So how does it work, and why would anyone have an issue with it? Well, the cameras capture images of the license plate numbers in order to proceed with fines, however, the photographs include much more.  These images can identify drivers and passengers, as well as other behaviors inside the car.  An invasion of privacy? Many argue yes, however, as long as these images cannot be used against someone for anything other than traffic light violation, there should be no issue.

Another major issue that has been discussed in many of the major states that have already installed such cameras, is the integrity of some these surveillance companies.  It was made clear by Boynton Beach commissioners that the system would not really cost the city anything, as most of the money would go to the companies who install these devices.  And because of this, when being installed, the timing of the lights are changed so that the amount of time the light is “yellow” before changing to “red” is minimal, intentionally done-so in order to try to increase the number of violations to increase their revenues.  However, also in return, this causes many rear-end collisions at these traffic lights, since drivers must suddenly stop without much notice.  So is this a trade-off from one type of accident to another?

Such surveillance cameras have already been installed in Palm Beach County at Delray Beach.  It is now only a matter of time as the city plans when and where these new cameras will be installed in Boynton Beach. So drive careful!

The Palm Beach Poetry Festival this year will take place on January 19-24, at the Old School Square Cultural Arts Center located in Delray Beach.   The festival will feature eight of America’s Most Gifted Poets, who will be participating in the poetry workshops throughout the festival, as well as preforming throughout the week. There will also be two afternoon readings each day that will be open to the public for free, which will be performed by workshop participants.

Tickets are on sale and cost $12 per adult, $10/senior, and $8/student. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the Palm Beach Poetry Festival website.

In 2006, an outage at the FPL Turkey Point location caused the entire plant to be down for 5 days, generating this huge cost to FPL.  The cost was passed on to the customers, at about $1 per customer, in order to pay for and repair the damages to the generator. However, the reason for the outage was not simply “wear and tear”.  Instead, these extensive damages were caused by a disgruntled FPL contractor, who drilled a hole into the generator, intentionally causing the damage to hinder FPL’s business. Though only for a short lived 5 days, this unhappy contractor certainly caused significant costs to the company.  FPL purchased, or better stated, FPL customers purchased replacement power until the generator could be repaired. 

Regardless of the seemingly insignificant refund to most customers, the Florida Public Service Commission made their vote final this week, requiring the company to pay back this money to customers, due to the unique circumstances of the outage.  Customers who use on average 1,000 kilowatt-hours of energy per month will receive this refund and can expect it within the next few months.  The actually amount is said to be around .72 cents.

Still, West Palm Beach County is considering expanding its Historic District in the Prospect Park/Soutland Park area.  This area was originally developed in the 1920’s, but also includes homes built in the 60’s and 70’s. The expansion of this area would include some of these newer homes that would be classified as “historic” as well.

There is an upside and downside to this for homeowners in the area, which include some tax breaks on certain home modifications.  However, modifications allowed are subjected to city approval.  Also, if the historic district boundaries are expanded, homeowners may no longer have to fear the rumored airport expansion into area.

A vote on the issue is set for early next year.  In hopes to preserve the character and historical atmosphere of the area, expansion of the boundries are very likely to be approved.

Pictures will be taken from 10 am – noon on Saturday, December 20th.  Pets must be in their carriers or on a leash. 

The Port St. Lucie Civic Center is located on the SE corner of US 1 and Walton Road, at is 9221 SE Civic Center Place.

The thousands of schools that were compared went through rigorous steps, comparing test scores and calculating various other factors that would determine its overall effectiveness.  The first and second step determined which schools best served all of its students as a whole, including those not college bound. It also included analyzing schools that best served its under-advantaged and minority students.  The third step reviewed the schools college preparatory programs, analyzing AP and College Entrance Exam scores.

There were several schools in Florida that ranked in the top 100, as Gold Medal schools, including the Design and Architectural Senior High School in neighboring Dade County.  The school ranked an impressive 5th in the nation. 

Airport Security will now be changing their appearance with new and improved uniforms. The reason behind changing airport security’s uniforms wasn’t to make them more intimidating, but rather to appear more professional and approachable. The new royal blue shirts and gold badges make them look a little more like police officers, which may seem a bit extreme to some, but was done in hopes of building more of a rapport among workers and passengers. Martine Belizaire-Prosper, an officer at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport said that the uniforms are working, thus far.  Belizaire-Prosper said, “One passenger said to me, ‘It’s good that you changed your uniform; you look a lot friendlier now.”

The gold bagde is an integral part of the new uniform. Former “screeners”, now known as the transportation officers, are brought in line with other security forces under the department of homeland security, said Tim Lewis, federal security director at the Fort Lauderdale Airport. He said that “The public looks at them differently now.” “I think there’s more respect.”

Lewis also mentioned that the security officers will receive additional training ensuring that the officers have all the knowlege necessary, to be more on top of things, such as picking out the “dangerous passengers.”

It has been noted that some passengers aren’t taking a liking to the change.  Boca Raton resident Jenni Bartlett said white shirts seem more appropriate for security workers. Bartlett stated, “To me, white just looks more professional.”

No matter how the change is received, the switch has proven overall to be a positive one.

But Miami is not the only location in South Florida that you can spot celebrities living day to day.  Palm Beach County recently marked a purchase from celebrity Bruce Springsteen, and surprisley this Florida home purchase is not oceanfront!  Instead, Springsteen reportadley purchased a home in an equestrian community in Wellington called the Equestrian Club Estates.  This Palm Beach gated community features homes nothing short of what you would expect from a “celebrity home”, with a 6,000 square foot layout that is jaw-dropping.   Springsteen’s daughter is also an active equestrian student, which may have been a majority of the motivation to purchase this home.  Residents in Equestrian Club Estates are conveniently located next door to the home of the Winter Equestrian Festival, so there is no need to travel to far for this wonderful event for equestrian enthusiasts! 

Miami will be taking on Virginia Tech once again, on the enemies home ground, next Monday, November 17th.  It is projected to be yet another close battle, not much different than that which we saw earlier this week.  But with the adrenaline pumping through their veins, the Hurricane players are ready for another victory.

“She came home from school one day at the end of the year and told me about this idea she had. Kirby has a real flair for fashion and gets that she lives a very privileged life, as do her friends,” Susie Straus Jacobs wrote of her daughter.

A student of Spanish River High School, the smile on a little girl’s face is more than enough payment for all the hard work she’s done throughout the year.  After persuading the teachers to leave out boxes to collect dresses from other students, within the first two weeks of school, she had more than 250 dresses at her disposal.  With the help of the Teen Angel store in the Delray Beach community, she has been giving away clothes since September.

Girls aged between 13 and 17 attending schools in West Palm Beach were brought to Veterans Park to relish in a neat, yet overwhelming amassing of high quality clothes.  For periods of time, all you could hear were the soft noise of elation alongside the bright eyes of girls given the opportunity to be…well girls.

“We know we’re so lucky and privileged to have these dresses, and to get a new dress every year, and we wanted to let everyone have that experience. Every girl deserves to feel beautiful,” are the words of Jacob herself.