UPWARD SPORTS AT ST. PETER’S CHURCH SEE STORY, PAGE 3
ROTARY PEACE CEREMONY ON SEPT. 27 SEE STORY, PAGE 7
WELLINGTON • ROYAL PALM BEACH • LOXAHATCHEE • THE ACREAGE • WESTLAKE Your Community Newspaper
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Wellington Family Spreads Word About Chiari Malformation
Volume 47, Number 18 September 4 - September 17, 2026
Serving Palms West Since 1980
FAMILY CHURCH GROUNDBREAKING
The Village of Wellington’s clock tower is lit purple every September, but many don’t understand why. The light of the tower recognizes Chiari Malformation Awareness Month, a medical condition that is likewise unfamiliar to many. One Wellington family has become not only aware but also deeply impacted by Chiari Malformation. Page 3
ITID Passes $25.7 Million Budget During Rancorous Session
Amid an acrimonious nearly six-and-half-hour meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 19, the Indian Trail Improvement District Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 to approve a $25.7 million budget for fiscal year 2027. Page 4
Graduation Ceremony For PBSO Citizen’s Law Enforcement Academy
On Wednesday, Aug. 19, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Citizen’s Law Enforcement Academy in Wellington held its graduation ceremony. Participants and their guests enjoyed dinner and cake as they met some of the four-legged members of the PBSO team: therapy dogs Claire, Ringo and Charlie, K9 DeVille and Rosco from the Mounted Unit. Page 11
Wellington Seniors Enjoy National Senior Citizens Day Party
Wellington seniors gathered for a Senior Citizens Day Party on Friday, Aug. 28 at the Wellington Community Center. The group Joey and the Paradons performed for the seniors while they enjoyed box lunches from Chick-Fil-A. Page 14
TKA, WHS And PBCHS Open Football Season With Big Victories
After the first few weeks of the regular season, three of the five high school football teams in the western communities remain undefeated — the King’s Academy (3-0), Wellington High School (2-0) and Palm Beach Central High School (2-0). Page 17 DEPARTMENT INDEX NEWS...............................3 - 15 NEWS BRIEFS......................... 7 SPORTS..........................17 - 20 PEOPLE......................... 21 - 22 SCHOOLS.............................. 23 BUSINESS............................. 23 COLUMNS............................. 24 CLASSIFIEDS................ 25 - 26 Visit Us On The Web At WWW.GOTOWNCRIER.COM
Members of Family Church Wellington gathered for a groundbreaking on their new building Sunday, Aug. 30 at the church location at 12700 W. Forest Hill Blvd. Armed with ceremonial shovels, officials broke ground for the greatly anticipated 30,000-plus-square-foot structure. Shown here are Family Church Wellington team members Dwight Hernandez, Joel McDonald, Keenan Casteel, Dalton Diel and Brian Stebbins. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 5 PHOTO BY MEREDITH BUROW/TOWN-CRIER
County Rejects Annexation Settlement With Wellington
By Patrick Sherry Town-Crier Staff Report County commissioners do not want to let go of the Artistry Lakes land, even after an “aggressive” annexation from the Village of Wellington earlier this year. The Palm Beach County Commission has shot down a joint planning agreement over concerns it would lead to more unincorporated areas west of Wellington being absorbed into the municipality. At a comprehensive plan public meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 26, the commissioners considered an Interlocal Service Boundary Agreement (ISBA) with Wellington to resolve a dispute over the annexation of the 446 acres of undeveloped land. Included in the proposed agreement were three other properties totaling more than 1,700 acres, which could open the door to their annexation in the future. The Wel-
lington Village Council approved the ISBA at a meeting Aug. 11. It had been negotiated by village and county staff members. Wellington completed an involuntary annexation of the area known as Artistry Lakes in March. The property, located adjacent to the village on the north side of Southern Blvd., is where developers from Kolter Homes plan to build a gated community with 579 single-family homes. The county had previously approved a largely residential development at the site. County officials objected to the annexation of the property, believing the site was not developed for urban purposes and is not properly contiguous with Wellington. Artistry Lakes was able to be annexed into the village without a referendum because there are no voters living on the site. However, the county argues that Florida law requires annexed areas to be
somewhat developed for urban purposes and have a common border with the municipality it is being absorbed into. The ISBA itself does not annex any land, but it would have cleared any objections and removed restrictions against annexations for properties in the boundary agreement, including Artistry Lakes. Those other surrounding properties include the Arden community, land owned by the Leonard Land Company and land owned by PBA Holdings. However, the Leonard Land Company has since requested to be excluded from the ISBA. If the two local governments cannot resolve the dispute, the matter may ultimately lead to litigation. Without the ISBA, further negotiations and a potential court battle may follow. “Quite frankly, I think our argument is very strong,” Assistant See ANNEXATION, page 12
Commissioners Unimpressed By Transportation Plan’s Progress
By Patrick Sherry Town-Crier Staff Report After a seven-figure contract and more than a dozen public meetings, county leaders say they are still not seeing a return on investment from the Countywide Transportation Master Plan (CTMP). The Palm Beach County Commission refused to adopt the CTMP or even receive and file the 2,000-page report at their comprehensive plan public meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 26. Instead, they directed staff to return to the board with some more specific analysis of projects and identify which ones will provide quantifiable solutions to traffic problems. Last year, county officials executed a contract with consulting firm WSP to help develop the CTMP. The contract has since grown to total $1.1 million. The
purpose of the plan is to establish a multi-jurisdictional planning framework for safe, connected transportation and mobility through 2050. The hope is for the framework to act as a method for the county, its 39 municipalities and government partners to unify transportation projects to improve overall transit. “The CTMP hopes to align transportation investment, policy and priorities across Palm Beach County,” Planning Director Thuy Shutt said. “It’s built… on local and regional plans and input from all stakeholders. It also creates a decision-making and coordination framework for future mobility needs, and hopefully, establishes a path away from planning and recommendations to implementation.” From July 2025 to August 2026, See CTMP, page 12
FAMILY IMPACT GALA AT CULTURAL CENTER
Family Impact Palm Beach County, a local nonprofit that helps families through support and resources that empower them to thrive and prosper, held its country-themed Boots & Diamonds Gala on Saturday, Aug. 29 at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center. The keynote speaker was School Board Member Virginia Savietto, and the award presentation was led by Royal Palm Beach Councilwoman Selena Samios, a board member at Family Impact. Shown here are Jorge Cruz, Saidy Garzon, Claudia and PBSO Major Pedro Palenzuela. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 15 PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
Related Ross Updates Chamber Westlake Advances On Plans For Village Landing School Speed Cameras Amid Privacy Concerns
By Patrick Sherry Town-Crier Staff Report Opening in the fall of 2028, Related Ross’ Village Landing development will bring a new wave of business and community gathering spaces to Wellington. Developers from the company gave business and community leaders a closer look at their latest plans for the property off State Road 7 at Stribling Way at a special event luncheon hosted by the Greater Wellington Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, Aug. 26. The approximately 70 acres of land, formerly known as K-Park, will be home to multiple new shops, restaurants, office space, a hotel and a private school. Village Landing has been in the works for years. Related Ross agreed to purchase the land from Wellington for $47 million, and earlier this year, it
Jeff Clark of Wingrove Academy and Chamber President Alec Domb with Related Ross representatives Kevin Ryan, Whitney Wiese, Christopher Monaco and Eileen Sturgis. PHOTO BY SUZANE BACELAR/GREATER WELLINGTON CHAMBER
began construction on the project. The company announced Tuesday, Sept. 1 that it had formally closed on the acquisition.
The developers won approval from village leaders for their plans for a pedestrian-only promenade See CHAMBER, page 12
By Louis Hillary Park Town-Crier Staff Report The Westlake City Council moved forward Tuesday, Sept. 1 with a plan to install automated school-zone speed cameras, but only after a debate over privacy, government surveillance and whether the city had adequately documented a speeding problem. Council members voted 5-0 on a first reading to establish the legal framework for a cameraenforcement program. However, they postponed until their Oct. 6 meeting a proposed contract with RedSpeed Florida, pending completion of the company’s school-zone speed study,
expected by the end of the month. A Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office representative said deputies recently issued 10 citations for speeding in Westlake school zones, primarily during afternoon dismissal periods. Morning congestion generally prevents vehicles from reaching excessive speeds, he said. Vice Mayor Greg Langowski supported stronger school-zone enforcement but expressed unease about the camera surveillance. “I understand the speed in the school zones,” Langowski said. “I’m very supportive of law enforcement and protecting against See WESTLAKE, page 12
Community Rallies To Save Jim Brandon Equestrian Center
By Hilary Moore Hebert Town-Crier Staff Report The future of the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center in Okeeheelee Park South hung in the balance this week, sparking a massive wave of advocacy from local riders and equestrian organizations. On Tuesday, Sept. 1, the Palm Beach County Commission chambers filled to capacity with passionate residents opposing a proposed budget reduction that could hand the center over to a third-party private operator by next spring. Responding to the overwhelming public turnout, County Administrator Joseph Abruzzo announced a major pivot. He committed to introducing a revised budget proposal that guarantees
full public funding for the facility through the upcoming fiscal year. This strategic delay offers a critical financial lifeline to many in the local equestrian community, who consider the facility their irreplaceable home base. The essential role that the venue plays in public service and community life was on full display just one morning after the high-stakes county meeting. On the morning of Wednesday, Sept. 2, the facility grounds were abuzz with activity as the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office bomb squad, alongside PBSO and Davie mounted units, staged training operations. The covered arena and surrounding open grounds were transformed into a dynamic train-
ing environment. Nearly a dozen police horses navigated a series of intense, simulated scenarios featuring mock protesters and a rowdy crowd. These vital exercises underscore the park’s multifaceted utility, serving not just as a recreational sports hub but also as a premier infrastructure asset for regional public safety training. The sudden push for privatization stems from significant annual funding gaps. Operating the facility costs the county approximately $1 million annually, while generating about $250,000 in revenue, creating a persistent $750,000 operational deficit. Under the initial county staff proposal, public funding was slated to be cut off in April 2027
Mounted officers take part in the training session Wednesday, Sept. 2 at Palm Beach County’s Jim Brandon Equestrian Center. PHOTO BY HILARY MOORE HEBERT/TOWN-CRIER
while administrators scouted a private partner. However, a sudden financial development provided the funds needed to at least temporarily reverse course. The Palm Beach County Clerk & Comptrol-
ler’s Office recently rescinded an unrelated, prior budget request, returning $2.5 million to the county. Abruzzo confirmed that restoring a full year of operation at See JIM BRANDON, page 4
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NEWS
Wellington Family Spreads The Word About Chiari Malformation
By Fiona Slusarev Town-Crier Staff Report The Village of Wellington’s clock tower is lit purple every September, but many don’t understand why. The light of the tower recognizes Chiari Malformation Awareness Month, a medical con-
Wellington’s clock tower lit purple in honor of Chiari Malformation Awareness Month.
dition that is likewise unfamiliar to many. One Wellington family has become not only aware but also deeply impacted by Chiari Malformation. Brittany and Ryan Stremel’s son JoJo has battled the condition and had brain surgery at just two years old. His family is now on a mission to raise awareness about Chiari Malformation and support research on the underrecognized condition. Chiari Malformation is a condition where the lower posterior part of the brain, the cerebellum, extends down into the spinal cord, which can cause a blockage or leak of spinal fluid. There are various types that have a range of impacts and symptoms. Many people can go their whole lives without knowing they have the condition or developing symptoms. Other individuals with the condition might experience dizziness, headaches, difficulty with balance, or trouble swallowing and breathing, and require surgery. The Stremels started noticing
early on that JoJo was different than their older daughter Emma was at his age. Despite physicians insisting that he was simply progressing at a different rate, they knew something was wrong. JoJo was missing his milestones. He had trouble sitting up and properly swallowing food, and he would wake up throughout the night in pain. After treating these symptoms individually, JoJo had a seizure at nine months old. The following MRI for the seizure revealed that he had Chiari Malformation, which explained his seemingly unrelated symptoms. The first neurosurgeon they consulted was dismissive of the impact the condition was having on JoJo’s life, so the Stremels got a second opinion from a neurosurgeon with experience in Chiari Malformation. “He had to go through a few more tests and a sleep study. We found out that he was stopping breathing in the middle of the night,” Brittany recalled. “He wasn’t hitting his milestones be-
cause of this. We felt so validated by [the neurosurgeon] because he was like, ‘Good job listening to your gut.’” She vividly remembers the telehealth appointment with the neurosurgeon when she learned that JoJo needed surgery. “I just lost it,” Brittany recalled. She and her family feared for the worst, after researching Chiari Malformation online and finding little information besides horror stories. Fortunately, JoJo’s surgery went well, and he walked out of the hospital the next day with only overthe-counter painkillers. According to the boy’s family, the change was immediate. He bounced back right away. He is happier, more energetic and loves to run around, play and climb. “Before surgery, he just kind of hung out and took everything in, but now he has more energy,” Brittany said. “He’s a completely different kid. He had never slept through the night, until the day after surgery.”
The Stremels credit “JoJo’s Super Squad” as the reason they were able to push through the uncertainty and worry during the boy’s diagnosis and surgery. The name originated from Brittnay’s text updates on JoJo’s journey, sent to their support network of family and friends, all addressed to “JoJo’s Super Squad.” “The night before surgery, we had them all come for dinner, and we prayed. Just having them is very helpful. We came home to the house decorated in purple with balloons that said: Chiari Warrior JoJo,” Brittany recalled. JoJo’s Super Squad also became the namesake for the Stremels’ first Conquer Chiari Walk, held last year. After Brittany experienced the staggering lack of information about Chiari Malformation and realized that there were no events close by, she decided to make her own and hosted a walk through Conquer Chiari’s Walk Across America program. Conquer Chiari is an organization that focuses on funding Chiari Malformation
JoJo Stremel is doing well after his surgery, and now his family is working to help others with Chiari Malformation. research, raising awareness and providing up-to-date information to patients. “It’s not a well-known thing, See CHIARI, page 12
Registration Underway For New Season Of Upward Sports At St. Peter’s Church
By Patrick Sherry Town-Crier Staff Report When former pastor Rev. Rainer Richter helped open the new Family Life Center at St. Peter’s United Methodist Church in Wellington, he knew he wanted to use the space for a new way to serve families in the western communities. For nearly 20 years, the church has been bringing together children through sports and teaching them lessons outside of the court through Upward Basketball and Cheerleading. This year, the teams are preparing for their 20th season. St. Peter’s program is part of Upward Sports, a nonprofit religious organization dedicated to creating recreational experiences while teaching church values. More than 2,000 Upward Sports programs across the nation are all using athletics to engage with their local communities. “Sports have such a natural ability to bring children, parents and communities together, and Upward offered a way to do that while also sharing the love of Christ,”
said Shelly Albright, director of Children and Youth Ministries at St. Peter’s. The co-ed youth sports program serves children from pre-K through fifth grade. Since starting, the teams have had a recorded 5,749 player registrations over the last 19 seasons. Unlike traditional leagues, St. Peter’s Upward Sports program is designed to focus on developing children as people and showing them that value is not determined by who wins the game. The program’s staff teaches them integrity, serving others and faith, while also improving their skills as athletes. Albright explained that families need places where their children can belong and be encouraged. Through sports, the church can create a welcoming, community environment that uniquely integrates faith into its activities. The program has become established in the church, and many former players have returned as volunteers to continue on the mission of teaching children these core values. “Our community has plenty
of opportunities for children to play sports, but Upward offers something different,” Albright said. “The goal has never simply been to develop better basketball players or cheerleaders. We want children to have a place where they can compete, learn skills and have fun while also learning that their value isn’t determined by the scoreboard.” This year, the church is launching its Raise the Rim Campaign to raise funds to replace aging equipment at the Family Life Center. Church officials set a goal of $40,000 and are encouraging people in the community to become sponsors or donate $20 in honor of the program’s 20th season. They hope that with the money raised, they will be able to continue to give children across the community the same opportunity to play and learn faith-based values. “Although our main goal is to replace our basketball hoops, there is so much more to it,” Albright said. “We’re investing in a place where another generation of chil-
dren can come to play, grow, belong and experience God’s love.” Throughout the years, St Peter’s Upward Basketball and Cheerleading teams have been giving children a place they can grow in skills and faith. The nearly two decades of work are part of its history, but those leading the program are set on welcoming more people to their church sports teams for years to come. “I hope people understand that Upward is much bigger than what happens on a basketball court,” Albright said. “For 20 seasons, people in this community have poured into children through this ministry. There have been thousands of practices, games, devotions, high-fives, friendships and little moments of encouragement that we could never possibly count.” St. Peter’s United Methodist Church is located at 12200 W. Forest Hill Blvd. in Wellington. Registration for its Upward Basketball and Cheerleading teams is currently underway and closes Sunday, Nov. 1. Divisions may be
Upward Basketball and Cheerleading teams teach integrity, serving others and faith, while also improving their skills.
filled before registration closes, and the cost is $175 per child. For more information, visit www.
stpeters-umc.org/upward-sports or contact upward@stpeters-umc. org.
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NEWS
ITID Passes $25.7 Million Budget During Rancorous Session
By Louis Hillary Park Town-Crier Staff Report Amid an acrimonious nearly six-and-half-hour meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 19, the Indian Trail Improvement District Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 to approve a $25.7 million budget for fiscal year 2027. Supervisor Betty Argue cast the dissenting vote. She later called for a forensic audit of the district’s finances and an independent investigation of the district’s management and personnel practices. A forensic audit is typically used to investigate specific allegations of illegality with an eye toward prosecution. “I’m going to go to the state, and I’m going to file a report, because I have tried for the last three months to break it up,” Argue said, claiming she’s been “stonewalled” by fellow board members and staff. “I’m tired of covering it up.”
The board’s majority did not agree with Argue’s view on district operations. “There’s no merit to any of that,” said Supervisor Richard Vassalotti, who also serves as board treasurer. “If she believes there is illegal activity and the board is covering it up, she needs to stop saying it in a meeting and get a [Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office] detective out here.” Argue shared no specifics regarding claims of financial wrongdoing. Since the meeting, she could not be reached for comment. In June, an independent audit report rendered a “clean opinion” — the best available — with the district’s net position increasing approximately $3.2 million and a “healthy” special revenue fund balance. No significant deficiencies or material weaknesses were found in internal controls, according to the audit report. “Nobody is covering anything
up for anybody,” ITID President Elizabeth Accomando said. Argue has aimed most of her criticism at Executive Director Burgess Hanson and senior staff members. She has claimed that the district is top-heavy with overpaid administrators who are usurping the power of elected officials, especially in terms of how money is moved among various district accounts and paid to vendors. “I’m sick of this coming up at every meeting,” Hanson told the board. “This is nothing more than a witch hunt on at me.” In a later interview, Hanson added, “This sort of innuendo and baseless allegations are counterproductive. I have worked very diligently to put in better controls to make sure there is no misuse of public funds.” Accomando supported Hanson’s point of view. “[Argue] needs to get her facts straight before making accusations,” she
said. “Her cursing and yelling are not appropriate. They distract us from what we need to be doing.” With the deadline looming for municipalities and special districts to approve their final budgets for the fiscal year starting Oct. 1, the main thing supervisors needed to do was a final review and vote on the 2027 spending plan. Under the adopted budget, many residents will see decreases in per-acre assessments ranging from $170.36 to $2.49. Several units will remain unchanged, and a few will see increases from 12 cents to $28.37. In all, assessments will provide $18,656,597 with the other $7,057,381 coming from grants, legislative appropriations and a park financing project. Overall, the 2027 budget will see an increase of $1,698,325 over fiscal year 2026. Of that budget, $5.9 million is dedicated to roads and sidewalks;
$6.5 million to stormwater and drainage; $4 million to administration, legal and engineering costs; $7.3 million to parks and recreation; and $1.3 million to aggregate production. In other business: • Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue requested an emergency-only gate at 140th Avenue North and Persimmon Blvd. between The Acreage and the City of Westlake. The gate would substantially shorten backup response routes between PBCFR Station 22, located at 16650 Town Center Parkway South in Westlake, and Station 26, at 6085 Avocado Blvd. in The Acreage. PBCFR Division Chief Amanda Vomero said the gate could cut travel time by 6 to 8 minutes for each station and create quicker access to Western Pines Middle School and Golden Grove Elementary School. ITID fought a long and costly
legal battle with Minto — Westlake’s largest landowner and developer — and the Seminole Improvement District, which provides most of the community’s infrastructure, to deny a general-use connection at that location. In May 2024, Circuit Court Judge Richard L. Oftedal ruled in favor of ITID, which was later upheld by the Court of Appeal. The gate discussion quickly broadened into the longstanding question of Westlake connectivity at 60th Street North and 140th, with supervisors questioning why ITID should provide another connection when 60th Street has not been completed as previously planned. Five-laning 60th from 140th to State Road 7 is on the county’s five-year road plan, along with extending 60th along the north side of Westlake to Seminole Pratt Whitney Road. The width of See ITID, page 12
Royal Palm Council Remains Divided On Proposed Tax Rate
By Patrick Sherry Town-Crier Staff Report Royal Palm Beach residents will need to pay a higher property tax rate at some point, but a majority of the Royal Palm Beach Village Council believe the rate does not need to be changed now. The council, with updated financial data, is interested in reducing its proposed millage rate for the upcoming fiscal year. Royal Palm Beach leaders, as part of their ongoing budget process, compared their expenditures, fees and reserves in their budget with their tentative and current millage rate at a meeting Thursday, Aug. 20. In July, the council narrowly approved setting the village’s maximum property tax rate at 2.15 mills for the upcoming fiscal year, up from its current 1.92 rate. Since then, officials have received updated costs from their medical insurance provider that are five
percent lower than budgeted. The five percent reduction from this expenditure meant a balanced budget with the existing 1.92 millage rate is possible. Staff proposed a 2.15 millage rate to balance the village’s operating budget over the next 10 years and stop officials from needing to use reserves to cover some expenses. With the updated finances, the village would only create a $6.3 million cumulative operating deficit over the next 10 years instead of a $7.3 million deficit if it keeps its current tax rate. Complicating the effort to balance the budget over the next few years is the possibility of losing a chunk of property tax revenue from a proposed tax reform amendment. The ballot measure, if approved by 60 percent of Florida voters in November, would significantly increase homestead exemptions for homeowners.
Village Manager Ray Liggins explained that if the amendment were to pass, the village would need to heavily restructure its finances, making any millage rate increase inconsequential. “There’s such a change that might come to us Nov. 3 that so much would have to be looked at that doing this smaller change now is not necessary,” he said. Voters will decide whether to approve the “Increased Homestead Exemption; Lower Cap on Increases in Non-Homesteaded Property Assessments” amendment during the midterm elections. Formerly known as the “Save Our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes” amendment, it would raise homestead exemptions to $150,000 in 2027, $250,000 in 2028 and adjust the rate based on inflation thereafter. Earlier this year, the amendment faced legal challenges over its ballot language. Some of those
lawsuits could have completely derailed the measure. However, a Leon County judge recently ruled that the measure’s previous title and summary were “clearly and conclusively defective.” State officials were then ordered to change the language, with the updated amendment being presented to voters in November. Given the uncertainty over whether local municipalities will have their tax revenue cut, some council members supported keeping the millage rate at 1.92 and look at increasing it later. “My thinking, really, has been along the lines of waiting until we know what the outcome of Nov. 3 is before we start to adjust anything,” Mayor Jeff Hmara said. “Otherwise, we run the risk of doing incremental changes that may be suboptimal along the way, without knowing the full impact of what we’re trying to actually address.”
Vice Mayor Sylvia Sharps and Councilwoman Jan Rodusky believed, regardless of the outcome, the village would need to raise the tax rate to continue to provide the level of service to which residents have become accustomed. “People are still telling me that they’d rather the millage rate go up now, than be faced with a problem later,” Sharps said. Rodusky added that during Royal Palm Beach’s Annual Citizen Summit, a large majority of residents who attended said they were OK with a slight increase in their taxes if it meant maintaining current levels of service. “If we’re not going to listen to our residents, or not going to take that to heart, then I suggest we don’t do a citizen summit,” she said. Hmara individually asked council members which millage rate they would prefer, with him, Councilman Richard Valuntas and
Councilwoman Selena Samios backing keeping the current rate of 1.92 mills. However, Sharps and Rodusky maintained their position of supporting the original increase to 2.15 mills. The council will vote on adopting the final rate at a meeting on Thursday, Sept. 10. The tentative rate would require a unanimous vote to be implemented, which could mean having to negotiate to reach a final number. On a related note, as part of their fiscal discussion, council members reexamined whether to discontinue Royal Palm Beach’s Seafood Festival or West Fest. The village budgeted $92,550 for West Fest, but it could replace it with the Seafood Festival, which only costs $25,000. The majority of council members supported only hosting the Seafood Festival next year because of its lower cost.
County Commissioners Support Data Center Moratorium Plan
By Patrick Sherry Town-Crier Staff Report Opposition against AI data centers is prompting county leaders to put a pause on applications for related large-scale proposals in the near future. The Palm Beach County Commission gave initial approval to a one-year moratorium on accepting data center applications at a zoning hearing Thursday, Aug. 27. If given final approval, county officials will conduct research and create stricter, permanent regulations for the rapidly advancing technology infrastructure. The commissioners requested that county staff bring forward a moratorium for their consideration after receiving multiple data center applications. They agreed that the county’s current unified land development code (ULDC) does not adequately regulate data centers, especially because the scope and scale of this type of technology
Jim Brandon
Funding Secured For One Year
continued from page 1 Jim Brandon will utilize roughly $427,000 of those recovered funds. Because the agenda for the first public budget hearing, which was set for Thursday, Sept. 3, was already finalized, county staffers intend to formally insert the funding via an amendment during the second budget hearing scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 15. County Commissioner Joel Flores, whose territory encompasses Jim Brandon, sought to ease local anxieties by clarifying at the Sept. 1 meeting that the park is absolutely not closing, nor is the county attempting to sell off the land. Flores emphasized that the overarching long-term goal remains identifying a sustainable operator capable of absorbing the financial overhead while firmly maintaining affordable public access. Flores apologized for the widespread confusion generated
infrastructure has changed dramatically over the last few years. The moratorium ordinance defines a large-scale data center as a single-location facility containing primarily electronic equipment used to store and process digital information, with an anticipated monthly peak load of 50 megawatts or more. The language of the ordinance follows state statutes that give local governments the ability to regulate large-load power customers and large-scale data centers by defining the two by using 50 megawatts as a threshold. Earlier in August, the Palm Beach County Zoning Commission recommended approval of the moratorium. Those on the zoning commission wanted to include broader language that addressed water usage, sound and heat concerns. However, county staff advised following state law because of potential legal challenges using Senate Bill 180.
The Florida law passed in 2025 limits local governments’ ability to change their land development codes until October 2027. Despite this, staff included other revisions, including adding language to prevent developers from fragmenting projects to go below the 50-megawatt threshold; excluding properties affected by hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton from the moratorium; and requiring developers proposing a data center below the 50-megawatt limit to obtain a certification from a professional engineer to prove that the project is below that threshold. Sue Loyzelle, a resident of Arden, still believed that the county needs to adopt broader definitions in the moratorium because of how much a data center can impact a local area. Arden is adjacent to the controversial proposed data center known as Project Tango. “Use the moratorium to close
loopholes, gather expert analysis, protect water and infrastructure, and make sure the code is clear and enforceable — and strong enough to protect Palm Beach County for decades,” she said. Others who gave public comment supported the restriction because it would give officials time to develop concrete regulations that can address multiple areas of concern. “I believe this time should be used to properly study these facilities before changing the ULDC… This cannot just be about electricity,” said Lisa Johnson, who was representing the Acreage Landowners’ Association. “The county studies should include electricity, power demands, infrastructure required, water, cooling demand, groundwater, private wells, heat and the 24-hour cooling impacts beyond the property line.” The approval of the moratorium follows recent backlash over Proj-
ect Tango. The proposal included a hyperscale AI data center on nearly 200 acres of land west of Arden and near Saddle View Elementary School off Southern Blvd. near 20-Mile Bend. County commissioners, during a 12-hour meeting in July where dozens of residents voiced opposition, voted against approving it. However, the developers have challenged the county ruling in court. The moratorium would only apply to any future applications after it is approved. Those submitted before will still be reviewed by county staff and potentially be considered by the county commissioners. In addition to the year-long restriction, local leaders were interested in creating a task force to help develop new regulations for data centers. Each commissioner would be able to appoint a member to the task force. Palm Beach County Mayor Sara
by early county e-mails that mistakenly used the word “close,” and urged local equestrian groups to organize a cohesive committee to collaborate with the county on future operational plans. For grassroots equestrian organizations like the Palm Beach Posse, which is celebrating its landmark 70th anniversary as a volunteer-driven nonprofit organization, the idea of privatization poses an existential threat to working-class riders. Darcy Gordon, an equestrian and the current treasurer of the Palm Beach Posse, expressed deep distress over the situation. Gordon has been actively involved with the Posse since 1993, back when its shows were held at the original location at the northeast corner of Belvedere Road and State Road 7. The Jim Brandon Equestrian Center was later offered to the Posse as a replacement for that original location when the land was sold. “I am devastated that I live in one of the richest counties in the country whose claim to fame is being the equestrian capital of the world, and many of our equestrian facilities are being put at risk,” Gordon said.
In a formal letter delivered directly to the Palm Beach County Commission in late August, Gordon highlighted that local public parks are the quiet foundation supporting the region’s massive commercial horse industry. She noted that the affordable, accessible nature of Posse events allows everyday residents, many of whom lack the wealth required for high-end international circuits, to experience horse ownership, learn sportsmanship and qualify for youth educational scholarships. According to Gordon, historical contractual challenges with the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center have also fueled community mistrust. She pointed to past instances where dedicated training amenities were lost. For example, roughly five years ago, a long-term, 100year lease involving the historic barrel racing ring, back practice ring and office space was abruptly terminated, Gordon said. The push for privatization may also face steep legal hurdles. During the public comment section of the Sept. 1 meeting, local equestrian Laura Whitford informed commissioners that her extensive review of 18 years of
county financial records, deeds and property covenants revealed explicit legal protections. According to Whitford, these historic covenants dictate that the land must be preserved strictly as a public recreational park, suggesting that a private partnership agreement could trigger substantial legal challenges. While the one-year budget extension offers temporary relief, the long-term status of the county-owned equestrian park remains a critical conversation. Community advocates maintain that a private developer would likely prioritize profit or corporate tax write-offs over maintaining public riding trails and practice spaces. For the recreational equestrian community, the objective remains to keep it a county park rather than transferring it to a third party. “The only person who would do it would be there to make a profit, or they would need a huge write-off, and I don’t know who that would be,” Gordon warned the county commissioners in her letter. “The only equestrian location of that magnitude in Palm Beach would be gone for its residents, and you will never get it back.”
Palm Beach County’s Jim Brandon Equestrian Center is located at Okeeheelee Park South. PHOTO BY HILARY MOORE HEBERT/TOWN-CRIER
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Baxter and Commissioner Maria Sachs invited residents who gave public comments to reach out to their offices to be part of the task force. “Whatever task force we put together should continue to study how this technology continues to evolve and what potential impacts it could play in the future,” Commissioner Joel Flores said. Vice Mayor Marci Woodward even suggested joining the task force herself to learn more about the data centers and be better informed for future decisions. “I want to know everything that’s coming at this,” Woodward said. “I want to hear from all the experts myself because, ultimately, we’re the decision makers… and there’s a lot to learn.” The board unanimously approved the moratorium ordinance. Commissioners will consider the second and final reading on the matter Thursday, Sept. 24.
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NEWS
FAMILY CHURCH WELLINGTON BREAKS GROUND ON A BRAND-NEW BUILDING
Members of Family Church Wellington gathered for a historic groundbreaking on their new building Sunday, Aug. 30 at the church location at 12700 W. Forest Hill Blvd. Family, friends and guests alike were welcomed to join in the fun, taking to the bounce houses and enjoying a barbecue meal. Members — armed with ceremonial shovels — broke ground for the greatly anticipated 30,000-plus-square-foot structure. To learn more about Family Church, visit www.gofamilychurch.org. PHOTOS BY MEREDITH BUROW/TOWN-CRIER
Pastor Jimmy Scroggins, Wellington Councilman Stephen Levin, Wellington Vice Mayor Maria Antuña, Pastor Brian Stebbins and Pastor Joel McDonald.
Pastor Brian Stebbins with his son Braxton.
Pastor Terry Townsend addresses the crowd.
Church members Nathan and Sarai Costiuc with their children Amadeus, Silas, Moses and Jasper.
Cherlinne Sutton with sons Cedric, Terrance and Christopher.
Jay and Cindi Ervine with their granddaughter Gabby.
Monica Poza doles out catering from Gunsmoke BBQ.
Church members Frank and Mary Michaels.
Chris Saydeh with his son Jacob.
Worship team members Laura Wallis and Chris Berrios.
Sisters Marithalia Catón and MyKeyly Hernandez.
Fja Ramos with her daughter Mulania.
Elizabeth and Dennis Backherms with their daughter Charlotte.
Family Church Wellington team members Malachi McLean, Joel McDonald, Dwight Hernandez, Keenan Casteel, Dalton Diel, Ashley Hudspeth, Marcia Gunsalus, Scott Crawford and Brian Stebbins.
Friends Annabeth Burke, Page Burow, Janine Roa, Betsy Roa and Madysun Causier.
John Burow, Cole Drummond, Ray Burow and Alex O’Such.
Ashley Hudspeth with her children Sydney, August and Everest.
Family Church members Karen and Brad Wahl.
Rotary is looking to add a few good spokes to our Rotary Wheel.
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Royal Palm Beach Rotary Meets Tuesdays - 7:30 a.m. Hilary’s For additional information call Andre Blackwood 772-631-1716
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NEWS
Wellington Rotary Club To Host Annual Peace Ceremony On Sunday, Sept. 27
By Fiona Slusarev Town-Crier Staff Report A day of peace, reflection and multicultural appreciation will be held Sunday, Sept. 27 at the annual World Peace Day Ceremony hosted by the Wellington Rotary Club and the Village of Wellington. This year marks the 21st anniversary of the ceremony, bringing residents and community leaders together to recognize the importance of peace at home and across the world. In recognition of the United Nations-designated International Day of Peace, established for Sept. 21 by the UN General Assembly in 1981, Rotarians and village officials will come together for a ceremony at Wellington Rotary Peace Park, located at the intersection of Royal Fern Drive and Birkdale Drive, from 3 to 4 p.m., with tents for shade and seating provided. This annual event was originally created by Dr. Wesley Boughner to promote peace through multicultural understanding and conflict resolution practices. The ceremony has taken place every year since 2006, recognizing outstanding members of the community and creating a space to discuss the meaning of peace. Rotarian Don Gross hopes the ceremony and accompanying competitions help children to start thinking about what peace means across the globe. “The reason that it is important is that we are getting the students, when they’re younger, to think about it — to think about
something bigger than what’s happening in their own [world] in Wellington — and, hopefully, to get them to think about what peace really means,” Gross explained. The ceremony will begin with the PBSO Honor Guard presenting the colors and playing “Taps.” Members of the Wellington Village Council will speak on the topics of unity and peace, and the village will put forth a peace proclamation marking the day, which will be read during the ceremony. Awards will be presented to the winners of several Rotary school competitions. The winners of the school contests — the elementary school poster contest, the middle school poetry contest and high school essay contest — will be presented with their awards. The posters and poems center around what peace means to each student, while the high school essay prompt was based on a Gandhi quote: “If we are to reach real peace in the world, we shall have to begin with the children.” Winners were chosen from each of the local schools participating in the competition, and then overall winners for the poster and poetry categories were chosen by a Rotary member vote. The essay winner was chosen by an anonymous college professor who reviewed each essay entry. Winners across all categories are presented with a certificate and prize check. Teachers of the winning students are also awarded a monetary gift, intended for educational support.
Doves are released during a previous peace ceremony. “That’s the driving force of the who contributes greatly to the Welceremony. We start those contests lington community. back in February, and the winners “We give a Peace Award to a were picked in May before school local citizen. It’s maybe somebody ended,” Gross said. “Now in Sep- who’s not high profile, but you can tember, we have the ceremony, and see that they do a lot to make a difthose people who were winners ference in Wellington,” Gross said. are awarded certificates, they get This year’s winner is John Sia prize check, and their parents tomer, the founder of the Council and grandparents are there to con- of Dads, which is an organization gratulate them. It’s a very positive that supports the growth and experience for the kids and the empowerment of students in the families.” Wellington Wolves basketball The Student Mediation Award family of players. Sitomer was infor Resolutions Today (SMART) spired to create the group through Award will be presented to Cristal the book The Council of Dads by Auger of Florida Atlantic Univer- Bruce Feiler. sity High School for her achieveEight volunteers from around ments in conflict resolution and the community will stand before leadership. Candidates for the the crowd to say, “May peace award are nominated by high prevail on Earth” in eight differschools for their outstanding con- ent languages, which echoes the tributions to combat bullying or permanent eight-sided Peace Pole work in conflict resolution. installation at Rotary Peace Park, “The goal is to highlight a which is likewise inscribed with student who has gone out of their the same statement. More than 200 way to help fight bullying or is a people are expected to attend the leader in conflict resolution within hour-long event. the school,” Gross said. For more information about the The annual Peace Award will Wellington Rotary, visit www. also be given to a local individual wellingtonrotary.org.
Wellington Board Approves Design Plans For New Private Tennis Campus
By Patrick Sherry Town-Crier Staff Report A new private tennis campus is coming to Wellington with a Mediterranean architectural theme and a unique design that seeks to fit well with the character of the village. Wellington’s Architectural Review Board approved elevations, colors and materials for the proposed facility at a meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 1. The former preschool location at the southwest corner of Greenbriar Blvd. and Ousley Farms Road will be turned into a private tennis campus with indoor and outdoor courts. Former professional tennis player Betsy McCormack and coach Rodrigo Nascimento, owners of R&B Sports, hope to develop tennis skills in young athletes. On the four-acre site, the partners will be building two indoor tennis courts, six outdoor tennis courts and four glass-walled padel courts. The site will have a twostory clubhouse with locker rooms, a fitness area, a café and office space with a nearly 17,000-squarefoot indoor sports facility. The entire building will have a Mediterranean architectural style with brown and off-white colors. “The challenging part of this building was clearly how do we get an indoor tennis court inside a building that fits within Wellington and the architecture and the neighborhood,” said Keith Spina, CEO of the architecture firm Spina O’Rourke + Partners. “We looked at a lot of different options, and at the end of the day, we chose what
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NEWS BRIEFS
Wellington Town Center A Finalist For Great Places 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
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.
Bright Future Togo Benefit Sept. 25 In Wellington
Bright Future Togo will host its upcoming community fundraising event, Flow for a Future, on Friday, Sept. 25, starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Wellington Community Center (12150 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). Flow for a Future is a wellnessbased fundraising event featuring stretching and meditation, bringing the local community together for a meaningful cause. While the event is taking place in Wellington, its impact will reach children thousands of miles away in Togo, West Africa. Bright Future Togo is dedicated to helping children in Togo by supporting education, healthcare and child welfare. Its goal is to help provide children with the resources and opportunities they need to build healthier, more hopeful and brighter futures.
As part of Flow for a Future, the group will also be hosting a raffle featuring prizes donated by local businesses and community partners. Raffle ticket proceeds will help support Bright Future Togo’s education and healthcare initiatives. Bright Future Togo welcomes local businesses that would like to donate a raffle prize, gift certificate, service or other item. Businesses that participate will have an opportunity to support children in Togo while demonstrating their commitment to making a positive difference in the community. For more information about Bright Future Togo and its mission, visit www.brightfuturetogo. org. To learn more about how to support the benefit event, e-mail togobrightfuture@gmail.com.
Drive-Thru Animal Blessing Oct. 3 At St. Michael Lutheran Church
A front rendering of the planned R&B Sports complex on Greenbriar Blvd. we thought was most effective in to Wellington,” Board Member nesses along with office space and a variety of ways.” John Greene said. “It’s a stunning a hotel. “This is not a monolithic Nascimento said the project has piece of architecture. It’s just nice 83 storefronts,” explained David been in the works for more than a when we get some good stuff in Manfredi, CEO and founding prindecade. The club is intended to be front of us.” cipal of Elkus Manfredi Architects. private, but the campus team will The board unanimously ap- “They are different. They have an work to welcome as many young proved the site’s elevations, colors organic quality, and our goal is to athletes as they can, he added. and materials. Developers expect create a village center that’s very “We want to give back every- to break ground on the property in walkable.” thing that we’ve always gotten December. Other than their approval on back to the kids,” Nascimento said. In other business, the board also building heights, board members “Our main focus is going to be approved the elevations, materials voted 4-2 to limit the maximum the kids. It’s going to be open for and building heights for several height of a construction fence to everyone, but we want to change buildings in Village Landing, for- eight feet. kids’ lives.” merly known as K-Park. “I think it is going to be a big The board praised the applicants Developers from Related Ross change for this community in a for their application and aesthetic began construction on the project positive way,” Greene said. “We designs. They said they are excited earlier this year and are creating a don’t have a main street in Welto see what this type of investment mixed-use, walkable commercial lington… I’m very excited to have can do for the community. and pedestrian plaza off State Road a place — a piazza — where the “I appreciate the investment 7. The site is expected to have doz- community can gather and resiand vision you have to bring this ens of retail and restaurant busi- dents can hang out.”
Officials: Amendment 3 Could Lead To Large Drop In Wellington Revenues
By Patrick Sherry Town-Crier Staff Report The threat of losing a large portion of tax revenue next year is looming over the Wellington Village Council. During a workshop session held on Thursday, Aug. 24, village leaders learned how much their future budgets will be impacted if Amendment 3 were to be approved by Florida voters in November. Based on the 2025 tax roll, Wellington has 23,118 parcels of land with $13.2 billion worth of taxable value. The village’s current millage rate of 2.47 generates nearly $33 million in property tax revenue. Almost 14,500 parcels are homesteaded, and the remaining parcels, approximately 8,000, are not. Owners of homesteaded properties could see a larger exemption amount, while those with non-homestead parcels would benefit from a lower assessment growth cap from Amendment 3. The “Increased Homestead Exemption; Lower Cap on Increases in Non-Homesteaded Property Assessments” amendment aims to substantially increase the exemption amount if 60 percent of voters support it. The amendment would raise the homestead exemption from $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027,
September 4 - September 17, 2026
with it increasing to $250,000 in 2028 and being adjusted for inflation thereafter. It also creates a five-year waiting period before new Florida residents could receive the new homestead exemption rates. During those first five years, the amount of exemption will be $50,000. Additionally, the ballot measure would change the annual assessment growth cap for non-homestead parcels from 10 to 5 percent. But non-ad valorem assessments themselves will not be impacted. Wellington officials could see $3.2 million less revenue in fiscal year 2028, and an additional $3 million loss the following year from homesteaded properties alone. For non-homesteaded properties, staff estimates another $500,000 to $1 million revenue reduction. With such a potentially large reduction in the budget, village staff believes there will certainly have to be cuts and increases elsewhere to replace the lost revenue. “What ends up happening is a tax shift,” Village Manager Jim Barnes said. “Depending upon how those costs are addressed, and what those changes show, is that while we’re maybe reducing it for some, there might be an
increase for others, whether it’s businesses or whether it’s the nonresidential.” Senate Bill 4F will also further restrict how municipalities can make up for the loss of tax revenue. The law, passed earlier this year, changes how local governments can calculate their maximum millage rates. The law requires municipalities to use the rolled-back rate to determine their tentative millage rates. Areas that could see cuts include public works, infrastructure, community services and events, road maintenance, public safety and various government operations. For residents, this could mean the elimination or reduction of non-core services; increased rental and user fees for village facilities and events; less investment in infrastructure improvements in the village; and fewer services from law enforcement and fire-rescue. “We would look across the board, not only at cutting, but also at just figuring out how to offset the revenue loss from ad valorem to bring in additional revenue,” Barnes said. “Whether it’s increased fees for services… privatizing certain aspects of the operation… changing the actual
model and how we deliver some of those services.” The council currently is not going to make any of these changes in its upcoming fiscal year budget. If the amendment were to pass in November, the council will have to reprioritize policy and potentially need to find new alternatives to bring in tax revenue. “The key is looking at some policy changes in some direction as it relates to what our priorities are if Amendment 3 passes,” Barnes said, adding that it could mean “looking at a wider range of options for revenue generation, redistribution of the actual costs of doing business… and how we plan for that going forward.” In other business, the council was interested in implementing a 24/7 operational traffic signal at the intersection of Bent Creek Road and Binks Forest Drive. Village staff recommended upgrading the existing traffic signal on the road to improve safety and sight visibility. The light currently operates as a standard red-yellow-green during school hours and has a twoway flash during off hours. If the council approves the matter at an upcoming meeting, the light will have standard red-yellow-green signals throughout the day.
St Michael Lutheran Church will be holding a Drive-Thru Pet Blessing on Saturday, Oct. 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The church is located at 1925 Birkdale Drive in Wellington at the corner of Forest Hill Blvd. St. Francis of Assisi Day is celebrated every year and honors St. Francis of Assisi, who is known as the patron saint of animals and the environment. St. Michael holds a drive-thru pet and animal blessing, recognizing his love and care for all creatures. The tradition of blessing ani-
mals on this day reflects St. Francis’s belief that all living beings are connected and deserving of compassion. All are invited to the “Small Church with a Big Heart” with pets of any kind. Attendees can also bring photos of pets that have crossed over the rainbow bridge. The church has blessed dogs, cats, lizards, snakes, bunnies, birds and even chickens. Blessings and treats for pets will be available. Learn more about St. Michael Lutheran Church at www. stmichaelelc.com.
CMX Cinemas Wellington Presents Cinema Confidential On Sept. 7
Tucked inside the Mall at Wellington Green, CMX Cinemas Wellington has announced CMX Cinema Confidential, a mystery movie night where guests can catch an unreleased feature film before its official debut. On Monday, Sept. 7 at 7 p.m., CMX Wellington will host a single Cinema Confidential showtime. For $6 per ticket, movie lovers can enjoy a thrilling advance screening in a unique, secretive format. Here’s the cinematic twist: The movie is completely confidential until the lights dim. Even most of the CMX team won’t know what’s playing. Guests will only be given two
clues ahead of time: the MPAA rating and the runtime. Feeling noshy? Silver screenapproved snacks include gourmet popcorn for $15.99, available in specialty flavors such as Strawberry Pop Tart, S’Mores, Cinnamon Sugar and Bleu Cheese. You can purchase tickets online at www.cmxcinemas.com, via the CMX Mobile App or in person at the box office. Tickets are non-refundable. CMX Cinemas Wellington is located in the Mall at Wellington Green at 10312 W. Forest Hill Blvd. For more information, visit www.cmxcinemas. com/locationdetail/wellington or call (561) 440-1727.
Jeff Hmara To Serve On Florida League Of Cities Policy Committee
The Florida League of Cities, the united voice for Florida’s municipal governments, recently announced that Royal Palm Beach Mayor Jeff Hmara has been appointed to serve on the Florida League of Cities 2026-27 Finance and Taxation 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, Hmara 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 under-
stand the real-world implications of proposed legislation. Committee members are also asked to serve as advocates for local decision-making throughout the legislative process. “Serving again on the Finance and Taxation Committee is an honor and an opportunity to help protect local decision-making while ensuring that Florida’s cities have the financial tools needed to provide essential services and maintain quality of life,” Hmara said. Hmara has participated in the league’s legislative policy process in prior years and was recognized as an FLC Home Rule Hero for the third consecutive year for his advocacy on behalf of local decision-making and Florida’s municipalities.
St. Michael To Hold Community Rummage And Bake Sale Oct. 17
St. Michael Lutheran Church will host a community Rummage and Bake Sale on Saturday, Oct. 17, offering residents a chance to browse household goods, treasures, baked items and food available for purchase. The event runs from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church campus, located at 1925 Birkdale Drive.
Individuals interested in selling items can reserve a vendor space for $20 by contacting Mara at (561) 351-8318 no later than Friday, Oct. 2. Participants are asked to bring their own tables, chairs, water and merchandise. The event is open to the public. There is no admission, and parking is free.
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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
True Angel Care Services Inc. 954-326-8551
(GRADES 1 -12)
BRIGHTWAY INSURANCE 561-331-6652
Wellington Mall Center Court
WOOD • PAPER •GLASS 561-557-9583
Nursing School 561-688-5112
561-444-7230
RESTAURANT
WCA Café
(Adjacent to the Post Office)
561-468-7653
PRIVATE SCHOOL
561-281-3603
WWW.WELLINGTONCOMMUNITYFOUNDATION.ORG
Leasing Information
www.dunamiscapitaladvisors.com
Call Chris Santamaria 561-793-4500
Page 10
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September 4 - September 17, 2026
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9/1/26
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The Town-Crier
BORN HERE. RAISED HERE. RAISING MY FAMILY HERE. SMALL BUSINESS OWNER. PART OF OUR COMMUNITY.
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As we approach observances on the 25th anniversary of the tragic events of September 11, 2001, we remember the lives lost, the loved ones left to grieve, and the spirit of our nation in the days that followed. We remain grateful for all of our first responders, who run toward danger.
RE-ELECT
www.VOTESARABAXTER.com Paid by Sara Baxter, Republican, for Palm Beach County Commission District 6.
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Page 11
NEWS
GRADUATION CEREMONY FOR PBSO CITIZEN’S LAW ENFORCEMENT ACADEMY
On Wednesday, Aug. 19, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Citizen’s Law Enforcement Academy in Wellington held its graduation ceremony. Participants and their guests enjoyed dinner and cake as they met some of the four-legged members of the PBSO team: therapy dogs Claire, Ringo and Charlie, K9 DeVille and Rosco from the Mounted Unit. Participants learned about 9-1-1 services, therapy dogs, K9 dogs, the Mounted Unit, the Marine Unit, the Aviation Unit, emergency response, the Gang and Homicide Unit, financial crimes, human trafficking, common laws and more during the duration of the program. The next PBSO Citizen’s Law Enforcement Academy takes place Sept. 3 through Oct. 8 in Lake Park. The program provides a behind-the-scenes look at the agency. The free academy is limited to 50 participants, 16 years of age and older. For more information, contact Community Relations Coordinator Rosalind Murray at (561) 485-2432. PHOTOS BY JULIE UNGER/TOWN-CRIER
PBSO Sgt. Brian Cullen, Major Tristram Moore, Unit Volunteer Howard Gross, Lt. B. Staats and Community Relations Coordinator Rosalind Murray.
PBSO volunteers gather for a group photo.
Communications Supervisor Nichol Buckland with Next Gen 9-1-1 information.
Therapy dog Ringo attended the session.
K9 DeVille with Deputy Scott Thomas.
PBSO Capt. Nichole Addazio speaks to the graduates.
PBSO Major Tristram Moore addresses the group.
Deputy Mike Valenti and Wellington Vice Mayor Maria Antuña with Rosco.
Therapy dogs Claire and Charlie with Pfc. Wilmer Sainea Acevedo, a new graduate of the program, and grandson Nathan Sainea.
ROYAL PALM BEACH ROTARY CLUB ENJOYS DINNER AT DOMENIC’S AND VINNIE’S
The Royal Palm Beach Rotary Club met on Tuesday, Aug. 25 at Domenic’s and Vinnie’s Palm Beach restaurant on Okeechobee Blvd. in Royal Palm Beach. The speaker was Dr. Sonia Brown, a professor of nursing at South University. Learn more about the club at www.rpbrotary.org. PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
Rotarians gather for a group photo at Domenic’s and Vinnie’s.
Steve Epstein and Jeffrey Fine.
JUNIOR PROGRAM DATES
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
children • community • seniors The Wellington Community Foundation, Inc. is a the residents of Wellington by supporting and improving their quality of life. Learn More About Becoming Involved By Visiting Our Website Today!
www.wellingtoncommunityfoundation.org
Carolyn Hmara, Roszel Fletcher, Mary Bruscino and Mayor Jeff Hmara.
Gas Safety Info
September 8 through November 18
Starting Date: September 14 Weekly: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday Time: 5:00 to 6:30 pm Fee: $1,000
Speaker Dr. Sonia Brown, a nursing professor at South University, with Rotary President Sylvia Sharps.
Joan Scherer and PBSO Capt. Ulrich Naujoks.
FROM FLORIDA CITY GAS (FCG) Did you know gas pipelines may be located in your area? Here’s how to recognize a leak. SMELL
Natural gas and propane are naturally odorless. A ‘rotten egg’ odor is added for easy detection.
SEE
Blowing dirt or bubbling creeks or ponds. Natural gas is lighter than air and rises whereas propane gas is heavier and settles.
HEAR
Listen for hissing sounds near a gas appliance or line.
! Do not smoke, light a match or do anything that may result in an explosion or fire.
FCG Emergency Response is available 24/7.
If you suspect a gas leak or related emergency, LEAVE THE AREA IMMEDIATELY and call Florida City Gas at 888.352.5325 (or dial 911 if needed). Pipeline markers along mains and transmission lines have phone numbers in case of emergency. They don’t show exact locations/depths, so please call 811 to locate and mark utility lines. Some segments along transmission pipelines may be designated as High Consequence Areas (HCAs). Call 888.352.5325 for FCG’s Integrity Management Program.
We offer coverage for: Homes, Condos, Auto, Umbrella, Flood, Business We have access to more carriers than any other insurance agency in Wellington. More Realtors and mortgage lenders call us for our speed and proficiency. Quality of service of matters. Contact me to insure your peace of mind.
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floridacitygas.com | 888.352.5325
Page 12
September 4 - September 17, 2026
CTMP
Officials Not Happy
continued from page 1 officials held multiple community and stakeholder meetings throughout the county to build the CTMP using public feedback and data. According to their presentation, the final plan is a living document designed to integrate multiple local and regional transportation plans into one decision framework. Rather than replacing existing plans, the CTMP builds on them by coordinating priorities for investment without creating another agency.
Chamber
Village Landing
continued from page 1 with several other districts to attract visitors and business to the village. “The Village Landing project, although it’s in Wellington, and it’s spoken of frequently as a Wellington project, is really serving the entire western communities,” explained Kevin Ryan, executive vice president at Related Ross. The project will be walkable but still have the suburban, village-like character that Wellington is known for. The developer’s goal was to create a gathering place for residents to stay and discover. In the center of Village Landing will be multiple interconnected plazas and green spaces that run through the entire project. Developers designed the project to be a lifestyle-oriented space with its retail and dining options being front and center. About 80 retail and restaurant venues are expected to be within the property. “When we think about the retail vision for Village Landing, our goal is to really create a thoughtful, dynamic mix that feels authentic to the market, that gives people a reason to spend time here and ultimately keep coming back,” said Whitney Wiese, retail leasing director at Related Ross. The Related Ross team said that they will be intentional with the tenants they choose to lease to. They are hoping to have a curated
Annexation
ISBA Plan Rejected
continued from page 1 County Attorney Darren Leiser told the commissioners. The county commission in 2024 approved a plan to build 480 single-family homes and 54 multi-family workforce housing units on the property. Commissioners were displeased about losing the workforce housing from the original plan in the Wellington version. As part of the ISBA, Kolter Homes will contribute $1 million to Wellington’s Workforce Housing Fund. However, Wellington does not have a workforce housing program. Instead, Wellington Planning, Zoning & Building Director Tim Stillings said the money from the contribution could go toward home rehabilitation or a yet-to-be-created first-time homeowner program. At the meeting, representatives from Kolter Homes also agreed to contribute a separate $1 million to the county’s Workforce Housing Trust Fund if the ISBA were to be approved. Ken Tuma of Urban Design Studio, who spoke on behalf of the developers, explained that the ISBA guarantees that developers will provide a site for a fire station on the property, dedicate a road to an Okeechobee Blvd. extension for connectivity to the area and set the density standards for the property.
Westlake
School Speed Cameras
continued from page 1 speed, but I have serious issues with data collected and what it could lead to in the future.” The discussion came one day after the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) ordered local law enforcement agencies to remove automated license-plate readers (LPR) from state highways within 30 days. The order cited the rapid expansion of the technology, reports of misuse, and concerns about privacy and surveillance. Gov. Ron DeSantis has said that license-plate-reader use is “out of control” and that Florida should not become a “surveillance state.” RedSpeed representative Natalie Otto stressed that the proposed school-zone system records only vehicles exceeding the speed limit during school hours. However, LPR capability can be added to the system through another vendor, she said. Otto said RedSpeed is not
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NEWS “Throughout this process, what we were trying to do is create one encompassing plan that included all of the plans from different municipalities, as well as ongoing planning activities that were being completed by the county and county partners,” explained Emily Ritzler, a consultant with WSP. The CTMP’s database contains nearly 2,000 transportation projects and recommendations. The plan was built without cost analysis included to give officials an idea of what opportunities are available and what investments may be needed. Within it, 21 priority corridors were identified as having a high need for mobility
improvements, including State Road 7 and Okeechobee Blvd. Some of those recommendations include roadway widening, traffic signal upgrades, multimodal enhancements and more. Commissioners were unimpressed by the CTMP. Throughout staff’s presentation, commissioners interjected with comments over the framework’s overfocus on planning rather than action that could provide meaningful traffic relief in the county. Royal Palm Beach Mayor Jeff Hmara, vice chair of the Multi-Jurisdictional Issues Coordination Forum Executive Committee, said that the county should receive and
mix of national brands combined with local businesses to make the area a one-stop destination serving the needs of all visitors. Each area will be uniquely designed but integrated into the environment to fit naturally with the others. Developers also plan to build various recreational and outdoor amenities to make Village Landing an ideal gathering place. “There will be districts and neighborhoods — it will be defined by architecture, public realm, landscaping and an overall sense of place,” Wiese said. “We want the retail to feel integrated into those different environments, rather than simply just in a collection of storefronts.” About one-third of the 80 venues will be restaurants. Christopher Monaco, director of restaurant operations at Related Ross, explained that the goal is to create a wide range of dining experiences that appeal to people for different reasons. “When you hear food and beverage, people think of chefs or restaurants,” he said. “We really think about experiences, and that’s really what we want to create.” One of the largest components of Village Landing is the construction of a new $280 million private school on nearly 44 acres at the western part of the parcel. The school, called Wingrove Academy, is intended to redefine what excellence looks like in independent private school education. “Our charge is to work with Related Ross and the community to bring a truly world-class school
from the ground up as part of the site in Wellington,” said Jeff Clark, chair and CEO of ElevateED. Clark expects to welcome 1,000 students from pre-K through grade nine to the campus in the fall of 2029. The school will use a curriculum designed specifically for Wingrove Academy rather than relying on existing wellknown academic programs like International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement. With its own unique curriculum, the school is not looking to build an environment where students compete with each other but one that is focused on collaboration. The school plans to eventually expand to 1,750 students with a full pre-K through grade 12 program. To ensure that Wingrove Academy is accessible to families, officials from ElevateED have created a $10 million scholarship fund specifically for Wellington residents who demonstrate financial need. “I think one of the great opportunities here is not only to be an exceptional school for Wellington and the State of Florida, but also to be an example for the nation and abroad,” Clark said. Outside of its retail and restaurant offerings, Village Landing will have 70,000 square feet of office space for local businesses and a 180-key residence-style hotel by Hilton. Village Landing is located at 10400 Stribling Way in Wellington. To learn more, or to sign up for updates on the project, visit www. villagelandingwellington.com.
“We’re in support of the ISBA for our property,” Tuma said. “The other jurisdictional discussion going on… that does not affect our property.” Added to the disagreement is the inclusion of the surrounding land near Artistry Lakes. Arden and the property owned by PBA Holdings have a restrictive covenant that prevents annexation to any municipality. They are also part of the Glades Area Protection Overlay (GAPO), which was placed to limit development in the area. If the ISBA were to be approved, those regulations would be removed. Despite the ISBA not annexing anything, it could still lead to more land being annexed into Wellington. But property with residents, like Arden, would still need to hold a referendum and gain a majority vote to join the village. Commissioner Gregg Weiss criticized Wellington officials for dishonesty. He explained that when village leaders annexed the nearby Sluggett property to the east, they went before the county board and said there would be no more annexations near its surrounding areas. “As far as I’m concerned, you didn’t deal with us in good faith last time,” Weiss said. “What’s to stop you from continuing to annex around this property?” Residents from the land within the boundary agreement who gave public comment opposed the ISBA. They believed it was just a
way for the village to eventually annex them in the future. Others also spoke in opposition. “I am appalled — extremely appalled — that developers think that they can come here and play ‘The Price is Right,’ and that you would even entertain such an offer,” Acreage resident Pia Skoran said. Nina Corning, a Loxahatchee Groves resident, wanted to preserve the GAPO and prevent more development density in the area. “This is good for Wellington, and Wellington alone,” she said. “It is not good for the county. It’s not good for ITID. It is not good for Arden. It’s not good for Loxahatchee Groves. It’s not good for anybody else.” Developers’ plans have been put on hold because of the dispute. If the two local governments were to go to court, the annexation may become void if the county wins. Any revision to the boundary agreement would need to be redrafted and go through the full approval process again. “I don’t support this — most of the residents don’t like it,” Palm Beach County Mayor Sara Baxter said. “We’re losing not only workforce housing, but we’re also losing protective overlays. The way this was done was very strong-handed, and I don’t think proper.” Commissioners unanimously voted to deny approval of the ISBA. The next step is for administrators from the two governments to meet for further negotiations.
“building a searchable database or providing ongoing surveillance.” Mayor JohnPaul O’Connor pointed out that LPR technology has been in the city’s long-term plans for years. In August 2022, then-City Manager Kenneth Cassel told the council that plans were underway to install LPRs on Seminole Pratt Whitney Road at the north and south entrances to the city. “Every license plate coming in or out of Westlake will be picked up,” Cassel said at the time. He added that when more roads, such as 60th Street North, connect to the community, cameras would be installed there as well. Because of issues involving supplying power to the cameras, they were never installed, but O’Connor said he continues to support the concept. “I’d still like to see it happen,” he said. “The safety of our citizens, and especially our children, is paramount.” “What we are signing up for is not license plate readers,” current City Manager Howard Brown Jr. said Wednesday. “Though admittedly, the devices have the ability to do both, which in my mind is a
value-added feature. We just need to have some guard rails… This is where technology is headed.” Under state law, an automated speeding citation may be issued only when a vehicle exceeds the applicable limit by at least 10 miles per hour. Otto said RedSpeed sets its cameras to activate at 11 mph over the limit to account for a possible calibration variation. The cameras would operate during the entire school day, beginning 30 minutes before classes and ending 30 minutes afterward. They would enforce the reduced limit during arrival and dismissal periods, and the regular posted limit during the remainder of the day. “If you don’t want a ticket, don’t speed through the school zone,” O’Connor said. “It’s that simple.” If the program receives final approval, it will begin with a 30day warning and public-education period. Otto said RedSpeed works with more than 20 Florida municipalities and that many of them have used a competitively bid City of Plantation contract to avoid the typical bidding process. That sort of “piggybacking” allows one government to use another agency’s
file the CTMP, but not adopt it as of yet. Before its final adoption, he requested that commissioners wait until the committee further reviews the plan and for county staff to work on an implementation process for it. “No single government entity or agency can solve our transportation challenges today or in the future,” Hmara said. “With continued partnership, the CTMP can become that durable, living and implementable blueprint for better and safer transportation throughout Palm Beach County, as we experience this explosive growth that is not likely to abate any time in the future.” The county’s contract with WSP includes a provision if local leaders choose to move from adoption to implementation. However, county officials will need to negotiate costs for additional services from WSP for management and grant writing. Amelia Sherfield, program director for the West Palm Beach Mobility Coalition, also believed commissioners should receive and file the CTMP. “We support the commission receiving this today, supporting continuing collaboration, review and partnership with the cities,” she said. “We think that this work is very important in keeping our county connected, safe and affordable.”
Chiari
However, others who gave public comments, especially those from more rural areas, complained about limited outreach to their communities, and the plan focusing heavily on urban areas in the county. “I do believe that this needs to be slowed and really needs to be looked at for the sake of everyone, thoroughly investigated and reviewed,” said Supervisor Richard Vassalotti, treasurer of the Indian Trail Improvement District. County Commissioner Maria Sachs was frustrated that there was little outreach to constituents in her district, who are primarily unincorporated, and limited solutions to address problems in certain corridors. She explained the million-dollar CTMP mainly confirmed what is already known: There are major traffic issues in parts of the county. “You haven’t done your job,” Sachs said. “By God, I’m going to make sure you do your job because that’s our money.” Commissioner Joel Flores agreed and added that there was not enough input from the board either. “What we were expecting from you was more on how we provide solutions to our taxpayers — the people who are riding — the people who paid for this particular plan,” he said. “We are now on the second ask of more funding… and
all we have collected so far is a framework.” Support for the CTMP was divided. Those who were in favor of receiving and filing it said it was a good start and something that could help municipalities better plan projects. “My hope is that this gives us a framework to work together, because we all overlap,” Palm Beach County Vice Mayor Marci Woodward said. “Traffic moves like water. It goes where it goes, and people never know whose jurisdiction they’re in — whose road they’re on.” Instead of receiving and filing the plan, the board requested that those who worked on the project return to commissioners within 30 days, ensure the tasks and deliverables are met, and provide detailed descriptions of projects while identifying how much congestion can be relieved and whether there are any current projects or funding in the works in the area. “I am not ready to adopt this master transportation plan,” Palm Beach County Mayor Sara Baxter said. “It does not give us solutions to what this board has repeatedly asked for… and it takes into all these considerations of things we’ve never asked for.” To learn more about the Countywide Transportation Master Plan, or access its database, visit www. pbcmoves.com.
Walk Set For Sept. 26
continued from page 3 so I wanted to tell everybody his story,” Brittany said. “I was so grateful that someone was finally listening to me, and I wanted to be that for someone else.” Since Chiari Malformation can be asymptomatic and only presents visually in MRIs, it is not something many people have exposure to, and doctors likewise do not see many cases. Brittany Stremel became a voice for Chiari Malformation at JoJo’s Super Squad Walk, with 40 neighbors and friends turning out in support and raising $1,200. “We met people from around the neighborhood,” she said. “I just expected family and friends, but neighbors came out… People turned their lights purple.” And this month, she’s doing it again. On Saturday, Sept. 26, the Stremel family is hosting the second annual JoJo’s Super Squad Walk. To learn more, visit https://walk.conquerchiari.org/ josephstremel or send an e-mail to jojossupersquad@outlook.com. Brittany intends to keep telling her son’s story in hopes of helping someone in the same place she and her husband were a year ago. She wants individuals who are facing a new Chiari Malformation diagno-
ITID
Ryan and Brittany Stremel with daughter Emma and son JoJo. sis to know that they’re not alone, ton’s clock tower lit up in purple. and for families to think of JoJo’s Learn more about Chiari Malforstory when they look at Welling- mation at www.conquerchiari.org.
PBCFR Access Request
continued from page 4 the Westlake section is yet to be determined. There was also concern among some supervisors that an “emergency-only” opening could eventually become another general-access connection. “I don’t want to open a can of worms… [but] on the surface it looks like a fantastic idea. Public safety is our No. 1 job,” said Vassalotti, a retired PBCFR captain. “This could mean life or death for someone,” Accomando said. “I’m for it as long as it’s for emergencies only. Anything else, absolutely not.” Supervisors postponed a de-
cision on the item, referring the matter to the district’s attorney. • The board discussed options for improvement to Orange Grove Blvd., which has been battered by cut-through truck traffic from SR 7. Staff said the worst section is roughly the two miles between Royal Palm Beach Blvd. and 110th Avenue North. Rather than rebuilding that section of road to Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) standards at a cost of about $4 million, Argue pushed for a cheaper, more immediate approach. She said ITID roads historically have been built to less stringent district standards. A decision was pushed off to the September meeting. • The board agreed 4-1 for the district to stage a Halloween event — “Monster Mash” — at Acreage Community Park South on Saturday, Oct. 24 from 5 to 10 p.m. The discussion set off another
round of the ongoing fight over whether district money and staff resources should be used to stage community events. Argue objected, saying that nonprofit groups historically have done much of the work related to such events. The proposal by staff did not provide a specific cost estimate but said that sponsorships and vendor fees would offset much of the expense. “Events like this are wonderful for bringing the community together,” Vassalotti said. “For the minute price, it’s well worth it.” • The board learned that the Solid Waste Authority will be shifting to Coastal Waste as the single garbage hauler for the area beginning Oct. 1. ITID households will be permitted 12 cubic yards of vegetation per weekly collection, rather than the previous six-cubicyard county standard.
competitively bid contract, thus saving time and money. Council members also clashed over O’Connor’s proposal for the city to explore an artificial-intelligence platform offering residents round-the-clock access to government information and services. O’Connor cited Citibot as a system that can answer common questions, route service requests and communicate in approximately 70 languages. He said the system would use only information supplied by the municipality and would free employees from answering routine questions. “We call ourselves ‘the innovative city of Westlake’ and yet we seem to be last to the table in adopting technology that will free up staff’s time, answer our residents’ questions quickly and allow us to engage with our residents quickly at any time of the day,” he said. O’Connor added that the technology is particularly important because of Westlake’s demographics. “Our resident base is drastic in terms of first responders,” he said. “They don’t work the hours our offices are open. This will be a great way to get them answers
to questions… at 3 o’clock or 4 o’clock in the morning.” Councilman Gary Werner questioned why the council was apparently being asked to begin contract negotiations with Citibot before conducting an assessment of the city’s needs, available vendors and costs. “We don’t even know if we need it,” Werner said. “We’re a young city. We don’t even have a [proper] city hall, or organizational chart.” He said O’Connor appeared to be advocating for Citibot after introducing the company to officials from other municipalities at a recent meeting of the Palm Beach County League of Cities, where O’Connor is president. “It has an appearance, mayor, that I don’t think is healthy,” Werner said. O’Connor strongly denied that he was advocating for a particular company and said that he wanted Brown to examine competing platforms and return with a recommendation. The council ultimately reached a consensus for Brown to research the technology, compare vendors and bring the matter back for a future decision.
In other business: • The council approved a Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance proclamation, inviting residents to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. A remembrance ceremony honoring the victims and first responders will be held outside the Westlake Adventure Park Lodge, 16610 Town Center Parkway North, at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 11. On Saturday, Sept. 12, the third annual Westlake 5K Run/Walk will get underway at 7:30 a.m., this year also focused on 9/11 remembrance. It will be held at the corner of Persimmon Blvd. and Ilex Way. The Adventure Park event is open to Westlake residents only. However, the 5K is open to anyone who wants to participate. • Other upcoming public meetings include: a workshop to discuss the city’s strategic plan on Tuesday, Sept. 8 at 4:30 p.m.; the first public hearing on the city’s budget for fiscal year 2027 on Tuesday, Sept. 8 at 6 p.m.; and the final budget public hearing on Monday, Sept. 14 at 6 p.m. All will take place at the Lodge at the Westlake Adventure Park.
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Page 13
NEWS
SENIOR CITIZENS DAY PARTY HELD AT THE ROYAL PALM RECREATION CENTER
Royal Palm Beach seniors gathered for a Senior Citizens Day party on Friday, Aug. 21 at the Royal Palm Beach Recreation Center. Lunch was catered by the Gun Club Café, and each senior also got a goodie bag and fresh sorbet. Nathalie Acosta of Boards by Nat Charcuterie & Catering brought antipasto cups and empanadas for everyone. PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
Nathalie Acosta of Boards by Nat Charcuterie & Catering brought gifts for each senior.
Mindy Saltzman, Carol Perrine, Connie Kramer, Jean LaValley, Lynn Volgel, Kim Raab, Marie Vetter and Tunie Carsten. Neftali Candelaria and Johanna Jimenez served up sorbet for seniors.
Josefa and Francisco Ramos.
Senior Programs Supervisor Shakeera Thomas and Mayor Jeff Hmara. Singer Leah Orchid performs.
(Seated) Elaine Henry and Carmen Lowell; and (standing) Sandra Meeranje, Marcia Henry and Andres Palacio.
Maria Gonzalez, Estefany Napoles and Ann Harrison hand out goodie bags to the attendees.
(Seated) Patty McFarland and Jenny Lopez; and (standing) Kitt Fernandes and Elsie Cortes.
Residents Invited To Learn About Future Library And Park Projects At Community Town Halls
The Palm Beach County Library System and the Palm Beach County Parks & Recreation Department will host a series of community town halls to provide residents with information about current and future capital project plans for library and park facilities throughout Palm Beach County. Town halls will be held at every Palm Beach County Library System location and select Parks & Recreation locations, giving residents opportunities to attend a session convenient to their community. Each session will provide an overview of upcoming renovations of existing facilities, possible new construction projects, anticipated costs and potential funding sources.
Library and parks leadership will discuss the planning process and considerations involved in preparing for future facility needs. Residents will have the opportunity to ask questions and seek clarification about proposed projects, costs, funding and other aspects of the capital planning process. Meetings at central Palm Beach County library locations include: Greenacres Branch: Wednesday, Sept. 9, 6 to 7 p.m. Okeechobee Blvd. Branch: Friday, Sept. 11, 2 to 3 p.m. Acreage Branch: Monday, Sept. 14, 6 to 7 p.m. Main Library: Thursday, Sept. 17, 6 to 7 p.m. Wellington Branch: Tuesday, Sept. 22, 6 to 7 p.m.
Royal Palm Beach Branch: Monday, Sept. 28, 2 to 3 p.m. Meetings at local Palm Beach County Parks & Recreation locations include: Okeeheelee Nature Center: Wednesday, Oct. 7, 6 to 7 p.m. CMAA Therapeutic Recreation Complex: Tuesday, Oct. 20, 6 to 7 p.m. Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens: Wednesday, Oct. 28, 6 to 7 p.m. A meeting will also be held at the Cooperative Extension office at the Clayton E. Hutcheson Center at Mounts Botanical Garden on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2 to 3 p.m. Pre-registration is encouraged. Visit www.pbclibrary.org to pre-register for a town hall.
The Palm Beach County Library System is composed of 18 branches dedicated to a vision of opening minds to a world of unlimited possibilities. The library fulfills this through its mission of connecting communities, inspiring thought and enriching lives by providing educational resources, cultural enrichment and community engagement for all residents. The Palm Beach County Parks & Recreation Department, nationally accredited through the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA), is recognized for excellence in park and recreation management and provides organized recreational programs and services for people of all ages and abilities.
Bob Connock, Alicia Costello, Margie Cruzado, Mimi Struble, Monique Lananna and Bob Zomok.
Register Now For Pickleball Clinics At Greenbriar Park
Wellington has announced the return of its free Learn to Play Pickleball Clinics beginning this October, with seven clinic dates scheduled through the spring. Taking place at the pickleball courts at Greenbriar Park (2975 Greenbriar Blvd.), the popular clinic series has introduced dozens of new “pickleballers” to the sport. Open to ages 10 and up, the clinics are designed for those just starting or who have recently started to play. Participants are guided by experienced coaches and receive instruction on rules, basic strategies and serving. No equipment is necessary. Clinics are free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required. Register through Wellington’s online recreation catalog
at www.wellingtonfl.gov/civicrec. CivicRec account holders can register directly, while those without an account can create one through the catalog before registering. Space is limited. All clinics will be held from 9 a.m. to noon. Upcoming Clinic Dates Saturday, Oct. 10 Saturday, Nov. 7 Saturday, Dec. 5 Saturday, Jan. 16 Saturday, Feb. 13 Saturday, March 13 Saturday, April 10 Following the clinics, players are invited to remain at the courts for open play, available daily from sunrise to sunset. For additional information and pickleball open play opportunities, visit www. wellingtonfl.gov/pickleball.
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Page 14
September 4 - September 17, 2026
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NEWS
WELLINGTON SENIORS ENJOY A PARTY FOR NATIONAL SENIOR CITIZENS DAY
Wellington seniors gathered for a Senior Citizens Day Party on Friday, Aug. 28 at the Wellington Community Center. The group Joey and the Paradons performed for the seniors while they enjoyed PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER box lunches from Chick-Fil-A.
Deputy Brad Shouse, Councilwoman Maria Antuña and Deputy Casey Lussier.
Councilman Stephen Levin hands out Chick-Fil-A box lunches to Yolanda Ruiz, Sandra Anderson and Maryann Boomhower.
Joey Karp, Rosemarie Czajkowski and Ted Behrman of Joey and the Paradons perform.
Alina Silvacol, Sherie Scalzitti, Bob Nappi, Mary Smith and Grace Lyons.
Sigal Carmel, MaryBeth Grace and Christine Smith.
Jose and Elsie Cortes.
Doreen and Richie Garetano celebrate his birthday.
Rosie Garcia and Maria Aguilar.
Patty McFarland with Deputy Brad Shouse.
Jenny Lopez enjoys the day.
Alicia Costello, Margie Cruzado, Monique Lananna and Mimi Struble.
Brenda and Glenn Ikalina dressed as “senior citizens.”
Ginny Williams and Terry Abruzzo.
Roni Shariff with Omar and Clara Jimenez.
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Page 15
NEWS
FAMILY IMPACT HOSTS BOOTS & DIAMONDS GALA AT RPB CULTURAL CENTER
Family Impact Palm Beach County, a local nonprofit that helps families through support and resources that empower them to thrive and prosper, held its country-themed Boots & Diamonds Gala on Saturday, Aug. 29 at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center. The keynote speaker was School Board Member Virginia Savietto, and the award presentation was led by Royal Palm Beach Councilwoman Selena Samios, a board member at Family Impact. Food was catered by Cesart Private Dining, and the event included silent and ticket auctions, a DJ and dancing. Learn more at www. PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER familyimpactpbc.org.
Family Impact CEO Saidy Garzon, Chair Richard Llerena and Vice Chair Selena Samios.
Jose Rocha, joined by family, speaks about the help they got through Family Impact.
Christopher Finkley and Jennie Carter.
Ken Rivera, Janny Rodriguez and Selena Samios.
Keynote speaker Virginia Savietto with emcee Janny Rodriguez.
RPB Councilwoman Selena Samios speaks as Family Impact Chair Richard Llerena looks on.
Family Impact board members Michael Kulik, Richard Llerena, Saidy Garzon, Selena Samios, Alisa Perez, Helman Ruiz and Christopher Finkley.
School Board Member Virginia Savietto was the keynote speaker.
Emcee Janny Rodriguez and Family Impact Board Member Michael Kulik.
Emcee Janny Rodriguez welcomes guests.
Lorena Castaneda is honored as Volunteer of the Year by Jennie Carter.
Nereyda and Helman Ruiz.
Jorge Cruz, Saidy Garzon, Claudia and PBSO Major Pedro Palenzuela.
Chick-Fil-A franchise owners Neil Hannon and Chandra and Rob Rabenecker.
Veronica and Javier Callejas.
Emcee Janny Rodriguez receives flowers and a gift from CEO Saidy Garzon.
Ana Acosta and Cindy Hidalgo work in outreach for Family Impact.
“La Voz de Mexico” singer Grisell Castro performs.
Mila Armayor, Joyel Glaze Loiz and Taniecia Dillard.
Christopher Finkley, Milind Chokshi, Avi Chokshi and Abraham Segundo.
Page 16
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SPORTS & REC, PAGES 17-20 • PEOPLE, PAGES 21-22 • SCHOOLS, PAGE 23 • BUSINESS, PAGE 23 • COLUMNS, PAGE 24 • CLASSIFIEDS, PAGES 25-26
SPORTS & RECREATION
TKA, WHS And PBCHS Open Football Season With Big Wins
By Mike May Town-Crier Staff Report After the first few weeks of the regular season, three of the five high school football teams in the western communities remain undefeated — the King’s Academy (3-0), Wellington High School (20) and Palm Beach Central High School (2-0). The King’s Academy — The TKA Lions opened their season with a road win followed by a pair of back-to-back wins at home. On Friday, Aug. 14, they traveled to Miami to play Florida Christian School and came home with a 20-14 victory. On Friday, Aug. 21, TKA hosted longtime rival the Scots from St. Andrew’s School in Boca Raton. The Lion won that game 23-8. On Friday, Aug. 28, TKA welcomed the Clewiston High School Tigers. Against Clewiston, TKA won 35-6. Head coach Dan Burack is delighted with his team’s three performances, especially the victories against St. Andrew’s and
Clewiston, where the opposition was held to less than 10 points in both games. “The team is coming together well,” Burack said. “In our second game, our passing game was great. We really made some nice strides with that part of our offense.” The workhorse of offense has been senior running back Roman Driggers, who is averaging 181 yards rushing per game. In three games, Driggers has had three rushing touchdowns. On defense, TKA is led by a pair of junior linebackers — Braden Simpson and Chase Croteau. Simpson is averaging 10.5 tackles per game, while Croteau is right behind him at 8.5 tackles per contest. “On defense, Simpson and Croteau are all over the field,” Burack said. “And two of our cornerbacks, sophomore Mason Gibson and junior Justin Davis, are stepping up and playing lights out.” The King’s Academy will pursue more victories on the road in early September. On Thursday,
TKA’s Roman Driggers runs for big yardage in the game against Clewiston. PHOTO BY BRAD PERSON
Sept. 3, the Lions traveled to Fort Lauderdale to play the NSU University School Sharks. That result was not available at press time. On Thursday, Sept. 10, TKA will head further south to Miami-Dade County to play against Miami Beach High School. Wellington High School — In just his second season as the head coach, Pete Walker has the football program at Wellington High School back in the win column. On Friday, Aug. 21, WHS hosted Park Vista High School in the season and home opener. The Wolverines outscored the visiting Cobras, 21-13. Sophomores Alanda Shaw III and Makhi Price split the duties at quarterback. Of the two, Price had the more productive outing, completing 12 of 18 passes for 96 yards and a pair of touchdown passes to junior Deandre King and sophomore Tarrens Catul. Senior linebacker Dylan Miller led the Wolverines with nine tackles (solo and assisted). Sophomore free safety Omarion Brooks and senior defensive tackle Mason Alonso led Wellington in solo tackles with five each. On Friday, Aug. 28, Wellington visited Seminole Ridge High School and put on a dominating performance, winning the game 35-8. In that game, Price went 8 for 13 for 96 yards and a touchdown pass to Catul, who caught four passes for 61 yards. In rushing, Wellington sophomore running back Jay’Lan Tyler ran the ball 12 times for 105 yards and two touchdowns. Wellington’s next two games are against a pair of undefeated teams. On Thursday, Sept. 3, WHS traveled to Fort Pierce Westwood, and on Thursday, Sept. 10, the Wolverines will host Palm Beach Central in the annual Wellington
Cup game. On Friday, Sept. 18, Wellington has a bye. Walker said his team showed improvement from week one to week two. “We started slow last week [against Seminole Ridge], but we finished strong,” he said. “We need to play at a high level from start to finish. In practice, we are focused on getting more consistent.” Palm Beach Central — The Broncos have won a pair of closely contested games. On Thursday, Aug. 20, the Broncos hosted the Raiders from Glades Central High School. The match was scoreless at halftime. The Broncos’ two second-half touchdowns were scored by sophomore running back Brandon Pendergrass II, who carried the ball 25 times for 215 yards. On Friday, Aug. 28, Palm Beach Central played at Park Vista High School and prevailed by just six points, 13-7. In the win against Park Vista, Bronco sophomore quarterback Isaiah Hamilton completed 17 of 25 passes for 249 yards and a touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Jayvontay Louis, who caught three passes for 121 yards. In the win against Park Vista, Pendergrass led the Broncos in rushing with 81 yards on 15 carries. Junior wide receiver Logan Lindsey Hartwig scored Palm Beach Central’s second touchdown on a one-yard run. Palm Beach Central’s next two games are at home against Dr. Joaquín García High School on Thursday, Sept. 3 and at Wellington High School on Thursday, Sept. 10. Royal Palm Beach — On Friday, Aug. 21, the Royal Palm Beach Wildcats had their first game against Broward Coun-
Seminole Ridge’s Tristan Marino is contained by the Wellington defense. PHOTO BY RICHARD AREYZAGA JR. ty’s Archbishop McCarthy High School postponed because of stormy conditions. The game will now be played on Tuesday, Sept. 22. As a result of the postponement, Royal Palm Beach’s first game was on the road against the Pahokee High School Blue Devils on Friday, Aug. 28. The Wildcats lost a heartbreaker by just two points, 16-14. In that game, senior running back Demetrice Rolle was the game’s leading rusher. He gained 116 yards on 22 carries. Rolle also had 92 yards in kickoff returns and 62 yards in punt returns. Royal Palm Beach senior quarterback Tashaad Brown completed 7 of 15 passes for 90 yards. His main receiver was sophomore Amari Woods, who caught three passes for 42 yards. In the game against Pahokee, Rolle scored one of Royal Palm Beach’s touchdowns on a 62-yard punt return. The other touchdown came from a 25-yard pass from
Brown to junior wide receiver Demetrius Gibson. Royal Palm Beach’s next two games are on Friday, Sept. 4 at Martin County High School and on Thursday, Sept. 10 at Glades Central High School. Seminole Ridge — The Hawks from Seminole Ridge High School are off to a sluggish start. On Friday, Aug. 21, in their season opener, the Hawks fell to Palm Beach Lakes High School, 49-7. The following week, on Friday, Aug. 28, the Hawks fell to Wellington High School, 35-8. For Seminole Ridge (0-2), the next two games are on Friday, Sept. 4 at Tradition Prep in Port St. Lucie and on Thursday, Sept. 10 at Palm Beach Gardens High School. Under first-year head coach Eric Poyner, the team’s four cocaptains are senior running back Elijah Smith, junior quarterback/ linebacker Tristan Kennedy, senior tight end Shawnley Albert and senior offensive lineman Alexander Suarez.
TKA Girls Volleyball Team Primed For Strong Season This Fall
By Mike May Town-Crier Staff Report The King’s Academy girls varsity volleyball team is motivated this fall by what took place on its home court last October when TKA hosted Berkeley Prep from Tampa in the Class 3A, Region 3 semifinal match. Going into that game, TKA was the higher-ranked team, as the No. 2 seed, while Berkeley entered the contest as the No. 3 seed. With its home court advantage, TKA was favored to win. However, it didn’t take long for the visitors from Tampa to establish their superiority in the match, winning convincingly in three sets (25-19, 25-17, 25-22) to end the home team’s season. The TKA girls finished last year
with an impressive 19-8 record, but a less-than-stellar performance in their postseason finale. Fast forward to this season. There are nine players from last year’s squad who have returned to form the core of this year’s team, and there are three talented additions — junior outside hitter Anabelle Bencosme and two freshmen middle blockers, Yasmin Nunes and Luna Brandner. The members of this year’s team are motivated to earn their way to the Class 3A state final four, which will be held Nov. 3-4 at the Winter Haven Health Center on the campus of Polk State College in Winter Haven. To get there will take a commitment to excellence by all the coaches and all the players. Head
coach Bethany Avila’s players are utilizing their practice time to improve basic fundamental skills such as serving, serve receiving, defense and diversifying their offense during long matches. “We are still working to find cohesion among the six on the court and working to help players have positive self-talk after mistakes,” Avila said. “The strength of this team is we all love the Lord and each other, and we are working to support each other. We have phenomenal volleyball players, including leaders like Miranda Knoll and Mikayla Matuszko, who have elite international experience. Another strength is our 6-foot-3 junior setter Jordan Molnar, a Texas Tech commit, who continues to put up a huge block and makes great
TKA’s Yasmin Nunes and Anabelle Bencosme go for the block.
Team captain Abi Chin Lee in action for Seminole Ridge.
PHOTO BY BRAD PERSON
PHOTO BY RICHARD AREYZAGA JR.
setting selection choices and stays calm under pressure.” The current season is off to a solid start, as the team has won three out of their first four games. They swept Wellington High School in three sets (25-16, 25-21, 25-18) on Aug. 20; they outlasted Boca Raton Christian School in five sets (25-20, 21-25, 17-25, 25-21, 15-13) on Aug. 25; they lost to Legacy High School in Port St. Lucie in four sets (23-25, 25-13, 17-25, 23-25) on Aug. 27; and then defeated William T. Dwyer High School on Sept. 1 (24-26, 25-23, 25-22, 26-24). TKA pursued its fourth win of the regular season with a home match against Boca Raton High School on Sept. 3. The results of that match were not available at press time. According to Avila, one of the big keys to the success of this year’s team will be the leadership shown by the team’s three tall co-captains — senior outside hitter Knoll, senior middle blocker Ava Maldonado and sophomore opposite hitter Matuszko. Knoll is 6 feet, Maldonado is 5-foot-11 and Matuszko is 6-foot-3. All three girls have a towering presence on the court and at the net. Knoll is a Northwestern University commit, while Matuszko played for a Team USA squad this past spring. After four games, the statistical leaders include Knoll, who is averaging 4.7 kills per set and has a team-leading 56 total kills. She also has the team’s best hitting percentage (.321) and is the team leader in total serving aces (10). Sophomore Luciana Montes leads the team in total digs (30) and digs per set (2.5). Molnar leads the team in assists (112), while Nunes has
The King’s Academy 2026 girls varsity volleyball team.
PHOTO BY DEREK CHIRCH
the most blocks on the team (12). As TKA focuses on extending the season as long as possible this fall, it will take gradual improvement in the regular season in order to make the postseason memorable. “We are excited to make a deep postseason run, but we are taking it one match at a time,” Avila said. In other area girls varsity volleyball news: • Seminole Ridge High School is undefeated after four games (40). Senior outside hitter Abi Chin Lee, who is the team’s captain, is leading the Hawks in five statistical categories — kills (95), kills per set (5.9), hitting percentage (.272), serving aces (14) and aces per set (.9). On Thursday, Sept. 3, Seminole Ridge played in the KSA Classic volleyball tournament at the Orlando Sports Center. The Hawks had three games that day, but the results were not available at press time.
• Wellington High School’s girls volleyball team is 5-3 to start the season. Junior outside hitter Jillian St. Leger is leading the team in four statistical categories — kills (19), kills per set (2.1), digs (21) and digs per set (2.3). • Royal Palm Beach High School (4-2) started the season with two consecutive losses but then rebounded with four straight wins. For the Wildcats, senior outside hitter Leslie Mentor is leading the team in four statistical categories — kills per set (2.8), total kills (50), serving aces (24) and aces per set (1.3). • At Palm Beach Central High School, the Broncos are off to a sluggish 1-4 start to the season. Palm Beach Central’s lone win was a 3-0 sweep (25-11, 25-9, 25-15) against Lake Worth High School on Aug. 21. The captain for the PBCHS girls volleyball team is junior middle blocker Madison Seick.
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SPORTS & RECREATION
Berean Girls Volleyball Team Remains Undefeated With High State Ranking
By Mike May Town-Crier Staff Report The girls varsity volleyball program at Berean Christian School (5-0) is making major strides this fall. On Monday, Aug. 31, the first MaxPreps rankings for girls high school volleyball in Florida were released. Berean was ranked second in Florida in the Florida High School Athletic Association’s (FHSAA) Class 1A rankings, behind just Seacrest Country Day School from Naples. According to Berean Athletic Director Doug Walters, who is also the school’s new head volleyball coach, the school’s volleyball program is entering unchartered waters. “This is the highest ranking ever achieved by Berean Chris-
tian School in girls volleyball and marks a significant milestone for the program,” said Walters, who has coaching experience in women’s volleyball at the collegiate level. On the day of the ranking news, Berean had defeated Jupiter Christian School, Glades Day School, Master’s Academy, Olympic Heights High School and Highlands Christian Academy. Then, on the evening of Aug. 31, Berean hosted Morningside Academy from Port St. Lucie. The Bulldogs swept the visiting Eagles (25-17, 25-20, 25-16) to move to 6-0 on the season. The MaxPreps ranking is not the official FHSAA ranking used to determine postseason seeding, but the information is an import-
ant part of the FHSAA’s overall ranking system. The first official FHSAA ranking for the current season is set to be released on Tuesday, Sept. 8. In addition to being the second-ranked team in Class 1A, Berean is ranked third by MaxPreps in the greater West Palm Beach area and 21st in the state for all FHSAA classifications combined. Among Berean’s strongest players are senior outside hitter/middle hitter Emma Gard, sophomore libero Sarah Bockisch, sophomore outside hitter Briana Downs and senior setter Gabby Estrella, who is the team’s captain. “Emma was a recent Palm Beach Post Female Athlete of the Week, Sarah at libero is amazing
and Briana is crushing it,” Walters said. “Gabby has been a great leader. She is challenging the girls on and off the court.” Berean’s next match will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 8, when the team travels to Hobe Sound to play the Pine School, the reigning Class 1A, District 14 champions. The last competitive event on Berean’s schedule is the FHSAA’s Class 1A state final four, which will be held Nov. 2 (state semifinals) and Nov. 4 (state championships) at the Winter Haven Health Center on the campus of Polk State College in Winter Haven. If the Bulldogs continue their winning ways, perhaps they will manage to end their season in Winter Haven, possibly as Class 1A state champions.
The Berean volleyball team gets a pep talk from head coach Doug Walters. PHOTO BY CLAUDIA NOVAKOSKI
Wellington’s Hana Lohmann Now At FSU And Still Playing Soccer
By Mike May Town-Crier Staff Report Longtime Wellington resident Hana Lohmann is a senior in college and still playing competitive soccer. She is enjoying every minute of her time on the pitch and in the collegiate classroom. Lohmann, a 2023 graduate of Glades Day School, was a goal-scoring phenom during her seven-year stint as a player for the school’s girls varsity soccer team. She started with the varsity squad as a sixth grader, usually playing
in the midfield. In seven years of varsity play, she scored 198 goals and had 113 assists. In her senior year, Lohmann was Florida’s top goal-scoring high school soccer player with 65 goals and 29 assists. Right now, she is a senior at Florida State University in Tallahassee, where she is pursuing a degree in media communications. She plans to pursue a master’s degree after graduating next May. To keep herself physically fit and connected to soccer, the 21-year-old Lohmann
is a member of FSU’s women’s club soccer team. Prior to arriving in Tallahassee, Lohmann spent her first two collegiate years in Jacksonville as a student-athlete at Trinity Baptist College (now Trinity College of Jacksonville), where she wore her favorite number from high school (15) and was an attacking midfielder. After two years at Trinity, she transferred to FSU. Upon arrival in Tallahassee in August 2025, she tried out for the women’s club soccer team. Odd
Hana Lohmann playing for FSU club soccer team at the Collegiate Club Soccer Championship.
as it may seem, Lohmann was not selected for the team after tryouts. To her credit, she tried out for the team again this past spring and made the squad. At the conclusion of the spring season, the FSU women’s club soccer team — with Lohmann patrolling the midfield — won the Collegiate Club Soccer Championship. “At the national tournament, we defeated Fordham University from New York, West Chester University from Pennsylvania, High Point University from North Carolina and the University of Georgia in the semifinal,” Lohmann recalled. “In the final, we beat Temple University from Philadelphia, 3-1.” This fall, she is trying out for the team again and is expected to make the squad, since she was on the team last spring. “For every season, every player must try out for the team, but if you have been part of the team in the past, you usually get selected again,” Lohmann said. For Lohmann, playing competitive club soccer at a major university has been an eye-opening experience. “Instead of stepping up and leading the way on previous teams, I get to play soccer where I trust and rely on my teammates, all of whom are experienced players,” Lohmann explained. The women’s club soccer team at FSU is a student-run organiza-
Hana Lohmann with her FSU teammates following their national championship over Temple University. tion, which means the players must coordinate logistics for practices and travel to away games as a group. “For away games, we carpool and drive ourselves,” Lohmann said. “We practice twice a week. Our practices and home games are held off campus at the FSU Rec SportsPlex. We have 30 girls on the team.” The team has three experienced coaches — John McVaney, David Nunez and Jordan Godfrey — who provide guidance and structure to the squad. All three coaches are volunteers. As for Lohmann’s long-term goals, she wants to continue her
affiliation with competitive team sports. “I’d like to work in marketing for a sports team,” said Lohmann, who spent this past May studying abroad at FSU’s campus in London, England. If that marketing job with a team is a women’s pro soccer club, don’t rule out Lohmann playing for the team, as well. The FSU women’s club soccer team opens its fall season with a match against the University of North Florida on Saturday, Sept. 12. Look for Lohmann, now wearing number 17, to be patrolling the midfield, just as she has always done and will continue to do.
The Wellington Rotary Club invites the Wellington Community to participate in our annual celebration of the United Nations World Peace Day.
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.
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September 4 - September 17, 2026
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SPORTS & RECREATION
New Grass Derby Field Ready To Serve As Centerpiece For Wellington International South
The new Derby Field at Wellington International South is designed to deliver an exceptional natural grass surface for horses and athletes while creating an unforgettable setting for equestrian sport. In a new behind-the-scenes video, internationally renowned equestrian surface designer Richard Hayden, principal consultant at Hayden Turfcare, explains the research, engineering and innovation behind the field. With experience spanning approximately 1,000 projects in 52 countries, Hayden was engaged by Wellington Lifestyle Partners President Paige Bellissimo in 2024 with a clear objective: to create a best-in-class natural-grass arena capable of performing at the highest level year-round. A New Standard for Natural Grass Footing — The Derby Field at Wellington International South’s surface was carefully engineered to provide the correct level of hoof penetration and displacement. Rather than returning excessive energy to the horse, the soil profile allows energy to move through the surface and into the layers below.
The result is intended to create a more comfortable and responsive experience for horses while supporting the technical demands of equestrian competition. According to Hayden, the surface may also give course designers new opportunities to challenge athletes. “When course designers come here and see this, it’s going to excite them,” he explained. “They’re going to try things that maybe weren’t possible at the old Derby Field.” Engineered for South Florida Weather — Managing water was one of the most important considerations in the design of the new Derby Field. Wellington can experience significant rainfall in a short period, making exceptional drainage essential to maintaining a reliable competition surface. Beneath the field, a specialized attenuation cell system is designed to manage water from a one-in-100-year storm event. Water collects in the underground system before moving through large infrastructure pipes around the perimeter of the field, gradually reaching the designated outlet.
The field is also prepared for extended periods of dry weather. A state-of-the-art irrigation system can distribute approximately two inches of water in about 15 minutes. Together, these drainage and irrigation systems allow the Derby Field to respond to changing conditions and support year-round use. A Custom Soil and Grass Profile — No two natural grass arenas designed by Hayden Turfcare are exactly alike. Each surface is customized to its location, climate and intended use. For the Wellington International South Derby Field, the team harvested topsoil directly from carefully selected areas of the property. Following extensive analysis, the soil was screened, blended and enhanced with specific amendments to achieve the desired performance. The field was then sprigged with hybrid Bermuda grass rather than established using traditional sod. This method helps prevent the creation of a thick, spongy layer at the surface, allowing the horse’s hoof to engage more directly with the soil profile beneath the grass.
The new Derby Field at Wellington International South is ready to make its debut this season. Hybrid Bermuda grass provides strength, resilience and strong recovery during South Florida’s warmer months. It also provides a stable foundation for the winter grass to be overseeded each November. The two grass varieties are designed to work together to maintain the field across seasons. A Centerpiece for Wellington International South — The Derby Field is being maintained as though it were already hosting a competition, giving the turfcare team the opportunity to evaluate its performance and refine maintenance practices before the 2027 Winter Equestrian Festival begins.
Surrounded by landscaping, the field will serve as both a competition arena and a gathering place for the community. “In terms of jumping on grass, it’s the spectacle,” Hayden said. “It’s the atmosphere. It’s a different event.” As Wellington International South takes shape, its Derby Field will become a defining feature of the new venue, a natural-grass centerpiece designed around equine performance, year-round reliability and the unmistakable atmosphere of jumping on grass. Visit www.youtube.com/@ wellingtoninternational/videos to watch the video featuring Hayden
and go behind the scenes to discover how the new Derby Field at Wellington International South was designed and constructed. The unveiling of Wellington International South represents a major investment by Wellington Lifestyle Partners in the future of equestrian sport in Wellington. This investment reinforces Wellington International’s commitment to delivering world-class facilities and experiences for generations to come. The venue is currently undergoing its fall 2026 soft launch ahead of its full 2027 competition season debut. Learn more at www. wellingtoninternational.com.
Sports Shorts From The Western Communities
TKA golfer Sophia Christy. PHOTO BY DEREK CHIRCH
By Mike May Town-Crier Staff Report In Pursuit of Par — On Thursday, Aug. 27, Sophia Christy, a junior golfer from the King’s Academy, finished second at the Archbishop McCarthy Maverick Invitational golf tournament. It was meant to be an 18-hole event at the Coral Springs Golf Course, but it was reduced to 11 holes due to excessive rain. For those 11 holes, Christy finished at even par on the day. Veteran Coach — Bethany Avila, the head coach of the girls varsity volleyball program at the King’s Academy, is in her third season at the school and 28th year of coaching volleyball, which includes being the head coach at the Master’s University and Palm Beach Atlantic University. She also has 14 years in volleyball club coaching in California and Florida, after an 11-year playing career, where she was an outside
hitter at UC Santa Barbara and the Master’s University. Successful Swimmer — In late August, Berean Christian School swimmer Raelyn Martini had a strong opening week of competition. During a recent meet at the King’s Academy, Martini finished second in the 50-yard butterfly, and on Aug. 28 at the Cardinal Newman Invitational, which was held at Lake Lytal Park in West Palm Beach, Martini had a thirdplace finish in the girls 100-yard butterfly, and she won the girls 50-yard freestyle. Strikes and Spares — The top three bowlers for the Seminole Ridge High School girls bowling team this season are a trio of seniors — Tiffany Finkley, Camila Torres and Caitlyn Kiefer. The team started the season with a win against Suncoast High School. The team’s bowling home is the Lucky Strikes Bowling Center in Jupiter.
Team USA — Royal Palm Beach-based amateur golfer Giuseppe Puebla, 17, will be playing in the Junior President’s Cup, which is being held at the Medinah Country Club in Illinois on Sept. 20-21. The Junior President’s Cup is a biennial, two-day team matchplay golf competition between the United States and an international team representing the rest of the world, excluding Europe. The President’s Cup is organized by the PGA Tour and the American Junior Golf Association and is held just days before the main President’s Cup, which is also being held at Medinah. In the Junior President’s Cup, each team has 12 golfers, and each golfer must be at least 12 years old at the start of the event and under age 19, and not yet graduated from high school as of Jan. 1 of the competition year. The golfers must be amateurs, not in college and not part of a competitive collegiate golf program.
Berean swimmer Raelyn Martini. PHOTO BY DOUG WALTERS
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Page 21
PALMS WEST PEOPLE
PBC League Of Cities Congratulates Westlake Vice Mayor Greg Langowski
The Palm Beach County League of Cities congratulates Westlake Vice Mayor Greg Langowski on his election as second vice president of the Florida League of Cities. Langowski was selected during the Florida League of Cities Annual Conference, held Aug. 13-15 in Hollywood, where municipal leaders from across the state gathered to address issues impacting Florida’s municipalities and to strengthen the collective voice of local government. The Florida League of Cities is a nonpartisan organization representing and advocating on behalf of Florida’s 411 municipalities, 39 of which are from Palm Beach County. Through education, advocacy and collaboration, the organization works to support municipal leaders and protect the ability of local governments to effectively serve their residents. Langowski’s election to this statewide leadership position is both a significant accomplishment and a proud moment for Palm
Beach County. His service reflects the strong leadership of Palm Beach County’s municipalities. “Vice Mayor Langowski has demonstrated a strong commitment to public service, collaboration and the principles of local government,” said Westlake Mayor JohnPaul O’Connor, president of the Palm Beach County League of Cities. “We are incredibly proud to see one of Palm Beach County’s municipal leaders take on this important statewide role. His experience and perspective will be a tremendous asset to the Florida League of Cities and to municipalities across our state.” In his new role, Langowski will help advance the Florida League of Cities’ mission of supporting municipal leadership, strengthening Florida’s cities and advocating for the needs of local communities. The Palm Beach County League of Cities congratulates Langowski on this well-deserved achievement and looks forward to his continued leadership and service to the City of Westlake, Palm Beach County
Greg Langowski and municipalities throughout Florida. The Palm Beach County League of Cities represents the municipalities of Palm Beach County and serves as a unified voice on issues affecting local government. Learn more at www. palmbeachcountyleagueofcities. com.
PBSO DEPUTIES AT ROTARY MEETING
WWII VETERAN JULIUS DUHL HONORED ON HIS 102ND BIRTHDAY
American Legion Post 47 in Lake Worth recently saluted Julius Duhl on his 102nd birthday. A true American hero, he served as a combat Army photographer and rode with Gen. George Patton at the Battle of the Bulge during World War II. Duhl was honored on Wednesday, Aug. 19.
Wellington Author Wins Medals At FAPA President’s Book Awards
Wellington resident and fifth-generation Floridian William Shearouse, writing as Billy Shear, received two medals in the annual Florida Authors and Publishers Association (FAPA) President’s Book Awards. His children’s book The Piper of Lands Ending received a Gold Medal, while his children’s book Kung Fu Princess received a Bronze Medal. Both books were recognized in the Children: Pre-Reader/Picture Book category. The prestigious national competition was open to books published between 2024 and 2026. Entries are judged by librarians, educators and publishing professionals, and the competition is open to authors worldwide. The FAPA President’s Book Awards recognize excellence and creativity in book publishing, including design, content and production, and honor the work of authors, illustrators, cover designers and publishers. Set in the Florida Keys, The Piper of Lands Ending follows a
boy awakened on a moonless night by a mysterious melody. Drawn from his dreams, he follows the music past whispering ferns, across dark waters and down a long dock to Lands Ending, where he encounters a mystery tied to the sea, courage, destiny and the power of music. Kung Fu Princess is a children’s story centered on martial arts, courage and a young heroine. The two awards recognize Shearouse’s work across two distinct children’s stories. “I wish to congratulate all our winners,” FAPA President Anne Jacob said. “Award programs such as ours are vital to the publishing industry because they serve to recognize excellence and creativity not just for authors, but for everyone involved. It also serves as a tremendous boost to the confidence of beginning authors who win. This year, we had the finest quality of books in recent memory. Earning a medal is a remarkable accomplishment and a testament
Billy Shear’s The Piper of Lands Ending received a Gold Medal. to each winner’s skill and talent.” The Florida Authors and Publishers Association is an organization for authors, publishers, illustrators, editors, printers and other industry professionals. Learn more at www.myfapa.org.
Schneider Graduates From University Of Wisconsin
On Thursday, Aug. 27, the Wellington Rotary Club hosted a presentation from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office on e-bikes and other micromobility devices. Deputy Mike Palianto explained the differences between these devices and where they are legal to ride and where they are not allowed. Palianto is shown here with Deputy Dwayne Brown, president-elect of the club. PHOTO BY DENNIS GOLUB
Celebrating 70 Years of Keith Jordano On Friday, August 28, longtime Western Communities icon Keith Jordano celebrated his 70th birthday surrounded by family and friends at World of Beer. Nearly 40 family members and friends gathered to enjoy great food, drinks, laughter, and, most importantly, the friendship and connections that have made Keith’s life so meaningful. Reflecting on his first 70 years, Keith shared how blessed he feels to have spent the past 30 years as part of the Western Communities. During that time, he has not only accomplished a great deal personally and professionally, but has also grown alongside the community and played an important role in its continued development. For Keith, serving the community has always been about more than accomplishments. It has been about building lasting relationships, making lifelong connections, and creating friendships that stand the test of time. And, as if turning 70 wasn’t special enough, Keith topped off the celebration with an incredible gift: a 2026 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible. Seventy years of memories, 30 years of community, and a lifetime of family and friendships — it doesn’t get much better than that. Happy 70th Birthday, Keith! Here’s to many more years of health, happiness, family, friendship, and great adventures.
Skye Schneider of Wellington recently graduated from the College of Letters and Science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a bachelor’s degree in eco-
nomics. Schneider was among more than 9,100 students earning degrees from the university in May 2026. The university held its commencement ceremony at Camp
Randall Stadium on Saturday, May 9. UW-Madison was ranked the No. 2 public university in the United States by Time magazine in 2026.
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September 4 - September 17, 2026
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PALMS WEST PEOPLE
Friendship With A Purpose: Community Leaders Support Families First
Friendship can grow from shared experiences, common interests and years spent together. But for a group of Palm Beach County women, some of their most meaningful connections have been strengthened by something else: a shared commitment to giving back. Denise S. Fraile, Dana Herst, Julie Rudolph, Adrienne Raptis, Vibe Veda, Kristen Tassone Caffelle, Kelly Henry, Taylor Materio, Rita Marteski and Susan Kaplan are business and community leaders, philanthropists and nonprofit advocates who have each made giving back an important part of their lives. This year, they are rallying around Families First of Palm Beach County as the organization prepares to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its Children’s Day Luncheon, chaired by Fraile. The luncheon will be held Friday, Nov. 6 at the Kravis Center. The milestone luncheon represents two decades of community support for Families First and its mission to build stronger families and stronger futures for children throughout Palm Beach County. Funds raised help support the organization’s programs and services, which work with families facing challenging circumstances and provide the tools, guidance and resources needed to create safe, stable and nurturing environments for children. Over its 20-year history, the Children’s Day Luncheon has become an important opportunity for
Palm Beach County’s philanthropic, civic and business communities to come together around that mission. Beyond raising critical support, the luncheon introduces new individuals to Families First, celebrates those who champion its work and helps ensure that the organization can continue reaching local children and families who need its services. “What is especially humbling for me as chair is looking around and seeing women I admire — not only as friends, but as extraordinary community leaders — choosing to rally around Families First,” said Fraile, also a Families First board member. “Each of these women gives back in her own way, and when you bring that collective heart, leadership and generosity together, you realize how powerful friendship can be when it has a purpose.” For Vibe Veda, that purpose is beautifully simple. “The true gift is giving back, because it’s a beautiful way of shining our light onto others, and making the world a little bit brighter,” Veda said. Adrienne Raptis sees giving as an extension of gratitude. “I’ve always believed that we are blessed so that we can be a blessing to others, and supporting families in our community is one of the most meaningful ways to put that belief into action,” Raptis said. And for Dana Herst, caring about one’s community comes with a responsibility to participate in it. “I’ve always believed that when you care about your com-
munity, you have to be willing to show up, get involved and help make it better,” Herst said. That willingness to show up is at the heart of the group’s connection to Families First. For Kristen Tassone Caffelle, personal experience has reinforced how important that support can be. “My own life experiences have given me a profound appreciation for how quickly a family’s circumstances can change,” Caffelle said. “It’s a privilege to help strengthen and support families in our community when they need it most.” Kelly Henry believes that willingness to become involved is part of what distinguishes Palm Beach County. “Palm Beach County has such a strong philanthropic spirit,” Henry said. “There are so many people willing to give back and get involved in the community. That support makes a real difference for organizations like Families First, which does amazing things to support and help local families.” For Rita Marteski, philanthropy is about sharing the opportunities that one has been fortunate enough to receive. “When we are fortunate enough to have the opportunities, talents and resources to help others, even in a small way, we can make a meaningful difference in someone’s life and in the lives of their families,” Marteski said. Taylor Materio sees that investment extending throughout the community. “Giving back is about more than philanthropy — it is about
investing in the well-being of our neighbors and ensuring that every family has the opportunity to thrive,” Materio said. “When we support organizations like Families First, we help build a stronger, healthier and more compassionate Palm Beach County for generations to come.” For Susan Kaplan, giving also carries a responsibility to encourage others to do the same. “We are all so blessed that it is not enough to just give back, we must also inspire others to do so as well,” Kaplan said. “For me, Families First provides the path to do just that in a special way because they follow the families they provide resources to on their journey to ensure they don’t just survive, they thrive.” Julie Rudolph, who will be honored during this milestone year’s luncheon for her commitment to the community, shares the group’s belief in the importance of giving back. “The greatest gift you can give to yourself is to help someone in need,” Rudolph said. For two decades, the Children’s Day Luncheon has brought the community together in support of Families First and its work to strengthen families and protect children throughout Palm Beach County. The organization’s work is rooted in prevention — helping families address challenges before they become crises and giving parents the support and resources they need to provide safe, healthy and stable homes. By strengthening the family as a whole, Families
Palm Beach County community leaders and philanthropists come together in support of Families First of Palm Beach County and its 20th annual Children’s Day Luncheon. Shown are Dana Herst, Susan Kaplan, Julie Rudolph, Adrienne Raptis, Vibe Veda, Kristen Tassone Caffelle, Kelly Henry, Taylor Materio, Rita Marteski and Denise S. Fraile. PHOTO BY CAPEHART PHOTOGRAPHY First seeks to create an impact that As the luncheon enters its 20th extends beyond one child or one year, the women rallying around generation. the organization demonstrate The Children’s Day Luncheon another side of philanthropy: its plays an important role in sustain- ability to connect people. A friend ing that work. The signature event introduces a friend to a cause. One has grown through the continued supporter brings another. Relasupport of individuals, businesses tionships become partnerships, and community partners who be- and individual acts of generosity lieve that investing in children and become collective impact. Somestrengthening families ultimately times giving back even creates strengthens Palm Beach County as a gift of its own — friendships a whole. This milestone year will strengthened by a shared sense of celebrate that legacy while helping purpose. Families First continue its work Learn more about Families First for the generations of families still of Palm Beach County at www. to come. familiesfirstpbc.org.
Julie And John Kime To Receive Legacy Of Giving Award From Nonprofits First
Nonprofits First recently announced that philanthropists Julie and John Kime will receive the 2026 Legacy of Giving Award at the 10th annual Hats Off Nonprofit Awards, taking place on Thursday, Oct. 15, at the Kravis Center’s Cohen Pavilion. The Hats Off Nonprofit Awards celebrate the nonprofit organizations, volunteers, philanthropists and community leaders who make Palm Beach County a better place to live, work and thrive. The Legacy of Giving Award recognizes individuals or organizations who have demonstrated exceptional generosity and commitment to philanthropy, creating a lasting impact on the community through their charitable leadership and service. The Kimes embody
this spirit through decades of dedication to education, youth development and community advancement. Julie and John Kime are widely recognized throughout Palm Beach County for their unwavering commitment to expanding opportunities and improving lives. Their philanthropic investments have strengthened educational institutions, supported youth-serving organizations, and provided pathways to success for countless students and families. Through their generosity, they have helped create opportunities that will continue to benefit future generations. The Kimes have been longtime supporters of Palm Beach State College, where their contributions have supported scholarships, aca-
demic programs, student resources and campus initiatives. In recognition of their transformational support, Palm Beach State College named its new Dental and Health Innovation Building after Julie and John Kime earlier this year. Their legacy on the Loxahatchee Groves campus also includes the Julie and John Kime Library Learning Resource Center, which serves as a hub for student learning. Julie Kime has remained deeply committed to helping others pursue educational opportunities. Through initiatives such as the Julie Kime Hispanic Women Scholarship, she has helped open doors for students working toward achieving their academic and professional goals. Julie and John’s shared belief that education
transforms lives has guided their philanthropic efforts. Beyond education, the Kimes have devoted significant time and resources to organizations that strengthen the fabric of the community. Julie Kime has served as a board member and major supporter of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County and has been recognized for her leadership and commitment to youth development. She is also a founding member of the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce and has received numerous awards recognizing her philanthropic and community leadership. Throughout their years of service, the Kimes have demonstrated that philanthropy is not simply about giving financial support; it is
about investing in people, creating opportunities and inspiring others to make a difference. Their steadfast commitment to improving the quality of life in Palm Beach County has strengthened organizations, empowered students, supported families and left a lasting legacy of generosity and hope. “The Legacy of Giving Award honors individuals whose generosity creates meaningful and lasting change,” said Trudy Crowetz, president and CEO of Nonprofits First. “Julie and John Kime have exemplified what it means to invest in a community. Their compassion, vision and commitment to helping others have touched countless lives and inspired others to give back. We are honored to recognize their extraordinary legacy.”
Julie and John Kime will receive the Legacy of Giving Award. For more information about the Hats Off Nonprofit Awards or sponsorship opportunities, visit www.hatsoffawards.org.
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BUSINESS NEWS
Wellington Regional Medical Center Awarded Gold Seal For Sepsis Certification
Wellington Regional Medical Center has earned the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Sepsis Certification, demonstrating its commitment to providing safe, high-quality care for patients diagnosed with sepsis. Wellington Regional underwent a rigorous, unannounced onsite review in 2026. During the visit, a team of Joint Commission reviewers evaluated compliance with related certification standards, including program management, early identification and treatment protocols, and the delivery and coordination of clinical care. Joint Commission standards are developed in consultation with healthcare experts, providers, measurement specialists and patients. The reviewers also
conducted onsite observations and interviews with staff and leadership. “Sepsis Certification recognizes healthcare organizations committed to striving for excellence and fostering continuous improvement in patient safety and quality of care,” said Ken Grubbs, executive vice president of accreditation and certification operations, and chief nursing officer for the Joint Commission. “We commend Wellington Regional Medical Center for using the Joint Commission certification process to reduce variation in clinical processes and strengthen its clinical program to drive safer, higher-quality and more compassionate care for the individuals it serves.” To earn this certification, Wel-
SCHOOL NEWS
WELLINGTON EL HOSTS SUCCESSFUL CURRICULUM NIGHT
Wellington Elementary School hosted Curriculum Night on Wednesday, Aug 26. It was a great opportunity for parents to find out what their child will be learning this year and how they can support them. Principal Dr. Shannon Makowski and Assistant Principal Debbie Harnois welcomed everyone. The sessions were split up with grades K through 2 coming earlier, then grades 3 to 5 later. In between, there was an informative session for parents, “Empowering Parents: Navigating SIS, Grades and Assessments.” There were also school spirit wear items to buy and PTO members and staff on hand to answer questions. Shown here are fifth-grade teachers Lisa Robinson, Kimberly Portilla, Kelly Small, Kristine Frey, Matthew Campbell and Ally Goldstein, who were the last to leave for the evening.
lington Regional implemented standardized protocols for the early recognition and treatment of sepsis, enhanced interdisciplinary collaboration and focused on continuous staff education and performance improvement. The program emphasizes rapid response, adherence to clinical guidelines and ongoing monitoring to ensure optimal patient outcomes. “We are proud to receive Sepsis
Certification, which reflects our team’s dedication to delivering timely, evidence-based care for patients facing life-threatening infections,” said Pam Tahan, CEO of Wellington Regional Medical Center. “This achievement highlights the collaboration of our physicians, nurses and clinical teams who work diligently to identify sepsis early, initiate rapid treatment and improve outcomes for our patients.”
Wellington Regional Medical Center staff members celebrate the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Sepsis Certification.
R&B Star Mark Morrison Gives Students A Back-To-School Shopping Spree At Mall
International R&B star and Palm Beach Gardens resident Mark Morrison, best known for his multi-platinum hit “Return of the Mack,” is making an impact beyond the music industry by giving back to local youth. On Wednesday, Aug. 5, Morrison hosted his annual backto-school shopping spree for 30 children participating in the Student & Athlete Mentoring Program (STAMP) at the Mall at Wellington Green. The mall opened early for the students, who received new school shoes, socks and select clothing at Foot Locker and Foot Locker Kids. For Morrison, the event reflected a deeply held belief in giving back. “To whom much is given, much is expected. I’ve been blessed with opportunities and success, and I believe that comes with a responsibility to pour back into the community,” Morrison said. “When these young people walk into the classroom, I want them to feel prepared and empowered to be the very best they can be, knowing that their entire community is standing behind them, believing in them and cheering them on.” The shopping event reflects Morrison’s growing focus on mentorship, youth empowerment and community impact. His 1996 global hit “Return of the Mack” reached No. 1 in the United Kingdom and No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, with more than 8 million copies sold worldwide. Morrison’s music has also surpassed 1 billion Spotify streams and 1 billion TikTok views. Mark Brown, founder and di-
rector of STAMP, said the event provided meaningful support for families preparing for the new school year. “Back-to-school expenses can put a real strain on families, so having Mark Morrison step in and provide new shoes for our students was incredibly meaningful,” he said. “The kids were excited to shop, and you could see how much it meant to them to choose something new for the school year. We’re truly grateful to Mark for investing in our young people and creating such a positive experience for them.” Julie Schalm, marketing director at the Mall at Wellington Green, said the mall was proud to create a special experience for the students. “It was wonderful to see the excitement on the kids’ faces as they shopped for their new school shoes,” she said. “We were proud to open the mall early and create a special experience for them. Supporting our community and creating moments that help local youth feel confident and ready for the school year is something we’re
Students are excited to get their new shoes from Foot Locker. very proud to be a part of.” supported and know their commuSandy Collier, owner of Hey, nity is behind them,” Collier said. Sandy! PR & Communications in “From Foot Locker’s management Wellington, said Morrison’s com- to our friends at the Buzz Agency, mitment has always been deeply the mall’s publicists, this truly personal. took a village. At Hey, Sandy!, we “With Mr. Morrison, it has believe a community is measured always genuinely been about by how it shows up for those who the kids. He’s passionate about need it most, and that’s exactly making sure young people feel what happened here.”
Bread Baking Basics At Lifetime Kitchen
Lifetime Kitchen, located on the second floor at the Mall at Wellington Green, is whipping up something delicious this fall with “Baking with Ankarsrum,” a fun, interactive day of mixing, baking and yummy sampling on Friday, Sept. 18. An interactive baking class led by local baker Heather Portnoy kicks off at 11 a.m. Portnoy will introduce guests to the fundamen-
tals of the iconic Ankarsrum mixer while guiding them through an easy-to-make banana bread recipe. Afterward, guests will enjoy the fruits of their labor and take home a complimentary Nordic Ware mini bundt charms pan to recreate their sweet creations at home. Tickets are $60 per person and can be purchased at https://square. link/u/4mOVuccd. Later that afternoon, Portnoy
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returns for a trio of chocolate chip cookie demos at 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Guests can watch the baking process in action, pick up helpful tips and enjoy free freshly baked cookies. The Mall at Wellington Green is located at 10300 W. Forest Hill Blvd. in Wellington. For more information, call (561) 227-6900 or visit www.shopwellingtongreen. com.
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Page 24
September 4 - September 17, 2026
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FEATURES
Marriage Has Modernized In Some Ways... But Not Others
Sept. 6 is Mark’s and my anniversary. We will have been married 28 years — or maybe it’s 27, I’m not sure. Yeah, I know. Most women can tell you to the hour how long they’ve been married. But I always wonder whether they’re keeping such close tabs on the date for celebratory reasons or to brag about how long they’ve endured married life. Things are changing, for sure, but married life has not always been kind to women. Cooking, cleaning and having babies was its definition for centuries. Any woman who balked at this arrangement was viewed as broken in some way. “I was trying to catch the eye of a cer-
Deborah Welky is
The Sonic BOOMER tain guy at the pub, but Dale was seated between us. He thought I was flirting with him,” recounted one of my friends, an Englishwoman. “One thing led to another, and I found myself pregnant. I didn’t want to marry Dale, but the vicar told me my child would be known as a bastard if
I didn’t. I couldn’t put that on my child.” Marriage by threat — it’s more common than we’d care to believe. In pioneer times, “shotgun weddings” took place when a father found out a man had sullied his daughter’s reputation. Could have been sullying by mutual agreement, but that didn’t matter. To preserve the family’s honor, she had to marry the guy. We think we’re much more civilized today, but we still have the good ol’ “biological clock” looming over our heads. If a woman doesn’t want to freeze her eggs and/or use a surrogate to carry her fetus to term, I can’t think of a more effective threat than “get married now or you will never have children.” Women in their
20s and 30s — women whose careers are just hitting their stride, women who are finally making some real money — have to make some serious choices. Put all that on hold, maybe forever, or forego having children. By 2026, you’d think all that would’ve been put behind us. Medical miracles happen every day. Society is much more accepting of single parents or same-sex parents. You’d think that, by now, marriage and having children would be two completely separate decisions. But I read. I watch TV. I dabble in social media. And I see that young women are still grappling with these same issues. To have a “traditional” lifestyle, they must at least
consider marriage before talking about having children. I’m not saying marriage is bad. In addition to procreation, there are tons of benefits to it — even if you look past the benefits put in place by religious institutions, governments, loan officers, mortgage brokers, insurance companies, hospitals, banks, wedding planners and retailers to keep the idea alive. For instance, if it weren’t for my husband, I wouldn’t have the time to write — I’d be out mowing the lawn. If it weren’t for me, my husband wouldn’t need to flee the house and ride around the yard on a lawn mower. See? Mutually beneficial.
HBO Show ‘Lanterns’ Offers An Interesting Take On Superheroes
I started watching the new HBO Max show Lanterns despite initial qualms because it is based on the same Green Lantern stories that bombed as a movie years ago. But this new series seems far more grounded, more based in reality. Assuming, of course, that you accept the idea that there is a group of galactic lawmen who have all sorts of superpowers given by a magic ring that allow them to be an effective force in keeping the peace. Since we’re in a world of superpowers, why not? The charming story begins with a soldier shooting apples off the head of his young son while demanding that the kid tell him whether he’s afraid. From there we find out that years later, the kid, John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) is now apprenticed to the Green Lantern, Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) and winds up following him to a small town, Rushville, Nebraska. Jordan is convinced there is an alien
‘I’ On CULTURE By Leonard Wechsler incident there and the politics gets more than a bit hairy. In many ways, this is a detective story with superhero woo-woo to spice it up. The humans interact and create what is so far a fascinating story. We see a lot of local politics that just might become intergalactic. And there are all sorts of subplots and groups working against each other. Early on, even the two heroes stop fully trusting each other, and the writers are leaving lots of hints around about new conflicts. But it still has the strong sci-fi
overlay. Who knew that space aliens are not so different than the politicians of Batman’s Gotham? I began to ponder why so many of us really like superhero movies. Right now, the new Spider-Man: Brand New Day is the biggest movie in the world. And we had two heroes of very different sorts in Project Hail Mary and The Odyssey. Even with the prices being charged to see them, people are coming. I think the biggest reason is that the people who have usually been our heroes have become idols with not only feet of clay but dirt moving well into the thigh region. We have politicians of all parties making promises that are almost certainly impossible to fulfill, and many of us are aware that our so-called leaders have no idea where they are leading us. Similarly, our movie stars and music idols have stepped off what they do best and demonstrate what fools and personal
idiots they are. In the old days, we knew almost nothing about these people, since news about them was controlled. Now we see every bit of foolishness and hypocrisy, such as people flying around in a private plane while urging everyone else to use only one square of toilet paper to save the environment. Or finding out that there were over a thousand private jets landing near Davos for the elites to attend a conference demanding that pretty much everyone else reduce their carbon footprint. And we should not forget the obligatory reports on mating habits that would make domestic animals blush or required stints in assorted varieties of rehab centers. And, of course, the actual belief that people will change their votes because someone known for a great voice urges the change. And the fear that indeed there are people who will do that. So it is far more fun to watch Spidey
swing from different buildings and heroes who might be flawed, but only to a limited degree, put it all on the line. But then we have to turn around and live with the really flawed reality. So, when I see a superhero show and wish that there were heroes like that, I have to judge shows by their merit as entertainment. And Lanterns seems very good. The acting is great, and the premise, which not only deals with the unrealistic idea of superpowers, spends time on the politics and maneuvers of real people. There are hints of all sorts of tragedies and conspiracies with fantastic acting even in some of the (so far) smaller roles. The old rules of superhero shows seem outdated, and it feels we are going to see a lot of new kinds of fun. The heroes don’t trust each other, we have no idea who the villains are, and there are many very strange events. I’m beginning to really look forward to seeing more of this show.
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WELLINGTON • ROYAL PALM BEACH • LOXAHATCHEE • THE ACREAGE • WESTLAKE
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Leslie H. Perla, MD, Retirement Notice Dr. Leslie Perla will be leaving Gastro Health effective July 17, 2026. Patient medical records will remain accessible at Gastro Health – Lake Worth, located at 6135 Lake Worth Rd., Suite 100, Lake Worth, FL 33463.
Fictitious Name Notice
Professional Services
Legal Notice No. 850 Florida Statute 865.09 Public notice is hereby given that the undersigned desires to engage in business under the fictitious name of:
Westlake Tutoring Services
5644 Liberty Ln. Westlake, FL 33470
County of Palm Beach, Florida and intends to register said name with the Division of Corporations State of Florida,forthwith.
Ivonne A. Diaz Rivera
Publish:Town-Crier Newspaper
Date: September 4, 2026
Fictitious Name Notice Legal Notice No. 851 Florida Statute 865.09 Public notice is hereby given that the undersigned desires to engage in business under the fictitious name of:
We are seeking motivated and talented people to fill a variety of roles, including: front desk, housekeeping and maintenance. Hotel or hospitality experience preferred. If you’re a dedicated, passionate, detail-oriented individual with an interest in the hospitality industry, we encourage you to apply by emailing your resume to info@royalinnhotel.com
Located at:
7901 4th St. N. Ste 300 St. Petersburg, FL 33702
County of Palm Beach, Florida and intends to register said name with the Division of Corporations State of Florida,forthwith.
Stephanie Jay
Publish:Town-Crier Newspaper
Date: September 4, 2026
Fictitious Name Notice Legal Notice No. 852 Florida Statute 865.09 Public notice is hereby given that the undersigned desires to engage in business under the fictitious name of:
YDR OPERATIONS GROUP Located at:
5901 S 38TH CT GREENACRES, FL 33463
County of Palm Beach, Florida and intends to register said name with the Division of Corporations State of Florida,forthwith.
YDR OPERATIONS GROUP LLC Publish:Town-Crier Newspaper
Date: September 4, 2026
St. Jude’s Novena May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved and preserved throughout the world now and forever. Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for us. St.Jude, worker of miracles, pray for us. St. Jude, help of the hopeless, pray for us. Say this prayer 9 times a day by the 8th day, your prayer will be answered. It has never been known to fail. Publication must be promised. Thank you, St Jude for granting my petition.
Home Improvement ANMAR CO.— James’ All Around Handyman Service. Excellent craftsman Old time values. Once you’ve had me! You’ll have me back! Lic. Ins. Certified Residential Contractor CRC1327426 561-248-8528
CLASS ACT ENTERPRISES INC. — A Cleaning Service you can trust. Top Quality Cleaning at affordable rates. Reliable, trustworthy, professional. Licensed and Insured. Call Lisa for FREE ESTIMATE 561-574-9288. You'll be glad that you did.
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Electrical Contractor
R O O F I N G R E PA I R S R E - R O O F I N G A L L TYPES — Pinewood Construction, Inc. Honest and reliable. Serving Palm Beach County for over 20 years. Call Mike 561-309-0134 Lic. Ins. Bonded. CGC-023773 RC-0067207
SINGER ELECTRICAL CONTRACTING, INC. — Electrical work you can trust at an affordable price, Fully Licensed and Insured. EC#13007941 561-425-5409
Steady Steps Tutoring
WE'RE HIRING
A/C Refrigeration Services JOHN C. HUNTON AIR CONDITIONING & REFRIGERATION, INC.—Service & new installation Lic. CAC 057272 Ins. “We are proud supporters of the Seminole Ridge Hawks” 561-798-3225. Family Owned & Operated since 1996. Credit Cards Accepted
Cleaning - Home/Office
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PLACE YOUR CLASSIFIED AD HERE CALL 561-793-7606
NEIL O’NEAL JR. ROOFING — Roofing & Reroofing. Family owned and operated. Residential/ Commercial. Wood Replacement, Roof Coatings, Solar Vents, Skylights & Roof Ventilation. 561-6564945 Lic. & Insured CCC1330208.Free Estimates
Screening J O H N ’ S S C R E E N R E PA I R S E RV I C E — Pool & patio re-screening. Stay tight,wrinklefree,guaranteed! CRC1329708 call us 798-3132. www.poolscreenrepair.com
Legal Notice
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WELLINGTON • ROYAL PALM BEACH • LOXAHATCHEE • THE ACREAGE • WESTLAKE
LEARN TO PLAY PIANO • 561-356-1236 www.youtube.com/@thomasmatthewwiskoff
Thomas Matthew Wiskoff
PIANO TEACHER & PERFORMER Please scan QR code for contact information and Youtube link.
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FROM NOSE TO TAIL, IT’S ALL OUT IN THE OPEN - OUR GROOMING & PRICING! No hidden fees, no closed doors, just quality grooming you can trust
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If you are an enrolled Veteran with the VA, your benefits will cover Home Health Care. Your VA home health care benefits include the cost of a home health aid
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