CAPE CORAL, Fla. —

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he plans to sign an executive order "very soon" that would protect parents from school districts imposing mask mandates Friday.

"Very soon, I'll be signing an executive order that directs the Florida Department of Education and Department of Health to issue emergency rules protecting the rights of parents to make this decision about wearing masks for their children," DeSantis said. "We think that's the most fair way to do it."

Read More:

https://www.wpbf.com/article/florida-covid-mask-mandate-school-ron-desantis/37180805

PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. —

Palm Beach County is putting a mask mandate into effect for its government buildings starting Monday.

The county said this will be for all people, regardless of vaccination status, and follows the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

South Florida meets the description for being a place of "high" or "substantial" transmission because of the number of COVID-19 cases and new variants in the area.

Read More:

https://www.wpbf.com/article/palm-beach-county-covid-mask-mandate-government-buildings-property/37181197

Hurricane season begins June 1 and ends on November 30. In the event of an approaching hurricane, the City of Palm Beach Gardens is ready to initiate Hurricane Preparedness and Response Procedures. Emergency Response Teams are deployed throughout the City at different staging locations to monitor damage assessment, response and recovery progress, and coordinate all local, state, and federal resources.

Meet our Emergency Response Teams who stand ready to respond to the needs of residents in the event of a hurricane.

We're storm ready! Are you?

Read More:

https://www.pbgfl.com/civicalerts.aspx?AID=1118

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is expected to recommend everyone in K-12 schools wear a mask, regardless of their vaccination status, as it updates its masking guidelines on Tuesday, according to an administration health official.

The CDC is also urging vaccinated people in certain areas of the country to resume wearing masks because of COVID-19.

Read More:

https://www.wpbf.com/article/cdc-mask-update/37144675

A full road closure for roadway improvements at the intersection of Campus Drive and Fairchild Avenue will go into effect beginning Friday, July 23 and will remain closed through Friday, August 6. The road improvements on Campus Drive will include a new roundabout, upgraded pedestrian facilities, pavement resurfacing, traffic signals, and roadway striping. 

 Detour Information:

Detours for the area will be along RCA Boulevard, Fairchild Gardens Avenue, PGA Boulevard, and Minsk Gardens Boulevard. Motorists intending to travel to the Palm Beach County Governmental Center and Library may access these facilities at PGA Boulevard and Campus Drive or Fairchild Avenue. Palm Beach State College can be accessed from either the RCA Blvd or PGA Blvd entrance.

For more information, please contact Mike Morrow in the City's Engineering Department at 561-804-7013. 

Read More:

https://www.pbgfl.com/civicalerts.aspx?AID=1114

PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. —

Students in Palm Beach County schools will not be required to wear a mask during the upcoming school year.

School board chairman Frank Barbieri made that abundantly clear after hours of debate at the board meeting Wednesday night.

Public comment at the meeting lasted more than two hours, with parents on both sides of the issue voicing their opinions.

“If you want to wear a mask or mask your child, that is your right,” said Amanda Lipke, who is against the mask mandate. “But you don’t have the right to force that on my child.”

Khara Holt, who supports a mask mandate, added, “Masking is a simple, safe, cheap intervention that saves lives."

The district’s plan for the upcoming year has been decided for some time and includes making masks optional.

But school board member Dr. Debra Robinson asked the board to reconsider the policy given the recent spike in COVID-19 cases.

That led to a packed meeting Wednesday night.

“You don’t have to ask the school to unmask your children,” said Cindy Falco, an opponent of the mask mandate. “You have the right to unmask your children.”

Read More:

https://www.wpbf.com/article/no-mask-mandate-in-palm-beach-county-schools-this-year/37096964

LOXAHATCHEE, Fla. —

Lion Country Safari welcomed a baby zebra to its herd Monday.

The male is spending time with its mother and is visible to guests in the Hwange section of the safari with the rest of its herd, according to the safari.

The herd is one of the largest in the U.S., with nearly 60 zebras, Lion Country Safari said. Plains zebra are near threatened, with a decreasing population because of poaching and habitat loss.

The zebra is one of more than 900 animals that can be seen on the drive-through safari that hopes to connect people with animals so that they learn more about the environment and conservation, Lion Country Safari said.

Read More:

https://www.wpbf.com/article/florida-lion-country-safari-baby-zebra-animals/37050616

National Night Out Against Crime

Tuesday, August 3, 2021

This police and community partnership program takes place all across the U.S. on the first Tuesday of August each year. This year, the event is scheduled on August 3, 2021. Over 30 police vehicles, fire trucks, and more will parade with lights and sirens through the town passing out giveaways and waving hi to our community members!

During this event in Jupiter, neighborhoods will join together as one community to bring awareness to crime and drug prevention; generate support and participation in local anti-crime efforts; strengthen the neighborhood spirit and police-community relations, and send a message that our neighborhoods are fighting back against crime.

Little Smiles Holiday Toy Drive will be combined with this event. Toy Drive boxes will be located at the Jupiter Police Department, The Loxahatchee Club, Windsor Park Clubhouse, Mallory Creek Clubhouse, New Haven Clubhouse and Abacoa Skate Park during the event. Bring an unwrapped new toy to give our local children during the holiday season. 

For additional event information visit us on Facebook @JupiterPolice or call 561-741-2660.

Tropical Storm Elsa is expected to weaken as it moves further inland this afternoon.

At 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Tropical Storm Elsa was located about 65 miles north northwest of Cedar Key, Florida, according to forecasters. Elsa was moving north at 14 mph.

Elsa made landfall Wednesday morning near Taylor County. Elsa will continue to move inland into Florida this afternoon. The storm should then move across the southeastern and mid-Atlantic United States through Thursday. The National Hurricane Center said a couple of tornadoes are possible for parts of Florida Wednesday. There is a chance for Elsa to slightly strengthen before it hits land, when it will start to weaken.

Read More:

https://www.wpbf.com/article/tropical-storm-elsa-south-florida/36921755

PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. —

Public safety agencies, municipalities, utility companies and local residents are preparing for the potential impacts of Hurricane Elsa.

Florida Power & Light

Florida Power & Light leaders said they’re keeping a close eye on the track of the storm and they’re ready to shift their workers and vehicles to whichever parts of Florida are expected to get hit the hardest. “FPL will be ready. We train for storms year-round. We have our people ready to go,” said Peter Robbins, spokesperson for FPL. The company is also in the process of communicating with utility companies in other states in the event that more workers are needed once the storm hits. FPL leaders say it’s still too soon to decide where they’re going to deploy their workers, but all of their employees are on standby. They also said people at home have a plan in place and make sure they have all hurricane preparedness supplies ready to go. They said it’s critical that everyone remains up to date on the path of the storm. "If folks kind of break away from staying informed and let their guard down because they’re doing holiday barbecues and other things, we don’t want that to happen," said Robbins. "We would much rather they stay informed and they monitor the storm and they’re ready if this thing does make landfall early next week."

Read More:

https://www.wpbf.com/article/agencies-utility-companies-and-residents-preparing-hurricane-elsa/36917114

Here is some information on supplies you will need for hurricane season.

HURRICANE SUPPLY LIST
+ Drinking Water (at least 7 gallons per person)
+ Prescription Medicine (2-week supply)
+ Camera and Film
+ Books, Magazines, and Games
+ Ice Chest and Ice
+ Disposable Plates, Glasses, and Utensils
+ Manual Can Opener
+ Battery-operated TV/Radio and Clock
+ Spare Batteries
+ Flashlights/Lantern
+ Toilet Paper
+ Diapers and Wipes
+ Baby Food/Formula
+ First Aid Kit
+ Plastic Sheeting/Tarp
+ Duct or Masking Tape
+ Nails, Rope, Lumber, Tools
+ Plastic Garbage Bags
+ Insect Repellent, Sunscreen
+ Disinfectant
+ Soap and Detergent
+ Bleach for Sterilization (unscented with Hypochlorite, the only active ingredient), Tincture of Iodine, or Water Purification Tablets
+ Rain Gear
+ Fire Extinguisher
+ Fuel for Generators and Cars
+ Propane Gas (for grills)
+ Charcoal and Lighter Fluid
+ Waterproof Matches/Sterno
+ Cash (ATMs may not work after the storm)

NON-PERISHABLE FOOD
+ Powdered Milk, Evaporated Milk
+ Canned Meats/Fish (tuna, ham, etc.)
+ Canned Fruit and Vegetables
+ Dried Foods (spaghetti, rice, etc.)
+ Canned Soups/Chili
+ Dried Fruit and Nuts
+ Cereal
+ Crackers and Cookies
+ Coffee and Tea
+ Peanut Butter and Jelly
+ Pudding
+ Pet Food and Medicine

Read More:

https://www.wpbf.com/article/hurricane-supplies/1325248