February was an exciting month in The Friendly City, as we welcomed over 100,000 visitors for the 10th Annual Bradenton Area River Regatta! The two-day event featured a dazzling drone and fireworks …
Al Capone, the infamous Chicago gangster, extended his criminal empire into Florida during the Prohibition era, engaging in bootlegging operations and investing in various establishments, including rumored ownership of the Jungle Prada nightclub in St. Petersburg. Here's the story.
As climate-fueled disasters escalate, insurers are getting richer while leaving Americans in the lurch. Citing climate-related losses, many insurance companies are …
Dear Elon Musk, Hi! We’ve never met, but I feel like we have some things in common. A college dean once dubbed me “the most destructive force on campus,” and you’re …
The Tamiami Trail, built between 1915 and 1928, connected Tampa to Miami by cutting through the dense undergrowth, a feat made possible in part by an African-American man from Palmetto, Fla., who invented a machine to clear the impenetrable saw palmettos obstructing the route. His innovation accelerated construction, paving the way for Florida’s economic growth.
I thought I’d take a break from my Florida gangster series to review something just as wild—nature’s latest heist. A recent hurricane reopened Midnight Pass, undoing decades of debate in a single storm. So, I grabbed my paddleboard and checked it out. Here’s my honest review.
Tens of thousands of our Manatee County neighbors go hungry every day. By one estimate, as many as 12% of the county’s 440,000 residents regularly struggle with “food insecurity” …
In 2009, The New Yorker ran a deeply reported story on Florida and its economy that was headlined “The Ponzi State.” The state’s economy depends almost entirely on …
The grand opening of a state-of-the-art training center for the Bradenton Police Department and Manatee Technical College Law Enforcement Academy is February 25. Thanks to seamless collaboration …
The California wildfires recently left many in our city wondering if the same could happen in Bradenton. Wildfires can occur in forests, grasslands, and rangelands with very dry vegetation. When …
While Al Capone’s name splashed across national headlines and Pretty Boy Floyd carved a bloody path through the Midwest, a different breed of outlaws was writing its infamous chapter deep in the heart of Central Florida. Among the citrus groves of Sumter County, Alva Dewey Hunt, and Hugh Archer Gant committed a crime wave that rivaled their infamous northern counterparts.
Judge Thomas Gallen was one of the first people I met when I came to work for The Bradenton Times in 2010. Gallen may have been small in stature, but he was a giant of a man. The judge passed away …
This weekend I was driving through Central Florida on U.S. 301, so I just HAD to stop at the Orange Shop in Citra. It was as if my car was pulled into their parking lot by one of those giant magnets …
A lot of us longtime Floridians commemorate big events with special T-shirts. Looking back through the collection in our closet is like having a photo album made of 100% cotton. Tom Petty Concert …
In 1935, the infamous Ma Barker Gang met its violent end in Ocklawaha, Florida. After an intense FBI siege, Kate "Ma" Barker and her son Fred were killed in a hail of bullets. The dramatic shootout cemented their legacy as ruthless criminals and marked the downfall of one of America’s most notorious gangs.
Thanks to HME Ahrens-Fox, this February, two new mini pumpers will be added to BFD’s Stations #2 and #3. These new mini pumpers replace outdated fire engines, have 300-gallon tank capacities, …
As we begin the new year, we’re all relieved to leave behind the storms of 2024 and the challenges they brought. However, our work continues as we address and resolve their lingering effects. …
Florida is such an exciting place to live. Alligators lurk in any body of water that’s bigger than a puddle . In cold weather, iguanas fall from the trees like autumn leaves. We’ve got …
Beneath Ybor City’s brick streets lies a secret: a web of underground tunnels shrouded in mystery. Were they used by bootleggers during Prohibition, Tampa’s mafia for smuggling, or something else entirely? Let’s dig into the history and legends of this fascinating underworld.
For over 35 years, my family and friends have gathered at a beloved private campground, creating memories that span generations. Now, a new generation of kids is exploring, discovering, and building their own stories. Recently, they stumbled upon an old schoolhouse tucked away in the woods—a forgotten treasure once used to teach children about nature.