Your daily look at news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today.
LEGISLATORS MEET WITH CUBAN ACTIVIST’S WIFE
South Florida’s Cuban-American congressional delegation will meet with the wife of a Cuban democracy activist. Republican legislators Mario Diaz Balart and Ileana Ros Lehtinen, as well as Democrat Joe Garcia, will meet Yris Tamara Perez Aguilera Tuesday in Washington. Perez Aguilera is married to Jorge Luis Garcia Perez, known by his nickname “Antunez.”
2 ARRESTED FOR SCAMS TARGETING HAITIAN AMERICANS
Authorities have arrested two men for scams targeting South Florida’s Haitian-American community. Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater said last week that Jacques Albert Calixte used his Miami charity Haitian American Association Against Cancer to steal nearly $300,000 in state funds intended to help screen Haitian-American women for cancer. Earlier this month, Florida’s Office of Financial Regulation announced that Philippe Bourciquot allegedly used Haitian Creole radio ads to lure listeners into a Ponzi scheme.
2-DAY LOBSTER HARVEST AT BISCAYNE NATIONAL PARK
The two-day lobster mini-season for recreational fishermen will continue at Biscayne National Park this year, but that may change in the future. Park officials have proposed eliminating the mini-season as part of a fishery management plan aimed at increasing the number and size of fish in park waters.
PARENTS ARRESTED AFTER TODDLER DIES FROM BURNS
The parents of a Panhandle 2-year-old have been charged with negligent manslaughter after their toddler died from untreated burns. Officials say the 2-year-old boy died Sunday. The toddler’s grandmother says the parents had previously been investigated by Florida’s Department of Children and Families. She said the parents were afraid to take the child to the hospital after the previous investigation.
$2.5 MILLION LOAN SAVES SOUTHWEST FLORIDA ATTRACTION
A 76-year-old roadside tourist attraction in southwest Florida has a new lease on life, thanks to a $2.5 million loan from a group of supporters. The loan for the Shell Factory & Nature Park closed Friday. The Shell Factory’s owner and his 85 employees faced possible foreclosure on the sprawling property.
