Miami, FL

County voters say yes to new fire station in Miami Beach’s Flamingo Park

Published

3 hours ago

August 22, 2024

County voters say yes to new fire station in Miami Beach’s Flamingo Park

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Miami-Dade County voters weighed in during Tuesday’s primary election on a county park issue impacting the residents of Miami Beach.

Those voters overwhelmingly approved the construction of a new fire station on a section of Flamingo Park.

The measure received 75.71% “yes” votes, or 197,381 of the 260,723 ballots cast.

Miami Design Preservation League Executive Director Daniel Ciraldo says the proposal mitigates against the demolition of the historic South Shore Community Center, which had been considered as the city scouted site locations.

“That got a lot of residents upset because our seniors use the center, there is a children’s daycare, so not a perfect solution,” he said. “But the community is asking to save the community center and put the fire station somewhere else to allow both to exist since they are both very important.”

Miami Beach Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez is part of that community.

“Since 2017 I have been fighting to save the South Shore Community Center with operations day care which has a senior lunchroom that was closed during COVID, so this really is about it takes a village to save this community center,” she said. “This is really a win-win for everyone. Saving the community center, the day care, keeping the senior lunchroom and we get a new fire station.”

Commissioner Tanya Katzoff Bhatt said election results show the majority of votes included voters in every precinct in Miami Beach, even those in the Flamingo Park neighborhood.

Commissioners unanimously approved the project proposal in June.

“Now the work of design things begins,” said Katzoff Bhatt. “Ideally, we will do it in a way where we don’t have to move the track and field where we can maximize the green space and the park landscaping.”

That design conversation is scheduled to begin next month.

Miami-Dade Referendum on fire station at Flamingo Park in Miami Beach. (WPLG)

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Miami, FL

Mobile pet groomer charged with animal cruelty bonds out of jail – WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports | Fort Lauderdale

Published

10 hours ago

August 22, 2024

Press Room

Mobile pet groomer charged with animal cruelty bonds out of jail – WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports | Fort Lauderdale

WEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) – A mobile pet groomer who was caught on camera kicking a dog bonded out of jail.

Thirty-three-year-old Richel Yumar-Gonzalez left the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, Thursday morning.

7News cameras captured Yumar-Gonzalez running away from crews after he was released.

“Richel, stop running from our cameras! Why did you kick that dog?!” said 7News reporter Olivia DiVenti, who ran after Yumar-Gonzalez.

Miami-Dade Police said Yumar-Gonzalez was arrested on Wednesday and he was charged with animal cruelty.

A doorbell camera captured Yumar-Gonzalez at an apartment kicking a small dog in the head and neck during a grooming visit last week. He was fired from his job after the video surfaced.

According to the arrest report, Yumar-Gonzalez, told detectives that when he was bathing the dog, it bit his finger, which caused a small cut.

After the grooming, he told detectives that when he tried to return the dog to its owner, the dog became aggressive and he placed the dog on the floor. He then admitted to kicking the dog twice.

The dog is expected to be OK.

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Miami, FL

Miami Heat Star Jimmy Butler Hoping For Stronger Campaign Than Paul George?

Published

17 hours ago

August 22, 2024

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Miami Heat Star Jimmy Butler Hoping For Stronger Campaign Than Paul George?

Jimmy Butler is hoping for his best season to date with the Miami Heat as he hunts for a maximum contract next offseason.

The star forward is, however, 35 at the start of the regular season, with a lot of miles on him from his tenure with the Chicago Bulls. Despite the extra motivation of a new deal, HoopsHype is projecting a worse campaign from Butler than another veteran star.

HoopsHype’s Frank Urbina released the outlet’s list of the top 30 small forwards for next season, where Philadelphia 76ers’ Paul George (No. 5) slotted a single spot ahead of Butler (No. 6).

“It’s unclear how hand in hand that is with Miami choosing not to sign Butler to the max extension he was eligible for this summer but either way, the star forward chose not to make a fuss about it,” Urbina wrote.

The decision from Miami’s front office not to extend Butler is bold but understandable. Butler’s desire for a max extension shouldn’t just come from past success with the Heat, but rather from showing there’s still starpower left in the tank. Giving him a prove-it year could greatly benefit both sides.

George is entering a totally new system in Philadelphia, splitting touches with superstar big man Joel Embiid and reigning Most Improved Player Tyrese Maxey. The 34-year-old is accustomed to sharing the ball, playing on loaded rosters for the latter half of his career. The deciding factor in the Butler-George debate for next season is the NBA playoffs.

“For Butler, 2024-25 will be about proving he can stay healthy and not miss so much regular-season time, especially if the soon-to-be-35-year-old is expecting to get one more huge contract in Miami.”