MIAMI, FL — This Fire Prevention Week (October 3-9), the American Red Cross South Florida Region urges you to test your smoke alarms before the threat of home fires increases with cooler weather.

Long before the COVID-19 pandemic arrived, many of our talented and ambitious scholars struggled financially to afford to pay for their university tuition in years 1and 2. As we shift focus to our current situation, many families are now battling the dual challenge of maintaining a livelihood at subsistence level and paying college tuition fees. Our scholars approaching their third and final year and are now grappling with perhaps the most difficult question in their learning experience… how to continue their educational journey?  For these students who have sacrificed so much, and not be able to complete their studies, we believe this would be an enormous setback for themselves and their generation.

MIAMI-DADE – Chairman Jose "Pepe" Diaz and County Commissioners Danielle Cohen Higgins, Kionne McGhee and Jean Monestime joined County officials and supporters to celebrate the opening of the Don Shula Expressway’s ramp connector to Southwest 128th Street on Friday, Sept. 10.   

There’s good news for current and former residents of the Caribbean who buy online. A new, free resource is now available that makes it quick and easy to discover which stores and brands will deliver to each of the 16 Caribbean island nations.  

MIAMI —Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava announced the appointment of Rafael (Ralph) Cutié – who had been serving in the role as Interim Director – as the new Director and CEO of the Miami-Dade Aviation Department following a search.

Miami, FL – Whether feeding the hungry, worshipping on Sunday mornings, or providing affordable housing, St. Matthews Missionary Baptist Church has been a beacon of faith and service within the Miami community for 100 years. Founded in Overtown by Bahamian Pastors and settlers, St. Matthews invites the South Florida community to join the church in celebrating a century of worship, service, and community. The church will commemorate its centennial anniversary with a community worship service, a historical tribute, and a celebration banquet scheduled for Sunday, September 12, 2021. The worship service will begin at 10 a.m. at the church located at 6100 N.W. 24 Avenue in Miami. Themed Beyond the Centennial, the celebration banquet will commence at 3:00 p.m. at the Embassy Suites Hotel Miami Airport (3974 NW South River Drive in Miami).

ST. PETERSBURG, Florida — Florida Humanities, the state’s humanities nonprofit organization that support locally-driven public programming is providing South Florida PBS financial support to co-host a community event exploring the history of water, racism and the African American community. 

Representatives from Miami-Dade County Public Schools Technical Colleges will be promoting its Career Technical Education programs in the Parks on Saturday, September 18^th between 9:00 am and 1:00pm. 

MIAMI  —Due to a recent a canine influenza outbreak in Palm Beach County, Miami-Dade County Animal Services is reminding dog owners of the importance of getting dogs vaccinated against the virus.  The canine influenza virus (H3N2 CIV) is a highly contagious and potentially life-threating strain of influenza virus that infects dogs. Most dogs do not have immunity to the H3N2 virus, which means that dogs of any breed, age or health status will likely be infected if exposed to the virus. Dogs are at most risk when near other dogs – including at dog parks, pet stores, boarding kennels and grooming areas. Animal Services is encouraging dog owners to limit their dogs’ potential exposure and contact their local veterinarian to get their dogs vaccinated. 

Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) and Jackson Health System have teamed up to share information with parents of newborns on the importance of high-quality education from an early age and to highlight programs that are available in the community.

LAUDERDALE LAKES, Florida –  In place of the Annual Grand Charity Ball, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Kiwanis Club of Lauderdale Lakes (KCLL) will host the KCLL 2021 Virtual Charity Event on Tuesday, September 14, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. 

MIAMI-DADE – The Miami International Airport is now the first U.S. airport to test COVID-sniffing dogs, thanks to a resolution sponsored by Miami-Dade County Commissioner Kionne L. McGhee. The Miami-Dade Aviation Department is partnering with the Global Forensic and Justice Center at Florida International University and American Airlines to host a 30-day COVID-19 detector dog pilot program.