CORAL GABLES

Coral Gables' focus on Biltmore debt sharpens

At a city budget workshop, Mayor Don Slesnick asked whether the city should sell the Biltmore, which owes more than $2 million in back rent and golf fees.

CORAL GABLES

Coral Gables High School graduate earns Hispanic Youth Award

A Coral Gables High School senior won an award that will allow him to go to Harvard.

CORAL GABLES

Miracle Mile vacancies called misleading

Many of the vacant spaces on Miracle Mile will soon house new businesses. Meanwhile, the city is working on a plan to upgrade the entire downtown area.

SOUTH MIAMI

South Miami Girl Scout summer camp celebrates 15 years

Camp Little House, the smallest of the Girl Scout summer camps, celebrated 15 years of summer fun Thursday. Any camper from the past 15 summers was welcome to join the party and reminisce.

CORAL GABLES

City layoffs, wage cuts, higher tax bills likely in store for Gables

Coral Gables' employees face layoffs and wage cuts while residents will contend with higher tax bills due to the city's budget shortfall.

MIAMI-DADE

Architects in the Making camp gives students a taste of architecture

THE THIRD ANNUAL ARCHITECTS IN THE MAKING CAMP GAVE 65 CHILDREN AN OPPORTUNITY TO FINE-TUNE THEIR SKETCHING, LEARN COMPUTER DESIGN PROGRAMS AND GAIN A NEW APPRECIATION FOR HISTORICAL BUILDINGS IN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

CRIME BLOTTER

Police reports from local municipalities

FLAGAMI AREA | A thief stole make-up, glasses and a leather bag after breaking a window on a 2009 BMW in the 7200 block of Northwest 11th Street between 1:15 and 1:30 a.m. July 3. The items were valued at $1,330. Damage was estimated at $500.

FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS | BY CHRIS MAYO

Wine, cheese and Gables women a happy mix

Members of the Coral Gables Woman's Club gathered at a wine and cheese social to celebrate another year of successful giving. The event was held at the organization's clubhouse adjacent to its May Van Sickle Children's Dental Clinic, which provides more than $160,000 in free dental care annually to children in need.

CORAL GABLES

Coral Gables votes to increase tax rate

Coral Gables commissioners voted to raise the tax rate to offset a budget shortfall caused by lower property values and higher costs.

HOTELS

Biltmore Hotel seeks new deal with Coral Gables

Managers of the Biltmore, behind on their payments to Coral Gables, want terms of their agreement eased.

CORAL GABLES

Gables school's athletic field gets preliminary green light

Coral Gables commissioners gave a preliminary OK for an athletic field for St. Thomas Episcopal School -- but with limitations.

MIAMI-DADE

Architects in the Making camp gives students a taste of architecture

The third annual architects in the making camp gave 65 children an opportunity to fine-tune their sketching, learn computer design programs and gain a new appreciation for historical buildings in Miami-Dade County.

CRIME BLOTTER

Police reports from local municipalities

CORAL GABLES | A burglar stole a Smith & Wesson handgun, a Remington firearm and jewelry after entering a courtyard, using a chair, climbing onto the roof and crawling through an unlocked window of a house in the 1000 block of Malaga Avenue between 7:30 a.m. and 11 p.m. June 18. The items were valued at $4,000.

FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS | BY CHRIS MAYO

Flag Day celebrated at Kendall's historic Dice House

Nearly 70 people gathered to celebrate the American Flag at the historic Dice House, Kendall's oldest existing building. Established in 1929, the house was recently saved from demolition and was moved to Continental Park.

CORAL GABLES

Coral Gables honors outgoing assistant Police Chief Ana Baixauli

After a ground-breaking 33-year career with the police department, Assistant Police Chief Ana Baixauli retired this past week and was honored with a celebration.

Cadet Valentin Boza recently graduated from The Citadel, The Military...

Cadet Valentin Boza recently graduated from The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina. Boza earned a bachelor of arts in criminal justice.

WEST MIAMI

West Miami scratches portable summer camp building after low enrollment

Due to low participation in West Miami's summer camp program, City Manager Yolanda Aguilar recommended Wednesday not to secure a preapproved portable building for children at the West Miami Recreation Center while the new multipurpose facility is being built.

MIAMI-DADE

Eco camp a respite from urban life

The rain was a gift. It came suddenly from the south, and we didn't have time to get off the island before the water started blowing in sideways, making it impossible to stay dry under our tent without sides.

• Eco Island Adventure Camp

CRIME BLOTTER

Police reports from local municipalities

FLAGAMI AREA A thief stole a GPS and clothes from a 2009 Chrysler 200 in the 7700 block of West Flagler Street between 7:30 and 8 p.m. June 24. The stolen items were valued at $1,400.

The college scene

Cadet Valentin Boza recently graduated from The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina. Boza earned a bachelor of arts in criminal justice.