III Points Miami 2024: Music Festival Perseveres Through Rain
III Points Miami 2024 kicked off in the rain, but festivalgoers made the most of it. Memorable performances occurred across 12 stages, including George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic, Jungle, DJ Shadow, Kaytranada, Raekwon, HorsegiirL, ISOxo, DJ Koze, and Cloonee. After a rainy start, cooler weather prevailed on the second day, and the festival grounds felt busier as attendees moved between stages to catch their favorite acts, including Justice’s closing performance.
Taylor Swift Kicks Off Eras Tour with Multi-Night Miami Concerts
Taylor Swift performed the first of three concerts in Miami. She sang songs from her various “eras” and albums. Fans came dressed representing different Swift eras. There was a special guest appearance from Florence Welch. Swift revealed a new outfit during the “Reputation” portion, leading fans to speculate about an upcoming re-recorded album release. Miami-Dade County proclaimed October 18 as “Taylor Swift Day.”
Shooting incident with no injuries reported in Southwest Miami-Dade
Gunshots were fired outside a townhouse in Southwest Miami-Dade County late Saturday night. The incident occurred shortly before midnight at the intersection of SW 240th Street and 109th Avenue. Police found multiple spent shell casings on the ground, but no injuries or casualties were reported. Tire marks were visible on the street and median near the scene.
Handcuffed Suspect Escapes Hospital, Flees in Maserati
A handcuffed suspect, Theodric Collins, escaped from police custody at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. Collins was complaining of chest pain and was taken to the hospital’s emergency room. After being medically cleared, Collins fled into a waiting silver Maserati with Alabama license plate GBT862 and drove away. The Maserati was spotted in Jupiter around an hour and a half later. Collins is 5’9″ with a medium build and remains at large. A multi-agency search is underway.
King Tides Flood Miami Streets, Previewing Sea Level Rise Impacts
Water from Biscayne Bay flooded streets in Miami Shores during the recent king tide event. Some residents are struggling with the flooding, which is worsening due to sea level rise. Citizen scientists with Florida International University documented the extent and saltiness of the floodwaters. The flooding offers a glimpse of the challenges sea level rise will bring to South Florida in the coming decades.
Applications open for public housing waiting list in Miami-Dade amid housing crisis
Miami-Dade County is accepting online applications until October 25 for a waiting list for public housing. The initiative aims to provide affordable housing for low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities. Only 7,500 applications will be randomly selected due to limited space on the waiting list. Priority will be given to those affected by natural disasters, homeless individuals, veterans, domestic violence victims, and those over 62 years old. The application is a response to the severe affordable housing crisis in Miami, where residents face the highest rental burden in the United States.
Remembering South Florida’s Evolution: Past Landmarks and Modern Transformations
South Florida has undergone significant changes over the years. Old landmarks have disappeared and new developments have emerged. Downtown Miami, once a hub of commerce, has transformed. Areas like Brickell and Hollywood have seen residential and commercial buildings replace older structures. Popular destinations like Miami Beach and Key West have evolved to cater to tourism. Sports stadiums and shopping malls have also come and gone, reflecting the changing landscape.
Miami Homeless Shelter Increases Rates, Prompting Contract Dispute and Bed Shortage
Camillus House raised its nightly homeless shelter bed prices from $31 to $67 per person. Miami-Dade County’s Homeless Trust rejected the increase as unaffordable. Their contract expired without renewal. 141 beds went offline, displacing occupants. The Homeless Trust scrambled to find alternative beds to comply with the new anti-camping law. Both sides claim financial constraints in the pricing dispute.
Pink-clad crowd supports breast cancer patients at Susan G. Komen Walk in Hialeah
Thousands gathered at Amelia Earhart Park in Hialeah for the Susan G. Komen More Than Pink Walk on October 19th, 2024. The annual event raises funds for breast cancer patients and research. Participants wore pink to support the cause. The walk is a pivotal moment to secure vital funding for equitable care against breast cancer.
Shooting after altercation leaves one dead, one injured in SW Miami-Dade
Three men were involved in an altercation. One man was killed and another critically injured due to a shooting. A third man was detained by police. The incident occurred in SW Miami-Dade on Sunday evening.
Virginia’s Legalized Yet Unregulated Marijuana System Causes Confusion
Marijuana is legal for medical use in Virginia and adults can grow up to four plants at home. Virginia legalized possession and cultivation in 2021, but there is no adult recreational program. This has created confusion and allowed a black market to thrive. Lawmakers tried to pass a recreational program, but the governor vetoed it citing concerns over law enforcement and public health. The marijuana industry remains in limbo in Virginia, leading to calls for a regulatory framework.
Teen Surfer Survives Shark Attack in Florida Waters
Florida teen surfer attacked by 6-foot bull shark while surfing. Shark bit Teddy Wittemann’s arm. Friends helped stop bleeding and call 911. Wittemann undeterred, plans to surf again with same board.
Children Hospitalized After Liquid Poured During Adult Dispute in Pompano Beach
Two children hospitalized after adults dispute escalated. Liquid poured on minors during argument. Two women taken into custody. Circumstances and liquid type unspecified.
Taylor Swift Miami Concert Marred by Ticketing Issues for Fans
Taylor Swift fans faced ticket issues before her Miami concert. Some fans had their tickets stolen from their Ticketmaster accounts. One fan’s tickets were recovered after a news team got involved. Another fan had to drive alone from North Carolina due to the ticket fiasco. Ticketmaster said their security measures allow restoring most tickets, but did not respond about specific cases.
Banner Plane Pilot Overcomes Injuries from North Perry Airport Crash
Pilot Assem Ashat suffered serious injuries, including a spinal cord injury, in a small plane crash at North Perry Airport in May 2023. He underwent extensive physical therapy and regained his ability to walk against doctors’ expectations. A lawsuit against Aerial Banners Inc. was filed regarding the crash, and the NTSB’s investigation into the cause is pending. Ashat persevered to overcome his injuries and hopes to inspire other survivors to never give up.
First responder therapy dog program launches in Broward County
Broward County started a new program with therapy dogs to support first responders and community members during traumatic incidents. The dogs provide emotional assistance by visiting schools, hurricane relief efforts, and critical scenes. They help reduce stress and anxiety among first responders who often experience PTSD due to constant exposure to trauma. The program aims to highlight the importance of mental health for first responders and aid in their healing process.