Water surrounded a block of homes and apartments in the area of A1A and Oklahoma Street, prompting crews to shut down two southbound lanes, Friday morning.

Drivers were forced to maneuver around the street closures as officials investigated the situation.

Officials say the break impacted nine homes.

Cell phone video from Thursday night captured water gushing out like a geyser.

A man who lives nearby told 7News he stepped outside to see the water spraying out.

“I came outside, I don’t remember what time but there was, like, a geyser in the middle of the road and shortly after that, we lost the water and it’s been off ever since,” he said.

Beyond just the impacted homes, some tourists are now unable to reach their hotel nearby with their cars, forcing them to pay to park elsewhere as crews continued to work on repairs, Friday afternoon.

“It is a very big inconvenience, yes. We can’t have access to the parking lot so I don’t know what’s gonna happen tonight,” said Patricia. “We’re leaving tomorrow morning anyways.”

Hollywood Mayor Josh Levy said there was no construction going on in the area at the time and that a broken valve triggered the break. He said the valve was previously installed decades ago with non-stainless steel bolts that corroded over time leading up to the burst.

While those repairs were made, the surrounding residents faced a major inconvenience with no water for hours.

“Huge, ’cause we’re renting so we don’t even, I mean, we can’t even get ahold of the landlord and we’re just trying to figure out when it’s gonna come back on,” a local area resident said.

City officials say that while the valve issue is fixed for now, there was also damage to other parts of the water system, which will require more repair work.

A Precautionary Boil Water Advisory has been issued directly to the nine impacted residential properties on A1A, meaning those customers should not consume water without boiling it first until further notice.

Officials advise that all water for consumption be brought to a boil and then left to continue boiling for one minute, and only boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, making coffee and for food preparation.

As of Friday night, water has begun flowing again but crews still have the area blocked off to traffic. City leaders say the damage to other parts of the water system will require more expansive repair work that is set to begin on Monday.

Fort Lauderdale Police units responded to a call of a possible shooting late Wednesday night at 17 South Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard, at around 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

Upon their arrival, officers located the victim suffering from a gunshot wound.

Officers secured the scene, and tactical medical aid was immediately given to the teen, who was later identified as Joshua Gipson Jr.

Cellphone video captured the moment panic spread, as witnesses ran for cover.

“That’s real deal, better get down,” a man is heard saying in the video.

Jeff Saylor told 7News he heard gunshots ring out.

“I heard another shot, a couple of shots, I believe about five total,” said Saylor.

Investigators said someone began shooting outside the CVS pharmacy in the Beach Place complex.

Some witnesses recognized that the popping sounds weren’t fireworks going off in the sky.

“And I said, ‘That’s not fireworks,'” said Bob McDonald, another witness. “It scared the heck out of me.”

Guests at a nearby hotel even received a text message from the building’s management warning them to stay indoors.

“It was alarming, right, because you don’t know what’s going on, you know. In this day and age, you don’t know what it is or what it could be,” said Chris Pate.

Paramedics with Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue promptly transported Gipson, who had just turned 17, as a trauma alert to Broward Health Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries.

The teen’s grieving father, Joshua Gipson Sr., said his son was out with friends when he believes the teen was caught in the crossfire.

“He was doing the right thing, he didn’t have no problems,” he said. “An innocent bystander. Some people were arguing when the shooting started and he got shot.”

One witness who did not wish to be identified told 7News the shooting appeared to happen after two people got into an argument, but authorities have not made any conclusions.

“A guy, he just passed away right there, he just got shot,” said the witness. “I’m 18 years old, and I saw him, he was 17 years old, and it just broke my heart seeing that.”

“I just hate it happened,” said a longtime friend of the teen who did not wish to be identified.

The elder Gipson said his son was a football player for several South Florida high school teams and planned to attend Virginia Tech.

“He made good choices in life, you know what I’m saying? He wasn’t making anything bad,” he said.

A lifelong friend of Gipson, who asked not to be identified or show his face on camera, said the two had known each other since they were kids who played football together.

“He was funny, he was fun to be around, he was always a happy soul. He was a good person,” he said.

Detectives have not shared many details but said they believe this to be an isolated incident.

Gipson’s death comes a few days after, police said, five people were hurt in a shooting just a few miles away, in downtown Fort Lauderdale’s Himmarshee Village district.

Detectives said someone started shooting outside Dicey Riley’s Irish Pub on Southwest Second Street, off Third Avenue, at around 2 a.m. on Sunday.

The FBI has since joined forces with local police, as they work to track down who was behind this overnight shooting.

As for Gipson’s loved ones, they are still trying to make sense of it all.

“I went blank. I don’t know how to – it’s just crazy,” said his friend. “I mean, I expected a lot on New Year’s night, but when it’s one of your peoples, or one of your old friends or somebody you grew up with, you don’t know what to think.”

The victim’s mother described him as the kind of kid that younger children looked up to and that he was fearless.

The incident remains under investigation.

A GoFundMe has been created to assist the family with funeral expenses. If you would like to donate, click here.

If you have additional information regarding this shooting or the gunman’s whereabouts, please contact Detective J. Sanchez of the homicide unit at 954-828-4900 or call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.

It’s cold — by South Florida standards — and residents, including the little ones, made sure to bundle up as they braved the elements.

“Like it used to be so hot, I didn’t want to go outside, but now it’s super cold,” said Michael Lalo.

In Fort Lauderdale, Fletcher Schrodt and his neighbors invested in a fire pit to stay warm for the evening.

“We use the fire pit a little bit just for fun, but tonight, we’re gonna use the fire pit to stay warm,” said Schrodt.

For most of the year, the investment would be a novelty, but on this New Year’s Eve, it’s a necessity.

“We sit out here every night. It started to get chilly so we decided to buy the fire pit and now it’s like a neighborhood staple, it’s like moths to a light, everybody comes over here,” said area resident Mike Altieri.

Meantime, along Las Olas Boulevard, residents came prepared for the weather with their best winter fits.

“Because we’re going to a fancy restaurant and I can’t wear a sweater, got to wear something cute, you know?” said one resident.

Some people who are visiting South Florida for the New Year said they loved the brisk weather compared to back home.

“We love Florida. So we come down very often, might be a bit cold but for us, it’s a lot warmer than what it is at home so we’re good,” said a tourist.

The chilly temperatures are expected to carry through the rest of the week before starting to warm up over the weekend.

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.

The security footage shows a white Mercedes-Benz SUV driving past a home near the 4400 block of Northwest 43rd Court, Dec. 10.

The vehicle is seen going by the residence several times before parking nearby.

The shooter, dressed in all black with a black hoodie covering his head, is then seen running toward the back of the home. Seconds later, he is seen firing more than two dozen rounds into the property before getting back into the Mercedes and leaving the scene.

Residents who spoke with 7News off-camera said they were very surprised that something like this would happen in their neighborhood.

Detectives said no one was seriously hurt during the shooting, but they have not yet determined who the shooter is.

They urge anyone with information about this shooting or the subject’s whereabouts to call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.

The teens spent Christmas Day making the holiday a little brighter for children in need across Fort Lauderdale.

“We’re delivering toys to families throughout Fort Lauderdale area. During this week, we gave out toys to families that came and picked them up, but certain families, we’re gonna show up this morning and give the toys to the kids,” said former Florida state senator Chris Smith.

It’s part of the All-Star Toy Giveaway by Jack and Jill America’s Fort Lauderdale chapter.

For Meshauna Thomas’ family, the toy delivery helped give them a memorable morning.

“Our Christmas is going really good. It’s been a blessed day so far, especially with everything that we have been experiencing,” said Thomas.

She and her family have been living in hotels since their previous home caught fire.

They just recently settled into a new place and feel grateful for the love shown by the community.

“Everything has really been a blessed past couple of months, and Christmas and New Year’s will just be icing on the cake, you know?” said Thomas.

The teens for Jack and Jill America first got to work wrapping presents last week, ensuring everything was ready for Santa to deliver each gift for struggling families, Christmas morning.

“As a mother, I cannot tell you how excited they are to see that,” said Crystal Bland, who received gifts.

All the hard work put in by these elves brought a magical day for several kids who otherwise might not have enjoyed the holiday.

“The help is tremendous. Every little bit helps. Anybody that’s willing to, it definitely does. I appreciate everything that you guys are doing here and continue to keep doing it. Thank you so much,” said Bland.

In addition to the toy giveaway, the group also collected donations to help families cover rent payments and other bills.

According to investigators, it all began with a theft incident at the Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood, early Thursday morning. It ended hours later with both the deputy and the subject in the hospital.

Seminole Police officials said the subject grabbed cash out of the hand of a patron. No one was hurt at the casino.

Deputies were called to assist in the arrest of the man, who, investigators said, led them on a roughly 17-mile pursuit.

During their search, BSO’s Aviation Unit and Burglary Apprehension Team traveled through the North Lauderdale district. North Lauderdale and Margate Police units were also involved in the operation.

Authorities said they ended up along the 6100 block of Northwest Second Street in Margate, and that’s when things took a violent turn. At around 2:30 p.m., deputies said, the man they were looking for opened fire on the deputies, prompting multiple deputies to return fire.

“A deputy-involved shooting did occur,” said BSO spokesperson Miranda Grossman. “The suspect was armed in the car and fired a shot at the deputy.”

Surveillance video from a camera recorded the gunshots.

“One of our deputies was shot by the suspect. Fortunately, he was protected by his bulletproof vest, and he did not sustain life-threatening injuries,” said Grossman.

Another surveillance camera captured SWAT units surrounding a black car.

7Skyforce hovered above the scene, where a SWAT vehicle was seen next to the black car, which was riddled with bullets. A white unmarked police pickup truck with a bullet hole in the windshield was parked right behind the black vehicle, and a pool of blood was seen on the ground next to the black vehicle.

Video shared with 7News appears to show the subject on a gurney being loaded into the back of an ambulance following the incident.

Paramedics transported both the deputy and the subject to Broward Health North. The deputy is expected to be OK.

Residents who live in the neighborhood, some of whom coudn’t go inside their homes, told 7News they heard the gunfire.

Marcha Mohamed said she hid in her home as it all unfolded.

“And also, I heard like ‘pop pop’ noises, and I thought it was fireworks at first. I’m like, ‘Fireworks in the day?'” she said.

“I heard the shots. I heard one shot, and then about 20 shots,” said Tom.

Another resident said she was shocked to learn what had happened.

“Upon my arrival, to see just the inundation of police officers and undercovers and the SWAT team, I’ve never seen this in my neighborhood, and I’ve been living here since 2000,” she said.

7News cameras captured bullet holes in nearby homes.

“We were in shock, ’cause this is a quiet neighborhood. Nothing like that [has] really happened,” said Constance Dennis, who lives on the same block where the shooting took place.

BSO said their deputies’ gear and training did precisely what it was supposed to do, especially after recent tragedies involving other South Florida law enforcement agencies that resulted in the loss of a brother in blue.

“To know that this deputy puts his life in danger every single day, like all of our deputies do, and that he can go home to his family tonight,” said Grossman.

Thursday night, deputies remained at the scene collecting evidence as they pieced together what led up to the shooting.

As of early Friday afternoon, detectives have not disclosed the subject’s identity or condition.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating this deputy-involved shooting.

Since Oct. 1, all license plate obstructions, such as frames, clear and tinted covers, and stickers, are banned and must be removed.

“This includes spraying anything on it, putting stickers on it, your favorite football team, baseball team, hockey team. These cannot go on that license plate,” said Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Kenn Watson.

FHP says law enforcement officials noticed an increase in the size of the frames and the number of items covering tags and asked state lawmakers for help.

“We want to make sure that an officer, trooper, a deputy can read that plate,” said Watson. “If something happened to you, you would want us to be able to identify you quickly and efficiently.”

Officials say the first step is educating the driving public about the new changes, and anyone currently violating the law will likely get a warning.

Some drivers across Florida said they had no idea the law was in effect.

“Do I have to remove it now, or will I get pulled over for it?” asked driver Diane Bunsfield. “I’m just going across the East Coast to go on a small trip. But I now know that when I get there, I will take it off.”

But others wonder if the new regulations are necessary.

“To have the state troopers spend their time looking at license plate covers when there’s so much else going on out there, then I think it’s kinda silly,” said driver Jim Hardesty.

While troopers say violations will only result in warnings for now, they can eventually carry penalties.

Violations could lead to fines up to $500 and even jail time if someone intentionally obscures a tag while committing a crime.

According to police, they spotted 24-year-old Luis Enrique Merchan-Meron on Friday afternoon selling the fake good to two buyers.

“What they observed was what appeared to be a consistent transaction that were consistent with counterfeit sales,” said Sweetwater Assistant Police Chief Francisco Fernandez.

Following the transaction, the officer conducted a traffic stop on the suspect’s car and made the arrest.

The 24-year-old told officers that he gets the items from an overseas buyers, knows its fake and resells the items to earn some money.

A search of his vehicle found Merchan-Meron being in possession of over 90 counterfeit items.

7Skyforce hovered over the unit, capturing tons of counterfeit items laid out on a table, including Louis Vuitton bags, Saint Laurent bags, and dozens of Rolex watches.

“We do not have any tolerance for any of these kind of crimes committed in the City of Sweetwater. This is the result of our commitment not only to the citizens of Sweetwater but the citizens who come to buy their stuff at our mall,” said Sweetwater Mayor Jose “Pepe” Diaz.

Police have set up a mobile command unit at the shopping mall as the holiday frenzy is underway.

“It’s a proactive unit that investigates, targets and disrupts criminal activity in progress and organized crime,” said Fernandez.

Officials say it’s too early in the investigation to determine if the buyers will face any criminal charges.

But Merchan-Meron is facing two charges of counterfeiting goods, one of which is a felony.

On Friday night, he posted bond.

The Broward Sheriff’s Office Violent Crimes Unit detectives are releasing video of the attack that happened on Oct. 21 in hopes of identifying the woman who pestered the elderly woman, who took a seat in the Americans with Disabilities section of the bus, before punching her repeatedly.

“This video from a Broward County Transit bus shows a despicable act,” said BSO spokesperson Carey Codd.

According to detectives, the attacker was standing in front of the victim and bumped into her several times due to the movement of the bus.

The elderly victim asked the attacker for some space, and that is when a verbal argument ensued.

As the argument escalated, detectives said, the attacker intentionally and forcefully pushed her body into the victim several times.

The attacker then grabbed a grocery bag and struck the victim in the face with it. The victim used her cane to defend herself, and the attacker punched her multiple times in the head.

“When the elderly woman defends herself, the woman who was standing turns and punches her several times in the face,” said Codd.

Bystanders on the bus came to the victim’s defense and separated her from the attacker.

The bus driver, who saw the incident, stopped the bus along the 4100 block of West Oakland Park Boulevard in Lauderdale Lakes, where the attacker and another woman with her fled.

“Detectives are hoping that people can take a good look at this video, take a look at the face of that woman who attacked this victim, and if they know who she is, contact Crime Stoppers,” said Codd.

The victim suffered bruising on her forehead but declined to be transported to the hospital.

If you have any information on this crime or the subject’s whereabouts, call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.

7Skyforce hovered over the area near Interstate-95 at the Golden Glades Park & Ride on Wednesday where two subjects were seen being detained by responding officers after they bailed out of a blue Lamborghini.

According to Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office deputies, a robbery took place in the area of Southwest 77th Avenue and 40th Street. The two subjects approached a woman and stole the keys to her luxury car. They then fled the area in an unknown direction.

Detectives were made aware of the robbery and issued a be on the lookout alert for the vehicle. Soon after, the car was found with both men inside and they were taken into custody.

Up north in Broward, Fort Lauderdale Police set up a perimeter in the area of Southwest 12th Street and 18th Avenue for a second car that may have several people inside.

7Skyforce captured Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies on a pursuit with the Lexus near Stranahan High School.

The school went into a precautionary hold due to the police activity, but it has since resumed operations.

Deputies are working to determine if these two cars are connected in any way.

Speaking with the press in Orlando, Gordon Terrelonge spoke about the last time he saw her and said he wants her to come home.

“Please, I beg, I’m begging from the bottom of my heart. I just want to find my daughter. I want her to come home,” he said.

Terrelonge added he is seeking the public’s help in providing any information that can reunite him with her.

“If she’s out there, and if she can hear me now, we’re going to find you. Just hold on,” he said.

According to Margate Police, Gabrielle Patricia Terrelonge was last seen in June.

Officials said Gordon is the one who reported Gabrielle missing. They said he took a polygraph test and passed.

Gabrielle’s mother, Passha Davis, was arrested last month for shoplifting at a Dollar Tree store in Margate.

Eleven days after her arrest, police learned of Gabrielle’s disappearance and issued a Missing Endangered notice for her.

Davis has since been charged with child neglect and remains behind bars.

As for Gordon, he just wants his baby girl back home, and he won’t give up searching.

“She likes to eat Funyuns chips, she likes pizza. She wants to be a princess,” he said. “We definitely have leads, and they’re doing something about it and best believe that she’s somewhere. We just need to keep searching.”

Anyone with information about Gabrielle’s whereabouts is urged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI, submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov, or call the Margate Police Department at 954-972-7111 or 911.

Next month, voters will head back to the polls for a mayoral runoff election, with two candidates vying to be the city’s next leader.

Eileen Higgins, a mechanical engineer by training, with a background in manufacturing, currently serves as a Miami-Dade County commissioner.

Higgins is running against Emilio Gonzalez, a former city manager and former director of Miami International Airport. He also served in the Department of Homeland Security during the George W. Bush administration.

The candidates laid out their visions for a better Miami at a nonpartisan public forum hosted by the Downtown Neighbors Alliance on Wednesday at the Miami Dade College Koubek Center.

Gonzalez said he wants to take a holistic approach to lowering the cost of housing by suggesting eliminating property taxes.

“Our young people need an opportunity to stay here. They can’t stay here, which is one of the reasons that I’m so into the idea of doing away with ad valorem property taxes, because you could put money in people’s pockets. Young families that are struggling to buy a new home, imagine if you don’t have to pay taxes,” he said.

Higgins said she wants to eliminate red tape and streamline permitting processes in building new housing, as well as examine property the city already owns.

“That will be a priority for me as mayor, to look at every piece of city-owned property and say, ‘Why aren’t we using that for housing?'” she said.

Both candidates want to reform the city government and root out corruption to change the image of Miami for residents and visitors.

“We need to have a mentality where nobody will get a second chance stealing money, abusing people, being corrupt, corrupting their office,” said Gonzalez.

“From the very top in the organizations, if you look in the mayor’s office, and you look in the manager’s office right now, there are employees that are making well over $100,000, some of them over $200,000, that have second jobs. Doing what? Right? So all this outside employment, number one, has to stop,” said Higgins.

On public transportation, both candidates want to see it expanded and made more efficient.

“I worked on the Better Bus Network several years ago, and the goal of the Better Bus Network was to redesign our bus network to bring high-frequency service to over 300,000 households, and that has worked — our buses are arriving more frequently, they’re on time — and we wanted to integrate the city’s trolley system into this new, efficient system,” said Higgins. “We redesigned it for the city. The city commissioners could not get out of their own way and vote to make these changes, so they have the same old trolley system that they designed 12 years ago. They haven’t made a single change to a single route, even though our community has changed and grown in different ways.”

“The timing is such where you can sit, stand there and wait 40 minutes for a trolley, and then three of them come up, one right behind the other. We need to do a better job,” said Gonzalez.

Asked to describe their future administrations in just one word, Gonzalez said “unstoppable,” whereas Higgins said “resident-focused.”

Mail ballots are being sent to those who requested one starting Monday. The runoff election day is coming up on Tuesday, Dec. 9.

Speaking with 7News on Sunday, Alex Quint said the scare happened during a Saturday night outing as he and his family were heading home.

Video taken by the family and shared with 7News shows a tire flying in the air and then careening into their front windshield.

“What happened?” a woman is heard saying in Spanish in the video.

“The tire was flying, got into the hood, and after the hood, just hit the windshield pretty much, and by miracle we’re still here alive,” said Quint.

Quint showed 7News the damage to his car during daylight. He lifted a cover he had put on, revealing the cracked windshield.

The family said they were out at the mall Saturday night, and on the way home, mayhem struck.

“On our way back home, we were coming on the Turnpike coming south, and that’s when everything happened,” said Quint.

Quint said a car in front of them hit the tire on the highway and sent it flying into their car.

“This morning, when I woke up, and I came outside, and I saw this, that’s when I realized that we got so lucky,” said Quint.

The tire scare left shards of glass covering the seats and floorboards inside their car.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue crews showed up to help the family following the incident.

Quint said his loved ones who were inside the car with him were scared.

His son, Kevin, is on the autism spectrum and has epilepsy. Quint said his son’s strength through his struggles inspired him through this difficult moment.

“This boy has been our master, our example to keep moving forward, and no matter what we have, to keep it up and keep going. So, honestly, I’m not afraid to get out and get on the road,” said Quint.

Quint said, despite the scary moment on the road, he will keep thinking positive and moving forward.

“This is life. We have to keep moving forward. We have to keep living our life,” he said.

Other than being understandably freaked out and aside from a few minor cuts, Quint said he and his family turned out OK.

Months away from the FIFA World Cup lights up Hard Rock Stadium, Verizon hosted the FIFA Opportunity Workshop in Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood. Wednesday’s event aims to teach business owners how they can leverage FIFA to help boost growth.

“I think this is an absolutely amazing opportunity — FIFA coming to Miami, the growth that we’re gonna have, the economic development — and again, goes back to our small businesses, right?” said Verizon spokesperson Alonso Castillo. “They are the engine of the U.S. economy.”

Business owners were shown how to create magnetic marketing campaigns and how to resonate with thousands of tourists set to descend on South Florida.

One small business owner is Dr. Ciara Lynn Bostick, the founder of the herbal tea company Lynn Leaf Tea in Fort Lauderdale.

“I’m still in the growing phase, the learning phase, so I’m here to get more information, and to see how I can be a part of, not just this event, but other large events as well,” she said.

Bostick said she’s looking for opportunity.

“As a small business owner, especially in South Florida, where we have things like FIFA and all these different sports teams, it’s great that we have opportunities for small business owners to be here in – to have that experience and to share with it,” she said. “I mean, it definitely helps the economy grow, and it helps South Florida grow as well.”

Another event, a forum at PortMiami Monday, also aims to help local companies prepare. Miami FIFA Host Committee President Alina Hudak is hosting the forum.

“This is a really great moment to be here, at our port, welcoming local businesses,” she said.

The forum puts emphasis on hospitality.

“Having a World Cup here for 30-plus days in June, July of 2026, it offers an enormous opportunity for our local businesses, tremendous opportunity for economic impact for South Florida, in the hospitality industry in particular,” said Hudak.

Hudak highlighted the milestone moment to kick off opportunities.

“We’re really excited about what the potential looks like, and we want our local businesses to understand it,” she said. “We want to educate them, and we want to help them with tool kits and different types of information for them to be prepared.”

Those watching next year’s FIFA World Cup games in person will be able to call Hard Rock Stadium by another name. The Miami Gardens venue will be temporarily renamed Miami Stadium during the event.

The 20-year-old pilot took off from St. Augustine Airport Thursday morning, crashing down less than two miles away.

“A neighbor called and said she’d heard an explosion,” said Mary Strong, a nearby homeowner. “I didn’t know what was going on, I was scared the house had blown up.”

Interim Executive Director of St. Augustine Airport Courtney Pittman said that the plane may have experienced difficulties when leaving the airport.

“Upon departure, the aircraft had some trouble,” said Pittman.

A battalion chief who saw the crash, sprang into action using a kayak to go rescue the pilot.

“It’s heroic, I mean, I don’t have any other words,” said one man.

Strong told reporters that the kayak belonged to her husband and she’s glad that it was there at the right time.

“We have not used it in months but I’m happy it came in handy to help get that pilot out of there,” said Strong.

The young woman was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries, and is said to be in stable condition.

According to officials, she was the only one on the plane.

“She was completely alert, completely stable, we did transport her to a local trauma center just for precaution because, just mechanism of injury, you know, coming from a plane crash, hitting the ground,” said a paramedic.

The exact cause of the crash is still under investigation.

Miami’s mayoral race is one of the most competitive in South Florida during this election cycle. Voters will head to the polls starting this weekend to elect their next mayor.

One of the candidates, Xavier Suarez, has had the job before. He said that experience will help him if he’s elected again.

“As one of my ads says, I’m the old sheriff that’s back, and I’m the new sheriff,” he said. “I’m pretty tough. I can put my foot down if they get out of hand.”

Suarez, whose son Francis is the current mayor of Miami, served two terms in the mayor’s office 40 years ago.

Suarez said he wants to cut costs and make use of city staff, with a goal of saving the taxpayers money.

“i’ll be a micromanager, and don’t hire too many consultants, folks,” he said. “We have a good staff, 4,000 employeesm and we should do things in-house.”

Suarez said his experience in the mayor’s office as the city’s first Cuban born mayor, along with his nine years of service on the Miami-Dade County Commission, give him the knowledge he needs to have the job again.

“Property tax reform is extremely important, and ‘attention to the neighborhoods,’ that’s also my slogan. I’m a mayor for all the neighborhoods,” he said.

Former Miami City Commissioner Ken Russell’s political career started in Merrie Christmas Park after he discovered it was contaminated around 10 years ago. He said the city wasn’t doing anything about it.

“So I organized my neighborhood. We went to City Hall, and we pushed the city to clean up our park,” he said. “I found out there were five other contaminated parks, and I decided to run for office in the City of Miami. I became the local commissioner, and I wrote all of the environmental laws that we have now that protect our trees and water and air.”

Russell served on the city commission from 2015 to 2022. Now he wants to focus on affordablity, while also changing the city’s culture.

“Miami’s really hurting. There’s a lot of frustration; people are having trouble affording the rent or the mortgage,” he said. “What I say is that we can’t afford the corruption, and that’s the hardest thing to change. It’s a systemic change that needs to happen in the City of Miami, so that the old dynasties move out and new blood comes in.”

Russell hopes he can be that fresh blood in the mayor’s office.

“The systemic revolving door is inherent to our charter, our constitution … because we don’t have real term limits,” he said, “so when I’m on the ballot next month, on the ballot with me will be real term limits, so I hope that people come and vote for that, as well as me.”

7News had hoped to also interview candidate Alex Diaz de la Portilla for this story, but he canceled four separate scheduled interviews before our deadline.

Early voting for Miami residents begins Saturday. Election Day is Nov. 4.

When voters choose their next mayor this November, they will choose between two men who have had the job before and several candidates who are seeking it for the first time.

Miami City Commissioner Joe Carollo wants his old job back, after serving as Miami mayor for one year in the late 1990s. The 70-year-old was later elected to a full term in 1998.

“I have accomplishments. The others, they have a lot of talk, but I have accomplishments,” he said.

Carollo was elected to the Miami City Commission in 2017.

“I am a proven quantity that knows how to administer a city. I was city manager in one of our local cities, Doral, and in the two years that I was there, I reduced that budget by one-third. I can do the same for Miami,” he said.

Carollo said he wants to focus on building affordable housing if elected.

“Housing is the biggest problem that we have in our city. I’ve already amassed over 2,500 homes that could be built in the areas and the land that I have amassed,” he said. “I intend to do that throughout the city so that we can build tens of thousands of new residences.”

Miami Dade County Commissioner Eileen Higgins said she wants to get rid of chaos and get things done.

“I’d like to make sure that we restore trust in City Hall. City Hall, it’s in chaos more days than not,” she said. “There’s been distractions, there’s been corruption, so I want to make sure people have confidence in City Hall.”

If elected, Higgins said, she wants to make affordability — and building affordable housing — her priority.

“People need to see that we’re building more affordable housing and that we’re permitting it more quickly,” she said. “People need to see that we’re helping them stay in their homes and making sure that if they need to weatherize and get new windows, that they can get them as quickly as possible.”

Higgins has served on the Miami-Dade County Commission since 2018.

“I have a record of accomplishments. I’ll do the same at the City of Miami, but I promise to do it without scandals,” she said. “I’ve done that on the county commission; I know I can do that at the city.”

Emilio Gonzalez wants to be mayor, after over two decades of service in the U.S. Army and other roles in the federal government

“If we had been in a coma for 30 years and had woken up today, you would see the same names. It’s almost like nothing’s changed. Our city in 2025, our city has progressed,” he said.

Gonzalez said the city needs change.

“The first thing that needs to happen, is we need to have a complete change in attitude,” he said. “We need to tell people, ‘You know what? We’ve had enough of this circus. Let’s move on, let’s grow up. Let’s offer our residents honest, transparent, common sense municipal government so that we can move forward.'”

Gonzalez was appointed by President George W. Bush as an undersecretary in the Department if Homeland Security. He later served as CEO of the Miami International Airport and later as chief administrative officer under current Miami Mayor Francis Suarez.

“I’m bringing a lifetime of experience. Ever since I graduated from college and joined the military, I’ve always been in charge of something,” he said. “That is to say, I’ve never been a passive executive, if you will; I’ve been a very active one, and that was throughout my Army career. After I left the military, I bring years if not decades of leadership experience, organizational experience.”

Early voting begins Saturday. Election Day is Nov. 4.

On Nov. 4, Miami Beach residents will have the chance to evaluate where the city stands and choose to stay the course.

Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner is running to keep his job, as outgoing Miami Beach Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez hopes to convince voters that she can do a better one.

“Well, we’ve accomplished so much in less than two years, and we have momentum on our side, and there’s so much more that I want to accomplish,” said Meiner.

“Miami Beach is at a crossroads,” said Rosen Gonzalez.

Both candidates agree the city has managed to get a handle on one of its biggest problems — crime — managing to clean up its streets, especially after years of having a reputation as a spring break party spot.

“We finally gained control of our streets after many years of battling spring break, and we told the entire world not to come to Miami Beach, but we’ve never really told them to come back,” said Rosen Gonzalez.

“We finally solved spring break. Instead of shootings and violence on our streets, we had calm and beautiful,” said Meiner.

But some businesses are feeling the pinch by the decrease in foot traffic. That’s something Rosen Gonzalez wants to tackle if she wins.

“So, right now, a lot of our streets are empty. We’re down $100 million in economic activity for the past fiscal year, and our businesses are suffering,” she said.

Meiner touted his record in keeping city spending down and taxes lower.

“We returned money to our residents. First time we’ve returned surplus funds in 20 years. We lowered our tax mileage rate; we just did a tax cut, first time in 10 years,” he said.

Meiner said that under his leadership, money is flowing back to Miami Beach.

“Capital is starting to come in here in a big way. People are investing in Miami Beach because they believe in our city, they believe in my leadership,” he said.

But Rosen Gonzalez said small businesses are being forgotten.

“As you can see, here on Lincoln Road where we are, you have entire blocks that are shuttered, so our small business community is suffering,” she said.

Both candidates said they are the person to lead the City of Miami Beach into the next few years.

“What I represent is the ability to be an ambassador for Miami Beach, and I think we’re going to run cutting-edge marketing campaigns,” said Rosen Gonzalez.

“This is an incredibly healthy city. We’re getting healthier, and this has all happened in the last two years under my leadership,” said Meiner.

Early voting begins Monday and runs through Sunday, Nov. 2. Election Day is Nov. 4.

For more information about Rosen Gonzalez’s campaign, click here. For Meiner’s campaign, click here.

Speaking with 7News on Saturday, Steven Coney said his daughter Stephanie was greeted by some sort of wild animal after pulling up at her apartment complex, Thursday night.

Unsure of what it was, she recorded video of the creature and sent it to her father.

“I looked at the video. I said immediately, ‘That’s not a fox, that’s not a dog, that is a coyote, and they’re very dangerous. Stay away from it,'” said Coney.

The animal appearing unbothered and shiny-eyed as it stared directly at Stephanie while she recorded.

“The animal just stood there, would not leave. It just stood there looking at her,” said Coney.

The coyote ultimately trotted away, but Coney is worried.

“Coyotes are wild beasts. They’re not domestic; they are wild,” he said. “Be aware that these animals are now in our communities, and they’re lurking around in the dark.”

This was hardly the first time coyotes have been spotted in the area, as South Florida sightings are on the rise.

Several sightings were reported in Hollywood in September.

We see raccoons and possums and iguanas — the usual suspects — but to have wildlife like that around, it’s a little disconcerting,” said area resident Stephanie Carafa.

Back in December, another coyote was spotted swimming in a Fort Lauderdale canal. Area resident Christian Egger said the canal is located right next to his backyard.

“At first I thought it was my neighbor’s dog, and then I came out, realized it was a coyote and shooed him away,” said Egger.

While these South Floridians have managed to stay safe from these wild animals, that hasn’t always been the case.

Last October, a cat in Fort Lauderdale was attacked by one. A few months before that, a group of coyotes went after a Pomeranian in Miami.

Coney advises residents to stay alert.

“Be vigilant, know your surroundings when you come outside, especially at night. Keep your head on a swivel,” said Coney.

Officials with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission say coyotes tend to be skittish in nature and advise residents to make loud noises and wave their arms to scare them off. A solid walking stick or gold club may also be a good deterrent at close range. Officials also suggest residents should refrain from leaving any pet food outside, keep their pets indoors and secure garbage around their homes.

After attending service for Yom Kippur, the holiest day on the Jewish calendar, Temple Judea held a special commemoration for those who survived the largest terror attack in Israel’s history.

Worshippers remembered the 378 people who were killed by Hamas during the music festival and the 44 of them who were taken hostage.

One of those survivors, Shalev Biton, reflected on his happiness at the festival with his friends. He shared a video of the moments before the attack.

“I remember I heard a barrage of missiles from my tents. I could recognize the noise of it from the first moment. Then I opened my tent, I looked to the sky, I saw the sky was full of trails, of rockets,” he said.

The sound prompted him and his friends to leave, but while in the car, they heard gunshots and got out to see what had taken place.

“On my right side, I could see a woman, sitting inside a car, that all the front of the car was absolutely crashed because of gunshots,” said Biton. “That woman, she was bleeding very heavily from her upper body.

The sight of the deceased woman shocked him and his friends. That’s when they decided to hitch the car and run for their lives until they arrived at a nearby farm, where a farmer helped hide those in danger.

The ceremony came hours after a driver rammed his car into a crowd observing Yom Kippur, then stabbed worshippers, killing 2 and injuring several others in the United Kingdom.

The executive director of Temple Judea, Sharon Israel Moskovitz, said these attacks are far too common.

“It’s happening all around the world, and unfortunately, as we saw last week, it’s happening in various houses of worship. So, regardless of your religion, your background, your ethnicity, it’s happening everywhere,” she said.

She believes education is the key to stopping antisemitism.

“These are not words of hate; these are words of peace. These are words of comfort, safety, to support one another, to lift one another up. We need to continue telling our stories,” said Moskovitz. “We shouldn’t be afraid. We should continue to come out, and we will not allow anybody to keep us at home.”

She added they are incredibly grateful for the community’s support and those who want to help tell their story to the world.

Loved ones came together on Friday to remember Kevin Rodriguez Zavala.

Investigators said the 32-year-old died following an incident on the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Epic Universe, Sept. 17.

His family continues to demand answers as to how it all happened.

“I heard from other people that he was hitting his head, back and forth, so my question is how – what happened to him?” said the victim’s father, Carlos Rodriguez Zavala.

Stardust Racers opened in May and can hit heights up to 133 feet and speeds up to 62 miles per hour.

Kevin’s loved ones said he was born with spinal cord atrophy and used a wheelchair.

Authorities said he became unresponsive while riding the roller coaster. First responders rushed to his aid soon after.

“He is not breathing and CPR’s in progress,” said a paramedic with Orange County Fire Rescue in radio transmissions.

The medical examiner determined Kevin died “of multiple blunt impact injuries.”

There is currently a statewide investigation into Stardust Racers.

In a memo sent to staff, Karen Irwin, the president of Universal Orlando Resort, said an internal review found that “…The ride systems functioned as intended,” that the “equipment was intact,” and park employees “followed procedures.”

The company said in an earlier statement, “We are devastated by this event and extend our sincerest sympathies to the guest’s loved ones.”

“It feels like a nightmare. I’m still waiting to wake up,” said Lisa Cruz Rodriguez, Kevin’s sister.

Days later, a new lawsuit was filed against Universal Orlando Resort over claims a different rider sustained injuries on Stardust Racers.

According to the filing, attorneys claim that when their client, a 49-year-old woman, was on the ride earlier this year, her “head shook violently and slammed into her seat’s headrest,” causing her to “sustain permanent injuries.’

As of Saturday morning, Universal has not responded to that lawsuit, and the ride remains closed.

The Rodriguez Zavala family’s attorney said they’re seeking the release of “maintenance logs, inspection records, ride data, and video footage” from the ride in order to “understand the circumstances surrounding [Kevin’s] death.”

David Martin is a Miami-based developer who owns the development company Terra.

Miami Seaquarium has been the center of controversy regarding the treatment of animals.

“Over 250 marine animals have died since this park opened, so today’s a funeral,” said a protester outside of the facility.

Animal advocacy groups have publicly called for the closure of the park.

Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava called the partnership an important step in the right direction.

“This agreement represents a major step forward for Miami-Dade County, opening a new chapter in marine life education and Biscayne Bay preservation,” said Levine Cava, in a statement. “[…]The transition is safe and orderly, with the highest priority placed on the welfare of the animals under their care.”

The new development is part of a bankruptcy filing the company is pursuing, including the purchasing of the lease, that has committed to the new marina project.

The proposal is still subject to approval by bankruptcy court, then by the Miami-Dade County Commission.

It’s not clear what parts of the park will be kept, but developers said they would like to maintain some kind of aquarium as part of the larger facility plans.

According to officials, a student brought some candy to the after-school program at Miami Springs Elementary School, passing some of it around to multiple other students.

Miami-Dade County Public Schools said a student in the program shared some candy with classmates, causing them to become ill.

Four students were medically treated by paramedics, and at least one was taken to a local area hospital.

7SkyForce flew above the scene as an ambulance left the school.

Students and parents were caught off-guard by the sudden presence of first responders.

“I saw three police in front of a regular car,” said student Alan Monoz.

“I come to pick up my kids, and then I just find out there’s fire rescue everywhere and police, so I have no idea what’s going on,” said parent Daniel Norris.

Some parents said they are worried by the school’s lack of communication right after the incident happened.

“I’m a little concerned, because I didn’t hear anything from the school,” said parent Serena Ruiz.

The school district released a statement that reads:

At M-DCPS, the well-being and safety of our students is our biggest priority.

It wasn’t the district’s only scare on campus with students being hospitalized.

Five students at Pinecrest Glades Academy were rushed to the hospital Friday morning after a student brought an edible to the charter school.

“The age range between the patients is 14 to 16 years of age,” said a dispatcher.

The school made a post on social media informing parents to check their email.

“They haven’t told me anything,” said a parent.

Relatives got word from others to pick up their children for an early dismissal.

The Florida Charter School Alliance explained in a statement stating “a student … brought a food item to campus which was shared with others.”

It goes on to say, “Some students who consumed it began experiencing adverse reactions.”

Those students were taken to HCA Florida Kendall Hospital.

Officials there said the students were with their parents and listed in good condition.

Authorities said Friday afternoon they’re investigating that incident but, due to the students being intoxicated and receiving medical attention, they have not determined who brought the food and what was in it.

Back in Miami Springs, the condition of each child affected is unclear as of Friday night.

M-DCPS officials said their police department and school administration are investigating.

Travaughn Gaines was arrested Saturday, days after, investigators said, he stole a vehicle parked in front of the One Price Dry Cleaners, located at 8263 West Broward Blvd., at around 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 15.

According to a warrant for his arrest, it was a rainy day when a woman was going back and forth from her vehicle to the dry cleaners. She left her car running with her children inside to try and quickly enter the dry cleaners.

But officers said that’s all the time Gaines needed to slip inside the vehicle and flee the scene.

A dry cleaners worker described the tense moment.

“A gentleman that was pacing the parking lot, he just went into her car and drove off. There were children in the car and everything,” he said.

The woman immediately contacted police after realizing that her vehicle had been stolen and her children had been kidnapped.

The worker said he tried to help the woman secure her children.

“We started chasing the car, but it was driving too fast. It drove to the Westside Hospital and took a right, and it was gone,” he said.

Not long after, police received a 911 call from the Renaissance Hotel, located at 1230 S. Pine Island Road, where, dtectives said, Gaines dropped off the 10-year-old girl and her sister, and the children asked for help from hotel workers.

The warrant stated that “…as the vehicle is leaving the parking lot the rear driver side door opens, indicating 10-year-old daughter is contemplating jumping from the moving car, but ultimately decides to remain inside with her [8]-month-old sister.”

After dropping off the girls and dumping the car, police said, Gaines began using their mother’s debit card. He took a cab to a smoke shop in Hollywood where, detectives said, he used his own name and then charged the card $120.

The clerk would later tell investigators he seemed nervous at the register.

Days later, Gaines would be arrested. He appeared in court on Sunday.

The worker at the dry cleaners says he’s happy to hear the children are OK.

“That’s the most important thing. That’s what I cared about the most. I was really concerned about the children,” he said.

Gaimes remains behind bars at the Broward County Jail. He is charged with kidnapping a child under 13, confining a child under 13 without consent of a parent, grand theft auto, and grand theft between $10,000 and $20,000.

Speaking with 7News on Sunday, Louis Alexis, the manager of The Squeeze Juice Bar & Restaurant, said it was initially hard for the business in its early days.

“Well, basically we’ve been in business about five years now. We started off with no loans, no assistance, just a bunch of credit card debt,” he said.

That’s what made Friday’s shocking swipe sting.

Alexis said a customer stole the tip jar when no one was looking.

“So, it was Friday afternoon around 5:30. Our cashier was here serving,” he said. “She finished serving the customer whom you saw sitting down eating a burger, and I guess she went to the back to wash dishes or grab something, and when she came back, actually Saturday morning, she realized that the tip jar was gone.”

The diner with the sticky fingers was caught on camera slouching at his table, waiting until the coast was clear to bounce up, take the tip jar and walk right out the door.

“Right now, the times are extremely hard with the cost of everything — cost of permits, cost of fees,” said Alexis. “Sometimes we sacrifice our own personal rent, our own personal well-being, to make sure that our staff is able to pay their bills, as honest business owners, so for them to take her tips after she worked a very long day was very disheartening.”

The thief had just enjoyed a burger from the restaurant before taking off with the cash that would have gone to hardworking employees.

“At the end of the day, it wasn’t the right thing to do to steal from somebody who was working all day long, because she did work a double shift that day,” said Alexis.

If you have any information on this theft 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.

The new audio released from Wednesday’s tragedy reveals fire rescue crews were initially responding to a patient with a laceration.

“Open up a man down, same location,” a first responder with Orange County Fire Rescue can be heard saying through scanners.

Witnesses recalled hearing screams.

“There was a big piece of metal from the seat that was detached hanging off of the coaster,” said witness Tommy Italiano. “I was scared, like, everyone was scared.”

The patient, later identified as Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, was unresponsive.

“Orange County Fire Rescue is on scene CPR in progress. I’m being advised it’s not looking good,” said an OCFR first responder over scanners.

Zavala was quickly taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The medical examiner later determined the cause was blunt impact injuries.

According to the incident report, Zavala’s girlfriend told the sheriff’s office he had a preexisting spinal injury and was taking medication.

Family photos show Zavala visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epic Universe before the tragedy.

Zavala was wheelchair bound, and investigators are now looking for answers to ensure that a situation like this doesn’t happen to another thrill seeker.

Attorneys who handled the last major theme park fatality in Florida said the victim never should have been allowed on the ride to begin with.

Fourteen-year-old Tyre Sampson was nearly 100 pounds over the weight limit when he fell from the Freefall amusement attraction at Icon Park in 2022.

A jury awarded his family $310 million during a civil lawsuit, ruling the ride’s manufacturer was negligent.

That ride was permanently dismantled.

“We have to know more about the extent of the injuries, and then we’re going to be able to fill in the gaps of what could have or should have been done to prevent a tragedy like this from occurring,” said a professional.

Speaking with 7News on Wednesday, Jennifer Shao told 7News the duo struck her Miami Springs home , along the 18800 block of Truxton Drive, on Tuesday.

“Yesterday I was at work, and I get a call saying that something happened at my house, and I didn’t know what it was,” she said. “Then I found out a few minutes later that someone came out and stole Amazon packages from my house.”

Ring doorbell video shows one of the thieves picking up the packages while the other awaits in a getaway car.

“My husband chased them out of the house, but when he went down the street, he lost them,” said Shao.

However, an eagle-eyed neighbor was luckily standing in his driveway and took a photo of the tag.

But as it turns out, the porch pirates were driving a stolen car.

“My neighbors ended up being outside taking their kids somewhere. So they took a picture of the tag, but the tag ended up being stolen, too,” said Shao.

Shao said late Tuesday evening, the packages were returned empty to her home by the police.

“Later on, they did find the packages empty, but they found the boxes with my address on them, and the cops brought them back to my house,” she said.

Shao said she’s thankful to the Miami Springs Police Department.

“It’s upsetting because, you know, it’s my home and people are coming up to my house and taking things that’s not theirs, that doesn’t belong to them,” she said. “People pay for that stuff. It could’ve been something for my kids or could’ve been medication.”

Detectives informed her on Wednesday afternoon that at least one of the porch pirates, a 38-year-old woman, had been arrested in Hialeah.

Police said they found five grams of meth in the stolen car. A second subject remains on the loose.

Lake Wakes Police pulled over the motorist, who was going 30 miles over the speed limit near Legoland, on Sunday.

Surveillance video shared by the police department showed the driver’s white BMW sedan pulling into a Chevron station, followed by the police cruiser.

Officials said that the man was driving without a license and attempted to get away.

“He’s going to run,” an officer can be heard saying over camera footage.

When the driver made his escape, the officer and his K-9, Bolo, were taken down, being dragged and run over by the car.

Luckily, the officer and K-9 were able to walk away with just a few bruises and scratches.

“You all right?” an officer is heard saying on bodycam video.

“Yeah,” said the injured officer.

“Where are you hurt?” said the other officer.

“Everywhere,” said the injured officer.

Did he run you over?” said the other officer.

“Yeah,” said the injured officer.

A “be on the lookout” was then issued for the BMW after Bolo was hurt. Officeers spotter their wanted driver a short time later.

“Show your hands! Put your hands behind your head now!” an officer is heard screaming in bodycam vide of the shirtless suspect lying on his stomach in a grassy area.

Investigators said the driover tried to get away a second time but got hurt trying to scale a barbed wire fence. He was handcuffed moments later.

The driver faces a list of charges, including aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and injuring a police K-9.

The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office received a call on Wednesday about a man driving at a high rate of speed on the highway in Port Orange.

Deputies immediately spotted the motorist and used their speed detector to see how fast he was going.

“Ninety-five miles an hour,” said a deputy.

They realized they needed to slow the driver down and fast.

“Stop it, stop it, stop it,” said a deputy.

Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood was nearby when he decided to take charge of the operation.

“You just can’t allow the guy to just keep on driving all over God’s green earth, knowing a pedestrian could be hit and keep on somebody else,” said Chitwood.

The sheriff’s office had recently changed their policy earlier this year to allow PIT maneuvers and held a training for it a few weeks ago. Chitwood said he was the first one to put his training to the test.

The suspect, identified as Christian Ottinot, was seen driving recklessly, swerving through different lanes and nearly hitting several vehicles on the road.

Soon enough, Chitwood came from behind and conducted the PIT maneuver against Ottinot.

“I’m old-fashioned, you know? The badge says ‘sheriff’s office,’ right? It doesn’t say you’re the sheriff, it says you’re a law enforcement officer,” he said.

Body camera footage captured deputies opening the door and removing Ottinot from the car and onto the grass with his hands behind his back.

Ottinot, a Broward County native, has been making a habit of getting arrested around this time of year, deputies said.

About three years ago, he was arrested in Volusia County and pleaded no contest to resisting arrest and giving officers a false name. During that arrest, he also had a warrant out of Miami for missing a court date.

Officials said he also violated probation in his Volusia County case by getting arrested in Palm Beach County during another high-speed chase.

“This guy doesn’t need to be out on the road. This is how people get killed,” said Chitwood.

For Wednesday’s arrest, Ottinot faces several charges including fleeing and alluding, reckless driving and Florida’s new “Super Speeder” law, which is a felony that can lead to jail time if a driver is caught going 50 miles per hour over the posted speed limit on a highway.

The Rev. Andy Oliver with the Allendale United Methodist Church and the Rev. Benedict Atherton-Zeman with the Unitarian Universalist Church said they learned a crew from Florida Department of Transportation was targeting the mural, located in front of the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American History Museum, Friday night.

So they insisted on having one last moment before the paint came out.

“What I said was, ‘Mother Goddess, Father God, spirit of life, thank you for this ability to do your work in this world,'” said Atherton-Zeman.

The pastors arrived and began to pray on top of the street mural.

“Part of my vows that I took as part of my ordination and my baptism is to resist evil and justice and oppression,” said Oliver.

Police arrested the pastors, who were charged with obstruction and hindering traffic. They spent part of the night in jail.

“We have the values of interdependence, of love, and I really couldn’t just stand on the sidelines. I had to kneel in the street,” said Atherton-Zeman.

This is the latest in a series of removals of street art in the Tampa Bay area. Others include a crosswalk on the St. Petersburg campus of the University of South Florida and a “Blue Lives Matter” mural in Tampa.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has insisted the state not allow what he deems to be political messages on roadways.

“We’re not doing the commandeering of the roads to put up messaging,” he said.

The City of St. Petersburg push for exemptions for a half-dozen murals was denied, with Mayor Ken Welch saying it had no choice but to comply or risk losing state funding.

“I think what [the governor is] going to find out is that, as he continues to erase this, people are going to come together in community,” said Oliver.

Both pastors who were arrested reiterated that they consider it their duty to honor that mural, which is why they stood up for it by kneeling.

Their attorney said she will be speaking with prosecutors about dropping the charges, because no one was injured, and it was a nonviolent form of protest.

The new video shows 28-year-old Harjinder Singh speaking with an officer after he was pulled over for speeding near Santa Fe, New Mexico, in July.

“Would you like to go to court or would you like to pay the fine?” the officer is heard asking Singh.

“Pay the fine,” Singh said.

The traffic stop occurred just weeks before Singh attempted an illegal U-turn near Mile Marker 171 on Florida’s Turnpike in St. Lucie County, just before 3 p.m. on Aug. 12.

“I hate to be the first guy to write you a ticket,” the officer told Singh.

Singh’s English comprehension came into question after officials from the Department of Homeland Security said he entered the United States illegally back in 2018 and obtained a commercial license in California in the years after.

Florida officials criticized him being permitted to drive.

“Someone that never should’ve been given a driver’s license, much less a CDL license to drive larger commercial vehicles, engaged in reckless behavior that took three lives,” said Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier.

Gov. Ron DeSantis also questioned why Singh would be allowed to obtain a commercial license if he wasn’t proficient in English.

“Why would they put someone behind the wheel of one of those things when this guy can’t even communicate and doesn’t understand English?” said DeSantis.

The new video appears to show Singh having some degree of understanding and speaking in broken English with the officer, who asked him to repeat something after not understanding something he said.

It comes after the deadly crash gained widespread attention outside of Florida, sparking discussion about how much English Singh could speak and understand, including from the Trump administration.

At his first court appearance last weekend, Singh opted to use a translator and was mostly nonresponsive to the judge’s questions.

The New Mexico State Police chief said the traffic stop would not have triggered an English-language proficiency test. Those are only required when there’s an issue with communication.

A human rights lawyer also met with Singh earlier in the week, who said the driver is deeply remorseful over what happened.

“As soon as the incident happened, he came out of his seat, went to that van, broke open the window of the glass and held the hand and told him, ‘Help is on the way, please stay with me,'” said Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who works for Sikhs for Justice.

Officials for Sikhs for Justice also confirmed they planned to commit $100,000 to support the relatives of the three people killed in the crash.

Singh remains behind bars in St. Lucie County after being denied bond following his extradition from California.

Margate Police reported the incident occurred near the 5000 block of Lakewood Circle South, at around 12 p.m., Wednesday.

Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue confirmed the child, who was bitten multiple times, was airlifted to Broward Health Medical Center.

Fire officials said the two pit bulls that were involved in the attack were turned over to animal control.

Authorities said the canines didn’t live where the attack happened.

7News spoke with Nathaniel Silver, a certified dog trainer, who said a new environment or a lack of physical activity could cause dogs to lose control of their animal instincts.

“If they were that dog that was stuck in a house all day long, for 12 or eight hours a day, and they only got one walk a day, my guess is that the dogs were confused and that it was a fear response, maybe,” said Silver.

A 7News crew also tried checking on the child at the family’s home, but the family shut the door.

The home’s front window appeared as if it had recently been damaged after investigators were seen photographing the front porch.

The child’s injuries were described as severe but not life-threatening.

The young patient is currently in stable condition.

Police and fire officials are investigating the circumstances surrounding the attack.

Dr. Jose Dotres appeared in front of an audience at Miami Senior High School to deliver his annual “Opening of Schools” address, Friday morning.

“The 2025 opening of schools is a personal milestone for me and a historic one for our district,” he said.

The address marked the launch of the new school year and the 140th anniversary for M-DCPS.

“We have proudly maintained an ‘A’ rating for six years, despite the challenges we have faced,” said Miami-Dade School Board Chair Mari Tere Rojas. “We are proud to be recognized as the nation’s number one magnet school district.”

Dotres also unveiled new initiatives that students across the district will be able to dive into throughout the year.

Some of the new initiatives included integrating artificial intelligence into select high schools through its magnet programs, as well as a partnership with Google and the introduction of new programs focused on space, journalism and coding.

These initiatives, Dotres said, will allow students to explore even more opportunities throughout the district.

“Every conversation, every interaction, every impression is a chance to remind families that we are their best choice,” he said.

Students also took the stage to praise their teachers for helping them get to where they are now.

“You helped students like us believe in what’s possible — for your passion, your presence and your power to help us believe who we could become before you even know ourselves,” said a student.

After his speech, the superintendent was joined by other board officials to emphasize that M-DCPS is the ideal place for students to learn as more options for education become available for families in South Florida.

“We are the best choice, we have the greatest number of programs, we have the greatest number of resources, supports for their children, and we are competing with charter schools, private schools, as we know that we can provide the best for any student in this community,” said Dotres.

Dotres also revealed a new educational program called “Edventures 305,” which can be watched at home, that shows all of the programs and services that will be provided for students across the school district.

The first day of school for Miami-Dade is this coming Thursday.

Britney Taryn said she has taken her son Leo and his brother to the San Antonio Aquarium multiple times since 2022. When they went last month, the concerned mother said they were encouraged to touch the octopus.

But this time, things took a turn.

“Leo put his arm in the tank, and the octopus wrapped his tentacles around him and wouldn’t let go,” she said.

Taryn said she screamed for help, but saw no employees nearby.

“When the first employee wasn’t able to remove the tentacle from him, he called for backup, and they brought ice packs to kind of distract the octopus,” she said.

Taryn said it took three employees to free her son.

“When they were finally able to do that — it was about five minutes from the time stamps in my pictures — Leo stood around and watched to see if the octopus was OK,” she said.

It was a tense and unexpected encounter with the sea creature for this family, to say the least.

“I did ask [Leo] if it hurt, and he said no. His biggest concern was for the octopus,” said Taryn. “So, I guess it happened really quickly. I guess I was a little just shocked that it was happening at all, I guess, just because we’ve been interacting with this octopus for years.”

The octopus left suction bruises on Leo’s arm, but the boy said the only pain he feels is for the octopus.

“We have now learned that this octopus is in senescence, so it’s probably not going to be around for very much longer, so we did go say goodbye to it to make sure he had the chance for closure,” said Taryn. “But before that happens, we really do want – our biggest goal is to save this octopus and the animals in the aquarium.”

Craig Pelke, who works at the San Antonio Zoo, said octopuses are usually gentle.

“Based on my experience with the octopus and what I saw, I can’t help but think that that the octopus was maybe, I think, just overstimulated,” he said.

The aquarium was found to be in compliance in its latest inspection report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The victims were identified as 7-year-old Mila Yankelevich of Argentina and 13-year-old Erin Ko, a Chilean national who had recently moved to the United States, officials said.

Both were participating in a youth sailing lesson through the Miami Yacht Club on Monday when their small sailboat collided with a barge near Hibiscus Island.

Ko, who formerly attended San Pedro Nolasco School in Santiago, Chile, was remembered by her school community as “well-rounded, approachable, empathetic” and a strong student active in volleyball, the trapeze and fabric workshop.

In a video posted to social media Thursday, the school honored her life with a balloon release and a memorial.

Ko’s family said on Thursday that their lives have been forever changed.

In a statement, the family said in part: “…Our grief extends to all those affected by this tragedy. We hold the other victims and their loved ones in our hearts, sharing in the profound sorrow this loss has brought to so many.”

Yankelevich, the youngest daughter of a family well-known in Argentina’s entertainment industry, was previously identified by relatives and Argentine media.

The crash, which left two other children injured, has rattled the South Florida and international sailing communities.

U.S. Coast Guard officials said all of the children were wearing life jackets at the time of the collision.

The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities examining both vessels and interviewing witnesses.

On Thursday, the Coast Guard said the toxicology for both individuals onboard the tug and barge and sailboat operator returned negative.

“Our hearts are with the families of the victims, and we stand united in our grief and resolve,” said U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Frank Florio.

One of the hospitalized children, 7-year-old Calena Gruber, was released after receiving stitches and treatment for minor injuries, according to a family social media post. An 11-year-old girl, identified by a Bal Harbour synagogue as Arielle, remains in critical condition at Jackson Memorial Hospital.

The Miami Yacht Club’s youth sailing program has been suspended as the Coast Guard works to determine how the deadly crash occurred. They have posted several mental health and counseling resources on their social media page.

Officials said the investigation could take several months.

Coast Guard officials are asking for the public to turn over photos, videos from Monday’s incident that could help them in their investigation. If you have any information that may help them, reach out to MiamiIO@uscg.mil.

Speaking with 7News virtually on Wednesday, Tampa Bay resident Tiffany Monroe, one of those stranded passengers, said her vacation turned into a nightmare after her ship was forced to leave her and others behind.

“The ship is gone. They’re just leaving us,” she said. “No food, no clothes, no nothing.”

Monroe said her ship, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America, had to leave two hours earlier than expected due to the ongoing tsunami warnings caused by the earthquake near Russia, but never alerted the excursion tour guides.

“Our excursion didn’t end up actually leaving our specific bus until around 1:25 [p.m.],” she said.

Monroe said she, along with other passengers, boarded buses to head to Volcano National Park on Hawaii Island while receiving tsunami warnings on her phone.

“Norwegian never contacted the Polynesian Adventure cruise bus tour company for any of the buses that were coming to take us to Volcano National Park, so we just continued on, driving to Volcano National Park like we weren’t in danger,” she said.

On their way there, Monroe said, they received a notification from the cruise line that it was leaving early due to a directive from the Department of Transportation, essentially stranding the passengers on the excursion.

Norwegian Cruise Lines released a statement that read in part: “Guests participating in NCL Shore excursions were brought directly to a local high school, a designated safe location in Hilo, where refreshments were provided for their comfort and well-being. As a precaution and due to the temporary port closure, Pride of America has remained at sea, a safer location in situations such as this.”

But Monroe said she had a different experience on the ground.

“So we drove up, and the security person was like, ‘Listen, this is not a shelter, it’s closed.’ So we just sat on the side of the road,” she said. “The tour bus operators absolutely had nowhere to take us. They had no idea what they were doing, and they expressed that they were frustrated because they were receiving no communication from Norwegian about where to take us.”

Other passengers, such as TikToker Mandy the Cruise Planner, shared similar frustrations. While on the bus to the shelter, she explained in a video about her experience being stranded on the island.

“They told us to come back, we came back. Right before, you know, they told us we got there while they were still at the dock, but they still went without us, and so, now we’re fighting traffic to get again back to higher ground. The communication has been terrible,” said Mandy on video.

Norwegian Cruise Line said they were awaiting a safety assessment on the port, where the Pride of America had been docked, and once that assessment had been cleared, they would then return to pick up the stranded passengers.

As of 6 p.m., Wednesday, Mandy had posted another video telling her followers that the group of stranded passengers was back on buses, headed to the port to be picked up by the ship.

Teens are kicking in people’s doors in the middle of the night, leaving homeowners in Pasadena, a suburb located south of Baltimore, on edge.

What might look like an innocent prank captured in Ring surveillance video is actually part of a much larger and potentially dangerous viral sensation.

Candice Knight, who said her in a Baltimore-area home was targeted by the pranksters early Monday morning, spoke out about the troubling TikTok trend.

“We hear ‘boom, boom, boom.’ They had kicked my door in and busted my whole door frame,” she said.

The disruptive intrusions, which take place in the middle of the night, have teens running up to homes and kicking doors as loud as they can.

Knight said she hid her 12 year old son in a closet out of fear.

“It was gut-wrenching. It was, ‘Whoever comes through this door, I will die to protect him,'” she said.

When the chaos was over, Knight said, she found her door frame busted.

Lisa Hazen said her home was also targeted,

“They donkey-kicked my door loud. It was shocking, to say the least. I have my grandchildren with me,” she said.

“Two o’clock in the morning, ‘bam, bam, bam.’ I shoot up out of bed. It sounds like a sledgehammer,” said another resident who asked not to be identified or show her face on camera..

Police said two teens, ages 13 and 14, were arrested and charged.

Neighbors said this is more than a silly prank or ding-dong ditch.

“That’s nothing compared to what they did, and what worries me is that some mother is going to lose their child,” said Hazen.

“How do you not know that your children aren’t home at 3 a.m.?” said Knight, “You play stupid games, you win stupid prizes. These children are going to lose their lives over something so stupid.”

The resident who asked not to be identified said she called police when her door was targeted, but the teens responsible get away with just a slap on the wrist.

“I can tell you that you feel very threatened when it happens, like someone’s coming to get us,” she said. “It would be very helpful if the authorities would take it a little more seriously with the kids.”

Police warn that even though the teens may think the prank is funny, it’s illegal and dangerous, and they will be arrested.

Nearly six months into Trump’s second term in the White House, many voters say immigration and the economy remain front and center in their minds.

Five hundred Miami residents were asked about recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids and arrests, as Florida is at the center of the nationwide debate. The exclusive poll shows 61% of those polled believe recent arrests had gone too far, while 23% thought they are just about right.

When asked about whether or not the recent deportations of Venezuelans, Cubans and Argentinians made them more or less likely to support the president, 52% of those polled said deportations made them less likely to support Trump, while 26% said they were more likely to support him and 12% said it made no difference.

Those polled were also asked about the administration’s termination of temporary protected status for Haitians living in the United States. Miami residents said they opposed the move, 59% to 24% who were in favor, while 14% said they were undecided on the issue.

7News’ political analyst Brian Fonseca said the results on TPS show Miami residents know about the situation in Haiti.

“I think it also suggests that Miamians have a clear understanding of the dire situation that Haiti is in right now, and I think that may be against the backdrop of this question that Miami residents recognize sending Haitians back is an incredibly difficult feat,” he said.

Residents polled were also asked who they had voted for last election. Thirty-seven percent of them said they had voted for former Vice President Kamala Harris, while 36% said they voted for Trump. Sixteen percent said they didn’t vote.

But the poll does show some Miami residents saying they have some buyer’s remorse. When asked who they would vote for if the election were being held today, 35% would vote for Harris, 30% would vote for Trump, and those remaining said they would either vote for someone else, be undecided or abstain from voting altogether.

“It’s not that you’re seeing a defection from Trump to say, ‘I should’ve voted for Harris.’ I’m not sure that’s what the data shows. In fact, you have a larger number of ‘give me a different candidate, or I’m not sure,’ and I think that is significant,” said Fonseca.

Those polled were also split on the issue of the economy. Forty-one percent said the economy is worse under Trump, while 37% said it was worse under former President Joe Biden, and 20% said they weren’t sure.

“People don’t really know the hard numbers. They just know, ‘Am I saving a lot more money at the grocery store? Have I seen the price of gas? Have eggs dropped significantly?'” said Fonseca. “That’s the sort of kitchen table discussion where they just don’t feel it yet. Maybe they won’t — it just depends on sort of the trajectory of the economy — but it certainly – the response indicates that people aren’t feeling it yet, for the most part.”

Additionally, residents were asked if they think Florida is an affordable place to live. More than half of those polled said no.

See the full poll results below:

The teen from Hillsborough County was reported missing earlier this year. In late June, detectives found her being used as an escort.

“It’s something that nobody should ever have to go through, let alone a child,” said youth and family advocate Ady Pena.

Detectives regularly monitor adult escort advertisements for suspicious activity. They spotted the teenager in one of the ads.

Detectives conducted an undercover operation in Lakeland in June where they rescued her.

Advocates at a nonprofit refuge for trafficked youth said she’s lucky.

“These are cases that we deal with every day. We see almost a new case daily,” said Pena.

Authorities said the teen identified 22-year-old Terrence Whitfield as her trafficker, who was then arrested.

Brittany Armstrong was also taken into custody. Investigators said she helped post the escort ads.

Detectives said Whitfield communicated with buyers — arranging sexual encounters, acting as security during the meetings and collecting the proceeds.

Gabrielle Triplett, a survivor of a different case, explained how the criminals usually operate.

“They work on building relationships with people, they work on finding out what their vulnerabilities are, what their weaknesses are, and then they exploit those,” she said.

The Lakeland case comes days after University of South Florida is St. Petersburg released a study showing just how widespread human trafficking is in the Sunshine State.

According to the report, about 200,000 Floridians are living as victims of sex trafficking and another 500,000 are being forced to work.

Tampa has the third most ads in the state. Miami is ranked at ninth.

The amount signifies a need for experts who can help the victims.

“We’re just there to provide services. We’re there to ensure that they have what they need in order to proceed and go on,” said Pena.

Both Whitfield and Armstrong face several charges related to human trafficking and prostitution.

Bodycam video captured the harrowing moments Lee County deputies arrived at the fiery home in North Fort Myers Tuesday night, with their grandson waiting for help.

His grandmother was carried out first, then first responders rescued his grandfather and dog.

The couple was transported to the hospital with minor injuries and are expected to be okay.

The grandchild and dog were not injured.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Crews from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue are on the ground in Texas aiding search-and-rescue efforts near Kerrville.

The department deployed a special unit, Task Force One, in response to the catastrophic floods that struck last week.

“To assist them with recovery and getting back to a sense of normalcy,” said MDFR Battalion Chief Brandon Webb.

The team includes two K-9s, two handlers and two managers who were lending a helping hand on Thursday sifting through piles of debris alongside other first responders and humanitarian groups.

Officials in Texas said more than 170 people are still unaccounted for, as the death toll continues to rise, with at least 121 people confirmed dead.

MDFR as well as other crews are beginning to shift their search-and-rescue mission into a recovery effort.

Earlier in the week, Doral-based Global Empowerment Mission, known as GEM, deployed teams to distribute survival kits and provide assistance.

Trucks from South Florida were also seen pulling into the area carrying supplies to be given to survivors who have lost everything.

“Everything here was underwater,” said GEM’s founder, Michael Capponi.

As numerous support teams continue their recovery work, Capponi described the heartbreaking scenes along the Guadalupe River.

“And then all of a sudden, just like that, within 15 minutes, boom, children were gone. We’ve met people that literally had four or five children that are all gone,” said Capponi.

MDFR’s Task Force 1 is also working with a task force from Nebraska conducting K-9 searches in some of the areas that were hit the hardest by the intense flooding.

Commissioners voted Tuesday night to re-enter their agreement between local police and federal immigration officials after they received backlash from state officials.

“I’m voting with my head and not my heart,” said Commissioner Donald Lee.

But the controversial meeting was met with protesters as they pleaded with commissioners to keep their original vote which voided the agreement.

“We are all immigrants of this country with our ancestors coming from foreign shores,” said one protester.

“This is a small community. I am begging you. These are people we know, that we’ve worked with for 20 years, some of them,” said another resident.

“Last week you did something good. You did something brave. You gave us hope, a light at the end of the tunnel. If you can go back on that, you’re going to destroy the island’s economy, morale, humanity,” said another protester.

Despite loud protest, commissioners voted 4-to-2 to cooperate with the Trump-era federal immigration enforcement policy that allows local officers to act as ICE agents.

It was a change from a week prior when in a 6-to-1 vote, commissioners voted to void the agreement, saying it was improperly signed by the police chief instead of the city manager. But Lee, who is a former police chief, joined Mayor Danise Henriquez and two other commissioners in changing their vote to re-enforce the agreement.

The city faced pressure from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and State Attorney General James Uthmeier after they issued threats, warning city officials that they could face removal from their post if they didn’t align themselves with state law.

Following the vote, many residents were left angry and disappointed. Some stormed out of the meeting in protest.

Commissioner Lissette Carey made a comment as she watched those in opposition to the decision leaving.

“It appears in this room that we are one human family, unless we have a difference of opinions,” she said.

The program remains voluntary under federal law, but the DeSantis administration said cooperation is necessary to enforce Florida’s anti-sanctuary city law.

Florida State Rep. Anna Eskamani didn’t learn much about what’s happening inside the detention center on Thursday, when she and other Democratic state lawmakers were blocked by officials from entering over safety concerns.

Mike Jachles, a spokesperson for the Florida Division of Emergency Management, spoke with the lawmakers. He tried to give them contact information for someone they could reach to discuss the matter.

“You can call him and email him now,” said Jachles.

“No,” said Florida State Rep. Angie Nixon.

“I will give you his number. I’m just relaying the message to try to accommodate you,” said Jachles.

Eskamani, who represents Florida’s District 42, said something outside stuck out.

“The second you open up your car, your car is infested with mosquitoes,” she said.

Despite wearing a mosquito net, Eskamani said, she was bitten dozens of times. Now she wonders what it will mean for detainees being held in tents, who have to walk outside to bathrooms and showers.

The lawmaker is also concerned that storms could compromise the tents.

“For those who are working in that environment and living in that environment, it is not built for human engagement, especially not for long periods of time,” she said.

Dr. Durland Fish, an epidemiologist at Yale University, studies mosquitoes in the Everglades.

“‘It’s mosquito heaven,” he said.

Seven mosquito-borne viruses circulate there, including West Nile, encephalitis and Everglades virus.

If these diseases hit non-native people who don’t have antibodies built up, Fish said, they can cause neurological conditions.

“These diseases are untreatable, and there’s no vaccine for them,” he said.

The concern comes as Democrats and advocacy groups demand transparency around “Alligator Alcatraz.”

“It is owed to Floridians to know exactly what is happening right there in the heart of South Florida,” said Tessa Pettit, executive director of the Florida Immigrant Coalition.

It also comes as construction for a United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Starke, near Jacksonville, is set to begin as early as this week.

Plans for a facility at Camp Blanding date back to mid-May.

A document sent to the Department of Homeland Security by the Florida Division of Emergency Management identifies this National Guard base as a potential home for a detention center.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said last week a facility there would likely be easier to open than “Alligator Alcatraz.”

“Blanding actually has buildings and facilities that we can repurpose for this,” he said.

An airfield on the base and nearby Naval Air Station Cecil Field provide options for direct deportation flights.

However, the document details several areas that would need improvements. It states the existing dining facility would likely not meet federal standards. In addition, a behavioral health facility, showers, bathrooms and facilities capable of supporting detainees with disabilities would be needed.

Those facilities may also have to be temporary, as a DHS court filing notes new, permanent structures aren’t eligible for federal reimbursement.

The lawmakers who were blocked from entering the Everglades facility said they will continue to pursue legal remedies until full transparency is achieved.

Nick Selby said it’s been his lifelong dream to reach new heights, and while climbing Mount Everest certainly wasn’t easy, adventure runs in his DNA.

These days, the gym is where Selby pushes his limits until everything just clicks into place, but no matter what load one carries, there’s always one step higher to climb.

“I wouldd probably be at this pace here at 5 and doing it for an hour and a half, two hours,” he said

Selby, who calls Champaign, Illinois home. has already been to the top. Of everything.

“Way worse up there,” he said,

When asked, why climb Everest, he replied, “Because it’s there.”

Mount Everest stands 29,032 feet above sea level. The snow glistens like diamonds there, and the wind howls through the jagged Himalayan peaks.

Not all who climb this peak make it down..

“Everything that you do see about Everest, in terms of, like, the dead bodies and all of that, it’s very true,” said Selby.

And even those who do pay a price.

“It’s a nightmare. You can prepare for it all you want, but until you see it, it’s something else,” said Selby.

Selby is as lucky as he is prepared.

“I’ve worked pretty much all my life to get here,” he said.

He listed the many obstacles he faced.

“I absolutely despise that icefall. Everything is trying to kill you. There was an avalanche. Every time you take a step, it feels like your heart is going to, like explode almost. It’s very painful,: he said. “You haven’t slept in 24 hours, almost. It still doesn’t feel real, but it happened.”

For Selby, it did happen, back in May, and the proof is something he can still see, in pictures, video, a rock and the U.S. flag he took there.

His feet are thankfully back on firmer and warmer ground.

“It worked out for me. I’m very lucky to say that,” he said.

Selby said is now interested in safer hobbies.

“I told my whole family that I’m just going to take up pickleball,” he said.

While Selby is moving away from high-risk climbs, he’s still considering climbing Mount Whitney in California.

Jackson Dierenfield, a 7-year-old cancer survivor, went fishing off Deerfield Beach on Wednesday after travelling all the way from Montana with his family.

“We put a couple lines out, and not shortly after, got Jackson on his first big deep sea critter down here in South Florida, happened to be a nice mature healthy nurse shark, got some pictures with them, brought him up, got a nice safe release.” said fisherman Captain TJ.

Even though his wish came true at that moment, it was only the beginning.

“While we were trying to release that one, we hooked another one and got a nice healthy black tip as well,” said TJ. “Jackson was really excited.”

Jackson was especially excited after catching the second shark. 7News capturing the child touching the shark and being taken aback by its size.

“I thought it would be tiny teeny, but it was, like, humongous.” said Jackson.

Jackson’s mom, Jessica, told 7News that fishing got Jackson through the worst days of his cancer treatment.

“When he went through chemotherapy, he would fish, he would go fishing after he was done with chemotherapy, and it was a coping technique, I guess, to get through it, because it was really hard, and he was really sick.” said Jessica. “For him to want to fish for his wish is such a frosting on the cake, because he is now done with chemo, and it’s very special. Fishing is very special in our family.”

This cross-country trip wasn’t just a wish come true for Jackson. Jessica said the fact that her son got to experience the fishing healthy and whole is a dream come true for her as well.

The City of Miami Police Department shared tips on social media to stay safe, and Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue even held demonstrations.

“If you’re going to use fireworks this year, we ask that you please use them outdoors, on a flat surface, away from anything that can burn,” said Miami Fire Rescue Lt. Pete Sanchez in a social media post. “Please light one at a time, and make sure that is under adult supervision.”

Last year, several young people were injured by fireworks, and in Deerfield Beach, a teen had some fingers blown off.

“The mortar exploded and, unfortunately, it caused a partial amputation to his hand.” said Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Michael B. Kane said during a demonstration.

Firefighters demonstrated that even some of the most unassuming fireworks, like sparklers, burn up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit and can cause serious damage, highlighted by showing what it did to a piece of chicken.

“The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a professional display.” said FLFR Battalion Chief Christopher Davis-Partrige.

The blast from fireworks can even have detrimental health effects on household animals, and even if you’re not the one throwing them, there are actions you can take.

“We have to be mindful. While it’s a celebration for us, it can appear to be a catastrophic event for our dogs and cats,” said Broward County Animal Care spokesperson Zachary Rinkins. “Make sure they’re comfortable. I might want to turn on some music, bring the lights down.”

Nevertheless, there are bigger issues officials have to take under consideration during Independence Day celebrations.

“Please keep in mind that celebratory gunfire is illegal. Do not discharge any firearm up into the air, as what goes up, must come down, and that can result in serious injury or death,” said Miami Police Officer Kiara Delva in a video posted on Instagram.

Authorities also want to remind residents to never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

“As always, please stay safe, and if you see something, say something.” said Delva.

Two cities’ celebration plans for the Fourth of July have fizzled, as Pembroke Pines has canceled festivities and the City of Opa-locka has postponed their community picnic due to inclement weather.

In Plantation, a parade is set to begin at 9:00 a.m.

In a 3-2 vote pn Thursday, the measure gives commissioners and the city’s mayor an extra year in office before they have to face voters.

“A few folks were saying that we were canceling an election. We are not canceling an election. There is a 2025 election that is happening that will contain ballot initiatives, but the elected officials move to 2026,” said Commissioner Damian Pardo, who introduced and voted in favor of the measure.

The city will now have even-year elections, instead of odd-year.

“We know that there is voter support for this. On the campaign, people are constantly asking me about this. The polling indicates that there is broad support even with the additional year issue,” said Pardo.

It is a change that, supporters said, is meant to increase voter turnout. However, critics question whether the date change is constitutional without voter approval.

Before the controversial vote, Florida State Attorney General James Uthmeier warned in a written memo that the city could not move the date without voter approval in a ballot referendum.

He wrote in part:

“Attempting to effect this change by a simple vote by the Miami City Commission alone would clearly circumvent the terms of the County Charter and would therefore be invalid … If you nevertheless move forward with the proposed ordinance, my office reserves the right to consider taking all available actions to prevent this violation of law from occurring.”

Commissioner Joe Carollo didn’t support the measure, even though he would benefit from it if it remains valid.

“I voted against it because, first of all, I believe what the attorney general of Florida stated that it’s illegal, but even if it wasn’t, it’s morally wrong,” he said.

Carollo added the issue should be given to voters, not voted on by commissioners.

“The voters voted for all of us for four years, not five. If they wanted to make a change, they should’ve brought it up to the voters,” said Carollo.

The change takes effect immediately, but Carollo told 7News he expects the measure to be challenged in court.

It remains unclear how Uthmeier will respond to the measure, but Gov. Ron DeSantis wrote in a social media post on Thursday that he anticipates “swift, legal action” when this “scheme” is enacted.

These educators are gearing up for some new technologically capable activities, hoping it helps build new teamwork skills for their students while they have some fun.

About 30 BCPS teachers who serve as robotics coaches are getting a head start for the next school year. Thursday morning, they headed back to class to learn about the robots they’ll be working with, as they rev up to be robotics ready.

“We’re excited to have returning coaches here,” said robotics teacher Ali Unger-Fink. “It’s great to see everyone, and then of course, the new coaches who are getting ready to kick off their own classes and clubs this upcoming year.”

VEX robots and robotics games will be featured in future student competitions.

At the Pines Collegiate Academy in Pembroke Pines, coaches designed, built and even drove their own robots, as they took part in a friendly battle between each other.

“They’re showcasing their skills, they’re working on their autonomous code and going over the foundations that they’ll bring into the school year next year with their students,” said Unger-Fink.

Susan Cantrick, director of applied learning for BCPS, said students learning about robotics will help them in numerous ways.

“They learn coding, they learn spatial reasoning, it reenforces their math and science skills, they learn how to be critical thinkers, problem solvers,” she said.

Cantrick also said students being in the robotics programs enhances their understanding of standards, so they can perform better on tests and in core content areas.

“Robotics and all of the programs can apply learning support engagement of students, and that engagement of students in the classroom, and outside of the classroom for our extracurricular programming, ensures that students want to come to school, stay in school and graduate from school,” she said.

“Robotics is a great program. It not only allows students to build their technology skills and their teamwork skills, but it gives them that outlet at school and that motivation to really love learning,” said Unger-Fink.

One of the participant teachers said they’re looking forward to expanding this program to make it more inclusive to students and more accessible for all schools to participate in.

Actor Tray Chaney, best known for his role in the HBO series “The Wire,” said he’s blown away by how positive his son Malachi has been through this terrifying experience.

“It’s been incredible. Man, I’m just so proud of my son,” said Chaney.

Chaney said Malachi is making tremendous progress after suffering severe injuries when a tornado hit their Atlanta home late last month.

“Anytime that I’m feeling down or sad — as his father, as my wife’s husband — Malachi making progress is my hope,” he said.

Chaney said strong winds picked up his son tossed him around 300 feet from their home.

The 19-year-old spent almost a week and a half in the intensive care unit.

Part of what’s lifted him is all the messages of love and support he saw when his father handed him his phone for the first time since he was taken to the hospital.

“He actually shed tears, and I say, ‘Malachi, are you in pain?’ He said, ‘No, Dad, I’m looking at my phone, and I’m looking at all of the people that’s been showing me love around the world,'” said Chaney.

Malachi is healing from a laundry list of injuries, including a traumatic brain injury.

After the ICU, he was taken to a rehabilitation hospital where, Chaney said, the staff wasted no time to help him recover.

“Malachi is busier than somebody that has a 9-to-5 job,” he said. “Like, I call his phone, I can’t get in touch with him sometimes, some days. They’re like, ‘Oh, he’s busy doing therapy. Oh, he’s busy walking around.'”

Just in the first three days he’s had with therapy, Malachi is already making what his dad calls “incredible strides.”

“Today’s the day that he can actually go to the bathroom on his own. He just has to put his neck brace on. He can get out of bed on his own. He’s already eating on his own,” said Chaney, “So, just the progress, I’m like, two weeks ago, May 29th, we didn’t know that my son was going to make it.”

Malachi was even feeling good enough to record this video.

“I want to thank everybody for supporting me. It means the world, and it’s gonna be one of the greatest comebacks that you’ve ever seen in your life,” he said,

Chaney and his wife are still dealing with the loss of their home and all their belongings, but he said Malachi’s attitude and progress is carrying them through the tough times.

“He’s inspired me in ways that I don’t even think he understands,” he said.

Chaney said they don’t know how long Malachi’s recovery will be, but he is asking the public to continue sending messages of support, because they keep his son motivated as he continues his rehabilitation.