Ben the apricot-colored Goldendoodle has his own Instagram page.      Though he’s not an influencer, he could be one because he has only positive qualities, owner Jackie Garcia says.      “Despite his size, he is a sweetheart and a cuddle bug,” said Garcia.       She and her husband Ray live in Miami Lakes with Ben. The doodle, 3, has a...

U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Miami, is accepting submissions for the annual Congressional Art Competition.      The deadline is April 22 and winners will be chosen May 8.      The competition is for high school students, but 7th and 8th graders’ work would be accepted for consideration if their school is within the district and it shares a campus with upper classes.      The...

    The Miami Lakes Veterans Committee is offering scholarships to students who are descendants of veterans.       The committee will consider children of veterans who live in town as well as grandchildren, a new category, when reviewing applications.      It has also extended the deadline by a month: Applications will be accepted through May 3.       The scholarships...

 Lawyers Gloria M.Garcia and Suhaill M. Morales, who are members of the Miami Lakes Bar Association, briefed the Miami Lakes Chamber of Commerce about employment law during the business group’s luncheon on March 13.The attorneys discussed various scenarios and legal pitfalls when hiring or firing employees, and addressed workers compensation and contractors, too.       Business owners asked questions and...

     Students with Barbara Goleman Senior High School’s Law Honor Society stand on March 19 with more than 300 pairs of footwear to be donated in the annual Loving Soles Shoe Drive organized by Miami Lakes Town Clerk Gina Inguanzo on behalf of Camillus House in Miami.      Shown from left are Ysabella Lantigua; Gabriela Mauri; Hailie Prieto; Maria Torres and Law Honor Society Sponsor Ana M....