MacArthur Causeway Accident chokes traffic

February 25, 2014 Posted by Frank M

It’s just painful sometimes, this MacArthur Causeway. Today it tested your sanity.

An early morning crash between a car and an 18-wheeler trailer truck completely closed down the west bound lanes. Miami Beach Police warned commuters that the shut down would take time as investigators measured and collected evidence.

MBPD identified the man driving the car as Jojo Nicolas, a former football player for the University of Miami.

Public Information Officers told the Herald that Nicolas was transferred to Jackson Memorial Hospital with severe injuries. Social media accounts for the police department wished him and his family well.

On lookers from the eastbound lanes were also blamed for some of the congestion, but things would have been complicated anyway with Alton Road torn to shreds in the name of upgrades. That major traffic artery is being detoured until the end of the year and has become an added nuisance. Over the weekend , the new administration announced that the Alton Road upgrades would be done by the end of the year, nearly seven months ahead of plans.

But that’s eight months away, and today traffic looked unbearable at times. Pictures from the Traffic Management twitter account looked surreal for a Tuesday.


(more…)

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Categories: Around FLA, MIAMI BEACH

Scratch Off Rip Off in Little Havana

February 25, 2014 Posted by Frank M

Some crooks just know where all the loot is hidden. On Monday it was under the silvery shards of scratch off tickets.

Thieves broke into the General Mini Market in Little Havana by busting open the roof and Tom-Cruise-ing their way down.

They ransacked the place according to the owner, who called police after noticing a large hole in the roof and the devastation inside. An odd assortment of items and cash were taken in addition to the bounty of of Florida Lottery scratch off tickets.

Anyone whose every bought a few of these scratch-ers know what a great investment they are. It’s printed money. **Insert eyeroll. **

When a store receives a new package of scratch offs, the vendor must register a unique code that comes along with that package in order for the tickets to go live. If the codes for the tickets are deactivated, a person would not be able to exchange a winning ticket because a vendor’s lottery equipment would reject the invalid serial number. It’s all automated, no eye-balling it.

The store is located at 1280 S. W. 1st street, any information contact the authorities.

Also, don’t buy bootleg scratch offs.

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Categories: Around FLA, MIAMI, MIAMI-DADE

Alton Road construction to speed up

February 24, 2014 Posted by Frank M

Over the weekend, the Levine Administration announced the Alton Road construction project would be finished by the end of the year, nearly seven months ahead of schedule.

Few details have emerged on how this will actually be accomplished, but the new alcalde spent some of last week tweeting about his meetings with FDOT officials.

The construction on Alton Road has detoured traffic, and made business increasingly difficult to come by for shops along road.

In the hopes of increasing foot traffic, the city recently tossed those businesses an expensive gift with the introduction of the Alton Road Trolley system. Per year, that system would cost Miami Beach residents $750,000.

According to a press release, the expedited project will include three new pump stations to help alleviate flooding in the area. In addition, the city said that more than 30 new pumps will be installed within the bodies of future projects.

No more detail than that.

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Remembering the good Doctor today.

February 20, 2014 Posted by Frank M

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Categories: Entertainment, Media

Six months after the death of Israel “Reefa” Hernandez

February 7, 2014 Posted by Frank M

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Ha! We are back!

February 5, 2014 Posted by Frank M

The server for NewsHole[DOT]Info was down for most of Wednesday.

Our apology to our readers and chronic spammers.

While we were gone, David Beckham announced he is committed to an MLS expansion team in Miami. (Fun drinking game: how many media outlets use the phrase ‘bend it like Beckham’  in their stories or headlines. ) Details were sketchy on Wednesday, but Beckham looked like James Bond all press conference long.

Miami’s Prehistoric Village went viral. (Post to come.)

Another dead face eater in South Florida.

MetroMover services were cut off during “Police Activity. ”

Alcalde M-D’s veto gets overridden.

And say it ain’t so Flea!

More to come, good to be back.

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Gongora questions the new Miami Beach Trolley

February 1, 2014 Posted by Frank M

Via Gongora on Facebook

As NewsHole[DOT]Info reported in early December, a new Trolley system is coming to Alton Road in Miami Beach.

The new commission explained the $750,000 a year expense as helping Alton businesses who are experiencing a dramatic loss in traffic as their store-front streets are being torn up, as part of a lengthy improvement project.

Well one former commissioner has come out criticizing the new plan. Former Commissioner Michael Gongora has questioned on social media why anyone would praise this plan as progress in mass transit when it really doesn’t address the island’s real issues.

“It would have been better to focus on connecting us to the mainland or simply increasing frequency of the South Beach local bus, which already does this route,” he wrote in an open post.

The South Beach Local runs on West Avenue, perpendicular to Alton Road. The walk between the two streets is negligible, but the idea is to deliver foot traffic to the business’s front door.

“We hope to mitigate the financial loss that some of these businesses have felt since the construction started by getting customers back on Alton Road and West Avenue,” said Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine in a statement.

Gongora lost to Levine in the last mayor’s race.

It was the only race on the beach NOT to go to a run off, although it featured the nastiest campaign.

(more…)

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Mindy’s Micro-Menu: creme brûlée

February 1, 2014 Posted by mindy

Editor’s note: Mindy is a dedicated elementary school teacher, children ministry director, involved in after school programs, a staunch volunteer for various causes, and cooks most of her meals; she doesn’t have time for fluff or long word counts. Just the heart of the beast.

This week on Mindy’s Micro-Menu: creme brûlée

This was a great Sunday night treat. It’s a little time consuming to put together, so it’s not something I can make often but it WILL get made again. Next time I will add more pecans (which will up the carbs but it’s worth it) and try to find a sweetener other than Splenda to use. (Supposedly Splenda is now evil…I figure I have to die of something?) I would have used Truvia but I didn’t have enough. The final dish is lighter than real creme brûlée, and tends to “melt” a little, but the flavor is there!

LINK:

http://lifelovelowcarb.blogspot.com/2012/04/butter-pecan-creme-brulee.html?m=1

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Categories: Mindy's Micro Menu, Random Things

SunPost: Strippers and Court Rooms

January 30, 2014 Posted by Frank M

Editor’s note: This story was originally submitted to the Miami SunPost. Link provided when posted.

Jimmy Morales rescinds his revocation of Club Madonna’s business license; Attorney’s for the club claim the city dragged their feet before hearing their side.

On Monday night, Miami Beach City Manager Jimmy Morales lifted his original order to revoke the business license of the city’s only strip club, provided that it followed some stipulations.

For over two weeks Club Madonna remained closed because Morales determined the business presented an “immediate threat” to the public following the shocking allegations that a 13-year-old girl had performed in the establishment.

“To address these matters, Club Madonna has proffered to develop and institute a compliance program that will prevent the aforementioned threat to minors and their families,” said Morales in his order.

Chiefly the strip club will now have to hire a compliance officer whose main function would be to assure all regulations are being followed, as well as keeping track that each performer is diligently identified and work schedule tracked in a log. An affidavit that these logs are being kept are to be delivered weekly by 5 o’clock on Tuesdays.

In addition, the club must agree to in writing that they will turn away any performer who appears to be escorted into the premise. Dancers will also have to attest that they are not being intimidated into performing.

The 13-year-old girl in question told police that she was forced into prostitution, and when she refused, her alleged captors forced her into dancing at the club.
(more…)

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$37 million dollars worth of cocaine seized by U.S. Coast Guard

January 29, 2014 Posted by Frank M

Somewhere a drug lord is pounding his fist on a golden table top.

On Tuesday the U.S. Coast Guard offloaded $37 million dollars worth of seized cocaine, 2500 pounds, at their Miami Beach base.

The stash was confiscated last week south of the Dominican Republic. The USCG spotted a speedy 25-foot boat carrying a suspicious cargo. A helicopter was sent to intercept, and sparked an oceanic high speed chase.

According to a release, the helicopter crew fired warning shots to compel the vessel to stop. The individuals on the boat were then observed tossing their wears into the ocean before being detained. Four suspects were taken into custody, and 45 bales of cocaine were retrieved.

The bales made an impressive photo opp, as they were waked off the Coast Guard Cutter Sitkinak and stacked up for the media.

The USCG was assisted in the arrest by their international partners in an anti-narcotic initiative.

“This historic operation is a result of a dedication to improved interoperability and highlights the great success and commitment of our inter-agency partnerships to stop the illegal flow of narcotics into the United States,” said Rear Admiral Jake Korn in a statement.

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