AltWeeklies Wire
Cocaine King Max Mermelstein Came Out of Hiding for a Screenwriternew
On the screen, superspliced interviews with two former smugglers tell the story of the cocaine avalanche that in the 1980s turned Miami into a bullet-riddled Little Medellín. Using budget special effects to augment footage of drug busts and murder scenes, Cocaine Cowboys isn't your typical documentary.
Miami New Times |
Gus Garcia-Roberts |
03-01-2010 |
Drugs
Homeless Under Julia Tuttle Try to Pass for Sex Offendersnew
Since 2006, Florida Department of Corrections officials have forced convicted sex offenders to live under the Julia Tuttle upon their release from prison. At last count, 140 of the social exiles have lived on what might be post-recession Miami's only high-demand waterfront property.
Miami New Times |
Gus Garcia-Roberts |
12-21-2009 |
Crime & Justice
Jerry Powers, the Man Behind 'Ocean Drive,' Refuses to Surrendernew
After 15 years as publisher of one of America's best-known glossy magazines, Powers was recently pushed out by the new owner, Niche Media. Now he's at war with his former partners. On one front, he has sued Niche in federal court for illegally trying to silence him. Meanwhile, the widow of former Ocean Drive investor Derick Daniels has accused Powers of swindling her out of millions of dollars.
Miami New Times |
Francisco Alvarado |
10-19-2009 |
Media
In Miami's Jungle of Condo Towers, 16 People Have Jumped to Their Deathsnew
Some cities have fabled bridges where the hopeless go to end it all. Others have eerie cliffs where bodies plunge into rocky canyons. In Miami-Dade, the suicidal have found their own vehicle for death: posh, shining, and often brand-new condo towers.
Miami New Times |
Natalie O'Neill |
09-14-2009 |
Crime & Justice
The Trail of an Art Heist in France Ends in Suburban South Floridanew
In less than five minutes, five men stole $6.3 million worth of art. Thirteen months later, a Frenchman was sentenced to five years in prison for trying to sell the artwork in South Florida.
Miami New Times |
Michael J. Mooney |
04-06-2009 |
Crime & Justice
New Tax Might Kill Miami's Cigar Rollersnew
Miami's cigar-makers are scrambling to survive past April 1, when President Obama's new State Children's Health Insurance Plan takes effect — and brings with it a 900 percent tax increase on every single cigar made or imported to the States.
Miami New Times |
Tim Elfrink |
03-09-2009 |
Business & Labor
Back-Alley Plastic Surgery Sent Donnie Hendrix to Jail. Finally, She Talksnew
Donnie Hendrix's description of the booming world of do-it-yourself cosmetic enhancement, and abuse by fellow prisoners, shows this: Gender confusion and vanity take lives, bruise psyches, and baffle law enforcement.
Miami New Times |
Natalie O'Neill |
03-09-2009 |
Crime & Justice
Miami Wants the State to Help with its Growing Sex Offender Colonynew
To sum up the good-intentioned, if somewhat toothless, resolution passed by the city: Miami will ask the state to form a task force to study and solve the public-safety-meets-human-rights nightmare.
Miami New Times |
Natalie O'Neill |
02-23-2009 |
Policy Issues
Developer Tibor Hollo Helped Build Miaminew
Tibor Hollo knows Miami real estate as well as anyone — he has been through its booms and busts — and he is convinced the city will bounce back. Indeed, he's betting everything he's right and plunging millions of dollars into his next project: a thousand-foot tower downtown on Biscayne Boulevard.
Miami New Times |
Tim Elfrink |
02-02-2009 |
Housing & Development
Holy Hustler: Miami Pastor Will Save City's Soul — If He Can Stay Out of Jailnew
Pastor Vincent Spann is one of Miami's most complex characters: He's a disgraced former drill sergeant who has gained national prominence for rescuing legions of addicts using military discipline, supernatural faith, and flimflam.
Miami New Times |
Gus Garcia-Roberts |
01-26-2009 |
Religion
Tags: Miami, Vincent Spann
Victims of a Bolivian Massacre Seek Justice in Miaminew
It has been five years since Bolivian soldiers killed Marlene Rojas Mamani in the village of Warisata. Today her parents have come to Miami seeking justice.
Miami New Times |
Tim Elfrink |
12-22-2008 |
International
Gay Hate in Miami Beachnew
Even as complaints about discrimination against gays have increased in Miami-Dade -- up from five to a record 29 last year -- county commissioners have chopped the Miami-Dade Equal Opportunity Board annual budget from about $600,000 to $300,000
Miami New Times |
Natalie O'Neill |
10-20-2008 |
LGBT
Lilly Aramburo is One of 5,000 People a Year Reported Missing in Miami-Dade Countynew
Her disappearance and the intense efforts of bloggers to find her speak volumes about new ways of tracking down the missing in the internet age. It also suggests police indifference to such cases when they involve the less fortunate or drug addicted.
Miami New Times |
Francisco Alvarado |
09-15-2008 |
Crime & Justice
Hialeah Man Wrongly Convicted of Murdernew
An investigation reveals Hialeah homicide detectives rushed to charge Santo Hernandez with murders and didn't pursue leads that might have implicated a different triggerman.
Miami New Times |
Francisco Alvarado |
07-15-2008 |
Crime & Justice
Black Tuna Gang Leader Gets Out of Jailnew
Robert Platshorn was the first big bust of the War on Drugs. Almost 30 years later, he's free and talking.
Miami New Times |
Brantley Hargrove |
06-23-2008 |
Drugs
