Here are top stories of 2022 in Bradenton, Manatee. What should we investigate in 2023?
Hurricanes. Gators. Red tide. Politics.
The most-read stories written by Bradenton Herald reporters in 2022 may not come as a surprise, but they often pale in comparison to the in-depth journalism we spend most of our time creating.
As we start a new — hopefully better — year, I want to take a moment to share both kinds of stories with our readers to remind you of the important role local journalism plays in our — and any — community.
It’s also a good reminder that the viral stories you see via Facebook or Google’s algorithms are not necessarily reflective of everything we do, those are just the stories most popular on those platforms.
I also want to ask you, our readers and neighbors, what we should be working on in 2023. What needs to be investigated? What are the biggest issues in our area? What keeps you up at night?
Email me your thoughts and ideas to editor@bradenton.com.
The biggest stories of 2022
As a whole, Bradenton and Manatee County continued an explosive trajectory of growth and change. There was a new record for housing prices that topped $500,000. Finding a solution for affordable housing is more of a focus than ever. Not to mention the traffic.
Development keeps creeping further east, and we detailed growing pains in Parrish. The iconic Mixon Fruit Farms is set to sell, DeSoto Square Mall sold, a hospital is coming to Parrish, and SRQ is expanding. Tropicana shut down a plant and is moving operations to Bradenton.
The new Riverwalk expansion opened; officials are still debating plans for a new city hall and how to develop the downtown location; electric scooters came and went; and a water taxi is still in the works.
There were new faces and turmoil in county government.
Early in the year, the annual Skyway 10K avoided tragedy when a deputy put her life on the line and stopped a runaway driver.
We said also goodbye to tennis legend and IMG Academy founder Nick Bollettieri.
A Manatee County death made it on Netflix’s “Unsolved Mysteries.”
Now-infamous Capitol rioter Adam Johnson was sentenced and video released of the video that showed him searching for Nancy Pelosi’s office before he took her lectern.
From live election results to events and things to do each weekend, we also brought you news you can use.
Here is the best of our in-depth and investigative work that you couldn’t find anywhere else:
- If clean water is Bradenton’s ‘No. 1 issue,’ here’s why keeping grass green isn’t helping
- ‘A change of direction.’ Bradenton voters bring new era of all-Republican leadership
- What was a Manatee commissioner doing before possible DUI crash? Here’s what records show
- How did Manatee official avoid a sobriety test after crash? Here’s what DUI lawyers say
- Bradenton councilman’s ‘abusive and threatening behavior’ violated city rules, report finds
- ‘We are not nameless.’ Bradenton city staff detail Sanders’ hostile workplace in letter
- New project worries historically Black Tallevast community. ‘So many families have left.’
- What happened to the deputies who arrested a 12-year-old girl at a Palmetto school
- About 70% of Bradenton’s recycling ends up at the landfill. Here’s why.
- 125 degrees? Bradenton, Florida temperatures are rising and the future looks hotter
Red tide algae is back in Southwest Florida waters. Here’s what experts predict
- Catalytic converter theft is on the rise, Bradenton police say. Here’s how to avoid it
- ‘Culture of favoritism’ found in Manatee County’s building code office, report says
- Manatee County leaders vote to lower the property tax rate. What does that mean for you
- Why Bradenton home buyers are competing with private equity firms for houses
- FPL said Parrish power plant smokestacks would come down in 2022. Is it still happening
- Here’s how trash talk and Manatee High’s pick-your-poison defense led to a revival
Top 5 stories on bradenton.com of 2022
Here are the top stories by total online readership:
1. Why are some street lights purple in Florida? There’s a simple answer, FDOT says
This story went viral on Facebook just about every time we posted it. It’s something thousands of people have noticed and wondered about, but no one looked into. Sometimes simple is best.
2. How to check if you’re in a hurricane evacuation zone in Bradenton or Manatee County
This is the kind of work that gets us up in the morning. Warning people of dangerous situations is one of the most important aspects of journalism.
3. Watch Hurricane Ian come ashore in Southwest Florida on beach camera livestreams
Not every story is life or death. But allowing people to find and watch storm damage remotely keeps them out of dangerous situations and out of the hands of first responders.
4. 7-foot gator surprises beachgoers on Florida’s Anna Maria Island
A no-brainer, interest in our scaly neighbors never changes. And seeing one on the beach is certainly unexpected! Stories about the tragic death by gator in Lakewood Ranch and a traffic dodging gator also made the top stories of the year.
5. Florida middle school assignment on ‘stolen’ 2020 election, media bias goes viral
Also kind of no-brainer, topics that dominate the national news also capture local readers’ attention when it’s in our backyard.
I specified “on bradenton.com” because we also share stories with our sister paper, the Miami Herald, and you’ll be delighted to know our coverage of the sign wars between Del Taco and Taco Bell somehow got about three times the views on Miami’s site.
Good news + Good people
A common refrain about “the media” is that we don’t report any good news. That’s not true.
As I like to tell people, what you see is a reflection of you and your community, especially with algorithms that learn exactly what you want to see. Every click is a vote for what you want to see more of.
Here are some of our favorite feel-good stories of the year:
- Hundreds in Manatee County show up as 15 churches join forces to call for change
- Myakka’s first call for help is Sgt. Rob, including in Hurricane Ian’s 100 mph winds
- How a Chinese American became a pioneering Parrish farmer after fighting in WWII
- Meet the barbecue pit master who has the oldest Black-owned car dealership in Manatee
- Florida couple celebrate 100th birthdays on 2/22/22. ‘Their love is an inspiration.’
- Ukranian owners of Bradenton ballet change school’s Russian name. ‘We hope that Putin stops.’
- Fight hate with kindness and light, rabbi says as Bradenton area celebrates Hanukkah
- Community remembers ‘guiding light’ for hundreds of Hispanic students in Sarasota-Manatee
Stories you may have missed
It’s popular these days to say things are “slept on” if they haven’t gotten the attention they deserve. Here are our most slept-on stories of 2022:
- More people are ending up homeless in Bradenton as nonprofits struggle to provide help
- This new Parrish food truck’s ‘life-changing’ barbecue ribs has a growing list of fans
- ‘A generational approach.’ How a Manatee school offers much more than education
- Bradenton company created color-changing wipes to detect fentanyl, explosives and more
- Here are the 15 best hidden gem restaurants in Bradenton and Manatee, locals say
Teen who lost legs met Boston Marathon bombing survivor by chance at Florida hospital
Gone viral
Speaking of algorithms, the Bradenton area has no shortage of Internet stars.
- Anna Maria Island rental owners with big Instagram following featured on ‘Today Show’
- ‘I lost my (expletive) pinky!’ Parrish fisherman’s Florida Keys shark bite goes viral
- Dog the Bounty Hunter came to Bradenton to preach and witnessed an arrest
- Will a YouTube star’s popular racetrack be threatened by new Lakewood Ranch development?
As the Bradenton Herald celebrates its 100th year of publishing, we hope to keep bringing you the information and stories that are most important to you.
Your priorities for 2023 should be our priorities, too.
This story was originally published January 5, 2023 at 2:40 PM.
