After years of neglect, Broward school elevators now deemed safe
After a South Florida Sun Sentinel investigation in May revealed that most elevators failed to have a current certificate of operation, an assurance they have passed a yearly safety inspection, the district has largely fixed the problem. Less than 2% of the district’s elevators are now out of compliance.
sun-sentinel.comPembroke Park talks to Miramar about policing; bad blood with BSO boils over plan B
Pembroke Park’s interim police chief tells Local 10 News he’s confident the town won’t have a gap in police service once the town’s contract with the Broward Sheriff’s Office expires Oct. 1, but, as of Friday, there’s still no plan in place.
Police: Woman stole $32K in jewelry, showed it off on TikTok after flying back to Colombia
A Colombian woman was arrested at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport Wednesday after she was accused of stealing more than $32,000 worth of jewelry from a man she came to visit in Miami after the two had chatted online.
Officials recently ousted by DeSantis join a growing list of Florida’s high-profile cases
Florida has seen various governors remove elected officials who haven’t been criminally charged — including the controversial, high-profile suspensions of two successive Broward supervisors of elections. Here are the highest-profile such suspensions in the past two decades.
sun-sentinel.comSheriff Gregory Tony added to prosecutors’ list of cops with potential credibility issues
Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony has been added to a list maintained by prosecutors of cops whose testimony and credibility could be considered suspect, potentially discrediting them on the witness stand.
sun-sentinel.comParkland shooter’s brother says he pulled out of testifying due to ‘harassment,’ plans to sue county
The brother of the Parkland school shooter said he pulled out of voluntarily testifying in his brother’s defense owing to “years of harassment” by Broward County, which he intends to sue, he said in a social media post.
Facing possible removal, report casts doubt on Sheriff Tony’s self-defense claim in ‘90s shooting
After the Florida Commission on Ethics found probable cause to believe Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony “misused his public position” when he allegedly lied to get his first job at the Coral Springs Police Department, a report obtained by Local 10 News casts doubt on his self-defense claim in a 1993 shooting.
Man accused of leaving dead animals on Parkland memorial makes first court appearance
Covered in face tattoos, 29-year-old Robert Mondragon appeared in Broward County court for the first time Monday, a little more than two weeks after deputies arrested him after they say he placed dead animals on a memorial for those killed in the Parkland school shooting.
This Week in South Florida Full Episode: September 18, 2022
On the latest episode of This Week in South Florida, host Glenna Milberg speaks to Broward School Board member Torey Alston, Massachusetts State Rep. Dylan Fernandes, Venezuelan activist and leader Maria Corina Vegas, and Florida House candidates Vicki Lopez and A.J. D'Amico.
Broward: Read for the Record
A highlight of this campaign is Broward: Read for the Record! Each year, Read for the Record brings together millions of adults and children as they read the same book on the same day, building an intergenerational community through reading. The author will be in South Florida for the Broward County Library’s Literary Conference, and is scheduled to read to children at Thurgood Marshal Elementary. When: Thursday, September 22, 8:30 a.m.Where: Thurgood Marshall Elementary, 800 NW 13th St., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311The CSC, Broward County Public Schools and other partners, coordinate activities where volunteers read “Nigel and the Moon” to 40,000 students in 500 VPK centers, 225 schools, and 1,500 classrooms throughout Broward County! For more information about the Children’s Services Council of Broward County, please visit www.cscbroward.org.
thewestsidegazette.comTravel Experts Like Victoria Gerrard, La Crosse Travel Enthusiast, Share What Tourism In South Florida Has Changed Post Pandemic
The tourism industry in South Florida has been through a lot in the past few months. With the outbreak of COVID-19, travel and tourism have taken a significant hit.
sflcn.comFlorida let them vote. Then DeSantis’s election police arrested them.
Those arrested are all accused of voting in violation of a state law that forbids those convicted or murder or felony sexual offenses from casting ballots. In Florida, the state Division of Elections is responsible for identifying who isn’t qualified to vote and would have been required to flag their applications. AdvertisementIn the months that followed, voting rights organizations poured resources into Florida to spread the word about the new law. Florida law states that prosecutors must show that those arrested knew they weren’t qualified to vote and did so anyway. Democrats and voting rights advocates have decried DeSantis’s actions, accusing the governor of upending lives to advance his own political ambitions.
washingtonpost.comAfter a grand jury report blasted Broward schools over campus safety, the state wants answers
The state Department of Education believes some of Broward's issues — including under-reporting of crimes, failure to work with law enforcement and allowing students with serious felony issues back on campus — “are ongoing and require immediate action.” District officials say they've already made significant progress.
sun-sentinel.comWhat does the Florida primary tell us about November elections? Is that an ominous sign for Democrats?
After the months of fire and fury from Democrats declaring outrage over Gov. Ron DeSantis, the number of voters who participated in their party’s summer primary to pick a DeSantis challenger was slightly lower than in 2018.
sun-sentinel.comDeSantis appointees replace elected school board members
Four school board members appointed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis in one of Florida’s most Democratic counties were sworn into office on Tuesday. The state's Department of Education on Monday voiced “significant concerns" about the school system's actions before, during and after the shootings of 17 people by Nikolas Cruz, a troubled former student who attacked the high school's campus on Valentine's Day in 2018. In a letter sent to Superintendent Vickie Cartwright, the state cited the grand jury's finding of mismanagement of the $800 million voter-approved bond to renovate schools, the underreporting of criminal activity to the state, the district's “almost fanatical desire to control student data” and use it to manipulate public perception, and the practice of allowing students with serious felonies back on school campuses.
news.yahoo.comTwo teens face charges after burglary, car thefts and fatal crash
Two teenagers face an array of charges for their alleged involvement in the burglary of an upscale home in Fort Lauderdale’s Harbor Beach neighborhood, the theft of two cars and a chase by police that ended in a woman’s death, authorities said Monday.
sun-sentinel.comLow Turnout Says Otherwise
Technically SpeakingBy Perry BusbyOld habits are hard to break is the aphorism that came to mind when I saw voter turnout in Broward County had not yet reached 20%, with four hours to go before polls closed. Dating back as far as 2004, voter turnout in Broward County during Primary Elections has never reached 20%, including the years when former president Barack Obama’s campaign set records mobilizing voters nationally. The 2018 Primary Election, which is remembered for the record turnout of African American women, and was key to changing the political landscape nationally and locally. It is also the year voter turnout eclipsed 20% for the first time, with over 271K ballots cast during the election. Turnout grew even more in 2020, when the State and counties established additional guidelines to comply with CDC COVID-19 requirements, leading to over 317K ballots cast, or 25.9%, the largest in Broward history.
thewestsidegazette.comMt. Hermon Sponsors Non-Profit Seminar
On Sunday, August 21, 2022, under the astute, sagacious leadership of Pastor Trae Green, Mt. Elaine Stevens, The Homelady and a Certified Military Housing Specialist, stated succinctly:The Black community in Broward County is one of the most vulnerable for Deed Fraud. Marty Kiar, Broward County Property Appraiser, was at Mt. Hermon AME Church Fort Lauderdale on Non-profit Sunday and told the members how $12 million dollars of real estate was stolen by just one criminal couple. Hermon :Marty Kiar: Broward County Property AppraiserAncel Pratt: Early Learning Coalition of Broward County (954) 377-2188 Largest subsidizer of early learning centers in Broward County.
thewestsidegazette.comCoastal commuter rail has long been planned for South Florida. Will Broward lawmakers push it forward?
Broward County commissioners are poised to vote on a plan for the development of a commuter rail link that would run along the Florida East Coast Railway line between Aventura and a point south of the New River in Fort Lauderdale. The segment is part of a broader plan that would enable commuters to ride between Palm Beach County and downtown Miami.
sun-sentinel.comFlorida primaries 2022: Some of the top races to watch in Tuesday’s election
Floridians have been voting for weeks through early voting, now leading up to the primaries’ election day this Tuesday. There’s the contest over who’ll win the Democratic primary in the governor’s race, as well as congressional races, a contentious Florida Senate race and local School Board races with many candidates running.
sun-sentinel.comVacant land, ID theft and a $500,000 deal signed at Burger King. How the plan unraveled.
A man has been arrested on federal money-laundering charges as authorities allege he stole 10 acres of land worth more than a half-million dollars in a posh Broward neighborhood in a deal signed and sealed at a Burger King.
sun-sentinel.comGrand jury wants school board members removed over massacre
A Florida grand jury empaneled after a 2018 school massacre has recommended that Gov. Ron DeSantis remove from office four members of the Broward County school board, saying they and district administrators displayed “deceit, malfeasance, misfeasance, neglect of duty and incompetence” in their handling of a campus safety program. In the 122-page report released Friday, the panel recommended that DeSantis suspend board members Patricia Good, Donna Korn, Ann Murray and Laurie Rich Levinson. A former member, Rosalind Osgood, also was targeted, but she has since been elected to the Florida Senate and taken office.
news.yahoo.comThe Rise of Prescription Opioids
In recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in the use of prescription opioids, despite serious risks and the lack of evidence about their long-term effectiveness. Unfortunately, one in four patients receiving long-term opioid therapy in a primary care setting struggles with opioid addiction. Opioid EpidemicLast year, three of every four overdose deaths in Florida involved an opioid. Prescription opioid overdose deaths also often involve benzodiazepines. When individuals who develop an opioid addiction can no longer get their supply from a pharmacy or doctor, they may purchase it illegally and can end up taking fentanyl.
thewestsidegazette.comBroward County to begin offering monkeypox vaccination appointments at Mills Pond Park
By David Dwork, Digital JournalistFORT LAUDERDALE, FL – The Monkeypox vaccine will soon be available at another location in Broward County thanks to the Florida Department of Health. The FDOH will offer Monkeypox vaccinations at Mills Pond Park starting on Tuesday, August 16. Starting Tuesday, the Mills Pond Park meeting hall location will be open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.It’s located at 2201 NW 9th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311. In Miami-Dade, visit www.miamidade.gov/monkeypox or call 1-833-875-0900How to protect yourselfAvoid skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash or scabs. Do not handle or touch the bedding, towels, or clothing of a person with monkeypox.
thewestsidegazette.comJetBlue extends a dozen route suspensions from Fort Lauderdale
JetBlue Airways, one of the major carriers at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, is continuing service suspensions to a dozen U.S. and international cites from the Broward County airport as it seeks to avoid further flight cancellations and delays for the rest of this year and into 2023.
sun-sentinel.comFlorida man dies after eating raw oyster at Rustic Inn seafood restaurant
A Florida man has died from a bacterial infection from eating a raw oyster at the famed Rustic Inn Crabhouse in Dania Beach. The death is the second in the state this month traced to the bacteria, Vibrio, found in an oyster.
sun-sentinel.comWhat are local leaders doing about the housing crisis?
By Amber Randall, South Florida Sun-Sentinel(Source South Florida Sun- Sentinel):This is a first in a series of stories based on reader questions regarding the housing affordability crisis in South Florida. – Kimberly Rhoden, long-time teacherA: Both rents and home prices have boomed in South Florida since the COVID pandemic began. There are steps being taken at the county level to address the housing crisis, county leaders and experts told the South Florida Sun Sentinel. There is also a proposed budget increase for the county’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund, which if approved, would bring $18 million to new affordable housing projects. “We have a shortage of housing in Palm Beach County and we are laser focused on trying to create capacity.” Bernard said.
thewestsidegazette.comDoes support from conservative groups help — or hurt — in Democratic Broward?
Conservative groups Florida Family Action and Moms for Liberty, along with the Broward Republican Party, are making recommendations to county voters in advance of the Aug. 23 elections and primary contests. Does support from the Republican Party or groups on the political right help or hurt candidates in Broward County, which is overwhelmingly Democratic? One candidate in a hotly contested race is not welcoming the family action group's "preferred" rating.
sun-sentinel.comCoronavirus Report: July 25, 2022
New coronavirus cases continue to rise across the US. New coronavirus cases continue to rise in Florida. Cases of the disease continue to rise rapidly across the globe and in the US. 16,836 cases reported in 74 countries2,891 confirmed cases in the United States247 confirmed cases in Florida130 confirmed cases in Broward CountyBroward County is the epicenter of the Monkeypox outbreak in Florida. Monkeypox is an infectious disease that causes pox-like vesicles on the face, hands, and other parts of the body.
thewestsidegazette.comMore than 25,000 Broward mail ballots are late getting sent to voters
Some 25,000 mail ballots for the August primaries and non-partisan elections in Broward County are late, and haven’t yet gone in the mail. They’ve been intentionally held back, Supervisor of Elections Joe Scott said Tuesday, to ensure accuracy of addresses and to make sure people don’t receive the wrong ballots. "There’s dueling expectations."
sun-sentinel.comWho’s fueling the money race for Broward School Board? The top takeaways for the election
Broward's School Board candidates are spending anywhere from zero dollars to over $22,000 on their campaigns. Some candidates are mainly bankrolling themselves, pouring in up to $90,000 from their personal accounts. Here's who’s backing the candidates and where the money is being spent.
sun-sentinel.comSouth Florida is hot but hasn’t yet set heat records this summer
South Florida hasn’t experienced the searing, record-setting heat many other parts of the world have experienced this summer. But it’s still been oppressively hot and humid, especially last week when the “feels like” temperatures were between 105 and 110 degrees.
sun-sentinel.comTHE COUNTDOWN IS ON! REGISTER NOW FOR THE SALVATION ARMY OF BROWARD COUNTY’S KETTLE KRUSH 5K ON JULY 23 AT MARKHAM PARK
Join WPLG Local 10 Reporter Roy Ramos for Fifth Anniversary Event to “Krush” Poverty and Homelessness in South Florida#BrowardKettleKrush2022The countdown is on to register for The Salvation Army of Broward County’s fifth anniversary Kettle Krush 5K! Join guest host WPLG Local 10 Reporter Roy Ramos, Florida Panthers special guests and more to make pre-Christmas noise while you run, walk or roll to “krush” poverty and homelessness in South Florida. For the past four years, nearly 400 participants have raised awareness and funds to “krush” homelessness and hunger in South Florida. The Salvation Army serves over 50,000 Broward County residents, every year, and more than 70% of its funding comes directly from the community – individuals, groups and businesses. Each holiday season, The Salvation Army raises hundreds of thousands of dollars and distributes more than 7,000 gifts to families below the poverty line in Broward County.
thewestsidegazette.comMiami-Dade’s Jason Pizzo will represent a Broward district, since no one opposed him for state Senate
Jason Pizzo, a state senator from Miami-Dade County, will represent a huge swath of eastern Broward after November, even though he’s never received a single vote from anyone in the county. “If you don’t know him, I guarantee you will know exactly who he is very soon."
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