Stet NewsHappy Halloween! The weekend is upon us.
We’re back with our month in review and a peek behind the scenes.
🏨 Second convention center hotel OK’d, but wait
Development giant Related Ross won approval from the County Commission to build a second 400-room convention center hotel in downtown West Palm Beach.
Yes, but: A group of West Palm Beach residents the next day sued the city to block the construction project, claiming it will destroy a historic neighborhood.
Driving the news: The estimated $349 million hotel required the approval of the county and West Palm Beach. City commissioners had to change zoning rules. They did so on Aug. 31.
- Commissioners lauded the complex deal with Related to build the 18-story hotel, saying it would pump billions into county coffers and the local economy over the next century.
Why it matters: Talked about for years, the second hotel would help the long-struggling convention center on Okeechobee Boulevard attract large national and even international events, commissioners said.
– Jane Musgrave
🗳️ Voters’ guide banned, now back
A free, nonpartisan election guide that’s been available at Palm Beach County’s 20 library branches for a decade had been missing in action this year before the Nov. 3 elections.
In mid-September, the county’s League of Women Voters’ publication chair, Joyce Sullivan, learned the library system would not allow the 2026 voters’ guides to be placed for distribution. The reason stemmed from the county’s fear of violating a state law against advocating for an issue.
But after Stet News asked him about the ban, Palm Beach County Administrator Joe Abruzzo allowed the guides to be distributed once again at the libraries.
Why it matters: The voters’ guide includes information about candidates running in federal, state and local races as well as breakdowns of proposed amendments to the Florida Constitution and countywide referendums. Each candidate within the same race receives identical questions, and responses are published verbatim.
– Susan Salisbury
🚌 Irregularities in West Palm’s transit choice
West Palm Beach’s biggest investment in public transit, touted as key to persuading the public to give up their cars downtown, was made without City Commission approval and little public debate.
Unlike what was originally called for, the contract doesn’t allow the city to cancel it without a reason.
City codes do not require the commission to consider the contract, but other public agencies vote on contracts like this, especially when millions of dollars are involved.
Last month’s arrival of Tidewater Transit as the city’s new vendor turned on several irregularities — including the wrong vendor being told it won the contract, which is worth about $36 million over five years.
Why it matters: As development booms downtown, city leaders are shaping a plan to reduce traffic congestion and parking requirements for developers.
– Anne Geggis
🚒 Jupiter’s new fire department
Jupiter committed to paying millions to build fire stations when it decided in 2023 to break away from Palm Beach County Fire Rescue.
Yes, but: The county needed to replace a station in Abacoa that it transferred to Jupiter. It is spending $2 million to buy two homes along Donald Ross Road west of Florida’s Turnpike to convert into a fire station.
Why it matters: The moves are the culmination of a tumultuous three-year transformation that required the town to put up nearly $60 million. Town officials promise the move will reduce costs for taxpayers.
– Laurie Mermet
🏆 Other top stories in October
Project Tango grows: County staff grants administrative approval to larger data center
West Palm tennis turmoil nears resolution
West Palm passes future vision for downtown
🇺🇸 Election coverage
Drucker takes on tainted Caruso
Frankel, Adeimy vie for Congress
Mast, Martin, Cooke vie for U.S. House
Roth vs. Silvers for state Senate
Baxter vs. Waldron for County Commission District 6
Woodward vs. Calabrese for County Commission District 4
What’s in the proposed $280 million Palm Beach County parks bond
County library improvements are on the Nov. 3 ballot
⚙️ Gearing up for NewsMatch
Our biggest fundraiser of the year kicks off Monday.
Driving the news: For the third year, Stet News has been accepted into the NewsMatch year-end campaign.
Why it matters: The national program teams charitable foundations with hundreds of independent newsrooms like Stet. It encourages readers to contribute by matching their individual gifts or pledges up to $1,000.
- It also gives Stet a bonus if we attract new contributors.
State of play: This year, thanks to NewsMatch and generous local donors, gifts made during the campaign will be tripled.
Zoom in: Your support last year and the matches it unlocked helped us hire Stet’s first dedicated reporter, Anne Geggis. It also made possible the pilot year of Community Voices, our program that trains and pays high school students to cover Riviera Beach city government.
Zoom out: Your donations will help Stet improve in 2027.
What’s next: We’ll share more when the campaign launches. Watch your inbox.
Thank you for reading and believing in Stet News.
– Joel, Carolyn and Liz
