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Chief's Corner: Melanie Bevan , BPD

The Bradenton Police Department would like to recognize Captain Bill Knight, who retired last week after 22 years serving the citizens of Bradenton.

When we left off last week,  By 1954, English Willard Smith expanded his staff to include a store manager. Vaylord Tyler assumed the role, so English had more flexibility to explore different …

Old Florida growth rules thwarted development that would have made Idalia worse

Last month, when Hurricane Idalia clobbered the sparsely settled coast of Taylor County in Florida’s Big Bend region, it sent my memory spinning back nearly 20 years to the first time I visited …

Sunday Favorites: Sowing Seeds of Opportunity

In 1924, a visionary farmer from the heart of Georgia embarked on a journey that improved the small town of Palmetto. Armed with determination and a dream, he set his sights on more than just cultivating crops – he aimed to cultivate a community. This enterprising man wasn't content with merely sowing seeds in the soil; he was determined to plant the seeds of opportunity by providing hardworking people essentials, tools and resources to thrive.

Everything you could ever want to know about arguably the most celebrated baseball film of all time is offered by Erin Carlson in her new book – No Crying In Baseball: The Inside Story of A …

Mayor's Corner: Gene Brown

I have been fortunate recently to help two organizations with volunteer and day-of-service plans.

What if Every Interaction began with “May I”

Obviously, this is not the world we live in. The question requires that we use our imagination to visualize what that might look like, how it might feel? Imagine living in a world where permission …

Council Corner: Ward 4: Lisa Gonzalez Moore

Many of you already know that I love engagement and input from the residents of the City of Bradenton. One of the most common issues that I hear from folks about is our seemingly increasing …

When our kids were little, one of the things my wife and I taught them was the order in which they should carry out certain tasks ...

Sunday Favorites: Florida's Black Gold

On September 26, 1943, Humble Oil Company made history by drilling Florida's first oil well – Sunniland No. 1. This groundbreaking well burst onto the scene, initially pumping out 140 barrels of black gold daily. While the effort was eventually abandoned, it was the start of a controversial debate that still exists today - go for the gold, or preserve Florida's pristine landscape?

I remember it as if it was yesterday. April 24, 1973. I’m 13 years old, and I’m spending the day in the Bronx – at Yankee Stadium. I know. I should be spending the day in …

To see Jimmy Buffett’s best legacy, look at Florida’s manatees

The first time I encountered the Mayor of Margaritaville, he was playing a concert at my college back around the Cretaceous Period. Despite the passage of so much time, I will never forget the …

Will Commercial Real Estate Cause the Next Financial Crisis?

The banking industry is staring down the barrel of a potential black swan event. High commercial vacancy rates following post-COVID workplace shifts are being compounded by the drastic increases in …

To some, news is a four-letter word they don’t want to hear. However, it is this news that keeps our country great and allows our democracy to be the envy of the world. Yes, it is …

Sunday Favorites: The Day the Enslaved Challenged the System

It was the early 1800s and states were beginning to question the legality of owners coercing their enslaved workers to commit crimes. When a Florida man was instructed to shoot mules that had wandered onto his master's property, he challenged his prison sentence, embarking on a historic fight for justice.

Chief's Corner: 9/5/23

Our hearts are with our fellow Floridians who were impacted by Hurricane Idalia last week and are thankful that the storm was not a direct hit on our area. Still, there was some damage in the …

How one Florida city beat its stigma as a stinky town

This weekend my wife and I helped our older son pack up and move to Jacksonville. He’s starting a new job, occupying a new apartment, and driving a new (used) car.

Council Corner: Josh Cramer: Ward 4

Once again, our City was spared catastrophic property damage and death from a hurricane. I'm not going to mince words here. We were very lucky, and hurricane season isn’t nearly over yet. …

Sunday Favorites: One Scoop or Two?

This summer has been one of the hottest on record. Just imagine enduring this relentless heat without modern conveniences like air conditioning, ice, or even, ice cream! In 1914, folks in Manatee County got their first taste of frosty relief thanks to a visionary couple hailing from Vermont who cooled the community with a delicious, icy treat.

From the Editor's Desk

Hurricane Idalia has strengthened into a formidable storm. We are sending our Midweek Update early this week, in order to be able to share resources with our readers that may be of use during …

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