🌱 Patch AM: What really happened at Douglas and Giralda in this hit-and-run case?

Good morning Coral Gables! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• What really happened at Douglas and Giralda in this hit-and-run case?
• How will the new Ponce Park project reshape central Coral Gables?
• Can Miami extend its win streak at home in Coral Gables today?

Also on today's calendar: Journey of Joy: A Kids Event @ IKEA Miami and 1 more event.

Today's riddle: What did the balloon say to the doctor? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Sunday: A couple of showers, with a high of 82 and low of 71 degrees.
• Monday: Some sun, breezy and pleasant, temps: high: 79, low: 73.
• Tuesday: Windy with showers around, with a high of 80 and low of 70 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Model Devon Aoki's Husband Arrested for Hit-and-Run, Sued by Victim (usmagazine.com) — A scooter rider was seriously injured in a hit-and-run at Douglas Road and Giralda Avenue in Coral Gables, leading to the arrest of a driver and a negligence lawsuit. Police say cameras captured the SUV leaving the scene, and the victim’s attorney plans to seek punitive damages as the civil case moves forward.
   

2. Construction Starts on ‘Ponce Park' at 3000 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Coral Gables, Florida (floridayimby.com) — Construction is underway on Ponce Park, an 11‑story luxury condo and retail project on Ponce de Leon Boulevard that will overlook the greater Coral Gables area. The 58 high-end residences, some exceeding 6,500 square feet, start around $3.1 million and are already about 40% pre-sold, with completion targeted for early 2028 and 25,000 square feet of new retail planned.
   

3. Freshman Shelton Henderson leads Miami into battle with North Florida (statenews.net) — A home Miami Hurricanes men’s basketball game tips off in Coral Gables today, with five-star freshman Shelton Henderson coming in hot after a 30-point performance. Miami looks for its sixth straight win against struggling North Florida, while coping with the emotional blow of guard Marcus Allen’s season-ending non-Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis.
   

4. FL: These Miami residents choose to live without cars. It can be a challenge (masstransitmag.com) — Coral Gables is highlighted as one of the few truly walkable pockets in car-centric South Florida, alongside South Beach, in a story about Miami-Dade residents choosing to live without cars. Locals describe long, complicated commutes on buses, Metrorail, and bikes, and how neighborhood choice, like living near transit or investing in a Coral Gables rental, can make car-free living more realistic despite unreliable service.
   

5. Carson Beck & Ex-Girlfriend Hanna Cavinder: Real Story Behind Complicated Breakup (heavy.com) — Coral Gables gets a mention in the backstory of Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck, who transferred to Miami while dating former UM basketball player Hanna Cavinder. The piece dives into their high-profile breakup, including Cavinder’s public criticism and Beck’s later comments, while noting his key role in Miami’s College Football Playoff run.
   

📸 Around Coral Gables

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Coral Gables

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Saturday January 3

• Journey of Joy: A Kids Event @ IKEA Miami
  1801 NW 117th Ave, Miami
  12:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Monday December 22

• Elevate Your Eloquence with Toastmasters
  Virrick Park Branch -
  12:00 pm

Tuesday December 23

• Surviving Christmas (PG-13)
  Coral Gables Branch -
  5:00 pm

Wednesday December 24

• Dominoes y Cafecito
  West Flagler Branch -
  11:00 am

📣 Coral Gables Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Sunday December 21

• SoMi’s Holiday Village
  South Miami, FL Calendar South Miami, FL 33143
  4:30 pm

Monday December 22

• Voyage Into My Soul
  Westchester Regional -
• Scavenger Hunt Adventure
  Westchester Regional -
  9:30 am
• Letters to Santa
  Westchester Regional -
  9:30 am
• Add Your Piece!
  Pinecrest Branch Library Pinecrest Branch -
  9:30 am
• Add Your Piece! - Weekly Community Jigsaw Puzzle
  Pinecrest Branch Library Pinecrest Branch -
  9:30 am

Saturday December 27

• Miami MoCAAD VR & Documentary Experience (Pinecrest Branch)
  5835 SW 111th St , Pinecrest
  8:30 pm

Wednesday December 31

• New Year's Afternoon
  Westchester Regional -
  11:00 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• A momma cat and her kitten looking for a safe and loving home.
  Both cats are very affectionate and comfortable around children. The momma was definitely someone’s indoor cat and she has not been claimed. I… (Nextdoor Riviera)
• I have a huge bag of dogs toys that my dogs don’t play with them
  Where can I donate them so other animals can enjoy them? (Nextdoor De Soto)

• Vineyard Vines, LLC posted a job opening for Crew Lead (Part Time Manager) - Village of Merrick Park, Coral Gables, FL in Coral Gables. Apply here.
• Allied Universal posted a job opening for Security Officer - Hospital Taser Patrol in Coral Gables. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Coral Gables here.

Ok Coral Gables! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I feel lightheaded!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

• Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
• Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
• List items for sale or services offered

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook