Miami, FL

Proposal for Miami-Dade County public buses raises concerns among riders

Published

2 years ago

September 3, 2024

Proposal for Miami-Dade County public buses raises concerns among riders

MIAMI – If budgets reflect values, people pushing for better transit think Metrobus riders should shift their focus to a series of meetings starting Thursday.

Miami-Dade County Commissioners will host a public hearing on the budget proposal for the 2024-25 fiscal year submitted by Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.

Part of the plan moves $11.2 million away from the transit operations and maintenance budget. Nearly $11 million of those dollars, along with 36 jobs, would be absorbed by the county infrastructure department.

Mayor Levine Cava’s office did respond to emails or calls seeking comment. However, the mayor’s budget proposal said reorganizing bolsters “preventative maintenance functions.”

“What we’re concerned about with the budget is that we need more resources to address those concerns that the community has addressed to us directly,” Mark Merwitzer, Associate Director for Transit Alliance Miami, said.

The non-profit works to secure faster, more reliable transit. Over the last six months, as the county rolled out its “Better Bus Network,” which aims to deliver more routes to more people, Transit Alliance Miami surveyed 1000 passengers. On-time delivery is a problem for them, Merwitzer said.

“It’s not just with this administration, but it’s been suffering for very, very long for our bus passengers,” Merwitzer said. “Buses getting delayed equipment challenges; a lot of operators are calling out sick and also just in general when there’s a shortage of both buses, parts, and operators (demonstrates that) the county needs more.”

Ashley Betancourt lost her car in a crash two months ago. While she works downtown to earn and save money for repairs, the Miami-Dade College biology student dreaming of becoming a doctor depends on Metrobuses to carry her to class on time. She is 30 minutes too late too often, Betancourt said.

“It’s awful,” she said. “Sometimes my mom comes and picks me up. The other times I have to wait.”

Merwitzer encouraged riders who feel the same to share their concern during the Miami-Dade County Commission Public Budget Hearing Thursday.

Larry Seward

Larry Seward joined CBS Miami in February 2023. He brings to South Florida more than a decade of experience telling stories.

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Miami, FL

Sebastian Korda stuns world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz at 2026 Miami Open | Tennis.com

Published

6 hours ago

March 22, 2026

Press Room

Sebastian Korda stuns world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz at 2026 Miami Open | Tennis.com

Korda threatened to run away with the second set when he won three games in a row and earned a chance for a double-break lead. Alcaraz held on until it came time for Korda to serve for the match.

Keeping the pressure on, Alcaraz secured a love-break and reeled off five straight games to force a final set.

Undaunted, Korda snapped the streak to get back on the board and weathered some stellar play from Alcaraz to score the first break of the decider.

Down 3-5 for a third straight set, Alcaraz made another brave last stand to force Korda to serve for the match. Korda made no mistake this time, putting away a backhand to set up two match points. Alcaraz saved the first but Korda claimed the second with one last well-struck serve.

Standing between Korda and a return trip to the quarterfinals will be either No. 14 seed Karen Khachanov or Spanish qualifier Martín Landaluce.

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Miami, FL

Fire tears through longtime Miami Gardens home of retired teacher

Published

2 days ago

March 20, 2026

Press Room

Fire tears through longtime Miami Gardens home of retired teacher

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — A longtime Miami Gardens resident watched a fire tore through his home Friday evening.

Edward Brown Jr., known in the community as “Mr. Brown,” embraced friends and family as he watched the aftermath of the flames that destroyed the house he’s lived in for more than 50 years.

“I don’t have anything right now,” Brown said.

Video from Sky 10 showed heavy smoke pouring out of the home as fire ripped through the property.

Brown, a retired teacher, said the fire started shortly after he had been cooking.

“Well, I thought I had turned the burner off, but when I went to the door, there was too much smoke,” he said.

He explained that he had just finished frying fish and was outside talking with his son when they realized something was wrong.

“I wasn’t really scared. Thank God I wasn’t scared,” he said.

Already outside, Brown and others tried to use a garden hose to control the flames as firefighters rushed into the neighborhood. The chaotic scene temporarily shut down the street.

Neighbors gathered nearby, many concerned as crews worked to put out the fire.

“Everybody was concerned, and I want to apologize to them,” Brown said. “I didn’t mean to disturb the neighborhood like this.”

Mr. Brown will stay with friends and family while he decides to do with his home.

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Miami, FL

Teenage suspects of 12-year-old girl’s 2025 rape in Miami appear in court again after being charged as adults

Published

3 days ago

March 19, 2026

Press Room

Teenage suspects of 12-year-old girl’s 2025 rape in Miami appear in court again after being charged as adults

March 19, 2026 / 9:39 PM EDT
/ CBS Miami

Grim testimony was presented Thursday in a Miami courtroom during a bond hearing for two teenagers charged as adults in the alleged rape of a 12-year-old girl at an Overtown apartment building last summer.

The testimony happened as attorneys for 13-year-old Nelson Nuñez and 12-year-old Jusiah Jones requested that the youngsters be released on bond. The case is being heard by Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Richard Herschel.

Detective Louis Joseph testified that the suspects “held her down” and that the attack “went on for 30 minutes.” He said rocks were placed in her mouth to silence her during the attack and that Jones was accused of doing that.

“The victim had rocks in her mouth and spat out the rocks. The victim did not tell her father because she was afraid she would get into trouble,” Joseph stated.

Jones’s attorney argued that his client was forced by the others involved to place the rocks in the girl’s mouth and claimed Jones never participated in the sexual assault or held the girl down. The attorney said the suspects threatened to punch Jones if he did not participate and that Jones actually tried to stop the attack.

Nelson Nuñez’s brother, father, and mother testified through a translator, saying Nuñez would be well supervised if allowed out on bond, was not a danger to the community, and would not flee. They also said he had no prior criminal history. Nuñez’s soccer coach, a family member, said, “He’s a very good kid. I would say he is a follower. He does not fight or curse.”

Nuñez is being represented by defense attorney Bijan Parwaresch, a former prosecutor.

Judge Herschel said he wanted to hear more testimony before ruling on the bond and scheduled the hearing to continue at 9 a.m. Monday.

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