02/27/07 - City of West Palm Beach Mayor Lois J. Frankel will join City leaders, Department of Parks and Recreation workers, and community leaders at a Grand Opening Ceremony for the Northwood Youth Empowerment Center on Thursday, March 1, 2007 from 4:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. at 723 39th Street, West Palm Beach. A ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at 5:00 P.M.

The grand opening will feature a barbecue, games, and tours of the center. Teens will also be able to sign up for the center’s programs.

The City of West Palm Beach’s Northwood Youth Empowerment Center is a place for young adults, ages 12 to 18, to relax and learn in a safe, fun place while developing skills and talents for their jobs and careers. The Center is part of the City’s effort to keep young adults away from crime and on the path to responsible adulthood. The City has committed $1 million to Youth Empowerment Centers, and is working in partnership with Palm Beach County and local community organizations.

For Additional Information:
West Palm Beach Public Information Officer @
(561) 822-1433 / 822-1411 or webpio@wpb.org

WHEN: Tuesday, February 27, 2007
WHERE: Hilton Palm Beach Airport, 150 Australian Avenue, West Palm Beach

02/27/07 - City of West Palm Beach Mayor Lois J. Frankel will join City leaders, neighborhood presidents, and concerned area residents in voicing opposition to the proposed Palm Beach International Airport expansion at a meeting of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Tuesday, February 27, 2007 at 5:00 P.M. at the Hilton Palm Beach Airport Hotel, 150 Australian Avenue.

A group of neighborhood association presidents has fears that the doubling of the airport’s capacity would further exacerbate noise, pollution, and congestion problems. The group is also calling for immediate improvements to current noise and pollution issues. The neighborhood leaders and area residents will express their concerns at the FAA meeting.

For Additional Information:
West Palm Beach Public Information Officer @
(561) 822-1433 / 822-1411 or webpio@wpb.org

February 27, 2007 - The City of West Palm Beach is taking a proactive approach to combating organized, violent crime by passing new anti-gang legislation. The new ordinance, passed unanimously by the City Commission on Monday, February 26, 2007, deems criminal street gangs and their use of a place a public nuisance.

“This ordinance will give our police an additional tool in their fight against gangs,” said Mayor Lois J. Frankel. “This will help enable police to take an aggressive approach towards dealing with gang members, and will help us keep our neighborhoods and streets safe.”

The new ordinance allows the City to take a civil cause of action to fight the public nuisance created by gangs and their members. Gang members could be served court injunctions preventing them from showing up in certain public places. Violating that order would lead to their arrest, as well as the imposition of fines and possibly jail time.

Cities in both California and Texas have successfully obtained gang injunctions and have found them useful in taking back their neighborhoods and city parks that were once plagued by well-organized, violent gangs.

The City of West Palm Beach is the first law enforcement agency in Palm Beach County to embrace this innovative approach to helping fight gangs. The ordinance is just one piece of the City’s effort to fight gangs. The City is also focusing on keeping kids out of gangs through youth intervention, opening a Youth Empowerment Center in the City’s north end.

For Additional Information:
West Palm Beach Public Information Officer @
(561) 822-1433 / 822-1411 or webpio@wpb.org

What:  I-95 Ramp Closures.
When:  Beginning Sunday, February 25, 2007.
Affected Area:  I-95 and Palm Beach Lakes Blvd.

02/22/07 - Motorists should be aware of the following ramp closures on Interstate 95 and Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard:

The I-95 southbound exit ramp to Palm Beach Lakes Blvd. will undergo a complete closure, 9 p.m. until 5 a.m., Sunday night, February 25.

The I-95 northbound exit ramp to Palm Beach Lakes Blvd. will undergo a complete closure, 9 p.m. until 5 a.m., Tuesday night, February 27.

The I-95 northbound entrance ramp to Palm Beach Lakes Blvd. will undergo a complete closure, 9 p.m. until 5 a.m., Wednesday night, February 28.

All traffic may detour via Okeechobee Blvd.

For Additional Information:
West Palm Beach Public Information Officer @
(561) 822-1433 / 822-1411 or webpio@wpb.org

Click here to read this Clematis by Night press release