Double red flags stopped swimming at Jupiter Beach Park Monday
Standing water at Marino Apartments and the community center's holiday schedule through mid-January.
On Monday, Oct. 19, Jupiter Ocean Rescue lifeguard Ethan Sage estimated wave faces beyond the sandbars at 12 to 15 feet, up from 4 to 6 feet on Sunday, and the beach went to double red.
Jupiter Ocean Rescue lifeguard Ethan Sage says they need that flag level only a few times a year, usually in major storms or unusually rough seas. At Jupiter Beach Park on Oct. 19, Jupiter Ocean Rescue switched from single red to double red, which means no swimming across that stretch of beach. Sage estimated wave faces beyond the sandbars at 12 to 15 feet that day, up from 4 to 6 feet on Sunday. CBS12 meteorologist Lauren Olesky tied the swells to a nor'easter forming off the East Coast. It grew along the same front that brought rain to South Florida late the prior week and over the weekend. High surf advisories covered the region, with strong onshore winds roughing up the water. Olesky expected big waves and a high rip current risk to hang on for several days. "Even if you are a super strong swimmer, it can get tiring trying to fight the current if you're out there for an extended period of time," she said. Surfers can still go in at their own discretion under the Jupiter restrictions. Sage, though, advised that only experts try it. He also cautioned that just standing near the water can be dangerous when heavy waves hit the shore. Olesky's advice was to check the forecast and the warning flags first, and to swim only at guarded beaches when conditions allow. Flags posted on Oct. 19 may have changed since, so the color posted at the beach is the one that counts.
Jupiter High seniors who can't vote yet push a school tax renewal
The school district has said that if the one-mill school tax is not renewed, programs across the system would face cuts and teachers stand to lose an average $8,000 a year in salary. Jupiter High seniors Sawyer Tinsley and Hannah Russell, both 17, are trying to keep that from happening. Neither can vote yet, so they are urging Palm Beach County voters to. "We're asking for a pledge to vote," Russell said, and the pledge is a promise to vote yes. The tax has been in place since 2019 and helps fund district programs and teacher pay. Earlier this year the pair led a similar effort that helped teachers secure a raise. Their current push mixes an online petition and social media appeals with outreach to politicians and door-to-door visits.
Marino Apartments residents say heavy rain leaves standing water on the property
One resident, James Ortman, said that at its worst, rainwater has climbed 10 to 12 inches around his truck's front tires. Residents of the Jupiter complex say heavy rain keeps leaving parts of the property under standing water. At times, families have had to wade through it to get to their cars. Ortman said coping with it is now part of his family's routine whenever it rains. WPTV repeatedly asked management to explain the drainage trouble and what, if anything, will be done. As of Oct. 18, management had not commented.
Town community center hours change for the holidays
Town community center doors stay shut on Nov. 11, Nov. 26-28, Dec. 24-26, and Jan. 1, 2 and 18. Short days run 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Nov. 25, Dec. 21-23 and Dec. 28-31. That adds up to 10 closed days and eight shortened days from Nov. 11 through Jan. 18. On the short days, the center closes at 6 p.m.