Miami Lakes native Matthew J. Fernandez received a Bachelor of Arts in Ministry Studies, Cum Laude, from The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville, Florida. BCF president Thomas A. Kinchen conferred degrees on 49 graduates during commencement services held on December 9.Fernandez is the son of Otto and Lourdes Fernandez of Miami Lakes. The new college graduate is a former member of Riverside Baptist Church in Miami. Following...

The Miami-Dade County Public School Board unanimously approved three items proposed by Board member Perla Tabares Hantman at a December regular monthly meeting.The items proposed opportunities to collaborate with community entities that can deliver free, high quality and engaging youth programs to students during out-of-school periods; a request for authorization of the Superintendent to encourage all of Miami-Dade’s public schools to...

Hundreds of residents and their families joined in the festivities during the 23rd annual Festival of Lights on November 26. Santa and his helpers turned on the Town Center holiday lights and kids had a chance to talk to Santa and have their photo taken.

Pace High School is collecting new, unwrapped toys for its annual Christmas toy drive in conjunction with NBC 6 and Telemundo 51’s Caravan of Joy.For the tenth straight year, Pace will be sending busloads of toys and choir singers to the NBC 6/Telejmundo 51 studios for Caravan of Joy when the toy drive concludes on December 16.This year, Pace dancers will be traveling as well to perform along with the Spartans in Harmony choir on live...

Emily Torres and Chris Perdomo were named winners of the 31st annual Miami Lakes Optimist Club’s Roland Gomez Scholarship award, which recognizes student-athletes for their stellar performances in the classroom and playing fields.Torres won the top spot for girls and Perdomo earned the top prize for boys, each receiving a $1,000 college scholarship and a gold medal.Torres plays softball for the Optimist Club and Hialeah Gardens High,...