2025 grads return to Pemayetv Emahakv Education Top Story by Beverly Bidney - June 9, 2025June 9, 2025 From left to right, Preslynn Baker, Merlelaysia Billie, Willo James, Neela Jones and Lason Baker enjoy their return to PECS. (Beverly Bidney) BRIGHTON — Pemayetv Emahakv Charter School welcomed back 15 alumni for the school’s annual grad walk May 22. The former students returned to their K-8 alma mater as high
PECS students learn status of local wildlife Education by Beverly Bidney - June 9, 2025June 9, 2025 Brighton Community Culture advisor Johnnie Jones talks to PECS students May 16 about the importance of respecting wildlife and growing up Seminole during the wildlife workshop presented by the Conservation and Environmental Resources departments. (Beverly Bidney) BRIGHTON — Students may have been aware of the many species of wildlife on the
Ahfachkee celebrates 2025 graduates Education Top Story by Beverly Bidney - June 9, 2025June 9, 2025 The Ahfachkee School class of 2025 celebrates after receiving diplomas May 21. From left to right are Xzavion Tommie, Sarah Robbins, Ian Hernandez-Osceola, Gilbert Guerrero, Aaliyah Billie and Jody Cabral. (Beverly Bidney) BIG CYPRESS — Six Ahfachkee School seniors crossed a threshold in their lives when they walked down the aisle
Tribe partners with FGCU Water School Community News by Beverly Bidney - June 9, 2025June 9, 2025 Brian Bovard, left, and Greg Tolley. (Courtesy photo) The Seminole Tribe of Florida’s Tribal Council recently approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with The Water School at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers to work together on projects related to water and the environment on the reservations. “The MOU was
Apolonia Nunez qualifies to be Florida General Contractor Community News Top Story by Beverly Bidney - June 9, 2025June 9, 2025 Apolonia Nunez and her father, David Nunez, attend a groundbreaking for a playground in Okeechobee in 2018. (Courtesy photo) Apolonia Nunez is about to become a rare young woman in the field of General Contractors in Florida. She passed the state exams in April and is about to receive her license.
‘Beautiful and Proud’ Miss Florida Seminole exhibit opens at Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum News Top News Top Story by Beverly Bidney - June 9, 2025June 9, 2025 A large montage featuring Miss Florida Seminoles greets visitors as they enter the new 'Beautiful and Proud' exhibit that opened May 28 at the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum. (Kevin Johnson) BIG CYPRESS — Since the Seminole Tribe of Florida was recognized by the U.S. government in 1957, the matriarchal tribe has celebrated its
Animal incidents mar May in SWFL News Top News Top Story by Beverly Bidney - June 9, 2025June 9, 2025 Florida panther. (Courtesy photo) May was a tough month for panther, bear and human encounters in Southwest Florida. By May 6, four panthers, one man, a dog and three bears were killed during those confrontations. PanthersAccording to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation’s (FWC) Panther Pulse database, vehicle collisions were responsible
Brighton students build chickee over spring break Community Education by Beverly Bidney - May 6, 2025May 6, 2025 Culture staff, adult helpers and students pose by the new chickee they built in front of the Brighton Cultural Center Complex in March. (Courtesy photo) A group of Brighton students made good use of their time during spring break March 17-21 by helping to build a chickee at the Brighton Cultural
Brighton hosts Earth Day event Community Education by Beverly Bidney - May 6, 2025May 6, 2025 PECS kindergarten students look in the trees for signs of birds or their nests during Brighton’s Earth Day event April 22. (Beverly Bidney) BRIGHTON — The Environmental Protection Office (EPO) honored the planet April 22 with an Earth Day event that included information on what individuals can do to protect the
Thousands attend Gathering of Nations, Miss Indian World Community News Top News Top Story by Beverly Bidney - May 2, 2025May 2, 2025 Former Miss Florida Seminole Thomlynn Billie, third from left, and current Miss Florida Seminole CeCe Thomas, third from right, participate in the Miss Indian World pageant at Gathering of Nations on April 24 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. (Beverly Bidney) ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The 42nd annual Gathering of Nations attracted thousands of