This Week in South Florida Podcast: July 3, 2022
On the latest episode of the This Week in South Florida podcast, hosts Michael Putney and Glenna Milberg are joined by State Sen. Shevrin Jones, State Rep. Chip LaMarca, Miami-Dade Public Schools Superintendent Jose Dotres and chair of Miami-Dade County’s Independent Civilian Panel Loreal Arscott.
This Week in South Florida Full Episode: July 3, 2022
On the latest episode of This Week in South Florida, hosts Michael Putney and Glenna Milberg are joined by State Sen. Shevrin Jones, State Rep. Chip LaMarca, Miami-Dade Public Schools Superintendent Jose Dotres and chair of Miami-Dade County’s Independent Civilian Panel Loreal Arscott.
Grandfather killed in hotel leaves behind beloved twin brother, 2 daughters, son
Derrick Moore said he is devastated and he will never be the same. He said he and his beloved 50-year-old twin brother, Dion Moore, worked in the hospitality industry for years. He never imagined he would be shot and killed while working at a hotel.
Spurred by cyclist deaths, new safety measures coming to Rickenbacker Causeway
In a memo sent to commissioners Tuesday, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava outlined new safety measures coming to the Rickenbacker Causeway spurred by the deaths of two cyclists struck and killed by a vehicle on the causeway in May.
Chief says charges possible after more antisemitic flyers found in South Florida
Residents of multiple South Florida communities are reporting finding antisemitic flyers distributed throughout their neighborhoods in a string of incidents very similar to a rash of flyer distributions in South Florida back in January.
Solar Co-op selects Cutler Bay Solar Solutions to serve group
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.
communitynewspapers.comThird Surterra Wellness Dispensary opens to meet community’s growing demand
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.
communitynewspapers.comCOVID vaccines for infants arrive in Florida. Here’s why doctors are throwing them away
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.
news.yahoo.comMayor’s RTZ Message Pinecrest
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.
communitynewspapers.comDr. Marta Perez honors six District 8 high school students with scholarships
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.
communitynewspapers.comFlood watches extended for Broward and Miami-Dade through Wednesday as forecast calls for more rain
With the ground already saturated, the 1 to possibly 5 inches of rain in the forecast over the next day could cause flooding in South Florida if water levels don’t recede, the National Weather Service said.
sun-sentinel.comPolice: DNA technology connects man to Florida serial rapes
Advanced DNA technology helped detectives link the cases of six women to a man accused of being the “pillowcase rapist” for a string of rapes back in the 1980s. Robert Koehler is currently jailed in neighboring Miami-Dade County, where he faces charges for assaulting a woman in the early '80s as well, Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony said in a Tuesday morning news conference. Authorities believe Koehler, 62, may have committed 40 to 45 rapes, terrifying victims by breaking into their homes at night, the sheriff said.
news.yahoo.comHow the Proud Boys gripped the Miami-Dade Republican Party
The concerted effort by the Proud Boys to join the Miami-Dade Republican Party's leadership has destabilized and dramatically reshaped the party that former Gov. Jeb Bush and others built into a powerhouse nearly four decades ago.
sun-sentinel.comMiami-Dade pays $4 million for girl with spine severed in crash
MIAMI — Miami-Dade County has agreed to pay a record $4 million for the care of a girl whose spinal cord was severed in a crash with a police cruiser that was speeding into an intersection with non-working stoplights as a hurricane approached nearly six years ago. AdvertisementMost of the award will satisfy her past medical and legal bills, leaving less than $1.5 million for future medical bills. Her lawyers estimated that she'll need more than $11 million for lifetime care, and deserves another $10 million for pain and suffering. But a special master found that her mother and the driver of their car were also at fault, lowering the county's share of the blame. Meraz-Funez has been in a vegetative state since the crash, unable to move or communicate, Davis noted.
sun-sentinel.com21st annual Mayor’s Ball raises over $1.3M to benefit United Way Miami
The 21st Annual Mayor’s Ball, hosted for the first time by Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, brought together more than over 600 community leaders to raise over $1.3 million to support United Way Miami’s work in education, financial stability and health. 29, and celebrated the longstanding partnership between Miami-Dade County and United Way. During the event, Mayor Levine Cava took a moment to acknowledge them and honored a group of frontline heroes including doctors, nurses, firefighters, paramedics and police officers. “We are grateful to Mayor Levine Cava for her partnership in helping us build a stronger Miami,” said Joe Zubi, interim president and CEO at United Way Miami. Mayor’s Ball sponsors included: Amazon, Badia Spices, Kenneth C. Griffin, Nomi Health, Related Philanthropic Foundation as “The Great Gatsby” sponsors.
communitynewspapers.comMiami-Dade Parks collaborates with O, Miami for Poetry Geocaching
Miami-Dade County’s Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department has collaborated with O, Miami poetry festival and artist Aileen Neri to engage the community with poem geocaching. Neri worked closely with Miami-Dade Parks to select 22 parks across the county to discreetly drop boxes containing original poems for park-goers to find. Users can interact with the geocache to find poems throughout Miami-Dade Parks during Miami Poetry Month. “Miami-Dade Parks are the perfect place for the community to come and get lost in nature with a good book, or poem,” said Miami-Dade Parks director Maria Nardi. Poetry boxes will be available to engage with through the end of May.
communitynewspapers.com‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ Tea benefits free children’s dental clinic
Save Saturday, May 7, from 1 to 4 p.m., for a great affair at the Coral Gables Woman’s Club, 1001 E. Ponce de Leon Blvd., benefitting CGWC’s free children’s dental clinic. This pre Mother’s Day event is a great way to treat your mom, aunt, best friend or wife. This is always a great day with funds raised helping save lives of 360 babies at last count. For more information on how you can participate in this festival, visit omiami.org. 2, Coco Plum Woman’s Club held a Brunch & Broadway fundraiser with entertainment provided by the FIU School of Music.
communitynewspapers.comTemple Judea event focuses on impact of war on Ukraine’s Jewish community
The AJC, in partnership with Temple Judea at 5500 Granada Blvd. in Coral Gables, one of the largest Reform synagogues in Miami-Dade County, recently presented a community event, titled “The Crisis in Ukraine: Impact on Ukraine’s Jewish Community and Implications for Europe, NATO and Transatlantic Relations.”The Apr. 12 event was moderated by Brian Siegal, regional director of AJC in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. As the first Jewish organization to support the restoration of Ukrainian independence in 1991, AJC joins the international community in condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and supports a firm, sustained, and unified Western response. In diplomatic advocacy, AJC urges not only condemnation by foreign governments, but coordinated steps to isolate and impose severe sanctions against Russia.
communitynewspapers.comNAMI Miami-Dade to host second annual Mental Health Awareness Walk, May 21
In honor of Mental Health Awareness month in May, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Miami is hosting Miami-Dade County’s first in-person Walk for Mental Health Awareness, “NAMIWalks Your Way 2022,” on May 21, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Maurice A. Ferre Park (Museum Park). The event raises awareness and crucial funding for local mental health services and has sponsorship and walk team opportunities available for those interested in participating. The walk is designed to combat the stigma of mental health, address the high incidence of suicide due to untreated mental health disorders and raise funds for NAMI Miami’s free programs such as support groups, peer mentoring programs, outreach and educational classes. “Psychological distress from the past two years has really increased the demand for mental health services in our community,” said Susan Racher, NAMI Miami board president. Sponsors will have the opportunity to join other organizations, corporations, foundations and individuals on a national level while supporting the effort to increase awareness of mental health challenges during one of the most arduous years in history.
communitynewspapers.comFoster Fair Orientation Events
Miami-Dade County Animal Services Department (Animal Services) is in urgent need of pet foster parents. Animal Services experiences an influx of animals at the shelter during the summer months including orphaned kittens. Animal Services will provide all veterinary care for these kittens, as well as sterilization before they are adopted. It is our hope to find homes for our Miami-Dade County orphaned kittens. To attend one of the foster fair orientation events in person or via Zoom Meetings, please RSVP at pet-foster-orientation.eventbrite.com.
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