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From an emotional school farewell to property tax cuts: Your Pines midweek recap

By Edited by Mike Garbett and produced with AI assistance
Catch up on some of the biggest headlines in Pembroke Pines through the first part of the week.
Catch up on some of the biggest headlines in Pembroke Pines through the first part of the week. Matias J. Ocner mocner@miamiherald.com

A beloved elementary school’s farewell, property tax debates and a cold case breakthrough are among the top stories making news in Pembroke Pines this week.

Missed the headlines? Here’s a roundup of the top stories from the first part of the week in your city:

  • School closure farewell: Panther Run Elementary held its final alumni walkthrough on June 1, drawing nearly 60 graduating seniors back to the campus before it shutters June 3. The school, one of six Broward schools closing this summer due to underenrollment, will be repurposed to house Broward County Public Schools administrative offices.
  • Juneteenth celebration: Pembroke Pines will host a free Juneteenth celebration on Friday, June 19, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Charles F. Dodge City Center. The event features the Sankofa Museum traveling exhibit, live music by The Deep Fried Funk Band led by three-time Grammy nominee Jody Hill, plus arts, crafts, speakers and food.
  • Mango festival returns: Tickets are on sale for the Island Space Mango Festival on Sunday, June 21, from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Charles F. Dodge City Center. Organizers expect more than 1,500 visitors and offer three ticket tiers via Ticketmaster, ranging from $32.55 general admission to $60.25 for the Mango Sommelier Experience.
  • Property tax proposal: Florida lawmakers approved a property tax cut proposal that would raise the homestead exemption to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028. While the average Broward homeowner could save about $2,100 annually, Pembroke Pines could lose roughly $53 million in annual revenue, or about 44.6% of property taxes levied in 2025.
  • Hurricane season warning: Although Pembroke Pines sits outside Broward County’s hurricane evacuation zones, emergency officials are urging residents to prepare for heavy rainstorms, severe flooding, destructive winds and power outages. NOAA forecasts eight to 14 named storms this season, including three to six hurricanes and one to three major hurricanes.
  • Cold case identified: A body found in a Broward field in 1975 has been identified as Robert Russell Freese, an 18-year-old from Long Island, New York, through fingerprint matching. The Broward Sheriff’s Office is asking the public for tips to locate Freese’s family and identify his killer.

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.