Island news for Key Biscayne and the Grove.
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Island news for Key Biscayne and the Grove.
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Education
MAST @ FIU breaks ground on $20.6M building as Grove Elementary plans $15.2M addition
Miami-Dade schools broke ground on a $20.6 million building at MAST @ FIU's Biscayne Bay Campus and commissioned a $15.2 million classroom addition at Coconut Grove Elementary, both milestones arriving as the 2026-27 school year opened.
Education
MAST @ FIU breaks ground on $20.6M building as Grove Elementary plans $15.2M addition
Miami-Dade schools broke ground on a $20.6 million building at MAST @ FIU's Biscayne Bay Campus and commissioned a $15.2 million classroom addition at Coconut Grove Elementary, both milestones arriving as the 2026-27 school year opened.
Education
MAST @ FIU breaks ground on $20.6M building as Grove Elementary plans $15.2M addition
Miami-Dade schools broke ground on a $20.6 million building at MAST @ FIU's Biscayne Bay Campus and commissioned a $15.2 million classroom addition at Coconut Grove Elementary, both milestones arriving as the 2026-27 school year opened.
Local Government
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Local Government
New marine directory targets Key Biscayne, Grove boat owners
A Coral Springs startup called Boatwork has launched a free digital directory of more than 10,000 vetted marine contractors serving the tri-county area, giving boat owners at Key Biscayne Yacht Club, Dinner Key Marina and across Miami-Dade a new way to find mechanics, detailers and other marine professionals.
Local Government
Miami voters decide election timing, Marine Stadium deal Aug. 18
City of Miami voters will decide whether to move municipal elections to even-numbered years and whether to authorize a 40-year, $10 million management agreement for the Historic Miami Marine Stadium on Virginia Key when polls close Tuesday, Aug. 18.
Local Government
Biscayne National Park's $60M repair backlog grows as federal fix expires in September
Biscayne National Park carries a $60 million building repair backlog as the Great American Outdoors Act, the federal law funding national park maintenance, expires in September 2026, with a reauthorization bill awaiting floor votes when Congress returns from recess.
Local Government
Grove activist pitches low-rise apartments as alternative to West Grove towers
Coconut Grove activist Andy Parrish proposes allowing two-story apartment buildings in single-family neighborhoods as an alternative to the 818-unit high-rise development planned for the West Grove, calling on the Miami City Commission to change Miami 21 zoning rules.
Local Government
Luis de la Cruz becomes first declared candidate for Key Biscayne Village Council
Attorney Luis de la Cruz, a 50-year Key Biscayne resident who previously served on the Village Council from 2014 to 2018, is the first declared candidate for one of three open seats in the Nov. 3 election, running on stormwater accountability and governance reform.
Local Government
Key Biscayne and Grove homeowners set to get same-day county permits for pools, roofs and remodels
Miami-Dade County commissioners permanently established a Same-Day Residential Permitting Program covering pools, roofs, kitchen remodels, fences and other common projects, with a 10% per-day fee discount when the county misses its review deadline.
Local Government
Ending Miami's ICE deal could cost city $7.5 million, officials warn
Miami's city attorney warned that ending the 287(g) ICE agreement could jeopardize $7.5 million in state funding, even as three of five commissioners signal support for rescission and officials reveal only two Miami police officers are trained under the program.
Local Government
Judge orders rewrite of Amendment 3 ballot language in Key Biscayne-backed challenge
A Leon County judge ruled that Florida's Amendment 3 ballot language must be rewritten, calling it "more akin to a political slogan," in a case driven by former Key Biscayne Mayor Mike Davey and Village Attorney Chad Friedman's law firm.
Public Safety
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Miami approves replacement for 63-year-old fire station as $450M bond vote looms
Miami's commission approved zoning changes July 23 to replace its oldest fire station with a modern 24,300-square-foot facility, while a $450 million public safety bond heads to the Nov. 3 ballot affecting Coconut Grove voters.
Public Safety
Second Florida Vibrio death confirmed as Miami-Dade cases rise
Florida's second Vibrio vulnificus death of 2026 has been confirmed in Marion County, and Miami-Dade now has two cases as lobster season keeps local divers in Biscayne Bay waters during peak bacteria season.
Public Safety
NWS warns of dangerous rip currents at Key Biscayne beaches through Saturday
The National Weather Service issued a high rip current risk advisory for Key Biscayne beaches from Thursday, Aug. 6 through Saturday morning, Aug. 8, warning that dangerous currents can sweep even strong swimmers into deeper water.
Public Safety
First king tides of 2026 arrive Aug. 11 on Key Biscayne's low-lying streets
The South Florida Water Management District's 2026 king tide schedule puts Key Biscayne's first flooding window at Aug. 11–14, with tides expected about a foot above normal on the barrier island where FEMA flood zones cover most of the land.
Public Safety
Boater safety task force member charged with shutting off diver's air supply near Fisher Island
Michael Simpson, 51, charged with attempted second-degree murder for allegedly shutting off a juvenile diver's air supply half a mile east of Fisher Island during lobster mini-season, was a member of Miami-Dade's Boater Safety and Bay Education Task Force.
Public Safety
Miami mayor pledges to end ICE agreement affecting Coconut Grove policing
Miami Mayor Eileen Higgins pledged to sign legislation ending the city's 287(g) ICE agreement, which governs how City of Miami Police — the primary law enforcement in Coconut Grove — handle immigration enforcement, with a commission vote expected in September.
Public Safety
Coast Guard rescues 10 from sinking boat near Rickenbacker Causeway
The U.S. Coast Guard rescued 10 people from a boat taking on water near the Rickenbacker Causeway on Friday night, July 31, towing the vessel to Dinner Key Marina with no injuries reported.
Public Safety
Coast Guard, MDFR rush boy mauled in Bimini to Ryder Trauma Center
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue transported a 9-year-old boy to Ryder Trauma Center on Tuesday, July 28, after the U.S. Coast Guard airlifted him from Bimini, where a pack of dogs attacked him outside a business.
Community
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Tree workshop, park cleanup lead busy back-to-school stretch in Coconut Grove
Coconut Grove residents have at least five major community events on the calendar over the next two weeks, including a tree ordinance workshop, a Peacock Park cleanup, free library tutoring, Moonlight Racing at the sailing club and the Vizcaya Village Market.
Community
Free Grove seminar tackles succession planning for small business owners
The Coconut Grove BID is hosting a free one-hour seminar on succession planning and employee retention for local business owners on Monday, Aug. 31, at Miami Dade College's Gibson Education Center, led by financial services veteran Kimberly Gilgeours.
Community
Key Biscayne sets Aug. 19 workshop on $56.1M budget, tax hike
Key Biscayne residents can weigh in on a proposed $56.1 million village budget and a potential 4.2% property tax rate increase at a public workshop on Aug. 19 at the Community Center.
Community
Miami drops written-warning rule for encampment arrests
A new Miami ordinance eliminates the written-warning requirement before police can arrest people sleeping on Coconut Grove streets, replacing it with a verbal warning and undefined "reasonable time" to move.
Community
Key Biscayne proposes $625K for MAST turf as School Board weighs pause
Key Biscayne's proposed 2026-27 budget includes $625,000 for a 50-50 turf replacement at MAST Academy, but the project's future depends on whether the Miami-Dade School Board's pending artificial turf pause applies to replacements.
Community
Coconut Grove architect Carl Levin designs around century-old oaks, leads the King Mango Strut
Coconut Grove architect Carl Levin runs a two-person firm that designs around the neighborhood's tree canopy and leads the King Mango Strut, the satirical parade that draws more than 10,000 people each January.
Community
Miami rewrites tree ordinance, sets Aug. 20 Coconut Grove workshop
The City of Miami will hold a public workshop on its tree ordinance revision at The Hangar at Regatta Grove on Thursday, Aug. 20, giving Coconut Grove residents a chance to weigh in as the city grapples with a surge in tree-removal appeals.
Community
Biscayne Nature Center opens registration for Aug. 8 seagrass adventure at Crandon Park
The Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center hosts a $15-per-person seagrass net-dragging adventure at Crandon Park on Saturday, Aug. 8, with limited spots and required registration.
Business
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Coconut Grove's Navi Coffee adds local juice brand to lineup
Good Apple, a Miami-born small-batch juice brand available at Coconut Grove's Navi Coffee & Flowers, has grown to 15-plus retail locations in its first year and plans to expand across South Florida with a website and delivery service.
Business
Coconut Grove's Ophelia café lands first Broward location at Fort Lauderdale park
Ophelia, the scratch-made pastry café launched by husband-and-wife chefs Ana De Sa Martins and Juan Vieira from a retrofitted RV in Coconut Grove in 2025, will open its first Broward County location at Huizenga Park in downtown Fort Lauderdale this fall.
Business
Key Biscayne gas stuck at $5.79 as Miami prices tick up
Key Biscayne's two gas stations remain locked at $5.79 per gallon for a third straight week while the Miami metro average rose 4.6 cents to $3.93 during back-to-school week, leaving island drivers paying a $1.86 premium per gallon.
Business
Five Key Biscayne restaurants offer prix-fixe menus in Miami Spice's 25th season
Five Key Biscayne restaurants, including 17-year veteran Novecento, are participating in Miami Spice's 25th anniversary season with three-course menus from $40 to $65, while a new $95 Reserve tier debuts program-wide.
Business
Two CocoWalk restaurants make Miami Spice debut with $40–$50 menus
Grand Public Kitchen & Bar and Da Angelino Cucina Italiana, both at CocoWalk's 3015 Grand Ave., are making their Miami Spice debut with prix-fixe menus ranging from $40 to $50 through Sept. 30.
Business
Miami Slice eyes late-summer opening in Coconut Grove
Miami Slice, the acclaimed New York-style pizza shop, is targeting a late August or early September 2026 opening at 2996 McFarlane Rd. in Coconut Grove, filling the former Harry's Pizzeria space across from CocoWalk.
Business
Miami-Dade locks in $700 million in PortMiami debt before new director starts
Miami-Dade commissioners approved up to $700 million in PortMiami bonds on July 30, locking in 30 years of debt at 5.5% interest before incoming director Jonathan Daniels starts August 10, with Commissioner Raquel Regalado casting the lone dissenting vote over concerns about the Fisher Island fuel facility's uncertain price tag.
Business
Last Carrot owner launches Coconut Grove Catering after restaurant's 50-year run ends
Erin Compton, who ran Coconut Grove's The Last Carrot for 25 years before its February 2026 closure, has launched Coconut Grove Catering, a boutique company serving private events and weekly meal plans across South Florida.
Sports
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Sports
Raiders football opens Aug. 21 with three straight home games
Ransom Everglades football opens its 2026 season Friday, Aug. 21, at home against Somerset Academy, with rival Gulliver Prep visiting a week later in a matchup the Miami Herald highlighted as one to watch across Miami-Dade County.
Sports
MAST Academy product Noah Allen delivers three assists in Inter Miami's Leagues Cup opener
MAST Academy product Noah Allen recorded three first-half assists in Inter Miami CF's 4-2 Leagues Cup win over Atlético de San Luis on Aug. 5, helping Lionel Messi set the tournament's all-time scoring record.
Sports
Coconut Grove swimmer targets English Channel crossing in August
Coconut Grove Sailing Club member Christine Coppola will attempt to swim the English Channel between Aug. 19 and Aug. 26, aiming to complete the Triple Crown of open-water swimming after her 2025 attempt was scrubbed by weather.
Sports
Key Biscayne-trained goalkeeper Room finishes second in World Cup saves
Curaçao goalkeeper Eloy Room, who trains with Key Biscayne Soccer Academy coach Cristian Blanco, finished second in saves at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with 21, according to FIFA's final statistics released Tuesday, July 21.
Sports
Gulliver Prep's Jacob Lombard signs $5M deal with hometown Marlins
Jacob Lombard, the 18-year-old Gulliver Prep shortstop selected 14th overall by the Miami Marlins, officially signed on Thursday, July 16, for a reported $5 million bonus, becoming the third member of his family drafted in the second round or higher.
From the Editor
From the Editor
From the Editor
Megan O'Neill
Megan published her first poem in the Sun Sentinel at the age of 11 and has been locked in ever since. She attended UF and FIU and has a degree in Communication Arts. Her professional background includes photography, editing, writing, translation, and graphic design. Megan enjoys learning language, art and vegan foods.
Megan O'Neill
Megan published her first poem in the Sun Sentinel at the age of 11 and has been locked in ever since. She attended UF and FIU and has a degree in Communication Arts. Her professional background includes photography, editing, writing, translation, and graphic design. Megan enjoys learning language, art and vegan foods.
Megan O'Neill
Megan published her first poem in the Sun Sentinel at the age of 11 and has been locked in ever since. She attended UF and FIU and has a degree in Communication Arts. Her professional background includes photography, editing, writing, translation, and graphic design. Megan enjoys learning language, art and vegan foods.
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©2026 Biscayne Bay Beacon
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