Tribal Court priorities include new efforts Community News by Damon Scott - August 5, 2021August 5, 2021 HOLLYWOOD — Seminole Tribal Court was affected by the pandemic like other branches of government. The system kept operating, but some meetings and hearings shifted online and others were postponed. One of the biggest blows to the court and the tribe during the pandemic was when Chief Justice Willie Johns
Tribe’s energy goals advance with Brighton funding Community News by Damon Scott - August 5, 2021August 5, 2021 Hurricane Irma had a big impact on the tribe’s communities across South Florida in 2017. Government operations were affected and electrical outages particularly plagued residents in Big Cypress and Brighton. The hurricane’s aftermath came with a monetary cost, too, as the tribe spent significant funds on propane and diesel to
Team effort makes calf shipping run smoothly Community Top News Top Story by Beverly Bidney - August 3, 2021August 3, 2021 Makayla Torres herds calves into the pen leading to the cattle hauling truck during Big Cypress calf shipping July 14, 2021.(Photo Beverly Bidney) BIG CYPRESS — Hurricane Elsa and other scattered thunderstorms didn’t stop calf shipping in Brighton and Big Cypress from July 5th to July 15th. Every year, rain or
Erica Deitz painting chosen to represent NICWA at Orlando conference Community Top News by Beverly Bidney - August 3, 2021August 3, 2021 Seminole artist Erica Deitz’s “Homecoming” painting. (Courtesy NICWA) A watercolor painting by Seminole artist Erica Deitz was chosen to be the visual centerpiece at the National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA) conference April 3-8, 2022, in Orlando. Deitz’s “Homecoming” painting depicts a Seminole camp scene complete with chickees, women cooking over the
Tribe hopes more will get vaccine in new phase Community Health News by Damon Scott - July 7, 2021July 7, 2021 HOLLYWOOD — The Seminole Tribe began to transition to phase three of reopening June 7 and it comes with a message to those who have not yet received a Covid-19 vaccine – get one. Part of phase three entails tribal employees returning to work in tribal buildings July 6. Officials consider
Work experience programs start anew Community Education News Top News Top Story by Damon Scott - July 7, 2021July 7, 2021 HOLLYWOOD — After a pause of more than a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Seminole Tribe’s work experience programs have started to come to life again. Kerlande Patterson, the supervisor of Tribal Professional Development (TPD), said about 40 students recently enrolled in the Student Work Experience Program (SWEP). It’s
Totem pole’s cross-country journey comes to Hollywood Reservation Community Top News by Kevin Johnson - July 7, 2021July 7, 2021 A view from above of the 4,900-pound totem pole brought to the Hollywood Reservation on June 21, 2021. The pole will eventually be brought to Washington, D.C. (Photo Gordon "Ollie" Wareham) HOLLYWOOD — It’s not every day a 24-foot-long, 4,900-pound object comes to the Hollywood Reservation.Plenty of heads turned when a
New mobile command vehicle enhances tribe’s emergency services capabilities Community Health News Top News Top Story by Damon Scott - July 7, 2021July 7, 2021 HOLLYWOOD — The Seminole Tribe got a special delivery May 27 – one that few tribes in Indian Country have ever seen. The tribe’s Public Safety departments – police, fire rescue and emergency management – now have a 45-foot long, fully decked out vehicle with a 70-gallon fuel tank that can
Robert O’Donnell graduates police academy, joins SPD Community Top News Top Story by Beverly Bidney - July 2, 2021July 2, 2021 From left, SPD Lieutenant and tribal member Allen Colon, Assistant Chief Kevin Tyrie, Cadet and tribal member Robert Hunter O’Donnell, Sergeant Emily Malave and Police Chief John G. Auer at O’Donnell’s graduation in Fort Myers. (Courtesy photo) Ever since he was a child, Robert Hunter O’Donnell always wanted to go
Python hunt offers $10,000 award Community News Top News by The Seminole Tribune - July 2, 2021July 2, 2021 The Everglades. (Flpythonchallenge.org) The mightiest python catcher in the Florida Python Challenge will be rewarded with $10,000. The announcement of the award, which will given to the participant who removes the most pythons, was made Friday by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), South Florida Water Management District and the