By Kathryn Stolarz HOLLYWOOD — Six new Fire Rescue recruits stood tall in uniform with their right hands raised. "Repeat after me," President Tony Sanchez Jr. said. The men said their oaths and walked into the start of an exciting new career. The Department of Fire Rescue held their Graduation, Badge and Promotional Ceremony

CHOKOLOSKEE — After missing three deadlines and twice being found in contempt of court, stubborn land developers Florida Georgia Grove LLC (FGG) have decided to comply with a September 2011 court order to restore and pave Mamie Street, the only road to historic Ted Smallwood’s Store and Museum for more

By Naji Tobias BIG CYPRESS — Just 5 seconds. That’s all it took for Big Cypress Council Rep. Mondo Tiger to Tase Seminole Police Chief William Latchford on March 6. Chief Latchford offered Councilman Tiger the opportunity to Tase him to help raise funds to send the Tribe’s 60 Explorers to Washington, D.C.

IMMOKALEE — Alligator wrestling is well known within the Seminole Tribe and beyond. However, the Tribe’s alligator wrestling beginnings aren’t. Immokalee Tribal members and employees got a chance to learn the history behind Seminole alligator wrestling through a co-hosted Seminole Moments held on March 7 in the Immokalee Senior Center. The

HOLLYWOOD — The Housing Department completed the first house in a new residential development last month on the Hollywood Reservation. It’s the first new development on the reservation since the Seminole Wind Courtyards was built in 1999. The new development is located on Osceola Circle East, and the first house belongs

By Travis R. Billie CLEWISTON — People from around the country attended a non-exclusive gathering to share their experiences, strength and hope. Hosted by Seminoles in Recovery, the fourth annual Native American Recovery Convention was held at the John B. Boy Auditorium in Clewiston from March 1-4. With speakers from different reservations, as

By Travis R. Billie HOLLYWOOD — Family Fun Day was held on March 10 at the ball field on the Hollywood Reservation. The event was sponsored by Hollywood Council Rep. Marcellus W. Osceola Jr. and Hollywood Board Rep. Chris Osceola. The day was hot but beautiful, with excited participants joining in games

By Judy Weeks BIG CYPRESS — Alice Billie is a throwback to another age – a walking, talking anachronism. From her hair twisted into a bun on top of her head to her long Seminole patchwork skirt, she appears to have walked out of a postcard from the early 1930s. Quite

By Peter B. Gallagher LAKELAND — Seminole Tribal elder Bobby Henry, known as The Rainmaker, celebrated his 75th birthday on Feb. 4. Family and friends joined the much revered medicine man for the festivities at the Tribe’s 900-acre Polk County property. Born in an Indian village near Ochopee on the Tamiami Trail,

By Chris C. Jenkins COCONUT CREEK — Seminole Casino Coconut Creek continued its rise in the South Florida casino scene with its grand reopening on Feb. 2, after undergoing a $150-million expansion. Tribal officials and guests opened the day with a Tribal procession, including a Seminole Stomp Dance and a live alligator.