Profit reigns at annual shareholders meeting Community by Eileen Soler - January 26, 2016 HOLLYWOOD — The annual Seminole Tribe of Florida, Inc.’s shareholders meeting Jan. 9 welcomed several newcomers to Board offices, reported good news overall for 2015 and predicted profits for 2016 through continued business diversification. But before talk about dollars and cents commenced, the Cowbone Band ushered more than 250 Tribal citizens
Hendry County allows delay on FPL plant decision Community by Eileen Soler - January 26, 2016 CLEWISTON — Hendry County’s Board of County Commissioners agreed Jan. 12 to postpone the last public hearings of three Florida Power & Light amendment proposals from the commission’s Feb. 9 meeting. Submitted by FPL, the amendments could change the county’s comprehensive land plan and allow the energy monopoly to build one
NLC moves into future with facility upgrades Community by Eileen Soler - January 26, 2016 HOLLYWOOD — When Tribal citizens attend the first homeownership training classes of the New Year on Feb. 24-25 at Native Learning Center (NLC) in Hollywood, they might believe that the center has a new home of its own. The two-level facility, supported by the Tribe and the U.S. Department of Housing
Fishing reels in old memories, future fun for Brighton seniors Community by Eileen Soler - January 26, 2016 BRIGHTON — Fish began to bite almost immediately for seniors on a chilly January night at the Harney Pond Canal lock near Brighton. Five hours later, 70 black crappies and a handful of catfish and bass filled a cooler. "It’s good eating," said Willie Johns, smiling as his first catch wiggled and
Rez Rally tackles diabetes, everybody wins Health by Eileen Soler - January 26, 2016 BIG CYPRESS — Good-hearted competition set the stage for the Tribe’s 16th annual diabetes awareness Rez Rally hosted at Big Cypress Reservation. "I’m going to win," said Dantae Russel, 12, of Immokalee, just before the start of the reservation vs. reservation Jan. 16 contest. "No, me," laughed Caleb Billie, 12, of Big
Ahfachkee kids till land, dig into roots Education by Eileen Soler - January 26, 2016 BIG CYPRESS — Students from Ahfachkee School culture classes are digging so deep into their roots that they can almost taste it – almost. On a recent Wednesday afternoon inside the perimeter of a Seminole camp at Billie Swamp Safari, ninth-grader Zoey Puente tilled lines of edible aloe plants while classmates
And the Pemayetv Emahakv awards go to . . . Education by Eileen Soler - January 26, 2016 BRIGHTON — Pemayetv Emahakv Charter School students by the dozens were honored Jan. 15 during the school’s nine weeks awards ceremony. Honorees received certificates for excellence in effort, citizenship, improvement, grade averages and culture categories.
Brighton casino marks milestone birthday Community by Eileen Soler - December 30, 2015December 30, 2015 BRIGHTON — Thirty-five years ago Josiah Johns took a gamble when he added bingo tables to the combined hardware store and beauty parlor he owned and managed out of a modest red barn on Brighton Reservation. "At the same time, high stakes bingo was already popular at Classic Casino in Hollywood
Billie Swamp growth spurt includes baby critters, views Community by Eileen Soler - December 30, 2015December 30, 2015 BIG CYPRESS — Immersion into a world of wildlife beckons visitors at Billie Swamp Safari. From the minute guests arrive at the tourist destination they are greeted by a cacophony of squawks, grunts, tweets and tribbles that welcome them to pop over and peek into animal pens that surround the parking
Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki reception to celebrate historic exhibit Community by Eileen Soler - December 30, 2015December 30, 2015 BIG CYPRESS — A public reception for what is deemed a landmark exhibit at the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum in Big Cypress is planned for mid-January. High-ranking officials in fields of anthropology, history, government and education are expected to attend. "It is probably our most ambitious installation to date," said Museum Director and