Mater Lakes Academy’s Middle School Mock Trial Team earned a 3rd Place overall finish at the Middle School Mock Trial State Final Competition May 2 - 3 at the Hillsborough County Courthouse. The journey to that finish included competing in a field against 120 schools and then against seven top programs at the state finals, Mater Academy said.       The Florida Southern College Justice Teaching...

     Ciancy Bernal is continuing her quest to make sure that Miami Lakes residents have free books to read.       Ciancy, 16, a rising junior at Archbishop McCarthy High School, helped erect another Little Free Library, which was donated by The Graham Companies.       The boxes cost $800.          The bright blue metal weatherproof box is attached to the...

      The Town of Miami Lakes and its Special Needs Advisory Board unveiled a Communication Board on May 12. Installed at the playground in Veterans Park, the board filled with bright squares, letters and symbols is for children who are nonverbal to use while communicating with adults, and to help them to learn new words and phrases.       “We’re very excited to unveil this board...

     Meet Kiwi and Jules, a pair of eight-month-old parakeets who act like love birds.       The pair live together on the west side of Miami Lakes and are cared for by the Waller family: Dad Alec and kids Tate, Ashwin, Kit and Georgia.       The household includes au pair Laura Schilling, who says the birds enjoy playing with the kids.       “Sometimes...

     Dr. Jose L. Dotres, superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, is stepping down when his contracts ends in February 2027, the district said.       In its efforts to find his replacement, the district is asking for public input on the qualities they want to see in the next leader of the country’s third largest school district.     It said in part, “... community...