HOMESTEAD

Homestead's Paradise Farms hosts local organic dinner

Paradise Farms hosted a national group that brought foodies from around the country to an outdoor, four-course meal.

REDLAND

Redland church marks 100 years of Nazarene faith

Pastor Brad Fink has been sharing the Redland Church of the Nazarene's history for the last two Sundays. This Sunday, it will be time for partying, celebrating his denomination's centennial.

SOAPBOX / LETTERS FROM READERS

Lerner a good fit for Pinecrest mayor

I have been a resident of what is now the Village of Pinecrest since 1989. Until last summer, I had never paid too much attention to local politics. But during the summer of 2007, the Village Council, led by Mayor Matzner, attempted to force me along with about 1,400 other homeowners to abandon our well water and to connect to the county water system at a cost in excess of $13,000 per household.

HOMESTEAD

Mayor Bell a finalist for statewide award

Homestead Mayor Lynda Bell is one of five finalists for the Florida League of Cities' Council Member of the Year -- one of 10 awards to be presented next month during the Florida Cities of Excellence Awards program.

HOMESTEAD

Seminole author to speak at event

Miami Herald Staff Report

CRIME BLOTTER

Police reports from local municipalities

GOULDS A burglar tried to pry open a back door at Advanced Auto Parts, 22985 S. Dixie Hwy., between 9:30 p.m. Sept. 23 and 7 a.m. Sept. 24. Damage was estimated at $1,000.

HELPING KIDS WIN IN THE CLASSROOM | BY ROBIN L. SARANTOS

Homework is partly a parent's responsibility

We want our children to gain independence and take responsibility as a part of life. We hope our children will set goals and objectives for themselves.

FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS | BY CHRIS MAYO

Juniorettes devoted to helping community

Girls between the ages of 12 and 18, from all around Miami-Dade County, are invited to start a new year of community service by joining the Coral Gables Juniorettes.

HELPING KIDS WIN IN THE CLASSROOM | BY ROBIN L. SARANTOS

Homework is partly a parent's responsibility

We want our children to gain independence and take responsibility as a part of life. We hope our children will set goals and objectives for themselves.

Bodyguard wants a half-million for tribe's domain names

When Steve Thiele registered himself as the owner of miccosukeetribeofindians.com, he thought one day he might be able to mine electronic gold.

PERRINE

Delay in grants perplexes Perrine businesses

About 20 businesses in Perrine are waiting for grant money that was promised but now is uncertain.

HOMESTEAD

Homestead's rise in crime sparking changes

Crime is a concern on the newer east side of Homestead, and some communities and residents have gone to great lengths to try to stem the tide.

CRIME BLOTTER

Police reports from local municipalities

GOULDS PARK AREA | A burglar stole $100 and a handgun after breaking a window at a house in the 22200 block of Southwest 112th Avenue between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Sept. 15. The gun was valued at $336. Damage was estimated at $25.

SOUTH MIAMI-DADE

Amid housing bust, unfinished neighborhoods linger

Construction slowdown leaves homeowners, new neighborhoods in limbo.

PRINCETON

Miami-Dade Transit joins Habitat for Humanity to craft homes, hopes

By day, Harpal Kapoor runs a department of 4,000 employees, managing a $400 million annual budget. But last weekend Kapoor, director of the Miami-Dade Transit agency, joined 40 of his employees for a different kind of work: helping to build a home for a needy family.

HOMESTEAD

Homestead City Council passes budget with increased tax rate

Homestead leaders finalized the city's roughly $138 million budget at its second and final budget hearing Tuesday. The City Council, in a 6-1 vote, also approved a tax rate of $5.34 per $1,000 in taxable property value -- an increase over last year's $5.16 rate.

FLORIDA CITY

Florida City Commission keeps the same services -- and the same tax rate

Florida City expects to provide the same services for residents next year with less money.

FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS | BY CHRIS MAYO

Event to revive Copacabana experience

Young Patronesses of the Opera will transform the ballroom of The Inter-Continental Hotel Miami into the famed Copacabana nightclub at its upcoming Nov. 1 black-tie ball.

SOAPBOX | LETTERS FROM READERS

Homestead City Council meeting 'petty politics'

Regarding the Homestead City Council meeting held on Aug. 4, I found it to be a very discouraging display of petty politics. To think that this was broadcast is embarrassing to the citizens of the city of Homestead.

GULLIVER SCHOOLS

MTV coach Jeff Yalden to speak at Gulliver conference

Youth leaders from all over Miami-Dade will receive a humorous, yet motivational, message from MTV celebrity Jeff Yalden on Sunday.