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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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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…
July 11, 2023
By Leslie Lake
Water main back in service

Water main back in service

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The water main that broke on the Manatee Avenue Bridge on June 19 is back in service, Manatee County officials say. As work ensued on the broken pipe, another pipe continued to…
July 11, 2023
By Leslie Lake
Holiday beachgoers disturb turtle nests

Holiday beachgoers disturb turtle nests

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring volunteers discovered that multiple sea turtle nests were disturbed over the Fourth of July holiday weekend. “I don’t th…
July 3, 2023
By Leslie Lake
Loggerhead sea turtle ‘Suzi’ released into race

Loggerhead sea turtle ‘Suzi’ released into race

BRADENTON BEACH – As hundreds of delighted onlookers gathered to see a publicized turtle release at Coquina Beach, loggerhead sea turtle “Suzi” made a grand entrance from the sand to the water. Sh…
June 26, 2023
By Leslie Lake
Department of Health issues a no-swim advisory for causeway beach

Department of Health issues a no-swim advisory for causeway beach

BRADENTON – Florida Department of Health in Manatee County (DOH-Manatee) has issued a no-swim advisory for the beach on the south side of the Palma Sola Causeway along Manatee Avenue. “A no-swim a…
June 26, 2023
By Leslie Lake
Piney Point contamination extends to Tarpon Springs

Piney Point contamination extends to Tarpon Springs

PALMETTO – A recent study shows the contaminated water from the 2021 Piney Point spill, which contributed to algae blooms and red tide in Tampa Bay waterways, traveled farther than originally thought…
June 26, 2023
By Leslie Lake
Fireworks pose danger to wildlife

Fireworks pose danger to wildlife

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – While it’s common knowledge that house pets are easily spooked by fireworks, local animal advocates remind people about the disruption to wildlife from loud and light-filled Fourt…