News Flash

The City of Homestead responded Thursday evening, February 12, to reports of low water pressure affecting the northeast area of the City, served by the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department (MDWASD).

The MDWASD emergency line was contacted to formally report the outage in the MDWASD service area. During the investigation, it was determined that a water valve feeding the interconnect between the City and Miami-Dade County had been inadvertently closed. It was promptly reopened, system pressure began to normalize, and service was restored shortly thereafter.

City and MDWASD teams worked side by side at the interconnect site to troubleshoot the problem. 

It is noted that this incident was separate and unrelated to the Modified Phase II Water Shortage Warning issued by the South Florida Water Management District. The regional warning is the result of drought conditions and increased demand, while this situation stemmed from an operational issue within the interconnect.The City of Homestead maintains continuous coordination with MDWASD to ensure service reliability. Although this appears to have been an isolated event, the City will continue working with MDWASD to minimize the likelihood of similar incidents in the future.

WHAT: Community Job Fair WHEN: Thursday, April 23, 2026, 2:00 PM - 7:00 PMWHERE: Phichol Williams Community Center, 951 SW 4^th Street, Homestead, Florida 33030

The City of Homestead invites residents and job seekers to attend the City of Homestead Community Job Fair on Thursday, April 23, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Phichol Williams Community Center, located at 951 SW 4th Street, Homestead, FL 33030.

This free, community-focused event is designed to connect job seekers with employment opportunities across a variety of industries and experience levels. Whether individuals are entering the workforce, seeking a career change, or looking for local employment, the Community Job Fair offers valuable resources and direct access to employers who are actively hiring.

The job fair will feature:

• City of Homestead government job opportunities
• Local businesses seeking qualified candidates
• A wide range of positions, including full-time and part-time roles
• On-site interviews with select employers
• Resume-building assistance and career resources

Attendees are encouraged to bring copies of their resumes and come prepared to network with potential employers.

Calling All Local BusinessesHomestead-based businesses looking to hire local talent are invited to participate as exhibitors in the Community Job Fair. This event provides a unique opportunity to engage directly with a diverse pool of motivated job seekers from various industries and professional backgrounds. 

Benefits for participating businesses include:

• Efficient Hiring: Meet multiple potential candidates in one day
• Boost Your Brand: Increase visibility and strengthen your employer presence within the Homestead community
• Networking Opportunities: Connect with other business leaders and community partners
• Showcase Your Company: Highlight your organization’s culture, benefits, and available positions

Businesses interested in exhibiting are encouraged to register in advance to secure space.

For more information about attending or participating as an employer visit www.homesteadfl.gov/jobfair 

The City of Homestead is proud to announce the launch of the Discover Homestead Community Calendar, a new centralized, city-owned platform designed to make it easier for residents and visitors to discover events happening across Homestead and the greater South Dade region.

WHO/WHAT:The Discover Homestead Community Calendar brings together events from city departments, schools, nonprofits, businesses, and regional partners into one trusted and accessible space.

Community organizations, businesses, and event hosts are encouraged to submit their events to be featured on the calendar, helping ensure a comprehensive and inclusive listing of activities throughout the region.

WHEN/WHERE:The calendar is now live and available at: visit.discoverhomestead.com

WHY:Residents and visitors often struggle to keep track of events scattered across multiple websites and social media platforms. The Discover Homestead Community Calendar addresses this challenge by offering a single, reliable source for everything happening in and around Homestead.

The calendar is designed to strengthen community connection by giving residents one trusted place to find programs, events, and activities.

During the March special council presentation, Councilwoman Erica G. Ávila recognized Girl Scout Troop 1855 for outstanding achievements in this year's Girl Scout cookie season. They earned the title of the highest-selling troop with 920 boxes sold for the Hometown Heroes Cookie program where customers had the option to donate cookies to local heroes such as Homestead Police, doctors, nurses, teachers, members of the military, and firefighters, as well as local city staff.  Out of the 920 boxes sold, troop member Sophia Zamora sold 701 boxes, making her the top seller for the Hometown Heroes Program. Not only was Sophia the top cookie seller for the program, she also earned the title of #2 cookie-selling scout in all of South Florida which spans from West Palm Beach to the Florida Keys by selling 5,821 boxes. 

“I am so proud of this troop and their accomplishments," remarked Councilwoman Ávila. “They sold 13,529 boxes of cookies in 6 weeks, if we think about that number in Thin Mints, for example, with 32 cookies per box, that amounts to 432,928 cookies sold and that is no small feat!”

Girl Scout Troop 1855 achieved their goals through various strategies from how they approached potential customers, to upselling tactics, and setting up tables in high-traffic areas such as grocery stores and colleges. Each of the troop members received certificates of recognition that highlighted the outstanding entrepreneurial skills that Girl Scout Troop 1855 displayed. Through cookie sales, they learned important skills such as financial literacy, money management, community service, and strategic planning. The proceeds from the initiatives are used to fund educational seminars and activities such as camping, and the upcoming Girl Scout Convention that is set to take place in Washington DC in 2026. The funds will also help to cover the cost of membership renewals, uniforms, and patches. Councilwoman Ávila emphasized the importance of their dedication and contributions to the community. This presentation not only showcased the girls' achievements but also promoted community involvement by giving back to both the community and those who serve it.

About the Girl Scouts of America

The Girl Scouts of America enjoy a national reputation for their renowned cookie sales, which serve as a primary source of funding for local Girl Scout troops' activities. These initiatives are pivotal in instilling five fundamental principles: goal setting, decision-making, financial management, interpersonal skills, and ethical business practices. Spanning diverse programs nationwide, Girl Scouts of varying backgrounds and capabilities are encouraged to embrace their individuality while uncovering their strengths and conquering new challenges. Whether scaling a tree or excelling academically, embarking on a hike or advocating for environmental sustainability, the opportunities are boundless. Supported by dedicated adult volunteers, mentors, and a vast network of alumnae, Girl Scouts pave the way by amplifying their voices and effecting meaningful changes on issues close to their hearts. 

During the April special council presentation, Councilwoman Jenifer N. Bailey paid tribute to the enduring legacy of Mr. Willie Frank Middlebrooks, a pillar of the Homestead community whose contributions spanned over seven decades. She presented a heartfelt posthumous proclamation to the family of Mr. Middlebrooks, celebrating his unwavering dedication to the betterment of his surroundings and the lives of those around him.

Mr. Middlebrooks, a man revered for his selflessness and philanthropic endeavors, notably his steadfast commitment to the Homestead Soup Kitchen, leaves behind a rich legacy of compassion and service. His tireless efforts to uplift the community and provide assistance to those in need have left an indelible mark on the hearts of many.

A devoted husband, father, and business owner, Mr. Middlebrooks, alongside his beloved wife, worked tirelessly on the family farm, providing employment opportunities for local residents and supplying fresh produce to the Homestead Soup Kitchen.

Survived by his loving wife, thirteen children, seventy grandchildren, and a vast network of family, friends, and well-wishers, Mr. Middlebrooks's influence transcends generations. His dedication to fostering a stronger, more compassionate community has solidified his status as a staple in both the Homestead and Florida City communities.

In honoring the life and legacy of Mr. Willie Frank Middlebrooks, Councilwoman Bailey and the City Council of Homestead recognize the profound impact he has had on countless lives and express heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones who were present to receive the proclamation.

During the special council presentation in March, Councilwoman Jenifer Bailey and Councilwoman Erica Ávila paid tribute to fourteen women across various city departments in honor of Women’s History Month. The purpose of this presentation was to acknowledge the individuals for their contributions to their departments. Throughout the presentation, Councilwoman Bailey and Ávila underscored the importance of commemorating Women’s History Month and shining a light on women's achievements, showcasing their capabilities.   “We asked each department to nominate a superwoman in their office who exemplifies hard work and dedication,” remarked Councilwoman Bailey. "We are so thankful for each woman standing up here today and wanted to recognize them and give them a little something to display in their offices,” said Councilwoman Avila as she handed each nominee an orchid flower with a beautiful vase reminiscent of mother nature. 

Councilwoman Bailey and Councilwoman Ávila extended their appreciation to the group of remarkable and courageous women, namely Christine Hodges, Alicia Witherell, Brittany Maiquez, Deborah Lee Thomas, Nancy Aguirre, Pamela Springle, Julissa Chavez, Crystal Ollivierre, Roxanne Figueroa, Priscilla Thompson, Maliqua Carter, Carla Zavala, Gladys Salas, Janeth Gomez, and Jasmine Day, who consistently demonstrate exceptional dedication to the welfare of Homestead. This initiative not only highlighted the contributions of women within the city workforce but also demonstrated their remarkable efforts both professionally and personally.

The City of Homestead would like to alert its residents about scams that have been reported by Homestead Public Services customers. A supposed utilities representative calls a home or business stating that they are with FPL and begin to instruct customers to make a utility payment over the phone by credit card or with a prepaid card or money order.   The call has been reported as coming from a “cloned number” that shows on Caller ID as the HPS Customer Service number (305) 224-4800.  This is not a legitimate call from HPS.

Under no circumstance does Homestead Public Services ever call its customers to request a payment over the phone.  If you receive a call from someone stating they represent the Homestead Public Services (water, sewer, electric, or solid waste) and they ask you to provide them payment information over the phone, we recommend that you terminate the call and contact Homestead Customer Service at (305) 224-4800. We urge all our customers to never provide their personal information to strangers or provide payment when they receive a call. 

If you think you may have been a victim of this or another scam, you may contact the authorities listed below:

• Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs: 1-800-HELP-FLA

• Financial Crimes Enforcement Network: 1-800-767-2825 

• Federal Trade Commission: 1-877-FTC-HELP