Officials say traffic signals set for storm
After Hurricane Irma disaster, county cites areas of improvement.
WEST PALM BEACH — A year ago, Palm Beach County traffic was in chaos.
Hurricane Irma left the county’s traffic-signal system in shambles. About 60 percent of the county’s 14,500 signals either lost power or were damaged, including at some major intersections, county engineering officials said.
The result was frustration, road rage and a flurry of crashes that made driving treacherous in the days after the storm.
Fast-forward a year and those in charge of keeping the traffic lights flashing green, yellow and red say they are ready if a major storm hits before hurricane season ends in November.
“We are responsible for 1,200 intersections which is nearly 98 percent of all the intersections in the county,” said David Ricks, the county engineer and public works director, who oversees a staff of 60. “It’s really a huge responsibility.”
To prepare, work crews have inspected virtually every traffic light in the county, checking the wiring, insulation and other components of the signals “to verify their reliability,” said Mo Al-Turk, the county’s traffic engineering operations manager.
The county’s purchase of 10 generators will also aid traffic if a storm hits, officials said. Those generators — which give
Traffic
Pugliese’s case, the developer could still escape the $23.1 million judgment.
He is appealing the jury verdict that he committed civil theft and breached an operating agreement he had with DeLuca to build a com- munity dubbed “Destiny” on 41,000 acres near Yeehaw Junction. Based on the jury verdict, Hafele ruled Pugliese owed Deluca’s widow $12.8 million. Pugliese is also appealing Hafele’s order that he pick up DeLuca’s $10.2 million legal tab.
Those two appeals are still pending.
During the trial, Hutchiprogram, through Sept. 24. tion, Clinic & Ranch loca- son hammered Pugliese
Peggy Adams Animal Restions in Palm City and Jupifor sending DeLuca fake cue League also has special ter have reached capacity, invoices from phony comadoption promotions. For and the organization is askpanies to keep money flowinformation, visit www.peg- ing for donations, resources ing. Hutchison said Pugliese gyadams.org. and those willing to foster used the money for personal
If rescue organizations are or provide adoptive homes. expenses, such as buying a able to help, they are asked The Palm City ranch took moat chiller to protect tropto contact the following Ani- in four large dogs from South ical fish swimming outside mal Care and Control staff: Carolina in advance of Hurrihis estimated $40 million Sunday to Thursday: Suzy cane Florence, Furry Friends Gulf Stream mansion. Dannelevitz, sdannele@pbc- programs director Karen Denying that the money gov.org or 561-233-1252; or Counts said, and does not was used for luxury items, Tammy Roberts, troberts@ have room for more. Pugliese said he was forced pbcgov.org or 561-233-1281; “It’s really bad right now,” Friday and Saturday: Kelly she said of the overcrowding. Diegert, kdiegert@pbcgov. For information, vi s it org or 561-233-1219. www.furryfriendsadop
The Humane Society of tion.org. Greater Jupiter/Tequesta also is looking for help.
Its Furry Friends Adop- to turn to deception when DeLuca stopped bankrolling the project, making it impos- sible for him to pay employees who were working on the plans for the development that he described as his dream.
Weeks before DeLuca died of leukemia in 2015, Pugliese and his business manager, Joseph Reamer, pleaded no contest to charges of an organized scheme to defraud. Pugliese also pleaded no contest to grand t heft, served four months of a sixmonth jail sentence and repaid DeLuca $1.2 million.
Pugliese d idn’t try to hide his conviction from the jury. His lawyer, Willie Gary, even told jurors his inmate number.
Pugliese is appealing the jury verdict that he committed civil theft and breached an operating agreement he had with DeLuca to build a community near Yeehaw Junction.