Maria Martinez has three furry dogs to keep her and her family company in their Miami Lakes home: Athena, 2, a miniature Australian Shepherd; Lola, 3, a Beagle and Bandita, 3, a Pomeranian.       “They’re all loved and spoiled,” Martinez said. “They’re sisters to the end. It’s very cute.”      Athena doesn’t like clutter and will...

    The Miami-Dade Bar named Miami Lakes Attorney Trinette Zarran as its 2025 Circle of Excellence award winner in the Family Law Category.       The Bar recognized Zarran on Nov. 19 at Mayfair House in Coconut Grove, when she was joined by friends, family and fellow lawyers. Winners are nominated by peers who research their careers. They are then evaluated by the Miami-Dade Bar for exceptional performance and...

     Revelers enjoyed an elegant night at the Mayor’s Gala on Nov. 14 at the Miami Lakes Hotel on Main. Mayor Josh Dieguez called the black-tie party a success, having sold 220 tickets to the event which benefits the town’s Special Needs Advisory Board and funds its activities for people in the community.       “We raised an amazing amount of money,” Dieguez said. “From my...

     This cute baby’s photo was taken in Managua, Nicaragua in the late 1970s. The child is wearing short overalls with an applique, and his dog Charlie stays close by.      While he is not a household name in town, he is a distance runner and can regularly be seen getting in his miles in Veterans Park and Royal Oaks Park.       He is also a U.S. Army veteran who served in combat...

     The office of Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Doral, presented Miami Lakes Councilman Alex Sanchez with a Congressional Veteran Commendation in November.       Sanchez served in the United States Navy until 2007 as a petty officer, second class. He was awarded the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Good Conduct Medal and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, among other commendations. Sanchez will have...