Our Village Voice VOL. 37 NO. 3
Check out our BRAND NEW website at: shores.seabreezecommunications.com!
Northern Notes The Dry Season By Katie Roundtree, Finance Director, Northern Palm Beach County Improvement District One uncontrollable factor affecting Northern services more than any other is the weather. Warmer temperatures in the summer months create the potential for increased rainfall, flooding, and hurricane activity. Cooler temperatures in the winter months typically mean dryer air, less rain and canals and lakes with lower water levels. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasts a drier than normal pattern in South Florida with slightly warmer than average temperatures for the period from February through April 2026, which encompasses most of the area’s dry season.
The National Weather Service has forecast that La Niña conditions will likely begin to diminish through April. La Niña is the cold-water phase of the ENSO (El Niño Southern Oscillation) cycle. It is characterized by cooling of the waters in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific. This cooling of the equatorial Pacific to below normal values affects large scale weather systems across all of North America. The main impact of La Niña in Florida is typically very dry conditions in winter and early spring. The prolonged dry weather and lack of rainfall can intensify drought conditions, leading to water shortages for both residential and agricultural use. This not only puts pressure on local water management systems but also increases the risk of spring wildfires. Extended droughts can lead to stricter water restrictions, stressed vegetation, and lasting impacts on the region’s ecosystem and economy. A warmer and drier than normal winter and dry season decreases the likelihood and frequency of severe weather events such as tornadoes, flooding, strong winds, and hail, but does not eliminate them. Also, as we experienced in early February, a few strong cold snaps and freezes typically occur during La Niña winters, even though the average temperatures over an extended period may be warmer than usual. As the winter months continue, we can anticipate some environmental realities outlined in NOAA’s forecast. The most significant and most visible effect is the lowering of water levels across the county. Water levels in the waterways within Northern’s jurisdiction, including neighborhood lakes, fluctuate based on rainfall in the area. During extended dry periods or droughts, the lack of rain accelerates the drop in water levels as evaporation outpaces replenishment. Persistent drought conditions can leave lakes, canals, and marshes at historically low levels, affecting water quality and availability Northern Notes on page 2
MARCH 2026
Bill’s Box By Bill Thompson Beware The Ides Of March With reference to William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, a soothsayer warned of the assassination of the Roman General Julius Caesar, dictator of the Roman Republic. Caesar was killed on March 15, 44 B.C. by a group of Roman Senators. That was the date of the annual Ides of March on the Roman calendar. Dateline February 10, 2026 The Shores of Jupiter, Lot 94 Jupiter, FL This is the seventh day of a roof replacement at a home on Lake Bend Drive. The project has been VERY noisy! And stressful for the owners who had no viable retreat from the sounds of a war zone. Neighbors suffered too, I’m sure. However, it goes without saying that no company can remove barrel tiles and replace with metal without a fair amount of sound effects. GM Roofing and its general and specialty crews are excellent craftsmen, and the driving force of oversight and communications are superb as a team. Such attention to every detail. TK Gutters will get the wrap-up by installing new gutters to match the roof color. There is always one more thing. Then, there is the matter of painting the house exterior with colors that the HOA and neighbors will like. The color selections will be critical and capable of spraining the brain. Bill’s Box on page 5
Commissioner’s Update Where History, Land, And Legacy Converge: Loxahatchee River Battlefield Park By Commissioner Maria G. Marino At first glance, Loxahatchee River Battlefield Park appears serene, with quiet trails winding along a peaceful river and shaded by Florida’s natural beauty. But beneath this calm landscape lies more than 5,000 years of human history, making it one of the most extraordinary historic sites in Palm Beach County and throughout Florida. This land tells a story that stretches from the earliest Indigenous inhabitants of the Archaic Period to one of the
most consequential battles of the Second Seminole War. It is a rare place where environment, culture, and military history intersect, and that convergence makes it profoundly important to protect and share with future generations. Long before the Battles of the Loxahatchee in 1838, this land was the ancestral homeland of Indigenous peoples who lived in harmony with the river and surrounding ecosystems for millennia. It was not simply occupied, it was stewarded. These communities cared for, respected, and sustained the land, passing down knowledge and traditions over countless generations. Honoring that legacy today means listening, learning, and preserving. Preservation is not just about protecting acreage; it is about recognizing heritage, honoring Commissioner’s Update on page 2
REPORT SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY IMMEDIATELY TO THE JUPITER POLICE DEPARTMENT
(561) 799-4445
Use 911 for emergencies only. Lock car doors. Do not leave valuables in the car.