Top Miami Area Local News Stories
Source: Top Stories
<p> The Florida Department of Law Enforcement on Friday announced the arrest of a Davie man on 144 counts of possession of child pornography. </p><p> Orville Bullitt, 44, of Davie, was arrested earlier this week in Osceola County. </p><p> Bullitt because a suspect during an undercover investigation by the FDLE's Cyber High-Tech Crime Squad. During the investigation, agents were able to trace images that had been shared online back to Bullitt's home computer, investigators said. </p><p> Bullitt was booked into the Osceola County Jail. He is being held on $1.4 million bond. </p><p> Agents suspect there are other victims who had contact with Bullitt. </p><p> FDLE's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Forces in Florida were created solely to investigate Internet crimes against kids that include the online sexual exploitation of children and child pornography. </p><p> To review tips for keeping your children safe online, click here. </p>
Published: Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:25:48 GMT
<p> Two South Florida men will serve life in prison after they were convicted of drugging women and filming rapes of them for sale as pornography. </p><p> U.S. District Judge K. Michael Moore imposed the sentences Thursday on 41-year-old Lavont Flanders Jr. and 45-year-old Emerson Callum. They were convicted of multiple sex-related and conspiracy charges in December. </p><p> Prosecutors say the two lured women to Miami with false promises of model work. At auditions they were given drinks laced with date rape drugs. One of the men then had sex with the women while the other filmed it. The film was then sold to pornography Internet sites and stores. </p><p> Flanders posed as a female model when contacting the women by phone about the purported auditions. Prosecutors say at least 50 women were victims.</p>
Published: Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:46:02 GMT
<p> Five people were rushed to the hospital when a car and tractor-trailer collided just after 2:30 a.m. Friday. </p><p> Police said the car and the truck were both traveling west along Coral Way when they hit each other. </p><p> One person had to be cut out of car. </p><p> The victims were rushed to Baptist Hospital and Kendall Regional Medical Center.</p><p> Police are working to figure out what caused the accident. </p><p> Coral Way at Southwest 84th Avenue was closed in both directions as a result of the crash. Miami-Dade police said Coral Way started to reopen at about 10 a.m. </p><p> Crews are working to clean up the scene and are using sand bags to absorb spilled fuel.</p>
Published: Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:06:17 GMT
<p> A woman was killed instantly Thursday night while she was trying to cross eight lanes of traffic on Interstate 595, police said.</p><p> All four westbound lanes of the highway were closed from State Road 7 to University Drive while investigators tried to piece together exactly what happened. </p><p> They think the woman was hit by several cars.</p><p> Police said three cars stopped. The Florida Highway Patrol is searching for any other vehicles that may have been involved.</p><p> The identity of the victim has not been released. Investigators are working to determine why she was on the expressway.</p><p> The interstate reopened at about 3 a.m. </p>
Published: Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:04:14 GMT
<p> A jury reached a verdict Thursday in the trial of a man accused of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from two women who thought they had won his heart.</p><p> Paul Francois, whom investigators have called the "Sweetheart Swindler," was arrested in August 2009, accused of stealing nearly $400,000 from Rose Marie Anglade and Sheila Brissault. </p><p> The jury in Francois' trial was given the case Thursday afternoon. Shortly after 6 p.m., they had reached a verdict.</p><p> The jury found Francois guilty of all charges against him. Francois was charged with one count of organized scheme to defraud and two counts of grand theft. </p><p> The two women, who did not know about each other at the time, said they each met Francois, who romanced them and planned to marry each of them. After opening joint bank accounts with Francois, the women said he stole all of their money.</p><p> Defense attorneys argued that Francois was in love with each woman, and that the women handed over their money freely.</p><p> Angalde and Brissault each testified during Francois' trial.</p><p> "I would like to have all my money back," Brissault said. "I think he's a coward. He's a criminal. He's a heartless man."</p><p> "I don't deserve what he did to me," Anglade said. "I don't deserve it."</p><p> Each of the grand theft charges alone carries a maximum penalty of up to 30 years in prison.</p>
Published: Fri, 17 Feb 2012 04:54:59 GMT
<p> With tax season under way, thousands of South Floridians are learning criminals have gotten to their Internal Revenue Service refunds by stealing their identities. </p><p> "I went to file my taxes, and I was told somebody used my name already," said Linda Gage, who was one of hundreds in line at Miami's IRS office recently looking for help. </p><p> Joan Miles, another victim in line at the IRS office in Plantation, said she had no idea her identity had been stolen until she filed for her tax refund and was told it was already claimed.</p><p> "Nobody has ever stolen my bag," said Miles. "Nobody has ever stolen anything from me." </p><p> Identities have become so lucrative, federal agents recently busted low-level employees at a Social Security office who they said were selling identifying information on the side to cyber-criminals. </p><p> Thanks to quick tax return programs like those in storefronts and online, anyone with basic identifying information like name, occupation and date of birth can file a tax return and have it sent to any address, usually a mailbox at a vacant property the criminal can access. They can also load the refund on a cash or debit card. </p><p> Miami and Tampa are two of the hottest cities for identity theft crimes, according to investigators.</p><p> Click here for information from the IRS on what to do if you are the victim of identity theft.</p>
Published: Thu, 16 Feb 2012 23:00:14 GMT
<p> The guy's got guts. No doubt about that.</p><p> Miami-based flight attendant Gailen David has shirked the confines of career-protecting political correctness and now openly mocks his airline employer. His series of internet videos have garnered a serious come-back-for-more audience, mostly to indulge in his lead character, The Aluminum Lady. </p><p> Think Iron Lady Margaret Thatcher channeling Dame Edna, add some syrupy, saccharine Southern drawl, and cast her as a cutthroat, backstabbing airline boss. Aluminum Lady is pretty funny, if you like a little gallows humor.</p><p> But American Airlines is not laughing.</p><p> Granted, a legacy airline in bankruptcy, about to lay off 13,000 of its workforce, has little to laugh about.</p><p> But is an employee's clever irreverence a firing offense? I'm struggling with that one; I can argue both sides.</p><p> Maybe the larger question is, why isn't anyone at American thinking out-of-the-box on this one. What if some of the brass embraced David's creativity, teamed up with him to change the public face of stuffy corporate correctness and impersonal bureaucracy?</p><p> Throughout its troubles and bankruptcy filing, American has crafted its image with public relations outsourcing. We in the media and the airlines' own employees ask questions and, instead of human being answers, get carefully worded, cliche "statement" responses shrouded in PR puffery. </p><p> As a traveler, I would appreciate knowing an airline taking painful steps to become profitable is willing to acknowledge truth in jest. There is something very humanizing about the ability to laugh at yourself.</p><p> What if, instead of considering consequences for David's irreverent form of free speech, the airline embraced it, even turned it to their advantage?</p><p> David is still employed, though his two-year medical leave is about to end and American will have options to play about his future.</p><p> So is he an insubordinate showboater biting the hand that feeds him?</p><p> Or a creative jokester with a rebel streak just trying to keep up team morale?</p><p> What do you think? </p><p> Click here to watch the videos.</p>
Published: Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:29:10 GMT
<p> Feb. 17, 2012: 8:35 a.m.</p><p> It's time to head to Rio De Janeiro. </p><p> Needless to say, I'm beyond excited for this trip to Carnaval. It's cliche to say something is on your bucket list, but this truly has been on mine since a young age.</p><p> Our Local 10 crew is set up on a private jet with Miami artist Romero Britto and ready for the 8-hour ride. Britto is sitting next to me right now, and I doubt he's ever been more anxious.</p><p> While he's painted for presidents, actors, singers and even royalty, being honored in his native Brazil is a dream come true for him.</p><p> PHOTOS: Slideshow: Romero Britto PHOTOS: Rio de Janeiro, Carnaval</p><p> So, here we are, both preparing for an experience of a lifetime. </p><p> Like I mentioned in an earlier video post, I wish we could bring all of you along, but I'll make sure to send some great pictures and video to give you a taste of the experience.</p><p> OK, it's time for liftoff. Next stop; Rio! </p><p> We'll talk next from Carnaval.</p><p> Feb. 14, 2012</p><p> South Florida's most famous artist is about to be honored in a very big way.</p><p> Romero Britto, now known around the world for his art, will share it with an even bigger audience as his art comes to life at Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro.</p><p> His art decorates our landscape. You can't escape the color.</p><p>PHOTOS: Slideshow</p><p> Romero Britto has left his mark on South Florida and the world -- paintings, sculptures, cars, even a line of collectables now sold at Bed, Bath & Beyond.</p><p> Britto is wildly successful. His art is now sold in galleries in more than 100 countries. He has painted presidents, celebrities, even royalty.</p><p> But with all of his successes so far in his life, his greatest achievement is about to be realized.</p><p> This weekend, Britto will be celebrated in Brazil, at the country's biggest celebration: Carnaval.</p><p> "I got an invitation from the school of samba. They said they wanted to make homage of my work," Britto said. "I was thrilled, and I couldn't believe it. Carnaval in Brazil is the biggest cultural event in the country."</p><p> It will truly be full circle for Britto.</p><p> He was born in poverty in Brazil, one of nine children raised by a single mother.</p><p> The once-struggling artist who gained fame in Miami, now returns to Brazil as a pop art icon and will watch as 4,000 performers bring his art to life.</p><p> It will be a spectacular production -- big, bold and bright.</p><p> "There will be thousands of people dressed up. There will be huge floats," Britto said. "It's hard to describe in words. I'm very appreciative. I'm very thankful."</p><p> Britto has worked for more than a year getting ready for this weekend's event. No detail has been overlooked. And Sunday night is show time!</p><p> "To do this in Brazil is, like, wow -- incredible," Britto said.</p><p> Here are some more incredible numbers to consider:</p><p> In Brazil alone, 100 million people will watch the Carnaval parade on television. In addition, the parade will be broadcast in 137 countries. Britto will be there in person at Carnaval to take in the experience.</p><p> Local 10's Will Manso will be in Rio to document the event.</p><p> "This is truly one of my bucket list items," Manso says.</p><p> You can keep up with his travels on Local10.com, where we will publish all the photos and videos he will be sharing from Carnaval. </p>
Published: Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:07:05 GMT
<p> Have $68 million to spend? The 191-foot Carpe Diem, with onyx finishings, six spacious staterooms and room for 6 crew members, might be right up your alley.</p><p> The main aft deck boasts plenty of room for guests, with two tables and eight chairs for casual dining. Grab a cocktail at the wet bar, equipped with a Sub Zero refrigerator, a 46-inch television, and an iPod docking station.</p><p> PHOTOS: See every inch of 'Carpe Diem'</p><p> The sun deck is another place to party; catch some rays on the enormous lounge area which includes four removable marble drink tables. The centerpiece is the oval jacuzzi, which is shielded by a smoked plexiglass windscreen for privacy.</p><p> The style-savvy might appreciate the design; the patriot will appreciate that Carpe Diem is American-made. Trinity, the boat maker, is based in Gulfport, Mississippi. Carpe Diem was built there in 2011.</p><p> Carpe Diem, along with more than 500 new and pre-owned boats, will be docked at the Yacht and Brokerage Show on Miami Beach through Monday.</p>
Published: Fri, 17 Feb 2012 02:26:59 GMT
<p> THUMBS UP TO THE RESTAURANTS LISTED BELOW. According to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, they had ZERO VIOLATIONS on their last inspection.</p><p> </p><p> Burger King</p><p> 3700 Curtiss Parkway</p><p> Miami Springs</p><p> </p><p> Lucy’s Take Out</p><p> 14900 NE 6th Ave.</p><p> North Miami</p><p> </p><p> Morton’s</p><p> 1200 Brickell Ave.</p><p> Miami</p><p> </p><p> Pizza Hut</p><p> 3830 SW 8th St.</p><p> Miami</p><p> </p><p> Subway</p><p> 10737 NW 58th Street</p><p> Miami</p><p> </p><p> Sylvano</p><p> 1925 Liberty Ave.</p><p> Miami Beach</p><p> </p><p> Key West Coffee Man</p><p> 5 Geiger Road</p><p> Key West</p><p> For information on recent inspections at your favorite restaurant, click here.</p>
Published: Thu, 16 Feb 2012 22:33:23 GMT
Click to see the latest mugshots from Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.
Published: Wed, 15 Feb 2012 20:38:28 GMT
OlympiaHeights.com
HOTELS • REAL ESTATE • JOBS