🌱 FIU Awarded $6 Million Mental Health Grant + Local Coach Arrested

Hello again, neighbors! I'm Carlos Hernandez, back with your fresh copy of the Miami Patch newsletter. Here's what you need to know about what's happening these days in town. Today you'll read about these stories and more:

• Miami-Dade County's GO Connect service has passed more than 150,000 rides since October 2020
• FIU has been awarded $6 million from the federal government to help Miami-Dade County Public Schools address mental health services for students
• A suspect in a recent antisemitic attack in South Florida's Dania Beach has been arrested by authorities

But first, today's weather: Mostly sunny and breezy. High: 83 Low: 72.

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Here are the top stories in Miami today:

1. Miami-Dade County’s GO Connect rideshare service has passed more than 150,000 rides since October 2020. The service currently is used by around 2,500 riders per week. The county services more riders to Metrorail and other transit stations and nearby destinations to help connect transit solutions. (Miami Today)
2. A Broward County bus stolen during a deputy-involved shooting has been found, but officials said, police have yet to locate the suspect. The incident happened near the 1400 block of Perimeter Road last Friday morning. There is a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of the suspect if you call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. (WSVN)
3. Broward Sheriff's Office has arrested a man accused of committing a violent antisemitic attack in South Florida's Dania Beach. Police said the suspect yelled an antisemitic slur at the victim, who was on a bike, before punching him in the face. (WPLG Local 10)
4. An athletic coach and security worker at Downtown Doral Charter Upper School has been arrested and accused by authorities of inappropriate behavior with students. Charges include promoting sexual performance by a child, offenses against students by authority figures, and engaging in a sexual act with a child in custodial authority. (NBC Miami)
5. The U.S. Department of Education awarded FIU a $6 million grant to work to improve to mental health service access for students at Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS). The funds will come from the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act and the Fiscal Year 2022 omnibus appropriations bill. The program will aim to hire 100 mental health professionals with a focus on underserved communities. (Miami's Community News)

Today in Miami:

• New & Prospective Member Orientation at Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce. (8:30 a.m.)
• COVID-19 Testing at Kendale Lakes Branch Library. (9 a.m.)
• CareerSource South Florida - Employment Assistance at West Dade Regional Library. (9:30 a.m.)
• The #MiamiTech Happy Hour at FREEHOLD. (6 p.m.)
• National Margarita Day at Wynwood Marketplace. (6 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Miami HEAT shared: "The Miami HEAT have signed 5x NBA All Star Kevin Love." (Miami HEAT via Instagram)
• Miami HEAT shared: "The Miami HEAT have signed 9-year NBA veteran Cody Zeller. The former 4th overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, will wear 44." (Miami HEAT via Instagram)
• Miami-Dade County Public Schools shared: "Don’t delay and apply for VPK today." (Miami-Dade County Public Schools via Facebook)
• Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce shared: "Join us for a professional conversation and review of the new Miami Beach Resiliency Code on Friday, March 3 at 10 a.m. Key points to be discussed: 🌊How the new code changed 🌊What changed and why?" (Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce via Facebook)

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You're officially in the loop for today. See you all tomorrow for 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