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Miami Herald
6 hours ago
- Miami Herald
When will the Venetian Pool reopen? Take a look at the ongoing renovations
You'll have to wait a little longer to swim in Coral Gables' historic Venetian Pool. The pool's extensive yearlong renovation and restoration project is taking longer than expected as crews redo the pool floor, ensure the facility is structurally safe and add a water recirculation pump system — a first for the Venetian — to the 101-year-old pool. 'Even though it's a renovation, it's a restoration in a lot of areas,' said Fred Couceyro, the city's community recreation director, noting that crews need to follow strict guidelines to ensure the pool retains its charm and historical accuracy. 'We want this pool to be functional and to be enjoyed by the community for the next 100 years,' he added. When will you be able to take a dip in the Venetian? And what type of renovations and repairs are underway? Here's what to know. Venetian Pool's reopening date The Venetian Pool closed in October for the extensive $6 million renovation, which was initially projected to be completed by late June. Now, it's expected to reopen sometime in the fall, according to Couceyro. City officials usually close the Venetian Pool in December and January for annual maintenance and renovations. This time around, because of its lengthy closure, once the pool reopens it will remain open until winter 2026, Couceyro confirmed to the Miami Herald. Will the Venetian Pool still use spring water? The Venetian Pool first opened in 1924 as the Venetian Casino and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981. It's one of the few swimming pools in the country to have that designation and is one of the city's most popular attractions, drawing nearly 65,000 visitors in the year before it closed for renovations. It's also not your typical pool. The Venetian Pool, built from coral rock with waterfalls and cave-like grottos, is filled daily with 820,000 gallons of spring water from the underground Biscayne Aquifer. The water is usually a cool 76 degrees, which may be chilly for some South Floridians, although it's slightly warmer than the spring water mermaids swim and perform in at Florida's Weeki Wachee Springs. Once the Venetian Pool closes for the day, the water is drained and sent back to the aquifer. The pool is cleaned and then refilled overnight. As part of the renovation, the city is adding a new water recirculation pump system, according to Couceyro. That type of system is commonly used in regular swimming pools to clean the water without needing to drain and refill the pool. Couceyro said the city doesn't plan to stop using spring water from the aquifer but describes the new recirculation pump system as a precautionary measure for possible future problems, including saltwater intrusion, new regulations or water shortages. What type of renovation and restoration work is being done? The renovation project includes removing outdated pump equipment, renovating the concession stand area, installing new piping, restoring the 'Venetian Poles' that stick out of the pool and sealing the pool floor with a special coating to make it easier to clean, according to Couceyro and city documents. Videos posted on the city's Community Recreation Department's social media pages have been giving people an inside look into the restoration process. The Miami Herald was recently given a tour of the pool as it undergoes renovations and repairs. Take a look:
Miami Herald
17 hours ago
- Miami Herald
Black-Epstein Conspiracy
Jay Weaver writes about federal crime at the crossroads of South Florida and Latin America. Since joining the Miami Herald in 1999, he's covered the federal courts nonstop, from Elian Gonzalez's custody battle to Alex Rodriguez's steroid abuse. He was part of the Herald teams that won the 2001 and 2022 Pulitzer Prizes for breaking news on Elian's seizure by federal agents and the collapse of a Surfside condo building killing 98 people. He and three Herald colleagues were 2019 Pulitzer Prize finalists for explanatory reporting on gold smuggling between South America and Miami.
Politico
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Politico
Florida Democratic governor primary shaken up by abortion fight
Some Democrats have accused Hochkammer of engaging in a smear campaign against Jolly to build momentum around a possible gubernatorial run of her own or for someone else. Hochkammer shot down both charges. 'I am not in the race, I have never been in the race, I will not be in the race,' she said. Her goal, she said, was for anyone running as a Democrat to make the issue 'front and center' in their campaigns, given that the majority of Florida voters supported the abortion amendment — even as it narrowly fell short of the 60 percent backing needed for passage. But many counter that the issue — though important to Democrats — isn't voters' lead concern compared with high prices Floridians face on housing, groceries and insurance. For his part, Jolly has raised his abortion record in interviews and town halls. He said he was frustrated that the Miami Herald op-ed and fundraising emails didn't present his current views: that women should have the right to choose abortion until fetal viability, which is generally understood to start around 24 weeks into a pregnancy. Abortion regulations such as waiting periods, forced ultrasounds or counseling are unnecessary, he said. 'Keep the politicians and the laws out of the doctor's office. That's the principle,' he added. When it comes to minors accessing abortion, Jolly said he was a proponent of parental involvement in most cases but supports exceptions, such as when a child is in an abusive family. The position marks a shift from when Jolly was a Republican in Congress more than 11 years ago. At the time, Jolly signed onto the Life at Conception Act that would have given full legal rights to a fertilized egg and voted in favor of limiting most abortions to 20 weeks. He also led a measure to redirect federal funding from Planned Parenthood. He bucked his party in 2015, as the lone Republican to vote against creating a fourth panel that would look into Planned Parenthood's handling of fetal tissue remains. Jolly said that his past positions stemmed from the Baptist faith he grew up with and having a father who was a minister. 'What I got wrong in Congress was applying faith to constitutional questions,' he said. Jolly first relinquished his GOP association by registering as a no-party affiliated voter in 2018. He has seen a torrent of support since Hochkammer's op-ed published. Eleven high-profile Democratic women, including former Rep. Gwen Graham and Barbara Zdravecky, the former CEO of Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida, signed onto a Sunday Miami Herald op-ed saying they trusted Jolly on the issue. Political committee filings show he also received a $50,000 contribution after the Hochkammer op-ed ran from Barbara Stiefel, a Coral Gables philanthropist and pharmaceutical heiress who's donated to abortion rights causes and already gave $100,000 toward his political committee in May. 'I've personally checked the box with him,' said Alex Sink, a former Florida chief financial officer and the 2010 Democratic nominee for governor.
Miami Herald
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Former ‘Real Housewives of Miami' star Lea Black shares post after losing husband
Lea Black reached out to friends, family and fans Tuesday after word spread that her husband had passed away. Top criminal defense lawyer Roy Black, whose clients included numerous celebrities and prominent figures, died at age 80 Monday after battling an unknown illness. 'Thank you for all your blessings,' the former 'Real Housewives of Miami' star wrote on social media. Fans were introduced to the power couple and their young son RJ in the first season of 'RHOM,' which first aired in 2011. They lived in a sprawling, historic mansion in Coral Gables, and Lea gave the Miami Herald a grand tour that year. The pair's annual gala turned into a major plot point after ex cast member Cristy Rice crashed the charity event with two people, and a feud between her and Lea ensued for many, many episodes. Lea, 69, ended up leaving in Season 3 and did not show up for the Peacock reboot in 2021. The Texas native born Lisa Douthit went on to run a successful eponymous skincare company. The philanthropist added that details of a tribute and celebration of life for Roy will be forthcoming 'in a few weeks.' A service will reportedly be held at the New York native's alma mater, the University of Miami. In the comments, condolences poured in from prominent locals like chef Ingrid Hoffman, artist Romero Britto and politician Michael Gongora as well as from former castmates Lisa Hochstein, Karent Sierra and Romain Zago. A few of Roy's onetime clients also chimed in with good wishes, like Joe Francis. In 2008, the 'Girls Gone Wild' creator pleaded no contest to charges of videotaping underage girls, and was released after serving 11 months. The Blacks married in 1994, three years after Lea served as a juror in the highly publicized William Kennedy Smith rape trial, which ended in Roy getting the scion acquitted. The ex reality star told the Herald Tuesday that her late husband always 'fought for the underdog and people's civil rights,' regardless of who they were. 'He understood that we all have our flaws,' she said. 'He was able to separate people's behavior from their character. He wanted the best for everyone.'
The Hill
a day ago
- The Hill
Former Epstein lawyer Roy Black dies at age 80
Roy Black, a criminal defense attorney who defended notable clients, including disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, died on Monday at 80 years old, according to multiple reports. Black's partner, Howard Srebnick, who joined his law firm 30 years ago, confirmed his death to the Miami Herald on Wednesday, calling him the 'greatest criminal lawyer of our generation, perhaps in American history.' Srebnick also noted Black's ability to achieve acquittals 'over a span of 50 years in some of the most challenging and notorious cases of all time.' Black passed at his home in Coral Gables, Fla., after battling an illness, according to the outlet. 'For more than 30 years, Roy was my teacher, mentor and friend,' Srebnick, said in an email to the Associated Press. 'The loss(es) I feel personally and professionally are immeasurable.' The Hill has reached out to their law firm, Black Srebnick, for comment. Black's wife, 'The Real Housewives of Miami' alum Lea Black, also confirmed his death to People Magazine. 'Thank you all for your blessings,' she told the magazine. 'We will be announcing details for a tribute and celebration of life in a few weeks.' Black represented a wide array of star-studded clients, including singer Justin Bieber, race car driver Helio Castroneves and political commentator Rush Limbaugh. He also won the acquittal of William Kennedy Smith in 1991. Smith was nephew of former president John F. Kennedy, former Attorney General and Sen. Robert F. Kennedy (D-Mass.) and former Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.), who was accused of assaulting a woman in Palm Beach after a night of heavy drinking, according to the AP. Arguably, his most notable client was Epstein, whom he won a 2008 plea agreement in which Epstein was given just 13 months in prison. The late billionaire, who was accused of leading a sex trafficking operation involving underage girls, avoided significant prison time under the agreement — pleading guilty to two prostitution charges and serving just over one year in jail while having work-release privileges. Epstein's case has taken the spotlight in the past few weeks as the Trump administration has faced criticism over its handling of the case files. While the president has repeatedly attempted to tamper down speculation, Americans, including Trump's critical MAGA base, are calling for more transparency on the issue.
