🌱 Tri-Rail South Florida Ridership Soars + Cuban Migrants Repatriated

Hello there, Miami. I'm here in your inbox per usual to get you caught up on everything you need to know about what's going on in town. Because community information is power! Today we have these stories and more:

• Tri-Rail has experienced a surge in ridership in South Florida, according to the agency controlling it
• Tuesday marked five years since the tragic Parkland school shooting in South Florida
• A new app has launched in Miami with a mission to fight food waste from local businesses

But first, today's weather: Partly sunny, breezy and nice. High: 80 Low: 71.

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Here are the top stories today in Miami:

1. Tri-Rail ridership increased 30 percent year over year in January 2023, according to the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA). Connections to local airports, including Miami International Airport (MIA), has been credited with helping to boost ridership. (Miami Today)
2. A makeshift memorial has been placed in South Florida's Miami Garden near where two students at Florida Memorial University were tragically injured and killed in a hit-and-run crash. Officials said the incident happened near Northwest 163rd Street and 42nd Avenue in Miami Gardens. An investigation by police is ongoing into the hit-and-run. (WSVN)
3. The U.S. Coast Guard returned 19 migrants to Cuba captured at sea on Tuesday, according to officials. Officials did not disclose where exactly the migrants were discovered at sea, but most migrants have been captured off the coast of South Florida this year. Officials have stopped 5,590 Cubans migrants from entering the country so far in 2023. (WPLG Local 10)
4. Tuesday marked five years since the tragic Parkland mass shooting in South Florida at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School which left 17 people dead. Many of the families involved belong to Stand With Parkland, which is a group working to promote changes for school safety and gun safety. (WPLG Local 10)
5. Too Good To Go, an app from Europe that helps to fight food waste from businesses, has launched in Miami. Customers can enjoy discounts to buy food that would otherwise be thrown out. The app is already live in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Participating local businesses in South Florida include El Bagel and Panther Coffee. (Time Out Miami)

Today in Miami:

• COVID-19 Testing at Kendale Lakes Branch Library. (9 a.m.)
• Discover Miami International Boat Show at Miami Beach Convention Center. (9 a.m.)
• Nikki Beach Wednesdays. (noon)
• The #MiamiTech Happy Hour at FREEHOLD. (6 p.m.)
• Ladies Night Karaoke at Sweet Caroline Karaoke Bar. (6 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Miami-Dade Fire Rescue shared: "Dispatch Supervisor Kay DePass has served our community as a member of MDFR for 40 years. As the voice on the other side of the radio, Dispatcher DePass is the lifeline between our residents and our first responders during emergencies." (Miami-Dade Fire Rescue via Facebook)
• For one night only, Four Seasons Hotel and Residences at The Surf Club will offer a performance of Beethoven on the Beach by Orchestra Miami. Forty experienced musicians playing strings, woodwind, brass and percussion instruments will take the stage on The Surf Club's North Lawn, performing Beethoven classics while embracing Miami's weather. Dinner reservations are required and now available on OpenTable for Saturday, Feb. 25, from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. only. (OpenTable)
• High speed train service Brightline is expected to launch between Central Florida and South Florida in Q2 of 2023. The Orlando station should be completed by March 2023. (The Next Miami)

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Featured events:

• Check Out This Webinar About Mobile Vet Services in South Florida (February 15)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (February 18)
• The 100 Black Men of South Florida and UPS Foundation Set To Host Take (February 18)
• Add your event

You're all caught up for today. I'll see you soon!

— 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