Mothers Against Prescription Drug Abuse honored U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Miami, with its humanitarian award at a reception on June 6 in Washington, D.C.      Diaz-Balart was recognized for his “dedication and leadership in the fight against the misuse of opioids and the fentanyl crisis,” the organization, chaired by former U.S. Rep. Mary Bono, said in a press...

     Visitors to three parks in Miami Lakes can enjoy seeing flowering orchids attached to trees, thanks to an Eagle Scout project by Aidan Schwinghammer.       The Miami Lakes Town Foundation awarded Aidan $2,500 in 2022 to help him reach his goal: To attach 1,000 orchids to trees in Veterans Park, Graham Park and Picnic Park East.       Aidan, 15, is a rising sophomore at Barbara Goleman...

     Miami Lakes hosted its 20th annual Fourth of July fireworks display at Veterans Park. This year’s event included a visit by Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and Miami-Dade Police Director Alfredo “Freddy” Ramirez, who are both campaigning in 2024 races: Levine Cava for mayor and Ramirez for sheriff.       Independence Day revelers enjoyed free music, food and fun at the...

     Abel Mena, 6, of Miami Lakes told his mom Mimi Mena that a goal on his summer bucket list was to have a lemonade stand.       “Just coincidentally I was scrolling through Facebook, and I follow St. Jude [Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn.] and one of their posts came up that they were doing a July lemonade stand challenge for kids,” Mena said.    ...

 Russell Thomas, treasurer and controller of The Graham Companies, is retiring on July 31 after 23 years with the company.      “At 65, and my wife is retired, it was time for the next phase,” said Thomas.      In January 2001, when Miami Lakes was a newly incorporated municipality, Thomas began his career with the privately held, family firm that built the town.    ...