Top Miami Area Local News Stories
Source: Top Stories
<p> aFive people were rushed to the hospital when a car and tractor-trailer crashed into each other just after 2:30 a.m. Friday. </p><p> Coral Way at Southwest 84th Avenue is closed in both directions as a result of the crash.</p><p> Police say the car and truck were both traveling west along Coral Way when they hit each other. </p><p> One person had to be cut out of car. </p><p> The victims were rushed to Baptist Hospital and Kendall Regional Medical Center.</p><p> Police are working to figure out what caused the accident. </p><p> Crews are also working to clean-up the scene and are using sand bags to absorb spilled fuel.</p><p> Watch Local 10 and refresh Local10.com for updates and visit our Traffic Section to find alternate routes.</p>
Published: Fri, 17 Feb 2012 12:42:35 GMT
<p> A woman was killed instantly Thursday night while she was trying to cross eight lanes of traffic on Interstate 595. </p><p> All four westbound lanes of the highway were closed from State Road 7 to University while investigators tried to piece together exactly what happened. </p><p> They think the woman was hit by several cars, as the gruesome scene stretched for several blocks. </p><p> Local10.com will update this story as more information is available. </p>
Published: Fri, 17 Feb 2012 04:47:02 GMT
<p> A jury reached a verdict Thursday in the trial of a man accused of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from two women who thought they had won his heart.</p><p> Paul Francois, whom investigators have called the "Sweetheart Swindler," was arrested in August 2009, accused of stealing nearly $400,000 from Rose Marie Anglade and Sheila Brissault. </p><p> The jury in Francois' trial was given the case Thursday afternoon. Shortly after 6 p.m., they had reached a verdict.</p><p> The jury found Francois guilty of all charges against him. Francois was charged with one count of organized scheme to defraud and two counts of grand theft. </p><p> The two women, who did not know about each other at the time, said they each met Francois, who romanced them and planned to marry each of them. After opening joint bank accounts with Francois, the women said he stole all of their money.</p><p> Defense attorneys argued that Francois was in love with each woman, and that the women handed over their money freely.</p><p> Angalde and Brissault each testified during Francois' trial.</p><p> "I would like to have all my money back," Brissault said. "I think he's a coward. He's a criminal. He's a heartless man."</p><p> "I don't deserve what he did to me," Anglade said. "I don't deserve it."</p><p> Each of the grand theft charges alone carries a maximum penalty of up to 30 years in prison.</p>
Published: Fri, 17 Feb 2012 04:54:59 GMT
<p> With tax season under way, thousands of South Floridians are learning criminals have gotten to their Internal Revenue Service refunds by stealing their identities. </p><p> "I went to file my taxes, and I was told somebody used my name already," said Linda Gage, who was one of hundreds in line at Miami's IRS office recently looking for help. </p><p> Joan Miles, another victim in line at the IRS office in Plantation, said she had no idea her identity had been stolen until she filed for her tax refund and was told it was already claimed.</p><p> "Nobody has ever stolen my bag," said Miles. "Nobody has ever stolen anything from me." </p><p> Identities have become so lucrative, federal agents recently busted low-level employees at a Social Security office who they said were selling identifying information on the side to cyber-criminals. </p><p> Thanks to quick tax return programs like those in storefronts and online, anyone with basic identifying information like name, occupation and date of birth can file a tax return and have it sent to any address, usually a mailbox at a vacant property the criminal can access. They can also load the refund on a cash or debit card. </p><p> Miami and Tampa are two of the hottest cities for identity theft crimes, according to investigators.</p><p> Click here for information from the IRS on what to do if you are the victim of identity theft.</p>
Published: Thu, 16 Feb 2012 23:00:14 GMT
<p> One of two cyclists injured in a hit-and-run crash on the Rickenbacker Causeway on Wednesday morning has died, Miami police said. </p><p> Police said Thursday that Aaron Cohen has died.</p><p> According to investigators, the hit-and-run suspect, Michele Traverso, 25, turned himself in to police early Thursday morning.</p><p> He was charged with leaving the scene of an accident with injuries and driving with a suspended license.</p><p> Enda Welsh and Cohen were struck by a vehicle as they rode their bicycles on the Causeway at about 6 a.m. Wednesday. Police said the driver drove away, leaving Welsh and Cohen injured in the road.</p><p> Welsh fractured his ankle in the accident, but Cohen had more serious injuries. He suffered severe head trauma, and he died at Jackson Memorial Hospital.</p><p> Cohen's wife said he was an avid cyclist. He has two children, 3-year-old Lilly and 1-year-old Aiden.</p><p> Cohen's father, Stephen Cohen, spoke to Local 10 News about his son. </p><p> "We were a family all the time. His cousins, his aunts, his uncles -- everybody loved him. Everybody loves him. He is just special," Stephen Cohen said. </p><p> Carlos Rodriguez, who participated in a running club called Team FTC with Cohen, said members of the team and others planned to hold a silent run Thursday evening in Cohen's honor. He said the runners will meet at the Miami Seaquarium at 8 p.m. Thursday and run to the bridge and back.</p><p> Traverso appeared in Miami-Dade bond court Thursday afternoon. His bond was set at $10,000.</p><p> "My client feels horrible about what happened," said Traverso's attorney.</p><p> Traverso also has to go back before a judge to face a previous cocaine possession charge.</p><p> Additional charges against Traverso are pending. </p>
Published: Fri, 17 Feb 2012 04:53:20 GMT
<p> A Miami Gardens school has been cited after a 5-year-old student was found wandering the streets. </p><p> Miami Gardens police said a good Samaritan found a 5-year-old boy walking alone near Seventh Avenue and 183rd Street. The person used a cellphone in the child's pocket to call the last phone number on it, which reached the child's mother, police said. </p><p> The boy's mother arrived and picked up the child, police said. </p><p> Police said the boy had wandered away from Norland Seventh Adventist Child Development Center. Staff members told police they did not report that that child was missing because the school's license was expired and they did not want to get into trouble, Miami Gardens police said.</p><p> The school was cited with several violations, according to investigators.</p>
Published: Thu, 16 Feb 2012 23:09:11 GMT
<p> The guy's got guts. No doubt about that.</p><p> Miami-based flight attendant Gailen David has shirked the confines of career-protecting political correctness and now openly mocks his airline employer. His series of internet videos have garnered a serious come-back-for-more audience, mostly to indulge in his lead character, The Aluminum Lady. </p><p> Think Iron Lady Margaret Thatcher channeling Dame Edna, add some syrupy, saccharine Southern drawl, and cast her as a cutthroat, backstabbing airline boss. Aluminum Lady is pretty funny, if you like a little gallows humor.</p><p> But American Airlines is not laughing.</p><p> Granted, a legacy airline in bankruptcy, about to lay off 13,000 of its workforce, has little to laugh about.</p><p> But is an employee's clever irreverence a firing offense? I'm struggling with that one; I can argue both sides.</p><p> Maybe the larger question is, why isn't anyone at American thinking out-of-the-box on this one. What if some of the brass embraced David's creativity, teamed up with him to change the public face of stuffy corporate correctness and impersonal bureaucracy?</p><p> Throughout its troubles and bankruptcy filing, American has crafted its image with public relations outsourcing. We in the media and the airlines' own employees ask questions and, instead of human being answers, get carefully worded, cliche "statement" responses shrouded in PR puffery. </p><p> As a traveler, I would appreciate knowing an airline taking painful steps to become profitable is willing to acknowledge truth in jest. There is something very humanizing about the ability to laugh at yourself.</p><p> What if, instead of considering consequences for David's irreverent form of free speech, the airline embraced it, even turned it to their advantage?</p><p> David is still employed, though his two-year medical leave is about to end and American will have options to play about his future.</p><p> So is he an insubordinate showboater biting the hand that feeds him?</p><p> Or a creative jokester with a rebel streak just trying to keep up team morale?</p><p> What do you think? </p><p> Click here to watch the videos.</p>
Published: Fri, 17 Feb 2012 14:44:37 GMT
<p> Feb. 17, 2012: 8:35 a.m.</p><p> It's time to head to Rio De Janeiro. </p><p> Needless to say, I'm beyond excited for this trip to Carnaval. It's cliche to say something is on your bucket list, but this truly has been on mine since a young age.</p><p> Our Local 10 crew is set up on a private jet with Miami artist Romero Britto and ready for the 8-hour ride. Britto is sitting next to me right now, and I doubt he's ever been more anxious.</p><p> While he's painted for presidents, actors, singers and even royalty, being honored in his native Brazil is a dream come true for him.</p><p> PHOTOS: Slideshow: Romero Britto PHOTOS: Rio de Janeiro, Carnaval</p><p> So, here we are, both preparing for an experience of a lifetime. </p><p> Like I mentioned in an earlier video post, I wish we could bring all of you along, but I'll make sure to send some great pictures and video to give you a taste of the experience.</p><p> OK, it's time for liftoff. Next stop; Rio! </p><p> We'll talk next from Carnaval.</p><p> Feb. 14, 2012</p><p> South Florida's most famous artist is about to be honored in a very big way.</p><p> Romero Britto, now known around the world for his art, will share it with an even bigger audience as his art comes to life at Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro.</p><p> His art decorates our landscape. You can't escape the color.</p><p>PHOTOS: Slideshow</p><p> Romero Britto has left his mark on South Florida and the world -- paintings, sculptures, cars, even a line of collectables now sold at Bed, Bath & Beyond.</p><p> Britto is wildly successful. His art is now sold in galleries in more than 100 countries. He has painted presidents, celebrities, even royalty.</p><p> But with all of his successes so far in his life, his greatest achievement is about to be realized.</p><p> This weekend, Britto will be celebrated in Brazil, at the country's biggest celebration: Carnaval.</p><p> "I got an invitation from the school of samba. They said they wanted to make homage of my work," Britto said. "I was thrilled, and I couldn't believe it. Carnaval in Brazil is the biggest cultural event in the country."</p><p> It will truly be full circle for Britto.</p><p> He was born in poverty in Brazil, one of nine children raised by a single mother.</p><p> The once-struggling artist who gained fame in Miami, now returns to Brazil as a pop art icon and will watch as 4,000 performers bring his art to life.</p><p> It will be a spectacular production -- big, bold and bright.</p><p> "There will be thousands of people dressed up. There will be huge floats," Britto said. "It's hard to describe in words. I'm very appreciative. I'm very thankful."</p><p> Britto has worked for more than a year getting ready for this weekend's event. No detail has been overlooked. And Sunday night is show time!</p><p> "To do this in Brazil is, like, wow -- incredible," Britto said.</p><p> Here are some more incredible numbers to consider:</p><p> In Brazil alone, 100 million people will watch the Carnaval parade on television. In addition, the parade will be broadcast in 137 countries. Britto will be there in person at Carnaval to take in the experience.</p><p> Local 10's Will Manso will be in Rio to document the event.</p><p> "This is truly one of my bucket list items," Manso says.</p><p> You can keep up with his travels on Local10.com, where we will publish all the photos and videos he will be sharing from Carnaval. </p>
Published: Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:09:38 GMT
<p> Have $68 million to spend? The 191-foot Carpe Diem, with onyx finishings, six spacious staterooms and room for 6 crew members, might be right up your alley.</p><p> The main aft deck boasts plenty of room for guests, with two tables and eight chairs for casual dining. Grab a cocktail at the wet bar, equipped with a Sub Zero refrigerator, a 46-inch television, and an iPod docking station.</p><p> PHOTOS: See every inch of 'Carpe Diem'</p><p> The sun deck is another place to party; catch some rays on the enormous lounge area which includes four removable marble drink tables. The centerpiece is the oval jacuzzi, which is shielded by a smoked plexiglass windscreen for privacy.</p><p> The style-savvy might appreciate the design; the patriot will appreciate that Carpe Diem is American-made. Trinity, the boat maker, is based in Gulfport, Mississippi. Carpe Diem was built there in 2011.</p><p> Carpe Diem, along with more than 500 new and pre-owned boats, will be docked at the Yacht and Brokerage Show on Miami Beach through Monday.</p>
Published: Fri, 17 Feb 2012 02:26:59 GMT
<p> THUMBS UP TO THE RESTAURANTS LISTED BELOW. According to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, they had ZERO VIOLATIONS on their last inspection.</p><p> </p><p> Burger King</p><p> 3700 Curtiss Parkway</p><p> Miami Springs</p><p> </p><p> Lucy’s Take Out</p><p> 14900 NE 6th Ave.</p><p> North Miami</p><p> </p><p> Morton’s</p><p> 1200 Brickell Ave.</p><p> Miami</p><p> </p><p> Pizza Hut</p><p> 3830 SW 8th St.</p><p> Miami</p><p> </p><p> Subway</p><p> 10737 NW 58th Street</p><p> Miami</p><p> </p><p> Sylvano</p><p> 1925 Liberty Ave.</p><p> Miami Beach</p><p> </p><p> Key West Coffee Man</p><p> 5 Geiger Road</p><p> Key West</p><p> For information on recent inspections at your favorite restaurant, click here.</p>
Published: Thu, 16 Feb 2012 22:33:23 GMT
Click to see the latest mugshots from Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.
Published: Wed, 15 Feb 2012 20:38:28 GMT
PalmBeachGardensFL.com
HOTELS • REAL ESTATE • JOBS