For Maria Nordase, teaching Spanish to her students is a skill that will take them around the world.      One of her pupils is an older gentleman who translates for his daughters when they visit Spain. Then there is the couple who visited Peru, where locals thought they were from an island nation that is to the south of Florida.       “When they went to visited Peru and...

    The Town of Miami Lakes kicked off budget season with its first workshop on April 7, when council members told staff their priorities for the 2026-2027 spending plan they will vote on in September.       Hanging over their discussion were unknown factors: What the state legislature and governor will do this spring and what voters could decide in November about eliminating property taxes, actions that could...

     The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office has a contract to protect the Town of Miami Lakes and its people and property and has a small station inside of Town Hall.     Miami Lakes budgeted $11.8 million for the sheriff’s contract in the 2025-2026 fiscal year, a bill that was more than 51.8% of the town’s general fund budget, and is higher than the $10.8 million raised in town property taxes, staff...

      Over 100 seniors gathered at the Roberto Alonso Community Center to celebrate spring. The Elderly Affairs Committee invited the over 60 crowd to enjoy lunch by Chef Ramoncito, who prepared paella and fried plantains. Following lunch, the seniors danced to a mix by DJ Dennis of American Top 40 hits from the 1970s and 1980s and Latin music, including songs by Celia Cruz.      Vice Mayor Bryan Morera and...

    Proceeds from the annual Mayor’s Gala is the only support given to the Special Needs Advisory Board. The money supports the board’s activities and events held for the community.      The 2025 Gala held in November raised a record-setting $71,000 and after expenses donated $43,025, Mayor Josh Dieguez said. In February, Dieguez proclaimed it was St. Thomas University Month, for the school’s...