Volume 11 Issue 8
Serving Hypoluxo Island, South Palm Beach, Manalapan, Ocean Ridge, Briny Breezes, Gulf Stream and Coastal Delray Beach
August 2018
Along the Coast
Lantana
Who should control iguana infestation?
Ocean Ridge studies limited plan; some say fix is up to residents By Dan Moffett Jimmy McAndrew says he has been tormented enough by the iguanas surrounding his Ocean Ridge home. They have defecated on his patio. They have torn up his landscaping. And, worst, “They have scared my 98-year-old mother-in-law out of her wits.” McAndrew’s frustration boiled over after he hired an animal removal company to set a trap in his backyard. When he went to check it, he found a 4-foot iguana sunning himself atop the cage, as if enjoying the Intracoastal view. Iguanas are a common sight along the Intracoastal seawalls from Manalapan “They are disgusting creatures,” McAndrew to Boca Raton. TOP: One suns itself on River Drive in Ocean Ridge. ABOVE: A said. During an April meeting of the Town pack of eight on Sabal Island Drive in Ocean Ridge. Jerry Lower/The Coastal See IGUANAS on page 16 Star and photo provided by Jimmy McAndrew
Water work dragging on Hypoluxo Island Slow progress on main angers residents By Mary Thurwachter Lantana officials have put the squeeze on Intercounty Engineering Inc., the firm hired to install water main pipes on South Atlantic Drive on Hypoluxo Island. The contractor, they say, has fallen behind schedule and isn’t doing a satisfactory job of cleanup after work each day. Payments to the contractor are being withheld by Lantana’s engineering company, Mathews Consulting Inc. The contract is worth a little more than $1 million, and $671,000 is left to be paid, according to Rebecca Travis of Mathews Consulting. In December, the town hired Intercounty Engineering, the lowest of three bidders, to install new 6- and 8-inch water mains along South Atlantic Drive and Southeast Atlantic Drive for additional fire protection, according to Linda Brien, Lantana’s director of operations. The project, along the island’s main street, begins at East Ocean Boulevard and South Atlantic Drive heading south to Lands End Road, where it turns east to the end of Southeast Atlantic Drive. The original final completion date was July 3. However, “due to rain and unforeseen conditions, the town extended the completion date to July 23,” Brien said. That See WATER on page 8
Along the Coast
Boca Regional Hospital aims to merge with Baptist Health
By Sallie James A little more than a year after Boca Raton Regional Hospital celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2017, the medical facility once known as the “Miracle on Meadows Road” has announced it will enter discussions to merge with health
Gulf Stream pro thrives
Kevin Anderson makes final at Wimbledon. Page 14
Sargassum struggle Seaweed surge a disaster for Caribbean islands. Page 18
care giant Baptist Health South Florida. The hospital said in a statement that the decision culminates an initiative that began more than a year ago to elevate
the hospital’s position as an academic referral center in South Florida. Baptist is headquartered in Coral Gables. “We are pleased with the board’s decision to move forward with Baptist,” said Jerry Fedele, president and CEO of Boca Raton Regional Hospital. “While this was a most difficult choice, one that
Learning about discrimination Students tackle production of ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ at Maltz. Page AT5
was between two of the finest health care providers in the country, our trustees believe Baptist is the best fit for Boca Regional.” The proposed merger is a huge marker of change for a communityminded hospital born out of tragedy in See BAPTIST on page 7
Along for the ride
Meet the folks behind Delray’s Downtowner. Page AT1
Publix set to open
Manalapan store stocks up for Aug. 16 opening. Page 4