All articles tagged with #palm beach county
A Boynton Beach man contracted a rare flesh-eating infection after hand cuts while landscaping, leading to a 101-day hospital stay—including a month in the ICU and five days in a coma—with doctors noting he was one day from amputation; he survived but now faces nearly seven figures in medical bills and an ongoing recovery.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis suspended Palm Beach County Clerk Michael Caruso after his arrest on five felony charges related to child abuse involving a minor under 12, with the investigation ongoing; DeSantis called the suspension an easy decision, marking a dramatic fall for a longtime ally who supported hardline laws.
Former Florida lawmaker and DeSantis ally Michael Caruso, 67, who was appointed Palm Beach County clerk of courts and comptroller, was arrested on multiple charges including lewd molestation and kidnapping for allegedly abusing a young boy on various occasions since Thanksgiving 2024; DeSantis suspended him from office, saying the allegations demand accountability, and Caruso—who is running for reelection and previously served in the Florida House—denies the accusations while the case unfolds.
Palm Beach County Clerk of Court Michael Caruso was arrested on five felony charges involving a minor, according to State Attorney James Uthmeier, and Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended him from his duties as the case proceeds.
President Donald Trump voted by mail in Florida's Republican primary, with Palm Beach County records showing a ballot request in late July and return on Aug. 13, continuing his pattern of voting by mail in his adopted home state. He had previously voted by mail in a Palm Beach County special election this year. Florida allows universal mail voting with ID and renewal requirements, and the primary features a crowded field including Trump-endorsed Byron Donalds. The piece sits amid ongoing national debates over mail voting and related court actions, as the administration advocates for or against voting reforms.
Florida health officials report the year's first death from Vibrio vulnificus in Palm Beach County, with 11 confirmed cases so far. The bacteria thrives in warm saltwater and can cause severe illness, especially in people with open wounds or weakened immune systems; most infections come from exposure to seawater or raw shellfish, and health authorities urge rapid treatment as infections can progress quickly.
IRS migration data show Palm Beach County, Florida, attracted more than $3 billion in adjusted gross income from households moving in from other states—the largest gain of any county—followed by Collier County; Manhattan gained the most new tax filers but lost about $922 million in AGI, illustrating that population growth and wealth growth aren’t the same. The broader pattern points to wealth flowing toward low-tax Sun Belt states like Florida and Texas, signaling a southward shift of the economic center and reshaping local tax bases.
Palm Beach County investigators say NHL star Claude Lemieux left multiple heartfelt notes for family in his phone’s notes app and a Post-it directing access before he hanged himself at his family’s business in Florida. The notes, described as individualized and sorrowful, followed a relapse confrontation with his wife; his son Brendan found him and called 911. A bag of bedtime gummies was found near his body, but toxicology was negative. Lemieux, a four-time Stanley Cup winner, was 60 at his death.
A Florida deputy accused a driver with no right hand of violating the state’s wireless communications while driving law by holding a cellphone behind the wheel, but the charges were dismissed.
A Palm Beach County deputy dismissed a traffic citation issued to a woman who says she does not have a right hand after being accused of holding a phone while driving. The stop, in Lake Worth Beach on Feb. 11, cited Florida's wireless communications while driving law (316.305) with a $116 penalty, and the case went viral on TikTok. Lawyers say the statute targets manual typing on a device, not mere holding, with exceptions for navigation, safety alerts, and voice use; the stop did not occur in a school or active work zone. The deputy requested and prosecutors filed to drop the case before the hearing; PBSO declined to comment.
Palm Beach County commissioners approved a trademark licensing deal with Trump’s companies to rename Palm Beach International Airport after Donald Trump, granting Trump veto power over branding and requiring airport stores to source from approved retailers; the non-exclusive license could still allow off-site profits for the Trump family, and the agreement lacks a termination clause, prompting concern from some commissioners as the change hinges on state law and an estimated $5.5 million in implementation costs ahead of a forthcoming state budget session.
Rabies has been confirmed in the Arden community of Loxahatchee after a bat hiding inside a resident’s shoe bit them; Animal Care and Control says the incident occurred and officials are investigating and advising precaution.
Democrat Emily Gregory defeated Republican Jon Maples 51.15% to 48.85% in Florida House District 87, flipping the seat in Palm Beach County—the first Democratic win there this century—after Governor DeSantis delayed the special election. Gregory ran on affordability, education funding, health care access and housing costs, while Maples emphasized tax cuts and conservative priorities. The win grows the Democratic caucus ahead of the 2026 session and drew national attention as Trump’s supporters and opponents weighed the district’s implications.
Three Republican-held Florida legislative seats are on the March 24 ballot in special elections: Senate District 14 (Tampa area) featuring Josie Tomkow (R) vs. Brian Nathan (D); House District 51 (central Florida) Hilary Holley (R) vs. Edwin Perez (D); and House District 87 (Palm Beach County) Jon Maples (R) vs. Emily Gregory (D), a race drawing attention due to its coastal district that includes Mar-a-Lago. A fourth vacancy exists in Miami-area District 113, with a special primary Aug. 18 and a special election Nov. 3; District 52’s contest was canceled with Samantha Scott unopposed previously. Polls close at 7:00 PM ET.
President Trump voted by mail in Florida's 87th district special election, despite calling mail-in voting 'cheating.' Public records show he requested the ballot and that it was received, counted, and accompanied by his endorsement of the Republican candidate. He has long pushed for stricter voter ID rules and limits on mail-in voting through the SAVE America Act.