Firefighters ask the city for three support staff
Plus a budget survey deadline, Miss America Week, and waterfront music tonight.
The long weekend starts with a city budget deadline and a free waterfront show. First, firefighters are making a direct case for more help as West Palm Beach grows.
West Palm Beach firefighters want more help in the city's next budget. The union says growth has left crews stretched thin. It is asking for three support staff to ease office and training work.
The proposed FY27 budget would replace people who retire. It would not add fire or EMS posts. Fire Chief Diana Matty has named 12 urgent office vacancies, according to WLRN.
The union says field chiefs work 50 to 60 hours a week on tasks such as gear and supply orders. Nearly 300 line staff rely on that support.
Property values rose more than 9% in the past year. That adds over $12.4 million in revenue, even with a small tax-rate cut. A new fire fee for some nonprofits adds about $700,000. The union wants some of that money used for staff.
Niwa plans Japanese and Latin flavors
APM Restaurant Group plans to open Niwa in October at 523 Park Place, next to the group's Emelina. The name means "garden" in Japanese.
Niwa pairs master sushi chef Masayuki Komatsu of Ogawa with Emelina chef Osmel Gonzalez. The menu will combine seafood from Tokyo's Toyosu Fish Market with regional ingredients and Latin preparations.
The preview names mojo-marinated wagyu, guarapo-braised black cod, Florida blue crab hand rolls, nigiri and usuzukuri. An outdoor tea garden is being curated by Miami's JoJo Tea.
The RealReal opens in West Palm Beach
Luxury fashion resale brand The RealReal opened a 2,100-square-foot store at 700 S. Rosemary Avenue, Suite 136. It replaces the company's longtime Palm Beach location.
The shop carries authenticated women's and men's fashion, handbags, fine jewelry, watches and accessories. It also offers consignment, expert appraisals and private shopping appointments.
The store is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Inventory includes brands such as Chanel, Dior, Hermès and Rolex.
Miss America Week comes to West Palm Beach
Miss America Week is under way in West Palm Beach for the first time. The program runs through Sunday, September 6, with events at the Kravis Center, Palm Beach County Convention Center and Hilton West Palm Beach.
Jennifer Hale and Billy Gilman are the celebrity hosts. Friday brings the crowning of Miss America's Teen, followed by the 99th Miss America crowning on Sunday at the convention center. Fifty-two contestants arrived from every state, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.
Organizers project a $12.3 million economic impact over three years. That is a forecast tied to hosting the event here, not a final count from this week.
The Landsharks play the waterfront tonight
- When
- Thursday, September 3 · 6:00 PM-9:00 PM
- Where
- Centennial Square and Great Lawn
- Address
- 100 N. Clematis Street, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
- Price
- Free
The Landsharks Band brings Margaritaville Memories to Clematis by Night this evening. The free show runs from 6 to 9 p.m.
The band will play a waterfront tribute to Jimmy Buffett's music and spirit. The concert is at Centennial Square and the Great Lawn in downtown West Palm Beach.
Bring a lawn chair or blanket if you want to settle in. The waterfront venue is at 100 N. Clematis Street.
The FY27 budget survey closes today
West Palm Beach is building its Fiscal Year 2027 budget and is asking for public input. The community survey closes today, September 3, at 5 p.m.
The city says the answers will help guide its budget work. Residents and local businesses can reach the survey from the Budget Division page on wpb.org.
If a survey box is too limiting, the same page lists mybudgetinput@wpb.org for additional comments or questions. The first public budget hearing is Tuesday, September 8, at 5:01 p.m.; final approval is scheduled for September 23.