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Miami Herald
3 days ago
- General
- Miami Herald
Newly discovered historic street lights will shine again in Coral Gables
One hundred years ago, there were 500 lights on the streets of Coral Gables designed by architect Phineas Paist and artist Denman Fink. Beautiful, functional works of art, many were lost over the decades. But in 1981, finding them, restoring them, and returning them to their places became a labor of love for the Historic Preservation Association of Coral Gables. 'In 1981, Sarah Anderson, a member of the organization, facilitated the designation of the street lights as a City Historic Landmark Site. At that time, there were close to 80 still standing from the original 500,' said Karelia Martinez Carbonell, president of the Historic Preservation Association of Coral Gables. The lights had been commissioned by Coral Gables City Founder George Merrick not only to light 'The City Beautiful,' but to enhance the newly built roads, she said. 'Originally, 500 'White Way' street lights with distinct decorative bases adorned the boulevards. Today, only about 45 of these originals remain, mostly along the Riviera Drive corridor and University Drive,' said Martinez Carbonell. The group found a batch of 10 of the streetlights in Fort Lauderdale, and another one was recently found in North Central Florida. Once these are all back in the city, they will be restored and added to the others now standing around town, she said. 'The City of Coral Gables is finalizing the acquisition of the White Way streetlights in Fort Lauderdale by early fall. The remaining batch of about 10 WWL are historically intact and in good shape from the base to the top fixture. They will undergo restoration. I am in contact with the current owner of the lights,' said Martinez Carbonell. The multiyear historic preservation plan was conducted in phases, she said. The group had the 45 originals still standing restored, and another 30-plus reproductions were added in order to reach the number of streetlights standing in 1981, when the lights were first designated. 'Commendations go to Allen Architectural Metals Inc. for their meticulous work on the restoration and reproductions, the Historic Resources Office for maintaining strict designation guidelines, and to Lis Ferrer, Project Engineer Public Works, for overseeing and managing the logistics of the project's various phases,' said Martinez Carbonell. Soon, the City plans to return about 10 original streetlights to the historic Douglas Entrance courtyard. 'Today, 'The City of Lights' shines once again, thanks to the many who were determined to see a decades-long restoration project through,' said Martinez Carbonell. 'It is so exciting about returning the original historic lights to the Douglas Entrance.' In July, dozens of students received personalized styling advice, shopped for professional outfits at H&M and participated in workshops focused on college and career readiness. The annual initiative, called 'Best Look Forward,' was hosted by education nonprofit Achieve Miami and Aventura Mall to help prepare Miami-Dade County high school students for success. 'When students have access to the right tools, whether it's professional clothing or meaningful mentorship, their sense of what's possible begins to expand,' said Rachel Saiontz Geary, Achieve Miami's director of philanthropy. 'At its core, this event is about helping students walk into every opportunity feeling confident, capable and like they belong.' Designed to support college and career readiness for students from underrepresented high schools, the program offers guidance on job skills, interview preparation and how to best dress for professional settings like interviews and college fairs. This year, 80 Achieve Scholars benefitted from the event. Founded in 2015 by Leslie Miller Saiontz, Achieve Miami empowers the next generation of students and teachers to learn, lead and thrive through mentorship, enrichment and community engagement. This year, the nonprofit has helped more than 2,000 students across more than 60 schools in Miami-Dade County through impactful programming and resources in under-resourced communities that include Little Haiti, Miami Gardens, Brownsville, Overtown, Liberty City, South Dade and Homestead. Learn more about getting involved at Congratulations to the Coral Gables Woman's Club for continuing to make a difference. In June, the organization rededicated its board and presented annual awards at a dinner and ceremony. The General Federation of Women's Club (GFWC0 FL) Finance Director and former District 11 Chair Elizabeth Fisher officiated. Ruth Martinez, current District 11 Director and past president of the club, coordinated the night with Club President Arely Ruiz. Two of the most prestigious and oldest awards were announced. The Barbara Lapsley New Member Award was presented to Lydia Sanchez-Garrett, and the Gloria Burns Leadership Award was presented to Iris Segui. Three members who have also demonstrated outstanding leadership were honored with the Pink Diamond Award. They are Media Chair Luisaura Alvarez, Arts & Culture Chair Alex Gullen and Environment Chair Jackie de Francisco. This group has a long history of maintaining its beautiful historic building through rentals, which in turn help support a free clinic for children needing dental work. For more about the clinic or to become a member, visit Write to ChristinaMMayo@ with news for this column.
Fox News
29-07-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Pope Leo XIV condemns brutal machete attack that killed 49 Christians during prayer in Congo
The Pope, the United Nations and a leading Christian group have all condemned a new major attack on Christians in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which the U.N. says left at least 49 dead. In the latest attack in a tragic long string of mass murders by Islamist terrorists in both Nigeria and the DRC, the U.N. said rebels from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a sanctioned rebel group allied to Islamic State with roots in Uganda, burst into a church in the Eastern town of Komanda and set about hacking Christians who were worshipping inside with machetes and other knives. The congregation was attacked at 1 a.m. last Sunday morning, while they were on a night vigil, reportedly praying for peace. The rebels also burnt nearby homes. Nine children are said to be among the dead. Several villagers have been abducted. "May the blood of these martyrs become a seed of peace, reconciliation, fraternity, and love for the Congolese people," Pope Leo XIV stated from Rome. A Vatican Cardinal added that the Pope "learned with dismay and deep sorrow of the attack." The U.N.'s Stablization Mission in the DRC, MONUSCO, expressed "deep outrage at these heinous acts of violence, which constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law and infringements on human rights." "The killings are strategic," Illia Djadi, senior sub-Saharan researcher for Christian charity Open Doors, who support and speak up for Christians persecuted for their faith, stated. He added, "The ADF have a very clear aim: they want to turn a large part of DRC into an Islamic caliphate, like the horrific one instigated in Iraq and Syria in 2014 by Islamic State." Contacted by Fox News Digital on Tuesday, Djadi said, "The presence of Islamic State groups across the region means that sub-Saharan Africa has become the new epicenter of jihadism." Muslims are in the minority here; it's said that Christians account for between 80-95% of the population. 70 Christians were reported beheaded, again in a church in the DRC, in February. The killings of Christians are worse in Nigeria, with Pope Leo XIV telling crowds at the Vatican that "some 200 people were murdered, with extraordinary cruelty" on June 13 in Yelewata, in Nigeria's Benue State. According to Open Doors International's 2025 World Watch List (WWL), of the 4,476 Christians killed worldwide in WWL's latest reporting period, 3,100 of those who died (69%) were in Nigeria. Djadi told Fox News Digital that despite President Trump's brokered peace deal in the DRC, Christians in the East of the country are still at risk. "There has been a lot of attention paid to the DRC recently, with Donald Trump spearheading a peace initiative between the DRC and Rwanda, whose rebel fighters the M23 have taken a large proportion of territories in the east of the DRC." "However," Djadi added, "while government forces are trying to contain the M23 in the urban regions, the rural areas are left undefended. It has left a security vacuum, meaning that the ADF are free to slaughter hundreds of innocent civilians with impunity, with Christians especially at risk. "It is the primary responsibility of (the) Congolese government to protect the whole nation, regardless of their religious faith or ethnic background. What would happen if the ADF continues its killing unopposed is too awful to contemplate."
CBS News
28-07-2025
- CBS News
Inmate mistakenly released from same New Orleans jail where 10 others escaped
An inmate was mistakenly released last week from the same New Orleans jail that was the scene of a brazen breakout in May, officials said. Officials at an Orleans Parish correctional facility said they accidentally released 30-year-old Khalil Bryan, who was being held on a warrant for aggravated assault with a firearm, domestic abuse, child endangerment and home invasion. He has a criminal history that includes burglary, assault and drug violations. The Orleans Parish sheriff said that Bryan's release was a clerical error because another inmate scheduled for release had a similar last name. "The mistaken release of Khalil Bryan was a serious error, and as sheriff, I take full responsibility," Sheriff Susan Hutson said during a news conference on Friday. "While our systems are designed to catch these discrepancies, human error led to a breakdown in the verification process." CBS affiliate WWL reported that Bryan was released shortly after 1 a.m. Friday. However, the public was not notified until later in the afternoon. It is still unclear when deputies realized their mistake and when the sheriff was notified, the station reported, citing sources. Hutson said an investigation has been launched into Bryan's release. "I want the public to know this should not have happened," she said. "It was a failure of internal processes, and the public has every right to expect better." Bryan was released from the same jail where 10 inmates escaped in May after ripping a toilet from the wall. All but one have been caught. The sheriff called that escape an "inside job," and more than a dozen people have been charged with aiding the escapees. A maintenance worker at the jail was arrested and accused of helping them escape. His lawyer said last week that he is being used as a scapegoat.
Fox News
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Pope, State Department condemn latest massacre of Christians by Islamist militants in Nigeria
The State Department has joined the pope in lashing out at the latest massacre of Christians in Nigeria, reportedly by Islamist Fulani "terrorists." Pope Leo XIV declared during a recent address to thousands at the Vatican that "some 200 people were murdered, with extraordinary cruelty" on June 13 in Yelewata, in Nigeria's Benue State. Late Monday, a State Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital, "We strongly condemn these increasing attacks, including recent massacres in Benue state which primarily targeted Christian farming villages." "Shouting "Allahu Akbar" (Arabic for "God is great"), they (the attackers) burnt the buildings and attacked people with guns and machetes," NGO Aid to the Church in Need wrote in a statement, adding that the militants "used fuel to set fire to the doors of the people's accommodation before opening fire." The pope told the crowds in Rome that the majority of those "brutally killed" in Yelewata had been sheltering in a Catholic sanctuary. "Most of the victims were internal refugees, who were hosted by a local Catholic mission," the pontiff stated. He added that he would pray for "security, peace and justice," particularly for "rural Christian communities of the Benue state who have been relentless victims of violence." Nigeria is one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a Christian, according to Open Doors International's 2025 World Watch List (WWL). Of the 4,476 Christians killed worldwide in WWL's latest reporting period, 3,100 of those who died – 69% – were in Nigeria. Talking to Fox News Digital, a State Department spokesperson reinforced reports that the attacks on Christians are being carried out by Islamic militant groups. "The United States remains deeply concerned about the levels of violence in Nigeria, including the threats posed by terrorist groups like Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa in northern Nigeria, and the impact that violence has on all communities in Nigeria." This year, Islamist militants have often attacked areas of Nigeria where the people are predominantly Christian. Benue State, where the latest massacre took place, is said to be 93% Christian. One Nigerian church leader, who asked to remain anonymous for his safety, told Fox News Digital just last month that what the attackers "want is to be sure that Islam [takes] over every part of these places. … And so they're doing everything to make sure that Christianity is brought down and Islam is [the] established No. 1. They want to make sure that Sharia law (strict Islamic law) has taken over Nigeria." The State Department spokesperson appeared to back up this viewpoint, saying, "violent extremist groups target a wide range of civilians and military targets as part of their broader campaign against a secular state. The increase in violent Islamic extremism and repeated attacks against vulnerable communities in Nigeria must be addressed more effectively." A Nigerian bishop told Fox News Digital in June that he had been threatened and his home village murderously attacked after he appealed to lawmakers at a March congressional hearing for the killing of Christians to stop. Bishop Wilfred Anagbe said that after he went to Washington to testify, "terrorist Jihadists" killed 20 parishioners in four attacks in 10 days in his diocese, the area he is responsible for. Now, the bishop is in hiding after several foreign embassies in Nigeria's capital Abuja warned him of credible high-level official threats that "something might happen to him." The State Department spokesperson added, "We regularly urge the Government of Nigeria to intensify their efforts to protect civilians, enforce rule of law, and hold perpetrators accountable. The United States partners with the Government of Nigeria to strengthen Nigeria's counterterrorism capabilities, working together toward the elimination of terrorist organizations and their networks of support." The Nigerian government did not respond to a Fox News Digital request for comment. However, President Bola Tinubu visited Benue State this past week and told reporters, "Let's fashion out a framework for lasting peace." The same day, in the same district, six more people were reported to have been killed.
Axios
26-06-2025
- Automotive
- Axios
Powerboat racing returns to Lake Pontchartrain: How to watch
Powerboat racing is returning to Lake Pontchartrain for the first time in about 20 years. Why it matters: The New Orleans Powerboat Grand Prix marks the start of a new triple crown race series for Powerboat P1 — and neighbors of the Bonnabel Boat Launch may face some extra traffic as they get around this weekend. Catch up quick: Powerboat racing on Lake Pontchartrain was popular through the 1980s and 1990s, says Powerboat P1 spokeswoman Lucy Nicandri. One of its biggest supporters was Popeyes founder Al Copeland Sr. His Popeyes team won multiple offshore racing championships. To bring the sport back to Metairie, Harvey Gulf Marine CEO Shane Guidry put up $300,000, WWL reports. How it works: "There's various classes of powerboats that'll be racing right in front of where the Bonnabel Boat Launch is," Nicandri says. Boats will navigate a 5.6 mile-long race course, she says, and reach speeds over 100 mph. Jet skis will race during the weekend, too. Teams come from all over the country to compete. From here, competitors will head to races in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, and St. Petersburg, Florida. If you go: It's free to attend the races and related events, Nicandri says. There's a "pit party" Friday night with live music, food trucks and the boats and jet skis on display. "It gives fans an up-close and personal opportunity to meet the drivers, look at the boats, get autographs and take pictures," Nicandri says. "In a lot of motor sports, you can't do that." By Saturday morning, the games begin, with races running from 8:30am to 5pm. On Sunday, races run from 9am to 5pm. The awards ceremony will follow at 6pm. The best place to view everything will be from the Bonnabel Boat Launch park, Nicandri says, but VIP tickets are available for those who want to get even closer. The fine print: Folks who live nearby can expect some noise. "There will be some loud engines going on," Nicandri says.
