Joe Martinez says he’ll challenge Joe Garcia

Joe Martinez, the former Miami-Dade Commission chairman who lost his bid to become county mayor last year, said Friday that he intends to run against U.S. Rep. Joe Garcia in 2014.“I’m meeting with different people and feeling them out, seeing what the level of support will be there,” Martinez told The Miami Herald shortly after announcing his intentions on Facebook. He wants...

Read More..

Oscars Flashback: Drew Barrymore 1983

Considering that Drew Barrymore turns 38 today, it's fascinating to think that she attended her first Oscars thirty years ago. At the 1983 Oscars, the charming, young actress is adorable as ever as she is interviewed on the red carpet.Although she had won a Young Artist Award for best actress for her performance in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Barrymore didn't receive a nomination for an individual...

Read More..

Woman's badly decomposed body washes up in Breezy Point

A woman’s body was discovered in Queens this morning, police said.She was found shortly before 8:40 a.m. by a passerby in Breezy Point, washed up near Bayside Avenue, cops said.The body was badly decomposed, and only part of her skull was there, according to a police source. But she was clothed, and there were no obvious signs of trauma. The woman has not...

Read More..

Sign up for Feb. 21 Miami Herald Small Business Forum

Prepare your best pitch for the Miami Herald’s Small Business Forum, Feb. 21 at the south campus of our sponsor, Florida International University.In addition to how-to panels and inspirational stories from successful entrepreneurs, our annual small business forum will include interactive opportunities with experts to learn about financing options and polish your personal...

Read More..

Boss of alleged Miami-Dade pot ring plans to plead guilty to conspiracy charges

Derrick Santiesteban, the boss of an alleged marijuana growhouse ring that authorities say made millions off selling potent pot between Miami and New York, faces his reckoning Friday afternoon. He plans to plead guilty to conspiracy charges along with his wife, Yadira, in Miami federal court, according to public records.Raul Ramirez, a growhouse caretaker for the Santiesteban...

Read More..

Vin Diesel Sings Stay by Rihanna

Vin Diesel may be best known for kicking ass on the big screen, but the Fast & Furious star would also like you to know he's super sensitive. VIDEO - Watch Rihanna's Stay VideoCase in point: Vin covered Rihanna's Stay last night and posted the video to his Facebook page (via) as a Valentine's Day gift to "V's Angels."Best. Gift. Ev...

Read More..

NYC teachers' pension fund divests from gun makers

The pension fund for New York City schoolteachers has sold its stock in companies that make guns and ammunition.City Comptroller John Liu said Friday that the move came after a thorough review of the fund's exposure to such investments.Teachers union head Michael Mulgrew said selling the stock was "the right thing to do" after the school shootings in Newtown,...

Read More..

In Key West, women earn more than men

Key West is one of just four cities in the United States where the median income for women exceeds that of men, according to new data released by the U.S. Census Bureau.The American Community Survey, which goes beyond population figures and analyzes comparative social, economic and educational data, found that nationwide, men older than 16 working full-time and year-round...

Read More..

Crime Watch: Steer clear of these latest email scams

Today I want to share with you some interesting scam emails shared by readers. We truly need to be super-careful and not open or respond to any of them.I personally got the one from Kabul and had to laugh because this was a new one for me. I am not showing the email address, but trust me it looked very official especially when I do have friends that are stationed in Kabul....

Read More..

Making the Wonderful World of 'Oz the Great and Powerful'

Oz The Great and Powerful lands in theaters on March 8, and director Sam Raimi's epic, magical return to L. Frank Baum's beloved fantasy land features a dazzling cornucopia of costumes, set creations and makeup effects unlike anything moviegoers have seen before. Go behind the scenes to see how the filmmakers put it all together…Pics: Stars without Makeup Disney's fantastical adventure stars James...

Read More..

Rector of Manhattan's Trinity Church to step down

The embattled head of Manhattan’s Trinity Church is stepping down, giving church leaders two years notice.The Rev. James Cooper, 68, who heads one of the richest parishes in the Anglican world with Manhattan land holdings of at least $1 billion, sparked a revolt in 2011 over his dictatorial leadership style and his grandiose development plans.Nearly half...

Read More..

American Airlines, US Airways announce merger

After a nearly yearlong courtship, the union became official Thursday: American Airlines and US Airways have formally announced plans to merge.An early morning announcement by the airlines confirmed reports widely circulated after boards of both companies approved the merger late Wednesday.The move brings stability to one of Miami-Dade County’s largest private employers more...

Read More..

Miami Beach clinic head surrenders to FBI

Kathryn Abbate, former head of the Miami Beach Community Health Center, surrendered to the FBI on Wednesday, charged with defrauding federal healthcare agencies. She is scheduled to make her first court appearance at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.Abbate was fired last year after the center’s board alleged that she had diverted $6.8 million in funds to her personal use -- money that...

Read More..

Worn Out? Stars Step Out in Same Style

Emily Blunt vs. Katy Perry Though Katy Perry's cleavage-baring mint green Gucci dress on the Grammys red carpet had shutterbugs going wild, it was actually the orange Alexander McQueen halter gown she wore to the 2013 MusiCares Person Of The Year Gala Honoring Bruce Springsteen which most fashion critics preferred...

Read More..

LIRR running extra eastbound trains ahead of tonight's potential snowstorm

The Long Island Rail Road is offering eight extra eastbound trains for people trying to get home before the next snowstorm.The extra LIRR service will run from roughly 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday.The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory starting at 5 p.m.It says another 3 to 5 inches of snow could fall on eastern Long Island.Some parts of Long Island are still digging out from the...

Read More..

Miami Beach clinic head surrenders to FBI

Kathryn Abbate, former head of the Miami Beach Community Health Center, surrendered to the FBI on Wednesday, charged with defrauding federal healthcare agencies. She is scheduled to make her first court appearance at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.Abbate was fired last year after the center’s board alleged that she had diverted $6.8 million in funds to her personal use -- money that...

Read More..

Chinese New Year rings in at St. Thomas University

A Chinese Lunar New Year celebration was held at St. Thomas University on Sunday, Feb. 10, in Miami Gardens. The free event was open to the public and also featured an ancestral-veneration ceremony, lion dances and a reception. ...

Read More..

Valorie Curry The Following Interview Episode 5

Like many of you, I excitedly watched The Following to see Kevin Bacon in his first-ever TV role. And while it's been great seeing him battle James Purefoy's charismatic killer, Joe Carroll, I quickly became infinitely more invested in Joe's three followers: Emma, Jacob and Paul. Well, last night took the tension to a new level as Emma cemented her control over that triumvirate in the most memorable...

Read More..

Feminists in topless pope protest at Paris' Notre Dame

AFPActivists from the women's rights organization Femen protest in front of Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral in Paris today.PARIS — Topless women activists have pounded a huge church bell in Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris to "celebrate" the pope's resignation.The nine women from Ukrainian feminist group Femen had their chests and backs emblazoned with the...

Read More..

U.S. Century to OK details of new deal

U.S. Century Bank is expected to sign off on Monday on its letter of intent — the framework for a plan to recapitalize the bank.Under the deal, a local group of investors, led by Jimmy Tate of Tate Capital and Sergio Rok of Rok Enterprises, will bring in fresh capital and wipe out the Doral bank’s bad loans, while allowing it to operate independently.The investor group is...

Read More..

Carnival ship fire quickly extinguished as ship wallows in Gulf awaiting tug

The Carnival Triumph, a Galveston, Texas-based passenger cruise ship with the theme “Great Cities Around the World,” might have been better off sitting at port, as a court initially ordered. As of Monday morning the 14-year old ship was going nowhere, operating on emergency generator power after a fire Sunday in one of the diesel generators killed its propulsion. The fire...

Read More..

Kerry Washington Channing Tatum Independent Spirit Awards Presenters Exclusive

Given their host (Joel McHale, Rainn Wilson, Seth Rogen, John Waters, Andy Samberg) and nominee track record, The Film Independent Spirit Awards have long been one of my favorite award shows -- and don't even get me started on the sublime singing! RELATED - Who's Presenting at The OscarsThis year's ceremony is set to be their most star-studded to date. Not only are Jennifer Lawrence, Matthew McConaughey,...

Read More..

Village 'bomb ma' pleads not guilty to explosives, drugs charges

The accused Greenwich Village "Bomb Mom" took a whirl-wind tour of Manhattan Criminal Court today, visiting judges in two courtrooms for her ongoing explosives, grand larceny and heroin possession cases.Park Avenue-raised oncologist's daughter Morgan Gliedman, 27, pleaded not guilty this morning to a scary, headlines-making cache of explosives powder and...

Read More..

Two Fantasy 5 tickets sold in Broward take $92,069 jackpot

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) – Three tickets, two purchased in Broward County, matched all five Fantasy 5 numbers to collect a jackpot worth $92,069.38 each, the Florida Lottery said Sunday. The winning tickets were bought in Plantation and Tamarac and in Homosassa, lottery officials said. The numbers drawn Saturday night were 1-3-16-18-25 The 463 tickets matching...

Read More..

Chris Brown Car Collision

ET has learned that Chris Brown was involved in a solo, non-injury traffic collision in Beverly Hills at noon today, blaming the paparazzi for losing control of his Porsche and colliding with a wall. Pics: Remembering Whitney Houston A statement from Lieutenant Lincoln Hoshino of the Beverly Hills police details the incident: "On February 9, 2013 at approximately 12:03 p.m., entertainer Chris Brown...

Read More..

Obama declares state of emergency for Connecticut following snowstorm

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama has declared a state of emergency for Connecticut after the massive storm that blanketed the state with several feet of snow.The order means federal money will be used to help state and local response efforts. The White House announced the declaration Sunday.Obama authorized the Federal Emergency Management Agency to...

Read More..

Mega mansion frenzy: Buyer snaps up Pat Riley’s $16M home to level it, rebuild

Miami Heat President Pat Riley sold his spectacular bayfront mansion in gated Gables Estates for $16.8 million last March.The 12,856-square-foot Mediterranean-style dream house at 180 Arvida Parkway has a theater, wine cellar, library, and a sprawling pool with waterfalls and an aqua bar.But that’s all coming down. Turns out the lure was the lot: a rare...

Read More..