South Florida News

Tamarac City Commission Appoints Caribbean-American Morey Wright as Vice Mayor

Published

9 months ago

January 3, 2024

TAMARAC, Fla. (December 15, 2023) – During the City of Tamarac’s Dec. 13, regular City Commission meeting, the Tamarac City Commission unanimously voted to appoint District 2 Commissioner, Morey Wright, as the City’s Vice Mayor.

Wright will serve as Vice Mayor for a one-year term, with the responsibility of acting as Mayor in the Mayor’s absence.

He was elected to the Tamarac City Commission in November 2022. During his time in office, he has represented the City of Tamarac as a voting delegate for the 97th Annual Florida League of Cities Conference. Wright also served as chair of the auditor selection committee.

“I’m honored to be appointed as Tamarac’s Vice Mayor,” said Wright. “I am excited to continue to work with the Commission, residents and community members to develop meaningful programs and initiatives that will positively impact Tamarac and ensure that our City remains a vibrant and thriving community for all.”

Born in the Virgin Islands to a Virgin Islander mother and a Jamaican father, Wright is a University of Florida alumnus who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He also earned two master’s degrees in business and government from Johns Hopkins University.

Professionally, Wright is an executive at a South Florida-based e-commerce company. He also owns a small business that consults on digital technology and marketing.

South Florida News

Association of Haitian Educators of Dade (AHED) Hosts 15th Annual Back-to-School Breakfast Honoring Haitian American Teachers in Florida

Published

1 day ago

October 12, 2024

Willie David

MIAMI, Fla. (FNN) – The Association of Haitian Educators of Dade (AHED) announced its 15th Annual Back-to-School Breakfast, honoring the contributions of Haitian American educators throughout Florida. Set to take place at the Kovens Center at Florida International University, the event will bring together over 300 AHED members, educators, and community leaders to celebrate the pivotal role these teachers play in shaping the future of education.

The event, scheduled for October 19, 2024, will feature several distinguished guest speakers, including Dr. Steve Gallon III, District 1 Board Member of Miami-Dade County Public Schools; Dr. Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall, District 2 Board Member; Dr. Jose L. Dotres, Superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools; Dr. Michael A. Lewis; a representative from the Office of Florida State Senator Shevrin Jones; and an official from the City of North Miami. Each will highlight the significance of Haitian American educators in promoting academic excellence and fostering a supportive learning environment for students.

AHED President Marie Viard expressed pride in the community’s educators and emphasized their invaluable contributions. “Our teachers are the heartbeat of our community,” she stated. “We are proud to honor their lasting contributions to students, schools, and society.” The event aims to not only celebrate these educators but also recognize their resilience in the face of challenges affecting the Haitian American community.

“Despite the obstacles, our teachers continue to inspire, uplift, and empower future generations,” Viard added.

Event Details:

Date: October 19, 2024
Time: 9:30 AM
Location: Kovens Center, Florida International University, 3000 NE 151st Street, North Miami, FL

For more information or to RSVP, contact: ahedflorida@gmail.com.

About AHED:

The Association of Haitian Educators of Dade (AHED) advocates for Haitian American educators by providing resources, professional development, and support, while promoting educational equity and cultural pride.

South Florida News

FFTP’s 25th Annual Celebration of Hope Gala: Building Dreams and Homes for Families in Haiti

Published

1 week ago

October 3, 2024

FNN NEWS

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (Oct. 3, 2024) – For 25 years, Food For The Poor’s Celebration of Hope Gala has been a beacon of hope for Haiti’s most vulnerable families, providing them not just with homes, but with new beginnings. This year, the virtual gala aims to build homes for 25 families in Patasson, Haiti, bringing the dream of a safe and secure future for those who need it most.

The livestreamed gala will take place on Saturday, Oct. 5, at 7 p.m. ET. Jamaican singer-songwriter and humanitarian Glacia Robinson will perform songs from her album “Hands of Mercy.”

Dr. Lynne Nasrallah, who has chaired the gala for a quarter of a century, reflected on her countless mission trips to Haiti and the contrast between the poverty she’s witnessed and the unwavering hope that exists among the people.

“Through my travels with Food For The Poor, I have seen unimaginable destitution in Haiti, but I have also seen remarkable hope,” Nasrallah said. “It is our donors and partners who continue to unite us in this work, giving life-changing support to those in need. Together, we bring light where there is darkness.”

Nasrallah recalls being given an assignment in the 6th grade at Sacred Heart School in Auburn, Maine: Go to the library and choose a book on the life of a saint. Nasrallah chose “The Story of a Soul” by St. Thérèse of Lisieux, the patron saint of the missions.

Later in life, when Nasrallah encountered impoverished families in her travels with FFTP, she was reminded of a valuable lesson taught by St. Thérèse, Mother Teresa and the Mahfood founders of FFTP.

“If I looked carefully, I would see Jesus in the poor,” Nasrallah said. “And then discover Jesus in the poor who are hungry, thirsty, homeless, unemployed, the outcast with leprosy. All I had to do was open my heart and my hands to embrace the hopeless, the unwanted and actually experience the embrace of Jesus himself.”

In Patasson, a remote community in Haiti’s northeast region, residents live in fragile structures that offer little protection from storms. The new homes will include two bedrooms, a living room, kitchen, bathroom, and a rainwater collection system connected to a 500-gallon water reservoir – transformational blessings for these families. A community center will provide families a place to gather.

“What we are building in Patasson is more than just shelter,” FFTP President/CEO Ed Raine said. “We are building a foundation for hope, dignity, and self-sufficiency. The homes we provide change lives in ways that go far beyond walls and roofs. They create opportunities for families to thrive.”

Last year’s Celebration of Hope Gala raised funds to build more than 40 homes for families in Trouchouchou, Haiti, and 20 of those homes have already been completed.

“Thanks to our generous donors, these families’ prayers are being answered,” Raine said. “Their dreams of safety and stability are becoming reality, and we are humbled to be a part of that transformation.”

For more information on how to support the 25th Annual Celebration of Hope Gala or to RSVP, please visit foodforthepoor.org/celebration.

Committee members include: Dr. Lynne Nasrallah, chair, Linda Bonnewitz, Bruny and Paula Compas, George and Kim del Campo, Mike and Dr. Desirae Friend, Cynthia Hawkins, Nicole Nasrallah, George and Joanne Olson, Lisa Padilla Ortiz, Nancy Padilla, Dwight and Lisa Saathoff, Tom and Jean Wilkes, Jean and Donna Wilson, and Holly Wilson.

Food For The Poor, one of the largest international relief and development organizations in the nation, does much more than feed millions of hungry children and families living in poverty primarily in 15 countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. This interdenominational Christian ministry provides emergency relief assistance, water, medicine, educational materials, homes, support for vulnerable children, care for the aged, skills training, and micro-enterprise development assistance. For more information, please visit foodforthepoor.org.

Crimes and Courts

Suspect Ryan Wesley Routh Charged in Alleged Trump Assassination Attempt at West Palm Beach Golf Club

Published

4 weeks ago

September 17, 2024

FNN NEWS

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (FNN) – Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, of Hawaii, has been charged with firearms offenses in connection with an apparent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach. The criminal complaint, filed in the Southern District of Florida, accuses Routh of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession and receipt of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. He made his initial appearance before Magistrate Judge Ryon M. McCabe in West Palm Beach on September 15, 2024, with a detention hearing scheduled for September 23.

Incident Details
According to the criminal complaint, a U.S. Secret Service agent patrolling the perimeter of the golf course spotted what appeared to be the barrel of a rifle emerging from the tree line. The agent, fearing an imminent threat, fired a service weapon in the direction of the suspected shooter. A witness later saw a man, identified as Routh, fleeing from the area.

Routh was apprehended by officers from the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. Upon searching the tree line where Routh was seen, authorities discovered a backpack, a digital camera, a loaded SKS-style rifle with a scope, and a black plastic bag containing food. The rifle’s serial number had been obliterated, further raising suspicions about its intended use.

Criminal Background
Routh has a history of felony convictions in North Carolina, dating back to December 2002 and March 2010, making it illegal for him to possess firearms under federal law.

Ongoing Investigation
The FBI is leading the investigation into the apparent assassination attempt, with support from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the U.S. Secret Service. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida and the Counterterrorism Section of the Justice Department’s National Security Division are prosecuting the case.

Potential Impact of Violence
This incident underscores the continuing risk of violence targeting high-profile figures like former President Trump, whose outspoken leadership has attracted both fervent support and opposition. The attempted attack raises concerns about the safety and security of public figures in highly politicized environments, further heightening tensions in the nation. It also stresses the importance of strict enforcement of firearms laws, especially involving convicted felons.

As the investigation continues, the possibility of further charges related to terrorism or other offenses may emerge, depending on Routh’s motive and associations.