TASTE & TOAST RETURNS FRIDAY, JAN. 30 SEE STORY, PAGE 3
WESTLAKE NARROWS MANAGER PICKS SEE STORY, PAGE 4
WELLINGTON • ROYAL PALM BEACH • LOXAHATCHEE • THE ACREAGE • WESTLAKE Your Community Newspaper
Volume 47, Number 1 January 9 - January 22, 2026
Serving Palms West Since 1980
Wellington Marks 30 Years Since Incorporation
INSIDE
Arden Community’s First Resident-Only HOA Board Settling In
After a decade of control by developers, property owners in the Arden community have chosen their first residents-only homeowners’ association board of directors. The five residents chosen were: Raymond Penuela, president, by virtue of receiving the most votes; followed by David Zita, vice president; Ben Brown, secretary; Sam Young, treasurer; and Scott Weikel, director. Page 3
Wellington Council To Consider Artistry Lakes Annexation
The Wellington Village Council will consider an annexation ordinance Monday, Jan. 12 to bring the 446-acre Artistry Lakes development into the village. Artistry Lakes includes four parcels of vacant land on the north side of Southern Blvd., just east of Arden. The land already has a series of development rights granted to it by Palm Beach County. Page 4
CAFCI Packs Shipping Container Of Relief Supplies For Jamaica
Ever since Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica in late October, the Caribbean-Americans for Community Involvement (CAFCI) have been collecting aid items to send. After two months of work, CAFCI volunteers loaded an array of donated items into a 40-foot shipping container on Tuesday, Dec. 30. Page 5
Billy Joel’s Impromptu Performance Grabs International Spotlight
Wellington officials were sure that their 30th anniversary celebration would draw a crowd. What was not expected was how an impromptu performance by a music legend would lead to a viral moment, catapulting images from Wellington’s party around the world. Page 7
The Village of Wellington celebrated the 30th anniversary of the community’s incorporation on Friday, Jan. 2 with a huge celebration at the Wellington Amphitheater. Shown here, emcee Virginia Sinicki of the KVJ Show, Mayor Michael Napoleone, Vice Mayor Tanya Siskind, Councilman John McGovern, Councilwoman Maria Antuña and Councilwoman Amanda Silvestri welcome attendees from the amphitheater stage. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 7 PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
Indian Trail Leaders See Water Project As Year’s Top Priority By Louis Hillary Park Town-Crier Staff Report Moving forward with the M-1 Impoundment project, also known as “the 640 acres,” is what a majority of the Indian Trail Improvement District’s top officials cite as their most important agenda item for 2026. “It’s imperative that we get that going,” ITID President Elizabeth Accomando said. “The M-1 is a huge priority,” Supervisor Richard Vassalotti said. “Getting our plans together for the 640 acres has to be No. 1,” Supervisor Patricia Farrell agreed. Supervisors Betty Argue and Michael Johnson did not respond to requests for comment for this story. The M-1 Impoundment on ITID’s northwest side is envisioned as part of the future water management strategy for The Acreage, allowing for better regulation of runoff and stormwater flows across roughly 38 square miles of western Palm Beach County. When completed, it will be the size of some 480 football fields.
ITID Executive Director Burgess Hanson said that while it will be at least two years before the first shovel goes into the ground, it’s important to move forward with surface-level design plans and have them in place as the district looks to obtain the $10 to $20 million that will be needed to fund the first phase of the project. The district got $450,000 in the state’s fiscal year 2026 budget to begin planning for the project and navigating the complex county, state and federal permitting process. Hanson said that once construction begins, if the work is done mostly by ITID teams, the cost can be held to a range of $10 to $12 million. But it will be up to the supervisors to decide how they want to proceed, he said. At present, the 640 acres are being held in escrow by GL Homes as part of an agreement tied to the planned Indian Trails Grove development that could include 3,900 homes and 350,000 square feet of commercial/non-residential space. GL officials have said they will
not release the land until ITID has the money in hand to build the impoundment. Eventually, the funding likely will come from a combination of government dollars, grants and a bond issue, Hanson said. Several of the supervisors and Hanson will be attending Palm Beach County Days on Tuesday, Jan. 13 and Wednesday, Jan. 14 in Tallahassee, seeking funding from the legislature for the impoundment and other projects. The other big priority for 2026 is resurfacing, or in some cases reconstructing, roads worn down and worn out by the increased traffic volume and weight allowance on roads constructed for light agricultural use. “We have a slew of roads that need to be resurfaced,” Hanson said. Accomando particularly cited Orange Grove Blvd. as a road that needs major repairs. “It makes no sense to keep throwing money at the potholes there,” she said. Hanson said he will recomSee ITID PLANS, page 13
Wellington International CEO Expects Strong Season Ahead
State-Of-The-Art Pools Open At New Wellington Aquatics Center Facility
The new Wellington Aquatics Center is now open for business. On the morning of Saturday, Jan. 3, members of the Wellington Village Council joined village employees and other civic leaders gathered for an official ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new facility. Pages 15 & 17 DEPARTMENT INDEX NEWS...............................3 - 15 NEWS BRIEFS......................... 5 SPORTS..........................17 - 20 PEOPLE................................. 21 SCHOOLS.............................. 22 BUSINESS............................. 23 COLUMNS............................. 24 CLASSIFIEDS................ 25 - 26 Visit Us On The Web At WWW.GOTOWNCRIER.COM
By Patrick Sherry Town-Crier Staff Report After a change of ownership last year, officials at Wellington International are gearing up for an even more successful equestrian season this year. The annual Winter Equestrian Festival got underway this week at the showgrounds. Wellington International CEO Murray Kessler gave Wellington’s Equestrian Preserve Committee an update Wednesday, Jan. 7 on what to expect from the horse shows in 2026. Since last year, the company has spent more than $6 million on improvements to the facilities and bigger prizes. Wellington International’s new tagline is “Where Champions Are Made” to highlight how the village is one of the world’s premier equestrian destinations. “Wellington is special and
unique in that people come for four months and five months, live here on farms, and call Wellington home,” Kessler said. Last season was the first year that Wellington International organized horse shows under the new ownership of Wellington Lifestyle Partners. According to the company, the shows grew by five percent with a nearly 60 percent increase in ticket sales. They also saw more horses on the fields competing as the circuit progressed. Kessler pointed out how, after ownership was shifted and he was brought in, they did not have a lot of time to make these changes. But they successfully hosted the 2025 Winter Equestrian Festival after making strategic decisions to improve the overall experience for riders and spectators. “By the end of the circuit, people left with a much different attitude,
and we’re delighted by the changes that we made in a short amount of time,” Kessler said. The Winter Equestrian Festival last year became South Florida’s number one sporting event, measured by economic impact, with more than $530 million. This also led to $2.3 million being raised by the Great Charity Challenge, which will return on Saturday, Jan. 31. Over the past year, those at Wellington International have been working to enhance many parts of the equestrian showgrounds. The investment in improvements included renovations to many areas, expansions, utility upgrades and more. “Our priority was not to make investments that were short-term, profit-driven,” Kessler said. “They were all about horse welfare, and See WEF 2026, page 13
By Patrick Sherry Town-Crier Staff Report Wellington officials joined thousands of residents on Friday, Jan. 2 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the village’s incorporation. The event commemorated Wellington’s past and future, as many look to continue its growth and prosperity. To mark the milestone anniversary, village workers organized a large, free event at Wellington’s Town Center where community members could celebrate the area that has grown into a flourishing community. “What started as a small, thoughtfully planned community has grown into one of Florida’s most desirable places to live,” Vice Mayor Tanya Siskind said. “Through all that growth, one
thing has never changed: Wellington has remained a great hometown.” Attendees enjoyed carnival rides, games and pop-up shops. Local bands also provided live music at the Wellington Amphitheater. Singer Billy Joel, who owns property in the village, even gave a surprise performance. “This celebration belongs to all of you who are here tonight,” Councilwoman Maria Antuña said. “It belongs to those who believed in Wellington from the very beginning — to the volunteers, leaders, educators and public servants who have given their time and heart to every resident who calls this place home.” Back in the 1950s, wealthy accountant and investor Charles See 30 YEARS, page 13
CAFCI RINGS IN THE NEW YEAR
CAFCI held its annual New Years Eve Gala on Wednesday, Dec. 31 at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center. Attendees rang in the New Year with food from Piquant Cuisine, dancing, raffles and a midnight toast. Shown above, Shauna and Lauriston Simms toast the New Year. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 14 PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
Council Supports Plan To Resurrect Middle Road Name
By Patrick Sherry Town-Crier Staff Report Residents and businesses along Okeechobee Blvd. in Loxahatchee Groves may soon see changes in their address. The Loxahatchee Groves Town Council agreed this week to begin the process of changing the name of the road back to Middle Road, the historic name of the thoroughfare bisecting the community. The council voted to support the change at a meeting Tuesday, Jan. 6. Last October, during a workshop session, Councilman Todd McLendon proposed returning Okeechobee Blvd. to its historic name. While Okeechobee is controlled by Palm Beach County, the town’s code allows council members
to name or rename any roadway within town limits. Some on the council supported the modification but wanted to give more opportunities to notify residents. “If we decide to change Okeechobee Blvd. within our boundaries to Middle Road, then there should be a term as to how long before it takes place,” Councilman Paul Coleman said. The process would involve notifying property owners along Okeechobee Blvd. From there, the council would schedule a meeting where those owners could object to the change. If there is no opposition, the name change would move forward, and town staff would contact other agencies, so they could See MIDDLE ROAD, page 13
Euroland Brings International Flavor To Royal Palm Beach
By Denis Eirikis Town-Crier Staff Report “Foodies” from across the western communities have been delighted with the recent opening of Euroland, a boutique Royal Palm Beach supermarket featuring a wide variety of European foods. With successful stores in Deerfield Beach and Hollywood, Euroland is a foodie paradise, offering not only a wide selection of European groceries from dozens of countries, but the Royal Palm Beach store also features a crêpe bar, hot and cold buffets, a bakery/ coffee bar and an attractive sitdown dining area with a garden feel.
The store is open for business seven days a week, even during its current “soft” opening, the period during which dozens of new local employees are being trained by experienced employees from the other stores. There will be an official grand opening in the future. After that, Euroland plans regular international food festivals, including live music, where goodies from a particular country are featured monthly. The store itself is massive. Find unique seafoods from smelt to sturgeon, and specialty cheeses from an array of nations. Want an Eastern European lunch? Try the hot borscht at the soup bar.
Euroland Marketing Manager Yulia Kovalchuk said that Royal Palm Beach is the perfect location for the brand’s expansion into Palm Beach County. “Royal Palm Beach has a unique combination of a strong, family-oriented atmosphere, active growth and cultural diversity,” Kovalchuk explained. “Both in the community itself and in the surrounding areas, there are people who value quality food, traditions and comforting, homestyle flavors — while also being open to discovering something new.” Also, people from this area were See EUROLAND, page 4
Euroland is in the Commons at Royal Palm on State Road 7.
PHOTO BY DENIS EIRIKIS/TOWN-CRIER