Palm Beach County
CRAB CROSSINGS
The annual land crab migration period in South Florida is underway and countless crabs are being crushed by cars as they cross roadways. Land crabs can lay up to 2.1 million eggs per season. Harvesting the crabs is prohibited from July 1 to Oct. 31. During the remainder of the year, there is a limit of 20 per person and even then, they must be caught by hand using a single dipping net. Bicycle riders should use particular caution because the crabs could cause a spill or punctured tires.
RIDER ARRESTED
Evan Miserendino-Espinoza, 22, of Palm Beach County, was arrested and charged with several traffic related violations, including fleeing. Police determined that he is the masked rider they had been seeking for racing around neighborhoods on a motorcycle and flipping a middle finger at police who tried to pull him over. Miserendino-Espinoza was tracked down by posts he made on social media sites about his antics.
Broward County
JOB OPENING
City of Lauderhill has an opening in its police department. Andrew Smalling resigned as chief and City Manager Chuck Faranda appointed Major Constance Stanley as Interim Chief. Smalling will stay on as a consultant with the city until Nov. 3. Stanley is the favorite to land the post permanently.
Grocery Give-A-Way
Wayne Barton, founder of the Wayne Barton Study Center, in conjunction with COX Media Group and the Broward Sheriff’s Office, will host a Grocery Give-A-Way, on Saturday, September 12 at Willie Webb Park, 3601 NW 21st Street, Lauderdale Lakes. The event is free and open to everyone. People are urged to bring their own bags, boxes or carts to carry the groceries. For additional information call (954) 535-2835.
TOUGH LOVE
Gerardo Soto, 37, of Coconut Creek is facing charges after admitting he beat his 16-year-old son with a cord. Soto said his son was on the phone talking about how he had gotten high and slept all day. Police said there were minor marks from the cord on the teenager’s face and ear, but it did draw blood. Soto is charged with battery and child abuse.
Miami-Dade County
VICTORY 
The City of Miami has won its appeal of a lower court’s dismissal of a lawsuit alleging Bank of America, Wells Fargo and Citigroup steered blacks and Hispanics into higher cost mortgages. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the lower court was wrong to dismiss the lawsuits. Miami is suing for what it claims was discrimination in loans involving African-American and Hispanic borrowers, which led to foreclosures. City Manager Daniel J. Alfonso hopes to recoup lost taxes and costs associated with maintaining those properties.
ONE RESIGNS, ONE HIRED
Opa-locka Police Chief Jeffery Key has announced the resignation of Major Peter Cruz, who drove his police truck into the bushes at the Turnberry Resort and Golf Course in Aventura. Police determined he was driving under the influence. In an unrelated event, Opa Locka commissioners also hired Steve Shiver, who previously served as City of Homestead Mayor and Miami-Dade County Manager. Shiver has a controversial history and all eyes will now be on the city.
MAN DEAD
Miami-Dade Police are investigating the death of Alphonso McClain, 85, as a homicide. His body was found inside his apartment at the Covenant Palms complex, on Northwest 84th Street and 25th Avenue. Anyone with information is asked to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477.
Monroe County
GUARDSMAN INDICTED
U.S. Coast Guardsman Drew Alexander Young, who is stationed in the Florida Keys, has been indicted on child pornography charges. Young, 24, is accused of producing and distributing child pornography involving children under the age of 12. Book’em Danno!
MEMBER RESIGNS
The Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority governs the water utilities in the Florida Keys and is governed by a governor-appointed board. Gov. Rick Scott appointed Melva Wagner to the board, but she has now resigned amid questions about her residency. A number of Monroe County residents have now applied for the appointment vacancy. We will have to see about this residency issue.
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