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Officially he was “D. Robert Graham,” but nearly everyone called him “Bob.” The former governor and U.S. senator from Miami Lakes died last week at 87. …

Sunday Favorites: The Battle at Dade

As the sun rose over the Florida wilderness in the winter of 1835, tensions simmered beneath the surface, foretelling a clash that would echo through the annals of American history. The stage was set for the tragic saga of the Dade Massacre, a pivotal event in the tumultuous narrative of the Second Seminole War. But to truly grasp the significance of that fateful day, we must journey back through the years, tracing the intricate web of events that culminated in one of the bloodiest conflicts on Florida soil.

Earth Day is coming up next Monday, which will probably elicit a fervent “meh” from a lot of people. These days, Earth Day seems more like a marketing gimmick than a holiday, not unlike …

Sunday Favorites: Where and What was Pine Level?

Back when Manatee County was first formed, it was much larger than it is today. Early settlers in eastern Manatee, many living in the Peace River region were not happy that Manatee Village was identified as the county seat. They wanted a more centralized location, but where could it be?

Every year in the spring, there’s an event called  Hands Across the Sand,  where people gather on Florida’s beaches to show their opposition to offshore oil drilling. This year, …

Dear Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd, I am writing to you about some ideas I had for one of your museums. As you know, Tallahassee is home to more than just the Florida State Capitol …

The Death of the Downtown We Knew and Loved?

When I was a Walker Jr High student, the Bradenton Herald printed the question, “What can be done to improve downtown Bradenton?” Not many readers had answers. One that I recall was …

Sunday Favorites: Pink Perfection

In the vast Atwood Grove in present-day Ellenton, during a chilly winter, something peculiar caught the eye. Among the sea of green, there was a branch unlike the rest. Its fruit looked like something out of a Dr. Seuss book with pink spots dotting its usual yellow skin. This was the humble beginning of our beloved pink grapefruit, and it all happened right here in Manatee County.

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ authoritarian approach to governing is losing relevance with Floridians, and the tide seems to be turning in Florida. A year ago, we saw bill after bill restricting our …

Friday marks World Water Day. I feel bad about this, but I just know I’m going to be late sending out Water Day cards this year. But we can still go caroling door-to-door. I figure …

In the heart of Manatee County, nestled among the lush fields and whispering palms, the Reasoner family planted their roots—a legacy that would flourish for over a century. Like a beacon of tradition, their nursery in Oneco not only bloomed with vibrant flora but also sowed the seeds of community history. With each passing year, the Reasoner name became synonymous with dedication, resilience, and the very essence of Oneco itself.

On Sunday, the Oscars honored the year’s best film performances, best direction, best picture, and, as a bonus, the best shade thrown. My pick for the latter would be host Jimmy Kimmel’s …

Bradenton's Commitment to Infrastructure Improvement

The City of Bradenton is tackling its aged infrastructure head-on. As the current mayor and city council, we’ve allocated significant resources for long-term planning, engineering, and …

Chief's Corner: Beware of Government Imposter Scams

BPD continues to warn Bradenton citizens about popular, recurring scams that often target elderly citizens. Scammers use multiple tactics, but the goal is always to con victims into providing bank …

As a father of two daughters, I look at photographs of Laken Riley and her family and I feel grief. I feel anger. It’s hard to imagine losing a child like that, the victim in what appears to be …

International Women's Day

Imagine a world where every young girl looks in the mirror and sees not just her reflection, but her undeniable potential. Unfortunately, for too many girls, this is far from their reality. A …

Florida may be the only state where the economy depends on the willing suspension of disbelief. I’m not just talking about the thousands of tourists drawn here by the theme park fantasy …

Video: Community Survey and Former Administrator's Legal Battle

In this episode, Cheri Coryea, Misty Servia, and Reggie Bellamy discuss critical topics that you won't want to miss.

The other day, because I was in a hurry, I swung through a McDonald’s drive-through and ordered one of their burgers. You know, the ones that seem less like cooked meat and more like a warm …

Chief's Corner: Chief Tim Geer, BFD

February is American Heart Month. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency procedure that can be performed by anyone when a person's heart stops beating (cardiac arrest), they have stopped …

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