THIS WEEK IN PALM BEACH
August 25, 2017 Edition - The News Palm Beachers Need to Know 
PORT of PALM BEACH
Port Approves Second
Cruise Ship
NeoClassica
The Port of Palm Beach Commission voted yes 5-0 to add a second cruise ship to the Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line in 2018 at their commission meeting. The new cruise ship is currently sailing as Costa neoClassica.
Peanut Island
Palm Beach County and the Port of Palm Beach are exploring the county taking over the Kennedy Bunker and Coast Guard Station on Peanut Island. 
BRIDGES
Southern Blvd. Bridges
Replacement Project
Southern Blvd Bridge
Lane closure is scheduled for 10 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 24, until 6 a.m. Friday, Aug. 25: Weather had delayed the closure but the contractor reported today that they will work tonight.
Flagler (North) Bridge Returns to Normal Opening Schedule for Boats
Flagler Bridge Aerial June 2017
The U.S. Coast Guard has announced the Flagler Memorial Bridge has returned to its normal opening schedule. The Flagler Memorial Bridge is now opening for marine traffic twice an hour at 15 minutes past the hour and 45 minutes past the hour, including during morning and afternoon rush hours.
BEACHES
Needles, Vials of Blood Found in Seaweed in Palm Beach 
blood vials
Needles, intravenous pouches and vials of blood are a few examples of the medical waste workers for Friends of Palm Beach have been finding recently while combing the beach for trash, which they do every weekday.
Phipps Ocean Park
Beaches are still closed on Thursday, August 24, 2017 due to high bacteria levels. Lifeguards are reporting that they are waiting for new lab test results to come in before they open the beach.
Balloons Banned at
Beachfront Parks
from ballonsblow.org
In an effort to promote the safety and protection of sea turtles, Loggerhead Marinelife Center and Palm Beach County have partnered to prohibit the use of balloons at several county-operated beachfront parks effective Sept. 1.
Friends of Palm Beach Picks up 320 Pounds of Trash at Beach Cleanup
Diane Buhler friends of palm beach

The organization said 320 pounds of trash were removed, the bulk of it was a large cargo line cut away from a ship.  
BRIGHTLINE
Testing Underway for Brightline Trains, But Passenger Service Won't Start Until Later This Year
Brightline
Colorful new trains are coming down the tracks from West Palm Beach to Miami -- although not carrying passengers quite yet.
PRESIDENTIAL VISITS
Application Period Begins for Reimbursement for Trump 
Security Costs
Mar-a-Lago Security
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is now accepting applications for grants to repay local government for costs associated with protecting President Donald Trump, and Palm Beach County is expected to make a pitch for $3.5 million of that money.
ENVIRONMENT
New Islands Sprouting in the 
Lake Worth Lagoon?
Tony Doris The Palm Beach Post
(Tony Doris / The Palm Beach Post)
A plan is gaining ground to build scenic islands on the west side of the Lake Worth Lagoon, off the El Cid neighborhood, to provide bird and mangrove habitats and cleanse water.

MEETINGS & EVENTS
Monday, September 4 
Labor Day-Town Hall Offices Closed
 
Wednesday, September 6, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting
Town Council Chambers
 
Thursday, September 7, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Underground Utilities Task Force (UUTF) Meeting
Town Council Chambers
 
Thursday, September 7, 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Ordinances, Rules, and Standards Committee Meeting
Town Council Chambers
 
Tuesday, September 12, 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Town Council Meeting-Regular Business
Town Council Chambers
 
Tuesday, September 12, 5:01 PM - 6:00 PM
Special Town Council Meeting
Town Council Chambers
 
Wednesday, September 13, 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Town Council Meeting-Development Review
Town Council Chambers

TROPICAL WEATHER
A tropical disturbance will sweep across Florida with flooding downpours and rough surf into the weekend.
Read More (Civic Association News)
ZIKA VIRUS
Florida Reports 14 New Cases of Zika in One Week
Florida Zika Virus
The number of Zika cases reported in 2017 in Florida jumped about 10 percent during the past week, with the total reaching 151.
Read More (WCTV)
TOWN of PALM BEACH
Nearby Restaurants See a Boost with 3 Royal Poinciana Way Spots Closed
Trevini Ristorante
In what is otherwise summer's lull-prone August, restaurants on the outskirts of changes on Royal Poinciana Way are welcoming a bit of a business bounce.
Thomas Baker: Man Accused of Drinking and Boating Asks Judge to Throw Out Evidence
Thomas Henry Baker
Thomas Henry Baker
A boater Palm Beach police accused of drinking and crashing his boat last year is asking a judge to dismiss evidence in the case against him. Police say Thomas Baker drove the yacht, "Time Out," onto the shoreline after claiming he had too many Long Island Iced Teas on September 7.
Read More (WPTV)
ECLIPSE
Palm Beachers Get a Slight Shadow from the Eclipse
As the solar eclipse shadow flew by at 2,100 mph, one observer outside on the roof of the Paramount Theater building by the Civic Association Community Room at 3 PM said, "That was it?"
Read More (Civic Association News)
TRAFFIC
Click on the link below to download a copy of the Construction and Traffic Report for the upcoming week.
Read More (Town of Palm Beach)
SCRIPPS FLORIDA
Scientists at the Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) in Jupiter, Florida, have developed a test that will help scientists identify new drug candidates for treating pain that have fewer side effects, like addiction. 
Read More (Scripps Florida)
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