Local organization focusing on heart, big talent at annual charity event
Be Strong International, a nonprofit helping Miami-Dade and Broward County families make informed decisions, hosted its annual “Hearts in Rhythm Charity Event” last week at The Rusty Pelican in Key Biscayne. The event served as a gathering of philanthropists to celebrate the impact their donations have made in the most vulnerable communities in South Florida.
Judge scolds prosecutors as gymnastics coach hearing likely pushed back again: ‘A little ridiculous’
The Key Biscayne gymnastics coach accused of committing sex crimes against two of his students went before a judge again on Tuesday and, again, his pre-trial release hearing appeared to be likely postponed another day.
US Fish and Wildlife assisting with ‘transport effort of manatees from Miami Seaquarium’
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service confirmed Monday that it is working with “an experienced team of manatee rescue and rehabilitation experts to assist with the transport effort of manatees from Miami Seaquarium.”
After troubling report, county gives Miami Seaquarium 45 days to fix ‘specific violations’
Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces sent a letter to the Miami Seaquarium on Wednesday in the wake of a Local 10 News report documenting the troubling findings outlined in the USDA’s most recent inspection report.
2 people from capsized boat rescued out of Biscayne Bay
KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. – Two people from a capsized boat were rescued early Thursday morning from Biscayne Bay and brought to No Name Harbor. They were floating in the water for quite some time, though it’s not confirmed how long. Miami-Dade County Fire Rescue received a call at about 4:30 a.m. of a hazardous situation involving two people in the water. Coast Guard officials say the two people were rescued from a 17-foot boat that capsized after a good Samaritan found them floating. One was seen by Local 10 News cameras being brought in on a stretcher.
FHP: Man in custody after assaulting police officer, fleeing from authorities
BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. – A 25-year-old man from Minnesota was arrested Tuesday in South Florida after he was accused of being involved in an aggravated assault on a Key Biscayne police officer and fleeing from authorities. According to Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Yanko Reyes, Musab Mohamed Salih Alhussein assaulted the officer on Monday and then fled the scene. Key Biscayne police were able to obtain the license plate number on the Nissan Pathfinder that Alhussein was driving, which came back to a rental company. Alhussein was eventually taken into custody after troopers conducted a Precision Intervention Technique (PIT maneuver) in the northbound lanes of U.S. 27 near the 46 mile post. AdAlhussein was arrested on charges of aggravated assault on an officer and fleeing and eluding.
Miami Seaquarium releases sea turtles into the ocean after completing rehab
KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. – The Miami Seaquarium has released two sea turtles back into the ocean after being rescued over a year ago. According to the Miami Seaquarium, the two male sea turtles, Yule and Buoyance, were rescued off the coast of South Florida after suffering nearly fatal injuries over a year ago. The larger sea turtle, Yule, was rescued from Black Point Marina in Dec. 2019 when he was discovered in dire shape. “He came with hooks, fishing hooks lol over his body,” says Julie Heyde, who is part of the Miami Seaquarium team who took care of the two sea turtles. “Floating on his back end just bobbing around from impaction.”According to Heyde, they’ve already rescued at least 12 sea turtles this year alone.
Pythons, iguanas: Florida restricts some exotic reptiles
Florida is moving to restrict 16 invasive reptile species that have wreaked havoc in the Everglades and across the state. “Breeding invasive species in Florida is like playing with matches in a tinder box,” said Julie Wraithmell, vice president and executive director of Audubon Florida. “I'm very sensitive to the people in the pet trade and enthusiasts,” said Robert Spottswood, a member of the Florida commission. “But this action is a result of the invasive species that continue to get in the wild. Some kill native Florida wildlife as well as pets, while others dig burrows and become a threat to human constructions such as manmade fountains and gardens.
Lucky dog: Owner grateful after saving rescue pup from shark attack off Virginia Key
KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. – A typical day playing on the beach took a turn for the worst for a South Florida pet owner and her rescue dog. Miami Veterinary Services told Local 10 News the dog’s owner was playing with her at Darwin Beach on Virginia Key, a recurring activity at a regular spot for the two. The dog’s owner ran to the beach and was able to pull Boobie out of the sharks mouth. Boobie the rescue dog is recovering after being attacked by a shark off Key Biscayne. (WPLG)Boobie was rushed to a veterinarians office on Key Biscayne, where doctors were able to stitch up the dogs wound.
School officials plead for students, families to be more responsible after COVID-19 outbreak at MAST Academy
The newspaper reported that McKoy called families who had students in the school telling them that MAST was the No. 1 Miami-Dade County School in the central region for the most COVID-19 positive cases, and blamed the cases on students having parties, get-togethers and sleepovers without masks. According to the school’s dashboard, MAST Academy has a total of 46 cases, which is the tenth most of schools in Miami-Dade County. Email from MAST Academy Principal Derick McKoy:This is Dr. McKoy, principal of MAST Academy calling with a very important message. MAST Academy is the number one school in Central Region with the most number of COVID positive cases.
Leshaw Home destroyed in fire, leaving only 6 in Stiltsville
City of Miami firefighters were seen spraying the home, known as the Leshaw House, with water and Coral Gables police boats and Key Biscayne police boats were also at the scene. Historic home in Stiltsville destroyed in fireAccording to the National Park Service, Stiltsville dates back to the 1930s and at its peak in the 1960s, Stiltsville was home to 27 structures out on the water. Branton spoke off camera to one of the owners of the Leshaw House, who said she is upset by what occurred and just hopes to find out what happened. The Stiltsville Trust was established in 2003, giving those who have usage rights the opportunity to rehabilitate the structure, but not rebuild. Owners who spoke with Branton Monday said the Leshaw House will not be approved for rebuilding given that it is a total loss.
Coast Guard ends search for man who vanished after boat crash off Key Biscayne
The U.S. Coast Guard announced Thursday evening that the search for a 33-year-old man who vanished after a Jan. 4 boat crash off Key Biscayne has ended. Florida Fish and Wildlife reported divers found human remains belonging to the man identified as Spencer Sheridan, according to the Coast Guard. It was near the Bear Cut Bridge, which connects Virginia Key with Key Biscayne. Man, 33, vanishes at sea after boats crash off Key BiscayneFour were injured and Sheridan vanished at sea prompting a massive search involving three police departments, a state agency, and a federal agency. FWC investigators found Sheridan and the other six people were in an unlicensed charter boat.
Search for man continues in Mashta Flats area after boaters crash off Key Biscayne
KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. – The search for a 33-year-old man continued on Tuesday in Biscayne Bay. He vanished after two Open Fisherman, a 19-foot boat and a 21-foot boat, collided on Monday evening off Key Biscayne. The man who vanished was in the Open Fisherman that was carrying seven people when it capsized after the collision near the Bear Cut Bridge, which connects Virginia Key with Key Biscayne. Two Open Fisherman boats collided on Monday evening off Key Biscayne. This is a photo of the man who was involved in a Monday night boat collision off Key Biscayne.
DeSantis: Florida to receive 480K more COVID-19 vaccines this week
Ron DeSantis said Florida is receiving more than 480,000 COVID-19 vaccines this week — including about 361,000 from Moderna and more than 120,000 from Pfizer. DeSantis said Florida received 61,000 vaccines from Moderna on Monday and will receive 300,000 more on Tuesday. Pfizer’s delivery of 120,000 more COVID-19 vaccines, he said, will arrive either on Monday or Tuesday. DeSantis, 42, said he will eventually get the vaccine, but not before those in the vulnerable groups that he is prioritizing receive the vaccine. Each state has the authority to direct its COVID-19 vaccine distribution.
Gov. Ron DeSantis announces $20 million for Biscayne Bay protection
Ron DeSantis announced Monday that $20 million will be invested in protecting Biscayne Bay, with $10 million of that funding coming from the state and $10 million coming from Miami-Dade County. DeSantis made the announcement during a news conference at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, where he was joined by Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Lt. Gov. The state’s portion of the funding comes as part of DeSantis’ planned $625 million to be spent on water resources projects. Ron DeSantis is in South Florida on Monday and will be holding a news conference about Biscayne Bay resiliency. Posted by WPLG Local 10 on Monday, December 21, 2020ALSO SEESaving Biscayne Bay: New county mayor outlines ‘very costly’ plan to get rid of septic tanksSaving Biscayne Bay: Miami-Dade’s septic tanks have to go, scientist saysThis is a developing news story.
Presidential election: Here is why eastern Miami-Dade is celebrating and western Miami-Dade is not
Some of the wealthiest areas in eastern Miami-Dade sided with Trump and agricultural areas in western Miami-Dade sided with Biden. 86.60%: 138 - North Miami Elementary School86.60%: 128 - Oak Grove Park at 680 NE 159 St., in Golden Glades. 86.52%: 141 - North Miami Public Library86.52%: 226 - Golden Glades Elementary School at 16520 NW 28 Ave., in Miami Gardens. 83.99%: 137 - North Miami Jaycees83.97%: 136 - Miami Union Academy at 12600 NW 4 Ave., in North Miami. 80.68%: 143 - First Church of North Miami80.57%: 133 - Miami-Dade County Fire Station #19 at 650 NW 131 St., in North Miami.
Police: Officers arrest 2 suspects after Key Biscayne carjacking, Crandon Park-area crash
KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. – Officers arrested two suspects after stealing a car in Key Biscayne and crashing on Thursday afternoon in the Crandon Park area, police said. The suspects stole a car in the Village of Key Biscayne and were traveling northbound on Crandon Boulevard when they crashed, police said. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue personnel responded to the scene of the crash. Officers near the scene said the officer who was also involved in the crash was not seriously injured. 5 PM TRAFFIC ALERT
Tribe returns to Seaquarium for annual quest to bring whale home
We have a right to call her home,” said Squil-Le-He-Le Raynell Morris of the Lummi Nation. Lummi Nation tribe members traveled from the Pacific coast to Miami to demand that the Miami Seaquarium free their sister Tokitae. (Local 10 News)The Lummi Nation has vowed to bring her home as their sacred obligation and they believe after 50 years, it’s time for her to retire. Lummi Nation members and their supporters continue their efforts to save Lolita from confinement at the Miami Seaquarium. Lummi Nation members and supporters continue to visit the Miami Seaquarium to demand they free Tokitae.
To honor his wife, widower creates ring to raise funds for breast cancer cure
KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. – Sergio Mendoza vividly remembers the day he first laid eyes on his wife, Sarah Fernandez, at a book store in Coral Gables. “And then we had our first child, my son Sergio Michael, who’s now 8 in 2012 and my daughter, Anais, in 2015 and she’s now 5,” Mendoza said. But the pregnancy and their first child turned bittersweet when Fernandez-Mendoza was diagnosed with breast cancer. Mendoza designed a pink sea urchin shaped cocktail ring to honor his wife and all the important women in his life. “It’s really been amazing to support Komen in something that I believe so strongly through my designs,” he said.
NFL to use advisory committee to avoid conflicts of interest
FILE - In this May 22, 2019, file photo, Troy Vincent, NFL executive vice president, speaks to the media during the owners meetings in Key Biscayne, Fla. The NFL will consult an advisory committee made up of former coaches, general managers and players on such issues as postponing, moving or even canceling games this season due to the coronavirus pandemic. Vincent said Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020 that the advisers, who will report to Commissioner Roger Goodell, will help avoid any inequities in those decisions. Vincent did not identify any members of the panel, saying he was awaiting their approval to do so. Dr. Allen Sills, the league's chief medical officer, noted that setting firm schedules for anything during the pandemic is foolhardy.
Key Biscayne police chief tests positive for coronavirus
KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. Key Biscayne Police Chief Charles R. Press announced on Wednesday that he has tested positive for the coronavirus. Press said he has worn his face mask, he has washed his hands and he has kept his social distance. Key Biscayne cases have been increasing. According to the Florida Department of Health, there are 214 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Key Biscayne. Jason Younes, the deputy chief of the administrative division, is Press second in command.