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Miami-Dade aims to break world record for largest swimming lesson in effort to teach water safety and drowning prevention – WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports | Fort Lauderdale

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Miami-Dade aims to break world record for largest swimming lesson in effort to teach water safety and drowning prevention – WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports | Fort Lauderdale


MIAMI (WSVN) – The Miami-Dade County Parks Department is teaching kids water safety by participating in the world’s largest swimming lesson.

The annual event was hosted by the Guinness Book of World Records, Thursday morning.

In recent months, South Florida has seen a number of near drownings and, tragically, a few who lost their lives. It’s one of the leading causes of death for young children in the U.S.

Now that summer is officially here, it’s an opportunity for children to learn the basics.

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“In the state of Florida, we lead the country in drowning. Here in Miami-Dade it’s the leading cause of death for 1-9 [years old],” said Jim O’Connor with Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces. “One of the key ways we prevent drowning is teaching children how to swim.”

The event brought together aquatics facilities from around the world to raise awareness.

“Last year, 18 countries participated, and Miami-Dade’s Parks is very happy to participate in this event,” said O’Connor.

Throughout the day, children who take swim classes at county pools participated in the worldwide swimming lesson.

The event was held at several locations, including Oak Grove Park in Northeast Miami-Dade. Lessons included basic swim strokes, safety in and around water, and the importance of adult supervision.

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The overall message: swimming lessons save lives.

“I think it’s great, ’cause it teaches the kids to be knowledgeable in the water and, you know, it can prevent drowning at some point, but these guys here have a great program at teaching the kids the basics,” said parent Rodrigo Piedrahita.

Piedrahita told 7News he brought his two sons and grandson to the event to learn how to swim.

“My grandson Jaylen here [is] learning how to swim. It’s a very good program, it’s not that expensive, and he’s enjoying himself,” he said. “Every day he talked about coming here to learn how to swim, and you need to know how to swim here in Miami.”

O’Connor said that throughout the day they tallied the number of children participating, and they will submit that number to Guinness World Records to be an official part of the record-breaking swim lesson.

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Miami, FL

Hundreds of Caribbean flights canceled, leaving travelers stranded at Miami International Airport

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Hundreds of Caribbean flights canceled, leaving travelers stranded at Miami International Airport


Travel disruptions continued Sunday at Miami International Airport after hundreds of flights to and from the Caribbean were canceled, leaving passengers stranded, separated from their luggage, and scrambling to salvage vacation plans.

The Federal Aviation Administration closed airspace in and around Venezuela following the reported capture of Nicolás Maduro on Saturday, triggering a ripple effect across Caribbean travel routes.

By Sunday, long lines had formed inside MIA as travelers waited hours to track down luggage that had been sent ahead — even though their flights never took off.

“As you can see, there’s a lot of people, and apparently thousands and thousands of bags,” said Jennifer Heimann, who was traveling from Tampa.

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Heimann and her family were scheduled to sail on a catamaran in the British Virgin Islands. Their flight to St. Thomas was canceled, but their luggage still made the trip.

“They said, ‘Your bags are in St. Thomas,’ and I said, ‘Wait — our bags are there and we’re not?’” Heimann said. “We can’t even get a flight until Thursday, and they just sent the bags ahead.”

The family is now renting a car to drive back to Tampa and hoping their luggage eventually finds its way home.

Similar frustrations were echoed by other travelers across the terminal.

The Cookson family, traveling from Tyler, Texas, had their flight to San Juan, Puerto Rico canceled just before they were set to board a cruise.

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“They’re shipping our bags out to the Caribbean and not allowing us to retrieve them,” said Pamela Cookson. “We don’t know when we’re going to get our luggage.”

American Airlines says it added six additional flights out of Miami, bringing the total to roughly two dozen extra flights and nearly 5,000 additional seats to help impacted customers. Even so, many passengers told CBS News Miami the earliest rebooking available wasn’t until Thursday.

Susan Daniel, traveling from Little Rock, Arkansas to St. Croix, said the delays forced her family to make last-minute arrangements.

“We had to Uber, leave our bags, get an Airbnb, then come back today, take another Uber, and stand in this long line just to hopefully get our bags and our computers — everything we need,” Daniel said.

Some travelers reported waiting hours in one line, only to be directed into another long wait for their luggage. Others tried to make the best of the situation.

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“Guess we’re vacationing in Miami now for three days or something like that,” said Jake Boylin, who was traveling from St. Louis. “Then going back home and rescheduling the trip.”

The next unanswered question for many travelers: whether they’ll be reimbursed for canceled trips, hotels, and cruises.

Travel experts advise passengers to keep all receipts and documentation in case refunds or reimbursements become available.



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Miami, FL

Venezuela supporters join Cuban Americans in Miami show of solidarity

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Venezuela supporters join Cuban Americans in Miami show of solidarity


In Little Havana, Cuban and Venezuelan Americans gathered outside an iconic restaurant to show solidarity following the removal of Nicolás Maduro. Crowds waved Cuban and Venezuelan flags throughout the afternoon and evening, describing the moment as one they had hoped for over decades.



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Miami-Dade sheriff’s deputy opens fire on vehicle after altercation during traffic stop, officials say

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Miami-Dade sheriff’s deputy opens fire on vehicle after altercation during traffic stop, officials say



An investigation is underway in Northwest Miami-Dade after the sheriff’s office said a deputy opened fire after an altercation occurred during a traffic stop on Sunday night.

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According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, a deputy received an alert about a stolen vehicle Sunday evening and eventually located the vehicle in the area of NW 17th Avenue and NW 95th Street in West Little River and conducted a traffic stop.

The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office said that as the deputy approached the vehicle, an altercation began, and the deputy opened fire, striking the vehicle.

That vehicle then fled the scene and was located nearby.

The sheriff’s office said a gun was located inside the vehicle, and the driver fled the scene.

That person is still at large as of early Monday morning, officials said.

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The deputy was not injured in the incident, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement has taken over the investigation.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS (8477).



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