Mary Kate Leming's Page

By Jane Smith

Delray Beach has spent more than $1 million to fix its botched reclaimed water system, the city’s new Utilities director said on Aug. 11.

Hassan Hadjimiry, who gave the presentation at a commission meeting, broke down the expense into three categories: $254,876.13 for materials, including backflow preventers; $558,647.14 for contractors; and $228,845.83 for staff overtime.

Hadjimiry emphasized that the current cost would likely rise in the…

The Coastal Star brought home top honors in breaking news, local government reporting, sports photography and sports coverage in this year’s Weekly Newspaper Contest sponsored by the Florida Press Association.

The newspaper also collected five second-place awards and seven third-place awards.

First-place trophies went to the staff and…

Tropical Storm Isaias passed coastal Palm Beach County Aug. 1-2 with little more than high surf and washed out sea turtle nests.  Jerry Lower/The Coastal Star…

By Jane Smith

Suspended Delray Beach City Manager George Gretsas fought back on July 31 against his City Commission bosses.

He sent them a 12-page letter with four explosive allegations accusing commissioners of using a bullying complaint as a smokescreen to cover up problems with the city’s drinking water.

“Rather than support me in my attempts to fix this serious problem that potentially jeopardizes the health of every resident of Delray Beach, I was…

By Jane Smith

Voters once again will have an early voting location in east Delray Beach for the Aug. 18 county and state elections.

The early voting site, at the Delray Beach Community Center, will be open Aug. 3 through Aug. 16 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. The center’s address is: 50 Northwest First Ave.

This site also will be used prior to the November general election, including the presidential race.

“Residents had asked why was it not…