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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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September 12, 2023
By Leslie Lake

Oil spill investigation, cleanup continues at SeaPort Manatee

PALMETTO – The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) continues to investigate the source of an Aug. 31 oil spill at SeaPort Manatee. As of Sept. 8, the Coast Guard reported about 19,000 gallons of an oil/water mi…
September 4, 2023
By Leslie Lake
Water main repair on bridge postponed

Water main repair on bridge postponed

MANATEE COUNTY – Due to delays in receiving materials, work to repair and relocate a water main along the Anna Maria Island Bridge on Manatee Avenue is being postponed until late September or October…
September 4, 2023
By Leslie Lake
Cortez cleans up minor damage after Hurricane Idalia

Cortez fishing village inundated by Hurricane Idalia

CORTEZ – As residents and business owners cleaned up on Thursday morning following the storm surge from Hurricane Idalia that flooded local roads, the recurring consensus was: “We got lucky.”…
September 1, 2023
By Leslie Lake
Oil spill at SeaPort Manatee under investigation

Oil spill at SeaPort Manatee under investigation

MANATEE COUNTY – The U.S. Coast Guard is investigating the source of an oil spill at SeaPort Manatee on Aug. 31. SeaPort Manatee is a Manatee County-owned port located on Tampa Bay in northern Man…
September 1, 2023
By Leslie Lake
Water main repairs to resume Sept. 6

Water main repairs to resume Sept. 6

HOLMES BEACH – As work resumes to repair and relocate a water main on the Anna Maria Island Bridge, lane closures and periods of one-way traffic will begin on Sept. 6. Daily lane closures can be exp…
August 28, 2023
By Leslie Lake
Bradenton Beach declares state of emergency

Bradenton Beach declares state of emergency

BRADENTON BEACH – In advance of Tropical Storm Idalia, which is forecast to potentially make landfall as a major hurricane on Florida’s west coast, city commissioners voted unanimously on Aug. 28 to…
August 23, 2023
By Leslie Lake
Commissioners shrink wetland buffers

Commissioners shrink wetland buffers

BRADENTON – After a lengthy and contentious land use meeting in which environmentalists, scientists and citizens spoke against a comprehensive plan amendment that would diminish county wetland regula…
August 22, 2023
By Leslie Lake
AMI natives lend helping hands in Maui fires

AMI natives lend helping hands in Maui fires

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Several former Island residents are lending assistance to the fire-stricken areas in Maui, Hawaii. Fires broke out there on Aug. 8, killing more than 100 people, with many more m…
August 22, 2023
By Leslie Lake
CRA votes to discontinue tram funding

CRA votes to discontinue tram funding

BRADENTON BEACH – The Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) board voted unanimously to discontinue funding the Old Town Tram at an Aug. 15 budget meeting. The potential defunding of the tram comes on…
August 8, 2023
By Leslie Lake
Palma Sola Bay impacted by several sources

Palma Sola Bay impacted by several sources

BRADENTON – Horses are not the only source of bacteria and seagrass damage in Palma Sola Bay, an expert told the Bradenton City Council. In a July 26 water quality presentation, Dr. Dave Tomasko, ex…
August 8, 2023
By Leslie Lake
Beach Market scheduled to open in October

Beach Market scheduled to open in October

COQUINA BEACH – Nearly a year after the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau took over the management of the Coquina Beach Market from the previous market director, a new manager and opening…
July 31, 2023
By Leslie Lake
Hazards impede turtle hatchlings

Hazards impede turtle hatchlings

HOLMES BEACH – Four turtle hatchlings that had fallen into a hole on the beach were found by Holmes Beach Code Enforcement staff on the morning of July 16. While entrapped, the turtles were using up…
July 31, 2023
By Leslie Lake
Dredging project underway on Greer Island

Dredging project underway on Greer Island

LONGBOAT KEY – A portion of the Greer Island beach will be closed through the beginning of September as a dredging project continues. According to the Town of Longboat Key’s Public Works Department…
July 18, 2023
By Leslie Lake
Turtle nests run over on AMI beaches

Turtle nests run over on AMI beaches

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – On a daily patrol last week, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring volunteers were shocked and saddened to find multiple turtle nests that had been trampled on a…
July 17, 2023
By Leslie Lake
FWC cites three for alleged poaching

FWC cites three for alleged poaching

LONGBOAT KEY – The vigilance of three local charter captains has resulted in multiple citations against three men for the alleged poaching of marine life in local waters. Capt. Joey Sweet, of Sweet…