elgin_jones_web_13.jpgGREAT EXPANSION
Walgreens is the second largest drugstore chain in the country, with more than 247 stores in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties.

 

 

 

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And Walgreens has joined the family of major retailers where the South Florida Times may be purchased. This week, sales began in Walgreens located in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. Stores in Palm Beach county will begin carrying the newspaper in the coming weeks. Circulation Coordinator Robert Beatty II says the paper will eventually be sold in Walgreens stores throughout the tri-county area.

Palm Beach County

MOTOROLA LAYOFFS
Google completed its purchase of Motorola Mobility in May and has now announced plans to cut more than 4,000 workers as the Internet giant consolidates operations. It is unclear how many jobs will be affected in South Florida. The company says the number of Motorola manufacturing locations will be reduced from 90 to about 60, initially. The restructuring is expected to cost Google about $275 million in severance packages.

PASTOR CONVICTED
james_harris.jpgAfter the Rev. James Harris, 64, of Belle Glade, was convicted of six counts related to having sex with an underage boy, he tried to swallow several pills, that in fact were mints, before courtroom deputies wrestled them away from him. He is facing up to 80 years in prison. Harris was a fixture in the Glades area, where he worked on political campaigns and was involved in community issues. Prosecutors said he lured the teenage athlete with promises of introducing him to NFL agents, college scouts and professional trainers. He performed sex acts on the boy and videotaped some of the encounters, which were shown to jurors during the trial. Harris is now on suicide watch in the Palm Beach County Jail while awaiting sentencing.

MOVIE SCHOOL

jeri_muoio_4.jpgFlorida State University has opened a new movie-making school located in West Palm Beach’s City Place. It’s part of plans by Mayor Jeri Muoio and civic leaders to turn the city into a hub for the film industry. Students will be able to acquire filmmaking skills in the program which is expected to cost $28,000 a year to attend.
 
Broward County

SEX CHARGES
matthew_love.jpgMatthew Love, 42, of Plantation, is a former track coach at University School of Nova Southeastern University. He has been arrested over allegations he fondled a student’s breasts on several occasions in 2010 during private “training” sessions.

BANKRUPT MARINA
Fort Lauderdale Boat Club Ltd., the company that purchased the iconic Jackson Marina in 2006 for $16 million with plans to turn it into a boat storage condominium, has filed bankruptcy. The filing states the company has $13.5 million in assets and $10.3 million in debts. The plan was to construct 330 dry slips, offices and a storage garage and boat yard on the 12-acre site which now houses a boat auction company.

AUDIT

barbara_sharief_fc_web_5.jpgBroward County Commissioner Barbara Sharief is seeking an audit of the Law Enforcement Trust Fund (LETF) which comprises funds seized or forfeited in suspected criminal activity. Sharief has alleged that Broward Sheriff Al Lamberti threatened to take legal action against her if she raised the issue of auditing this fund at commission meetings, which is unbelievable. All government funds and operations should be audited, including the LETF.

CVS LAYOFFS
CVS is moving its prescription drug mail order and shipping operation from Miramar to Chicago, Ill., and Wilkesboro, Penn. More than 178 employees will be laid off starting on Oct. 12.

WANTED SUSPECT
Tyrone Clarence Turner, 30, of Lauderhill, remains at large. He is wanted by tyrone_turner.jpgLauderhill Police after victims of a July 31 burglary identified him as the man who allegedly broke into their home in the early morning hours and fondled a 12-year-old girl. Police said the child began screaming when she awoke to find a man touching her. The man fled the home and police were called. Investigators are asking anyone with information of Turner’s whereabouts to contact Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-8477.

Miami-Dade County

COUPLE SHOT
An elderly couple was cut off while driving home and confronted by a family acquaintance and shot several times. Oscar Padilla, 62, was shot three times by a man known to the family as “Flaco.” His companion, Maritza Colindres, 51, was shot six times. Police said  the shooter was upset with their son and looking for him. The couple was in critical condition. Miami-Dade police are urging the public’s help in locating the shooter. He is described as having a slender build and driving a red pickup truck. Police are asking people to call Crimestoppers at 305-471-8477 with any information on this crime or the man’s whereabouts.

DOLPHIN DISCIPLINE
chad_johnson_2.jpgMiami Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin wasted little time severing the team’s ties to controversial wide receiver Chad Johnson, who was arrested on a domestic violence charge. Johnson had been with the Dolphins just over two months. Just hours after he was released from jail, he was abruptly cut from the team. The team is sending a strong message that distraction and trouble will not be tolerated. Too bad for Johnson, who is from Miami and was expecting to rekindle his career which may now be all but over.

TRAINS ON TRACK
Husien Cumber, senior vice president of Florida East Coast Industries, announced plans to build the All Aboard Florida project, a $1 billion passenger train line between Miami and Orlando. The rail line is being privately financed and trains would run hourly with stops in major cities such as Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. The project will also include a large station in Miami, with shops, apartments and office space. The trains will seat 400 passengers each and will offer WiFi and meals. Cumber said the project is expected to be completed in 2014 and will eventually extend to Tampa and Jacksonville.

TRUNK ATTACK
peter_maya.jpgPeter Maya, 24, is under arrest after police said he hid in the trunk of his estranged girlfriend’s car and then entered the cabin through the back seat and began attacking her. When the woman tried to escape, he pulled her back inside and drove away, while threatening to crash the vehicle, which he did, police said. Maya and the woman have several children together but broke up earlier this year. He is facing kidnapping and battery charges.