Miami Lakes Parks & Recreation Department and officials introduced Administrative Specialist Beatriz Alchalaby, at center, during the May 19  council meeting. Alchalaby, 34, books pavilion and field rentals and assists the department as needed. Her salary is $60,320. A graduate of Florida International University, where she earned Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management and Master of Landscape Architecture degrees. Since 2020...

Several local women took part in a Citizens’ Crime Watch R.A.D self-defense course recently held at the Mary Collins Community Center.      The 12-hour, free, three-day course helps women learn basic self-defense techniques taught by instructors.      R.A.D. stands for Rape Aggression Defense.      Miami Lakers Rebecca and Julianna Correa took the course in May. Rebecca Correa said...

Though the costumed 501st Everglades Squad is made up of the bad guys of “Star Wars,” the men and women behind the masks and cloaks are anything but.      From visiting ill children in hospitals to marching in parades, the volunteers are regular participants at community events.      Gary Cardenas Jr., 56, does public relations and other tasks for the 501st Everglades Squad. They are part of an...

Mayor Josh Dieguez fastens a pin with the town seal onto the jacket of Alain Sanchez, 15, during Youth Governance Day at Miami Lakes Town Hall.  Alain is a rising sophomore at Barbara Goleman Senior High School and is enrolled in the AP Capstone program with a concentration is Law Studies. He served as Mayor for a Day on June 8. He took the oath in council chambers, got a mayor’s briefing and met with Town Clerk Gina Inguanzo...

    Meet Louie from Lake Katharine.      Louie is a four-year-old Labradoodle who is an avid lizard chaser, though owner Beth Martincic says he has not caught one yet.      “He is high energy, but he is very sweet,” Martincic said of the family pet she shares with her hus-band Ollie Martincic and their daughters, ages five and 9, in their Miami Lakes home.      Louie...