🌱 Patch AM: Why a crocodile near Fisher Island Day School was quickly relocated

Hi there, Miami Beach! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Why a crocodile near Fisher Island Day School was quickly relocated
• Which Miami Beach boat tragedy became one of 2025’s biggest stories?
• How a quick police response ended a Miami Beach deli break-in

Also on today's calendar: Orchestra Miami's NYE Celebration and 3 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the little needle say to the mother needle when it brought home a failing report card? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: A few morning showers, with a high of 79 and low of 67 degrees.
• Friday: Mostly sunny and pleasant, temps: high: 78, low: 65.
• Saturday: Sunny and pleasant, with a high of 77 and low of 64 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. FWC relocates crocodile spotted near Fisher Island Day School (wsvn.com) — A crocodile spotted near Fisher Island Day School, just off Miami Beach, prompted a swift response from Florida wildlife officials, who safely captured and relocated the protected animal. Parents and residents reported feeling uneasy and even considered hiring a private trapper, but FWC says increased crocodile sightings are tied to a growing population and urges people to keep children and pets away from the water’s edge.
   

2. The Top 10 of 2025: Take a look at the most popular stories in South Florida (miamiherald.com) — One of 2025’s most-read stories for Miami Herald subscribers was the tragic Biscayne Bay crash near Hibiscus Island in Miami Beach that killed three girls from a summer camp sailboat. The roundup also revisits major South Florida news, from immigration crackdowns and high-profile crimes to political shifts, campus violence, and a fire at Erik Spoelstra’s Miami-Dade home.
   

3. Man arrested after smashing deli window, trying to pry open register in Miami Beach (wsvn.com) — A Miami Beach deli on West 41st Street was broken into before dawn, with surveillance video showing a man entering through a smashed window and trying to pry open the cash register. Miami Beach Police quickly responded, arrested the suspect inside, and the deli has since boarded up the damaged window while staying open for customers.
   

4. Orlando Sentinel sues state for Pulse crosswalk records (sun-sentinel.com) — State transportation officials’ crackdown on non-standard street art has reached Miami Beach, where colorful rainbow pavers are among the unique road designs now under scrutiny. A new Orlando Sentinel lawsuit seeks records on why FDOT removed a Pulse nightclub rainbow crosswalk, raising broader questions about how the agency is enforcing rules against political or ideological markings on Florida roadways.
   

5. Historic Miss Universe Winner Dies 9 Days Before Her 81st Birthday (complex.com) — Miami Beach holds a special place in this story: it’s where Brazilian pioneer Iêda Maria Vargas won the Miss Universe crown in 1963, becoming her country’s first titleholder. Vargas has now died at 80 in Brazil, with tributes praising how her Miami Beach victory reshaped global perceptions of Brazilian women and inspired generations in international pageantry.
   

📸 Around Miami Beach

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Miami Beach

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Wednesday December 31

• Orchestra Miami's NYE Celebration
  Collins Park, 2100 Collins Ave, Miami Beach
  8:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Friday December 26

• Zumba on the beach at 64th Street Beach
  Allison Park Beach , 64th Street and Collins ave , Miami Beach
  6:30 am
• Beach Fit Camp at 64th Street Beach
  64th Street Beach - on the sand, meet near the lifeguard tower with a towel or mat and water
  6:30 am
• Take and Make Crafts
  North Shore Branch -
  9:30 am
• Texture Time
  The Bass , 2100 Collins Ave , Miami Beach
  12:00 pm

Sunday December 28

• Boho Sundays ft Santelises
  BOHO House Miami , 111 NE 20th St , Miami
  9:00 pm

📣 Miami Beach Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Friday December 26

• Beach Fit Camp at 64th Street Beach
  64th Street Beach , 64th Street , Miami Beach
  6:30 am
• Zumba on the beach at 64th Street Beach
  Allison Park Beach , 64th Street and Collins Ave , Miami Beach
  6:30 am
• Take and Make Crafts
  North Shore Branch -
  9:30 am
• Texture Time
  The Bass , 2100 Collins Ave , Miami Beach
  12:00 pm
• Family Drop-in Game Time: Board Games & More
  Main Library - Children's Department
  3:00 pm
• From the Page to the Stage
  Arcola Lakes Branch -
  4:00 pm

Saturday December 27

• Zumba at Lummus Park on South Beach
  Lummus Park , 13th Street and Ocean Drive , Miami Beach
  9:00 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Miami Beach PatchAM possible:

• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Firefighters rescued two dogs from a mobile home fire in Northwest Miami-Dade with no injuries reported.
  7:01AM on Dec 24: Firefighters rescued two dogs from a mobile home that caught fire in northwest Miami-Dade. (Nextdoor )
• Miami Beach has been home for over 20 years.
  I work remotely in a professional capacity and live a quiet, active beach lifestyle—biking, walking, yoga, and workouts. After selling my condo and… (Nextdoor Flamingo/Lummus North)

• The Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group, LLC posted a job opening for Overnight Guest Service Agent (Night Auditor) in Miami Beach. Apply here.
• USA Jobs posted a job opening for Night Auditor and Hotel Operations in Miami Beach. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Miami Beach here.

Ok Miami Beach! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I guess I’m not as sharp as I thought.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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