Stet NewsIt’s a special Thanksgiving week edition with Team Stet’s first supermarket price check.
Also for you, another survey: Joel tracking down who’s filed for public office. Carolyn with the scoop on an idea to improve the West Palm Beach waterfront, and Riviera Beach’s big step forward on redeveloping the gateway to Singer Island. Plus, from Joe Capozzi, a story of kindness on Thanksgiving.
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🦃 Turkey discounts have a cost
Publix and Winn-Dixie are offering whole frozen turkeys at deep discounts this week.
But even with those discounts a basket of 12 Thanksgiving foods costs more at those two traditional grocery stores than at value-based competitors Walmart and Aldi, a Stet News survey of grocery prices revealed.
- While shoppers can buy a 12-pound turkey for $8 less at Publix and Winn-Dixie, the average price for a basket of 12 Turkey Day foods would cost about $47 at Publix and $48 at Winn-Dixie.
- The same foods, including a more robustly priced turkey, would cost just under $40 at Aldi and Walmart, the Stet food shoppers found.
Why it matters: Shoppers have been buffeted with rising food prices and higher costs of living for years. Checking prices shows they can save money if they avoid filling their cart at stores that lure them in with low-priced turkey.
Catch up quick: Stet sent 10 reporters into 19 area grocery stores on Oct. 28 to price more than 40 food items. Since many stores had few turkeys and the Thanksgiving push had not yet begun, the reporters updated the price of turkey at a sampling of stores on Nov. 19.
Six takeaways:
- Publix and Winn-Dixie charge $5.88, with limits, for a 12-pound whole frozen turkey. The price at Aldi for the same bird came to $14.76, with Walmart at $14.10. Specialty stores Fresh Market, Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s charge much more for fresh turkey, as much as $35.88 for a 12-pounder.
- A 5-pound bag of russet potatoes cost $6.07 at Publix, $1.97 at Walmart.
- Eight ears of corn cost the most at Winn-Dixie at $12, followed by Publix at $6.40. Walmart offered the lowest price at $5.36 — and you can shuck it on site to reveal the freshest ears.
- A dozen large eggs cost $3.11 at Publix, higher than Aldi, Walmart and Winn-Dixie.
- Publix charged the most among the four stores for a pound of butter, at $4.79. A pound at Aldi cost $3.49.
- The price of a box of two ready-made pie crusts covered a wide gamut, from $1.95 at Aldi, $2.71 at Walmart, $3.50 at Winn Dixie and $4.48 at Publix.
Of note: A luxury brand pie crust, DuFour, cost $11.49 for a box of two at The Fresh Market.
What we priced: 3 pounds of yellow onions, 5 pounds of russet potatoes, 1 pound of sweet potatoes, eight ears of corn, one can of green beans, one can of pumpkin puree, one can of cream of mushroom soup, a gallon of whole milk, a dozen large eggs, a pound of butter, a box of two ready-to-roll pie crusts and a 12-pound turkey.
Read the whole story with more pricing details and more about the stores at StetNews.org.
— Jan Norris and Joel Engelhardt
🇺🇸 Meet your candidates
The county’s two largest cities, West Palm Beach and Boca Raton, are girding for contested elections in March, a change from past years when many races even in the county’s biggest cities have been decided without candidates going before voters.
Still, 27 candidates throughout Palm Beach County already have been declared winners without a single vote cast. Qualifying for the ballot in more than 20 cities closed this month without anyone lining up to run against them.
Why it matters: In this era of hypercriticism toward elected officials, many communities cannot muster more than one person willing to face voters and take on the baggage that comes with public office, such as raising money for campaigns, subjecting lives to scrutiny and making decisions that anger neighbors.
- In West Palm Beach, incumbents Cathleen Ward and Christy Fox drew challengers Martina Tate-Walker and Roger Jackson III, respectively. Two newcomers, Matt Ferrer and Steve Sylvester, are facing off for the open seat of term-limited Christina Lambert.
- In Boca Raton, former Council Member and County Commissioner Bob Weinroth is one of three candidates for one seat. Three other races in Boca have three candidates, including the one for mayor pitting two sitting council members, Andy Thomson and Fran Nachlas.
The list of 27 winners in nine cities that won’t have an election at all on March 10 includes incumbents Dan Guisinger and Ron Delaney in Jupiter, plus incumbents Rick Sartory and Laurie Brandon in Tequesta and newcomer Jahnel Kinnebrew.
Other cities on the no-election list: Atlantis, Lake Clarke Shores, Lantana, Manalapan, Ocean Ridge, South Bay and Westlake.
Other races to watch:
- In Juno Beach, Mayor Peggy Wheeler qualified to run and then withdrew, leaving the race to former Council Member Elaine Cotronakis and newcomer David Santilli. Incumbent Marianne Hosta also is facing a challenger.
- In Lake Park, Mayor Roger Michaud faces challenges from Rafael “Ralph” Moscoso and Kelly “Steele” McNamara in the only race on the ballot.
- Wellington drew seven candidates for two seats, and Delray Beach has four candidates seeking to replace Rob Long, who is running for state House.
Of note: Qualifying closes today in Belle Glade, Boynton Beach, Cloud Lake, Glen Ridge, Haverhill, Highland Beach, Jupiter Inlet Colony, Mangonia Park, North Palm Beach, Pahokee and South Palm Beach.
What’s next: Qualifying closes Dec. 1 in Palm Beach Gardens and Dec. 9 in Hypoluxo. Palm Beach holds a caucus to select candidates on Dec. 2.
Read about all the candidates who have qualified to run in the March elections at StetNews.org.
— Joel Engelhardt
🥸 Waterfront advice: Better management, safer, more fun
The final report on West Palm Beach’s downtown waterfront urges the city to appoint a waterfront czar for the city’s signature downtown asset.
It also recommends creating more shade, making the area feel safer and adding everyday activities to balance the major events that dominate the public space.
Why it matters: After the collapse of an effort in July 2023 to allow a marina on the waterfront, Mayor Keith James commissioned the community study to set a direction for the area between the Flagler Memorial and Royal Park bridges.
What happened: City staff and consultants presented their report last week during a meeting with the mayor and city commissioners.
What they’re saying: “The shared perspective here is that the waterfront needs stronger, more unified management or stewardship,” Charisma Adams, of Articulate Consulting, said during the meeting.
Waterfront visitors are concerned about the presence of people experiencing homelessness, and about nighttime safety and lighting, the report found.
The mayor countered that he isn’t ready to set up a waterfront staff team, but that he would explore hiring what he called a waterfront quarterback.
In the weeds: Community feedback focused on making the waterfront more comfortable, Adams said. More shade, more seating, better restrooms. She said the consultants found a reluctance to make dramatic changes.
- Visitors shared concerns about parking, finding their way around the waterfront and feeling comfortable walking, especially with children at night.
- People are asking for activities that are affordable, family-friendly and spread throughout the year, Adams said.
About that marina: Council Member Christy Fox, whose district includes the downtown, asked the consultants whether they recommend adding docks or another marina to the waterfront. “No,” Smart Streets Principal Tony Garcia said. “That didn’t even come up in our conversations.”
Share this StetNews.org story.
— Carolyn DiPaolo
🏆 In Riviera Beach, it’s Sonnenblick
Riviera Beach leaders selected a partner last week for the largest redevelopment project in city history.
Why it’s important: Planners envisiona new City Hall, library, sports complex and hundreds of condos and apartments on public land along Blue Heron Boulevard, the gateway to Singer Island.
What happened: At a packed meeting Nov. 17, City Council members heard presentations from Los Angeles-based Sonnenblick Development and Forest Development of North Palm Beach.
The council picked Sonnenblick, which had edged out Forest in a city staff ranking, unanimously.
Driving the news: The developer proposed building the City Hall, library and sports complex on 40 acres on the north side of Blue Heron. The developers propose housing at the Wells Recreation Complex athletic fields south of Blue Heron and at 2215 Broadway.
Sonnenblick Development has built about 1 million square feet of federal, state and local government buildings. “This is our specialty,” manager Bob Sonnenblick told council members.
The big picture: Last week’s vote comes as the city is building a new water plant, police headquarters, fire station and reviewing proposals for restaurants, a hotel and retail and office space at its Marina Village.
In the room: After the decision, the council suspended the meeting for 20 minutes while Sonnenblick team members celebrated. The team included:
- Leo A Daly architects, Kaufman Lynn Construction and MCO Construction and Clearwater-based Sport Facilities Cos.
By the numbers: The Sonnenblick proposal submitted to the city estimates a total project cost of $480.6 million.
What’s next: The council will appoint a team to negotiate a contract with Sonnenblick. Construction could begin as early as January 2027.
Keep reading to learn why Sonnenblick fought for the project at StetNews.org
– Carolyn DiPaolo
🍊 The Juice
The 2025 hurricane season is about to end Sunday without a mainland U.S. landfall for the first time in a decade.
- Yes, but: It was one of the most intense Atlantic seasons on record with three Category 5 storms: Erin, Humberto and Melissa.
- Hurricane Melissa caused nearly 100 known deaths and at least $10 billion in damage as it ravaged the Caribbean. (Forbes)
⚖️ Rep. Greg Steube, R-Sarasota, said Thursday that he will force a vote on expelling Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D-West Palm Beach, from Congress after she was indicted last week on charges of stealing $5 million in FEMA money. Cherfilus-McCormick, whose District 20 includes part of Palm Beach County, said in a statement that she is innocent. (Axios. Read the 42-page indictment.)
🪧 The teachers union declared an impasse for the first time in more than a decade of Palm Beach County School District salary negotiations. The union wants a 5% raise. The district is offering 1.5% and a bonus. (WLRN)
🦁 A company led by billionaire Larry Ellison, the former CEO of Oracle, acquired Lion Country Safari in Loxahatchee for $30 million. Lion Country pledges its core focus will not change. (South Florida Business Journal $$$)
📣 Related Ross unveiled a 10,000-square-foot showroom last week in the old Cheesecake Factory building in CityPlace. Across the street, Eataly is set to open Dec. 5 in the former First United Methodist Church building that most recently housed the Harriet Himmel Theater. Related Ross Executive Vice President Jordan Rathlev said the company has 20 to 30 projects in the pipeline throughout Palm Beach County. (South Florida Business Journal $$$)
- One of the projects is South Flagler House at 1355 S. Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach, which hosted a topping off ceremony last week. The twin 28-story condo towers are expected to be complete in 2027. (YIMBY)
🏬 Boca Raton-based Penn-Florida Co. plans a retail, residential, office and hotel complex on 77 acres near I-95 and Spanish River Boulevard north of Florida Atlantic’s campus. The developer presented plans at last week’s Boca Raton Community Appearance Board meeting. (University Press)
🔎 One of the largest workforce housing apartment complexes in Palm Beach County overcharged tenants by tens of thousands of dollars over five years, an audit by the county inspector general, prompted by a 2022 Palm Beach Post investigation, shows. Auditors found $32,000 in overpayments by a sampling of 10% of tenants at Wellington Club apartments. The IG also criticized the county government for its lack of oversight. (The Palm Beach Post $$$)
🎧 In “Keeper and Killer,” WLRN environmental reporter Jenny Staletovich dives deep into the world of mental illness and the criminal justice system through the story of Daniel Weisberger, a 17-year-old who killed his 14-year-old brother in the Florida Keys five years ago. (WLRN podcast)
🎙️ “Top of Mind Florida,” the podcast by Michael Williams and Brian Crowley, talks sea turtle conservation with Loggerhead Marinelife Center CEO Andy Dehart. He talks about the 1-in-1,000 survival rate for nesting sea turtles and the fight to save our oceans. (Listen now; watch after 4 pm Wednesday)
561NSIDER: 🍽️ At Farmer Girl, it’s Thanksgiving for everyone
In November 1988, Peter Roubekas slapped a sign on the front door of his restaurant, Farmer Girl at 1732 N. Dixie Highway in Lake Worth, announcing plans to serve free turkey dinners on Thanksgiving Day to the poor and underprivileged.
Why it matters: It was a bold and generous move: A successful restaurant owner opening his doors on a holiday, a day he’s usually closed, so he can give away hot meals to strangers in need.
- “This is the first time we’ve done this, and we’re prepared to serve 500 to 700 people. Being Thanksgiving Day, we wanted to give something to people who need it,” Pete told a reporter that day. “It will be beautiful.”
Turns out it was just the start of something beautiful.
State of play: Even though Pete is no longer the owner, Farmer Girl will continue the tradition from 11 am to 2 pm Thursday. The restaurant will serve no-strings-attached dinners with all the fixings to anyone who walks in the door, whether homeless, financially struggling or just in need of some holiday company.
Context: Farmer Girl isn’t the only place in Palm Beach County serving free hot meals to the needy. But Thanksgiving Day at the Lake Worth Beach eatery has taken on the feel of a large family gathering, even though few, if any, of the participants know each other.
Over the years, the restaurant’s staff served meals with help from their own families and other volunteers — civic groups, law enforcement, high school athletic teams.
The bottom line: “It’s a beautiful thing,’’ Pete, 88, said the other day, repeating the same line he has shared with reporters since that first Thanksgiving 37 years ago.
Keep reading about the tradition that has touched so many at StetNews.org.
— Joe Capozzi
💐 And, finally, on this Thanksgiving week, our team is deeply grateful to you for choosing Stet News as your trusted independent news source. Thank you and have a great holiday!
