The Public Safety Committee hosted its first coffee at Fire Station 64 in Miami Lakes on Aug. 16. Residents learned about firefighting skills and met fire rescue professionals and the Venom One Response Unit, who taught them about reptiles. Sparky, the department’s mascot, greeted visitors to the station at 15324 NW 77th Court. Bon Vivant Charcuterie and Gourmet Market, Kona Ice and La Cafetera 305 served snacks and coffee....

     U.S. News & World Report ranked Jose Marti MAST 6-12 Academy in Hialeah a Top 100 school in its annual report in August.      “I think it’s fantastic,” Principal Jose Enriquez Jr. said. “I think it’s great for our community and our school, particularly the hard-working teachers and students.”      Enriquez said feedback from parents is they are...

    The family of former Fla. Gov. and U.S. Sen. Bob Graham gave $5 million to the University of Florida to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Bob Graham Center for Public Service at the Gainesville campus.       The donation creates the largest endowed fund in the center’s history, UF said. It is launching a fundraising campaign to grow the endowment to $20 million by the end of...

    Teachers who need support for their high school culinary arts and restaurant management programs may apply for a $5,000 check from the 2025 Rachael Ray Foundation ProStart Grow Grants.      A project of The Rachael Ray Foundation and the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, the grants may be used to upgrade classroom equipment and resources or by schools that want to launch their own ProStart...

     Area schools welcomed back students on Aug. 14 to start the school year. Kids enrolled in kindergarten through 12th grade enjoyed first day activities, and some wore custom crowns to mark the beginning of their senior year. Miami-Dade Public Schools Board Member Roberto Alonso visited with students and administrators at Miami Lakes K-8 Center. A trend among backpacks this year was to wear designs that referenced...