Commissioner Leticia Newbold is sworn in by City Clerk Renee Shrout as friends and family look on. [City of Oakland Park] By Maria Merzeau | New Pelican Writer Oakland Park – Letitia Newbold, this city’s newly-elected city commissioner, said she will run again in November.  Newbold, 52, who was appointed in March 2023 by the commission to serve until last month’s special election, ran unopposed. She’s currently serving out the term of former commissioner Matthew Sparks, who resigned his seat in January of 2023 because he was moving out of state. Her seat is on the ballot again in November ..read more

Northeast High School. [Staff] By Judy Wilson | Associate Editor Out of Broward County’s 332 public schools, 67 are on the under enrolled list – that is, operating at 70 percent less than capacity – and, as has been well publicized, five of them may be closed or repurposed for the 2025-26 school year. While most of the under enrolled schools are in southwest Broward, three are hot topics among The New Pelican’s readers: Stranahan High, Northeast High, and Blanche Ely High. Superintendent Dr. Peter Licata has delayed until June making his recommendation as to which school to close or “repurpose ..read more

CBS 4’s Joan Murray interviews Pamela Jenkins at Oakland Park City Hall. Also pictured are Fitzgerald “Fitz” Budhoo (right), and Mayor Mitch Rosenwald. [Staff] By Judy Wilson and Michael d’Oliveira Oakland Park – Pamela Jenkins’ children graduated from the public school system years ago, but she still wants this city’s schools to remain open. “They’re still taking my taxpayer money, so might as well keep the schools open,” said Jenkins, referring to the possibility that Broward County Schools might close some schools because of a district wide under enrollment of 50,000 students.  Jenkins ..read more

Caryl R. Stevens, Oakland Park’s second female mayor, will serve as grand marshall of this year’s Youth Day. Stevens is pictured above during Youth Day in 2013. [Courtesy] By Javon Anthony Lloyd | New Pelican Writer Oakland Park – Children and their families are invited to explore a world of magic, adventure and mystery during this year’s annual Youth Day celebration taking place on March 9, in downtown Oakland Park.  Attendees will have a chance to escape reality, show off their costumes, and enjoy the wonders of an enchanting landscape – all while embracing this year’s theme, “Wizards ..read more

Clancy’s Auto Body owner Hooman Rafiee (right) and technician Almir Silva working on a vehicle. [Martin Lenkowsky] By Martin Lenkowsky | New Pelican Writer Many factors combined to make Clancy’s Auto Body, a successful, customer-oriented business, starting with owner Hooman Rafiee and his background.  Rafiee came to the United States from his native Iran in 1981, not long after the Islamic Revolution that brought Ayatollah Khomeini to power. As a member of the Baha’i Faith, he and his fellow practitioners became victims of religious prejudice. They were not even permitted to obtain an edu ..read more

Broward County Commissioner Lamar Fisher, City Commissioner Steven Arnst, Vice Mayor Tim Lonergan, Mayor Mitch Rosenwald, Commissioner Aisha Gordon, Commissioner Letitia Newbold, and City Manager David Hebert cut the ribbon on Wag Dog Park. [Staff] By Martin Lenkowsky | New Pelican Writer Oakland Park – Mother Nature must be a dog lover. Despite gloomy, gray skies and a 70 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms, the forecasted inclement weather was kind enough to hold off until well after grand-opening ceremonies at the city’s second dog park, Wag Dog Park, located at Richard E. Giusti Park ..read more

The ribbon cutting for the Nancy J. Cotterman Center. [Broward County Commission] By Christiana Lilly | New Pelican Writer Oakland Park – There’s a flurry of excitement at the Nancy J. Cotterman Center. No, not the one in downtown Fort Lauderdale, but the brand new building here.  A ribbon cutting was conducted at the county’s sexual assault crisis center back in October, and this month staff has been moving in their belongings. Social workers and victims advocates stocked bookshelves with self help books for survivors of all ages and hung motivational sayings from the walls. On Dec. 11 ..read more

By Javon Anthony Lloyd | New Pelican Writer Oakland Park – If you’re thinking about doing a little holiday shopping or want to support local small businesses in the area, then the City of Oakland Park may have an early holiday gift in store just for you.  The city is hosting its free Small Business Saturday Market event, which is being presented by the Oakland Park Community Redevelopment Agency, The Wander Shop and Rehaus, on Nov. 25, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  More than 30 local vendors are scheduled to set up shop on Northeast 12 Avenue, between Northeast 35 and 36 streets. Event org ..read more

Vintage Diversity in Oakland Park. [Nile Fortner] Need a Halloween costume? By Nile Fortner | New Pelican Writer Oakland Park – Melanie Garbo’s flare for fashion began in the 60s and 70s when the youngest of six siblings was a preteen and often wore hand-me-downs. Wanting to pursue her own style, in the 1970s, she sought babysitting jobs to earn income for her fashion wardrobe. She bought her first outfit – a 1970s sailor outfit with royal blue anchors, nautical wheels, and a crop top skirt – when she was 11 years old. “I put that on and I felt like I was a somebody,” said Garbo. “As a little ..read more

The Sunnyside Medical Cannabis Dispensary on Oakland Park Boulevard. [Staff] By Javon Anthony Lloyd | New Pelican Writer Oakland Park – Following a lengthy presentation by city staff, commissioners voted to adopt a preliminary operating millage rate of 5.8362 for fiscal year 2024 – a decrease of 0.321 percent or 0.0188 mills from the current year.  If adopted, the tentative millage rate would be the lowest in 13 years and the ninth time in 10 years that the rate has been reduced. The proposed combined FY 2024 debt service millage rate for the city’s general obligation bonds was lowered to ..read more