Hello, everybody. I’m back in your inbox this warm morning with the most important things happening in town today. Here’s a quick look at what’s happening:
- ? A North Bay Village Commissioner’s run-in with the law has neighbors concerned.
- ? Utilizing the fire station for sex has landed a Pompano Beach fire rescue lieutenant with a suspension.
- ? Neighbors are battling against an alleged illegal condo takeover in Bal Harbour.
Today, September 2, is College Colors Day. It’s a great day to celebrate your college colors and apparel and show your school pride.
First, today’s weather:
An a.m. shower; partly sunny. High: 90 Low: 82.
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Here are the top stories today in Miami:
1. A Pompano Beach Fire Rescue lieutenant has been suspended through October 12 for admittedly having sex with a woman he met online inside his sleeping quarters at the fire station where he works, according to local news reports. The fire lieutenant says the woman threatened him after he slept with her at the station and demanded cash. It’s unclear if the woman will face charges for extortion. (WPLG Local 10)
2. Judge Elizabeth Scherer ruled Thursday during the penalty phase of the trial of Parkland shooter Nikolas Cruz in Broward County that swastikas drawn by Cruz could be admitted for the jury to see despite objections from the defense that race and religion were not factors in the mass shooting. Cruz is facing the death penalty or life in prison for murdering 17 people during the shooting. (WSVN)
3. A South Florida elected official arrested and accused of drug charges earlier this year, North Bay Village Commissioner Rachel Streitfeld, remains employed and believes the incident has no impact on her service to the community despite concerns raised by the community. The Village was unaware of the charges against Streitfeld until Tuesday’s commission meeting. (NBC Miami)
4. A legal battle is brewing as current and former unit owners at a waterfront building in Bal Harbour allege the condominium board president has illegally obtained control, with the goal of terminating the association and redeveloping the property. Residents are concerned about losing their homes. Developers are increasingly targeting older properties through condo buyouts as waterfront land becomes scarce. (The Real Deal – Miami)
5. HistoryMiami Museum is planned to grow 50% larger as part of a plan for a master developer to redesign around 17 acres county land into a Metrocenter community. The museum would grow to be at least 100,000 square feet from the current 70,000 square feet. (Miami Today)
Today in Miami:
- A Recycle Shoe Drive at City of North Miami Beach. (9 a.m.)
- FinTech Friday: The Dinner at Watson Island. (9 a.m.)
- Take And Make Craft at Palmetto Bay Branch Library (9:30 a.m.)
- Flamingo Park Little Scientists. (11 a.m.)
- Sunshine Jazz Concert Series at Sandrell Rivers Theater. (7:30 p.m.)
From my notebook:
- Multiple Miami men are set to be sentenced for weapons smuggling from Ecuador to Miami. 28-year-old Jorge Chica-Giler pled guilty on August 29 to the crime. The feds say the accused and co-conspirators tried to smuggle the guns inside compressed air tanks used to fill tires. (Department Of Justice)
- A U-Haul truck left abandoned in a Richmond Heights neighborhood was found with stolen mail inside. Neighbors reported someone stealing packages to police, who then fled. Police used dogs to search for the thief Thursday morning, but have not found the thief as of Thursday afternoon. (WSVN)
- Swiss investment firm Empira Group has purchased a half-acre site of land west of Miami’s Brickell district for the development of CoralGrove Brickell. The…
Read More: ? Pompano Beach Fire Lt. Suspended + North Bay Village Comm. Charged