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Articles by Isabel Rivera
Is Ludlam Trail ‘shovel-ready'? Check the timeline, design and millions in cost
Long-stalled plans to replace an abandoned railway with a recreation path are advancing after a multimillion-dollar infusion for construction. Ludlam Trail, a 5.6-mile path for cyclists and pedestrians, will be carved out of a former corridor for the Florida East Coast Railway. But the Miami-Dade project is no stranger to delays. First, there was the approval of the project in 2015 and the acquisition of the land for $25 million in 2018.
Miami music fest site will become a college campus. What's next for III Points?
Changing South Florida: Luxury towers, billionaire real estate deals, the addition of educational options like Carnegie Mellon University's plans in Wynwood. A major Miami music festival is at a crossroads. Its home for over a decade is being replaced by a new college campus in Wynwood.
Former Pines police sergeant and wife killed in murder-suicide, deputies say
Former Pembroke Pines police Sgt. John Baker and his wife, Joanne Baker, were found dead on Monday, Sept. 21, in an apparent murder-suicide, according to the Broward Sheriff’s Office. A former Pembroke Pines police sergeant and his wife are dead following what Broward deputies believe was a murder-suicide. Officers with the Pembroke Pines Police Department found retired Sgt.
Retro smash burger joint opening soon in Broward. Check the details
Pembroke Pines' newest burger joint wants you to get smashed — the 1980s way. Hausmash — a retro, Palm Beach County-based diner known for serving “smashed-styled burgers” — is setting up shop in the Southwest Broward city, the chain announced. Details such as where it'll build its new location and when it'll begin slinging patties have not been released yet. Go to pembrokepinesflnews.com for the full story
Retro smash burger joint opening soon in Broward. Check the details
While it may be known more for its burgers and fries, there's an interesting history behind McDonald's breakfast. The menu is pretty vast, and there are quite a few ways to customize your order, whether you opt for a meal on a plate or a handheld sandwich on the go. There are some simple tricks to elevate your Egg McMuffin, such as putting the hash brown right on the sandwich or adding extra meat. You can also get your Egg McMuffin with folded eggs or sauce it up for more flavor.
Retro smash burger joint opening soon in Broward. Check the details
Retro smash burger joint opening soon in Broward. Check the details Thu, September 17, 2026 at 11:25 a.m. UTC Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Hausmash will bring “smashed-style burgers,” – a thin, crispy patty made by pressing the meat flat onto a griddle – to its newest location in Pembroke Pines. Pembroke Pines' newest burger joint wants you to get smashed — the 1980s way.
Retro smash burger joint opening soon in Pembroke Pines
Hausmash will bring “smashed-style burgers” — a thin, crispy patty made by pressing the meat flat onto a griddle — to its newest location in Pembroke Pines. Pembroke Pines’ newest burger joint wants you to get smashed — the 1980s way. Hausmash — a retro, Palm Beach County-based diner known for serving “smashed-styled burgers” — is setting up shop in the southwest Broward city, the chain announced in a Sept. 11 Instagram post.
Man found dead in car in Pembroke Pines plaza lot, police say
A man was found dead inside a parked car in a Pembroke Pines shopping plaza, according to police. An investigation is underway after police found a dead man inside a car parked at a Pembroke Pines shopping plaza. Officers responded around 9 a.m. to the lot at 2209 N. University Drive, according to a Pembroke Pines Police Department statement. The man had not been publicly identified as of Sept. 14.
Man found dead in car in Pembroke Pines plaza lot, police say
A man was found dead inside a parked car in a Pembroke Pines shopping plaza, according to police. An investigation is underway after police found a dead man inside a car parked at a Pembroke Pines shopping plaza. Officers responded around 9 a.m. to the lot at 2209 N. University Drive, according to a Pembroke Pines Police Department statement. The man had not been publicly identified as of Sept. 14.
Yoga, margs, DMV. Your Pembroke Pines guide to max out weekday fun this September
The city of Pembroke Pines kicks off a weekly summer yoga series at the William B. Armstrong Dream Park on Tuesday at 6 p.m. Welcome to another week, Pembroke Pines. Here’s how to kick off your Monday through Thursday. Those looking to knock out an errand can head to a DMV-on-wheels event, while those looking to pad their resume can enjoy a round of speed networking. Prefer to decompress? Opt for a several-mile run, an evening yoga session or retail therapy featuring local vendors. Want to know more?
Broward man caught on video abusing ducks in Pines is arrested, police say
Christopher Antoine, 40, of Plantation was arrested on Sept. 7 after surveillance video showed several Pembroke Pines ducks being abused and killed on Aug. 30, police say. A Broward man is behind bars after police say he was identified as the man in surveillance footage seen abusing and killing several Pembroke Pines ducks. Investigators arrested Christopher Antoine — a 40-year-old from Plantation — on Monday, Sept.
Open mic, cards, pop-ups. Your guide to Labor Day weekend fun in Pembroke Pines
Miami’s DJ Epps will spin classic ‘90s hits at Baoshi Food Hall + Bar’s old-school R&B night, Saturday from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. It’s almost Labor Day, Pembroke Pines. Here’s a rundown of how to maximize your long weekend. This Friday to Sunday, your city has several options for you to decompress from the workweek, bond with the family or sprinkle in some fun. Those include an early-morning run, a retro dance party, pop-up markets and swaps, your chance at 15 minutes of fame and more.
Man seen on video abusing ducks in Pines, prompting investigation, police say
Pembroke Pines police are investigating a video circulating on social media depicting an unidentified man abusing and killing several ducks. The victims of Pembroke Pines police’s newest abuse case can’t speak up for themselves — they quack. Detectives are investigating a video circulating on social media of a man “abusing and killing several ducks in our city,” the Pembroke Pines Police Department announced in a Sept. 3 Facebook post.
Tiny plastic beads: How Pines is getting rid of ‘forever’ chemicals in your tap
Pembroke Pines’ water systems have until April 2029 to meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s new regulations for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Clean, chemical-free drinking water is coming your way on your city’s dime, Pembroke Pines. Officials say a multimillion-dollar plan to remove PFAS — per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — is underway after new research revealed city taps registered concentrations above the federal standard.
Broward city ranked best in the country for Hispanic entrepreneurs
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Broward city ranked best in the country for Hispanic entrepreneurs
For the second straight year, Pembroke Pines ranked among the best cities in the country for Hispanic entrepreneurs, according to a recently published report by WalletHub. The Sept. 1 report from the Miami-based personal finance company compared 182 cities nationwide in two categories that WalletHub says shape entrepreneurial success: Hispanic business friendliness and Hispanic purchasing power. Pembroke Pines was No. 1 among major U.S. cities.
Broward city ranked best in the country for Hispanic entrepreneurs
Broward city ranked best in the country for Hispanic entrepreneurs Wed, September 2, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. UTC Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. New research shows Pembroke Pines is the best city in the United States for Hispanic entrepreneurs, according to a Sept. 1 WalletHub study. For the second straight year, Pembroke Pines ranked among the best cities in the country for Hispanic entrepreneurs, according to a recently published report by WalletHub. The Sept.
Giveaways, ‘quiet area’: Annual disability resource fair returns to Pines
Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital’s Special Needs & Inclusion Fair will feature 60 agencies, giveaways, activities and a “quiet area” for those with sensory sensitivities. A resource fair looking to bring kid-friendly fun and to better equip parents of children with disabilities is coming to Pembroke Pines. Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital brings its annual Special Needs & Inclusion Fair to the Charles F. Dodge City Center — 601 City Center Way — on Saturday, Sept. 12.
Broward Latinos, rejoice. Pembroke Pines tops US cities for Hispanic entrepreneurs
New research shows Pembroke Pines is the best city in the United States for Hispanic entrepreneurs, according to a Sept. 1 WalletHub study. Calling all Broward Latinos and Hispanics: New research shows Pembroke Pines might be where you should set up shop. For the second year in a row, the city ranked high among the top municipalities nationwide for Hispanic entrepreneurs, according to a recently published report by WalletHub. The report, released Sept.
Flying insects, handwash fails. Pines restaurants that passed and failed in August
Four Pembroke Pines restaurants racked up the highest amount of serious violations during their August 2026 inspections. Six passed with flying colors. Pembroke Pines foodies: Want to know how your favorite haunts fared with state inspectors last month? Four restaurants accumulated at least four high-priority violations during their August inspections, according to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Six earned infraction-free results from inspectors.
Chess, Love Island, crochet. Pembroke Pines weekday events to kick off September
Love a brain game? Head to “Chess for Beginners” at the Pembroke Pines/Walter C. Young Resource Center on Tuesday, Sept. 1, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Is turning the calendar from August to September cause to celebrate, Pembroke Pines? We say yes and have a couple ideas on how to ring the month in.
Four in Miami, two in Pembroke Pines arrested in $5.8M HOA scheme, deputies say
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Four in Miami, two in Pembroke Pines arrested in $5.8M HOA scheme, deputies say
Six South Floridians were arrested and face fraud charges in connection with a $5.8 million homeowners association scheme, according to Miami-Dade deputies. Six South Floridians are behind bars after a two-year probe revealed they were behind a $5.8 million scam involving condominium and homeowners associations across Miami-Dade County, according to Miami-Dade deputies. Broward court records show two are from Pembroke Pines.
‘Think twice’: Pines Whole Foods supermarket sees uptick in theft, police say
Pembroke Pines’ Whole Foods Market, 14956 Pines Blvd., has seen a rise in thefts over the last several months, according to the Pembroke Pines Police Department. An upscale, southwest Broward supermarket is seeing an uptick in five-finger discounts, according to the Pembroke Pines Police Department. Pembroke Pines’ sole Whole Foods — located at 14956 Pines Blvd. — “has recently seen an increase in theft-related losses,” police spokesperson Amanda Conwell told the Pembroke Pines News.
Pembroke Pines med spa nurse scammed coworkers out of $16K, police say
A Pembroke Pines medical spa nurse is behind bars after police say he swindled his coworkers out of $16,000 using a foreign currency trading scam. Detectives began their probe into Jonathan Cuenca — the 39-year-old owner of Eternity by JC, a Hollywood-based medical aesthetics clinic — last April when two victims reported the theft to the Miramar Police Department, Cuenca’s police report says.
Volunteers, vendors, performers. Pembroke Pines wants your help for fall events
A sign welcomes visitors to the Charles F. Dodge City Center in Pembroke Pines. Pembroke Pines is gearing up for an event-packed fall and offering residents an in on all the action. The southwest Broward city has issued several callouts for vendors, performers and volunteers for several upcoming happenings, including annual festivals, donation drives, a community project and a City Commission meeting staple. Got time and talents to spare?
‘Not just a bystander’: West Broward teacher wins Holocaust education award
West Broward High School social studies teacher Sande Hartman, 60, is one of three South Florida educators honored with the 2026 Gutterman Family Outstanding Holocaust Educator Award. Outside of being Jewish, Pembroke Pines’ Sande Hartman grew up in 1970s Broward County believing she had little connection to the Holocaust.
Pines sells city-owned apartments to fund $155M public safety complex, mayor says
Pines Place, located at 8210 Florida Drive. Pembroke Pines is inching closer to funding its long-awaited public safety complex following the sale of city-owned affordable housing apartments. City commissioners approved the sale of Pines Place at 8210 Florida Drive for over $90 million to real estate firm Reliant Group Management at an Aug. 19 commission meeting.
Frugal fine dining? Eat at this Pines restaurant’s ‘Pay What You Can’ dinner
LB Eatery & Wine hosts a “Pay What You Can” dinner service on Wednesday, Aug. 26. Stretching your last dollars, but looking to treat yourself? This Pembroke Pines restaurant wants to give you a fine dining experience that won’t break the bank. LB Eatery & Wine — an offshoot of Pembroke Gardens’ Lady Baker café — is hosting a “Pay What You Can” dinner service on Wednesday, Aug. 26, for those craving upscale eats at customizable rates.
Tallahassee café chain that’s an ‘absolute cult’ months out from opening in Pines
Lucky Goat Coffee will open its first South Florida location at 15667 Pines Blvd. in Pembroke Pines. A Sunshine State-famous specialty coffee roaster is making its South Florida debut in your city, Pembroke Pines. Tallhassee-based Lucky Goat Coffee will set up shop at 15667 Pines Blvd. — inside central Pines’ Paraiso Parc plaza — bringing with it house-roasted blends, unique drink offerings and a community space its team says goes beyond your usual café interactions.
Trading cards, art, Zumba. Maximize your weekend with these Pembroke Pines events
Sky High Comics & Games, located at 180 S. University Drive, sells popular trading card games, including Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Magic the Gathering, Lorcana and One Piece. Pembroke Pines — you’ve survived another bout of back-to-school traffic, smiled through your 9-to-5, and made it through another week in southwest Broward. It’s time to celebrate your workweek with another round of weekend fun.
Pines man, Miami detective accused of $1M theft from Washington senior, cops say
Investigators say the senior notified police that $1 million had been stolen from his bank account in early 2026. Two Pembroke Pines men and a New York man are behind bars, accused of stealing $1 million from a senior in rural Washington. Authorities say one of the southwest Broward men is an investigator with the Miami Shores Police Department.
House hunting? These affordable housing complexes in Pines are accepting tenants
House hunting on a budget? Two city-owned affordable housing complexes are welcoming new tenants in Pembroke Pines. The southwest Broward city is accepting applications for residents wanting to make Pines Place and Pines Point their new home, officials announced via mid-August Instagram posts. Both complexes boast several selling points that would entice any prospective renter, including nearby shopping and dining options, swimming pools, fitness centers and more for modest prices.
House hunting? These affordable housing complexes in Pines are accepting tenants
Pines Point, 501 NW 103rd Ave., is one of two city-owned apartment complexes welcoming new tenants. House hunting on a budget? Two city-owned affordable housing complexes are welcoming new tenants in Pembroke Pines. The southwest Broward city is accepting applications for residents wanting to make Pines Place and Pines Point their new home, officials announced via mid-August Instagram posts.
Pines, Miami UPS workers stole $100K in electronics from Doral warehouse: deputies
South Florida UPS workers Jose Divine Fernandes Correeia, 52, and Ruth Cristaldo, 53, were arrested on Thursday, Aug. 13, and accused of stealing over $100,000 in electronics from a Doral warehouse, according to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office. Two South Florida UPS workers are behind bars after Miami-Dade deputies say they stole over $100,000 in electronics from a Doral warehouse.
Meet the two candidates vying to win southwest Broward’s District 26 in November
Two candidates, incumbent U.S. Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart (D) and attorney Nicole Locklin (D), are vying to win Florida’s 26th Congressional District this November. The votes are in, southwest Broward. Do you know who’s poised to represent you at the Capitol in 2027? Two U.S. House of Representatives seats overseeing Miramar and Pembroke Pines were up for grabs this primary election, turning out two vastly different races.
Pines man stole luxury car, drove it to shoot at relative’s home, police say
Khalil Smith, 29, was arrested Monday, Aug. 17, on accusations that he stole a car from a Pembroke Pines dealership and used it to drive himself to a family member’s home and shoot at it, according to the Pembroke Pines Police Department. A Pembroke Pines man is behind bars after stealing a luxury car from a dealership, driving it to a family member’s home and firing multiple gunshots into the residence, according to police. No one was injured during the shooting.
Pines Pilates studio opens after monthslong delay, grand opening party to come
JETSET Pembroke Pines hosts a grand opening party on Saturday, Aug. 29, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pembroke Pines’ newest Pilates studio is welcoming fitness lovers after a monthslong delay. JETSET Pilates — located in the south wing of Pembroke Gardens at 527 SW 145th Terrace — opened its doors on Saturday, Aug. 15, nearly eight months after initially announcing its arrival in Pines last December. “We’re still taking it all in,” the studio wrote in an Instagram recap of its first day of operation.
Primary elections are Tuesday. Your guide to voting in Broward County
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 18, for the Florida state primary election. Voters must cast ballots within their assigned precinct. It’s Election Day, Broward voters. Here’s a rundown of what you can expect for the Florida state primary. Polls open on Tuesday, Aug. 18, following a weeklong early voting period that ran from Aug. 8-16 and a mid-July distribution of vote-by-mail ballots.
Pines weekend wreck hospitalizes officer, shuts down roads, police say
Screen grab of Pines Boulevard and Flamingo Road. A Pembroke Pines multi-vehicle crash shut down roads and sent a city officer to the hospital on Saturday, according to police. The officer was driving in his cruiser near Pines Boulevard and Flamingo Road while en route to a call around 5:45 p.m. on Aug. 15 when the wreck happened, said Pembroke Pines Police Department spokesperson Amanda Conwell.
Broward’s primary elections are Aug. 18. What to know before casting your vote
Florida’s primary elections are Tuesday, Aug. 18. Voters can hit the polls in over 20 Pembroke Pines precincts from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Florida’s state primary is approaching, Pembroke Pines. Are you ready to cast your vote? This Tuesday, Aug. 18, Broward voters will have their say in which leaders they’d like representing them on the county, state or federal stage, as well as pick who will make it onto general election ballots this November.
Primaries, wine dinner, night market. Your guide to Pembroke Pines weekday events
Florida’s primary election is Tuesday, Aug. 18. Polls in over 20 Pembroke Pines voting precincts will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Looking to pick your next governmental leaders, time travel to the United States’ early days, support small businesses or get your steps in? This week in Pembroke Pines has got just the lineup for you.
Broward’s primary elections are Aug. 18. What to know before casting your vote
Florida’s primary elections are Tuesday, Aug. 18. Voters can hit the polls in over 20 Pembroke Pines precincts from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Florida’s state primary is approaching, Pembroke Pines. Are you ready to cast your vote? This Tuesday, Aug. 18, Broward voters will have their say in which leaders they’d like representing them on the county, state or federal stage, as well as pick who will make it onto general election ballots this November.
‘Forever chemicals’ are in Pines’ tap water. The city’s spending millions on a fix
Pembroke Pines is the South Florida city with the second-highest concentration of total PFAS. We’ve got good and bad news about your drinking water, Pembroke Pines. Let’s start with the bad: “Forever chemicals” linked to cancer, high cholesterol and fertility issues are leaching into the aquifers your tap water comes from, and your city is among those with the highest levels. The good?
Pines couple charged with senior fraud via sweepstakes scam, feds say
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Pines couple charged with senior fraud via sweepstakes scam, feds say
Ceyon Calvert, 43, and Christal Calvert, 38, are charged with allegedly scamming senior citizens out of tens of thousands of dollars through a sham sweepstakes scheme, according to federal court records. A Pembroke Pines couple has been arrested and is facing fraud charges after swindling senior citizens out of tens of thousands of dollars through a sham sweepstakes scheme, according to federal court records.
Miami Colombian restaurant to open Broward location. Here’s what to know
El Machetico says it sells the nation’s “largest bandeja paisa,” a hearty platter of red beans, pork, white rice, ground meat, eggs, blood sausage, plantains, chorizo and arepas. Pembroke Pines’ newest Colombian eatery is days away from opening following a monthslong delay. El Machetico opens its doors on Saturday, Aug. 15, bringing its famous larger-than-life takes on traditional Colombian dishes, according to the restaurant’s Aug. 6 Instagram post.
Your toilet can save you money in Broward. Here’s what to know
New toilets can save water and money. A Broward conservation coalition wants to help keep your paycheck — and unnecessary amounts of water — from going down the drain. The Broward Water Partnership is offering rebates for people willing to swap their toilets for less wasteful models to help the environment and their bank account. It’s also offering up a limited number of free water-efficient showerheads and faucet aerators.
Miami Colombian restaurant to open Broward location. Here's what to know
Pembroke Pines' newest Colombian eatery is days away from opening following a monthslong delay. El Machetico opens its doors on Saturday, Aug. 15, bringing its famous larger-than-life takes on traditional Colombian dishes, according to the restaurant's Aug. 6 Instagram post. The Miami-based Latin chain shared the news of its first Broward location in April, with location details revealed in May with a “Coming Soon” sign posted at 207 N. Hiatus Road, the former home of Brandon's Bistro.
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