WSVN Miami

A South Florida driver named Sergio Lavya lost nearly 200 pounds after changing his lifestyle and undergoing surgery. When he attempted to get back on a ride-share platform, the company didn't recognize him physically and permanently banned his account. After appealing through Help Me Howard, the case was escalated, leading the company to confirm his identity and reactivate his working account.

Robert Falaguerra and another victim had luxury vehicles, including a Range Rover and a Porsche, stolen from Miami Beach as part of an international car theft ring targeting shipping companies. Authorities determined that the scheme utilizes forged work orders to reroute and steal cars meant for destinations like Chicago or Colorado. The investigation led to the arrest of Hakam Shahin by U.S. Marshals on charges involving conspiring to transport stolen motor vehicles from Newark, New Jersey, allegedly bound for the United Arab Emirates.

Firefighters responded to an unoccupied van burning in the Hammocks neighborhood over the weekend. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units arrived at 9700 hundred block of Hammocks Boulevard on Sunday morning and worked to contain the blaze. No injuries were reported, though the cause of the fire remains unknown.

Lake Powell reached a record low water level, raising concerns about the ongoing crisis in the Colorado River system. This decline poses a major threat to the Colorado River Basin, which supplies resources to more than 40 million people across seven U.S. states. The depletion is caused by persistent overuse combined with rising temperatures and a record-dry winter.

Tropical Storm Lala caused dangerous flooding, strong winds, and massive power outages across Hawaii. As the storm exits the islands, over 150,000 customers remain without power, and at least 100 homes were damaged or lost. Additionally, a massive landslide collapsed parts of Pāhala Highway on the Big Island, creating critical access issues for nearby residents.

South Florida faces its hottest week of summer, with heat alerts issued for Miami-Dade and Broward counties as the heat index could soar up to 110 degrees. This extreme weather is caused by a gigantic heat dome dominating the southern United States. Though the tropical update reports that the Atlantic basin is quiet, cooling temperatures are not anticipated until the end of the work week.

A shooting occurred at Charles Young Park in Lexington, Kentucky, killing one person and injuring four others. Lexington police responded on Saturday evening and found five victims of the incident. Police Chief Lawrence Weathers confirmed that two children were among those shot and urged the public to report any information about the event.

The USS Abraham Lincoln is undergoing a record-setting deployment, raising concerns about morale and mental health among its crew. Experts note that the US Navy's pattern of extending deployments beyond recommended durations places stress on ships and sailors, leading to burnout. Crews have reported shortages in essential amenities, food, and hygiene products during these long periods away from port.

Police are currently seeking the public's help in finding Dieuseul Joseph, a 60-year-old man who was last seen Saturday afternoon near the 3200 block of North State Road Seven in Lauderdale Lakes. Authorities noted that Joseph suffers from dementia and provided details on his appearance, including wearing a brown plaid shirt and white pants.

Hurricane Lala skirted Hawaii’s Big Island without making landfall, leaving the region lashed by strong winds and heavy rain that caused flooding. Tropical storm warnings remain in effect for islands including Maui, Oahu, and Kauai. Forecasters warn that higher elevations on the island could receive up to 25 inches of rain, posing a risk of mudslides and flash flooding.

A magnitude-7.7 earthquake struck the Flores region in eastern Indonesia, resulting in a death toll of 53 and injuring 135 people. Rescuers continued efforts to search through debris across several regencies while clearing landslides that impacted the Trans-Flores Highway. Authorities reported significant damage, including over 900 homes destroyed and thousands displaced throughout East Nusa Tenggara province.

Hollywood Police Department and Hollywood Fire Rescue crews responded to an active scene in the Hollywood area involving two people. Officers were seen handcuffing one man while another person was subsequently put on a stretcher by Fire Rescue crews, whose condition is currently unknown. The police established a crime scene perimeter, with 7News cameras documenting the incident.

South Florida is forecasted to experience the hottest stretch of summer this week, with highs reaching mid-to-upper 90s due to a large heat dome. The extreme heat is predicted early to mid-week, peaking around Monday through Wednesday, requiring caution on days like Sunday when a Heat Advisory is in effect. Hazy sunshine will persist from Saharan dust, though temperatures are expected to moderate toward the end of the week.

Early voting for the primary election is concluding on the last weekend in Miami-Dade and Broward County. Poll hours differ by location: polls in Miami-Dade close at 4 p.m., while those in Broward County open at 10 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.; all voters must present a valid photo identification with a signature.

Melissa L. Farris was arrested and charged with felony charges for vandalizing the World War II memorial in Washington, DC. US Attorney Jeanine Pirro stated the vandalism was a 'despicable attack' and charges include destruction of US property. Farris faces up to 10 years in prison, following an incident where she allegedly spray painted graffiti on the monument.

Larry Montes was arrested and charged with multiple hate crimes after disrupting Shabbat services and injuring a woman at Central Synagogue in Manhattan. The man, who originated from The Bronx, also damaged synagogue property and assaulted security personnel. Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned the attack, which occurred amid a rise in reports of antisemitic assaults across the US.

A heat advisory is active for Miami-Dade and Broward counties due to a forecast high heat index of 110 degrees this afternoon. The area will remain very hot with highs in the mid to upper 90s next week, making beach weather possible but carrying a moderate rip current risk. Regarding tropical activity, the National Hurricane Center expects development from two Atlantic waves.

Tropical Storm Lala is expected to strengthen to a hurricane before approaching Hawaii’s Big Island this weekend, posing threats of heavy rains, destructive flooding, strong winds, and wildfires. Hurricane warnings are in effect for the Big Island, while Maui County has a tropical storm warning due to potential impacts like life-threatening flooding and mudslides. Officials urge residents to remain vigilant and prepare seriously for the massive storm.

George Mandes, accused of confronting a delivery driver outside his neighborhood on Thursday, was confronted by authorities after police surrounded the area for an armed robbery investigation. Although he waived his bond court appearance Friday and stated the story was exaggerated, surveillance video showed him possessing a gun moments after the package incident. Mandes is now facing charges of aggravated assault with a firearm.

A powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off Indonesia’s coast near Flores, causing buildings and homes to collapse and killing at least two people. Although authorities initially issued a tsunami warning, it was later lifted because monitoring showed no significant sea-level changes. The quake, which hit the region with a depth of 10 kilometers, caused severe damage across much of Flores island.