“SFWMD Settles Lawsuit, Moves Forward with Infrastructure to Benefit St. Lucie Estuary.”

For more information contact Mr. Randy Smith, media relations at South Florida Water Management District* (SFWMD): 561-682-2800 (cell: 561-389-3386); email: rrsmith@sfwmd.gov

Press Release:

“Settlement gets Lake Point Restoration
public-private partnership back on track
to store water from Lake Okeechobee.”

Port Mayaca, FL — The South Florida Water Management District today approved a legal settlement with the owners of the Lake Point Restoration project in western Martin County.

“This settlement gets a solid environmental project back on track,” said SFWMD Governing Board Chairman Dan O'Keefe.

     The District will receive full ownership of the mined property and will be able to build a storage project that could hold approximately 3,000 to 4,000 acre-feet of Lake Okeechobee water that would otherwise be bound for the St. Lucie Estuary. Additionally, the settlement allows the District to buy needed rock for infrastructure maintenance purposes at a fair market price.
     The Lake Point Restoration project is a public-private partnership approved by both the SFWMD in 2008 and Martin County in 2009 on land initially slated for residential development adjacent to Lake Okeechobee.

*The South Florida Water Management District is a regional governmental agency that manages the water resources in the southern part of the state. It is the oldest and largest of the state’s five water management districts. Our mission is to protect South Florida’s water resources by balancing and improving flood control, water supply, water quality and natural systems.

The City of Lake Worth needs an official Facebook page ASAP. No more time for delay.

Wouldn’t you like to get alerts and updated information from the City of Lake Worth on Facebook? For example, official announcements, storm updates, press releases, and news like a “Planned Power Outage”?

The public in Greenacres is getting updates, new information, and the latest news about Hurricane Irma from the official City of Greenacres’ Facebook page. Here’s news posted on the Greenacres Facebook page recently:

“New Flood Maps will be
in effect October 5, 2017.”

There’s just too much information the public needs. How many more people could learn about the City’s Neighborhood Road Program? The City is Live Streaming Commission meetings? Neighborhood meetings? Hurricane warnings?

In a big way, the City of Greenacres is now bypassing the press and media, and communicating directly with the public using social media:

Message on City of Greenacres’ Facebook Page. “New Flood Maps will be in effect October 5, 2017. The new Flood Maps now include several areas within the City to be in a special flood hazard area called Flood Zone AE. View the new flood hazard maps online to check if your property’s flood zone has changed.”

Electric Outage: Latest news from the City of Lake Worth.

Below is Update #19 from our
Lake Worth Electric Utility.

First, from yesterday, a message from
Lake Worth Mayor Pam Triolo:

  

From the City of Lake Worth,

UPDATE #19:

As of Tuesday, Sept. 12th: “We currently have
24,510 customers still without power.”

To see the Lake Worth Electric Utility Service Area map use this link. Many areas in the Village of Palm Springs and in the Lake Worth Corridor (unincorporated PBC) are within the Lake Worth Utility service area as well.

Excerpt from Update #19 (link to Update #20 below & more information):

“We understand that the first day of restoration doesn’t always look like anything has been happening due to our crews trying to damage assess the system, having to navigate roadways littered with fallen trees, debris, etc.

At the same time they have to be as safe as possible and try to start bringing our customers back into the system. Our tree crews are diligently working their way through the system trying to clear trees from lines which is a critical step in the restoration process. Meanwhile, our mutual aid help is mobilizing from where they had to wait out the storm, to get here as fast and safely as possible, so that they can begin to assist in the restoration process.

As we move into day 2 our crews and our mutual aid crews will begin working together to start to restore our customers and critical infrastructures. It will start out slow but as restoration processes are followed and plans are strictly adhered to, based on the damage assessments, the process begins to speed up, and more and more customers will start having their power restored.

Rest assured, we will not stop until the last customer comes on-line. Customers can aid in restoration by ensuring roadways are kept clear allowing crews to travel unobstructed.

Time Estimates.

There are many rumors about restoration times, no time is being given as there are so many factors in play, some of these are within our control but others, such as the FPL tie in line are not. You can be sure that we will not keep you without power one second longer than is necessary.

Safety.

Please treat any and all downed wires near an electrical pole as Live and extremely dangerous. Do not try to move or repair these but instead contact the Electric Utilities emergency phone number (877-454-4480) and allow our crews to handle the situation.

Do not plug your generator into the mains power. This can cause damage to the system and is extremely dangerous to crews working to restore your power. Plug appliances into the generator directly. Also under no circumstances should you attempt to run your generator indoors.

Thank you for your patience and support through the storm. As we begin recovery our crews are working hard to minimize your time without power.”

To follow the City of Lake Worth’s updates and much more information go to the City’s official website and you can also follow on Twitter:

• LakeWorthpbc
• LakeWorthCasino

Stay tuned to this blog as well for more information.

Thank You for visiting today.

More Updates:

• “Electric mutual aid crews from Illinois and Oklahoma have arrived, more en route from Alabama. Crews working through the night. No ETA on restoration yet.”
• For Update #20 use this link. 

Latest update from City of Lake Worth Electric Utilities: Outages and more information.

From Hurricane Irma
Update #17:

Electric Distribution System

Our electric system is currently experiencing numerous outages city wide with only 3 circuits in operation and servicing approximately 1,500 customers. Our crews worked diligently and with great resolve throughout the storm to try and clear outages as they were occurring. However as the storm winds increased on Sunday afternoon we had to limit our outdoor work due to safety concerns. 

Causes for outages include trees down across phases, damage due to customer roof failures, flying debris contacting wires, vegetation/tree contacts, pole fires, and failure of electric components on poles. There is at least one report of damage that appears to be tornado related with many blocks of the system affected. 

Due to the significant extent of damage, darkness, coupled with high winds and rain we pulled the crews in Sunday evening to rest and stay safe. Fresh crews have begun work this morning and are out on the streets conducting damage assessments and restoring circuits to operation. This will be a methodical process using established priorities for public safety and minimum time to restore maximum numbers of customers.

Electric Transmission (aka Tie Line to FPL)

Our tie line to FPL was removed from service last night due to problems on the FPL system. We are currently in island operations relying on our own electric generation to support our system. The condition and possible damage to the tie line is unknown at this time. We are awaiting information from FPL with further information. The tie line was at least partially affected by a large billboard with flapping debris making repeated contract with the energized line.

Electric Generation (aka Power Plant)

4 of 5 “M” units are currently on-line providing auxiliary power to the power plant and the remaining electric distribution customers. The plant’s cooling towers were damaged due to high winds on Sunday afternoon and evening, the extent of the damage is currently being assessed. Our plan is to attempt to bring electric generating units on-line to support customer loads concurrent with the electric distribution system’s restoration.

Safety

Please treat any and all downed wires near an electrical pole as Live and extremely dangerous. Do not try to move or repair these but instead contact the Electric Utilities emergency phone number (877-454-4480) and allow our crews to handle the situation.

Do not plug your generator into the mains power. This can cause damage to the system and is extremely dangerous to crews working to restore your power. Plug appliances into the generator directly. Also under no circumstances should you attempt to run your generator indoors. 

Thank you for your patience and support through the storm. As we begin recovery our crews are working hard to minimize your time without power.

What to do if your Palm Beach Post newspaper print edition doesn’t get delivered because it’s too windy.

See below for the news concerning delivery of the Post print edition post-Hurricane Irma and windy conditions that followed.

If you didn’t know, the Sun Sentinel in Broward County publishes the Palm Beach Post newspaper:

[T]he Post downsized its newsroom by more than 30 percent in 2008 and 2009. At the same time it closed its printing press. The Post’s print edition is now printed in Broward County by the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and shipped north [by big trucks] to Palm Beach County for daily distribution.

Last year during Hurricane Matthew — not nearly the potential impact of Hurricane Irma — there were significant newspaper delivery delays; the large commercial trucks were stuck in Broward County until the storm passed.

If you’re concerned about upcoming delivery delays
of that newspaper call 800-926-POST.

By the way, the new subscription rate (which includes this year’s price spike for the print edition) for the Post’s “7 days Print + digital” is $56.99 for 1 month or $683.79 for the year and, “The first payment, for all new starts, will include a one-time nonrefundable activation fee up to $5.”* The daily edition in print costs $2 now. Sunday’s edition is $3.

[For the sake of comparison, The Lake Worth Herald print edition published weekly costs ¢50.† A “12 Month Combination”, subscription to the online and print edition (delivered by U.S. mail), costs only $45.]

And lastly, have you ever thought of writing a
Letter to the Editor (LTE) at the Post?

It’s very easy and only takes 5–10 minutes to write an LTE. Learn how using this link.

Do you live in coastal Central Palm Beach County? In the City of Greenacres or Atlantis? The towns of Lake Clarke Shores, Hypoluxo, or Lantana? The Village of Palm Springs? Are you wondering why the City of Lake Worth gets featured every single week in the Local section of the Post and your city, town, or village doesn’t get featured?

Write an LTE and ask why your municipality

never gets featured in the Post.

Map of coastal Central Palm Beach County courtesy of your Palm Beach County government.

UPDATE: The Saturday edition, Sept. 9th, was the Weekend Edition of the Post; there was no delivery of the print edition on Sunday, Sept. 10th or Monday, Sept. 11th. Tuesday should be when the print edition gets delivered once again.

*Also published in the Post as of Sept. 6th, 2017: “Home delivery customers [of The Palm Beach Post] will be charged up to an additional $3.99 premium day rate on February 26; May 14; September 17; November 23. Premium day charges will result in shortening the length of the billing period. Subscription types other than 7-day will receive Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day as part of their current subscription. Dates and prices are subject to change without notice.” [emphasis added]
†A convenient place to pick up The Lake Worth Herald print edition is at the City’s newsstand located at 600 Lake Ave. in Downtown Lake Worth.

Latest Hurricane Irma Update from the little City of Lake Worth.

To see all the updates and much more information
use this link for the City of Lake Worth’s official
website and scroll down.

Hurricane Irma Special Update #13.
From the update:

Inside City of Lake Worth’s Emergency Operations Center we are monitoring the situation. People often wonder if we have more information than the general public but with hurricanes we are monitoring the same information provided as you. Currently emergency management staff are on a 6-hour rotating shifts to ensure that all positions are manned around the clock.

At this time we are feeling the effects of the outer bands of Irma, one of the effects from these bands is the increased risk of tornadoes in the area so please continue to be alert. The curfew will remain in place until further notice. PBSO will be strictly enforcing the curfew.

There is a likelihood of disruption to the electric grid but additional line crews have arrived in the City and any disruption will be dealt with promptly following the storm. During the storm crews will remain out as long as possible [until wind speeds reach 30 mph], even once recalled they will stay in the City so they can be on the ground instantly upon conditions improving.

Please note the Electric Utilities emergency phone numbers (561-586-1695; 877-454-4480) are only for electrical related emergencies. They are not able to answer any other questions and need the line to remain clear for electrical matters.

If you haven’t already, please follow the City on Twitter:

• @LakeWorthPBC
• @LakeWorthCasino

“Together we can make it through whatever comes our way, we
are Lake Worth!”

“Hurricane Updates” from the little City of Lake Worth.

To report electric outages and electrical emergencies call 561-586-1695 or 877-454-4480. DO NOT use these phone numbers today for any other reason.

For Hurricane Irma Special Update #11 use this link.

To see the list of all updates use this link and scroll down for “Hurricane Irma Updates” or follow on Twitter: @LakeWorthpbc or @LakeWorthCasino

To subscribe to City updates use this link.

“As the storm approaches our crews will continue to work until 30mph sustained winds are recorded in the area, at which time it is no longer safe for them to continue working and they will return to base and wait until the storm passes before going out again.”

Ahead of Hurricane Irma: “Update from Electric Utilities”.

“Worth Noting” has your official updates from City of Lake Worth.

Use this link for “Hurricane Irma
Special Update #4”.

Emergency Call Center to report electric
outages and electrical emergencies:
561-586-1695; 877-454-4480.

“Last Friday [Sept. 1st] City of Lake Worth electric utilities began preparations for the hurricane and have continued to work throughout the week. In addition to the City’s own crews an additional 10 crews have been called up and are currently on their way from Alabama, Illinois and Oklahoma. This will put a total of 50 linemen in the City prior to the storm’s arrival. Prior to the storm you can help reduce the likelihood of damage to the electric infrastructure by tying down, picking up or securing any loose debris especially if near an electrical substation.

As the storm approaches our crews will continue to work until 30 mph sustained winds are recorded in the area, at which time it is no longer safe for to continue working and they will return to base and wait until the storm passes before going out again. Once the winds subside crews will be back at work to asses the system for damage and begin repairs. Restoration priority will go to circuits which run critical infrastructure (e.g., police and fire buildings, medical facilities, schools). During this period you will see crews on the streets and power beginning to return to affected areas.

Please remember that crews are leaving their families and homes in order to get your power back quickly and safely, be patient with them and allow them to do their job safely. At times you may see crews sitting and appearing to not be doing anything, this is most likely because they are waiting for a line to be made safe so they can carry out their repairs.

Please stay safe before and after the storm. Remember to NOT run your generator indoors and that all wires around poles and on the ground should be considered LIVE and dangerous.

If you have any utility issues please call 561-586-1695 or 877-454-4480. If you are a Lake Worth Electric Utility customer please DO NOT call FPL, they are unable to assist within our electrical service area.”

For Hurricane Irma and “12 Safety Tips from
the Lake Worth Electric Utility” use this link.

From Facebook, by State Senator Jeff Clemens: “Palm Beach Post owners Cox Communications: You suck.”

“[P]ublisher Tim Burke told the employees via email . . .”.

Click on image to enlarge:

To all Palm Beach Post employees: If you are in distress and think medical marijuana might help, please call Modern Health Concepts (MHC) at 877-303-0741. MHC is opening a new facility
soon in Lake Worth, conveniently located
at 1125 N. Dixie Hwy.

Video: City of Lake Worth Electric Utility, Solar Field.

For some reason this video includes no sound or any further information except: “This video is about CLWU Solar Aug 2017”.

See below for a press release issued earlier this year.

City Press Release, February 2017.

“In addition to helping the City achieve energy and financial savings, this project also marks a major commitment to diversifying our energy portfolio to include clean and renewable energy sources.”
—Lake Worth Mayor Pam Triolo.

“On Tuesday, February 28th, Mayor Pam Triolo will unveil the Lake Worth Solar Energy Project located at 1200 Washington Avenue. The initial project developed 5 acres of an unused 63 acre landfill into a high capacity solar energy field.
     The 2 megawatt (MW) solar plant is the first step in a long-term investment in solar that will make Lake Worth’s rates more competitive and position the City as a leader in renewable energy in Florida. While a few Florida cities, such as Jacksonville and Orlando, are buying solar power, Lake Worth is the state’s first municipality to own and operate a solar farm.
     Lake Worth expects the initial 6,490 solar panels to generate about two percent of the City’s load — enough to power more than 230 homes per year and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than four million pounds. That’s the equivalent of taking 445 cars off the road. Under its contract with Siemens, the city has the ability to increase the solar farm’s capacity to as much as 10MW at the same location.”

Below is a message from your leadership in our City of Lake Worth about Hurricane Irma.

Prepare the best you can and listen to the
authorities. Here is a message from the
latest “Worth Noting” newsletter:

“On Tuesday night City of Lake Worth Mayor Pam Triolo and City Manager Mike Bornstein joined a conference call with the Governor. Asst. City Manager Juan Ruiz this morning [Wednesday] joined a conference call with Palm Beach County (PBC) and the various cities within it. In this upcoming storm we are not alone. City staff is working directly with the State, the County and our Sister Cities to best serve you.

     Many people assume that the Mayor and City Manager are privy to information about Hurricane Irma that isn’t available to the public but the reality is there is no more information available about the path of this storm than that which is on reputable news stations or websites such as NOAA. The City Manager’s website of choice for looking at the models is Mike’s Weather Page which provides a good cross-section of the available models.
     At this time the City will be following the guidance of the County. If you would like to stay up-to-date with the County download the PBC Dart application.
     City staff has been working hard to prepare the City in case this storm is to hit Lake Worth. You can expect multiple information releases to come from the City. If you haven’t already please follow the City on Twitter:

• @LakeWorthPBC
• @LakeWorthCasino

Together we can make it through whatever comes our way. We are Lake Worth!”

To subscribe to the City of Lake Worth’s
“Worth Noting” newsletter use this link.

Hurricane Irma and 12 safety tips from the Lake Worth Electric Utility.

“The Lake Worth Electric Utility reminds you to stay safe and be ready. If a storm does hit our area, stay away from downed power lines – don’t touch them. Electric crews will be working diligently to restore power as quickly as possible.”

 More news you can use from The Lake Worth Herald.

“The Utility has developed 12 often overlooked
safety tips electric customers should follow
to protect themselves and their home.”

These safety tips remind electric customers
of things people did not know or forgot
during previous hurricanes, tropical storms
and weather-related events:

1. Unplug appliances and electronics during power outages to prevent surges when electricity is restored. Power surges can damage equipment and start electrical fires.
2. Operate portable generators in an open and ventilated area, never in the home or garage.
3. If your home has water leaks or floods, shut off the power to your home until the electrical wiring can be inspected by a licensed electrician.
4. If you smell natural gas, evacuate immediately and call the gas company’s emergency number.
5. Carry proper identification in the event you need to enter identification check points to access your home or neighborhood.
6. Inspect your home’s weatherhead for damage after a storm. The weatherhead is located above the electric meter where the electrical wires exit the conduit. The weatherhead is the homeowner’s responsibility, and utility workers cannot reconnect service if it is damaged. Contact a licensed electrician for repairs.
7. Utility companies typically cannot respond to customers with special needs during or immediately after a storm. Have an evacuation plan and know the locations of special needs shelters. If you or someone you know has special electrical medical equipment, contact the electric utility before the storm’s arrival.
8. To determine a hurricane evacuation route, visit www.FloridaDisaster.org
9. Collect water in your water heater by turning off power to the unit and closing the water valve. If water pressure is lost, approximately 40 gallons of fresh water will be stored in the tank. Fill bathtubs and the washing machine with water to clean with and to operate toilets.
10. Clear patios and yards of lawn furniture, toys, potted plants and other items that could blow away and cause damage or injury.
11. Locate gas water shut-off valves and the main electricity switch in the event they need to be turned off.
12. Create a hurricane survival kit that includes first aid supplies, drinking water (at least one gallon per person, per day), batteries, flashlights, battery powered radio, manual can opener, prescriptions, baby food and diapers, pet food, canned foods, cash, tarps, rope, bleach, trash bags, charcoal or gas grill with plenty of fuel,wooden kitchen matches, and a portable cooler.

And once again, “The Lake Worth Electric Utility reminds you to stay safe and be ready. If a storm does hit our area, stay away from downed power lines – don’t touch them.”

The City of Lake Worth’s newsstand will be open all day today.

However, the newsstand will be closed tomorrow
to prepare for likely impacts from Hurricane Irma
and will open once again when the storm passes.

Make sure to stop in at the City’s newsstand today

and say “Hi” to the proprietor, Andy Amoroso.

City of Lake Worth Commissioner Andy Amoroso (on right) along with another happy and delighted customer at his shop, Studio 205, conveniently located at 600 Lake Ave. in Downtown Lake Worth.

City of Lake Worth Press Release: “City Advisory Board Meetings Cancelled”.

Please note: The much-anticipated meeting of the Lake Worth Planning & Zoning Board tonight HAS BEEN CANCELLED. Here is the news from the City:

Press release.

Due to the upcoming storm the following advisory boards are cancelled pending a reschedule to a future date:

• Electric Utility Advisory Board (September 6).
• Planning and Zoning Board (September 6).
• Neighborhood Road Program Meeting (September 7).
• Financial Advisory Board (September 11).
• Historic Resources Preservation Board (September 13).

Please spread the word.

Public Services will close the Lake Worth Pier today. Press release below.

And. . . what do you do if you have a prescription
for medical marijuana?

It’s important to remember and take special care of your prescriptions and medications. For example, if you happen to have a prescription for medical marijuana keep it in a safe place or place an order today.

If you haven’t heard, one of our new medical marijuana dispensaries in the City of Lake Worth, Modern Health Concepts — call 877-303-0741 or place an order online — will be opening later this month. This dispensary is conveniently located at 1125 N. Dixie Hwy.* If you’re driving north and pass a charter school you went too far. Turn around at the One-Stop (need cigarettes, beer, rolling papers?) and head south; the dispensary is directly across from Blue Front BBQ (which has two excellent bars, one inside and one outside on the patio).

Press Release:

The City’s Communications Specialist is Mr. Ben Kerr. For media inquiries call 561-586-1631; email: BKerr@lakeworth.org

Lake Worth — The City of Lake Worth Public Services Department will be closing the Lake Worth Pier for the public’s safety at noon today (Thursday, Sept. 7th). The pier will remain closed until further notice due to dangerous wave heights expected from Hurricane Irma.

For more information please contact Public Services Administration Office at 561-586-1720.

At this time the City of Lake Worth will continue to monitor and follow the guidance of Palm Beach County and residents are encouraged to do the same.

For City storm updates residents should follow @LakeWorthPBC and @LakeWorthCasino on twitter, as well as subscribe to the City email updates which will be utilized extensively before, during and after the storm to provide information. Click on this link:

https://www.lakeworth.org/newsletter-subscribe/

Subscribe to the City of Lake Worth’s newsletter today.

Please note: the City of Lake Worth does not have an official Facebook page. But the City of Greenacres does: use this link to see the updates, news, and information being provided to the public.

*Use this link to learn more about this new marijuana dispensary.