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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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October 21, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Anna Maria Elementary celebrates Fall Festival

Anna Maria Elementary celebrates Fall Festival

The Anna Maria Elementary Fall Festival at The Center of Anna Maria Island on Saturday, Oct. 18 featured a costume parade, rides, games, food and a pumpkin patch. Last year’s event was canceled due t…
October 14, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Water quality tests in bay require further evaluation

Water quality tests in bay require further evaluation

PALMA SOLA BAY – The month-long pause in horseback riding in Palma Sola Bay and along its north­ern shoreline ended on Oct. 6 and the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP) has released the results of i…
October 14, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Bradenton Beach nominates Augello as interim city attorney

Bradenton Beach nominates Augello as interim city attorney

BRADENTON BEACH – Holmes Beach City Attorney Erica Augello will serve as the Bradenton Beach city attorney on an interim basis for up to six months or until a permanent replacement for retired City A…
October 14, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Suncoast Waterkeeper to sue for pollution of Sarasota Bay

Suncoast Waterkeeper to sue for pollution of Sarasota Bay

SARASOTA – Suncoast Waterkeeper filed a formal Notice of Intent to Sue U.S. Recycling Company on Oct. 3 for alleged ongoing violations of the federal Clean Water Act at its industrial facility locate…
October 14, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Stone crab harvesting begins this week

Stone crab harvesting begins this week

CORTEZ – The stone crab harvest begins on Oct. 15, when traps can legally be pulled from the water. Commercial crabbers handle the bulk of the annual harvest, but for those recreational fishers who…
October 9, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Trails, bridges being completed at FISH Preserve

Trails, bridges being completed at FISH Preserve

Trails and bridges to connect the east and west sides of the FISH (Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage) Preserve are nearing completion. Land­scape architect Allen Garner, who completed much of…
October 6, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Bradenton Beach commissioners seek city attorney

Bradenton Beach commissioners seek city attorney

BRADENTON BEACH – City officials are seeking an interim city attorney prior to choosing a perma­nent replacement for former City Attorney Ricinda Perry, who retired on Sept. 18. Commissioners discus…
October 6, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Turtle Watch Wednesday set for Oct. 22

Turtle Watch Wednesday set for Oct. 22

HOLMES BEACH – The Sixth Annual Suzi Fox Turtle Watch Wednesday fundraising event for Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring will be on Wednesday, Oct. 22 from 4-6 p.m. at Hurricane…
October 6, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Drift-In AMI to celebrate 100 years on Saturday

Drift-In AMI to celebrate 100 years on Saturday

BRADENTON BEACH – One year to the day that Anna Maria Island reopened for business after Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Drift-In AMI will be celebrating its 100-year anniversary on Saturday, Oct. 11…
September 30, 2025
By Leslie Lake
City approves structure as non-compliant use

City approves structure as non-compliant use

BRADENTON BEACH – Following discussions that spanned several city commission meetings, commissioners tentatively approved a separate but attached structure at 106 23rd St. N. as a non-compliant use a…
September 28, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Sea turtles break nesting record

Sea turtles break nesting record

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring is reporting a record number of sea turtle nests this year, beating 2019’s record of 543 by one nest. The crop of hatchlin…
September 23, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Bradenton Beach resident prepared after 2024 storms

Bradenton Beach resident prepared after 2024 storms

BRADENTON BEACH – Thirty two-year Gulf Drive resident Lynne Budzinski did not leave her home during the 2024 hurricanes, but this year she is well-prepared to do so if necessary. Budzinski, who has…
September 19, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Perry retires as Bradenton Beach city attorney

Perry retires as Bradenton Beach city attorney

BRADENTON BEACH – Ricinda Perry’s 21-year tenure as Bradenton Beach city attorney came to an end on Sept. 18 when she announced her immediate retirement at a city commission meeting. She made the an…
September 17, 2025
By Leslie Lake
BB Attorney Performance

Commissioners to give Perry more time to respond to allegations

BRADENTON BEACH – City Attorney Ricinda Perry maintained at a Sept. 16 work meeting that she was not provided proper notice or adequate time to prepare a response to allegations that she had named Dr…
September 16, 2025
By Leslie Lake
FDEP: Williams did not file complaint against AMOB

FDEP: Williams did not file complaint against AMOB

BRADENTON BEACH – After Drift-In bar owner Derek Williams was named by City Attorney Ricinda Perry as the source of a Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) violation complaint against…