🌱 Marriage Equality Activist Found Dead + Miami Theater Impacted By Omicron

Up and at 'em, Miami! Here's everything you need to know to get this Saturday started off right.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and nice. High: 73 Low: 66.

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Here are the top five stories in Miami today:

1. A Sunrise Police sergeant is under investigation after an incident involving another officer. Police body worn camera videos shows the sergeant putting his hands on the neck of one of his own officers. Chief Anthony Rosa said, "I find this behavior to be disgusting. I think the video speaks for itself." (WSVN)

2. Pembroke Pines is the latest city to stop traditional recycling, leaving some questions of what can be done and residents frustrated with the sudden change. The city blames rising costs for recycling and a lack of demand, according to Mayor Frank Ortis. (CBS Miami)

3. The latest COVID-19 surge caused by the Omicron variant is forcing several Miami-Dade County theater companies to alter their seasons as they scramble to protect their staff, artists, and audiences once again. Impacted companies include, but are not limited to, GableStage, Actors' Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre, Zoetic Stage, and Miami New Drama at the Colony Theatre. (Miami New Times)

4. The brother of former Miami Mayor Manny Diaz, Jorge Diaz-Johnston, who was the plaintiff in a historic same-sex marriage lawsuit was found dead in a Florida landfill. Police are now investigating his death as a homicide. (Miami Patch)

5. Prominent civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump said his legal team will file a wrongful death lawsuit against Boynton Beach police department in the December death of a 13-year old teenager on a dirt bike who died as officers were attempting to pull him over for speeding. (NBC Miami)

Today in Miami:

• MLK Day of Service: Coastal Cleanup at Dade Heritage Trust. (9:30 AM)
• The 71st Annual Beaux Arts Festival of Art at University of Miami College Art and Culture. (10:00 AM)
• MLK Expo @VKOC at Citizens for a Better South Florida. (10:00 AM)
• Saturday Movie Matinee at Lemon City Branch Library. (3:00 PM)
• A Tour of Tuscany Class (Adult BYOB / 18+) at Taste Buds Kitchen. (5:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Miami-Dade Public Library System's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer team was recognized Thursday by the American Cancer Society as a 2021 Top Fundraising Team. They raised nearly $22,000 and came in 2nd out of 163 fundraising teams in Miami-Dade County. (Facebook)
• The Miami-Dade Schools School Board approved the 2022-2023 school calendar at its monthly meeting with a start date of August 17th for students. (Twitter)
• Miami-Dade County is asking residents to help them reach a goal of 3,000 pre-sale vouchers for the new Protect Biscayne Bay license plate so they can begin raising funds for protection and conservation. (Twitter)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Saturday off right! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning 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.