By Boca Vibe
The Weekly Squeeze: Boca Raton’s Latest News and Developments
Boca Raton, FL – In a shocking move, retired Palm Beach accountant Richard Rampell resigned as chair of the board that operates WLRN last week, citing concerns over the station’s independence and financial autonomy. Rampell accused the Miami-Dade School Board, which owns the station, of attempting to negotiate a settlement that would compromise WLRN’s journalistic integrity and drain its funds. Read more at BocaVibe.com.
Environmental Dispute Hits Close to Home
A three-judge panel of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments last week in Miami about whether federal environmental laws apply to the state-run Alligator Alcatraz. The post at issue is a popular tourist attraction and wildlife sanctuary located on an island in Lake Okeechobee, which straddles Palm Beach County and Glades County.
Local Business News
- Boca Raton’s Downtown Development Authority has approved plans for a new mixed-use development at 300 SW 2nd Avenue, featuring a 120-room hotel, office space, and retail units. The project is expected to break ground later this year.
- Red Bank Park in Boca Raton will host its annual Summer Concert Series starting next month, with free outdoor concerts every Friday evening through August.
Civic News
The City of Boca Raton has announced plans to implement a new traffic management system, which aims to reduce congestion and improve air quality in the city’s downtown area. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.
Community Events
- The Boca Raton Public Library will host its annual Summer Reading Program starting June 1, with a theme centered around space exploration and astronomy.
- The Boca Raton Historical Society will present a lecture on the history of the city’s iconic Red Reef Park, scheduled for July 15 at the Downtown Boca Raton Library.
Local Government News
The Palm Beach County Commission has approved a new budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which includes increased funding for education and infrastructure projects. The commission also voted to establish a new task force focused on addressing the county’s growing homelessness crisis.
Official city info: City of Boca Raton.
Source: Original Report