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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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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…
November 1, 2022
By Leslie Lake
FWC warns boaters to watch out for manatees

FWC warns boaters to watch out for manatees

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Manatees are on the move this time of year, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is reminding boaters to keep an eye out for the slow-moving mar…
November 1, 2022
By Leslie Lake
Cortez Village Historical Society seeks board members

Cortez Village Historical Society seeks board members

CORTEZ – The Cortez Village Historical Society (CVHS) is putting out a call for new board members interested in helping preserve the rich history of the commercial fishing village. The gro…
October 25, 2022
By Leslie Lake
Sea Hagg to be sold at auction

Sea Hagg to be sold at auction

CORTEZ – After 25 years in business, the Sea Hagg, 12304 Cortez Road W., is being sold and an online auction of some 1,000 nautical, decorative and architectural items is underway. “This…
October 25, 2022
By Leslie Lake
Erosion expected to resolve naturally

Erosion expected to resolve naturally

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – While the Island missed a direct hit from Hurricane Ian, the effects of the Sept. 28 storm included beach erosion, primarily on the north end of the Island. The good ne…
October 25, 2022
By Leslie Lake
Red tide numbers high south of Manatee County

Red tide numbers high south of Manatee County

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – While the waters off Manatee County show only background concentrations of Karenia brevis, the bacteria that causes red tide, some areas to the south are experiencing high…
October 18, 2022
By Leslie Lake

Coquina Beach Market opening delayed

BRADENTON BEACH – The Coquina Beach Market has hit a hurricane-sized snag and its projected Nov. 1 opening will be delayed, according to Manatee County officials. “As crews have been deplo…
October 10, 2022
By Leslie Lake

Local fishermen help those devastated by Ian

CORTEZ – The local commercial fishing community has mobilized to help their southern counterparts following the devastation from Hurricane Ian. The Organized Fisherman of Florida (OFF) Cortez chap…
October 10, 2022
By Leslie Lake
Wildlife Inc. cares for animals during, after hurricane

Wildlife Inc. cares for animals during, after hurricane

BRADENTON BEACH – With crates full of hungry adult and baby rescue animals at Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Inc., it was business as usual following Hurricane Ian, despite the power outages…
October 2, 2022
By Leslie Lake
Turtle Watch director Suzi Fox dies

Turtle Watch director Suzi Fox dies

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Suzi Fox, a longtime former Island resident and executive director of Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring, died last week at HCA Florida Blake Hospital…
September 20, 2022
By Leslie Lake
Turtle hatchlings break record on AMI

Turtle hatchlings break record on AMI

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Sea turtle hatchlings have broken the Anna Maria Island record set by the 2018 crop of local loggerheads, with 35,850 hatchlings so far this year. The number, recorded…
September 20, 2022
By Leslie Lake

County, vendors face off on takeover of beach market

BRADENTON BEACH – Manatee County commissioners debated the county’s takeover of the Coquina Beach Market last week as vendors defended ousted organizer Nancy Ambrose. The beach market saga…
September 13, 2022
By Leslie Lake
Bowlers roll to raise funds for Center

Bowlers roll to raise funds for Center

ANNA MARIA – Several hundred people gathered Saturday night with a common goal in mind – to support The Center of Anna Maria Island. All 64 lanes of the Bowlero Bradenton bowling alley were sold o…