Qualifying for the Miami Lakes town council races and mayoral election began today and will run through noon on Aug. 7. Candidates for seats 1, 3, 5 and the mayor will need to have submitted paperwork with Town Elections Supervisor Gina Inguanzo to be on the Nov. 5 ballot. Two candidates may win election on Aug. 7 if no one else qualifies. So far, both Juan Carlos Fernandez and Steven Herzberg are unopposed in their races. Juan...

Parents hoping to save some cash ahead of the school year can shop for tax free school items from July 29 to August 11. Along with classroom supplies parents can also save on certain clothing, shoes, bags and learning aids like puzzles. Parents can purchase the following items tax free: Personal computers or related items for $1,500 or less which includes calculators; desktops; electronic book readers; handhelds; laptops; tablets and...

     Miami Lakes Town Hall will be the site for a second  public meeting about property insurance hosted by Fla. Rep. Tom Fabricio, R-Miami Lakes.      Florida Insurance Commissioner Michael Yaworsky leads the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, which sets the rates and otherwise regulates the industry in the state, and will join Fabricio at Town Hall on Aug. 1.      Fabricio’s...

     The Town of Miami Lakes is making moves to lessen the impact of dynamite blasting of limestone upon property owners.       Next steps include forming a regional alliance and perhaps suing the state, which regulates the mining industry.      The Blasting Advisory Board presented to the council an 84-page opinion, with exhibits, about steps the town could take.    ...

     Merrett Stierheim, the first town manager for Miami Lakes, died on July 7. He was 90.      Stierheim was a renowned professional manager of governments and organizations, credited with reforming scandal-plagued entities or providing stable leadership during troubled times, according to an obituary in The Miami Herald.      His service includes Supt. of Miami-Dade County Schools; manager...