The Town of Miami Lakes is enjoying the lowest crime rate of its 20-year history, according to Mayor Manny Cid. Cid credits additional police hires and license plate recognition cameras for the accomplishment. “Today our town is stronger than ever, and it continues getting stronger every single year,” Cid said. Cid’s comments came during his annual State of the Town address, which was held on Oct. 21 at Miami Lakes...

Former Miami-Dade Mayor Alex Penelas tested four candidates for town council with pointed questions during a debate held at Miami Dade College North Campus.Two of the hopefuls – business executives Tony Fernandez, 35, for Seat 1 and Ray Garcia, 48, for Seat 3, who is challenging incumbent Councilwoman Marilyn Ruano – were endorsed by Mayor Manny Cid.Cid appointed Ruano, 43, an accountant, to the town council in 2017 when then-Vice Mayor Tony...

Miami Lakes Vice Mayor Nelson Rodriguez has pulled double duty as a public servant in recent years: as a firefighter/paramedic and as a Miami Lakes councilman.     Both of those jobs are ending soon.      Rodriguez said he will retire from the fire service next year after three decades with the Coral Gables Fire Department and he is term-limited in November after eight years on the town council.     But Rodriguez, 53, says he’s not through...

     The race to be state representative for District 103 is heating up as incumbent lawmaker Cindy Polo, D-Miramar, is being challenged by Thomas Fabricio, a Republican attorney who also from Miramar.     “Two years ago, I ran not just to oppose one candidate but to oppose a brand of politics that has been practiced in this area for decades,” Polo said. She said she has been the target of attack ads.     District 103 includes parts of Miami...

Eight candidates in four races in the Nov. 3 election will debate at Miami Dade College North Campus.     Forums will begin at 10 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 16.     Former Miami-Dade County Mayor Alex Penelas will moderate the town council debates.      Executive Frank Bolanos, co-founder of a charter school and former school board chair, will question candidates for the state legislature.     The candidates for council Seat 1 are business owner...