MIAMI-DADE COUNTY – Miami-Dade police are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred early Wednesday morning in South Miami Heights officers responded to the 19300 block of Southwest 116th Avenue just before 1 a.m after receiving a report about a male being shot Leer en español Police said officers discovered that the victim had been standing outside when a vehicle drove by and someone inside the car shot him Miami-Dade Fire Rescue transported Arrufatt to Jackson South Medical Center in critical condition No other details were immediately released Anyone with further information is asked to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477 There is a reward of up to $5,000 for information resulting in an arrest More Stories Like This In Our Email Newsletter Copyright 2024 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com TV Listings Email Newsletters RSS Feeds Closed Captioning / Audio Description Contact Us Careers at WPLG Terms of Use Privacy Policy Public File FCC Applications EEO Report Do Not Sell My Info 1.0 Host Exhibit Copyright © 2025 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC. MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – A pair of men from South Carolina are facing murder charges in South Florida in connection with a deadly drive-by shooting in Miami-Dade County back in November According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office the two men and a third suspect were vacationing in the area when they murdered 24-year-old Esteban Arrufatt during a drug deal Leer en español were staying at a short-term rental in the Gladeview area of northwest Miami-Dade during their November stay Investigators said the trio went to the unincorporated South Miami Heights area after arranging a deal to buy $1,050 worth of cannabis from Arrufatt just after 12:15 a.m Sowells and Brown had no intention of paying for the marijuana calling the transaction a “planned robbery.” Surveillance video from Arrufatt’s home in the 19300 block of Southwest 116th Avenue showed an SUV parked in front of the house Davis shot and killed Arrufatt as the trio left the scene just before 1 a.m. The video captured the sound of two gunshots and Arrufatt screaming Officers from what was then the Miami-Dade Police Department responded and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue medics took Arruffatt to Jackson South Medical Center Authorities said the trio went back to the vacation rental with the stolen cannabis Googled the phrase “Miami shooting” after the deadly robbery Authorities put out a be-on-the-lookout notice for the rented Jeep Compass and officers with the Edgewater Police Department in Volusia County would stop the vehicle with Sowells and others inside had taken a separate vehicle back to South Carolina would tell investigators that he had bought cannabis from Arrufatt a few days prior without incident after the group arrived in South Florida Sowells implied that the shooting was in self-defense but that claim was contradicted by the video evidence The warrant states the Stand Your Ground would not apply anyway as it does not protect those engaged in criminal activity charged with first-degree murder and armed robbery were being held without bond in the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center as of Friday Copyright 2025 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved Chris Gothner joined the Local 10 News team in 2022 as a Digital Journalist South Miami Hospital offers 432 beds and enjoys an excellent reputation for quality care in many areas The state-of-the-art emergency department is accredited as a Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation from the American College of Emergency Physicians The three-year accreditation is awarded to emergency departments that provide the highest level of older adult care and ensure optimal transitions of care When your baby is born at a Baptist Health hospital Baptist Health Pregnancy and Childbirth Services offer families a comfortable relaxing environment in which to welcome their newest family member Our caring staff takes a patient- and family-centered approach to care guiding and supporting you throughout the birth experience To provide you with the best possible childbirth experience Baptist Health facilities are equipped with advanced technology to ensure excellent medical care for mothers and newborns The Fibroid Center offers women a unique approach to diagnosing and treating uterine fibroids Our expert team of physicians work closely with each woman and her doctor to create an individualized treatment plan tailored to her needs Options include minimally invasive and traditional treatments that can preserve a woman’s fertility and would like to nominate a deserving nurse for The DAISY Award South Miami Hospital recognizes the value of Massage Therapy as an effective means of combating stress releasing chronic tension and pain in muscles increasing flexibility in joints and reducing mental and physical fatigue Massage Therapy services will be available for the inpatients at South Miami Hospital Baptist Health employees clients and to the community Our licensed massage therapists (LMT) are employees who are highly skilled and knowledgeable in the art and science of massage therapy They have many years of experience working in a medical setting and can offer specialized therapeutic massage treatments for those with underlying medical conditions as well as provide soothing and relaxing massage experience in our beautifully designed massage suite For more information, please email MassageTherapy@baptisthealth.net, contact us at 786-662-5057 The visitation policy is managed by the Patient Experience and Security teams Parking is available for the patients visiting our facility throughout the campus complimentary shuttle service is available at eight locations Monday – Friday from 6 a.m To request a pick-up from one of these locations, please call 786-662-4199 Download Map To learn more about the classes & events being held at South Miami Hospital, click here To receive information and updates about our volunteer program, please contact us at 786-662-8070, or email SMHVolunteerServices@BaptistHealth.net. To submit an application, click here Our gift shop staff and volunteers will help you find and deliver special gifts that can lift spirts The shelves are stocked with a variety of items Mother Baby Patients: Baby parking permits are available for $35 each A maximum of two can be purchased per child Must present the baby’s birth certificates or foot prints please call the gift shop at (786) 662-8500 Always confirm that the recipient is eligible to receive deliveries If you have ordered a gift from the hospital gift shop for delivery we cannot deliver flowers to any intensive care unit including the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Hospital regulations may also restrict deliveries to some departments like the Intensive Care Unit floors To view the insurances accepted at this hospital, click here South Miami Hospital is committed to providing consumers of healthcare services with pricing information so they may better anticipate and understand their financial responsibilities and be able to make informed healthcare decisions Baptist Health nurses provide superior evidence-based patient- and family-centered care utilizing a professional model of practice they demonstrate advocacy and support for staff Learn More *Estimated wait times are estimates only and cannot be guaranteed While your medical condition will be evaluated by a qualified health care professional after your arrival The estimated wait time indicated is the average estimated time it will take for you to be seen by a treating medical professional (physician Depending on your medical condition and that of other patients at the center the estimated wait time can change since patients are seen based on the severity of their condition and the more critical patients are seen first This estimate is provided for information purposes only and cannot be guaranteed If you have any questions regarding a separate statement/invoice you received from a health care provider please contact the specific health care provider’s or group’s billing offices If however, you have any questions or concerns directly pertaining to your Baptist Health facility bill, please contact our Patient Financial Services Department at 786-596-6507 Additional information regarding patient billing and collection procedures our financial assistance policy and charitable care program is available on our site If you are uninsured, you have a right to receive a Good Faith Estimate of Expected Charges under the No Surprises Act. Learn more Your Rights and Protections Against Surprise Medical Bills When you get emergency care or get treated by an out-of-network provider at an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center, you are protected from surprise billing or balance billing. Learn more Florida's Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) makes available data on hospital prices and performance on their Internet website at quality.healthfinder.fl.gov/ and pricing healthfinder.fl.gov The data on hospital prices and performance are based on a compilation of charges for the average patient A patient's bill may vary from the average shown depending upon the severity of illness and individual care needs The service bundle information is a non-personalized estimate of costs that may be incurred by the patient for anticipated services and that actual costs will be based on services actually provided to the patient If you’d like to complete this appointment request form later we can save your responses for 48 hours so you can come back and finish your submission Prefer to talk to a member of our team? We’re here to help. Call 786-596-2000 MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Miami-Dade Public Schools Superintendent Jose Dotres provided an update Thursday on the one case of measles at Palmetto Senior High School saying Thursday that “everything is very stable.” Leer en español The vaccine rate at the Pinecrest school is 99.7% with the vast majority of students immunized Dotres noted that there have been no other incidents regarding measles at this point will be providing free vaccines in the community for any students who may need the MMR vaccine During scheduled remarks at South Miami Heights Elementary School Dotres introduced a new telehealth service in partnership with Hazel Health supported by a UnitedHealthcare investment He described it as a “game changer” because it allows students to see a doctor during the school day at the nurse’s office with parental consent emphasized that this service assists parents by providing accessible resources “One in five children face mental health concerns this is an empowerment tool to change people’s lives to make a generational difference in my community.” This initiative comes as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the United States Recent data show that two in five high school students struggled with persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in 2023 Dotres emphasized the importance of addressing both physical and mental health needs “We cut down on the delay of services of parents having access to mental health services for their children,” he said highlighting the combined package of support provided by the new services The telehealth services are available from 7 a.m Monday through Friday with parental consent Christina returned to Local 10 in 2019 as a reporter after covering Hurricane Dorian for the station Murrow Award-winning journalist and previously earned an Emmy Award while at WPLG for her investigative consumer protection segment "Call Christina." Leer en español Philbrine “Dolla” Bell stood before County Circuit Judge Ariel Rodriguez who granted prosecutors' request for his pre-trial detention to stay at least 500 feet away from the victims identified by their initials and have “no direct or indirect contact” with them “I don’t know who that is,” Bell told Rodriguez in court deputies described Bell’s occupation as a “pimp” and arrested him at about 2 p.m. on Wednesday at Southwest 117 Avenue and 162 Street in Miami-Dade The intersection deputies reported is steps away from The WoodSpring Suites Miami Southwest a 3-star long-stay hotel where victims told detectives Bell County Circuit Judge Lody Jean issued two arrest warrants on March 4 for Bell and his co-conspirator, Liliannet “Lili″ Betancourt after detectives’ cited an investigation from April 2023 to Feb 10 that included descriptions of Bell’s alleged cruelty on a migrant mother of 5 and a teen who ended up pregnant Records show Miami-Dade correctional deputies booked Bell at 7:40 p.m. at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center Betancourt, 32, of Hialeah, was already there behind bars. Deputies arrested her on Tuesday at the Broward County main jail in Fort Lauderdale and she appeared in court on Wednesday Deputies' report on Bell’s arrest lists his phone number with a Broward area code and his primary residence as a four-bedroom house in South Miami Heights owned by a man and a woman who don’t share his last name Miami-Dade deputies were familiar with Bell. When he was 24 years old he was armed with a revolver when they arrested him for the attempted murder of a police officer after an armed robbery at a Quality Inn on U.S.-1 His 22-year-old co-conspirator used a child to shield himself during a standoff According to the Florida Department of Corrections a Miami-Dade judge sentenced Bell to 12 years in prison for armed robbery and false imprisonment in a case that had started when he was 20 years old Court records show prosecutors filed a case against Bell for human trafficking commercial sexual human trafficking of a minor and two counts of deriving support from the proceeds of prostitution Rodriguez denied bond for the human trafficking charge and set a $30,000 for the other three charges Betancourt was facing charges of human trafficking and deriving support from the proceeds of prostitution Miami-Dade County Circuit Judge Jason Bloch is set to preside over Betancourt’s case and Circuit Judge Zachary N Local 10 News Assignment Desk Editor Mercedes Cevallos contributed to this report The Emmy Award-winning journalist joined the Local 10 News team in 2013 She wrote for the Miami Herald for more than 9 years and won a Green Eyeshade Award – An off-duty Coral Gables police officer chased down a pair of burglars who had just targeted his home to a southwest Miami-Dade gas station Wednesday Leer en español The officer tailed the suspects until they reached the 7-Eleven at the corner of Southwest 200th Street and 127th Avenue in the South Miami Heights area “Before (one of the suspects) got in the car the cop went and stopped in front of him,” a witness said “He was on the floor at gunpoint here in front of the pump.” The officer called Miami-Dade police for backup The county officers took the suspects into custody Police haven’t yet identified the men they detained Glenna Milberg joined Local 10 News in September 1999 to report on South Florida's top stories and community issues She also serves as host on Local 10's public affairs broadcast RICHMOND HEIGHTS – A man was injured on Thursday afternoon in southern Miami-Dade County’s Richmond Heights area Police officers responded shortly after 4:25 p.m to a report of a shooting near Jefferson Street and Southwest 136 Avenue and found a man wounded a spokesman for the Miami-Dade Police Department Local 10 News Assignment Desk Editor Wilson Louis contributed to this report MIAMI – A Miami-Dade detective reported that a human trafficking victim who was at the for-profit Broward Transition Center said she had crossed the U.S.-Mexico border with her husband and four children while pregnant last year Leer en español she got separated from her husband and ended up homeless with her kids in a hotel in Miami Springs according to the trafficking squad detective’s request for an arrest warrant the Department of Children and Families picked up her kids With false promises of helping her to get an apartment so she could be reunited with her children the woman told the detective she decided to work for Liliannet “Lili″ Betancourt and Philbrine “Dolla” Bell The woman reported Bell beat her up several times for hiding cash when he found a Western Union receipt after she sent money to a nephew in Nicaragua and when she missed sex work to go to a supervised DCF visit with her children There were other victims with similar stories A pregnant teen who met a detective at Jackson Memorial Hospital reported that after she ran away from home she met Bell in Miami’s Liberty City and he took her to work at a Woodsprings Suites Hotel The teenage girl reported that she didn’t know who the father of her baby was because Bell forced her into sex work seven days a week Both the woman and the teen described how Bell would hit and choke them when they didn’t meet the quotas he set for them and the woman said Bell gave her crack cocaine and told her to take it According to the recent Miami-Dade arrest warrant for Betancourt the human trafficking case was related to an investigation that ran from April 2023 to Feb Miami-Dade court records show seven years ago Aventura police officers arrested her for grand theft and uttering a forged instrument Records show deputies arrested her at 11 a.m. on Tuesday at the Broward County main jail in Fort Lauderdale and Miami-Dade correctional deputies booked her at 12:35 p.m. Betancourt appeared in court on Wednesday facing charges of human trafficking and deriving support from the proceeds of prostitution A judge ordered her to stay away from the victims and wear an electronic monitor if released Court records did not show a case against Bell had been filed Betancourt’s arraignment hearing is at 9:30 a.m. Miami-Dade County Circuit Judge Jason Bloch is set to preside over her case MIAMI GARDENS – All of us parents know our children need something to do all summer long there’s a summer camp in South Florida that’s not only keeping kids entertained The camp is run by the YWCA of South Florida It’s free for children in Miami-Dade who are in kindergarten through fifth grade families to feel that they are having the most enriched summer that they can go to work and not worry,” YWCA of South Florida President and CEO Kerry-Ann Royes said “We have one hour of STEM with our science component which is like our differentiated literacy component where they’ll be working with a certified teacher and so much more,” she said Local 10 News visited the Miami Gardens camp but parents can’t make it out there have two other locations in Miami’s Overtown neighborhood and in the South Miami Heights area “We were very strategic in making sure we have a location in those areas spread out and making sure there’s a demand where the families need us and the community needs us,” Reed said so that free summer camp is huge for those families and communities.” said it is a blessing for her son to have this hands-on experience this summer “I’m so excited for him to be here today because he gets this opportunity to be with students where he won’t be bullied,” she said and I know he’s going to enjoy the experience.” the YWCA has availability for 30 students per class “The cost of quality childcare now outpaces the average cost of rent in all 50 states,” Royes said Royes said she believes childcare should be free You shouldn’t need hundreds of dollars to teach a kid to swim “You shouldn’t have to break the bank to do that.” “It’s actually really good!” 10-year-old Arian Montenegro said “I get to make friends and spend time with them.” Some families love the YWCA so much that they keep coming back I think it’s great,” mother Krystle Dehaz said emotional stuff as well and they make friends here.” “I’ve been coming here for three summers already My favorite part is when we go out to the park because we get to play with our friends Royes said she wants to make sure kids are safe and that their summer program is bridging the gap Registration for the YWCA is always open and the organization is always looking at the waiting list They’re capped at 30 students per location this year they are hoping to take in 60 or even 90 children per location because they say the demand is definitely there If you would like to highlight a mom who makes a difference in our community, send us an email at MomToMom@wplg.com Nicole Perez is the the primary co-anchor of Local 10 News at 4 p.m. She first joined Local 10 in July 2016 as the morning traffic reporter Liane Morejon – Miami-Dade police say they arrested a man posing as a veterinarian Monday after a litter of puppies died after he’s believed to have performed a C-section on a dog at his home sometime during the Christmas holiday in 2023 is accused of practicing without a license at his home in the 17000 block of Southwest 121st Avenue in the unincorporated South Miami Heights area Police said the dog’s owners dropped off their “mixed-breed Andino had previously texted the owners that he was a licensed veterinarian The report states that the pair became suspicious after going to the address and realizing that they were at a home instead of a clinic but Andino claimed he would be taking the dog to the hospital and delivering the puppies there they decided to trust (Andino) since he was dressed in nurse’s scrubs,” an investigator wrote and Andino assured them “that he performed these type(s) of surgeries frequently and (said) that the reason that they were meeting (him) at his house was because it was the holiday.” Andino texted one of the owners and said he was only able to deliver three puppies The owners “knew something was wrong” at that point because a previous test showed that Channel was pregnant with six puppies Authorities said that the owners went to Andino’s home to pick up Channel and the three surviving puppies and when “they confronted the defendant about the location of his clinic he told them that he couldn’t do it there.” Police wrote that Andino “told the victims that he had a whole room in his house to conduct these types of procedures.” The report states that Channel’s owners went home and “noticed the puppies were not breathing,” prompting one of the owners to perform CPR on a puppy yellow and orange discharge came out of the puppy’s nose and mouth,” police wrote Police said that their investigation revealed that Andino has never been a licensed veterinarian in Florida Officers went to his home Monday and arrested him Local 10 News visited the Southwest 121st Avenue residence on Tuesday A man was there and dropped his pants and showed his backside to Local 10 News cameras He later declined to comment when Local 10 News knocked on the door of the home telling reporter Liane Morejon to leave the property A judge found probable cause Tuesday to charge Andino with practicing veterinary medicine without a license and ordered him held on a $2,500 bond Liane Morejon is an Emmy-winning reporter who joined the Local 10 News family in January 2010 Liane has a unique perspective on covering news in her own backyard – Three people were taken to the hospital Thursday morning after a crash involving a Miami-Dade police cruiser in the area of Southwest 197th Street and 114th Avenue in the county’s South Miami Heights area Video from Sky 10 shows the officer’s cruiser crashed through a fence and nearly into the side of a home the two police officers in the cruiser and the civilian injured in the crash were “stable” as of Thursday morning Authorities haven’t yet said what led up to the crash or whether they’ve determined who was at fault MIAMI BEACH – A duo sought by police in a nearly $2 million armed robbery of a Tennessee jewelry store were jailed in South Florida over the weekend after being captured at a Miami Beach hotel authorities had been seeking Milleni Garcia Arrest reports state that the pair are local to South Florida: they share the same address on Quail Roost Drive in Miami-Dade’s unincorporated South Miami Heights area they walked into a store called Dubai Jewelry located in a strip mall in southeastern Nashville and “began browsing the merchandise” and then “they brandished firearms and threatened the employees ultimately stealing a considerable amount of gold and other valuable items before fleeing the premises.” Nashville ABC affiliate WKRN reports that Garcia Valdes Hernandez and a third suspect used pepper spray and pushed store employees into a back room during the robbery The pair made off with $1.7 million in gold and other valuables Officers found them Sunday at the Grand Beach Hotel a four-star hotel located at 4835 Collins Ave They said the discovery came after “extensive investigation and collaborative efforts” between the Miami Beach and Metro Nashville police departments Police said they were able to identify the suspects’ vehicle and trace it to Miami Beach Garcia and Valdes Hernandez were being held in the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center awaiting extradition to Tennessee The Metro Nashville Police Department hasn’t identified the third suspect and is still looking for him Police believe he may also be from South Florida Anyone with information is asked to call Nashville Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463 Leer en español Andrea Torres MIAMI – Surveillance video shows part of what led up to a recent shooting at a strip mall in Miami-Dade County’s South Miami Heights neighborhood who was arrested for firing a weapon when he wasn’t allowed to have one near the corner of Quail Roost Drive and Southwest 114th Avenue said he had just gotten a haircut and he was a passenger in a white Lexus The video shows how a group of men approached the car while exiting the parking space “These guys tried to jump me,” Parker said during a phone call from Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center The video shows a man kicking the car and at least two others pointing guns It also shows Parker putting his arm out of the passenger window and firing a weapon A man identified as Christopher Goods was injured Police officers arrested Parker at about 4:40 p.m 27 at the Baptist Health Homestead Hospital Corrections officers booked Parker at about 6 a.m. Witnesses said the men provoked Parker and the driver he was with Parker’s brother Louis Parker said the men are relatives who “have beef” with his brother “They’ve just got hatred in their heart,” Louis Parker said According to The Florida Department of Corrections aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and was sentenced to five years in prison on Nov Now he is facing charges of attempted murder possession of a firearm by a convicted felon Related story: Man arrested in shooting at southwest Miami-Dade strip mall Copyright 2022 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved Christian De La Rosa joined Local 10 News in April 2017 after spending time as a reporter and anchor in Atlanta MIAMI – As of Saturday afternoon Crime Stoppers had used social media to identify 39 homicide victims so far this year in Miami-Dade County The crime prevention program identified six homicide victims in January Crime Stoppers identified them on Saturday James Nicholas Mulkey died after a shooting at about 11:05 p.m. Also in Opa-locka, Keon Bernard Smith was shot dead on Monday in the area of Northwest 28 Avenue and 132 Street Two were killed on the first day of June: Shakeria Denise Williams at about 11 p.m., near Northwest 65 Street and 20 Avenue. She was 18. Edward Bernard Bailey at about 12:35 p.m. at the Sunflex gas station at Northwest 79 Street and 17 Avenue Detectives asked anyone with information about the cases to call Miami-Dade County Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477 – A Miami-Dade man was arrested Monday after being accused of shooting a victim multiple times after trying to snatch the necklace he was wearing According to a Miami-Dade police arrest report the victim was standing in the front yard outside of a home along with a friend around 3 p.m. when they were in the process of constructing a utility shed at a home near the 25000 block of Southwest 144th Court Police said as the two victims were working on the shed and an unknown person arrived in a white Dodge Challenger which circled the residence multiple times before coming to an abrupt stop in front of the residence Mason exited the vehicle and pointed a semi-automatic weapon in what police described as a “small machine gun with an extended magazine,” at the victim Authorities said as Mason approached the victim after getting out of his car he and the unidentified passenger began to make demands while grabbing the victim’s gold necklace As Mason attempted to remove the victim’s necklace by force Police said Mason discharged the firearm multiple times striking the victim once on his right hip and once on his right foot police said Mason approached the victim once again and continued to forcefully attempt to remove his necklace After Mason was unsuccessful in removing the victim’s necklace he then ran towards the white Dodge Challenger and then fled from the area at a high rate of speed Authorities said the victim was transported to Jackson South’s Ryder Trauma Center with two gunshot wounds and remains in stable condition MDPD released a “BOLO” (Be On The Lookout) alert with a description of the subject’s vehicle MDPD observed a white Dodge Challenger traveling southbound on Southwest 137th Avenue when they initiated a traffic stop in a marked police car Investigators said after being located by detectives Mason fled from the scene and a police pursuit ensued Authorities said after exiting his vehicle in the area of Southwest 288th Street and 134th Avenue Mason began to run when he fell on the ground Police said as detectives and police officers attempted to take Mason into custody he began resisting officers by tensing his arms and ignoring multiple commands to place his hands behind his back Mason was later apprehended in the area of Southwest 288th Street and 134th Avenue in Miami about 16 minutes after the shooting was reported Authorities said Mason was the sole occupant of the vehicle at the time it was stopped by police police said a witness immediately identified the White Dodge Challenger as the vehicle that was used in the robbery police said they observed what appeared to be a magazine with ammunition from underneath a black suitcase which was located in the back seat of the vehicle Detectives said Mason’s vehicle was seized as evidence pending the execution of a search warrant Authorities said Mason provided a post-Miranda statement denying his involvement in the robbery he admitted to something that was redacted in his arrest report Mason was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center around 1:30 p.m He faces one count each of attempted murder with a firearm reckless driving and resisting arrest without violence Copyright 2023 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved Ryan Mackey is a Digital Journalist at WPLG 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The public/private collaboration involving Miami-Dade County Pinnacle Housing Group and the South Miami Heights Community Development Corporation has led to the commencement of construction for "Caribbean Village." The participants will hold at Groundbreaking Ceremony on Friday September 7th at 10:00 a.m This 123 unit community targeting seniors is part of a two-phased plan to develop transit-oriented affordable housing along the South Dade Busway along US 1 with direct Busway access to MetroRail and public transportation throughout greater Miami and will be the first new affordable seniors housing in this area in twenty-five years Pinnacle and the South Miami Heights CDC were competitively procured by Miami-Dade County to develop this County-owned property Miami-Dade County has loaned nearly $11.5 million in funds earmarked for affordable housing and economic development "Caribbean Village is the fulfillment of the County's promise to deliver quality housing for our fixed-income seniors and to spur redevelopment in the South Miami Heights community while taking advantage of the County's investment in transit," notes District 9 Miami-Dade County Commissioner Dennis C "Caribbean Village is the fulfillment of a community-driven process led by our non-profit partners at the South Miami Heights CDC," says Mitchell M Caribbean Village benefits from public/private financing partnerships through the issuance of Tax-Exempt Bonds an allocation of Housing Tax Credits and a $5.3 million loan from Florida Housing Finance Corporation purchasing both the bonds and the tax credits Caribbean Village will contain one and two bedroom residences as well as high quality amenities including a fitness center lounge with card tables and computer access Construction will be complete in the fall of 2019 Miami-based Pinnacle Housing Group is a full-service real estate development company that develops leases and owns affordably-priced and luxury-styled apartment homes With a development portfolio surpassing 8,000 units concentrated in Florida the Pinnacle family of developers has grown into one of the most successful developers of quality rental housing in the United States For more information on Caribbean Village, please visit:https://www.pinnaclehousing.com/communities/florida/miami-dade/caribbean-village/caribbean-village.html Contact: Timothy Wheat, 1-305-710-8603, [email protected] http://www.pinnaclehousing.com Do not sell or share my personal information: MIAMI – A 22-year-old woman and a 28-year-old man were facing charges Friday after a shooting wounded a man in south Miami-Dade County Surveillance video shows Ramya Robinson handed Tavarus Sneed the gun that wounded a man in the abdomen on Thursday at the Garden View Apartment Sneed handed Robinson the gun and they fled with it Officers later detained them for questioning near the intersection of Southwest 99 Avenue and 168 Street in West Perrine who told police she lives in south Miami-Dade’s Princeton neighborhood confessed to being in possession of the gun and Sneed confessed to confronting the man for allegedly bullying Robinson Corrections officers booked Sneed shortly before 5 a.m. They remained at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on Friday night had served time in prison in three cases and the Florida Department of Corrections considered her a fugitive attempted murder; and for tampering with an electronic monitor in 2020 Robinson’s probation was set to end on July 29 Robinson was facing charges of attempted murder and firearm possession by a convicted felon Sneed is facing charges of attempted murder The Miami-Dade Police Department has made an arrest in a hit-and-run crash that left a motorcyclist dead Ravindra Dewan Singh was taken into custody Tuesday charged with leaving scene of a crash resulting in death the 47-year-old was turning west onto SW 196 Street when his silver Toyota Corolla struck a motorcycle traveling south on SW 127 Avenue CBS Local Digital Media personalizes the global reach of CBS-owned and operated television and radio stations with a local perspective – Miami-Dade police are seeking information on the homicide of a 17-year-old boy in the southwestern part of the county in late April on April 23 near the intersection of Southwest 204th Street and 122nd Avenue in the South Miami Heights area detectives need to identify and locate a witness who spoke with a uniformed officer at the scene Anyone with information was asked to call Miami-Dade detectives at 305-471-2400 or Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477 Authorities offered a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to an arrest PEMBROKE PARK – Witnesses reported a funnel cloud in Miami-Dade County and hail in Broward County as storms moved across South Florida on Thursday A witness shared a video of a funnel cloud near South Miami Heights Elementary School at 12231 SW 190 Terrace a thunderstorm produced a short-lived EF-0 tornado Thursday afternoon in the area of Southwest 192nd Street in the Redlands which traveled south along Southwest 147th Avenue until almost Southwest 200th Street Several trees were snapped and/or uprooted and a semi tractor-trailer was knocked on its side by the tornado near Southwest 196th Street The National Weather Service issued a flood advisory for an area in southwestern Miami-Dade There were also warnings issued for Fort Lauderdale There is a chance of more showers and thunderstorms on Friday This will drop the rain chances significantly Stay informed with regular breaking news alerts Janine Stanwood joined Local 10 News in February 2004 as an assignment editor Before moving to South Florida from her Washington home Janine was the senior legislative correspondent for a United States senator on Capitol Hill MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – A Homestead man is facing an attempted murder charge after police said he shot a man outside of a southwest Miami-Dade strip mall Thursday located near the corner of Quail Roost Drive and Southwest 114th Avenue in the county’s South Miami Heights area 28-year-old Devon DeAngelo Parker was involved in a dispute with the victim and others at the scene Police said Parker got in the passenger’s seat of a white Lexus as the argument continued Investigators wrote that the vehicle began to drive away pulled out a gun and began shooting towards the victim while Parker simultaneously lowers the window and also started shooting “Several businesses and vehicles (were) struck by projectiles,” the report states went to Baptist Health Homestead Hospital for treatment a once-thriving 10-acre regional mall in downtown South Miami now stands as a relic of its unintegrated and outdated 1990s design casting a shadow over its neighboring businesses The silence within its vacant halls echoes the single pressing question many residents have been asking: “When will something finally happen on this property?” It appears residents are getting their answer as the City of South Miami’s new City Commission promises to usher in an era of revitalization the Planning and Zoning Board set the stage for Sunset Place’s redevelopment approving by a near unanimous vote an overhaul to the zoning code The initial vote is a promising first step and a sharp contrast to the site’s troubled history creating an inflexible code that micromanaged development led to the former owners abandoning their plans when Tom Cruise attended a movie premiere at AMC Sunset Place this past July Gina Guilford was moved to pen a letter to the editor of the Miami Herald titled “This wasn’t our best look,” openly criticizing the South Miami City Commission’s unsuccessful efforts in revitalizing the Shops at Sunset Place questioning what impression such a distinguished visitor might have of Miami based on the current state of Sunset Place South Miami’s elected officials are taking a different approach this time around Newly elected Mayor Javier Fernandez (former Democratic State Rep alongside the entire South Miami Commission made the redevelopment of Sunset Place and downtown South Miami a central focus of their recent election campaigns “We need a better downtown and Sunset Place I’m going to bring those priorities to the forefront from Day One,” Fernandez said in November 2022 Commissioner Steve Calle had his pivotal “That’s it, I’m running for Commissioner” moment when he parked with his family in the Sunset Place garage and strolled through the “sad” and “ghost-town” mall we [have] to fix Sunset Place and downtown,” he emphasized The zoning changes initially requested by the current owner and subsequently developed in collaboration with the City’s staff Their goal is to convert the site from a regional mall to a neighborhood that seamlessly blends with South Miami’s current street network This involves breaking up the large block into smaller street squares and replacing big-box stores with a mix of small shops residences and family-friendly open spaces The changes include the replacement of an existing ordinance that previously allowed for the construction of over 1.4 million square feet of commercial space with a new plan placing greater emphasis on residential density—in other words a “de-mall-ization.” The new ordinance trades off high-traffic generating uses (retail uses) for lower-traffic generating uses (residential uses) The overall effect is a significant reduction in the potential traffic-generating capacity of development while bringing in sufficient new residents to sustain area businesses “The City Commission and Sunset Place owners envision a different development which provides and attracts pedestrian activity through the development of needed housing and office uses together with supporting ground-level retail uses consistent with an urban community,” describes the Planning and Zoning Staff Report The city is placing a strong emphasis on maintaining the quaint Height restrictions along Sunset Drive are set to decrease from four stories to two stories the plan strategically shifts the focus of development density and height toward US-1 aligning with the existing and forthcoming residential structures in the transit corridor known as the Rapid Transit Zone where heights of up to 38 stories are permitted “We set out to change the canvas of this twice failed project moving away from a regional mall toward a neighborhood that becomes an integral and cohesive part of the South Miami community,” stated Richard Perez at the City of South Miami’s Planning and Zoning meeting With this strong commitment and collaborative spirit from South Miami’s political leadership the future of Sunset Place and the broader downtown revitalization project looks bright The next crucial step will be the City Commission’s vote on the requested zoning ordinances the third time will be the charm for Shops at Sunset Place What was iconic was the original Holsum Bakery at that site for many decades and wonderfully decorated for the holidays each year Everything since has been horribly designed to maximize profit and very short-lived in duration The mall by this and previous name (“Bakery Center”) has never I was there last week and it reminded me of COVID The last commission micromanaged the previous developers and drove them to dump the site These new politicians who said they will put Downtown South Miami first should not get reelected if this place looks the same in a year The small businesses are suffering because it’s so dead There used to be so much life in Sunset Place but now it’s always empty while Miami is thriving everywhere else and even Coral Gables have so much life and energy and I would have never guessed in a million years that Allapattah would have more foot traffic than South Miami This platform and all of its content are owned by Extensive Enterprises Media Publisher: Peter Schorsch @PeterSchorschFL © Copyright by Extensive-Enterprises 2025. All rights reserved. STAFF LOGIN 20 Best New Restaurants in Miami, May 2025 15 Best Restaurants to Visit in Kendall The Very Best Tacos Around Miami Not historically top of mind as one of the city’s major food destinations South Miami’s culinary scene is slowly taking shape here are the neighborhood’s can't-miss food and drink spots Niven Patel’s tropical newcomer inside the Thesis Hotel offers the chef’s modern take on Caribbean cuisine with influences from Asia and Polynesia Grab a drink on the rooftop terrace before heading downstairs to its outdoor patio to dine 11 Stellar Places to Eat Caribbean Food in Miami 10 Great Spots for Live Music and Food in Miami Chef Niven Patel’s latest restaurant inside the Thesis Hotel Miami is a tribute to wood-fired cuisine Diners can feast on items like grilled octopus The cocktail program features cocktails named after key players and names in literary classics while the space itself gets it decor inspiration from nature with plenty of greens and earth tones found throughout in the chairs 10 Miami Spice Brunch Menus Worthy of a Try A seasonal bakery with homemade (and home-milled) bread and a robust menu Madruga Bakery is South Miami’s unofficial meeting spot A comforting coffeehouse where loyalists chat with neighbors and fill up on simply prepared offerings like the Madruga egg sandwich or a crispy baguette Madruga Bakery feels like the Miami version of Friends’ Central Perk Perfectly cooked runny egg breakfast sandwich on a onion poppy seed roll. #egg #sauteedgreens #cheese #bun #healthyfood A post shared by Pat Mackin (@patmackincoconutgrove) on Dec 24 and Pastries in Miami: Where to Find the Best Fiola is South Miami’s most sophisticated restaurant for Italian food with a cosmopolitan flair From caviar to white truffles to a multi-course pasta omakase tasting the high-end dishes command as much attention as the stylish decor South Miamians get their sugar fix at Buttercream Cupcakes & Coffee With dreamy cupcake flavors such as chocolate Oreo Can’t keep my hands to myself #cakecakecake A post shared by Food & Travel | NYC, MIA, LA (@tri_a_bite) on Jul 24 This always busy cafe right on Sunset Drive is the go-to spot in the area for a quick breakfast or leisurely lunch Serving up a variety of mouthwatering pastries like almond croissants alongside heartier dishes like breakfast bowls A post shared by Cecile Bakery+Cafe (@cecilebakerycafe) guests are encouraged to scan the QR code special to each table to view the digital menu and place an order Guests can choose from ten different options of ramen Don’t worry; traditional menus are also available for those who want to keep it analog A post shared by InRamen (@inramenmiami) on Dec 30 Town Kitchen & Bar is the ultimate happy hour destination With 50 percent off selected drinks and finger foods It's Friday!! Stop by Town in south miami and ask your bar tender for a Pink Elephant A post shared by Sophisticated Foodie (@_sophisticatedfoodie) on Apr 14 A generous sushi menu presents rolls on rolls The Dadeland rolls are wrapped in cucumber and stuffed with avocado and fresh salmon or tuna for the carb-fearing type I try not to post food, but when it's so pretty... A post shared by Lee Anne Meeks (@leeannenotlee) on Jan 10 this cozy restaurant has been serving up French fare in South Miami Try the quiche or soup du jour along with the spinach salad with Roquefort cheese and caramelized pear or the escargot that requires the crusty bread to soak up all the butter order any of the entrees and end with the creme brûlée that’s big enough for two The second of two South Miami restaurants by culinary duo Janine Booth and Jeff McInnis along with Grove Bay Hospitality Group this eatery offers up updated takes on Italian classics with a wide selection of small plates and salads along with pizzettas and entrees — and even a house-made limoncello program A post shared by Mi’talia Kitchen (@mitaliakitchen) on Nov 14 Where to Eat on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in Miami 11 Mother’s Day Takeout and Delivery Deals in Miami Stepping onto the scene with Southern cuisine Root & Bone brings New York City swag to South Miami and shrimp and grits are foolproof bets for any time of day A post shared by Root & Bone Miami (@rootnbonemia) on Dec 26 Homestyle meals and feels are what make Whisk Gourmet a South Miami staple Whisk whips up crowd-pleasing plates like fried green tomatoes and an open-faced fried chicken BLT A post shared by Whisk Gourmet (@whiskgourmet) 13 Top-Notch Brunch Spots Offering Takeout Where to Order Top-Notch Fried Chicken Delivery and Takeout in Miami The South Miami outpost of this insanely popular local doughnut shop Salt Donut serves up decadent picture-worthy doughnuts and creative coffee drinks plus unique-to-the-location items and events A post shared by The Salty Donut (@thesaltydonut) on Jan 7 7 Doughnut Shops To Seek Out in South Florida Eater Miami Contributors’ Favorite Restaurants Offering Takeout and Delivery Right Now Almost seven years after legendary South Miami bar Fox’s Sherron Inn closed its doors the beloved dive bar and restaurant has returned to the Magic City complete with new owners but the same look and feel as the original The menu remains mainly untouched with the return of favorites like Tuesday and Thursday Prime Rib nights thumb bits (tenderloin medallions served on toasted French baguette rounds with Fox’s special sauce) and served col — just how any true Fox’s fan would remember 9 Bars and Restaurants for Trivia Night in Miami Miami’s own Adrianne Calvo brings her popular comfort food fare to South Miami The creative menu offers up items like truffle fries For dessert guests can opt for one of the over-the-top desserts and spoon-able shakes A post shared by Cracked By Chef Adrianne (@crackedbychefadrianne) on Jan 4 11 Dog-Friendly Miami Bars and Restaurants Here is the list of locations for early voting and vote-by-mail drop boxes that open every day from 7 a.m Search this database online to look up voter information When is the deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot The deadline in Florida is Oct. 24, 2024. Ballots requested for delivery within 10 days of the election additionally require a special emergency affidavit. Here is the Statewide Vote-by-Mail Request Form What is the deadline to return a vote-by-mail ballot The Supervisor of Elections in the county of residence. Search this database to find the supervisor in your area. Chris Gothner – A driver crashed his pickup truck into a southwest Miami-Dade home Wednesday morning showed the front half of the truck inside the house located in the 11900 block of Southwest 185th Street in the South Miami Heights area First responders from the Miami-Dade Police Department and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue were at the scene MDFR officials confirmed that one person was transported to a hospital with “traumatic injuries.” it’s pretty scary,” witness Thaimi Hernandez said The crash started with a wreck at a nearby intersection Authorities believe the driver had a medical emergency behind the wheel somebody hit her and took off and then we saw what actually happened,” Hernandez said Meritsell Vivar told Local 10 News that she was driving along Southwest 184th Street when the truck clipped her car at the 120th Avenue intersection She said she was unhurt following the crash Neighbors told Local 10 News that a bystander climbing over the debris to break the truck’s rear window in the process in order to free the man Local 10 News later spoke to the homeowner who said she had just finished a full renovation of her home a year ago While her husband and son weren’t home when the truck came barreling through Ferrer said her dog was near the impact site Ferrer said she’s also grateful that the driver is alive Livabl no longer supports Internet Explorer ahead of it’s retirement in 2023 Please consider using Microsoft Edge for the best new home search experience Maria Bosque-Blanco was appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis as the new Miami-Dade County School Board representative for District 7 on Jan the Hammocks and parts of Kendall and the Redlands during the bi-weekly school board meetings in Downtown Miami “[I’m] humbled yet so excited to have an opportunity to make a difference,” said Bosque-Blanco who has served on Miami Dade College’s Board of Trustees since December of 2021 30 following the implementation of a law prohibiting lobbyists to serve political positions—Navarro is lobbying for the South Broward Hospital District Bosque-Blanco did not have to campaign for her position She was offered the seat after expressing interest in becoming a member of the school board after Navarro’s resignation Once Bosque-Blanco’s term ends in November of 2024 she will have the opportunity to run for election to maintain her position Bosque-Blanco hopes to improve psychological services for students maximize teacher satisfaction and retention and advocate for students with disabilities Bosque-Blanco will meet with the Miami-Dade County Public School superintendent’s deputies to get acquainted with the district’s issues “I’m hoping to create change for the better,” Bosque-Blanco said she has assisted the College as it raises enrollment to pre-pandemic levels while tackling a nursing and teaching shortage “We’re in a time when we need people who truly have a heart for education,” said Roberto Alonso who is also a member of MDC’s Board of Trustees and has served as a school board member since November “It’s always good to know that you have a friendly face that you’ve worked with before.”  Bosque-Blanco kicked off her career in education 27 years ago by serving as a science teacher at her alma mater—St She later served as a school psychologist for the Broward County School Board for 15 years before becoming a guidance counselor at Our Lady of Lourdes an all-girls Catholic High School in South Miami Bosque-Blanco has also attended networking and professional development conferences hosted by the Southern and National Associations for College Admission Counseling leading youth groups and volunteering in several ministries “I loved making an impact with individual students,” said Bosque-Blanco who earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1995 and a master’s degree in school psychology in 2002 from Barry University “Now I have an opportunity to make an impact in an entire county.” Click here to subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter, The Hammerhead. For news tips, contact us at mdc.thereporter@gmail.com is a psychology major in The Honors College at the Kendall Campus who graduated from Robert Morgan Educational Center in 2021 briefing editor and forum editor for The Reporter during the 2022-2023 school year He aspires to become a social sciences professor Copyright © 2025 The Reporter: The Student Newspaper at Miami Dade College LLC and Shoes That Fit recently visited South Miami Heights Elementary on December 7th to distribute brand new athletic shoes to 211 students Receiving a new pair of shoes can be life-changing for students All from an often over-looked item – a good pair of shoes “Pinnacle is proud to partner with Shoes That Fit to deliver new shoes to over 200 deserving kids in the South Miami Heights community This is the second year Pinnacle has worked with the amazing team at South Miami Heights Elementary as part of our continued commitment to rejuvenating local communities through important initiatives A good pair of shoes goes a long way and we’re excited to send kids into the new year with new shoes on their feet and smiles on their faces.” JENNIFER SANZ – VP “The simple gift of new athletic shoes can be a new lease on life for a child interact more positively with their teachers and peers and participate in sports and other physical activities We’re so happy to be able to help more kids learn and thrive!” AMY FASS – CEO and Executive Director Promote your business to the localized audience you want to reach with Miami's Community Newspapers. Call 305.669.7355 or view our Media Kit. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker – A Miami Southridge Senior High student who turned 18 just over a week ago is being charged as an adult after police said he pulled a knife on another student during an on-campus argument earlier this month Leer en español The school is located at 19355 SW 114th Ave. Authorities said Steven Mistor was taken into custody by the Miami-Dade Schools Police Department on Feb 7 after a school administrator discovered a steak knife in his backpack during a search Jail records show he is facing one county each of aggravated assault and possession of a weapon on school grounds According to an arrest report obtained by Local 10 News on Friday confronted Mistor about text messages he had allegedly sent to the victim’s girlfriend The report states that as the victim approached Mistor A witness told police that they saw Mistor pull out a black object as students nearby began yelling “He’s got a knife.” Fearing for their safety the witness and others backed away from the situation School surveillance cameras recorded the encounter Police said the video footage shows the victim walking up to Mistor on the school’s basketball courts and then hid an object under the front of his shirt they said the victim and nearby students can be seen stepping back and walking away called Mistor into his office and conducted an administrative search The report states that Mistor spontaneously uttered a comment during the search but he did not make any further statements The victim’s mother was contacted and informed of the incident She advised officers that she wished to press criminal charges against Mistor Authorities said Mistor was arrested without incident and transported to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center by Miami-Dade Schools police officers His mother was also notified of the arrest police said they impounded the school’s surveillance footage and the steak knife as evidence Mistor did not appear as an inmate on Miami-Dade’s jail website as of Friday morning His bond information wasn’t immediately available “Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) is aware of an incident involving students at Miami Southridge Senior High School,” the school district said in a statement to Local 10 News “The matter was immediately addressed by the school’s administration and by the Miami-Dade Schools Police Department subsequently resulting in an arrest The District takes the safety and well-being of our students and staff very seriously and remains committed to maintaining a secure school environment for all.” ‘You better not snitch!’'Officers reward 5 brave students for reporting threats at school Madeleine Wright MIAMI – Héctor Terán was at Lamar Louise Curry Middle School near Miami-Dade County’s Kendall West neighborhood when he saw a student was armed with a gun It would have been easier for Héctor to keep quiet police officers recognized his decision to stand on the side of law enforcement Terán said it was just too dangerous not to report it The Do The Right Thing awardee had a message for others who face the same dilemma: “If you are nervous Terán wasn’t alone on stage. He was one of five students who received the Do the Right Thing award in partnership with the Miami Police Department. The nonprofit organization that runs the program received more than 700 nominations and selected ten finalists Alexandra Alguino reported a student had made a hit list at Caribbean K-8 Center in Miami-Dade’s South Miami Heights neighborhood Hialeah Gardens Middle School students Ashley Rodriguez and Sophia Brady saw on Snapchat that someone was threatening to “shoot up” another middle school and I don’t think it should be held back because there are people’s lives at stake,” Brady said Héctor received special recognition with a trip to a water park in Washington, D.C. The other four students received free Papa John’s pizza, two Miami Marlins tickets, and a mini-tablet, among other gifts, which Hector got as well. For more information about the program, visit this page Copyright 2021 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved Small business owner and community activist Johnny Farias is again running for House District 118 a former Miami-Dade Community Council member was the lone Democrat last year to challenge former Republican Rep He was unsuccessful in that bid. But Fernandez-Barquin has since accepted an appointment as Miami-Dade Clerk and Comptroller “Florida’s insurance crisis affects every resident and it demands our immediate attention,” he said in a statement I will make it my priority to work tirelessly in the Legislature collaborating with all stakeholders to find effective solutions that bring relief to the people of District 118 and the entire state we can tackle this crisis and build a stronger Fernandez-Barquin’s absence from the HD 118 field this time around should enable Farias to better publicize his humble beginnings, working-class background and public service record. According to prior writings on his campaign website which is now being reworked for this year’s effort he immigrated to the United States from Ecuador at age 4 and after serving in the Navy and getting married settled in Miami-Dade to become a licensed electrician “Immigrant families like mine never gauge what is possible,” he said last year “We do the hard work to make everything possible Farias’ community involvements have included service as a Miami-Dade Community Council representative for District 15 of the County Commission — a body he unsuccessfully ran for in 2020 — and a court-pointed guardian ad litem tasked with representing children in abuse He’s also a board member of Centro Campesino a nonprofit homebuilder based in Homestead that has built and sold 500 affordable or homeowner-supported dwellings in South Florida Farias intends to focus his campaign’s messaging on affordability and the insurance crisis And he’s assembled a team to help him do that Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and Florida Democratic Party alum Manuel Ernesto Gutierrez is Farias’ Campaign Manager. Veteran direct mail strategist Achim Bergmann is the campaign’s general and mail consultant. Financial consultant Makeda McClune, who boasts 15 years of experience in local Farias has also enlisted the expertise of Charly Norton, who works as Senior Vice President of Democratic mail firm Bergmann Zwerdling Direct, and digital fundraising operation Goodman Campaigns In his campaign for HD 118 last year, Farias raised about $97,000. More than half came from his bank account Three Republicans — Miami Beach firefighter Christian Chavez personal injury lawyer Mike Redondo and Ernie Thomas a former appointed member of the Citizens’ Independent Transportation Trust and Miami-Dade Planning Advisory Board — are also running for HD 118 HD 118 spans a narrow unincorporated strip of the county west of Florida’s Turnpike encompassing the neighborhoods of Goulds South Miami Heights and South Miami Heights The Primary Election for HD 118 takes place Oct Jesse Scheckner has covered South Florida with a focus on Miami-Dade County since 2012. His work has been recognized by the Hearst Foundation, Society of Professional Journalists, Florida Society of News Editors, Florida MMA Awards and Miami New Times. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @JesseScheckner I make $100h while I’m traveling the world All I do are easy tasks from this one cool site HERE======================)>>>>>> smartearn72.blogspot.com/ – Two burglary suspects are in custody and Miami-Dade police officers are searching for one other person who vanished in Miami-Dade County's South Miami Heights area according to the Miami-Dade Police Department carrying concealed firearm and grand theft firearm Swain faces charges of burglary and criminal mischief A resident reported using a Ring doorbell camera to spot two burglary suspects in the backyard of a home at 6840 Southwest 50th Terrace Police said the thieves got into the house through a window and the victim began speaking to them through the alarm system South Miami police and Miami-Dade police chased the suspects as they fled southbound in a Nissan Altima before crashing into a vehicle at Quail Roost Drive near the Turnpike The suspects got out of the car and ran away into a residential area Police said an elderly man inside the car suffered minor bumps and bruises A witness said the driver walked away from the scene and tried to blend in with others Police set up a perimeter south of Quail Roost Park and North of Southridge Park as they searched for the two passengers Police dogs focused on a row of home homes at Southwest 113th Avenue and Southwest 188th Street before one of the passengers was apprehended Biven and Swain are currently being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center Copyright 2018 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved Manager Ed Doskow addresses his team during practice at Southridge High in South Miami Heights Manager Ed Doskow never hesitates to talk about the famous Southridge team from 12 years ago when Doskow served as an assistant under current South Dade Manager Fred Burnside the Spartans fielded one of the top ranked teams in the nation headlined by future major league shortstop Robert Andino They eventually finished 34-2 and lost to defending champion Hialeah High in the 6A state title game He brings it up because its one of the last times that a large school from Miami brought home a state championship As the talent pool has spread across the county with increasing number of schools no large classification (6A-8A) team from Miami-Dade county has won a state title since Columbus in 2003 Doskow wants his Southridge team to be the one that breaks the drought and brings the trophy home to South Miami Heights “Expectations are super high at the Ridge like they are every year,” Doskow said “This team seems determined to outwork the previous teams and hopefully we’ll be the last team standing trying to win a state championship.” Doskow said his players have worked tirelessly in the offseason to reach their goals but to earn a chance at a state title a little bit of luck is needed “We tell our kids that hard work guarantees you nothing you don’t have a shot,” said Doskow.”At the end of the day its got to take everything to fall in place; you have to be very lucky to win a state title.” The Spartans lost only two starters from last season off of a team that finished 11-10 competing in a stacked district before falling 3-2 to eventual 8A-16 champion Killian in the playoffs The manager says a lack of fundamentals cost his team in critical moments of games a detail the coaching staff has emphasized in practice if we would have been fundamentally sound we could have won each of those games,” said Doskow “We’ve emphasized just catching the ball and simple fundamentals Don’t worry about the great play; make the routine play and prevent the other team from maximizing their opportunities.” A few plays could prove to be the difference for a team like Southridge The Spartans were 5-5 in games decided by two runs or less last season Catcher Austin Peterson stands at the plate during practice at Southridge High in South Miami Heights “We had a great pitching staff but we couldn’t score the runners,” said junior Austin Peterson “We lost too many one-run games that we should have won.” the pitching staff will have to earn their keep after losing three seniors from the rotation and Miguel Caba are gone and Doskow has a few new faces ready to fill the void Senior right-handed pitcher Isaac DaSilva (4-2 and lefties Austin Dreher and Eric Lopez will make up the Spartans starting rotation in the spring DaSilva is the only one of the three with varsity experience and will have to set the tone for the newcomers he had a great season last year and he was very tough against his opponents,” Doskow said of DaSilva Since each team in the district is capable of hitting the ball Doskow is looking for consistency from his rotation this season The staff has also designated senior Jerrick Campbell as the closer “We don’t have a flamethrower like in years past but we have a bunch of guys throwing in the mid 80s that can locate and have very good off-speed pitches,” he said the team is excited about a trio of sluggers that create nightmares for opposing pitchers 6-foot-3 junior outfielder Josten Heron (12 RBI) All-8A-16 junior outfielder Diandre Amion (.319 BA 15 R and junior shortstop Arlain Sesin (.351 BA) will carry the brunt of the Southridge offense this season If they’re hot then we’re going to be hot they’re playmakers and can do everything in a baseball game,” said Doskow senior first baseman Octavio Mirabal (.321 BA 10 RBI) add three more potent bats to the Spartans attack “With all the guys we have coming back we have a good mindset of what we need to do and what we need to take care of this year,” Josten Heron said The first order of business is facing the giants in their own backyard Their 8A-16 slate includes rivals Coral Reef and last season’s 8A-15 champion Miami Sunset These schools know each other well and the standings are always tight The top six teams in the district finished within two games of each other last spring Southridge players work on technique during batting practice at Robbie Smith Field on the campus of Southridge High “The team that gets out of our district has been battle tested,” Doskow stated “Every school in our district has an arm that can shut anybody down and every one of those games I expect to be a  2-1 3-2 ball game because there’s no easy games Southridge baseball evokes a deep sense of pride in the community  and many parents and former players still pack the stands at Robbie Smith Field to support the program Each player understands the tradition and history of the program before they ever take the field “The players know that when put on a shirt that says ‘Ridge baseball’ they represent all of those former players that have played before them,” Doskow stated “They have to know about guys that are in the major leagues like Andino and the hundreds of guys that went on to play college ball from Southridge.” If the cards fall in place Doskow hopes this team can celebrate on the field at jetBlue Park in Fort Myers “Since 1985 there’s only been four large schools to win a state title in Miami-Dade County,” Doskow Lamented “Hopefully that lightning will strike in the right place that little pebble will be on the field where it needs to be Leave a comment using your facebook account in Miami-Dade's South Miami Heights neighborhood The school was the top 7th on fights among Miami-Dade County public schools and in Florida The top 10 schools with the most fights reported were in high-crime areas. The likelihood of becoming a crime victim in South Miami Heights was 1 in 20, records show The top 10 schools with the most fights reported had a majority of students who were getting free or reduced price lunch. About 63 percent of students qualified at Miami Southridge Senior High, according to a ProPublica analysis the school earned an "A" grade during the 2012-2013 school year and a "B" during the 2013-2014 school year A Democratic-leaning district represented by a Republican Each candidate’s total could easily be five points different if we polled everyone in the district And having a small sample is only one possible source of error Each dot shows one of the 46010 calls we made Explore the 2016 election in detail with this interactive map Debbie Mucarsel-Powell is an immigrant from Ecuador who moved to the U.S 19% favorable rating; 13% unfavorable; 68% don’t know Based on 509 interviews Carlos Curbelo is the current representative and a Cuban-American He voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act 52% favorable rating; 27% unfavorable; 21% don’t know Based on 509 interviews calling the accumulation of Trump-related scandals a “sad chapter in our country’s politics.” But he voted for the G.O.P tax overhaul; he helped draft the legislation as a member of the congressional tax-writing committee.Ms Mucarsel-Powell has said she was inspired to run for Congress the day that Mr Curbelo voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act She has worked as an associate dean at Florida International University and as a volunteer for a variety of environmental causes It’s generally best to look at a single poll in the context of other polls: I’ll give you the latest reporting and intel on the midterms and take your questions from the campaign trail our poll will become more stable and the margin of sampling error will shrink The changes in the timeline below reflect that sampling error One reason we’re doing these surveys live is so you can see the uncertainty for yourself If sampling error were the only type of error in a poll, we would expect candidates who trail by four points in a poll of 509 people to win about one out of every four races. But this probably understates the total error by a factor of two There’s a big question on top of the standard margin of error in a poll: Who is going to vote It’s a particularly challenging question this year since special elections have shown Democrats voting in large numbers we combine what people say about how likely they are to vote with information about how often they have voted in the past this approach has been more accurate than simply taking people at their word Just because one candidate leads in all of these different turnout scenarios doesn’t mean much by itself They don’t represent the full range of possible turnout scenarios let alone the full range of possible election results the margin of error wouldn’t capture all of the error in a poll The simplest version assumes we have a perfect random sample of the voting population People who respond to surveys are almost always too old too educated and too politically engaged to accurately represent everyone Some characteristics are missing or incorrect Pollsters compensate by giving more weight to respondents from under-represented groups Here, we’re weighting by age, party registration, gender, likelihood of voting, education and region, mainly using data from voting records files compiled by L2 But weighting works only if you weight by the right categories and you know what the composition of the electorate will be many pollsters didn’t weight by education and overestimated Hillary Clinton’s standing as a result Here are other common ways to weight a poll: Just because one candidate leads in all of these different weighting scenarios doesn’t mean much by itself They don’t represent the full range of possible weighting scenarios About 9 percent of voters said that they were undecided or refused to tell us whom they would vote for these voters most closely resembled Democrats If they were to break 2 to 1 in favor of Democrats that alone would be enough to change the lead in our poll (We could also be wrong on turnout or our sample could be unrepresentative Or other voters could change their minds.) We’re asking voters here several questions about immigration including whether they’d like to eliminate Immigration and Customs Enforcement (an agency known as ICE) whether it bothers them to hear immigrants speaking a foreign language in public places and whether they think illegal immigrants living in the United States are more likely than American citizens to commit serious crimes Percentages are weighted to resemble likely voters Voters nationwide are deeply divided along demographic lines Results among subgroups may not be representative or reliable Be especially careful with groups with fewer than 100 respondents Percentages are weighted to resemble likely voters; the number of respondents in each subgroup is unweighted Undecided voters includes those who refused to answer This survey was conducted by The New York Times Upshot and Siena College Data collection by Reconnaissance Market Research the Institute for Policy and Opinion Research at Roanoke College the Survey Research Center at the University of Waterloo the University of North Florida and the Siena College Research Institute 404Page Not FoundLooks like we can't find this page Read on for our favorite things to do around Miami including top-recommended family-friendly Miami restaurants and kid-friendly Miami hotels (for fledgling snowbirds) the only subtropical zoo in the continental United States offers a variety of species not often seen in other American zoos It occupies nearly 750 acres and is home to more than 3,000 animals or take a twirl on the carousel to round out your day This 250,000-square-foot museum is composed of four buildings kids can check out exhibitions such as Da Vinci—Inventions which presents life-sized machines imagined by Leonardo da Vinci and then do some designing of their own in an engineering lab The STEM campus also includes a planetarium and an aquarium Aquatic-animal lovers will appreciate swimming with seals and dolphins and investigating touch pools at the Miami Seaquarium The Sea Trek Reef Encounter lets visitors walk along a 300,000-gallon tropical reef in a special underwater helmet there’s a pirate playground for kids to explore There’s plenty to keep the family active at this more than 30-acre park and an aquatic play structure with tire swings Landlubbers can check out a separate dry playground and climbing wall Stroll down this popular pedestrian street and pop into shops, including Havaianas for a new pair of flip-flops and Books & Books to pick up some reading material or activity books for your return flight Stop by on a Sunday to find fresh fruit and other treats at the farmers market RELATED: 9 Best Florida Beach Vacations for Families Walk along this famed Art Deco strip of hotels and eateries to soak up Miami culture Kids will enjoy the colorful buildings and neon signs on one side and Lummus Park on the other The park has a playground and a muscle beach to fascinate The Miami Children's Museum has all the exciting elements of a typical kids' museum but with fun local touches marine tanks demonstrating South Florida wildlife Walk through an interactive piggy bank to learn about money apply the elements of art in a maker space put your body to the test with virtual sports in the health and wellness center Tradewinds Park in Coconut Creek is home to the world's largest butterfly park with more than 20,000 winged beauties fluttering around the screened pavilions RELATED: Panama City Beach with Kids: Fun Things to Do in this Gulf Coast Town Whether it's a whole-family trail ride along shaded paths or a trot around the ring on the back of a toddler-friendly pony getting in the saddle at Tradewinds Park is an experience a kid never forgets this Native American village is fun for all ages and peruse exhibits that teach about the tribe’s history and culture where a tribesman fearlessly wrestles a seven- to nine-foot alligator This downtown ocean-themed playground features a boat play structure is a wave wall with large embedded sea-creature figures There’s also a flying trapeze school nearby for ages 6 and up Visit Wynwood Walls, an outdoor art gallery featuring large, often colorful murals. Then head to nearby Morelia Gourmet Paletas for a handcrafted Mexican ice pop Spend that rainy or too-hot day at this 15,000-square-foot family entertainment center which touts a three-story indoor playground Kids might also enjoy the fact that the video for Imagine Dragons’ “Zero” was shot here Visit the Spanish-style outdoor shopping center CocoWalk to grab a bite to eat or a movie and ice cream head to Peacock Park where kids can tackle two play structures and enjoy waterfront views peppered with plenty of boats They might also like to hop aboard the trolley that runs through the neighborhood but it may be worth it for young animal lovers—it's the only zoo in the U.S RELATED: Kid-Friendly South Florida Restaurants Open for Thanksgiving Dinner don’t miss this seasonal theme park that features more than 100 rides Take in a show at one of the top children’s theaters in the country Miami Children's Theater graduates have moved on to professional careers in movies Take advantage of Miami's proximity to Everglades National Park with a semi-private or private airboat ride through the preserve's sawgrass mangroves The airboat skims over just six inches of water Spend at least an hour touring the wetlands while spotting alligators Some tour operators offer wildlife shows as well as airboat rides and tours bring the kids to The Poppet Project for drop-in arts From egg hunts to pumpkin patches and plenty of petting zoos in between the Little Farm is open all year with family farm fun to suit every season.  Artechouse is the first-of-its-kind innovative art gallery Exhibits are immersive and technology-driven Artechouse also boasts a free XR (extended-reality) app that guests can use to add on to their experience when visiting the exhibits Tour the beautiful European-inspired Vizcaya estate and gardens to learn more about Miami’s whimsical history The main estate house showcases collections dating back to the early 20th century from around the world stroll through the 10-acre ornate gardens with waterfront views The MODS keeps kids entertained for hours with more than 300 interactive exhibits on two floors plus traveling exhibits and an IMAX theater. Special events include monthly Sensory-Friendly Sundays This South Florida farm hosts several fun events throughout the year including a Strawberry Festival and an Easter event in the spring a corn maze and harvest festival in the fall This historical railroad museum boasts over 40 railcars Bonus: Free admission and train rides are offered on the first Saturday of each month The museum is also located just steps away from Zoo Miami so it’s totally doable to visit both attractions in one day Get tickets to a race or book a track tour at Homestead-Miami Speedway Nascar’s top series all race at this 1.5-mile oval speedway Other events include Fast Lane Fridays and Give Back at the Track where guests can pay to drive their own car around the racing oval Dezerland Park Miami is Florida’s largest indoor attraction making it a great option when the weather is not cooperating This entertainment center features a trampoline park Learn about Miami’s unique history and culture through exhibits Enjoy free family-fun days on the second Saturday of each month this non-profit wildlife sanctuary is home not just to oodles of flamingos but also peacocks Educational presentations and acres of gardens make it a full day's outing Zip through the waters off Miami on a 55-foot catamaran reaching speeds of up to 50 miles per hour and Stiltsville—a group of wooden houses built on stilts in the middle of Biscayne Bay Public tours are 45 to 75 minutes long and permit children ages 3 and up onboard Head south of South Beach to check out this park’s shaded playground and splash pad Kids might also enjoy watching the cruise ships pass by as they leave port Crandon Park is a scenic two-mile beach featuring calm water for kids, cabana rentals, a beach playground, a family amusement center with a carousel and roller rink, and a nature center. Head farther south to Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park for more beach time Kids 42 inches and up can climb the 112 steps to the top of the historic Cape Florida Lighthouse for panoramic views This toddler-friendly beach just south of downtown has no waves so kids can splash and wade in the water to their heart’s content on this circular sandy beach There are also nature trails to explore and a snack bar and restaurant housed in a building made of coral This isn’t your average public pool; it’s the only swimming pool included in the National Register of Historic Places It also gets drained and refreshed daily from artesian wells Families with kids ages 3 and up can relax amid the beauty of the Mediterranean architecture (kids under 3 are not allowed) and water playt areas where kids can cool off for free on a hot day Families describe this park as a “hidden gem” in Miami The beach is as far north as you can get without leaving Miami Located at C.B. Smith Park, Paradise Cove offers fun for all ages. Attractions include four 50-foot waterslides, a water playground for all ages, a smaller water playground for little ones, and a lazy river. In addition to the water park, C.B. Smith Park offers miniature golf Grapeland Water Park boasts the Shipwreck Island water-play area for little ones the Pirate’s Plunge water playground perfect for older kids Just 30 minutes from downtown Miami you’ll find over 1,000 acres of natural Florida oasis at this state park November through March are the best months for wild manatee spotting in Florida consider booking a kayak tour at Virginia Key to see these gentle giants RELATED: The Best Places to See Manatees Near Orlando The iconic Fontainebleau has been a family favorite for years Kids will love the interactive children’s water playground and the FB Kids Club which hosts all sorts of fun activities for ages 4-12 This oceanfront hotel is located in the heart of Miami’s Art Deco district Kids can enjoy their own private beachfront complete with lifeguards or splash in the zero-entry pool The SOBE Kids Club is available for ages 4-12 and a teen lounge is also on-site with video games and an arcade the Ritz-Carlton offers family amenities such as kids clubs this resort is ideal for families who want a little distance from the hustle and bustle of downtown Miami It features the on-site Tidal Cove Waterpark with seven water slides a large kids' pool with a water playground Guests can also stroll the resort’s 300-acre tropical gardens The Acqualina is a top-of-the-line beachside resort with luxury amenities such as world-class dining Kids will love the on-site AcquaMarine program featuring marine-inspired children's activities Though the food may be a bit exotic and pricey for dinner with kids don’t miss the over-the-top desserts offered at Barton G and Carnival Fun Cakes—funnel cakes paired with a mini shooting gallery on the plate Treat your sweet tooth to a trip to the Sugar Factory Immerse the family in Cuban culture with a stroll down Calle Ocho (8th Street) between 17th and 12th avenues. Stop for lunch at Versailles, then head to Azucar Ice Cream Company for an unusual-flavored scoop or two Cheezious has become a favorite among locals and tourists alike offering multiple variations of the ultimate comfort food—grilled cheese Bonus: There is a large backyard patio where kids can expel some energy while waiting for their meal With eight locations in Miami-Dade County (and more than 20 across South Florida) there’s sure to be a Flanigan’s convenient to wherever you choose to stay The atmosphere is laid-back—perfect for families—and a fun kids' menu is offered The Doral Yard is a mini food hall offering a variety of culinary options and an open green space with live music performances on select evenings Enjoy authentic Italian dining at Ironside Pizza The restaurant is adjacent to a colorful courtyard that kids will love to explore Visit this family-owned farm for delicious baked goods—the cinnamon rolls are a must U-pick strawberries and tomatoes are also available when in season From sky lounges to epic rooftop restaurants these spots let you see the Magic City from new heights and unbelievable angles Any view of Miami is wondrous in and of itself but if you’re looking for a panoramic view that you can take in from every single angle there’s never been a better time to take in the beautiful city skyline so admire the views from the images below for now and make note of where you’re going to see it in person: If you’re looking for the best views why not start at the 16th tallest building in all of the state the Downtown Miami skyscraper has been around since 1987 and its Sky Lobby is open to the public Take the elevator up to the lounge and take in the sights of the city Towering at almost 200 feet above Bayside Marketplace catch unparalleled views of Biscayne Bay and the skyline from one of its 42 climate-controlled gondolas with shimmering lights that can be seen from a mile away Find the Skyviews Miami Observation Wheel at 401 Biscayne Blvd Take your brunch to the next level at this white-and-purple decked out restaurant perched 9 floors above South Beach Order from an eclectic menu of brunch classics and French Asian and Peruvian dishes while taking in all the stunning panoramic views this designer rooftop has to offer Find Juvia at 1111 Lincoln Rd As one of Florida’s oldest lighthouses and the oldest structure in Miami-Dade County this is a standing time capsule with tons of history you’ll have to join one of their tours on Thursday through Monday For incredible views of the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay Find the Cape Florida Lighthouse at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park at 1200 Crandon Park Blvd this hip rooftop lounge offers a birds eye view of the city alongside tasty Asian-inspired cocktails Sugar is perfect for a night out and sometimes has a long line to get in so you want to book a table ahead of time especially if you’ll be wanting something to eat Find Sugar at 788 Brickell Plaza Located at the southernmost point of South Beach is this gorgeous green park that offers up some amazing views (especially during sunset) of the beach’s shoreline Downtown Miami’s skyline and Fisher Island You can also soak in the view from the beach or the pier in the area Find South Pointe Park at 1 Washington Ave Get scenic views from every angle at Miami’s only rooftop movie theater Forget a movie night at your local indoor theater when you can have beautiful sunsets a dazzling city skyline and a perfect starlit evening in addition to the big screen Head to the Rooftop Cinema Club early to enjoy delicious drinks from their bar and play some lawn games as you admire the view the waterfront Rusty Pelican is an absolute must when it comes to getting a front row seat to the sparkling Miami skyline Serving up great seafood in a sophisticated atmosphere this spot is the most famous restaurant for anything from brunches to weddings Find the Rusty Pelican at 3201 Rickenbacker Causeway Upstairs at this hotel located steps away from the sand is an enchanting al fresco rooftop restaurant you can dine in the lush terrace is known for its buzzy brunches and handcrafted cocktails amidst a beautiful backdrop of South Beach Available only to hotel guests and private events another one of the hotel’s rooftop bars called The Upside brings together a shallow lounging pool an alfresco movie screening area and show-stopping 360-degree views of the ocean and Miami Beach Find Moxy South Beach at 915 Washington Ave striking the perfect balance of scene and serene Rosa Sky delivers panoramic views of the shimmering Brickell skyline on top of premium hand-crafted cocktails Stay and watch the sunset to see a ‘rosa sky.’ Find Rosa Sky at 115 SW 8th St 22nd Floor There’s more room for rooftop restaurants on this list ASTRA is a plant-filled rooftop garden that serves Mediterranean eats the best drinks and music spun by a nightly DJ for the perfect day or night out Find ASTRA at 2121 NW 2nd Ave