One of the palm tree-lined streets that will make way for swales. “Save the Trees” has been spray painted on a concrete catch basin in the background. [Staff] By Judy Wilson | Associate Editor Deerfield Beach – The removal of 200 palm trees to facilitate a $2.7 million drainage project has Coral Manor neighbors in protest mode. This week, “Save the Trees” slogans appeared on concrete conduits that will be buried along Southeast 5 Court. A meeting Tuesday with the residents and city engineering and planning staff gave them a better understanding of the need for the swales but did not provide th ..read more

By Judy Wilson | Associate Editor Deerfield Beach – A 35 percent price increase and the fact July 4th fireworks will be shot from a barge this year will bring the cost of the annual beach celebration to $92,500. Zambelli Fireworks, which provides the show, informed the city of the “beyond normal” increase. And because the fishing pier where the flares have been launched in years past will be under reconstruction, a barge costing $45,000 will be needed instead. Last year’s show cost $37,000. City Manager David Santucci said while this year’s cost is “justified,” the city will “test the mar ..read more

One of the palm tree-lined streets that will make way for swales. “Save the Trees” has been spray painted on a piece of concrete in the background. [Staff] By Judy Wilson | Associate Editor Deerfield Beach – The removal of 200 palm trees to facilitate a $2.7 million drainage project has Coral Manor neighbors in protest mode. This week, Save the Trees slogans appeared on concrete conduits that will be buried along Southeast 5 Court. The work is scheduled to begin soon and tomorrow (Tuesday) a 7 p.m. meeting at city hall has been scheduled to explain the construction schedule and why the trees m ..read more

The canal bank at 540 River Oak Lane after it was cleared to build a seawall. [Courtesy] By Judy Wilson | Associate Editor Deerfield Beach – There was a time when the peninsular at Northeast 9 Avenue and 5 Street was lush with native vegetation. Today, Geoff West, a homeowner on Northeast 8 Avenue for 46 years, looks across his canal at a landscape stripped of all foliage.  He had considered buying a swath of mostly underwater land to preserve the native species  and to “protect my view.” When he decided not to, another nature lover stepped up. In May of 2022 Christy Haney purchased ..read more

Many of the former mobile homes at Pan American Estates have been bulldozed. [Staff] By Michael d’Oliveira | Editor Fort Lauderdale – On the city limits of Fort Lauderdale and Pompano Beach at McNab Road and Andrews Avenue, what’s left of the Pan American Estates Mobile Home Park is a collection of bulldozed trailers where homes once stood. The site was once home to over 200 residents until the company that owns the mobile home park, Pan American Corp., gave residents notice in December that they had to leave by April, according to multiple media outlets. Residents were offered money to leave ..read more

Mayor Bill Ganz cuts the ribbon on the Freebee ride service. [City of Deerfield Beach] By Judy Wilson | Associate Editor Deerfield Beach – The city’s free beach ride service that operates east of Federal Highway was stoutly defended at last week’s city commission meeting by a dozen loyal customers protesting the launch of Freebee, the city’s new free ride service. BeachRides USA franchise owner Ryan Morgan said he was “neglected” when city officials held a ribbon cutting ceremony for Freebee at the beach parking lot on March 17. Morgan, who has been operating his service here for 10 years, sai ..read more

Co-owners Andre Davis and George Sapirstein show off a few of Rita’s frozen favorites. [Photos by Malcolm McClintock] By Malcolm McClintock | New Pelican Writer In the heart of Deerfield Beach, there’s a little slice of frosty heaven that has captured the hearts and taste buds of locals and tourists. World-famous Rita’s, a franchise known for its delectable Italian ices, frozen custards, gelati, milkshakes, concretes, and myriad desserts, brings a taste of Philadelphia’s vibrant food scene to the warm climes of Broward County. “We’ve been open a few months now and are so grateful for all the s ..read more

The History Hall of Fame honorees: Carolyn McNamara, Peggy Noland, Annette Mitchell, Janice Fulmore-Tigner and, posthumously, Amie Kay Tanner Novak (pictured on the easel). [Courtesy] By Judy Wilson | Associate Editor Deerfield Beach – Five women who have given this city years of service were honored Saturday at the 7th Annual Women’s History Hall of Fame breakfast held at the Hilton Hotel. Each was nominated for the award by a city commissioner and each has made an impact on this community. The honorees: Janice Fulmore-Tigner, Annette Mitchell, Peggy Noland, Carolyn McNamara and,  p ..read more

The Hardrives site. [Courtesy] By Judy Wilson | Associate Editor Deerfield Beach – Despite a media campaign that included robo calls, mailings, and a website, only three people spoke at last week’s commission meeting about construction of the asphalt plant at 1200 S. Powerline Road.  In response to the “StoptheStink” effort, commissioners pushed back, some saying they doubted the motives behind it. Mayor Bill Ganz called the message being circulated in District 4 “a mystery” as to its origin, “but it is well funded.”  Commissioner Mike Hudak said, “Why this scare tactic? It is quite ..read more

Prisca Edme models her first-ever snorkeling mask. [Samien Glinton] By Judy Wilson | Associate Editor Deerfield Beach – First-time snorkeler Dawud Kahn had to cope with two things on his Sea Lab field trip: to remember to breathe while underwater and the water’s temperature which he described as “freezing.” “It’s unnatural to breathe underwater,” he said after the experience. “I had to remind myself to breathe. But it was fun. Very different.” The 16-year-old Kahn is among a group of local teens who are enrolled in Sea Lab, a program that combines aquatic learning activities with beach and wat ..read more