Category: Uncategorized

BY IAN MacCALLUM NNB Student Reporter ST. PETERSBURG – Ron Brackett’s work day starts about 9 a.m. with a cup of coffee and an email check. Then he surfs the websites of major national newspapers to check on their big stories of the day. A coworker pops her head into his office. “President Bush jumped… Continue reading Veteran editor leads Times through terror, wars and deaths

BY MARK WOLFENBARGER NNB Student Reporter TAMPA – In another life, Bobby Thompson was named John Donald Cody. As Cody, he was a Harvard-educated lawyer and former Army intelligence officer in Phoenix. As Thompson, he was a con man and federal fugitive who was living in a rundown duplex in Tampa’s Ybor City. That is… Continue reading Con man leads Times researcher and FBI on hunt

BY EMILY WEHUNT NNB Student Reporter ST. PETERSBURG – When the Sweetbay Supermarket pulled out of Tangerine Plaza in February 2013, business at Meme’s Beauty Gallery came to a screeching halt. Business at the beauty shop had been booming, said owner Jamekka Harris, 39. She had seven employees and a steady flow of traffic, most… Continue reading Beleaguered beauty shop tries to bounce back

BY MATTHEW LIDDELL NNB Student Reporter SARASOTA – Joey Panek may be on the Monday noon news like many others, but he’s far from an ordinary reporter. “I don’t really want to have, like, a news voice,” he told his assistant recently as they prepared to shoot a segment by the Ringling Bridge in Sarasota.… Continue reading He covers health, food and society with a Florida spin and a smile

BY KIM DOLEATTO NNB Student Reporter ST. PETERSBURG – The homeless guy throwing the hotel room parties had amazingly fresh breath. His Social Security checks financed both the parties and his disability: alcoholism. His drink of choice? Mouthwash. Another man lived in a 6-by-8-foot hole in the ground because, he told the reporter, “it just… Continue reading Veteran Times reporter shines a light on the solemn and the silly

BY JACOB COONFARE NNB Student Reporter ST. PETERSBURG – The desk sits in a corner framed by two large windows with a view of St. Petersburg rooftops. Cartoons and drawings that illustrate stories from a range of categories hang on the wall between the windows. Well-thumbed books with titles like Art Deco and News Design… Continue reading Veteran news artist likes to start with a place and a photo

BY SAMANTHA MESERVEY NNB Student Reporter ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The small storefront bursts with incense and candles. As you walk through the door you are immediately greeted by a fiery smell and sunlight bouncing off crystals. The Looking Glass is a new-age shop located in Midtown that specializes in metaphysical supplies and spiritual healing. Shop owner… Continue reading Midtown through the Looking Glass

BY LORI CASTELLANO NNB Student Reporter ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Most days you will find Antwon Fowler sitting in his front yard relaxing with friends and family and enjoying some of the fruits and vegetables of his labor. Fowler’s garden is located on 3rd St. and 20th Ave. S. in St. Petersburg, Fla., and while it might… Continue reading A Garden that is More Than a Family Affair

BY COURTNEY PARISH NNB Student Reporter ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Many people rely on caffeine as fuel to power them through daily responsibilities. LaVerne Feaster-Johnson, on the other hand, is fueled by a desire to make a difference in people’s lives. She works as the Program Manager at Department of Veterans Affairs for Bay Pines Veterans Affairs… Continue reading Midtown Woman Motivated to Lead By Her Desire To Help Others

BY JENNA SHAW NNB Student Reporter ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Terri Scott is much more than her title of Administrative Officer for the Office of City Council gives her credit for. She is a model member of the community who has a large heart and the determination and passion to make a difference. As a leadership project,… Continue reading Terri Scott: making a difference