Palm Beach County
REELECTION
Congressman Alcee Hastings, (D-Delray Beach) kicked off his reelection campaign recently, and at his side was colleague C.K. Butterfield, head of the Congressional Black Caucus. Hastings, 78, has served 12 two-year terms in Congress and is seeking his 13th.
MOM CHARGED
Debra Galloway, 47, of Riviera Beach faces four counts of abuse over two children in her care were found to have bruises and burn marks that covered much of their bodies. The children are under the age of 5. Galloway is being held on $70,000 bail.
CAPSIZED
A boat has capsized near the Jupiter Inlet. The boat was carrying 10 people and all of them were safely rescued by a nearby boat. The boat ran into trouble near Dubois Park and turned over in rough seas shortly afterward.
Broward County
Christina Kitterman, an ex-lawyer who is serving time over her role in the Scott Rothstein’s $1.4 billion Ponzi scheme and scandal, has lost an appeal. Kitterman, 40, was convicted and sentenced to five years for posing as a Florida Bar official to facilitate the scheme. She is eligible for parole in 2018.
ROOTMAN ARRESTED
Brogenet Cinor, 48, was arrested and charged with sexual battery on a child under 12. The Sunrise resident is a Voodoo priest and is accused of molesting an underage girl in 2009 and 2010. The child reported the alleged sexual misconduct to her mother, who then confronted Cinor. He reportedly threaten her with curses and warned she would die if she told anyone. When the child’s father learned of it recently, he reported it to Sunrise Police. Sunrise Police are trying to identify any other victims and are asking them to call Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-8477.
SUPERVISOR BATTLE
Brenda Snipes is seeking reelection to the Broward Supervisor of Elections position and she now has an opponent in the Democratic primary. David Brown, a Hollywood political consultant, has filed to run against Snipes.
STRIPPER PAY
Scarlett’s Cabaret, a Hallandale Beach strip club, has agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit over wages for $6 million. A former dancer, Adonay Encarnacion, filed the suit challenging that she and other dancers are private contractors instead of employees. The settlement is one of several around the nation that has shed light on the industry, which, for example, also charges dancers $55 for leasing the club’s space, $20 for the D.J. and $5 for each security guard.
NOW HIRING
Aldi, the grocery store chain, is hosting another hiring event to fill positions in its 50-plus stores in South Florida. Job seekers can apply Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Grand Palms Golf and Country Club, 110 Grand Palms Drive in Pembroke Pines. Positions include cashiers, managers and trainees. Jobs start at $12 to $22 an hour.
Miami-Dade County
REEFER REPRIEVE
Miami-Dade county commissioners took the first step to end the practice of sending people to jail over the possession of small amounts of marijuana. Commissioners approved a new ordinance that would give police officers the option of issuing citations instead of arrest. Commissioner Sally Heyman proposed the ticket option and should be applauded for her leadership on the issue.
PACKER ARRESTED
Green Bay Packers player Andrew Quarless is out of jail. He was arrested Saturday after allegedly firing a weapon following an argument at a Miami Beach parking garage. The Packers are reviewing the matter.
TRUMPED
Billionaire Donald Trump is no longer welcome in Miami-Dade County. Former Florida Governor and current presidential candidate Jeb Bush and Spanish-language television network Univision anchor Jorge Ramos both condemned Trump. Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez returned a $15,000 campaign contribution from him, and the County Commission passed a resolution condemning his remarks about Mexican immigrants. Now, there is a push to stop the county from holding any events at Doral Country Club or any other Trump-owned facility.
Monroe County
PIE CHAMPION
Steve Carr is the 2015 key lime pie-eating contest winner. He competed during the annual Key Lime Festival in Key West. The contest requires contestants to eat a full 9-inch pie without using their hands.
DEAD FISH
Fish inhabiting the canals in Key Largo are dying and scientists are scrambling to find out why. Officials with the Key Largo Wastewater District said there are no spills or leaks. Algae blooms are suspected, but have not been confirmed.
TALKING TRASH
The trash controversy continues in Key West over how many times per week garbage is picked up in the city. Some want garbage collected once per week, while others would like it picked up twice a week. It may now go to voters to decide in a referendum, which is an option City Commissioner Clayton Lopez supports.
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