MiamiHerald.com: Broward

Broward judge sent wrong signal in domestic abuse case

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:37 EST

There’s nothing light-hearted about Broward Circuit Judge John “Jay” Hurley’s cavalier ruling this week ordering a man accused of domestic violence to buy his wife flowers and a card, and take her out to dinner and bowling.

Pinecrest Gardens Youth Arts Festival seeks students

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:50 EST

Pinecrest Gardens’ second annual Big Gig is accepting applications from children who are interested in free mentorship and training in theater, dance, music and visual arts.

3 dead, including child, in standoff at Deerfield Beach RV park; two others badly hurt

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:10 EST

When a standoff that began at the Highland Woods RV Park Thursday evening finally ended early Friday, three people were dead including a 9-year-old boy. Two others, a woman and a 7-year-old boy, were badly hurt.

Third man accuses youth pastor Jeffery London of abusing him as a boy

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:14 EST

A third man has told Fort Lauderdale detectives that a popular youth pastor molested him as a child, police said.

Sweet deal for owners of Hallandale newspaper that features mayor as columnist

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:05 EST

Hallandale Beach newspaper that features the mayor as a columnist received loan with hefty forgiveness percentage from the city.

More damp weather ahead, followed by a cool, sunny Sunday

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:55 EST

Although the Sunshine State has been murky for most of this week, the overcast skies and rain should give way to a nice cool-down by Sunday, with morning temperatures in the low- to mid-50s and afternoon readings in the upper 60s and low 70s.

Judge delays hearing on former Tamarac mayor’s corruption case

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:07 EST

Suspended mayor Beth Flansbaum-Talabisco submits a sworn statement that she never received payment and is not guilty of corruption charges.

More than six years on, still no trial in Davie slaying of Miami teen

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:13 EST

After five suspects were charged in the killing of Miami teenager Richard Rojas, prosecutors warned the victim’s family it would be two or three years before the capital murder case could come to trial.

Gloomy skies will stick around for a few days

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:42 EST

The Sunshine State hasn’t been living up to its name this week, with more gray gloom expected over the next two days, the National Weather Service says.

2 held after child is found with fingers burned, missing

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:03 EST

Fort Lauderdale police are investigating how a small girl was left with a disfigured right hand. Two have been charged with neglect.

Travel show makes day-trip to Hallandale Beach, Hollywood

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:40 EST

Knock, knock. Want to win some money? A couple of Hallandale Beach and Hollywood residents had the chance to be on a trivia game show, just by opening the door and answering some questions about Florida.

Paranoia is justified on charter-school bill

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:00 EST

In their despair, people who care deeply about public education in Florida sometimes get a little carried away.

Fog forces helicopter to land in Broward strip mall parking lot

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:30 EST

A pilot made an emergency landing early Wednesday morning in a Southwest Broward strip mall parking lot.

Scott Rothstein’s uncle pleads guilty to fraud in $1.2 billion Ponzi scheme

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:05 EST

Scott Rothstein’s uncle pleaded guilty to fraud charges in federal court Wednesday for his supporting role in the Fort Lauderdale lawyer’s massive investment scam.

New FLL runway to force out hotel, boating center

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:33 EST

Broward County commissioners Tuesday voted to invoke eminent domain to buy the Hilton and the Dania Marine Center to make room for the airport’s new runway.

There’s more to living in Miami than big bucks

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:26 EST

A curious thing happens when an outsider tells you that you’re miserable, that you dwell, in fact, in the most miserable city in the land.

Crown Princess hit with norovirus outbreak again; returning to Port Everglades

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:25 EST

For the second time in as many days, the Crown Princess returned to Port Everglades after another outbreak of the norovirus, which attacks the gastrointestinal system.

Democrats, independents tilt Miami’s congressional districts

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:20 EST

Democratic and independent voters have diluted GOP voting clout in 3 Miami congressional districts held by Republicans.

Legal aid organizations hard hit by budget cuts in 2012

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:11 EST

Unprecedented cuts in federal and state funding have decimated groups that assist the poor in foreclosure, eviction and government benefits cases.

Sex-abuse allegations swirl around foster dad

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:04 EST

Police and child welfare heads are investigating a former foster father after a teen and an older man accused the Broward man of molesting them.

Grand entryways approved for new Port of Miami tunnel

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:03 EST

Imposing, classically inspired new designs for the Port of Miami tunnel portals, unveiled Friday, won praise and a key endorsement from a Miami-Dade County transportation committee.

Healthcare reform has netted Florida $119 million

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:50 EST

Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Legislature are strongly opposed to the Affordable Care Act, but $119 million has flowed into the state because of the federal act.

Broward judge sent wrong signal in domestic abuse case

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:37 EST

Miami woman charged with ID theft in tax-refund scam

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:36 EST

A Miami woman was charged Friday with stealing the identities of U.S. Marines and others in an alleged tax-refund scheme to dupe the Internal Revenue Service into sending her thousands of dollars, authorities said.

After a down year, spoonbill return

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:19 EST

An Audubon scientist sees a flash of pink hope in the return of roseate spoonbill to nests on the mangroves dotting Florida Bay

Men shot in 2nd drive-by this week

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:12 EST

Friday’s incident happened at a building just north of Northwest 77th Street and Miami Place.

Sam Zell on Miami: Future depends on growing skilled workforce

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:43 EST

Billionaire Sam Zell tells conference audience that Miami’s highly skilled workforce doesn’t match up to Chicago or New York.

First Lady Michelle Obama discuses healthy diets in Homestead

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:39 EST

First Lady Michelle Obama was at the Homestead YMCA Friday to share tips with kids and their parents about eating healthy and getting enough exercise.

Democrats, independents tilt Miami’s congressional districts

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:20 EST

Democratic and independent voters have diluted GOP voting clout in 3 Miami congressional districts held by Republicans.

Sex-abuse allegations swirl around foster dad

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:04 EST

Police and child welfare heads are investigating a former foster father after a teen and an older man accused the Broward man of molesting them.

Broward judge sent wrong signal in domestic abuse case

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:37 EST

Capitol Buzz: Quiet day expected in Tallahassee

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 06:00 EST

It’s a light-day at the Capitol: Both the House and the Senate are not in session, and there are no scheduled committee meetings.

Bill to make USF Polytechnic state’s 12th university draws debate

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:42 EST

Lawmakers are crafting legislation to split the Lakeland campus of the University of South Florida into the state’s 12th university, but at least one member of the Board of Governors is raising questions about the proposal.

Landmark settlement with mortgage lenders provides relief for some struggling home owners

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:48 EST

A landmark settlement with mortgage lenders over robo-signing and other abuses will give Florida’s struggling homeowners $8.4 billion in new housing aid.

South Fla. battle brews in case of fake cop who duped court

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:04 EST

Lebrak Morales Gomez is accused of claiming to be a Miami-Dade detective and securing the release of a man who belonged in jail

Polo magnate’s kids, adopted girlfriend, share $300M trust fund, court told

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:56 EST

Palm Beach County polo mogul John Goodman’s two natural children — and his newly adopted 42-year-old girlfriend — are the beneficiaries of a $300 million trust, it was revealed in court Thursday.

Before the ink dries on Florida’s redistricting maps, lawsuits fly

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:49 EST

Moments after legislators take the final vote in their congressional and legislative maps, the Democratic Party and a coalition of voters groups file lawsuits.

Democrats, independents tilt Miami’s congressional districts

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:20 EST

Democratic and independent voters have diluted GOP voting clout in 3 Miami congressional districts held by Republicans.

Bill to make USF Polytechnic state’s 12th university draws debate

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:42 EST

Capitol Buzz: Quiet day expected in Tallahassee

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 06:00 EST

It’s a light-day at the Capitol: Both the House and the Senate are not in session, and there are no scheduled committee meetings.

Before the ink dries on Florida’s redistricting maps, lawsuits fly

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:49 EST

Moments after legislators take the final vote in their congressional and legislative maps, the Democratic Party and a coalition of voters groups file lawsuits.

Paranoia is justified on charter-school bill

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:00 EST

In their despair, people who care deeply about public education in Florida sometimes get a little carried away.

Capitol Buzz: Housing and school bus ads are topics of debate

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 06:00 EST

Catholics Days continues at the Capitol, culminating with Red Mass of the Holy Spirit program at 6 p.m. Note: It’s also Caribbean Heritage Day.

Ex-South Florida politician to plead guilty to tax charges in federal corruption probe

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:52 EST

Former Fort Lauderdale legislator Mandy Dawson will plead guilty to tax-evasion charges stemming from secret payments she received from a Hollywood doctor at the center of a federal corruption probe.

Former state Sen. Mandy Dawson to plead guilty to income tax evasion

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:00 EST

Former Broward state Sen. Mandy Dawson plans to plead guilty in a federal case that accuses her of income tax evasion, according to court records filed Monday.

Miami-Dade college president deems budget allocation process unfair

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:26 EST

The House budget proposal includes special allocations for a trio of colleges in north and central Florida.

Gov. Scott’s Facebook page draws praise and protests

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:58 EST

Gov. Rick Scott’s Facebook page is intriguing because the comments to a question about the Florida Legislature provides a snapshot of a divided state.

South Florida man gets life for fatal beating

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:38 EST

A South Florida man has been sentenced to life in prison for fatally beating another man outside a Walmart.

Funeral set for Ga. family killed in Fla. crash

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:13 EST

Funeral plans have been announced for the suburban Atlanta family killed in a deadly crash on a Florida interstate.

Pelosi says 5 states will lift House Democrats

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:53 EST

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi predicts that five large states will put Democrats in striking distance of gaining control of the House after the November elections.

US urges for openness at Gulf oil spill trial

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:38 EST

The federal government's lead lawyer in an upcoming trial over fault in the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill urged judges on Friday to make public sensitive business documents and testimony.

Deputies shoot man outside credit union

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:38 EST

Authorities say Palm Beach County deputies fatally shot a man in a credit union parking lot.

Bondi asks Fla. justices to review redistricting

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:13 EST

Attorney General Pam Bondi has asked the Florida Supreme Court to review the Legislature's plan to redistrict the state House and Senate.

Explosion at Fla. horse center kills worker, horse

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:13 EST

An apparent spark within the high-oxygen chamber of a Florida equine sports medicine center triggered a massive explosion Friday that caused part of the building to collapse, killing a worker and a horse, authorities said.

Churchill acquires Bluff Media

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:53 EST

Churchill Downs Inc., the owner of the racetrack that's home to the Kentucky Derby, is hoping to cash in on the popularity of poker with its latest acquisition.

Report: Non-Solyndra energy loans could cost $3B

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:53 EST

The government could lose nearly $3 billion on Energy Department loans for green energy programs - far less than the $10 billion Congress set aside for the high-risk program, according to an independent review.

Fla. prison guard charged in tax fraud scheme

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:23 EST

A Florida prison guard is facing allegations she obtained inmates' names and social security numbers from a state data base for use in a tax fraud scheme.

Mom who threw tot in NY river can go home to India

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:57 EST

A mother who tossed her toddler into the Hudson River after suddenly spiraling into psychosis can return to her native India and her children, a judge said Friday after she reached a rare form of agreement with prosecutors to resolve her attempted-murder case.

Justice Department calls Swiss Bank a "fugitive"

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:58 EST

The U.S. Justice Department called Switzerland's largest private bank a fugitive from justice on Friday after it didn't send any representatives to a court hearing in New York, where it has been charged with conspired with American clients to hide $1.2 billion from the Internal Revenue Service.

Argentina: UK sent nuclear sub to Falklands

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:01 EST

Argentina said Friday it has information that Britain sent a nuclear-armed submarine to the South Atlantic near the disputed Falkland Islands in the latest verbal salvo in a dispute over the territory.

Sandusky says he feels people have turned on him

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:20 EST

Jerry Sandusky declared Friday that people have turned against him, moments after the ex-Penn State football coordinator asked a judge for greater freedom while he awaits trial on child sex abuse charges.

Miami woman charged with ID theft in tax-refund scam

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:36 EST

NHTSA: BMW fined $3M for untimely 2010 recalls

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:08 EST

German automaker BMW has agreed to pay $3 million for delays in reporting safety defects and recalls to the federal regulators, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Friday.

Sam Zell on Miami: Future depends on growing skilled workforce

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:43 EST

Billionaire Sam Zell tells conference audience that Miami’s highly skilled workforce doesn’t match up to Chicago or New York.