SPRING BREAK

Instead of trying to go to a tropical location for spring break, 36 students at Wayne State stayed in their community to serve for an annual occurrence called “alternative spring break.”

Las Vegas is a classic U.S. travel destination. It’s vibrant, usually packed with people, larger than life, and there’s likely something to do for ANY personality type -- even if you’re not all that into gambling or drinking.

Chaotic holiday weekends with big crowds are not a new phenomenon in Miami Beach.

A state of emergency that was imposed in Miami Beach after a series of shootings survived a legal challenge and business backlash.

For the second straight day Miami Beach police officers will gear up to enforce a curfew that will go into effect at midnight and last until 6 a.m.

City leaders who have been trying for years to get Spring Break off South Beach may seem focused on visitors from out of town, but statistics show that locals may be the most to blame.

The curfew has led to outrage from business owners, who say it just adds pain to an industry already hurting following the COVID-19 pandemic.

It’s no secret: Traveling by vehicle has gotten pretty pricy recently.

So far during Spring Break, police officers in Fort Lauderdale have only made 14 arrests.

A judge granted a temporary injunction filed by attorneys for The Clevelander, halting the roll back which was supposed to go into effect March 7.

U.S. authorities are urging Americans to "avoid travel to Mexico" for both health and safety reasons, in separate warnings.

Tuesday morning, the Miami Beach Interim City Manager updated the City’s State of Emergency relating to the High Impact Period during spring break and officially canceled the 8 p.m. curfew. The curfew had been imposed each Thursday through Sunday evening in the declared “High Impact Zone” of South Beach, where chaos had ensued throughout March.

A group of teens wildly riding bikes through Miami Beach brutally beat a man in broad daylight.

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Protesters took to the streets Saturday afternoon, saying enough is enough. There were over 100 people outside of Miami Beach City Hall for what they were calling the ‘Take Back the City Protest.’Miami Beach residents protest outside city hall. (WPLG)The attendees were frustrated Miami Beach residents dealing with yet another year of spring break chaos. Spring break in Miami Beach has made headlines all over the world because of the chaos and crime this year. Residents hold protest outside City Hall as Miami Beach spring break unruliness continuesDespite the measures, residents still want to know what plan the mayor has for the future.

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Major changes have been announced in Miami Beach in an attempt to control rowdy spring break crowds. All causeways leading into Miami Beach will continue to be closed from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m. with the exception of residents, workers and hotel guests. Some local Black leaders are critical of the City of Miami Beach because of how severe the crackdown has been on spring breakers. “They’re met with heavy police presence, right they’re met with street closures. “We still have a right to go on Miami Beach and we still have a right to be treated fairly,” Pierre said.

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Exactly one year ago, restaurants temporarily ceased indoor dining operations in Miami Beach, and it seems the restaurant industry in the city’s Entertainment District still can’t get a break. However, the new measures do not affect every business in Miami Beach. The new ordinances only affect restaurants and businesses located in the “High Impact Zone,” which is located in the Entertainment District of South Beach. Ad“The city of Miami Beach is supposed to be patrolling the streets, whether it’s for security or for COVID reasons. “Now, the City of Miami Beach and Miami Beach Police should do the same thing out there on the street.

PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. – A State of Emergency was declared in Miami Beach as Spring Break crowds continue to overwhelm and defy law enforcement. Crime and sporadic violence has broken out night after night and leaders have now imposed an early evening curfew and closed the causeways to clear people from South Beach. Miami Beach Police Chief Richard Clements and Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber joined This Week in South Florida hosts Michael Putney and Glenna Milberg to discuss, and their conversation can be seen at the top of this page.

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Several roads leading to South Beach have been closed in an attempt to stop the uptick in crime and misbehavior during Spring Break. There are special exceptions for Miami Beach residents, hotel guests and people going to work. Road closures heading to Miami Beach due to Spring Break crowds. AdOn the other hand, some Miami Beach residents were upset about the eastbound traffic jam and delays to get home. “I think it’s a great idea.”AdRELATED LINKSMiami Beach officials announce 8 p.m. curfew, causeway closures to control spring break crowdPepper balls used on Spring Break partygoers along South Beach after new curfew passes with little response

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Businesses in Miami Beach are taking the safety of their employees and clientele into their own hands. On Friday, the Clevelander restaurant and bar announced they will be closing until at least next week for safety reasons because of the wild spring break crowds. Miami Beach Police say they’re doing everything they can to keep people safe as spring breakers have caused violence and chaos along the streets of South Beach. Officers then detained at least three people, and Miami Beach Fire Rescue personnel responded to help the few who were injured. “We put the measures in place to curb any criminal activity, to tame the crowds, and to encourage the people who are here to behave responsibly,” explains Rodriguez.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Authorities in Fort Lauderdale are keeping a strong police presence on the street during Spring Break. The goal is to keep the crowds safe amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Police officers are doing their best to make sure everyone remains adherent to safety guidelines as the party holiday continues. Crowds are expected to grow in the coming days as more people travel to South Florida.

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber said on Monday that he knows there are some tourists who come to South Beach with bad intentions. “I think our cops assume that.”According to the Miami Beach Police Department, the number of arrests has more than doubled so far this Spring Break. Miami Beach police marine patrol officers were also working with the U.S. Coast Guard to check up on charter boats during Spring Break. This year’s Spring Break in South Beach comes with a longer list of rules. Spring Break season ends on April 12.

In a statement posted Friday on Instagram, The Wharf Fort Lauderdale, (a popular bar in Fort Lauderdale, with a location in Miami), announced the shocking measure: Through March 31, they will restrict guests with out-of-state IDs to those 23 or older. The post reads, in part, “During Spring Break season #WharfFTL will be 23+ for all guests with out-of-state ID 😄 #KnotWorking.”The smiley face emoji truly seems to speak volumes, as reports of packed bars with maskless patrons have started surfacing late this week. AdThe mayor is well aware of issues the city has had at The Wharf. In Miami Beach, the city has increased spring break police staffing but said what’s been seen so far is nothing compared to what visitors can expect this weekend. According to officials, more enforcement measures will be implemented this week, with school off for spring break and increased occupancy rates at local hotels.

Down here in the Sunshine State, which has seen temperatures in the 80s all week, the cold front will bring in a refreshing reminder that it’s not yet time for Spring Break. After a morning in the low 60s, Saturday’s daytime high is forecast to reach the mid-70s.

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Miami Beach leaders are meeting ahead of what some anticipate to be the largest and longest Spring Break they’ve seen in a while and they say they are going to be ready. City officials are recognizing that there is a problem that’s consistently bubbling up in Miami Beach’s Entertainment district and they want to send a strong message. Raul Aguila, the interim city manager of Miami Beach, had harsh words. “Miami Beach is not going to tolerate anarchy for Spring Break 2021,” he said. If ever there was a time to raise that bar, it’s now,” said Mark Samuelian, Miami Beach city commissioner.

CINCINNATI, Ohio – A South Florida spring breaker seen in a viral video last week saying “if I get corona, I get corona” is apologizing for his reaction to the coronavirus. Brady Sluder says in an Instagram post that he owns up to his mistake and he didn’t realize the impact of his words. The 22-year-old from the Cincinnati area told a TV news crew in Miami last week that he wasn’t going to let concerns over the coronavirus stop him from partying. The video was shared widely across social media and shown as an example of young people ignoring warnings about the pandemic.

As many Miami Beach institutions are learning, owning and operating a business in a tourist-heavy area during a global pandemic means making hard decisions day by day. I have 20 employees, and I don't want to go into panic mode, so Im rearranging the schedules," Gagliardi tells New Times. Gagliardi tells New Times he perceived an uptick in takeout and delivery orders even before they became Miami restaurants' only means of business. "I'm also complying with all the opening and closing times according to what the City of Miami Beach requires.The county's decision was made in an effort to strengthen the existing recommended precautions. A nearly deserted Espaola Way Photo by Cata BalzanoLa Leggenda, like many Miami restaurants, is reorienting itself to prepare food solely for delivery orders.

MIAMI – The State University System of Florida directed public universities on Wednesday to start transitioning to online classes “immediately.”“This directive will be reevaluated as the situation continues to develop,” the state education officials said in a statement about the new strategy to help prevent COVID-19 cases in Florida. The directive includes state universities with students who have returned from spring break, which includes Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida International University, Florida Polytechnic University, and the University of Florida. Public university officials will be encouraging students from other public schools to return home for at least two weeks or to not return to campus. This includes students at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Florida Atlantic University, Florida State University, New College of Florida, the University of North Florida, the University of Central Florida, the University of South Florida, and the University of West Florida. Miami Dade College and 27 other public colleges in Florida are following the recommendation of the Florida Department of Education to remain open.

Spring break is right around the corner, and you may be dreaming of a fun family vacation -- but what if a full-fledged vacation is not in the cards or the budget? Spring break is typically right around Easter, which is seen by many as a time of renewal. An Easter morning hike would be a great way to kick off your day, so lace up your shoes and soak it all in. Spring break is a great time for a movie marathon, so queue up your favorite streaming service or break into that stack of DVDs. Hosting a staycation is a great way to spend the Easter break, especially if you can keep the kids entertained and happy.

She had no desire to mix and mingle with the Spring Break crowd. Here, she was far from the raucous rumble of the bars, but the public washroom was just steps away, she said with a laugh.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The spring break season started just a few days ago and members of the Fort Lauderdale Police Department want to make sure those that are visiting are safe and follow the rules. More tourists means more traffic, which is why Fort Lauderdale police officers will be out in full force, making sure everyone is safe. There’s also a ban on electric scooters during spring break and ride sharing companies must pick up and drop off people at designated spots in order to avoid clogging beachfront streets. The police presence has also been beefed up in order to make sure this season is enjoyable for both visitors and residents alike. The spring break season wraps up on April 5.

Sure, seeing Niagara Falls from either the United States or Canada is awe-inspiring, but what if we said you could experience the beauty of Niagara Falls from up above, like you were a soaring eagle?

Spring break is a great time to cut loose and celebrate the end of winter. There’s a reason why destinations such as Mexico and Fort Lauderdale are so popular for spring break. If you’re going to a popular spring break destination, make your travel arrangements now, as accommodations might sell out. If you're looking to do something really different for your spring break, why not escape spring altogether with a trip to the Southern Hemisphere? From lounging on the beach to skiing to volunteering, these seven spring break ideas offer fun for people of all ages.

Spring break is just around the corner, and if you’re in college, you’ve probably already begun to plan the ins and outs of your week in the sun. If you’re got a little bit of down time or you’ve had enough of the beach, here are some recommendations that will make your college spring break fun and memorable. Spring breakers tend to eat whatever is cheap and fast, but splurging one night on a great dish will make your spring break so much more memorable. It’s NASCAR’s first-ever infield beach party, and we’re sure it will be a great time. Friday and Saturday tickets are access only and don’t include a race ticket.

Spring break is upon us, and if you’ve got children, you know what that means: about a week of time to fill with the kids. And kids 12 and younger are free in Turns 1 and 4 on Saturday. For the Dixie Vodka 400, kids 12 and younger are $10 in reserved grandstand seating. In the Xfinity Series Race, for the general admission grandstands, located in Turn 4, kids 12 and younger under are free. Finally, kids 12 and younger are free in the general admission and grandstand seating for the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series.

The vogue of prohibition era culture has finally reached Miami Beach City Hall. All in all, an overwhelming majority 64 percent of Miami Beach residents voted against the rollback. Ask any business in the entertainment district, and they will tell you that Spring Break is their Christmas. And what about the millions of dollars in tourism campaigns that have been launched to draw more and more people to Miami Beach. On the other hand, Miami Beach has taken some good steps to address Spring Break concerns without strangling business.

The vogue of prohibition era culture has finally reached Miami Beach City Hall. All in all, an overwhelming majority 64 percent of Miami Beach residents voted against the rollback. Ask any business in the entertainment district, and they will tell you that Spring Break is their Christmas. And what about the millions of dollars in tourism campaigns that have been launched to draw more and more people to Miami Beach. On the other hand, Miami Beach has taken some good steps to address Spring Break concerns without strangling business.

Miamis Best Pizza interior has a no-frills, homey atmosphere that makes for the perfect setting to chow down on some seriously good pizza. If you prefer to build your own, Miamis Best Pizza prices their pies by the number of toppings and pizza diameter. Rey Pizza (Little Havana)Unlike other pizzerias in Miami, Rey Pizza sets itself apart with the unique way they craft their pies. When it comes to toppings, Rey Pizza offers traditional favorites such as pepperoni, onions and mushrooms. Nicholas Leira, a UM senior of Cuban heritage, said he recommends Rey Pizza for those who want to try something new.

This Labor Day Weekend, catch free concerts at the Daytona Beach Bandshell on Friday and Saturday. Even though Labor Day is still one week out, it's never too early to plan your getaway. And whether you're hauling your family to the beach, a parade or absolutely nowhere, here's what you need to know about what the weather before you knock out one last beach day this Labor Day weekend. As for the West Coast, well, sorry, guys, but Labor Day may be hotter than usual this year. Positioned at the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season, Labor Day weekend has seen several severe storms over the years.

Panama City Beach is growing tired of the annual Spring Break crowd. Violence, drinking and drugs have become such a problem that local council members are considering drastic measures to dissuade college students from partying on the beach. But as Mark Strassmann reports, local businesses are worried about the impact that would have on their bottom line.