Palm Beach County
LAKE LEAK
The dike around Lake Okeechobee that retains water and prevents overflow from flooding the surrounding communities is leaking. The Army Corps of Engineers has found two leaks in the 143-mile dike but no breach. The 70-year-old, 30-foot-high dike has not failed but if the seepage is not contained, it could lead to erosion and an eventual breach. Sounds like a good time to begin rebuilding and shoring up this structure.
CRA TROUBLE
The Boynton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency voted against paying legal bills for former CRA board member Steven Holzman, who was named in a wrongful termination lawsuit by Lisa Bright, a former CRA director. Holzman is vowing to file a lawsuit of his own against the agency whose board he once served on. Holzman paid $3,817.57 for independent legal representation.
NEW JOBS
AT&T is hiring about 60 workers for its Palm Beach County stores. The telecom giant will hold a special hiring event on Tuesday, Aug. 27, at its store located at 1862 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach. AT&T is expanding in the South Florida market and intends to hire 230 new people by the end of October.
K-9 PUNCHED
Jerome Friedman, 24, of Delray Beach is facing multiple charges after he punched a police dog that was trying to apprehend him. Friedman allegedly was seen rummaging through cars in a parking lot and police were called. When they arrived, he ran off and a chase ensued. When a K-9 caught up with him, Friedman fought the dog off and continued fleeing, but was captured a short time later.
Broward County
RICHARDS’ RUN
Broward County Court Judge Ian Richards is running for re-election and the names of several possible challengers are surfacing. Fort Lauderdale criminal defense attorney Jonathan Kasen has already opened a campaign account and others are expected to do so as well. It’s a sign that the 2014 political season is heating up.
BUSINESS COUP
Venezuelan pharmaceutical company Unipharma is relocating its headquarters to Tamarac. The move is expected to create 100 new jobs immediately. The company purchased a warehouse and is building a high-tech manufacturing plant at 10200 N.W. 67th St. Tamarac competed against cities like Atlanta and Madrid, Spain, for the headquarters.
REWARD OFFERED
A $3,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of a man who invaded a home in Oakland Park and then beat, raped and robbed a woman. It occurred at a home located in the 2900 block of Northwest Ninth Terrace. The suspect is described as being in his mid-20s, 5-foot-10, with slim build and short hair. At the time of the crime he was wearing a black tank top, red shorts and white shoes. Police are asking anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers, anonymously, at 954-493-8477.
Miami-Dade County
FREE WI-FI
Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez has launched his initiative intended to expand free Wi-Fi access. It came during the grand opening of Miami-Dade County’s new park-based Technology
Learning Centers, aimed at providing free access to computers, Wi-Fi and technology training. The center is located at Westwind Lakes Park, 6805 S.W. 152nd Ave. in South Miami-Dade.
MURDER ONE
Quintin Vicks, 18, is charged in the robbery and murder of security guard Robert Nelson, who was making his rounds at a South Miami apartment complex when his car was ambushed and hit with gunfire. More than a dozen bullets riddled the car and it crashed. Vicks is accused of robbing the dying Nelson of his gun, cash and other items. He is being held without bond. Three other suspects are being sought. Things are really bad when security guards are being targeted for robbery while on the job.
UNDER ARREST
Alejandro Filguieras and William Carles are charged with robbery, carjacking and other charges after, authorities say, they impersonated police officers and pulled over a cab. They claimed they were searching for drugs and patted down the driver and two Swedish tourists who were passengers in the cab. They then ordered them back inside the cab and ran off with their cash and belongings, police said.
ESCORT SERVICE
Miami Heat star Lebron James posted video on the Internet showing himself being escorted into Sun Life Stadium by Miami-Dade police officers to see a concert. Police officials have determined the escorting violated policy and is under review. If it is determined that James received special treatment, the officers involved could face disciplinary action. The video showed James driving the wrong way with a police escort, instead of waiting in traffic to get into a Justin Timberlake and Jay Z concert. The video was taken from inside the vehicle James was driving and he posted it on InstaGram.
Monroe County
BODY DISCOVERED
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office found a man’s body floating a mile off Key Largo. The body is described as a white male, around 40 years old, with short brown hair, 5’10” tall and 170 pounds. It is covered with tattoos, including one of a mermaid on the stomach. Authorities say there are no signs of foul play or reports of any missing persons fitting the description. Police are asking anyone with information to call the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office at 1-305- 289-2351.
DRONES ARE COMING
The Florida Keys could have drones flying over its islands in the very near future. These drones, however, won’t be dropping any bombs. They will conduct surveillance to locate mosquito breeding grounds in remote areas of the Keys. It is part of the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District’s eradication program. Condor Aerial’s Maveric drones are being considered. They cost $65,000 each and Condor Aerial CEO Fred Culbertson says they are rugged, reliable and well-suited for pinpoint spraying operations. The drone program will assist the 40 inspectors who cover the 42 islands of the Keys spread across 140 square miles.
PRISON TIME
Lisa Druckemiller, 52, former director of the Monroe County Technical Services Department, who was convicted of selling county-owned iPads and iPhones, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison followed by 13 years of probation. The Key West resident must also repay the county $16,536.29. She had been with the county for 30 years and was earning $78,489. She will also lose her state pension, estimated at more than $1 million.
No Comment