MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

The former Miami firefighter who was terminated over a rant that offended the local law enforcement community at a time of grief released a public apology on Friday evening.

Seven students’ stories are going from the classroom to the “Dear Freedom Writer: Stories of Hardship and Hope from the Next Generation” — a book that is distributed worldwide.

Police officers arrested a man on Thursday who is accused of shooting a 25-year-old aspiring architect from Argentina during an armed robbery in Miami Beach.

1.8 million doses of the monkeypox vaccine are being released cross-country and will arrive as early as Monday.

An armed robber is still on the run after robbing an Uber driver at gunpoint and police are fearful he'll strike again.

Miami Fire Rescue officials terminated a firefighter Friday over an anti-police rant posted to social media after the death of an officer.

Federal agents discovered six Cuban migrants locked in a cargo van by smugglers following a traffic stop Thursday, according to a top U.S. Border Patrol official.

Teammates of Luke Knox returned to practice two days after the death of the 22-year-old linebacker.

A tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children lead police to a North Miami man, according to an arrest affidavit.

A car dealership owner is facing a felony charge after police accused him of threatening to set a Doral insurance business on fire and shoot its employees over a $202.40 charge he was apparently upset about.

Scores of law enforcement officers participated in a procession Friday morning for slain Miami-Dade police Detective Cesar “Echy” Echaverry.

A Miami firefighter is under investigation on Thursday over a social media post after Miami-Dade Detective Cesar “Echy” Echaverry, 29, shot on Tuesday while on duty and died on Wednesday.

Police officers arrested a man on Thursday who is accused of shooting a 25-year-old aspiring architect from Argentina during an armed robbery in Miami Beach.

To combat monkeypox, the White House announced today that 1.8 million more doses of the monkeypox vaccine are being sent out cross country and will be ready as early as Monday.

More and more Cubans are risking their lives at sea to get to the United States. Michael Bustamante, a historian at the University of Miami, and Andy Gomez, an expert on post-Fidel Castro Cuba, said there is an ongoing immigration crisis that is going largely ignored.

The law enforcement community is mourning the loss of a Miami-Dade police detective who died Wednesday after being gravely wounded in a shootout with an armed robbery suspect Monday night.

A Brightline train slammed into an empty SUV parked in the middle of a railroad crossing in North Miami Thursday, according to police.

Federal agents and local police interdicted a “maritime smuggling event” off the South Florida coast and arrested nine people Monday, officials said.

Officials at the Florida International University say that according to reports from Miami-Dade police there was no foul play involved in the death of a 22-year-old linebacker.

The Democratic challenger to Gov. Ron DeSantis is just one of the highly anticipated races that will be decided Tuesday night in Florida’s Primary Election.

Miami-Dade police are investigating a shooting that occurred Wednesday night in front of a home in southwest Miami-Dade.

Miami-Dade police are investigating after one of their officers crashed a patrol car into the front of a home in Cutler Bay Wednesday night.

The Miami-Dade Police Department is mourning one of its own.

Newly-obtained body camera video sheds light on the events leading to the arrest of 27-year-old Phillip Katsabanis, the South Florida rapper better known as Stitches, earlier this month.

As a Miami-Dade police officer remained in critical condition after he was shot in Miami’s Liberty City neighborhood Monday night, Local 10 News has learned more information Wednesday about the suspects connected to the incident, both of whom were killed by police.

This week, headlines screamed that extreme heat will be a fact of life for over 100 million Americans in the next 30 years.

A tractor-trailer rolled over Wednesday afternoon on Florida’s Turnpike in northwest Miami-Dade, shutting down all lanes.

There has been a recent increase in firearm and ammunition smuggling from the United States to Haiti, federal officials reported on Wednesday during a news conference in Miami-Dade County.

On Wednesday, thousands of children from Miami-Dade County returned back to school.

Corrections officers were holding a 19-year-old student on Wednesday without bond at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center after Miami Beach police officers arrested him on Tuesday in South Beach.

Scientists and students from the University of Miami dove into the dark waters a few miles off the shores of Miami as part of an effort to develop hybrid reefs.

A 59-year-old man is facing two counts of vehicular homicide in an Aug. 5 crash on State Road 9 in Opa-locka that left one man dead and a pregnant woman seriously injured.

A suspect has been detained after someone notified police about an armed person on the Kendall campus of Miami Dade College, authorities confirmed Wednesday morning.

For a chance to have your child be featured in our slideshow or on Local 10 News, please email their back to school pictures to share@local10.com.

State Rep. Christopher Benjamin, elected officials, and community leaders throughout Miami-Dade County are organizing Democracy Day

Investigators at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center have discovered that abnormal conditions in the vaginal microbiome may lead to and worsen endometrial cancer.

From the moment their 5-year-old daughter Emma was born, Crystal and Jordan Boelk knew something was off.

The lowdown on 17-acre county downtown mega-project by at MiamiTodayNews.com.

Filming in Miami: August 18, 2022 by at MiamiTodayNews.com.

A clip of a radio dispatch began going around on social media Tuesday allegedly of a City of Miami police officer making insensitive remarks as a officer who was shot was rushed to the hospital Monday night.

A million dollar heist is under investigation after a trailer heading to Miami carrying expensive cell phones was stolen.

A major police response was observed in Miami Springs late Tuesday afternoon.

Ahead of the new school year, the superintendent in Miami-Dade County opened up about his plan for issues both COVID and non-COVID related that they may face.

The officer has been identified in a department memo as 29-year-old Detective Cesar Echaverry, a member of the department’s Robbery Intervention Detail.

Police officers asked the public for help on Tuesday with finding a 36-year-old man who needs help.

The man shot and killed by Miami-Dade police officers in a Monday night shootout that left one officer critically wounded was a 32-year-old man from Michigan, sources tell Local 10 News.

Florida reported its first case of monkeypox in a child younger than four years old, according to the Florida Department of Health.

Dead roaches near the chicken prep area and flying insects in the kitchen were just some of the issues recently found at a South Florida Popeyes restaurant.

An officer with the Miami-Dade County Police Department was shot on Monday night in Miami.

Congresswoman Val Demings will likely be the Democratic challenger to U.S. Senator Marco Rubio in November's election.

The Miami Northwestern Bulls took to the practice field on Monday ahead of their big kick off game in Orlando this weekend.

Several days have passed since a Virginia Key business was suddenly shut down indefinitely.

Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill held a grand opening on Monday for his Soul Runner pop-up store at Aventura Mall.

Early voting for the Aug. 23 primary election continues through Sunday, Aug. 21, at 23 convenient locations throughout Miami-Dade County. The full list of early voting sites, including hours of operation and addresses, can be found on the Election Department’s early voting page at www.miamidade.gov/global/service.page?Mduid_service=ser1511962555914873. During early voting, registered voters can go to any of the 23 sites throughout the county, while they must go to their assigned precinct on Election Day. Additionally, voters can drop off their vote-by-mail ballot at any early voting site without having to go inside the polling place. Voters can drive up to the “Official Ballot Drop-Off,” located outside all 23 early voting locations, and drop their vote-by-mail ballot into the secure ballot intake station.

The Miami-Dade County taxing authorities have submitted their respective proposed millage rates to Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser Pedro J. Garcia. The millage rate is the rate of taxation for every $1,000 of a property’s taxable value. “I am grateful to those taxing authorities that have reduced their millage rates to support our community during these difficult times. I continue to urge cities unwilling to reduce their millage rates to do what they can to provide property tax relief for all property owners in Miami-Dade County,” says Property Appraiser Garcia. Property Appraiser Garcia encourages property owners to review their individual property values and tax exemption benefits online at www.miamidade.gov/pa/.

Filming in Miami: August 11, 2022 by at MiamiTodayNews.com.

The Florida Small Business Development Center (FSBDC) at FIU Business has been recognized as the Florida SBDC Network Center of the Year for 2022. FSBDC at FIU consultants also led the state network in access to capital and business launches. The center provides no-cost consulting and guidance on topics including financial management, business strategy, access to capital and market analysis. The center has 30 business specialists in Miami-Dade and the Keys. “FSBDC is Florida’s leader in working with small entrepreneurial firms,” said William Hardin, dean of FIU Business.

The Miami-Dade County Commission on Apr. This boat pass will be available to qualified Miami-Dade County disabled veterans only. A decal, renewable every three years, will be affixed to the disabled veteran’s windshield of the vehicle that will tow the boat. The patron will be required to show proof of Miami-Dade County residency, driver’s license, registration, and proof that they are a disabled veteran. “One way that the county can provide a small token of appreciation to disabled veterans is by removing any fees which may prevent them from accessing the beautiful waters that surround us.”

Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava recently announced updates to leadership within Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR). The leadership changes are as follows, effective Aug. 1:Raied Jadallah, Deputy Fire Chief, became the new director of the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department. Chief Jadallah is a 26-year fire service veteran and has had a distinguished career with MDFR for the past 22 years. I look forward to the critical role he will play in helping reform and streamline Miami-Dade County building safety standards. We do essential work not only in responding to disaster but ensuring the ongoing safety of buildings across Miami-Dade,” Chief Cominsky said.

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

Technology alters leadership, says chamber of commerce chairman by at MiamiTodayNews.com.

PortMiami Tunnel blazes trail to future by at MiamiTodayNews.com.

Filming in Miami: August 4, 2022 by at MiamiTodayNews.com.

FYI Miami: August 4, 2022 by at MiamiTodayNews.com.

The PNC Foundation recently announced recently that over the next three years it will award $300,000 in PNC Arts Alive grants to Miami-Dade County nonprofit, visual and performing arts organizations, in keeping with its mission to support the arts and increase arts access and engagement. Since launching its Florida PNC Arts Alive initiative in 2016, PNC has pledged more than $1 million to area organizations, supporting 58 programs. PNC is accepting grant proposals for $10,000 and above from qualified, non-profit arts organizations that support fresh and emerging arts programs, value-added public programming and creative use of technology. From classical music and fine art to dance and theater, we’re committed to keeping the arts alive in Miami,” Bronson added. PNC Arts Alive is a multi-year initiative of PNC and the PNC Foundation dedicated to supporting visual and performing arts groups with the goal of increasing arts access and engagement in new and innovative ways.

At the conclusion of the 2020 U.S. Census, the Florida Legislature and Miami-Dade County’s local governments completed a process called “redistricting,” the redrawing of district lines to adjust for population growth rates. In preparation for the Aug. 23 primary election, all voters were mailed a new voter information card. To vote in a partisan primary election, voters must have registered with a respective political party affiliation no later than Monday, July 25. Vote by Mail, Early Voting, or at their assigned precinct on Election Day (listed on the Voter Information Card). Voters are encouraged to visit www.iamelectionready.org and click on “Redistricting” to learn more.

Miami-Dade County has significantly increased fines for environmental violations with the potential to pollute the county’s ground and surface waters, including Biscayne Bay. “We take very seriously the protection of our bay and our water,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. For example, the fine for discharging prohibited substances into county waters was increased from $200 to $2,500. The Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources, through its Division of Environmental Resources Management (DERM), oversees environmental regulations throughout the county. Ensuring compliance with these provisions helps to protect and preserve county resources, including air, ground and surface waters, soil, property, and natural resources, all of which are valued resources to the county’s residents, visitors, and economy.

Miami-Dade mayor ponders waste facility site by at MiamiTodayNews.com.

Commissioner Joe A. Martinez invites all Miami-Dade County residents to attend the 2022 Health and Safety Expo on Saturday, Aug. 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Miami-Dade County Fair Expo Center, 10901 Coral Way. “After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are excited to bring back this special event for the residents of Miami-Dade County,” said Commissioner Martinez. “Healthcare should be a priority but going to the doctor and taking care of one’s health is not always easy or affordable. This event offers every person the opportunity to receive medical attention and advice in one easy location. We hope everyone will take advantage of this opportunity to take care of and learn about their health and well-being.”Myriad services, all free, will be available at the expo, including full health screenings, COVID-19 vaccinations for individuals ages 5 years and older, mammograms, massages and prostate cancer screenings to name a few.

Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava recently announced updates to the public safety leadership overseeing the Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD), Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR), Corrections and Rehabilitation Department (MDCR) and Medical Examiner. Since February 2022, Ramirez has served as interim Chief Public Safety Officer overseeing MDPD, MDFR and the Medical Examiner. Since February, Patterson has served on special assignment overseeing MDCR, bringing his extensive experience in public safety to advance critical reforms to the county’s correctional facilities. George A. Perez, who has served since February as the interim director of Miami-Dade Police Department, will take on a special assignment as assistant director, overseeing police operations in the Corrections Department. He will work closely with Chief Patterson to ensure transparency and accountability within corrections.

Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava recently presented her proposed county budget for Fiscal Year 2022-23, which provides the first property tax break in 10 years – a 1 percent reduction that will apply to all four taxing districts: countywide, UMSA, library and fire rescue. In the second budget of her administration, Mayor Levine Cava is taking a broad-picture approach — balancing short and long-term challenges by both providing immediate relief to residents struggling with rising costs and investing critical funds in solutions to the housing crisis. “As we look to the budget year ahead, we owe it to residents struggling with the rising costs of living to provide immediate relief. In total, the proposed budget invests over $500 million towards the retention and expansion of affordable housing — a historic number for Miami-Dade County. The proposed budget and more information about Mayor Levine Cava’s Budget Town Halls can be found online at miamidade.gov/budget.

Miami-Dade County District 7 Commissioner Raquel A. Regalado led a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, July 8, for the new nature-based playground at Sabal Chase Park, 10940 SW 113 Place in West Kendall. The commissioner was joined by representatives of the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department as well as members of the community. The 4,510-square-foot area contains inclusive playground equipment, surrounded by play mounds and nature play elements such as Australian pine logs which will provide added play/seating experiences. I know the neighborhood will enjoy this precious park space for years to come.”Miami-Dade County Parks Director Maria I. Nardi added, “We are excited to celebrate these improvements at Sabal Chase Park. This Nature Based Playground provides children with the opportunity to reconnect to nature through play.

The MDEAT Power Summit's enhanced youth development conference focuses on preparing attendees for economic prosperity with Isiah Thomas

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.

Filming in Miami: July 21, 2022 by at MiamiTodayNews.com.

The Miami-Dade Expressway Authority (MDX) achieved another importantlegal victory on June 28 th in a ruling by Eleventh Circuit Court Judge AlanFine, who determined that a motion for summary judgement be granted toMDX. In2019, the State Legislature voted dissolve MDX and replace it with a newentity known as the Greater Miami Expressway Authority (GMX), five ofwhose board members are appointed by the governor. In response, the county passed an ordinance in May to abolish GMX underthe provisions of Miami-Dade County’s Home Rule Charter, which wasadopted in 1957. Those expressways includethe 836/Dolphin Expressway, 112/Airport Expressway, 874/Don ShulaExpressway, 878/Snapper Creek Expressway and 924/Gratigny Parkway. Eugene Stearns, the attorney for MDX, expects GMX to file an appealbefore July 29.”For more Miami news go to www.communitynewspapers.com

The Education Fund has launched the Back-to-School Supply Drive, which continues through Aug. 26, to encourage businesses to donate basic school supplies for public school students in Miami-Dade County. “A company’s support will provide students with the basic necessities to succeed in the classroom,” said Jocelyn Salazar, manager of The Education Fund Ocean Bank Center for Educational Materials. “With their help, we can make sure every student in Miami-Dade County begins the new school year equipped and ready to thrive. We’re grateful for Ocean Bank’s continued support of our warehouse and supply pipeline.”The Education Fund Ocean Bank Center for Educational Materials is an 11,000-square-foot free supply warehouse that supports all 345,000 students and more than 19,000 teachers in Miami-Dade County Public Schools. The Education Fund provided more than $6 million in materials to families, students, schools, and teachers through its free-supply warehouse since March 2020.

The Coral Gables-based Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation recently observed its 30th anniversary as a grant-making organization during its nnual Membership Meeting held at the Riviera Country Club. Three of the major programs funded by the foundation reside at the University of Miami; they are: the Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation Department of Genetics; Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation Biomedical Nanotechnology Institute (BioNIUM), and Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation School Health Initiative, which for the past 22 years, provides direct comprehensive medical care to 15,000 students in nine Miami-Dade County schools. The foundation had its origins when a group of doctors spearheaded by Dr. Macdonald worked to build Doctors’ Hospital in Coral Gables in the late 1940s. University of Miami Medical School Dean Henri Ford addressed the guests, informing them of the great strides at the medical school. Dr. Vance is the Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation Department of Genetics Professor of Human Genomics.

County waives rule, names South Dade Arts Center for ex-commissioner by at MiamiTodayNews.com.

Public to vote on buffer to avoid losing Miami International Airport or PortMiami by at MiamiTodayNews.com.

County assets are not suitable departure gifts for officials by at MiamiTodayNews.com.

Filming in Miami: July 14, 2022 by at MiamiTodayNews.com.

South Florida academic achievement is starting to rebound from the pandemic, school and district grades released Thursday show.

County may name its South Dade arts complex for ex-commissioner by at MiamiTodayNews.com.

Can Diaz bar Tallahassee from grabbing air and seaports? by at MiamiTodayNews.com.

Filming in Miami: July 7, 2022 by at MiamiTodayNews.com.

Filming in Miami: June 30, 2022 by at MiamiTodayNews.com.

The Miami-Dade 2022 Solar Co-op has selected Cutler Bay Solar Solutions to install solar panels for the 149-member group. Co-op members selected Cutler Bay Solar Solutions through a competitive bidding process over five other firms. Solar United Neighbors expands access to solar by educating Miami-Dade County residents about the benefits of distributed solar energy, helping them organize group solar installations, and strengthening Miami-Dade County solar policies and its community of solar supporters. Co-op members selected Cutler Bay Solar Solutions based on pricing, equipment, warranty and experience. Solar United Neighbors holds events and education programs to help people become informed solar consumers, maximize the value of their solar investment, and advocate for fair solar policies.

Parallel, a multi-state medical marijuana operator, recently announced the opening of a new Surterra Wellness (Surterra) medical marijuana dispensary in Kendall becoming the third Surterra location in Miami-Dade County. Surterra is committed to wellness, providing medical marijuana to patients in need, and bringing people together to celebrate the arts — showcasing both emerging and established artists. “We’re thrilled to open a third Surterra location in Miami, complimented by the meaningful artwork from a local artist. Our new dispensary increases access to the world-class products and service for which Surterra has become known,” said Zack Fleming, president of Surterra Wellness. For more information, visit Surterra Wellness at Surterra.com.

Dolphin Mall, Miami-Dade County’s largest outlet and value retail mall, celebrates summer with an immersive “Bubble Fest” experience

Dozens of South Florida pharmacies, community health centers, children’s hospitals and pediatricians received delivery this week of the first COVID-19 vaccines available for children as young as 6 months old — much earlier than anticipated after state officials missed a deadline for pre-ordering the shots.

A new company has acquired eighteen Spanish-language radio stations, serving ten of the largest Latinx-populated cities in the country.

Miami-Dade urges feds to push down loan interest on farmland by at MiamiTodayNews.com.

On-demand public transit use rises, service expands by at MiamiTodayNews.com.

Miami to plant mangroves on Watson Island by at MiamiTodayNews.com.

Filming in Miami: June 23, 2022 by at MiamiTodayNews.com.

FYI Miami: June 16, 2022 by at MiamiTodayNews.com.

Filming in Miami: June 16, 2022 by at MiamiTodayNews.com.

Hello Pinecrest. This is an update on the Rapid Transit Zone (RTZ) ordinance drafted by Miami-Dade County, earlier this year. I am proud to report that the county listened to our collective concerns and re-drafted the original Rapid Transit Zone (RTZ) ordinance to allow cities to maintain control of their zoning in rapid transit areas along US 1. If this NEW draft of the RTZ ordinance is adopted by the Miami-Dade County Board of Commissioners, it will allow Pinecrest to control its zoning, land use, and the review and approval process – with no applicant appeal to the county. Additionally, Pinecrest will not be forced to conform to any height or density requirements.

Miami-Dade County School Board member Dr. Marta Perez honored District 8 high school scholars with over $10,000 in scholarships at an awards ceremony at the Renaissance Ballroom on Thursday, May 19. She joined Miami Arts Studio 6-12 @ Zelda Glazer’s National Honor Society and was on the drama team. Ariel has been an integral part in assisting Mr. Porras, activities director at Miami Sunset Senior High School, ensuring activities at the school were a success. Katherine Gonzalez is in the top 1 percent of her class and part of multiple extracurricular activities at G. Holmes Braddock Senior High School: Health Information Project, Key Club, and several national honor societies. Juliana Ngo, in the International Baccalaureate diploma program at John A. Ferguson Senior High, took 10 AP courses, eight IB courses, four Dual Enrollment courses, and nine honors courses.