Despite strong opposition from some residents and officials, Broward County commissioners have approved Waste Management’s plan to expand the Monarch Hill Landfill, adding about 10 stories in height and extending it by 24 acres.

Broward County commissioners could be looking at hiring an outside company to handle 911 calls after the county’s contract with the sheriff’s office expired on New Year’s Day.

Commissioners are taking action on the 911 emergency that is plaguing BSO, saying they needed a short-term fix, for now.

Broward County leaders have their say after Fort Lauderdale city leaders voted against the bridge proposals made by the Florida Department of Transportation to handle the area's growth.

Broward County commissioners selected a new mayor and vice mayor on Tuesday.

After a Broward County man risked his life to save a woman in the midst of being attacked, he was awarded a medal of valor for his life-saving act.

With sick kids back in school and the COVID-19 delta variant circulating, pressure is mounting on Pfizer to release a vaccine that’s safe for children under the age of 12.

Broward County Mayor Steve Geller announced on Wednesday that he will not be implementing an employees’ COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Instead, he said, there will be a financial incentive during a 60-day period to those who decide to get the vaccine.

Local leaders describe it as the Wild West, saying some South Florida condos are mismanaged, and there’s little-to-no accountability.

Broward County's mayor has harsh words for those who he says are harboring accurate information about COVID-19.

Broward County is leading the nation in confirmed COVID-19 admissions from Aug. 3-9, metrics from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services show. Miami-Dade County had the third-most in that span.

Broward Mayor Steve Geller painted a grim picture of the COVID-19 crisis in South Florida, sharing concerning statistics from the hospitals and the health department.

In Florida, COVID-19 cases are exploding, accounting for more than 19 percent of new cases in the United States.

On the latest episode of the This Week in South Florida podcast, hosts Michael Putney and Glenna Milberg are joined by Broward County Mayor Steve Geller, Dr. David Andrews from the University of Miami, Broward School Board Chair Dr. Rosalind Osgood and Chair of the Florida Democratic Party Manny Diaz.

On the latest episode of This Week in South Florida, hosts Michael Putney and Glenna Milberg are joined by Broward County Mayor Steve Geller, Dr. David Andrews from the University of Miami, Broward School Board Chair Dr. Rosalind Osgood and Chair of the Florida Democratic Party Manny Diaz.

Last week Miami-Dade and Broward counties put mask mandates in place despite orders from the state against such rules.

Coronavirus cases are doubling every nine days in Broward County, where lines at a testing site were taking over two hours to get through Thursday.

The School Board of Broward County voted Wednesday afternoon to impose a face mask mandate at Broward County Public Schools.

South Florida's large hospital groups report how many of their admitted coronavirus patients were inoculated before they became infected.

From exploring misconceptions to what role political ideology may be playing in a new explosion of COVID-19 hospitalizations, experts are weighing in on what is a growing and persistent rate of vaccine hesitancy.

Mayor Steve Geller said it’s too early to know the effect that Elsa ― a tropical storm that strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane Friday — will have on Broward County.

Royal Caribbean is asking passengers who are 16 years old or older to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The rule doesn’t apply to ships that are setting sail from Florida.

What a difference a few months make as COVID-19 demand has slowed down.

All the Floridians who violated mask or social distancing orders during the COVID-19 pandemic are getting a pardon, Gov. Ron DeSantis says.

With access to COVID-19 vaccines, cruise industry executives in Florida are ready to sail again. But with Gov. Ron DeSantis preventing them from requiring vaccines, they are considering moving out of Florida.

“Businesses still have their own rights as proprietors to require masks, should they chose to,” Broward County Mayor Steve Geller said Tuesday in a commission meeting.

Gov. Ron DeSantis held a news conference Monday morning at a restaurant in St. Petersburg, at which time he announced that he is using his executive powers to terminate all local COVID-19 orders, effective immediately.

A new ad campaign targeted at people who are hesitant about getting the COVID-19 vaccination is being launched with demand for the vaccine softening.

Gary Cappellucci and Saul Trujillo put their lives at risk Jan. 1 to save a group of people stuck in a rip current on Pompano Beach. Cappellucci died trying to make the rescue.

On the latest episode of This Week in South Florida, hosts Michael Putney and Glenna Milberg are joined by Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy, Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar, Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and Broward County Mayor Steve Geller.

Broward County, like Miami-Dade, is trying to find the right balance between opening up its economy and keeping people save from COVID-19.

Broward County Mayor Steve Geller urges residents not to let their guard down when it comes to stopping the spread of COVID-19.

Broward County commissioners are meeting Tuesday to discuss relaxing restrictions as more people are getting vaccinated against COVID-19.

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Florida is relaxing age restrictions regarding the COVID-19 vaccine beginning Monday, with residents ages 50 and up now eligible to receive the vaccine. Changing the cutoff age allows millions more to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Individuals do not need to live in Miami-Dade to receive the vaccine there, but they must be a resident of Florida. “You will need your CDC vaccination card and an ID for the second dose,” said Mike Jachels with FEMA. https://t.co/z5RvHqEGJ8 — Christina Vazquez (@CBoomerVazquez) March 22, 2021Related links:Who is eligible for COVID-19 vaccine in Florida?

DAVIE, Fla. – A South Florida sign of solidarity for the victims of the massage parlor shootings in the Atlanta area took place Saturday. Saturday’s event was sparked by Tuesday’s shootings in the Atlanta, Georgia area, where eithg people were killed, six of them of Asian descent. “We have to take a stand,” said Broward County Mayor Steve Geller. Manju Kalidindi, a Broward County resident of South Asian descent, decided to come out In solidarity with victims of hate crimes and their families. “I think when we come together as a community, the power of community will speak volumes,” said Kalidindi.

Both men were registered, experienced pilots and it is not yet clear which was flying the plane. The kind of guy you enjoy flying with.”On Tuesday, it was confirmed that 4-year-old boy Taylor Bishop was also killed in the accident. He was riding in his mother’s SUV when it was hit by the falling plane in the area of Southwest 72nd Avenue and 13th Street, near North Perry Airport. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the plane was a single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza that crashed shortly after it took off from North Perry Airport at approximately 3 p.m. Monday. There have been 14 accidents at North Perry over the past five years, with NTSB records showing nearly 30 investigations since 2008.

PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. – Broward County Mayor Steve Geller said on Tuesday that after a fatal Beechcraft Bonanza plane crash on Monday he decided to look into the safety of the airport. The plane took off from North Perry Airport in Pembroke Pines, landed on a residential street, and crashed into a sports utility vehicle with a boy and his mother. “There are a couple of more accidents here because North Perry is each year either the busiest or the second busiest airport,” Geller said referring to the state. “The only other airport that is as busy as this is Tamiami Airport in Miami.”Geller said there have been 14 plane crashes at North Perry Airport over the last five years. AdThe National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the Monday plane crash.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Spring break is getting into full swing in South Florida, as residents and visitors have been seen taking in the sun, sand and surf along Fort Lauderdale beach. A veteran Fort Lauderdale police officer said he has worked spring break for the past 12 years and that the crowds seen now are nothing compared to previous years. On Friday night, not all spring breakers were wearing face masks or maintaining social distancing. To make sure people remain safe and follow restrictions that are in place, dozens of police officers have staged along A1A on Fort Lauderdale Beach. “I find it particularly unfortunate that this is being done while we are in the middle of Spring Break, with College Students here from throughout the Country.”READ THE FULL LETTER:

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Lines were long Thursday at the new FEMA-supported, state-run COVID-19 vaccination satellite site at Allen Park Community Center in North Miami Beach. It’s one of two new walk-up sites that opened Thursday, along with one at the Miami Springs Community Center. The need is there,” said North Miami Beach Mayor Anthony F. DeFillipo. On Thursday, staff members screened people to make sure they were eligible for the shot at the FEMA-supported sites in Miami-Dade County. But satellite sites are intended to move around every week or so to allow different parts of the community to have access to vaccines.

DeSantis issued the executive order on Wednesday to dismiss fines against people or businesses who have violated local government restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic. The order does not remit any fines imposed on assisted living facilities, hospitals, or other healthcare providers. It remits fines issued any time between March 1, 2020, and Wednesday. “Those fines are out of control and we want to make sure that folks are protected,” DeSantis said. He said local governments must have a way to control crowds during the pandemic.

Broward County leaders met on Tuesday for a budget workshop and released some details about the state of the tourist-centric economy during the coronavirus pandemic. This is a slide shown during a Broward County budget workshop on Tuesday. (Broward County)There are still projects in the works in Broward County, including the construction of a new airport terminal, a convention center, and transportation improvements. Broward County Vice Mayor Michael Udine thinks residential prices are going to shoot up even higher because of the supply-demand imbalance. This is one of the slides used during the Broward County commissioners' budget workshop on Tuesday in Fort Lauderdale.

As for COVID-19 vaccines, Geller said every resident 65 or older in the county who wants the shots should be able to get them in a matter of weeks. “I expect within the next few weeks, 2-4 weeks, we’ll have vaccinated every senior,” he said. The good news, he says, is that younger people who want the vaccine will be able to get it soon. “Everybody in Broward County that wants a vaccine should be able to receive one within the next approximately four months, meaning approximately mid to late June,” Geller said. AdReiterating what he has said before, Geller expressed that this year’s spring break will not look like years past in Broward.

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Jackson Health System is expanding its vaccinations to Floridians 55 and older if they have a specific medical condition that has shown to be high-risk for COVID-19. Residents 55 and older and with at least one of those conditions can make appointments online at jacksonhealth.org when doses are available. AdJackson provided a sample of a doctor’s note that shows all of the necessary information, which can be seen below:Gov. “We will continue to take care of people over 65 with any kind of conditions or no conditions,” Migoya said. AdGeller says Broward has already vaccinated about 175,000 seniors, and he estimates that about 150,000 of those are residents of the county.

Below are some of the municipal ordinances relevant to spring break. According to authorities, electric or motorized scooters and other dockless mobility programs are prohibited on the barrier island during the spring break period. Drivers who frequent the area are urged to seek alternate modes of transportation, such as public transportation of bicycling, during spring break due to the increase in visitors. Similar concerns on Miami BeachOn Miami Beach, the message is “vacation responsibly” or be arrested. “We’re worried about what’s going to happen,” Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber said.

LAUDERHILL, Fla. – Additional supplies of the COVID-19 vaccine are coming to South Florida. Vaccine Sites remain open across Miami-Dade and Broward counties as seniors are getting their second shots. The general public may get them sooner too, but it’s only because health officials have said that not enough people want it. Ad“This isn’t a South Florida problem,” he said. “It’s a national problem, and we’re going to need national, credible leaders.”The health department is warning that the pandemic can just keep going if not enough people choose to get vaccinated.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – As spring break approaches, Broward Mayor Steve Geller said Thursday that the county will pursue a curfew ordinance that could be enacted at a moment’s notice if bars and restaurants that serve alcohol do not comply with COVID-19 safety measures. He added that the county will put out messaging on social media that details: “If you come to Broward County during spring break, this is not what you have seen in past years. The mayor began his remarks by reminding residents to wear masks, pointing out that he’s now wearing two of them. The mayor also spoke about the increased vaccine supply headed to Florida. “While the vaccine supply continues to increase we still don’t have enough,” he said.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Like clockwork, residents of John Knox Village in Pompano Beach received their second COVID-19 vaccine shots Tuesday. Broward County leaders are now working with the state to figure out how they can get shots into the arms of more seniors. “I received a call from the governor’s office asking if we knew of any churches that would be willing to be vaccine distribution sites,” Sharief said. “I think it’s a way to target, to get the vaccines to the senior community quicker. “I think we’re only going to get 50% of the adult population to agree to take it,” Broward Mayor Steve Geller said.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Broward County’s mayor said Friday that more vaccines are arriving in the area in the next two weeks, but there’s still a shortage. “While the 16 percent increase that the Biden Administration has promised is certainly welcome, it is certainly not enough,” Broward County Mayor Steve Geller said. It teamed up with the state and with Walgreens Pharmacy to get the vaccine to its senior residents. Walgreens was assigned to us and then we were able to vaccinate very early in the process,” Rene Buck, Director of Belmont Village Senior Living in Fort Lauderdale, said. RELATED LINKS:Florida launches new COVID-19 vaccine appointment websiteAdWhere are the vaccination sites in Broward County?

MIAMI – People made the trip from all over Florida Wednesday to get in line at the new COVID-19 vaccination site at Marlins Park in Miami. People in line who spoke to Local 10 News came from places such as Naples and Boca Raton. AdThe Florida Division of Emergency Management says second doses are already being scheduled at Hard Rock Stadium. “A lot of people are coming from outside the area, other countries, other states,” Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis said. Ron DeSantis announced Wednesday that the state will be receiving 307,000 doses next week -- about 40,000 more than the state has been getting weekly.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – “The vaccine rollout is going very well and terrible — simultaneously.”Those are the words of Broward County Mayor Steve Geller. “The famous stockpile that [the federal government] kept promising us ... they found out in the last week that, from the prior administration, there was no stockpile,” Geller said. With the COVID-19 vaccine in such high demand, Broward commissioners have joined the governor in voting to prioritize the shots for Florida residents. Some are showing up at the vaccine sites to try, despite being told not to. 2 lack of vaccine.”ALSO SEEWhere are the Broward County COVID-19 vaccination sites?

BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. – Mayor Steve Geller said Thursday Broward County is experiencing a 20% to 30% surge in coronavirus cases due to socializing in late December. He added the average age of the people who are testing positive for the coronavirus in Broward is 39 years old. If the vaccine supply allows, Geller said everyone who wants a vaccine in Broward County should have gotten one by August. Broward depends on the federal government and the state for that supply, Geller said. Geller also said he is aware that there are people who don’t live in Broward who are receiving the vaccine in Broward.

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – The COVID-19 vaccine rollout continued across South Florida as more shots were administered on Saturday. All over Miami-Dade County, access to the vaccine for those over 65 is expanding, but so is demand. In Broward County, more lines and more waiting. Broward County Mayor Steve Geller said he is estimating that it could be 6 to 8 weeks to have all Broward County seniors vaccinated, but he stressed “if, and only if, we have enough vaccines coming in.”RELATED: Where are coronavirus vaccines available in Miami-Dade County? Where are coronavirus vaccines available in Broward County?

LAUDERHILL, Fla. – Another day, another line, another round of vaccines for seniors in Broward County. [MORE INFO: Click here for information on how to sign up for vaccine appointments in Broward County]Five drive-thru vaccination sites are up and running in Broward including the latest one in Lauderhill. The real problem, Broward County Mayor Steve Geller says, is that vaccine supply is limited and seniors are flocking, wanting it now. He each drive-thru vaccine site gives out about 500 shots daily, and that it’s going to take time as the state secures additional doses. “Six to eight weeks is an estimate to have all of the seniors vaccinated — if, and only if, we have enough vaccines coming in,” Geller said.

BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. – Broward County Mayor Steve Geller held a news conference Tuesday morning at the Broward Governmental Center to discuss the county health department’s COVID-19 vaccination efforts and the issues that have occurred with its website. The Department of Health in Broward County currently has three locations open where seniors 65 and older can receive the vaccine. According to the mayor, the health department plans to open eight locations and will be able to vaccinate about 20,000 people per week -- possibly more. “As each new Department of Health location opens, they will reopen the Broward County website for new reservations for the first three weeks at that location,” Geller said. Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava is scheduled to provide an update on Miami-Dade’s vaccination plan at 3 p.m. Tuesday.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Miami-Dade and Broward counties are preparing to celebrate New Year’s Eve differently because of COVID-19. A few big community events have been cancelled or reimagined to adjust to social distancing guidelines. Because of last week’s federal judge ruling, Broward County can no longer restrict businesses from selling liquor past midnight. In Miami-Dade County there is a similar set up. Mayor Daniella Levine Cava is also extending curfew until 1 a.m. on New Year’s Eve.

PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. – On “This Week In South Florida,” COVID comes home for the holidays, curfews go to court, and South Florida businesses beg for balance. Glenna Milberg talks to Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Shultz, a virtual roundtable with all three South Florida County mayors: Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Broward County Mayor Steve Geller, and Monroe County Mayor Michelle Coldiron, and Fort Lauderdale City Manager Chris Lagerbloom. The full episode can be seen at the top of this page.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – A reminder for Broward County residents, the holiday curfew remains in effect. The curfew started Dec. 25 and continues through Jan. 4 from midnight to 5 a.m. “Have your champagne toast at midnight, and still get home in time for the curfew,” Broward County Mayor Steve Geller said about New Year’s Eve. Broward County curfew proposal. “We can collect on the fines as soon as the order is done and we will collect on the fines,” Geller said.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Many people are still planning holiday get togethers despite the surge in new cases of COVID-19. That led to Broward County leaders meeting to consider a Christmas holiday curfew. After a conference call with mayors representing cities across the county, Broward Mayor Steve Geller is planning to sign an order Wednesday to impose a curfew for the holidays. Broward County curfew proposal. (WPLG)Unlike Miami-Dade, Broward county lifted its curfew in the fall, although restaurants in the county have had to stop serving alcohol at midnight.

BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. – In Broward County, a crackdown on masks could be coming as hospitalizations continue to rise. While the vaccine is welcome news, Broward County Mayor Steve Geller believes it has created a false sense of security. “We intend to continue to issue citations to individuals who are endangering the public by not wearing masks,” Geller said. Broward County can still shut down businesses for violations. There was a downward trend in daily deaths from COVID-19, but an upward trend in hospitals’ intensive care unit occupancy.

COOPER CITY, Fla. – Broward County’s mayor Steve Geller said it is a simple message about helping quell the surge of COVID-19: “Do your patriotic duty to the United States. We are under attack by a virus that killed more people yesterday than died in 9/11.”In Miami-Dade County, Mayor Daniella Levine Cava hosted a virtual press conference on COVID-19 hospitalization rates with hospital CEOs, while in Broward County, Geller spoke virtually with all the city mayors of the county. [RELATED: Florida reports 10,000+ coronavirus cases Friday]On Friday, they were sounding the alarm about the state of emergency in South Florida when it comes to COVID-19. We still have the ability to fine and close down businesses and we still have the ability to fine individuals,” Geller said. So the message we’re trying to get out is wear your mask.”

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Newly elected Broward County Mayor Steve Geller is among the mayors in South Florida who have asked Gov. Ron DeSantis to enforce a universal mask mandate and to allow local governments to issue penalties to those who violate it. He had already suspended the collection of fines and penalties associated with COVID-19. “It is unclear how one can be considered pro-business without being in favor of mandatory mask-wearing,” Geller said. Do your patriotic duty, wear your mask.”Letter to DeSantisNov. 16 memorandumGeller’s Nov. 17 speechRelated links

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Photos tell the story of why a popular spot in South Florida reopened on Friday but, by Sunday it closed. Mostly maskless people packed in at The Wharf at 20 West Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale for its reopening. pic.twitter.com/8fUvfOoQ5N — The Wharf Fort Lauderdale (@wharfftl) November 22, 2020“We will reopen when we are able to provide the proper experience for you at our beautiful outdoor venue. Stay safe and stay tuned.”Nightlife in Fort Lauderdale has been heavily scrutinized during the pandemic. On Fort Lauderdale Beach this weekend, the annual air show drew crowds and while signs posted said masks were required some people didn’t follow the direction.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Steve Geller is Broward County’s new mayor after being selected by his fellow county commissioners to serve in that role Tuesday. Geller had been Broward’s vice mayor, a position that will now be held by Michael Udine. The elected commissioners decide on which members serve as their mayor and vice mayor on a yearly basis each November. Geller said his priority this year is to create high-paying jobs in the county. He was elected to the county commission to represent District 5 in 2016.

We are running out of [hospital] bed space because all of these stupid people who insist its nothing worst than the flu are wrong, said Steve Geller, a commissioner and the countys vice mayor. The flu doesnt fill our intensive-care units.Those are harsh words from a local leader who is trying to avoid a shutdown. Is it time to shut Broward down like in the early days of the outbreak? It looks grave from where we are, Mayor Dale Holness said. But as of today, I wouldnt say shut down.The mayor says the health department has told him that 80 percent of the cases spread within families and at gatherings.

Dale Holness was sworn in Tuesday as Broward County's new mayor. Steve Geller was appointed to Vice Mayor. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The Broward County Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to appoint Dale V.C. Steve Geller, of District 5, was sworn in as vice mayor. The Broward County Commission could bring it to a ballot sooner if six of the nine members voted to allow it.