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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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May 19, 2026
By Leslie Lake
Mike Alexander is now serving as the Bradenton Beach building official. - LinkedIn | Submitted

Bradenton Beach has a new building official

Mike Alexander is now serving as the Bradenton Beach building official.
May 19, 2026
By Leslie Lake

First loggerhead sea turtle nest of season found

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The first loggerhead sea turtle nest of the season has been located in Bradenton Beach by volunteers from the Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring organization…
May 19, 2026
By Leslie Lake

Coast Guard terminates charter voyage near Bradenton Beach

BRADENTON BEACH – On Thursday, May 7, a Coast Guard Station Cortez law enforcement crew terminated the activities of an illegal charter vessel that was acting as a bareboat charter with 11 passengers…
May 19, 2026
By Leslie Lake

Learn about sea turtles at weekly Turtle Talks

Sea turtle hatchlings face an uphill battle to reach adulthood with obstacles including disorientation, beach holes, predators and litter. 
May 12, 2026
By Leslie Lake

Commission chooses police department over sheriff’s office 

The Bradenton Beach City Commission decided to retain the Bradenton Beach Police Department and discontinue the discussions about the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office possibly serving as the city’s co…
May 12, 2026
By Leslie Lake

County and city to negotiate plan for Tingley Library support 

MANATEE COUNTY – On May 5, the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) unanimously directed county staff to negotiate a plan with the city of Bradenton Beach for county contributions to h…
May 11, 2026
By Leslie Lake

Black skimmer colony gathering in Bradenton Beach

BRADENTON BEACH – Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring volunteers have cordoned off an area in Bradenton Beach where more than 100 black skimmer seabirds have been gathering for th…
May 5, 2026
By Leslie Lake

Pines’ ownership group declines residents’ retention proposal 

BRADENTON BEACH – An April 10 proposal submitted by the Pines Trailer Park homeowners for the long-term retention of the mobile park was declined by the park’s ownership group.  The proposal, titl…
May 5, 2026
By Leslie Lake

Sea turtle nesting season begins

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The official May 1 start to sea turtle nesting season was celebrated at Coquina Beach Café in Bradenton Beach with educational materials and displays provided by Anna Maria Island…
April 24, 2026
By Leslie Lake

Bradenton Beach considers replacing police department with sheriff’s office

BRADENTON BEACH – Bradenton Beach police officers’ efforts to potentially unionize the department have morphed into serious consideration by the city commission to utilize law enforcement services pr…
April 22, 2026
By Leslie Lake

Bradenton Beach Police Department wants to unionize, Sun to livestream Thursday’s special meeting 

The Bradenton Beach City Commission will meet on Thursday to discuss unionizing the Bradenton Beach Police Department
April 21, 2026
By Leslie Lake

Bradenton Beach seeks in-house building official

The city of Bradenton Beach hopes to hire a full-time, in-house building inspector to replace the currently contracted building official.
April 21, 2026
By Leslie Lake

FDEP concludes beach rocks investigation

BRADENTON BEACH – Building Official Rob Perry told city commissioners the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) has completed its investigation pertaining to large beach rocks recentl…
April 21, 2026
By Leslie Lake

Manatee County might fund Tingley Library repairs 

Supporters of the Tingley Memorial Library received some hopeful news regarding potential financial assistance from Manatee County.
April 20, 2026
By Leslie Lake

Commission discusses potential Salt Bar & Table violations

Salt Bar & Table’s outdoor patio was among the unpermitted work and business activities discussed during the April 16 city commission meeting.