South Florida Woman Finds Sparky + Driver's Ed Misuse + Sledgehammer Break-in

Happy Sunday, neighbors! Let's get this day started. Here's everything you need to know about what's happening today in Miami.

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First, today's weather:

Humid and mostly cloudy throughout the day. High: 84 Low: 81.

Here are the top stories in Miami today:

1. Miami-Dade County Public Schools has changed its protocol for how high school students and staff quarantine following COVID-19 exposure. Any individual who is unvaccinated can obtain a PCR test on or after the fifth day after direct contact and return to class if it comes back negative. Vaccinated students and staff who are asymptomatic are not required to quarantine. (WSVN)

2. A new report says Miami-Dade School District misused $6 million for Driver's Education programs. According to the probe, school administrators knowingly misrepresented the state of the program and claimed 36 or 37 campuses had working programs that meet district standards when in reality only 6 did. One training car meant for the program was abandoned in a district parking lot for so long that wasps had nested inside. (CBS Miami)

3. A South Florida woman was reunited with her family dog, Sparky, that went missing from her home for nearly one year. 331 days after her dog went missing, the woman says she saw a Facebook post from Sunshine State Westie Rescue and knew Sparky had been found. (NBC Miami)

4. A neighbor broke into a Southwest Miami-Dade home using a sledgehammer. The victim's wife says the family was home when the neighbor busted through their front door and a struggle ensued between the homeowner and two intruders. 37-year-old Julio Perez is charged with first-degree attempted murder and armed burglary. The victim's have set up a GoFundMe to help them move to a new home. (WSVN)

5. Starting in October, The New World Symphony Orchestra will sell its first tickets since the pandemic and have audiences at the New World Center in Miami Beach at 50% capacity. The Aventura Arts & Cultural Center is also following Bro­ward Center’s COVID safety protocols including a mask requirement and proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID test. (Miami Today News)

Today in Miami:

• Free Family Fishing Workshop At Tropical Park. (10:00 AM)
• Cuba Nostalgia 2021. (11:00 AM)
• Miami Beach Pride Parade. (11:00 AM)
• Market @ THesis Hotel Miami. (11:00 AM)
• SJO Modern Jazz Series - Fernando Ulibarri. (3:00 PM)

Miami Patch Notebook

• Miami-Dade Parks: "Cuteness overload! Our friends The Underline captured a curious manatee near the River Room of #BrickellBackyard. It’s always great to see nature and Parks coming together in one beautiful moment. #TheUnderline" (Facebook)
• Miami-Dade Public Library System: "We’re celebrating #HispanicHeritageMonth with this month’s staff picks for kids! Check them out with your #MDPLS library card! #MDPLSStaffPicks #LibraryCardSignUpMonth https://bddy.me/39da0QC" (Facebook)
• Arts & Business Council of Miami: "#CoralGablesArts A View from the Bridge - This stunning production from the Young Vic theatre of Arthur Miller’s tragic masterpiece won a trio of 2014 Olivier Awards including Best Revival, Best Actor for Mark Strong (The Imitation Game;..." (Facebook)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll see you soon! If you're into these newsletters, consider bringing some of your friends and neighbors into the fold. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— 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? I'm all ears. You can contact me at carlosreportsnews@gmail.com.