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Pembroke Pines midweek rewind: Stories making the biggest headlines in your city

By Edited by Mike Garbett and produced with AI assistance
Organic coffee shop Café 42 is coming to the Pembroke Lakes Shopping Plaza at 10426 Taft St.
Organic coffee shop Café 42 is coming to the Pembroke Lakes Shopping Plaza at 10426 Taft St. Huma Kabakci Unsplash

From a new wellness cafe to Spirit Airlines’ collapse and a citywide DEI law debate, it’s been a busy start to the week in and around Pembroke Pines.

Here’s a roundup of the top stories:

  • New wellness cafe: Café 42, an organic coffee shop tied to local business Health Pod Club, is coming to the Pembroke Lakes Shopping Plaza at 10426 Taft St. An opening date has not yet been announced.
  • Missing ceremonial badge: Commissioner Jay D. Schwartz has not returned his ceremonial badge to the police department, weeks after the City Commission voted unanimously to encourage voluntary returns. Mayor Angelo Castillo said Schwartz is “in violation of the City Commission’s resolution.”
  • Water park bomb threat: A bogus bomb threat cleared out C.B. Smith’s Paradise Cove Water Park over the weekend, prompting an evacuation. Police say the swatting call may be tied to similar threats reported across South Florida.
  • JetBlue expands service: JetBlue is expanding service at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport after Spirit Airlines ceased operations. The airline plans nearly 130 daily departures this summer, over 75% more than 2025.
  • School job cuts delayed: The Broward County school board postponed its vote on cutting over 800 positions until May 19. The reorganization could save about $40 million as the district faces declining enrollment.
  • Intersection redesign planned: Broward County is planning improvements to the Pembroke Road and Palm Avenue intersection. A public information meeting is scheduled for May 19 at the Charles F. Dodge City Center.
  • DEI law impact: Pembroke Pines leaders are preparing to comply with a new state law that bars local governments from funding or promoting diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives starting Jan. 1. Mayor Angelo Castillo said many proclamations and events celebrating diversity will no longer be allowed.
  • Chess challenge returns: The Mayor’s Chess Challenge will be held Saturday at Club 19 at Pembroke Lakes Golf Club, 10500 Taft St. The free, family-friendly event welcomes players of all ages and skill levels.

This report was produced with the assistance of a proprietary tool powered by artificial intelligence and using our own originally reported, written and published content. It was reviewed and edited by our journalists.