The Miami Lakes town council honored Alfredo Vargas, owner of Havana Group Cigars. Vargas has owned the business in the Royal Oaks Plaza since 2005. Vargas is “a long-time Miami Laker who brings people together,” Mayor Manny Cid said before the council meeting on Jan. 18. Vargas was a Colombian Air Force veteran who immigrated to the United States in 1989. After leaving his position at a national hotel chain,...

Five candidates have qualified to run in the April 9 special election to fill a seat on the Miami Lakes town council. Seat 6 became vacant when Vice Mayor Carlos Alvarez resigned in November, citing personal reasons. The candidates who completed their paperwork on Feb. 14 are: Hector Abad, a social worker in Miami-Dade County Public Schools; Esther Colon, a former manager of the town of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea; former Vice Mayor Nelson...

      The quarter-mile walking trail along Northwest 170th Street is bordered by a canal on the south side and what has become an illegal parking lot on the swale on the north side.       A resident’s complaint to the SeeClickFix app prompted the town on Feb. 1 to post No Parking signs along the swale.            Miami-Dade Police officers warned drivers -- who have been...

    Two candidates for the Miami Lakes Town Council have launched their campaigns.      Business owner Mario O. Pinera Jr. is running for Seat 1, currently held by Vice Mayor Tony Fernandez and attorney Steven Herzberg is running for Seat 5, held by Councilman Luis Collazo. Realtor Juan Carlos Fernandez is seeking Seat 3, held by Councilwoman Marilyn Ruano. Fernandez has not held his launch party...

Stakeholders met in December at the Palmetto Expressway overpass and Northwest 67th Avenue to discuss improvements for the area beneath the expressway.  Miami Lakes Councilman Ray Garcia led the effort with leaders from the Florida Department of Transportation and Miami-Dade County Commissioner Sen. Rene Garcia, who represents District 13 which includes Miami Lakes. Councilman Garcia said he has received complaints about dirty conditions...