BROWARD

The complaint has prompted the school district to hire an outside audit firm, and according to multiple sources, search the cellphones and emails of board members and administrators.

Miami-Dade County Public Schools and Broward County Public Schools will close Wednesday and Thursday as Hurricane Ian zeroes in on Florida, officials said Tuesday.

Fort Lauderdale and nearly all of Broward County moved outside the forecast cone of uncertainty for Hurricane Ian on Saturday morning. Here's the latest forecast map.

Much of Florida from the Keys north past Orlando is in the forecast cone of uncertainty for Hurricane Hermine, which is expected to form out of Tropical Depression Nine in the southern Caribbean Sea. Here's the latest forecast map.

Trails in the Sand by Peter Traceit, the Street DetectiveOl Peter Traceit has been caught riding dirty this week dragging for clues in the sand in another school district, Miami-Dade County. Carl Cartwright is the husband of Super Cartwright. Dr. Carl Cartwright was superintendent in the Berlin Area School district, a small school district serving approximately 1,600 students. If you recall, Super Cartwright was advised to act on staff mentioned in the Grand Jury Report. Dr. Carl Cartwright will lead the district’s School Environmental Safety Incident Reporting system for tracking incidents of crime and violence.

Charges have been dropped against three Hollywood nursing home employees who had been charged with manslaughter following the deaths of 12 patients in sweltering conditions in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma in 2017.

Donna Korn describes a grand jury report as a “political maneuver” for Gov. Ron DeSantis. But she believes he will allow her to keep a countywide School Board seat, should she win it again in a Nov. 8 runoff. The governor’s office has made no such promises.

Broward Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer refused to step down from the sentencing trial of Nikolas Cruz, the confessed gunman at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

Corey Jones, 18, of Pompano Beach, and a16-year-old boy approached a woman as she was returning to her home on Sept. 14, forced her into the backseat of her car at gunpoint, robbed and sexuall battered her, according to the sheriff's office.

The chair of the Florida State Board of Education suggested Thursday that Broward school district Superintendent Vickie Cartwright be removed from her post, saying she “consciously disregarded” Florida law.

A Broward Sheriff’s Office deputy has been arrested months after he allegedly was driving under the influence, speeding over 30 mph above the speed limit seconds before he crashed his unmarked car into another car.

Florida Commission on Ethics said Wednesday it has found probable cause to believe Broward Sheriff Greg Tony “misused his public position” when he lied to get his first job at the Coral Springs Police Department.

The mother of a 12-year-old boy attacked by a girl on a Broward school bus tells Local 10 News that she wants to see more action taken against the perpetrator, saying the school district’s actions haven’t been sufficient.

Cartwright said she’s made numerous staff changes, addressed concerns of a state safety commission and taken steps to try to turn around a disastrous $800 million bond referendum for school construction.

The request, from Chairman Torey Alston, comes after the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported that Anne Murray and Donna Korn had racked up grand jury-related bills of $120,000 over the past 16 months.

Some Broward School Board members question whether it was a wise use of taxpayer dollars to pay the legal bill for former members who fought the release of the grand jury report.

The school districts received letters from a Department of Education official saying there were “significant concerns” about a grand jury's findings.

The Broward School Board said Tuesday it will start complying with a state law to catalogue its books in elementary school libraries. A committee could toss objectionable ones. One DeSantis-appointee said he found a "loophole" and asked the law be extended into the classrooms, too.

Two teen brothers Jerrell and Druax Madison appeared virtually in Broward juvenile court on Tuesday, and are facing charges in the brutal beating of transgender teen Chad Sanford in Pompano Beach.

Assistant Public Defender Melisa McNeill moved for a mistrial on Thursday during the Parkland school shooter trial’s death penalty phase in Broward County court in Fort Lauderdale.

Growing the Voices of Our FutureThe Westside Gazette Newspaper is honored to feature these editorial contributions made by local students. Governor Ron DeSantis removed Broward School Board Members Patricia Good, Donna Korn, Ann Murray, and Laurie Rich Levinson from office after the Twentieth Statewide Grand Jury recommended that they be removed due to incompetence, neglect of duty, and abuse of authority. The statewide grand jury concluded in its final report that these board members mismanaged the SMART Program, a multimillion-dollar bond specifically solicited for school safety and renovation initiatives. The Jury also discovered that the Board was aware of serious problems with the SMART Program. In its final report, the Statewide Grand Jury recommended that four current school board members be removed from office.

Ten South Florida class of 2022 high school graduates from Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties were awarded a $20,000 scholarship for Black students in STEM from Florida Power & Light Company and parent company NextEra Energy. The scholarship, called the NextEra Energy Scholarship for Black Students at SECME, is a merit award of up to $20,000 for college-bound high school seniors who have at least one year of experience volunteering at the Southeast Consortium for Minorities in Engineering and plan to enroll in full-time undergraduate study at an accredited two- or four-year college or university for the entire 2022-2023 academic year. The reward will be $5,000 per year, renewable for three years or until a bachelor’s degree is earned, whichever is earlier. Recipients must be planning to enroll full-time at an accredited two- or four-year college or university. Scholarship recipients include Isaac Valeris of Pompano Beach; Pompano Beach’s Alfonzo L. Yates; Dewey’s Christopher D. Williams; Seth A. Solomon of Fort Lauderdale; Sarah Habona of Parkland; Sean L. Barthel of Hialeah; Mia L. Handfield of Opa Loca; Jordan D. Robinson of North Lauderdale; Zoe O’McCray of Royal Palm Beach and Malik A. Henry of Lake Worth.

The newly appointed Broward School Board on Wednesday said it wants to push harder to become an A district, something that hasn't happened in more than a decade. Right now, Broward is at a B. School Board Chairman Torey Alston pointed to 2018-2019 numbers, compared to 2021-22, and said his "heart is aching." The last time Broward was at an overall A was in 2011.

Broward’s newest School Board members wasted on time showing changes were coming, as they selected one of their own as the new chairman.

Just days after Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed them, two of the newest members of the Broward School Board say they expect quick changes toward improving the school district, based on the recommendations from a newly released grand jury report that focused on district mismanagement.

The Moss Foundation recently donated $117,000 worth of school supplies to 14 Title I schools in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. The school supplies were purchased with generous contributions from Moss Construction employees and business partners. “The Moss Foundation strives to give back to the community. By providing school supplies to students in the tri-county region, we hope to alleviate any additional stress and burden that families may be facing in making sure that students are set up for academic success,” said Chad Moss, president of the Moss Foundation. This is not only for the kids, but also for their families,” said Delahoz, who leads a team of more than 30 volunteers tasked with shopping, sorting, packing, and delivering the school supplies to participating schools.

In another sign in the growing body of evidence that education has center stage in Florida politics, Gov. Ron DeSantis removed and replaced four Broward School Board Members late last week.

Gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist announced Miami teachers union president Karla Hernandez-Mats as his running mate for the November election at an event at the middle school where she once taught on Saturday.

Nearly all key indicators for COVID-19 are declining across Florida, including hospitalizations, reported cases and testing positivity rates. Here are the latest statistics.

A Broward Sheriff’s deputy faces charges of grand theft after police said he kept about $1,600 during an “undercover integrity check operation.”

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis took a grand jury up on its recommendation Friday afternoon to remove four Broward School Board members after a scathing report that accused them of having “engaged in acts of incompetence and neglect of duty.”

One of the next steps in the wake of a critical grand jury report that looked into Broward schools will be to hire an outside consultant to help assess the findings, Schools Superintendent Vickie Cartwright said Wednesday.

I have but one comment… “Oh what a tangled web you weave when first you practice to deceive? While it was a massive undertaking, the Grand Jury was clear that this is not normal. Runcie and Myrick were both charged and arrested for allegedly lying to the Grand Jury during the proceedings. But the most interesting public response to the Grand Jury report came from Raymond Adderly. The hidden details are removed because of possible crime charges being considered against specific board members for misfeasance and malfeasance.

The final vote still hadn’t been tallied late Tuesday on whether Broward voters agreed to double a special school tax that would go toward increasing teacher salaries, school security officers and mental health resources.

A long-awaited grand jury report into the management of Broward schools recommended that Gov. Ron DeSantis remove five School Board members, four of whom still are on the board.

“I feel great. I really do,” says Congressman Charlie Crist, racing among Broward campaign stops as his 15-month campaign for the Democratic nomination for governor nears its climax. Crist visited a Black-owned restaurant in Hollywood, spoke to mostly-older voters at Century Village in Pembroke Pines, and stopped at early voting sites in Weston and in Fort Lauderdale. He termed Gov. Ron DeSantis "“the meanest governor of America."

Broward prosecutor Katya Palmiotto texted a complaint about a judge’s ruling in a murder case, prompting a mistrial because one of the recipients of her text was the judge, former prosecutor Peter Holden.

Broward school district has found one more way to fill many vacant positions going into the school year: hiring from the Philippines. One hundred and two Filipino teachers have either already arrived in schools, or are on their way to schools, in the coming weeks.

The Broward Supervisor of Elections is remailing newly sized voter registration cards after public outcry that their supersized cards no longer fit in a wallet.

Broward students began their first day of school Tuesday, looking ahead toward the new academic year.

Broward school officials are taking steps to fix a question about a proposed school tax that was inaccurately translated on voter ballots.

An inaccurate Spanish translation of a proposed School Board tax that’s already on Broward’s ballot is now raising concerns whether it could affect how people vote on the issue.

School districts in Miami-Dade and Broward counties are still searching for teachers.

Robert Herzog was arrested by Coral Springs police July 20 on a charge of child neglect with no bodily harm, a third-degree felony, related to his young son. He has pleaded not guilty.

Early voting has begun in Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties, with Broward soon to follow.

Some say the retreat for principals and assistant principals was a weekend of leadership training. Others see it as a taxpayer-subsidized junket.

With the primary elections just weeks away, some South Florida voters say they’ve received mail-in ballots — only to realize they have the wrong candidates and races on them.

On the latest episode of the This Week in South Florida podcast, hosts Glenna Milberg and Michael Putney are joined by executive director of County Citizens Defending Freedom Alex Serrano, Parents for Children Miami member Gina Vinueza, Broward Schools Superintendent Vickie Cartwright, Broward Supervisor of Elections Joe Scott and Doral Mayor Juan Carlos Bermudez. The full episode can be seen at the top of this page.

On the latest episode of This Week in South Florida, hosts Glenna Milberg and Michael Putney are joined by executive director of County Citizens Defending Freedom Alex Serrano, Parents for Children Miami member Gina Vinueza, Broward Schools Superintendent Vickie Cartwright, Broward Supervisor of Elections Joe Scott and Doral Mayor Juan Carlos Bermudez.

He was headed south on I-95 in Broward County when he ran out of gas. He ended up dead.

The union representing sheriff’s deputies filed a bar complaint Wednesday against a civil-rights lawyer, accusing her of creating a racial issue where they say none existed.

A Broward jury is now in deliberations Monday in the case of a former sheriff’s deputy accused on slamming a Black teen into a parking lot pavement and punching his head during an arrest.

After a three-day trial and a two-hour deliberation, a jury found detention deputy Delroy Rose, 57, guilty of misdemeanor battery this week.

If you plan to cast a ballot in the Aug. 23 primary election, make sure you’re registered to vote — before it’s too late.

Both candidates for the Democratic nomination for governor, Charlie Crist and Nikki Fried, would suspend Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony, if he’s still in office and one of them becomes governor. Crist was more succinct, twice saying "yeah" when asked about suspending the Democratic sheriff over his documented lies on law enforcement applications involving his killing someone when he was a teenager. Fried was more detailed, but said if the facts were as presented, "I will have no choice but to suspend him."

Trails in the Sand by Peter Traceit: The Street DetectiveEndorsing candidates for political seats is a serious responsibility. Peter Traceit, deep in the rumor mill, is learning that the Broward Teachers Union has some serious rifts that are about to come to a head. Recently Donna Korn,, incumbent for the at large seat 8, used social media to announce that “Broward teachers” support her re-election, but she was upended by a teacher with some straight facts that resulted in her taking down the post. A little over half, about 55 percent of teachers, are dues paying members of the BTU. Peter Traceit is learning that there are some principals that Fusco likes and when teachers complain or file grievances against her token principals, they are ignored.

Here’s what you need to know from Day 27 of the Parkland school shooter’s sentencing trial.

Broward firefighters worked to put out a house fire in Dania Beach early Tuesday afternoon.

Jury selection is about to begin in the trial of rising Florida rap star YNW Melly, accused of shooting two of his close friends to death and then trying to make it look like they had been the victims of a drive-by shooting. Broward prosecutors, stung by a judge's decision last week to take the death penalty off the table, are asking the judge to reconsider the punishment.

The Broward County Supervisor of Elections is working on a “major redesign” of the precinct maps to help primary election voters to have a better experience on Aug. 23.

This Week in South Florida’s guests on Sunday discuss access to abortion in Florida, upcoming elections, and the political situation in Cuba.

Crews responded to the area of 4330 block of Northwest Fourth Avenue just before 3 p.m., Battalion Chief Michael Kane, a spokesperson for Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue, said.

With 353 more COVID-19 patients hospitalized and a 10% increase from last week, the U.S. Health and Human Services Department data released Friday showed the highest weekly increase in Florida since June 17.

Here’s what you need to know from Day 26 of the Parkland school shooter’s sentencing trial.

The year-end grades are out for students in Miami-Dade and Broward, and it's one of those good news-bad news situations for the first test results since students are back in the classroom full time.

A state panel found probable cause to revoke Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony’s law enforcement certification, meaning the Sheriff’s ability to make arrests or otherwise act in a law enforcement capacity in Florida remains in jeopardy.

A state panel will soon decide whether or not they will revoke Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony’s law enforcement certification for omitting he was acquitted of a murder in Philadelphia in 1993 when he was 14 years old.

Miami-Dade and Broward residents are cleaning up after over a foot of rain fell in parts of South Florida.

The South Florida Water Management District is actively trying to drop water levels in canals across Broward and Miami-Dade counties in preparation for a tropical system expected to bring heavy rainfall to the area.

Broward Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer paused phase two of jury selection in the death penalty case against Nikolas Cruz on Monday afternoon in Fort Lauderdale.

A fuel truck overturned on Florida’s Turnpike Monday afternoon in northern Broward County, leading state troopers to close the highway’s southbound lanes, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Broward Sheriff's Office Deputy Jorge Sobrino, 24, has been charged with one count of misdemeanor battery for punching an inmate who was handcuffed to a hospital bed at Broward Health North, Broward County State Attorney Mike Satz announced Friday.

Broward Commissioner Mark Bogen said he didn’t know how bad the issues at the 911 call centers were until he read about it in the newspaper.

Parents are scrambling to find infant formula, but experts warn to not take shortcuts.

Police officers detained a driver at gunpoint after a chase on Wednesday in Miramar.

Broward sheriff's deputies responded to a report of shots fired at a vehicle Monday night, possibly on Interstate 95.

On the latest episode of This Week in South Florida, host Glenna Milberg is joined by Inter Miami CF co-owner Jorge Mas, Florida Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. and Broward Elections Supervisor Joe Scott.

A convicted felon — who has been in and out of prison for years — was a fugitive for about 10 days. On the day the U.S. Marshals caught him, the victim of the shooting he was arrested for died in the hospital.

Get ready for a hoppin’ good time with the family as Easter egg hunts are being held throughout South Florida this week.

The American dream turned into a nightmare for a Ukrainian family who has lived in Pompano Beach since 2016 after they were accused of crimes their loved ones say they didn’t commit.

Thomas Shaquan Lowery, 30, was arrested and appeared in Broward bond court on Monday in relation to an accident that took place a year ago leaving two people dead, and now he’s facing 16 charges.

Flying bugs and a soiled surface area were some of the issues recently found inside one South Florida Dunkin’.

After a cold front on Sunday morning, South Florida will experience a breezy day along with a slow temperature rise.

South Florida students hold protests against Florida’s so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill Thursday, which lawmakers passed earlier this week and which the governor is expected to sign into law.

According to state records, only one restaurant in Miami-Dade, Monroe and Broward counties was ordered shut last week.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported on Saturday Miami-Dade and Broward counties have a medium community-level risk on COVID-19.

About 200 people have been arrested during a years-long investigation into a violent gang that is based in Deerfield Beach, 24 of whom were arrested on Tuesday, Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony announced during a news conference Thursday.

Beginning Monday, the use of facial coverings is optional at Miami-Dade County Public Schools.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission sent out a reminder on Saturday that when temperatures drop closer to freezing, some iguanas become cold-stunned.

A storm system off the East Coast will send temperatures in the 30s as far south as Miami Sunday morning.

A few more ingredients have come together in South Florida, bringing the coldest weather of the season Monday morning.

Social media posts are calling for a student walkout of schools on Monday. The Broward school district sent parents a letter urging them to talk to their children.

“In Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, hospitals have already experienced their peak,” said Mary Mayhew, president and CEO of the Florida Hospital Association.

Parts of South Florida are expected to feel temperatures in the upper-40s Tuesday morning, which would be the coolest air of the season so far.

Sunrise police say that rapper Kodak Black was not having sex with a woman in a video from Tuesday night’s Florida Panthers game that went viral on social media.

The school districts in Broward and Miami-Dade counties are each looking for a new superintendent, but their processes differ.

Early voting ends Sunday in Broward and Palm Beach Counties in the race for congress in the 20th District.

After days of record-breaking COVID-19 cases in the Sunshine State, Florida reported 56,865 new cases on Saturday and the positivity rates in South Florida continue to soar.

With COVID-19 cases continuing to rise, Miami-Dade and Broward counties are adjusting, trying to stay ahead of the spread as we head into the New Year.

The mad dash for coronavirus testing continued to lead to long lines and problems, so lab companies and clinics are setting up tents to offer tests on Monday in Miami-Dade and Broward counties.