Installing holiday-themed inflatable characters have been a thing for a while now. The folks who live around Lake Martha have upped their game each Christmas season and dedicate each block to a specific character, such as polar bears, Santas and gingerbread figures.       This year, nearly 90 residents in the Loch Ness neighborhood got into the act by putting up giant dinosaurs that resemble Nessie, the mythological...

Here is a roundup of some of the most talked about events that happened this year.   Florida and Miami Lakes remember native son, former U.S. Sen., Fla. Gov. Bob Graham Bob Graham died in Gainesville of natural causes on April 16. He was 87. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered flags around the state to be flown at half-staff. He paid his respects to Graham on April 26 during a lying in state ceremony at the...

U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Doral, honored three Miami Lakes veterans with Congressional Veterans Commendations. The veterans may also participate in the Veterans History Project that is sponsored by the Library of Congress. The project collects firsthand recollections from former service members to better understand what they witnessed. Shown from left: American Legion Post 144 Vice Commander William Perez, a U.S. Marine Corps...

Spring registration for Miami Lakes Optimist Club’s NFL Youth Flag Football is open.  Until Jan. 31, parents may register children for the co-ed and girls only league.  Open to athletes ages 5 to 18, practices are held on weeknights and games are on Saturday mornings.  Prospective players must try out with their age groups between Feb. 4 and Feb. 6.  Cost for the season is $175 per child, who will get an...

The Zonta Club of Miami Lakes hung a banner outside Mary Collins Community Center to raise awareness about violence against women and human trafficking.  Small dolls are attached to a long net with messages such as “silence is violence.” It also lists QR codes and phone numbers for women or girls in danger to reach the  Domestic Violence Unit and Human Trafficking Task Force at the Miami-Dade State Attorney Office....