🌱 Miami Commission Corruption Probe + Coral Gables Country Club Plans + Broward Police

Happy Friday, people of Miami! Let's get you all caught up on what's happening locally to start today off on an informed note.

First, today's weather:

Partly sunny and pleasant. High: 74 Low: 57.

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Here are the top five stories today in Miami:

1. The Broward Sheriff’s Office union president has been terminated following an internal affairs investigation. Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony said, "evidence shows Bell used corrupt practices to try to prevent me from being elected sheriff by providing misinformation and lies to the media to create fear and distrust among BSO employees and within the community during a global pandemic." (WSVN)

2. Ricardo "Ricky" Gomez, a former Doral police chief who contributed to Joe Carollo's re-election campaign last year, has been selected as the investigator for a Miami Commission corruption probe. The probe came about as part of a high-level drama between former Miami Police Department Chief Art Acevedo and the city that ultimately led to Acevedo's ouster. Gomez says the campaign contributions were previously disclosed information and the City Attorney "didn't see it as a conflict of interest." An investigation is also underway by Broward County State Attorney's Office. (Miami New Times)

3. The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed Wednesday morning that a body has been recovered as the search continues off Florida's coast for 38 people missing after their boat capsized over the weekend. U.S. Coast Guard Captain Jo-Ann F. Burdian believes the boat capsized following a suspected smuggling attempt. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has been called in to assist with the investigation. (Miami Patch)

4. North Bay Village says it is going green by offering free plastic bottles to residents that can be filled with cleaning products at a newly installed refill station at city hall. It is the first city in the country to offer residents a fill station for household cleaning supplies to cut down on plastic waste and part of a plan to reduce pollution killing Biscayne Bay. (CBS Miami)

5. After an initial deal fell through with BTW Investments, the Coral Gables Country Club will be run by the city’s Parks and Recreation Department itself. Operators plan to return to a country club atmosphere and establish a pool, tennis courts, a gym and the café in place. (Miami Today)

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Today in Miami:

• School Community Relations Committee Meeting at City of Coral Gables. (8:30 AM)
• Friday Fundays at Little River Branch Library. (3:00 PM)
• Broward Performing Arts Foundation’s 2022 Annual Celebration with Harry Connick, Jr. at Broward Center for the Performing Arts. (5:30 PM)
• Music in the Park at Gulfstream Park Village. (6:00 PM)
• Jazz at MOCA Returns Featuring Troy Roberts at Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami . (8:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Today, January 28th at 10 a.m. join Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) as it welcomes the newest members of MDFR during the MDFR Class 148 Graduation Ceremony. Watch live on Facebook or at vimeo.com/667369749. (Facebook)
• If you're looking for a free mobile hotspot with unlimited data for your child at Miami-Dade County Public Schools, contact your child’s school for more information. Hotspots are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. (Facebook)
• Since its 2017 debut, Brightline has killed at least 55 people across Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. (Miami New Times)
• Registration is now open for Miami-Dade College spring miniterms, offering a wide variety of accelerated courses that can be completed in only weeks. (Twitter)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Coconut Grove Artisanal Market (January 28)
• Fuller Street Music Fest Artisan Pop Up (January 29)
• Cuban Classical Ballet of Miami / An Evening in White (January 29)
• Coconut Grove Artisan & Farmers Market (January 30)
• I Dream a World: The Harlem Renaissance and Beyond Set for February 1-5 (February 1)
• Add your event

Announcements:

• First Choice Neurology Welcomes Dargelis Chi, MD (Details)
• Coconut Grove Artisanal Market (Details)
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Thanks for following along and staying informed. 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.