Uniting For A Cleaner Future: Take Part In International Coastal Cleanup Hallandale Beach September 7, 2023 Share In a world grappling with environmental concerns, the City of Hallandale Beach stands out as a beacon of community engagement and eco-consciousness. Partnering with Broward County, this coastal haven eagerly joins the ranks of over 122 countries in the annual International Coastal Cleanup, a remarkable event sponsored by the Ocean Conservancy. A testament to the power of collective action, this initiative sees more than a million volunteers from around the globe stepping up to protect and preserve our precious coastlines. Mark your calendars for the 3rd Saturday of September, as Hallandale Beach gears up for its annual International Coastal Cleanup. The picturesque South City Beach Park, nestled at 1870 South Ocean Drive, will serve as the epicenter of this environmental endeavor. From 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., volunteers of all ages and backgrounds will come together, driven by a common goal: to reclaim and restore the pristine beauty of our coastal landscapes. At the heart of this cleanup lies the idea of collective responsibility. With every piece of trash removed from the shores, the City of Hallandale Beach underscores its commitment to sustainable living. The event's popularity continues to surge, with the previous year boasting an impressive turnout of over 2,000 volunteers countywide. Together, they amassed a staggering 42,000 pieces of litter, equivalent to nearly 6,000 pounds. These numbers don't just reflect waste collected; they signify a community united in its determination to make a difference. A Global Movement The International Coastal Cleanup is more than a local event; it's a global movement that transcends geographical boundaries. With over one million volunteers participating worldwide, this initiative is a potent reminder that the ocean's health knows no borders. Broward County's involvement amplifies the message that our actions have far-reaching consequences, and every discarded piece of trash can find its way into our oceans, endangering marine life and delicate ecosystems. Be Prepared, Be Equipped The City of Hallandale Beach encourages everyone to register for the International Coastal Cleanup and prepare for a day of environmental stewardship. Regardless of whether the sun graces the sky or raindrops fall, volunteers are advised to dress accordingly. A hat and sunscreen offer protection from the elements, while gloves ensure safety during waste collection. And remember to stay hydrated – water is as essential to you as it is to our oceans. If you're wondering how an individual's actions can influence such a colossal endeavor, consider this: every contribution counts. If you have a 5-gallon bucket at home, bring it along. By doing so, you'll be keeping one more plastic bag out of a disposal site, nudging us closer to a greener, cleaner planet. It's in the simplicity of these actions that the strength of our collective effort truly shines. Be Part Of Something Bigger The International Coastal Cleanup at Hallandale Beach is an opportunity to be a part of history – one where communities worldwide rise together to secure a healthier future for our planet. Don't miss this chance to make your mark. Visit: www.coHB.org/SpecialEvent for more information and to register. Join us on the 3rd Saturday of September, and let's create waves of positive change, one piece of trash at a time. For more information and to register, please visit: www.coHB.org/SpecialEvent < Previous News Next News >

Brighten Dental Care: Keeping Their Patients Healthy Through Modern Dentistry Wed May 17 2023 16:08:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Josu de Solaun Comes To South Florida - One Of The Most Impressive Discoveries Of The Past Decade & Other Talents This November Fri Nov 15 2024 18:45:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

PICC Public Adjuster: Has settled 50,000 homeowners claims since 2001 By David L. Snelling December 23, 2021 Share To help you decide if you should move forward with your insurance claim on your own or with People’s Insurance Claim Center (PICC), they offer a free consultation to help you make a peace of mind decision towards the recovery of your loss Homeowners needing to file claims with their insurance companies to cover damages to their homes may want to hire a public adjuster to make sure the financial institutions honor their policies and they are not short changed. Since 2001, People's Insurance Claim Center (PICC) Public Adjuster, 20201 N.E. 16th Place, has settled 50,000 claims on behalf of homeowners, acting as their claims representative when dealing with their homeowners insurance companies. Kary Heredia, a claims representative and spokesperson for PICC Public Adjuster which is licensed and certified, said the company takes care of the entire claims process to make sure the insurance companies fully cover damages for roof leaks, broken pipes, theft and vandalism, fire damage, flood damage, hurricane damage and mold. Founded by President and CEO Gedale Fenster in 2001, PICC inspects homes for damages to tally up the estimated amounts to cover the damages and file the paperwork with the insurance companies. All homeowners have to do is relax and let PICC take care of their claims. The company really springs into action when the insurance companies deny or delay homeowners claims or the claims are underpaid. Heredia said some insurance companies throughout the years charge more by increasing homeowners premiums even when a hurricane or other natural disasters do not hit South Florida. She said 90 percent of the time, the payout is not efficient enough to cover the costs for repairs when the insured files the claim directly with their insurance companies. "The insurance companies treat you this way: you get $20,000 but you have $50,000 worth of damages. That's why homeowners need a public adjuster to make sure they get enough to cover all of their damages to their homes," she said. Heredia said before Hurricane Irma left South Florida in its path of destruction in 2017, which was the last major storm since Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Wilma in 2005, the insurance companies increased homeowners' premiums each year. After Hurricane Irma made landfall, some insurance companies took too long to settle a lot of claims, delayed the claims process until or denied some claims. Heredia said PICC works as fast as possible on behalf of their insured. Heredia said some insurance companies won't cover damaged old drain pipes in homes that were built in the 1960s and 1970s and some limit coverage on water damages. PICC can help their clients in that department as well. PICC also represents commercial buildings. Heredia said PICC helped a company recover millions of dollars worth of damages caused by Hurricane Irma. Fenster, 44, said he founded PICC when he noticed insurance companies were taking advantage of homeowners. He said a lot of people who filed their claims were not getting the full value of their claims. "The homeowners were severely at a disadvantage," he said. "I thought it would be great to represent homeowners to make sure they get the right amounts on their claims. For more information please visit their web-site www.piccfla.com or call 786-290-3663 < Previous News Next News >

Cyberwell Reports On The Weaponization Of "Son Of A Jew: As A Slur In Arabic-Language Online Discourse Jewish Connection News Jul 29, 2026 CyberWell, A NonProfit And Trusted Partner Of Meta (Facebook, Instagram and Threads), TikTok And YouTube Working To Combat Online Antisemitism, Alerted Platforms On The Use Of The Phrase “Son Of A Jew” As A Recurring Antisemitic Slur Across Arabic-Language Social Media Platforms, Where It Is Used To Negatively Frame Jewish Identity And Weaponize Its Meaning As A Marker Of Betrayal, Corruption, Cowardice And Moral Inferiority. CyberWell’s research examines how the term “Jew” and phrase “son of a Jew” function within Arabic online discourse not as neutral terms but as derogatory expressions embedded in a broader pattern of dehumanization. The slur is often directed towards non-Jews, particularly political opponents, public figures and individuals perceived as supporting Jews or Israel to imply that these individuals exhibit inherently “Jewish” traits, such as greed or corruption. By transforming “Jew” into a synonym for something contemptible, the rhetoric reinforces antisemitic stereotypes while normalizing hostility toward both Jews and their allies. A significant percent of the analyzed posts directly called for violence. Enforcement varied significantly across platforms. TikTok recorded the highest removal rate at 80 percent, broadly consistent with its 88.8 percent removal rate for antisemitic content documented in CyberWell’s 2025 Annual Report. Meta demonstrated a 59 percent removal rate within the dataset and removed 100 percent of content containing explicit violent rhetoric. X showed the largest enforcement gap, with a 0 percent removal rate compared to 29.5 percent in CyberWell’s prior reporting and only 15 percent of posts receiving visibility restrictions. The use of Jewish identity as an insult in Arabic discourse long predates social media, reflecting entrenched antisemitic stereotypes that portray Jews as deceitful, corrupt, or inherently suspect. As social media use expanded across the Arab-speaking world and antisemitic rhetoric became more visible online, these forms of identity-based abuse increasingly appeared on digital platforms. CyberWell identified documented online examples dating back to 2014 in which Jewish identity was explicitly weaponized as a form of verbal abuse. A related but distinct trend concerns the phrase “son of a Jew.” The phrase gained significant visibility during the 2014 Gaza war when Hamas spokesperson Abu Obeida used it as an insult in a public statement. Following this high-profile use, the phrase spread widely in online discourse and was subsequently adopted beyond its original context as a recurring form of antisemitic abuse. Continued presence of this content online more than a decade later demonstrates that the phrase has persisted beyond a single moment and remains an enduring feature of online antisemitic Arabic discourse. CyberWell identified three dominant areas of use of the phrase, “son of a Jew.” The first involved direct insults in which “son of a Jew” was used to portray Jewish identity as inherently shameful or inferior. In some cases, the phrase appeared alongside hostile imagery and content targeting Jewish individuals and symbols. The second involved the repetition of the slogan attributed to Hamas spokesperson Abu Obeida: “You threaten us with what we await, you son of a Jew.” The phrase continues to circulate widely online, often detached from its original context and repurposed as a generalized insult. The third use embeds the slur within boycott advocacy. Rather than criticizing policies, governments or companies, users directed the phrase at individuals who did not participate in boycott campaigns. This allowed antisemitic language to circulate under the framing of political activism while reinforcing hostility toward Jews and those perceived as supporting them. “The significance of this trend is not simply that people are using an offensive phrase,” said CyberWell Founder and CEO Tal-Or Cohen Montemayor. “The phrase works because it treats Jewish identity itself as an insult. Whether directed at Jews, political rivals or people perceived as supporting Jews, the message is the same: being associated with Jews is something shameful, corrupt or worthy of contempt. That is how antisemitism becomes normalized within everyday language and digital culture.” “Identity-based slurs become more difficult to address when they are embedded within political discourse, social movements and online slang. As such language becomes normalized, it spreads more widely while avoiding detection by moderation systems that focus primarily on explicit hate speech,” she added. The platform alerts included recommendations addressing these trends and providing stronger solutions for Arabic-language moderation, greater investment in regional linguistic expertise and deeper partnerships between technology platforms and organizations specializing in online hate. “This is precisely why contextual expertise matters,” added Cohen Montemayor. “Many of these posts do not contain explicit threats or universally recognized slurs. Without organizations that understand regional language, cultural references and evolving hate narratives, harmful content can remain online for years undetected and become embedded into digital and real-world culture. Effective moderation requires more than technology alone. It requires sustained partnerships between platforms and organizations working on the front lines of combating online hate. The most effective interventions occur when platforms combine enforcement capabilities with the linguistic, cultural and subject-matter expertise needed to identify emerging threats before they become normalized.” CyberWell is an independent, tech-based NonProfit combating the spread of antisemitism online, operating globally. Its AI-technologies monitor social media in English and Arabic for posts that promulgate antisemitism, Holocaust denial and promote violence against Jews and their allies based on the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism. Its analysts review and report this content to platform moderators while indexing all verified posts in the first-ever open database of antisemitic social media posts, cataloging it openly for transparency at app.cyberwell.org. Through partnerships, education and real-time alerts, CyberWell partners with social media platforms and digital service companies to help them enforce their policies more effectively, promoting proactive steps against online Jew-hate. For more information, visit: https://cyberwell.org/ . Antisemitism has become normalized within everyday language and digital culture. Previous Next

Day Camp And Summer Education - American Heritage Schools Announces Nine-Week Summer Programs South Florida Sun Times Mar 4, 2026 American Heritage Schools, A Nationally Ranked Private, Nonsectarian And Co-Educational College Preparatory Day School, Is Pleased To Announce That Its Summer Programs, Including Day Camp And Summer Education, Will Be Offered In-Person Or Online During Summer 2026. The Summer Programs, Which American Heritage Schools Have Offered For Over 40 years, Will Run For Nine Weeks Starting From Monday, June 8th, 2026 Through Friday, August 7th, 2026. Camp And Education Are Open For All Families, Including Students Who Do Not Attend American Heritage Schools In Broward, Miami-Dade, And Palm Beach Counties. Summer Camp & Education Live Virtual Open House: American Heritage Schools is hosting a live virtual Summer Camp & Education Live Virtual Open House for prospective families interested in enrolling their children at its Broward or Palm Beach campus on March 4. Prospective families will get information on all of American Heritage Schools’ summer camp and summer educational programs we have to offer. Each open house offers parents and children an opportunity to meet with the American Heritage Schools team. Summer Camp and Education (PK3-8th Grade): • Wednesday, March 4th, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. • Live Online Virtual • Registration: https://ahschool.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_HJGplWofRvGsvkbatffpEw#/registration Summer Education (9th-12th Grade): • Wednesday, March 4th, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. • Live Online Virtual • Registration: https://ahschool.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0AsguLdmQy20Sfohp8-28Q#/registration Summer Camp Programs: American Heritage Schools’ summer camp programs, offered at both the Broward and Palm Beach campuses, are designed for children ages 3-13. American Heritage Schools provides Day Camp and specialty camps, including Robotics, Art, Science, Musical Theatre, Video Production and Sports camps. Specialty camps vary by campus. Each camper will enjoy age-appropriate activities supervised by American Heritage Schools’ highly qualified staff. Cabins for ages 3-5 are co-ed, while cabins for ages 6-13 have separate cabins for boys and girls. All cabins, which are classrooms during the school year, are air-conditioned, and campers take pride in decorating them to reflect the cabin's theme. To expand the number of recreational activities available to campers ages 8-13, age-appropriate field trips are scheduled. Bus transportation is provided and operated by American Heritage Schools, and all drivers are properly licensed and screened. All field trips are supervised by Off-Campus Directors as well as an appropriate number of counselors. Before starting camp, campers will receive a schedule of activities. The summer camps are directed by state-certified teachers and college or high school students who have been carefully screened by American Heritage Schools. Many of the counselors are students or alumni of the school or have been campers or Counselors In Training (CITs) for a number of years. They are well-trained in safety and camp policies. For more information or to sign up, please visit: https://ahsummerprograms.com/ Summer Education: American Heritage Schools’ Summer Education offers an extensive course catalog of over 120 enrichment and reinforcement courses (three-week sessions or weekly seminars), specifically designed with student interest and engagement in mind, to students from Pre-K3 through 12th grade. Most of the classes are offered live online and/or in person at one of American Heritage Schools’ two 40-acre campuses. The Broward Campus is located in Plantation, Florida, and the Palm Beach Campus is located in Delray Beach, Florida. American Heritage Schools' course offerings are often viewed as the gold standard in college-preparatory education, and American Heritage Schools’ Summer Programs continue that standard. High school course offerings include advanced test prep, honors and AP-level research work, as well as unique pre-professional programs for those interested in future careers in medicine, law, or business entrepreneurship. American Heritage Schools’ Summer Programs also offer a wide variety of enrichment and reinforcement programs for Junior High School (grades 6-8) and Lower School (PK3 to 5th grade) students, as well as one-on-one tutoring options for those looking to enhance their skills and build confidence as we head into the new school year. The American Heritage Schools’ Summer Programs also feature top-notch instructors, all of whom are degreed and certified professionals in their fields. Whether a student’s interest is in math, English, science, robotics or the fine arts, American Heritage Summer Programs has something to suit everyone’s needs. For more information or to sign up, please visit: https://ahsummerprograms.com/pages/summer-institute When: The Summer Programs will be available for nine weeks, from Monday, June 8th, 2026 - Friday, August 7th, 2026. How: For more information and to reserve a spot, please visit: https://ahsummerprograms.com . Or contact: 1 (888) 490-7467. Or e-mail: summer@ahschool.com . Cost: Summer Day Camp prices vary per program and start at $710 per 3-week session. Summer Education three-week courses start at $1,420 per session. Summer Education weekly seminars start at $1650 per session. Free non-stop transportation serving Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties. For more information, please visit: https://ahsummerprograms.com/pages/transportation?_pos=1&_sid=93d09d137&_ss=r . About American Heritage Schools: American Heritage Schools is a college-preparatory day school for students in PK3-12th grades, known for academic excellence and top rankings across multiple disciplines. With two 40-acre campuses, one in Broward County and another in Palm Beach County, American Heritage Schools provides a diverse and inclusive environment for almost 5,000 students from more than 100 countries. Dr. Douglas Laurie, a distinguished educator and visionary leader, is the President and Co-owner of American Heritage Schools. American Heritage Schools is nationally and internationally accredited by the following associations: Association of Independent Schools of Florida (AISF), Middle States Association (MSA-CESS), and National Council for Private Schools, among others. The Lower School includes advanced classes and 15 electives, and the Upper School offers over 300 courses with 145 honors classes, 31 Advanced Placement classes, and 130 fine arts classes. Pre-professional programs are offered in pre-med, pre-law, pre-engineering, biomedical engineering, business & entrepreneurship, and computer science with classes taught daily by doctors, surgeons, lawyers, judges, engineers, and computer scientists currently practicing in their fields. American Heritage Schools was named No. 1 Private K-12 School in Florida and No. 1 College Prep Private High School in Florida, according to: Niche.com, ranks as the No. 1 high school in Florida for the highest number of National Merit Scholars for 16 years, and the No. 1 school in Florida for the most Presidential Scholars. The Math Competition team is No. 1 out of all private schools in the nation, Model UN team is top 3 in the nation, and the Speech and Debate team is in the top 1% in the nation. In their recent "Book of Lists" rankings, South Florida Business Journal (SFBJ) recognized American Heritage Schools as No. 15 in Corporate Philanthropy in South Florida and No. 21 Largest Employer in South Florida. For more information about American Heritage Schools, visit its website at: www.ahschool.com Broward Campus: (954) 472-0022. Extension#: 3021. Or email: admissions.broward@ahschool.com . Palm Beach Campus: (561) 495-7272. Extension#: 219. Or email: admissions.palmbeach@ahschool.com . Previous Next

The Deadly Cost of Police Welfare Checks: Particularly If That Person is Disabled, Mentally Ill, Elderly, Autistic, Hearing Impaired, or Suffering From Dementia By John & Nisha Whitehead October 27, 2022 Share According to an investigation by The Washington Post, cops sent out on welfare checks ended up shooting or killing the very people they were supposed to assist in at least 178 cases over the course of three years Think twice before you call the cops to carry out a welfare check on a loved one. Especially if you value that person’s life. Particularly if that person is disabled, mentally ill, elderly, autistic, hearing impaired, suffering from dementia, or might have a condition that hinders their ability to understand, communicate or immediately comply with an order. According to an investigation by The Washington Post, cops sent out on welfare checks ended up shooting or killing the very people they were supposed to assist in at least 178 cases over the course of three years. Atatiana Jefferson was neither disabled, mentally ill, elderly, autistic, hearing impaired, suffering from dementia. The 28-year-old Fort Worth resident was merely awake at 2:30 am, playing video games with her 8-year-old nephew in a house with its lights on and the front door open. A neighbor, noticing the lights and open door, asked police to do a welfare check on the household. Instead of announcing themselves at the front door, police crept quietly around the house. Hearing noises outside, Jefferson approached her bedroom window to investigate. Seeing Jefferson through the window, police yelled, “Put your hands up! Show me your hands!” Within seconds of issuing that order and without identifying themselves, police fired a single shot. Jefferson died on the scene. Atatiana Jefferson’s death is yet one more grim statistic to add to that growing list of Americans—unarmed, impaired or experiencing a mental health crisis—who have been killed by police trained in the worst-case scenario and thus ready to shoot first and ask questions later. The officer who fired the shot claimed he did so because he perceived “a threat.” Be warned: to the armed agents of the America police state, we are all potential threats. At a time when growing numbers of unarmed people have been shot and killed for just standing a certain way, or moving a certain way, or holding something—anything—that police could misinterpret to be a gun, or igniting some trigger-centric fear in a police officer’s mind that has nothing to do with an actual threat to their safety, even the most benign encounters with police can have fatal consequences. For those undergoing a mental health crisis or with special needs whose disabilities may not be immediately apparent, the dangers posed by these so-called wellness checks are even greater. For example, Gay Plack, a 57-year-old Virginia woman with bipolar disorder, was killed after two police officers—sent to do a welfare check on her—entered her home uninvited, wandered through the house shouting her name, kicked open her locked bedroom door, discovered the terrified woman hiding in a dark bathroom and wielding a small axe, and four seconds later, shot her in the stomach. Four seconds. That’s all the time it took for the two police officers assigned to check on Plack to decide to use lethal force against her (both cops opened fire on the woman), rather than using non-lethal options (one cop had a Taser, which he made no attempt to use) or attempting to de-escalate the situation. The police chief defended his officers’ actions, claiming they had “no other option” but to shoot the 5 foot 4 inch woman with carpal tunnel syndrome. This is what happens when you indoctrinate the police into believing that their lives and their safety are paramount to anyone else’s: suddenly, everyone and everything else is a threat that must be neutralized or eliminated. In light of the government’s ongoing efforts to predict who might pose a threat to public safety based on mental health sensor data, encounters with the police could get even more deadly for those with a mental illness or disability. As Steve Silberman writes for The New York Times “Anyone who cares for someone with a developmental disability, as well as for disabled people themselves [lives] every day in fear that their behavior will be misconstrued as suspicious, intoxicated or hostile by law enforcement.” Indeed, disabled individuals make up a third to half of all people killed by law enforcement officers. People of color are three times more likely to be killed by police than their white counterparts. If you’re black and disabled, you’re even more vulnerable. Over the course of six months, police shot and killed someone who was in mental crisis every 36 hours. Among 124 police killings in which mental illness appeared to be a factor, The Washington Post noted some important distinctions: “This group was more likely to wield a weapon less lethal than a firearm. Six had toy guns; 3 in 10 carried a blade, such as a knife or a machete — weapons that rarely prove deadly to police officers. According to data maintained by the FBI and other organizations, only three officers have been killed with an edged weapon in the past decade. Nearly a dozen of the mentally distraught people killed were military veterans, many of them suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of their service, according to police or family members… And in 45 cases, police were called to help someone get medical treatment, or after the person had tried and failed to get treatment on his own.” The U.S. Supreme Court, as might be expected, has thus far continued to immunize police against charges of wrongdoing when it comes to use of force against those with a mental illness. Where does this leave us? For starters, we need better police training across the board, but especially when it comes to de-escalation tactics and crisis intervention. A study by the National Institute of Mental Health found that Crisis Intervention Team-trained officers made fewer arrests, used less force, and connected more people with mental-health services than their non-trained peers. Second, police need to learn how to slow confrontations down, instead of ramping up the tension (and the noise). Third, with all the questionable funds flowing to police departments these days, why not use some of those funds to establish what one disability-rights activist describes as “a 911-type number dedicated to handling mental-health emergencies, with community crisis-response teams at the ready rather than police officers.” In the end, while we need to make encounters with police officers safer for people with suffering from mental illness or with disabilities, what we really need—as I point out in my book Battlefield America: The War on the American People and in its fictional counterpart The Erik Blair Diaries—is to make encounters with police safer for all individuals all across the board. Editor’s Note: John Whitehead is an Attorney and Author who has written, debated and practiced widely in the area of Constitutional Law, Human Rights and Popular Culture. John Whitehead's Commentary are his views and he is open for discussion, he can be contacted at: johnw@rutherford.org . Information about The Rutherford Institute is available at: www.rutherford.org < Previous News Next News >

Anarchy in America: How Do We Fix What’s Broken - For Us & Our Pets By John & Nisha Whitehead November 8, 2022 Share Things are falling apart. How much longer we can sustain the fiction that we live in a constitutional republic, I cannot say, but anarchy is being loosed upon the nation. We are witnessing the unraveling of the American dream one injustice at a time. Day after day, the government’s crimes against the citizenry grow more egregious, more treacherous and more tragic. And day after day, the American people wake up a little more to the grim realization that they have become captives in a prison of their own making. No longer a free people, we are now pushed and prodded and watched over by twitchy, hyper-sensitive, easily - spooked armed guards who care little for the rights, humanity or well-being of those in their care. The death toll is mounting. The carnage is heartbreaking. The public’s faith in the government to do its job - which is to protect our freedoms - is deteriorating. With alarming regularity, unarmed men, women, children and even pets are being gunned down by the government’s standing army of militarized police who shoot first and ask questions later, and all the government does is shrug and promise to do better. Things are not getting better. Americans are being gunned down by police like dogs in the street. Dogs aren’t faring much better. Consider that a dog is shot by a police officer “every 98 minutes.” The Department of Justice estimates that at least 25 dogs are killed by police every day.  It doesn’t take much for a cop to shoot a dog. Dogs shot and killed by police have been “guilty” of nothing more menacing than wagging their tails, barking in greeting, or merely being in their own yard. According to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, all it takes for dogs to pose a sufficient threat to police to justify them opening fire is for the dog to move or bark. Let’s put this in perspective, shall we? We’re being asked to believe that a police officer, fully armed, trained in combat and equipped to deal with the worst case scenario when it comes to violence, is so threatened by a yipping purse dog weighing less than 10 pounds that the only recourse is to shoot the dog. Compounding the tragedy, if a cop kills your dog, there will be little to no consequences for that officer. Not even a slap on the wrist. In this, as in so many instances of official misconduct by government officials, the courts have ruled that the cops have qualified immunity, a legal doctrine that incentivizes government officials to engage in lawless behavior without fear of repercussions. Whether you’re talking about police shooting dogs or citizens, the mindset is the same: a rush to violence, abuse of power, fear for officer safety, poor training in how to de-escalate a situation, and general carelessness. This is the same mindset that sees nothing wrong with American citizens being subjected to roadside strip searches, forcible blood draws, invasive surveillance, secret government experiments, and other morally reprehensible tactics. Unfortunately, this is the fallout from teaching police to assume the worst-case scenario and react with fear to anything that poses the slightest threat (imagined or real). This is what comes from teaching police to view themselves as soldiers on a battlefield and those they’re supposed to serve as enemy combatants. This is the end result of a lopsided criminal justice system that fails to hold the government and its agents accountable for misconduct. It’s a tug-of-war between the constitutional republic America’s founders intended and the police state we are fast becoming. So how do we fix what’s broken, stop the senseless shootings and bring about lasting reform? For starters, require that police officers be trained in non-lethal tactics. If police officers are taking classes in how to shoot, maim and kill, shouldn’t they also be trained in non-lethal force, crisis intervention training on how to deal with the mentally ill, de-escalation techniques to use the lowest level of force possible when responding to a threat, and how to respect their fellow citizens’ constitutional rights? Second, level the playing field. Police lives are no more valuable than any other citizen’s. While police are entitled to every protection afforded under the law, the same as any other citizen, should not be shielded from accountability for misconduct by the courts and the legislatures. Third, stop making taxpayers pay for police abuses. Some communities are trying to require police to carry their own professional liability insurance. The logic is that if police had to pay out of pocket for their own wrongdoing, they might be more cautious and less inclined to shoot first and ask questions later. Finally, we need to do a better job of protecting our four-legged friends. Many states are adopting laws to make canine training mandatory for police officers. As dog behavior counselor Brian Kilcommons noted, police “need to realize they’re there to neutralize, not control… If they have enough money to militarize the police with Humvees, they have enough money to train them not to kill family members. And pets are considered family.” The Rutherford Institute is working on a program aimed at training police to deescalate their interactions with dogs rather than resorting to lethal force, while providing pet owners with legal resources to better protect the four-legged members of their household. Yet as I make clear in Battlefield America: The War on the American People and in its fictional counterpart The Erik Blair Diaries, we will continue to be shot down like dogs in the street—unarmed Americans and dogs alike—until we demand that police be given better—and constant—training in nonviolent tactics, serious consequences for police who engage in excessive force, and a seismic shift in how law enforcement agencies and the courts deal with those who transgress. Editor’s Note: John Whitehead is an Attorney and Author who has written, debated and practiced widely in the area of Constitutional Law, Human Rights and Popular Culture. John Whitehead's Commentary are his views and he is open for discussion, he can be contacted at: johnw@rutherford.org . Information about The Rutherford Institute is available at: www.rutherford.org < Previous News Next News >

Celebrate America's 250th Anniversary By Entering The America250FL Essay And Art Contests South Florida Sun Times Feb 19, 2026 To Honor The 250th Anniversary Of Our Nation’s Founding, The Florida Department Of Education And Volunteer Florida Invite All Florida Students In Grades K-12 To Participate In The America250FL Art And Essay Contests. The Essay And Art Contests Provide An Opportunity For Students To Pause And Reflect On Our Nation’s Past And Honor Florida’s Contributions To America. Students Should Submit An Original Artwork Or Essay With The Theme, “Celebrating Florida’s Contributions To America” By Monday, March 16th, 2026. “As America approaches its 250th Anniversary, the America250FL contest offers students a meaningful opportunity to explore how Florida has helped shape and strengthen our nation,” said Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas. “As a national leader in education, I am proud of what we have accomplished and look forward to reading and seeing the outstanding work students will submit.” “The Spirit of ‘76 is alive and well in Florida,” said Secretary of State Cord Byrd. “As Chair of the America250FL Commission, I encourage all students to reflect on Florida’s history and heritage by participating in the art and essay contests.” “America’s 250th Anniversary is a powerful opportunity to inspire the next generation to reflect on our shared history and imagine how they can help shape our future,” said Josie Tamayo, CEO of Volunteer Florida. “Through the America250FL essay and art contests, students are encouraged to celebrate Florida’s contributions to our nation and continue that story through service and civic engagement.” About the Student Art Contest The America250FL art contest is open to all Kindergarten through grade five students in Florida. Each student should submit an original, two-dimensional artwork based on this year’s theme. Six winners will be selected, and each winner will receive a 2-year Florida College Plan scholarship provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation. About the Student Essay Contest The America250FL essay contest is open to all students in grades 6-12. Eight winners will be selected: three middle school students (grades 6-8) with each winner receiving a 2-year Florida College Plan scholarship provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation and five high school students (grades 9-12) with each winner receiving a 4-year Florida College Plan scholarship provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation. Art and essay contestants must be Florida residents and be able to provide a Social Security number. Each student may enter only one submission. Student contest forms must be mailed to Volunteer Florida or submitted online at: https://America250FloridaContest.com . Volunteer Florida America 250FL Committee 1545 Raymond Diehl Road, Suite#: 250 Tallahassee, Florida 32308 All entries must be received by 5:00 p.m. (E.T.) on Monday, March 16th, 2026. Previous Next

Miami Arts, Culture & Heritage Months Returns - Celebrate The Cultural Richness Of Greater Miami And Miami Beach Culture Thu Dec 19 2024 18:15:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Call To Artists: City Of Hollywood COVID Memorial January 19, 2023 Share The City of Hollywood is seeking to commission one artist or artist team to design, fabricate and install a site-specific Memorial to recognize those lost to COVID and to honor the Health Workers and First Responders who dedicated their lives to the care of COVID patients. The Memorial should be a place for reflection and remembrance. PROJECT LOCATION: Kiwanis Park, 3400 Johnson Street, Hollywood, Florida 33021. The Memorial will be placed in the southeast corner of the park in an area 25’ x 50’. Artists who wish to submit a proposal are strongly encouraged to visit the proposed project site. BUDGET: $25,000 - $50,000 All proposals will be judged on artistic excellence, creativity, cost and adherence to the entry requirements. Each artist or artist team may only submit one design. This Call to Artists is open to all professional artists, 21 or older, residing in Florida who have demonstrated experience completing and coordinating exterior public art installations. The selected artist(s) will be responsible for designing the artwork and an attachment method which complies with the Florida Building Code and all other applicable local codes. Artwork will be highly durable, resistant to salt and weathering conditions inherent in outdoor seaside environments and low maintenance. The selected artist or artist team’s unique approach to the project is welcome and the desired effect is an aesthetic impact that honors those impacted by COVID. The deadline for applications is Wednesday February 8th. To apply and complete your design and upload via the Application Form that can be found at: www.hollywoodfl.org under Hollywood Happenings. The Art Selection Committee will review all submitted applications and make selection which will be presented to the City Commission for final approval. The winning applicant will be contacted by email / phone and will sign an agreement to utilize selected work. If you have questions or need additional information please contact: Mike Wharton at: mwharton@hollywoodfl.org Operation Paintbrush The City of Hollywood Department of Public Works is holding Operation Paintbrush this Saturday, January 21st from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Noon. Operation Paintbrush provides up to 20 gallons of high-quality exterior latex paint for free to single-family homeowners and non-profit organizations in Hollywood. 100% of the latex paint collected through the Broward County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program is recycled into new, high-quality exterior paint which is then provided to participating cities at no cost. Paint can be picked up at the Department of Public Works, 1600 South Park Road in Hollywood beginning at 8:00 a.m. Distribution is on a first-come, first-served basis while the City's supply lasts. To participate, you must provide your current driver’s license with Hollywood address and a current utility bill as proof of Hollywood residency. The paint colors offered are off-white, beige, terracotta, gray and turquoise. < Previous News Next News >

More Than $281 Million Up For Grabs - Ring In The Holiday With New Scratch-Off Games, Four Exciting To Celebrate The Season South Florida Sun Times Dec 17, 2025 The Florida Lottery Is Excited To Announce The Launch Of Four New Scratch-Off Games, Offering Players Fresh Ways To Play And More Than $281 Million In Total Cash Prizes. With Ticket Prices Ranging From $2 To $10, There’s Something For Everyone To Enjoy In This Exciting New Lineup. Players looking for a sparkling new challenge will love DOUBLE DIAMOND CASHWORD, a $10 game packed with excitement and a dazzling top prize of $2 Million. Each ticket features three play areas and special diamond icons that double prizes, giving players even more chances to win. With more than 7.2 million winning tickets and over $170.5 Million in total cash prizes, this game is sure to shine, offering overall odds of 1-in-3.24. For those who enjoy traditional play LOTERIA returns with a vibrant new edition. This $3 ticket blends the familiar style players know and love with the added thrill of Fast Cash spots for instant wins. Featuring a top prize of $150,000, more than 6.5 million winning tickets, and over $54.4 Million in total cash prizes, LOTERIA is a game of both heritage and excitement, with overall odds of 1-in-3.98. Bingo fans can dive into the fun of BONUS BOX BINGO, a $3 game that takes the classic favorite to the next level. With a top prize of $150,000, more than 4.6 million winning tickets, and over $40.5 Million in total cash prizes, this lively game offers hours of entertainment with overall odds of 1-in-4.17. Rounding out the lineup is HAPPY NEW YEAR 2026, a festive $2 ticket designed to ring in the new year with plenty of cheer. Players can win up to 11 times per ticket while chasing a top prize of $50,000. With more than 2.7 million winning tickets and over $16.4 Million in total cash prizes, it’s the perfect way to start 2026 with excitement. Overall odds of winning are 1-in-4.36. Scratch-Off games are an important part of the Lottery’s portfolio of games, comprising approximately 74 percent of ticket sales in fiscal year 2023-2024. Additionally, since inception, Scratch-Off games have awarded more than $66.9 Billion in prizes, created 2,350 millionaires, and generated more than $20.09 Billion for the state's Educational Enhancement Trust Fund (EETF). About The Florida Lottery The Florida Lottery is responsible for contributing more than $49 Billion to enhance education and sending more than one million students to college through the Bright Futures Scholarship Program. The Florida Lottery reinvests 99 percent of its revenue into Florida's economy through prize payouts, commissions to more than 13,550 Lottery retailers, and transfers to education. Since 1988, Florida Lottery games have paid over $103.2 Billion in prizes and created more than 4,430 millionaires. For more information, please visit: www.floridalottery.com and be sure to follow the Florida Lottery on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and X (formerly known as Twitter) to stay informed. There’s something for everyone to enjoy in this exciting new lineup. Previous Next