A NEW ROOF IS IN THE WORKS FOR NPC SEE STORY, PAGE 3
GROVES MAY HIRE IN-HOUSE ATTORNEY SEE STORY, PAGE 4
WELLINGTON • ROYAL PALM BEACH • LOXAHATCHEE • THE ACREAGE • WESTLAKE Your Community Newspaper
INSIDE
Volume 46, Number 12 June 13 - June 26, 2025
Serving Palms West Since 1980
A TASTY TRAVELING EXPERIENCE
Pages 23 thru 25
GL Homes Plans New Westlake Development
Longtime Florida builder GL Homes is moving forward with its first foray into the City of Westlake. A presentation on the development was made to the Westlake City Council at a meeting on Tuesday, June 3. The development is tentatively called Silver Lake. Page 3
Big Dog Ranch Rescuing Veterans Along With Pups
On Friday, June 6, Big Dog Rescue Ranch (BDRR) in Loxahatchee Groves held a graduation ceremony for 30 veterans and service dogs who graduated from a program where they, in fact, “rescue each other.” Through intensive training, dogs who once faced uncertain futures find a purpose, while veterans gain loyal companions who help them navigate life with physical disabilities, PTSD and emotional trauma. Page 7
The NRI Institute Of Health Sciences Holds Graduation Ceremony
NRI Institute of Health Sciences held its commencement ceremony on Sunday, June 1 at the original Wellington Mall. Students received associate of science degrees in nursing and diagnostic medical sonography. Student speakers included Jeeline Hillaire, Michelle Mathis and Wendy Hernandez. Page 16
Wellington’s DeSimone Concludes Stellar College Softball Career
Kate DeSimone, a 2020 graduate of Wellington High School and a former member of the WHS girls varsity softball team, had a standout senior season on the softball diamond for the University of Tampa this spring. As a team, the Spartans had the most memorable season in program history, and DeSimone played a key role in the team’s season-long success. Page 21 DEPARTMENT INDEX NEWS...............................3 - 18 NEWS BRIEFS......................... 7 SPORTS..........................21 - 24 SCHOOLS.............................. 25 PEOPLE................................. 26 BUSINESS............................. 27 COLUMNS............................. 28 CLASSIFIEDS................ 29 - 30 Visit Us On The Web At WWW.GOTOWNCRIER.COM
On Thursday, June 5, the Greater Wellington Chamber of Commerce hosted Flavors 2025, now in its 22nd year. Several hundred attendees had a chance to sample some of the tasty and diverse food from a wide array of restaurants in the Wellington area along the five-hour bus route. The theme this year was “The Decades Tour,” and groups dressed to match a decade of their choice. Shown here are Alex Harris, Leah Hack, Stuart Hack, Diann Hack and Robin Darwin. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 5 PHOTO BY FRANK KOESTER/TOWN-CRIER
Wellington Council Approves A Small Increase In Trash Fee
By Charles Elmore Town-Crier Staff Report Wellington residents can brace for a bump in fees when they put out the trash and recycling in fiscal year 2026, though not quite as much as other recent increases. The numbers translate to $320 for curbside pickup for most residential customers, Deputy Village Manager Tanya Quickel told the Wellington Village Council at a meeting Tuesday, June 10. “That’s a $10 increase from the current rate of $310,” she said. A year ago, the hike was $20 more. Fees for emptying centralized containers will rise $5 to a $235 rate, similar to a $5 increase last year. The village’s contractor collects the refuse in coordination with the Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County, which asks municipalities to start helping it
plan rates in June. The fees are set to be finalized by August. The money covers projected operating costs and contract expenses. The increase adds $259,000 to the fiscal year 2026 village budget for solid waste, Quickel said. The fiscal year starts Oct. 1. The council voted 4-0 for a resolution approving the proposed rates. Vice Mayor Tanya Quickel was absent following a death in the family, Mayor Michael Napoleone said. In other business: • The council voted 4-0 to approve the first reading of changes to the village’s comprehensive plan to make way for a proposed mixed-use development known as “The Marketplace at The Wellington.” It’s a central part of a larger concept backed by Wellington Lifestyle Partners to develop homes and businesses around
a revamped equestrian showgrounds. The proposal calls for an 80room hotel, 89 residences, and shops, restaurants and offices on nearly 18 acres at the southwest corner of Greenview Shores and South Shore boulevards. The property is currently zoned for commercial use and is not in the Equestrian Preserve Area. A second reading and other matters associated with the project will come back before the council in coming months. Looking at the project, the village’s Planning, Zoning & Adjustment Board unanimously agreed on May 21 to amend the village’s comprehensive plan and change the Future Land Use Map designation from commercial to mixed-use, gave a conditional-use approval for the hotel and approved master-plan amendments See MARKETPLACE, page 4
Dueling Court Rulings Leave Acreage-Area Truckers In Limbo
By Louis Hillary Park Town-Crier Staff Report Big-rig truckers in The Acreage are suffering whiplash after two diametrically opposed rulings were issued recently in the same case in Palm Beach County Circuit Court — and one prominent truckers’ advocate said she’s had enough. Jorge Alfaro of Prestwich Drive and Clare Dougal of Tangerine Blvd. filed suit in April 2024. They alleged that Palm Beach County was engaged in a “taking” of their property rights when, in 2019, the county amended a 2002 ordinance to make it illegal for truckers to park their rigs on their residential properties in semi-rural areas of the county. In 2020, the county began enforcing the ruling, fining many truckers in the Acreage/Loxahatchee area $50 to $100 a day or more for violations of the ordinance’s new stipulation. Soon, unpaid fines grew into the thousands and tens of thousands, said truckers, threatening to put them out of business, force them to find expensive and scarce parking away from their residence, or to move away. “We helped to build this community — the schools, the parks, the supermarkets — now they say they don’t want us,” Dougal said Wednesday, repeating an oftenheard lament of local truckers, who have lived in the semi-rural enclave for decades. Dougal purchased her home in 2002 with the understanding that she and her family would be
able to park their trucks on the property. Fast forward to 2025. On May 22, Judge Robert Oftedal — sitting in for Judge Maxine Cheesman — said in a two-page summary judgment for the county that Alfaro and Dougal “presented no competent evidence of financial loss, diminution in property value or impairment of vested property rights.” On June 1, Cheesman returned to the bench and issued a deeply researched 12-page ruling that said the case should proceed to trial as to whether there was a “taking” and the damages that Alfaro and Dougal might be due. However, on June 3, Cheesman withdrew her ruling without explanation. Then, on June 6, West Palm Beach attorney Christopher Mills, who represents Alfaro and Dougal, filed a 291-page motion for a rehearing based partly on the conflicting rulings of Oftedal and Cheesman. “It’s very difficult to manage the emotions of your clients when you have conflicting rulings like this,” Mills said. “I sympathize with their confusion and frustration, considering the procedural quagmire we’re in. I’ve never seen anything like this in my career.” Natalia Melian-Torres, who has been the face and voice of The Acreage’s “Save Our Truckers” movement for the last four years, said the judges in the case are “acting unprofessionally” and “playing with people’s livelihoods.” “I never felt we were treated See TRUCKERS, page 14
ROYAL PALM BEACH SENIORS ENJOY PROM
Todd McLendon Rejoins Lox Council After Surprise Resignation By Maniglia
By Joshua Manning Town-Crier Staff Report One week after Councilwoman Phillis Maniglia’s surprise resignation from the Loxahatchee Groves Town Council, former Councilman Todd McLendon was chosen to fill her seat at a special council meeting held Tuesday, June 10. Maniglia submitted a letter of resignation at the tail end of the Tuesday, June 3 council meeting. It was read into the record by Mayor Anita Kane. “Together, we have had many struggles to build up this town, and in the end, we have accomplished many great things,” she wrote. However, she noted that she has been very upset by the malicious commentary being made both in the council chambers and around the community. “This hostile environment culminated in unwarranted physical and character attacks on me,” she continued. “At this time, I believe that stepping down in the only next move I must make in order
to continue my mission for a better Loxahatchee Groves.” Maniglia vowed to continue her service to the town. “At this juncture, I can say with much certitude that I feel like I can be most effective not from the dais, but from the podium,” she concluded. Maniglia was first elected to the council in 2018 and was one year into her third three-year term when she stepped down. Her resignation was effective the close of business on Wednesday, June 4. The council agreed to hold a special meeting a week later to consider appointments to Maniglia’s now vacant Seat 1. Kane suggested putting the focus on candidates who had filed to run in the most recent election, since their necessary paperwork was already in order. Other candidates were given until Friday, June 6 to come forward. At the special meeting on June 10, each candidate who wished to speak was given up to three
minutes to address the council. McLendon was the first up at the podium. “I’m requesting this appointment to the council confident that my proven track record demonstrates a strong commitment to our community,” he said. McLendon was elected to the council in 2016 and served one three-year term. This past election cycle, he filed to run before dropping out before the election. Since leaving the dais, McLendon said that he has continued to work with the sitting council members “toward the betterment of our town.” While on the council, McLendon said that he fostered consensus among different viewpoints. He considers his top accomplishments on the council to be reducing the speed limits on Okeechobee Blvd. and Folsom Road; mandating underground utilities; fighting the widening of Okeechobee Blvd.; advocating See LOX COUNCIL, page 4
The Royal Palm Beach Young at Heart Club presented its Senior Prom Night with a “Black and White” theme on Friday, June 6 at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center. The attendees enjoyed dinner, dancing, raffles and a photo booth. Music by the Gypsy Lane Band kept everyone dancing. Shown here are Elliott Gordon and Sandy Rubin. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 18 PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
Violent Crime Drops, But Shoplifting Up In RPB
By Denis Eirikis Town-Crier Staff Report Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Ulrich Naujoks and Senior Criminal Intelligence Analyst Harry Hook gave the annual report for PBSO District 9 at the Thursday, June 5 meeting of the Royal Palm Beach Village Council. While most categories of violent crime decreased over the past year, the overall crime rate in the village increased 8.9 percent, thanks to the proliferation of shoplifting. The village contracts law enforcement services with the PBSO.
The annual contract is worth $9,412,690, and part of the scope of services is an annual report to the council. The boundaries of PBSO District 9 mimic those of the village. Naujoks briefed the council on a comprehensive list of community outreach efforts before getting to what he called “the meat and potatoes of my report,” which is the Uniform Crime Index. “The total crime index is used to measure the crime rate per 100,000 individuals,” he explained. Violent crime dropped, but thanks in large part to shoplifting
and other forms of larceny, the Total Crime Index rose 8.9 percent from 596 in 2023 to 649 in 2024. It should be noted that the overall crime trend in the village remains down from previous years. For example, 2024’s score of 649 compares favorably with 2014 to 2020, when the village achieved average scores of 856. Murder incidents dropped to 0 in 2024 compared to 1 in 2023. While forcible rape rose from 10 to 12, in all 12 cases, the victim and perpetrator were acquainted. Robbery fell from 9 in 2023 to 8 in 2024. Aggravated assault plum-
meted from 72 to 43, and there were only 21 burglaries in the village compared to 60 in 2023. Total vehicle theft rose from 21 to 23. But larceny skyrocketed 28 percent from 423 to 542. Larceny is by far the most frequent crime in the village. Of 649 total crimes reported, 542 were larceny. Larceny is up due to shoplifting, which rose from 183 in 2023 to 337 in 2024. “Shoplifting rose 82 percent and is the major reason the Total Crime Index went up,” Naujoks said. Big box retailers were the hardest hit. Target suffered 124 shoplift-
ing cases last year, while Walmart reported 85 cases. Naujoks pointed at changes in corporate policies in handling shoplifters. They are rarely detained anymore due to liability issues. “Burglary has to do with the privacy and sanctity of the home, so as a resident of the village, I am pleased to report that residential burglaries decreased 25 percent, business burglaries decreased 70 percent and storage unit burglaries decreased 91 percent from 32 to 3,” he said. Naujoks had one very strong See PBSO REPORT, page 4