HOMESTEAD

Hundreds gather for Homestead council swearing-in

The swearing-in of a new mayor and council members drew hundreds of people to Homestead City Hall.

NATIONAL PARKS

Federal parks free for visitors on Veterans Day

the kind that actually fly -- are back in the Everglades National Park for the cold season.

So as a treat to honor America's service men and women, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar is offering free admission to national parks and other federal areas Wednesday on Veterans' Day.

HOMESTEAD

Homestead organizers expect large crowd for Veterans Day parade

The Veterans Day Parade is right around the corner. Organizers say they expect large crowds on Wednesday.

What a squirrel can teach adults about kids

Sitting on the patio in the early hours of the morning is one of life's pleasures. The sun's rays are warming the canal at the yard's end and all kinds of birds -- egrets, ibises, gallinules, ducks, bitterns, mockingbirds -- offer cheerful songs and chatter.

Residents were heard at polls

After two years of not being heard at City Council meetings, the residents of Homestead have been heard at the polls.

Not to take anything away from the newly elected City Council members -- signs, mailers, phone calls, forums and knocking on doors -- Tuesday's election was a rocking referendum on the recalcitrant members of our council who would ``block vote'' every major issue and rebuff any opinion from the public to the contrary. All four were expelled!

Police reports from local municipalities

NARANJA | A thief drove off with a 1990 Honda Civic in the 13800 block of Southwest 270th Street between 7 and 8 a.m. Oct. 26.

FAIRWAY ESTATES

Lecture will focus on Fla.'s rich military history

A lecture will talk about South Dade's involvement in World War II, including a blimp station, troop training and going overseas.

HOMESTEAD

Air show to help Homestead Air Reserve Base recapture glory days

Wings Over Homestead, a weekend air show, aims to restore Homestead Air Reserve Base to glory days image.

• If you go to Wings Over Homestead

HOMESTEAD

VFW will avoid Homestead parade flag flap

A local VFW post decided not to invite to the Veterans' Day Parade in downtown Homestead the two groups that had been fighting over last year's display of the Confederate battle flag.

SOUTH MIAMI-DADE

Homestead voters oust all but one incumbent

Homestead politics got a new look when four out of five incumbents were swept from office.

Police reports from local municipalities

REDLAND

A burglar stole a push lawn mower, a tractor lawn mower and a water pump from a storage room at an abandoned house in the 21400 block of Southwest 232nd Street after cutting a lock on a chain between 10 and 10:30 a.m. Oct. 20. The items were valued at $2,875.

HOMESTEAD

Air Force Reserve pilot from Palmetto Bay to fly with Thunderbirds

Maj. Sean Gustafson traded the tropics of Miami-Dade for the desert air of Las Vegas.

But some high-flying action whisks him and family back home this weekend for the Homestead Air Reserve Base's Wings Over Homestead Air Show.

HOMESTEAD

ArtSouth's after-school program offers arts classes for kids

In a small, mirrored studio at ArtSouth, a dozen elementary and middle school students are learning about characters, conflict and compromise in their drama class -- heavy concepts for younger children.

HOMESTEAD

Homestead voters can get jump-start at polls

Homestead residents will vote for a mayor and four council members Tuesday.

The council seats include the northwest council seat (No. 1), southwest seat (No. 4), Waterstone seat (No. 5) and Oasis seat (No. 6). Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

HOMESTEAD

Homestead mayoral candidates claim they can lead the way

Homestead's dire economic situation is at the center of Tuesday's election campaigns for mayor and city council.

PALMETTO BAY

At 90, artist continues to paint, find beauty in the Everglades

Ever since Sam Vinikoff laid his eyes on the Everglades, he hasn't stopped painting the national park.

``You can't get bored of painting it,'' says Vinikoff, a London transplant, whose work hangs in galleries today and has amassed quite a following throughout the years. ``There's always something new to see when you go there.''

`Dream Big' honoree on Hispanic Chamber

Dreaming to make a difference is what Liliam M. Lopez has always tried to do.

SOUTH MIAMI-DADE

Farm Bureau honors family of the year

A family -- with sons in Pinecrest and Coral Gables and the patriarch in Homestead -- keeps on farming and earns top honors from the Dade County Farm Bureau.

HOMESTEAD

Mayor, foe debate taxes, other issues

In a final debate, the mayoral candidates took jabs at each other but both promised to increase employment and run the city responsibly.

Letter: Let's put a stop to `Edifice Complex'

The Palmetto Bay Council is considering two resolutions to rename public property in honor of two current council members.

Naming public assets after living politicians still in public service is self-serving -- and wrong.