Town-Crier Newspaper September 18, 2026

DISTRICT 94 CANDIDATES SHARE VIEWS SEE STORY, PAGE 3

WESTLAKE OKS $13.5 MILLION BUDGET SEE STORY, PAGE 4

WELLINGTON • ROYAL PALM BEACH • LOXAHATCHEE • THE ACREAGE • WESTLAKE Your Community Newspaper

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Wellington Supermom Fights For Daughters With Rare Condition

Volume 47, Number 19 September 18 - October 1, 2026

Serving Palms West Since 1980

WESTLAKE HOSTS ANNUAL 5K EVENT

September is Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month, a time that highlights how individuals can be affected by any of the multitude of types and variants of this genetic muscleweakening condition. For one Wellington family, living with limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2C (LGMD2C) has become a daily reality. Wellington resident Sheena Urdaz is raising two resilient girls, ages 10 and 13, who are fighting against the clock and LGMD2C. Page 3

RPB Council To Keep Tax Rate Unchanged

The Royal Palm Beach Village Council is leaning toward maintaining the same property tax rate for the upcoming fiscal year. The council approved setting the rate at 1.92 mills at a meeting Thursday, Sept. 10, instead of an alternative rate of 2.15 mills proposed by village staff. Page 4

The City of Westlake hosted its third annual 5K event on Saturday, Sept. 12. This year, the event was themed “Remembering 9/11” in honor of the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. The event supported both local schools and the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which honors America’s fallen military heroes and first responders along with their families. Shown here, RJ Kreitzman, Eddie Dixon and Ben Myers ran for a fallen friend. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 15 PHOTO BY FRANK KOESTER/TOWN-CRIER

District 93 Incumbent Anne Gerwig Faces Challenge From Attorney August Mangeney

Ceremony In Westlake Honors 9/11 Victims

The inaugural 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony was held Friday, Sept. 11 at the Westlake Adventure Park Lodge. The event was organized and led by Westlake resident Bobby Farber of the 9/11 Remembrance & First Responder Group. The ceremony honored the lives lost as a result of the 2001 terror attacks 25 years ago. Page 14

Broncos Retain Cup With 21-14 Victory Over The Wolverines

On Thursday, Sept. 10, Palm Beach Central High School visited Wellington High School for their annual gridiron battle to see which team would take ownership of the Wellington Cup. After four quarters of play, the visiting Broncos scored three touchdowns, while Wellington reached the end zone twice, for a final score of 21-14 in favor of Palm Beach Central. Page 17 DEPARTMENT INDEX NEWS...............................3 - 15 NEWS BRIEFS......................... 7 SPORTS..........................17 - 20 PEOPLE................................. 21 SCHOOLS.............................. 22 BUSINESS............................. 23 COLUMNS............................. 24 CLASSIFIEDS................ 25 - 26 Visit Us On The Web At WWW.GOTOWNCRIER.COM

By Patrick Sherry Town-Crier Staff Report The midterm elections are around the corner, and two candidates are vying to represent the Wellington area in Tallahassee. Republican incumbent Anne Gerwig will face off against challenger August Mangeney, a Democrat, to represent House District 93 on Tuesday, Nov. 3. District 93 includes all of Wellington, along with several areas farther east, including parts of Greenacres and suburban Lake Worth. Gerwig, previously a two-term mayor of Wellington, narrowly won the seat in 2024 and is wrapping up her first term in Tallahassee. Her challenger, Mangeney, is an attorney who lives in suburban Lake Worth. Anne Gerwig — Gerwig be-

Anne Gerwig lieves her experience as an elected official makes her the right person to address problems that Floridians are facing. Gerwig hopes to apply this experience to keep the

August Mangeney state one of the best places to live and work. Among top issues for many Florida voters is affordability and See DISTRICT 93, page 12

Wellington Council Honors Top Cop And Top Firefighter

By Patrick Sherry Town-Crier Staff Report The Village of Wellington has always put public safety as one of its top priorities. In honor of that mission, and those who help achieve it, the Wellington Village Council honored first responders who have contributed to giving residents excellent public service at a meeting Tuesday, Sept. 8. Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Jordan Camilleri and Palm Beach County FireRescue Lt. Jason Haythorn were recognized as this year’s Top Cop and Top Firefighter. The village’s Public Safety Committee selected the two for the award earlier this year. Camilleri serves as a juvenile assessment and monitoring (JAM) deputy for the PBSO in Wellington’s District 8. He has spent the last four years serving in the vil-

Wellington officials honor PBSO Deputy Jordan Camilleri (center left) and PBCFR Lt. Jason Haythorn (center right). lage and has more than seven years of experience in law enforcement. In his current role, Camilleri acts as a liaison between the PBSO, the courts and at-risk youth. This year, he has arrested 15 individuals, executed 15 search warrants and conducted 100 probation

PHOTO COURTESY THE VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON

compliance checks. Outside of his responsibilities as a JAM deputy, he has assisted in more than 80 investigations and completed in excess of 200 supplemental reports in 2025. PBSO Capt. Nichole Addazio See AWARDS, page 12

ITID Focusing Fresh Resources To Reinvigorate Equestrian Ethos

By Louis Hillary Park Town-Crier Staff Report With new footing going in at the Nicole Hornstein Equestrian Park and the hiring of a third equine specialist, the Indian Trail Improvement District is trying to reclaim its roots as a rider-friendly community. At the same, ITID’s citizen-led Equestrian Trails and Infrastructure Advisory Committee is working to create horse safety awareness among drivers of motorized vehicles and expand and mark the area’s trail system. On Saturday, Oct. 10, beginning at 8:45 a.m., the committee will host a “Trails Workshop” starting at Hamlin House, adjacent to the park. Those attending will tour several roadside trails on the north and south side of Northlake Blvd., ITID Supervisor Patricia Farrell said Wednesday.

A horse is not needed to participate in the tour, said Farrell, who chairs the committee. “Our goal is to bring the equestrian community together… and preserve the original intent [of the district],” said ITID Executive Director Burgess Hanson, who rides Quarter Horses. That “intent” is for the 110-square-mile, unincorporated swath of central Palm Beach County to retain its large-lot agricultural/residential nature and provide a haven for horses and riders being pushed aside by the increasing urbanization of South Florida, he said. Hanson said that the Acreage/ Loxahatchee area is an increasingly popular landing place for families and riders who can’t afford or don’t want the glitz of nearby Wellington. “We lost some See EQUESTRIAN, page 7

25TH ANNIVERSARY REMEMBRANCE

The Village of Wellington hosted its annual September 11 Remembrance Ceremony at the Wellington Amphitheater on Friday, Sept. 11 in collaboration with Palm Beach County FireRescue, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and the Fire Chief’s Association of Palm Beach County. The special morning event was held on the 25th anniversary of 9/11. Shown here is the keynote speaker, retired Air Force One pilot Lt. Col. Todd Beer, who was with President George W. Bush on 9/11. STORY & MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 5 PHOTO BY ALISSA FOLEY/TOWN-CRIER

Diadem Pickleball Complex To Open At Long-Shuttered Wellington Site

By Patrick Sherry Town-Crier Staff Report Pickleball players in Wellington will have a new way to beat the heat and rain soon with the new Diadem Pickleball Complex (DPC) coming soon to the old Circuit City site near the Mall at Wellington Green. The new facility will have 11 air-conditioned indoor courts, two pickleball simulators, two golf simulators, a pro shop, a private party area, and a restaurant and bar. Gene DeVito, general manager and director of pickleball at the Diadem Sports Complex in Coconut Creek, said they chose to expand into Wellington because

of its established pickleball community but limited indoor options. “We found a space that had been vacant for a little while that had everything we were looking for, with high ceilings and air conditioning,” he said. “Just a big, open environment where we can put in the type of courts that we wanted to.” The former Circuit City store in the Shoppes at Wellington Green will be used as the new location for the facility. The structure, built in 2002, is part of the plaza off Forest Hill Blvd. in front of the mall. The site has remained mostly vacant since Circuit City closed all its See DIADEM, page 7

Teacher Eric Jourgensen To Present At National News Literacy Conference

By Fiona Slusarev Town-Crier Staff Report Simply reading the news and logging on to social media has never been more precarious than in 2026. Individuals have to navigate around social media algorithms, manipulated content, deepfakes and generative AI to determine the truth. Dr. Eric Jourgensen, a Palm Beach County teacher for 24 years, is taking time in the classroom to help students become better equipped to tackle this issue. Now, he is taking his methodology for teaching students media and news literacy to the national stage in October with a presentation at the 2026 National News Literacy Conference in Salt Lake

City — and local residents can help support this effort. An Acreage resident since the early 2000s, Jourgensen has used his doctorate in educational leadership and experience as an MTV stringer journalist to teach journalism and broadcast journalism at Palm Beach Central High School since 2020. As part of his journalism course, he shows students how to become “informed consumers” that don’t take headlines at face value, yet aren’t complete skeptics. “It’s an informed skepticism,” Jourgensen explained. “You can look at a headline and say, ‘What do they want me to know? What are they trying to show me? What are they not showing me — either intentionally or unintentionally?’”

One of the strategies he uses with his students is the “dihydrogen monoxide” exercise where he demonstrates how easy it is to manipulate information. He begins the lesson by stating only true facts about the compound: It causes 100 percent of drowning deaths; it’s found in nuclear power plants; it generates corrosion; and more fear-inciting morsels. Naturally, students would assume this mysterious chemical is a hazard. But Jourgensen then reveals “dihydrogen monoxide” is just water, regular H2O, which we need to live and use every day. While it’s true that water does cause drowning, is found in nuclear power plants and leads to corrosion, it is not the whole truth.

Jourgensen instills in his students the knowledge that the framing of how information is presented can be just as important as the information itself. “If we’re not really fighting true or false, fake news or real news — if all the facts can be true, then how do we really look at this information? That’s the crux of the presentation,” he said. He extrapolates further on this idea by giving students a framework to evaluate the credibility of any piece of news or media. Using the WATER acronym, Jourgensen encourages students to wait, ask, trace, examine and respond. Individuals should wait before reacting and notice their emotional response to the media.

Dr. Eric Jourgensen, a teacher at Palm Beach Central High School, is set to attend the 2026 National News Literacy Conference. They need to ask themselves if there is evidence to back up the claim being asserted. Then they See JOURGENSEN, page 12

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September 18 - October 1, 2026

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NEWS

District 94 Candidates Share Views On Affordability, Schools, AI

By Louis Hillary Park Town-Crier Staff Report Affordability is the watch word for the three candidates vying for the Florida House District 94 seat — incumbent Republican Meg Weinberger, Democrat Elizabeth Holmes and independent candidate Doug Barrow. District 94 includes all of the Acreage/Loxahatchee area, Loxahatchee Groves and Westlake, parts of Royal Palm Beach and Palm Beach Gardens, and all of western Palm Beach County, including the Glades. The district trends Republican. Weinberger won in 2024 with just over 55 percent of the vote. Weinberger, a Caloosa resident, and Holmes, who lives in Palm Beach Country Estates, said one of the main drivers of the county and state’s affordability crisis is home insurance costs. “The cost of living is out of control, especially as it relates to insurance companies,” said Holmes, who grew up in Wellington. She supports the hurricane

insurance plan proposed by gubernatorial candidate David Jolly, the Democrat in the race. Under Jolly’s plan, Florida’s state catastrophe fund would fully absorb hurricane and wind risk from private insurers, aiming to cut private homeowner premiums by 60 to 70 percent. Opponents dispute those savings and suggest it could cost Florida families roughly $1,000 more per year. At the same time, Holmes said there needs to be an increase in the homestead tax exemption but said the passage of the proposal on the Nov. 3 ballot would be “disastrous” for county and municipal governments that rely on property taxes to fund infrastructure, police and fire protection. Amendment 3 would raise Florida’s homestead property tax exemption from $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027, then to $250,000 in 2028, inflation-adjusted thereafter, while cutting the annual assessment growth cap on non-homestead properties from 10 percent to 5 percent.

Weinberger said she supports Amendment 3 but that more needs to be done. During the last legislative session, Weinberger suggested that the cost of homeowners’ insurance be deductible from property taxes. If re-elected, Weinberger said she intends to put forth the idea again to party leadership. “We’ve got to make sure that our seniors aren’t priced out of their homes,” she said, adding that in high-cost counties such as Palm Beach, ways must be found to make living affordable for teachers and first responders. While stop-gap measures can help, Weinberger said long term, a real sea change may be needed in how communities are developed and expanded in fast-growing Florida. She pointed out that in some states, communities are being developed that are all inclusive in terms of infrastructure with no need for large, external transportation arteries. She has a detailed list of priorities on her web site (www. megforflorida.com).

Meg Weinberger Barrow, who also lives in the Caloosa area of Palm Beach Gardens, did not return phone calls and texts requesting comment for this article. However, Barrow’s web site (www.dougbarrowforflorida.com) states that rather than expanding subsidized “affordable housing”

Elizabeth Holmes programs, he’d like to see tax relief pathways, education credits and job incentives aimed at first-time homebuyers, first responders, veterans and teachers. In terms of homeowners’ insurance, Barrow’s site states that legislators have the wrong priorities and should focus more on capping

Doug Barrow insurance premiums and forcing insurers to offer more deductibles. All three candidates are cautious about construction of AI hyperscale data centers in the state. Holmes argues on her site (www. elizabethholmesforflorida.com) that such centers “can threaten See DISTRICT 94, page 11

Wellington Supermom Fights For Daughters With Rare Condition

By Fiona Slusarev Town-Crier Staff Report September is Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month, a time that highlights how individuals can be affected by any of the multitude of types and variants of this genetic muscle-weakening condition. For one Wellington family, living with limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2C (LGMD2C) has become a daily reality. Wellington resident Sheena Urdaz is raising two resilient girls, ages 10 and 13, who are fighting against the clock and LGMD2C. Urdaz is doing all she can to raise awareness and keep this exceptionally rare disease from stealing her daughters’ abilities to run, jump and play. Urdaz’s girls are two bright and chatty kids who love art and animals. The youngest is drawn to the performing arts, playing the violin, recorder and piano, and also sings. She is reportedly an animal whisperer, owns an axolotl and wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up. Her older sister is accomplished in the visual arts, sewing and creating all sorts of crafts, masks and clothes. She loves her family’s dogs and two

cats, plays the French horn, and wants to work in the medical field when she’s older. Urdaz herself is in the medical field as a physician associate, which is why, four years ago, she noticed something was wrong with her eldest after returning from gymnastics camp. Urdaz took her to the clinic where her daughter was found to have elevated creatine kinase (CK) and be in rhabdomyolysis, a life-threatening condition where muscles break down. She was hospitalized for four days. After recovering with no recurrent symptoms, doctors told Urdaz not to worry and to get her daughter checked again later. In 2024, Urdaz requested the pediatrician check her daughter’s CK levels again, which came back high. Through a litany of tests and specialists — a rheumatologist, gastroenterologist and geneticist — her eldest daughter’s seemingly innocuous and unrelated history of toe-walking, recurrent falls and frequent breaks during exercise came together. “We got my oldest one’s results back in April 2025 when I was at Universal on spring break with

them,” Urdaz said. “It was devastating. I’m standing in the park, [with] my kids on a ride, and I’m crying getting the results because I knew what it meant.” Within two weeks, her younger daughter was also tested and likewise diagnosed. The sisters joined the estimated 5,000 other individuals diagnosed with LGMD in the U.S., according to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. LGMD2C, like all types of muscular dystrophy, is progressive, but in LGMD the muscles that are weakening and atrophying are concentrated around the shoulders and hips. It is attributed to mutations in the sarcoglycanopathy (SCG) gene, which is associated with abnormalities in the proteins inside muscle fibers needed for muscle function. Individuals suffering from this condition can have symptoms like a swaying-walk, toe-walking, enlarged calf muscles, curvature of the spine, joint contracture, restricted mobility, or potentially fatal cardiac and respiratory complications. Many become wheelchair bound as teens. While there is currently no cure, Urdaz is on a mission to

raise awareness about LGMD and help fund research trials. Since 2025, she has served on the board of CureSCG, a nonprofit that is dedicated to finding a cure for LGMD by bringing together researchers, clinicians, patients and families, while advancing and funding research. The organization was founded in 2024 by a family in Dubai, whose daughter has LGMD, when they realized no such organization existed. “Whenever I can get away, I try to go to conferences,” Urdaz explained. “I’m trying to get the word out, trying to get the [CureSCG] name out there and trying to get more people on board and funding.” Urdaz is fighting to reopen a UF Gainesville Powell Gene Therapy Center trial ATA-200 with principal investigator Dr. Barry Byrne. CureSCG and Urdaz are trying to raise $2.5 million by the end of November to reopen this trial, which has already shown measurable improvement in the four children treated in the first phase of the trial. This trial, originally brought to the U.S from France by the Dion See URDAZ, page 11

Sheena Urdaz with her younger daughter, Donia.

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NEWS

Westlake OKs $13.5 Million Budget With Small Drop In Tax Rate

By Louis Hillary Park Town-Crier Staff Report With the possibility of a major decrease in property tax revenue looming statewide, members of the Westlake City Council approved a token drop in the millage rate as they finalized the municipality’s fiscal year 2027 budget on Monday, Sept. 14. The council voted 5-0 to cut the millage rate from 4.6 mills to 4.59 mills. It marks the fifth straight year of property tax rate decreases in Westlake. The modest reduction cuts the average city tax bill for a homeowner with a $500,000 property and $50,000 homestead exemption from approximately $2,070 to about $2,065.50 — a savings of $4.50. “I would like to have been more aggressive with the millage cut,” Mayor JohnPaul O’Connor said Tuesday. “And I think we could

have been… [but] I was kind of an island on that.” From its inception in 2016 until fiscal year 2023, Westlake held its millage rate unchanged at 5.125. Since then, the millage rate has been dropping steadily, including a savings of approximately $45 per homesteaded homeowner in fiscal year 2026. Councilman Gary Werner said that this coming year’s decrease was mostly symbolic — “we wanted to continue the trend” — while there was need be mindful of the possible November passage statewide of Amendment 3. “I also would have liked to have seen a larger reduction,” he said. “But I think the council felt this is a time when we really need to be cautious.” Councilman Erik Gleason agreed. “If the amendment passes, it’s going to really hurt the city in the long run,” he said Tuesday.

“We’re going to lose quite a bit of money… but the need [for basic services] isn’t going away… We’ll have to find the money somewhere.” Amendment 3 would raise the homestead exemption for all nonschool property taxes from the current $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, with inflation adjustments starting in 2029. The measure also cuts the annual assessment-increase cap on non-homestead properties from 10 percent to 5 percent. Stephen Bloom, an Inframark employee who serves as the city’s financial director, said there are plenty of reasons for caution. He said his study of the data indicates that if Amendment 3 passes, it will cost the city $1 million in fiscal year 2028 and $2 million in fiscal year 2029. Bloom told the council that of the 643 new homes projected to

be built in Westlake in fiscal year 2027, 480 — or almost 75 percent — would likely have homestead exemptions. “We’re already a very lean city,” O’Connor said. “We do a lot with a little.” The council also voted 5-0 to approve the fiscal year 2027 budget of $13,480,094, which includes city’s general fund, reserve fund and special housing assistance program. That’s a 9.7 percent increase over the fiscal year 2026 budget of $12,292,000. “This is a basic, bare-bones budget,” City Manager Howard Brown said Wednesday. The city “is keeping an eye on what’s happening in Tallahassee… [and] taking seriously, in terms of long-range financial planning,” the possibility that Amendment 3 will pass, he added. Westlake saw revenues rise from $11,020,830 in 2026 to a

projected $14,065,163 in 2027 — an increase of $3,044,333 or 27.6 percent. The biggest driver of the revenue jump was an increase in property values, plus one-time items including a $600,000 state grant for the planned 50-acre park being built by the Seminole Improvement District in conjunction with the city. Total expenditures are set to rise from $8,942,100 to $10,275,933 in fiscal year 2027 — an increase of $1,333,833, or 14.9 percent, mostly due to $1.2 million committed for the park taking shape at Seminole Pratt Whitney Road and Sycamore Drive West and the need for a partial match to the $202,000 grant for the so-called “Go West Transit Project.” The pilot project is planned as a way of connecting workforce personnel and others to Westlake and conversely to allow movement

to downtown West Palm Beach and other locations via Palm Tran. Also, the city needed to move $373,118 from its general fund to its Special Reserve Fund/ Comprehensive Planning Services account to cover shortfalls in estimated revenue from home inspections. Brown said the shortfall does not indicate a decrease in homes being built or sold in Westlake, which has for years been one of the fastest growing communities in Palm Beach County and one of the fastest in the state. The drop instead has been caused by the increased use of private building inspectors, rather than city-connected inspectors, by Minto Communities USA, Westlake’s largest landowner and developer. Kolter Homes and GL Homes continue to use city-provided inspectors, he said.

RPB Council Agrees To Hold Tax Rate Unchanged At 1.92 Mills

By Patrick Sherry Town-Crier Staff Report The Royal Palm Beach Village Council is leaning toward maintaining the same property tax rate for the upcoming fiscal year. The council approved setting the rate at 1.92 mills at a meeting Thursday, Sept. 10, instead of an alternative rate of 2.15 mills proposed by village staff. With the 1.92 millage rate, Royal Palm Beach staff estimated a total budget of $47.8 million — a 21 percent decrease from the 2026 fiscal year budget of $60.5 million. Staff explained that the decrease in budget is due to a reduction in capital projects from the last fiscal year. Even with the

same tax rate, residents will likely see a slight increase in their bills because taxable property values in the village are projected to increase by 8.24 percent. The council heard two presentations for a budget with the millage rate of 2.15 and an alternative with a rate of 1.92. Council members were more in favor of the budget keeping the current rate unchanged. “The primary difference in the first budget at 2.15 mills, and this budget at 1.92 mills, is the reduction in the property tax revenue and excess reserves of $1,167,284,” Finance Director Sharon Almeida said. The alternative proposed budget

also contains a 2.24 percent reduction in general revenues to total $31.5 million, which is the result of the loss of funding from the American Rescue Plan Act and the countywide one-cent sales surtax. General Fund expenditures will increase to $31.5 million, a 0.56 percent increase, with personnel and contractual services being the primary cost drivers. But overall expenditures have decreased due to updated costs from the village’s medical insurance provider, removal of costs associated with holding West Fest and other minor modifications. Other general fund expenditure changes include employee merit increases to average 3.5 percent

across all staff, a cost-of-living adjustment budgeted at 2.68 percent, departmental capital expenditures under $10,000 were reduced by 10 percent, and public works maintenance contracts were moved from repairs and maintenance to contractual services. Village staff projects that the general fund will generate a surplus over expenditures of $67,549. Included in the capital improvement budget is $14.4 million, with $4.2 million set aside for new projects. The village’s stormwater fee will increase from $6.50 to $7.50. The money will be used to invest more into the stormwater utility fund for unexpected expenses. “This additional reserve will

Loxahatchee Groves Council Wrangles Over Budget Details At First Hearing

By Patrick Sherry Town-Crier Staff Report The Loxahatchee Groves Town Council is divided over whether to maintain its property tax rate unchanged for the upcoming fiscal year, potentially setting up future negotiations between local leaders over how much residents will be taxed. The council narrowly approved keeping its current rate of 3.2564 mills at its first budget hearing on Tuesday, Sept. 8. As part of the decision, council members requested another budget line item for consideration before they adopt the final numbers later this month. In July, town leaders set the tentative millage rate at 3.2564 mills, which would require a supermajority vote to be adopted. With property values in Loxahatchee Groves increasing by 11 percent, residents could still see a slightly higher tax bill even with the same rate. The council’s priorities of reducing expenses and making cost-saving improvements were directly considered in the budget for the upcoming fiscal year. “In preparing the budget, the focus was on reducing expenditures while maintaining the standard level of service and looking for improving processes and controls over financial reporting,” said Yvonne Clayborne, a partner at CRI Advisors. According to the staff presentation, most line-item expendi-

tures have been reduced. Overall, expenses, before transfers, are estimated to decrease by $531,000 or 14 percent from the last fiscal year. Salaries and related expenditures are estimated to remain the same, with the inclusion of a three percent cost-of-living adjustment and merit increase opportunities for staff. In the 2027 fiscal year budget, the town will continue to have about 14 full-time employees, with some of them able to receive an eight percent compensation increase before benefits. Increases in wages and salaries have been offset by decreases in full-time employees. However, the road and drainage fund is anticipated to decrease expenses by more than $400,000, or 15 percent. Professional services will increase by about $324,000, which includes conversion of employees to contractors. In addition, operating expenses as a whole are predicted to decrease by $29,000. The proposed budget also includes keeping the road and drainage assessment at $220 per unit, while reducing the solid waste assessment from $450 to $300 per unit. Staff, however, predicts that with the current expenditures, the road and drainage assessment will need to be raised to $307 for the next fiscal year. General fund budgeted revenues for the 2027 fiscal year are estimated to be about $4.688 million. Next

fiscal year, that number is expected to increase to $5.056 million, with 45 percent of it coming from tax revenue. Maintaining the current millage rate will increase revenue by about $231,000. Despite overall decreases in expenditures, the town may face funding problems if Amendment 3 is passed by Florida voters in November. The amendment would cause the town to lose $372,000 next fiscal year, $614,000 during the 2029 fiscal year, and more thereafter. “I would be hesitant to reduce the millage rate when we have so many unknowns in the back and circumstances,” Clayborne said. Vice Mayor Manish Sood opposed maintaining the current millage rate. He added that since the council was able to save $550,000 from ending its contract with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, they should lower it and use those funds to do so. “We can still collect the same dollar value, but the millage rate can come down,” he said. “If you keep the same minimum rate, you are still increasing taxes on our residents.” Councilwoman Anita Kane similarly supported using the rollback rate instead but also wanted to increase the road and drainage assessment. She applauded the public works department for their effort to make cuts to their budget. However, she said prices are

increasing, and the town needs to make sure that the department can continue to provide services that residents want and need. “With the upcoming potential tax issue that we might have next year, I think we need to move in the direction of the public works department paying for itself, and that’s going to require a little bit of an increase,” Kane said. The rest of the council was unable to pass a motion to keep the millage rate at 3.2564 mills with Kane and Sood in opposition. Following the failed motion, council members were able to unanimously pass a resolution to keep the road and drainage assessment at $220 per unit and decrease the solid waste assessment to $300 per unit. To solve the disagreement over the proposed millage rate, Clayborne suggested adding a budget line item for public safety for the difference between the rollback rate and the current millage for the next budget hearing. This was able to gain Sood’s support because he was concerned about not having funding for law enforcement. The council passed a motion to approve a millage rate of 3.2564 and directed staff to return with an updated budget 4-1, with Kane dissenting. The council is scheduled to consider and adopt the final budget at its second budget hearing on Wednesday, Sept. 23.

LWV To Host Election Expo At Palm Beach State College In Lake Worth On Monday, Sept. 28 With the general election just six weeks away, the League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County (LWVPBC) is emphasizing “Every Vote Counts!” with a comprehensive nonpartisan campaign of voter registration, education and candidate engagement. “This informative multi-platform outreach is targeted at voters across Palm Beach County, including first-time voters,” LWVPBC President Janet Elinoff said. One major highlight will be a free Election Expo 2026, scheduled for Monday, Sept. 28, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at the Palm Beach State College gymnasium in Lake Worth. Attendees can meet candidates, learn about the

Florida Constitutional Amendments and other ballot questions, such as the referendums for Palm Beach County schools, parks and libraries, pick up nonpartisan voter information, connect with community organizations dedicated to civic engagement and more. Presenting partners of the expo include Leadership Palm Beach County, Palm Beach State College, the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections, Florida Power & Light, Seacoast Bank, Sierra Club, Searcy Law, and Smith Ball Baez & Prather Florida Injury Lawyers, along with the LWVPBC’s Candidate Forums, Membership and Publications teams. For more details, visit www.lwvpbc.org.

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Additional compelling pre-election offerings include: Voter Registration & Education Events — LWVPBC will host a series of pre-announced, easy-to-access voter registration and education events throughout Palm Beach County at schools, churches, diverse community activities, senior citizen facilities and other popular public locations. VOTE411 Voters’ Guides — Informative, easy-to-read guides to competitive political campaigns and ballot issues are being disseminated by the LWVPBC, including printed versions in select editions of The Palm Beach Post and available for convenient pick-up at numerous public libraries starting

Sept. 27. The online version will be accessible at www.lwvpbc.org. Voter Information Handcards — LWVPBC is distributing thousands of voter information handcards with two clear messages: “What’s on YOUR Ballot?” with both a QR code and a web address (www.vote411.org/ballot) for direct access to trusted, localized, nonpartisan voter information. This went live online Sept. 14. “General Voting Info 2026” with both a QR code and a web address (www.lwvpbc.org/vote2026) to check on voter status, register to vote, update personal voter information, check your vote-by-mail ballot, find polling locations, or research campaigns and candidates.

help ensure adequate resources are available to support the long-term maintenance, rehabilitation and resiliency of the village’s stormwater system,” Almeida said. At the village’s last budget workshop, the council was divided on whether to raise the tax rate, with Vice Mayor Sylvia Sharps and Councilwoman Jan Rodusky supporting an increase. Staff proposed a higher millage rate to stop officials from needing to use reserves to cover some expenses. Village Manager Ray Liggins explained that the village has been funding capital projects and replacements with utility sale proceeds, federal funding and the additional sales tax revenue. Those revenue streams have ceased, but the village has reserves to cover the lost revenue until about 2033. “When we discussed this in strategic planning, there was an agreement to fund half of the capital replacement and bring in the millage [rate] to 2.15,” he said. “The millage [rate] of 1.92 does fund the operating budget.

NEWS BRIEFS

Vote Now For Wellington Town Center To Win People’s Choice Award

Wellington Town Center has been named one of only four statewide finalists for the 2026 Great Places in Florida People’s Choice Award, presented by the Florida chapter of the American Planning Association. Now, Wellington needs the community’s help to bring the award home. Public voting is open through Sept. 30, and residents, visitors, businesses, community partners and everyone who loves Wellington are encouraged to cast their vote for Wellington Town Center. Residents can vote online by visiting www.wellingtonfl.gov/ greatplaces. Once at the page, select Wellington Town Center and cast your vote. Then, help spread the word by sharing the voting link with friends, family, neighbors and colleagues. Wellington Town Center serves

The Palm Beach County Office of Community Revitalization will host the Heart Paw Celebration, a countywide community event taking place on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at John Prince Park’s Eric Call Pavilion, located at 2700 6th Avenue South in Lake Worth Beach. This fun-filled event is free and open to the public. It is hosted in collaboration with Palm Beach County Parks & Recreation, Palm Beach County Animal Care & Control, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue, Dog Days Palm Beach, 518 Pet Market Place, the Palm Beach Obedience Club and other dedicated partners. This family-friendly event is designed to promote pet adoption, health and wellness, and community connection. Families

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as a true community gathering place and is home to the Wellington Amphitheater, Scott’s Place Playground, the Wellington Community Center, the Wellington Patriot Memorial, green spaces, walking areas, community events, ceremonies, concerts, celebrations and countless opportunities for residents to connect. The 2026 Great Places in Florida theme, “Great People-Focused Places,” recognizes spaces designed around the people who use them and that create opportunities to gather, explore, connect and build a sense of belonging. The nomination also gives Wellington an opportunity to repeat history. In 2023, the Wellington Environmental Preserve at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Everglades Habitat was selected as the Great Places in Florida People’s Choice Award winner.

Heart Paw Celebration At John Prince Park Sept. 19

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CONTRIBUTORS/ Leonard Wechsler • Deborah Welky

It does not fund any of the capital replacement or capital.” Amendment 3 on the ballot in November, which seeks to raise homestead exemptions, could further strain local officials in funding municipal operations. Residents who attended the meeting agreed that it could significantly impact Royal Palm Beach. “A vote of yes on [Amendment] 3 is a step in the wrong direction,” Michael Axelberd said. “By passing [Amendment] 3, we will voluntarily surrender our local self-determination. We’ll lose the power inside exactly how our local tax dollars are harvested and spent, handing over guidelines to the control of higher levels of government that have already proven they do not understand the community’s day-to-day realities.” The council unanimously approved a proposed operating property tax rate of 1.92 mills and tentatively adopted the budget. The village’s second and final budget hearing was set to be held on Thursday, Sept. 17.

and pet lovers are encouraged to bring both their two-legged and four-legged members for a day of meaningful activities. All dogs must be on a leash. The celebration will feature a pet adoption event where all adoption fees are waived. New pet parents will receive starter supplies. The celebration will bring together adoptable pets, rescue organizations, local vendors, food trucks and community resources for a day of interactive activities for residents of all ages. Featured experiences include an Adoption Runway and Fashion Show, dog contests, AKC Canine Good Citizen activities, the Books & Barks Reading Circle, Kindness Garden, Paw-Lates and more. To ensure tht everyone is well cared for, lunch will be provided for attendees free of charge while supplies last.

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NEWS

Wellington Ceremony Commemorates 25th Anniversary Of 9/11

By Alissa Foley Town-Crier Staff Report The Village of Wellington hosted its annual September 11 Remembrance Ceremony at the Wellington Amphitheater on Friday, Sept. 11 in collaboration with Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and the Fire Chief’s Association of Palm Beach County. The solemn ceremony brought together dignitaries, first responders, Wellington officials, Palm Beach County officials and residents from across the area to commemorate the 25th anniversary of a day that changed the nation. All stood in solidarity as they honored the lives lost, those who were impacted, the heroes who responded on Sept. 11, 2001, and the heroes who serve every day. The ceremony started promptly at 8:46 a.m., marking the exact time that American Airlines Flight 11 struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center. WPTV anchor Ashley Glass served as master of ceremonies, opening with remarks describing the events that unfolded at that moment 25 years ago. “Parents prepared their children for school, millions headed to work, airplanes departed airports across the country. It was a morning like so many before,” Glass recalled. “Yet at 8:46 a.m., 25 years ago, to the exact date and time of this very moment, time seemed to stop. At 8:46 on Sept. 11, 2001, the first plane, hijacked by terrorists, struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. I stand with you right now, in solidarity today, to remember the lives lost on that fateful day.” During the opening address, members of the Wellington Village Council laid wreaths honoring the

victims at Wellington’s Patriot Memorial. Attendees were invited to stand for the Presentation of Colors by a multi-agency honor guard and the Palm Beach County Firefighters Pipes & Drums. Attendees stood with their hands over their hearts during the solemn presentation, followed by the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, the national anthem and the invocation. Throughout the ceremony, speakers delivered remarks reflecting on the devastation and the profound impact of the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. They recognized the sacrifice that first responders made as they risked their lives to save others. Some spoke about their own experiences and how they were personally affected. Each speaker noted how the American people came together afterward. The universal message was to never forget and to keep sharing the stories with future generations. “I hope people try to remember the sense of unity we felt on Sept. 12,” Wellington Mayor Michael Napoleone said. “We’re a very divided country right now. We focus on the wrong things. We should focus on what brings us together, not what pulls us apart.” Tributes poured out to the 9/11 first responders. Attendees who responded to the attacks were asked to stand as the community expressed their gratitude. A moment of silence followed to remember the lives lost. Throughout the silence, attendees reflected as clips of the Sept. 11 attacks were displayed on the screen. The moment of silence ended with a flyover conducted by the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office Eagle helicopter and the Health Care District of Palm Beach County’s Trauma Hawk. Following See CEREMONY, page 6

Councilman Stephen Levin, Vice Mayor Maria Antuña, retired Air Force One Pilot Lt. Col. Todd Beer, Mayor Michael Napoleone and Councilwoman Amanda Silvestri.

Keynote speaker retired Air Force One pilot Lt. Col. Todd Beer was with President George W. Bush on 9/11.

Mayor Michael Napoleone delivers the opening address.

County Administrator Joseph Abruzzo commemorates the 25th anniversary of 9/11.

The Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue Honor Guard conducts the Tolling of the Bell.

Palm Beach County Mayor Sara Baxter presents the National Day of Remembrance Proclamation.

Retired 9/11 first responder and PBC School District Police Officer Sal Longo pays tribute to 9/11 first responders.

PBSO Capt. Nichole Addazio and Palm Beach County Fire Chief’s Association President Trevor Steedman delivered remarks.

Flowers and photographs were placed at Wellington’s Patriot Memorial to honor the lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001.

PHOTOS BY ALISSA FOLEY AND COURTESY THE VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON

Officers from the Palm Beach County School District Police Department at the ceremony.

Wellington Vice Mayor Maria Antuña speaks during the Call to Remembrance, joined by Councilman Johnny Meier, Councilman Stephen Levin and Councilwoman Amanda Silvestri.

The PBSO Eagle helicopter and the Health Care District’s Trauma Hawk conduct a flyover.

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NEWS

LOCAL STUDENTS BUILD DOZENS OF HURRICANE KITS FOR FOSTER FAMILIES

Student volunteers from Royal Palm Beach High School and Dr. Joaquín García High School gathered on Wednesday, Sept. 9 at RPBHS to assemble dozens of hurricane preparedness kits for local foster families in honor of the 9/11 National Day of Service. The “HurriCANe You Be Ready” initiative was led by Students Speak Up for Kids in partnership with Youth Service America. More than 100 young people contributed by collecting items through community drives and assembling bags packed with essentials like flashlights, batteries, first aid supplies, toiletries and nonperishable snacks. Because foster parents often take in children on short notice with limited resources, these kits provide critical support ahead of peak hurricane season. PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Ivy Torres, Avery Hanna and Tracy Vo cut ribbons to tie up packages.

Jianna Hernandez, Landon Girard, Kayla Wall and Tracy Vo pack bags.

Student volunteers from Royal Palm Beach High School.

Dr. Joaquín García High School students with bags they filled.

Ceremony

9/11 25th Anniversary

continued from page 5 the flyover, Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce CEO Mary Lou Bedford led the gathering in singing “God Bless America.” The keynote address was delivered by retired Air Force One pilot Lt. Col. Todd Beer, who shared his firsthand experience flying President George W. Bush from Sarasota, Florida, to Washington, D.C., on Sept. 11, 2001. He recounted how the day started with a routine aircraft tour that completely shifted after the planes hit the World Trade Center. Beer reflected on the many challenges faced that day. He recalled the immense amount of pressure he was under and the

confusion that occurred due to limited information and saturated satellite communication. The goal was to get the president back to Washington safely as the country was under attack. Beer reflected on the lasting impact that the day had on him and how he remembered the families of the first responders who rushed toward the danger. “The most lasting image of the day for me was as we went into Washington,” Beer said. “I got up in the morning. It was the most beautiful, clear day I had ever seen in my life. In the entire day, we flew without running into a cloud anywhere in the United States, from here [Florida] to Louisiana to Nebraska, and then back to Washington. And the scary, the frightening, part of the whole thing is, I looked out… and you could see the smoke rising from the Pentagon.”

Speak up for Kids Student Engagement Coordinator Sherwit Elkersh with volunteers Aysel, Noreena and Malek Elshenawy.

Zahra Brown and Jaelynn Franklin tie up bags.

RPBHS students write inspirational cards to go in the bags. The ceremony included solemn traditions to symbolize mourning, honor and remembrance, such as the Tolling of the Bell, the ThreeRound Volley Salute, and the playing of “Taps” and “Amazing Grace.” Many attendees were moved to tears as they remembered the loss and the lives that were changed forever. Many showed pride and

patriotism, wearing USA and first responder memorabilia. The community came together to commemorate the 25th anniversary of attacks with a remembrance ceremony that united Wellington and Palm Beach County residents, embodying the unity that emerged in the days following Sept. 11, 2001. The community stood strong and

The Palm Beach County Firefighters Pipes and Drums Band enter the remembrance ceremony.

Jianna Hernandez, Stephanie Peoples, Sherwit Elkersh, Jessica Sleek and Analise Lopez-Merlos. united, honoring the sentiment of remembrance. Following the ceremony was an intimate luncheon featuring keynote speaker Beer during which he recounted his journey from a student athlete who was afraid of flying due to an aviation accident he experienced as a teenager to becoming an Air Force One pilot. He offered further reflection on

his experiences flying during the administrations of President Bill Clinton and President George W. Bush, including additional gripping accounts of what it was like to fly Bush during the 9/11 attacks. The entire Wellington ceremony can be viewed at Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue’s YouTube site at www.youtube.com/live/ PMRRMnMWZrM.

The Presentation of Colors was conducted by a multi-agency honor guard.

PBCFR Chaplain Vinny Muller delivers the invocation.

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NEWS

Palm Beach County Commission Approves Budget For FY 2027

By Patrick Sherry Town-Crier Staff Report County leaders are moving forward with a balanced budget for the upcoming fiscal year totaling $9.91 billion and maintaining the current millage rate of 4.5 mills. The Palm Beach County Commission voted to approve the budget and several other tax rates for residents at its budget hearing on Tuesday, Sept. 15. The 2027 fiscal year budget is $303 million higher than the previous year. It includes $8.2 billion in countywide funds and $1.1 billion for the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. Even with the increase, according to county officials, they were able to cut costs by $35 million and receive a $32

million reduction from the PBSO’s original budget request. “I just wanted to thank the budget staff and all the county departments,” County Administrator Joseph Abruzzo said. “It has been incredible putting this budget together, and most of all, you, the board, for working with us and delivering what we believe is a landmark budget.” Commissioners voted 5-2 to approve the 4.5 millage rate, which is 5.44 percent above the rolled-back rate, which would have brought in the same tax revenue as the current year. Palm Beach County Mayor Sara Baxter and Vice Mayor Marci Woodward voted against the millage rate but voted in favor of a series of other budget items with

the rest of the commissioners. Those included approving a 0.5491 millage rate for the library district, a $326,174,281 library district budget, a $133,792,313 budget for the municipal service taxing district, a 3.4581-mill Fire Rescue MSTU rate along with a $1,217,419,093 budget for the county fire agency, an MSTU unincorporated improvement fund budget of $18,505,489, and an overall aggregate millage rate of 6.1889. During the public comment section of the meeting, commissioners received more than 20 comment cards. Baxter reminded the audience that anyone commenting must stay on topic relating to their budget consideration, and those

who speak beyond that would be removed. However, several took the opportunity to criticize the county for its investment in Israeli bonds that total over a billion dollars. Multiple public commenters were cut off and escorted out of the chambers after telling commissioners to discontinue this investment and reallocate those funds back into the local community. Many of them argued that money is being used to “fund a genocide in Gaza.” Abruzzo stressed that the budget does not set investment policy, and those matters are decided by the county’s clerk and comptroller, an independently elected office. “Any of our bond investments by the clerk, that is not money

Grace Period Now Over For The New Wellington Micromobility Ordinance

By Patrick Sherry Town-Crier Staff Report The grace period for Wellington’s new e-bike and micromobility ordinance has ended, and Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office deputies will begin giving written warnings and then start issuing citations in October. Village officials reminded residents of the new rules at a Wellington Public Safety Committee meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 9. The Wellington Village Council adopted the new ordinance in August, which restricts nonhuman-powered micromobility device use to individuals age 15 and older, requires riders to carry a valid government ID, and enforces a 15-mile-per-hour speed limit on sidewalks and pathways. The council also approved an-

Diadem

Indoor Pickleball

continued from page 1 brick-and-mortar stores after filing for bankruptcy in 2008. Several proposals for the building have been submitted, but none progressed forward. Wellington Planning, Zoning & Building Director Tim Stillings told the TownCrier that the interior build-out has been permitted and is underway. A different contractor will be installing the courts, but no permits have been applied for yet. “Pickleball is very popular, and an indoor facility will likely be successful,” Stillings said. “It’s a benefit to fill a storefront that has been vacant for many years.” One of the major goals of building the new facility is to create a centralized pickleball community in Wellington. DeVito explained that the company hopes to give players a place to regularly play and socialize. The facility will offer programs for different skill levels, with coaches and various programs available. The company hopes to keep its 11 courts occupied throughout the day, so it can cater to all different types of people. These programs will give newcomers a chance to learn, while also allowing more experienced

Equestrian

Key Focus At ITID

continued from page 1 horse people to Oklahoma, Georgia and Texas during COVID-19 because people could sell their lots here and buy bigger properties there,” Hanson said. “But we’re also seeing a lot moving up from Miami-Dade and Broward.” What Hanson is describing is a new chapter to a decades-old story for resident Charlie James, who moved up 40 years ago from west Broward, where he was managing a 480-acre ranch. “There’s still a large equestrian presence here,” said James, a member of the committee. “More and more horses are coming back [to the area].” James said the main goal of the

other ordinance that prohibits the use of such devices at village facilities. Wellington officials said that they have already seen some impact, particularly among middle school students. “The whole goal of this is compliance,” Director of Emergency Management and Public Safety Nicole Coates said. “We’re not looking to enforce, cite and write tickets. I know that’s never PBSO’s goal — neither is it for the village.” PBSO officials added that deputies’ procedure currently is to notify parents if a child violates the ordinance. Either the parent will come and pick up the child and bike/scooter, or a deputy will transport them home if deemed necessary.

Municipal ordinance violations would be a fine of $33 per occurrence. A state violation, including a pedestrian violation or helmet violation, would range up to $64.50. Officials have also put up signs explaining how micromobility devices are prohibited at village facilities. To learn more about the new village ordinances and the new rules, visit www.wellingtonfl.gov/ micromobility. In other business, Amanda Vomero, previously Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue’s district chief for the western communities, announced at the meeting that she will be taking up a new role as division chief of community engagement. Jose Garcia will be taking over as district chief and overseeing

Battalion 2. Garcia has more than 22 years of experience and previously served as battalion chief of facilities. In that role, he was responsible for facility maintenance, repair projects and future expansion. “The biggest compliment is allowing me to be the Battalion 2 district chief,” Garcia said. “They’re aware of the work [Vomero] did here and the relationships she has built, and to put that trust in me says a lot.” During PBCFR’s report to the committee, Vomero explained that from June 7 to Sept. 7, firefighters were able to achieve an average response time of six minutes and 38 seconds — six seconds faster than the previous quarter. PBCFR officials will also be hiring 90 EMT firefighters next year.

players opportunities to improve. “The DPC offers programming that no other facility offers in pickleball,” DiVito said. “We just have so many different options for so many different levels of play, where everybody can feel comfortable coming. Everybody is going to know that when they play at DPC Wellington, they’re going to get structure and they’re going to get value.” DeVito is excited to bring this new facility to the village and is looking forward to helping build relationships with pickleball players in the area. He encourages anyone interested in the sport to give the complex a try once it opens. The company is planning a soft opening in December and a hard launch in January. “If you like pickleball, and you are a pickleball enthusiast, you’re going to want to come to the DPC,” DeVito said. “If you’ve never heard of pickleball, you want to learn to play, you want to learn the right way and have fun your first time playing, you’re going to want to come to the DPC.” The new Diadem Pickleball Complex will be located at 10570 W. Forest Hill Blvd. in the Shoppes at Wellington Green. To learn more about Diadem Pickleball Complex or its existing Coconut Creek location, visit www.diadempickleballcomplex. com.

(Above) The new facility will have 11 air-conditioned indoor pickleball courts. (Below) The facility will also have a restaurant and bar, along with other amenities. Shown here is Diadem’s Coconut Creek location.

committee, and more broadly of a supportive ITID board and staff, is safety education for drivers of motor vehicles, motorcycles and off-road vehicles in the proper way to approach horses that can easily “spook” and throw a rider. The results can be tragic. In fact, the ITID facility previously known as the Hamlin Equestrian Park was renamed in 2009 for 12-year-old Acreage resident Nicole Hornstein, who died as a result of such an incident in 2006. “A lot of people who don’t own horses, just don’t know the rules,” James said. “We’re trying to educate everyone.” Other goals of the committee are to identify new trailhead locations for the district’s 30-plus miles of trails, gain sponsors to help improve trail signage and ensure safe crossing areas at busy roadways. In the long run, Hanson said he’d

like to see the district’s trail system connect with Palm Beach County trails, such as those in and around the Royal Palm Beach Pines and Acreage Pines natural areas and with the state-owned J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area. For now, Parks & Recreation Director Michelle Garvey said the primary goal is to make sure that riders at the 13.9-acre Nicole Hornstein Park have a safe and enjoyable experience. A big part of that is improving the footing in all three arenas, especially for barrel racers, Garvey said. All should be reopened within the next several weeks, she said, “and they should be much better.” Long-time barrel racer and committee member Robin Csire said, “Once the ground gets better, more people will come back out.” Garvey said her vision is to

Holiday Food Drive food donations will be accepted now through Friday, Nov. 13. Residents are encouraged to donate non-perishable food items and are asked to ensure that all donated items are unopened and have not expired. Food items needed include: canned vegetables (green beans, peas, corn, and sweet potatoes), cornbread muffin mix, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, packaged stuffing and turkey gravy. Holiday Toy Drive donations of new and unwrapped toys will be accepted through Friday, Dec. 11.

meeting for matters unrelated to the budget. They also thanked deputies for their service and for quelling the disturbance. “I’ve been in government a long time, but I’ve never seen a ruckus like this today,” Commissioner Maria Sachs said. “I want to thank [the PBSO] for handling it in a very professional, calm, but efficient way to remove those folks who would not respect the gravity of what we were doing here today.”

NEWS BRIEFS

Wellington Garden Club Features Presentation On The Practice Of Gleaning

The Wellington Garden Club held its monthly meeting on Monday, Sept. 14 at the Wellington Community Center. The meeting featured a presentation by Emily Zarzycki on gleaning practices. Zarzycki has served with CROS (Christians Reaching Out to Society) Ministries since 2013. CROS Ministries is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting hunger and food insecurity in Palm Beach County. While it was originally started by a group of Methodist churches, it has evolved into an interfaith organization that partners with all denominations, faiths, civic groups and local businesses. Early in her career with CROS, Zarzycki oversaw all of the children’s hunger programs and served with the gleaning program. Gleaning is the practice of gathering leftover crops from farmers’ fields after they have been commercially harvested. This produce is then donated to food banks, pantries and families in need. Today, Zarzycki is the director of outreach and coordinates CROS food pantries located in Belle Glade and Jupiter, and provides field support for the gleaning program. Palm Beach County is one of the largest agricultural counties in the United States, generating nearly $1.4 billion in annual sales, supported through more than 600 agribusiness companies and nearly 11,000 jobs. It leads the nation in producing sugarcane, sweet corn and bell peppers, while also heavily driving Florida’s output of rice, radishes, Chinese vegetables,

Emily Zarzycki of CROS Ministries specialty leaf and celery. In the 2025-26 growing season, CROS Ministries gleaned more than 400,000 pounds of produce that would have otherwise been tilled under. Instead, this fresh produce made its way into the kitchens of food-insecure Palm Beach County families. The public is invited to join Wellington Garden Club meetings, which are usually held the first Monday of the month beginning at 10 a.m. The Wellington Garden Club, founded in 1981, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating its members and the public in the fields of gardening, horticulture, floral design and landscape design; and to promoting conservation of natural resources, civic beautification and youth education. For more information, visit www.wellingtongardenclub.org.

FNBCC Bank To Host Wellington Business Market Update Sept. 30

First National Bank Coastal Community will host a “Wellington Local Business Market Update” on Wednesday, Sept. 30 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at the FNBCC branch located at 12140 South Shore Blvd. in Wellington. The special event will be hosted by Branch Manager Darlene

Curti and feature guest speakers FNBCC Bank President Shaun Williams, SBA lender Ross Mazer, business and trademark attorney Franck D. Chantayan and Lily S. Cho of LPT Realty. The community is invited to attend and hear what’s happening in today’s local business market in Wellington.

RPB’s Sylvia Sharps Appointed To Florida League Of Cities Committee

encourage sponsored events there year-round and, with the reestablishment of a playground for younger children, make it a place where “families and the whole community can come out and enjoy.” Hanson said that funding the third equestrian specialist was critical to making the park available to the public seven days a week. “It’s important for safety reasons,” he said. “They’ll be dragging the arenas and making sure people are abiding by the rules.” Csire lives just across from the park. “The fact is, we have a huge equestrian park, and it [usually] stays pretty busy,” she said. “A lot of people out here are still equestrian people.” Visit www.indiantrail.com for more basic equestrian safety rules for motorists, riders and property owners.

Village Of Wellington Begins Collecting Donations For Holiday Food & Toy Drives

The holiday season kicks off early in Wellington, and residents are invited to help local families in need by participating in the Village of Wellington’s annual Holiday Food Drive and Holiday Toy Drive. Wellington is partnering with Wellington Regional Medical Center for the annual Holiday Food Drive and the Wellington Community Foundation for the annual Holiday Toy Drive. All donations will directly benefit local families in need during the holiday season.

that’s spent for affordable housing, healthcare — that is our investment money that earns extra income to allow us to have more money to put in those buckets,” he said. “When there’s talk about defunding or shifting bonds, that’s our investment money that’s primarily reserve dollars that need to stay in place. That money cannot be used for other funding.” Commissioners announced a recess, and deputies subsequently removed those who were at the

Food and toy donations can be dropped off at the following village locations: Thursday Nights in Wellington at the Wellington Amphitheater, 12100 W. Forest Hill Blvd.; the Wellington Tennis Center, 3100 Lyons Road; Wellington Village Hall, 12300 W. Forest Hill Blvd.; Village Park, 11700 Pierson Road; and the Wellington Community Center, 12150 W. Forest Hill Blvd. Community support helps make Wellington’s annual food and toy drives a success and provides much-needed assistance to

local families during the holiday season. Every donation helps bring comfort and joy to neighbors in need. Wellington residents in need of assistance during the holiday season may contact the Wellington Community Center at (561) 7532484 for more information. Partnership opportunities are still available for this year’s Holiday Food Drive and Holiday Toy Drive. Organizations interested in partnering with the village should call Jenifer Brito at (561) 7532476 for more information.

The Florida League of Cities, the united voice for Florida’s municipal governments, recently announced that Royal Palm Beach Vice Mayor Sylvia Sharps has been appointed to serve on the Florida League of Cities 2026-27 Utilities, Natural Resources and Public Works Committee, one of the league’s five Legislative Policy Committees. Legislative Policy Committee chairs, vice chairs and members were appointed by Florida League of Cities President Mark Franks, mayor of Shalimar. As a Legislative Policy Committee member, Sharps will help develop the league’s Legislative

Platform, which details priority issues that are most likely to affect daily municipal governance and local decision-making during the upcoming legislative session, as well as help league staff understand the real-world implications of proposed legislation. Committee members are also asked to serve as advocates for local decision-making throughout the legislative process. “I am looking forward to working with other elected officials from municipalities throughout the State of Florida and being a voice for the residents of Royal Palm Beach,” Sharps said.

Related Ross Closes On Land Acquisition For Village Landing

Developer Related Ross this month announced it has closed on the land for Village Landing, its planned mixed-use development at the intersection of Stribling Way and State Road 7 in Wellington. The closing marks a significant milestone as Related Ross advances retail and restaurant leasing and prepares for an anticipated groundbreaking this fall. Village Landing will introduce a new walkable village center to Wellington, with a 180-room hotel and more than 300,000 combined square feet of retail, office and restaurant space. Six connected plazas and green spaces will form the heart of Village Landing, anchored by a village square and lakefront boardwalk. The development marks Related Ross’s first major South Florida expansion beyond West Palm Beach, and also includes planned roadway and intersection improvements to make the surrounding area easier to navigate. “Village Landing reflects the kind of investment that Wellington residents have asked for, a place to shop, dine, gather and spend time together closer to home,” said Kevin Ryan, executive vice president of Related Ross. “Our

goal is to create a village center that complements what is already special about Wellington while adding the everyday amenities, restaurants, experiences and connections that are designed to serve the western communities of Palm Beach County. Closing on the land brings us one step closer to bringing that vision to life.” Related Ross is planning more than 80 shops along with daytime cafés, market concepts and destination restaurants, many located around the lake. Village Landing will also host community programming including farmers markets, holiday festivals, fun runs, pop-ups and local celebrations, while serving as an everyday place for families and neighbors to spend time together. “Wellington’s future is incredibly bright, and Village Landing represents an exciting next chapter for our community,” Wellington Mayor Michael Napoleone said. “This project will bring new dining, shopping and entertainment options to Wellington while creating a gathering place our residents can enjoy. I’m excited to see the vision begin to take shape and look forward to what it will add to our community.”

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Conveniently Located at the Corner of Forest Hill Blvd. and Wellington Trace. PRIVATE SCHOOL

NEWSPAPER & MAGAZINE PUBLISHERS

United States Post Office

#1 Education Place 561-753-6563

Town-Crier Newspaper Wellington The Magazine / Royal Palm The Magazine

561-793-7606

Wellington Collegiate Academy 561-784-1776

MEN & LADIES ALTERATIONS

RESTAURANT

PEDIATRICIAN

GENERAL DENTISTRY

Nutinfits 561-795-3278

Raja Indian Cuisine 561-855-2765

Dr. Rosa Fernandez, M.D. 561-793-3232

Dr. Steven Miller, DDS 561-798-8023

CHILDREN’S PRE-SCHOOL

ORAL & MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

BICYCLE SALES & REPAIR

Children’s House of Wellington 561-790-3748

Dr. Michael Harris 561-204-3242

Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce 561-790-6200

Cycle Fit Studio 561-795-3038

MED SPA, REJUVENATION & SEXUAL WELLNESS CENTER

GENERAL INSURANCE

PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

SYNAGOGUE

CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

VETERINARIAN

AEROSPACE COMPONENT SALES

ENGINEERING SERVICES

Calla Genics 561-252-5398

Chris Barker Insurance 561-242-3603

Children’s Pediatric Dentistry 561-793-7515

Temple B’nai Jacob 561-793-4347 www.templebnaijacob.org

Spillane & Zahul, CPAs 561-790-1488

Animal Medical Clinic 561-798-2900

AeroGear Telemetry 561-223-2590

RJ Behar & Company 561-333-7201

MORTGAGE BROKER

BARBERSHOP

BOOT & SHOE REPAIR

MARTIAL ARTS

TITLE INSURANCE

NAIL SALON

CUSTOM BOOTS & SHOES

COMPUTER SERVICE & REPAIR

Sunvest Mortgage Group 561-337-4848

Arturo Fashion Cuts 561-328-7176

Woody’s of Wellington 561-798-1440

Villari’s Studios of Self Defense 561-792-1100

South Shore Title, Inc. 561-798-9092

Glamorous Nail Spa 561-422-8882

La Mundial 561-459-1629

PC Pros of Wellington 561-420-0554

LITIGATORS

TUTORING AND TEST PREP

HAIR SALON

EQUINE INSURANCE

PSYCHOTHERAPIST

FINANCIAL CONSULTANT

REAL ESTATE

WELLINGTON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

Florida Litigators 561-463-8444

Sapneil Tutoring 305-968-6364

Isabel Beauty Salon 561-633-6586

Marshall & Sterling Insurance 561-318-5604

Andrea Karpel, LCSW, LLC www.therapyofwellington.com

Dunamis Advisors, RIA 561-313-0535

The Fabbri Group Concierge Properties

CAREGIVER SERVICES

GENERAL INSURANCE

MAKE & TAKE ART STUDIO

NRI INSTITUTE OF HEALTH SCIENCES

U.S. POST OFFICE

(GRADES 1 -12)

Wellington Mall Center Court

561-444-7230

www.dunamiscapitaladvisors.com

561-468-7653

PRIVATE SCHOOL

561-281-3603

WWW.WELLINGTONCOMMUNITYFOUNDATION.ORG

Leasing Information Call

Chris Santamaria 561-793-4500 True Angel Care Services Inc. 954-326-8551

BRIGHTWAY INSURANCE 561-331-6652

WOOD • PAPER •GLASS 561-557-9583

Nursing School 561-688-5112

Page 8 September 18 - October 1, 2026

The Town-Crier

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The

The Town-Crier

www.gotowncrier.com

September 18 - October 1, 2026 Page 9

Conveniently Located at the Corner of Forest Hill Blvd. and Wellington Trace. PRIVATE SCHOOL

NEWSPAPER & MAGAZINE PUBLISHERS

United States Post Office

#1 Education Place 561-753-6563

Town-Crier Newspaper Wellington The Magazine / Royal Palm The Magazine

561-793-7606

Wellington Collegiate Academy 561-784-1776

MEN & LADIES ALTERATIONS

RESTAURANT

PEDIATRICIAN

GENERAL DENTISTRY

Nutinfits 561-795-3278

Raja Indian Cuisine 561-855-2765

Dr. Rosa Fernandez, M.D. 561-793-3232

Dr. Steven Miller, DDS 561-798-8023

CHILDREN’S PRE-SCHOOL

ORAL & MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

BICYCLE SALES & REPAIR

Children’s House of Wellington 561-790-3748

Dr. Michael Harris 561-204-3242

Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce 561-790-6200

Cycle Fit Studio 561-795-3038

MED SPA, REJUVENATION & SEXUAL WELLNESS CENTER

GENERAL INSURANCE

PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

SYNAGOGUE

CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

VETERINARIAN

AEROSPACE COMPONENT SALES

ENGINEERING SERVICES

Calla Genics 561-252-5398

Chris Barker Insurance 561-242-3603

Children’s Pediatric Dentistry 561-793-7515

Temple B’nai Jacob 561-793-4347 www.templebnaijacob.org

Spillane & Zahul, CPAs 561-790-1488

Animal Medical Clinic 561-798-2900

AeroGear Telemetry 561-223-2590

RJ Behar & Company 561-333-7201

MORTGAGE BROKER

BARBERSHOP

BOOT & SHOE REPAIR

MARTIAL ARTS

TITLE INSURANCE

NAIL SALON

CUSTOM BOOTS & SHOES

COMPUTER SERVICE & REPAIR

Sunvest Mortgage Group 561-337-4848

Arturo Fashion Cuts 561-328-7176

Woody’s of Wellington 561-798-1440

Villari’s Studios of Self Defense 561-792-1100

South Shore Title, Inc. 561-798-9092

Glamorous Nail Spa 561-422-8882

La Mundial 561-459-1629

PC Pros of Wellington 561-420-0554

LITIGATORS

TUTORING AND TEST PREP

HAIR SALON

EQUINE INSURANCE

PSYCHOTHERAPIST

FINANCIAL CONSULTANT

REAL ESTATE

WELLINGTON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

Florida Litigators 561-463-8444

Sapneil Tutoring 305-968-6364

Isabel Beauty Salon 561-633-6586

Marshall & Sterling Insurance 561-318-5604

Andrea Karpel, LCSW, LLC www.therapyofwellington.com

Dunamis Advisors, RIA 561-313-0535

The Fabbri Group Concierge Properties

CAREGIVER SERVICES

GENERAL INSURANCE

MAKE & TAKE ART STUDIO

NRI INSTITUTE OF HEALTH SCIENCES

U.S. POST OFFICE

(GRADES 1 -12)

Wellington Mall Center Court

561-444-7230

www.dunamiscapitaladvisors.com

561-468-7653

PRIVATE SCHOOL

561-281-3603

WWW.WELLINGTONCOMMUNITYFOUNDATION.ORG

Leasing Information Call

Chris Santamaria 561-793-4500 True Angel Care Services Inc. 954-326-8551

BRIGHTWAY INSURANCE 561-331-6652

WOOD • PAPER •GLASS 561-557-9583

Nursing School 561-688-5112

Page 10

September 18 - October 1, 2026

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September 18 - October 1, 2026

Page 11

NEWS

Quantum Foundation Awards More Than $1 Million In Grants To Strengthen Health Of The Community

The Quantum Foundation awarded a total of $1,091,400 in grants during the first and second quarters of 2026, supporting 19 nonprofit organizations working to improve the health and well-being of Palm Beach County residents. The grants fund programs that address food security, healthcare access, behavioral health, workforce development and family stability across the county. Among the early 2026 grant recipients is the Edna W. Runner Education Center, which received a $56,900 grant to expand its Nourishing Futures food security program for at-risk youth. The year-round initiative provides healthy after-school snacks, summer meals, weekend food bags

District 94

Three Candidates Seeking Seat

continued from page 3 local water supplies, strain energy infrastructure, create noise and traffic, and impact quality of life.” She pledges to oppose data centers without “meaningful community support.” Barrow’s stance is even stronger. He states on his site that no data center should be approved without the direct consent of local residents, not by governmental representatives. Weinberger, who visited with Arden residents during the recent battle over the proposed data center at nearby 20-Mile Bend, acknowledges that data centers are necessary but adds that location is key. “The need for [AI data centers] is great, but they can be dangerous if they are too close,” she told the Town-Crier earlier this year. Weinberger has said, however, that because the technology is so new, she does not believe legislators should rush in to regulate it. Another major focus for Holmes, who earned an education degree from Florida Atlantic University, is public education. She taught English in the Palm Beach County School District for 13 years and now works with

and nutrition education for 127 K-8 students and their families, helping ensure that children have reliable access to nutritious food when school meals are unavailable. The foundation’s investment will specifically support healthy after-school snacks and weekend food bags for children and families facing the greatest need. Nourishing Futures builds upon an earlier pilot launched before the pandemic through a small grant. While that program concluded as emergency food resources expanded during COVID-19, growing community demand prompted the center to bring the initiative back and expand its reach to serve more local families. “Every child deserves reli-

able access to nutritious food so they can learn, grow and thrive,” said Travis Conway, executive director of the Edna W. Runner Education Center. “Thanks to Quantum Foundation’s continued partnership, we’re able to provide children and families with consistent access to healthy meals and snacks while helping remove one of the biggest barriers to academic success and overall well-being.” This latest award builds upon the Quantum Foundation’s ongoing partnership with the Edna W. Runner Education Center. In 2024, the foundation awarded the organization a $65,000 grant to purchase a new bus, helping expand transportation access for the children and families it serves.

special needs students, especially those with autism. Holmes centers her education policy on supporting teachers — including pay increases, improving classroom resources and ensuring that public funding is used to benefit students. According to the National Education Association’s most recent Rankings & Estimates report (released April 2026, covering 2024-25), Florida ranks 50th out of 50 states for average teacher salary at $56,663. While there should be educational options, today’s school choice plans are “not realistic” for many families, Holmes said. “You can’t have strong communities without strong schools,” Holmes said. “[Florida] needs to pay teachers better.” The School District of Palm Beach County, in particular, has lost some 7,000 students between the start of school in 2025 and the opening day of 2026. The loss could cost local schools tens of millions in state funding and force more layoffs. Weinberger, who was home schooled, said that local public schools should “look at this as an opportunity to raise the bar… and be more competitive.” She also said that schools should place greater emphasis on workforce learning as a way to change the trajectory of many students who are not interested in traditional college-bound academics. Weinberger added that the same is true for special needs children

and adults who, with the right training and support, can flourish. Her legislative focus on people with special needs comes from her own experience, she said, having grown up with a foster sister with Down syndrome. “I feel how overlooked they are,” she said. “I’ll always be a voice for the voiceless.” Weinberger also has advocated for increased penalties for those who abuse animals. In 2025, she successfully introduced Dexter’s Law, which requires the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to post online the names of individuals convicted of specified animal cruelty offenses and creates a sentencing multiplier for aggravated animal cruelty offenses. Holmes said that behind Weinberger’s caring veil, she is “the epitome of corruption.” “She’s not for the people,” Holmes said. “She’s just climbing the ladder for herself… [and] building her own fortune. Her priorities align with [President Donald] Trump’s.” Weinberger — sometimes referred to as “MAGA Meg” — was an early Trump supporter. He endorsed her in her 2024 race and again this year. Holmes has “mostly been focused on attacking me,” Weinberger said. “I’ve just been doing a lot of grassroots campaigning… knocking on doors and putting up signs… I’m focused on what I’m doing. I think you just have to run the race and be who you are.”

“Strong communities begin with healthy children and families,” Quantum Foundation President Eric Kelly said. “By investing in organizations like the Edna W. Runner Education Center, we’re helping ensure that young people have consistent access to nutritious food while supporting programs that improve health outcomes and create brighter futures throughout Palm Beach County.” The Quantum Foundation’s mission is to inspire and fund initiatives that improve the health of Palm Beach County residents. The health foundation was formed from $125 million in proceeds from the sale of JFK Medical Center. Now in its third decade of community investment, the foun-

Kids from the Edna W. Runner Education Center with snack bags. dation has assets of approximately dollar the foundation grants stays $172 million. Since its inception, in the county to benefit local comthe foundation has awarded $184 munities. For more information million to hundreds of Palm Beach about the grant process, visit www. County nonprofit grantees. Every quantumfnd.org/grant-eligibility.

‘Jonnie’ Screening And Q&A With Jonnie Jonckowski On Sept. 30

Jonnie Jonckowski is a Montana legend. She grew up with a passion for horses, natural athleticism and a relentless competitive drive. In her early 20s — just when her dream of becoming an Olympic pentathlete was within reach — she was permanently sidelined by a back injury. In search of a new challenge, Jonnie set her sights on an unlikely and incredibly dangerous pursuit: professional bull riding. On Wednesday, Sept. 30, Glazer Hall in Palm Beach presents an incredible feature-length documentary, in partnership with the Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce,

Urdaz

Raising Money And Awareness

continued from page 3 Foundation, works by delivering a copy of a working SCG gene that children with LGMD are missing, in order to slow or prevent the atrophy of their muscles. This can only be done in a limited time frame, because once muscles are gone, there is no way to rebuild them. The study is limited to children 13 and younger, making this the last eligible year for Urdaz’s eldest daughter. Should the study reopen, Urdaz hopes her oldest daughter might be

about Jonnie’s intrepid pursuit of a world title, how she defied gender stereotypes, and her mental and physical toughness as she battled with life-threatening injuries, poverty, heartbreak and assault. Now, four decades later, Jonnie still rises to meet strenuous challenges: rescuing abandoned horses, battling natural disasters and fiercely devoting herself to helping a community in need. A special Q&A with Jonnie Jonckowski will take place after the film, and there are a limited number of reception with meetand-greet tickets available.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and showtime is 7 p.m. The price is $45 for the film with Q&A, and an additional $45 for the reception with meet-and-greet add-on. Learn more at www.glazerhall. org/events/jonnie.

selected for one of the four spots that can change the trajectory of her life. While her oldest can’t stand up from the floor without assistance and her youngest can’t climb stairs and is often carried, this superhero single mom is doing everything she can to keep her daughters mobile, from physical therapy to driving across the state for medical appointments. On Saturday, Sept. 26, Urdaz is running a virtual 5K through the LGMD Awareness Foundation, and on Wednesday, Sept. 30, LGMD Awareness Day, Wellington Elementary School is hosting a wear green spirit day to raise awareness. “A disease like this can land in any family; it doesn’t ask permission. Hope isn’t naive here. There

is real science moving forward in real children, and we need more people to jump on board and push this forward,” Urdaz stressed. “We’re not powerless in this: a $10 registration, a shared post, a donation to CureSCG, just showing up and showing you care — every one of those is a real thread.” To explore CureSCG or make a tax-deductible donation toward the ATA-200 trial, visit www.curescg. org. To support the vital ATA-200 study through Urdaz, visit www. gofund.me/c86bf6bd4. Run with Urdaz on Saturday, Sept. 26 at 8 a.m. at Scott’s Place Playground, registering for your own Girdie 5K at www.lgmd-info. org/pl/5K. You can further support Urdaz and her family on Instagram @raisinglgmd.

LAKEFRONT SEASONAL RENTAL — 4 Bedroom/2.5 Bath

Oooh! Lots Of Room For Me To Play All Day!

Come take a look! Don & Maureen Gross,

Agent Group Realty, (561) 723-8461

SPECTACULAR furnished lakefront home centrally located in the heart of Wellington-close to all equestrian venues, restaurants and shopping! The easy open floor plan is centered around the living room/dining room/ gourmet kitchen with an eat-in area and family room. Vaulted ceilings and plenty of skylights create the open, airy feel to these main living areas. All of these rooms overlook the furnished patio area, gorgeous pool AND a full view of the lake! Imagine relaxing in your tropical oasis and having a nice BBQ with friends and family after a full day! There are 4 bedrooms (master split plan) and 2 1/2 baths. Call Don & Maureen Gross for details 561-723-8461

LOOKING FOR A NEW HOME CALL THE “REAL” REAL ESTATE ADVISORS, DONALD & MAUREEN GROSS

Donald Gross Maureen Gross 561-723-8461 561-714-0887

Service You Deserve From People You Trust

Rotary is looking to add a few good spokes to our Rotary Wheel.

Join us at one of our weekly meetings

Wellington Rotary

Meets Thursdays - 12:15 p.m. The Wanderer’s Club For additional information call Chris Warren, 561-350-7247

Royal Palm Beach Rotary Meets Tuesdays - 7:30 a.m. Hilary’s For additional information call Andre Blackwood 772-631-1716

Make lasting friendships. Enjoy good fellowship.

15380 Woodmar Ct, Wellington, FL 33414

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NEWS

District 93

Gerwig Vs. Mangeney

continued from page 1 cost of living. She explained that residents are seeing rising electricity, tax and insurance bills. “The whole time I’ve done public service, my priorities have been making life better for my community,” Gerwig said. “Right now, that comes down to affordability.” Property insurance is one of her main targets to address affordability in the state. Gerwig believes that the industry needs to be better regulated. While she supports private insurers being able to make a profit, she argues that there needs to be limits on how much these companies can make, similar to health and car insurers. Gerwig pointed to her record of pushing for bills that help residents save money and improve their quality of life. Those bills included shifting the back-to-school sales tax holiday to give parents more time to shop before school starts, legislation to make it easier and less expensive for former certified teachers to return to the classroom and giving school districts the flexibility to change their school start times. Before joining the legislature, Gerwig served as the mayor of

Jourgensen

National Conference

continued from page 1 need to trace back the origin of the information and understand its context. All of the evidence, context, quality and framing, must be examined. Finally, they can respond by questioning, correcting, sharing or walking away from the media. “The reason I thought of all this is [because] the only thing that really slows down speed is friction,” he said. “How can we apply friction online? The only thing that you can do is pause and wait. If everybody were to take five, 10, 15 seconds before they shared something and really thought about it, and slowed that dissemination of partial information, misinformation, whatever the case may be, that can help everybody as a whole.” This lesson and the “dihydrogen monoxide” demonstration are what he will be presenting to

Wellington and on several local boards. She considers this public service experience essential in understanding the community that she represents and how to work with other lawmakers to create legislation that supports residents’ best interests. “Having worked so long in this county, on all those boards and committees, was honestly a big leg up,” Gerwig said. “When I got to Tallahassee, while I may not have understood the process as well as others… what I did know was my community really well. I knew what services were provided here, how we can continue to strengthen those and not replicate those services elsewhere.” As a lifelong resident of South Florida, Gerwig experienced firsthand the rapid growth that the state has seen. She said that Florida has reached a point where development needs to slow down, and lawmakers need to consider first building infrastructure to support it. Growth needs to be strategic while also prioritizing some affordability through methods such as workforce housing, she said. On Amendment 3, which could significantly reduce municipalities’ tax revenue by raising homestead exemption rates, she is concerned about what it could mean for municipalities. Gerwig argued that if those tax reforms are imple-

mented, Palm Beach County will have to further help support poorer parts of the state who cannot make up for the lost revenue. If re-elected, Gerwig is committed to serving everyone in the community. She also believes that many of her policy initiatives benefit Floridians outside of her district, and already has goals in mind for next session, like working on bills targeting mental health and substance abuse. The legislature is slated to experience some leadership changes, which Gerwig sees as an opportunity to find new ways to support the interests of her constituents. “The more I get re-elected, the better committee assignments I get, the more effective I can be for this community,” she said. Learn more about Gerwig at www.annegerwig.com. August Mangeney — Centering his campaign around affordability and restoring the “American dream” in Florida, Mangeney wants to go to Tallahassee to help create a future that benefits all residents. “I chose to run for the seat because I don’t believe I’m raising my children in the Florida that I grew up in,” he said. “Florida used to be a place where people came from all over the country, because it was the best place they thought to achieve the American dream.”

educators from across the country at the National News Literacy Conference in Salt Lake City, presented by the News Literacy Project. The project is a nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to working with teachers and school districts to ensure that students in every state receive news literacy instruction during their high school career. This inaugural conference brings together educators from around the nation to share expertise and knowledge about K-12 news literacy education. Media and news literacy is especially important today, since news is coming to consumers at a constant, high-speed stream, according to Jourgensen. Current events aren’t just in a newspaper, magazine, or a morning and evening broadcast show; information is all around us all the time from online articles to Instagram algorithms and TikTok’s For You Page. Jourgensen noted that while we might feel we have to make decisions quicker about media at this pace, we should actually

pause to correctly evaluate its trustworthiness. He hopes that the students who take his class leave knowing that asking questions is a good thing. And, looking to the future, Jourgensen is cautiously optimistic. He has experienced the so-called technological doomsdays before with the advent of internet search engines and Wikipedia, and watched students come out the other side. He believes that teaching responsible usage of AI is the best way forward, and that people, business and the government need to realize the good and bad in AI and place parameters on it. “It is a tool and should be looked at and treated as that,” Jourgensen said of AI. “It shouldn’t be the whole toolbox.” For more information on Jourgensen and his upcoming book, visit www.ericjourgensen.com. To support Jourgensen’s journey to the 2026 National News Literacy Conference, visit www.gofund. me/da657c628. Meanwhile, learn more about the News Literacy Project at www.newslit.org.

Mangeney argues that the cost of living is pushing many people out of the state, and officials are increasingly catering to wealthy people at the expense of the middle class. He believes this is unsustainable and not great for most of the community. He identifies property insurance increases and unaffordable housing as two of the biggest factors creating this problem. If elected, Mangeney will support legislation that would require insurers to roll their reinsurance with other states and create tax incentives to encourage developers to build housing in more attainable price ranges. On Amendment 3, Mangeney characterizes it as a distraction from the property-insurance crisis. He is critical of whether it will truly provide relief to residents because municipalities will have to find other ways to compensate for the lost tax revenue. This can be through increasing fees or cutting services. He also supports local control over development and supports communities who oppose projects like data centers.

Awards

Top Cop And Firefighter

continued from page 1 praised Camilleri for his dedication to his job and willingness to take on additional work to support detectives and provide a better level of service to the community. “Jordan represents exactly what we want in a law enforcement professional,” Addazio said. “He is dedicated, proactive, highly knowledgeable and committed to making a lasting difference in the community that he serves.” Camilleri was born and raised in Wellington. He said he is grateful for the recognition and opportunity to serve the community he grew up in. “Receiving this award is a tremendous honor, but it also reminds me how fortunate I am to be in the position that I am,” he said. “I get to serve the community where I grew up, work alongside people I respect, and hopefully make a positive difference in the lives of the people we serve.” Council members thanked Camilleri for his service while also recognizing all deputies in attendance for helping keep Wellington safe. “Thank you, Deputy Camilleri, for your service,” Mayor Michael

Another major priority for Mangeney is public education. He explained that the Florida Legislature is continuing to find creative ways to take money out of the public school system. Mangeney supports funneling more money into public schools and teachers to ensure that students are given a proper education, which will promote better economic upward mobility. “I can’t think of anything more important that the state can do for its residents than to educate the next generation of Floridians,” he said. Mangeney believes that his unique background will give him an advantage on the floor in Tallahassee. He is a practicing attorney who specializes in insurance issues and has experience working as an aide in the Florida Legislature. But most importantly, he wants to approach being a lawmaker as a father, community member and resident who understands what is important to voters. If elected, Mangeney emphasized that he is not looking to

build a political career but instead is fully committed to serving his constituents. He said that many people have grown to be distrustful of lawmakers because of a focus and attention on issues not relevant to most voters. However, he wants to serve while being earnest and sincere, which Mangeney believes could encourage meaningful collaboration with other lawmakers. “I am running for office because I think it’s in the best interest of my community and my kids,” he said. “I don’t want to go to Tallahassee to fight culture wars. I’m not interested in getting invited onto cable news and running for some other office later. I want to go there and do something to make my community better.” Mangeney is a first-generation college graduate who attended Union College in Kentucky on a football scholarship. He later earned his law degree from the University of Miami. He and his wife Allison, a former schoolteacher, have two children. Learn more about Mangeney at www.augustmangeney.com.

Napoleone said. “We appreciate you. I love that you grew up in Wellington, and you are back here serving. I love the impact you’re having on our youth.” PBCFR Capt. Mike Grubba nominated Haythorn for his commitment to excellent patient care and fire service. Haythorn serves as lieutenant at Station 30 on Stribling Way near Equestrian Trails Elementary School. He has been at the same station for six years and plays a pivotal role in training and mentoring Battalion 2 paramedics, EMTs, probationary firefighters and future officers. Haythorn also serves as a drone operator, public information officer during disasters, inspector, aerial operator and rope rescue operator. PBCFR Division Chief Amanda Vomero read Grubba’s nomination letter to the council, which commended Haythorn’s focus on serving others and ability to stay calm under pressure while making thoughtful decisions. “Simply put, Lt. Haythorn embodies the very best of Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue,” she said. “If my own family was experiencing a crisis, and I could choose one person to respond, it would be Lt. Jason Haythorn.” With his family cheering behind him, Haythorn thanked the council for the recognition. “Thank you for what you do

every day,” Vice Mayor Maria Antuña said. “I know that you give up a lot of time with your family but know that we appreciate you very much.” In other business, the council approved an unchanged property tax rate of 2.47 mills for the upcoming fiscal year by a vote of 4-1 with Councilman Johnny Meier dissenting. The majority of the council supported keeping the millage rate the same, especially considering uncertainty over whether Amendment 3 will pass in November. The village’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2027 is $150.4 million, which is $5.5 million, or 3.5 percent less than the current year’s budget. This reduction is due to fewer capital improvements, the elimination of positions and no election expense. Staff emphasized that despite the lower budget, residents will still receive the same levels of service. “The council is committed to keeping Wellington’s tax burden as low as possible, and this budget reflects that mandate,” Deputy Village Manager Tanya Quickel said. “Staff didn’t wait to be told to find savings. We built this process around finding savings.” The council will vote to adopt the final millage rate and budget for fiscal year 2027 at their next meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 22.

JUNIOR PROGRAM DATES September 8 through November 18

Starting Date: September 14 Weekly: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday Time: 5:00 to 6:30 pm Fee: $1,000

The Wellington Rotary Club invites the Wellington Community to participate in our annual celebration of the United Nations World Peace Day.

Registration fees are non-refundable.

NEW STUDENTS (no prior rowing experience) Starting Date: September 8 Weekly: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday Time: 5:00 to 6:30 pm Fee: $1,075

Sunday, September 27~3pm Wellington Rotary Peace Park 1825 Royal Fern Drive The program includes: • PBC Sheriff’s Honor Guard • Students and Teachers from all Wellington Schools, who participated in contests for Peace Posters, Poems, and Essays. • We also celebrate a local member of the Wellington Community with a Peace Award and a local student to receive the “Student Motivational Award for Resolutions Today”. • Release of the Peace Doves

The United Nations World Peace Day is observed annually to strengthen the ideals of peace worldwide. It is dedicated to the absence of war and violence and serves as a call to action for all humanity to commit to building a culture of peace.

Temple B’nai Jacob of Wellington 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 6 • Wellington, FL 33414 • 561-793-4347 www.templebnaijacob.org • templebnaijacob@gmail.com

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Page 13

NEWS

CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS CELEBRATION AT PALM BEACH SKATE ZONE The Kids Cancer Foundation held a Childhood Cancer Awareness Celebration on Saturday, Sept. 5 at the Palm Beach Skate Zone. KCF children and families came to the skating rink for a fun afternoon of ice skating and activities. Learn more about the Kids Cancer Foundation at www.kidscancersf.org. PHOTOS BY BABETTE GUZIK/TOWN-CRIER

The Sanders family gets ready to skate.

Dominic Ginardi with his mother.

Kids Cancer Foundation crew members Lois Spatz, Megan Smith, founder Michelle O’Boyle holding Gemma Smith, Sara Wishengrad holding Hailey Smith, Marla Pipkins and Franchesca Cuparo.

Matt Jurgens helps steer his son Kayden.

Amy Gallano is all smiles as she gets a ride around the ice. Juniper Hoffman glides around the rink.

AJ Giorgetti gets some help lacing up.

Emily Dettmann makes it look easy.

Mom Stephanie Zaky pushes her sons Lucas and Noah.

Slater Bushman with his dad Shane.

Kylie Padilla takes to the ice.

Julian Medina enjoys a push from mom Elizabeth Figueroa.

Jason Raguz with his daughter Carmella.

Lorelai and Kelly Price help serve refreshments.

WOMEN OF THE WESTERN COMMUNITIES DINNER AT WELLINGTON NATIONAL

The Women of the Western Communities opened its new season with a dinner on Thursday, Sept. 3 at the Wellington National Golf Club. The meeting supported Forgotten Soldiers Outreach, the Tree of Life Resource Center and Michael’s Voice. PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Mair Armand with Eileen Wiesen of Pampered Chef, who gave a check to the scholarship fund.

(Seated) Shannon Kane, Mary DeSantis, Christine Vocaturo and Kerrilynn Collins with (standing) Joan Imperatore, Nikki Stinson, Madeline Gonzalez and Ramona Dahlen.

Joan Imperatore, Lizz Smith, Nikki Stinson, Maggie Zeller, Maureen Gross and Elizabeth Accomando.

Michael’s Voice CEO Sylvia Sharps receives a donation from Mary Chesley. Sheena Romano and Flor Garcia.

(Seated) Jeanne Durden and Barbara Wilders with (standing) Dr. Jolene Reiter and Susan Vogt.

Donna Banno, Pam Ford and Teresa Harrington.

Lynda Chicano, Maggie Zeller and Donna Kuebler.

WWC President Michelle Haines, Elissa Sheinkin, Meghan Mayo and Eileen Wiesen.

ANNUAL 9/11 OBSERVANCE RETURNS TO MISSION BBQ ROYAL PALM BEACH

Mission BBQ in Royal Palm Beach held the 9/11 observance on Friday, Sept. 11 to remember the 25th anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks. Rain moved the observance indoors, but there was strong attendance from representatives of Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. First responders received a free sandwich. PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Darlene Geiger and Peter Caravello.

PBCFR’s Mike Davila, Brandon Yurick, Amanda Greaux, Brian Chi, Rich Cioffoletti, Dave Hannigan, Rob Little and Ashley Albritton. Denise Waller with PBSO representatives.

The Royal Palm Beach High School Navy JROTC Color Guard with visiting Marines. Included are Marine Sgt. Young, Abigail Chrysostome, Violeta Stokes, David Gonzalez, Aiden Castillo, Bryan Kornegay, Arianna Pulliam, Audrey Sandoval, Adriel Lopez-Morell, Gabriel Sinnott, Molens Justilien and Marine Staff Sgt. Telvi.

Mission BBQ emcee Heather Wagner with Ryan McGlynn, who sang the national anthem.

Pink Pumper lead driver Rich Cioffoletti and Dave Hannigan.

Page 14

September 18 - October 1, 2026

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NEWS

REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY IN WESTLAKE HONORS MEMORY OF 9/11 VICTIMS The inaugural 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony was held Friday, Sept. 11 at the Westlake Adventure Park Lodge. The event was organized and led by Westlake resident Bobby Farber of the 9/11 Remembrance & First Responder Group. The ceremony honored the lives lost as a result of the 2001 terror attacks 25 years ago. Attendees heard first-hand accounts of those at Ground Zero, including Farber, and those who lost loved ones. PHOTOS BY FRANK KOESTER/TOWN-CRIER

Jeff Garten addresses the gathering.

Bobby Farber of the 9/11 Remembrance & First Responder Group opens the ceremony.

Courtney Sosna shares her reflections on losing her FDNY father.

PBCFR Chaplain Vincent Muller offers the invocation.

Elected officials, dignitaries and members of the Westlake community turn out to honor those lost 25 years ago.

Retired NYPD Detective Vivian Rodriguez shares her reflections on 9/11.

Westlake Mayor JohnPaul O’Connor speaks at the event.

PBSO Capt. Michael Kletzky shares his reflections.

The PBSO Honor Guard holds the flags.

The Acreage Pines Elementary School chorus sings the national anthem.

Girl Scout Troop 24570 leads the Pledge of Allegiance with help from Bobby Farber.

“Taps” concludes the 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony.

Gretta Lang and Enna Alfaro place the wreath to honor the victims.

The PBSO Honor Guard during the Presentation of Colors.

Tricia and Beckham Schatz hold up a flag.

PBCFR Division Chief Amanda Vomero speaks about the 25th anniversary of 9/11.

9/11 Remembrance & First Responder Group President Bobby Farber received a City of Westlake coin from Mayor JohnPaul O’Connor.

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NEWS

THIRD ANNUAL WESTLAKE 5K HELPS MARK THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11

The City of Westlake hosted its third annual 5K event on Saturday, Sept. 12. This year, the event was themed “Remembering 9/11” in honor of the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. The event supported both local schools and the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which honors America’s fallen military heroes and first responders along with their families. The event was open to anyone who wished to run, walk or participate. Awards were presented to the top three overall finishers, as well as winners across various age groups. Everyone who completed the 5K received a PHOTOS BY FRANK KOESTER/TOWN-CRIER medal for their participation.

Sponsor Dr. Jean Russell of Dental Care at Seminole Ridge shares some opening remarks.

Westlake Mayor JohnPaul O’Connor opens the pre-race ceremony.

Participants gather by a sign honoring the anniversary of 9/11.

Runners gather at the starting line. Runners get ready for the race listening to the national anthem. The 5K race gets underway.

The overall first place finisher was Jarred Harriott.

Westlake’s Stanley Chae was the third-place finisher.

The first-place female finisher was Judith Nguyen.

RJ Kreitzman, Eddie Dixon and Ben Myers ran for a fallen friend.

Gabriela Luna shows off her medal.

Patti Patrick holds up a sign supporting runners.

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Runners head toward the 5K finish line.

Spencer Chae, Stanley Chae and Robert Chae with their medals.

Jada Hansen and Giszelle Williams with their completion medals.

Participants take part in the 5K event.

Page 16

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SPORTS & REC, PAGES 17-20 • PEOPLE, PAGE 21 • SCHOOLS, PAGE 22 • BUSINESS, PAGE 23 • COLUMNS, PAGE 24 • CLASSIFIEDS, PAGES 25-26

SPORTS & RECREATION

BRONCOS RETAIN WELLINGTON CUP WITH 21-14 VICTORY OVER WOLVERINES

On Thursday, Sept. 10, Palm Beach Central High School visited Wellington High School for their annual gridiron battle to see which team would take ownership of the Wellington Cup for the next 12 months. Both teams entered this year’s clash with identical 3-0 records. After four quarters of play, the visiting Broncos scored three touchdowns, while Wellington reached the end zone twice, for a final score of 21-14 in favor of Palm Beach Central. The Broncos were led by sophomore quarterback Isaiah Hamilton, who completed 13-of-23 passes for 184 yards and two touchdowns. Both touchdown passes were caught by junior wide receiver Logan Lindsey Hartwig. In the game, Hartwig caught five passes for 83 yards. Senior running back Jamarlo Rawls scored the third Bronco touchdown. PHOTOS BY BABETTE GUZIK/TOWN-CRIER

Wellington quarterback Makhi Price looks for his opening.

Bronco Giovanni Watlington kicks the extra point.

The Wolverines take the field, led by junior Rhys Lewis, sophomore Omarion Brooks and junior Danhoi Williams.

Wellington’s Tarrens Catul is outnumbered by the Bronco defense. Sophomore Jay’Lan Tyler carries the ball for Wellington.

In a moment of good cheer, the PBCHS and WHS cheer squads pose together, led by head coaches Ashley Wayne (PBCHS) and Heather Brodnicki (WHS).

PBCHS wide receiver Logan Lindsey Hartwig scores for the Broncos.

Palm Beach Central quarterback Isaiah Hamilton runs the ball.

PBCHS senior Nazier Watkins carries the Wellington Cup.

The victorious Broncos hoist the Wellington Cup.

P.B. Central And TKA Remain Unbeaten In High School Football

By Mike May Town-Crier Staff Report Going into week five of the high school football season, four of the varsity teams in the western communities are ranked in the most recent Super 25 High School Football Poll. Palm Beach Central High School (4-0) is ranked third, the King’s Academy (5-0) is ranked ninth, Royal Palm Beach High School (2-1) is listed 10th and Wellington High School (3-1) is ranked 12th. Palm Beach Central High School —On Thursday, Sept. 10, Palm Beach Central traveled to Wellington High School for the annual Wellington Cup game, returning victorious with a 21-14 win. Going into the game, the Broncos had won the last nine Wellington Cup games. PBCHS head football coach Kevin Thompson enjoyed the win but said that his team must play better for the rest of the season in order to have a deep post-season run this fall. “It was a messy win,”

he said. “We aspire to play better, and we must play better for the rest of the season. I must say that Wellington is a much-improved team.” Prior to defeating Wellington, the Broncos picked up their third win of the year when they defeated Dr. Joaquín García High School 24-12 on Thursday, Sept. 3. Now, with a 4-0 record, the Broncos have a bye week on Friday, Sept. 18. This past week, the Broncos have been resting and recovering from four straight weeks of hard-hitting games. “Our focus this past week has been to get our players healthy and to study film to see where we can improve,” Thompson said. Thompson is especially proud of his defense. “The last two games, our defense has been playing lights out,” he said. The Broncos will seek their fifth win of the year when they travel to play at Palm Beach Lakes High School on Friday, Sept. 25. The following week, on Friday, Oct. 2,

the Broncos will host another rival school when Royal Palm Beach High School visits. Wellington High School — On Thursday, Sept. 3, the week before the Wellington Cup game, Wellington defeated Fort Pierce Westwood Academy, 26-0. Looking ahead, the Wolverines (3-1) have a bye week on Friday, Sept. 18. The Wolverines return to the gridiron on Friday, Sept. 25, when they host Jupiter High School. On Friday, Oct. 2, Wellington will travel to Lake Worth High School to play the Trojans. So far this season, Wellington’s statistical leaders are sophomore wide receiver Tarrens Catul, who is averaging 52 receiving yards a game; sophomore running back Jay’Lan Tyler, who is averaging 73.7 rushing yards a game; and senior linebacker Dylan Miller, who is averaging 11 tackles a game. Both Catul and Tyler have scored two touchdowns each this year. Wellington head coach Pete Walker said that he and his team

will not dwell on the Wellington Cup loss. “Although we are very disappointed in the outcome, we are encouraged that we continued to fight until the end of the game,” Walker said. “We remain focused on being more disciplined and paying attention to details going forward.” Royal Palm Beach High School — The Wildcats, now pursuing their third straight winning season, are off to another strong start, though their season is about to get congested with three games in less than two weeks because of an upcoming make-up game. After week one’s home game against Broward County’s Archbishop McCarthy High School was postponed due to inclement weather, the Wildcats opened the season with a gut-wrenching 16-14 home loss to Pahokee High School on Friday, Aug. 28. Pahokee won with a long touchdown pass on the game’s last play. “We lost on a 75-yard Hail Mary

The Royal Palm Beach High School 2026 varsity football team. pass,” RPBHS head coach Samuel Sept. 18, the Wildcats (2-1) will Curry said. “It was a double-pass play three games in 12 days, two Hail Mary where a Pahokee re- of which will be on the road, startceiver was behind our last man. It ing with a home game make-up was a tough loss.” against Archbishop McCarthy on The next two weeks, Royal Tuesday, Sept. 22, followed by a Palm Beach responded with two regularly scheduled game at South road wins — a 48-13 victory at Fork High School on Friday, Sept. Martin County High School on 25, before heading to Palm Beach Friday, Sept. 4 and a hard-fought Central on Friday, Oct. 2. 10-7 win against Glades Central After three games, senior runHigh School on Thursday, Sept. ning back Demetrice Rolle is 10 in Belle Glade. Royal Palm Beach’s top runner After a bye week on Friday, See FOOTBALL, page 20

Miami Dolphins Donate Gridiron Gifts To RPBHS Football Program

By Mike May Town-Crier Staff Report Tuesday, Sept. 15 will be a day that members of the Royal Palm Beach High School varsity and

Players look at a van filled with football merchandise donated by the Dolphins.

junior varsity football teams — and their coaches — will always remember. It wasn’t a “Christmas in July” moment, but rather a “Christmas in September” experience. On Sept. 15, community relations representatives from the Miami Dolphins, joined by former Dolphins wide receiver James McKnight, showed up to present a truckload of football-specific gear as a donation to help support the RPBHS football program. According to RPBHS Athletic Director Eric Patterson, the delivery was confirmed in August, but the news of the delivery was a surprise to the high school’s football players. When the Miami Dolphins delivery truck drove on campus, it was clear which organization had arrived, as the words “Miami

Dolphins” were splashed on the sides of the trailer alongside three enlarged images of the Dolphins’ helmet, all surrounded by a sea of aqua-colored paint. In addition to the football players, their coaches and Patterson, RPBHS Principal Dr. Shakeica Robinson, the school’s administrators and athletic department personnel were also on hand to greet the “football ambassadors” from the Dolphins organization. The list of some of the items donated included leather footballs from Wilson Sporting Goods, practice uniforms, many pairs of cleats, tackling rings, step-over pads, baseball-style caps, bucket hats, water boy carts and many T-shirts. “The donation was made through the Miami Dolphins and Baptist Health to help support

football in South Florida,” Patterson said. In addition to being present to hand out merchandise, McKnight shared a few words of wisdom with Royal Palm Beach’s young football players. McKnight was an undrafted prospect out of Liberty University who played in the NFL from 1994 to 2004. Three of those seasons — 2001 to 2003 — were spent playing for the Dolphins. “James McKnight shared some inspiring words with the players about his experiences as a professional football player and his journey getting to the NFL,” Patterson said. RPBHS head football coach Sam Curry was impressed by the sincere generosity of the Dolphins. “I am grateful for anything someone gives us,” Curry said.

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“We were given a two-man MOD sled that we will get some good usage out of and a few half bags to split up amongst the position groups. We also received some guardian caps to protect the players’ heads.”

The Wildcats are currently 2-1 on the season. Their next game will be on Tuesday, Sept. 22 when they host the Archbishop McCarthy Mavericks. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

Royal Palm Beach High School players with donated merchandise from the Miami Dolphins. PHOTOS BY ERIC PATTERSON

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SPORTS & RECREATION

Seminole Ridge Girls Volleyball Team Continues Winning Ways

By Mike May Town-Crier Staff Report Seminole Ridge High School has been fielding a girls varsity volleyball team since the school first opened in 2005. However, the team has yet to win a post-season district tournament title. Well, this year, that winless streak may come to an end. The Hawks are off to a tremendous start this season. After 15 games, the squad is 14-1. Their only blemish was a close loss to Metro Christian Academy from Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Sept. 4

during the KSA Events tournament in Orlando. Seminole Ridge head coach Scott Barnwell realizes that this year’s squad has the potential to make life-long memories for themselves and the school’s girls volleyball program. “The girls have been playing as one unit, and their effort has been nothing short of phenomenal,” said Barnwell, who also serves as a dean of students at Seminole Ridge. According to Barnwell, many on the team have been playing at

Seminole Ridge’s senior captain Abi Chin Lee with a return.

the top of their game this season, which has been key to the overall success. One of those team leaders is senior captain Abi Chin Lee. “Abi Chin Lee has been outstanding this season and is leading the State of Florida in kills with 232 and sixth in the state with 148 digs,” Barnwell said. “Dominika Hilton has also been a huge contributor and is No. 1 in the state with 193 digs. Kamryn Olson, Aliyah Giannetto, Ava Clearwater, Leah Gailey, Gracie LaCroix, Ivanna Cappiello and Giulia Freitas have been absolutely pivotal in our success this season.” Barnwell said that his squad’s team unity on defense has been the foundation of their success. “Our focal point will always be defense first and to continue to play as one unit on the court,” he said. “This is definitely the best team I have had at Seminole Ridge.” Barnwell added that one of his team’s biggest strengths is its collective, focused, team-oriented and positive mental attitude. “We are only worried about ourselves,” Barnwell said. “The kids are great about that and just want to focus on getting better each and every day they step on the court.” If the team from Seminole Ridge continues its winning ways,

there will be many more days for Barnwell’s players to continue stepping on the court. The regular season comes to a close on Thursday, Oct. 8. The Florida High School Athletic Association’s (FHSAA) Class 5A, District 13 tournament begins on Monday, Oct. 12. The state tournament starts on Wednesday, Oct. 21 with the Class 5A state championship game set for Saturday, Nov. 7 at 1 p.m. in Winter Haven at the Winter Haven Sports Center. All those dates and games are on Barnwell’s schedule. Naturally, he is focused on getting his team to run the gamut from beginning to end, which will be quite an achievement for a program that has yet to win a district title. In other high school volleyball news: • The King’s Academy is 6-1 after its first seven matches. For TKA, senior outside hitter Miranda Knoll is leading the team in kills per set (4.6), hitting percentage (.302), digs per set (2.6), serving aces (15), total digs (50) and total kills (87). • Berean Christian School is continuing to put together the finest girls volleyball season in school history. The Bulldogs are 8-1 after nine matches and are ranked 11th in the latest FHSAA Class 1A poll. • After 13 games, Wellington

Dominika Hilton serves for Seminole Ridge.

PHOTOS BY RICHARD AREYZAGA JR.

High School is 7-6. Senior setter Kristin Hagerty is leading WHS in three offensive categories — assists (191), serving aces (28) and aces per set (0.7). • While the Palm Beach Central High School volleyball team has a losing record of 3-6 after nine matches, they are currently riding

a two-match winning streak. • Royal Palm Beach High School’s girls volleyball team is 6-4 after 10 matches. Senior outside hitter Leslie Mentor is leading the Wildcats in four offensive categories — kills per set (2.7), total kills (74), serving aces (33) and aces per set (1.2).

Brooke Bogatz Joins Wellington Sports Academy Basketball Staff

By Mike May Town-Crier Staff Report Longtime Palm Beach County resident and current Wellington resident Brooke Bogatz is one of the latest coaching hires at the Wellington Sports Academy (WSA). In late August, Bogatz agreed to be the WSA’s varsity head coach for the women’s basketball program. She will also serve as the assistant coach for Anthony McCutcheon, who is the head coach for the WSA’s national women’s basketball team. Bogatz has a long history of playing basketball in Palm Beach County and throughout South Florida. In addition to playing varsity basketball at Park Vista High School, where she graduated from in 2020, she also played for the Wellington Wolves, which are also based at Village Park in Wellington. After high school, Bogatz en-

rolled at St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens. She played four years of college basketball for St. Thomas as a guard, which plays within the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). When she graduated from St. Thomas University in 2025, she earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in sports administration. During her time at the WSA, Bogatz will play a major role in the women’s basketball program. She will oversee daily practice sessions, daily skill development and weight training. She will also provide individual tutorial sessions on key guard skills, such as dribbling, driving, passing and shooting. Bogatz has experience coaching both boys and girls basketball. Her most recent coaching assignment was with Perseverance Basketball, which is based in Riviera Beach.

Brooke Bogatz, shown here during her time at Perseverance Basketball, has experience coaching both boys and girls.

Brooke Bogatz on the court playing for St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens during her collegiate days.

Page 20

September 18 - October 1, 2026

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SPORTS & RECREATION

Football

TKA Still Undefeated

Alex Kushel, Committee Member Nancy Vera, CEO Kristin Calder and Committee Chair Adam Hodges.

Literacy Coalition Debuts New Golf Tournament

The Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County will host the Fairways for Literacy golf tournament on Friday, Oct. 23 at the Nest Par 3 at the Sandhill Crane Golf Club in Palm Beach Gardens. The fundraiser will benefit literacy programs countywide and support efforts to connect children, adults and families with the literacy skills and educational opportunities they need to succeed in school, at work and in life. “Fairways for Literacy is about more than a round of golf,” Literacy Coalition CEO Kristin Calder said. “We’re bringing our community together for a fun and memorable event while raising critical funds to help local children, adults and families build the literacy skills they need to succeed. We hope everyone will

come out, play for literacy and stay to celebrate the impact we can make together.” The event will begin with a Par 3 tournament at 2 p.m., followed by an evening social at 5 p.m. featuring dinner, drinks, golf challenges, TrackMan driving range bays, contests and family-friendly activities. Literacy Coalition Board Member Adam Hodges is the chair of the tournament, and committee members include Caleb Bowser, Valrie Martin Buchanan, Travis Foels and Nancy Vera. The registration cost for a foursome is $1,200, and the cost for a tee sign is $300. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available. Learn more at www.literacypbc. org/event/fairways-for-literacy-2026.

Genbu-Kai Student Captures Gold

Students from Genbu-Kai Karate recently traveled to a sister school in Clinton Township, Michigan, to participate in their 25th anniversary seminar and tournament weekend. The tournament offered competition in forms, sparring, weapons forms and sparring. Faith Lee won first in the intermediate women’s kata division. She started her training in October 2019 and is currently a 3rd level green belt. Her husband has also trained at the school since June 2018 and holds a 1st degree black belt in karate, kobudo and batto. Genbu-Kai Karate in RPB offers classes in Japanese Karate, Kobu-Do (Okinawan weapons) and Batto-Do. Learn more at www. floridagenbukai.com.

Student Faith Lee with Sensei Keith Moore.

continued from page 17 with an average of 124.3 yards a game. Rolle also leads the team in touchdowns with three. Defensively, senior Rodney Hammonds is averaging eight tackles per game. The King’s Academy — The Lions (5-0) are committed to getting stronger and playing smarter. That philosophy is generating wins in games. TKA picked up two more wins on the road by defeating NSU University School, 35-12, on Thursday, Sept. 3. Then, on Thursday, Sept. 10, TKA defeated Miami Beach High School by the slimmest of margins, 10-9. The game against Miami Beach was decided in the last two minutes of the game. Trailing 7-2 late in the fourth quarter, junior quarterback DJ Beneby scored a go-ahead touchdown on a 62-yard run with 1:45 left in the game, which gave TKA an 8-7 lead. To get a threepoint cushion, the Lions went for the two-point conversion and got it when Beneby completed a short pass to wide receiver Sean Victor. Miami Beach took the ensuing kickoff and marched quickly down the field. With 10 seconds left in the game, Miami Beach lined up for a potential game-tying 33-yard field goal. Fortunately for TKA, Jack Miller and Chase Croteau were able to get their hands on the ball after it was kicked. The deflected football rolled forward and was recovered on the one-yard line by TKA’s Alaka’i Henderson. With two seconds left in the game, head coach Dan Burack instructed Beneby to get in the

Seminole Ridge junior wide receiver Tristan Marino runs after a catch in the game against Tradition Prep. PHOTO BY RICHARD AREYZAGA JR. victory formation, take the snap, back up a few steps, watch the game clock go down to :00, and then take a knee in the end zone to give up the two-point safety, thus ending the game with TKA ahead 10-9. “It was a hard-fought, wellplayed game by both football teams. It was a gritty win for us,” Burack said. The Lions are looking to extend their winning streak when they play the first of four consecutive home games, beginning Friday, Sept. 18 when American Heritage School (Delray Beach) visits. On Friday, Sept. 25, the Lions have a bye, and then on Friday, Oct. 2, they host the SmartEn Sports Academy from Miami. After that will be Friday, Oct. 9 against Somerset Academy-Canyons and Friday, Oct. 16 against Inlet Grove High School. According to Burack, the key to his team’s success has been a staunch scoring defense, which has allowed less than 10 points per game. That defensive prowess is

Seminole Ridge senior wide receiver Eric Neal carries the ball in the game against Tradition Prep. PHOTO BY RICHARD AREYZAGA JR.

the result of an intense off-season weightlifting program. “I give a lot of credit to Jeremy Evans, our strength and conditioning coach,” Burack said. “He’s done an amazing job with our players during this past summer.” Burack also said his team’s positive mental attitude is infectious. “Our players are dialed in and are playing as a true team,” he said. “Our team leaders are three seniors — Jack Miller, Ben McPherson and James Powell. This is a player-led team. When it’s a player-led team, I can concentrate more on coaching.” Seminole Ridge High School — While the Hawks are off to a rough 1-3 start, they displayed great progress in weeks three and four of the regular season. After opening with two straight losses, the Hawks responded with a decisive 43-0 win against Tradition Prep on Friday, Sept. 4. Then, they had a close 7-3 loss at Palm Beach Gardens High School, on Thursday, Sept. 10.

“We played our first game of the regular season with zero returning starters from last year’s team,” said head football coach Eric Poyner, who assumed the role back on June 1. “Since that season-opening loss to Palm Beach Lakes, we’ve shown great progress in all areas. I’ve seen improvement every week — in practice and in games. We have good kids and good players.” Seminole Ridge’s four team captains this fall are junior tight end/defensive end Shawnley Albert, junior quarterback/linebacker Tristan Kennedy, senior running back/linebacker Elijah Smith and senior offensive lineman/defensive lineman Alexander Suarez. Poyner is particularly proud of the on-the-field efforts by Albert and junior running back/defensive back Dylan Johnson. The next two games for the Hawks are at home on Friday, Sept. 18 against Olympic Heights High School and Friday, Sept. 25 against Martin County High School.

TKA’s Ben McPherson and Fletcher Hodges celebrate during the game against St. Andrew’s School. PHOTO BY BRAD PERSON

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September 18 - October 1, 2026

Page 21

PALMS WEST PEOPLE

Wellington Philanthropist Jackie Ducci Marks $500,000 In Giving

Wellington philanthropist Jackie Ducci is marking a major milestone in 2026: $500,000 in grants supporting programs that strengthen the bond between people and animals. One of the grants contributing to that milestone is staying right here in Palm Beach County. For Ducci, the local investment is especially meaningful. She has built the Human-Animal Alliance into a national philanthropic effort while staying deeply connected to Wellington’s equestrian and dog communities. For National Dog Day, the alliance awarded $15,000 to Paws for a Better Life, a local therapy dog program. The funding will sponsor three therapy dogs serving residents across the county, including people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, through visits focused on comfort, companionship and connection. “Reaching this milestone is incredibly meaningful, but being able to support work happening

right here in Palm Beach County makes it truly special,” Ducci said. “Animals have played such a critical role in my own life, and I want more people to have the opportunity to experience the power and value of what they can bring to us all.” The milestone comes during a year of significant growth for Ducci’s broader work around the human-animal bond. What began with the March premiere of the Unspoken Bond documentary in Wellington has grown into a broader national effort by Ducci to illuminate the life-changing impact that animals have on people’s lives. Through award-winning filmmaking, advocacy work, philanthropy and now a new podcast, Ducci is building a multifaceted platform to advance greater understanding of the human-animal connection. Created and executive produced by Ducci, Unspoken Bond explores the profound, life-changing power of the human-animal bond

through three intimate stories of loss, healing and redemption. Since its premiere, the documentary has screened in Fort Lauderdale, Key West, Key Largo and Las Vegas, with more screenings scheduled around the country coming this fall. The film has also earned national recognition from the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) and secured screenings at film festivals across the country. In August, Ducci and Unspoken Bond received HABRI’s 2026 Human Animal Bond Innovation Award in the Media category, recognizing the documentary’s work to advance awareness and understanding of the human-animal bond. “I knew these stories were powerful, but I could not have predicted the response we have seen,” Ducci said. “Every screening is a reminder that people everywhere are carrying their own personal stories about their relationships with animals, often without a place

to share them. Seeing audiences so engaged in the film is incredibly moving, and we’re so grateful to everyone who has come out to experience it thus far.” The film’s reach will continue to grow this fall, with festival screenings in Rhode Island, Indiana, Florida and Massachusetts, along with closing-night screenings at CritterFest in San Francisco and Boston. This fall, Ducci will add another platform to that work with the launch of the Unspoken Bond Podcast with Jackie Ducci. Launching Oct. 1, the podcast will expand the conversation to more deeply explore how relationships with animals influence emotional, physical, mental, spiritual and social well-being. Episodes will feature researchers, advocates, nonprofit leaders, subject-matter experts and people with first-hand accounts of the impact animals have had on their lives. “The film is where the stories live,” Ducci said. “The podcast al-

Wellington philanthropist Jackie Ducci is celebrating a milestone in giving, as well as a new podcast launching Oct. 1. lows us to go deeper, exploring the more ways for people to better impact of the human-animal bond understand the human-animal conthrough the lenses of experts who nection — from seeing its impact have unique expertise to share.” on screen to supporting programs Together, the award-winning putting it into practice and continudocumentary, philanthropy and ing the conversation through new new podcast initiative are creating voices and perspectives.

Teens Launch Community Drive To Support Families Through Clinics Can Help

Clinics Can Help is bringing a new generation of community advocates to the table with the launch of its CRIBS Junior Committee for its upcoming Cribs for Kids luncheon, led by local students Madison Martinez from Wellington High School and Sinedine Sundstrom of American Heritage School’s Palm Beach campus. The

teen leaders are calling on fellow students, families, schools and local businesses to join them in collecting essential baby supplies for Palm Beach County families who are struggling to make ends meet. As part of their efforts, the Junior Committee is spearheading a community-wide collection of

diapers, wipes and other infant necessities to benefit Clinics Can Help’s CRIBS Project, which provides critical baby supplies and resources to families experiencing financial hardship. The goal is simple: Bring together young people and local businesses to make sure parents have an opportunity to provide

WELLINGTON ROTARY DONATES QUILTS & MORE TO WRMC NICU

On Tuesday, Sept. 8, members of Wellington Rotary Club joined with the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurses and families at Wellington Regional Medical Center for a light dinner and an opportunity to tell stories about their babies. There were 24 newborns in the NICU, including two sets of twins. The Wellington Rotary is partnering with Wellington Quilters group of the Wellington Seniors Club to supply the quilters with material to make quilts for the incubators.

Rotarians with the quilts donated to the Wellington Regional Medical Center NICU.

A newborn baby boy in an incubator with a new quilt donated by the Wellington Rotary Club and the Wellington Quilters.

Wellington Rotarians bring supplies to the Wellington Regional Medical Center NICU.

basic necessities for their babies. “Sometimes the biggest impact starts with something as simple as asking, ‘How can we help?’” Madison Martinez said. “We wanted to get other teenagers involved and show that you don’t have to be an adult to make a difference in our community. If everyone gives a little, we can make a really big difference for families who need it.” The Junior Committee is encouraging local teens, schools, sports teams, clubs and businesses to get involved by hosting their own diaper and baby supply drives, collecting donations among employees or customers, or simply purchasing and donating needed items. Businesses interested in participating can also serve as collection locations, helping expand the reach of the initiative throughout the community from now through Nov. 30. The effort supports Clinics Can Help’s CRIBS Project. Through the program, donated supplies are distributed to families in need through the nonprofit’s network of community partners. For Clinics Can Help, the Junior Committee represents more than a new fundraising initiative — it is an opportunity to engage

Madison Martinez young people in the organization’s mission of improving health equity and providing dignity and independence to individuals and families throughout South Florida. “Madison and Sinedine are showing what is possible when young people see a need and decide to do something about it,” said Owen O’Neill, CEO of Clinics Can Help. “The CRIBS Project addresses an incredibly basic but important need, and we are so grateful to have these young individuals using their voices and their networks to help families in our community.”

Sinedine Sundstrom Clinics Can Help provides medical equipment and supplies to children and adults throughout Palm Beach County and South Florida, ensuring that individuals and families have access to the resources they need to recover, remain independent and improve their quality of life. The organization’s services are provided to those in need regardless of their ability to pay. To participate in the diaper and baby supply drive, host a collection or learn more about supporting the CRIBS Project, call Clinics Can Help at (561) 640-2995.

Page 22

September 18 - October 1, 2026

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FIVE GUYS HOSTS WES SPIRIT NIGHT

On Tuesday, Sept. 8, Wellington Elementary School participated in Spirit Night at Five Guys in Wellington. Principal Dr. Shannon Makowski welcomed the children at school dressed as a hamburger to promote the event. The packed restaurant donated a portion of proceeds from the night. Everyone enjoyed the evening, seeing their teachers, getting together with families and eating a delicious meal. Wellington Elementary School thanks Five Guys, WES families and school staff for their support.

SCHOOL NEWS

Glades Day School’s Future Farmers Of America Gears Up For Action-Packed Year

A new era of leadership is officially underway at Glades Day School, where the Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter has launched into the school year with a dynamic new officer team and massive goals on the horizon. Steering the chapter forward this year is an energized roster of student leaders: President Dallas Álvarez, Vice President Madison Baez, Secretary Abigail Rodriguez, Treasurer Alana Baeza, Reporter John Perez, Sentinel Carson Sweet, Parliamentarian Preston Sanford, Historian Whitney K. Wedgworth, Chaplain Sharo Fonseca and Student Advisor Savannah Leroux. Together, this powerhouse team

is already laying the groundwork for a milestone year. Right out of the gate, members are diving headfirst into one of the chapter’s most thrilling and demanding traditions: hog season. For the dedicated students showing pigs, the next few months will mean early mornings and late nights spent feeding, walking, cleaning and training their animals for peak competition. While pig season demands grueling work and intense discipline, students agree it is easily one of the most rewarding and unforgettable experiences that the organization offers. The excitement doesn’t stop at the barn doors. The chapter is also setting its sights on local,

county and state competitions and leadership experiences, and will attend the state convention next summer, with goals to one day attend the national conference. This premier event would give Glades Day School students the life-changing opportunity to network with thousands of peers nationwide and experience the

massive scope of FFA beyond their local community. From the intense discipline of the show ring to potential national travel, the Glades Day School FFA chapter is charging into the new school year. They are proving that the future of agriculture and student leadership in Belle Glade is brighter than ever.

Daniella Vaughan with Principal Dr. Shannon Makowski.

Karla Martin with fifth-grade student Elizabeth Banks.

VPK student Madison Davies with VPK teachers Cathy Eckstein and Karla Martin, along with third-grade student Benjamin Banks.

Future Farmers of America students from Glades Day School have a busy year ahead of them.

Hog training is one of the chapter’s most demanding traditions.

Palm Beach State College To Launch Drone Training Program On Oct. 6

Palm Beach State College will launch a new drone training program Oct. 6 at its Belle Glade campus, giving students and working professionals the opportunity to develop workforce-ready skills in unmanned aircraft systems. The 12-week, noncredit program includes 220 hours of training in supervised flight operations, drone safety, maintenance and troubleshooting. The course is de-

signed to prepare students for the Federal Aviation Administration’s Part 107 Remote Pilot license exam and entry-level opportunities in commercial drone operations. “Palm Beach State College’s new drone training course will prepare students and working professionals for entry-level opportunities in commercial drone operations, a field with growing workforce demand across South

Florida,” said Andraes Alexander, executive dean of PBSC’s Loxahatchee Groves campus and academic dean of the Loxahatchee Groves and Belle Glade campuses. Phase 1 of PBSC’s Drone Training Program begins Tuesday, Oct. 6 and costs $2,625, excluding FAA exam fees. Scholarships are available through the Hand Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides scholarships for

undergraduate and trade students. Classes are scheduled with working adults in mind. Students will attend in-person flight and lab instruction one evening each week from 5 to 9 p.m. They also will participate in a live online Canvas session once a week, offered from 6 to 8 p.m. or 7 to 9 p.m., and complete additional coursework independently. In addition to technical instruc-

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an accessible entry point into a growing field and creates a foundation for advanced, specialized training. The program’s second phase is planned for spring 2027, with tracks under development in public safety and first response; precision agriculture; engineering and infrastructure inspection; real estate; GIS, mapping and surveying; and other emerging applications.

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Page 23

BUSINESS NEWS

Greater Wellington Chamber Welcomes Three New President’s Circle Trustees The Greater Wellington Chamber recently welcomed three new President’s Circle Trustee members. They include James Herrity, president and senior trial consultant of LitOptix; Claudia M. Molina, an entrepreneur, real estate professional and business owner; and Janice Zollo-Ridenour, president and founder of J. Zollo & Associates Inc. James Herrity — A longtime member and active participant in the local business community, Herrity brings more than two decades of experience in litigation support, trial presentation, courtroom technology and strategic case storytelling to the President’s Circle. Headquartered in Wellington, LitOptix is a national trial presentation and litigation support firm that works with attorneys and trial teams throughout the United States and internationally. For more than 20 years, Herrity and his team have partnered with legal professionals on more than 1,000 cases, ranging from single-plaintiff matters to some of the largest and most complex litigation in the country. LitOptix works directly with trial teams from strategy and preparation through courtroom presentation. The firm helps attorneys transform complicated evidence and massive amounts of discovery into clear, compelling stories that can be understood

by judges and juries. Its services include trial strategy and case storytelling, courtroom presentation of evidence, litigation graphics and demonstratives, trial technology and AI-driven discovery analysis designed to help legal teams identify the information that matters most. The firm’s experience includes some extraordinarily high-profile matters. Herrity has supported cases that have reached the United States Supreme Court, including Sony Music Entertainment vs. Cox Communications, a landmark copyright case. “James is exactly the type of business and community leader we want represented within our President’s Circle,” said Michela Green, executive director of the Greater Wellington Chamber. “His expertise is incredibly unique, his business is nationally recognized and yet he is deeply invested in our local business community. James has already been an active member of the chamber, serving on our Small Business Committee and sharing his expertise on artificial intelligence in business. We are thrilled to welcome him as a President’s Circle Trustee.” A native New Yorker, Herrity now calls Wellington home, where he lives with his wife, Meredith, and their four children. Outside of his work with trial teams and LitOptix, he enjoys

Sunday polo, visiting museums and following the band Phish around the country. Claudia Molina — Molina is the founder and driving force behind two distinct businesses serving the South Florida community: Claudia M. Molina | LPT Realty, where she helps clients navigate the real estate market, and Wall Ink Art, a creative company specializing in custom wall art and visual solutions that transform residential and commercial spaces. Through her work with LPT Realty, Molina brings a personal and relationship-driven approach to real estate. Her focus goes beyond simply buying or selling property. She works to understand her clients’ goals and help them make informed decisions as they navigate one of the most significant financial and personal investments they will make. Her knowledge of the local market, combined with her commitment to client service, has allowed Molina to build relationships throughout the community while helping individuals, families and businesses find opportunities that fit their needs. Molina’s entrepreneurial vision extends beyond real estate through Wall Ink Art, a business dedicated to creating visually impactful environments through custom wall art. Wall Ink Art provides creative solutions designed to bring person-

James Herrity

Claudia Molina

Janice Zollo-Ridenour

ality, branding and visual interest to homes, offices, businesses and other spaces. By combining creativity with an understanding of the client’s vision, Molina helps transform ordinary walls into memorable environments. Having businesses in both real estate and creative design gives her a unique perspective on the connection between property, branding, design and the way people experience a space. “Claudia represents the entrepreneurial spirit that makes our business community so special,” Green said. “She has built businesses in two very different industries, yet both are centered around relationships, creativity, service and helping people achieve their vision. Claudia is also someone who genuinely believes in

being involved and giving back to the business community. We are thrilled to welcome her to our President’s Circle.” As an active member of the chamber, Molina has demonstrated her commitment to connecting with fellow business owners and supporting the chamber’s mission of creating opportunities for businesses to grow, collaborate and succeed. Her experience as both a real estate professional and entrepreneur provides valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities facing today’s small-business owners. Janice Zollo-Ridenour — With nearly three decades of experience helping businesses understand, organize and manage their financial operations, Zollo-Ridenour brings a wealth of knowledge, expertise and entrepreneurial insight to the chamber and its membership. Founded by her in 1997, J. Zollo & Associates Inc. is a professional bookkeeping firm headquartered in Palm Beach County that specializes in QuickBooks Online bookkeeping, consulting, training and support. As Certified QuickBooks Online Pro Advisors, the firm works with businesses to create accurate, streamlined financial systems that give owners greater confidence and control over their finances. The company serves businesses both locally and nationwide. What sets J. Zollo & Associates apart is its focus on full-charge bookkeeping. Rather than simply entering numbers, the firm provides businesses with comprehensive bookkeeping support and customized solutions designed around their individual needs. Whether a business needs its bookkeeping handled from start to finish, assistance training an internal bookkeeper, help resolving QuickBooks issues or ongoing

financial guidance, the J. Zollo & Associates team works alongside clients as their businesses grow and evolve. A native of Fort Lauderdale, Zollo-Ridenour discovered her passion for accounting as a member of the inaugural graduating class of the Academy of Finance in 1987. After moving to Palm Beach County in 1995, she worked in the family HVACR business before launching J. Zollo & Associates two years later. Today, her company’s reputation has been built on accuracy, responsiveness, education and long-term relationships with clients. Beyond her professional accomplishments, she is deeply involved in the business community and has served in leadership roles with business organizations and on multiple boards. She is passionate about mentorship and giving back, with a particular focus on helping others grow both professionally and personally. “Financial organization is one of the most important foundations of a successful business, and Janice understands that better than most,” Green said. “Her experience, professionalism and genuine commitment to helping business owners succeed make her an outstanding addition to our President’s Circle. We are thrilled to welcome Janice and J. Zollo & Associates to this leadership level within the chamber.” As President’s Circle Trustees, the three new members will join a distinguished group of business and community leaders committed to supporting the Greater Wellington Chamber’s mission of strengthening local businesses, encouraging collaboration and fostering economic growth throughout the Wellington community. Learn more at www. wellingtonchamber.com.

New Restaurant Guaca Go Opens In Royal Palm Beach

Guaca Go, the South Florida-based fast-casual brand known for its Florida Fresh-Mex bowls and made-to-order guacamole, is now open in Royal Palm Beach. A grand opening celebration and ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on National Guacamole Day, Wednesday, Sept. 16. The Royal Palm Beach restaurant is locally owned and operated by Fab Nunez and Jessie Sequeira, the same franchise owners behind Guaca Go Tequesta, which opened to strong community turnout earlier this year. The new location marks the pair’s second Guaca Go restaurant and the brand’s fourth in Palm Beach County — a growth step that takes the brand west, into Royal Palm Beach, Wellington and the surrounding communities. “Opening in Tequesta showed us exactly what this community responds to: fresh food, real hos-

pitality and a brand that shows up for its neighborhood,” Fab Nunez and Jessie Sequeira said. “Royal Palm Beach is the next step for us, and we could not be more excited for our grand opening on National Guacamole Day.” Located in the Village Shoppes at 10101 Southern Blvd., Unit 190, Royal Palm Beach, the restaurant is open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and serves the full Guaca Go Florida Fresh-Mex menu: chef-driven bowls, burritos, salads and buildyour-own options made with clean, gluten-free, vegan-friendly and seed-oil-free ingredients — all built around the brand’s signature guacamole, mashed fresh to order in front of guests. Guaca Go was founded by married entrepreneurs Carson and Amber Bennett, who launched the brand as a roadside guacamole stand in the Florida Keys before growing it into a Palm Beach

County favorite with restaurants in West Palm Beach, Delray Beach and Tequesta. “Watching Fab and Jessie bring Guaca Go to Tequesta and now to Royal Palm Beach has been incredibly rewarding,” Carson Bennett explained. “They understood our vision from day one, and this second location is proof of what happens when the right partners believe in what you’re building.” In addition to its restaurants, Guaca Go is a familiar presence at major South Florida sporting and cultural events, including the South Florida Fair, the Delray Beach Open, the Cognizant Classic, spring training at Roger Dean Stadium, the Miami Open and Formula 1 weekend in Miami. To view the full menu or order online, visit www.guacago.com and follow along on Instagram at @guacago.

Sebastian Osorio, Jessie Sequeira and Fab Nunez of Guaca Go Royal Palm Beach.

This MonTh’s WellingTon hisTory spoTlighT Sponsored by the Wellington Historical Society

The Ultimate ‘Fly-In, Fly-Out’ Lifestyle At The Aero Club, Where Aviation Meets Luxury

The Wellington Aero Club is a private airpark nestled in the heart of Florida’s equestrian capital. It represents the pinnacle of premier fly-in, fly-out living and blends the freedom of private aviation with the prestige of a world-class luxury neighborhood. For those who refuse to choose between their love of flying and a desire for an elegant, community-focused lifestyle, this residential airpark is in a league of its own. The idea for what is now the Aero Club was initially conceived in the late 1970s. Developer Gould Florida Inc. subsequently laid the master infrastructure for the 400acre neighborhood, which officially opened in the early 1980s. At most elite neighborhoods, the defining feature might be a championship golf course or a deep-water marina. At the Aero Club, the undisputed centerpiece is a meticulously maintained, fully lighted 4,000-foot runway, eventually paved in 2012. Since the runway is centrally located within the community, runway access is quick and easy. Engineered to accommodate single-engine aircraft, twin-engine planes and light corporate jets up to 12,500 pounds, the aviation infrastructure is world class. The runway features pilot-controlled PAPI (Precision Approach Path Indicators) lighting and an on-site AWOS (Automated Weather Observing System) weather station. Additionally, the neighborhood boasts a private, resident-only refueling station offering both Avgas and jet fuel. The community is comprised of approximately 250 custom-built estate homes, each situated on a sprawling homesite of at least one acre, with values ranging from $2.5 million to well over $12 million. The architectural landscape is a stunning showcase of Mediterranean-in-

spired villas, contemporary masterpieces and classic Key West-style estates. While every home radiates luxury, the true marvels are the properties featuring massive, custom, attached hangars. These structures are seamlessly integrated into the home’s design, often matching the primary residence’s architecture. They comfortably house aircraft, watercraft or car collections. For residents, commuting or escaping for the weekend is as simple as opening the hangar door, taxiing down a beautifully manicured turf or paved taxiway, and taking off! Beyond the runway, the Aero Club offers an enviable, vibrant community culture. The neighborhood clubhouse serves as the social epicenter, hosting everything from pilot safety briefings and yoga classes to holiday galas and casual neighborhood socials. Residents can enjoy a scenic 2.7-mile multi-use path that winds through the neighborhood, near the community dog park and dedicated sports courts. The Aero Club benefits from Wellington’s world-famous reputation. Located just a short golf-cart ride away from the Wellington International equestrian showgrounds and elite polo clubs, it is one of the few places on Earth where a resident can easily fly in the morning, enjoy an equestrian event in the afternoon and socialize at a local nightspot that evening. What truly sets the Wellington Aero Club apart is its scarcity. Residential airparks located within major, highly desirable metropolitan and equestrian hubs are exceedingly rare. It remains a highly sought-after haven for affluent aviators. It is not just a place to store an aircraft; it is a community of like-minded individuals who share a passion for the skies and an appreciation for the finer things in life. In this way, the Aero Club adds a unique, special element to the Wellington community.

Learn more about fascinating people from Wellington history at the Wellington Historical Society’s Oral History Project page at www.wellingtonhistoricalsociety.org/oral-histories.

(Above) The Wellington Aero Club entrance sign. (Below) A look at the community’s central runway.

SUPPORT THE WELLINGTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY

If you are interested in helping to preserve the history of Wellington, you can sponsor a story and/or join the Wellington Historical Society. To learn more, e-mail info@wellingtonhistoricalsociety.com, call (561) 248-9884 or scan the QR code to the right.

Page 24

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FEATURES

Life Got You Down? Here’s My List Of Things To Make You Smile!

We’ve all heard it said that it takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile. So, to avoid a strenuous workout, we should smile more often. But on some days, frowning seems to come a lot more easily. To help you turn your frown upside-down, I’ve compiled a to-do list for you. Even the most die-hard curmudgeon ought to get a smirk out of at least one of them. • Cuddle a puppy. That squirming little beast in your arms is so new to the world that he may try to get down, may pee on your slacks in excitement, may claw his way up your shirt to lick your face. But there’s something magical about a brandnew being getting to know the world for the first time.

Deborah Welky is

The Sonic BOOMER • Hug your mom. Whether she’s at her desk or at the stove, tending to a sickly plant or a sickly child, your mom deserves a hug. And the funny thing about hugs is, they go both ways. Even a catch-youfrom-behind hug transfers the warmth of the body and the feelings of the soul

between hugger and huggee. If you want to go the extra mile, give her a peck on the cheek, too. • Feed a bottle to a baby. A hungry baby is an unhappy baby, and they’re very anxious to express this feeling via high wails and desperate sobs. Enter you and your warm, soothing bottle. You are their savior. You are their nurturer. You are the mightiest hero in their world! The minute they start, their eyes beam with gratefulness and adoration. What’s not to like? • Go for a drive. If you can escape for even half an hour, a drive that heads directly away from your job, your doctor’s office and all government offices can be enormously relaxing. Avoid looking

at billboards and reading signs if you possibly can. Instead, seek out cyclers cycling, kids playing, dogs running and other happy signs of life. • Tour an art museum. Any museum is fine, really, but art tends to offer a different perspective — sometimes a wildly different perspective. I just came from a museum that featured the stitch work of Lucy Sparrow. Call her crazy, call her a visionary, but her full-size grocery store sure made me smile — it’s made completely out of felt, right down to the bananas and ATM machine! • Sit around a public pool in the sun. The sun itself seems to coax out a smile, but a pool with gleeful toddlers in the

shallow end, bathing beauties in the middle and a few husky lifeguards around the perimeter serves as a healthy reminder that not every minute of every day has to be filled with turbulence and toil. • Eat a chocolate bar. Yes, I said it. Go down to the nearest store and buy yourself a little piece of heaven. Don’t think about how much it costs “these days” nor how many calories it adds to your diet. Just peel back the wrapper and take a great big bite. Let that chocolaty smoothness melt over your tongue and revel in it. You worked for it; you deserve it; and now you’re enjoying it. It makes me smile just thinking about that for ya! Feel better yet? I do.

‘Practical Magic 2’ Is An Unimaginative Sequel To An Older Movie

Unfortunately, Practical Magic 2 suffers from the fate of most sequels. Essentially, it just sort of comes at you, assuming you know the story from the previous movie, but then just goes nowhere. Add to that the fact that the original was made over a quarter of a century ago, and it feels a bit like moving back into ancient history. While the first was charming if unsubstantial, the current film has removed a lot of the charm. The sisterhood of the two leads, as well as that of their aunts, seems somewhat forced. The new movie focuses essentially on only two of the Owens family, the center of the plot. It loses the feeling of female empowerment that dominated the original and seemed to enchant much of the audience. Sally Owens (Sandra Bullock), the key inheritor of the family curse in which men the women fall in love with inevitably die, faces tragedy when she and her rather wild younger sister Gillian (Nicole Kid-

‘I’ On CULTURE By Leonard Wechsler man) create a spell to make Sally’s adult daughters, Kylie (Joey King) and Antonia (Maisie Williams), forget they belong to a family of witches and retain no knowledge of their powers and their curse. However, she winds up watching as Kylie discovers that curse from Gillian after her boyfriend Gideon (Xolo Maridueña) winds up in a coma. Kylie does some research and runs off to Scotland to find the source of the curse in hopes of saving her boyfriend’s life, learning more of the curse but not understanding the dangers. As expected,

things go wrong, and after a lot of strange adventures in which much of the talented cast is wasted, things work out. Although after two hours and 10 minutes, most of the audience had hopes they would have been gone from the theater long before. Everyone loves Sandra Bullock. Well, perhaps only about 99.9 percent of us, but she just does not really shine in this. Her relationships in most cases are sort of boring. In the first film, she and Nicole Kidman played off each other really well. In this one, Kidman is essentially just a sidekick. The two aunts, brought back for this film, Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest, might even be more feisty a quarter of a century later, but take only a limited part in the plot. Maisie Williams as Antonia, Sally’s younger daughter, plays a doctor and spends almost the entire film in a hospital room, completely outside the main plot. The only relationship excitement seems to be when Sally

meets Ian Wright (Lee Pace), a specialist on the occult, and then there is some real chemistry. But not much really comes of it. Joey King is properly spunky but, frankly, after a while, I doubt many in the audience cared. Solly McLeod was almost a cardboard cutout villain. The movie needed a strong one, but he barely stood out. Sequels often fail. Yes, there are exceptions. Godfather II is better than the first, and The Empire Strikes Back is better than Star Wars. But both were focused completely differently than the original while building on the original characters. Many of the sequels we have today have forgotten that. Occasionally, I have wondered if we haven’t already seen artificial intelligence putting together unimaginative variations on original films. The really good ones move in different directions. This film just lays there while audiences who enjoyed the idea of a wonderful sisterhood movie a quarter of

a century ago wonder what happened. One major difference between the original and this sequel is that in the first, the focus was on the sisterhood, the relationship between Sally and Gillian, with the witchcraft sort of tossed in as the “McGuffin,” the little extra twist to set it off. Here, the primary focus is on the witchcraft. The same three sets of sisters are here. The oldest ones, the aunts, have remained the same. The youngest barely spend much time together after the start. And the middle pair, the stars, are now in different modes, with Bullock’s character focusing more on her motherhood. That weakens the premise. Is this a good movie? No. Is it awful? Well, it is too long, but if you like the stars, you will probably enjoy the flick. But considering the costs of seeing a film in the theaters these days, it would probably be best to wait just a bit until it comes to the small screen.

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