Hollywood tax rate to go up as city borrows $165 million

Hollywood’s tax rate is already one of the highest in Broward County — and it’s about to get even higher. That’s because Hollywood voters approved a $165 million bond last week that will require $100 million in interest payments over 25 years. The new bond will help pay for a new police headquarters, upgrades to city-owned parks and golf courses and neighborhood improvements that include building sea walls where there are none now. Hollywood is already paying off a $54 million,... Read More

Former Broward court clerk files to run for his old job — against his ex-wife, the current clerk

To get his old job back, former Broward Clerk of Courts Howard Forman is running against his former wife and current clerk, Brenda Forman. He filed papers Monday with the Supervisor of Elections Office. Howard Forman served as clerk for 16 years, before retiring in 2016. Brenda Forman, who was still married to him at the time, ran in his place and won. Both are registered Democrats. Howard Forman filed divorce papers in March 2017 to end their four-year marriage. The next day, Brenda Forman... Read More

Three people arrested in scheme to create bogus tags for trapping Keys spiny lobsters

Florida fisheries investigators have arrested three people following a nearly three-year inquiry into alleged counterfeiting of lobster trap tags, required by law for commercial anglers to do business in the … Click to Continue » ... Read More

Medical marijuana dispensaries expect smokable pot to soon be available after Florida issues rules

South Florida’s medical marijuana dispensaries say they’ll be ready to roll out smokable pot products after they receive state guidelines. On Monday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation to legalize smokable medical marijuana. The new law, effective March 18, allows a qualified physician to determine that smoking medical marijuana is appropriate for a patient. Florida previously had a ban on smokable medical marijuana. “We stand ready to meet the needs of patients whose... Read More

Man needed to use the bathroom but got stabbed on the way there, cops say

A man who was looking for a restroom ended up in medical clinic getting stitches after being stabbed in the face in Pembroke Pines, police said. The man who was slashed went into the Pines Market at 9610 Pines Blvd. about noon Saturday “and stated that he needed to use the restroom,” an arrest report said. According to the report, when Fawaz Zarif Hassan, 24, of Pembroke Pines, accompanied him to the rear of the business where the bathroom is located, the victim felt what he initially... Read More

Emergency sewer repair will close roads in Fort Lauderdale

Crews will be making emergency sewer infrastructure repairs in Fort Lauderdale overnight Wednesday which will cause some detours. The work is scheduled to begin 11 p.m. and should be completed by 7 a.m. Thursday, officials said. No northbound traffic will be allowed over the drawbridge connecting Southwest Fourth and Seventh avenues. Northbound traffic on Southwest Fourth Avenue will be diverted at Southwest Seventh Street. Traffic will be detoured east on Southwest Seventh Street to... Read More

Olympic swimming hopeful Kenneth To dies while training in Florida

Kenneth To, a swimmer who won a silver medal for Australia at the 2013 world championships, has died after becoming ill while training in Florida. He was 26. To won six medals for Australia at the 2010 Youth Olympics in Singapore, including gold in the 400-meter medley. At the 2013 worlds in Barcelona, To was part of Australia’s silver medal-winning 400 medley relay squad. “(To) felt unwell at a training session and was taken to hospital where sadly, he passed away,” the... Read More

World’s biggest bounce house coming to Boca Raton and Miramar, and even adults are invited

Go ahead, jump around: The world’s biggest bounce house will balloon to soaring heights in Boca Raton this weekend, and it’s packing basketball hoops, a nightclub and other bounce-worthy diversions. At 11,400 square feet, this candy-colored behemoth of inflatable ingenuity will rise March 22-24 at Burt Aaronson South County Regional Park in Boca Raton, and again for two weekends March 29-April 7 at Miramar Regional Park. Even adults are allowed to bounce around. Along with the bounce... Read More