U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Doral, awarded the Congressional Veteran Commendation to Miami Lakes veterans Christopher Valdes, retired Chief Petty Officer with the U.S. Coast Guard, and Hector Garcia Jr., retired Lt. Col. with the U.S. Air Force.      American Legion Post 144 Commander Gary Cardenas nominated  Valdes and Garcia Jr., who both belong to the legion.      ...

     Victor Benitez strides across the sales floor of Gus Machado Ford in Hialeah past a fleet of Shelby GT 500s, muscle cars in hot colors that cost $85,000 to $125,000.       “I call it the million-dollar showroom,” said Benitez, the vice president and general manager of the business that is marking its fourth decade. “But we’ve got a car for...

     The Monsignor Edward Pace High School Class of 2024 won this year’s Tons of Love Food Drive.        An annual event since the 1990s, the food drive encourages students in all four grades at the school to collect goods for several area charities through its Mission Club.       The winning class receives a trophy for its efforts.      This year, Spartans...

     For more than two decades, a petite grandmother of five has challenged Miami Lakes councilmembers about their decisions, adherence to the town charter or on plans that she feels are headed in the wrong direction.      Mirtha Mendez, 76, while often lugging a hefty binder filled with notes, is a regular presence at the podium during the public comment phase of town meetings.      ...

     The Town of Miami Lakes and its Cultural Affairs Committee is holding a contest to celebrate residents’ best love stories.      Send 250 words or less about your romance to https://bit.ly/3IKJfG7 by 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 25.      Winners will be eligible for gift cards to use at local restaurants. Couples will also be featured on the town’s social media pages...