Local Politics · Palm Beach County
Palm Beach County voters in Districts 4 and 6 will choose between four candidates for two County Commission seats on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3. In District 4 (southeastern coast including Boca Raton), incumbent Vice Mayor Marci Woodward faces former Navy pilot Curtis Calabrese; in District 6 (western county including Wellington and Belle Glade), incumbent Mayor Sara Baxter faces former Port of Palm Beach commissioner Katherine Waldron. Key campaign issues include Agricultural Reserve development, the county's billion-dollar budget, housing affordability, traffic congestion, and Amendment 3's property tax changes. Early in-person voting ends Sunday, Nov. 1.
Local Politics · Boca Raton, FL
At a joint meeting Monday, Oct. 26, Boca Raton Mayor Andy Thomson told the City Council and Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District that the city should not pay to build a golf course at district-owned North Park, even as 18 of roughly 30 public speakers urged bringing public golf back to the former Ocean Breeze site. No votes were taken; the session served as a briefing on parks projects, interlocal agreements, and a planned joint recreation master plan. District Commissioner Erin Wright confirmed no money is allocated for golf, with the district's top priorities being a field house and the second phase of Countess de Hoernle Park at $10 million each. A golf assessment is underway to determine what type of course fits North Park's west side, though no timeline was provided.
Public Safety · Palm Beach, FL
NORAD deployed Avenger Short-Range Air Defense System units on a barge in the Intracoastal Waterway adjacent to Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, at the request of the Secret Service. The system is visible from Southern Boulevard and provides supplemental protection against low-flying threats including drones, helicopters, and small aircraft. Neither the military nor the Secret Service has stated how long the deployment will last or publicly explained the specific threat prompting it. The Government Accountability Office estimates each presidential visit to Mar-a-Lago costs taxpayers more than $3 million.
Community brief · Boynton Beach, FL
The Boynton Beach Police Department will host its second annual "BOO with the Blue" Trunk or Treat on Wednesday, Oct. 28, from 6 to 8 p.m. at police headquarters, 2100 High Ridge Road. The free event features candy handouts from decorated police vehicles, a new haunted house, and static displays from SWAT, K-9, Traffic, and Fire Rescue units. A free shuttle will run from the Carolyn Sims Center between 6 and 6:30 p.m., with return trips at 8…
Community brief · West Palm Beach, FL
Little Ruby's, a New York-based café chain known for Australian-style breakfasts, plans to open its first Florida location at CityPlace in West Palm Beach in 2027. The café is part of the Wish You Were Here Group and will be located at 700 S. Rosemary Ave., joining more than 30 restaurants already operating in the CityPlace neighborhood. Little Ruby's has operated since 2002 with locations across New York and Dallas; its West Palm Beach menu has…
