It involved a 17,034-square-foot home in Southwest Ranches which was sold to Marshall for $4.15 million by developer Landmark Custom Ranches. It’s the home where Marshall was involved in a domestic dispute with his wife.
Surtain had a contract on the home first but was unable to obtain financing due to the real estate market collapse, even though he had already spent more than $1 million in deposits and improvements to the home. The developer sold the home to Marshall. Surtain filed suit seeking the return of his $500,000 deposit and compensation for the sound system, basketball court and other improvements made to the home. A judge has ruled that Marshall will not be released from Surtain’s lawsuit, which is going forward.
RAPE ACCUSATION
Jeiker Lopez, 25, of Hollywood is charged with sexual assault after, police said, he forced himself into a woman’s bedroom and raped her while her mother and daughter were asleep in an adjacent room. Police said Lopez and the victim knew each other. The victim alleges Lopez threatened to have her killed if she screamed for help. When Lopez left, the woman called police. He was found at his home, where he was arrested without incident.
CLUB FIGHT
Broward Circuit Judge John Luzzo will hear a lawsuit filed by Mayor Lamar Fisher and Pompano Beach city officials which seeks to shut down a nightclub as a public nuisance. Club Cinema, located on Federal Highway just south of Sample Road, has been the site of several police calls over the years. Residents from Pompano Beach and Lighthouse Point have complained of noise, loud music and crowds of people for some time.
ALL ABOARD!
All Aboard Florida, the passenger rail company, has announced the location of its downtown Fort Lauderdale station at a Northwest Second Avenue and Broward Boulevard which site currently houses state offices. New Broward County Mayor Barbara Sharief and Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jack Seiler have both praised the location and the project. All Aboard Florida will operate a commuter rail line on the Florida East Coast tracks from Miami to Central Florida. The Fort Lauderdale station will be located directly across from the Broward Transit bus terminal. It will be a multi-story facility with shops and restaurants.
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
SUSPECT CAPTURED
U.S. Marshals located 56-year-old Hugo Quesada in Argentina. He was wanted in a 2003 double murder in which his ex-wife and stepfather were killed. He was extradited to Miami and appeared in Miami-Dade Circuit Court this week. The victims were strangled and his mother-in-law was also stabbed in the incident but survived. Quesada and his ex-wife argued over his desire to take their children back to Argentina with him.
BIG BANK
TD Bank is the 10th ranked bank in South Florida in deposits but is rapidly expanding. It is scheduled to open its next branch in Coral Gables and several more are under construction around South Florida. The bank opened seven new branches in South Florida during the last 12 months, bringing its total to 66.
ARRESTED AGAIN
Former Homestead Mayor Steve Bateman has been arrested a second time in recent months. He is charged with 11 counts of misusing campaign funds from his 2011 successful reelection effort. This past August, he was charged with multiple felonies related to a consulting job he had with Community Health of South Florida which, at the time, had business pending before the Homestead City Council. He was suspended from office by Gov. Rick Scott and came in fourth in a failed reelection bid earlier this month.
MONROE COUNTY
EDUCATION SHORTFALL
Monroe County School District Superintendent Mark Porter had planned to use $1.2 million in state money intended for teacher pay raises, but said he intends instead to end unpaid furloughs. State officials however say the move would be illegal. The Monroe County School District is facing a budget shortfall which led to seven days unpaid furloughs for employees.
TOE NAILS FOR SALE
Someone in the Florida Keys is selling toe nail clippings that supposedly belong to the Messiah, Jesus Christ. People will try to sell almost anything but I wonder about the sanity of anyone who would fall for this nonsense.
SALESMAN CHARGED
David “Super Dave” Poindexter, 46, of Key West is known as a “salesman” and authorities concur. Super Dave is now charged with drug trafficking and peddling controlled substances. Authorities said he was arrested with “thousands” of Ecstasy pills and cocaine.
PALM BEACH
POLICE SHORTAGE?
Riviera Beach Police Chief Clarence Williams is dealing with complaints that his force is dangerously understaffed. Union officials say the situation is so bad that officers are being placed at risk. The claim is explosive and, if accurate, the safety of the public is also at issue in crime-ridden Riviera Beach.
WIND FARM
Despite objections from several wildlife and environmental groups, state officials have given the go-ahead for a massive wind energy farm in Palm Beach County. Under the plan, 114 windmills 50 stories high will be erected in western Palm Beach County to produce electricity. There is concern they will kill migrating birds.
DUI ARREST
Marie Harvey of Coconut Creek was arrested by Boca Raton police who said officers pulled her over for erratic driving. She allegedly was so drunk that she was barely able to stand. Her blood alcohol level registered at .215, way above the legal limit of .08, officers said. She was booked into the Palm Beach County Main Jail.
SCARED STIFF
Residents of Century Village located in West Palm Beach, are expressing fear following a rash of burglaries and break-ins that have been taking place in their gated community. The suburban retirement community has also been hit with car burglaries and other crimes. Residents blame inadequate security and are calling on the authorities to step in to assist.
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