The Cooler

Lots of news this morning. Enjoy.

A- Herald: Wait a minute. Still?

For the first time in Coral Gables’ 86-year history, residents will have a say on whether to scrap the city’s 50-year-old ordinance that has banned pickup trucks from being parked overnight in city driveways.

[...]

So why are pickup trucks roaring to be heard again?

Last year, Anderson, who is in her final term after a decade on the commission, proposed that the Coral Gables Planning and Zoning Department review the ordinance. She called the ordinance “archaic” and wanted it modified before she leaves office in April.

B- Herald: Could this guy have picked a worse place to live?

Crescencio Marino Rivero, a feared former officer in charge of Cuban prisons who recently moved to South Florida with his wife, a former immigration officer, appears to have ordered, only two years ago, an attack against the daughter of a peaceful dissident in the central Cuban city of Santa Clara, sources have told El Nuevo Herald.

[...]

An El Nuevo Herald reporter tried to interview Rivero in person on Wednesday. When the reporter knocked on the door of his apartment, a woman who identified herself as Rivero’s daughter came to the door and briefly said that her father would not make any public statement or have any contact with the news media.

“He is not going to talk to the media,” the woman said. Then, the voice of an older man was heard from inside the apartment ordering the young woman to stop talking.

“Close that door immediately,” said the man.

C- Herald: Morin.

D- Herald: They write letters.

Unwelcome change

So tricky Gov. Rick Scott tried to pull a fast one on South Florida and my family.

I received a letter saying that if I don’t respond in 30 days, my homeowner’s insurance will be automatically and conveniently switched to a company called Peninsula Insurance. Of course, this is convenient for Scott, who wants to leave at least 50 percent of Citizens’ policy holders out in the cold with these companies that, once hit with a natural disaster, will run for the hills and will declare bankruptcy.

Every day, his true colors show more.

Joseph Hernandez, Miami

E- Miami Today: Brickell boom.

As the last of its distressed inventory is absorbed, the Brickell condo market is booming with buyers who want in before prices appreciate further.

"What is happening in Brickell is exciting," said Ron Shuffield, president of EWM Realtors. "Distressed properties are evaporating, and with three new buildings that have sold out in preconstruction, that's a solid forward-looking projection."

[...]

When the market turned, said Edgardo Defortuna, president of Fortune International, "almost every new building had a significant inventory of units that were never sold. Now, pretty much everything has sold, and there are few units remaining."

F- CBS4: Motorcycle smash and grabs in SoFla.

FORT LAUDERDALE (CBS4) – Police are looking for a group of motorcycle thieves who apparently broke into two motorcycle shops early Monday morning.

The manager of Broward Motorsports Fort Lauderdale says five dirt bikes were taken. Police say it appears the same suspects broke into Dos Reis in Northwest-Dade and stole similar dirt bikes. Both crimes were caught on camera.

G- NBC Miami: Tricks...no treats.

Police are investigating after four men were stabbed after a Halloween party in Coconut Grove early Thursday, authorities said.

The incident happened in the 3200 block of Grand Avenue around 2 a.m. as the popular Coconut Grove Halloween Bash was wrapping up, Miami Fire Rescue spokesman Lt. Ignatius Carroll said.

H- WPLG: Romney visits UM and, yeah, he's unbelievable.

Despite not comment on Fidel Castro, Cuba, or Hugo Chavez, those who attended the rally were happy with what they heard.

"I see he's a leader. He's something unbelievable and that's what our country needs -- to go with him," said Gilda Plasencia.

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