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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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June 26, 2023
By Leslie Lake
Bradenton Beach officials discuss $4.3 million budget

Bradenton Beach officials discuss $4.3 million budget

BRADENTON BEACH – City commissioners and department heads met to hold the first of several discussions for the 2023-24 fiscal year budget. At the June 20 meeting, the proposed budget of $4,332,075…
June 12, 2023
By Leslie Lake
Avoid disturbing sea turtles, nests

Avoid disturbing sea turtles, nests

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – It’s been a good week for sea turtles as nest numbers continue to climb, according to Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring Executive Director Kristen Mazzarella…
June 12, 2023
By Leslie Lake
Environmental groups warn against releasing balloons

Environmental groups warn against releasing balloons

MANATEE COUNTY – What goes up must come down, but in the release of celebratory helium-filled balloons, it’s the coming down that creates problems. In addition to adding trash to the waters, defla…
June 5, 2023
By Leslie Lake
Loggerheads released after recovering from red tide

Loggerheads released after recovering from red tide

ANNA MARIA – In a cooperative effort between Mote Marine Laboratory and The Florida Aquarium, two loggerhead sea turtles were released at Bayfront Park on May 30 after months of care and rehabilitati…
June 5, 2023
By Leslie Lake
Permit parking only in effect

Permit parking only in effect

BRADENTON BEACH – As crews work their way down Gulf Drive South to complete the South Bradenton Beach Gravity System Relocation Project, temporary permit parking is now in effect to accommodate resid…
May 29, 2023
By Leslie Lake
Memorial Day, centennial celebrated

Memorial Day, centennial celebrated

ANNA MARIA – More than 500 people gathered Monday morning at City Pier Park for a Memorial Day remembrance of the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Navy veteran Carl Pearman…
May 22, 2023
By Leslie Lake

CRA discusses decorative trash bins

BRADENTON BEACH – A proposed plan to beautify trash can bins along Bridge Street may include a decorative representation of the landmark clocktower on the city pier. At a May 3 Bradenton Beach Com…
May 17, 2023
By Leslie Lake

CRA approves contract for holiday decorations

BRADENTON BEACH – The city’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) approved a $46,976 contract for this year’s holiday decorations. Bradenton Beach is in the third year of its five-year contract wi…
May 15, 2023
By Leslie Lake
Civil case in net camp dispute dismissed

Civil case in net camp dispute dismissed

CORTEZ – A civil suit filed in 2018 by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) against Raymond Guthrie, Jr. over his net camp building in Sarasota Bay has been dismissed. Net camp…
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…