South Florida Sun-Sentinel Palm Beach (Sunday)
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw leading law enforcement from hospital
A man considered to hold the greatest law enforcement power in Palm Beach County is doing so from a hospital bed at JFK Hospital near Lake Worth.
Ric Bradshaw, the fiveterm sheriff, has been in the hospital for over a month after two medical procedures between April 26 and May 3. The second procedure was an elective heart procedure, Sheriff ’s Office spokeswoman Teri Barbera said, but did not provide details.
Barbera said Bradshaw did not have a heart attack.
She said the undisclosed procedure was successful and the sheriff ’s recovery is going better than expected. In November 2020, the then-72-year-old Bradshaw was reelected sheriff for the fifth time. Should he finish the his fifth, four-year term, he will earn the title as longest-serving sheriff ’s in the history of Palm Beach County.
That’s exactly what he intends to do — and then some, said Rick Asnani, Bradshaw ’s campaign manager.
“Sheriff Ric Bradshaw plans on recovering, returning, and re-running,” Asnani said,
Bradshaw previously served as chief of police in West Palm Beach. All told, he has more than 50 years in law enforcement experience.
The Sheriff ’s Office has 4,300 employees and thousands of volunteers. It serves 680,000 residents in Palm Beach County.
Asnani said he has visited the sheriff at the hospital on more than one occasion and everyone from his family to his medical team is encouraged with Bradshaw’s recovery.
“He is positive, upbeat and grateful for the work and care that he has has been given by the doctors and nurses,” Asnani said. “He’s happy with his prognoses and excited to get back.”
Asnani could not give a time table when he thought the sheriff might be able to come back, but he did say the sheriff was eager to return.
“This is no different than him being on vacation,” Asnani said.
Still, officials at the Palm Beach County Sheriff ’s Office are aware of rumors to the contrary, and issued a statement in mid-May about Bradshaw’s health.
Barbera said the sheriff is in daily contact with command staff.
“Sheriff Bradshaw wants the residents of Palm Beach County to know that he has a strong executive and law enforcement team in place who are doing a great job in keeping your families safe. Sheriff Bradshaw is getting regular briefings and is capable of reviewing information and guiding his team,” Barbera wrote.
“Unfortunately, rumors and misinformation are being spread throughout the public about the sheriff ’s health to create a perception of weakness or to manipulate the circumstances. Sheriff Bradshaw’s procedure was elective, not due to an emergency. He is receiving excellent medical care and expects to be back to work soon,” Barbera wrote.
Fern Drive, Wellington. Register at events.pbclibrary. org/node/26960.
Juneteenth Freedom Day at Okeechobee Boulevard Branch Library - Attendees will be able to see the Afrique Ngozi Dance & Drum, Inc. children’s dance troupe perform, make crafts and meet the winners and runners-up of the library’s “Design a Bookmark Contest.” 2 p.m. June 18 at Okeechobee Boulevard Branch Library, 5689 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach. Register at events.pbclibrary.org/ node/26544.
Festival for All - Rosemary Square will host a family friendly festival that spans two days. Saturday will feature live music, local vendors, classes hosted by Black-owned businesses and nonprofits, and more. Sunday’s festivities will occur in conjunction with the one-year anniversary of Rohi’s Readery, a children’s bookstore with an emphasis on social justice, diversity and inclusivity. There will be vendors showcasing Black-owned confectioneries, a market dedicated to local authors, book readings and other activities. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. June 18 and 1-7 p.m. June 19 at Rosemary Square, 700 S. Rosemary Ave., West Palm Beach. thesquarewestpalm.com/festival-for-all.
Second Annual Juneteenth Unity x Black Excellence Festival Invitation - Riviera Beach will host a free event featuring games, music, activities, food, Black-owned businesses and community resources. There will also be fundraising initiatives for Culture Club, Culture Clinic and other programs. 3-10 p.m. June 19 at the Riviera Beach Marina Village Event Center, 190 E. 13th St. juneteenthpbc. org/.
Robert Lewis at the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum - Robert Lewis, a member of the artistic group Florida Highwaymen, will paint at the Williams Cottage. His art will be on display as well as available for purchase. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. June 19 at the Spady Museaum, 170 NW Fifth Ave., Delray Beach. spadymuseum.com or 561-279-8883.
Juneteenth at North Lauderdale Jerry Resnick Aquatic Center - For some water-based activities, visit the North Lauderdale Jerry Resnick Aquatic Center for free swimming, food, live music and more. 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. June 19 at the North Lauderdale Jerry Resnick Aquatic Center, 701 SW 71st Ave., North Lauderdale. 954-724-7061 or nlauderdale.org/news_detail_T6_ R192.php.
Juneteenth Festival in Boynton Beach - This free festival will feature spoken word, food, music, nonprofit and civic booths as well as other activities. Noon-4 p.m. June 19 at Sara Sims Park, 209 NW Ninth Ave., Boynton Beach. boynton-beach.org/ juneteenth or 561-703-1089.
”Redteenth” Cultural Festival - The Sickle Cell Foundation of Palm Beach County, the village of Wellington and Treasure Coast Inc. join forces to put on an event for Juneteenth as well as the Sickle Cell Foundation. Vendors, entertainment, a fashion show, live performances, food trucks and more will be featured. Free. 4-8 p.m. June 19 at the Wellington Town Center Boardwalk, 12150 Forest Hill Blvd. 561- 833-3113 or wellingtonfl.gov/837/Juneteenth.
Miramar Juneteenth Celebration - Unite Against Racism - Hosted by Miramar Vice Mayor Yvette Colbourne, there will be soul food, music, pop-up African art museum, spoken word and dance groups. 5-8 p.m. June 20 at the Miramar Multi-Service Complex, 6700 Miramar Parkway. Free. Advance registration required at bit.ly/3znEHk6. 954-602-3178.
Juneteenth Jamboree - Celebrate this happy event also known as “Emancipation Day” with stories, poems, strawberries, red hot potato chips and “Red-Pop” in the Youth Services area. June 20 at the African American Research Library and Cultural Center, 2650 Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. 954-357-6282.
Juneteenth: A Celebration for Ages 6-12 - Learn about the holiday, make a craft and enjoy refreshments at 3 p.m. June 20 at the Lauderhill Central Park Library, 3810 NW 11th Place, Fort Lauderdale. 954-3577833.
Juneteenth Poster Workshop - There will be a presentation by Dr. Kim Harris, a song, and a dose of creativity that celebrates what it means to be free. 3 p.m. June 21 at the Hollywood Branch, 2600 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. 954-357-7760.