Organized labor, as pictured by management.

When Murat Jean-Charles motored into the Yellow Cab holding yard on a Wednesday morning last month, the cabbie didn't know his fellow drivers were about to uncork some civil disobedience. But the all-points call was already out among the fleet: Assemble at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. Jean-Charles joined the ranks.

Rows of cabs were lined up at the airport, but the drivers refused to take passengers. The work stoppage was a not-so-subtle message to Yellow Cab management. Excited cabbies politely ignored police requests to move their vehicles. Finally, tow trucks were hauled in. As one drew close to a parked cab, Jean-Charles did a Superman dive over the concrete, putting his body between the taxi and the tow.

More »

Patricia Atkins-Grad

Just because you're a public official once accused of corruption, doesn't mean you can't pick make a comeback.

Tamarac city commissioner Patricia Atkins-Grad in December was acquitted on corruption charges stemming from a 2010 indictment. The commissioner, a realtor who goes by the nickname "Positively Patte, had been accused of bribery, official misconduct, receiving unlawful compensation, and conspiring to commit unlawful compensation. During her ordeal, she was suspended from the dais for two years. After her acquittal, she was reinstated as a commissioner.

This upset some residents, who are launching a campaign to see Atkins-Grad recalled. Even though recall efforts are underway, City Attorney Sam Goren on Tuesday said that Atkins-Grad can continue acting in her official capacity so long as she holds office.

More »

There's a new sheriff in town! (Scott Israel during his swear-in via CBSMiami)

Newly minted Broward Sheriff Scott Israel isn't screwing around.

First he gets into office and starts firing people willy-nilly, and now this.

Israel has suspended Broward Sheriff's Officers Lt. Dave Benjamin and Det. Jeff Poole.

The reason for the suspensions: The Scott Rothstein effect.

More »

This week, Broward County commissioners will debate whether the county should change its name.

Comissioner Chip LaMarca is behind the idea, and bothered that no one outside of Florida has heard of Broward (unless they accidentally Google: weather in hollywood, and our Hollywood popped up).

We agree with LaMarca.

The name must change. Though his suggestion -- Lauderdale County -- puts us to sleep.

If LaMarca wants buzz, let's actually draw attention to Broward County's venerable ethos.

Here are eight better ideas:

More »

Broward County Public Schools Construction chief Tom Linder agreed to resign from his post Monday after Schools Supt. Robert Runcie moved to have him fired, reports Bob Norman.

Runcie accused Linder of "rouge activities" and alleges that the construction chief refurbished his office, failed to clean up his department, and did not communicate properly, according to an administrative complaint filed by the superintendent.

Norman also reports that Lindner put together more than $1 million in payouts to Royal Concrete Concepts for a maintenance building project that never happened and didn't have a valid contract.

More »

Well now, this is rather big/historical/excellent news.

On Wednesday, the Broward County School District unanimously passed a formal resolution recognizing October as LGBT History Month.

The resolution is meant to honor lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) role models and their important strides and work within the community. There is no set specific curriculum for teachers, but the resolution does allow them to put together lessons of LGBT history.

Lapoloean Washington, a 19-year-old senior at Hollywood Hills High, said he would mark this date down in his diary. "Now everyone can be who they want to be," he said.

More »

This is a backhoe.

The good news: The section of Broward Boulevard between SE Tenth and 12th avenues is getting a face-lift from the county. The bad news: That section of the road is going to be narrowed to one lane in either direction, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every weekday, plus Saturdays.

The construction is set to start on Monday and run through the middle of August; it will also include temporary closures of SE Tenth, SE 11th, NE 11th, SE 12th, and NE 12th avenues, with the alternate routes looking to be whichever of those isn't closed at the time the one you want is.

---

---

Follow @NewTimesBroward

Ferguson left after the state began investigating the allegations.

One year after Thompson Academy settled a federal lawsuit alleging a 14-year-old boy was twice sexually assaulted by a counselor at the lockup, the head of the Pembroke Pines juvenile detention center is facing scrutiny. Administrator Craig Ferguson has left his post amid allegations that he took residents home with him, bought them new clothes, and allowed them to shower at his house.

Thompson is an all-male, "moderate risk" detention center for teenagers, funded by the state and run by the for-profit company Youth Services International. Local attorney Michael Aaron Hoffman represents three former Thompson Academy employees -- Kamal Warren, Farouto Austin, and Marcus Blue. In March, Hoffman called the state Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) to report a troubling incident described by the ex-employees.

More »

Flickr user: Shirley Two Feathers

Wear nothing, and enjoy the ride.

The penny pinchers at Spirit Airlines have come up with a new way to ruin your flying experience. Starting in early November, the Miramar-based discount carrier will charge up to $100 for a carry-on bag. The fee only applies if, like us, you procrastinate packing, sprint through the airport, and end up having to pay for the bag at the gate.If you're one of those weirdo advance planners, it will still cost you $35 to pay for the bag online, or $50 at the airline counter. Checking a bag will cost $30 to $45.

Never fear. The staffers at the Pulp have expert advice for avoiding all such fees.

More »

​​A group of inmates facing tough charges at the Broward County Main Jail is suing representatives of the Broward Sheriff's Office and the jail's health-services contractor, Armor Correctional Services, for inadequate dental care.
More »