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Florida waterways are on track for revitalization after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Executive Order 23-06 on Jan. 10, 2023. The order creates additional funding for agencies to better regulate and monitor wastewater disposal into Florida basins. This new legislation helps to ensure that bodies of water, such as Lake Okeechobee, the Indian River Lagoon and the Everglades will be closely monitored to keep pollutants out of the water, as well as out of the habitats and ecosystems which these waterways possess. "We are encouraged by the governor's announcement today, recommitting to making Florida's environment a priority. This Executive Order strengthens the previous commitments made to improve Florida's waters and builds on the momentum of the past four years," said Mark Perry, the Executive Director and CEO of the Florida Oceanographic Society. The order allocates a record-breaking $3.5 billion over four years to conservation efforts in Florida, such as the South Florida Water Management District. This is the largest amount of money put toward an environmental effort in state history. According to the district’s statement, “The District is committed to working together with our partners to implement Executive Order 23-06 and continue this unprecedented progress for the people and the environment of South Florida.” With the order, Florida is taking serious action toward water conservation in a way it has not yet attempted. Executive Order 23-06 could prove to be an essential step in the restoration of the state’s environment. By Cooper Ray

Car accidents are a leading cause of fatalities both in the U.S. and worldwide. But, within this category, hit-and-runs are particularly concerning. In Florida, hit-and-run crashes accounted for one in every four traffic accidents in 2022, resulting in one fatality every 32 hours, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. As defined by James Choban, an instructor from the Palm Beach Safety Council, a hit-and-run happens when “somebody is involved in an accident and they leave the scene without giving information either to the police or to the other driver.” The consequences of this type of action could result in severe legal penalties depending on property damage, injuries and/or fatalities caused. According to the Lorenzo & Lorenzo law firm, a hit-and-run crash causing property damages is considered a second-degree misdemeanor that could earn up to 60 days in prison, plus a $500 fine. More severely, a hit-and-run crash that injures the other driver could be considered either a second or third-degree felony, with the driver’s license revoked for a minimum of three years, a five-year maximum prison sentence and a $5,000 fine. If you are a victim of a hit-and-run, Choban advises you to call 911 immediately “It is not just the law – It is the right thing to do,” Choban said. If there are witnesses in the area, try to get their contact information. At a later time, you will need to contact your insurance company to find out who is responsible for the payment of the vehicle. By Osvaldo Godoy

Local produce growers and sellers in Palm Beach County bring light to the difficulties and victories of being part of a field that can benefit everyone. According to the Florida Agriculture Overview and Statistics data, “Florida’s 47,400 farms and ranches utilize 9.7 million acres and continue to produce a wide variety of safe and dependable food products.” Smaller farms with gross sales of less than $250,000 per year make up a large portion of farmland, specifically in Palm Beach County. Joseph Chammas and his wife, Tawna, spent the past eight years building a diverse farm to support their vegan lifestyle at Gratitude Garden Farm in Loxahatchee, Florida. The farm is growing nearly all common produce items, including their most popular item, the mushroom. Chammas discovered he had cancer and was told he had nearly six months to live. After making the difficult decision to completely transform his lifestyle from traditional Western medicine, he and his wife fully devoted their time to investing in different self-taught techniques to create a plant-based lifestyle. “You can grow year round…not the same things, but 12 months out of the year,” Chammas explained. Chammas attributes a large part of his agricultural success to the ideal warm climate of South Florida. He noted how the recent hurricanes in 2022 caused injuries to the farm, but he was ultimately thankful for the plentiful rain. Chammas explained how he feels lucky he can support his lifestyle in sunny Florida, enjoy the trial and error process that comes with the changing seasons and be aware of his limitations. “I understand what I can and cannot grow here, and I’m not trying to go outside my parameters,” Chammas said. Gratitude Garden Farms will soon become an educational center for those looking to learn how to live a healthier, plant-based lifestyle while utilizing the benefits of living somewhere environmentally sufficient for the growth of quality food. From a seller's perspective, Elsa Del Carpio, owner of Don Victorio’s Market, reveals ongoing flaws with the produce she sells. Don Victorio’s Market is located on South Dixie highway in West Palm Beach, Florida. Del Carpio moved from Cusco, Peru, in 2000 and eventually acquired enough knowledge to open an organic produce market in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Del Carpio explained how she buys and sells produce from various farms around Loxahatchee and Homestead, Florida. After being in the business for over a few years, she noticed how items such as citruses and herbs have been abnormally growing, raising suspicion amongst her customers. “Looks ugly, but tastes good,” Del Carpio said. “Everything is because of the weather.” She believes the changes in produce are due to the shortage of farm workers, delivery drivers and overall protection of farmland. One of Florida’s staples is the orange fruit, which has been facing several abrasions over the past few years. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, “Huanglongbing (HLB), also known as citrus greening, is the most serious disease of citrus. The disease is spread by the Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri) (ACP), which has been present in Florida since 1998.” This phenomenon has affected Del Carpio as well. “Prices went up, farmers need to protect the herbs and spend more money covering crops to maintain and protect the heat,” Del Carpio noted. Del Carpio explained that due to the rising temperatures in Florida, fewer crops can grow. This problem forms a sense of competition among nearby produce farmers and business owners. She later noted how farmland is quickly being consumed by infrastructures and apartment buildings. However, Del Carpio is determined to work hard and remain in West Palm Beach thanks to the ongoing positive feedback she receives from the community. “We have deliveries every day, fresh produce, that’s why everyone loves us,” Del Carpio adds. “Keep supporting local businesses.” By Veronica Vaughan

Black History Youth Awareness Art Festival in Delray Beach was one of many events taking place in Palm Beach County during February to celebrate Black History Month. Since 1986, February has been recognized as the official Black History Month in the U.S. This month is used across the country to educate, engage and influence communities. Palm Beach County hosted events throughout the month, many of which included youth groups. BHYAAF was one of these events, aiming to inspire youth to explore entrepreneurship while promoting awareness of African American culture. “Our goal is to improve mainly youth and inspire them to cultural acts through black history awareness,” said Anthony Bacchus, director of partnerships for Milagro Center, organizer and event coordinator of BHYAAF. The second annual BHYAAF theme was “black resistance,” inspired by the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum. The museum is dedicated to discovering, collecting and sharing the African American history and heritage of Palm Beach County. The festival included music performances and art competitions that encouraged youth to stand up for and represent themselves as part of this year's theme. Bacchus said that he organizes the festival to inspire youth to know their roots and have a bright future where they can feel included in the community. This is accomplished by encouraging youth to share their artwork and entrepreneurship during the festival. Dr. Terriel Byrd, professor of Urban Christian Ministry and Fellow for the Intercultural Engagement Council at Palm Beach Atlantic University, sees black history as U.S. history. “So many black individuals have contributed to education, science, music and art to help this nation to become the great nation it has become,” Byrd said. Byrd then criticized the attempt in Florida to remove the AP course on African American studies from high schools. The Florida Department of Education banned this course after reasoning that it could violate Florida law, educational value and historical accuracy. Despite criticism from others, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed this bill, stating that the course was too closely aligned with other political agendas. Byrd, however, disagreed. “This should never happen because too much progress has been made to educate a society so often plagued by ignorance of the history of Black Americans,” Byrd said. Byrd said that Black History Month can be used to raise discussions, such as the debate with this law. These discussions can be held in schools, allowing youth participation to further discover solutions for the future. Byrd also said that he admires the perseverance of African Americans who have a fierce determination to keep pressing on against all odds they face. By Hedda Jarhall

On Jan. 4, West Palm Beach police arrested a suspect accused of stealing student belongings on Palm Beach Atlantic University campus property. The belongings included small electronic devices and missing jewelry that several students said had been missing for months. PBA students received an email from the Department of Public Safety on Feb. 7, notifying them of the arrest and encouraging students to come forward if they were missing items. “In general, DPS has received an increase of reported thefts [and] lost property in the past semester with respect to previous semesters,” said both Major Curtis Krauel and Director of the Department of Public Safety Adam Pina. Jacqui Daspit, a resident assistant in Oceanview Hall, reported $900 in cash missing from a drawer in her dorm when she returned from winter break. The drawer where her money had been was left a mess, and Daspit’s door had a tag left on it to show that a maintenance worker had been there. Daspit was confused, considering she had been there for a maintenance visit that took place after the break had begun, and questioned why another visit took place so soon after. She claims that the log used to record who enters and leaves student dormitories is only used when students are on campus. “I was asking a lot of questions about why he was in my room over break,” Daspit said. Daspit said she was sure that she had been robbed after hearing the stories of other thefts on campus. She was even recommended a detective that a fellow student had independently hired in order to find their lost items. Once the Department of Public Safety sent out an email about the missing items, Daspit reported her lost money to Krauel. She decided to report her missing money to the Department of Public Safety when she realized the benefits for herself and others. “This might actually help other people to come forward and say I had been stolen from,” Daspit said. Kaylin Iszler, a nursing student and commuter at PBA, recalled a different experience with campus theft protocol. She was changing into her scrubs for clinical in the Warren Library and accidentally left her shoes there. After she confirmed with several library employees that her shoes were seen in the lost-and-found but were missing, multiple workers advised her to wait and see if anyone found them. After not hearing back, Iszler went to the Department of Public Safety to report her missing shoes a week later. “I am not sure I got a single full-length sentence out,” said Iszler, describing her meeting with the Public Safety Officer. Iszler said that she felt very disregarded, and claimed the officer spoke over her throughout their conversation. She was told that the department would do its best to find her shoes, but she has not heard anything yet. Iszler attributes much of her frustration to other incidents she has heard about on campus. “I’ve heard about multiple robberies, one of them proven by West Palm Beach police to be a robbery by a national team member,” Iszler said. “I wish they would have addressed the situation with more transparency about what is actually happening on campus.” The Department of Public Safety was unable to provide information about the suspect found with student belongings in order to protect the privacy of a criminal investigation involving local law enforcement. “You should take steps to prevent further theft by securing your belongings and being aware of your surroundings,” Krauel said. “This can include locking your doors and windows, using a U-Bolt, security or lock valuable items and being cautious of strangers or unfamiliar people on campus.” The Residential Life Office at PBA performed check-ins with individual students to see if they were missing items. “We will continue to monitor the safety of our community and work with the Department of Public Safety to investigate any concerns brought to our attention,” said Kara Wenger, Dean of Students, about Residential Life’s response to the theft of student belongings. By Grace Mackey

Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia that affects memory, behavior and thinking. This slow-burning disease affects more than 3 million people in the U.S. each year. Despite its prevalence, Alzheimer’s still has no cure. Florida native Gladys González is just one of many that have faced the reality of this life-altering illness. González’s diagnosis in 2022 came after exhibiting signs for two to three years prior. However, her story is not one of loss but of hope. She and her family look for ways to live a proactive, healthy lifestyle with Alzheimer’s disease. “At first, it was disconcerting, then there was a little fear, and still, a little bit now, of completely losing everything and forgetting everything in my life,” González said. “I like to focus on the positive, so even if I forget what we did exactly, I will never lose the feeling of being happy with the people I love.” Lisa González and Christine Coschignano, Gladys González’s daughters, have been close witnesses to their mother’s cognitive decline. They described their mother as independent, outgoing and silly. “I see how someone who was so independent and didn’t follow the social norms of women in her time is now stuck in this position of being almost childlike,” Coschignano said. “Especially since this disease isn’t visual, it was hard to grasp it fully.” Lisa González went into detail about how the disease has not only affected her mother, but also shifted their relationship. She mentioned how she had to adopt a new sense of patience and perspective after adjusting to her mother’s condition. “They cannot control the fact that they cannot remember, and so I think you need a lot of patience. You often have to remind them of things and reiterate certain details so they still feel present, included and engaged,” Lisa González added. The overall experience has brought the family closer than ever and made them all appreciate their time together. The family adopted the mantra of “love never forgets” as a way to feel connected and to ensure Gladys knows she is not alone in her journey. “We remember for her when she can’t. That’s what we’ve told her many times -- not to worry because we’ve got her,” Lisa González said. The family has also taken up responsibilities in terms of making decisions about her care, scheduling doctor’s appointments and ensuring she stays on her routine. “We keep her on an upbeat routine. It’s important because she has more moments of being absent-minded than moments of lucidity, so having a routine keeps her on track,” Coshignano explained. The sister duo also makes great efforts in keeping their mother active and stimulated to ensure her brain is as healthy as possible. Their mother has always been independent, so making sure she gets out of the house is imperative both to her mental and physical health. “For one thing, walking and exercising have helped me. I would say getting out of the house helps my mental health. I never liked being locked up in the house and I know that isn't good for me now,” Gladys González said. Even though there has yet to be a cure, groups such as the Alzheimer’s Association have proven that doing exercise and other stimulating activities can positively affect brain health, overall slowing down the progression of the disease. There is hope on the horizon with new genetic testing that could help families such as the González’s. New drugs and research are being fast-tracked by the FDA now more than ever. With new research emerging constantly, people are stepping in the right direction to end this disease that robs people of who they used to be. By Daniella Pacheco

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis advised Palm Beach Atlantic University students during a Q&A session on Feb. 14 to start building their own platform if they wanted to run for public office in the future. The meeting was held in the Warren Library at PBA and lasted about 15 minutes, during which DeSantis spoke about the process of becoming well known enough to be a contender in an election. DeSantis described running for office without first building a platform as difficult, noting the challenge of gaining recognition when he ran for Congress. "I had a great resume, but no one knew me from Adam," DeSantis said. He encouraged students to start by letting people know who they are, then suggested that running for smaller offices, rather than a state position, is an easier way to meet people. "There are people who spend 30 or 40 million dollars, and no one knows who they are," DeSantis said about the nature of campaigning. He reflected on door-knocking with his wife during his first campaign, estimating that he reached around 11,000 voters through this process. "You have a lot of easy access to people all over the world, but you can also get drowned out because there are a lot of voices," said Sarah Foster, PBA senior and presidential ambassador student coordinator. DeSantis emphasized that meeting the voters gave him more information than a poll ever could. While he recalled his experience as difficult, he also described it as impactful. People still approach him, saying he knocked on their door in 2012. Foster said she thinks that campaigning in today’s digital climate could be easier because of social media, but it still comes with challenges. DeSantis warned that public office would only suit someone with thick skin, as people lie about, attack and smear candidates. DeSantis added that while such actions did not bother him, others might be happy serving elsewhere. According to him, there are plenty of opportunities to be involved and "make a splash" in government. "There's always, in government, people looking for good people," DeSantis said in his conclusion. The session ended with students giving a standing round of applause for the governor, but PBA sophomore Rebecca Nacy was left wanting more from the Q&A session. Nacy wished there had been more questions about DeSantis' stance on specific political concerns. "There were only two questions, and I wasn't really invested in either of those," Nacy said. Nacy said that she would have brought about more controversial subjects like gun control if given a few seconds. However, Foster said it was an exciting opportunity to get insight from the governor. Foster believes it is essential for people to be educated about politics to make a more informed decision on voting day. By Sarah Gale

Unlike many colleges, Palm Beach Atlantic University does not have football games or large social gatherings, and there are no sororities or fraternities. Instead, PBA has a unique tradition called Sailfish Cup. Sailfish Cup is a campus-wide competition between six teams made of students from different residence halls. The competition lasts from the beginning of the fall semester to the first few weeks of the spring semester, and includes 35 events, such as a dance-off, dodgeball championship, tug-o-war and an Uno competition. “It is a really good place for students to put all their passion!” Briena Sohns, a sophomore and resident assistant in Baxter Hall, stated. Sailfish Cup provides an opportunity for everyone to come out and show their school spirit in a unique way. The tournament also brings everyone together despite being on opposing teams. “It was very eventful! Organizing and rallying everybody to be excited about the biggest sporting event of PBA with all the students was really exciting and ended up being a really great tournament!” Kristof Gal, a resident assistant for P.O.W.R., said. Sailfish Cup has been part of PBA’s tradition for years and continues to be a highlight for students on campus, giving them an opportunity to show their school spirit and pride for their residence hall. “The competition honestly brings us all together,” said Alexia Amick, a junior and resident assistant in Johnson. Students spend hours together, even with people they have never met, all united in their desire to win. The competition is not all just about winning, though. “I felt sick to my stomach,” Sohns said. “We had put so much work and effort into this.” People who attend Sailfish Cup events often stay to watch every competition and cheer on all participants, even if they are competing against their own team. There is even collaboration between residence halls, where they help each other with tasks such as dance practices and prop-painting. “If you were there to support, you were there to support everyone,” Sohns explains. Baxter women and Watson men took home the trophy this year. Despite the competition, Sailfish Cup builds a community unlike any other event and demonstrates the unique spirit of PBA. By Ashlyn Knaebel

Habitats in Florida are essential to its ecosystems, but as more homes are built on the waterfront, fewer fish and habitats can survive. Hurricanes pose a threat to these habitats but the dangers to habitats vary based on location. Peter Shulz, a chairman of the West Palm Beach Fishing Club, disagrees. He believes that many factors affect local fishing, with one of the main factors being the overcrowding of people. Shulz explains how people living on the West Coast might deal with the situation differently than those in South Florida due to the shallow waters that flood more frequently, causing debris and sediment to harm habitats, especially during a hurricane. Hurricane season in South Florida runs from June to November. Charter boats stop taking out tourists, and local marinas prepare well before landfall. These storms are a potential threat to natural fish habitats in the area. Adin Kittinger, a tackle and charter fisherman in Destin, Florida, said that some migrations are delayed. “It seems things are happening later,” Kittinger said. He noted the King Mackerel migration, which usually occurs in early fall, did not happen until November this year. There are several reasons for this late migration, including warmer temperatures, melting polar ice caps and the destruction of reefs and habitats. “That didn’t happen this year until November. And it seems this way with a lot of stuff, like things are pushed back,” Kittinger said. Society can help the growth of reefs and fish populations after a storm or waterfront construction by limiting the amount of fishing, following community or state regulations and not polluting the ocean with harmful waste such as plastics or radioactive materials. These issues in Florida are providing educational opportunities for students. The West Palm Beach Fishing Club offers scholarships at Palm Beach Atlantic University and Florida Atlantic University for marine biology students. “We are always teaching, helping kids and bringing up the next generation of fishermen," says Shulz. "The only way to do that is to teach." By educating the next generation about the importance of the ocean and its habitats, the South Florida community can aid in the health and longevity of our reefs and fish habitats. By Gianna D'Occhio

Former Ambassador and National Security Advisor John Bolton delivered a speech on isolationism, arguing that isolationism is one of the U.S.’ biggest issues and a historically false idea that the country has embraced. “From the beginning, we have pushed out into the world,” Bolton said. On Jan. 19, at the foreign policy Q&A in the Warren Library, he emphasized the need for the U.S. to protect its interests abroad and abroad and to realize that diplomatic relations serve to carry out the nation's interests, not to act kindly. Palm Beach Atlantic University freshman Eloise Judy attended the meeting and partially disagreed with Bolton's remarks. She appreciated his passion for explaining that the U.S. broadcasts its resources to foreign countries to secure information for itself, but also believes that the U.S. should care for its own people and security before helping others. “I think part of that is true – and, I also believe that, as America, we must first care for our people and our security as a nation. But then we should be able to help other efforts outside,” Judy said. During the Q&A session, Judy asked Bolton if he thought China owed the world repercussions for lack of transparency during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bolton responded that it was a complex subject and that there might be things the world never knows about the pandemic. “I would have hoped he had been a little more specific with his answer,” Judy said. Despite being unsatisfied with his answer, Judy appreciated his comments that the world deserves an explanation from China. Freshman Jacob Friess, a fellow Cicero House member and double major in politics and pre-law, asked Bolton about Force Design 2030 and its potential to prepare the Marine Corps to deter or fight Chinese aggression. Force Design 2030 is a plan for the Marine Corps to address current issues by modernizing one branch of the navy. According to the Corps, the new program will help prepare marines to outmaneuver future adversaries. Bolton acknowledged the controversy surrounding the subject and said the Marine Corps has the right to worry about China and if it has sacrificed some of its capabilities. Judy and Friess believe it is important for young people to be involved and knowledgeable about foreign affairs. “This is our future we are stepping into, and we need to be aware of what is happening around us,” Judy said. By Sarah Gale

The Jewish community of Palm Beach County was shocked by the displays of hatred in their usually welcoming hometown. On Saturday night, Jan. 14, a swastika was projected onto an AT&T building in downtown West Palm Beach, Florida. Earlier that day, antisemitic flyers were spread throughout a neighborhood in Boca Raton. The response of both Jewish and government leadership sent a message of intolerance for the hateful actions. “The Jewish community will not tolerate antisemitism or hatred here or anywhere in this country or world,” Rabbi Moshe Scheiner said. Rabbi Barry Silver, leader of the Temple of Understanding, views antisemitism as “a pandemic” with “outbreaks of diseases.” These actions across South Florida came as no surprise to Rabbi Silver. He identifies the root causes of antisemitism to be politics and religion, and he attributes the extensive antisemitic history to the relationship between Judaism, Christianity and Islam. “If you worship an intolerant God, you become intolerant,” Rabbi Silver said. He called for “a complete transformation of religion.” Others called for action on the local level. A week after the incident at the AT&T building, Jewish and government leaders held a Havdalah Ceremony titled, “Dispel the Darkness with Light.” Members of the West Palm Beach community gathered to hear from core leaders in the Jewish community as well as West Palm Beach authorities. “We are going to take this location that was permeated with darkness, and we are going to dispel the darkness with light,” Rabbi Scheiner stated. Dr. Irving Berkowitz, son of Holocaust survivors, shared a message on Saturday night for antisemites everywhere. “You will always be outnumbered, you will always be outsmarted, and you will always be outlasted,” Dr. Berkowitz said. According to Mayor Gregg Weiss, 1 in 8 people in Palm Beach County are Jewish. In an area usually full of retirees, Weiss attributes the growth of young families largely to the Jewish community. Both Weiss and Rabbi Scheiner point to the COVID-19 pandemic as a source of the expanding Jewish population. Rabbi Scheiner watched Palm Beach Synagogue grow from 375 members to 500 since the pandemic. The swastika was projected by two masked individuals using a rented truck and a generator. They made a previous projection in Jacksonville the prior weekend. Authorities believe that both the West Palm Beach and Boca Raton incidents were connected. In Boca Raton, the law allowed the four men who distributed antisemitic flyers throughout a local neighborhood to get off on littering. Those responsible for the West Palm Beach incident faced no charges. Mayor Weiss has recognized these laws as inadequate and is developing a bill that will outlaw the display of an image without permission on public or private property. The general public recognizes antisemitism to be on the rise not only locally, but also nationally. Mayor Weiss acknowledges this national growth and views social media as a new breeding ground for antisemites to find support. By Grace Mackey

The Barn Theater is known for its inclusive cast, which spans a range of ages and backgrounds. Since its opening in 1970, the theater has become a staple in the community, partnering with local businesses and hosting programs for high school students interested in technical theater. They strive to be a place that welcomes all backgrounds by producing shows to attract different people to participate. Bryan Childe, the theater director for the past six years, oversees every aspect of the productions, from lights to sound to set design. To maintain its inclusive atmosphere, the theater produces shows that attract a diverse range of individuals. “We are a family that always wants to keep growing,” Childe said. “It's a huge family, and we all work together to make it an enjoyable experience.” Grease, a classic show full of lively music and dancing, was the last show put on by the Barn Theater. The production showcased the theater’s diverse cast, with performers ranging in ages from 17 to 78. The recent production proved the hand jive is for all ages. Jyrieze Bennett, an actor from the playhouse, reiterated the importance of having different ages on stage. “I think it’s exciting that we can get people of all ages to perform, each individual has so much talent to bring to the stage,” Bennett said. “It's exciting to see ‘older’ people keep up with the choreography.” Childe agreed the age range has worked in the theater’s favor. The diversity gives the shows a certain kind of depth that would not be achieved by having a limited age group. The Barn Theater offers everyone, no matter what age, the chance to get on stage and express themselves creatively. “Each individual has a different personality and a different persona, and it's interesting and fun to watch them all blend as one big group to put on an incredible show,” Childe said. Bennett also noted the unique atmosphere of the theater, which values intimacy over size. Despite its small size, the theater always finds a way to make it work, he said. He says that to see a theater of that size do what the Barn Theater does is impressive. The Barn Theater is looking to expand in the future, building a more modern space to enhance production value and provide an even better experience for patrons. The future expansion will enrich the production value and be an excellent place for patrons and support to come and enjoy. The Barn Theater is eager to welcome new faces and continue growing its community in South Florida. By Daniella Pacheco