Public Safety · Fort Lauderdale, FL
King tide flooding continued in South Florida on Thursday, Oct. 29, after a week-long cycle that peaked Tuesday. Fort Lauderdale officials shut down some roads throughout the week due to water, including an area west of the Las Olas bridge where cars drove through flooded streets. In Miami Beach, southbound lanes of Collins Avenue near 53rd Street flooded after water breached the seawall. A coastal flood advisory for Miami-Dade and Broward counties was extended through Friday evening, while a coastal flood warning remained in place for the Florida Keys through Friday morning.
Crime · Miami Beach, FL
Tamarius Blair Davis, 27, was sentenced by Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Laura Stuzin to 50 years in prison followed by 20 years of probation for the Aug. 24, 2021 killing of 21-year-old Colorado tourist Dustin Wakefield at a restaurant on Ocean Drive in South Beach. Davis pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, attempted murder and child-abuse charges after attacking another man minutes before shooting Wakefield, who was dining with his wife and infant son. Davis must serve at least 25 years before eligibility for release. The sentencing followed three days of testimony that included emotional statements from both families.
Local Politics · Miami-Dade County
A New Times roundup previews South Florida races ahead of Election Day Tuesday, including Miami-Dade County's Referendum 3 on a proposed 75-year lease of Virginia Key waterfront including Rickenbacker Marina to a private equity-backed operator. In Broward County, Davie District 3 candidates include Toula Amanna, under investigation by the Broward County Sheriff's Office over a Facebook post, and Jordan Nelson, charged with DUI after allegedly crashing into a guardrail at Hiatus Road and Orange Drive. Statewide contests feature the governor's race with Byron Donalds, Florida Senate between Angie Nixon and Ashley Moody, and Amendment 3 on property tax reductions. Dallas-based Suntex and RCI Group spent over $2 million supporting Referendum 3, with spending linked to Big Tuesday Media and social media influencers.
Crime · Miami Beach, FL
An 11-year-old girl faces a second-degree felony charge for aggravated battery following an incident at Nautilus Middle School in Miami Beach on Sept. 24. Police report the accused student attacked another student, causing injuries including a concussion to the victim. A juvenile court judge issued a stay-away order during a hearing held on Thursday. The trial is scheduled for Dec. 21.
Community News · Miami-Dade County
The Miami-Dade County Department of Solid Waste Management is hosting a free Home Chemical Mobile Collection Event on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Sunset Kendall Trash and Recycling Center (TRC), in celebration of America Recycles Day. Residents may drop off household hazardous waste, electronics, and used oil, and securely shred up to two boxes of documents at no cost. The event is open to all Miami-Dade County residents presenting a valid Florida driver's license or ID.
