🌱 Brightline Ridership Surges From New Stations + New K-9 Facility

Hello, everybody. It's me, Carlos Hernandez, your host of the Miami Patch newsletter — back in your inbox with everything that's fit to print about what's happening locally. Including news about:

• Brightline has seen an increase from ridership at new stations in Aventura and Boca Raton.
• Miami Beach PD opened their new K-9 faciltiy this past weekend.
• A young child was found dead this weekend in a waterway by authorities.

But first, today's weather:

Sunny much of the time. High: 83 Low: 67.

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Here are the top stories in Miami today:

1. 27 percent of the ridership for Brightline high-speed rail in December came from new stations in Aventura and Boca Raton. "Results for the new Aventura and Boca Raton stations are encouraging and we believe the new stations will contribute substantial incremental annual passengers and revenue upon stabilization," reads a new report. (Miami Today)
2. Rumors of an active shooter in Miami were unfounded at Dadeland Mall this past weekend. Police did discover a theft and took three people into custody, according to authorities. The mall is located in 7500 block of North Kendall Drive in Southwest Miami-Dade. (WSVN)
3. Miami Beach Police Department held a special ceremony this past weekend to mark the agency's new K-9 training center. The ceremony included a ribbon-cutting ceremony, helicopter flyover, honor guard and police K-9 demonstration. The K-9 Knights nonprofit donated $50,000 worth of military-grade training equipment to the K-9 squad. (WPLG Local 10)
4. A 5-year-old child was found dead in a waterway in Tamarac, according to Broward County authorities. Broward Regional Communications received a call on Saturday afternoon about a missing and endangered child. An investigation now is underway by Broward Sheriff Office's Homicide and Crime Scene into the incident. (NBC Miami)
5. Plans have been filed for a new 10-story condo building in North Beach on Miami Beach. The building would be located at 6940 Abbott Avenue and sales are expected to start in Q2, according to South Florida Business Journal. 96 residential units are planned as well as retail and coworking spaces. (Subscription: South Florida Business Journal, Free: The Next Miami)

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Today in Miami:

• COVID-19 Testing at Kendale Lakes Branch Library. (9 a.m.)
• AARP Tax Assistance at South Miami Branch Library. (10 a.m.)
• Ribbon Cutting Fat Ronnie's Burger Bar. (noon)
• KAÏA Greek Restaurant Now Open For Lunch. (noon)
• Miami Business, Tech & Entrepreneur Professional Networking Soiree at Esotico Miami. (6:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• An investigation is underway in Delray Beach after a pedestrian was struck and killed by a Tri-Rail train. The identity of the victim has not been released and no one else was injured in the incident. (WPLG Local 10)
• Coral Gables Mayor Vince Lago will be reelected easily after no one filed to run against him in South Florida. (Florida Politics)
• Miami-Dade Fire Rescue shared: "For almost 27 years, Lt. John St. Louis has served our community as a member of MDFR. As a first responder, Lt. St. Louis has been able to instruct, learn and embrace all facets of the fire profession. From the variety of calls he's responded to throughout his career, what makes Lt. St. Louis most proud about being a firefighter is the ability to help our community." (Miami-Dade Fire Rescue via Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Monday off right! I'll be in your inbox tomorrow with another 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 Patch newsletter? Contact me at carlosreportsnews@gmail.com