The Miami Beach cop and the meth dealers: a tawdry tale

While other cops strived for the big bust or sergeant’s stripes, George Navarro Jr. had other aspirations. The Miami Beach patrolman yearned for the ultimate score, his friends told investigators: to engineer an epic drug deal, one that would make him rich and allow him to leave law enforcement behind.They called it the “Coke Dream.”That dream is dead now, as may be Navarro’s...

Read More..

Hugh Grant is a Dad Again

Hugh Grant confirmed Saturday that he is a dad again.PICS: Celebs and Their Cute KidsThe 52-year-old British actor tweeted, "In answer to some journos. Am thrilled my daughter now has a brother. Adore them both to an uncool degree. They have a fab mum."Hugh and actress Tinglan Hong welcomed a daughter named Tabitha in 2011. No word yet on what Tabitha's little brother is named.Related: Hugh Grant...

Read More..

Upstate fire department's squirrel hunt fundraiser draws ire

HOLLEY — A weekend squirrel-shooting contest in upstate New York is a sell-out, with all 1,000 tickets spoken for, organizers said, despite a push by animal rights groups and others to cancel the event.The 7th annual "Hazzard County Squirrel Slam" will raise money for the volunteer Holley Fire Department, the event sponsor.Prizes ranging from $50 to $200...

Read More..

Sign up for Feb. 21 Miami Herald Small Business Forum

Prepare your best pitch for the Miami Herald’s Small Business Forum, Feb. 21 at the south campus of our sponsor, Florida International University.In addition to how-to panels and inspirational stories from successful entrepreneurs, our annual small business forum will include interactive opportunities with experts to learn about financing options and polish your personal...

Read More..

‘Alarmed’ by missing cash from Hollywood evidence room, city official calls for a full review

Saying he was “alarmed” to learn that as much as $175,000 in cash could be missing from the police department’s evidence vault, Hollywood Assistant City Manager Frank Fernandez asked Friday for a full review and meeting with anyone who was aware of problems there.Fernandez, who was hired in August, said although he had been briefed by outgoing Police Chief Chad Wagner, he...

Read More..

'Escape from Planet Earth' Interview

Jessica Alba, Rob Corddry, William Shatner, Sofía Vergara and George Lopez are among the all-star voice cast creating laughs in the fast-paced, animated comedy-adventure Escape from Planet Earth, and they tell ET's Brooke Anderson that it's the perfect film for the whole family.Pics: 13 Must-See Movies of 2013 In theaters now, the out-of-this-world 3D comedy is told from the alien point of view, following...

Read More..

As passengers arrive home, stories of camaraderie and selflessness on 'cruise from hell'

MOBILE, Ala. — When their cruise ship lost power, passengers aboard the Carnival Triumph could have been selfish and looked out only for themselves and their loved ones.Instead, they became comrades in a long, exhausting struggle to get home.MORE REPORTS, PHOTOS FROM THE STRANDED CRUISEAs ship conditions deteriorated after an engine fire, travelers formed...

Read More..

Credit reports still not error-free

Lucky you if you’re one of the many consumers who recognize an error in your credit file and are able to successfully dispute it, get it removed and receive the credit rating you deserve.But woe to those who find errors and still have trouble getting corrections from any of the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian or TransUnion.That’s the conclusion of a long-awaited...

Read More..

Miami-Dade packed for weekend of events

Lured by sailboats and megayachts, urban street art and Romero Britto — and, of course, the lack of snow — thousands of visitors are expected to pour into Miami-Dade this holiday weekend.The activities started Thursday morning with the opening day of the 72nd annual Progressive Miami International Boat Show at the Miami Beach Convention Center and the Yacht & Brokerage...

Read More..

Simon Baker Gets Star on Walk of Fame

Today was a very special Valentine's Day for Simon Baker, as he received the 2, 490th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.PICS: Candid Celeb Sightings "It's about inspiration -- not for me, but for anyone else," said Baker when asked what the honor meant to him. "Nine out of ten people might walk across that star and not know who my name is, but someone might come along and it might inspire them."As...

Read More..

Slain SI mom remembered

Steven Sierra spoke about his “roller coaster” marriage with his wife Sarai as hundreds payed their last respects tonight to the Staten Island mom who was mysteriously slain on a solo trip to Europe. “We were looking to grow old together,” the jilted husband said during the Valentine’s Day wake, choking up at times.Sarai went missing on Feb 3 and it was...

Read More..

American Airlines, US Airways announce merger

After a nearly yearlong courtship, the union became official Thursday: American Airlines and US Airways have formally announced plans to merge.An early morning announcement by the airlines confirmed reports widely circulated after boards of both companies approved the merger late Wednesday.The move brings stability to one of Miami-Dade County’s largest private employers more...

Read More..

86 degrees: Last time it was this hot in Fort Lauderdale, FDR was president

Did it feel hot Wednesday for a February in Fort Lauderdale?The thermostat hit 86 degrees, breaking the city’s previous record of 85 degrees set in 1935 for a February 13.“There’s only a handful of those old records left on the books,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Stephen Konarik, of the 78-year-old record that fell to our current unseasonably hot weather....

Read More..

Artists You Should Know: Emeli Sande

British recording artist and songwriter Emeli Sandé is already making waves in the UK and hopes to become the latest in a growing list of British musicians that have taken over the world in recent times. Her debut album Our Version of Events is the UK's biggest selling album of 2012 and with her lyrically rich songs powered by an incredible voice, I have no doubt she is the next Global superstar....

Read More..

Intrepid cleared the decks for higher rent: suit

The Intrepid Museum Foundation has left its gift shop high and dry in the wake of Superstorm Sandy, according to a new lawsuit. Owners of the shuttered souvenir shop, which is located at the entrance to the museum, accuse the foundation of trying to “clear the decks” of its current tenants, citing bogus storm damages. The real intention is to evict the...

Read More..

American, US Airways agree to join

After a nearly yearlong courtship, the union becomes official on Valentine’s Day: American Airlines and US Airways are expected to formally announce plans to merge Thursday morning.The boards of both companies approved the merger late Wednesday, the Associated Press reported, citing four people close to the situation.The move brings stability to one of Miami-Dade County’s...

Read More..

‘Tony Montana’ pleads guilty to millions in jewel thefts

Eight months after his arrest in a South Beach hotel, the jeweler who called himself “Tony Montana” pleaded guilty Tuesday to organizing the thefts of and later reselling millions of dollars worth of diamonds and other jewels.Juan Guardarrama, 49, received a reduced prison sentence of 10 years in exchange for cooperating with authorities on other cases related to the criminal...

Read More..

Jillian Michaels Defends Melissa McCarthy From Critic Who Called Her a Hippo

America's toughest trainer is taking a stand against a film critic who called actress Melissa McCarthy a "hippo.""It's evil," says Jillian Michaels of comments pointed towards McCarthy's weight in Rex Reed's scathing review of Identity Thief. "It's just plain cruelty and it's unnecessary."Pics: Star Sightings While promoting her book Slim For Life (out today), Michaels, who struggled with body issues...

Read More..

South Florida group commits to investing in U.S. Century Bank

U.S. Century Bank has signed off on its deal to recapitalize with cash from a high-profile group of local investors, allowing the Doral bank to remain independent.The investment team, led by brothers Jimmy and Kenny Tate of Tate Capital, Sergio Rok of Rok Enterprises and Jorge Perez of Related Group, has expertise in buying distressed assets and promises to fortify U.S. Century...

Read More..

Related could give jolt to long overdue Watson Island development plans

The long overdue development of Watson Island, stalled for a dozen years by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and a collapsed economy, may have received a huge jolt when New York’s Related Companies agreed to study the plan and possibly join forces in its development. Developer Mehmet Bayraktar, who won the right to develop on the waterfront crown jewel back in 2001, said Monday...

Read More..

Is 'Beautiful Creatures' the Next 'Twilight'?

Is it fair -- or accurate -- to call Beautiful Creatures the next Twilight? Sure, both tales feature sparring supernatural beings and forbidden love between a mysterious individual and a young mortal, but that's where the comparisons seem to end. Now, the stars of the film – including Emmy Rossum, Alice Englert, Alden Ehrenreich, Thomas Mann and Zoey Deutch – weigh in on the comparison.Pics: Role...

Read More..

Bomb scare briefly shuts down Port Authority

Manhattan’s Port Authority Bus Terminal went into lockdown tonight amid a bomb scare, authorities said.Two suspicious packages were found near the Greyhound bus terminal in the South Building at 40th Street and Ninth Avenue in Manhattan before 8:30 p.m. — prompting the NYPD bomb squad to swoop in to investigate, officials said.One of the packages was found...

Read More..

Green cards for sale at a South Beach hotel: Competition is on for EB5 investment visas

If David Hart gets his way, South Beach’s 42-room Astor Hotel will be on a hiring spree this year as it adds concierge service, a roof-top pool, an all-night diner, spa and private-car service available 24 hours a day. New hires will be crucial to Hart’s business plan, since foreign investors have agreed to pay about $50,000 for each job created by the Art Deco boutique....

Read More..

Eye doctor Salomon Melgen lost $68M in investments

It wasn’t just New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez and other Democratic politicians who got big checks from Dr. Salomon Melgen.The $1.1 million that the prominent North Palm Beach eye doctor has steered toward candidates and political committees since the 1990s pales in comparison with the tens of millions of dollars Melgen has invested — and sometimes lost — in entities ranging...

Read More..

2013 Grammy Winners List

Tonight, the Recording Academy hosts this year's nominated artists for music's biggest night, the 2013 Grammy Awards! ET is bringing you the winners announced on the show below. (Winners underlined). For the complete list of winners, check the Grammy Awards site, after the show. Record of the Year: The Black Keys, Lonely Boy Kelly Clarkson, Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You) fun., Tonight Goyte,...

Read More..

Houseboat man found dead under dock in Brooklyn

The body of an elderly man who lived on a houseboat was found floating under a dock today in Brooklyn, authorities said.The 74-year-old man’s boat was docked in the Plumb Beach Channel off of Ebony Court in Gerritsen Beach when he he was spotted in the water around 12:35 p.m., cops said.He was pronounced dead at the scene. Police do not suspect any criminality...

Read More..

Green cards for sale at a South Beach hotel: Competition is on for EB5 investment visas

If David Hart gets his way, South Beach’s 42-room Astor Hotel will be on a hiring spree this year as it adds concierge service, a roof-top pool, an all-night diner, spa and private-car service available 24 hours a day. New hires will be crucial to Hart’s business plan, since foreign investors have agreed to pay about $50,000 for each job created by the Art Deco boutique....

Read More..