Miami, FL
Miami Proud: Unlikely friendship leads to fresh start for woman struggling with homelessness
MIAMI — An unlikely friendship between a woman struggling with homelessness and two Miami-Dade Police Department employees is proving how the little things can make a big difference.
Miami-Dade Police dispatcher Nicole Sears loves to offer a helping hand. So, when neighborhood resource officer Leonard Cantave asked for a favor she jumped at the chance.
“Officer Contave reached out to me and asked if I would help him create some sort of way to receive funds for her,” she said.
It all started just days earlier, the day after Christmas.
“I had a problem with my car and my battery,” Maria Isabel Garcia said.
“You know it’s the holidays. She’s alone. No gas for her car. That was pretty sad, and I’m blessed enough to help her out,” said Cantave.
When he stopped to help, Cantave realized Garcia needed much more than just a jump. She needed a fresh start.
“She pretty much was homeless. So, I took her to the gas station, filled up her tank for her, and went to the mechanic shop and spoke to the owner and they gave her a brand-new battery for her car,” Cantave said.
“He asked me what happened, what happened to you? You live here? Why? And I explained to him I don’t have a job at this moment,” Garcia said.
Garcia had fallen on hard times during the pandemic.
She lost her job as a security guard — then her license expired. And without the funds to pay to renew it — she was stuck and has been ever since. Alone — and living out of her van.
“I don’t have anybody. I don’t have family; I don’t have friends. I don’t have a husband. I don’t have anybody” Garcia said. “I cried so many times inside this car. Alone. But nobody saw me”.
So, Sears and Cantave put their heads together — and within a month, raised enough money to renew Garcia’s car insurance and registration, renew her security license so she could work, and also give her some gas money.
Those little steps — enough to get Garcia back out there and working again.
And so, with the help of these two MDPD employees — Garcia is getting a chance at a fresh start. She is working again as a security guard, is applying for housing — and they say this is just the beginning.
“I just started it and I want to finish it. Make sure she gets a house, hopefully, she gets a better car, and then once that is done I think my job is done, then onto the next project” said Cantave.
That sentiment — and that chance encounter — is why Maria says she will forever be grateful.
“So, I love you, I love him, I love him so much because he’s a good person. He’s a good guy. He’s an angel. He’s my angel,” Garcia said.
And this truly is just the beginning. Sears and Cantave were so inspired by how they were able to help Garcia they started a non-profit to help others like her: Blue Hearts of South Florida.
Miami, FL
Florida fire map shows live updates on wildfires burning in Broward and Miami-Dade
Two active wildfires burning in Broward and Miami-Dade counties are reducing air quality and visibility across parts of South Florida Monday as firefighters continue working to contain the flames, according to the Florida Forest Service and other state and local agencies.
The fires are highlighted on Florida’s Active Wildfire Points map, an interactive tool that tracks current wildfires across the state and provides updated information on acreage burned and containment levels. You can check it out here:
Max Road Fire in Broward
The largest blaze, known as the Max Road Fire, was burning west of U.S. 27 and Pines Boulevard in western Broward County. Officials said the fire has scorched at least 5,000 acres as of Monday morning.
Smoke from the Max Road Fire was drifting north and northwest Monday morning due to a light southeast breeze.
Florida City fire in Miami-Dade
A second wildfire, called the 172nd Avenue Fire, is burning near Florida City in southern Miami-Dade County. Officials said the fire has burned at least 210 acres as of Monday morning.
Smoke from that fire remained relatively stagnant because of calm winds, though conditions later Monday could push smoke northward toward Leisure City and Homestead.
The 172nd Avenue Fire temporarily forced the closure of Card Sound Road and restricted access to the Florida Keys over the weekend, though the roadway has since reopened.
Authorities are still urging drivers to use caution in the area because heavy smoke could continue reducing visibility. Residents across South Florida are also being advised to monitor local air quality conditions as firefighters work to bring both blazes under control.
Florida dry season fuels wildfire risk
Florida is currently in its dry season, a period that typically runs from October through May and brings an increased risk of wildfires across the state.
According to the Florida Forest Service, peak wildfire season usually occurs during April, May and June, when dry vegetation, low humidity and windy conditions can help fires spread quickly.
The National Weather Service said ongoing drought conditions and low relative humidity have elevated wildfire danger across much of Florida in recent weeks. Officials are urging residents to avoid outdoor burning and remain alert as firefighters continue battling dozens of active wildfires statewide.
Miami, FL
Jarvis Landry Doesn’t Hold Back on Dolphins Offseason
Getty
(Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM )
The Miami Dolphins are in the middle of a rebuild under new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan. This offseason, Sullivan cut ties with players like Tyreek Hill and Tua Tagovailoa and then traded away Jaylen Waddle.
Moreover, the team brought in former Green Bay Packers QB Malik Willis, drafted Kadyn Proctor in Round 1, and selected several pass catchers to help their new signal-caller. Miami also drafted Jacob Rodriguez to be their leader on that side of the football, potentially.
While there’s still more work to be done, Sullivan has laid the foundation for what he hopes will turn the Dolphins into a contender in the AFC. Nonetheless, one person who is fully on board with what Miami has done this offseason is former Dolphins wideout Jarvis Landry.
“I love the [Proctor] pick,” Landry said in a May video from “4th And South.“ Miami Dolphins, the GM, hey, he’s doing amazing. He is doing amazing. I’m excited to see how [the Proctor pick] works out. Malik Willis will get some protection up front. I still want to see them add more firepower on the edges, maybe even at tight end, and keep building.
“They added pieces on the defensive side of the ball during the offseason, including a couple of cornerbacks and safeties and things like that. But I would love to see them get Malik Willis a couple more weapons on the outside to do his thing [as] Jaylen Waddle left [and] Tyreek left.“
Jarvis Landry Excited About Miami’s Future
Moreover, Landry provided an exciting outlook for Miami under Sullivan as the general manager is only getting started in molding the Dolphins in his vision, especially with the draft capital that the team had in this past draft.
“I think the city of Miami is excited,” Landry added. “With all of these draft picks and the draft capital Miami acquired, and don’t forget, they traded back and got more value and more picks [in this past draft]. I think they’re the only team to have this many picks in this year’s draft, which is probably a record.“
Dolphins Were Reportedly Looking at a Veteran Wideout
While Landry would like for the Dolphins to add another receiver, they were reportedly trying to do that. On May 8, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter shared that Miami was one of the teams interested in signing Jauan Jennings before he made his decision to sign with the Minnesota Vikings.
“The interesting thing is I was told that there were a few other teams,” Schefter said during a May 8 appearance on the “Pat McAfee Show.” “I can go back and get the exact list. I think it was the Dolphins, the Commanders. There was somebody else that was interested.
“The Vikings were the only team, I believe he wound up visiting at all. That was the only one. The other teams, the Chiefs and Commanders also were interested in Jauan Jennings. New Orleans also expressed a little interest.”
Now, for the Dolphins, it will be interesting to see whether they look at other veteran wideouts who might be a good fit, especially as a mentor for the group.
Eduardo Razo Eduardo Razo is a sports writer for Heavy.com, covering the NFL, MLB, and college football. He has previously covered the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB for NBC Sports Washington and NBC Sports Bay Area & California, and has freelanced for PSG Talk, covering Paris Saint-Germain. He also worked as an editor at Athlon Sports, focusing on MLB and the NFL. More about Eduardo Razo
Miami, FL
Your 2026 Miami Dolphins Draft Picks Expectations
Highest ceiling: Proctor. There’s a reason they drafted him in the first round. If he loses 25 pounds, he can be a multi-time first team All Pro. But he has to put the work in and not be lazy.
Lowest ceiling: Caleb Douglas. Don’t see him fixing his drops. But I hope he proves me wrong.
Best overall pick: Jacob Rodriguez. Guy will be a sideline to sideline tackling machine.
Best value pick: Kyle Louis. He should have went in the 3rd round and will be a major contributor.
Best pick no one else sees as great…yet: Seydou Traore. The more tape I watch on this guy at Mississippi State, the more I like. If he refines his route running and hands, he could be our starting TE in 2 or 3 years.
Biggest reach pick: Caleb Douglas. See above. He should have went in the 5th, maybe 6th.
Biggest missed opportunity: Not drafting Bain. I sure hope those short arms limit him in the NFL. Now the guy has a huge chip on his shoulder and is pissed at the 14 teams that passed on him, including Miami. The guy was a menace in college. I’m not looking forward to facing the Bucs in the future.
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