Crime · Miami-Dade County
Maiky Simeon, 30, pleaded guilty Friday to five counts of vehicular homicide in a wrong-way crash on the Palmetto Expressway near Northwest 57th Avenue in Miami-Dade. The Aug. 20, 2022 collision at approximately 4:30 a.m. killed five people traveling in a Honda sedan who were returning from a going-away party. Simeon accepted a 25-year state prison sentence with no credit for time served. According to the arrest report, Simeon had been driving eastbound in westbound lanes for at least one mile at high speed without attempting evasive action. The families of the victims addressed Simeon in court and said they can accept the sentence as closure.
Crime · Miami-Dade County
Maiky Simeon pleaded guilty Friday to vehicular homicide and driving under the influence manslaughter in connection with an August 2022 wrong-way crash on the Palmetto Expressway near Northwest 57th Avenue that killed five teenagers. Under the plea deal, Simeon will serve 25 years in prison with no credit for time already served; prosecutors noted he could have faced up to 150 years had the case gone to trial. In court, a victim's mother addressed Simeon directly, and he asked the families for forgiveness.
Public Safety · Polk County
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd announced Friday that 281 people were arrested during a seven-day operation targeting child predators and human trafficking, dubbed 'Polk Around and Find Out II.' The operation produced 488 new charges including 198 felonies, with suspects from across Florida, 20 other states, and 18 countries. Separately, rapper Rick Ross (William Leonard Roberts II) faces arraignment Friday in Miami Beach on a single misdemeanor battery/domestic violence charge stemming from an alleged August incident at his Star Island home; he has pleaded not guilty. A missing boater was rescued after three days adrift near Marco Island by Collier County and Marco Island marine units.
Public Safety · Miami-Dade County
A mother has filed a lawsuit against Miami-Dade County Public Schools alleging the district failed to protect her 11-year-old daughter during a Sept. 24 assault in the cafeteria at Nautilus Middle School. The accused student appeared before Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Yery Merrero via Zoom on Thursday and was charged with second-degree aggravated battery, a felony. The victim's mother alleges prior bullying tied to cheer tryouts and says she was never notified of escalating threats before the attack. The district maintains it handled the situation appropriately under its student code of conduct before referring the matter to law enforcement. The suspect is scheduled to return to court in December.
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Crime · North Miami, FL
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a death warrant Friday for Ricardo Gonzalez, 56, convicted in the Jan. 3, 1992, murder of North Miami Police Officer Steven Bauer during an ambush at a bank robbery. The execution is scheduled Dec. 1 at Florida State Prison near Starke. Bauer, 39, was a father of three who grew up in North Miami and had served as a police officer for 12 years.
Public Safety · Palm Beach County
A coastal flooding advisory is in effect for parts of Palm Beach County until 8 p.m. Saturday due to lingering king tides from last Sunday's full moon. Rain chances of 30% to 50% are forecast across South Florida during Halloween trick-or-treating hours, with possible showers or thunderstorms described as "hit or miss." The flood risk is concentrated in Palm Beach County and tapers off in Broward and Miami-Dade counties. A small boat advisory is also in place from Friday through Sunday evening.
Local Politics · Coral Gables, FL
The City of Coral Gables is advancing plans to create a new downtown district, replacing the former Business Improvement District (BID) of Coral Gables, Inc., which retains not-for-profit status but no longer holds taxing authority. Under Florida law, only the City can establish a district with taxing power, and any new district would require property owner approval. The City's Economic Development Department is currently funding community events such as Trick-or-Treat on the Mile and downtown holiday décor while the feasibility process continues. Informational sessions presenting potential partnership models were held Tuesday, Feb. 3, and a survey is open for stakeholders to share priorities.
Community News · Aventura, FL
Swedish healthtech company Neko Health, co-founded by Spotify founder Daniel Ek, plans to open a preventive health screening center in the Aventura Mall on Dec. 9, offering $499 one-hour body scans using infrared imaging, cardiac measurements, and a 53-biomarker blood panel with no prior authorization needed for labs. The company has started a Miami-area waitlist ahead of the opening. Prenuvo operates full-body MRI screening locations in Boca Raton's Mizner Park and Coral Gables, while Baptist Health South Florida offers similar services through its executive health program. Medical experts caution that no single scan replaces traditional screenings such as colonoscopies and mammograms, and routine scanning can lead to unnecessary follow-up procedures for benign findings.
Transportation · Fort Lauderdale, FL
National average gas prices reached $4.27 per gallon as of Oct. 22, up from just over $3 a year earlier, while average domestic air fares hit $445 in Q2 2026. JetBlue, now the leading carrier at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport following Spirit Airlines' demise, reported its Q3 fuel cost at $3.91 per gallon—57% higher than the same period in 2025—and expects $4.64 in Q4. Frontier Airlines grew passenger volume in Broward County by more than 200% year over year through August but raised fares 71% to cover fuel bills. Amtrak's Floridian and Silver Meteor serve stations including Miami, Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale, Deerfield Beach and West Palm Beach, while Brightline operates under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
Crime · Miami-Dade County
A 51-year-old man, Anwar Jouda, was arrested Thursday in St. Lucie County on charges including first-degree grand theft, organized scheme to defraud and criminal use of personal ID, according to Florida CFO Blaise Ingoglia. Investigators say the crimes were committed in Miami-Dade, where Jouda allegedly stole the identity information of a victim and their SNAP-authorized business, then diverted $862,394.95 into his own accounts through fraudulent merchant applications, forged documents and falsified banking information. Authorities allege he sent a portion of the funds via wire transfers to the West Bank. A judge set bond at $20,000.
Crime · Miami Beach, FL
The Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office filed paperwork Thursday to drop a felony battery-by-strangulation charge against rapper Rick Ross (William Roberts II) due to insufficient evidence, court records show. Ross was arrested at the Miami Beach police station on Oct. 1 after a woman he was living with reported being struck and choked during an Aug. 28 incident. He still faces a misdemeanor battery domestic violence charge and has pleaded not guilty to all charges, his attorney said Friday. Ross, a longtime South Florida resident known for helping establish Miami's hip-hop presence in the early 2000s, was freed on bail hours after surrendering.
Crime · Miami Beach, FL
Prosecutors dropped a felony battery-by-strangulation charge against rapper Rick Ross (William Roberts II) during his second arraignment hearing Friday morning in Miami, leaving only a misdemeanor battery count. Ross turned himself in to Miami Beach Police four weeks earlier after his then-girlfriend told police he slapped and struck her multiple times inside his Star Island home in August. Miami Beach Police spokesperson Christopher Bess said investigators obtained a victim statement, photographs of injuries, and surveillance video to establish probable cause. Ross's attorney expressed relief at the felony dismissal, while Ross has maintained his innocence since his arrest.
Community brief · Miami Beach, FL
The City of Miami Beach's Economic Development Department has partnered with BrightStar Credit Union to offer "Brighter Business," a free four-week virtual Small Business Financial Readiness Series that launched October 22. Upcoming sessions include Capital Pathways on November 5 and Fraud Prevention on November 12, both held virtually from 4 to 5:15 p.m. The series concludes with an in-person Business Concierge Day on November 19, from 9 a.m.…
Community brief · Miami Beach, FL
French DJ and producer David Guetta will headline New Year's Eve festivities at Fontainebleau Miami Beach's Sparkle Theatre on Thursday, Dec. 31, from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. The adults-only (21+) event features a live countdown to midnight led by Guetta. General admission tickets start at $200 for a limited early-bird offer and include premium open bar; reserved tables with bottle service and small bites are also available.
Community brief · Miami, FL
E11even nightclub at 29 NE 11th St., Miami, announced a Nine1Nine Vice City-themed grand opening for Friday, November 6, featuring Flo Rida as the headlining performer. The event is part of Rockstar Games' broader GTA VI marketing campaign in Miami, which includes a $975,000 display atop the Kaseya Center within a $3.9 million advertising package per Miami-Dade County, themed lighting at Miami International Airport and PortMiami, and ten…
