Kids build better world at Immokalee library Education by Beverly Bidney - June 30, 2017June 29, 2017 IMMOKALEE – Three high-rise cities were built in Immokalee the week of June 5 as kids learned about architecture and city planning and put their knowledge to use at the Diane Yzaguirre Memorial Library. Three teams of young developers transformed cardboard boxes with scissors, markers and crayons into towering cities with all
Graduation celebrated at Ahfachkee, Moore Haven Education by Beverly Bidney - June 30, 2017July 31, 2017 About 60 Tribal students earned their high school diplomas or GEDs recently, as family and friends celebrated their accomplishments at graduation ceremonies. Ahfachkee graduates GraySun Billie and Nashoba Gonzalez and GED graduate Michelle Jimmie Garcia wore caps and gowns decorated with patchwork and beadwork as they walked down the aisle May
4-H wraps up year with banquet Community Top Story by Beverly Bidney - June 30, 2017June 28, 2017 BIG CYPRESS — The annual Seminole Indian 4-H banquet celebrates the accomplishments of its youth and livestock owners, but this year, the May 23 banquet in Big Cypress also served as a farewell to longtime 4-H coordinator Polly Hayes. For 21 years, Hayes nurtured, mentored and taught scores of 4-H kids
School year ends with activities galore at PECS Education by Beverly Bidney - June 30, 2017June 29, 2017 BRIGHTON —The last day of school June 2 was an eventful one at the Pemayetv Emahakv Charter School (PECS). It began with more than 400 students, faculty and staff posing for a photo on an open field and ended with the proud class of eighth graders receiving cheers from the student body
African village appreciates Pemayetv Emahakv Charter School contributions Education Top Story by Beverly Bidney - June 1, 2017 BRIGHTON — The $500 award Pemayetv Emahakv Charter School students earned in the state’s “Literacy Changes Our World” contest in January paid off for the school, but more so for the beneficiaries of the students’ project, a small library in Africa. Here’s a brief refresher on the winning service project: The
Cooling off in Immokalee Education by Beverly Bidney - June 1, 2017 Immokalee Preschool celebrated the Week of the Young Child on April 26 with a make your own sundae party. Children chose their toppings to customize the sundaes, which were gobbled down with gusto. At right, Alayna Rodriguez believes the spoon is optional as she enjoys her sundae. Below left, surrounded
Brighton meets the Pathways Fitbit challenge Community by Beverly Bidney - May 31, 2017June 1, 2017 BRIGHTON — Participants in the six-week Seminole Pathways Fitbit Challenge celebrated their weight loss success and fitness accomplishments at the end of the program in May. In Brighton, a healthy lunch was shared May 4 along with stories about what the program meant to some of the 34 people who tracked
Multiple departments tackle issues during busy fire season News by Beverly Bidney - May 31, 2017June 5, 2017 BIG CYPRESS — Since Florida’s severe drought is expected to worsen, the Wildland and Forestry Department led a planning meeting April 26 with other Tribal departments to put a plan in place for the already active fire season. “Once the el Nino ended, the faucet turned off,” said Grant Steelman, Forester/Fire
Egmont Key named endangered historic site News Top Story by Beverly Bidney - May 31, 2017June 1, 2017 Egmont Key, the island where captured Seminoles were warehoused before being sent to Oklahoma during the Seminole Wars in the mid-1800s, was deemed by the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation as one of the state’s 11 most endangered historical sites. The designation came May 18 at the Florida Preservation Conference
SPD Sgt. Thomas Faherty retires after 25 years Community by Beverly Bidney - May 31, 2017June 1, 2017 IMMOKALEE — Sergeant Thomas “LT” Faherty’s retirement April 27 made him the first Seminole Police Department officer to retire after 25 years on the force. During a celebratory party May 9 in Immokalee, surrounded by colleagues, seniors and friends he made during his career, Faherty bid farewell and welcomed retirement. “I knew