Latest Bradenton, Florida Stories

By Jennifer Rich, The Bradenton Herald, Fla. Jul. 28--How will the complexion of businesses change in the future if older workers stay at their desks? Will there be more cases of age discrimination or will employers and societal views of aging people experience a metamorphosis? "The challenge of employers today as this huge generation reaches retirement is how to keep older workers and in what capacity," said Scott Parkin, with the National Council on Aging. "Understanding the trend,...

By Donna Wright, The Bradenton Herald, Fla. Jul. 24--Planned Parenthood officially opened its first health center in Manatee County on Wednesday night when supporters gathered to celebrate the event after decades of opposition. But critics were still present as more than three dozen peaceful protesters gathered in front of the clinic at 1105 53rd Ave. E., holding signs that read, "Pray to end abortion." Nevertheless, the protesters' presence did not dampen the enthusiasm of more than...

By Tiffany St. Martin, The Bradenton Herald, Fla. Jul. 24--Sharri Cagle's three children are looking forward to going back to school, but she has mixed feelings. Logan will be in fourth grade, Lindsey third and Colin pre-kindergarten at Freedom Elementary, which has open houses Aug. 14 and kindergarten orientation Aug. 12. Central High's open house is Aug. 5, with most Manatee schools having theirs the week of Aug. 11. Open houses are most important for students attending a school...

By Stacey Eidson, The Bradenton Herald, Fla. Jul. 22--Just days after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced tomatoes were safe to enjoy again, federal health officials are now warning consumers not to eat fresh jalapeno peppers. A jalapeno pepper from a small Texas-based produce distribution center tested positive as a "genetic match" to the particular salmonella strain, called Saintpaul, associated with the current nationwide outbreak, according to the FDA. The company,...

By Stacey Eidson, The Bradenton Herald, Fla. Jul. 18--Tomatoes are officially safe to eat again. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration lifted its warning to consumers nationwide Thursday concerning tomatoes and an outbreak of salmonella. Federal health officials also announced they have found no evidence of the unusual strain of salmonella, called Saintpaul, at any Florida tomato sites during the recent investigation. "We are lifting the tomato warning, and we believe consumers can...

By Brian Neill, The Bradenton Herald, Fla. Jul. 15--Mark Ibasfalean is probably best known locally as a stone-crabber and fisherman. But he's also recently taken on the role of star-maker. Ibasfalean and his brother, Bryan, have started a business called True Hollywood Screen Test. The enterprise, still in its infancy, allows aspiring actors, singers and reality show contestants to film performances of themselves for placement in a video database that can be viewed by talent scouts....

By Sara Kennedy, The Bradenton Herald, Fla. Jul. 10--After a heated discussion, the airport board Wednesday delayed action on a proposed contract for airport chief Rick Piccolo after three board members complained they felt rushed and wanted more time to consider it. The four-year contract would have continued Piccolo's $196,285 annual salary but without some of the valuable perks from his current contract, such as cash bonuses and an automatic annual 6 percent raise. It called for...

By Sara Kennedy, The Bradenton Herald, Fla. Jul. 1--Ground-breaking may take place as soon as Thursday on the first phase of the $100 million SRQ Innovation Green LLC project at the airport, officials said. The long-delayed mixed-use project calls for two hotels, 200,000 square feet of office and retail space and a 150-seat restaurant, said Eric Collin, executive vice president for Finergy Development Group, LLC, of Sarasota, the project developer. The project is slated for 7.8...

By Donna Wright, The Bradenton Herald, Fla. Jun. 25--TALLEVAST -- The county has reached an agreement with a Tallevast consultant and attorney that could allow crews to continue work installing a permanent water line to residents of 16th Street East. Lockheed Martin Corp. has agreed to a county request to pay for independent air-quality monitoring at the site throughout today, said Randy Beckwith, county spokesman. No work will be done today or Thursday, while those tests are analyzed,...

By Stacey Eidson, The Bradenton Herald, Fla. Jun. 25--EAST MANATEE -- Trees are down and the land has been cleared on the southeast corner of Interstate 75 and State Road 70 in preparation of the River Club Park of Commerce Project. The Manatee County Commission last year approved a preliminary site plan for the proposed 303,209-square-foot shopping center next to the interstate, according to Barney Salmon, a planner for the Manatee County Planning Department. The shopping center is part...