Photos provided by Miami Beach Fire show the moments firefighters freed a pooch that was stuck underneath a building, Thursday night.

Officials say the pup got stuck after his leash got tangled around plumbing. Firefighters carefully entered the crawl space and safely freed the dog.

The puppy was unharmed and has since been reunited with his owner.

The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office said deputies were dispatched at about 10:15 a.m., Friday, to the 14100 block of Northwest Fifth Avenue after receiving reports of a domestic incident.

Investigators said the victim was able to escape the residence, while the subject — described as an adult male — barricaded himself inside the home.

Law enforcement secured the area and worked the scene for several hours as negotiations continued.

Residents who live nearby had to wait several hours to back back in their own homes as the standoff unfolded.

“I called my son and went to go look and see what’s happening, he sees the police and he doesn’t see anything else. Maybe the people are inside the house,” a local area resident said.

At around 3 p.m., the man was taken into custody and placed into a Miami-Dade Fire Rescue vehicle. No injuries were immediately reported.

Authorities have not released the identities of those involved or details about what led up to the incident.

Jamari Charles’ family told 7News life for all of them changed drastically, New Year’s Day.

“He’s so young. 14 years old, full of life,” said Talia Stewart, Charles’ aunt.

Charles was riding an ATV when he collided with a car near Southwest 220th Street and 118th Avenue as celebratory fireworks continued going off, Thursday night.

Charles had just received the ATV as a Christmas gift.

At first, his family had gotten some good news after he was taken to HCA Florida Kendall Hospital in critical but stable condition.

“He has no broken bones. There was no internal bleeding or anything like that,” said Stewart.

However, Charles wasn’t wearing a helmet at the time of the crash and has swelling on his brain as a result.

His doctors are keeping him sedated for the time being.

“He did sustain a head injury so right now we’re just trying to make sure that that is fine, but he is gonna be out of school for the rest of the year and he’s gonna be doing rehab and therapy,” said Stewart.

As an athlete and student at Arthur & Polly Mays 6-12 Conservatory of the Arts, his family described Charles as being passionate about football.

His family also said Charles is kind and loves his family.

“He’s a very respectful kid. We have a very big family, he’s very family-oriented,” said Stewart.

His family now sharing their love for him as he looks at several months to recover from the crash.

“We hate that it happened so young because the brain is still developing. We do believe that God can do anything, all things, God can do anything and God is a healer, so you know that he’ll make it out,” said Stewart.

For now, Charles’ family continues to pray that they receive more good news once he is no longer sedated.

The driver of the other vehicle was not injured in the crash and no charges have been filed.

The family has created a GoFundMe asking for assistance to cover Charles’ medical expenses. If you would like to donate, click here.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units were dispatched to reports of a fire in the area of Northwest 22nd Avenue and 183rd Street, at approximately 4:15 p.m., Thursday.

Crews found the truck on fire upon arrival.

The blaze was quickly extinguished.

Officials said it started after a box of fireworks caught fire in the bed of the truck .

No injuries were reported.

In a statement posted on X, MDSO said deputy Leonard Cantave is showing significant signs of improvement after undergoing surgery. He has been extubated and is breathing on his own. They say he is now awake and alert and able to recognize his loved ones.

Cantave was hospitalized after being struck by a driver while assisting FHP troopers who were responding to a traffic crash on Florida’s Turnpike near Northwest 58th Street, Dec. 27.

Investigators identified the driver as 28-year-old Lonnel Brinson.

According to the arrest report, Brinson had admitted to consuming alcohol and marijuana before the crash. He had also been driving with a suspended license.

He’s accused of not slowing down as he passed FHP and MDSO cruisers. Brinson reportedly swerved to avoid the crash and struck Cantave.

Brinson faces a felony charge for reckless driving that caused a serious injury.

He has since bonded out of jail and is expected to appear back in court sometime in February.

According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, the crash unfolded near Southwest 220th Street and 118th Avenue, just after 6 p.m., Thursday.

The teen was reportedly riding a four-wheeler he had recently received as a gift for Christmas when he collided with a vehicle.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue crews transported the teen to HCA Florida Kendall Hospital in critical but stable condition.

The condition of the driver of the other vehicle involved is unknown.

7News cameras were rolling as crews loaded the ATV onto a trailer.

The circumstances that led up to the crash remain under investigation.

Florida City Police and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units responded to reports of a shooting along the 500 block of Northwest 15th Street, just before 5 p.m., Thursday.

Investigators were seen searching for clues in the cordoned-off intersection, where several evidence markers and bullet casings were spotted scattered across the road.

The victim was taken to Jackson South Medical Center in unknown condition.

The families rang in the new year with their newborns coming into the world at the perfect time, shortly after midnight struck, to begin 2026.

At Memorial Regional Hospital, the countdown ended with a cry of joy as baby Isaiah made his grand entrance at exactly 12:16 a.m., Thursday morning.

Isaiah weighs just over 6 pounds and stretched out at 19 inches, making a special entrance for first-time parents Donnica Haynes and Shamar Williams.

“He didn’t want to come on the 31st. He wanted to be special and come Jan. 1. So yeah, this is our New Year’s baby,” said Haynes.

It was a special moment to begin the year, already turning 2026 into something different for the young family.

“It’s good. It’s pretty much good right now,” said Williams.

The couple said they’re looking forward to baby Isaiah’s presence in their home.

“Just having his presence and, you know, to fill the house with joy,” said Haynes.

Just a few miles away, at HCA Florida Mercy Hospital, another midnight miracle occurred.

Baby Eden Skye Garrido was born at 12:14 a.m. to join the family of five for the new Year.

“We’re exhausted, but we’re excited, we’re ecstatic. Best way to ring in the New Year,” said mother Megan Garrido.

She said the newborn’s name has a special meaning.

“Eden Skye means a new beginning, like the Garden of Eden. We’re blessed to ring in the new year with baby Eden,” said Megan.

At South Miami Hospital, baby Sienna joined the New Year’s Day celebration at 12:41 a.m., weighing in at 8 pounds, 2 ounces.

And at Broward Health Medical Center, baby Iris Derilus arrived later in the morning at 7:26 a.m., weighing in at 8 pounds and 6 ounces.

Four babies born to four different families, at four different hospitals across South Florida, now sharing the start of their lives right after the start of a new year.

The city hosted the Soup Joumou Celebration at the Joe Celestin Community Center, Thursday morning.

The dish — a point of pride for the Haitian community — consists of a stew of beef, vegetables and squad, which symbolizes freedom and independence.

The annual event commemorates Haiti’s independence in 1804 and is meant to foster pride and unity across the community.

Officials say a fire broke out at a home located near Northwest 182nd Street, Wednesday.

The flames caused extensive damage to the home and the family’s belongings, with authorities determining the structure to be unlivable.

The Red Cross is assisting the family of five find a temporary place to live.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

According to officials, around 6 a.m. on Wednesday, the Hialeah Police Department responded to a call from a concerned citizen about a potential kidnapping.

Surveillance footage, that corroborates the witness’s account, shows the suspicious situation on New Year’s Eve morning at West 27th Avenue and 52nd Street.

At some point, the man can be seen appearing to pull the woman toward the truck, according to detectives.

Police believe the woman and man seen in the footage know each other.

As of Thursday morning, no missing persons report has been filed matching the woman’s description. This is why police are asking for the public’s help in identifying her.

She was wearing a gray sweatshirt, khaki sweatpants, black sandals and has long black hair.

The man is about 5 feet, 7 inches, was wearing all black clothing and a blue hat, and was driving a modified white Ford F-150 Platinum Edition with distinct black rims.

Officers say their primary concern is the woman’s immediate well-being and are working quickly to locate her and verify her safety.

If you recognize the male subject, the female victim, or the vehicle involved, please contact the Hialeah Police Department immediately at (305) 687-2525.

The Miami Hurricanes: underdogs, underestimated and unstoppable.

“What a moment for the city, the alums, the program,” a commentator said after UM’s winning play. “Man. They deserve it.”

The Canes were invited into the college football playoffs out of 12 teams. The top conference teams advanced automatically, and the Canes were chosen to advance by a selection committee.

“Be fast, physical, violent and relentless. Whatever it takes,” UM’s head coach Mario Cristobal said.

UM hasn’t won a conference championship since moving into the ACC in 2003. Their five national championships in the 80s and 90s, however, ranks them as one of the best programs ever.

One of the team’s former coaches in the 80s, Jimmy Johnson, was in the stands Wednesday night showing support for the U. Cristobal, the current head coach, was one of Johnson’s players.

“Our guys have really worked hard at being a physical, violent bunch. And you know what? Coach Johnson!” Cristobal yelled to Johnson. “There you go, brother! There you go! Green Tree practice field! Let’s go. Wait for me. Don’t leave. Don’t leave. Don’t leave.”

They leaned on their foundation to beat the Texas A&M Aggies on Dec. 20. Wednesday night was no different. From the first quarter to the second, and from the start of the second half, all the way to the final few seconds, the program has proven they can do it all over again.

“Hey man, hard fought battle today, I don’t know what’s on my face, but man, oh man,” UM’s quarterback Carson Beck said. “It feels good to be a Hurricane, baby. Go Canes, let’s go.”

The win was a great start to 2026 for all Canes fans. The team is expected back home at the Coral Gables’ campus around 2 p.m. on Thursday. While the campus was calm early in the morning, 7News is expecting it to be another celebration when the team arrives.

They certainly were excited, as were a Pro Football Hall of Fame receiver and a former coach who won national championships with the Hurricanes.

Scott picked off a screen pass by Heisman Trophy finalist Julian Sayin, Carson Beck threw a touchdown pass and 10th-ranked Miami shocked the Buckeyes 24-14 on Wednesday night at the Cotton Bowl in the first College Football Playoff quarterfinal.

“I was full of emotions. … That was a pretty cool moment,” said Scott, who has TD returns on both of his interceptions this season. “Just having fun. … That’s what this team relies on, man, just going out there playing free and just having fun.”

The Hurricanes (12-2, CFP No. 10 seed) have won two playoff games to get into football’s final four after needing an at-large berth to make the 12-team field, after not even playing in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game. One more win and they will get to play for a national championship in their home stadium.

Next for Miami in coach Mario Cristobal’s fourth season is a CFP semifinal at the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 8 against No. 3 seed Georgia or No. 6 seed Ole Miss, the SEC teams in the Sugar Bowl on Thursday night.

There hasn’t been a national title for “The U” since 2001, when Cristobal was a standout offensive tackle for the Hurricanes and part of his second championship there. The Hurricanes were denied a repeat the following season with a double-overtime loss in the Fiesta Bowl to Ohio State, the only other time the teams met in a bowl — and the last Miami played in that game.

“It is 100% not about me. I’m part of their team, I’m a part of that family,” Cristobal said. “It is my obligation as a former Miami Hurricane player and all the things that Miami did for my brother and I to do my best to try to provide these guys with even better opportunities so they can fulfill all the great things they are destined for.”

Before receiver Michael Irvin and coach Jimmy Johnson were Super Bowl champions with the Dallas Cowboys, they were part of the Hurricanes’ 1987 national championship. Irvin excitedly ran down the sideline while Scott was scoring for a 14-0 lead, and Johnson was nearby when acknowledged by Cristobal during the on-field trophy presentation.

Now it’s third-ranked Ohio State (12-2, CFP No. 2 seed), which went into the game as a 9 1/2-point favorite according to BetMGM Sportsbook, that can’t win back-to-back national titles for the first time in program history.

The Buckeyes hadn’t played since a 13-10 loss to now-No. 1 Indiana in a Big Ten championship game matchup of undefeated teams on Dec. 6. They still got a first-round bye, then lost just like all four teams that went directly to the quarterfinal round in the inaugural 12-team playoff last season.

“We worked really hard during the last three weeks leading up to this game to come out of the gates and win the first quarter, win the first half, be ready to go,” Buckeyes coach Ryan Day said. “I think the guys bought into it. But at the end of the day, we didn’t get it done.”

Scott’s interception return came only 1:42 after Beck’s quick pass to Mark Fletcher Jr. out of the backfield for a 9-yard score.

Beck, who was part of Georgia’s national titles in 2021 and 2022 when Stetson Bennett was the starter, completed 19 of 26 passes for 138 yards.

When asked what stood out to him about these Hurricanes, Beck said, “Just the way that this team has responded to adversity. We knew coming into today that it wasn’t going to be easy.”

The TD throw to Fletcher, who also ran 19 times for 90 yards and was the game’s offensive MVP, was the seventh of 13 consecutive completions for Beck. That set a record in the Cotton Bowl, which was played for the 90th time.

Sayin, a freshman backup behind Will Howard for Ohio State’s championship run last season, was 22 of 35 for 287 yards with two interceptions and a TD to Jeremiah Smith. Sayin was sacked five times.

AP All-America receiver Smith, the Miami native, caught seven of those passes for 157 yards, including a 14-yard TD on a fourth down in the fourth quarter.

Carter Davis added a 49-yard field goal in the third quarter and ChaMar Brown ran for a 5-yard TD in the game’s final minute for the Hurricanes, whose 24 points were the most Ohio State gave up this season.

The takeaway

Miami: The Hurricanes have won six games in a row since an overtime loss Nov. 1 at SMU, less than 25 miles from AT&T Stadium, where the Cotton Bowl is played. They also made their CFP debut in the Lone Star State, winning 10-3 at No. 7 Texas A&M in the first round on Dec. 20.

Ohio State: All-America safety Caleb Downs, who started in the CFP for the third season in a row, became the first player to force two fumbles in a CFP game. … The Buckeyes had gone four consecutive quarters — the equivalent of a full game — until Bo Jackson’s 1-yard TD run to cap its opening drive of the second half.

Up next

Miami waits to see who it will play in the Fiesta Bowl. Ohio State is scheduled to open the the 2026 season at home against Ball State on Sept. 5.

Volunteers from both teams, cheerleaders and their mascots came together to assist the Green Haven Project with some gardening near 1160 Northwest Second Avenue as part of the Orange Bowl community service project.

It’s one of several Orange Bowl community service activities taking place in South Florida ahead of the big game between the Ducks and Red Raiders at Hard Rock Stadium, Thursday.

“The Orange Bowl committee does so much great work to make this event festive, but it’s also part of our DNA to try and give back and be part of the community, so it’s an honor to be able to have that opportunity,” said University of Oregon president Karl Scholz.

“This is exciting, too, to be able to get engaged and involved in the local community, and we really appreciate the University of Oregon’s invitation, this is a tradition that they began,” said Curt Langford, the senior vice president of the Texas Tech Alumni Association.

The Green Haven Project works to create community gardens and sustainable ecosystems in neighborhoods that lack access to fresh food.

City of Miami Police units responded to the area of 450 NE 77th St. following reports of a person floating in the canal, Wednesday morning.

William Vallenilla said he lives near Manatee Bend Park, where the body was found. He told 7News one of his neighbors was the one who first spotted the body in the water.

“One of our neighbors, who was out walking her dogs at Manatee Bend Park, told me that she found a dead body in the river here, Little River, and that it was like partially submerged, and then all of a sudden, like, we just saw all the fire trucks and all the fire rescue that were here, so I was, like, curious,” Vallenilla said. “I said, ‘I better go out and see what it is,’ you know? This is the first time anything like this, that I’ve known, that’s happened here at the park.”

Miami Police and Fire Rescue units were seen searching the water Wednesday morning before confirming that they found a body.

Police said the body appeared to be that of a Caucasian man, but details about the victim’s identity or condition were not immediately available.

Officials have not released information regarding the cause of death and said their investigation is ongoing.

As of early Wednesday afternoon, crews were working to remove the body from the water.

Devendra Persaud was arrested Tuesday afternoon near 84th Street and the beach. He was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, making death threats to law enforcement, resisting an officer without violence, and possession of an open container of alcohol, according to the arrest report.

According to police, a Miami Beach park ranger saw Persaud holding an open glass bottle of beer in public and confronted him about the violation, at which point Persaud threatened to break the bottle over the ranger’s head.

Officers responded to the scene and found Persaud on the beach carrying additional glass bottles, police said.

Authorities said that he refused commands to get on the ground and actively resisted as officers attempted to handcuff him. He was taken into custody after a brief struggle.

Persaud continued to act aggressively while being searched and transported, yelling profanities and threatening officers, including stating he would kill them, followed by “watch me,” according to the arrest report.

A pair of glass bottles were recovered as evidence, while another bottle used in the assault was thrown into nearby sea oats and not found, police said.

Persaud was arrested and transported to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in West Miami-Dade.

According to the report, he has previously made threats toward officers in other Miami Beach cases.

All across the region, celebrations are planned Wednesday, from Fort Lauderdale to Miami and even all the way down to the Florida Keys.

The Big Orange will rise in downtown Miami, it will be anchors away in Fort Lauderdale, and the shoe will drop in the Keys, as tens of thousands of revelers ring in 2026.

At Bayfront Park, the Big Orange — a 35-foot, 2,000-pound LED sculpture — will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a 400-foot rise to the top of the InterContinental Miami at midnight. The iconic “Mr. Neon” will begin its ascent at 6 p.m.

An estimated 100,000 people attended last year’s event at Bayfront Park in what organizers called the “biggest Hispanic New Year’s Eve gathering in the country.”

In true Miami fashion, South Florida didn’t wait for midnight to start the party.

There’s no better place than Miami to celebrate New Year’s, no better place. We had to be here,” said a woman.

Some came from across the world to celebrate in the 305.

“I’m from Zimbabwe. 20 hours in the plane,” said one woman.

The Miami skyline will be lit up by thousands of fireworks synchronized with music the second midnight strikes.

Great views aren’t the only thing partygoers will get to see at night.

Willy Chirino, Flo Rida, and Marshmello are all scheduled to perform Wednesday night.

“We’ve got a fusion of Latin hip hop, all the talent of South Florida is gonna be out here tonight,” said a man.

“I’m very excited to see Marshmello,” said a woman.

The crowds will have several bites available to eat as they enjoy the beats throughout the night.

All of the excitement will lead up to the moment everyone is waiting for.

“Two minutes ’til, we’ll raise it to the top,” said Steve Carpenter, the designer of the Big Orange.

The iconic orange will make its climb up the side of the InterContinental at 11:58 p.m. for everyone to begin counting down.

“It’s free to the public, so anybody and everybody can come down and see it and they have food trucks and they have bands, it’s amazing,” said Carpenter.

The party in downtown Miami is expected to carry on past midnight.

In downtown Fort Lauderdale, a 900-pound anchor made of steel and covered in 5,000 LED lights will slowly drop as the clock strikes midnight. The anchor was chosen to reflect the city as the marine capital of the world.

“We’re here to celebrate the New Year and say goodbye to the old year,” said Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis.

As with years past, kids got to start ringing in the New Year early in the afternoon.

“There’ll be activities for kids, there’ll be kiosks for food, it’s gonna be a great festival for everyone to enjoy,” said Trantalis.

“We’re gonna have a DJ on stage, we’ll have a bunch of inflatables over here in the park. We’re gonna have pony rides, petting zoos, face painting, arts and crafts,” said Todd Stilphen, the Fort Lauderdale community program manager.

The anchor lit up at 7 p.m. for those that need to be in bed before midnight.

As the night rolled in, the crowds grew and the excitement escalated.

For many visiting from out of state, the mild temperatures made for the perfect time to be outdoors for the countdown.

“This is the best place on earth, I guess, I don’t know,” said a tourist.

As for some of the youngest partygoers, they shared their New Year’s resolutions with 7News as they wait for the anchor to drop.

“I wanna learn to do times,” said one girl.

“Play outside more,” said another girl.

“Eat more veggies,” said a boy.

“I’m gonna practice skateboarding more often,” said another boy.

For anyone looking to head to downtown Fort Lauderdale, officials have Southwest Second Street closed between Southwest Fifth Avenue and Southwest First Avenue, with the surrounding streets restricted to local traffic.

“We’re gonna ring in the New Year, we’ll be safe, we’ll be happy and I hope we’ll be successful for everyone,” said Trantalis.

Officials also said there will be an enhanced police presence during the festivities to ensure everyone’s safety.

In the Keys, a giant red shoe will drop outside the Bourbon Street Pub on Duval Street. Year after year, a drag queen sits inside the supersized heel as a rowdy crowd of revelers gather on the street below.

No matter where you eventually decide to celebrate, officials say they just want you to do it safely.

“The best way to stay safe while celebrating New Year’s is by leaving the fireworks to the experts,” Miami-Dade Fire Rescue spokesperson Erika Benitez said. “If you decide to celebrate at home, only buy fireworks from approved vendors and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.”

First responders work to prevent many of the thousands of fireworks-related injuries and fires reported nationwide every year. One way they do this is by reminding revelers to wear protective eyewear, light fireworks on pavement, and keep water or a fire extinguisher nearby.

Better yet, they say, sit back and leave it to the professionals.

“Make sure that you have a sober adult, a sober, responsible adult who is in charge of discharging the fireworks. Make sure you’re shooting the fireworks off of a hard flat surface,” Dan Peart, the Director of Government Affairs for Phantom Fireworks, said. “I know a lot of people are shooting fireworks from their lawn. If it’s possible, you can lay down a piece of plywood to give yourself a hard flat surface, and again, you can brace the items in there if you’re shooting aerial fireworks.”

So, no matter how you decide to celebrate the New Year this year, be sure to do it safely and responsibly.

If you’re going to be outdoors, remember to bring a jacket as temperatures are forecasted to be in the 40s by the time the clock strikes midnight in some parts of South Florida.

The prime minister spent Wednesday morning meeting with evangelical leaders at his hotel before heading to the Shul of Bal Harbour, located at 9540 Collins Ave., to attend the event.

Netanyahu met with lawmakers, Jewish and community leaders, and local students at the event.

As a result, Collins Avenue was closed to vehicular and foot traffic between 93rd and 96th streets, with nearby streets also facing impacts, Surfside officials said.

Street parking was already off limits at 6 a.m., as police prepared to shut down the roadway; those closures began at around 10 a.m.

In preparation for the road closure, Surfside officials said, trucks started to be turned around by 86th and 87th streets at around 8 a.m.

7Skyforce hovered above bumper-to-bumper traffic along Collins Avenue near the synagogue, late Wednesday morning. Cars were forced to turn around as the roadway remained closed.

Some passersby who spoke with 7News were happy with Netanyahu’s appearance.

“Very excited to see, very nice to see him out and about this morning,” said Ben Garner. “A very exciting New Year’s Eve.”

“It is wonderful, it’s unbelievable, it’s a dream, and it seems like it’s going to be better for Israel ad better for Hamas,” said a man.

Some residents were not as happy to see the prime minister, as a group of pro Palestine supporters gathered to protest against Netanyahu.

Deputies broke up a small confrontation that broke out between demonstrators and supporters.

The high-profile visit comes just days after Netanyahu’s meeting with President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, which has since been characterized as a strong display of unity.

“There’s very little difference in what we’re looking at and where we want to be, where we want to go,” Trump said Monday.

During that meeting, the president vowed to rebuild Gaza “as quickly as we can,” but only if Hamas disarms.

“They’re going to be given a very short period of time to disarm, but if they don’t disarm — as they agreed to do, they agreed to it — then there’ll be hell to pay, for them, and we don’t want that,” said Trump.

Israeli officials maintained they won’t withdraw more troops from Gaza until Hamas demobilizes.

Trump pushed back when asked whether Netanyahu is stalling.

“Israel’s lived up to the plan, 100%,” he said.

Israeli media reported that Netanyahu is expected to fly back to Israel Thursday afternoon.

The roads around Surfside have since been reopened.

The Wilson and Lott families are now neighbors at new homes in Buena Vista. They were joined by Miami Commissioner Christine King and other city officials to commemorate the opening of the new affordable homes.

“Each of our families today are so deserving of this; they’ve worked so hard to get where they are today,” said King.

King joined the new homeowners to mark the completion of the homes in Miami.

“We have taken what was a vacant lot, overgrown, an eye sore in the city, and turned it into someone’s forever home,” said King.

These account for two of the six homes that have been built to date, with 16 more currently in development.

“Every week, me and my team meet to make sure these projects don’t go off the rails, and I’m happy to say there’s more to come,” said King.

Both families who moved into the new homes were all smiles throughout the day.

Shemeka Wilson, a chef and mother of three, said the emotions from the day were overwhelming.

At one point, she was choked up and embraced the commissioner as she reflected on her journey.

“It’s overwhelming because when my mom passed, I was young and I had a 2-year-old son, and I was homeless for awhile before, and I was moving around from family members to family members,” said Wilson.

For Patricia Lott, another new homeowner, she shared the moment with her family on the special day.

“This is the epitome of generational wealth,” Lott said. “Because today is my birthday and I’m turning 70.”

Lott, who works as a Miami-Dade County employee, was eternally grateful to be able to take in every moment.

“I’m just so happy to live this dream because this is definitely the American dream,” said Lott.

Both of the new homeowners qualified for assistance through Miami’s First-Time Homebuyer Program.

The Big Orange went for a test run, rising up the InterContinental Hotel ahead of its New Year’s ball drop, Wednesday night.

The annual South Florida tradition was inspired by the big ball drop in New York’s Times Square.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Big Orange celebration.

Steve Carpenter, the creator of the Big Orange who goes by Mr. Neon, said he’s blown away by how popular his creation has become over the years.

“What’s crazy is that people come here from all over the world and they’ve been here for 10 and 15 and 20 different times, you know, of their life, and it’s amazing that they come just to see the orange,” said Carpenter.

Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to view the event in downtown Miami at midnight on New Year’s Eve.

The surveillance video provided by Mitch Novick, the owner of the Sherbrooke Hotel, captured the desperate cries for help from a man after he was viciously attacked by someone, as well as his fiancée running away after, police said, she was sexually battered, at around 5 a.m. on Saturday.

“You heard a scream for help, two screams for help,” said Novick. “Followed by what appeared to be a naked woman exiting my neighbor’s property.”

Police said Novick’s security system captured the man they believe was responsible for committing the cruel acts.

“It was a heinous crime, very disturbing,” said Novick.

The suspect, identified as 28-year-old Alix Innocent, was later taken into custody.

The ordeal began that morning when, police said, a woman was walking home from a club with her fiancé near the 900 block of Ocean Drive.

That was when, detectives said, they were attacked by Innocent.

“Her fiancé was knocked out, left in a pool of blood, and she was forced to a nearby location, where she was sexually battered against her will,” said Miami Beach Police Officer Christopher Bess.

Police said another camera captured Innocent forcing the victim into a building at 918 Ocean Drive.

The victim is heard saying, “You’re going to kill me,” according to the arrest report. The man responded: “I’m not. Shut up! You’re going to listen, right?”

The victim then told police he forced her to go to the building’s rooftop and threatened to shoot her if she didn’t perform sex acts.

According to the report, the victim bit the man’s penis before running away.

That’s when, according to police, surveillance video captured Innocent leaving the building with an apparent limp while trying to track her down.

“I can confirm that that is our suspect. He tried to follow her, and he was apprehended the next day,” said Bess.

Innocent remains behind bars with no bond after he appeared before a judge, Monday.

“There’s probable cause for armed sexual battery. Count two, there’s probable cause for kidnapping. Both counts, no bond,” said Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Mindy S. Glazer.

Investigators said they managed to identify Innocent after he posted an Instagram story bragging about knocking a man out on Ocean Drive.

“Our subject bragged about this on his Instagram stories,” said Bess.

Authorities said Innocent was wearing the same outfit he had on in the surveillance footage and had a backpack filled with marijuana and mushrooms when he was taken into custody.

Officials said Innocent was out on probation and had an active warrant in Broward County.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue officials reminded families to celebrate responsibly, particularly regarding the handling of fireworks.

Proper usage and handling of fireworks can prevent injuries, according to officials.

“The best way to celebrate New Year’s is by leaving the fireworks to the experts, if you decide to celebrate at home, only buy fireworks from approved vendors and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.” said Erika Benitez from Miami Fire Rescue.

Fire Rescue officials recommended to wear protective eyewear, keep water or a fire extinguisher nearby and to light fireworks on paved surfaces.

They also stressed that children should never handle fireworks, even sparklers.

“Sparklers, which are often considered harmless, can burn up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, and it can cause serious burns.” said Benitez. “This temperature is strong enough to melt metals, imagine what it can do to your children’s eyes and hands.”

Meanwhile, the fireworks industry is preparing for a busy few days as the countdown to the end of the year approaches.

“New Year’s is traditionally the second busiest time of the year, the first obviously being the Fourth of July, but specifically in the warm weather states and Florida, especially, it is a very big season for us.” said Dan Peart, director of government affairs of Phantom Fireworks

Peart echoed fire officials’ message on the importance of handling fireworks responsibly.

“Make sure you have a sober adult, a sober, responsible adult who’s in charge of discharging the fireworks. Make sure you’re shooting the fireworks from a hard, flat surface, I know a lot of people are shooting fireworks from their lawn. If it’s possible, you can lay down a piece of plywood to give yourself a hard flat surface, and, again, you can brace the items in there if you’re shooting aerial fireworks.”

As the clock ticks closer to midnight, officials said that a bit of preparation can go a long way.

For more safety tips, visit the Miami Dade County safety tips page on fireworks.

Miami Hurricanes fans who were heading on a flight to Dallas to see the Miami Hurricanes face off against the Ohio State Buckeyes on New Year’s Eve found out that their flight, Frontier Flight 2675, was canceled two hours before takeoff.

One Canes fan who spoke with 7News said she found out about the cancellation while she and her husband were in line to get their bags tagged.

She said they felt helpless and had to scramble to figure out what happened with Frontier officials.

She went on to say officials gave them a card with a QR code, and that the next flight that was offered would land a day after the Cotton Bowl ended.

In a statement shared with 7News, a spokesperson with Frontier Airlines wrote:

“Several earlier disruptions across our network, including [air traffic control] constraints, reduced our available crew in Miami and necessitated the cancellation of this flight to comply with safety and regulatory guidelines.”

Another fan who spoke with 7News said she was very upset.

“Distraught, because, I mean, you have this sense of excitement that you’re going to see this bucket list type event,” she said. “It’s a college bowl game, so you’re hyped, you’re excited for the game, but then you get here and then automatically, it’s almost as if the rug has been pulled from underneath you, you know. It’s shock, it’s borderline desperation, because you’re trying to figure out what you’re gonna do.”

That fan did manage to book another flight heading to Texas through Delta.

A picture shared by that fan showed her onboard the flight packed with several other Canes fans. They are still heading for Dallas through connecting flights, while other Canes fans have canceled their trip entirely due to the issues from Frontier.

Frontier officials said they are offering refunds along with a $100 voucher for future travel for the passengers, as well as the option of rebooking the flight with another airline.

Cell phone video captured smoke billowing into the sky above a home near Northeast Fifth Avenue and 177th Street in North Miami Beach, Tuesday morning.

The homeowner, Bernie Jadotte, spoke with 7News, saying he had just left the home a few minutes before the fire happened.

“I was doing house cleaning for the New Year’s, I stepped out for a few minutes to go to the Home Depot, five minutes later, 10 minutes later, I get a call, they say there’s smoke in my house. By the time I come inside, the whole house is on fire,” said Jadotte.

7Skyforce soared above the scene as smoke poured out of a large hole in the roof while firefighters battled the blaze.

Jadotte could be seen visibly distraught on the sidewalk outside of the home.

While the rest of Jadotte’s family members managed to escape unharmed, the family’s pet dog did not survive.

“I mean, it’s the worst way to start the New Year’s but at least my mom and my brothers are safe. My dog, he passed away,” said Jadotte.

Jadotte said the house is also a total loss after flames ravaged the inside.

The Red Cross is assisting the family as they figure out their next move.

“We’re gonna figure something. I’m gonna get some help, I’m gonna figure something out,” said Jadotte. “We’ll work it out.”

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue is investigating what caused the fire.

According to Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the Public Storage Facility near Northwest 108th Street and Seventh Avenue after receiving reports of a possible grenade.

Upon arrival, deputies confirmed there was a grenade and evacuated the surrounding areas as they waited for bomb squad units.

The bomb squad units determined the grenade was inert and posed no danger.

Officials have since given the all clear.

Authorities said 45-year-old Erik Martin was driving under the influence when he got into a traffic crash involving a garbage truck near Northwest 72nd Avenue and 47th Street.

An officer who was asking Martin questions following the crash said he appeared disoriented and his speech was slurred.

Martin was charged with DUI causing damage to a property or person.

He has since posted his $2,000 bond and is now out of jail.

That was Texas Tech’s path.

That was also Oregon’s path.

Numbers-wise, Texas Tech and Oregon have basically been mirroring images of one another this season. They’re both 12-1, neither has lost since mid-October, both have top-10 scoring offenses, both have top-10 scoring defenses … the similarities go on and on and on.

The Red Raiders ( No. 4 AP, No. 4 CFP) and Ducks (No. 5 AP, No. 5 CFP) will square off in the Orange Bowl on New Year’s Day in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals, with the winner headed to the national semifinals at the Peach Bowl next week against either Indiana or Alabama.

“Everybody knows the stakes,” Oregon coach Dan Lanning said. “These are moments that you’re excited to get to go be a part of.”

There are no shortage of numbers that have one team looking a lot like the other. Points per game, it’s Texas Tech 42.5 and Oregon 39.2. Points allowed per game, it’s Texas Tech 10.9 and Oregon 16.3. Yards per game, it’s Texas Tech 480 and Oregon 469. Yards allowed per game, it’s Texas Tech 254 and Oregon 271. Yards allowed per play, it’s Texas Tech 3.96 and Oregon 4.36.

“How lucky are we? And that’s not a question, but man, a statement of gratitude,” Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire said. “You know, if you had told my 13-year-old self that I’m getting ready to coach on January 1st in the Orange Bowl at 11 a.m. Central time, man, I would have probably never believed it. So, I’m just so fortunate and grateful that we get to do this and man, we’re excited.”

It could be argued that this is already the best season in Texas Tech history, with a school record for wins and a strong likelihood that the Red Raiders will finish the year 10th or better in the final AP Top 25 for the first time.

Clearly, they are aiming for much more.

“It’s more of an internal thing for us to push through and try to be the best that we can no matter what the outside voices say,” star Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez said. “If they say that we’re the best, we’ll try to play the best. If they say we’re the worst, we’ll try to play the best.”

Oregon quarterback Dante Moore said after the Ducks’ win over James Madison in Round 1 of the CFP that this has been the longest season of his life — now 14 games and counting, with the potential of two more after this one.

And he’s not complaining.

“I feel like with this team, we were very young at the beginning of the year, but we’ve had a lot of experience,” Moore said. “We’ve been pushing each other every day.”

Playing early

Texas Tech will be playing for the sixth time this season in a game starting at noon Eastern, or 11 a.m. Central. The Red Raiders are 5-0 in those games this season.

“I started saying we’re the best 11 o’clock team in the country,” McGuire said.

It’s the second noon Eastern — or 9 a.m. Pacific — game for Oregon. The Ducks beat Northwestern 34-14 on Sept. 13 in the other early kick they had this season.

And obviously, both teams have been in South Florida for a few days — plenty of time to acclimate to time changes.

Among the best

The game features some of college football’s active career leaders in a few different statistical categories at the FBS level.

Oregon’s Dillon Thieneman leads all active players in solo tackles per game over a career (4.78), while Texas Tech’s 1-2 defensive punch of Rodriguez and David Bailey are also on the active leader lists.

Rodriguez is second in forced fumbles among active FBS players (13), while Bailey is third in forced fumbles (10) and third in sacks (28).

Something will give?

A good rule for the Orange Bowl: 35 points is typically enough. And these two teams make scoring 35 points look easy at times.

Teams that score 35 or more points in the Orange Bowl are 24-1 all-time. The exception was Jan. 3, 2014, when Clemson beat Ohio State 40-35.

The average score of an Orange Bowl to this point: 28-14.

The series

This could have been the third consecutive season where Oregon and Texas Tech met on the field. They played in 2023 and were scheduled to again last season — but altered those plans so Oregon could continue its annual rivalry game with Oregon State.

The 2024 game was moved to the 2033 season.

Explosive plays

Another numerical similarity: Big plays.

Oregon has 91 plays for 20 or more yards this season, the most in the country. The No. 2 team on that list? Texas Tech, with 90 such plays.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units responded to a call of a house fire in the area of Northeast Fifth Avenue and 177th Street, just before 10:45 a.m. on Tuesday.

Crews arrived at the scene to find smoke billowing from the residence.

Firefighters were able to successfully get the fire under control.

No injuries were reported.

Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the scene of the crash at Southwest 68th Street and 142nd Avenue in Kendall Lakes, at around 3:45 a.m. on Tuesday.

Responding deputies located a single vehicle that had hit a wall and burst into flames.

Deputies said the three victims, between the ages of 15 and 17, were out of the car by the time they arrived on the scene.

The car fire was quickly extinguished.

Paramedics with Miami-Dade Fire Rescue transported the juveniles to a local hospital in stable condition.

The car was later towed from the scene. Detectives have yet to release what caused the crash.

Officials said the blaze broke out inside the building, located near Northwest First Street and Eighth Avenue, Monday afternoon.

Upon arrival, Miami Fire Rescue units found heavy smoke and flames pouring out of a second-floor unit.

Crews extinguished the blaze but determined four units were uninhabitable.

In total, officials said, nine adults, one infant and a cat were displaced due to the fire.

The American Red Cross is assisting the affected residents.

No injuries were reported.

Officials are investigating the cause of the fire.

The NHL — as part of the celebrations planned for the Winter Classic game between the Florida Panthers and New York Rangers at loanDepot Park, home of baseball’s Miami Marlins — is going to make snow fall at the ballpark.

How it’ll happen, well, the NHL is keeping some of the exact details surrounding the plan quiet. But some fans are going to get at least a few flakes headed their way.

“You may get snowed on,” Steve Mayer, the NHL’s president for events and content, said Monday in what essentially was a message to the more than 30,000 fans who are expected for the game. It’ll be the first time the NHL plays an outdoor game in Florida.

The rink is built, the ice is down — still being worked on, of course — and the ballpark feels about 20 degrees chillier than usual, which is by obvious design. The sets are still being built in some cases, but all will be ready when the teams come in for practices on Thursday.

“This is a show,” Mayer said. “There’s a hockey game that goes on, and that is so important. I mean, this is a big game. Panthers-Rangers, you know, when we’re in April, this could be a game that could determine whether a team makes the playoffs or not. But we also know that people are here for an experience, for something different, and we’re going to give it to them — and we’re going to have some fun along the way.”

Which brings us back to snow.

Officially, it hasn’t snowed in Miami since 1977. There were some unconfirmed reports of a few flakes in the air in South Florida in 2010, and the temperature on Friday means the snow won’t be courtesy of Mother Nature. Forecasters expect the temperature in the area of the retractable roof stadium to be in the upper 50s by game time for Panthers-Rangers.

But inside the stadium, with plans for the roof to be open for the game, it’ll be a scene for all seasons. The NHL — which was getting the logos and lines onto the ice Monday — is planning to have everything from beach chairs to a lifeguard shack and palm trees as part of the backdrop for the game, with some nods to winter as well.

Some entertainers will be in parkas, some in swim wear.

“We’ve designed it so that winter meets summer — or let’s go the opposite way, here in Florida, summer meets winter,” Mayer said. “Fire, ice, hot, cold, all of the thematics that you would think. So, half the field is going to be a Miami beach … and the other side is as if a huge snowstorm has hit Miami. That’s the dynamic that we’re going to have fun with throughout the game.”

As people across South Florida prepare to ring in the new year, Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz joined deputies to spread the message to protect the community this holiday season.

“I’m here to talk about the serious issue that’s killed too many in our community. Celebratory gunfire on New Year’s Eve,” said Cordero-Stutz.

Authorities are hoping the message will ensure residents can enjoy the end of year festivities safely.

“This is a season of celebration, a time for family, friends and neighbors together safely. Remember: one bullet can end that celebration. Let’s keep Miami-Dade safe,” said Cordero-Stutz.

The same reckless behavior, Cordero-Stutz said, was responsible for the death of 10-year-old Yaneliz Munguia while she and her family were celebrating New Year’s Eve at the end of 2024.

“We have felt this pain here at home, during the most recent New Year’s Eve celebration. Yaneliz Munguia, a little girl of 10 years of age, lost her life in Northwest Miami-Dade,” she said.

Cordero-Stutz also said MDSO will be stepping up their efforts on patrols during the holiday season.

“We will have high-visibility patrols, we will use all available technology to detect gunfire and respond immediately,” said Cordero-Stutz.

Miami-Dade’s top cop said anybody who does fire off celebratory gunshots could face steep consequences, including being locked behind bars.

“It is a crime to discharge a weapon in public. It obviously will matter, the situation, the totality of the situation, how it occurs, but they can be facing anything from fines to time in jail,” said Cordero-Stutz.

She also has a message to any residents who witness others firing off celebratory gunshots in the air.

“If at all possible, get under cover. ‘Cause that’s a first, what goes up must come down,” said Cordero-Stutz. “If you see or hear someone firing into the air, call us. Dial 911. Do not wait, do not assume someone else is going to report it. Lives are at stake.”

The sheriff also said a bullet that’s fired into the air can travel up to three miles in any direction, more than enough to cross over city and county lines before it comes back down.

Cherfilus-McCormick was scheduled to be arraigned, but her attorney requested the proceeding be rescheduled to Jan. 20 so that she could finalize her legal team. Prosecutors didn’t object, and Judge Lisette Reid agreed to the new date. The hearing lasted less than five minutes.

“I just want to make it very clear that I am innocent,” Cherfilus-McCormick said immediately after leaving court. “In no way did I steal any kind of funds. I’m committed to the people of Florida and my district.”

Cherfilus-McCormick, a Democrat, has pleaded not guilty. She is facing 15 federal counts that accuse her of stealing funds that had been overpaid to her family’s health care company, Trinity Healthcare Services, in 2021. The company had a contract to register people for COVID-19 vaccinations.

Cherfilus-McCormick’s attorney, David Oscar Markus, said the case involves mistakes that generally aren’t even misdemeanors, let alone felonies. He said he believes the case is politically motivated.

Cherfilus-McCormick was arrested in November and then freed on a $60,000 bond. In addition to bail, the judge said Cherfilus-McCormick must surrender her personal passport, and is allowed to travel only between Florida, Washington, D.C., Maryland and the Eastern District of Virginia.

She has been allowed to retain her congressional passport so she can perform certain duties for her job.

According to the federal indictment, prosecutors said that within two months of receiving the funds in 2021, more than $100,000 had been spent on a 3-carat yellow diamond ring for the congresswoman.

The health care company owned by Cherfilus-McCormick’s family had received payments through a COVID-19 vaccination staffing contract, the indictment said. Her brother, Edwin Cherfilus, requested $50,000, but they mistakenly received $5 million and didn’t return the difference.

Prosecutors said the funds received by Trinity Healthcare were distributed to various accounts, including to friends and relatives who then donated to Cherfilus-McCormick’s campaign for Congress.

Cherfilus-McCormick won a special election in January 2022 to represent Florida’s 20th District, which includes parts of Broward and Palm Beach counties, after Rep. Alcee Hastings died in 2021.

The charges she faces include theft of government funds; making and receiving straw donor contributions; aiding and assisting a false and fraudulent statement on a tax return; money laundering, as well as conspiracy charges associated with each of those counts.

According to a previous statement provided by Cherfilus-McCormick’s chief of staff, she doesn’t plan to resign from office. She said she has cooperated with “every lawful request” and will continue to do so until the matter is resolved.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and Florida Highway Patrol units were dispatched to the scene of the crash, just after noon Monday.

According to FHP, the driver of the truck failed to negotiate the curve and drove off the roadway and onto a grassy embankment, where it overturned

Paramedics checked out one adult patient at the scene and transported them by ground to an area hospital with minor injuries.

The exit ramp closed for most of the afternoon and evening, but late Monday night it reopened.

DeKalb County resident Roxy Barlow was still in bed when she heard an awful noise.

“I woke up to this sound like a failing engine — sort of like a whoooong, brrrr — and I thought, ‘Oh, is there a truck accident?’ Because you can hear the freeway now,” she said.

Barlow said more noises quickly followed.

“But then I jumped up, ’cause I heard this crashing — you know, like a whooong, pssh — and I could hear crackling of trees,” she said. “I jumped up, and I saw trees wavering.”

Barlow walked outside and saw a small plane had crashed between two houses.

DeWitt King Jr., who lives in the green house seen with a tree limb over the front door, said he was at church when someone called to say a plane had just crashed next to the house where he’s lived for 42 years.

“A little scary. Scary, yeah. Um, blessed, really, that that it didn’t get no worse than it is,” said King.

DeKalb County Battallion Fire Chief Kevin Cavanaugh said two people were flying a twin-propeller Beechcraft from Miami Executive Airport to the county-owned DeKalb-Peachtree Airport. They were just a couple of miles from the runway when the plane had engine trouble.

“They decided they were gonna try to ground it. They hit the pine trees about 80 or 90 feet up and basically stopped at the trees and landed straight down, in between two houses. No structures involved,” said Cavanaugh.

Cavanaugh said the two people on board were taken to the hospital but are expected to be OK. He even talked with them before they were transported.

“Considering the conditions, they seemed like they were in good shape for what they’ve been through,” he said.

In a statement issued Monday, a spokesperson for the Federal Aviation Administration wrote:

A Beechcraft B90 crashed in a residential area near DeKalb-Peachtree Airport in Georgia around 9:35 a.m. local time on Sunday, Dec. 28. Two people were on board. The FAA will investigate.

According to investigators, Lonnel Brinson did not slow down past the Florida Highway Patrol and Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office vehicles near Northwest 58th Street on the Turnpike, Saturday morning. The suspect, 28, swerved as he tried to avoid the crash and struck MDSO Deputy Leonard Cantave.

Authorities said Cantave was on his way to work on Saturday when he heard a dispatch call about a crash and stopped to help troopers at the scene.

That is when, officials said, Brinson struck the deputy. Deputies said the suspect stayed at the scene of the crash.

Cantave, a 20-year law enforcement veteran, was airlifted to HCA Florida Kendall Hospital, where he underwent surgery. Officials later confirmed he was recovering.

“We’re just hoping and praying that he can see his way through this situation,” Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office Assistant Sheriff Eric Garcia said at a press conference following the accident.

According to his arrest report, Brinson had admitted to consuming alcohol and marijuana before the crash. He had also been driving with a suspended license.

Brinson was taken to jail and charged with one count of felony reckless driving causing serious injury.

Back at the scene of the crash, Florida Highway Patrol assisted with traffic control as the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office investigated. All lanes of the Turnpike were reopened later in the day.

Authorities urge drivers to slow down and move over when approaching emergency scenes.

“We cannot stress enough how important it is to our motorists, when they’re driving, and they’re approaching a traffic scene, to slow down and to move over, in order to prevent these types of incidents,” Garcia said.

“Our deputy is currently still in ICU, but in stable condition. He has a very long recovery, but we are very grateful that that is what we’re talking about: a recovery,” Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero Stutz said.

Brinson bonded out of jail on Sunday and is expected back in court in February. Cantave remains in stable condition as of Monday morning.

According to investigators, the deputy involved received an alert about a vehicle theft in Northwest Miami-Dade, just before 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Some time later, authorities said, the deputy located the vehicle and tried to pull over the motorist at the intersection of Northwest 95th Street and 17th Avenue.

Miami-Dade County Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz discussed the incident at a news conference held Monday morning.

“[The deputy] initiated the traffic stop, and I know that that’s what preempted the entire situation,” she said.

As the deputy approached the vehicle, detectives said, an argument broke out, forcing the deputy to shoot out the car.

The driver fled the scene, investigators said, The vehicle was found nearby with a gun inside shortly after, but the subject was nowhere to be found.

Back at the scene of the traffic stop, just steps from Miami Central Senior High School, 7News cameras captured a heavy law enforcement presence, with part of the roadway closed off while crime scene investigators combed the scene for clues.

The deputy involved was not hurt as a result of this altercation. It’s unclear whether or not the subject was injured.

“At this time, it’s still a pretty ongoing investigation. The subject is at large,” said Cordero-Stutz.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has taken over the investigation into this deputy-involved shooting.

If you have any information on this shooting or the subject’s whereabouts, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.

City of Miami Police units responded to a traffic crash that involved a bicyclist hitting a car, Sunday.

Paramedics with Miami Fire Rescue transported the victim to Ryder Trauma Center in critical condition.

The incident is currently under investigation, and the driver of the vehicle is cooperating with police.

According to City of Miami Police, officers responded to the scene of the incident along the 1800 block of Southwest Third Court, just after 11:50 p.m. on Saturday.

Responsing officers arrived to find the victim suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.

Paramedics with Miami Fire Rescue transported the patient was to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center, where she succumbed to her injuries.

Detectives said the woman does not appear to have been the intended target. Her identity is being withheld until further notice.

The day was fun and full of excitement for all who attended.

“Riding, and eating, and drinking,” said Azaryah Bryant, a student who travelled to the park.

The visit to the park was provided through the Embrace Girls Foundation, an organization which provides tutoring, mentoring, and other services to elementary and middle school aged girls in both Broward and Miami-Dade Counties, as well as fun outings like this one.

“This is what we are all about. It makes my heart feel so warm and happy, and overjoyed to see all these families so happy,” said Kayla Marino Lawrence, from the Embrace Girls Foundation.

The group got to explore the park, ride the rollercoasters, see the candy cane arches and cars, and hit the food stands at South Florida’s newest holiday tradition.

“Embrace does so many good activities, we love hanging out and having a good time in our group,” said Jessica Dean, a parent of one of the children in the group.

The park is open through January 4th, with tickets available here.

7News proudly partnered with the Embrace Girls Foundation to sponsor tickets for the children and families to visit the park.

The fire broke out at the Miami Beach Marina at 300 Alton Road, with smoke covering the area.

Miami Beach Fire officials stated that crews from the Miami Beach Fire Department are working to put out the fire, with the call being received at 8:10 a.m. City of Miami Fire Rescue and Miami-Dade Fire rescue teams are also on the scene.

The cause of the fire is unknown, and under investigation by officials.

The deputy was attempting to assist Florida Highway Patrol officials with a crash when he was hit by a sedan on the northbound lanes of the Turnpike.

FHP officials stated that the incident happened near the Florida Turnpike at Northwest 58th Street.

“This morning, one of our deputies was struck by a vehicle while assisting Florida Highway Patrol on the scene of a traffic crash,” said Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office Assistant Sheriff Eric Garcia.

In a post on X, MDSO officials stated that the incident had closed all northbound lanes of the Florida Turnpike at Northwest 41st Street to 74th Street, but that southbound lanes were open. Officials stated at the time that drivers should avoid the area and seek alternate routes. The northbound lanes of the Florida Turnpike were opened later in the day.

According to Miami Dade Sheriff’s Deputy officials on Instagram, at 7 a.m. a MDSO deputy stopped on the Turnpike near NW 74 Street to assist FHP officials in a traffic crash, but was struck by a vehicle. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue transported the deputy to HCA Florida Kendall Hospital in critical condition, and the driver of the vehicle remained on scene.

“We’re just hoping and praying that he can see his way through this situation. We cannot stress enough how important it is to our motorists, when they’re driving, and they’re approaching a traffic scene, to slow down and to move over, in order to prevent these types of incidents,” said Garcia.

Fellow officers arrived at the hospital to support the injured deputy. The deputy has undergone surgery, and remains in critical but stable condition.

“Although we remain cautiously hopeful, this is very serious, and we ask everyone for prayers for the deputy, as well as the family, and the officers,” said Garcia.

Florida Highway Patrol is investigating, and no charges have been announced against the driver who hit the deputy.

A video posted by OnlyInDade captured the large reptile passing through Wilfredo Santana’s front yard near Southwest 99th Place and 11th Street.

7News spoke with Santana, who was shocked to see how close the animal got to his home.

“I was working, I saw him through the cameras. That’s a big animal,” Santana said in Spanish.

Nearby residents called 911 to report the wild animal.

A short time later, officers for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission showed up to wrangle the reptile.

The video goes on to show officers moving in as they worked to corral the gator. The gator manages to spin around several times before officers get it under control.

Not long after, the officers have the gator subdued and secured with tape.

Neighbors said even though there’s a lake nearby, they’d never seen an alligator walking through the area like that.

“More than 40 years I’ve been living here and I’ve never seen one of those but there is a lake back there,” said Santana in Spanish.

The FWC says there are about 1.3 million alligators across all 67 counties in Florida.

Santana told 7News this particular gator posed a real risk, especially to kids and elderly residents.

“It’s a danger, it’s a danger because that is a big animal,” he said in Spanish.

Officials are also reminding all residents that an alligator is considered a nuisance if it’s more then 4 feet long and a threat to people and pets. If anyone has concerns about an alligator in their area, they can call the FWC’s Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 1-866-392-4286.

Teams got to work in preparing the big orange, a 35-foot, 2,000-pound LED sculpture to make its climb to the top of the InterContinental hotel when the clock strikes midnight in New Year’s Day in downtown Miami.

The annual tradition has been going strong for nearly 40 years, becoming a staple in South Florida’s celebration tradition.

“We’ve had an amazing run. It works every year, once in awhile we had a little snafu, where we had to bring it down, maybe a transformer went out, put a transformer and take it back up, but it’s worked for 39 years,” said Steve Carpenter, the owner of Mr. Neon.

Carpenter is the mastermind behind the one-of-a-kind New Year’s Eve icon.

“It’s unbelievable, when I first built it and designed it to fit this building, I never dreamed it would be going this long, it’s unbelievable,” said Carpenter.

The neon orange returns with a refreshed look and upgraded lighting effects.

Crews got to work in performing test runs for the Big Orange several days before the big countdown begins.

“We like to put it on the building four or five days early just in case we have any problems. So instead of putting it up the day before, that way, it gives us four or five days if we have a bad piece of neon,” said Carpenter.

The Big Orange will soon brighten the Miami skyline as many residents count down the final seconds of 2025.

The annual celebration has steadily grown as people spend the night cheering and celebrating.

“Now we get 100,000 plus people and it’s amazing,” said Carpenter.

Organizers have promised a dazzling show this year, including entertainment, food trucks and family-friendly activities throughout the night.

“They say, ‘When it’s 12:00, it’s New Year’s.’ I go, ‘No, it’s not New Year’s until I say it’s New Year’s,'” said Carpenter.

During the New Year’s celebration, Miami’s new mayor, Eileen Higgins, will reward Carpenter with a key to the city for the decades of work he has put into the Big Orange.

“This is something that is causing a lot of injuries to a lot of kids,” said Doctor Patricio Lau, a pediatric trauma surgeon.

Several doctors from Nicklaus Children’s Hospital are hoping some parents consider putting the brakes on e-bikes and electric scooters, which they say have led to a sharp increase in emergency room visits over the last year.

“We have double the number of patients that we have seen over the last year and so far in the first three-quarters of the year, we saw 40 patients already coming in quite severe. Injuries that we have seen range from little scrapes and bruises to very severe injuries, such as multiple broken bones, internal organ damage and in some cases, punctured lungs,” said Lau.

The hospital’s trauma team said one of the most concerning increases in visits was from patients between the ages of 8 and 16.

E-bikes and electric scooters are considered vehicles in the state of Florida, which is why hospital leaders are urging parents to ensure kids have a lot of experience before riding one.

“Children must master regular bikes and conventional scooter riding before they can go ahead and jump into these higher classified velocity vehicles,” said community outreach injury prevention coordinator Malvina Duncan.

Doctors also have several tips for parents.

They said supervision is critical, along with age-appropriate devices, helmets and giving your child clear rules about where and how to ride.

They also stressed to keep an eye out for the hot batteries on these e-bikes and scooters.

“We want to make sure to avoid burns,” said Duncan.

Doctors recommend making sure kids understand how fast cars can go and not to underestimate them if they need to cross a street.

“In just a matter of seconds, they can be approaching your vehicle,” said Duncan.

As the holiday season continues, trauma specialists say awareness and prevention can make the difference between a joyful gift and a trip to the emergency room.

“With the holidays and everything else coming up and more kids getting this as a present, we will probably see an increase in patients getting hurt from this,” said Lau.

Experts also suggested kids should not be riding these vehicles at night and to avoid busy roads.

Willie Albert Gibbs was recovered in good health and was reunited with his family, according to Miami Dade Sheriff’s Office officials.

According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to reports of a person being shot in the area of Southwest 67th Avenue and 13th Terrace at approximately 10:30 a.m., Friday.

Upon arrival, deputies found a woman suffering from a gunshot wound.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue transported the injured woman to a local hospital in critical, but stable condition.

Authorities say they detained a man but no arrests have been made.

7Skyforce captured several MDSO cruisers blocking off the area around noon.

The investigation is ongoing.

Please check back on WSVN.com and 7News for more details on this developing story.

Smoke could be seen pouring out of the building at Northwest 91st Street and 87th Avenue, late Friday morning.

Nearby buildings were evacuated as a precaution.

According to officials, the flames have been brought under control.

However, hazmat units and Medley Police were called to the scene.

It remains unclear whether or not anyone was hurt.

According to Miami Beach Police, Christopher Pike shattered the front glass at Fleisch 41, located off West 41st Street, in the early hours of Christmas Eve.

Surveillance video captured the suspect, 45, covering up the shattered glass before entering the deli, and that’s where, police said, they found him behind the counter.

Now detectives have linked Pike to a separate incident that took place moments earlier on Chase Avenue, at Temple Beth Sholom.

That related incident has led to the criminal mischief charges being upgraded to a hate crime.

The deli shop sustained over $7,000 in damages.

Pike remains in custody.

Traffic cameras captured the front cab of the 18-wheeler fully engulfed in flames near Northwest 79th Street, just before 5:55 a.m. on Friday.

About a half hour later, another traffic camera captured all southbound lanes shut down.

According to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, crews responded to the scene of the blaze and used foam to douse the flames. City of Miami Fire Rescue crews also responded to assist.

A third traffic camera captured southbound traffic at a standstill near Northwest 95th Street.

The truck was left charred from the intense heat. It remains unknown whether or not anyone was injured.

All lanes have since reopened, but southbound traffic remained congested for hours.

It’s unclear what sparked the fire.