Experience holiday cheer at the Holiday Membership Breakfast hosted by the Boca Chamber, taking place Thursday, December 11, 2025, from 7:45 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at the elegant Broken Sound Club in Boca Raton.

 

Enjoy a cheerful welcome from a local high school band as you arrive.

 

Relish a delicious breakfast, fresh coffee, and an inviting Hot Cocoa Bar to start your morning on a sweet note.

 

Doug Mosley, Executive Director of the Boca Raton Bowl, will headline the morning alongside team administrators and reveal which universities will compete in this year’s main sporting event.

 

Savor a special holiday performance by West Boca Raton High School's Bella Voce Armonia vocal group.

 

Gather with friends and community members to celebrate the season and a successful year at the Chamber.

 

Register now and join the festivities.

The Golden Bell Education Foundation will host a bookfair on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Barnes & Noble in Boca Raton.

 

This fundraising event supports public school education, with book purchases benefiting the foundation’s impactful grant programs.

 

Online contributions are welcome December 2 through December 7 by entering Bookfair ID 12921482 at checkout on the Barnes & Noble website.

 

The store is located at 1400 Glades Rd, Boca Raton, FL 33431.

 

Boca Raton’s centennial celebrations coincide with the bookfair, including the lively 53rd Annual Holiday Street Parade on December 3, featuring floats and local groups along Federal Highway.

 

On December 6, Savor Boca – A Centennial Celebration at Mizner Park will offer a scavenger hunt and tasting tour, inviting everyone to explore the city’s heritage and flavors.

 

Join in to celebrate Boca Raton’s 100th year and uplift local schools.

Boca Raton is rolling out a new era of transportation with the launch of MiCa, the city’s first autonomous shuttle service.

 

Created through a partnership between Guident Corp. and Circuit Transit, Inc., MiCa delivers a sustainable and high-tech way to get around downtown.

 

The shuttle runs a 0.6-mile loop in Mizner Park, making it easy for residents and visitors to opt for a quick, convenient ride.

 

Powered by Guident’s Remote Monitoring and Control Center (RMCC), MiCa blends advanced autonomy with real-time human oversight to ensure top-notch safety.

 

At first, a safety operator will ride along, with plans for full driverless operation as confidence in the service grows.

 

Future expansions aim to link Mizner Park to Royal Palm Place, creating a longer 2.6-mile circuit for even better downtown access.

In the early morning hours, a routine traffic stop on West Glades Road resulted in the arrest of Robert Mike Autuori, 42, on several charges, including felony drug possession.

 

A Boca Raton Police Crime Suppression Officer pulled Autuori over after catching him driving 60 mph in a 45 mph zone.

 

Records check revealed his driver's license was indefinitely suspended due to unresolved financial issues.

 

Autuori, who was already on probation for a drug offense, was forbidden from both driving and possessing controlled substances.

 

During a search of his vehicle, officers located two white pills—identified as Alprazolam (Xanax)—concealed in a napkin.

 

Autuori confessed to possessing the anti-anxiety medication without a prescription.

 

He now faces charges for drug possession, suspended license, and violating probation terms.

 

He was booked at Palm Beach County Jail following processing.

Boca Raton attorney Joe Osborne takes center stage on the 'Coffee With Q' podcast, offering a three-part deep dive into medical malpractice and patient rights.

 

Osborne explains Florida’s medical malpractice laws, focusing on frequent medical errors and misdiagnosis that can cause serious harm.

 

He guides patients through essential steps if they suspect negligence, plus outlines how state laws protect individuals and ensure provider accountability.

 

Drawing from decades of legal experience, Osborne shares practical advice on building successful cases, from evidence gathering to working with expert counsel.

 

South Florida listeners gain crucial information on handling issues like surgical mistakes, prescription errors, and delayed diagnoses.

 

‘Coffee With Q’ delivers authoritative interviews and resources on legal, business, and financial matters, making complex topics accessible to the local community.

 

Call 1-800-599-4LAW for further details.

Leadership Boca 2026 is designed to nurture and connect engaged leaders dedicated to Boca Raton’s continued prosperity.

 

Participants experience ten in-depth sessions covering topics like economic development, healthcare, education, environment, and local government, immersing them in the realities and opportunities across the city.

 

Guided by sector experts, attendees gain valuable insight into Boca Raton’s diverse challenges, preparing them to make meaningful contributions.

 

The program seeks applicants invested in community leadership, especially those at or near decision-making roles.

 

Only 35 participants are accepted, with applications open July–September 2025 and a deadline of September 19.

 

The session runs bi-weekly from February to June 2026, with tuition set at $1,695.

 

Amid major local growth, Leadership Boca connects emerging leaders, ensuring the city's future is shaped by those rooted in its unique character and sustainability.

After ten years of anguish and searching, the family of Steven MacKrell finally learned his fate when his car was discovered in a Boca Raton lake in October 2025, with his remains inside.

 

Steven, last seen in July 2015 at a Pompano Beach gas station, had vanished with few clues, leaving his parents, Astrid and Don MacKrell, in a painful waiting game.

 

A breakthrough came from Sunshine State Sonar, whose team located Steven’s submerged Ford Fusion near Peninsula Corporate Circle, bringing closure and heavy emotions for his loved ones.

 

The Palm Beach County Medical Examiner confirmed Steven’s identity, offering long-sought answers and a chance for the MacKrells to finally honor his memory with a memorial.

 

Steven’s daughter, now 11, faces the reality in her own way as the ongoing investigation seeks to explain how tragedy struck.

 

Authorities urge anyone with further information to come forward.

Thomas Ruzzano, an 18-year-old from Boca Raton, is being hailed for his quick action during a sudden flash flood that struck the city Sunday night.

 

After leaving a movie at Mizner Park with his girlfriend, Ruzzano encountered city streets overwhelmed by fast-rising water.

 

With cars stranded and drivers in distress, he bravely waded through floodwaters, helping several people trapped in their vehicles.

 

In a dramatic moment, Ruzzano freed an elderly man stuck in his seatbelt as water rose dangerously high, ensuring his safety by escorting him to higher ground.

 

The storm dumped up to nine inches of rain in two hours, leaving residents frustrated and calling for better flood preparedness.

 

City officials acknowledged the severity, noting the event’s “extraordinary” intensity.

 

Ruzzano’s heroic response showcases the community’s resilience and compassion during challenging times.

Fernanda Blanco, 35, of Boca Raton, faces multiple charges after allegedly leading police on a chase following a late-night disturbance at Strike 10 bowling alley.

 

Police arrived just before 2 a.m. on November 17, 2025, spotting Blanco unsteady as she approached a black Volkswagen SUV.

 

She hit a curb while attempting to leave and soon made an illegal U-turn over a Federal Highway median, prompting officers to pursue her.

 

Despite flashing lights, sirens, and repeated commands, Blanco continued driving until finally stopping in a nearby garage.

 

After initially giving police a fake name and birthdate, she revealed her true identity and admitted drinking several cocktails earlier that night.

 

Refusing a breath test, Blanco was arrested for DUI, fleeing police, providing false ID, and resisting a lawful test.

 

She posted $26,250 bond and was released from Palm Beach County Jail.

Boca Raton’s Planning and Zoning Board has unanimously advanced an eight-story, 222-unit mixed-use complex from Atrium Residential for 1700 Clint Moore Road.

 

This modern development will integrate residential apartments with 2,015 square feet of ground-floor restaurant and retail space.

 

Unusually, the project enjoys broad local support, as neighbors welcome new shops and eateries within walking distance and believe the plan will energize their area.

 

A small 0.9-acre portion of the site will be rezoned from recreation to “Planned Mobility,” though officials confirm it is not used by the adjacent Old Golf Course at Broken Sound.

 

The project will offer 23 affordable and 12 workforce housing units, plus a four-level integrated parking garage, clubhouse, gym, and swimming pool above the garage.

 

Public improvements include a new transit shelter for school buses and shuttles, as well as a spacious shared-use path.

 

Final city council approval is pending before construction begins.

Jeannine Morris has been honored as the 2025 Woman Volunteer of the Year by the Junior League of Boca Raton, recognizing her remarkable service with Place of Hope spanning over twenty years.

 

The celebration took place at The Boca Raton resort during the League’s 38th annual luncheon and fashion show, where more than 900 guests applauded the work of 40 committed nonprofit nominees.

 

Morris’s dedication includes helping to establish the Place of Hope’s Boca Raton campus and serving alongside her husband as a licensed respite foster parent, providing crucial support to children facing hardship.

 

Her ongoing compassion has left a lasting mark on families throughout the region.

 

This annual luncheon spotlights not only individual excellence, but the powerful impact of collective volunteer action in both Palm Beach and Northern Broward counties.

 

Proceeds further the League’s mission to strengthen local communities through service and leadership.

BioStem Technologies, a top innovator in advanced wound care, is planning to relocate its headquarters to Boca Raton.

 

The company will develop a modern campus on a four-acre site within the Research Park at Florida Atlantic University, bringing together offices, manufacturing, and distribution all under one roof.

 

To secure BioStem’s move, the City of Boca Raton has approved up to $300,000 in economic incentives, tied to the creation of 100 new jobs averaging $81,000 in annual salary over five years.

 

BioStem chose Boca Raton over several other top contenders, including tech hubs in Tennessee, Massachusetts, and North Carolina, highlighting the city’s emergence as a medical technology magnet.

 

This move is set to energize South Florida’s biotech sector, boosting local jobs and reinforcing the Research Park’s reputation for innovation.

 

BioStem will collaborate closely with city leaders and the Research Park as it plans the transition.

Brooks Nunez, founder of Boca Raton's ACA Group, has rapidly grown his company into a national leader in the timeshare exit industry, helping clients legally escape burdensome contracts.

 

Launching ACA Group from his garage during the pandemic in 2020, Nunez built a personalized customer management system, laying the foundation for the firm’s signature approach.

 

By 2025, ACA Group expanded into a major Fort Lauderdale office, employing over 50 people and earning recognition on the Inc. 5000 list for its impressive 585% three-year growth.

 

The company is praised for its client-first ethos, including white-glove service, transparent communication, and an A+ BBB rating.

 

Nunez remains focused on growth, driven by values of integrity, truthfulness, and advocacy, ensuring each client feels supported every step of the way.

Boca Raton city officials have unanimously advanced Camino Square Phase 2, a transformative project at 171 West Camino Real.

 

The plan features two eight-story towers with 374 apartments and more than 23,000 square feet of retail, revitalizing the site of the former Winn-Dixie supermarket.

 

This updated version addresses prior concerns by expanding retail space and slightly reducing the number of residential units.

 

Mayor Scott Singer commended developers for their flexibility and their historic $3 million contribution for local road improvements.

 

The buildings, rising nearly 98 feet, will offer a mix of living and commercial spaces, anchored by a seven-story garage and an inviting central courtyard intended for community gatherings.

 

Additional enhancements include a smaller driveway, abandoned utility easements, and $15,000 for pedestrian safety.

 

The city views this project as a key step in realizing a vibrant, connected downtown.

James Marinakis, 74, of Boca Raton, was arrested on November 21, 2025, after a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office investigation uncovered severe animal cruelty at his property.

 

Authorities found ten horses living in deplorable, unsanitary conditions — many malnourished, injured, and neglected in the 12200 block of 200th Street South.

 

Veterinarians confirmed eight seized horses suffered malnutrition, dehydration, dental disease, overgrown hooves, and untreated wounds, including a maggot-infested injury needing surgery.

 

These findings showed long-term neglect.

 

Marinakis faces multiple counts of abandonment and aggravated animal cruelty, and was booked into Palm Beach County Jail.

 

He has prior convictions for similar offenses and animals have repeatedly been removed from his care over the years.

 

Authorities stress the importance of reporting animal abuse immediately to protect vulnerable animals in the community.

Boca Raton is bracing for a rare cold snap, with temperatures expected to tumble into the 40s early next week.

 

This surprising chill follows weeks of classic South Florida warmth.

 

Forecasters report a cold front arriving soon, driving Monday’s high down to 82°F and the low to just 46°F.

 

By Tuesday, highs will only reach 69°F, with overnight lows rebounding to 62°F—well under typical November averages for the area.

 

Local officials urge residents to check their heating systems and dress in layers to stay comfortable as the temperatures fall.

 

The front may also bring gusty winds and a slight risk of rain, adding to the brisk feel outside.

 

Stay updated through local weather reports and take precautions, especially for seniors and young children vulnerable to sudden cold.