Rolando Ruiz, the first barber in Miami Lakes, died at home in Miami from natural causes on July 31, his family said. He was 93. The Graham Companies opened the Lake Patricia Shopping Center in 1964 and two years later, sold the barber shop in that complex to Ruiz. Ruiz, shown in the family photo above, cut the hair of several generations of Graham men, including former U.S. Sen. and Fla. Gov. Bob Graham as well as the late company...

Call it pandemic fashion, the face coverings we wear to protect ourselves, our families, friends and neighbors from the COVID-19 virus. What kind of mask do you wear? Send a selfie to LindaT@MiamiLaker.com. Photos by Linda Trischitta, The Miami Laker.

The Cypress Village Shopping Center in the heart of Miami Lakes has something for everyone: Businesses that specialize in health, beauty and fashion. And there are a lot of dining options, too. The complex at 7301 Miami Lakes Drive is bordered on the west side by Fairway Drive. It was built by The Graham Companies in 1972, and underwent an extensive renovation in 2016. A new, 12,000 square foot building replaced an old Blockbuster...

A drive-thru COVID-19 testing site is scheduled to open Sept. 1 in Miami Lakes. The project, to be set up at 7601 Miami Lakes Drive in the parking lot of the former Hotel Indigo, is a partnership between The Graham Companies and Longview Technology Services of Herndon, Va. It was originally scheduled to open Aug. 31. Longview Technology Services is going to use that day as a soft opening and said it will welcome all members of...

Meet Luna! She’s a 1-year-old Golden Retriever, and lives near Graham Park in Miami Lakes with owner Karina Bello. Luna is in training to become an emotional service dog for Bello, and helps her with anxiety. “I pet her and it completely puts me at ease,” Bello said. The pair take long walks twice each day and also visit K-9 Cove, the town’s dog park on the west side. Bello said Luna is...