🌱 Aimco Apartment Tower + Firefighter Faces Domestic Violence Charges

Hello, Miami. I'm here in your inbox today to get you up to speed on everything you need to know about what's going on around town. Here's the lowdown...

First, today's weather:

A t-storm around in the a.m.. High: 88 Low: 80.

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Here are the top stories today in Miami:

1. City of Miami has announced that their police department host a no-questions-asked gun buyback event "in an effort to support Ukraine and take guns off the streets." City officials said those turning in their firearms will receive gift cards. (CBS Miami)

2. Starting in July, COVID-19 tests will no longer be free those without insurance at more than a dozen sites across Miami-Dade due to a lack of federal funding. The change comes as Miami sees a surge in cases. (Subscription: Miami Herald, Free: WSVN)

3. A South Florida firefighter, 38-year old Michael Paul Saavedra, appeared in court Monday a day after he was arrested on domestic violence charges. Saavedra is charged with battery and battery by strangulation. The arrest report did not say which fire department Saavedra is employed by. (WPLG Local 10)

4. A church in South Florida is divided after a local pastor says he and 15 others were denied a position in their church because he is openly gay. Kipp Nelson of St. John's on the Lake United Methodist Church in Miami Beach says he has spent his whole life serving. (NBC Miami)

5. Aimco has proposed a 60-story apartment tower along Biscayne Bay in Edgewater catering to "executives and affluent Gen X residents." The new tower would have 241 apartments, a 4,696-square-foot restaurant along the water, and 380 parking spaces, including 20% with electric vehicle charging. (Subscription: South Florida Business Journal)

Today in Miami:

• Coffee & Conversation With Village Manager And BZP Director at PANNA New Latino Food. (8 a.m.)
• Free Summer Art Classes for Kids at Miami Beach Botanical Garden. (10 a.m.)
• Anime Club at Arcola Lakes Branch Library. (4:30 p.m.)
• Regular City Commission Meeting at City of West Miami. (7:30 p.m.)
• Game Nights On South Beach at Uncut Miami. (8 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• All Miami-Dade County public schools, as well as Region and District offices, will be closed Monday, June 20 in observance of the Juneteenth Freedom Day holiday. They will reopen Tuesday, June 21. (MDCPS)
• The 39th Miami Film Festival official selection THE PHANTOM OF THE OPEN opens this Friday at Tower Theater Miami. The film recounts the true-life story of "the world’s worst golfer" after he tricked his way into playing at the 1976 British Open. (Miami Film Festival via Instagram)
• Summit Hotel Properties has acquired a majority interest in the dual-branded AC Hotel by Marriott & Element Miami Brickell for $89 million. The selling price equated to $337,000 per room. (Subscription: South Florida Business Journal)
• More than 60% of office space at 830 Brickell has already been leased and negotiations are underway for the remaining space. Completion of the building is scheduled for late 2022. (The Next Miami)

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Events:

• Coconut Grove Artisanal Market (June 17)
• Miami Museum of Contemporary Art Co-Hosts Creative Conversation Juneteenth Celebration (June 17)
• Free Community Mental Health and Wellness Community Event Set for Saturday, June 18th (June 18)
• Coconut Grove Artisan & Farmers Market (June 19)
• Hire A Pro To Clean Up The Yard For Dad (June 19)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Wednesday off right. I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow with a new update!

— Carlos Hernandez

About me: Hello my name is Carlos Hernandez and I am a food writer with over 10 years of experience in the industry. I write the food blog Carlos Eats (http://www.carloseats.com) and also contribute to several newspapers and magazines with food-related blogs and articles.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Miami Daily? Contact me at carlosreportsnews@gmail.com