South Florida Local News

Today is Thursday, Oct. 31, the 305th day of 2024. There are 61 days left in the year. This is Halloween.

Today in history:

On Oct. 31, 1984, Indira Gandhi, India’s Prime Minister for more than 15 years, was assassinated by two of her own security guards.

Also on this date:

In 1864, President Abraham Lincoln signed a proclamation making Nevada the 36th state, eight days before the presidential election.

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In 1913, the Lincoln Highway, the first automobile highway across the United States, was dedicated.

In 1941, work was completed on the Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota, begun in 1927.

In 1950, Earl Lloyd of the Washington Capitols became the first African-American to play in an NBA game; Lloyd would go on to play for nine seasons, winning an NBA championship in 1955 with the Syracuse Nationals.

In 1961, the body of Josef Stalin was removed from Lenin’s Tomb as part of the Soviet Union’s “de-Stalinization” drive.

In 1999, EgyptAir Flight 990, bound from New York to Cairo, crashed off the Massachusetts coast, killing all 217 people aboard.

In 2005, President George W. Bush nominated Judge Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court.

In 2011, the United Nations estimated that world population had reached seven billion people (world population is greater than eight billion today).

Today’s Birthdays:

• Actor Lee Grant is 99.
• Former CBS anchorman Dan Rather is 93.
• Actor Stephen Rea is 78.
• Olympic gold medal marathoner Frank Shorter is 77.
• TV host Jane Pauley is 74.
• Football coach Nick Saban is 73.
• Film director Peter Jackson is 63.
• Rock drummer Larry Mullen Jr. (U2) is 63.
• Rock musician Johnny Marr is 61.
• Baseball Hall of Famer Fred McGriff is 61.
• Actor Dermot Mulroney is 61.
• Country singer Darryl Worley is 60.
• Actor-comedian Mike O’Malley is 58.
• Rap musician Adam Horovitz (Beastie Boys) is 58.
• Rapper Vanilla Ice is 57.
• Actor Leticia Wright is 31.
• Singer Willow Smith is 24.

Like most pregnant women, Deborah Dorbert of Lakeland went for a routine anatomy scan of her unborn baby at 23 weeks.

The results spiraled into a nightmare scenario and the eventual death of Dorbert’s son, Milo, only 94 minutes after he was born.

The anatomy scan in late 2022 showed Milo’s kidneys and lungs had failed to develop from a lack of amniotic fluid in the uterus. A doctor told Deborah her baby would not survive more than a few hours outside the womb. Initially, a specialist advised Deborah and her husband, Lee, that the safest option would be to induce Deborah and end the pregnancy as soon as possible. “We all agreed getting induced was the best option for my health and because it was less likely my son would suffer as much,” she told the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

However, Florida had enacted a 15-week abortion ban six months earlier in July 2022 after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. The hospital’s legal team determined inducing Deborah at the hospital early at 24 weeks, rather than waiting full term, would break the state law. “They said until my life was on the line, they couldn’t do anything,” she said.

Milo, born in March 2023, now serves as an example of the ripple effect of changes to Florida abortion laws after the end of Roe v. Wade, the federal law that protected the right to have an abortion.

In 2023, the year that followed Florida’s initial 15-week abortion ban, the state saw an increase in the number of infants like Milo, who died from lethal congenital anomalies or fatal birth defects before celebrating a first birthday. Indeed, infant mortality attributed to congenital anomalies in Florida jumped to its highest level in at least six years in October 2023, a little over a year after the state’s initial abortion ban went into effect, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Congenital anomalies can be mild or severe and often have no known cause. The more serious issues involve the heart, kidneys, and spine.

That escalation in infant mortality happened just as both sides were arguing before the Florida Supreme Court over whether the abortion ban signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis should be upheld. Eventually, Florida’s highest court ruled Florida could restrict abortion, and a six-week ban signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis went into effect on May 1. With this newer, more restrictive ban in place, it appears the increase in the number of infants dying from birth defects continues in 2024.  For now, the 2024 infant mortality numbers are partial, and the full impact of the six-week ban won’t be clear until more data becomes available.

Florida’s trends parallel national research that found in the year and a half following the Supreme Court Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade’s federal right to an abortion, hundreds more U.S. infants died than expected overall and in particular among those with fatal birth defects.

“The trend in infant mortality from cognitive anomalies had been declining in the U.S., but after Dobbs, it picked up,” said Dr. Parvati Singh, an assistant professor of epidemiology with The Ohio State University College of Public Health and lead author of National Trends in Infant Mortality in the US After Dobbs.

Singh and researcher Maria Gallo compared infant mortality rates for the 18 months following Dobb to historical trends and found deaths attributed to congenital abnormalities were higher than expected in six of the 18 months following the Dobbs decision. A similar pattern occurred in Florida. “The increase takes into account births and trends in the past,” Singh said. At the time of her research, 14 states had total abortion bans and eight states had bans at various times before the first 18 weeks of gestation.

Deborah Dorbert carried her son to term even though she and her husband Lee Dorbert knew the boy would not live after his birth. She was unable to get doctors to induce her early because of Florida’s abortion ban. (Antonio Becerra/Courtesy)

Dr. David Berger, Dorbert’s primary care physician and pediatrician in Tampa, said he is not surprised to see an increase in the number of women in Florida carrying fetuses with lethal congenital anomalies to term. “Many of these are pregnancies that would have ended in abortion if people had access to those services,” he said.

Related Articles

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• Health | Shock, frustration, anger, desperation: The real-life toll of Florida’s six-week abortion ban
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When Florida enacted a 15-week ban, pregnant women in the state began traveling for abortion care. The Dorberts said they were discouraged because of the financial and potential legal implications of traveling for care. “We also had a four-year-old son who still needed us,”  Deborah Dorbert said.

So, for 13 more weeks, Deborah carried baby Milo in her uterus, knowing he would die soon after birth. She avoided going out into public, fearing seeing people in the grocery store who might see her pregnant and congratulate her or ask, “Is this your first child? Are you excited?”

“I just went into a really dark place, you know, essentially planning my son’s birth and funeral at the same time,” she said.

Under Florida’s six-week ban, effective May 1, more defined exceptions exist than under the 15-week ban: Two physicians can certify in writing that ending the pregnancy is necessary to save the pregnant woman’s life or avert a serious risk of significant physical impairment. Or, two physicians can certify in writing before the third trimester that the fetus has a fatal fetal abnormality.

Berger said confusion over these exceptions still makes it difficult for pregnant women to get care when they encounter pregnancy complications.

“There are still mothers and doctors and patients who aren’t clear on what laws are and will not think to act on it because they are scared of repercussions,” he said.

Dr. Ushma Upadhyay, an associate professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Science at the University of California, San Francisco, said abortion bans also can affect access to broader maternal care, especially in marginalized populations, and that, too, has a ripple effect.

“Whether a pregnancy is wanted or unwanted, the lack of access to abortion care is having an impact on childbirth outcomes,” she said. “Abortion care is essential to prevent maternal mortality and infant mortality and that is what the data is showing us.”

Dorbert, who now campaigns for Amendment 4 to enshrine abortion access in the state constitution, said her recent pregnancy experience had a life-changing impact: “I will never have children again. I know I would not survive another pregnancy like that. I can’t endure it.”

South Florida Sun Sentinel health reporter Cindy Goodman can be reached at cgoodman@sunsentinel.com.

That incessant sound you hear coming from the oceanfront in Fort Lauderdale is the economy hum-ming, as the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show reaches the peak of its showy delirium this weekend.

In its over-the-top celebration of what is possible in design and technology, rendered in examples of remarkable sculptural beauty, many with ridiculous price tags affordable for only the very VIP members of the international audience it attracts, FLIBS is the Art Basel of boating.

Yes, it means your favorite table is booked, you can’t get an Uber and even that favorite spot you don’t tell anyone about is somehow infiltrated, but that’s great for our friends in the hospitality industry. And the energy and fresh-eyed enthusiasm for South Florida that typically comes with these visitors from around the globe is infectious. So, welcome all.

The show’s 1,000 exhibitors and 1,300-plus vessels will be set up at seven venues along the Intracoastal Waterway, from Las Olas Boulevard to the 17th Street Causeway, through Sunday.  For more on the show, visit FLIBS.com. For an efficient navigational map to what’s happening at FLIBS, see our advance reports at SunSentinel.com.

THURSDAY

Disco inferno: The Disco Halloween Party at Crazy Uncle Mike’s in Boca Raton on Thursday will feature South Florida’s popular Original Studio54 Band playing all the hits of polyesterday. The fun gets going at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $15. As if you needed to be told, dress the part. Visit Facebook.com/crazyunclemikes.

Something Wicked: Presented by The Pride Center at Equality Park, the Wilton Manors block party known as Wicked Manors is a holiday tradition offering some of the most elaborate and creative costumes around on Thursday from 6 to 11 p.m. Set up along Wilton Drive west of Five Points, events begin with pre-party family trick-or-treating at 5 p.m., followed by a children’s costume contest at 6:30 p.m. Costume contests for more, oh let’s call them adult themes, happen at 8, 9 and 10 p.m. Tickets cost $10 in advance, $13 at the gate. VIP tickets are $125 in advance, $150 at the gate. Wicked Manors is a cashless event. Visit WickedManors.org.

The Kens arrive at Wicked Manors 2023 in Wilton Manors. The Halloween block party returns to Wilton Drive on Saturday. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel file)

Another dad in drag: The beloved family-friendly, cross-dressing comedy “Mrs. Doubtfire” continues performances at the Kravis Center in downtown West Palm Beach through Sunday. Shows will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets start at $39+ at Kravis.org.

Time warp: Legendary local Rocky Horror shadowcasters The Faithful Handymen will host the ultimate screening of “Rocky Horror Picture Show” at 10 p.m. on Halloween night at Savor Cinema in downtown Fort Lauderdale. The evening will begin with pre-show cocktails at the patio bar (8:30 p.m.) and a costume contest (9:45 p.m.).  Tickets cost $9 at FLIFF.com/savorcinema.

FRIDAY

Tortuga tickets: Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday for Tortuga Music Festival 2025, set to take place April 4 to 6 at Fort Lauderdale Beach Park, led by headliners Luke Combs, Keith Urban and Jelly Roll, along with Jordan Davis, Megan Moroney, Parker McCollum and many more. For this wave of tickets, prices are $355 for a three-day, general-admission pass; $560 for a three-day GA+ pass; $1,599 for VIP and $2,474 for Super VIP. All prices include service fees, but taxes and shipping are extra. Presales (alumni, hotel packages, Chase customers) have been ongoing this week, and Super VIP is already wait-listed. Visit TortugaMusicFestival.com.

Luke Combs, left, Keith Urban and Jelly Roll are the headliners for Tortuga Music Festival 2025 in Fort Lauderdale on April 4-6. (CBS/AP file)

Friday night live: Durable ’80s indie-pop favorites The Fixx will be at the Culture Room in Fort Lauderdale on Friday to reprise more hits than you may remember, including “One Thing Leads to Another,” “Saved by Zero,” “Red Skies” and “Stand or Fall.” Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $45+ at CultureRoom.net. …  Max Bemis and Say Anything bring the tour celebrating the 20th anniversary of the pivotal album “… Is a Real Boy” to Revolution Live in Fort Lauderdale on Friday. The show starts with sets by Social Animals, Circus Trees and Runt. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $36.50+ at JoinTheRevolution.net. … The Sunshine Jazz Organization presents Grammy-winning, multi-instrumentalist Richard Bona and the Asante Trio on Friday at 8 p.m. at Miami’s Historic Lyric Theater. Tickets start at $60+ at BAHLT.org.

Weekend laughs: Writer, comedian and actor Natasha Leggero is at the Dania Improv in Dania Beach this weekend to do the September shows that were abruptly rescheduled in advance of Hurricane Helene. As you may recall, Leggero published a collection of humorous essays in 2022 titled “The World Deserves My Children,” which explored how she became pregnant at age 42 via what she described as a “grueling” IVF journey. She may have a few new things to say on the subject this weekend. Her performances will be at 7:30 and 10 p.m. Friday and 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday. Tickets cost $25+. Visit DaniaImprov.com.

Resolvers return: Also canceled in September with the approach of Hurricane Helene, the free Sunset Concerts series will welcome “Big Band reggae” group The Resolvers to Old School Square in downtown Delray Beach on Friday. Gates open at 6 p.m., and The Resolvers’ set is at 8 p.m. Bring a lawn chair, but no coolers or alcohol (there will be food and drinks for sale). Admission is free and first-come, first-served (these shows have been known to reach capacity). VIP access to an exclusive lounge area with seating, a dedicated bar and one drink ticket costs $50. Visit Facebook.com/DelrayOldSchoolSquare.

Fort Knox RecordingsThe Resolvers will bring their funky, Big Band reggae sound to Delray Beach on Friday. (Fort Knox Recordings/Courtesy)

Cheap boos: All that time and creative ingenuity (and perhaps money) that you put into your costume deserve more than one night out on the town to show it off. Country bar Renegades in West Palm Beach hosts a costume contest on Friday at 9 p.m., with $500 on the table and categories including sexiest, scariest and most original. Renegades also offers $1 drinks from 9 to 10 p.m., $2 drinks from 10 to 11 p.m. There’s a $10 cover after 8 p.m., $20 for guests age 18 to 20. Visit Facebook.com/renegadeswpb.

Take the kids: Big Bounce America, which bills itself as “the world’s biggest bounce house,” is a touring inflatable landscape covering more than 24,000 square feet that will set up Friday through Sunday at Ives Estates Park in Miami (just west of Interstate 95 and north of Ives Dairy Road). Guests must book one of the three-hour sessions that begin at regular intervals throughout the day, starting at 9 a.m. Prices for a three-hour session are $22+ for toddlers, $35+ for older kids and $45+ for adults (16 and older). Entry is free for spectators. Visit TheBigBounceAmerica.com.

A good year: The unofficial advent of the holiday season in South Florida — when visions of sugarplums first begin to dance in our heads — comes with the debut of the Hooters Calendar. This weekend you can buy yours ($16) and have it autographed by a few of the women who appear in the 2025 calendar, including Miss October Chyna Veitch (Fort Lauderdale Beach), back cover Alli Lamb (Boca Raton), Miss January Sarah Magda (Sarasota), Miss August Skylar Becker (Fort Myers) and inside back cover Emily Hagedorn (Fort Myers). Signings will take place at 5-6:30 p.m. Friday at Hooters of Boca Raton (2240 NW 19 St.); 9-10:30 p.m. Friday at Hooters of Cypress Creek (6345 N. Andrews Ave.); 1-2:30 p.m. Saturday at Hooters of Doral (8695 NW 13th Terrace, Miami; 4-5:30 p.m. Saturday at Hooters of Pembroke Pines (7990 Pines Blvd.); and 1:30-3 p.m. Sunday at Hooters of Weston (2282 Weston Road). A dollar from every Hooters Calendar purchase supports the Kelly Jo Dowd Breast Cancer Research Fund benefiting the V Foundation for Cancer Research. Visit Instagram.com/southflhooters.

Chyna Veitch, who works at Hooters at Beach Place in Fort Lauderdale, will be out this weekend signing copies of the new 2025 Hooters Calendar, where you’ll find her as Miss October. (Hooters of South Florida/Courtesy) SATURDAY

Deadhead parade: The 15th annual Florida Day of the Dead festival and parade — considered one of the best in the country — will return on Saturday to Esplanade Park on the New River in downtown Fort Lauderdale. From 3 to 7 p.m., the park will be filled with Latin-themed food trucks, crafts booths and kids’ activities, with artists on hand for sugar-skull face painting, while dozens of performers offer traditional folk dance and music from Mexico and across Latin America. At 6:30 p.m., everyone is invited to join the iconic Skeleton Processional, a jubilant stream of costumed revelers led by local artist Jim Hammond’s iconic puppets. The parade will loop around the Riverwalk and end with the traditional street party in front of Revolution Live and Backyard, a family-friendly gathering of music, vendors and more food trucks from 5 to 11 p.m. Admission to all events is free. For more information, visit Facebook.com/dayofthedeadflorida  and Instagram.com/floridadayofthedead.

Florida Day of the Dead, the popular community costume party and parade, returns to Esplanade Park in downtown Fort Lauderdale on Saturday. (South Florida Sun Sentinel file)

The spirits move you: Another spirited highlight of the season, the third annual Sunset Tequila & Mezcal Festival returns to the lawn at Mizner Park Amphitheater in Boca Raton on Saturday. From 4 to 10 p.m., the gathering will feature top-shelf agave spirits, food and live music, including a set by rising Delray Beach indie-rockers Artikal Sound System, recently named to the lineup at Tortuga Music Festival 2025. Tickets cost $75+ in advance and include unlimited sampling of featured tequila and mezcal brands, and food from local restaurants. If still available, tickets will be sold at the gate for $85+. VIP tickets cost $175+ and must be purchased in advance (include early admission at 3 p.m., a tented space with an open bar and elevated food, balcony concert viewing and private bathrooms). Visit SunsetTequilaFest.com.

The Sunset Tequila & Mezcal Festival in Boca Raton on Saturday is not Halloween or Day of the Dead. Unless you want it to be. (Sunset Tequila & Mezcal Festival/Courtesy)

Water world: At the Broward Center in Fort Lauderdale this weekend, Miami City Ballet’s season-opening production of George Balanchine’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” transports the mystical woodland lovers of Shakespeare’s comedic masterpiece to the Florida coast, reimagined as a lovely underwater dreamscape populated by manatees and seahorses. (Insert your own climate-change witticism.) Performances are at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets start at $40+ at BrowardCenter.org.

Weekend tonic: Rock god and Miami resident Iggy Pop this week announced that he’s got a new album coming out: “Live at Montreux Jazz Festival 2023” (earMusic), which captures Iggy and a seven-piece band in a career-spanning set that covered everything from The Stooges era to his excellent 2023 studio release, “Every Loser.” With the announcement, Iggy teased the album with this video single from the concert, a gloriously powerful version of “Five Foot One” that betrays no concession to age (he’s 77). It may be a tonic for your soul, too. You can preorder the album here. For more information, visit IggyPop.com.

Good food: A culinary festival for a good cause, the sixth annual Taste of Recovery will take place on Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the American German Club in Lake Worth Beach. Founded by chef Louie Bossi of Big Time Restaurant Group, the event will include food and drink from local favorites including Warren, City Cellar Wine Bar & Grill, Louie Bossi’s Ristorante, Elisabetta’s Ristorante, Grease Burger, Tim Finnegans Irish Pub and Windy City Pizza Delray, among many others. Taste of Recovery will benefit The Crossroads Club, a nonprofit organization in Delray Beach that for more than 40 years has, at no charge, provided a safe haven for those affected by addictive substances. Tickets are $60 in advance, $75 at the door. Visit TheCrossroadsClub.com or their page on Eventbrite.com.

Meating on 38th: In Lauderhill, Beer-B-Q on 38th Ave returns on Saturday from 6 p.m. to midnight, with food trucks, craft beer vendors, a barbecue contest and live music. Hosted by singer, actor and TV presenter Ray J, the event will include dancehall star Shenseea, Grammy-nominated singer Jon B,  Michel’le (“No More Lies”) and R&B crooner Ronnie VOP. Admission is free, with VIP tickets (including premium stage viewing and two cocktails) going for $75. Visit LauderhillCRA-fl.gov.

Great Minds: In case you missed it, Dangerous Minds Brewing Co. in Pompano Beach is among the finalists in the Sun Sentinel’s search for the top local craft brewery in the Best of South Florida Dining series. Perhaps it is because they make things like braggot, a rarely seen concoction that essentially combines beer with mead, sometimes called “honey wine.” On Saturday, Dangerous Minds will release Tales of Canterbury, a powerful braggot (11% ABV) that will be available on draft and in bottles. Visit DangerousMindsBrewing.com.

SUNDAY

Champagne wishes: The House on the River, a restaurant that occupies a historic property on one of the lovelier pieces of land in downtown Fort Lauderdale, on Sunday will launch The House of Veuve brunch series. Adopting an “everything Veuve” tribute to the popular French Champagne brand (we’re hearing lots of orange umbrellas on the patio), the brunch will return each Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. and include a new ala carte menu, Veuve bottle and glass specials, a DJ and more. For information, visit TheHouseOnTheRiver.com.

If you like piña coladas: Crazy Uncle Mike’s in Boca Raton will host the next in its series of music-minded brunches, Yacht Rock Bingo & Brunch, on Sunday. Brunch starts at noon and DJ Gio Black will begin annoying you (we kid) with yacht rock hits at 1 p.m. There will be four rounds of music with prizes. Ladies get a free bottle of bubbly with purchase of an entree. That’ll help! Visit CrazyUncleMikes.com.

Staff writer Ben Crandell can be reached at bcrandell@sunsentinel.com. Follow on Instagram @BenCrandell and X @BenCrandell.

This real-estate feature from the South Florida Sun Sentinel highlights the latest plans for new construction as demand rises for more housing, offices and stores across the region. You can submit questions by emailing buildings@sunsentinel.com, if you’re wondering about “what’s being built there?” in your community. Here’s one of the latest projects.

The location? 300 NE 3rd Ave. in Flagler Village, an area known for known for artsy stores and high-priced apartments, in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2025, a specific date has not been set.

Brooklyn-based developer Dependable Equities is launching Ombelle Fort Lauderdale,  two condo towers will offer 775 residences and more than 11,000 square feet of ground floor retail. (Photo courtesy of Ombelle Residences Fort Lauderdale)

What’s planned? Brooklyn-based developer Dependable Equities is launching Ombelle Fort Lauderdale, two 43-story luxury condominium towers with 775 residences, and more than 11,000 square feet of ground floor retail.

Ombelle is the French word for umbel, a flower resembling the form of a parasol. The landscape team incorporated leaf canopies that provide shaded gathering spaces, so a play on the word became the building’s name.

This is the New York firm’s first foray into Florida.

Condo units range from 465-square-foot studios to three-bedroom homes of 1,400 square feet. There are also penthouses ranging from 2,400 square feet to 2,600 square feet.

The homes feature Italian custom-designed kitchens and bathrooms, and 10-foot ceilings in main living areas.

Also in Fort Lauderdale: Last year the city approved a plan for this same developer to build 830 apartments at 47 stories, at 633 SE Third Ave., making it among the tallest in the city. Those plans are pending. The plans also allow for more than 12,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space. That project is still unnamed.

(A 48-story development proposed at 300 W. Broward Blvd. by the Kushner Cos. of New York and Aimco of Denver will be the tallest in Fort Lauderdale, according to City Hall.)

How will the condos be priced? Ombelle Fort Lauderdale homes start in the $400,000s for the studios. The top range is $5 million for penthouses that offer views of the ocean, which is about a mile away.

What are the amenities? Amenities include two indoor pickleball courts, a pro-golf simulator room, a private dining room with a chief’s kitchen for parties, a co-working lounge with two conference rooms, six private working stations, two recording rooms for podcasting, a coffee bar, library, children’s playroom with educational games, smart board, and outdoor playground; and a dog run and pet spa.

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There’s also an outdoor sauna, cold plunge, and steam room. Outdoors, residents will have exclusive access to a resort-style lap pool and a plunge pool with pool-side cabanas.

(Photo courtesy of Ombelle Residences Fort Lauderdale)A rendering of the sauna at Brooklyn-based developer Dependable Equities’ Ombelle Fort Lauderdale. (Photo courtesy of Ombelle Residences Fort Lauderdale)

What’s being replaced? A single-story office building was on the land previously, which was demolished a few months ago.

When will construction be finished? Construction will be about 2 1/2 years.

What is the project anticipated cost? Anticipated to be a $600 million project.

The firm has been developing property for decades in New York City, and “we see the shift of New Yorkers move to Florida and we’re going along with that,” said Isaac Schlesinger, principal at Dependable Equities.

Buyers were asking them: “Are you doing something in Florida?” he said.

What about renters? Units can be rented out for a minimum of 30 days. That would curb them from being listed for shorter-term stays, he said.

“We designed this building with a lot of amenities and high-end finishes, we want to keep it a high caliber,” Schlesinger said. “We believe nightly renters can bring down the high quality of the community living that we’re creating so if people want to rent it out as an investment they still have the option of that but we are not inviting nightly rentals.”

Lisa J. Huriash can be reached at lhuriash@sunsentinel.com. Follow on X, formerly Twitter, @LisaHuriash

Q: My downstairs neighbor often hangs out on his porch, which is directly under ours, and due to his drinking and smoking pot, we hear loud, explicit conversations into the early morning hours at least twice a month. Our bylaws state that “quiet time” is between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., but the HOA says they can only send him a reminder letter. I work and need my sleep, but management suggests calling the police, which I’m reluctant to do. Any suggestions on how to handle this? — Donna

A: While everyone has the right to enjoy their property, this right does not extend to actions that prevent their neighbors from enjoying the same privilege. When someone’s use of their property interferes with their neighbor’s peaceful enjoyment of their home, it is known as a “nuisance.” Under the law, excessive noxious smells, smoke, and noise are considered nuisances.

What is considered a nuisance can vary depending on the situation, so it is essential to figure out what would be considered reasonable in your specific case. For instance, an occasional party that ends before most people go to bed differs from loud music that continues until 4 a.m. every weekend.

Your community association is unwilling to take the necessary action to enforce the rules, so you are left with the burden.

You can insist that your HOA deal with the situation. If you need help getting the property manager to act, attend a board meeting and politely bring the problem to their attention.

You should also speak with your neighbor and explain that you need to work early and cannot sleep when he is being loud. He may not even know he is bothering anyone.

If your HOA and your neighbor are willing to resolve this issue, you will need to either learn to live with the disturbance, perhaps by using a white noise machine to mask the problem or take the problem to court.

In situations like yours, a judge can issue an “injunction,” which orders your neighbor to follow the rules and cease the offensive behavior. For that matter, the judge could also order your HOA to enforce the community’s rules.

If your neighbor or the HOA continues to ignore the injunction, you can return to court to have them held in contempt of the order, which can lead to severe consequences.

Board-certified real estate lawyer Gary Singer writes about industry legal matters and the housing market. To ask him a question, email him at gary@garysingerlaw.com, or go to SunSentinel.com/askpro. 

Here are the top stories for Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024. Get the weather forecast for today here.

SUBSCRIBE NOW: Get our free Morning Update email. Sign up here.

Florida condo crisis: Experts tell of owners’ fears as costs keep mounting

Suspicious of voting systems, some Republicans demand ‘more secure’ option for early voting in Palm Beach County

As gambling addiction surges, Florida’s hotline stops receiving funding from the state

Florida’s ‘cat fund’ for damage could face $4.6 billion tab after Hurricanes Milton, Helene

FBI: Fired Disney employee hacked restaurant menus so they falsely claimed certain foods as peanut-free

2024 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show | PHOTOS

Florida Amendment 1: Voters weigh party labels in School Board races

Republican leads fundraising in Palm Beach State Attorney’s race

Four rivals competing for Fort Lauderdale commission seat in flood-prone District 4

Miss Manners: My neighbor insulted me with a can of tuna

Q: When you look at the Knicks, they understand if you aren’t a champion, you aren’t anything, so they blew it up. You look at the Heat, they talk Culture. – Sandy.

A: Which is a bit of a simplistic way of putting it, considering the Heat’s run to two of the past five NBA Finals and three of the last five Eastern Conference finals. The Heat’s approach has been putting faith in the growth of young players such as Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Nikola Jovic. There seems to be a payoff with those first two. The Knicks’ approach has been trading young talent to open cap space for trades or signings. While it looks good on paper for New York at the moment – and certainly looked very good with Karl-Anthony Towns on Wednesday night – there still has to be some sort of tangible payoff. Last season, it equated to a second-round exit.

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• Miami Heat | Submit your “Ask Ira” question here!

Q: Ira, where would the Heat be without Tyler Herro? – Micheal.

A: As a team with an uneven offense that would look far worse. Amid the struggles of Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro is playing by far as the most ignitable offensive element for the Heat, particularly with Terry Rozier uneven to this stage. What’s surprising about Tyler at this stage is that it’s not surprising. Without being classified as 3-point specialist, he effectively has stood as that this season, with an ease of offense rarely seen in these parts. At this point, it’s as if it’s all of the best of Tyler, at least from an offensive standpoint. Now the issue is getting his style and success to mesh with a game that also plays to the strengths of Bam and Jimmy. It can’t be either/or. This Heat offense needs it all.

Q: Josh Richardson is walking glass. – Jimbo.

A: It certainly has not been the reunion Josh Richardson envisioned when he rejoined the Heat in the 2023 offseason free agency. First it was the shoulder surgery that ended his first year back at midseason last February. Now it’s been the shoulder recovery, a heel issue and this latest calf strain. The bottom line is that the Heat somewhat have moved on, whether it be the minutes for Alec Burks, Haywood Highsmith or even Dru Smith. Reality is that if Josh was healthy at the end of last season, he likely would have returned to free agency in search of more than a second consecutive season at the NBA minimum. For now, the waiting game continues.

We oppose Amendment 2 on the ballot because it’s not about the right to hunt and fish in Florida. Those rights are already firmly established in state statute 379.104.

We recommend voting no on 2 because it will undermine currently well-regulated, sustainable hunting and fishing in our state, and thereby endanger not only hunters but the iconic wildlife that all Floridians respect and value, and the public who cherishes access to and enjoyment of Florida’s wild places.

Three phrases found in the ballot summary present serious problems with this amendment. “By the use of traditional methods” is the first. The second is “as a public right,” which would elevate hunting and fishing rights to the same level as our freedoms of religion, speech, assembly and due process. Finally, making hunting and fishing the “preferred means” of wildlife management is problematic.

Rhonda Roff, Clewiston

This letter was signed by Bear Warriors United; Climate Reality Project, North Broward and Palm Beach County Chapter; Conservancy of Southwest Florida; Earth Ethics; Earthjustice; Environmental Confederation of Southwest Florida; Florida Rights of Nature Network; Hendry Glades Audubon Society; Noto2.org; Peace River Audubon Society; River Rise Resort, LLC; Save the Manatee Club; Sierra Club Florida; and Tropical Audubon Society.

Vote against Amendment 3

Marijuana is harmful in many ways.

The ’60s brought marijuana to the peace-and-love generation. Some people began with alcohol, while others moved on to cocaine, heroin and stronger, laced marijuana.

Marijuana causes disorientation, altered senses, coordination and memory issues. The THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) brings a “high” in your behavior. Scientists continue to study its long-term effects, such as car accidents from reduced reflexes. Recreational marijuana can be addictive and there may be mental health, cognition and decision-making problems.

Broward State Attorney Harold Pryor endorsed legalized recreational marijuana, claiming that current law disproportionately harms minorities and marginalized communities. Legalizing it would make things worse. Wake up and vote no on 3. It is recreational marijuana abuse.

Louis Cohen, Tamarac

Amendment 4 is a positive step

Thank you for your excellent coverage of the state of Florida’s attempt to block Amendment 4, “to limit government interference with abortion.”

Who can the voters believe? In one TV ad, a doctor says anyone with pregnancy complications can get appropriate care. In another ad, a doctor says the six-week abortion ban prevents him from giving good care. In other ads, women denied care for pregnancy complications talk about the suffering of hemorrhages, infection, pain and having to carry a fetus they know will die.

Believe this: All Florida licensed physicians received a notice of “exceptions that allow for an abortion, at any point in pregnancy, to save the pregnant woman’s life or avert a serious risk of substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function.”

Believe this, too: Women with serious complications, even ectopic pregnancy, are turned away all the time, for many reasons.

The doctor didn’t read the notice. The E.R. staff has no guidelines. Hospital administrators or lawyers don’t want to take the risk. The political climate, on their boards or among donors, has more weight than a woman’s health. Voting yes on 4 is a first step toward equitable care for all pregnant Floridians.

H. Joan Waitkevicz, M.D., West Palm Beach

Are these our only choices?

Kudos to the Sun Sentinel for its advocacy of abolishing the Electoral College.

Our electoral system is severely dysfunctional when Donald Trump is the only choice for president other than Kamala Harris.

Robert Cogan, Boynton Beach

Submit a letter to the editor by email to letterstotheeditor@sunsentinel.com or fill out the form below. Letters should ideally be about 150 words and must be signed, with your email address, city of residence and daytime phone number for verification. Letters are subject to editing for clarity and length. 

[contact-form]

WESTON — Boca Raton senior Mija Bendziute recorded a career-high 35 kills to lift the visiting Bobcats to a thrilling five-set victory (25-21, 25-27, 21-25, 25-18, 15-13) against Cypress Bay in a Class 7A regional final on Wednesday night.

Bendziute, a UCLA commit, stepped up late in the fifth set to lead the Bobcats after they fell behind 11-8. She registered a kill to tie the score at 13-13. Senior Bella Troncale recorded a service ace to give the Bobcats the lead. Bendziute delivered a kill on the final point of the match to complete the rally.

Boca Raton celebrates after defeating Cypress Bay during the 2024 7A FHSAA Girls Volleyball State Championships, Wednesday, Oct.. 30, 2024 (Jim Rassol/Contributor).

“It feels exhilarating to win that match,” Bendziute said. “I wanted to hit the ball hard on the last kill. We knew we had to fight harder to get back here and we came together as a family. We have trust in each other and that is the key part.”

Cypress Bay had entered the match unbeaten at 20-0. They had also swept Wellington in the regional quarterfinal and Doral Academy in the regional semifinal. Cypress Bay (21-1) reached the regional final for the first time since 2017.

Boca Raton (15-6) reached the state final four for the second time in the last four years. The Bobcats fell in a regional final in five sets last year.

“We were very resilient and we had that belief,” Boca Raton coach Dre Sloan said.  “We came in and faced a team that had not lost this season. We knew about our ability and we played as a collective unit. We have some experience with our fantastic seniors who really made a difference for us. We have been here before and were able to rectify the past. It’s super exciting for our team.”

Sophia Oliveira (15) of Boca Raton celebrates a point with teammates against Cypress Bay during the 2024 7A FHSAA Girls Volleyball State Championships, Wednesday, Oct.. 30, 2024 (Jim Rassol/Contributor).

Bendziute, who ranks first in school history in service aces as well as serve receive percentage, had a dominant performance. The Bobcats were also led by Troncale, a Georgia State beach volleyball commit, as well as senior middle blocker and Fordham commit Sophia Oliveira. Freshman libero Lia Ray had 25 digs and freshman setter Meya Cooper also stepped up in the victory.

The Bobcats trailed 16-13 in the first set before responding with three straight points. The two teams were tied up at 19-19, but Troncale recorded a kill and the Bobcats registered four consecutive points to seize control as they held on for the four-point win.

The Lightning trailed 16-9 in the second set as they rallied with a 10-3 run to tie the score. The Bobcats led 25-24, but the Lightning answered back with three consecutive points as senior Carly Port registered a kill for the winning point.

Fernanda Ramos (4) of Cypress Bay celebrates a point against Boca Raton during the 2024 7A FHSAA Girls Volleyball State Championships, Wednesday, Oct.. 30, 2024 (Jim Rassol/Contributor).

The two teams were locked in a 17-17 tie in the third set. Cypress Bay gained the momentum with a 23-19 advantage. Boca Raton scored the next two points to cut the deficit to 23-21. Cypress Bay held on with the final two points, including a kill by Port to finish the set.

Cypress Bay led 11-9 in the fourth set, but Boca Raton answered back with a 5-0 run and pulled away to win by seven points.

The Lightning led 13-12 in the final set before the Bobcats rallied with three straight points.

Cypress Bay was led by several impact players throughout the season, including junior Sophia Guzman and junior Erin Huang, senior Hunter Crawford, Port, senior Lara Demoraes and senior Maria Martinez.

“It’s my first season and they really were able to change the culture of what it really means to be a team,” Cypress Bay coach Nicole Arnold said. “They made history and put us on the map. It’s a special group and they were role models to others and brought outside supporters and our community together. I am extremely proud of them. They all supported each other, never gave up and respected the game. They were mentally strong, had a high standard and they fought hard. They left it all on the court.”

Bella Troncale (5) of Boca Raton blocks the shot of Sophia Guzman (9) of Cypress Bay during the 2024 7A FHSAA Girls Volleyball State Championships, Wednesday, Oct.. 30, 2024 (Jim Rassol/Contributor).

 

 

General Daily Insight for October 31, 2024

We’re channeling intensity into creativity. First, the emotional Moon grumbles at driven Mars, risking irritation or stress, but also sparking motivation. When the Moon then clashes with transformative Pluto, obsession or possessiveness can set off outbursts. Once Luna slides into intense Scorpio, after struggling with both of Scorpio’s co-rulers, it may feel like it’s time to sink or swim. Finally, as communicative Mercury coordinates with ethereal Neptune at 8:33 pm EDT, our intuition and creativity are highlighted while frustration melts away. Don’t sweat the small stuff!

Aries

March 21 – April 19

Your past could be weighing down your future. Perhaps you’re petrified that something that happened before may happen again and want to avoid that at all costs. Overcoming such anxieties probably sounds daunting, but remind yourself that you’ve already survived something as scary as that, so you can absolutely handle whatever’s going to happen today. Additionally, it might be scarier to never know what may happen, rather than trying and failing. Let the ideas that worry you serve as motivation to try anyway.

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

Your voice might be getting lost in the voices of others. It’s possible that you’re allowing authorities to dictate the direction of your life or hiding your feelings to avoid rocking the boat. While those may seem like safe options, you may realize further down the road that you don’t recognize yourself or where you are. You won’t be able to follow someone else’s path better than they can. Don’t be afraid to look to others for inspiration, but don’t make yourself their carbon copy.

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

Self-improvement is only possible when you have energy to pursue it. No matter how determined you are to make certain goals come true for yourself, working on them constantly could be taking you down a short road to emotional burnout. Instead of scheduling every moment of every day to live like a robot, remind yourself that you’re only human! You need time to be yourself and deserve the opportunity to make spontaneous choices. Make a point of building freedom into your usual routine.

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

Your motivation might have been sapped by the mundane. Maybe you were convinced that you’d be a lot further along in your life by now, and reality is discouraging. Look at how you’ve conducted yourself in the past, and be honest about whether or not you’ve been doing the work that’s required of you — including putting yourself out there and networking. If you’ve been hiding yourself away, take an educated risk and reach out to someone who you’d be interested in collaborating with.

Leo

July 23 – August 22

The current stressors in your life won’t last forever. You might be driven up a wall with the annoyances that are invading your life at present, down to specific pet peeves that you have. No matter how aggravating these quibbles get, they aren’t worth acting out of character about. Remember who you are and the energy that you want to feed into the world around you. Despite any of these ongoing exasperations, you’re capable of staying calm until the storm passes.

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

You’re worth more than what you can contribute. You may notice that some people only reach out to you when they need something, whether it’s your assistance, advice, or another talent that only you have. If you notice that when you reach out, you end up left on read or put on a shelf to be brought back when they feel like it, that dynamic will eventually exhaust you. Spend time with those who pour back into you, not those who drain you.

Libra

September 23 – October 22

What do you really want? Sometimes, people will strive to achieve status symbols that would signal to others how successful they are, but they don’t even like the people that they’re trying to impress. Going down this road will only lead to a disconnect from your true energy. Straining to make your life look beautiful when you’re not enjoying it will probably only create jealousy in others and dissatisfaction in yourself. Create a life that’s abundant to you, not to an outside observer.

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

It may feel like the world is on your shoulders. Whether you invited these responsibilities by making promises to many other people, or they just fell on you because of who, when, and where you are, it can be difficult to rise to the challenge. Instead of spiraling about how much work you still have ahead of you, remind yourself that this work will still be there tomorrow, and you only have so much to give. Make sure to set aside some time for yourself.

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

A dark cloud may descend on you out of nowhere. Look, sometimes everyone wakes up on the wrong side of the bed — that’s just life! Instead of attempting to forcibly break yourself out of this funk as fast as possible, sit with your feelings and be compassionate with yourself. The blues likely aren’t as “out of the blue” as they seem — they’re more likely to be the emotional remains of something you didn’t process when it was happening. Be kind to yourself.

Capricorn

December 22 – January 19

Today, even two might feel like a crowd — let alone three or more! Your peers could be trying to get a reaction out of you, or they may be unintentionally pushing your buttons. Either way, the frustration their actions incite risks driving a wedge between you. In moments like these, you can keep the peace by remembering your character and the positivity you want to embody. Step away and take a breath when you must in order to avoid lashing out.

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

Obstacles between you and consistency are more irritating than normal. When you’re giving it your all and trying to rise to the occasion, but unforeseeable issues won’t stop arising, exhaustion may tempt you to give up your motivation. Instead of feeling like you must play whack-a-mole with all these different roadblocks, you are allowed to make things easier on yourself. You might feel like you’re failing, but the truth is, you could be avoiding the redirection you’re being shown. Sometimes, rejection is protection.

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

Secrets might be threatening to spoil the mood. Someone in your midst may be spilling the beans about a hot topic — whether you engage or not, just witnessing the chatter will probably be stressful. While it’s possible to shut down the discussion by having an extreme reaction, doing so could turn you into gossip fodder without cause. When someone won’t stop talking about you, or to you about others, it could be time to stop giving them ammunition by cutting off communication.

Q: Perhaps it’s time to remove Nikola Jovic from the starting lineup? He needs to develop a post-up game and the ability to pick up some free points at the foul line. Additionally, he’s not that great of a shooter. His game reminds me of a softer version of Michael Beasley – but he can’t score like Beasley and doesn’t get calls, because he doesn’t initiate contact.  Thoughts? – Brian.

A: I’m not sure that Nikola Jovic has necessarily earned this elevation into the starting lineup, but it’s a case of a roster that doesn’t have many alternatives. For all the talk of the Dolphins being failed by not acquiring a quality backup quarterback, I’m not sure the Heat did enough to address power forward in the offseason. And because of the Heat’s position against the luxury tax, it’s not as if P.J. Tucker is walking through that door.

Related Articles

• Miami Heat | Submit your “Ask Ira” question here!

Q: Ira, everyone talks about how tough the West is, but the East is also really tough. Besides the Celtics, Knicks, Sixers and Bucks, the Cavs, Magic and Pacers are really good.  That is why it will be a challenging season for the Heat.  They need to stay healthy and I wish they had a true power forward to help Bam on the boards. – Joel.

A: Which is why games such as Wednesday night are important, to see how the Heat stack up against conference elites, and, with all due respect to Erik Spoelstra, to see if they do, indeed, have enough. As for power forward, see the response above.

Q: Ira, I saw you tweet that Dwyane Wade said Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and LeBron James should be the next three players getting statues. It was interesting that he didn’t mention Udonis Haslem, but Pat Riley did. – Hanson.

A: One thing about Pat Riley in such moments, such as the Dwyane Wade statue dedication ceremony,  is that he has a way of offering flowers off the cuff, in the moment, particularly to those in his attendance. The players named by Dwyane in response to a whimsical question that drew a smile, are all-time NBA icons – Steph at Golden State, LeBron in Cleveland – although I’m not sure Kevin Durant has strong enough ties to merit a statue from a specific franchise. As for the Heat, it took 37 years for the team’s first statue to be erected. There is nothing wrong in waiting additional decades to decide who is next. This is not a jersey being retired. Until this team gets back to championship heights, the debate likely will stand both as moot and as singular. A street or other civic honor for Udonis? Certainly. But a statue is a completely different level, with all due respect.

Here are the top stories for Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. Get the weather forecast for today here.

SUBSCRIBE NOW: Get our free Morning Update email. Sign up here.

What’s next for hurricane season: The wild cards to watch in November

FAU poll finds Florida abortion, marijuana amendments on verge of enough for passage

Judge in case of attempted Trump assassination in Florida declines to step aside

Sunset Tequila & Mezcal Festival on Saturday: Top-shelf drinks and a great local band you need to know

‘Scary we’re dealing with this’: Concerns raised after voter intimidation arrest

Julie Anderson, editor of Sun Sentinel and Orlando Sentinel, retiring after 34 years with Tribune Publishing

Will legal pot stink up Florida? Bipartisan pair of senators seek to clear the air

Fort Lauderdale commission race pits incumbent against past opponent, new rival

Kamala Harris is the best choice to combat antisemitism | Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Jared Moskowitz

Miss Manners: My neighbor denies Halloween candy to those she deems outsiders

Today is Wednesday, Oct. 30, the 304th day of 2024. There are 62 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On Oct. 30, 1974, Muhammad Ali knocked out George Foreman in the eighth round of a scheduled 15-round bout known as the “Rumble in the Jungle,” in Kinshasa, Congo (then Zaire), to regain his world heavyweight title.

Also on this date:

In 1912, Vice President James S. Sherman, running for a second term of office with President William Howard Taft, died six days before Election Day.

Related Articles

• National News | Judge in case of attempted Trump assassination in Florida declines to step aside
• National News | ‘I’m walking here!’: Jaywalking legalized in New York City
• National News | Teri Garr, offbeat comic actress of ‘Young Frankenstein’ and ‘Tootsie,’ has died
• National News | This Halloween, be safe when trick-or-treating by watching for cars
• National News | FAU poll finds Florida abortion, marijuana amendments on verge of enough for passage

In 1938, the radio play “The War of the Worlds,” starring Orson Welles, aired on the CBS Radio Network.

In 1961, the Soviet Union tested a hydrogen bomb, the “Tsar Bomba,” with a force estimated at about 50 megatons (over 3,500 times that of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima).

In 1972, 45 people were killed when an Illinois Central Gulf commuter train was struck from behind by another train on Chicago’s South Side.

In 1975, the New York Daily News ran the headline “Ford to City: Drop Dead” a day after President Gerald R. Ford said he would veto any proposed federal bailout of New York City.

In 1995, by a razor-thin vote of 50.6 percent to 49.4 percent, Federalists prevailed over separatists in a Quebec secession referendum.

In 2005, the late Rosa Parks became the first woman to lie in honor in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda; President George W. Bush and congressional leaders paused to lay wreaths by the casket of the civil rights icon.

In 2013, the Boston Red Sox romped to their third World Series championship in 10 seasons, besting the St. Louis Cardinals 6-1 in Game 6 at Fenway Park.

In 2018, notorious gangster James “Whitey” Bulger was found beaten to death at a federal prison in West Virginia; the 89-year-old former Boston crime boss and longtime FBI informant had been transferred there just hours earlier.

Today’s Birthdays:

• Author Robert Caro is 89.
• Football Hall of Fame coach Dick Vermeil is 88.
• Rock singer Grace Slick is 85.
• Songwriter Eddie Holland is 85.
• R&B singer Otis Williams (The Temptations) is 83.
• Actor Henry Winkler is 79. B
• roadcast journalist Andrea Mitchell is 78.
• Country/rock musician Timothy B. Schmit (The Eagles) is 77.
• Actor Harry Hamlin is 73.
• Country singer T. Graham Brown is 70.
• Actor Kevin Pollak is 67.
• Actor Michael Beach is 61.
• Musician Gavin Rossdale (Bush) is 59.
• Actor Nia Long is 54.
• Actor Matthew Morrison is 46.
• Business executive and former presidential adviser Ivanka Trump is 43.
• Olympic gold medal gymnast Nastia Liukin is 35.
• NBA guard Devin Booker is 28.
• NHL defenseman Cale Makar is 25.

FORT LAUDERDALE — The Pine Crest girls volleyball team fell short in their quest toward a regional title as the host Panthers dropped a hard-fought match in four sets to Gulliver Prep (25-23, 23-25, 20-25, 21-25) in a Class 3A regional final on Tuesday night.

Pine Crest fell on the road to Gulliver Prep in four sets in the regional final last season. Gulliver Prep had captured the Class 4A state championship last year. The Raiders have won 15 of their past 17 matches.

Pine Crest (17-8) trailed 21-20 in the first set before closing with a 5-2 spurt for a two-point win to seize momentum.

Gulliver Prep (18-7) won a tightly contested second set. The two teams were locked in a 23-23 tie before the Raiders recorded the final two points in the set.

Gulliver Prep controlled the third set and were able to build a 22-19 advantage as they held on for a five-point win.

The Panthers trailed 16-10 in the fourth set before answering back with a 10-5 run to cut the deficit to 21-20, but the Raiders went on a 4-1 run to pull away for the victory.

“We had our chances and didn’t take care of our opportunities,” Pine Crest coach Eric Rivera said. “The second set is a game-changer. We tried our best to rally. We played a team with a good defense and they played clean and had an amazing serve and receive.”

Pine Crest junior outside hitter Mia Gold and junior middle hitter Isabella Sangha were both among the team leaders in kills in the loss.

Gold delivered another strong season to lead the Panthers on a playoff run. Pine Crest previously swept Downtown Doral in the regional quarterfinal and they held off Calvary Christian Academy in four sets in the regional semifinal.

“We have a really good team and our girls played their hearts out,” Rivera said. “We did not reach our goal of getting to states. We competed hard. It was an enjoyable and fun season.”

The Panthers were also led throughout the season by senior setter Isabella Medeiros and senior libero Alison Natt, a Boston College commit.

“They were both super special players and a big part of our success,” Rivera said.

General Daily Insight for October 30, 2024

Expanding our minds can usher in healing. The vulnerable Moon is at odds with pained Chiron, making it difficult to stop aggravating our wounds as emotional reactivity drives us further from healing. As nervous Mercury stands off against erratic Uranus at 6:15 pm EDT, shocks and surprises will potentially make it harder to think and communicate clearly. Finally, the Moon comforts expansive Jupiter to let positivity and forgiveness break through the dark clouds. Let go of burdens and grudges as much as possible.

Aries

March 21 – April 19

You can’t control how others view you. Accepting that someone in your life sees you in a way that you don’t perceive yourself may be tough, but this is their viewpoint and their truth. There are better ways to spend your time than struggling to convince them otherwise! In contrast, working through an interpersonal problem is wonderful — if they’ll meet you in good faith. If not, release any concerns about their perception. Be yourself and allow your soul to guide your path.

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

Your security can trigger the insecurity of others. There may be people in your life who are focused on you and pushing your buttons to see if you’re truly as stable as you seem. When you don’t waver, it may ignite their issues. They could even end up actively attempting to set off insecurity within you. They don’t deserve to get to you — their foundation is not yours to create or destroy, and vice versa. Feel free to ignore any jabs.

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

Creativity can heal where words could not. There might be an emotional wound from your past that still pains you, even as you struggle to put the details into words. Writing things down or talking about your worries with someone else may not be helping, because you can’t express your soul as it feels inside. Instead of laying things out literally, consider engaging your creativity to make art that reflects how you’re feeling. This simple act may even spark the words you’re searching for.

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

An authority figure in your life might be acting in worrying ways. Perhaps you’re concerned that you haven’t accomplished enough, are too far behind to catch up, or aren’t talented enough to get where you want to go. While their experience might have been one that had these requirements, there are a million different ways to reach the goals you have for yourself. Don’t put an unnecessary time limit on your ability to follow your soul’s calling. Give yourself some grace.

Leo

July 23 – August 22

Regrets may be on your mind today. It’s possible that reminders of missed past opportunities are complicating the process of figuring out where to go from here. While it can be painful to acknowledge that you didn’t do something that you had felt intuitively called to, either because you were blocked or you didn’t understand what was being given to you, it’s vital to avoid lingering here. Each day holds countless new prospects for you, so make sure that you’re actively looking for them.

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

Stagnancy can be difficult to escape — particularly if other people are involved as friends or co-workers. When you’re all stuck in a rut, whether they’re relying on you or vice versa, you risk reinforcing each other’s unhealthy patterns. Perhaps your responsibilities to others are preventing you from making independent choices. It’s important to step into your power and remember that you don’t have to put yourself last! Loved ones can even benefit from you taking a leap of faith, so don’t hold back.

Libra

September 23 – October 22

Set yourself free from unrealistic expectations. You may have believed that you were “supposed” to be someone in a way that demanded you force yourself to continuously chase a dream that you quickly stopped relating to. Even if it genuinely motivated you in the past, ask yourself if there’s still a spark here. If you aren’t excited for what this dream could manifest into, you can change gears. The shift may feel like free-falling at first, but soon, you’ll be able to fly.

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

Hidden emotions might be having a stronger effect on you than you realize. Perhaps you believed that your heart was holding you back, and so you tried to stuff it down to deal with at a later time. Be careful — too much repression and not enough acknowledgment of your feelings could have created an emotional time bomb that is ticking down to an explosion. Disengage the outburst before it begins by spending time honoring your feelings, indulging in self-care, and getting some rest.

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

Hurt may incite rash behavior. You may feel like you’ve been cornered by your emotional wounds and the people or events that caused them, and that taking random action is better than doing nothing. Unfortunately, this could hurt more than it helps as it drives you further into confusion or reactivity! Sit back and take a deep breath. Where is this pain truly coming from? Don’t act just to act — move with purpose, and you’ll be able to gain impressive insights.

Capricorn

December 22 – January 19

Long-standing emotional wounds may still be affecting you. You might have thought that you had fully left these feelings in the past, but this won’t be the case if you decided to ignore them. It’s important to ensure that you’re not living in the past — you’re living in the present. That said, you can still forgive yourself for the past and absolve others as well. Even if they never asked for it, forgiving them should allow you to move forward with more freedom.

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

Sometimes you have to insist on moving on. There may be other people who want to constantly revisit the past, and when you’re with them, they bring up all sorts of things that you thought you had set down already. It’s understandable that they might still be in that old place, but your duty to yourself is to move forward and avoid ruminating on issues you’ve worked through before. Maybe you can make fresh memories that will encourage bonding over something more joyful.

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

Comparison might be setting you back. You might have a past or current peer, and as you’ve begun to grow in diverging directions or experience different levels of success, you might be scrutinizing yourself and wondering what you’re doing differently. Whether you’re surpassing them or vice versa, everyone has unique public and private struggles. Details aside, it’s not a good idea to live in constant comparison. You’re you, and they’re them — both worthy of success and on your own paths. Keep doing you!

BOCA RATON — Senior Tekoa Barnes banged out a team-leading 20 kills and added in some key serves and blocks to lift host Boca Raton Christian to a 25-20, 25-17, 25-7 win over Sagemont in the Region 4-1A girls volleyball final on Tuesday night.

“This year I feel we are ready,” said Barnes, an Oklahoma commit. “I think we are ready to dominate. We are going to do what we have to do to win, and we are ready for anything. I think we matured as players; we’ve been working hard, and we believe in ourselves.”

The state’s top-seeded Blazers (22-3) extended their winning streak to 18 games and punched their ticket to a third straight state final four on Monday at Polk State College in Winter Haven. Their last loss came in the Nike tournament in Gainesville on Aug. 31 when they dropped three out of four matches.

Boca Raton Christian is on a collision course with three-time defending state champion Naples Seacrest Country Day. The Blazers have lost the past two Class 1A state finals to Seacrest, at 18-5 seeded second in the state this year, in three sets in 2022 and five sets last year.

The Blazers fell behind early in the first set, trailing 13-9 before rallying to take a 15-14 lead on a kill by Barnes. Sagemont’s Adriana Powers-Hadley tied the game at 15 on a powerful crosscourt kill before Barnes served up back-to-back aces to give the Blazers the lead for good at 17-15 as they finished the first set on a 16-7 run.

Tekoa Barnes, center, celebrates with her teammates as host Boca Raton Christian downed Sagemont, 25-20, 25-17, 25-7 in the Region 4-1A girls volleyball final on Tuesday night. (Gary Curreri/Contributor)

Sophomore Caitlin Crino opened the second game with five straight points off serves, and after a side out, freshman Natalia Marciante added three service points, including an ace to stake the Blazers to a comfortable margin.

Sagemont (19-8), the number four seed in the Class 1A state rankings, was able to get within 15-9 in the second before Crino had four more service points to essentially put the game away as Boca Raton Christian closed out the second game on a 10-1 run.

Senior Gabby Irizarry, a Palm Beach Atlantic commit, had 14 service points, including eighth straight in the third to break open a tight game as the Blazers rolled to a 12-3 lead en route to the win.

“I think coming into this game we were a little nervous,” Irizarry, said. “When T (Tekoa) gets on a run, no one can stop her and when she’s on her game we want to play better for her.”

Fellow Blazers senior Grace Vanzwieten, a Tusculum University in Tennessee commit, also started at the school with Barnes in the eighth grade.

“It’s been amazing here,”  Vanzwieten said. “We all love each other, and we have gotten so much better since the Nike tournament. As the season has gone on, we have been running a lot of up-tempo sets.”

“Our goal was to improve on last year, win the district and make it to the regional final,” said Sagemont coach Shane Marcey, whose team was making on its second trip to the regionals in school history. They fell in 2017 to Benjamin. “Obviously the end result wasn’t what we wanted, but we have a lot of youth and that was one of our concerns.

“We have one eighth grader and seven sophomores,” he continued. “We lacked the experience in a big game and a tough environment. We are not going anywhere. We’ll be back. I am proud of the way we fought back especially in that second set.”

Sagemont coach Shane Marcey called Barnes a “generational talent.”

“We had one game plan for her, and she figured it out,” Marcey said. “We had another game plan, and she figured that out. She’s super smart, well-coached and they’ve been here. We haven’t in a long time.”

“That’s amazing and it’s a really huge compliment,” said Barnes, who leads the Blazers with 437 kills for the year. “If it wasn’t for my team, I wouldn’t be what I am today.”

Boca Christian coach Len Visser believes this is the best team he has had in his 23rd season at the helm.

“We played against some quick, up-tempo setting in the Nike tournament and our middle had to react to that,” Visser said. “We started doing it on our side, so we could get better at it. These girls have so much confidence and when you have a player at every single position like we do, everybody we have can do just as good a job as anyone. I think we prepared and ready. They have such a high volleyball IQ; I think they will all be coaches someday.”

Tekoa Barnes, center, goes up for a kill over three Sagemont blockers as Boca Raton Christian downed Sagemont, 25-20, 25-17, 25-7 in the Region 4-1A girls volleyball final on Tuesday night. (Gary Curreri/Contributor)

By EDITH M. LEDERER and JAMEY KEATEN

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United Nations stressed Tuesday that if Israel puts in place new laws cutting ties with the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, the Israeli government will have to meet their needs under international law.

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says there is no other U.N. alternative to the agency, known as UNRWA. It has been a lifeline during the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, and the Israeli legislation “will have a devastating impact on the humanitarian situation” in the Palestinian territories, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

The U.N. agencies for children, health and migration also stressed that UNRWA is the “backbone” of the world body’s operations in Gaza, where people rely on emergency food aid during the more than yearlong war , which has killed tens of thousands and left much of the enclave in ruins.

The United Nations is heartened by statements of support for UNRWA from all quarters and countries that often disagree with one another, Dujarric said, and “we would very much appreciate efforts by any member state to help us get over this hurdle.”

Israel has alleged that some of UNRWA’s 13,000 staff members in Gaza participated in the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas, which sparked the war in Gaza. It also has accused hundreds of UNRWA staff of having terrorist ties and said it has found Hamas military assets in or under the agency’s facilities.

Hamas has been designated a terrorist organization by the United States, Canada, and European Union.

Israel passed two laws Monday that could prevent UNRWA from continuing its work, which isolated it among the U.N.’s 193 member nations. Even the United States, its closest ally, joined many governments and humanitarian organizations in opposing the Israeli legislation, which doesn’t take effect for three months.

Guterres sent a letter Tuesday to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outlining his concerns and “the issues of international law that have been raised,” Dujarric said.

As an occupying power, under international humanitarian law, Israel is required to ensure the needs of the Palestinians are met, including for food, health care and education, the U.N. spokesman said. And if Israel isn’t in a position to meet those needs, “it has an obligation to allow and to facilitate the activities of the U.N., including UNRWA and other humanitarian agencies, to meet those needs.”

“Should UNRWA cease to operate — and for us there is no alternative — Israel would have to fill the vacuum,” Dujarric said. “Otherwise, it would be in violation of international law.”

Israel’s U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon responded to the secretary-general’s letter to Netanyahu by saying, “Rather than condemning UNRWA for turning a blind eye to terrorism and in some cases participating in terrorism, the U.N. instead condemns Israel.”

He claimed in a statement that UNRWA isn’t interested in providing humanitarian aid to Gaza, calling it “nothing but an arm of Hamas operating under the guise of the United Nations.”

“Israel will continue to facilitate humanitarian aid in Gaza according to international law,” Danon said, “but UNRWA has failed in its mandate and is no longer the right agency for this job.”

World Health Organization spokesman Tarik Jasarevic said UNRWA health workers have provided over 6 million medical consultations over the past year. They also have offered immunizations, disease surveillance and screening for malnutrition, and UNRWA’s work “couldn’t be matched by any agency — including WHO,” he said.

Jeremy Laurence, spokesman for the U.N. human rights office, said that “without UNRWA, the delivery of food, shelter, health care, education, amongst other things, to most of Gaza’s population would grind to a halt.”

UNRWA was established by the U.N. General Assembly in 1949 to provide relief for Palestinians who fled or were expelled from their homes before and during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war that followed Israel’s establishment, as well as their descendants.

At the U.N.’s regular Security Council meeting on the Middle East — this month open to all U.N. members — speakers supported UNRWA and denounced Israel’s wars against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, virtually all calling for immediate cease-fires.

U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield expressed deep concern at the Israeli legislation, saying, “right now there is no alternative to UNRWA when it comes to delivering food and other life-saving aid in Gaza.”

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She called on Guterres “to create a mechanism to review and address allegations that UNRWA personnel have ties to Hamas and other terrorist groups.”

U.N. spokesman Dujarric, asked about this request, said the U.N.’s internal watchdog is working on these issues. He said a letter from the Israeli government last week raising specific undisclosed issues is also being looked at “extremely seriously.”

U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller went further, warning that the Israeli legislation “poses risks for millions of Palestinians who rely on UNRWA for essential services.”

Miller reiterated that the U.S. opposes the legislation and will be discussing it with Israel in the days ahead. He says there may be consequences under U.S. law and policy if it takes effect, referencing a letter that Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin sent to their Israeli counterparts saying humanitarian aid must increase or the country risks losing military assistance.

Keaten reported from Geneva. Associated Press writer Matthew Lee contributed from Washington.

The Gators are coming off their best performance behind their true freshman quarterback, DJ Lagway. Billy Napier’s team, led by Lagway, will need to be even better to have a chance against Kirby Smart’s No. 2 Bulldogs, who are 16.5-point favorites and winners of three straight meetings. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar discuss the Gators’ toughest test to date as they enter a daunting November.

• November gauntlet starts with Georgia (0:00)
• Reason for optimism (7:23)
• Reason for pessimism (9:59)
• Offensive matchup (13:32)
• Defensive matchup (16:34)
• Who has your attention? (19:34)
• On the spot (24:15)
• Final thought (28:06)
• Who is winning? (36:39)
• Jeremy Foley’s Corner (37:17)

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com

WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal judge presiding over the criminal case of a man charged with trying to assassinate former President Donald Trump declined Tuesday to recuse herself, saying a defense request that she do so was without merit.

Lawyers for Ryan Wesley Routh had urged U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon to step aside, saying her handling of Trump’s classified documents prosecution created at least the appearance of bias in favor of the former president and current Republican nominee. They cited the fact that she was appointed to the bench by Trump and has been repeatedly praised by him for her rulings in the documents case, including her dismissal in July of the prosecution — a decision now being appealed by special counsel Jack Smith.

Cannon rejected the recusal request, writing Tuesday that she has “no control over what private citizens, members of the media, or public officials or candidates elect to say about me or my judicial rulings” and was not concerned about the political consequences of her rulings.

“I have never spoken to or met former President Trump except in connection with his required presence at an official judicial proceeding, through counsel. I have no ‘relationship to the alleged victim’ in any reasonable sense of the phrase,” Cannon wrote. “I follow my oath to administer justice faithfully and impartially, in accordance with the Constitution and the laws of this country.”

She also challenged defense claims that her recusal would remove any public perception that the attempted assassination case was assigned to her in a non-random manner.

“This case, like the prior cited cases involving former President Trump, were randomly assigned to me through the Clerk’s random case assignment system. Period,” Cannon wrote. “I will not be guided by highly inaccurate, uninformed, or speculative opinions to the contrary.”

Authorities say Routh staked out Trump for 12 hours on his golf course in Florida in September and wrote of his desire to kill him. He has been indicted on an attempted assassination charge.

The potential shooting was thwarted when a member of Trump’s Secret Service protective detail spotted a partially obscured man’s face and a rifle barrel protruding through the golf course fence line, ahead of where Trump was playing. The agent fired in the direction of Routh, who sped away and was stopped by law enforcement in a neighboring county.

There’s currently a low-pressure system brewing in the Caribbean that could grow into a tropical storm or hurricane, but several factors will shape what happens in the coming weeks.

The National Hurricane Center says there’s a 40% chance the system will develop into a tropical cyclone in the next week. But what about after that? What does the month of November hold for hurricane season?

Some of those wild cards could shield the continental U.S. from the potential storm, while others could allow it to slip through later in November.

Gyre and heat

Firstly, the atmosphere around Central America at this time of year is loaded with moisture because of what’s called the Central American Gyre, a broad rotating low that spins over the region.

“Essentially you get moisture from the Pacific pulled into the Caribbean, you get Caribbean moisture pulled into the southern Gulf and Gulf moisture pulled into the Pacific,” said meteorologist Eric Burris, of WESH 2, on a weekly tropics chat he does on X with fellow meteorologist Jeremy Nelson, of WJCL News.

“When you’re sharing all of this humid, moist air, you have the opportunity to develop stuff,” Burris said.

Given the high water temperatures in the Caribbean, and lack of wind shear, conditions are good for a storm. “The water (in the Caribbean) is certainly warm enough,” Nelson said.

Tropical depression could develop in Caribbean late this week, forecasters say

Friendly cold fronts

If a system does develop, “it’s wide open as far as where it could go,” said Burris, referring to global ensemble models. It’s likely that classic autumn cold fronts could be the most decisive force in deciding where any system travels.

At this time of year, a storm out of the western Caribbean will typically get pushed around by cold fronts descending from the continental U.S., Burris said.

Those fronts usually block storms from heading to Florida, and push them east over Cuba, the southern Bahamas, then out over the Atlantic.

“But we’ve noticed in the last couple of years fewer cold fronts — timing of cold fronts and tropical development matters,” he said.

The current forecasts for the pulse of cold fronts indicate that a storm in the first week of November would get pushed east, away from the continental U.S. But if the storm develops slowly, into mid-November, there could be a gap in cold fronts that allows the potential storm to track north and west into the Gulf.

As far as the next few weeks look, especially for those on Florida’s west coast, where residents have suffered through Helene and Milton, Burris said, “Tropical anxiety is a big thing.”

“What we’re showing right now is, low pressure is favored to be in this area (western Caribbean). How strong and what it’s going to look like in the end, don’t really know that yet. So if people are cheering for no activity, then you want a stronger cold front,” Nelson said.

Even then, the storm might have a tough time. Water temperatures closer to the U.S. have cooled, and would temper any storm.

Meteorologist and hurricane risk specialist Craig Setzer said on X that the threat to Florida “remains very low at this time. Water temps (which are dropping) are just barely warm enough to support a hurricane in the Gulf, and wind shear remains mostly high over the state.”

He said that if a system were to form and move north from the Caribbean, it would likely be deflected east and be inhibited from strengthening, thanks to wind shear.

The next named storm will be named Patty.