The Optimist Club of Miami Lakes kicked off its 2024 baseball and softball seasons with a visit from Billy the Marlin. The Miami Marlins mascot joined the teams on Feb. 23 at Optimist Park for the opening night ceremonies. Danny de Varona, president of the Optimist Club, said that over 500 kids are participating in this season. Boy Scout Troop 566 presented the colors before the ceremonial first pitch was thrown out by Mayor Manny Cid,...

 Miami Lakes Golf Club and First Tee Miami welcomed more than 500 students from 17 Miami-Dade County Public Schools for its special needs golf program in February. Volunteer instructors as well as staff professionals taught students who traveled from as far as Homestead how to putt, drive and chip golf balls. 

     The Education Advisory Board is calling for nominations for its annual Awards of Excellence.       Students may be nominated in eight categories and a teacher may be nominated as outstanding educator of the year.       The awards honor students who demonstrate exceptional dedication, leadership and service and make a positive impact on their school environment and...

    Miami Lakes K-8 Center students were treated to two special presentations to mark Black History Month in February.       Emmy award-winning anchor Jawan Strader from WTVJ-Ch. 6 visited middle school students on Feb. 16 and spoke about why education is the key to success.       Strader, shared a clip of a 5:30 p.m. newscast with students in the school cafeteria, the school said in an...

     The Miami Lakes Division of the Miami-Dade Police Department won the agency’s inaugural award for its human trafficking awareness campaign.       The patrol unit created the display in the lobby of the station in Town Hall. It reads in bold letters, “Lives are not for Sale!” at top, “Stop Human Trafficking” at bottom and has a border of hands and a heart in the center....