By Tao Woolfe
The Coastal Star scooped up 16 writing awards — for everything from breaking news stories and features to commentary — from the Florida Press Club’s 2021 Excellence in Journalism competition.
The Jan. 22 annual awards celebration — whic
Every month from November 2008 through most of the coronavirus pandemic, our readers have been treated to free delivery of The Coastal Star. Our high-quality local news coverage is paid for almost entirely by advertising income from businesses in our
By Charles Elmore
Debates about how to grapple with COVID-19’s receding but not extinguished risks are hardly producing lockstep policies among Palm Beach County’s southern coastal communities as they sort through a dizzying flurry of federal, state
By Jane Smith
Delray Beach is asking residents to avoid coming into City Hall to pay bills, fees or fines to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The widespread effects of COVID-19 illnesses have resulted in slower city services, such as the time it take
By Mary Hladky
Former Boca Raton Mayor Susan Haynie’s trial on public corruption charges has been postponed for the fourth time, and is now set to begin on Jan. 11, 2021.
Prosecutors and Bruce Zimet, Haynie’s criminal defense lawyer, agreed to move b
Carol Ann Keller for years has incorporated gratitude into her meditation sessions, but the practice can be as simple as jotting down thoughts on paper. Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star
By Joyce Reingold
Gratitude swept into Carol Ann Keller’s life in “
By Steve Plunkett
The number of COVID-19 cases in South County cities and towns is up by more than five times the total reported two months ago, state health figures show.
On June 4, when Boynton Beach (669 cases) overtook Boca Raton (660 cases) as t
By Mary Hladky
Former Boca Raton Mayor Susan Haynie’s trial on public corruption charges has been pushed back for the third time.
The new trial start date is Oct. 26, but there is no certainty it will begin then.
Palm Beach County Chief Judge Krista
Seaside Deli cashier Audrey Bazil rings up a purchase by Andrew Estevez as others wait at an appropriate distance. The deli refuses to admit people without masks and limits the number of customers in the store, near Briny Breezes. Jerry Lower/The Coa
By Mary Hladky
Former Boca Raton Mayor Susan Haynie’s trial on public corruption charges has been postponed until Sept. 21 due to disruptions caused by COVID-19.
Prosecutor Brian Fernandes and Bruce Zimet, Haynie’s criminal defense lawyer, agreed to c
Bobby Kane of Ocean Ridge with his wife, Lynsey; son, Bobby, 3; and daughter, Ellie, 20 months. Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star
By Charles Elmore
Isolation. Loneliness. Underemployment or no job at all.
Millions are grappling with that reality in the w
By Rich Pollack
June is normally when real estate professionals — who help connect sellers and buyers of luxury homes along South Florida’s coast — can relax a little and catch their breath.
This was not a normal June, however, and instead of kickin
Briny Breezes resident Ann Carmody receives a COVID-19 nasal swab test from Palm Beach County Health Department nurse practitioner Guerlyne Estime during the one-day testing June 16. Jerry Lower/The Coastal Star
By Dan Moffett
It lasts about 10 seco
By Steve Plunkett
Boynton Beach has wrested the lead from Boca Raton as South County's coronavirus hotspot, with 669 cases reported as of June 4.
Boca Raton has 660 cases, while Delray Beach has 518 reports.
By Jane Smith
The Delray Beach city manager lifted most restrictions on the municipal beach on May 24.
The beach restrooms will remain closed.
“The meteorologists are expecting rain for the next few days. The rain should take care of everyone’s conc
While many of us could choose to live anywhere in the world, we chose to live in Ocean Ridge because it is a small, welcoming and tightknit community. We love the beach, we love interacting with our neighbors, we love our freedom and we love our pol
By Rich Pollack
Should a hurricane threaten this year, residents could have to choose between leaving their homes to avoid water and wind or remaining home to avoid contracting a deadly and highly contagious virus.
The decision, emergency managers
Pedestrians in Highland Beach demonstrate good personal protection and social distancing. Although the man on the right can see oncoming traffic and gives the couple on the left plenty of room, police say it’s safer for walkers to stay off road shoul
By Charles Elmore
Even as Florida moves to reopen many businesses, COVID-19 deaths of residents at 18 long-term care facilities in or near Boynton Beach, Delray Beach and Boca Raton add to a mounting statewide toll that frustrates hopes to relax visi
Customers expecting to pay for meals at Cafe Frankie’s in Boynton Beach watch Dena Balka insist the food is free. She and other employees handed out dozens of meals for a few hours on May 6 after one of the regular patrons gifted them with enough mon
