Bridge Street family event from 5…
November 13, 2023
By Leslie Lake
P&Z board approves hotel project

P&Z board approves hotel project

BRADENTON BEACH – In the second Planning and Zoning Board public hearing on a proposed 106-room hotel project, the board today unanimously recommended that Bradenton Beach commissioners approve the p…