Latest news with #FloridaDepartmentofBusinessandProfessionalRegulation
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Rodent droppings atop ice machines, floors covered with ‘slime-like substance': 2 South Florida restaurants shut
Two Palm Beach County restaurants temporarily shut by the state last week had one common issue: rodent droppings on top of their ice machines. Other violations included flies buzzing around a dish-washing area, a lack of hand washing, and floors covered with a 'slime-like substance.' Meanwhile, in Broward County, no restaurants were forced to close because of emergency orders. The South Florida Sun Sentinel typically highlights restaurant inspections conducted by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation in Broward and Palm Beach counties. We cull through inspections that happen weekly and spotlight places ordered shut for 'high-priority violations,' such as improper food temperatures or dead cockroaches. Live roaches in donut prep area, 'dead roaches in spider webs' in kitchen: 2 South Florida restaurants shut Any restaurant that fails a state inspection must stay closed until it passes a follow-up. If you spot a possible violation and wish to file a complaint, contact Florida DBPR. (But please don't contact us: The Sun Sentinel doesn't inspect restaurants.) AJ's American Grill 6316 Lantana Road, Lake Worth Ordered shut: May 28 Why: 20 violations (10 high-priority), including: About four rodent droppings in kitchen 'on top of ice machine' and 'under sink in dish-washing area.' About 10 live flies in kitchen 'in dish-washing area landing on trash can, walls and shelves used to store clean and sanitized dishes' and 'in dry storage area landing on sealed boxes.' 'Server wiped mouth with hand and, without washing hands, server handled tin foil lid to cover to-go container of cooked lobster.' 'Employee handled visibly soiled sanitizer cloth to wipe down table and, without washing hands, employee handled clean and sanitized dishes.' 'Employee entered kitchen through back door and, without washing hands, employee began to handle containers of food at cook line.' Time/temperature issues involved mozzarella, Swiss, cheddar and American cheeses, cooked pasta and rice, Philly steak meat, raw steak, cooked chicken, cooked peppers, cooked mashed potatoes and french onion soup. Floors under dish-washing areas covered with a 'slime-like substance.' Status: Reopened May 29 after a follow-up inspection found no violations. CocoCabana Bar & Grill 2944 S. Jog Road, Greenacres Ordered shut: May 27 Why: Six violations (three high-priority), including: About 17 rodent droppings in kitchen 'under canned goods storage shelves' and on top of and under ice machine, as well as at the bar 'on drip mat with clean and sanitized mini buckets used to serve iced beers' and 'under soda dispenser gun station.' Rodent rub marks in 'kitchen hole in the wall next to ice machine and canned goods storage rack.' 'Raw pork stored directly above open bucket of plantains' in reach-in cooler. Time/temperature issue involved 'large bin of white rice' in reach-in cooler. Status: Reopened May 28 after a follow-up visit found no violations.
Miami Herald
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Skyscrapers erase what makes Miami Beach unique. State bill is not ‘progress'
Letters to the Editor Skyscrapers erase what makes Miami Beach unique. State bill is not 'progress' | Opinion South Beach's historic Art Deco District. Miami Miami Beach's soul Miami Beach's iconic Art Deco buildings are not just historic — they're the soul of the city. The latest version of Florida's Live Local Act, allowing the demolition of such buildings in favor of high-rise towers, is a slash-and-burn, chainsaw approach disguised as progress. Art Deco's architectural treasures drive tourism, boost the local economy and define our identity. Replacing them with generic skyscrapers would erase what makes Miami Beach unique. Once gone, this heritage cannot be rebuilt. True progress preserves character, not destroys it. I urge our elected officials to stand against this reckless legislation and protect the legacy that sets Miami Beach apart. Rosemary Ravinal, Doral Condo worries The May 4 story, 'How a small Bay Harbor condo met Florida's tough rules,' was excellent. However, there are more associations that fail to work together for the benefit of their community. The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation must proactively investigate associations that knowingly try to bankrupt their associations, only to be bought out by a hungry and savvy developer. In one condo in Little Havana, the 'officers' (no elections have been held in years) do not have building insurance, lack proper reserves, have unfinished roof repairs, a malfunctioning elevator and have 'rented' clubhouse space as an apartment to a family member. Condo owners will have nowhere to go when they get hit by a huge assessment. Maria Galvez, Kendall Lawful duty Re: the May 5 article, 'Florida Attorney General digs in against Judge blocking new state immigration law.' To the extent that the federal government has used well known applicable provisions (among them Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act) to deputize state and local police officers to assist with immigration compliance, it would appear that Judge Kathleen Williams' order may have a problem. If the law enforcement officers involved were deputized and they performed their duties as the government requested, even if the state statute is flawed, the arrests at issue and their continued assistance to the government would likely be lawful. Robert E. Panoff, Pinecrest Truly, the facts I was beyond delighted to read the May 4 op-ed by Miami Herald editorial board member Mary Anna Mancuso, 'No one is above the law, not even Milwaukee Judge.' The Milwaukee circuit judge, Hannah Dugan, was certainly in violation of her oath to uphold the Constitution and laws of the United States. Mancuso is a true journalist, like those my mature age group was so used to. It was so refreshing to see her common sense, objectivity and moral compass in true journalist fashion. Today's news media generally lean toward political beliefs of their choice with no regard to the truth. They simply distort their stories to suit their political persuasions. Mancuso should be a role model for her professionalism. Lucita L. Moran, Coral Gables Due process Re: the May 4 op-ed, 'No one is above the law, not even Milwaukee Judge.' There have been multiple violations, in the last few months, of the due process clause of the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution. Judge Dugan possibly perceived that Flores-Ruiz had not fully been given due process. Is it right to call Dugan a heroine for shielding him? Were there heroes in Europe who helped Jews escape Nazi Germany? Were there heroes in pre-Civil War America who ran the Underground Railroad? Rev. Martin Luther King was arrested ✓29 times in his life. Many consider him a hero in spite of that. Joel Ross, Fort Lauderdale What oath? When asked if it was his duty to uphold the Constitution, President Trump replied, 'I don't know.' I don't know? To quote former tennis pro John McEnroe: 'You can't be serious?' Did the oath of office Trump took mean anything to him? I guess not. Peter M. Brooke, Doral Eyes forward Re: the May 4 story, 'How a Florida driver reacts to seeing a border patrol car could get them pulled over, feds say.' Jeffrey Dinise, chief patrol agent for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, said that a driver who 'looks away' from a marked unit is suspicious. Perhaps someone should remind Dinise that not keeping eyes on the road is a safety issue. Also, varying one's speed can be due to multiple factors, top among them is keeping up with, or slowing down for, traffic. As a white male, I'll be curious to see if I get stopped the next time I encounter a CBP-marked unit and look away and vary my speed. Scot McCluskey, Davie All to blame Re: U.S. Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar's April 24 op-ed, 'I don't belong in letter claiming inaction on immigration in Miami-Dade.' Perhaps it is true that she was unfairly painted. I fully agree that Democrats share responsibility for our immigration policy mess. However, are Republican Party members blameless? As a Senator, Marco Rubio was part of a bipartisan group to create immigration reform. Not surprisingly, given Rubio's oft-demonstrated lack of a political spine, the minute he received blowback from his GOP colleagues, he abandoned the effort. More recently, during the Biden administration, a bipartisan consensus was reached on immigration reform, only to be tanked by Congressional Republicans when Donald Trump informed them he wanted to run on immigration. During his first 100 days in office, Trump and his executive branch have ridden roughshod over the U.S. Constitution, defying due process rights of immigrants, deporting American citizens and thumbing their nose with impunity at the courts which have tried to apply the brakes to this autocratic insanity. Salazar said that given the atrocities visited on the Cuban people, which is undeniable and which forced tens of thousands to '[flee] Fidel Castro's tyranny,' the pain of that 'brands your soul.' Where are the 'branded souls' of now U.S. Secretary of State Rubio and U.S. Reps Carlos Gimenez and Mario Diaz-Balart? Rubio is aggressively pursuing and supporting all sorts of vindictive actions against immigrants. As to the others, their silence in response to (and tacit support of) the outrages against the Constitution and immigrant population is palpable. Most respectfully, Salazar's op-ed is likewise substantially 'short on facts.' Harry M. Solomon, Coral Gables Fishing industry Florida's commercial fishing industry is more than just a livelihood — it's a tradition that sustains families and the state's economy. With more than 100,000 jobs and $18 billion in economic contributions annually, Florida's fishers lead the Gulf region in landings, fishing trips and seafood production. From stone crab to spiny lobster, our waters provide iconic catches that feed America and fuel local businesses. The Gulf Council plays a vital role in managing key fisheries, balancing conservation with the ability of fishers to make a living. For more than two decades, Florida has held an essential at-large seat, ensuring our fishers' voices are heard. Now, Louisiana is attempting to claim this seat, a move that would weaken Florida's influence in vital policy decisions. President Trump's April 2025 Executive Order on Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness reaffirms his commitment to domestic production, reducing regulatory burdens and securing the future of our industry. Keeping this Gulf Council seat in Florida ensures that sound science and strong leadership protect the economy and the sustainability of our waters. Florida's fishing families and coastal communities depend on it. Safeguarding their future and ensuring Florida's seat at the table remains secure is essential. Jeff Cramer, Marathon Pardon our dust? Alcatraz Island was once a federal prison. It has been generating revenue as a tourist attraction for decades. President Trump is now pushing the idea to reopen it to house notorious prisoners. Why spend millions to upgrade Alcatraz when there are plenty of federal prisons around the country that have been closing or deactivated since 2024? George Lipp, Cooper City
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Gov. DeSantis pushes for condo relief in South Florida
MIAMI, Fla. (WFLA)— Gov. Ron DeSantis held a news conference to address the condo crisis in South Florida. DeSantis spoke at the City of Sweetwater Community Center in Miami to announce condo relief for Florida residents. He criticized the legislation for causing these issues and said he 'has a duty' to rectify it. Bradenton woman sentenced in deadly hit-and-run crash He is pushing for a data-driven approach to condo safety and using alternate funding methods to generate more money for repairs. The governor emphasized the importance of keeping Floridians in their homes, hoping they aren't forced to sell and move due to costs. 'If someone is forced to sell, specifically the elderly, they wouldn't have a place to go,' Gov. DeSantis said. 'Why are we even entertaining a situation in which people deal with an awful thing.' Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Secretary Melanie Griffin is pushing for solutions to balance Floridians' well-being without burdening them. They want funding for higher assessments to avoid future tragedy years after the Surfside condo collapse in Miami. The governor is urging legislation to help Floridians and provide relief to keep people in their homes. live streamed the press conference, which can be viewed in the video player above. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Miami Herald
04-04-2025
- Health
- Miami Herald
Rodents in a mall eatery among citations of 12 South Florida restaurants
Three recidivist restaurants, rodents and the usual abundance of roaches highlight the return of the Sick and Shut Down List, the Miami metropolitan area restaurants that inspectors closed. While the list covers Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Monroe counties, every county doesn't shows up on every list. Such is the case this week when two counties didn't contribute to the dirty dozen. We don't do the inspections. That's the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. We don't decide who gets inspected. That's the DBPR and customers who file complaints with the DBPR, which can be done online. READ MORE: Dangerous pork and pastries among a Kendall bakery's inspection problems Unless otherwise stated, each place reopened after the first re-inspection. In alphabetical order.... Anne's Paradise Takeout & Catering, 2428 N. State Rd. 7, Lauderdale Lakes Routine inspection, 20 total violations, two High Priority violations. During a week in July 2024, running roaches and handwashing violations put Anne's on Sick and Shut Down List. As for this batch of roaches, 20 ran under a kitchen food prep table, three under cookline equipment and two in the dishwasing area under a utensil stand. One roach was seen 'crawling on a clean food container.' Clean pots and cases of produce were on the kitchen floor. In the walk-in cooler, not only was there more food on the floor, but uncovered containers with cooked legume, turkey and chicken without date marks to say they'd been made two days before the inspection. The sink compartments — wash, rinse, sanitize — were 'too small to accommodate utensils or equipment,' standing water covered the floor, and someone washed and rinsed but didn't sanitize food containers. On returning the next day, the inspector saw five roaches, including one sashaying on a food prep table and two under the table. Somebody covered the legumes, chicken and turkey, but nobody date-marked them. It took a third inspection before Anne's could get back to business. Chez Den, 4422 Forest Hill Blvd., Palm Springs Routine inspection, six total violations, five High Priority violations. In the kitchen, sewage backed up in the floor drain from a handwash sink and the three-comparment sink at the Palm Beach County restaurant. And 'the area cannot be isolated as it's in the middle of kitchen.' The reach-in freezer had takeout 'Thank You bags,' which aren't food grade material, in direct contact with food. In the kitchen, cooked rice (62 degrees), cut cabbage (53), boiled eggs (56), black rice (59) and rice and peas (55) made previous days needed to be kept at 41 degrees or under. Stop Sales crashed down on all. Cococabana Bar & Grill, 2944 S. Jog Rd., Greenacres Routine inspection, seven total violations, one High Priority violation. Ah, the dependable 'accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.' Rodents marked their territory with 10 droppings on a shelf with canned goods, four on a shelf with napkins, straws and utensils and three on a shelf with, appropriately, toilet paper. With all that rodent activity at the West Palm Beach-area restaurant, plantains were on the cookline floor. The handwash sink water couldn't get hot enough, getting it up only to 79 degrees when 85 was required. Speaking of bad temperatures, commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish needs to stay frozen until it's time to cook. Thawing opens the back door to bacteria. So, the salmon thawing in a cooler outside its bag was a problem. Georgia Mae's, 5029A Okeechobee Blvd., Unincorporated Palm Beach County Routine inspection, 10 total violations, eight High Priority violations. Something about the dish drying rack kills roaches, as four dead roaches sat on clean pans, eight were on a clean cutting board and another eight corpses were under the dish drying rack. Two surviving roaches crawled in an area near the dish drying rack. Three flies flitted about the dish washing area. The inspector hurled Stop Sale lightning for temperature abuse, as in not being properly cooled, at heavy cream, cooked turkey and cooked collard greens Kaluz, 3300 Commercial Blvd., Fort Lauderdale Complaint inspection, eight total violations, two High Priority violations. Beautiful modern design on the building. Unfortunately for Kaluz, inspectors have no metric for including architecture aesthetic as extra credit. Six roaches died under a firewood cart and in front of a kitchen reach-in cooler. The firewood cart got moved outside when the inspector saw eight roaches crawling on the wood and another two scaling the wall next to the cart. 'Soiled dry wiping cloth in use' at the kitchen prep table and the expo line, where the expediter getting orders out works. A reach-in cooler had standing water at the bottom. Kosher de Brazil, 1710 E. Hallandale Beach Blvd., Hallandale Beach Routine inspection, five total violations, three High Priority violations. Among the 11 living and moving roaches were four on top of the dishwashing machine. There was a case of potatoes and and case of peppers sitting directly on the walk-in cooler floor. An employee started work by working with food in the walk-in cooler without washing hands. That place mats and a container lid sat over a prep area employee handwashing sink says the handwash sink isn't a high-traffic area. Five days disappeared between the first inspection and the callback inspection. What didn't disappear: the roaches. Four living ones were counted, including two on the kitchen floor, killing this re-inspection. Passed inpsection No. 3. Kussifay, 2652 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood Complaint inspection, nine total violations, five High Priority violations. The living roaches outnumbered the dead roaches three to two. Cases of oils and a bag of onions sat directly on the kitchen floor. Standing water covered the kitchen floor next to the three-compartment sink. After baking bread rolls, someone used their bare hands to serve them to a customer. 'Frozen chicken thawed at room temperature.' That's a food safety no-no, extending several invitations to foodborne illness. Ocean Alley, 900 N. Broadwalk, Hollywood Routine inspection, 16 total violations, three High Priority violations. 'Two fly sticky tapes full of dead flying insects around the mop sink area and one in front of the cleaning equipment storage room.' As for other flies, six were around the mop sink and five took up airspace near the bar area handwash sink. We'll get back to that problem area in a moment after we talk about some of the 14 roaches. All but one hid behind things — behind a garbage can (four), behind a steam table (four) behind a cookline reach-in cooler (five). The other one strutted on a box of gravy packets in the kitchen's dry goods area. Back to the bar area handwash sink, there was no soap or method for drying hands. Plus, when they used it, the water drained onto the floor. A 'substantial buildup of grease' covered the wall at the end of the cookline. The fan in the prep room wall was 'heavily soiled with grease and dust.' The mop sink had a 'buildup of food residue and black lime substance. 'Several bags of frozen shrimp in standing water' won't end well for anybody. The Pup Tent, inside Lauderhill Mall, 1345 NW 40th Ave. Routine inspection, 10 total violations, four High Priority violations. If this place didn't sit inside a mall, you'd say maybe they should have tented Pup Tent after its roach-y January 2024 appearance on this list. Because bigger vermin moved their sleeping bags into The Tent. Rodents left 30 pieces of poop under the three-compartment sink, another 30 under the counter with the hot dog holding unit and 15 on the counter with the fries fryer. An employee cleaned up the rodent droppings, then 'proceeded to wash and dry hands without using soap.' Six flies were counted. This is a place you'd want the wiping cloths properly sitting in sanitizer solution when not used. These sat in a solution with zero sanitizer. Re-inspection: Six rodent droppings under a counter. Re-re-inspection: 'Met inspection standards.' Southport Raw Bar, 1536 SE Cordova Rd., Fort Lauderdale Complaint inspection, 22 violations, 10 High Priority violations. A roach was in a pest trap placed in the kitchen. You know how to place the pest trap, but you have to empty the pest trap. Of the 35 flies counted, 15 parked themselves on the ceiling. In the dining room chest freezer, the chocolate ice cream wasn't covered. On the cookline, an 'employee wiped gloved hands on a soiled, dry wiping cloth.' Conversely, a wiping cloth sanitizer solution at the raw oyster bar that was 200 parts per million, twice as strong as it needed to be, was stored in a way that 'could result in the cross contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service, or single-use articles.' But the dishwasher sanitizer? Zero parts per million. 'Cases of mahi mahi, crab legs, and shrimp were stored on the floor inside the walk-in freezer.' The raw mahi mahi inside reduced oxygen packaging was thawing. That invites bacterial contamination. Stop Sale on the fish. The fish joined three dented cans of crushed tomatoes that got hit with Stop Sales. At the callback inspection, five kitchen flies kept Southport closed. Three was the magic inspection number. Tacos Al Carbon Bar & Grill, 2161 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., West Palm Beach Routine inspection, six total violations, four High Priority violations. This Tacos Al Carbon made the list in January and August, too, the first to do so three times inside of a year. This is like a restaurant version of hockey's natural hat trick. Customers should walk in and throw their hats. But be careful not to hit any of the rodents or the rodent dung. Actually, the rodents confined their regularity to the kitchen, where 15 pieces got left on a shelf over a prep table. Another five sat on the floor next to a prep table. Five got pooped in kitchen dry storage area and closets. Another three were under the dishwasher. An 'employee touched a visibly soiled wiping cloth while cleaning, then handled clean utensils, equipment and unwrapped single service takeout containers while preparing/packaging food for customers' all without washing hands. Another hint handwashing isn't a habit here — no soap or way to dry hands at the cookline handwash sink. Stop Sales for temperature abuse crashed down on too warm raw shrimp, raw chicken, raw beef and cooked potato fries. Tijuana Flats, 6201 S. Jog Rd., Unincorporated Palm Beach Routine inspection, 11 total violations, four High Priority. Standing water described as a 'large puddle' in the walk-in cooler. A tray of taco shells came out of the fryer and storedon top of the trash can. Flies swarmed the beer spouts and nearby wall (17 of them) and the front counter to-go order shelves (14). Five flies landing on cleaned and sanitized dishes meant they would be cleaned and sanitized again. The manager killed flies as the inspector watched. The three-compartment sink sanitizer measured zero point zero. Stop Sales took out raw chicken and raw shrimp that measured, respectively, seven and eight degrees too warm.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Rodent running under kitchen sink; ‘chewed open and eaten' ketchup packets: 5 South Florida restaurants shut
Rodent issues — including one spotted scurrying under a sink and more than 109 droppings in a kitchen — were among the violations that temporarily closed five South Florida restaurants last week. The Sun Sentinel typically highlights restaurant inspections conducted by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation in Broward and Palm Beach counties. We cull through inspections that happen weekly and spotlight places ordered shut for 'high-priority violations,' such as improper food temperatures or dead cockroaches. Restaurants, Food and Drink | Flies landing on 'glazed donuts with sprinkles,' live roaches in flour: 2 South Florida food trucks & 5 restaurants shut Any restaurant that fails a state inspection must stay closed until it passes a follow-up. If you spot a possible violation and wish to file a complaint, contact Florida DBPR. (But please don't contact us: The Sun Sentinel doesn't inspect restaurants.) Thai Moon by the Sea 3026 E. Commercial Blvd., Fort Lauderdale Ordered shut: March 13 Why: Eight violations (two high-priority), including: About 10 roaches in the kitchen 'running under cook line,' 'crawling up the side of the flip-top cooler opposite cook line' and 'inside caster wheels on three-door, reach-in cooler opposite cook line.' 'Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine in kitchen.' 'Observed bag of frozen chicken thawing at room temperature on food prep table in kitchen.' Status: Remained closed on March 14 after a follow-up visit found four violations (one high-priority), but reopened March 15 after a third inspection found three basic violations. Deluxe #2 Restaurant and Grill 996-998 SW 81st Ave., North Lauderdale Ordered shut: March 14 Why: Six violations (two high-priority), including: 'Observed one live rodent running under three-compartment sink in kitchen.' 'Observed ready-to-eat hot dogs stored with unwashed vegetables in reach-in cooler.' Time/temperature issues involved spaghetti and cooked pork (not date marked). Status: Reopened later that day after a second inspection found no violations. Cucina Italiana 17 S. Pointe Drive, Unit G110, Dania Beach Ordered shut: March 12 Why: 17 violations (five high-priority), including: About 28 live flies seen 'around pizza station,' 'around open bags of unwashed carrots and onions in rear kitchen,' 'around open box of tomato cans,' 'around mop sink in rear kitchen' and in other areas; two landed 'on raw chicken breast in prep table' in rear kitchen. 'Two crawling roaches on floor under condiment storage rack in rear kitchen.' Time/temperature issue involved mashed potatoes. 'Open bags of flour in rear kitchen.' Status: Closed on March 13 after a follow-up visit found three violations (one high-priority), but reopened later that day after a third inspection found one intermediate violation. Mike's Wings & Seafood 2968 S. Jog Road, Greenacres Ordered shut: March 14 Why: Eight violations (three high-priority), including: More than 109 rodent droppings 'in kitchen under cabinets on top of open boxes of single-service utensils,' 'on top of reach-in cooler in kitchen at front counter' and 'in kitchen next to containers of frying oil.' About '50 individual portioned packets of ketchup that have been chewed open and eaten' under cabinets. 'In reach-in cooler, raw shell eggs stored over rice.' 'In kitchen three-compartment sink, raw shrimp thawing in standing water.' Status: A follow-up inspection is pending. Green House Boba Tea and Pho 721 Village Blvd., Unit 107E, West Palm Beach Ordered shut: March 13 Why: Five high-priority violations: About eight 'live roaches in kitchen crawling on/under expo line.' 'Employee entered kitchen from dining room, put on gloves and began preparing food for customers without washing hands.' 'Employee touched face and then handled clean equipment and utensils and dishes to prepare and served food to customers without washing hands.' 'At reach-in freezer, portioned plastic container of raw chicken stored over portioned plastic-wrapped raw pork.' Time/temperature issue involved cooked rice. Status: Reopened March 14 after a follow-up inspection found no violations.
