A conversation with John Fontana, president of Hard Rock Tampa Community by Peter B. Gallagher - April 1, 2014April 9, 2015 TAMPA — John Fontana, president of Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa, oversees the day-to-day operations of the world’s sixth-largest casino and a 12-story, 246-room hotel. With more than 3,300 team members, the fifth-largest employer in the Tampa Bay area had a $592 million economic impact on the region
Hunter Osceola helps American Heritage win state basketball title Sports by Peter B. Gallagher - April 1, 2014April 8, 2015 LAKELAND — This time they weren’t going to lose. "No way," said American Heritage starting point guard Hunter Osceola, referring to the Florida High School Activities Association (FHSAA) Class 5A state basketball championship that had eluded the Patriots two years in a row. "Not again. It could never happen. No way." And
Redbay trees are dying Community by Peter B. Gallagher - February 25, 2014April 9, 2015 BRIGHTON — In the past decade, all over the Southeastern United States, millions of the familiar crooked, multi-stem redbay trees have already died or are in the throes of their last days. All along the lower coastal plains and swampy areas of South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Texas, Louisiana and
Executives report growth at Hard Rock conference Community by Peter B. Gallagher - February 25, 2014April 9, 2015 ORLANDO — More than 700 Hard Rock employees worldwide gathered Jan. 21-23 at the world’s largest Hard Rock Cafe for the company’s annual Global Conference. The three-day event at Universal CityWalk in Orlando was a veritable pep rally honoring an over-the-top 2013 business performance for Hard Rock, one of the most
Justin Motlow: First Seminole to play for FSU Sports by Peter B. Gallagher - February 25, 2014April 8, 2015 TAMPA — For the past three years, he was one of the country’s top high school wide receivers and punters. Now, standout Tampa Catholic football star Justin Motlow has accepted a preferred walk-on spot with the defending national champion Florida State University football team, making him the first Seminole Tribal
Smallwood Store dispute may go back to trial Community by Peter B. Gallagher - January 29, 2014April 9, 2015 NAPLES — The three-year fight between historic Ted Smallwood’s Store and land development company Florida-Georgia Grove LLP (FGG) may be heading back to court. By a 3-2 vote, the Collier County Board of Commissioners refused to “disclaim, renounce or vacate” Mamie Street, the county’s oldest road and the only access to
Seminoles cheer Schimmel sisters Sports by Peter B. Gallagher - January 28, 2014April 8, 2015 TAMPA — Nearly 200 Seminole Tribal members of all ages and from all across Florida, showed up at the University of South Florida (USF) gymnasium Jan. 12 to cheer on the fifth-ranked Louisville Cardinals, as they held off the USF Bulls, 62-54, in an NCAA Division 1 women’s basketball game. Actually,
Emateloye Estenletkvte: Polly Parker got away Community by Peter B. Gallagher - December 17, 2013April 9, 2015 GULF OF MEXICO, Fla. — A thick fog began to steal the faraway horizon from the moment Capt. Mark Hubbard aimed his double-decker catamaran Dec. 1 to the open Gulf through the opening of the John’s Pass Bridge. For more than 12 hours, the miasma crept closer to the boat, registered
American Heritage wins state title Sports by Peter B. Gallagher - December 17, 2013April 13, 2015 ORLANDO — Andre Jumper admits he was surprised at the Citrus Bowl Dec. 13. “I knew we were going to win. We worked really hard to get to this game,” said the American Heritage School defensive end, after he and his teammates pulverized shell-shocked Clay High School, 66-8, in the 5A
Justin Campos: precious life, untimely death Community by Peter B. Gallagher - October 24, 2013April 9, 2015 IMMOKALEE — Photographs flashed, one after the other, on a slideshow screen high above the open casket of a young Seminole man lying in repose, ball cap crooked on his forehead. As family and friends watched, it was difficult for them to believe that 28-year-old Justin Campos had been declared