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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 8, 2023
By Leslie Lake
Cortezian breaks state record with backyard pumpkin

Cortezian breaks state record with backyard pumpkin

CORTEZ – What started out as a casual pastime for Cortez resident and backyard farmer Tim Caniff has turned into a serious statewide agriculture record. At 1,039 pounds, Caniff’s great pumpkin – g…
May 1, 2023
By Leslie Lake

Turtle Watch commemorates Suzi Fox Day

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – As turtle nesting season begins, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring (AMITW) declared May 1 as Suzi Fox Day to honor the legacy of its former executive directo…
April 24, 2023
By Leslie Lake
First turtle nest of season found early on AMI

First turtle nest of season found early on AMI

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Island sea turtles are getting off to an early start as the first nest of the season on the Gulf Coast of Florida has appeared on Anna Maria Island. “AMITW got a big surprise e…
April 17, 2023
By Leslie Lake
Turtle season begins under Mazzarella’s watch

Turtle season begins under Mazzarella’s watch

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – As Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring volunteers begin checking the beaches this week for early sea turtle nesting activity, its new executive director, Krist…
April 10, 2023
By Leslie Lake
Abandoned boat at Robinson Preserve

Abandoned boat at Robinson Preserve

BRADENTON – Adding to the many abandoned boats littering local waters is a cabin cruiser that has run aground at Robinson Preserve. A local resident who asked not to be identified contacted The Su…
April 3, 2023
By Leslie Lake
Piney Point well to begin operations

Piney Point well to begin operations

PALMETTO – Two years after an intentional discharge of contaminated water stored in ponds atop the Piney Point phosphogypsum stacks, Manatee County utilities crews will begin disposing of the remaini…
March 13, 2023
By Leslie Lake
Local crews keeping beaches clean

Local crews keeping beaches clean

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – After more than three weeks of west winds pushing red tide and subsequent dead fish toward local Gulf of Mexico beaches, an easterly wind shift on Thursday gave some beachgoers a…
February 14, 2023
By Leslie Lake
Onshore winds, strong currents stir up red tide on AMI

Onshore winds, strong currents stir up red tide on AMI

HOLMES BEACH – What a difference a few days and some strong winds can make. While red tide reports from several days earlier showed low concentrations of Karenia brevis, the organism that causes r…
January 17, 2023
By Leslie Lake
Suzi Fox honored at celebration of life

Suzi Fox honored at celebration of life

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – At the celebration of Suzi Fox’s life, local dignitaries, family and friends painted a picture of a dedicated advocate for Island turtles, a fun-loving and funny friend, a…
December 28, 2022
By Leslie Lake
Honoring Dr. Mary Fulford Green

Honoring Dr. Mary Fulford Green

CORTEZ — Imagine a Cortez village where the fishing bungalows and working fish houses have been replaced by high-rise condos and a 140-year history is left unrecorded. Dr. Mary Fulford Green, a l…
December 20, 2022
By Leslie Lake
Mullet season in full swing

Mullet season in full swing

CORTEZ – It might not be for joy, but the mullet are definitely jumping. Spawning season and cast net-wielding fishermen anxious to make some Christmas money are a formula for a busy mulle…
December 12, 2022
By Leslie Lake
Environmental groups push to return manatees to endangered status

Environmental groups push to return manatees to endangered status

Since the 2017 downlisting of manatees from endangered to threatened status – and with a record number of deaths of the marine mammals – a push is underway to seek restoration of the manatee’…
November 30, 2022
By Leslie Lake
Please, don’t feed shorebirds

Please, don’t feed shorebirds

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Humans disturbing birds is one of the key hazards to threatened shorebird and seabird populations, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Flori…
November 30, 2022
By Leslie Lake

Ambrose prepares to open new market

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Followers of the “Where is the Market?” Facebook page are anxiously awaiting what appears to be an imminent announcement of a new venue. “I will be thankful at Thanksgi…
November 24, 2022
By Leslie Lake

Red tide affects Manatee County waters

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The Florida Department of Health in Manatee County has issued an alert for the presence of red tide in local waters. Based on samples taken Nov. 7, a red tide bloom in…